TMI Journal 2012 No. 1

potentials of the body can be measured and easily quantified. Contemporary science likes things that can be measured and quantified. The problem here lies in the oversimplification of the observations. EEG patterns measured on the cortex are the result of electroneurological activity of the brain. But the brain’s electroneurological activity is not mind-consciousness. Therefore, EEG measurements are only an indirect means of assessing the mind-consciousness interface with the neurological structures of the brain. As crude as this may seem, the EEG has been a reliable way for researchers to estimate states of consciousness based on the relative proportions of EEG frequencies. Stated another way, certain EEG patterns have been historically associated with specific states of consciousness. Although not an absolute, it is reasonable to assume, given the current EEG literature, that if a specific EEG pattern emerges it is probably accompanied by a particular state of consciousness. This is completely different from saying that a particular stimulus entrains, drives, or causes changes in EEG (a post hoc ergo propter hoc assertion). The SAM audio support technology is distinct from other audio-guidance technologies in that it is designed to support experiences in altered states of consciousness specifically using new, leading-edge understandings in neuroscience to optimize its effectiveness. There is no supposition by The Monroe Institute that SAM entrains or drives brainwave arousal as in the binaural-beat model. We do, however, think that some objective evidence for SAM’s effectiveness in facilitating enhanced states of awareness will be shown in ongoing studies of gamma synchrony as an electrophysiological correlate of conscious awareness. SAM induces altered states of consciousness that most likely would be evidenced through both alterations in one’s Next Page 3 TMI JOURNAL 2012 qualitative experience of reality (already noted in hundreds of experiences) and the objective measurement of changes in brainwave arousal due to the ERTAS mechanism’s regulation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which appears to be influential in the quantum coherence of parallel arrayed neuronal microtubules (Woolf & Hameroff, 2001). One aspect of brain functioning somewhat beyond arousal states, attentional focus, and levels of awareness involves the cross-callosal connectivity of the hemispheric structure of the brain and the effect that interaction has on consciousness. SAM can actually enhance the effectiveness of the brain by enabling the user to either synchronize the arousal level of both hemispheres or calm down an overactive left or right hemisphere. The two cerebral hemispheres are like two separate information-processing modules. Both are complex cognitive systems; both process information independently and in parallel, and their interaction is neither arbitrary nor continuous (Zaidel, 1985). Because of this, states of consciousness can be defined not only in terms of brainwave arousal states, attentional focus, and levels of awareness, but also in terms of hemispheric specialization and/or interaction. Some desired states of consciousness may require facile inter-hemispheric integration, while others may call for a unique hemispheric processing style (Zaidel, 1986). An individual’s cognitive repertoire, and therefore his/her ability to perceive reality and deal with the everyday world, is subject to his/her ability to control these states of consciousness, including the mediation of inter-hemispheric processing. Hemispheric dominance in particular has an ultradian periodicity (Rossi, 1986). Individuals can, however, learn to control hemispheric dominance through the disciplines of biofeedback, yogic breathing, and others (Budzynski, 1986). But SAM is the only method of precise control of hemispheric specialization and/or interaction and the associated brainwave arousal states, attentional focus, and levels of awareness. The result of such control is the maximizing of experiences in altered states of consciousness, or, put another way, the effective employment of appropriate states of consciousness to state-specific environments or situations. SAM arcs can be generated to facilitate inter-hemispheric integration (synchrony) or to specifically suppress left/ right hemispheric dominance. If a state of consciousness is desired that requires inter-hemispheric processing, then conventional symmetrical SAM arcs are used. A conventional SAM signal generates identical movement-arc stimuli in each hemisphere and will encourage the same arousal level in both hemispheres, establishing equivalent environments and maximizing inter-hemispheric neural communication. If a state of consciousness is desired that requires quieting a dominant hemisphere, then unconventional, special SAM arcs are used. An unconventional SAM signal is one in which the SAM movement-arc in one hemisphere is out of phase and/or frequency with the SAM arc presented to the other hemisphere. This calming down of a dominant hemisphere is possible, fortunately, by virtue of the physiology of the brain. The acoustic nerve fibers of each ear are unequally divided between the hemispheres. From each ear more nerve fibers (more SAM arc stimulation) go to the opposing hemisphere than to the local hemisphere (Luria, 1970). SAM uses multiple movement-arcs with different frequencies that may be virtually located in many different spatial regions using the arc location and size parameters as illustrated below. This enables stimuli to be focused singularly or on a variety of cortical regions simultaneously. An almost limitless number of subtly different tremolo effects operating at different rates can be created. This flexibility enables unprecedented accuracy in the induction of altered states of consciousness; a wider variety of accessible states; a more reliable and effective methodology; a faster response time for the listener; and deeper emersion during the stabilization phase of induction compared to other audio-guidance technologies. Next Page 4 TMI JOURNAL 2012 Another aspect of brain functioning that extends beyond basic concepts of arousal states, attentional focus, and levels of awareness, involves the brain’s quantum entanglement with nonlocal information and perceptions of reality. Spatial Angle Modulation is designed to be a microtubule spanner. The methodology supposes, given the present scientific state-of-the-art, that consciousness requires quantum coherence in parallel arrayed neuronal microtubules, viz., Roger Penrose’s “objective reduction” (Hameroff & Penrose, 1996) and uses the resonant tremolo stimulus and frequencies of the SAM oscillating movement-arcs to support and enhance alignment of these cellular structures (Yagi, Kamimura, Kaniya, 1994), viz., the Cymatic effect ( Jenny, 2001). This response to the various SAM stimuli necessarily alters the geometry of zero-point-field (ZPF) spaces (plenums) of tubulin structures at molecular and atomic levels. As the geometric symmetry of the plenums increase, so does ZPF quantum coherence—both within plenums and between geometrically matching plenums. Hypothetically, the greater the quantum coherence quotient, the more nonlocal awareness emerges. This may also explain why greater hemispheric coherence described above typifies extraordinary states of consciousness and profound personal experiences; there is simply a greater quantum coherence quotient when the left and right hemispheres are “in tune” with each other. Binaural beats, monaural beats, and isochronic tones are by nature limited in their flexibility and overall potential, both in design and application. SAM was created with the intent of overcoming and transcending these limitations. In regard to design, the only significant variables available with binaural beats, for example, are the volume and the frequencies of the two separate tones used to create the binaural-beat sound effect. As a result, its overall application is limited by its inability to independently provide both disruptive and patterning stimuli to different brain regions and separate hemispheres. Binaural beats are physiologically ineffective above about 20Hz (Oster, 1973), yet gamma frequencies in the range of 40Hz have recently been discovered to be critical to the quantum aspects of brain function, especially hemispheric coherence (Hameroff, 2010). SAM is not confined by these same limitations. Comparing the signals used for binaural beats, monaural beats, and isochronic tones with those presented for SAM, it is clear that Spatial Angle Modulation offers a wealth of possibilities that are not available with these other methods. The most significant factors in the SAM signal format for creating a shift in consciousness are (1) the differences in signal delay that occur as a sound in a natural environment reaches the ears of a listener and (2) the way these delay differences change as the signal source moves in the environment. In addition to controlling the nominal frequency of the sound source and the frequency at which the arc tremolo effect is produced, there are several other parameters that can be adjusted to control spatial aspects of the signal and its neurological effects. As well as controlling the SAM carrier frequency and tremolo frequencies, SAM also provides more degrees of freedom in controlling arc parameters. By controlling the peak phase deviation, an equivalent sound source can follow arcs of different sizes or even extend into situations that have no physical correlate. By controlling the pair of phase constants in the SAM format, movement arcs can be assigned to different apparent angular locations in longitude and latitude. Neglecting volume as a parameter, which is common to any sound format, the basic binaural-beat format, for example, offers only two important degrees of freedom in its choice of left and right frequencies; SAM offers five degrees of freedom with its choices of carrier frequency, modulation frequency, peak phase deviation, and the angular offset provided by a pair of constants and the combination of different angular presentations. There are other naturally occurring means of entering into similar altered states, such as that of extreme relaxation, breathing techniques, and/or singing and chanting. The SAM audio support technology was designed and intended to be used in conjunction with these and other consciousness-shifting techniques (such as sitting in a darkened room), social-psychological conditioning tools (such as intra-group affirmation, affinity and/or communion), and educational curriculum (in which new cognitive, “consciousness expansion” skills are learned, i.e., breath work, visualization, etc.). SAM is intended to be a safe and effective means of facilitating altered states in which the listener can engage in personal exploration and/or address a variety of physiological and/or psychological concerns. SAM has applications in a number of areas, including: inducement of sleep, lucid dreaming, heightened awareness during the normal waking state, focusing of attention, increasing mental and physical relaxation, enhancing intellectual performance in various mental disciplines, the enhancement of creativity, and the acquisition of “extraordinary” abilities such as nonlocal knowing, etc. Next Page 5