Transpersonal psychology in Heart-Centered therapies

Journal of Heart Centered Therapies, Spring, 2003 by Diane Zimberoff, David Hartman

* Alpha waves appear as the third line develops with the maturation of the neocortex or thinking brain, at age twelve or thirteen. At this age, we see the theta waves of second-line consciousness replaced by faster alpha waves. This indicates maturation of the frontal lobes, greater cortical organization, and greater capacity for repression. Alpha is considered the normal frequency range and usually indicates an alert, relaxed state.

* Beta waves, faster than alpha, are also emblematic of cortical activity. When the brain is excessively busy, thinking and scheming, obsessing with delusions, then there may be beta-1 and beta-2 activity. Beta-2 betrays a racing mind, the kind that occurs at night when we worry and can't fall asleep (Janov, 1996, pp. 256-257).

The delta and theta patterns are similar to the shamanic state of consciousness, to be discussed later, and to that exhibited by someone in a state induced within Heart-Centered therapies. Janov has also demonstrated that along with slowing frequency into the theta or delta range, patients accessing deep levels of unconscious material, "when deep pain bursts through into conscious-awareness" (1996, p. 258), exhibit a sudden increase in EEG amplitude, or voltage. Janov relates the slow frequency, high voltage pattern to uncovering unconscious pain, but surely the same pattern would be present for access to any unconscious material, painful or otherwise (for example, collective unconscious, transpersonal, shamanic, spiritual). We shall see that there is evidence for precisely that conclusion.

Become as little children

There is a direct correlation between the shamanic state of consciousness (SSC) and the mind of a young child. Jesus' words announce that truth in Matthew 18:3 (King James version): "Verily, I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

Current neurological research documents that the EEG pattern of parasympathetic nervous system dominance and high-voltage, slow-wave delta frequency (HSHH), found in trance states and other portals to transpersonal experience, is predominant in the womb and through two years of age.

The four fundamental states of awareness distinguished by the frequency of electromagnetic activity in the brain apply to a child's development, and therefore to the concept of returning to statebound transpersonal memories (e.g., of pre-conception, the womb and infancy). These states of activity acquire predominance sequentially in a child's development (Laibow, 1999). Delta waves (0.5-4 Hz), the lowest level of activity, are the principal waves expressed by the brain developing in the womb and through two years of age. An adult in delta is in an unconscious, sleep-like state. Children from age two to six primarily function in theta frequency (4-8 Hz). An adult just awakening, half asleep and half awake, is in hypostimulation, a theta-rich state. This is a very imaginative state of consciousness, specifically sought by Alva Edison for his most creative inventing. Around the age of six, children begin to experience predominantly an alpha frequency (8-12 Hz), which is in adults a quiet calm state. Finally, around the age of twelve children express predominantly the beta state (12-35 Hz) that is the customary active or focused state of normal adult waking consciousness. The awareness of self that is the hallmark of consciousness arises (at about age six) with brain activity in the alpha and beta levels, and occurs in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. Events are capable of being experienced consciously and recorded in episodic memory. Prior to that age, brain activity in the lower levels of delta and theta are functioning primarily in the `old brain' limbic system.