Leigh Spusta’s PsimatiX™ methods incorporate hemispheric synchronization, mind/body resonant entrainment, vibro-acoustic tones, psychoacoustics, hypnotic modality, rhythmic entrainment frequencies and ancient wisdom of sound. This multi-faceted approach delivers excellent results in producing deep physical relaxation and mind-expanding states of awareness such as are beneficial for hypnosis, meditation, rest and rejuvenation, spiritual pursuits, and exploration of self and consciousness.

Hemispheric Synchronization

It was discovered, decades ago, that by listening to binaural beats using stereo headphones, the listener’s brainwaves will move into sync across the two halves, right and left. The brain compares the unique auditory signals coming from both ears and the corpus callosum in the center of the brain dictates a response of harmonizing and syncing, so that the whole brain is working together. When the brain functions at this more cohesive level, our awareness, comprehension, and creativity are boosted. Binaural beats are only one way to achieve hemispheric synchronization – the PsimatiX methods create this by using dynamic stereo imaging.

Cymatics

Cymatics is the study of the effect of sound upon matter or wave phenomena. In the late 18th century, one of the first pioneers in this area was Ernst Chladni. His technique consisted of drawing a bow over a piece of metal whose surface was lightly covered with sand. The plate was bowed until it reached resonance, when the vibration causes the sand to move and concentrate along the nodal lines where the surface is still, outlining the nodal lines. These patterns are now called Chladni figures. Prof. Hans Jenny coined the term cymatics in 1967. He conducted years of experimentation, the basis of the experiments being to vibrate a membrane or diaphragm at various frequencies with a fine layer of powder or sand upon it. Each frequency was noted to produce its own signature pattern in the sand, geometric and complex forms that could be replicated, sound creating forms. More recently, John Stuart Reid has invented the CymaScope, an advancement of Jenny’s work that renders the cymatic forms, or cymaglyphs, in water, and can be photographed or displayed on video. This study shows us the reality and impact of sound, its very nature is one of harmony, in infinite variety, mimicking, or perhaps even being the template of the great variety of life forms we see. One can easily understand how the harmonic form of sound can impact our bodies therapeutically.

Resonant Entrainment

In 1666, the Dutch physicist Christian Huygens (and inventor of the pendulum clock) noticed that the pendulums of two clocks mounted on a common board had synchronized. After much experimentation and observation he discovered certain physical laws governing the interplay of oscillating systems, in other words, in any system comprised of rhythmically vibrating or moving objects, those objects will move into harmonic synchrony by means of sympathetic resonance. The system finds itself moving into homeostasis, all the vibratory oscillations or rhythms moving together in sync or in harmony. Nature works this way as the system in harmony eventually expends no energy to maintain itself. Our bodies, brain, cells, etc., are no exception to the laws of physics. When frequencies (tones) are present and are sustained, areas of our bodies resonate sympathetically, and then the entire body finds its harmony with this frequency. When this happens, energy flows and we feel profound peace and relaxation. The OM approach (explained below) works hand in hand with resonant entrainment.

Rhythmic Entrainment

This is the primary and commonly regarded form of brainwave entrainment. The most popular method is the use of binaural beats. The binaural beat is generated inside the brain. Any time you have two different frequencies, or tones, playing together, the interaction of their wave activity creates beat rhythms between them. With the binaural beats, these two tones are introduced one to each ear. The tones don’t really interact to create the beat rhythm because our brain mass is in the way, however, our brains know that there should be a beat rhythm between two tones, so it creates it itself. This method is useful but reliant upon headphones. Another beat rhythm method is to use isochronic tones, where the volume, for instance, is dropped up and down, very slightly, at a given rate (frequency). There are a variety of methods to produce a rhythmic entrainment effect, all based on the frequency following response, a form of natural entrainment that occurs in the brain. By selecting what the frequency is, we can target specific brainwave states. We humans have been doing this since the time of the ancient shamans.

Vibro-Acoustic Tones

By utilizing very low, bass-range frequencies, we can experience the wonderful, tactile sense of massage-like tones moving through our body. This not only quickens our trance state but produces very deep physical relaxation by releasing muscle tension, increasing blood flow, stimulating all the cells and nerves in the body, allowing us to resonate and become entrained to natural harmony in a more profound way. This method works any time speakers are used, the more bass response, the greater the impact.

Psycho-Acoustics

Psycho-Acoustics is the study of sound perception, how we respond physiologically and psychologically to different sounds, including music and speech. Stereophonic imaging is an engulfing sound experience because we are wired to use sound to locate the source of it, we hear an explosion, our brains triangulate the source. By incorporating certain stereophonic effects we can create a sense of depth and space, which is conducive to states of expanded awareness. There are several sounds, timbres, effects, and note combinations that stimulate responses in us that might evoke a mood, create a cognitive shift, or add richness and imagery to the music.

Hypnotic Modality

In music, the relationship of one note to another (intervals) has either tension or resolve between them – this is the core dynamic at work, the engine under the hood of the music. This is how moods are created and shifted, especially apparent in a movie score. In hypnotherapy, there is a concept of relative depth of trance, the relationship between anxiety and relaxation – the key to creating the hypnotic state of hyper-suggestibility. These two concepts are analogues of one another, we can use the relationship of musical intervals to induce hypnotic depth.

Ancient Wisdom

Our ancestors have left a legacy of spiritual insights and practical metaphysics. The concept of “as above, so below” is just one of these. Pythagoras noted that numbers and vibration are the language of the universe, he especially saw this reflected in musical tones, and science is now arriving at this same conclusion. Leigh applies these concepts in his PsimatiX compositions, and he has come up with a metaphysical formula to meditate upon that sums up much of the wisdom of the ancients – “Awareness – Attunement – Intention – Wholeness”.

Om / Aum / Amen / ॐ 

Also a gift from our ancient forefathers is the concept and use of the “OM” vibration. The ancient yoga masters of India defined this Sanskrit word “OM” (ॐ) as “the manifestation of God in form” and “the reflection of the absolute reality, without beginning or the end and embracing all that exists”. Interestingly, the Australian Aborigines have used the “didgeridoo” for millennia, a hollow wooden tube that is played like a trumpet, and its “OM-like” sound is called “the sound of the universe”, and they use this sacred sound for trance, healing, celebration, and communication. The OM is used in the beginning and the end of most chants and many sacred verses, and we see a derivative use in Egypt, i.e. – Amen-Ra. This concept has even spread over into the Judeo-Christian world, always the ending to the prayer or reading of verses. When OM is chanted and sustained (or when OM-oriented sounds are played continuously) it has a deeply profound impact on our awareness and our body. When we resonate with the sound of creation, we are re-attuning ourselves to universal harmony. This is one of the most potent elements of the PsimatiX™ approach.