The Many Sides of Brainwaves

In this post, I will provide some general information on different brainwave states. In my next post, I will share how I have been working with these states.

We all have five general brainwaves that function all the time, and at any moment we have a predominant wave pattern based upon our activity level. Here are the brain waves and their characteristics, and are ordered in the most frequent patterns that we usually experience:


Beta - Active and alert, thinking, analyzing, applying logic, organizing; "high" beta is experienced as stressful

Alpha - Relaxed, calm, awake, conscious; positive frame of mind, stillness. It is also the period immediately before sleep

Theta - Dreaming stage of sleep. Also experienced as “flow”, “synchronicity”. Associated with advanced intuition, creativity, strong emotional connection. Typically more present in women, children, animals

Delta - Deep, restorative sleep (DHEA, melatonin) without dreams. Also associated with advanced meditation bliss

Gamma - Compassion, happiness, increased mental abilities and focus; perception of consciousness ("we are one")


In many ways, our society and culture encourage beta brain wave development, and in particular, "high" beta (stress). Some people complain that they "can't shut their brains off". Beta is not "bad", but too much of anything is not healthy. There are ways that we can encourage the development of each of these states. The optimum state is balance, and too much of one wave can cause difficulty. To help encourage the different brainwave states, here are some suggestions:

Beta - Use low frequency brainwave entrainment, take deep breaths and be "present"

Alpha - Close your eyes and look up; focus on your breath, be “present”. Meditate, daydream, use your imagination, visualize. Use brainwave entrainment

Theta - Use meditation and/or hypnosis. Participate in yoga, art, music. Use brainwave entrainment. Use creative visualization (e.g., visual scenes, scenarios). Focus on feelings of appreciation. Participate in *voluntary* exercise ("have to" exercise does not trigger theta waves); participate in a repetitive activity such as Nintendo

Delta - Get a full night of sleep. Deep meditation discipline.

Gamma - Use brainwave entrainment; associated with advanced levels of meditation; hypnosis, yoga

In coaching, we encourage our clients to "pause" many times during the day. This simple action can encourage alpha and perhaps theta states. For many roles, alpha states are strongly encouraged and is often the calm feeling that you can get from leaders, coaches, therapists, clergy, etc. Alpha states help the leader or practitioner stay clear in their thinking and emotions.

In my next post, I will share my experiences of using the NeuroProgrammer 2 program. Until next time... with much love and gratitude Mj XOXO

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Medicine and Empowerment

Years ago, I was at a cross roads to either become an MD or a PhD. I loved my anatomy and physiology class where I learned about the marvelous inner workings of our human body. I went from working at a McDonalds where people would yell at me because they had no ketchup on their hamburger to working in a hospital where I would assist people in their own healing. I loved spending time with the patients.

I looked at the medical profession and could see that much of the time and energy in this system was involved with power. Many of the doctors talked about having to hire full time staff in their practice to take care of the paperwork. HMOs were coming into vogue and there was a power struggle over getting treatments authorized and monies collected. I could see the endless turnstile of appointments when I would visit my own doctor. In the hospital there were power plays, politics and personality clashes between doctors and nurses as roles were shifting and evolving.

Some doctors were very easy to work with because they would listen and hold the best interest of the patient as the highest intention. Alas, many doctors prioritized their own expert power and needs. I looked at what it would take to become a doctor - the long hours and dedication - and decided that it was not for me. I didn't trust that I could be awoken during a 24+ hour shift and have a patient's life depend upon me having the stamina and alertness to think clearly. The thought of confronting that situation simply terrified me.

While I was working in the hospital, I also developed a mysterious skin condition. I consulted several doctors who were puzzled. It was a cross between an allergic reaction to the sun and sun poisoning. The dermatologist said "Well, it's both and neither. I'm not sure how to treat this." The net result was that I had to stay out of the sun entirely. I had put dark window film on my car windows. I would drive to work in the predawn hours, and on the way home I was thankful for cloudy days. I was confined to my own home all summer. I was thoroughly depressed.

During this time, I was also doing an internship at a hospice. One of the nurses taught us guided imagery, where our patients could use a guided meditation to help alleviate their pain and suffering. This was all new to me and I decided to give it a try. In a very crude fashion, I wrote my own script and recorded it. In the script, I would walk through a forest and feel the coolness and moisture of the morning dew and the mulch below my feet. I would walk out to a beach in full sunlight, lay down on the sand and let the cool water wash over my body. I imagined that the toxins in my body were draining from my hands and my feet.

I could not face another summer confined to my home. I faithfully used this 20 minute tape every morning. Medicine had "failed me" - I sought out the experts and they could not help me. I was taking matters into my own hands. What I didn't know is that I was claiming my own power. Sure enough, after six weeks it was completely resolved. Every day I could feel my body healing. I was my own instrument of healing.

Medicine likes to use scientific methods to determine if pills and treatments are effective. This process is important to protect us from needlessly throwing away our dollars on the proverbial "snake oil". And, they continually deal with the pesky and annoying "placebo effect". Ladies and gentlemen, the placebo effect is everything. The pill gets it power from the patient's belief that it will be effective.

I recently started learning Quantum Touch which is based upon the principles of quantum physics. I also read the book "The Intention Experiment" by Lynne McTaggart and both support each other. What I love about Quantum Touch is the core tenet that the practitioner and the client are in partnership, and both play a vital role in helping the client heal him/her self. My role is to be a catalyst for their own work. It provides me a level of engagement where I feel that I can be in service. Now my interest in medicine has come full circle.

I will say that I have friends who are doctors and nurses and I get a very different feel, thank goodness. It sounds like there is a lot more openness, teamwork and collaboration. **Yay!** In fact, I first learned about Quantum Touch from Kathy, one of these nurse friends. My own doctor is very well versed in medicine, homeopathic remedies and alternative healing modalities. Health care workers are expanding their horizons and there is much more scientific evidence to show that Qigong, Reiki and other traditional energy therapies are effective and have their place in a holistic approach. Traditional medicine and other therapies are becoming more synergistic.

The final cycle is when the money starts to change direction. Suppose you went to an eye specialist to correct your vision. Would you rather pay $2000 for lasik surgery or for the eye specialist to run energy into your eyes? Which would you rather empower? What if both were equally effective in the short and long term? Chances are we would pay more for the surgery. Isn't that a bit odd?

With much love and gratitude for our ever evolving awareness, Mj XOXO
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What IS Love, Really?

I want to honor two blog entries of a friend of mine, Gayle. I "only" know Gayle through her blog - and Gayle has a heart the size of Alaska, maybe bigger. She pours her heart into her life and into her blog posts.

Here are two loving posts that she wrote to her daughter who is coming of age in this crazy world that we live in. Wonderful advice, indeed. Pour yourself a nice hot cup of coffee or tea, relax and read on....

All The Truth I Know About Love
Part Two All The Truth I Know About Love

Thank you Gayle, for the gift of yourself. You are "Big Love" Sistah!

With much love and gratitude, Mj XOXO

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