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1 Brainwave Connections Spring 2006

Text Box: We recently saw a prominent manufacturer, in partnership with a leading researcher, unveil an innovative new product design that offered an entirely new way of approaching neurofeedback. This effort was the result of years of research and development, was a technical and conceptual challenge, and will likely take years for the field to fully explore and appreciate. Within hours of the release, we saw a flurry of e-mails and list server postings that offered all sorts of evaluations, criticisms, predictions, and diatribes

Text Box: both for and against this new approach. Some of these postings were spurious, misinformed, and downright slanderous ramblings that offered little more than confusion, distrust, and unnecessary concern. Others offered guarded opinions and predictions based upon limited information, and reflecting ulterior motives or vested interests. Later, we saw the inevitable stream of retractions, apologies, revisions, and explanations, some of which added yet more confusion, others that backpedaled to save face. Generally, we think it may be a good thing to learn to

Text Box: withhold judgment and to refrain from opinions, in many aspects of life and work. Buddhists teach us to exercise restraint and caution at times when we are prone to judge. For all of its value, judgment always tends to divide, separate, and close the book on things that may best be left for careful pondering. The next time we are inclined to rush to some judgment or express our first opinion, we will consider taking that extra moment to appreciate the peace and wisdom that comes from silence, and the decision to not judge at all.

Brainwave Connections

Text Box: In this issue: The Realities of Home Neurofeedback On Valuing Judgement Perspectives—Neurofeedback and Society by Siegfried Othmer, Ph.D. Book Review: The Neurofeedback Book by Michael and Lynda Thompson Site Review: The Neurodevelopment Center, Providence, Rhode Island

Dedicated to communication and education in the emerging fields of neurofeedback, mental fitness, neuromeditation, and brain modification

Text Box: In coming issues: Book Reviews, Site Reviews, and personal commentaries

Text Box: In this issue’s Perspectives, Dr. Siegfried Othmer considers the future of neurofeedback, in a social perspective. These considerations are important, as we are looking to provide brain training and self-regulation to an increasingly large population. When we look at the acceptance of other medical models, procedures, and practices into the home, we

Text Box: as well as failures. To the benefit of many, we see things like the management of blood sugar levels and the administration of insulin successfully transitioned into the home, with adequate training and oversight. If we are able to move such practices into our private lives, why should we not be able to manage brainwave training, mental fitness, and similar

Text Box: Home biofeedback will require training, education, and trust between clinicians and home users. To achieve the necessary standards, we will need interpersonal communication and respect that will underlie successful home neurofeedback. Perhaps, as much as the feedback training itself, the discipline and understanding that make it possible will be ends in their own right, lending their own value to the overall effort.