| To begin with, the best meditation CDs are not | | | | classical music, nor even those with the specific |
| the "sounds of nature" or "mellow jazz" recordings | | | | pieces proven to have some effect. These may |
| that are sometimes sold to help one relax or | | | | affect our brainwave patterns, but they may do |
| meditate. Without a doubt some of these can | | | | so only partially or during certain musical |
| help you relax, and possibly even help you get | | | | movements. After all, they were not designed for |
| into a meditative state. This is even more likely if | | | | the purpose of assisting us in meditating. |
| you enjoy listening to a specific one. | | | | The good news is that many companies have |
| On the other hand, if it is just something pleasant | | | | now developed recordings that are designed for |
| and relaxing to listen to, there is no need to pay | | | | the purpose of brainwave entrainment. Some use |
| extra for this kind of recording. In fact, you may | | | | sounds of nature (the ones with rain are really |
| already own some relaxing music that you enjoy. | | | | soothing), and others use music, but those are |
| If so, why not just use that? | | | | just for background. Specific beats and sounds |
| Then there is the music that actually affects your | | | | are embedded in the recording in order to lead |
| brainwaves more directly. This includes some | | | | your brain into a meditative state. All you have to |
| pieces by Bach and other classical composers. It | | | | do is sit down and listen with headphones. These |
| was discovered decades ago that some music | | | | make meditating easy for anyone. |
| has a meditative effect on your brain when | | | | You can enter into various levels with products |
| listened to, particularly if you are sitting or | | | | like these. Some are designed for light meditation, |
| otherwise relaxing. Baroque music in particular is | | | | meaning your brainwaves will be in the Alpha |
| more likely to have this effect, although probably | | | | range. Others will take you down into the theta |
| just certain pieces, according to the number of | | | | range (4 - 8 hertz). The ones that take you into |
| beats-per-minute in the tune. | | | | the theta range or even deeper are also a great |
| Naturally, once people were using certain classical | | | | tool for going to sleep if you lay down while |
| and other musical compositions for meditation, | | | | listening. |
| scientists looked into why they work. This was | | | | These products can be bought individually, one CD |
| the beginning of our understanding of brainwave | | | | at a time. If you start that way you'll want to get |
| entrainment. When we listen to recordings with a | | | | one that is meant forlight meditation. You can also |
| certain pattern or beat, our brains tend to follow | | | | get programs that include several recordings, |
| that pattern. Our brainwaves are altered or | | | | though. These will usually be designed so each |
| "entrained" into a particular frequency. If that | | | | takes you to a deeper level of meditation. In any |
| happens to be the frequency in the alpha range | | | | case, the best meditation CDs are definitely those |
| (8 - 14 hertz), we have entered a meditative | | | | that are specifically designed for brainwave |
| state. | | | | entrainment. |
| But the best meditation CDs are not those with | | | | |