Mindfulness and brain activity
As a beginner in mindfulness meditation, how would you learn to distinguish between resting and maybe taking a power nap and meditation?
Mindfulness meditation is a state of consciousness that can be measured by brain activity. The oscillation frequency of brain waves is measured in what is called Herz.
Mindfulness meditation is a state of consciousness that is characterized by being both restful and alert at the same time. It exists in a balance point somewhere between being awake and asleep called "restful alertness".
Below you can see a picture of the different types of brainwaves, their oscillation frequency, and the states of consciousness - from “deep sleep” to being "hyper-aware".
The natural flow of consciousness consists of times during the day when we go from being actively awake to a more introvert and resting state of consciousness. However, taking a break is not part of the modern, efficient human's everyday life. In the workplace, it would be unheard of to lie down or sit in a corner of the office for, say, 15 minutes and meditate. But this resistance to the body's need for natural rest throughout the day results in the needs of both the brain and the rest of the body being suppressed.
What do we actually do in our culture? We get up and talk, drink some coffee, eat a little sugar to get a kick, or maybe take a paracetamol to reduce the body's resistance. The downside is that the body starts to produce stress hormones without us realizing it, and it happens without us feeling stressed at first. The body does this to adapt to the situation, forcing it into a gear and a performance level that does not follow its natural rhythm.
If we continue this pattern in the long run of suppressing the natural flow of the body and especially the brain, we become physically stressed, even if there is nothing in our lives that would indicate that we are or should be stressed. We lose our peak performance, become less able to concentrate and focus, and we become less able to be truly present in our relationships with others.
From this common-sense perspective, taking a break throughout the day is absolutely logical and common sense. And if you alternate between taking a small break with your eyes closed where you let your brain run in neutral, taking a power nap, and meditating you are doing the ideal thing for your brain and for the rest of your body.
