Need advice from someone with product comparison knowledge

[Cosmo]

Hi, Worlder! <BR> <BR>The following constitutes just my own 2 cents worth (I am a consumer of the Ultra Meditation series): <BR> <BR>Whereas you may experience certain altered states with your contraption(s), I highly recommend the Ultra Meditation package. I am of the opinion, however, that they are best used without any other physical stimulation of any kind. As described in the (excellent, despite the title) book _Meditation for Dummies_, those who meditate experience benefits along a continuum (compared in the book to a mountain, at the top of which one experiences a melding with [choose your metaphor, as in the next sentence]). To me, the highest benefit of meditating is to make contact with (choose your metaphor) the Universal Mind, Unified Field, God (as perceived in whichever religion), Ineffable Sublime, you-name-It. Thus, it is my experience that any significant external stimulus is only going to detract from that transcendence (and leave you somewhere on the side of the mountain, never quite arriving at the summit)--the goal of meditation being to bypass the rational, thinking part of the mind while yet retaining pure consciousness. <BR> <BR>Dane's Ultra Meditation CD's are created using a subconsciously audible "neuro-entrainment sound matrix" which actually induces the mind into the theta state much as experienced by those traditional meditators such as yogis, etc. I find that when I use the UM CDs, and transcend (which I often fully, though not always, do when using the UM CDs), I actually become unaware (not conscious, frontal-lobally) of the CD sound itself, having melded with a higher consciousness (thus, am not then asleep either, but am in a true higher state). <BR> <BR>Used just as recommended in the guidebooklet that comes with the CDs (listening with the volume not turned too high nor too low--you'll find your own volume "sweet spot"), I highly recommend the Ultra Meditation series. (If you have a personal portable CD player with volume that just isn't loud enough, I recommend the "volume booster" currently sold by Radio Shack, Item 33-1109, at $19.95, for use with such a CD player to achieve well-modulated amplification of Dane's CDs.) <BR> <BR>Please note: Upon your first few listens, you may not experience full transcendence. Not to worry, though. Just keep "relaxing into them". My experience is that sooner or later you will do so. <BR> <BR>Again, the above constitutes only my own 2 cents worth. Of course, anyone else is encouraged to reply also, even if in disagreement with my opinion. <BR> <BR>Cosmo

[worlder]

I had the Learning Machine with an integrated headphone &amp; visor, where as the cd-programs of sound were synchronized with light pulses. The headphone-visor unit broke. I tried to contact the company (Zygon Int'l), but they were out of business. I was glad to hear aboout Mind-Tek/Zygon. Their customer service informed me I can order to headphone-visor from them. I have 15-cd library of beginning thru advance Spanish, a dozen Transcendal Meditation Series, plus the Brain Supercharger and related programs. But the programs don't work properly when using a regular cd-player but require the headphone-visor which I can order for $129.00 plus P&amp;h. Should I order the headphone-visor (which I like) or the Mind Power Library, which is on special for $179.00 plus p&amp;h? Has anyone used both of these program series (with the headphone-visor vs. regular cd-player)? Advise!