For those of you interested, the theory of binaural beats, hemisync or "brainwave entrainment," is that one oscillating system (the brain), responds to oscillations from another (sound).  Binaural beats are felt by some to be special because a slightly different tone is placed in each ear; the resulting third tone or resonance heard by the brain is a combination which requires the unity of the two cerebral hemispheres.  The theory goes that if we listen to binaural tones we are using our right and left brains at the same time (whether we like it or not).  This may be a state that allows us to function better.  Others believe that brainwaves are better stimulated from monaural tones to go from beta to delta.  

When brainwaves are measured, we see several patterns:  The following is a good description modified from Transparent corporation:

Brainwaves Types

Wave
Frequency
Mental State / Sub-Categories (bands)

Beta
12hz - 38hz
Wide awake. This is the state you are normally in from the moment you wake up to the time you go to sleep at night. Usually, this state in itself is uneventful, but don't underestimate its importance. Entraining SMR and Beta 1 in particular is touted as being beneficial to people with mental or emotional disorders such as insomnia, depression or ADD. This band can also be used for increasing focus.

SMR (sensorimotor rhythm) (12 - 15Hz): Related to body motion. Increasing this can result in relaxed focus, improved attentive abilities. Generally a good thing to increase.
Beta 1 (15 - 20 Hz) - Can increase mental abilities, IQ, focus
Beta 2 (20 - 38Hz) - Highly alert, but also anxious

Alpha
8hz - 12hz
Awake but relaxed and not processing much information. When you get up in the morning and just before sleep, you are naturally in this state. When you close your eyes your brain automatically starts producing more Alpha waves.

Alpha is usually the goal of experienced mediators,  You can also use this state for effective self-hypnosis and mental re-programming.

Theta
3hz - 8hz
REM sleep or extreme relaxation. Lucid dreaming and OBEs can also occur at this state. Other "weird" and often "paranormal" experiences have been reported while in or very near the Theta state.

Theta can also be used for hypnosis, accelerated learning and mental programming (using pre-recorded suggestions).

Theta 1 - (3 - 5 Hz) If suppressed, can improve concentration and ability to focus attention. Generally not a good thing to increase.
Theta 2 - (5 - 8 Hz) Very relaxed and dreamful sleep. Life-Transforming, paranormal, and spiritual experiences are most common at this band.

Delta
0.2hz - 3hz
Deep, dreamless sleep. Delta is the slowest band of brainwaves. When your dominant brainwave is Delta, your body is healing itself and "resetting" its internal clocks. You do not dream in this state and are completely unconscious. Entrainment of the brain at this level is all but impossible. Most of the time, people wishing to enter Delta will have to settle for deep Theta and hope than their mind "drifts" down into Delta on its own.

Now, the theory goes that certain frequencies are more conducive to focusing our consciousness on the afterlife, and mystical experiences.  Theta has this association.  A good program will begin in Beta, and slowly "ramp" down to alpha then theta or delta, giving the brain enough time to adjust and "oscillate," at the right frequency.  One can experiment with these frequencies for self hypnosis, placing intent (something I like to do in alpha mode), or attempting to go out of body or to other focus levels.  TMI/RAM discovered certain frequencies were more conducive to different focus levels - the Gateway series is based on this.  

To explore consciousness however is much more than just tuning into the right frequency on a machine.  As Bruce has stated, we may have hindering belief systems that must be gotten rid of in order to really explore.  

The Monroe institute is one of the most credible sources of binaural recordings called hemisync.  There is a company that makes a competing product called Holosync, but I have not been able to verify many of their claims, although the CDs sound good.  Recently, I purchased a Neural Synthesizer online from Transparent corporation; this allows you to use sound without prefab. guidelines at your own pace.  I have found it to be very interesting, but plan to post more about my experience with meditating to different frequencies in my subsequent post.

I'd be interested in hearing from others in this thread on their experience with hemisync or sound for the benefit of us all, especially those who haven't tried it.

Matthew

I had some interesting experiences with hemisync....I initialy practised with focus 10 and I was really happy with the result as I was easily reaching that state. However I wasn't trying the other focus levels since I wasn't feeling ready to do them....then accidentaly I listened to a 1 hour hemi-sync that is for deep explorations....I thought that it was a focus -10 one... After that hour I had the weirdest feeling in my head, a feeling of something existing in the center and front part of my brain...not a bad feeling, just a notion that it was something there....and also I had extremely god focusing for the next couple of days.....Now the thing that scared me a lot was that the 3 nights that followed I had my first  episodes of sleep paralysis in which I was awake but couldn't move a muscle and at the same time I was clearly hearing voices sayind different things to me.....now the experiences themselves weren't bad , but the thought of having another one just frightened me....anyway these stopped after three days and since then I didn't have any other...I believe that the one hour of deep exploration hemi sync that I had, tuned my brain to a particulat vibration that lasted 3 days...I mean I could feel it...it is amazing what it can do and I know that at some point when I will feel ready I will start again exploring these focus levels....

Hi all,

Hemisync is often blended into interesting music at TMI.  All it consists of is two tones slighty different that when played in each ear cause a third tone to be produced in the brain (the difference between the oscillating frequencies).  If say a 110 HZ tone is played in the right ear and a 100 HZ tone is played in the left, a tone of 10 HZ is "heard," in the brain.  Theoretically  this must require both hemispheres to work together (using your "whole brain"). 

Now if the hemisync frequency "heard" is equal to the alpha brainwave, the brain responds and ramps up or down to oscillate in time with the hemisync.  If you look at the chart in this thread, then you can see that one can gradually induce a state of brain activity with this external stimulus. 

The thing is, the brain may be thought of either as the biological substance that creates thought (modern biology) or, as I prefer to think of it, as a biological radio, channeling our thought into physical reality.  Prior explorations and science has shown that waking consciousness and alertness/nervousness is mostly in the Beta frequency.  Alpha is a state of relaxation and where most meditators aim to go.  Theta is a deeper state associated with lucid dreams, OOB experiences and travel to other realms, and Delta is, well, a dreamless state we don't know much about. 

My first Hemisync CD was Transcendence from TMI.  I put it on, and was nervous but excited about going OOB.  Within 10 minutes my whole body relaxed and went numb.  I felt vibrations described in texts about OOB.  No way, I thought - it can't be this quick, this easy.  I did not, however have an immediate OOBE.  This was, a beginner's phenomenon - I have heard it is common.  I have now listened enough to know that profound spiritual experiences are NOT guarenteed at all.  I think my deep belief that it would work contributed to the beginner's luck.  And those of you who read my posts know that I think it is all about thought and belief to begin with...

I will post more of my binaural experiences soon with the various frequencies, but I should say something here.  It is NOT dangerous.  You will not be whisked away anywhere unless your mind is open and your belief is there.  Your control is still within you.  This is not mind control.  This is simply a way to focus your concentration and attention and make use of the nature of the receiver properties of the human brain responding to oscillating sound.  There truly is nothing to fear from binaural beat recordings.  However, there are some cautions and interesting experiences which I will try to go into, as I hope others will.


Matthew

I have used quite a few of these types of binaural tone cds, from a number of different sources. They all tend to take me into a very good, very deep relaxed state. I've had NO bad experiences with any of them.

The experiences I have vary but they can settle your emotions into a peaceful state at the very least, and also take you to a nice lift-off point into very interesting visuals and experiences if you let go enough. I haven't used any of them looped to extend the duration, nor have I used them on an everyday basis.

I alternate among my library quite a bit. I use guided meditations with and without binaural beats, and also music cds which have binaural beats. I tend to pick out what feels right at the moment, and occasionally add to it.  

I think the pure music cds might also be useful for using before sleep to get your mind into a place to set intentions for the dream state or waking life.  I just personally prefer a more passive experience, so I look for guided imagery which meets my needs when I want to set intentions.  

I have been having extremely vivid dreams recently and am somewhat interested in finding out whether I can train myself to become lucid there by using suggestion before sleep. I set an intention during a cd a few days ago and received a visitation that I requested. At least, that was my impression!

I do think the cds with binaural tones, on the whole, are pretty powerful. I have had some very amazing experiences with them.

love, blink

Quote:


I'm sure you're right. I'm not sure what you mean by the octave ratio of the planets, and yet it resonates very strongly with me.   Thanks.

Love, Mairlyn

"Red lights, green lights; strawberry wine
A good friend of mine
Follows the stars
Venus and Mars are alright tonight"


Paul McCartney

CDs are made from several sources.  TMI (Monroe institute), and Holosync are two makers of Binaural beat CDs.  TMI has the most experience here charting territory, but they concentrate on certain focus levels - in some ways, I feel these may be helpful but also act as a belief system - we should always feel free to explore.

Transparent Corp makes several inexpensive synthesizers you can download to your computer for around $40.00.  Filled with premade tracks for beta, alpha, theta, and delta waves, you can experiment.  I'm liking this more and more. 

I have heard people make a rigorous system of ramping down from beta to alpha to theta gradually over weeks.  I do not believe there is any danger however in experimenting on your own.  I have gone to the deepest delta tracks recently and had moving albeit unnerving experiences. 

What works for you may not work for another.  That is why experimentation is important.  For stating intent, healing and relaxation, many of us seem to gel well with low alpha recordings. 


Matthew

augoeideian

All you need to do is check out these websites for yourself:

www.monroeinstitute.com

www.transparentcorp.com

Love
Irene