Brain Waves and the connection to Meditation

There is no such thing as proper meditation. So instead of wondering how to properly meditate, you should be asking yourself how to meditate successfully?

To find out how meditation works and what happens to your head and body during meditation, you must first look at the concept of brain waves.

In order to use meditation correctly, you must understand which brain wave stands for which state of mind.

If, for example, you want to overcome your fears, discover your creative part or work on your sleep problems, you will have to apply different forms of meditation in each scenario. This is because for each scenario you have to address a different brain wave.

Accordingly, the first step in meditation 101 is to understand brain waves and the respective brain states in order to consciously produce the desired results.

Depending on your state of mind, your brain acts at different brain frequencies. Every state of mind, such as happiness, stress or relaxation has a dominant brainwave frequency that defines it.

A good meditation for beginners is to concentrate on your own breath. It’s basically the easiest way to move from the Alpha or Beta state to the Theta state. The breath and mind work in tandem, so when the breath rhythm becomes longer, the brain waves will slow down along with it.

Alpha Waves

Alpha waves run in the frequency range between 8 and 13 Hertz. They are the “the power of now” and result in relaxation and calmness. When you practice mindfulness or meditation, your brain typically runs on alpha waves.

These brain waves support well-being, calmness, mindfulness, interaction of mind and body and learning.

Beta Waves

Beta waves move in a frequency range between 13 and 38 Hertz and represent your normal waking state. They occur when you focus your attention on mentally challenging tasks.

Depression and anxiety are also associated with beta waves.

Theta Waves

Theta waves run between 4 to 7 Hertz and occur during sleep and are associated with deep relaxation and visualization.

Theta brain waves occur most often when you sleep but also when you make it into a very deep meditation. The theta state is a state of semi-consciousness that you normally experience only fleetingly when you wake up or about to fall asleep.

In Theta you are in a dream. You see living images and have a vivid imagination beyond your normal consciousness.

Delta Waves

Delta waves run below 4 Hertz, are similar to theta waves and occur during your sleep cycle.

This type of brain wave is slow and moves in a very low-frequency range. They appear in deep meditation and sleep. Healing and regeneration are stimulated in this state. That is why deep and restful sleep is so important for the healing process.

Gamma Waves

Gamma waves are largely unexplored brain waves that move in a frequency range between 39 and 100 Hertz. They are mainly present during higher mental activities and higher states of conscious perception.

Does this mean that certain types of brain waves are better than others? The answer is no. Each brain wave has a different function. During the day, depending on time and activity, you may want to produce a certain brain wave more often. This requires a certain amount of control, flexibility, and resilience.

Science & Meditation: Meditation for Skeptics

Meditation has already established itself in science in many ways. There are countless studies that scientifically prove the effectiveness and advantages of meditation.