It would be a misconception to say that happiness lies only in Alpha state; the desired condition of happiness in all flavors

can be found in Beta as well. The philosophy of our Swamiji provides guidance for us to live in physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being while functioning in the range of human frequencies. Take it that, when you are feeling joyful, magnanimous and loving you are definitely at the best, most perfect frequency! * * * For more information, please go through the following references: http://www.peakperformancetraining.org/sitefiles/articles/funct What is the function of the various brainwaves? by Ned Herrmann http://brain.web-us.com/brainwavesfunction.htm http://www.bio-medical.com/EEG.html Uma Vethathiri umaspace@gmail.com

For example, I consume a high level of energy when Im awake and active, focused on thoughts or sensory processing, no matter what subject I happen to be thinking of or how I feel. Regardless of whether I feel irritated or furious, or thrilled and energized, my functioning level would be high frequency in Beta. Im awake, actively engaged, thinking, my senses are awake and mind is alive! On the other hand, when Im relaxed and without a particular focus my frequency corresponds to the Alpha state: its a condition of less critical, less active mentality, and less energy is being expended. I am simply awake but not sharply aware or apprehensive; it is quiet yet aware. Im not in an active state, thats all. It is not to say that Alpha (and lower states) are better than Beta, it isnt to do with whether I am enjoying peace and happiness or feeling sad. The Alpha state is generally passive and restful, but nothing is so great about that in itself; if one is feeling peace and joy, then so much the better, but it does not mean that Alpha is always the preferred level of function. Thus, we see that all kinds of emotions and excitement are only in the Beta level; one is not in an excited, passionate, emotional state when functioning in Alpha and the lower frequency states. The levels below Beta are found when relaxed, meditating, dreaming or in deep sleep. When I go still lower than Alpha in energy expenditure/consumption to Theta state of conversion, i.e. 4-7 Hz., Im generally dozing off to sleep. If I go to that level during meditation it means Im consciously awake but without particular thoughts, at rest in a very quiescent mode. And if my meditation is deep, extremely restful for body and mind, I might feel a basic, free sense of Being: no ideas no object of thought. At the deep Alpha and beginning of Theta, just about level 7 Hz., it is found that one is more likely to have experiences of access to unconscious material, creative inspiration and deep meditation. Also note however, that states of depression predominate in the lower frequency range, where there is not the usual arousal or activity of mind and these are certainly not desirable or higher states. On the other hand, very experienced meditators who have been measured in deep and prolonged meditative states surprisingly emit extraordinarily high frequency waves. The Delta state predominates when one is in deep sleep. Dreams during sleep come when one arouses temporarily to Theta from the deep sleep of Delta. So, the subject of mental frequency should not be made simplistic: there are no grounds to declare that only low frequency states of mind are good and beneficial. In conclusion, the aim of this essay is to show that mental frequency indicates mental activity as the level of conversion of energy through the brain; it does not indicate the feelings or mood itself. An aroused mental state of any kind consumes more energy and one is functioning in Beta state. We certainly cannot live without active moods and some of the happiest and most creative thoughts and actions occur in that state. Theres no reason to think that Beta is something to be avoided. We must function in Beta state to be fully conscious of those insights we have in Alpha or lower states; only when we function in Beta we can integrate and express the knowledge we get through our meditation; one might say we have to bring the wisdom out through a Beta mindset.

The Frequency of Happiness Below is a discussion of the term mental frequency based on material found through the internet. I offer this interpretation that is probably different from the way many of us have understood the subject so far. First, some background information: EEG, Or, Electroencephalography EEG History: The presence of electrical current in the brain was discovered by an English physician, Richard Caton, in 1875. It was not until 1924 that Hans Berger, a German neurologist, used his ordinary radio equipment to amplify the brain's electrical activity so that he could record it on graph paper. Berger noticed that rhythmic changes (brain waves) varied with the individual's state of consciousness. The various regions of the brain do not emit the same brain wave frequency simultaneously. An EEG electrode placed on the scalp would pick up many waves with different characteristics. This has presented a great deal of difficulty to researchers trying to interpret the large amount of data they receive from even one EEG recording. Brain waves have been categorized into four basic groups: Alpha, Beta, Theta, & Delta waves. Although none of these waves is ever emitted alone, the state of consciousness of the individual may make one frequency more pronounced than the others. EEG in Biofeedback: The electroencephalograph (EEG) monitors the brainwave activity from sensors placed on the scalp. Applications for EEG feedback are currently being developed. These include epilepsy, hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder, alcohol / chemical dependency and other addictive disorders, traumatic brain injury, sleep onset disorders and insomnia. Source: http://www.bio-medical.com/EEG.html As we see from the above, brain waves mental frequency -- have been crudely divided into four levels: beta, alpha, theta and delta. Each corresponds to a level of function that corresponds to consumption of ones own energy through the brain; that is, how much energy is being expended through the brain/mind at the time of measuring corresponds to the kind of activity one is engaged in. As in the quoted material above, note that it is reported that we are always in all of these states in various degrees. The predominant frequency is observed by the EEG and indicates the general condition at the time. While relaxing, the mind is using minimal energy because there is no effort being made to close in on one thing and exclude all others. The mental exertion of limiting ones attention according to will and pursuing a line of comparison and discriminative thinking, and expressing thoughts through speech and action uses up a lot of energy; thats why we feel tired after a long session of concentrated study, or speaking/conversing continuously, or using a piece of complicated machinery, etc. So, the level of expenditure of energy indicates whether the mind is aroused, relaxed or at rest; it does not indicate the character or quality of thoughts or feelings going on.