The benefits of meditation and mindfulness no longer need to be proven. Science has demonstrated what ancient wisdom already knew, thus bringing more details as to what is happening inside our brain and body and the frequencies we emit.

Benefits of meditation for the brain

A regular practice has an effect on our cerebral activity in general on top of the structure of the brain itself. As a result, there is a thickening of grey matter in key zones dedicated to attention (cingulate and prefrontal cortex), internal emotional regulation (insula and amygdala), reinforcement of memory capacity (hippocampus), and of white matter allowing the interconnexion of neurons constituting grey matter.

The effects on health are also compelling: immune system strengthening, pain relief, reduction and stress management, important decrease of symptoms in physical and mental “pathologies,” etc.

We meditate all the time

A form of meditation is equivalent to focalising our attention on one or more specific thoughts. We can say that one way or another, we constantly meditate. We meditate on the past, the hypothetical problems of the future, admonishment, fear, regrets, everything that is not ok and bugs us. Ands we do that all the time and every single day. So why not decide to dedicate attention or let go on a regular basis of that type of meditation that is deleterious to our functioning, brain and health?

I read an analogy in an article saying that offering ourselves moments of meditation or mindfulness should be part of our daily life hygiene, like brushing our teeth. Humans aren’t born with a toothbrush in their mouths – they have learnt how to do it. It has become a non-negotiable habit to chase away bacteria in order to not end up toothless or with a jackal’s breath. And fundamentally, we do this to take care of ourselves.

Thomas Edison

An example is the brilliant inventor Thomas Edison. Before science discovered Alpha and Theta waves, he was already using them. These frequencies are, for instance, linked to creativity and learning. Edison used to relax in an armchair holding ball bearings in his hands, gently letting himself be swept away. When he reached sleep, his hands would let go of the ball bearings which would hit brass plates on the ground beneath them and consequently wake him up. This was his way to reach the edge of slumber without falling asleep. This allowed him to change frequencies, establish new connections, make space to ignored resources to solve a problem or understand new ideas. Edison’s technique is based on relaxation and letting go.

Frequencies

The billions of neurons in our brain constantly produce electrical signals that combine to create brainwaves that oscillate at different frequencies. These frequencies are measured in Hertz, and neuroscience has identified five main categories of them:

Gamma 32-80 Hz:
Associated with a high cognitive level and high mental activity, including perception and consciousness.

  • Allows insight, peak focus, expanded perception and consciousness, ability to solve problems. Found in long term meditation practitioners and Buddhist monks.

Bêta 13-32Hz:
Alert and active state of attention, current activities.

  • Active during thinking and conversation, focusing on a task, making a decision.

Alpha 8-13 Hz:
Physically and mentally relaxed, light meditation and mindfulness or just before falling asleep.

  • Improves learning and creativity, reduces stress, serves as the bridge towards deeper consciousness. Also found more in people with a positive mindset, performing aerobic activity – walking, jogging – or listening to music.

Thêta 4-8 Hz:
Extremely relaxed, deep meditation, hypnosis or light sleep.

  • Memory consolidation, promotes neuroplasticity, subconscious connection, intuition, boosting the immune system, high creativity.

Delta 0.5-4 Hz :
Deep dreamless sleep.

  • Restorative sleep, where healing and rejuvenation are stimulated.

In conclusion

Meditation and mindfulness means taking care of yourself, by offering yourself the possibility to center and connect, being in the here and now. On top of this is allowing your brain and body to do the necessary reset to perform better and also to rejuvenate by producing the good chemicals for your organism. It is also putting your mind’s chatter on mute to let your creativity and solutions pop at the surface, to be able to listen to the whispering of your soul and practice intentions. Last but not least, it is opening the door to your field of possibilities and creation by heightening your vibrational rate and expanding your consciousness.

Meditation or mindfulness is an appointment dedicated to yourself. The essential thing is to find what suits you best in order to stick to it. Whether it is for a few minutes to start with, listening to music or having a walk in nature. Until as for picking up your toothbrush, it will become a regular treat, not to say a life transforming practice.

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