0145 The Relationship Between Meditation and Brainwaves

Only those who have formally practiced yoga truly understand the difficulty of meditation. It is not simply sitting with closed eyes, adjusting one’s breathing to enter at will; rather, it is an extraordinarily special physiological state.

“The origin of entering samadhi comes from the ancient Indian Sanskrit practice called ‘Dhyana Samadhi.’ This method was introduced into Chinese Buddhism and translated by ancient monks as ‘Chan Ding,’ or meditation,” Coach Cheng patiently explained.

“In Hatha Yoga, meditation is divided into three stages: the first is Dhyana—concentration; the second is Dharana—meditative absorption; and the third is Samadhi—the ultimate state of meditative union. The word ‘Samadhi’ in Chinese is translated as ‘Sanmei,’ meaning profound concentration.”

“These three stages of meditation essentially work by guiding our brain into the alpha wave state,” Coach Cheng continued.

It turns out the human brain exhibits four fundamental brainwave types: alpha, beta, theta, and delta waves.

Each type is distinguished by frequency and amplitude. Modern medicine uses electroencephalograms (EEG) based on these four brainwaves to diagnose and treat mental illnesses.

Alpha waves, for example, range between 8 to 13 Hertz with an amplitude of 20 to 100 microvolts. Their role is to bridge conscious awareness and the subconscious. They only appear when a person is awake, calm, and has closed eyes. In deep sleep or states of agitation, fear, or anger, alpha waves disappear.

When the brain is saturated with alpha waves, conscious activity is notably suppressed, rendering logical thinking and reasoning impossible.

At this time, the brain operates entirely through intuition, inspiration, and imagination to receive and transmit information.

Modern science further divides alpha waves into three types: slow alpha waves (8–9 Hz), which correspond to a drowsy, near-sleep state with fading consciousness; intermediate alpha waves (9–12 Hz), where inspiration and intuition become powerful and attention sharpens; and fast alpha waves (12–14 Hz), when the mind reaches heightened alertness and is fully focused.

These three alpha wave states align perfectly with the three stages of yoga meditation.

“Meditation and entering samadhi can enhance alpha brainwaves, reducing tension, stress, and anxiety, which in turn improves our immune system,” Coach Cheng explained with a smile.

“The physiological state after meditation is called the alpha wave state, which also stimulates creativity and imagination.”

“If, like you Chen, you work in artistic creation, you should try meditation more often. It’s very helpful for inspiring creativity,” Coach Cheng added warmly.

“I see!” Chen Jue was deeply enlightened.

Before the panel appeared, he had thought of meditation as some mystical practice like qigong or internal martial arts. But with the panel, he realized there was scientific basis to it.

Only today, after learning about brainwaves from Coach Cheng, did he truly understand that meditation was essentially a method of consciously regulating physiological states.

Like all physical exercises developed by humanity, most bodily movements train the torso and limbs, but meditation is a form of exercise too—just a more unconventional one, primarily training the brain.

“Can it really enhance individual creativity?”

“No wonder ancient monks and Taoist adepts achieved sudden enlightenment through sitting meditation and penetrating the Way. It was, after all, the brainwaves playing a creative role,” Chen Jue mused inwardly.

...

After grasping the scientific theory related to meditation, Chen Jue began practicing new yoga postures with Coach Cheng.

Following basic meditation postures came the Sun Salutation and Moon Salutation sequences, both significantly more challenging.

In the Sun Salutation’s forward bend, Coach Cheng could effortlessly rest her forehead on her knees, but Chen Jue struggled due to his herniated lumbar disc.

His lower back felt as rigid as a block of concrete, and as he bent forward, an abnormal bulge appeared along his spine.

“You’ve got protrusions at your fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae; you can’t bend forward normally.”

“Many people develop this from lying down scrolling on phones or slouching in front of computers for long hours,” Coach Cheng said, examining his spine with a look of concern.

“You need to keep practicing postures and also seek medical treatment.”

She had thought Chen Jue had great talent for meditation and would grasp yoga postures faster than most, but unexpectedly, the advanced Sun and Moon Salutations became a roadblock.

With no other choice, she demonstrated the entire sequences to Chen Jue, explaining breathing rhythms and key points, advising him to attempt the upper body movements only once his lumbar condition improved.

...

After a 90-minute private lesson, Chen Jue felt fulfilled. Though his freedom attribute had only increased by 0.01, reflecting average efficiency, the initial brainwave knowledge illuminated several question marks in his understanding of human anatomy.

“This herniated lumbar disc issue has to be fixed soon.”

“Although my core muscles are well trained, my spine still needs more improvement,” Chen Jue sighed, somewhat helpless as he drove back to his apartment.

In his room, he tried the forward bend of the Sun Salutation again.

The sensation of rigidness in his lower back was unbearable, as if a slab of cement had been plastered there.

His usual anaerobic workouts on large machines didn’t cause pain, but when it came to ligament stretching, the spinal abnormality hindered him.

Most troubling was that this condition, like hair loss or hemorrhoids, was notoriously difficult to cure. Large hospitals usually recommended surgery to remove the protruding tissue.

Chen Jue had even refused gallbladder surgery, so cutting into his spine was out of the question.

“I don’t believe it,” he muttered fiercely.

“Conventional treatments don’t work, but maybe cheating will?”

Looking at the 0.12 freedom attribute slowly accumulating on his panel, Chen Jue bit his lip and activated the panel’s “designated attribute allocation” function.

Switching his view to his spine, he counted upward from the bottom and pinpointed the abnormal L4 and L5 vertebrae, then allocated 0.01 freedom attribute points there.

——————

[ Ding~ ]

[ Designated attribute allocation complete. Blood circulation speed in the L4 and L5 vertebral regions has increased; metabolic function improved. ]

——————

“That’s it?”

“That’s all?”

Chen Jue felt like a steamed bun being thrown against a dog—no effect, no return.

A warm current passed through those two vertebrae, but beyond that, there was no noticeable improvement.

Just like his inherited seborrheic hair loss, the prolonged lumbar protrusion was too severe; a small attribute boost had little impact on those vertebrae.

With no other option, Chen Jue grit his teeth and continued pouring points into them.

——————

[ Ding~ ]

[ Designated attribute allocation complete... ]

——————

After allocating a total of 0.10 freedom attribute points to those two vertebrae, the first nine times brought similar messages about accelerated blood flow. Only on the tenth allocation did the panel finally report a different change.

——————

[ Ding~ ]

[ Designated attribute allocation complete. Structural changes have occurred in the L4 and L5 vertebral regions. Previously blocked blood vessels are now unobstructed. Abnormal protruding tissue accompanied by stubborn thrombosis has been metabolized and dissolved. Spinal marrow hematopoietic function has been restored. Neural conduction speed in this region has returned to normal. ]

[ Mental attribute +0.01 ]

Supplementing last night’s chapter, slightly shorter.

(The End)