From 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.
