I love the relaxation I get using my Binaural Beats CD.
What are They?The word binaural means two ears. Binaural beats in this context is a certain sound recorded using two microphones. The sound is then transmitted separately to the two ears of the listener using headphones. When two different tones, very close together in pitch, are played separately into each ear, you hear a single, pulsating sound. This sound resonates with the rest of the brain, and forces the brainwaves to follow the same frequency. What Do They Do? Depending on the frequency of the beats they either help you relax by putting you in an Alpha state (8-12Hz), or help you concentrate by putting you in a Beta state (12 Hz and up). I have both CDs but use the Alpha state one most days. This is a quote from the "Each time you listen, the audio technology will work to stimulate your brain while in this deeply relaxed state, triggering neural pathways to fire, enhancing communication between various parts of the brain, and bringing your brain into a state of hemispheric synchronization." That means your right and left brain starts to work together. This doesn't usually happen on it's own but it can really help mental performance.
RelaxationWhen you're sitting relaxed or meditating, the frequency of your brainwave activity is predominantly in the Alpha range, which is 8-12Hz. Spending time in the Alpha state is beneficial in reducing stress. The binaural beats CD called Insight, that I use helps me relax. It reduces stress and anxiety. I've used it to help me get to sleep on the off occasion when I've had a problem with that. MeditationI usually listen to it in the morning, however on those days when I don't have an early appointment. I wake up, drink a glass of water and listen through ear plugs to this CD whilst lying on my bed. The sound I hear is rain gently falling. They've introduced one that has ocean waves on CD or MP3, which sound lovely too. I also put my ipod onto a speaker and play soothing music, usually this music called Come Holy Dove, or A Soul Journey, or Renaissance: Music for Inner Peace. Listen to it online here (USA) Each track of the binaural beats CD is 24 minutes long and so I meditate for that long or may got through all three tracks if I have the time. I get wonderful ideas in this state and so have a pad and pencil by me to record them before they slip away. Some people like to listen to it in the evening, but when I tried it I dropped off to sleep in the chair. AffirmationsIf I don't have time to meditate I often listen to the CD whilst I give my morning affirmations and prayers. I don't get into the same mediative state as I do lying down or just sitting doing nothing, but still helps me to stay calm and has the added bonus of helping the affirmations sink in. If you don't want to get the CD you can download the MP3 they've just brought out. They don't advise creating an MP3 file form the CD because the compression your computer uses distorts the audio technology. They've been working on getting the same frequencies onto an MP3 and ow they've succeeded. Do you need to concentrate?
So it's very useful when you're studying. It helps you concentrate when you're reading. It develops problem solving and brainstorming skills. I tutored a child who had ADHD and she listened to this CD whilst working with me and she was able to concentrate for a much longer period. You can also get Focus in MP3 format with the ocean waves or gentle rain sound. Ooh, I've just noticed that they do a CD and MP3 for the Writer Mind now. I must get that one to help with all the writing I'm doing. :-) Hmm, now where did you come from? Want to go back there? Meditate from this Binaural Beats page |
I use my Binaural Beats CD most days and it just sets my day right from the start. Meditating this way gives me ideas on how to be happy during that day. 
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There is another binaural beats CD you can get, called 