We live in this modern world where Science and Mind (or Inner Self, or Source, or Consciousness…you pick) are becoming increasingly connected, and the benefits that emerge from this interplay – and tools that amplify them – are very exciting.

Here, mind states (i.e., focused, relaxed, meditative, asleep) are generally referred to in universal terms that apply to anyone regardless of age, gender, beliefs or culture. Our ability to record electrical brain activity (also calledbrainwaves) during times of focus, relaxation, different stages of sleep, etc. have shown us that a relaxed human brain operates within a certain frequency range called Alpha…a focused brain demonstrates another range of brainwaves called Beta, deep sleep another called Delta, and so on. So through EEGs, or brainwave recordings, we are given a nice universal set of references to talk about our states of mind. And the discovery of certainbrainwaves being associated with certain mind states also raises the level of this arena to ‘Human’, rather than sects, religion, gender or color. All are equal. What a great level from which to talk about human potential and well-being! Thanks neuroscientists!

Tools like light and sound mind machines, supplements, sound technology,biofeedback and more help us access states like relaxation, meditation and sleep and have even been shown to enhance our dreams by making them more vivid and lucid. From a mind state like this, anything is possible!

Products such as those listed above help us to maintain a state of meditation, for example, where we can just “be” with a clear mind, free of all the worries, stress and mental chatter that seem neverending at times. Or, once you’ve achieved a deeply relaxed state you may choose to visualize an aspect of life you desire: perfect health with a strong unfaltered immune system or perfect blood pressure…you could visualize giving the perfect speech and feeling completely at ease…you could look at a situation and see a creative solution…or you could even program your dreams for the night!

Again, the possibilities are endless. The more time you spend learning to relax or meditate the easier it becomes to re-enter that blissful state. Many people find that as they meditate more, their perspective on life changes. They are calmer, more forgiving, joyous. They feel they evolve and become something more. Just think if all of Planet Earth could be more forgiving and filled with greater joy!

Visit 3PoundUniverse.com for more products and info for relaxation,meditation and exploration!

Personal Growth from SelfGrowth.com– SelfGrowth.com is the most complete guide to information about Personal Growth on the Internet, with tons of free information, video, discussion boards and more.  Topics include meditation, relaxation, spirituality and much more.

'Headphone Meditation' by Illusive Mind

Here is an excellent article series on the use of technology to help relax, meditate and even focus.  By using highly-organized light and sound frequencies – based on discoveries in neuroscience and it’s use of EEG – there are devices that can help guide you to states of deep meditation and relaxation.

Click here for the full story.

2.      Imagine writing the thought on a piece of paper, then throwing it into a fire and burning it up.

3.      If there is a thought you want to remember for later like a creative idea, just file it away in a briefcase or filing cabinet where you can refer to it later.

4.      Withdraw from your thoughts using the Withdrawal Meditation:

Send your awareness outside the building you are in – into the street.  Become aware of external noises.  You may also be aware of the energy and atmosphere outside the building, especially if there is traffic or people moving around.  Try not to label the noises or energetic vibrations, but just be aware of any sounds you may hear.

Gently withdraw yourself from the outside environment into the building.  Try to take in the building, no matter how large it is.  Become aware of any sounds, energies or movement within the building.

Now gently withdraw yourself from the rest of the building into the room that you are in.  Become aware of the sounds, energies, and atmosphere of the room.

Now gently withdraw yourself from the room into your own body – into yourself.  Become aware of the sounds, sensations, movements, and energies within your own body.

Now gently withdraw from your body into a place inside yourself where there is stillness – into your center.  There exists inside you a place of stillness, silence, and peace.  Find the place inside that is quiet and allow yourself to rest in that place for several minutes.  Anytime a thought comes through, release it and return to that place of stillness.

As you prepare to return to the outside space, very gradually begin to be aware of what you are experiencing – the feeling of relaxation inside your body, the contents of your mind, and once again be aware of the place of peace and stillness inside.  You may wish to find a few reminders, or keys for what this feels like to help you return to this state of consciousness more easily and effortlessly.  These keys or cues might be a body sensation, a color, a word, an image, or even a sound.

Open your eyes (or move them around if you kept them open), take several deep breaths an allow yourself to stretch and reawaken fully, feeling alert and refreshed. [From ‘The High Performance Mind’, 1997]

Solution: When people think they have a tendency to talk to themselves, thereby tensing their tongue, making it ready for action … so relax your tongue; count your breaths, or slow your breathing; focus your attention on one subject without letting your mind wander (maybe even with your eyes open – staring at an object).

2.      Problem: Can’t remember the meditation when finished

Solution: Ground the experience by recalling it again before finishing, or verbalizing it or writing it aright afterwards

3.      Problem: I fall asleep

Solution: Meditate lightly while staying awake, then gradually go deeper – practice; meditate with eyes open while gazing upon an object about 6 feet in front of you; sit upright without leaning back against a chair or wall

4.      Problem: External noises

Solution: Use them to take you deeper inside

A study published last month shows strong benefits between meditation and cognition.

The study suggests that the mind may be easier to cognitively train than we previously believed. Psychologists studying the effects of mindfulness meditation found that meditation-trained participants showed a significant improvement in their critical cognitive skills (and performed significantly higher in cognitive tests than a control group) after only four days of training for only 20 minutes each day. Link to Full Article

Neuroscientists discover a specific example of how meditating can give you the ability to notice things that non-meditators can’t.

Meditation is not only an immediate stress reducer; it can also pay off with long-term benefits in helping to slow immune-system decline. A University of California, Los Angeles, study of 48 adult HIVers who were assigned to either attend a one-day stress-reduction seminar or participate in an eight-week meditation program has shown that regular meditators maintained steady CD4-cell levels, while the other study subjects lost T cells. The CD4-cell effect of meditation was consistent regardless of whether the study subjects were taking anti-HIV meds. “If this initial finding is replicated in larger samples,” says lead study author David Creswell, “it’s possible that [mindful meditation] can be used as a powerful complementary treatment for HIV disease.”

By Advocate.com Editors