Shamanic healing in the theta brainwave state.

Good Day Everyone!

It’s such a beautiful day today. The sun is shining and the wind brings a nip of crispy coolness to the day.

I often take for granted what I know in my heart about healing and inner work. When I was first taught Reiki I was already familiar with the universal energies through chi gong and martial arts. When I began doing ‘hands on healing’ I immediately found myself in a deep meditative trance-like state. I had no words for this state of healing until I came across Vianna Stibal’s method she calls Theta Healing.

A few people have been wondering what Theta Healing is or what it actually means to do healing in the Theta state. For me, it’s challenging to describe in words so I did some research.

Theta brainwaves have been associated with day-dreaming, or just before or after sleep when you’re in that‘sleepy state’ (Saxby & Peniston, 1995). It has also been linked with meditation or hypnotherapy. Delta brainwaves are the deeper states of mind as they occur when you are sleeping. The beta brainwave state is when you are alert and has also been connected with anxiety or confusion, while the alpha state is more relaxed and connected with feelings of well-being (Saxby & Penison, 1995).

So… how does healing in the Theta brainwave state work?

In a study by Saxby & Peniston (1995) it was demonstrated that Alpha-theta Brainwave Neuro-feedback Therapy was successful in the treatment of alcoholics and depression. In this particular research they taught the participants how to move into a state of relaxation and then to visualise changing the thoughts and behaviours that were related to them being an alcoholic and depressed. This deep state of meditation shifted their beliefs and changed negative patterns.

In hypnotherapy a person experiences a Theta state of relaxation which allows the mind to disengage from daily tasks and focus on transforming negative thoughts and beliefs to positive ones. In this creative mental state changes can take place easily, and without the need for judgement.

Also, for many centuries Shamans have used the alpha or theta brainwave state to elicit natural healing processes (Winkleman, 2002). Through chanting, singing, dancing or drumming they would move into this altered state of consciousness (Winkleman, 2002). In an altered state of consciousness a shaman knows a person’s soul and the matrix of their being as well as the accompanying blockage, whether it is of the mind, body or soul.

So we can see that an altered state of consciousness can change a person’s way of thinking and feeling in the world. Even Thorn (2004) describes a method for changing cognitions for controlling chronic pain. By identifying the hindering thought or belief one then has the power to change the negative pattern to decrease pain, suffering, stress and behavioural patterns (Thorn, 2004).

I’m hoping this brief journey and description of healing in the theta state is helpful. In this deep meditative state a person’s life can greatly and sometime instantaneously improve by changing beliefs and thoughts that are not yet aligned towards their ideal life and lifestyle. After all, health, happiness and abundance are a natural state for us.

The term ‘Theta Healing’ is not a new method of healing but the term itself was recently coined by Vianna Stibal. In her book she describes a method of healing which works in the deep meditative Theta brainwave state to dissolve or transform blockages and beliefs which are hindering a person’s success in life.

I have my own natural process for shifting into this trance-like state when I perform healings. I have a strong belief in the healing powers of mother earth and often take time to listen to her wisdom. Perhaps one day I'll come up with a name for this method?

Wishing you many delightful moments throughout your day.

Much Love,

Carmen

www.carmenwyld.com

References

Saxby, E. & Peniston, E. (1995). Alpha-theta brainwave neurofeedback training: An effective treatment for male and female alcoholics with depressive symptoms. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 51(5), pp. 685-693.

Stibal, V. (2006). Theta Healing. Rolling Thunder Publishing.

Thorn, B. (2004). Cognitive therapy for chronic pain: A step-by-step guide. Guildford Press.

Winkleman, M. (2002). Shamanism as neurotheology and evolutionary psychology. The American Behavioral Scientist, 45(12), pp. 1875-1887.