The Sleep State is a very important state of altered consciousness. It is reached by moving through several distinctly different states of consciousness. Right now we are all in the Beta State of Consciousness. All of our 5 senses are functioning and our brain is highly alert as it constantly processes sensory input. If we were to look at this state as a brain wave it would be sharply spiked and fairly rapid. We are awake.
If we lay down right now, close our eyes and prepare to sleep or meditate we slip into another state of consciousness fairly rapidly. This state is known as the Alpha State. This state is divided into 4 levels of consciousness. They are Alpha 1, 2, 3, and 4. Each of these levels are distinct from one another and function differently . These levels are very hard to consciously maintain and hold for extended periods of time. The last of these levels is the actual Dream State. Alpha waves are produced by the Thalmus which is buried deep within our brain.
We all dream to some extent but not all us of remember our dreams. Although many people would swear that they never dream, that is not the case. We know this to be true because there is a very small group of people who cannot go through the Alpha Dream State and as a result, do not sleep. This is a genetic disorder called Fatal Familial Insomnia. The victim of this genetic disorder gradually loses the ability to enter the sleep state by dropping through the Alpha State. Eventually, the victim exhibits dementia, falls into a coma and dies. Through this, we know that everyone must pass through the dream state every night or they would suffer the same fate.
In my next post we will begin to explore the 4 Alpha Levels and their functions.
© 2015 Cheri Mancuso and John Scarano. The contents of this post may be used only by express permission of the authors.
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