A Tool for Achieving a Meditative State

From http://www.asmr-research.org/

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a physical sensation characterized by a pleasurable tingling that typically begins in the head and scalp, and often moves down the spine and through the limbs.

Most ASMR episodes begin by an external or internal trigger, and are so divided for classification. Type A episodes are elicited by the experiencer using no external stimuli, and are typically achieved by specific thought patterns unique to the individual. Type B episodes are triggered involuntarily by an external trigger, via one or more senses, and may also involve specific thought patterns associated with the triggering event. Both types of triggers vary between individuals, but many are common to a large portion of ASMR enjoyers.

Common external triggers:

- Exposure to slow, accented, or unique speech patterns
- Viewing educational or instructive videos or lectures
- Experiencing a high empathetic or sympathetic reaction to an event
- Enjoying a piece of art or music
- Watching another person complete a task, often in a diligent, attentive manner (examples would be filling out a form, writing a check, going through a purse or bag, inspecting an item closely, etc).
- Close, personal attention from another person
- Haircuts, or other touch from another on head or back

It's said that many zenful people happen to be "ASMR Sensitive" and that it plays a role in helping them achieve a very real sense of peace and calmness in their everyday lives with or without formal meditation.

For most of my life I was convinced I was the only one in the world who experienced this, up until just the other day when I suddenly discovered that countless other people do too and that it has a term for it as well.

Unless it is late at night and I let myself fall completely away into sleep with it, I find that ASMR actually lets me accomplish a very wonderful meditative state of mind. The great thing is that recently a whole community of youtubers have created videos/channels especially for helping others experience this. One in particular which is a favorite of mine is SOUNDsculptures , where Helen, the video host performs small tasks or creates other experiences like white noise. This of course puts me right to sleep when it's time for me to sleep but during the morning, watching the tasks and falling into this super relaxed state actually sets me in a very "mindful" state through the day with almost anything I am doing. When I fix my coffee I am a lot more patient and diliberate and I observe and experience everything I am feeling, seeing, hearing, and smelling, and I find myself enjoying it all the more.

I just wanted to contribute this information for anybody here who already know they are "ASMR sensitive" or for those who don't know but may be anyway. If you're not sure you are prone to ASMR, feel free to click the link in the above paragraph, pick out a video and watch it. If you begin to feel very relaxed and/or sleepy, then you are likely ASMR sensitive and you could be able to use this effect to help achieve a very meditative and physically mindful state of being after watching at leas one of these videos. It's a really nice experience.

Learn much, grow vast, and may the force be with you.

Is this related to 'goosebumps'?

http://healingbeats.com/play.html

That's what I use. Binaural beats really are quite amazing. I just read a Chapter of The Book (Alan Watts) and it seemed like it took mere minutes. Seriously, while I was reading the sun set and I didn't notice. And I retained more information. I think I'm addicted, lol.

Some of the videos on that channel are very similar though, like the 3d fan noise, and I could certainly see how such easy and repetitive noise and motion could help ease you into a state of relaxation. The only problem was that the one with the British crisps made me hungry... xD

So far as I've been hearing and reading what some have been saying about ASMR, is that it is likely a form of Synesthesia which is a trait in the brain that cross-wires the senses that come to the brain. So in essence, ASMR triggers are noises and visuals that we don't only hear or watch but we actually physically feel them (like the moment itself has an actual texture to us) kind of like inner massages. We can feel sound. I can only speak for myself, but for me, it doesn't actually feel like a sensation on the skin but rather simply in my nerves. The inner nerves throughout my body have a sort of pleasurable charge in them, that could be compared to a soft blue light if it were to be manifested in visual terms. And ASMR triggers turn on this feeling within my nervous system.

I've only recently heard remarks about people, who don't have ASMR and don't understand the concept that it's probably sexual in nature, and partly due to this, there are actually people with ASMR who feel some type of shame for having it, as if its a "disorder", when it's not. It's not sexual at all, and its not classified as a disorder. It doesn't interfere with our every day lives. It actually enhances it. Like I said, it puts me in a state of meditation, very very peaceful, and very very mindful of all kinds of little things, when I observe someone else doing as such or hearing noises that represent as such.

Thanks for this, really interesting!

I would say that I am ASMR Sensitive as as far back as I can remember most if not all of the actions that were listed have had the following effect on me: I tend to feel extremely relaxed and at peace, I also get shivers down my spine and goose bumps.

Like you I thought that this was just one of my strange little quirks but I hadn't really thought about it too deeply to be honest.

I watched several of the SOUNDsculptures clips and the sensations that I previously described were triggered by them.

Another tool for relaxation can only benefit me so thanks again for your guidance!

MTFBWY

Adder wrote: Is this related to 'goosebumps'?

Aaaannddd.....

Now I have to know...

lol...

It sounds like hypnosis...

I have to do more research.....

EDIT:Whoops, I meant to post on that other thread, sorry!!

I don't know much about ASMR... but
I feel I can relate a little to you Proteus

So in essence, ASMR triggers are noises and visuals that we don't only hear or watch but we actually physically feel them (like the moment itself has an actual texture to us) kind of like inner massages. We can feel sound. I can only speak for myself, but for me, it doesn't actually feel like a sensation on the skin but rather simply in my nerves.

As a musician, we do sometimes 'hear' a third note when two notes are so in tune with each other that you can hear a third note, which often 'completes' the chord. It's pretty cool, For example, If you have a major third with two notes, sometimes you can hear a third note in your head as the fifth (creating a major chord). I don't understand this completely either though apologies.
This wikipedia explains it a little...- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combination_tone
I would also mention that you won't hear this very often on a piano because simply put, it's usually temperate tuning on a piano, which doesn't allow for a new note to be heard as it's ever so slightly out of tune...
If you want to know a little about temperate tuning- WIKIPEDIA, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_temperament
Enjoy!

I just posted in the other thread. You are not alone. For me it's a buy product of meditation and not an aid. When not meditating I think of it as a flow state and much harder to get into and maintain because of distractions.

The trigger for me is a calm mind and body that opens up to the exoerience and lets it happen. I can't induce it, just set the stage for it to come to me.

Jestor wrote:

Adder wrote: Is this related to 'goosebumps'?

Aaaannddd.....

Now I have to know...

lol...

It sounds like hypnosis...

I have to do more research.....

EDIT:Whoops, I meant to post on that other thread, sorry!!

AH-HA!!

Per Wiki...

An article about the "chills" phenomenon induced by specific moments in music mentions distinctions users of Reddit's ASMR section make between ASMR and cold chill.[original research?] A similar post in the British music magazine New Musical Express, or NME, mentioned distinctions between ASMR and frisson. It was noted that although both responses tend to evoke goose bumps in the observer, the emotional and physiological responses are different.[12] Writer Sean T. Collins quoted Ohio State University School of Music professor David Huron claiming ASMR and cold chill are different: '"The [ASMR] effect is clearly strongly related to the perception of non-threat and altruistic attention," says Huron, who notes a strong similarity to physical grooming in primates. "Nonhuman primates derive enormous pleasure (bordering on euphoria) when being groomed by a grooming partner."' And, says Huron, they groom each other not to get clean but to bond.[13]

So, yes, goosebumps do seem to be a reaction...

My wife scratching my back makes me break out in goosebumps...

When I become, "aware", and very "here and now", I give myself goosebumps... (You say meditation, I say hypnotized (de-hypnotized, lol)...

Earlier in the article, it said;

"Autonomous sensory meridian response" (ASMR) is a neologism for an alleged biological phenomenon characterized as a distinct, pleasurable tingling sensation in the head, scalp or peripheral regions of the body in response to visual, auditory, olfactory, and/or cognitive stimuli. Tom Stafford, a professor at the University of Sheffield, says, "It might well be a real thing, but it's inherently difficult to research."[1]

SO, Imma say yes, and I would think it is more common than not....

Thank you for letting me know I am subject to yet ANOTHER syndrome.... :lol:

It's different from goosebumps. It's a sensation but not sensual.

Well, I am going to have to disagree with ya there Rickie...

It would seem the the consensus is that it could be related...

Just as whispering, light touching, and other things seem to be...

It could be that you ahve never experienced it... :huh:

But, It is 80 degrees here right now, and I am mowing and working in it...

If, by going into the meditative state, goosebumps result, then I am going to say it is related...

But, opinions vary, lol...

Goosebumps can be related due to having similar trigger sources....

However.

Goosebumps are an outer-physical reaction of the skin and follicals as the body's mechanism for enhancing awareness of its surrounds in case of threat or in case of wanted pleasure.

ASMR is not an outer-physical reaction (at least not for me, and not typically for most people). It is more of an inner sensation between the inner-nervous system and the chemicals in the brain that relaxes a person, makes them feel very at ease and relaxes the muscles.

I can get goosebumps just by having the air temperature drop... but I've never felt "euphoric" and relaxed and focused when it happens. Just the same, having the ASMR triggers has never resulted in goosebumps for me either. They are separate things in that way.

Proteus wrote: Goosebumps can be related due to having similar trigger sources....

However.

Goosebumps are an outer-physical reaction of the skin and follicals as the body's mechanism for enhancing awareness of its surrounds in case of threat or in case of wanted pleasure.

ASMR is not an outer-physical reaction (at least not for me, and not typically for most people). It is more of an inner sensation between the inner-nervous system and the chemicals in the brain that relaxes a person, makes them feel very at ease and relaxes the muscles.

I can get goosebumps just by having the air temperature drop... but I've never felt "euphoric" and relaxed and focused when it happens. Just the same, having the ASMR triggers has never resulted in goosebumps for me either. They are separate things in that way.

Yes, Im sorry, I meant to say that it is a result of the euphoric feeling...

When I 'expand' my awareness, I get goosebumps....

In the wiki quote eariler it was wrote: Writer Sean T. Collins quoted Ohio State University School of Music professor David Huron claiming ASMR and cold chill are different:

Its not cold here, as I said, I can do it simply by going "aware", as I have done with every post I have made in this thread, I have caused goosebumps...

The inside of my body, 'yearns'(?) lol, Im not sure how to explain it except to say it is similar to the sensation right before climax during sex...

Not only are they a reaction of cold, but they seem to also be a reaction to my 'awareness'...

Like the hairs on the back of your neck standing up when you are scared or nervous...

Jestor wrote: Well, I am going to have to disagree with ya there Rickie...

It would seem the the consensus is that it could be related...

Just as whispering, light touching, and other things seem to be...

It could be that you ahve never experienced it... :huh:

But, It is 80 degrees here right now, and I am mowing and working in it...

If, by going into the meditative state, goosebumps result, then I am going to say it is related...

But, opinions vary, lol...

No problem. Related, not related makes no difference. I know what I feel and we may not be on the same page with this and that's OK. I don't goosebumps in my experience. It more of an aura energy sensation. Again not not sensual but it is a pleasing state of mind.

It could be that you ahve never experienced it...

Maybe?

I can explain it like this... it feels - for me, not a "tingling sensation" exactly but... like a soft soothing energy that develops and kind of pulses behind my face and in the back of my brain, and then expands through the muscles in the upper areas of my neck and my spinal cord. Afterward, the soothing energy begins to take place in the inner muscles throughout most of my body. It can be a bit hypnotic depending on how intense it gets, but otherwise, it simply seems makes me feel very "harmonious" and "pleased" in the moment.

Proteus wrote: I can explain it like this... it feels - for me, not a "tingling sensation" exactly but... like a soft soothing energy that develops and kind of pulses behind my face and in the back of my brain, and then expands through the muscles in the upper areas of my neck and my spinal cord. Afterward, the soothing energy begins to take place in the inner muscles throughout most of my body. It can be a bit hypnotic depending on how intense it gets, but otherwise, it simply seems makes me feel very "harmonious" and "pleased" in the moment.

Can you use your mind/thought to move it around your body?

Very cool.

Rickie The Grey wrote:

Proteus wrote: I can explain it like this... it feels - for me, not a "tingling sensation" exactly but... like a soft soothing energy that develops and kind of pulses behind my face and in the back of my brain, and then expands through the muscles in the upper areas of my neck and my spinal cord. Afterward, the soothing energy begins to take place in the inner muscles throughout most of my body. It can be a bit hypnotic depending on how intense it gets, but otherwise, it simply seems makes me feel very "harmonious" and "pleased" in the moment.

Can you use your mind/thought to move it around your body?

Very cool.

I can focus on what is triggering the ASMR on different levels and in different ways and it does actually manipulate how intense it gets and how far through my body it expands. It is quite neat!

There are many forms of meditations that one can do. One can meditate while walking. All meditation basicly is a state of mindfulness in a state that one choices to be in. There a multitude of meditative positions that one can learn. The main focus of meditation is to connect to one's inner being and to allow the energy of the universe to flow thru them to help guide them to what they are seeking. No one is wrong and no one is right in how they meditate. I have been able to accomplish a mindset of meditation while driving, walking, and even to the brink of sleep. One has to learn to quite the interal voice that is foreign that prevents one to be able to connect to that energy that we are all made of and connected to. There are amazing results that I have been able to accomplish because of meditation. Its all based on how strong and how focused one can be.

Proteus wrote: I can explain it like this... it feels - for me, not a "tingling sensation" exactly but... like a soft soothing energy that develops and kind of pulses behind my face and in the back of my brain, and then expands through the muscles in the upper areas of my neck and my spinal cord. Afterward, the soothing energy begins to take place in the inner muscles throughout most of my body. It can be a bit hypnotic depending on how intense it gets, but otherwise, it simply seems makes me feel very "harmonious" and "pleased" in the moment.

I get to that state just by meditating, being aware of my body's actions/reactions and focusing not on thought, but on breathing. It happens more when I breathe deeper. I tend to associate this feeling we experience with an increase of oxygen in the body, or even a certain chemical the brain releases. It sort of activates an awareness of the entire body and feels almost like my nerves are being massaged. Am I close?

Jestor wrote: Yes, Im sorry, I meant to say that it is a result of the euphoric feeling...

When I 'expand' my awareness, I get goosebumps....

Its not cold here, as I said, I can do it simply by going "aware", as I have done with every post I have made in this thread, I have caused goosebumps...

The inside of my body, 'yearns'(?) lol, Im not sure how to explain it except to say it is similar to the sensation right before climax during sex...

Not only are they a reaction of cold, but they seem to also be a reaction to my 'awareness'...

Like the hairs on the back of your neck standing up when you are scared or nervous...

I know what you mean Jestor!

I get this sometimes when meditating myself. I've also got it many times from the "grooming" sort of thing, as in the article, before bed with my fiancee (when either set of our parents are out of town and we stay over). It mostly happens in that case when she runs her fingers through my hair. The scalp can be amazingly sensitive. Having my hair played with can put me into a near-sleeping, almost meditative, state very quickly.

Another situation I felt this (though, in this case the goosebumps were likely a result of abject terror ) sensation was once when I had a spiritual experience. I walked inside from out back and it was late at night (I'd also been drinking which may have affected my senses quite a bit). As I stepped inside I looked into the shadows and thought I saw a rather annoyed black panther sitting on the table in my family's den. I fled the room immediately. Now, obviously, the cat was not physically in the room, but I believed it was very much real and capable of ripping me to shreds easily. It was utterly terrifying and I'm not ashamed to admit I nearly ran to my bedroom, shut the door, and crawled all the way under the covers of my bed. Lol. I felt like a little kid that just had a nightmare and is SURE if his feet hang out of the covers the monsters will eat his toes.

After calming down I began to dissect the experience and attempt to determine what had caused this. At first I thought of hallucinations brought on by the alcohol but quickly ruled that out as I had not drank that much. Not to mention it had never happened before no matter how much I drank (and I've been quite a heavy drinker at times). I began to think and believe it was a religious experience and again got chills. I took this as confirmation. It took "sleeping on it" to really come up with the idea that I had pissed off some supernatural being who had sent the panther to give me a little kick in the pants.

Now, clearly, this was a very personal experience and many may not believe it happened. I can't prove it, but all I know is that it was very real and it did encourage me to meditate extensively to find an answer. So, in short, I do feel ASMR and goosebumps are related to a degree, just perhaps not for all people. *shrug* That's just me though.