Brainwave study of the enlightened ones

namelessness SG

I used to do brainwave research on An-Hsiang Chan practitioners for a period of time. Out of 7 subjects who are enlightened, I found out that their brainwaves are somewhat different from others. First of all, their main frequencies all appears at the lower Alpha or Delta range that indicates they are more relaxed. Secondly, bandwidth of the main frequency is much narrower that indicates more order and concentration. Thirdly, overall brainwave rhythm is more consistent that indicates higher mind stability. And finally, synchronization of both hemispheres is higher that indicates better coordination.

What surprised me is that one subjects brainwave even showed the pattern of Schumann resonance(See figure below). He told me that he was in the state of deep An-Hsiang while measuring. I guess perhaps that is the state of mind what the the Chinese called Men in one with the Heaven.

The above research was incomplete because no comparison was made to others other than An-Hsiang Ch'an practitioners. Its purely my personal interest and I was not trained in that area. It was only good enough for me to be deeply involved in the practice of An-Hsiang Chan. And the research was stopped because I knew that current scientific progress is not advanced enough to prove anything yet. We could only get a small glimpse of it.

An Eternal Now SG

Hi, thanks for sharing with us your research, it is most interesting. I believe anyone in a meditate state will have a much more stable and calm mind. Your research certainly proofed that the practise of Buddhism and meditation certainly bring 'An Hsiang' in every day lives Smile

An Eternal Now SG

Here is what I found:

http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:zoyxKHzSNEMJ:www.skyhero.com/bininst.pdf+brainwave+of+meditation+alpha+stage&hl=en&client=firefox-a

The four major brain wave divisions:

Beta: Beta is associated with normal, waking consciousness while our attention directed towards our external environment. They are also present during stress and anxiety. Beta waves oscillate between approximately 14 and 30 Hz (cycles per second).

Alpha: Alpha occur when we are relaxed and not thinking about anything in particular. Alpha waves are also associated with a calm and focused mental state. Alpha waves oscillate between 8and 14 Hz.

Theta: Theta is a state of deep relaxation and is often associated with bursts of creative insight; sleep learning and vivid mental imagery. It is also found in more advanced Meditators. Theta waves oscillate between 4 and 8 Hz.

Delta: Delta is the slowest of brainwave activity and is found during deep, dreamless sleep and sometimes in very experienced Meditators. They oscillate between .5 and 4 Hz.

NOTE: The brainwave states are an indication of the most dominant patterns during
any given mental activity. The brain is a dynamic, living organ. During these dominant
patterns, other frequencies still exist and there is no exact, single frequency that our
brain operates on.

Many more articles on Meditation and the Brain: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43006-2005Jan2.html & http://www.crystalinks.com/medbrain.html

namelessness SG

Thanks for the info you found. You're really resourceful.

Well, I forgot to mention that An-Hsiang Chan practitioners dont practice sitting meditation. As meditation often refers to meditate in a sitting position. We do not use the word meditate to describe our method. Instead, we call it zih4 jyue2 or self-awareness. We observe all activities in the mind 24 hours a day in all positions and conditions. All subjects were told to maintain their normal daily state of mind while measuring the brainwave except that they had to close their eyes. Its not like other brainwave research where they need to sit and meditate for a certain time before measuring. As far as I know, there are a few experienced practitioners(over 15 years of experience) can maintain the state of deep An-Hsiang almost all day long even when they are sleeping. An-Hsiang Chan inherits the teachings of Master Hui Neng. For himself did not encourage sitting meditation either.

An Eternal Now SG

Hi, it seems like your master is not very different from my master! We also emphasize on self-awareness, we do not emphasize on sitting meditation. When someone asked my master why he did not stay in a Monastery to meditate/chant/pray to xiu xing but goes everywhere around Taiwan, my master replied 'Xiu Xing' is Xing2 Zhong1 Xiu1, it does not mean sitting and chanting whole day. But 24 hour cultivation Smile

My dharma teacher also says that her zheng ding is 24 hours, no matter what she do, even in sleep it is the same.. and seldom have/dont have dreams. I'm still really far from that.... I only have a taste of 'an hsiang' when I really want to practise or during sitting meditation. My practise is still very poor...

namelessness SG

I'm glad that our masters' teachings have similarities.
If you are Xabir then you're only 15 years old, right?

May I ask who is your dharma tearcher?
It's ok if you prefer PM me.