Does digital meditation defeat the principles of the practice?
meditation works. Its brain and body enhancing benefits are now scientifically documented and as a result there’s now a whole industry emerging dedicated to finding our inner zen. Barely a day goes by now when some app or digital ‘tool’ doesn’t drop into my inbox promising to whisk me off into tranquil nirvana.
The biggest buzz (although buzzing is not quite the aim, obviously) is the Muse 2 headband (£239, choosemuse.com), a brainwave-measuring gadget that you wear across your forehead to help you de-stress. An EEG device, it reads brainwaves as you meditate and translates this information into sounds – when your brain is busy you hear rain, when it’s whirling about you hear storms and when it’s calm, you hear tweeting birds. The Muse app on your phone collects all the data and logs how your brain behaves.
This all sounds mind-bogglingly clever, but does it actually help? Having met and interviewed one of the co-founders Chris Aimone, I know that this is a very clever piece of kit. Approved by neuroscientists worldwide it definitely does read our brainwaves – Aimone showed me how every jaw clench, every breath, every brain flicker is recorded, and during the guided sessions I’ve done wearing it, I have zoned out and the sounds are very relaxing. But my question is, do we really need gadgets and a brain weather forecast to unwind?
Having learned to meditate properly with the London School of Meditation a few years ago, I now understand that the whole point of meditation is to sit with ourselves and our thoughts. It’s about getting away from modern life and allowing our brains to recalibrate away from the notifications, swiping and never-ending inbox. It’s about doing less, not packing more stuff in, and while the Muse 2 headband is intelligent, I’m not sure we need any more data to frazzle our over-frazzled brains.
Having said that, many people I know tell me that they have tried and failed to meditate. ‘I just can’t do it’ is the most common thing I hear. While a proper course is the best thing you can do because they teach you that there is no failing at meditation, I do think there is one app that is genius. I became familiar with Calm when I was suffering with acute anxiety. Packed with wise words and spiritual teachings, there are guided meditations to help us sleep, to help us cope with anxiety, to reduce stress, for personal growth, to help cultivate inner peace, and to help us focus. With natural ‘soundscapes’ to choose from, such as ocean waves, rain (there’s the weather again), a babbling brook, crickets and even the sound of a whirring washing machine, it emanates calm the minute I click on. At £45 a year it’s cheaper than one therapy session. Whether you’re going through a tough time or just want to unwind, I don’t know anyone this app hasn’t helped. @susannahtaylor_