A Resonance of the heart and - Brainwave Coherence
Introduction into Sound
Let us know one thing there is no sound without the heart and
there is no heart without the breath.
The ancient practice of Pranayama as per Sound Active meditation,
heals and purifies the mind and body. Cultivating and culturing our
Internal, external frequencies; essentially our state of being.
Let us understand a little about ourselves before we come to a
further understanding of Pranayama an active meditation as per
sound.
We are totally made from 70% water, our organs our veins and so on.
The entire body comprised of this percentage of water. So is the fruit
and vegetables we eat and cultivate.
So is the earth made up of 70% water, all a mirror and reflection of
its self. A pattern that exists in all that surrounds us and within us.
This can be referred to as resonance of the golden ratio, a divine
universal law and code.
Water is the most malleable element on the earth, in our world. In
side us the water restructures its self-based on what we feed it and
how we nurture it, cultivate it. Water will take on what ever we
expose it to. From positive to negative emotions and feelings,
happiness, sadness, illness, what ever we can think of. This implying
that the water inside is easily programmable and will change based
on the life force we give and receive.
But let us continue our understanding that without sound water
would not exist, as everything is made out of sound a vibration.
As we experience the field of vibration is made up of solid, liquid, gas,
love, darkness and light, the list continues.
When we change the vibration internally not only does it effect every
system in the body from digestive, lymphatic to nervous system but
also effecting the external world, the entire field of vibration, internal
and external universe.
The breath being the regulator and manager of our state of being, on
this field comprised of vibration.
Our breath the respiratory system controls the life force generated.
Without the breath we would not live, the heart would not beat and
the brain and all 12 systems would not function.
The active participation and exercise of the breath has the capability
to create and cultivate an abundance of life force. The breath the
creator, the energizer, restructuring, rejuvenating, remoulding,
detoxifying, cleansing, awakening, re-birthing every cell in the body
based on our willingness to actively participate.
And when combined as sound all our senses are engaged,
experiencing change based on consistency and strength of vibration.
Lets unfold this further
An Introduction in to Pranayama
According to the Yogashastras, amongst the teachings of the ancient
teacher, Patanjali, Pranayama occupies the fourth place in the eight limbs
of Yoga. The three limbs before that – Yama, Niyama and Asana, together
form what we would call the foundation base of Yoga for a yoga
practitioner. The actual deeper practice starts with Pranayama, allowing
the deeper inner transformation to come.
Proficiency in Pranayama also allows the next four important stages of the
eight limbs of yoga to take place: Pratyahaar, Dharana, Dhyaana and
Samadhi. Their practice becomes easier, in other words you could say that
effort put in the practice of Pranayama, paves the path for the next four
steps. One does not have to continue to put effort in, but just allow the
natural changes to come in.
Pranayama comes from Two Sanskrit words – Prana and Ayaam. ‘Prana’
means the life force; “ He who knows Prana knows Vedas” is the important
declaration of the Srutis. You will find in Vedanta Sutras: “ For the same
reason, breath in Brahman.” Prana is the sum total of all energy that is
manifested in the universe. It is the sum total of all the forces in nature.
And expansion of hidden potentialities that lies within us.
In the beginning when starting with the discipline of Pranayama, one
should include two important things in their practice.
1 .
The first is that the flow of breath as you inhale and exhale should
become so light, that if one holds a piece of cotton at the nostrils, it would
not even flutter. Only at the end of your exhalation should there be a slight
flutter. This kind of very slow and deliberate light breathing comes
naturally when one becomes perfect in an asana.
2.
The second important thing is that while breathing, the breath should be
in ratio of 1:2, which means that if it takes you 10 seconds to breathe in, it
should ideally take upto 20 seconds to breath out.
Pranayama is of three types: Rechak, Poorak and Kumbhak.
The flow of air when we slowly breathe out is Rechak. When we breathe in
slowly we are performing Poorak. Once we have inhaled completely, and
then perform the three bandhas – Jalandhar, Mula and Uddhiyan while
retaining the breath in – this is knbown as Kumbhak. The full benefit of
these kriyas can be gained only when one is able to hold kumbhak easily.
The kumbhak can be held with the inhaled breath or the exhaled breath.
When kumbhak is performed with the breath held in, it is known as
Antaha Kumbhak, and when Kumbhak is performed with the breath held
out it is known as in Bahri Kumbhak.
The Right Environment for Pranayama
For the practice of Pranayama or any of the kriyas, choosing the right place
is very important. I should be clean, quiet and peaceful place where you
can practice without any disturbance. Ideally, it should be a place where
the disciple practices his sadhana alone, or in the company of one or two
other practitioners.
Although one can start the practice of pranayama anytime, it is better if
one starts at the time of spring or the beginning of summer. Starting your
practice in too hot or cold weather, or during the monsoons is not a good
idea.
Here are some useful rules in the practice of Pranayama as per an
understanding of the hatha pradipika:
1 Pranayama should be done after the practice of asanas on an empty
stomach.
2. One should sit in padmasana, siddhasana, vajrasana or swastikas an as
you start your practice of pranayama. Remeber to keep your spine straight
otherwise you will not gain any benefits of Pranayama.
3. Before you start the practice of pranayama, begin with a few rounds of
Kapalbhati: this helps in regulating the temperature of the body.
4. Direct your attention towards the tip of your nose.
5. Poorak or breathing in kriya should be done once from the left side of
the nose (ida) and then once from the right side of the nose (pingala)
6. For intense practice, in one day one should practice four times –
morning, mid-morning, evening and night. If for any reason on cannot do
all the practices, then at least twice a day is important – morning and
night. If, even this is not possible then one should perform pranayama only
in the early morning.
Practicing twice a day will also help you see the fruit of your labour but
less than a rigid 80 rounds per day for 6 months. Practicing just once a day,
the practitioner will not be able to notice or feel any of the subtle effects of
the practice. But yes, definitely he will feel better in health – lighter and
fresher.
7. After the practice of pranayama, one should wait for at least 30minutes
before taking in any food or drink. After taking any kind of food, one
should wait for at least four hours before the practice of pranayama, and
never before that. If the right gap is not placed between the time of meals
and the practice of pranayama, it can be quite harmful.
8.the place you choose for your pranayama practice should be secluded,
safe, pollution free, as much as possible away from too much noise, and
also be free from insects such as mosquitoes etc, protected from too much
wind, heat or cold. It should be a place where there is a fresh breeze
available; and the place should be prepared by keeping it clean, lighting
some pure incense such as guggal incense and be free from dust or smoke.
That is why it is better to have a separate room prepared for your daily
practice, it can be a cave in the mountain, or by the banks of the river, or
by a temple.
9. Doing the cleansing kriyas, bathing and making oneself clean will create
the purity required of mind before one sits down for practice. However,
taking a bath during winter period is not important before you start the
practice of pranayama. According to some yogic traditions, bathing very
early in the morning is not recommended for practitioners. One of the
reasons being, that it is important for the body to be normal temperature
while beginning the practice of pranayama. During winter, if one takes a
bath before the practice, the body temperature would be altered – whether
the water was warm or too hot. This hinders the practice and reduces
benefits.
10. For regular practice, one should not be concerned with the change of
the seasons or months whether cold, hot rain or snow.
11.For a person practicing pranayama, attention should be paid to ones
diet. Milk, nuts, fruits are very important, as are grains. Therefore food
such as kichari, especially made from mung dal with a liberal intake of
ghee is an ideal diet.
12. During the practice of pranayama, one needs to keep the spine and
neck straight, as well as feeling no tension on the face, especially the
forehead, eyes and mouth.
13. It is logical to say from observation and experiencing that to rush or
make haste into pranayama, or to not follow the important rules can be
very harmful for the practitioner. It is therefore better to be more cautious
and put extra care into your practice rather than be careless.
Yatha singhon, gajo, vyaagro bhavet vishya: shane:pshane!
Tathev, seviton vayu:anyatha hanti sadakam!! ( hathayog pradipika )
Meaning, one draws slowly and carefully towards the lion, elephant, tiger
etc, or else it can be dangerous. In the same way, one should start with the
practice of pranayama slowly, and increase the practice with that same
steadiness or it can otherwise prove to be harmful. In the beginning of the
practice of pranayama, the first effect that takes place is the purification of
the nerves and nadis, thus making the body of the practitioner disease-
free, removing any existing illness or even any seed of ill health. The
stiffness of the body disappears and the body becomes light and agile.
There are 72,000 nadis in our body. From these, three main and important
nadis are 1.Ida 2.Pingala 3.Sushumna. Ida nadi also known as the Chandra
nadi, is activated from the left side of the nose and Pingala nadi, also
known as the surya nadi, is activated from the right side of the nose.
Chandra nadi, or the left flow, influences the moon energy, which is
cooling. Surya nadi, or breathing from the right, influences the Sun energy,
where the breath is distinctively warm.
Let us now conclude further and say, besides Pranayama practice
improving the functions of the brain cells with the result that memory and
the faculty of discrimination and observation improves, making it easy for
the participating observer to perform concentration and meditation.
In addition there can be much more understood in how pranayama effects
various factors such as life span, physical performance, daily practice in
life but for now let us come to an understanding of Pranayama as a
participating observation thus supporting that pranayama is an active
meditative practice that brings the brain and heart in resonance via the
respiratory system our life force generator.
Pranayama is an active participating observation
“ Pranayama is an active meditation, where the person observes through
participation of the breath”
Thus I would like to present that pranayama is an active participating
observation that brings the heart (heart rate variability) in resonance with
the brain via the respiratory system. Therefore having an impact on all
systems of the physical body as briefly described in the contents above.
A lot of science can be presented in order to justify and bring clarity to
such a subject but initially the raw participation of the breath would
logically be the greatest teacher, evaluator and concluder.
The detailed in-depth definition of meditation will allow us to be aware
that Meditation can be defined as both passive and active. In reference to
the subject of pranayama as mentioned above we can conclude that is it an
active meditation creating a meditative state or initially a change in state
by the participator.
Further more in the context of pranayama we can understand that there is
an active action required such as following and initially conducting a
movement of the breath. In addition I can highlight that active meditation
is focusing of movement of the physical body or the various systems of the
body where one actively creates an action to provoke a reaction. Other
example of active meditation can be walking meditation, dancing
mediation, dynamic meditations. In essence the list of active meditations
can be profound.
Meditation itself can be categorised in many modern prospective but
initially be can break down our understanding to passive a non-
participating observation and active a participating observation.
These terminologies are commonly described in new age quantum physics
and biomechanics.
Below are a few examples of Pranayama Active Mediations and brief
healing benefits:
1) Brahmari Pranayama defined as Humming Bee that of a female
bee also referred with further definition the sound of all living
beings. The benefits are said to help to move the participators field
of awareness and perception from a surface awareness to
3Dimensional awareness. In addition this active meditation Calms
down the mind and reduces restlessness. Thus aiding in an
improvement in focus, memory and self-awareness also having
effects in lower blood pressure and much more.
2) Udgeeth Pranayama defined as deep rhythmic chanting
pranayama. Benefits include against hypertension, controls high
blood pressure and disorders of the kidney. It is presented to cure
problems related to sleep and bad dreams also nervous system and
much more.
3) Nadanusandhana defined as a Resonance pranayama practice
The participator will chant a variation of sounds including A, U, M
also other sounds related to the spectrum and combination of
sounds. Examples of benefits include the help for creating deep resonance, generating a soothing effect. Mind will become relaxed
and calm.
4) Om-Kara Dyan Pranayama defined as the form of all sounds this bija
mantra practice, forming the nature of internal Peace and harmony.
Having effects and benefits that of Udgeeth and Nadanusandhana, referred
to as creation of a meaningful relationship with the inner and outer
universe the overall existence.
5) Ujjai pranayama is defined as the oceans breath, the victorious and warrior’s
breath also the breath of liberation. This breath is an oceans breath that
simulates the sound of an ocean from the use of the throat. This pranayama has
the benefits of deeply relaxing the mind, lessens the risk of heart attack and
helping with additional alignments such as cataract, sinus problems, arthritis
and migraines as well as much more.
These active meditation pranayamas have a profound effect on the participating
observer. Further more I will now explain the relationship of sound in resonance
with the physical body and thus creating coherence between the heart and
brainwaves.
A resonance of the Heart and Brainwave coherence.
Firstly let us have an understanding of what is resonance and coherence.
What is resonance in the context of pranayama, heart and brainwave?
A resonance is the sound which is produced by an object in this case we
can refer to respiratory system when it vibrates at the same rate as the
sound waves from another object which we can refer to the throat. Then
the resonance through repitition of the wave will increase resonance.
Resonance will continue on to the heart furthermore all organs and cells in
the body affecting the brain and its waves sent around the entire body.
A dictionary explanation as per the English Oxford dictionary in
relation to the subject of sound:
The condition of a body or system when it is subjected to a periodic
disturbance of the same frequency as the natural frequency of the body or
system. At this frequency the system displays an enhanced
oscillation or vibration.
In addition resonance is a sound produced by a
body vibrating in sympathy with a neighbouring source of sound
Furthermore amplification of speech sounds by sympathetic vibration in
the bone structure of the head and chest, resounding in the cavities of
the nose, mouth, and pharynx.
What is coherence?
Coherence means a constant phase relationship; the phase difference. In
short the reverberation of sound creating a cycle. This essence is a method
of describing a relationship between two sounds or the sound waves
created between to objects bringing them into synchronisation.
Lets now go further into active sound generating mediations creating
resonance between mind and body within sound coherence between
the heart and brainwaves.
Everything is Sound
Everything is made up of vibration also referred to as frequency. Vibration
can be solid, liquid or gas, light or darkness; it can be in the form of any
state of being, happiness, anger, hatred, jealousy etc. thus implying that the
physical body is made up of vibration.
Science will propose in this subject that vibration is sound that it makes up
all that exists. That the universe does not just comprise of light but it is a
by product of everything experience vibration a form of sound.
Let keep in mind that Sound is vibration commonly referred to as
frequency. Thus implying that every cell in our body, the internal universe
is made up of sound also knows as vibration.
Tibetan yogic master said,
“Sound is all, the manifestation of the universe, sound manifests itself in
the form of all life, sound is bondage, and sound is the means for liberation.
Sound is that which liberates, sound is the bestower of all. Sound is the
power behind everything.”
Scientist Albert Einstein said,
“We are slowed down sound and light waves, a walking bundle of
frequencies tuned into the cosmos. We are souls dressed up in sacred
biochemical garments and our bodies are the instruments through which
our souls play their music.
Lets understand based on the context of this report as a gentle
explanation:
“ The rhythm of ones life is determined by the rhythm of one heart
and the rhythm of ones heart is determined by the rhythm of ones
breath. The breath totally determining the rhythm of a humans
bodies systems.” by kunal
The respiratory system affecting the heart and its heart rate variability
(HRV) and thus affecting the vibration waves and the brainwave patterns
across the body from head to toe.
Brainwaves & States of being
Brainwave cycle relates to the brainwave state.
Below are the types of brain wave that briefly correspond to a certain
states of being.
Categorised by the support of Music Master and Dr. David Gibson
1) Epsilon brainwave produces waves at < .5 Cycles per second relating
to the sound of breath which to the ocean.
2) Delta brainwave produces waves at 5 – 3.5 cycles per second relating
to deep sleep and deep meditation.
3) Theta brainwaves produces waves at 3.5 – 7 cycles per second
relating to dream state, the zone “ flow state”, being one with the
universe.
4) Alpha brainwave produces waves at 7 – 13 cycles per second
5) Beta brainwave produces waves at 13 – 20 cycles per second relating
to thinking/processing and overcoming ADD/ADHD
6) Gamma brainwave produces 20 – 100 Cycles per second relating to a
high state of meditation, a sense of slowing down our world. Commonly
a sound like a bass vibration
Active - Meditation as per sound.
Below is example of two contrasting pranayama and Brainwaves
created when participated:
1) Ujjai Pranayama relates to Epsilon brainwave. The sound of the
breath is epsilon. Which correlates to what we referred to in the
context the pranayama examples above as the oceans utter.
2) Brahmari Pranayama relates to Gamma brainwave similar to a
deep bass sound created by a bee or a humming bird.
Ujjai has the abilty to create a deep relaxation based on the oscillation of
Epsilon brainwaves at a lower frequency where the waves are long wide
and harmonising. We can observe this when looking at the waves of the
ocean. This is a dramatic contrast to Brahmari Pranayama, which has a
larger frequency, more cycles of waves. We can have a better
understanding of this when creating the action. Brahmari thus implying a
higher state of meditation. The mind becomes like the static of a television
evoking a blank canvas like state, slowing down the participant’s
perception of time and space.
What happens when we create a deeper resonance when by
conducting both sounds one after the other?
Scientific studies have shown that the body and brain when experiencing
simultaneous sounds or one after the other will go into brainwave
entrainment. As the brain immerses itself within the sounds there will be a
vast resonance and coherence based on the sounds experienced.
Keeping the best method of entrainment is the creation of natural sound
and not electronic sound. Ultimately the creation by our breath and vocal
range sending a vibration across the body developing such coherence
between the respiratory system (breath), heart and brainwave.
What is brainwave entrainment?
Defined by the Oxford Dictionary Brainwave Entrainment also referred to
as, brainwave synchronisation and neural entrainment, refers to the
hypothesized (suggested) capacity of the brainwave to naturally
synchronize its brainwave frequencies with the rhythm of periodic
external and internal stimuli, most commonly auditory (sound), visual or
tactile (touch).
What does this imply?
That every cell in the body essentially based on the subject of this report,
the respiratory system and heart experience a state of resonance by that of
brainwave entrainment. A profound coherence occurs whereby the active
meditator whom participates goes into a state of meditative entrainment.
A deeper Meditative internal trance like state whereby the participant
becomes consumed by the resonance with the repitition of brainwaves. It
must be said that in order to achieve depth of field that repetition of the
oscillations must be created, thus implying that Ujjai on inhalation and
Brahmari on exhalation must be done for numerous rounds.
According to yogic science and the divine signature of nature referred to
as the Golden ratio in western science it can be said that everything
comprises of a natural ratio in accordance with nature we observe in a
forest for example or the mathematical symmetry of the human body to
the entire universe itself comprised of all that we see within nature and
not man made.
From my in-depth research of yogic scriptures and western spiritual and
non-spiritual science that the ratio for breath inhalations and exhalation
should be on average 5.5 breaths per minute.
What are 5.5 repetitions per minute?
5.5 breaths per minute is the active meditative participation an exhalation
(0.5) followed by 5 inhalations and exhalations. Meaning that 1 equal an
exhalation and inhalation.
This repetition will allow the participant to be in accord, essential in tune
with all that exist in nature and in harmony with the universe within.
Brief summary and conclusion
Where there is sound there is vibration and where there is vibration there
is self. We are totally in controlled by the state of our being powered by
the control of the breath.
Frequency + intention = Manifestation, over voice is the most
powerful healing instrument powered by the breath.
A happy self is a more receptive self; an unhappy self is less receptive.
When we are angry our body produces less digestive fluids thus digesting
our food during an angry state is no successful. In a different context
notice when we are angry we may not listen to a person that is speak to
use as our mind is fixated on the state of anger and the sensations that
come with being in this state.
But on the contrary if one is in a happy sate they are more receptive. The
body produces more digestive fluid to digest the food. The cells are far
more responsive, the immune system is boost, we in hand instead of not
listening to a word that someone has to say we in turn become more
involved and receptive and converse in a positive way.
Let us partially conclude that the breath is the controller of these states.
The breath being the generator, operator and destroyer of our entire state
of being. The active meditative practice of pranayama allows us to adapt
and to be the ultimate controller of our state of being.
We can further more conclude the various pranayamas have various
benefits and that the pranayamas, which creates a prominent sound,
having a specific impact on our state of being. The breath creates a ripple
effect in the body, as each wave of breath creates a stronger relationship
between the various systems of the body. Therefore repetition of the
breath the relationship enhance across the spectrum of cells from head to
toe.
Now if the breath was controlled and in this case whilst encompassing
sound our state of being would be a by-product of such creation. For every
action there is a reaction. Furthermore by the understanding of active
meditation as per sound, the participating observe is in control of the state
being based on the evolvement and repetition of the sound generated by
the source being breath. When doing so the breath goes into a
sycncronisation relationship of resonance and coherence. The example in
short being that the breath determines the rhythm of our heart; the
rhythm of heart determines the rhythm of our life. Implying that rhythm is
an understanding of resonance and coherence. Between the rhythms of the
respiratory system coherence develops with the heart rate and in turn
there are brainwaves produced creating a greater relation of resonance
with the universe within or for the purpose of more tangible science every
cell in the body.
Practices like Ujjai for example as per epsilon brainwave that of the sound
of breath when combined with Brahmari as per gamma brainwave that of
the bass like sound of a bee or humming bird are deeply impacting we can
get lost within in the space of the two sounds of epsilon and gamma in this
form of brainwave entrainment. Meaning that the combination of
inhalation as Ujjai and exhalation as Brahmari. This in hand provoking and
ultimate state of resonance and coherence by the repetition of action.
Furthermore to conclude would be to best experience with repetition.
Resonance is based on the total action of repetition. It is the
repetition of our experiences that allow us to truly understand from
an experiential level the change in self (state of being) and repetition
alone that will allow the success of Pranayama an active mediation as per sound