Reality and Observers in the Brain States

Brain States: Beta or Waking state

For a good overview of how the brain functions, read David Eagleman's book The Brain: The Story of You or watch his show, The Brain, on PBS or BBC.

When we are awake, the brain normally manifests a wave pattern that is in the range of twelve to forty cycles per second. This is the beta brain wave state. To measure brain waves, two electrodes are placed in certain regions on the top of the scalp, and a third electrode as a ground on the earlobe. The measurement is called an EEG or electroencephalogram. Voltages measured are in the range of a few millionths of a volt. This is insignificant in relation to the voltage of a flashlight battery.

Beta wave consciousness or consensus reality is the current field for science. Certainly, science plays a powerful role in determining consensus reality, the single possibility, beta brain state world. More people believe in science than any religion in the world. Perhaps science has more power over the way we perceive the world than any other belief system. Many of us believe that science is the best path to truth. However, it is currently limited to consensus reality.

The current scientific method is the Apostles' Creed of science. We share observations and experiments and try to formulate a reason for them turning out the way they do. We call this a theory. Then we try to test the theory in every way possible.

However, the ordinary scientific method rules out the possibility of the truth or reality of individual unique experiences, like an individual walking through a wall, which quantum theory suggests as possible. It also eliminates creativity in our experience. That's why we have artists, for example. They often step inside themselves, leaving behind the outdoor world of consensus reality and stepping into the increased possibility levels achieved in the dream state of theta brain wave consciousness or beyond. However, let's first examine the boundary between beta and theta: the alpha state.

Alpha or the State of Focus

Have you noticed that when you go to sleep, you first let go of your focus on certain areas of your life necessary now and become aware of the whole? This is like clearly seeing consensus reality from the doorway. It is a sense of feeling connected to everything. When we do, we are in the alpha brain state (eight to twelve cycles/sec). This is a state where we shift from looking at the pieces with our left brain and start to see the whole with our right brain.

Theta or Dream State

The theta dream wave state is associated with the part of our brain that controls emotions: the reptilian brain. This is the limbic system, which surrounds the center of the brain. It seems the function of theta waves is to connect these primal emotions to our cortex or thinking and creating mind.

To be able to fully access the next deepest level of sleep — the theta state — we usually must first drift into the deepest-sleep delta state. That's like going upstairs to the bedroom, getting a good night's sleep, and recharging. This detaches us from consensus reality and allows us to experience the specific alternate universes of the theta dream state when we come downstairs in the morning.

However, it is interesting that we still dream a bit when we first go to sleep, when theta brain waves become dominant for a while. In my opinion, the reason we need to enter the deep-sleep delta wave state first is to recharge our ability to dream deeply, by encountering the infinite possibilities accessible in it. Some would even call this encountering God.

We dream the most on leaving deep sleep. This is indicated by a theta-dominant state being accompanied by REM or rapid eye movement. Coming down from that high, we again enter the alpha-wave-dominant state. This probably means we gain focus on what is important from higher levels of consciousness attained in deep sleep. Aside from recharging the body and brain with energy and nutrients, this may be the reason deep sleep is necessary for a healthy life — both physically and psychologically.

Delta — The Superconscious State?

Though we can often remember our dreams, supposedly we don't remember anything from the delta wave deep-sleep state. Perhaps that's why brain experts call it an unconscious state. Without reaching the delta sleep state, a night's sleep doesn't leave us fully rested. Why? My claim is that we recharge our possibilities and dreams in that state. I suggest that perhaps it is a state of infinite possibilities — a quantum possibility field! In so many ways, my suggestion fits the evidence.

The delta wave state is associated with our reptilian brain located in the center of our head. Meditating before going to sleep has been found to slip a person into the delta sleep state much faster, giving them a quicker recharge. That may be why some meditators need to sleep less than the usual seven hours.

Separate Science Experiments in Each Brain State?

Normally, we do science experiments in the reality we share: consensus reality, relating to beta brain wave domination. However, what if we were to do tests of our hypotheses in the various states of the brain and even create separate hypotheses for each one?

Let's start by doing a test of Newton's third law: for every force acting on an object, there is an equal and opposite force acting back on the actor.

Beta experiment: results confirm Newton's third law in every macroscopic case, if we ignore quantum theory.

Alpha experiment: we may observe several instances of the back reaction of a force at once. We experience the feeling of being pushed when we see them.

Theta experiment: Newton's third law may or may not hold in a dream state. One can imagine a cart being magically pushed without the pusher being pushed back. However, most dreams probably would confirm the law. One way of understanding is to compare the dream to consensus reality and relate what sorts of ideas are in normal life and which ones aren't.

Delta experiment: all possible ways of reacting could happen. Cause and effect can totally break down or not. For example, if we disturb a person in delta wave sleep, there is no way of predicting how they will...