Heart Coherence Update
Heart Coherence team
april, 2005

including:

ANNOUNCEMENT NEW HEART TUNER PRO-04 Version1.1

Article "The Fractal Heart"

Backgrounds on Internal Coherence and the Heart Tuner

www.heartcoherence.com/fractalheart

NEW HEART TUNER PRO-04 Version 1.1

*** fully functional demo version 1.1 at www.heartcoherence.com/pro04privatedemo ***

a price list for new purchase or updating from existing "PRO" is available - please send your inquiries
to:

Heart Coherence Team
tel.: 0031-(0)53-4361096
fax: 0031-(0)53-4361101
website: www.heartcoherence.com
email: info@heartcoherence.com

The Fractal Heart

by: Frank van den Bovenkamp
updated 05-04-2005

The meaning of the word "Heart" in a philosophical or transcedental sense could be something
like "that which is able to maintain itself as a living nucleus in an essentially chaotic ("entropic")
environment". This is also known as the esoteric "Anu", ranging from the hydrogen atom to a
galaxy. It is a bit of a miracle in itself, on the other hand science is able to say a few sensible
things about it.

The beauty of the biological heart is that it allows you to directly experience this living nucleus
in physical form and function, and at the same time feel its so called "transcedental" aspect -
which, after all, is a kind of physics of its own.

From a physiological perspective, we might want to develop a model of the ideal functioning
of the heart, practically meaning an "ideal" or at least optimized heart rate. This would then serve
both the physical function of the heart (i.e. "pumping blood") as well as its subtler function, that
of ensoulment, the ability of awareness-focus and hence coherent perception, and alltogether
emotional coherence.

In a diagram it could look as follows:

In this diagram it becomes immediately clear that a simple, straightforward "heart rate algorithm"
serving all purposes at the same time is quite unlikely. A somewhat simplified approach is to optimize
the heart rate primarily for breathing (Heart Math Institute) which may have certain psycho-physical
benefits (externalised, performance oriented psychology), but leaves aside other, more internalised
aspects. Cleary, in this view of the heart as "Anu", the activity of "pumping" is only the perceived
mechanical function of the heart, whereas its original purpose is the much broader requirement of
sustainability in a complex resp. entropic environment"). The electro-physiology of the heart's pulse
seems to create a link to, or embedding in, the underlying physics we use to think of as "transcedental",
or etc. but is now increasingly understood as a tangible physics of infinite connectedness, that is,
"ensoulment". Thus in a way, we could think of the biological heart simply as an excuse of nature to
do something creatative with the physics of the electric pulse. The inner optimised physics of this pulse
living inside the human heart is what we measure with the Heart Tuner and call internal coherence.

Using the same diagram, we could propose an "ideal heart rate" for each single purpose:

In other words, ideally the heart rate would respond to the various physical etc. demands, which
are certainly as a combination completely chaotic, while at the same time it must be steady for
ideal awareness-focus, the ability of coherent perception. This is of course pretty incompatible
and this "incompatibility" in a way is a microcosm of human life alltogether.. So, something like
an "ideal" heart rate or pattern may seem an impossibility. But is it so?

The mathematical and real physics solution, in a scientific style, which unites the opposites of
order and choas, in this case of steady vs. chaotic heart rate is called "fractality" or self-similarity
(see more below). In a way, self-similarity is Nature's solution for how to make "coherent chaos",
or chaos coherent... how would you like to descibe your life..?

Practically it implies- and here is an ancient lesson to be learned once more - how to happily unite
the reality of your primary physical existence with your soul's desire.. This doesn't strike like a
thunderbolt does it? Just be a good boy or girl, or in yogic style, live up to the "yama's and niyama's"
(moral guidelines) and your heart becomes fractal (and, hence, light as a feather)! There must be a
reason why all eastern philosophies are in the deepest sense self-referring..

Now, back to real science, to make the "heart rate diagram" complete - what are the condition
of the pumping and the electro-physiology in the fractal heart? According to Dan Winter, the
inventor of internal coherence measurement, in the ideal situation the human heart is a "vortex-
thrower" - it practically means that the heart, and in fact the entire cardio-vascular system becomes
highly self-sustained and self-empowering (light as a feather indeed.. ). Secondly, the electro-physiology
is optimized and this is something we measure as internal coherence or harmonic inclusiveness.
So, allthough not litterally a fractal condition by itself, internal coherence is the condition which
allows the heart rate to become fractal. And the way round, internal coherence is a measure for
the ability of psycho-physical, and in particular psycho-spiritual attunement.

To stick with the "Anu" analogy: the principle of the internal heart's electrical signature which keeps you
healthy, physically as well as psychically, is just the same as what keeps atoms from becoming radio-
active - that is, leaking their life force... This mode of "sustainable dynamism", which is today
mathematically well described by complexity theory, is the true science of life, which we call coherence
physics.

note that Mohammed El Nascie, Univ. of Cairo says:
"... the usual leading particle physicist is totally disinterested in chaos and fractals, and the usual
leading nonlinear dynamacist usually applies his knowledge in classical fields and never has the
time to be trained in particle physics..."

Conseqeuntly, although there may not be a "hard" technical connection between HRV and internal
coherence (which Rollin McCraty of Heart Math is claiming in a meagre attempt to convince himself
that internal coherence is not a commercial threat.. see www.soulinvitation.com/compare/ ) at the
end of the day biology itself chooses where it wants to be. This may lead to new therapeutical paradigm
of heart-rate PLUS internal coherence training, where we want to see a good HRV with at the same time
the capability of achieving high internal coherence. A possible new predictor of physical PLUS (subtler)
psychic health.

see for more backgrounds on fractal heart rate in particular the work of Ary Goldberger,
Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School

"The normal heart rate time series is fractal-like and seems to display the fractal property of self-similarity
over different time scales without a characteristic time scale. The power spectra of heart rate time series
have been shown to concur with 1/f behaviour, which is essential for fractal-like behaviour and also
characteristic of chaotic behaviour. Normal heart rate time series have been shown to demonstrate a
“strangelike” attractor, which is characteristic of chaotic as opposed to random or periodic signals. Based
on this Ary Goldberger has concluded that “the most compelling clinical example of cardiac chaos is
paradoxically found in the dynamics of the normal sinus rhythm”. These chaotic, fractal and nonlinear
qualities of heartbeat behaviour have inspired investigators to develop new analysing methods of heart
rate behaviour" (Mandelbrot 1982, Goldberger 1996, Goldberger & West 1987, Yamamoto et al. 1995)".

article: a healthy heart is a fractal heart by Barry A. Cipra

Screenshot of Heart Tuner PRO-04 internal coherence ("cepstrum") screen, with active pop-up peak detector and
optional bpm indicator. "Camera" button on top for on-the-fly graphic and data capture. The Heart Tuner measures
both quick coherence events and long time averaged coherence (below), also used in the biofeedback games.

The new PRO-04 version has a so called "normalised" Internal Coherence plot ("%" button) which means that the
actual Internal Coherence is compensated for variations in skin voltage, and in fact even actual EKG voltage. This
makes it a universally shareble (0 - 100%) diagnosis.

Heart Tuner PRO-04 long time averaged internal coherence ("i.c. tacho"), showing the dynamics of internal coherence
through time (in the case a meditation session). Scale, timebase and averaging are directy adjustable. This curve is
also used for the game themes.

Often, people in a leading position show a high degree of internal coherence. Implying a certain
degree of straightforwardness and singlemindedness in achieving a goal, should however not be
confused with plain rigidity or unflexibility. It is proven again and again that the internally
coherent heart can be very emphatic at the same time. In the heart tuner "cepstrum" screen,
this is seen as the coherence peak being high, but at the same time flexibly moving along the horizontal
axis. Allthough internal coherence as such does not prescibe or require any specific heart rate or
pattern, it was measured that in experienced meditators, internal coherence co-incides with virtually
"no HRV" (Bill Tiller) - in above diagram the ideal condition of coherent perception.

So, internal coherence is itself not directly a receipe for any specific heart rate or style,
but it is the pivotal point and leverage for the heart to find an optimal, holistic equipoise.

Entraining internal coherence means, entraining to bring chaos in harmony with stillness, entraining
a spirit of expression and at the same time purposefullness of practical life. In the field of bio-
feedback, while other methods may enhance rather externalized performance, the Heart Tuner,
through harmonic inclusiveness, additionally entrains the more subtle, deeper and long time sustainable
benefits of inner coherence and emotional integrity. It makes up the difference between "psycho-
physical" and "psycho-spiritual" oriëntation.

Math Fun!! - The famous and amazingly beautiful "Mandelbrot" fractal is a true discovery - rather than an invention, allthough it needed a fast computer to bring it to the surface. Its shape deeply reminds us of how Nature creates. Like the way real life was often conceptualized as the play of two engaging principles, see in many spiritual traditions, the life-like Mandelbrot fractal (or any other fractal) is a well-choosen visualisation of how two (mathematical or physical) principles engage in mutual creation. Generally, you could think of one as a relative aspect and the other as an embedded or holistic aspect. How does it work in a fractal? In a fractal, the relative aspect exists in the form of the X-Y co-ordinates, where every point exists, and is defined among others, that is, relative to others. The holistic aspect exists in the form of an endlessly repeating ("itterative") formula, where every point exists as an expression of others, implied by others. To make them both play together, the X-Y co-ordinates are used as a variable in the repetitive formula, for each single point. For each point, after a certain number of itterations, the final result is assigned a colour value depending on whether it turns out to be zero, fluctuating, chaotic, or infinite or anything inbetween. This creates a different colour for each point on the screen, and together they form the shape of the fractal. Different smart colour schemes were invented to emphasise different aspects of a fractal. The fractal is beautiful analogy of life, where our senses and brain make us feel a part in the whole, while our heart makes us realise being a part of the whole.. fractal generated by "xaos", http://xaos.theory.org/

The New Heart Tuner PRO-04 - record / replay features, game themes and sample viewer

more info: go directly to PRO-04 user guide at:

The PRO-04 project module featured in the "medium" and "professional" version lets you record and replay
up to 1 hour A+B channel ECG and/or EEG with the ease of a casette recorder. Use the up / down scroll
wheel for accurate stepping through the recorded data.

	Set application window and background
	Minimize / maximize Main Menu
	Recorder: File functions and project select
	Recorder: Replay scroll wheel
	Recorder: Day time / recorder time
	Recorder: Current project name
	Recorder: Add event tag
	Recorder: Current event tag
	Recorder: Recorder controls
	Modules and Functions selection: show and hide display modules show and hide function modules load / save screen configurations exit

During recording click on the big button to add "event markers". Type the name of the event (event tag)
conveniently after the click. If you work alone, set the mouse pointer on the event button and take the mouse
relaxed in your hand as a hand held click button. Store an entire session including events on your hard disk for
later evaluation. Alternatively you can export the raw data for external analysis.

During auto or manual replay ALL other PRO-04 functions keep working as during a normal session
(allthough during manual reverse the averaging & waterfall may be bit ambiguous..). You can name or
rename event tags also after recording and make more screen caps as you wish for the sample viewer.


channel input screen (A) with tagged event marker

The PRO-04 Game themes (medium + professional version) visualise the long time averaged internal coherence
measurement as in below History module, which will later also include the A+B tachogram for direct comparison.
Time- and vertical scaling as well as averaging time are on the fly adjustable.

In the new Heart Tuner the (averaged) coherence value as displayed in the games is compensated for EKC / EEG
voltage which may vary from person to person, for example as a result of skin resistance - what you see is real
("absolute") and therefore comparable internal coherence (scientifically measured as a normalized fraction from
Volts rms-rms).

The full-screen game themes show attractive, simply amimated figures you, your client and especially kids can easily
identify with in playfull way. Imagine the challence of beeing coherent in your heart and mind in persue of your goal.
Screen captures of the "full screen" games are below. Additionally, the standard "bee happy" game is displayed on the
PRO-04 desktop.

(examples web quality)

PRO-04 Sample Viewer
With the Sample Viewer (professional version) you can make a professional multiple graph layout
and printout of all your screen captures in a very easy way. Simply select captured graphs from a
list and drag them to the white A4 print preview sheet. Same types you can darg upon eachother for
easy compare. The Sample Viewer has also a bitmap and direct .pdf export function e.g. for web
publications.

Together with the record and replay functions the new Heart Tuner is the ideal environment for
internal coherence biofeedback and reasearch.

more info: go directly to PRO-04 user guide at:
HTML: www.heartcoherence.com/userguide/pro04UserGuide.htm
Self Extractor: www.heartcoherence.com/userguide/pro04UserGuide.exe

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update summary
www.heartcoherence.com/unifiedphysics, june 04, 2004
www.heartcoherence.com/scienceorbelief, june 27, 2004
www.heartcoherence.com/fractalheart, april 05, 2005

© all rights reserved Heart Coherence team 2005