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Home > Archive > Yoga > September 2004 > To which meditation level can sleep be compared?
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To which meditation level can sleep be compared?
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| Fr@nk 2004-09-01, 10:15 pm |
| I have read that meditation levels start with alpha, then beta and theta.
If we sleep and have experiences (dreams), on which of the three levels
are we?
Frank
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| Fr@nk wrote:
> I have read that meditation levels start with alpha, then beta and
> theta. If we sleep and have experiences (dreams), on which of
> the three levels are we?
"Physiological evidence shows that sleep and meditation are not the same,
however. Electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings are quite different in the
waking state, in sleep, and in meditation. Analytic problem solving, for
instance, occurs in the normal waking state at 13-26 Hz (beta waves). Deep
sleep is characterized by EEG recordings in the 1- to 4-Hz range (delta
waves). Lighter stages of sleep are accompanied by intermittent periods of
electrical activity in the range of 8-12 Hz (alpha waves) and 4-8 Hz (theta
waves). Theta-wave activity is also the level of rapid eye movements, or REM
sleep, which is associated with dreaming. Studies with meditators, however,
show increased intensity of slow alpha activity (8-12 Hz) in central and
frontal regions, occasionally interspersed with high frontal voltage theta
activity. Beta and delta waves are either decreased or remain constant
during meditation. Studies also show widespread alpha EEG coherence across
the cortex in meditation. These data suggest that alpha-theta activity is
predominant in meditation, whereas delta activity predominates in deep
sleep. Although theta-wave activity is indicative of dreaming, alpha, the
predominate wave form in meditation, is most closely associated with a state
of wakeful alertness. In wakeful alertness, one's state of consciousness is
characterized as empty of any particular content but nevertheless active and
alert above the threshold of awareness."
"Meditation as a Voluntary Hypometabolic State of Biological Estivation"
http://physiologyonline.physiology....t/full/13/3/149
News in Physiological Sciences, Vol. 13, No. 3, 149-153, June 1998
1/3 down the page
Bee.
--
[I have found my Shangri-La in ntlworld.]
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| omjaram 2004-09-02, 4:13 am |
| In article <XAuZc.887$Oo1.401@newsfe1-win.ntli.net>,
"Bee" <in.my.bonnet@Shangri-La.com> wrote:
> Fr@nk wrote:
>
>
>
> "Physiological evidence shows that sleep and meditation are not the same,
> however. Electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings are quite different in the
> waking state, in sleep, and in meditation. Analytic problem solving, for
> instance, occurs in the normal waking state at 13-26 Hz (beta waves). Deep
> sleep is characterized by EEG recordings in the 1- to 4-Hz range (delta
> waves). Lighter stages of sleep are accompanied by intermittent periods of
> electrical activity in the range of 8-12 Hz (alpha waves) and 4-8 Hz (theta
> waves). Theta-wave activity is also the level of rapid eye movements, or REM
> sleep, which is associated with dreaming. Studies with meditators, however,
> show increased intensity of slow alpha activity (8-12 Hz) in central and
> frontal regions, occasionally interspersed with high frontal voltage theta
> activity. Beta and delta waves are either decreased or remain constant
> during meditation. Studies also show widespread alpha EEG coherence across
> the cortex in meditation. These data suggest that alpha-theta activity is
> predominant in meditation, whereas delta activity predominates in deep
> sleep. Although theta-wave activity is indicative of dreaming, alpha, the
> predominate wave form in meditation, is most closely associated with a state
> of wakeful alertness. In wakeful alertness, one's state of consciousness is
> characterized as empty of any particular content but nevertheless active and
> alert above the threshold of awareness."
>
> "Meditation as a Voluntary Hypometabolic State of Biological Estivation"
> http://physiologyonline.physiology....t/full/13/3/149
> News in Physiological Sciences, Vol. 13, No. 3, 149-153, June 1998
> 1/3 down the page
>
> Bee.
Bee,
Thanks. That was what I was going to say :-)
Beta, is what you are reading this in: alpha and theta while meditating
and delta in sleep.
But I like the explanation you quoted better!
Perhaps the only relationship between sleep and meditation is that sleep
is where many of us end up when we try to meditate :-)))
That being said, I believe that if we fall asleep while meditating then
that is probably what the body needs and we shouldn't stress about it.
Nothing wrong in submitting to the wisdom of the body. Although one
might consider continuing the mediation when one wakes rested and
refreshed ;-)
Did you once say you were in medicine, science or some field on that
order?
Jared
Namaste
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| UmboJumbo 2004-09-03, 10:09 pm |
| On Thu, 2 Sep 2004 09:11:36 -0400, "anon" <me@privacy.net> wrote:
>
>"Fr@nk" <reply@newsgroup.plz> wrote in message
>news:pan.2004.09.01.17.42.51.829000@newsgroup.plz...
>
This brings a very restful sleep:
Do alternate nostril breathing a few times before lying down to sleep.
Lie down on the back.
Arms resting on the bed along the sides of body, with palms facing up.
Bed and pillow should be moderately hard - similar to a couch or
futon.
Head should be low - raised by only a few centimeters.
If the bed if hard enough, just use a folded towel or rolled-up
blanket for a pillow.
Usual diclaimer:: this is not medical advice. Consult a doctor etc...
>
>
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| Op Sat, 04 Sep 2004 01:29:48 +0000, schreef UmboJumbo:
> This brings a very restful sleep:
>
> Do alternate nostril breathing a few times before lying down to sleep. Lie
> down on the back.
> Arms resting on the bed along the sides of body, with palms facing up.
>
> Bed and pillow should be moderately hard - similar to a couch or futon.
> Head should be low - raised by only a few centimeters. If the bed if hard
> enough, just use a folded towel or rolled-up blanket for a pillow.
>
I'll give it a try.
Frank
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| UmboJumbo 2004-09-21, 3:30 am |
| On Sat, 04 Sep 2004 01:29:48 GMT, SanityClause_notmymail@rediff.com
(UmboJumbo) wrote:
>On Thu, 2 Sep 2004 09:11:36 -0400, "anon" <me@privacy.net> wrote:
>
>
>This brings a very restful sleep:
>
>Do alternate nostril breathing a few times before lying down to sleep.
>Lie down on the back.
>Arms resting on the bed along the sides of body, with palms facing up.
>
>Bed and pillow should be moderately hard - similar to a couch or
>futon.
>Head should be low - raised by only a few centimeters.
>If the bed if hard enough, just use a folded towel or rolled-up
>blanket for a pillow.
>
>
>
>Usual diclaimer:: this is not medical advice. Consult a doctor etc...
The above suggestion is only for healthy people, do not attempt it if
you suffer from any health problems.
>
>
>
>
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