Life Style Management

Term III : Lesson No.3

Brain Waves

The activity of the brain is represented by brain waves, which can be measured in terms of Hertz
(Hz) by an electroencephalograph (EEG). For much of the time, the brain waves are irregular and
no general pattern can be discerned. At other times patterns emerge, and are classified as beta,
alpha, theta, and delta waves.

The most active level is the beta, with a frequency of about 14-50 Hz. Alpha waves have a
frequency of about 7-13 Hz and are dominant in quiet and restful states. Theta waves, having a
frequency of about 4-7 Hz, and delta waves, with a frequency below 4 Hz, are dominant during
sleep, deep meditative, or “creative” states.

What is of particular significance here is that at each level of brain activity, one experiences
markedly different psycho-physiological symptoms - that is why it is very important to know what
is actually going on inside your head. Once you know that, you are in a position to influence the
thoughts, feelings, and behavior inherent in each brain wave pattern.

The Two Divisions: Somatic and Autonomic

There are two main divisions within this "system," the somatic and the autonomic. The somatic
nervous system mainly deals with skeletal, muscular, and' sensory activity, whereas the autonomic
system controls a variety of internal functions, generally considered to be beyond our conscious
control. These are the respiratory, circulatory, and a host of other internal subsystems, organs, and
functions, which operate without any conscious attempt on our part to regulate them. The somatic
system is the relatively conscious aspect of the nervous system, and the autonomic the relatively
subconscious aspect.

The autonomic nervous system is further divided into two branches. The first is the "sympathetic"
one, which activates the fight or flight response: this is considered to be evoked by the reptilian part
of our brain. Almost instinctively, in a situation which is perceived as a crisis or danger, there is an
"autonomic" and instantaneous generation of the chemical adrenalin. This gears up the body to fight
the perceived danger or flee, that is to escape. This response is instantaneous, energetic, and
spontaneous, occurring at an almost subconscious level.

The second branch is the "parasympathetic" one which, on , activation, releases endorphins such as
serotonin, dogamin, acetyl choline, etc. These chemicals help to create a calm, relaxed, and
soothing state of mind and body, as opposed to the very tense, alert, and reactive state evoked by
adrenalin.

It is interesting that the autonomic nervous system is believed to be beyond your conscious control.
However, various Indian yogis have been able to demonstrate that you can alter inner experiences
by "managing" the so-called autonomic pathways. They are able to change their body temperatures,
pulse rates, and other metabolic functions, exercising a much greater degree of control over their
physiology than is generally believed to be possible in the West. Certain simple meditation
processes are now acknowledged as being able to alter brain wave patterns, thereby enabling you to
experience not only deep relaxation but also to open the pathways to a much more intuitive and
creative way of thinking.

So far I have been familiarizing you with the anatomy or the "hardware" 'of the mind. Now we shall
discuss its "software," namely the process of thinking.
Thought and Creativity: Modes of Thinking

Thinking is not knowledge, nor information, nor intelligence, nor - language. Rather, knowledge
and information are the base materials handled by thinking. In fact, thinking is an operating skill, or
instrument: like any instrument you can use it or abuse it. In a sense, it is as neutral as a microscope
or a telescope.

However, while utilizing thinking as a process or an instrument we frequently commit several

errors. For instance, you sometimes find that what appears to be logically valid, could be
perceptually invalid. Such contradictions are accentuated when your ego or emotions are involved:
you become locked into a set of initial reactions which narrow your perspective. In this state your
limited objectivity restricts your thinking "space," and you have only a partial view of whatever you
are thinking about.

Just as there are blocks to thinking there are also aids to thinking. There are certain attention-
directors or aids to focusing which help you to concentrate or focus attention. These aids include
both specific techniques as well as processes which enlarge the parameters of thinking. Edward de
Bono has suggested several interesting techniques in his books.

First of all, natural thinking is what we are born with - it is spontaneous and' creative. Secondly,
logical thinking is what we develop through education and training. Thirdly, more advanced training
helps to cultivate what is known as mathematical thinking. Then, fourthly, it is what Edward de
Bono describes as lateral or creative thinking. Recently, in management circles interest has grown in
"intuitive thinking" as a fifth mode which, as is now increasingly being recognized, is used by
almost everyone - though hardly anyone really understands it. Logical and mathematical thinking
are generally described as "vertical" or sequential thinking, whereas lateral thinking is described as
“horizontal”.

(Source :- “Managing Business by Self Management” - Prof. Jagdish Parikh, USA)

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Difference between Mind and Brain

The Mind and the Brain are two different entities not to be confused with each other. They are two
different things.

Mind is a faculty of the soul whereas the Brain is a physical part of our body.
More differences are given in the following table:
MIND (SOFTWARE) BRAIN (HARDWARE)

It is the metaphysical faculty of the soul. It is a physical part of the human body.

Mind's thoughts are like software. It is the hardware of the human computer

Soul has three faculties: Brain is composed of two parts:

- Mind, - Left Brain – used for analyzing,

- Intellect, - Right Brain – used for Creativity.

- Impressions.

It is weightless. It's weight is approx 2% of body weight.

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(Source : - Times of India Dated 10th October, 2007.)

'Even brief meditation can boost attention, curb stress'

New York: Recent studies have suggested that months to years of intensive meditation can improve
attention and lower stress.

Researchers now believe that in less than one week of meditation practice with the integrative body-
mind meditation, training method can produce noteworthy improvement in attention and ones' state
of mind.

The study of 40 Chinese undergraduates found that participation in 2O-minute integrative

meditation sessions over 5 days showed greater improvement in attention and overall mood, and
lower levels of anxiety, depression, anger and fatigue, compared with students in a control group
who participated in relaxation training.

Dr Yi-Yuan Tang from University of Oregon in Eugene and colleagues report their research in
Tuesday's issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Integrative meditation, they explain, "incorporates several key components body and mind
techniques including body relaxation, breathing adjustment, mental imagery, and mindfulness
training, which have shown broad positive effects in attention, emotions, and social behaviors in
previous studies. This combination may amplify the training effect over the use of only one of these
components."

As mentioned, after just 5 days, students in the integrative meditation group showed significantly
greater improvement on tests of attention and mood than did the relaxation control group. Their
reaction to a mental stressor was also significantly improved, as evidenced by a significant decrease
in stress-related cortisol levels. These outcomes after only 5 days of training "open a door", for
simple and effective studies looking at the benefits of meditation.

The findings in this study highlight the potential value of integrative meditation for stress
management, body-mind health, and improvement in cognitive performance and self-regulation,"
Tang's team notes.

"Our study is consistent with the idea that attention, affective processes and the quality of moment-
to-moment awareness are flexible skills that can be trained,” they add.

The integrative body-mind training approach was developed in the 1990s. The technique avoids
struggles to control thought, relying instead on a state of restful alertness, allowing a high degree of
body-mind awareness while receiving instructions from a coach, who provides breath-adjustment
guidance and mental imagery while soothing music plays in the background.
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(Source: - Times of India Dated 13th January,2009.)

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