Joe: There are many dozens, if not hundreds of these recordings available. A few sound like Phil Glass, some have people chanting, some have water or wind noises, the one that I listened to was just an electronic hum. The idea is that 2 tones are played simultaneously, one in the Right ear and the other in the Left. When the tones are of the same frequency you simply hear a hum or buzz but when one is a slightly different frequency the dissonance creates an artificial pulse. This pulse is heard and actually felt. The closer in tune the 2 tones are the faster the pulse. Proponents are saying things like the binaural beat (pulse) of 6 hertz is the frequency of Theta waves and that experiencing these Theta frequency pulses causes your brain to produce its own Theta waves. The word on the street is that meditators in deep mediation produce these Theta waves. Is it a cause (of deep meditation) or the effect. Sites are saying things like "Meditate as deeply as a Zen monk, literally at the touch of a button, and do it the very first time, and every time".
Now I know that the point of Zen meditation is more than to simply meditate deeply or generate Theta waves. Right Intention, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration and all that is the 8 Fold Path. I was just curious if anyone here had looked into it. I'm guessing that the answer is no. I don't believe in shortcuts, however this technology did not exist 1500 years ago and I can't help but wonder. Of course that same wonder lead many of us to use chemicals to alter our perceptions 40 - 50 years ago. Bill not Bill! Find what makes your heart sing…and do it! ________________________________ From: Joe <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Fri, August 17, 2012 12:48:47 PM Subject: [Zen] Re: Binaural meditation Bill R., I have never tried this, and have not looked at the video. I've heard about "hemi-synch", which I think was developed at the Monroe Institute (they made and used tapes), the place where some of the methods of Remote-Viewing where developed, following Ingo Swann, and Joe McMoneagle. I've learned and practiced Zen meditation formally with master teachers, and there's no place for audio-based or headphone-based practice in our COMMUNAL practice. One can use any methods on one's own, however; but, I have remained with the original methods. I think the tape concept and tape practice has only a very short history, and I prefer methods with a history, and a track record of helping people to awaken. What is the track record of the binaural tapes enabling awakening in Humans? Is it documented? Or is the practice with the tapes an open-ended, "no-claims-made" practice? Is it a "self-help" practice?, or does it lead to opening the heart of compassion (as Zen does)? Is it a method that produces only relaxation, and not awakening, as I think so-called TM (transcendental meditation, the trade-marked brand... I used to think TM stood for Trade Mark). I think, by the way, that the chanting we do in our formal Zen practice is done more to benefit the belly and the breathing-mechanism than to have any effect via sound or vibration. I have heard, however, that chanting can stimulate the thyroid gland. Of course, the thyroid would not be stimulated unless one makes the sounds oneself: so, passive listening -- either to a tape or to the Assembly -- would have no effect on maintaining the health of the thyroid, nor on its hormone production. I have a feeling that use of the hemi-synch tapes may prevent entry into samadhi, which is all important in Zen work. Awakening usually happens when samadhi breaks up suddenly: so, if samadhi does not develop, ...no awakening. Anathema to Zen practice!, where fully one third of the program is Awakening. The three pillars are, again: Teachings; Practice; Awakening. I'd like to hear reports from a long-time user of the hemi-synch practice tapes, especially if that person also is thoroughly familiar with our Zen practice methods which have a 1500-year history, and who has also experienced awakening in Zen. I also have a feeling that a person who has sat zazen and who has awakened will have no interest in such tapes. Do the tapes sound like the music of Philip Glass? --Joe William Rintala <brintala@...> wrote: > > Meditation in the 21st century. > > A friend of mine is strongly encouraging me to meditate using Binaural > sounds.
