THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF DOWSERS
FEBRUARY '26 NEWSLETTER FEATURED ARTICLE
DOWSERS BRAINWAVES RESEARCH PROJECT PART 1
ASD DIGEST VOLUME 37, NO. 1 WINTER 1997
DOWSER'S BRAINWAVE RESEARCH PROJECT
As Measured on the Lexicor Corp. Neurosearch 24 Brainwave Analyzer
BY ED STILLMAN
President, Verde Valley Chapter
ASD Scientific Advisor
Sedona, AZ
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY
We know that dowsers obtain highly specific information in a YES -NO form by asking questions in their mind in the form of word and sentence questions or visual images. The answers are usually received by visually observing or feeling the physical motions of a real dowsing tool (a pendulum, Y rod, L rod or bobber) or by a virtual dowsing technique (device less dowsing)where the answer is sensed by a physiological change that the dowser has learned to recognize somewhere in their body. There is a decades old question: is there a measurable dowsing mind-state that is unique? Can dowsers brainwave characteristics be measured when they are actively dowsing? We are deeply indebted to Edith M. Jurka, M. D. for her most valuable and pioneering contributions to this research, published in the American Dowser1, which showed us dowser brain patterns as measured on the Mind Mirror electroencephalograph (EEG) developed by Dr. C. Maxwell Cade and Geoffrey Blundell.
In 1996, new research was conducted on dowser brainwaves using modern, computer-controlled EEG equipment which can produce color pictures of the brainwave patterns while the dowser is actually dowsing. This research project has the objectives of understanding how the dowser's brainwaves react and change while dowsing, to provide self verification, knowledge and subjective recognition of the dowsing mind-state; and, in the future, to provide other dowsers with on-target neuro biofeedback to hone and develop dowsing talents and skills. Above all, this new project has already demonstrated that dowser's brainwaves show real, repeatable, measurable and truly unique changes during dowsing with both a real pendulum and with a virtual pendulum (mental device less dowsing). Dowsing can be said to be a truly creative state of mind. The first results of the 1996 ASD Dowser's Brainwave Research Project are presented here.
DOWSING APPEARS TO BE A TRUE, UNIQUE AND CREATIVE HUMAN ALTERED STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS
DOWSER'S BRAINWAVE MEASUREMENT TEST PROTOCOL
A group of 14 highly experienced and gifted dowsers will ultimately be tested, which will include seven men and seven women. This report covers the first eight dowsers who have completed testing, four men and four women. Matthew J. Kelly PhD, an Applied Psychophysiologist from Sedona, Arizona, was selected to do the brainwave measurements and analysis. His private practice, "Advanced Biofeedback and Therapeutic Hypnosis," includes ongoing use of a Lexicor Corp. Neuro search 24 Brainwave Analyzer as his brainwave measurement and analysis tool. The Neurosearch 24 is a modern, computer-controlled EEG system which produces color pictures of the dowser's brainwave patterns in specific frequency bands and outputs a variety of other separate data formats that allow detailed comparison of all parts of the test protocol for each dowser and for the same parts of the protocol for all of the dowsers.
FIGURE 1
ASD DOWSER'S BRAINWAVE RESEARCH PROJECT - 1996
Lexicor Corp. Neurosearch 24 Brainwave Analyzer
Set Up by Dr. Matthew J. Kelly,
Specialist in Applied Psychophysiology
The test protocol has the same five parts for each dowser. The dowser wears a special "cap" which contains 21 separate sensors. A high-salt conducting gel is injected into each sensor using a blunt needle so that good scalp contact is made and meter-verified as having low electrical resistance. A wiring harness from the cap connects to the data unit and then to the computer central processor and display. Figure 1 shows Dr. Kelly preparing the author for testing. Note that this dowser has a Walt Woods "pendulum dowsing multipurposeform"2on his lap and is holding a pendulum for the real pendulum part of the protocol.
For the first part of the protocol, the dowser is asked to relax, eyes closed and not ask any dowsing questions. Brainwaves are measured. The second part involves engaging the mind by looking at a picture selected by Dr. Kelly. The dowser is asked to focus attention on the picture, and to think about the people in the picture, their life and how the dowser would interact with them. No dowsing questions are to be asked while looking at the picture. Brainwaves are again measured.
The third part is to actually dowse with a real pendulum, eyes open. Some dowsers have dowsed for water bearing aquifers under the building, asking specific questions about depth and flow rate. Others have asked questions of the land spirits about the energy in the building. All asked CAN I, MAY I, SHOULD I and dowsed the answer to these three critical questions after asking their basic set-up questions. After their brainwaves were recorded, all of the dowsers confirmed that they were "at task" doing real dowsing and receiving their dowsing answers with the pendulum while observing Walt Wood's form for the numerical answers.
The fourth part of the protocol was to again dowse "at task," but to use a virtual pendulum (device less dowsing) eyes closed and sense the YES-NO answers, including numerical answers, by pre-identified physiological changes in their bodies. Brainwaves were again measured while each person was dowsing.
The fifth part was to allow the dowser to do their own brief experiment and have their brainwaves recorded while doing a task of their own choosing. Some for example, have chosen to send healing energy to a remote location.
It is noted here that to define common denominators in EEG records is difficult because each human brain is different. It is realized that an EEG readout is merely an external indication of electrical impulses from the brain - a side effect, if you will of some sort of activity that is beyond our comprehension. The organizing fields maintaining the pattern, as well as brain activity for even a simple task, are tremendously complex; every one of the neurons is in potential resonance with all fields of enfolded subtle energy throughout the universe3. Yet clear results about dowser's brainwave states have been achieved and are reported here.
BRAINWAVE FREQUENCY BAND DEFINITIONS
It is necessary to show and define the brainwave frequency bands so that Dr. Jurka's Mind Mirror testing and the new testing can be compared and analyzed. Figure 2 shows four major brainwave frequency bands which can be measured with an EEG, along with a sample of what each waveform looks like. People will feel different states of consciousness depending on the frequencies their brains are operating at, moment by moment. Brainwave frequencies are measured in cycles per second (cps). The cps measurements are expressed in Hertz (Hz). The characteristics are:
FIGURE 2
Beta (14-30Hz) is the awake brain rhythm when attention is focused on the outside world, such as reading or processing visual information. It appears in problem solving such as doing math. Metabolically, it represents a hight arousal level and anthropologically it is produced with fear, anxiety, orienting and response for vigilance the "fight or flight" mechanisms.
Alpha (8-13 Hz) is described as an awake state of quiet inner awareness and rest when not responding to stimuli from outside or inside the mind. If the eyes are opened, visual input immediately adds beta and other frequencies. Metabolically, it represents a lower arousal than beta and anthropologically, it represents a state of rest and absence of vigilance.
Theta (4-7 Hz) is characterized by reverie ("lost in thought"), images and in half awake states just before or after sleep. When combined with other frequencies, it represents subconscious orienting problem solving, inspiration or deep meditation. Metabolically, it represents a low state of arousal.
Delta (0.5-4 Hz) is normally found in deep dreamless sleep. However, Dr. C. Maxwell Cade of London1 found that it was added to other brain frequencies during higher levels of consciousness, at the onset of paranormal phenomena, or when reaching out to the unknown.
MIND MIRROR EEG OUTPUTS OF A TALENTED DOWSER
The Mind Mirror is a special electroencephalograph (EEG) that measures the micro voltage at each frequency band on each side of the frequencies in greatest detail. It is really two separate EEGs, one for each side of the brain. Figure 3 shows the Mind Mirror output display with the pattern of a talented dowser. There are 28 rows of lights, 14 on each side. When measurements are made, a constantly moving picture representing the micro voltage level for each of the 14 brainwave frequency bands is displayed. In Figure 3, only one light is shown lit in each row. This represents the maximum microvolt level for the specific part of the dowser protocol.
FIGURE 3
MIND MIRROR DATA OUTPUTS
To aid our understanding of the new brainwave data, Dr. Jurka's comparison chart of different brainwave states from 1983 is shown in Figure 4. Here, a line is drawn on each side from the highest frequency to the lowest frequency with represents how far out from the center the light is lit (or not lit) for each row of lights. Thus, maximum brainwave microvolt levels in each frequency band are displayed and the resulting differences in patterns for meditators and dowsers are clearly shown.
FIGURE 4
BRAIN PATTERNS AS CHARACTERISTIC OF DOWSERS,
AS MEASURED BY THE MIND MIRROR
Continue Reading:
PART 2
