[jostmey]

The language in the article is not clear. Perhaps this post in lifehacker better explains what happens to the brain during meditation.

http://lifehacker.com/what-happens-to-the-brain-when-you-med...

So why would I want to shut off my brain?

[cratermoon]

Have you considered the possibility that beta waves are not the best indicator of brain activity? A couple of pretty graphics with colors demonstrates only an interpretation of a certain signal -- whether or not a low signal means the brain is "shut off" is entirely up to interpretation.