Entrainment- or How to Make Others Happy Just By Being

                Why is it that when the teacher explains that math technique in class it is so easy, and then when you get home, it is so difficult?  When the yoga instructor makes one subtle adjustment and everything works, but it is so hard to find at home?  When being with someone you love makes you happy, but being alone is morose?  The answer is entrainment.

                Here is Van Morrison’s musical take on entrainment.

  He describes how another, in their happiness and joy of life entrains him into a trance.  The physical expression of this was described by physicist Christian Huygens in 1666, after he noticed that two pendulum clocks had moved from out of sync into the same swinging rhythm.  One clock “taught” the other into rhythm.

                As a scientist at heart, I love finding evidence that validates what I “know.” Right now there is some interesting research proving that entrainment exists between people, even at a distance.  My personal favorite is from IHM Director of Research Dr. Rollin McCraty. He measured the connection between his son Josh and the boy’s dog, Mabel.  When Josh loved Mabel, it changed both of their electrocardiogram readings. They became similar in a very good way, becoming more coherent.  Here is the full article http://www.heartmath.org/templates/ihm/e-newsletter/article/2010/spring/pets-making-a-connection.php.

                In my practice I see so many people who feel underutilized, like they are not making a difference in the world.  They have not cured cancer, or started a charitable organization, or have a high-powered job.  It turns out to change the world, you don’t have to do any of these things.  The Beatles got it right, all you need is love.