Exploring Consciousness: Pt 1.
What is consciousness? Well, that really is the big question, isn’t it. If we, as a species actually had that answer, we wouldn’t have spent so much of our history exploring it. For some, it’s as simple as it’s dictionary definition, that is being awake, aware, and perceiving. For others, it is the very substrate of the universe itself. Scientists and philosophers haven’t arrived at a conclusion as to whether the brain itself produces consciousness, or if it is a field or state that the brain tunes into like an antenna. For the sake of our work, which involves a lot of trancework and meditation, we will look at all angles, but begin with fundamentals. Starting with basic brain states during meditation / trance. Each state corresponds to a different level of focus. surrender, and relaxation.
The Brain emits an electromagnetic field that is measured in hz (cycles per second). The frequency of that field changes depending on the level of alertness, focus, relaxation, or level of trance. The primary states of the brain are:
GAMMA, BETA, ALPHA, THETA, and DELTA
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Associated with deep sleep, dreamless sleep, and deeply relaxed meditation states.
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Linked to deep relaxation, creativity, and insight. Often observed in meditation and dream states.
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Linked to deep relaxation, creativity, and insight. Often observed in meditation and dream states.
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Represents active, waking consciousness, alertness, and focus. Common during daily activities and problem-solving.
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Associated with intense concentration, high-level cognitive processing, and heightened awareness.
Clicking the above items will tell you a bit about each state. As we move through our waking lives, we are primarily locked in the BETA state, which is normal waking consciousness. From the moment we wake up in the morning, our brain secretes cortisol to wake itself up. Cortisol is your brain’s stress hormone. As we work through meditation and trancework, our general goal is to go ANY direction to get out of BETA!
