When an EEG is taken of a person focused on drumming at 4 beats per second, the brainwave will inevitably go to Theta, or least Alpha. An experienced Buddhist monk or meditator during silent mindfulness meditation would likewise achieve Theta brain waves in the low cycles. Theta brainwaves occur between 4 – 7 Hz or 4 – 7 cycles per second and is associated with meditative serenity, daydreaming, fantasy, imagination, ideas, inspiration. Deep Theta is often achieved by very expert meditators, and could almost be described as lucid dreaming. For the rest of us, mindfulness tends to result only in a light Alpha wave. Repetitive drumming, however, consistently moves even the busiest  mind’s into Alpha, and many right into Theta.

Our normal awake mind is in Beta. Alpha is a more relaxed state, 9-13 Hz, characterized by “relaxed, calm, lucid, not thinking.” Not thinking sounds distinctly useful in mindfulness practice. Theta is one level of relaxation lower, at 4-8 Hz, which is characteristic of very deep meditation and mental imagery. The Theta state, is normally only achieved by very experienced meditators. However, with a drum, even novice meditators can obtain the state of total relaxation and lucid not-thinking.[13]