The word ‘entrains’ was used in chemistry to describe the way in which one element magnetically impacts on other, collecting it up and dragging it along in its wake. According to science, entrainment exists for the purpose of conserving energy. That is, it takes less energy to work in harmony with another body, than to work against it. Thus, entrainment is a healing method to guide and harmonize the physical, emotional, and spiritual body towards harmony. The body naturally entrains to external rhythms. The leading beat may come from a piece of music; influencing our internal rhythm through waves of sound. It may be the waves of light which set our circadian rhythms. The phases of the moon entrain hormonal cycles, and our own breath influences our heart beat and respiration.

 

Resonance

The vibrational frequency of two objects in contact will frequently fall into sync. When the frequencies are the same, it is called ‘resonance’. But when a vibrational body of a stronger resonance influences another in its field, leading the beat, this process is called ‘entrainment’. If you’ve ever been in the presence of a deeply calm person, or perhaps a spiritual master, you may have noticed something intriguing; your breathing will tend to slow down, and your body settles into a relaxed state. The resonance of the energy field of a regular meditator, or spiritual master has the capacity to influence you, and you find you naturally sync to their tranquil and expanded consciousness.

 

Breath

We can learn to entrain ourselves through practices that anchor certain states in the body and nervous system. One of the most common methods is through the breath. We can use breath entrainment to heal physical and emotional pain. Mediation through breath significantly impacts digestion, hormonal balance, mood balance, and sleep. Slowing our respiration calms brain wave activity and allows us to access our subconscious.

 

Emotion

Becoming aware of emotions is necessary to rebalance. Anger, anxiety and grief use up massive amounts of energy and chronically affect our health. We can do this by entraining to a gentle, restorative beat through meditation. A meditation practice allows time to recalibrate.

 

Sound

Spiritual practices incorporate sound entrainment to harmonize internal frequencies. One of the methods is chanting.  Sound, like light, moves in waves. The frequency of sound waves influence the body towards a particular state. Chanting or prayer makes use of harmonics to center the physical body and achieve communion with the spirit world. Native American Indian, Tibetan, Indian and Gregorian chanting are just a few examples of this ancient practice.