Many people are aware of the basic brain wave states: Beta, Alpha, Delta, Theta, and Gamma, but few have heard of Epsilon brain wave states, let alone understand how to achieve them. Epsilon brain states are possibly so elusive because they are rarely attained, but you can train your brain to operate at the Epsilon level of consciousness.
The usual brain wave states that we are familiar with start in the 14-30 Hz range in delta, and move increasingly upward into 30 Hz and above. Normally the range goes to Gamma, and this is where it has stopped in conventional measurements.
The Epsilon state is observed in the brain wave oscillations usually only achieved in very deep meditation. Consciousness researcher Dr. Jeffrey Thompson altered conventional EEG equipment to study the extraordinary states of consciousness of seasoned meditators and yogis, and decided to call an uncommon state, Epsilon. It is a brain wave pattern even slower than Delta – where the waves become long and stretched out. The cycles are measured below .05 Hz (cycles per second).
The Epsilon state is marked by extreme personal and spiritual awareness – unlike the state of consciousness in which most of us spend our lives, the beta state (while awake). Beta is marked by an outward focus, where our consciousness is taken away from our deep, inner world. In Beta states, we are focused on achieving material success, whether that translates to our relationships with other people, or material wealth and success.
Many people feel very uncomfortable slipping out of the Beta state of consciousness due to social and cultural engineering, so they rarely seek to go within to experience different brain wave states that are conjured by more reflective and less “busy” thinking. Daydreaming in the Alpha or Theta states is even frowned upon in schools and at our jobs, even though this is where most creative insights and “aha” moments come from.
It is rare for an individual to seek an even deeper communion with the Infinite Intelligence, and to actually train their minds to achieve even more inwardly focused levels of consciousness. However, when this does occur, they can start to see behind the great curtain portrayed metaphorically in The Wizard of Oz, or down the deep hole referenced in Alice in Wonderland.
Epsilon is rare because the connection to our five senses, and Beta- state consciousness is all but severed, so that we are completely in communion with the energies creating reality behind the curtain.
It is also important to note that in recent brainwave research, it has been discovered that extremely slow Epsilon brainwave patterns might have extremely fast HyperGamma/Lambda brainwave patterns modulating within them – just as the Hyper-Gamma/Lambda brainwave patterns are “riding” on a super slow Epsilon modulation. This means that outside of the “regular” brain wave states, anything that oscillates exceptionally high or low is coupled with extreme insight, out-of-body experience, heightened self-awareness, and more uncommon states of consciousness – otherwise known as the “Mystic States.”
To achieve this state of awareness, one must meditate, and welcome the Inner World to take precedence over the Outer World.
Yogi, Gopi Krishna wrote of his own ordeal in achieving this state of consciousness after years of meditative practice in the book Living with Kundalini,
“Suddenly, with a roar like that of a waterfall, I felt a stream of liquid light entering my brain through the spinal cord. Entirely unprepared for such a development, I was completely taken by surprise; but regaining my self-control, keeping my mind on the point of concentration. The illumination grew brighter and brighter, the roaring louder, I experienced a rocking sensation and then felt myself slipping out of my body, entirely enveloped in a halo of light. It is impossible to describe the experience accurately. I felt the point of consciousness that was myself growing wider surrounded by waves of light. It grew wider and wider, spreading outward while the body, normally the immediate object of its perception, appeared to have receded into the distance until I became entirely unconscious of it. I was now all consciousness without any outline, without any idea of corporeal appendage, without any feeling or sensation coming from the senses, immersed in a sea of light simultaneously conscious and aware at every point, spread out, as it were, in all directions without any barrier or material obstruction. I was no longer myself, or to be more accurate, no longer as I knew myself to be, a small point of awareness confined to a body, but instead was a vast circle of consciousness in which the body was but a point, bathed in light and in a state of exultation and happiness impossible to describe.”
While Krishna’s experience seems unfathomable for the regular Joe or Jane to achieve, there are small daily practices that one can partake in, to make the brain ripe for such an occurrence – the Epsilon state – and more:
- Meditation is key – one must practice on welcoming the inner light for as many minutes as they can, on a daily basis. This change sour perception of outward focus to inner focus.
- As many times, as often as possible throughout the day, one can say to themselves, “I am not my body. My body is a vehicle for experiencing material reality.” At every turn this philosophy can be applied toward what is seen “out there.”
- Whenever we experience anything that takes us out of a realization that we are creating our lives and experience from within, we should return to a momentary Inner Realization. Just reminding ourselves that we are “creating every moment” we think, we can start to peak behind the curtains again, and invite higher states of consciousness.