A Question about Entrainment for the Experts!

[platypus]

This doesn't work using the Lifeflow music because it takes 8 minutes to entrain the mind. However, I've found that using this method adds to the positive effect that LifeFlow makes on the mind.

Would Bhavya please explain this statement. Do breath meditation and entrainment clash ?

[Bhavya]

Hi Platypus
(Love your name!)

No that's not what I meant. I myself use breath with entrainment and feel it's the best combination for me. All I was saying was if you want to be on the fast track to deeper concentration, in addition to doing longer meditations with Lifeflow, you can add some shorter, 5 minute meditations a few times during the day. Actually, those quickie meditations could use any number of objects of concentration - breath, mantra, visualisation, etc.

Sorry to have confused ....

Wishing you a great day
Bhavya

[Michael Mackenzie]

How much time does it take for entrainment to reach its full effects?

The truth of the matter is that I state 8 minutes so as not to mislead you.

If you have little experience in meditation and sit down to meditate unaided by LifeFlow, you may sit for 10, 20, 30 minutes or longer and never achieve a deep, even state of Alpha brainwaves.

If you play the LifeFlow 10 track and sit down to meditate then in approximately 8 minutes you will be guided down to and remain longer and more consistently in that elusive Alpha state. However, it may not take the entire 8 minutes to reach Alpha. You may, as you relax because of the beginning entrainment process, slip down quite naturally into Alpha long before you hit the 8 minute mark.

The more proficient you become at entering a state of meditation, the more rapidly you reach your target state, with or without the entrainment aid of LifeFlow. When this is the case what the entrainment track does in addition to setting up the initial condition that allowed you to go into Alpha, is to help you remain in Alpha more consistently and for longer periods than you otherwise might.

For example, it rarely takes me more than a few moments to enter into a meditative state without assistance from LifeFlow, but I use the tracks anyway because they help "stabilize" my meditation at the level I choose.

Advice to you if you only have a few minutes to devote to meditation is there are still benefits to be gained that you will not want to miss out on especially when you are able to enter into meditation more and more quickly on your own as this will enhance your practise.

Listening to LifeFlow while simply relaxing can improve your experience of relaxation, which in turn can improve your sense of well-being, diminish stress, improve immune system function and have a host of other beneficial effects.

Benefits to be gained through meditation are absolutely staggering, therefore if you are extremely pressed for time, I encourage you, for a little while only, to wake up 30 to 60 minutes sooner and meditate to LifeFlow. You will benefit far more than you would by having the last hour of sleep and you will become proficient at entering these meditative states within a few moments.

Michael

[bashmaki]

Michael,
I keep forgetting the many other benefits LifeFlow has to offer; although upon being reminded they are obvious.
I've noticed that what you say about entering into meditation quickly is true. It seems that the mind becomes comditioned to it with practice. Upon setting quietly for a few moments just saying the usual mantra will induce a meditative state. Recently I've been trying to do this once every hour for 1 or 2 minutes. Some days I do better than others but it points out how quickly one can drop into a meditative state with a little practice.

BTW, just received #7 a few days ago. I believe it is the first in the series at delta level? It is awesome Michael.

gus

[Michael Mackenzie]

Hi Gus,

Each LifeFlow track has a number as part of its name. That number is the entrainment frequency for that track.

This Link explains the frequencies associated to the different brainwave states.

LifeFlow 10, 9 and 8 are various levels of Alpha brain waves.
LifeFlow 7, 6, 5 and 4 are various levels within the Theta brain waves and
LifeFlow 3, 2 and 1 are various levels within Delta brain waves.

I'm glad you're enjoying LF7, that's one track I really enjoy too

[Audrey Hussey]

Wow!!!!! That's really informative and I love your analogy--brilliant and thankyou!!!
Audreu

[newyorker]

Thanks Michael, that makes sense now. I knew I was meditating faster of late NY

[bashmaki]

Originally Posted by Michael Mackenzie

Hi Gus,

Each LifeFlow track has a number as part of its name. That number is the entrainment frequency for that track.

This Link explains the frequencies associated to the different brainwave states.

LifeFlow 10, 9 and 8 are various levels of Alpha brain waves.
LifeFlow 7, 6, 5 and 4 are various levels within the Theta brain waves and
LifeFlow 3, 2 and 1 are various levels within Delta brain waves.

I'm glad you're enjoying LF7, that's one track I really enjoy too

Michael,
Thanks for the link and clarification of the names of the frequencies. I am a relative novice when it comes to that stuff. I seem to have had the order of things mixed up a bit as well.
I'm glad one doesn't have to know all this stuff to reap the benefits .
We can learn as we go . . . sooo cool !

gus

[Bhavya]

Michael, thanks for the explanations. Now that you mention it, it's logical that shorter meditations would also be enhanced by Lifeflow. Love those new neural pathways
Here's to more meditation and lots of benefits!
Bhavya

[bashmaki]

Originally Posted by Bhavya

Michael, thanks for the explanations. Now that you mention it, it's logical that shorter meditations would also be enhanced by Lifeflow. Love those new neural pathways
Here's to more meditation and lots of benefits!
Bhavya

I'll drink to that