Selecting a light and sound session is simple. Your mind machine owners manual contains a complete list of all built-in sessions, plus instructions on how to custom design others.
You should first ask yourself which type of session you feel like experiencing. The session list will contain such types as energy, relaxation, creativity, meditation, learning and sleep. Decide which type you feel in the mood for and check which sessions are available within each type.
This list will also tell you what frequencies are targeted and the intended general effect. Since we are all different, that is, no two individuals think exactly alike, the general effect of each session will vary on an individual basis. In general, however, if a session deals with relaxation, all individuals should expect to experience varying degrees of relaxation and calmness. The same idea also pertains to the other types of sessions.
Session titles are usually chosen by the session designer and are based on the programmer’s experience with the session and also the experiences of test subjects. Just keep in mind that since we are all different, we will all be affected differently by each session. Therefore, the best way to determine which sessions work best for you is to experiment with each session title within each session category.
Open your owners manual to the section that lists the sessions. In the first column the sessions are broken down into types, like energize, relaxation, meditation, entertainment, etc.. Then you have the session numbers followed by their length. Next comes the titles of each session, their frequency range, type of tone used and a brief definition of what each session tries for.
Here is the easiest way to figure out which one you want to use. Find the type of session you feel like doing, then go straight to the frequency range. Of course you already know the different brain states and general characteristics of each state. So for example, say you need to relax. You go to the relaxation sessions. How deep do you want to go? The frequency range will tell you how deep the session goes, not the title of the session or the brief definition that follows. Those are informative, but it is easier to just look at what frequencies the session targets.
Two sessions target the same frequency? Check which type of tone is used. Length of session is also important. Decide what length you want. Remember, always listen to the complete session. Do not listen half way through then go out and drive the freeways. That is not conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Besides, most light and sound units give you the opportunity to either lengthen or shorten the time of each session. Also, most allow you to change the type of tone for each session. Over time, you will probably try all of the sessions, you will know the sessions you like the most and you will stop referring to the owners manual when you go to use your system. That’s okay. That says you know what your system has to offer and how you can manipulate the parameters to suit your specific needs.
Many sessions target more than one brainwave category. Say the purpose of doing your session today is for creativity. You are working on a project and you need some fresh ideas, but you are facing a deadline for getting it completed. Do you do a short creativity/theta session for some quick inspiration or a half-hour creativity/energize session to conjure up fresh ideas and simultaneously produce the energy to write it down really fast? Try the short creativity/theta session. Why? Because at sessions end, you will be back at your normal low beta state, feeling relaxed and fresh and hopefully full of new ideas. And your focus will also be enhanced. Being in a relaxed and focused frame of mind should enable you to write what needs writing in a fashion that meets your deadline. Your mind should also possess the clarity to carry you through to project’s end.
On the other hand, how late were you up last night? Do you need the alertness associated with high beta/energize stimulation? Can you spare the extra time doing a longer session and still meet your deadline? Say you need the alertness associated with the energize session but lack the half-hour to do the session. Why not take the best from both sessions? All you have to do is shorten the length of the creativity/energize session. If it is 30 minutes, make it 15 instead. Just make sure at session’s end that you sit down to finish your project and not run out to hit some tennis balls.
That is just an example of how you can adjust the built-in sessions of your instrument to suit your specific needs. When doing a session, see if this statement holds true for you: When experiencing a beta or gamma session, the colors are predominantly black, white and grey with a lot of intricate patterns. When doing alpha, theta and delta sessions, there are more colors, lots of green, blue, red, yellow, etc., and there are more swirls and blends rather than patterns. I am not sure why that is. I do know all those visuals are produced by your mind. And after performing thousands of light and sound sessions on clients, friends and associates, I have found this to be the norm rather than the exception. But as for why that happens, ask your local neurologist. They usually know everything.