The frequency of brain waves in the cortex has a lot to do with the state of consciousness that is being experienced. There are four main frequency ranges and corresponding states:

During normal waking consciousness, with focused thinking going on, the dominant frequency is Beta, from 14-30 Hz. This state is associated with concentration and alertness, and at times with anxiety. It's usually at least a bit left-brain dominant.

As we become more relaxed, the brain wave activity slows into the Alpha range, from 8-13 Hz. At the higher end, thought remains focused and at the lower end it moves into a more reflective, 'day dreaming' state. In Alpha the mind is quieter and the left and right brain hemispheres are in more balanced and open communication - so it is easier to recognize intuitive feelings and images and memories from the sub-conscious that would normally be out of the focus of attention. So it is a more open focus.

Slower still are Theta waves, between 4-7 Hz, as we relax our mind further and detach even more from our external reality. This is a mind state that we all enter just before falling asleep and immediately after waking, whilst we still remember our dreams, after which the brain soon awakens to a higher frequency and the memory vanishes. Theta is also the frequency of dreaming sleep and the left and right brains become highly synchronised, acting as one. Often solutions to problems just 'magically' appear. When we are in deep Alpha or high Theta - the 'twilight state' between waking and sleep - the brain is very receptive to learning, and there is a reduction of ego defenses. If we obtain this state through deep meditation, it is easier to have self-less or 'integrative' experiences.

The slowest brain wave pattern is Delta, that of dreamless sleep, below 4Hz. When we relax even further the mind enters the domain of the unconscious so we normally fall asleep. However with appropriate training it becomes possible to remain alert in this state - a very trance-like, non-physical state, sometimes called 'mind awake/body asleep' - and experience one's spiritual self and its connection and oneness with universal consciousness and its source, God.

Gerald O'Donnell was the first researcher to reveal the connection between the universal mind and the Delta/Sleep (1-4 Hz) brain wave state. His courses teach how to access this source of our being. For many people, connecting up in this way this stimulates an inate psychic ability to view remotely through space and even through time.

We all have psychic abilities, like we all have the ability to drive a car. But if we don't learn to drive, the car stays in the garage. Psychic abilities are skills and don't automatically result from handling case issues (conflicts of belief and identity and so on) - though such handlings may be necessary to release blocks to our abilities, which we may have brought into this life and affect our 'natural talent.' However, the required skills still need to be learned and practiced through to competence.

The Insight Project clarifies our identity and removes conflicts within our belief system, giving personal power of pure intent, and Holosync helps too by improving the brain's hemispheric communication and relieving body/mind stress. This provides a bedrock of stability and high emotional vibration that ensures security and enjoyment in paranormal exploits. Then if we are interested in expanding our viewpoint in this way, we need specialized training in such techniques as 'remote viewing,' the ability to travel out of one's body to remote locations.

Free courses are available from Robert Bruce, who for over 25 years has been active in researching the mechanics and dynamics of all things considered paranormal: the human energy field, out-of-body experience, clairvoyance, healing and psychic self-defense.

Another top researcher in this field is Tim Rifat, who specializes in the science behind remote viewing, psi-warfare and electromagnetic mind control. He is an expert on all of the top-secret research psi-warfare and mind control projects which are used by the superpowers and documents his research in the book "Remote Viewing: What It Is, Who Uses It & How To Do It."

One of the things people expect to get from their work on the spiritual path is psychic abilities. They expect them to magically switch on and for most people, this doesn't happen. For some it does, just as there are infants born with fantastic musical or math skills. For some it never will, as their brains and genes are just not lined up appropriately or they have deep-seated personal case issues to handle first. But for most of us, it simply requires learning some new skills, ways of using the mind that after all these years of being neglected - suppressed even - don't necessarily come naturally. We need specific training in this area and a great tools I've found that really does help is the Academy of Remote Viewing's tape-cassette course, Remote Viewing. The first helps you out of your body in a nice, quick and comfortable way and the second teaches necessary skills of how to relate to the energies and materials of the environment from a viewpoint outside the body.

The above program is effective in assisting the change of mind-set that is necessary to perceive spiritually, i.e. with a wider viewpoint than the body's senses. It also goes great with The Insight Project, as it opens up new dimensions of experience and so introduces many questions that need to be answered, and with The Insight Project one can answer such questions truthfully.

Peter Shepherd is the founder and producer of the Trans4mind personal development website. A transformational psychologist by background, Peter supervises The Insight Project, and is author of 'Transforming the Mind' and 'Daring to be Yourself.' He edits and publishes the weekly Cultivate Life! ezine. Get in touch with Peter Shepherd here.

Daring to be Yourself The aim of the new book, Daring to be Yourself by Peter Shepherd, is to help you achieve a 'wide-awake' state of consciousness, with integrated use of left and right brain abilities, forming the bedrock for breakthroughs in personal consciousness and spiritual insight. The practice is based on the premise that we have learned disabilities which set boundaries to our action and knowing. But no one need accept that they must remain as they were shaped by their hereditary body-mind and by the conditioning of their childhood and culture. This 264-page paperback book is like a "best of" Trans4mind - that you can read snuggled up on the sofa, away from the computer! But much more than that, it's also an incredibly powerful program for personal growth. Remove the barriers to self-knowledge and reveal your full potential with this step-by-step approach... Daring to be Yourself Our Blog features excerpts from the book plus current news, views and links. "I realize many people use praise in ways that sound frivolous...but I must tell you that your book has changed my life AND I mean that in all ways. I found the entire work wonderfully upbeat, readable and valuable! It really was quite a wakeup call. In the midst of my "trials and tribulations" I had failed to be "me." Anyway, this "talk with you" really did change my life. Thank you! I needed this kind of "kick in the pants." It worked. WOW! You made a huge difference in my world."–Becky, USA Daring to be Yourself is included with purchase of the Start a New Life! home-study course, which is effectively the practical "workbook" that accompanies the paperback! Working through this course enables you to dare to be yourself and design a brand new life. Expressing your true needs, wants and feelings, you can start to live your life's purpose! After you have purchased the course, Peter Shepherd is available whenever you wish by email, to guide you every step of the way from where you are now, until you are established in a brand new life - the life that you have designed... Start a New Life!