For some strange reason most people fail to recognize that science and spirituality are two sides of the same coin. Science is a feat of the mind, while spiritual discoveries are experiences of the heart. Both however are attempting to gain clarity of our own existence and the world in which we live. In my experience, these worlds overlap... a lot.
Spiritual experiences are difficult to measure, meditative states are complex biological events. These 'heightened' states cause fluctuations in hormones, neurotransmitters, blood flow, skin conductivity, brain wave and heart wave production, heart rate variability, functional brain activity, oxygen saturation, skin temperature and even photon (light) emission. This collection of parameters are only recently being understood as a collective phenomenon that can point toward a peak state of being. The world of science generally doesn't like long answers. If a clear, concise, cause and effect explanation is not available, expect important information to gather dust in our world of oversimplification. Believe me, I know, I am an acupuncturist. And because acupuncture needles have the audacity to effect many areas of physiology, rather than just one, my medicine remains an outsider.
Fortunately, there is an elegant measurement which can be made as an indicator of the meditative state. This state is called Internal Cardiac Coherence (ICC) or "coherence" for short, hence the name of my website, Coherence Experience.
Rather than measuring a chemical, ICC is a measurement of physics. ICC measures the waves produced by the heart, and more importantly, how those waves "get along". Like keys on a piano, if you are going to play multiple notes at the same time, those notes need to dance.
Think of a beautiful chord, rather than chaotic noise. Beautiful music, from a physics point of view, gets along. ICC is basically a measurement that answers, "how beautiful is the music of your heart?" Or for the scientists, "how organized are you at the level of waves?" The level of energy.
When I enter Internal Cardiac Coherence through my Breath Powered Meditation techniques the result is feeling relaxation and peacefulness, as well as, energetic sensations such as tingling, pulsating and pressure. In addition, high states of coherence often result in BIG THOUGHTS about one's self, your purpose, and clarity on subjects that are murky.
The CardioGem is a sophisticated heart wave analyzer and biofeedback tool, which serves as a roadmap and guide to the transformative state of Internal Cardiac Coherence.
You can visit Frank van den Bovenkamp's website TrigunaMedia.com for more information on the science of Internal Cardiac Coherence.