Statement
of Rollin McCraty
Boulder Creek, CA., August 2003
The statement below was written by Rollin McCraty, Executive Vice
President and Director of Research for the Institute of Heart Math, Boulder
Creek, California.
The Institute of
Heart Math and Meru Foundation are completely independent, working in
different fields, and have no relationship -- except with regards to
damage done by Mr. Winter.
Dan
Winter has suggested that the only measure of heart coherence requires
something he calls the "cepstrumin," which is basically
a spectrum of the power spectrum of the ECG
itself. He has also claimed that we at HeartMath have never measured
coherence.
We have published many papers on this subject which are
available on our web site (www.Heartmath.org)
I
suggest the monographs titled:
There will also be a
chapter that is being re-published as a monograph titled:
Physiological Coherence,
available in the fall of 2003, that discusses this
subject in depth.
The
following quote from the Physiological
Coherence monograph captures the essence
of our use of the term:
"It
is the harmonious flow of information, cooperation, and order among the
subsystems of a larger system that allows for the emergence of more
complex
functions. This higher-order cooperation among the physical subsystems
such as
the heart, brain, glands, and organs as well as between the cognitive,
emotional, and physical systems is an important aspect of what we call
coherence. It is the rhythm of the heart that sets the beat for the
entire
system. The heart's rhythmic beat influences brain processes that
control the
autonomic nervous system, cognitive function, and emotions, thus
leading us to
propose that it is the primary conductor in the system. By changing the
rhythm
of the heart, system-wide dynamics can be quickly and dramatically
changed.
"We
use the term "coherence" in a
broad context to describe more ordered mental and emotional processes
as well
as more ordered and harmonious interactions among various physiological
systems. In this context, "coherence" embraces many other terms that
are used to describe specific functional modes, such as
synchronization,
entrainment, and resonance.
"Physiological
coherence is thus a specific and measurable mode of physiological
functioning
that encompasses a number of distinct but related phenomena. Correlates
of the
physiological coherence mode, which will be considered in further
detail in
this monograph, include: increased synchronization between the two
branches of
the ANS, a shift in autonomic balance toward increased parasympathetic
activity,
increased heart-brain synchronization, increased vascular resonance,
and
entrainment between diverse physiological oscillatory systems. The
coherent
mode is reflected by a smooth, sine wave-like pattern in the heart
rhythms
(heart rhythm coherence) and a narrow-band, high-amplitude peak in the
low
frequency range of the HRV power spectrum, at a frequency of about 0.1
hertz."
Mr.
Winter also appears to insist that heart coherence occurs only when the
spectrum of the EGC (over 8 seconds) exhibits a standing wave pattern.
He also
claim that this spectrum is a measure of love. I cannot fully agree
with this
for two important reasons. First it is not grounded in an understanding
of
healthy function and how the ECG spectra relate to the dynamics of the
underlying physiological systems. Secondly, repeated controlled studies
indicate that love and other positive emotions are more frequently
correlated
with a very different physiological mode in the majority of people.
It
is true that Dan did visit our research facility for two days at the
time we
were just completing its construction and before the lab was set up. He
did
indeed suggest to us that we look at spectral analysis of the ECG. I
thought
then and still do that this was a good idea; however, when we looked deeper into it we found that the
appearance of the peaks in the power spectrum of the ECG that look like
standing waves are completely dependent on the inter-beat-intervals in
the ECG
(the time between heartbeats). All one has to do in order to create the
standing wave pattern in the ECG spectrum is to make the intervals
between
heartbeats the same (very low heart rate variability (HRV)). There is
direct
relationship between the heart's rhythm (HRV patterns) and the ECG
spectrum. In
other words, you can know what the ECG spectrum will be if you know the
HRV
pattern. In addition, the spacing between the peaks in the ECG spectrum
is
dependent on the interval length between heartbeats (heart rate). In
order to
generate an ECG spectrum with golden mean-related spacing between the
peaks,
one must have very low HRV and a heart rate of exactly 97.028 beats per
minute. For this reason, and to avoid
confusion, we call this the "low
HRV mode".
The
second issue is that the majority of
people do not enter the low HRV mode when they are experiencing
positive
emotions. The majority of people instead exhibit a sine wave-like
pattern in
their heart rhythms. This is a very dynamic and efficient physiological
mode
that has been observed and recognized as a healthy functional mode in
the
scientific literature since the 1950s. This sine wave pattern in the
heart
rhythms is associated with improved health outcomes and increased
systemic HRV.
It
is also important to point out that there is no way to really measure a
person's subjective state. A person can be in a very loving state and
the HRV
pattern will not always indicate this, and if the HRV pattern does not
reflect
it, neither will the spectrum of the ECG. However, with that said, the
most
reliable indicator we have found that can discriminate positive from
negative
emotional states is the heart rhythm pattern.
This
low HRV mode is a valid transient state that is associated with very
low
autonomic nervous system outflow. The main point here is that this low
HRV
state (what Dan Winter calls heart coherence) is not something that
should be
cultivated by individuals with health problems. A low HRV state is not
only
associated with autonomic neuropathy and autonomic deinnervation (as
found in
heart transplant recipients) but is predictive of increased risk of
sudden
cardiac death and all-cause mortality, and also associated with
depression,
anxiety and a host of other disorders. To train people into this low
HRV state
goes against all that is known about healthy function and emotional
stability.
This does not mean that it is not a valid state for advanced
practitioners to
enter into sometimes, but to do so without the ability to first be able
to
maintain the physiologically coherent mode is potentially problematic, especially to individuals with heart disease,
diabetes or low heart rate variability.
For
the vast majority of people, it takes time and practice to become
proficient at
entering the heart rhythm coherence mode. Developing consistency and
stability
in this mode is important in order for this mode of physiological
functioning
to become established as a familiar state so that individuals can shift
into it
at will, especially during challenging or stressful situations.
Therefore, we
have chosen not put focus on the low HRV state at this time.
Mr.
Winter also attempts to reduce all the HeartMath tools and techniques
and the
physiological coherence mode to simple breathing techniques and "relaxation," which
is simply inaccurate. He also attempts
to reduce the Freeze-Framer to a breathing trainer. Although it can be
used for
that purpose, the system is designed as a tool to facilitate learning
the
HeartMath techniques and to help establish increased ratios of
physiological
coherence. In reality, breathing is equally important to both the
physiological
coherence and the low HRV mode. Conscious regulation of the breath, if
performed properly, can drive the system into physiological coherence.
HeartMath techniques incorporate a breathing element; however, their
primary
focus is promoting coherence through a positive emotion-driven
physiological
shift, in contrast to cognitively-directed paced breathing methods.
Moreover,
positive emotion-focused coherence-building techniques promote a far
wider
range of benefits, both physiological and psychological, than methods
that
simply forcing the system into coherence using regulated breathing
alone.
Regarding
Mr. Winter's statements that we have not given him proper credit: As I
stated
earlier, he was the first person to suggest to us that we perform
spectrum
analysis of the ECG, and we have always been very open about that. Mr. Winter was not, however, the first
one to ever think of this. There is actually a long history of the use
of this
analysis method although he is the first that I know of to associate it
with
emotion, which in an indirect manner is correct. He was in fact given
credit by
us for his suggestion in one of our most popular books titled, The Hidden Power
of the Heart, which contained several pages devoted to this. He
was given
copies of this book. However, these pages were removed in later
editions, after
he had started spreading falsehoods about his relationship with
HeartMath and
his growing legal problems regarding copyright law violations. He has
again
violated copyright laws by publishing our graphs in his email messages
without
our permission.
I
have no problem giving credit when it due, however, Mr. winter is
simply
demanding credit that is not due. He did not inspire HeartMath, he did
not
teach us everything we know, and he never worked for HeartMath, etc.
I
sincerely feel that the mission of spreading heart coherence on the
planet
would be better served if Mr. Winter chose to devote his energies to
increasing
the methodological rigor of his own work rather than seeking to openly
decry
and propagate falsehoods regarding the work of others. To do this only
harms
the larger mission of bringing heart coherence to the world.
Rollin
McCraty
Director
of Research
Statement of
Prof. Gary Schwartz
Sent via Email, September 1999
Prof Schwartz sent this statement as a public comment as to why he
ultimately could not work with Mr. Winter on the "Heartlink" device
(the 1999-2000 predecessor to the "Heart Tuner" that Mr. Winter
currently sells). "Eartheart" (mentioned by Prof. Schwartz) was the
company put together by Mr. Winter and his associates to market the
"Heartlink".
Date: Fri, 3 Sep 1999 06:09:51 -0700 (MST)
From: Gary E Schwartz <gschwart@U.Arizona.EDU>
To: [addresses deleted]
Subject: No explanation of software, hence no research
Hello everyone - I just learned from Stan that Dan is claiming that
Stan caused Linda and I to withdraw from Eartheart (or some such
thing). That is nonesense, and you know it. As
I have told all of you, repeatedly, Linda and I can not conduct
research on equipment unless we know what the equipment does and what
the numbers mean. We can not publish findings using equipment
that do not specify what they do. I wanted to speak with
Andrew, the programmer, to have him explain precisely what he did, and
what the numbers meant. Dan told me that this was not
advisable. So we waited. First, for
information. Then for the next generation hardware and
software. We are still waiting.
I told Stan that as a researcher, it was not for me to judge who was
right and wrong about what regarding the Stan / Dan
dispute. My role as a researcher was to evaluate a device
--- hardward and software, and see if did what it claimed, and extend
it to our areas of interest. Whether Dan was a genius,
psychotic, or psychopath was not of concern to me as a
researcher. As a researcher, my concern is simple - does
the device do what it says it does?
I have been patiently waiting for information about software. I
have been patiently waiting for new hardware and software.
As all of you know, I have no formal relationship with Eartheart, no
financial arrangement, no consulting or advising
relationship. Just friendship and interest in the big
vision of bringing the heart to the world, with integrity.
Also for the record, research is one thing, active involvement with a
company is another. Concerning the former (research), the
is, and has been, waiting to find out precisely what the software does
before we collect research data. Concerning the latter
(involvement with a company), that depends upon the status of the
company, its staff and goals, etc. My decision about
Eartheart required RESEARCH DATA first, then possible discussion of
future involvement....You have known that I have concerns about
Eartheart as a company, and Stan has contributed to those
concerns. But collecting research data to evaluate the
claims of a device has nothing to do with those concerns. I
am interested primarily in the message, not the messagers.
I am still waiting to evaluate the message.
This email can be shared. It is simple. We were
loaned a device to evaluate and potentially extend. The
instructions did not explain precisely how the software
works. We needed this information to justify collecting
data. We never received this information. We
were told a new device, with new software, was being developed, and
that the new device would include detailed information about how the
software worked. We have not seen this device and new
software. Hence, we wait.
The problems with Stan and Dan cause political problems for all
concerned. But they do not alter the device. It either works or
does not. If it did, we would publish and say it did,
regardless of Stan and Dan. If it did not, we would publish and
say it did not, regardless of Stan and Dan. That is our role as
researchers....It is what academics do. It is why Linda and
I have credibility in science. And it is why Eartheart
wanted us to evaluate its device.
I trust you can present these simple facts clearly to whomever needs to
know them - potential investors, lawyers, judges, whomever.
Meanwhile, we wait for information on the software.
Warmly, Gary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gary E. R. Schwartz, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology, Neurology, Psychiatry, and Medicine
Director, Human Energy Systems Laboratory
Co-facilitator in Energy Medicine, Program in Integrative Medicine
Department of Psychology University of Arizona
An Examination of Some Claims Which
Have Been Made about the Heart
Tuner,
and about Institute of Heart
Math and their Freeze Framer Device
—Vinny Pinto, May 2004
Background
Because of the fact that I often write about heart coherence,
HeartMath and the Freeze Framer feedback device on my Coherence website and on the Coherence e-mail list group, I am
regularly asked by people about the differences between the Heart Math
(aka HeartMath) Freeze Framer
educational heart feedback device and the Heart Tuner marketed by Dan Winter
and his associates, and I am frequently asked for my reaction to
certain claims and stories which have been spread by Dan Winter about
the Insitute of Heartmath and their Freeze
Framer device. Portions of one such recent inquiry (an
e-mail, in this case), and my response (with some editing for clarity),
are reproduced below:
I first became aware
of this research from the HeartMath Solutions book, and recently read
some of the articles relating to the HeartTuner and Dan Winter. The
HeartTuner sounds interesting based on the rather esoteric articles
that are linked to it, regarding sacred geometry and other highly
complex mathematical links to heart coherence.
The company that make
the HeartTuner seem to criticise HeartMath and the Freezeframer,
and I believe Vinny may be posting the HeartMath reply to those
criticisms. If it's not too much trouble Vinny, I'd appreciate you
sending me that article so I can best decide what product to purchase.
I'm
hoping to get one of these devices and use it every day with either
Cut-Thru or some other deep meditation or process....
I could go on for many more paragraphs, especially about the fact
that the IHM folks offer with the FF device many hours of free training
(much in AV form on your PC) in how to attain heart coherence, but also
background info on coherence and its benefits.
Bottom line: I strongly recommend the Freeze Framer over the Heart Tuner, for the above reason
as well as a few others. I have owned the Heartmath Freeze Framer for years, and still
use it regularly; I recently upgraded to version 2.0. If the Heart Tuner had a price tag of
$110 US dollars instead of 13 times that, I would likely be happy to
purchase one and play with it, especially to get a better idea of the
heart waveforms which the device is examining, as well as the
correlative inner states. However, for what it does offer, and
especially for what it does not offer (it does not offer detection of
the waveforms measured by the IHM FF device), I personally feel that it
is simply not worth anywhere near the asking price.
"...One further
thought. Dishonest people, and people who enjoy hurting others --
like Mr. Winter -- count on the fact that the vast majority of healthy,
caring, well-intended people are not suspicious by nature, and accept
what they are told at face value. This is good. Decent,
caring people should not have to be suspicious, and should not need to
double-check every claim that is made. But unfortunately, this
means that decent, caring people, young and old, students and
professionals, are easily deceived by people like Mr. Winter, who go to
so much trouble to deceive them.
Since I am often asked as well by callers for my response to the writings on heart coherence by Dan Winter, I will briefly restate here some of my opinions on this matter.
I remain extremely confused by most of Dan's writings on heart
coherence, especially the vast majority of the many assertions and
claims he makes -- frankly, they make little sense to me at all (that
may be because I am a simple country boy living in a wilderness area in
the mountains with a bunch of chickens and ducks!), and my intuition
tells me that many of these claims and assertions are simply
incorrect. Further, as a credentialed scientist with a graduate
degree in my field, I find on the level of rigourous intellectual
reason as well that many of Dan's assertions and claims do not make
sense to me.
In closing, I would like to offer a few excerpts from a recent
public letter entitled ADVISORY
REGARDING DAN WINTER: All That Glitters Is Not Gold,
written by Dr. Sonja S. Klug, a respected scientist and
researcher in Europe who apparently had briefly encountered Dan Winter
during his sojourn in Europe:
The full text of Dr. Klug's article may be found at: www.danwinter.com/GermanAdvisory-English.html
I have recently started a list group devoted to coherence,
especially heart coherence, incoherence, and coherence fffects in the
world and on human life and health.
A List Group Moderated by Vinny
Pinto, Devoted to the Topic of Coherence, Especially Heart Coherence
This list group is devoted to the emerging field of coherence of
consciousness and particularly heart coherence, especially the type
often described by researchers at HeartMath Institute (which involves
coherence of heart rate variability, or HRV) and the
consciousness coherence which the Global Consciousness Project, aka
GCP, is attempting to assess via use of EGG sensors employing random
number generators, aka RNG, aka random event generators, aka REG.
Scope includes discussion of effects of coherence on our lives and
physical reality. Particular attention may be paid to ways and
means of attaining states of inner heart coherence, sometimes measured
via the Freeze Framer, an
investigatory feedback device from Heart Math. The
discussion may at times embrace the concepts of recursiveness and
nesting, e.g., of nested or packed information folded or embedded in
certain waveforms or wave phenomena, although there has been a lot of
hyperbole and half-fact extant in that area over the past few years,
and the discussion may also include the occurrence of phi ratios of
frequencies in examined coherence waveforms May also
include discussion of the HeartTuner,
aka Heart Tuner heart feedback device and the HeartLink, aka Heart Link feedback
device. Yes, discussion may involve the new PC-based biofeedback
adventure game, Journey to the Wild
Divine, which incorporates heart coherence detection methods
licensed by HeartMath Institute. In closing, yes, one of the
fields of discussion on this Coherence list group will be the
synergistic beneficial antioxidative microbial culture known EM
(effective microorganisms) and the anti-entropic, or syntropic (aka
negentropic) coherence effects of some formulations and fermentations
of this unique culture, due largely due the phototrophic
(photosynthetic) microbes present in it.
The list group is operated by Vinny Pinto, a healer, mystic, and
degreed scientist who has also trained at the graduate level in stress
management and aging, statistical methods, experimental research
methods, psychotherapy (clinical psychology) and acupuncture (Worsley's
Five Elements system.)
To subscribe to this list group, please send an e-mail to:
coherence-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or, go to the list group home page at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/coherence
Read Rollin McCraty's Statement (Institute of
Heart Math)