I wish to mention here the work of Larry Dossey, M.D., Healing Words (1993). He writes about use of language and the natural, non-miraculous psychosomatic cures brought on by words of warmth and love. The placebo effect, and, more recently, the neurochemical connections between mood and the immune system which when experienced with positive emotions, can in fact bring about spontaneous remission of cancers and other miracles. Healing Words is devoted to prayer and healing. The author firmly believes that prayer brings about real and beneficial effects.

Dr. James V. Hardt (www.biocybernaut.com/tutorial/alpha.html) explains what Alpha is and what makes it appear and disappear in our brains. Yes, he says, the Alpha state does appear and then disappears. It is not a constant and we have to apply ourselves to get into this state, as it is not always present. In deep sleep there is no Alpha with fear and anger chasing it away. Delta is experienced in deep sleep (sleep stages 3 and 4) and Theta is seen in light sleep and drowsiness (sleep stages 1 and 2). Alpha is experienced when we are awake and in a state of relaxation. When we close our eyes we go into Alpha, easy as that. If we experience positive emotions and attitudes while in Alpha, Dr. James V. Hardt believes we can communicate with our immortality gene that in turn communicates with our chromosome number 1, thus allowing us the treasure of a long-lived youthfulness. Beta is experienced with stress in our lives and makes for difficult mental concentration.

Delta waves are the slowest oscillating waves (0-4 cycles per second). Theta waves oscillate somewhat faster (4-7 cycles per second). Alpha waves oscillate 8-13 times per second. Beta waves oscillate still faster (13-40 cycles per second). There are many other kinds of electrical activity in the brain, especially the short-lived evoked potentials that occur when the brain responds to sensory input (like a sound, or a touch, or a flash of light). However, the four basic EEG waves of Delta, Theta, Alpha, and Beta constitute the standard lineup of EEG activity. Perhaps just the act of closing one’s eyes in the act of prayer triggers the Alpha state where healing happens. Perhaps being in the alpha state is why prayer and healing are so connected.