There is a very interesting new device called
NeuroSky, which is in essence a personal electroencephalograph (EEG) in a headphone-like unit, which directly measures the gamma, beta, alpha, theta and delta brain wave rhythm generated in your brain.
It is the alpha and theta rhythms which get stronger when you are in deep mindfulness meditation. You can thus use the NeuroSky as a biofeedback device that directly reads your mind state, to try to increase the profoundness of your mediation. That is to say, you can learn to meditate more deeply by trying to get your alpha and theta rhythms to grow larger. The computer software display of the NeuroSky device looks like this:
NeuroSky software showing levels of gamma, beta, alpha, theta and delta brain waves.
The beta rhythm arises in normal waking consciousness, especially when you are doing intricate tasks like say mental arithmetic. The gamma rhythm (which was only relatively recently discovered) also occurs during intricate tasks, but is also present to a higher degree in meditators; a study showed that experienced Tibetan Buddhist meditators produce higher levels of gamma waves than non-meditators both before and during meditation. The delta rhythm occurs during sleep.
A review of the NeuroSky is give
here.
Such personal EEG brain wave devices have hitherto cost $thousand, but NeuroSky developed a single integrated circuit chip with all the required electronics on board the chip, making their EEG product both smaller and much, much cheaper to produce (NeuroSky costs $80). It is a complete revolution in this type of product. Furthermore, the NeuroSky headphone-like device does not require the usual array electrodes and electrically conductive gel to be placed on the head, so it is much more convenient and simple to use compared to a traditional EEG. You just slip it on your head like a set of headphones. I believe the NeuroSky is available for multiple platforms, including mobile devices (iOS and Android).
Though I do agree with others here that the most simple meditation techniques are often the best.
I used to be a very enthusiastic practicer of mindfulness meditation (usually Buddhist or sometimes Zen meditation), and I found it immensely fulfilling. I could easily do two-hour long meditation sessions, and I often felt not only elated afterwards, but I found my consciousness awareness of the world around me became very acute, so that I could detect a pin drop at 100 paces, metaphorically speaking. I love that feeling of increased sensitivity of consciousness that mindfulness meditation creates; and this state lasts for a good two or three days after a meditation session.
Though when I tried to get my friends to meditate, they somehow did not get into it; so I think meditation comes more naturally or easily to some people than others.
Sadly, since getting ME/CFS, I am not longer able to do meditation. If I try, I get bored and distracted, and the process feels dead. Mindfulness meditation normally generates a built up of consciousness awareness and consciousness self awareness in the mind, which feels very much alive. But now I find that during any meditation attempt I make, I no longer feel this build-up of increased sensitivity of consciousness in my mind.
In short, I now have all the consciousness sensitivity of a dead trout!