Question about the goal of LifeFlow

[IserLuick]

Hi everyone!

My name is Luis Erick Coy Aceves and I'm a Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering Student in Mexico, I got very interested in this brain entrainment subject and I have done some investigation about it and the companies that specialize in making audios using this technology.

I decided to choose LifeFlow over many other entrainment programme mainly because this is the only system that integrates binaural beats, monaural beats and isochronic tones, and that is pretty attractive; in other hand, it's interesting that this programme is designed to guide you through the optimum brain waves and it does not aim to make "hits" to your nerves like I read Holosync does, and that gives me confidence that this system will help to improve my way of meditation and will not "change" my "operative system".

I have many questions regarding this system, these are mainly to confirm what I think is the goal of LifeFlow and the conscistence of the theory used to create it; I'll list them below, if I don't express my ideas correctly please tell me to explain them (My english is not very good as you may notice ).

1.- Is this system designed to guide you so you can reach a meditative state without having to hear the tracks once you have finished the programme?

2.- Why does the CD version last 60 minutes and the downloable version last 40 minutes? Is there a substancial difference? Is then better the CD version than the downloable version or they have the same efectiveness?

I was about to ask for the difference of the mp3 vs wav formats but that is already answered (thanks Raven )

3.- I've read a lot about the Delta and Gamma brainwaves, and I found in many sources of information that experienced meditators tend to be in Delta state without losing contiosness, and that this state describes the so called Samadhi or awakening.

I've also read that Gamma brainwaves are states related to advanced (near genious) problem solving, that this state increase cognition and focus on your mind and that it is able to link and process information from all parts of the brain.

But I've read in the descriptions of the "Awaken" and "Nirvana" tracks of LifeFlow that Gamma brainwaves describes the Samadhi or awakening and that this frequency is achieved by experienced meditators, while the 10 CDs of LifeFlow are designed to reach the delta state.

The question here is: Why do you claim the gamma frequency as being the samadhi state?

Fortunately Theta and Alpha states are relationed to creativity and learning respectively, and so says the Bonus tracks, so I don't have nothing to question there. (Except that there are some people that says that the Super Learning state being related to Alpha Brainwaves is a Myth, but I haven't found any good arguments to prove it).

These are my main questions about LifeFlow, I hope I can get good replys and I apologice for making this huge post, but if I am about to dedicate 20 months to something I want to be sure that this is the best decision .

Have a very nice day! Greetings!

[Edwin]

Originally Posted by IserLuick

1.- Is this system designed to guide you so you can reach a meditative state without having to hear the tracks once you have finished the programme?

Well, basically the LifeFlow system helps your brain to create neural pathways, specifically between the hemispheres of the brain. There are numerous testresults of people who are both long time meditators and are thought to be enlightened who have similar results. Neural pathways tend to shrink when they are not used, but when your mind starts using the neural pathways as highways, they stay intact, even when not maintained by LifeFlow.

2.- Why does the CD version last 60 minutes and the downloable version last 40 minutes? Is there a substancial difference? Is then better the CD version than the downloable version or they have the same efectiveness?

Its just a question of preferrance actually. Some want the CD, some settle with the mp3. Most meditation sessions last about 20 to 30 minutes, so why would you need 60 minutes

3.- I've read a lot about the Delta and Gamma brainwaves, and I found in many sources of information that experienced meditators tend to be in Delta state without losing contiosness, and that this state describes the so called Samadhi or awakening.

I've also read that Gamma brainwaves are states related to advanced (near genious) problem solving, that this state increase cognition and focus on your mind and that it is able to link and process information from all parts of the brain.

But I've read in the descriptions of the "Awaken" and "Nirvana" tracks of LifeFlow that Gamma brainwaves describes the Samadhi or awakening and that this frequency is achieved by experienced meditators, while the 10 CDs of LifeFlow are designed to reach the delta state.

The question here is: Why do you claim the gamma frequency as being the samadhi state?

It's not so much a claim, but research shows that some enlightened ones have Delta, and some have Gamma frequency's going on in their head. Some have both even! where one part of the brain is in Delta, and another is in Gamma

Fortunately Theta and Alpha states are relationed to creativity and learning respectively, and so says the Bonus tracks, so I don't have nothing to question there. (Except that there are some people that says that the Super Learning state being related to Alpha Brainwaves is a Myth, but I haven't found any good arguments to prove it).

These are my main questions about LifeFlow, I hope I can get good replys and I apologice for making this huge post, but if I am about to dedicate 20 months to something I want to be sure that this is the best decision .

Have a very nice day! Greetings!

Hope my answers were useful !

[IserLuick]

Originally Posted by Edwin

Well, basically the LifeFlow system helps your brain to create neural pathways, specifically between the hemispheres of the brain. There are numerous testresults of people who are both long time meditators and are thought to be enlightened who have similar results. Neural pathways tend to shrink when they are not used, but when your mind starts using the neural pathways as highways, they stay intact, even when not maintained by LifeFlow.

It's not so much a claim, but research shows that some enlightened ones have Delta, and some have Gamma frequency's going on in their head. Some have both even! where one part of the brain is in Delta, and another is in Gamma

Hope my answers were useful !

Thank you very much for your answers Edwin!

Let me see if I understood correctly:

1.- The LifeFlow system helps you get to a high meditative state in less time; when you create neural pathways to reach it you can use them with or without LifeFlow.

2.- The only difference between the .mp3 and CD versions is the time.

3.- Both Delta and Gamma frequencies can describe the samadhi state.

Can you please give me your source of information for the 3rd answer please?, I want to give it a look

Thank you very much! Greetings!

[Edwin]

Originally Posted by IserLuick

Thank you very much for your answers Edwin!

Let me see if I understood correctly:

1.- The LifeFlow system helps you get to a high meditative state in less time; when you create neural pathways to reach it you can use them with or without LifeFlow.

2.- The only difference between the .mp3 and CD versions is the time.

3.- Both Delta and Gamma frequencies can describe the samadhi state.

Can you please give me your source of information for the 3rd answer please?, I want to give it a look

Thank you very much! Greetings!

I found this information concerning nr 3, this is from the writer of "the Quiet", mr Paul Wilson, also known as the "guru of Calm".
His approach towards meditation is similar to that of Michael Mackenzie, only without the brain entrainment. The book "the Quiet" is a good one btw, if you can get your hands on it, get it !

the link:
eeg

The part that is of most importance, even tho the whole page is a good read:

From the website "evenmorequiet.com

GAMMA

Gamma relates to an aspect of mental activity where information from different parts of the brain comes together to form a higher perspective or insight. People who meditate a lot reveal elevated Gamma frequencies throughout the normal day. There hasn't been a lot of research done into this particular area over the years because it was thought to be unimportant. Now we know better, and more and more study is being focused on this area.

There has been done a lot of research allready, but the brain still is an enormous mystery. A piece of grey organic material the size of half a soccerball is more powerful than a supercomputer. Slowly we are learning more and more, but what is known today may be dated tomorrow.

[Itlandm]

It bears mention that delta waves are always running at the "bottom" of the brain activity. Only a very few people can actually silence the higher frequencies completely without using entrainment or biofeedback technology. (Ken Wilber has done this on YouTube, but I cannot offhand recall anyone else.) Meditating unaided in a pure delta state is not something you should expect from yourself or normal people, at least for the first few decades.

As for gamma, it is found much more frequently, famously in Buddhist monks during compassion meditation. (Dr. Richard Davidson, 2004.) This does not necessarily means that you will become compassionate by means of brainwave entrainment! But at least it is a naturally achievable and presumably mostly harmless state. Even novices were able to achieve it to a lesser degree.

[Edwin]

Interesting stuff Magnus !

[IserLuick]

Wow!, that is a very cool information there, thank you very much Magnus , then it would be interesting to investigate the frequency of an "Iluminated" person like the Dalai Lama, probably they are in delta state but I don't really know, maybe is the very same thing but with different manifestation.

I have finally got the information I was looking for. Thank you very much!

Buuuuuut I have four final questions...

1.- When I have finished with LifeFlow 1 track, the order to listen to the "Awaken" and "Nirvana" tracks is first awaken and then nirvana or first nirvana and then awaken?

2.- Can I listen to the "Optimal Learning" and "Creative Flow" tracks while I'm listening to the LifeFlow tracks?

3.- Can I listen to the "Optimal Learning" and "Creative Flow" tranks while I'm doing homework or studying or do I have to meditate when I listen to them?

4.- Can I listen to the 10 LifeFlow tracks in 1 month and 3 weeks each track or do I have to do it for 2 months to get better results?

These are my final questions (I think ). Thank you very very VERY much for all this information

Greetings!

[Edwin]

Originally Posted by IserLuick

1.- When I have finished with LifeFlow 1 track, the order to listen to the "Awaken" and "Nirvana" tracks is first awaken and then nirvana or first nirvana and then awaken?

Lol I cheated on this one, Awaken should be done first, but I listened to Nirvana and liked it so much I skipped Awaken haha.

2.- Can I listen to the "Optimal Learning" and "Creative Flow" tracks while I'm listening to the LifeFlow tracks?

Why on earth would you want to do that ??? ( btw the answer is no )

3.- Can I listen to the "Optimal Learning" and "Creative Flow" tranks while I'm doing homework or studying or do I have to meditate when I listen to them?

that is in fact exactly what they are meant for, to listen to outside of meditation, and to improve your studying and daily life

4.- Can I listen to the 10 LifeFlow tracks in 1 month and 3 weeks each track or do I have to do it for 2 months to get better results?

It depends. 2 months is a safe margin in which the majority of LifeFlow users get the most out of it. But there have been some who skipped after a month, and those who decided they liked a particular track so much, they wanted an extra month. Whatever you do, don't be in a rush, LifeFlow 1 is not the goal, Meditation is the goal.
If you do want to speed things up feel free to experiment, but be on the lookout for overwhelming emotions, or feeling strangely irritable for a longer period of time. This is an indication that you are pushing your own limits.

Best to just enjoy it.
Like the people in Norway say, When you go on a journey, it is not the destination but the journey itself that matters !

These are my final questions (I think ). Thank you very very VERY much for all this information

Greetings!

Even if you have more questions, be sure to ask them !

[IserLuick]

Originally Posted by Edwin

Why on earth would you want to do that ??? ( btw the answer is no )

I didn't explain myself correctly xD, I wasn't asking for the possibility of listening to both tracks at the same time but one after another.

Originally Posted by Edwin

that is in fact exactly what they are meant for, to listen to outside of meditation, and to improve your studying and daily life

And that answers both questions 2 and 3 for me

Thank you very much for all this info! Greetings!

[Edwin]

Originally Posted by IserLuick

I didn't explain myself correctly xD, I wasn't asking for the possibility of listening to both tracks at the same time but one after another.

Ah LOL now I see.