What is Alpha?

Alpha is one of four basic brain waves [Delta, Theta, Alpha, and Beta]. Alpha occurs when we are relaxed and not thinking about anything in particular. Alpha waves are also associated with a calm and focused mental state and meditation. Alpha waves oscillate between 7 and 14 Hz.

How was Alpha Discovered?

Alpha was discovered in 1908 by an Austrian Psychiatrist named Dr. Hans Berger using a device called an EEG (Electroencephalograph). His first published recording was in 1929.

Dr. Hans Berger noticed a prominent kind of wave when his subject was relaxed and he called these waves Alpha. Alpha waves are generated (7-14Hz )in the Thalamus1.

What is so important about 8Hz?

The resonant properties of the earth's cavity were first predicted by the German physicist W. O. Schumann between 1952 and 1957, and first detected by Schumann and Koenig in 1954. The earth's "heartbeat" was discovered to be resonating at approx. 8Hz.

The 8Hz component is now regarded as particularly important and beneficial to living systems, coinciding with the human brain's alpha rhythm (8 to 12 Hz), and Schumann Wave generators are built into spacecraft to help stabilize biological rhythms and prevent 'space sickness'.

In many places on Earth we cannot detect these signals as they are now drowned in a sea of electrical "noise".

Can we enter Alpha?

Yes, with practice! Alpha production is an innate skill of our brains, but one consequence of the modern stressful lifestyle is that we forget how to produce Theta and Alpha brain waves.

As I had stated, Alpha waves are also associated with a calm and focused mental state and meditation. When we meditate we can often enter a state of Alpha, but we need to practice to truly master this.

Thalamus - Located in the center of the brain, beneath the cerebral hemispheres and next to the third ventricles. It is formed of gray matter and can be thought of as a relay station for nerve impulses in the brain. The Thalamus is often called a brain within the brain.

Understanding Alpha Part II - Preparing for Alpha Written By Robert M.

Preparation for Alpha

When you are first learning to enter Alpha, you want a quite place where you will not be distracted or disturbed.

Controlled breathing

Controlled breathing is very important to relax the mind and the heart. Like anything new there is anticipation and anxiety before entering Alpha the first time. This may causes the body to react by raising the heartbeat and racing the mind. This is normally called the " Flight or Fight" reaction, no need to worry this is normal. By using controlled breathing we can counteract this.

Sit quietly in a comfortable chair or on a bed with the pillows propped up. Breathe slowly in though the nose and out through the mouth.

Controlled breathing is done concentrating on your breathing. Breathe slowly in though nose expanding your lungs for the count of 10, hold it to the count of 10, and exhale through your mouth to the count of 15 or until you feel you have expelled all the air you can.

This may take some practice since a lot of us then to breathe using only our noses.

Once you feel comfortable doing this, the next step is repeat the process, this time as you breathe slowly in though nose, visualize a white light or fog entering you lungs. Feel the white light coming up from you feet, into your legs, past you thighs, up higher until it reaches into lungs. As the light travels up though your body your body becomes relaxed and you will feel a slight warming sensation.

Now hold it to the count of 10. Now exhale through your mouth relaxing you body visualize all the stress of the day being carried out of your lungs on a black mist or fog, continue to the count of 15 or until you feel you have expelled all the air you can.

Understanding Alpha Part III - Entering Alpha Written By Margaret M.

Entering Alpha

At this point you should be feeling relaxed and focused. I personally like to use the crystal countdown by Laurie Cabot. Remember, as you enter the Alpha state, you will be able to see, touch, smell, taste and experience emotion as you would in a Beta or regular state. You may also experience a sensation of weightlessness; this is okay, as your conscious mind is now shifting to the Alpha state. One more tell tale sign that you are entering alpha is that ordinary sounds may startle you.

Keep focusing on your breathing. I am using tangible things that you can associate with in your waking world, to use as color association, and to help keep you focused.
Now on the screen of your mind you see:

7. A bright red apple
6. An Orange sunset
5. A yellow sunflower
4. A green lime
3. The deep blue ocean
2. The midnight sky full of stars
1. A deep purple flower

Once you have completed this, count down from 10 to 1. You are now in Alpha!

While you are in Alpha, take note of your surroundings, where are you? What colors do you see? What do you hear? All of these things are relevant to your experience in the Alpha state

Remember, when you are in Alpha, your subconscious is open and you are undoubtedly receiving information you might not in a regular state of mind, so pay close attention to what you see hear and experience there, as the information you get there is always correct.

Once you feel you have completed your alpha experience, you may do the following to bring you back:

Count up slowly from 10 to 1, and give yourself total health clearance by taking your hand face down from the top of your head and pushing your hand all the way down towards your mid torso and out and say "I give myself total health clearance". This is done so that any negative energy or vibrations you my have picked up while in Alpha, does not effect you.

Keeping a diary of your alpha experiences is also helpful in interpreting the information you receive there. Remember, with practice comes the ability to be able to go into alpha easily, you may have to do it a few times before you are successful in entering the alpha state. It took me a while myself, so just keep plugging away, you can and will be able to do this.