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The Science of OM Meditation


Modern scientists have now  acknowledged the benefits of OM mediation. Some recent studies highlight the importance of regular chanting of OM and its contribution in developing a healthy body and a peaceful mind.

Before I explain how science looks at OM, I would like to discuss the basic structure of brain and how it is affected by meditation.


Brain- The Wonder Organ
Image result for lobes of brain

Brain and its functions are mostly carried out by 4 lobes- Frontal, Parietal, Occipital and Temporal.

v  Frontal Lobe- It is involved in motor function, problem solving, spontaneity, memory, language, initiation, judgement, impulse control, and social and sexual behavior.

v  Parietal Lobe- It is responsible for integrating sensory information such as touch, temperature and pain.

v  Occipital Lobe- It is the primary visual processing center of the brain.

v  Temporal Lobe- It is responsible for hearing, recognizing and learning languages and forming memories.

It is believed that regular practice of meditation can affect the activity within these lobes and in-turn help them function more efficiently. In-fact, according to ancient texts, people who used to meditate religiously were able to control activity of these lobes!!

Is this really possible? 

The answer lies with Brain Waves... and how there activity is altered by meditation. 

What are Brain Waves?
In very simple words, brain waves can be described as any electric activity within our brains. These are also known as neural oscillations, as the activity of these brain waves originate from neurons and they are rhythmic in nature. 

Brain waves are considered crucial for normal functioning of brain, as they are responsible for developing emotions and controlling thoughts and behaviors. Activity of these brain waves have been found altered in people who suffer from any kind of mental health condition.

It is also observed that with the change in level of consciousness of an individual, the pattern of  brain waves changes. If for example, a person is tired, his brain would generate slower brain waves. 

Let us now understand the different types of brain waves and how one can alter these by meditation:-

Types of Brain Waves
Scientists have discovered 5 types of brain waves:
  1. Delta Brain Waves: These are the slowest brain waves and they are usually generated when an individual is in deep sleep (dreamless sleep). This brain wave is important for healing and regeneration.
  2. Theta Brain Waves: These waves are generated during inactivity and deep inner focus. This brain wave is related with creativity. 
  3. Alpha Brain Waves: These are generated during quiet and resting times. This wave is related with thoughtfulness. 
  4. Beta Brain Waves: These are the most common brain waves related with a person being alert and awake.  
  5. Gamma Brain Waves: These are the fastest brain waves and are related with higher levels of consciousness.


Scientific Papers Proving Relation Between Meditation and Brain Waves-
  • Darrin J.L., Edwin K., Philippe G.,Amir G.,Fady G.,Review of the Neural Oscillations Underlying Meditation, Front. Neurosci., 26 March 2018, https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2018.00178. Meditation has many beneficial effects on mood, consciousness, and awareness. Meditation results in structural and functional brain changes. During active meditation, there are distinct changes in the electrographic activity, both regionally and globally. There also appear to be distinct differences in EEG profiles depending on experience. One study on Satyananda Yoga practitioners demonstrated that intermediate (mean experience 4 years) practitioners had increased low frequency oscillations (theta and alpha) in the right superior frontal, right inferior frontal, and right anterior temporal lobes, whereas, advanced (mean experience 30 years) practitioners had increased high frequency oscillations (beta and gamma) in the same regions (Thomas et al., 2014).
  • J.P.B.,Spectral analysis of the EEG in meditation Analyse spectrale de l'EEG de l'etat de meditation, Stanley Cobb Laboratories for Psychiatric Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass. https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-4694(73)90170-3. Classical EEG combined with spectral analysis was performed on a group of subjects during Transcendental Meditation (TM). The findings were compared with those obtained in a resting control group. Findings are as per below:
    (1) Alpha rhythm increased in amplitude, slowed down in frequency and extended to anterior channels at the beginning of mediation.
    (2) In a second stage, theta frequencies different from those of sleep diffused from frontal to posterior channels. They took the form of short theta periods or longer rhythmic theta trains.
    (3) Rhythmic amplitude-modulated beta waves were present over the whole scalp in a third stage of deep meditation by advanced subjects.
    (4) The most striking topographical alteration was the synchronization of anterior and posterior channels.

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