Training in sophrology

Theory of levels and states and of consciousness in Sophrology.

Sophrology defines 3 states of consciousness (qualitative) and 3 levels of consciousness (quantitative).

The states of consciousness

Caycedo’s reflections were aimed at the possibility of the existence of a form of consciousness different from the pathological consciousness he saw daily in his patients in the hospital and from the ordinary consciousness of most people. He then wondered about the possibility of a third form of consciousness, similar to the one that the Eastern masters conquered with their methods.

The spectrum of consciousness is thus divided into 3 parts:

Pathological Consciousness (PC):

It covers all the alterations of the psyche, neuroses more or less serious. State of consciousness altered by the disease. The sophrologist can bring an improvement only if it is used by a qualified and specialized therapist.

Ordinary Consciousness (OC):

It is the state of each one of us, with our empty passages, our emotions, our tensions, our fears, our successes and failures. This is our internal meteorology.

Sophisticated Consciousness (SC):

It is the state of serenity towards which it is advisable to move in order to free oneself from the causes of suffering by working at the sophro Liminal level.

The levels of consciousness

In a normal situation (i.e. a person who is not ill and is not undergoing any treatment that could affect the level of alertness), there are 7 levels of awareness grouped into 4 essential levels.

These 7 levels of consciousness have been identified through electroencephalogram (EEG). This means of studying brain waves has put into “image”, in the form of a trace, the variations of the levels of consciousness. Our level of consciousness is therefore associated with the emission or absence of emission of certain waves:

Standby state

Hyper vigilance: GAMMA waves above 30 or 35 oscillations (especially when feeling an emotion); indicate high brain activity, such as during creative processes or problem solving.

Vigilance: BETA waves – 15 to 30 oscillations per second – (state of mental concentration). Our brains are working at full speed. When we are in a state of full awakening, eyes open in the middle of reading or working or in action. Associated with reflection, conscious problem solving and active attention to the outside world.

Floating attention: ALPHA waves – 9 to 14 oscillations per second – (our mind makes free associations). State of relaxation, eyes closed…brain waves slow down. At this rate, the two hemispheres of the brain work in the same way, whereas in the waking state one of the two hemispheres always works more than the other. The ALPHA rhythm is the feeling of liberation, of peace. The moment when meditation begins and one begins to access the richness and creativity that lies beneath the consciousness. This is the state that leads to a deeper state of consciousness.

Reverie

Theta waves – 4 to 8 pulses per second – (stimuli are perceived but in an attenuated manner). The THETA rhythm corresponds to the light sleep phase. Increased receptivity, setting up of the dream image, inspiration, forgotten memories. Elusive kingdom, place of waking dreams… The more the rhythm drops, the more we sink into deep sleep. This is the area used in hypnosis.

Sophro liminal level: it is the level sought in the sophrological work. It’s kind of like the anteroom to sleeping. It is a fluctuating state that oscillates between wakefulness and sleep without being in either one, it allows us to work consciously while enjoying the benefits of the state of mental and physical relaxation that characterizes it. This state is chosen, in sophrology, for its particularities: it is, indeed, at this rhythm that the 2 hemispheres of our brain work in symbiosis, which amplifies our faculties of concentration, a greater receptivity, a greater memory, a better management of our stress, a finer perception of our senses, of our capacities… it is thus there that we have free access to our unconscious, that we can influence its perceptions, to take again the reins to operate transformations with new clear and positive objectives. In the office, the therapist transmits the relaxation and deepening techniques required according to the situation, and then the patient works freely at home to develop his or her personal abilities to live in a state of sophronic consciousness.

State of loss of awareness of external stimuli (to a greater or lesser extent)

Delta waves – 1 to 3 oscillations per second – is the level of deep, dreamless sleep (with total loss of awareness of stimuli). Observed in the most experienced meditators.

Variable waves: coma with no response to awakening (the person cannot be awakened by external stimuli).