CMR in conjunction with bi-naural beat recording

[ricky]

Gavin,

Previously I had been using the meditation technique of following the breath in conjunction with bi-naural beat recordings which supposedly enhance whole brain functioning. Since using CMR, I haven't followed my breath, since this involves focus which is effort, but what are your thoughts of using CMR with bi-naural beat recordings in the background. These recordings are audible, but I don't actively listen to them; they are merely background.

[Gavin Hoole]

Ricky, for me 'natural' is good.

I am wary of applying electronically created sounds to my brain. Their effects may well have indicated beneficial effects in terms of certain criteria. However, do we really know what the overall holistic effects are? I don't.

Wikipedia: "Interest in binaural beats can be classified into two categories. First, they are of interest to neurophysiologists investigating the sense of hearing. Second (and more controversial), is the claim that binaural beats can influence the brain in more subtle ways through the entrainment of brainwaves [1] [2] and can be used to produce relaxation and other health benefits.[citation needed] The latter claim has not been verified via scientific evidence."

I haven't used binaural beats myself so I don't have first-hand experience. The meditation method I used for many years (TM) was good enough for me, and I felt no need to experiment with other techniques such as binaural beats.

CMR is a stand-alone natural process, and does not even involve the use of a mantra (sound). If anything external is added to it then it would no longer be CMR.

I think that deciding on which method to use is a personal decision that one would have to take oneself. But as for mixing and matching different techniques or methods, I am not in favour of that. So I would not add anything like binaural beats to a CMR session. If you want to used that separately, that would be your decision.

I intend adding material to the www.Unlock-Your-Happiness.com website and/or CMR course at some stage, to explain how and why the CMR process works in accordance with the natural functioning of the brain, and why adding other externally applied components would conflict with that natural flow of consciousness evident during CMR.

I hope this helps.

[ricky]

Thanks Gavin. If I do choose to continue with my binaural beat recordings, I will keep them seperate from the CMR sessions.

[prujoy3]

Hi - this is my first post here

I was REALLY interested to read this thread because I have actually used just such a thing as "BWE" - brainwave entrainment & what is even more amazing is that there is an advertisement running above this thread for the very product that I used - Neuroprogrammer 2

When I was first diagnosed as having Fibromyalgia about 2 years ago, I started on the quest to find the source of the disorder. I soon found that it was deep in the unconscious brain. I also found that major physical or emotional trauma, esp. at a very early age, somehow damages the program of this "basic" or brain stem area & it runs "wrong" thereafter.

Soooo ... I then found that there were all kinds of purported remedies for the hard-wiring of the brain. The first thing was this "binaural beats" - I purchased a couple of cd's with special recordings of Om Mani Padme Hum & water flowing - I listened to them for the required couple of months & the result was = nothing.

I then found supposedly scientifically validated benefits of "BWE" & with another actual Doctor's recommendation, I also added flashing light goggles! Yes, really - with little led red & green lights that flashed in time with the audio recordings. I used them religiously for about 6 weeks & I JUST ABOUT DESTROYED MYSELF!!!

My brain function became worse & worse - I could hardly function - I rang the doctor & asked him what to do - he said I should STOP. Oh brother !

So I was really pleased to then read Gavin's reply to be very cautious with such an UNNATURAL application to the brain. I wholeheartedly agree.

And, oh yes, I was really pleased to be able to sell all that fairly expensive BWE/Light equipment on Ebay & not lose too much on the whole experiment.

And Gavin - I would be most interested to read yr further work on the effect of CMR in the brain - have you added it to the website yet?

[Gavin Hoole]

Prujoy, thank you for your very relevant comments on this topic.

At this stage no formal research or brain studies have been conducted on Conscious Mental Rest and its effects on the brain.

All reports to date have been 'anecdotal' feedback from people who have learnt CMR and have told of their experiences after learning.

Not everyone gives feedback, but those who have done so say that they generaly find CMR to be beneficial, and that they intend to continue with it on a daily basis.

Anecdotally, several people who have practised mantra-based meditation techniques, including Transcendental Meditation, have switched over to CMR and found it suited them better, mainly because they found it easier. They felt they did not need to be concerned about a mantra and whether they were using it correctly, 'pronouncing' it correctly, and so on. They say CMR is simply more effortless.

This week, a formerTMer in the US had this to say about CMR: "I'm finding that using your CMR technique and ignoring the mantra (unless it really really wants to put in an appearance) is working very well. I feel very opened up afterwards. You've simplified Maharishi's original simple and natural technique! Maybe I'm one of those who gets along better without seed syllables."

In answer to your other question: no, I have not added any Web pages about the effects of CMR on brain functioning because I have no scientific basis for doing so ..... not yet. Perhaps some keen university psychologist will one day offer to do such research.

[prujoy3]

Thanks for that Gavin

I was actually enquiring as to how you were going as per yr earlier statement (Oct '08) here:

I intend adding material to the www.Unlock-Your-Happiness.com website and/or CMR course at some stage, to explain how and why the CMR process works in accordance with the natural functioning of the brain, and why adding other externally applied components would conflict with that natural flow of consciousness evident during CMR.

[Gavin Hoole]

Oh, okay, gotcha!

It's on my To Do list, along with the other items in the long list.

[badjason]

Hmm. What if you don't have a quiet refuge to practice CMR? I live with my wife in a big city and our home has thin walls. If I go in to one of guest bedrooms and sit I can hear everything, neighbors, dogs, cars, my wife

I ask because I've been using a bi-beats Iphone App that plays various nature sounds to drown out all of the distractions. When possible I do sit without the aid of these sounds. I couldn't imagine doing CMR in my situation with out the option of something to mask out the noise of my surroundings.

What's your thought on this, Gavin?