How is it that you know of this theta state. How do you know when it is present?

Two words: Kundalini Yoga. In it is the art of controlling the electrical wavelengths and output of the brain and the nerve centres of the body. There's even a Hindu meditation technique that, when mastered, seems to be pretty much the same thing as a heavy DMT trip, complete with the passing through the flower, though for them it's a lotus while many Westerners call it the Chrysanthemum.

There are a few good books out there, like the Chakra and Kundalini Workbook and, while it is more rare than most other types, some commercial yoga studios also teach some Kundalini. Be careful, though, as I hear that it's way way intense. I'm just starting out with it myself.

Namaste

In my experience, there are *lots* of ways to attain a Theta state.

Various forms of meditation will get you there. Various forms of bodywork will get you there. (I know this both from giving and receiving.) Various trance-inducing techniques and activities will get you there.

I have achieved Theta state using a variety of meditation techniques. My favorite of the moment is a heart-centered meditation that we use in the Integrative Awakening group I'm hosting, which is described on my profile. I have a friend who does neurofeedback (biofeedback for the brain), and she had my brain hooked up to give me a session, and I did the heart meditation technique, and she said, "Wow, you dropped into theta!" So it is scientifically documented with an actual brain-wave reading that the state I'm referring to is a Theta state, and using that as a reference point, I know I have achieved that state in a multitude of other ways.

I am trained in a variety of healing modalities, and in a couple of them, including "Theta Healing," the practitioner uses self-hypnosis type meditation techniques to achieve the Theta state before beginning healing work. This is not one of my main modalities, so you might get more information by posting a question on the Theta Healing tribe:
tribes.tribe.net/thetahealing

I have also achieved Theta state while receiving Cranio-Sacral Therapy sessions, and I know as a practitioner that my clients reach that state when receiving sessions from me.

As for trance-inducing activities, of course there are many techniques used for shamanic journeying, and a lot of those involve repetitive sound, like drumming. I've also gotten to Theta just drumming at a drum circle -- my hands were moving without my brain having anything to do with it. Movement also works for me -- I'm recalling experiences such as T'ai Chi, Qigong, Continuum Movement, Whirling (like a dervish), and free-form dancing (authentic movement where impulse flows freely). Chanting is also great, and many of the mantra chanting experiences I've had doing Kundalini Yoga definitely take me to that state.

I'm sure there must be more ways than this short list. Anyone else have any favorites that I didn't touch on?

Andrea

Wow!!! this is funny that I found this today. I've been using binaural beats to induce various brainwave patterns for years, but recently I came across some info about remote viewing and how one consistent characteristic of remote viewers is the predominant presence of theta waves. So, since I've heard of remote viewing and influencing, and have an intense interest in this (for reasons of survival), I've been messing with theta-inducing binaural beats. I read yesterday that brainwave entrainment works best when the frequency that you're entraining to is already present or at least the closer the wave frequency is that is in your mind to begin with is to the one you're entraining to, the more effective it is. Also the article said that it takes around six minutes to effectively entrain. So, I got the "brainwave mind voyage" CD "the Theta Tones, and made a playlist that starts in the high theta range and works down to lower theta in six minute increments. IT WORKED VERY WELL!!! My lady friend had mentioned something yesterday about a "warm feeling" just before falling asleep, that i said I'd never experienced until today. I was in a deep state of reverie and totally lucid without thought, my body began to feel warm and tingly and soon it felt like it was nothing but energy, as if gravity had left me and I wasn't really "there." It was good. Tonight I spontaneously did a Kundalini Yoga session, which I haven't done in a long time. I felt very peaceful after my Theta experiment.

get an mp3 of theta and delta binaural brainwave entrainment dvds and play it while you walk.

you can also use an audio prog to mix the brainwave entrainment audio with some other music.
as long as you keep it stereo it will work even if you only barely hear it.