Zaadz: Spiritual Transformations

Re: Welcome to the Spiritual Technologies Pod!

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 20:38:24 -0000

I haven't bought DMAE for many years - when I did I was buying it at one of the GNC stores, and maybe it is still available there. You have to be able to get it on the net somewhere.

This was during that period in the late eighties and early nineties when intelligence increasing nutrients and chemicals were all the rage.

Supposedly an acetylcholine precursor, (actually a choline precursor) that made it possible for the brain to make all the acetylcholine it could use.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DMAE

Re: Ayahuasca / Bobinsana

Sat, 09 Dec 2006 22:29:49 -0000

The quotes below are from "Now is the Time to Open Your Heart" by Alice Walker, about her personal experience with Bobinsana, used as part of the Dietas in preparation for Ayahuasca--but important in it's own right as a teacher of dreams. I have been drinking its tea regularly and it does evoke powerful healing dreams.

----

Kate was exhausted by the time Armando's song was completed. She wanted only to sleep. Armando turned to Cosmi and asked him to bring her a special medicine. He explained to Kate, as Cosmi approached with a pitcher full of an earth-colored liquid, that this medicine, Bobinsana, would help her have lucid dreams. And in her lucid dream tonight, she would be able to talk in the right way to her ancestor.

----

Was it the _medicina_, the Bobinsana, that gave her this clarity? This certainty? It will make you see things in your life in a different way, Armando had promised. It will teach you to see through your own plots. Kate smiled, thinking of his warning. It is a plant, furthermore, that grows deep, deep, deep beside the river and remains where it is planted always. The river may change course but the plant will never move. When you drink it you too will want to root yourself, to find your riverbank and never uproot yourself again.

When Armando told them about the Bobinsana Kate had had an image of everyone in America, the land of speed and movement, drinking it, and suddenly realizing they might as well stay where they are.

----

And she, after a few moments of thought, began to tell him about the amazing plant, Bobinsana, that grew beside the river, whose roots, dissolved in water, she had drunk morning and night, and how she had begun to have dreams that diagnosed the illnesses of others.

Re: Ayahuasca / Bobinsana

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 05:07:29 -0000

Tell us more Bill...Where does one find the bobinsana? I guess I will google it:)

The other night I was having this lucid dream and as soon as I realized it, I fought myself to wake up! I could hear myself whimpering in paralysis and told myself to just relax, it will pass, tried to focus, and finally I woke up. I wonder how bad these experiences are for my brain, spirit...etc...
It really is starting to piss me off that I am so scared to be free when i get the chance to dream lucidly. When i havent had one in awhile, I almost nostalgically/sadly wonder why. Then when i do have one, i am too scared to enjoy or learn while in that state. It doesnt make sense! I can really have a lucid dream anytime I want to...... I think it is time for some serious disciplining both physically and mentally. For some reason, I think I have this thought that I will get trapped in my dreams and never wake up. I dont want to be scared of death. Enough of my rambling...

dream deep
B

Awakening by Samael Aun Weor

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 03:22:58 -0000

The Human Being in his fascinated trance does not remember his Self. We must Self-Remember our Selves from moment to moment. We need to Self-Remember our Selves in the presence of every representation that could fascinate us. Let us hold ourselves while in front of any representation and ask ourselves: Where am I? Am I in the physical plane? Am I in the astral plane? Then, give a little jump with the intention of floating within the surrounding atmosphere. It is logical that if you float it is because you are outside the physical body. Thus, the outcome will be the awakening of consciousness.

The purpose of asking this question at every instant, at every moment is with the intention of engraving it within the sub-consciousness, so that it may manifest later during the hours given to sleep, hours when the ego is really outside the physical body. You must know that in the astral plane, things appear just as here in this physical plane. This is why during sleep, and after death, people see everything there in a form very similar to this physical world. This is why they do not even suspect that they are outside their physical body. Therefore, no dead person ever believes himself to have died; because he is fascinated and profoundly asleep.

If the dead had made a practice of remembering themselves from moment to moment when they were alive, if they had struggled against the fascination of the things of the world, the outcome would have been the awakening of their consciousness. They would not dream. They would walk in the internal worlds with awakened consciousness. Whosoever awakens the consciousness can study during the hours of sleep all the marvels of the superior worlds. Whosoever awakens the consciousness lives in the superior worlds as a totally awakened citizen of the Cosmos. One then coexists with the Great Hierophants of the White Lodge.

read more

Re: Ayahuasca / Bobinsana

Tue, 26 Dec 2006 20:16:21 -0000

Hi Breeze, I know what you're going through with your lucid dream exploration. My encouragement is to approach lucid dreaming as a conscious dreaming or meditation practice for achieving mindfulness in all states of consciousness. My suggestions for lucid navigation: * Set your intention for what you want to dream before falling asleep. * Charge your pre-sleep intention with positive thoughts and emotion. * When you "awake" in the dream go with the flow and have fun with it. * While in the dream know that you are the captain of your dreaming. I've found that I'm able to successfully LD most often during afternoon naps or while napping on a weekend morning after a good night sleep. I also recommend googling up two excellent lucid dream authors/lecturers - Stephen LaBerge and Jeremy Taylor. Happy dreams, Dave

Re: Ayahuasca / Bobinsana

Fri, 05 Jan 2007 03:04:13 -0000

Breeze, hi. Sorry for the delay in response, was out of town for part of the holiday.

I got my Bobinsana in the form of (root?) wood chips from Jerome Black at Amazon Theraputics Labs in Murphy Oregon. Jerome is the ethnobotanist and founder and I spoke to him on the phone. I think a half pound bag of chips cost me around $50. You boil them, just like making Chinese herbal remedies (if you need more specifics let me know). At the time I ordered a year ago this was the only supplier I could find. http://herbs-america.com/about/index.html

Since that time a couple other suppliers have shown up. These guys are using the leaves and bark, certainly kinder to the plant than harvesting root stock, but the quote above from Walker refers to the root tea.

http://www.amazon-botanicals.com/Bobinsana_s/78.htm $20 for a two oz bottle of extract. Not sure how this compares to what I'm currently using, but seems like it could be a good deal, convenient. But two oz compared to several cups you get from brewing just a handful of chips... might be more expensive in the long run.

http://www.maya-ethnobotanicals.com/product_listbuy.phtml/type_commonname/viewby_B
Maya Ethnobotanicals is in Switzerland, so shipping would be expensive. They are selling just the plain bulk leaves.

----

As far as effects. What I notice is that it increases the intensity and "relevance" of the dream experience so that more potentially useful "guidance" material comes through. It does not induce lucid dreaming per se, but I have had several semi-lucid experiences with it, but these are not the rule. However if you are already facile at lucid dreaming this could only enhance the depth of the process. This is a beautiful plant teacher in my opinion, gentle, deep, insightful. Invoking your own wisdom and ability to make connections.

Warm regards,

--Bill

Re: Ayahuasca / Bobinsana

Fri, 05 Jan 2007 04:50:58 -0000

Thanks DAVE! How kind of you to respond. I greatly appreciate your suggestions. I have read alot of Stephen LaBerge's work but have not come across Jeremy Taylor.

I too am more apt to having a LD during a nap. I believe it is because the brain is more active during the light hours of day. A bit of Cafffeine before a daytime nap (Which seems like a pretty rare happening) has also produced states of hypnagogia and the ability to venture forth into an LD or an OBE.

Re: Ayahuasca / Bobinsana

Fri, 05 Jan 2007 04:54:49 -0000

Bill, Thank you so much for the links. I am definitely looking into experimenting after I become more comfortable in my dreams. I will be sure to report my experiences here in this pod when I do:)
Thanks again!
Bri

Re: Ayahuasca / Bobinsana

Sat, 06 Jan 2007 01:53:39 -0000

I just ordered a bottle of the Bobinsana extract (mentioned above) and will let the group know the effectiveness of the extract compared to making ones own tea from chips or leaves/bark (which I've been doing for about a year).

Going deeper: panic

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 18:08:00 -0000

I'm posting here to see if there's anyone else who has experienced something like this. I have been meditating for a couple of years now, and in life seem to be generally settling into myself more and more. Lately, though, when I sit down to meditate, there begins to be a panicky feeling that grows as my relaxation otherwise increases, perceived as the sense of something looking over my right shoulder. It's a very specific feeling of vulnerability, like that particular spot is "unguarded" somehow and threatened. Does anyone here know anything about this? I'm eager to see what you have to teach me. Thanks. :) - Ruth

Re: Going deeper: panic

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 23:32:11 -0000

First, nothing to fear and perhaps a sign of your deepening. My Tibetan teachers would say sit with it and let the breath dissipate the energy. If you want to engage it, a view from NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) would be that it is a part that needs integration. It could be giving notice by offering discomfort. An interesting technique they teach is to bring the "part" from your right shoulder down your arm and lovingly into your hands or to your altar where you can engage it and ask questions to find out what information it is willing to share at the time. A general rule is that every part has a positive intention regardless of how discomforting it may cause you to feel. I would be sure it feels safe since it may be vulnerable, then ask it what it is and what positive intention is has for me in creating the panicy feeling. After thanking it for communicating, I would ask it what it needs to feel safe and offer that safety with other parts of me. When it is ready to integrate I take my hands and physically fold it into my chest and visualize it going into my heart. I can feel if it worked or not. If it doesn't integrate, I revisit the part at a later time when I feel discomfort, converse with it, or ask it to provide information to me in my dreams. Enjoy!

WORLD SOUND HEALING DAY ~ FEB 14, 2007

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 23:28:38 -0000

The 5th Annual

WORLD SOUND HEALING DAY

FEB. 14, 2007

Sounding an "AH" for planetary peace!

WHAT: World Sound Healing Day-The Sound Heard Around the World. For five minutes, sound healers, meditators, peace activists and lovers of all humanity and sentient consciousness will send a Sonic Valentine to the Earth with the heartsound "AH" filled with the intention of Peace and Love! (visit: www.healingsounds.com for more information on this event and to download an "AH" sound you can tone with)

WHEN: February 14, 2007, join Jonathan Goldman, the Sound Healers Association and thousands of people throughout the planet as they tone an "AH" together for five minutes during that day, projecting the energy of Light & Love throughout the Planet. You will actually experience generating a field of transformational energy as this occurs. Any time on February 14^th that you feel guided to sound for Planetary Peace is a good time! In addition, local toning groups will be occurring throughout the Earth at various times during that day with the intention of assisting planetary consciousness through sound. There will also be several global toning events occurring via the Internet during that day, including at noon Eastern Time on www.healthyliving.net and at 9 PM Eastern Time on www.allonenow.org.

(Please note: We have found that creating a Global Sacred Sound any time within a 24 hour period at any place on the planet will create a coherent waveform that will affect the entire Earth. Creating a sound at one specific moment is not necessary for our purpose).

WHY: To project peace throughout the planet. What better way to celebrate this joyous day of Valentine's Day then to project Peace to Mother Earth and generate peaceful energy throughout the planet with sound! Sound coupled with intention has the ability to heal and transform. We will sound an "AH" sending a wave of Sound that will resonate throughout the planet. Now is the time for you to be part of the Celestial Choir and resonate together for World Sound Healing Day. We can create major positive shifts on our beloved planet. Through sounding together we will make a difference.

HOW: Sound the heart sound "AH" for 5 minutes We will simply sound an "AH" filled with the intention of Peace and Love for 5 minutes. This can be done individually or with a group any time on February 14^th that is convenient. The "AH" is a universal, non-denominational heart sound that when projected with focused energy is extremely powerful and effective.

AND: Pass this message on. If it's appropriate, forward this announcement about this event to your mailing list or list it on your website. Tell your friends and loved ones to join our Celestial Choir and help bring peace to the planet. There will be sound healing events throughout the world. This is the 5^th World Sound Healing Day. Each previous year has been a tremendous success, creating powerful positive vibrational shifts for the planet. Please join us again in the co-creation of this event, projecting Light and Love through Sound and help make a difference!

CO-CREATED BY: Co-creators and Supporters of World Sound Healing Day are truly too numerous to list. The following are only a very small portion of the people whose support assisted previous World Sound Healing Days: Jonathan Goldman, Andi Goldman, the Sound Healers Association, Kitaro, Chris James, Gregg Braden, Tom Kenyon, Barbara Wolf, Ven. Lama Tashi, Don Campbell, Kimba Arem, Jeff Thompson, Christian Bollman, James Twyman, Steven Halpern, John Reid, Sarah Benson, Iasos, Alec Sims, Paul Utz, Crystal Tones, Sharon Shane, Fabien Maman, Joy Gardner, John Beaulieu, Laraaji, Jill Purce, Jim Albani, Gabrielle Laden, Steven Halpern, Vlastimil Marek, Solara, Tim Wheater, Joshua Leeds, Vickie Dodd, Kenji, Dean Evenson, Christine Noel, Jim Powell, Patrick Bernhard, Beth Wortzel, James D'Angelo, Dr. Charles Eagle, John French, Emily Simko, The Star Doves, Joshua Leeds, Peggy Black, the International Sound Healing Conferences, Nestor Kornblum, Lauren Monroe, Rick Allen, Dr. John Galm, Yalaha Foundation, David Gibson, the Globe Institute, Joan Vann, Yalaha Foundation, Jeff Volk, Laura Lee Mistycah, all attendees of the Healing Sounds Intensives, Amrita Cottrell, the Healing Music Organization, Zacciah Blackburn, the All One Now Network, the World Sound Healers Dr. Alice Cash, Jeff Volk, Dan Furst, Amy Robbins, Jayson Stilwell, Swami Brahmananda, Reb. Zalman, Rev. Fred Sterling/ Kirael, Solstice Institute, Jodi Serota, The META Center New York & many thousands more throughout the planet!

www.healingsounds.com

Re: WORLD SOUND HEALING DAY ~ FEB 14, 2007

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 05:30:04 -0000

How refreshing, thanks!
MAria

Re: Holotropic Breathwork

Sat, 03 Mar 2007 21:28:14 -0000

Grof studied under Leonard Orr than went on, as most of Orr's early students did, to develop wonderful adaptations for the use of what was first called rebirthing in the mid 1970's. Orr was a yoga teacher. Spending long periods of time in a sauna wild practicing pranayama breathing. By this he discovered or rediscovered the power one can experience by boosting ones oxygen levels.

Re: Holotropic Breathwork

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 19:16:33 -0000

Can anyone speak to the what was added / removed from the LSD-based work, when Holotropic Breathwork was designed? Refereces to the original LSD-based proactice would also be appreciated. Looking at the model underlying each could lend much insight.

Re: true transformation

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:31:58 -0000

Hi all,

I have enjoyed reading this thread,......

In my own experience I have found that when I am truly able to look back at a way of being/thinking etc, and see it at a clear distance, then I know that I have moved a stage/order of consciousness.

I have had a lot of experience of transitioning through 'stages'. During the transition process I notice increased feedback from others about changes in behaviour/appearance etc, as well as increased awareness of these things myself. But, when I really feel I have really shifted, not only do I see a whole set of behaviours, experiences, changes etc at a clear distance, but I also feel a physical change has occurred.

I have kept a journal throughout most of my adult life, and notice a pattern. Not only is this retrospective objectification of my previous 'stage' clearly visible...but also at the same time there are clear changes in my physical context i.e. changes in relationships, homes, jobs.

Also I have had several strong experiences of non dual states/spiritual transcendence/witness consciousness states...and these seem to occur either at the beginning of the shift or right at the end so that I can see everything that has happened from a detached ego. Usually both.

The environmental changes, inner work and transpersonal connection seem to occur as a cluster. Sort of an attractor pattern if I look the pattern of my life as a whole. My most recent shift occured about 5 years ago when I among other things, my epistemological framework was suddenly seen at a distance and I realised for the first time the multitude of options I had for making sense of the world. At this time a parent died, I moved country, started a new relationship and started a new phase of career.

Right now this thread feels timely to read and engage in because I am having behaviour shifts, environmental shifts, etc etc happen by the week. I know I am shifting forward but am in it not at a distance from it...my transition is still in process.

All of this makes sense within Kegan's subject/object theory...and a few others who write about stages/orders of consciousness. But in all my research on the subject I haven't found many of them, Wilbur and Kegan included, who have clearly articulated people's experience of process of stage shift. That is what interests me in particular.

So "wise counsel"? I have always known when I have fundamentally moved 'up a notch' (for want of a better analogy). That said, it is always very affirming to have others mirror the experience for me, particularly people who come back into my life after an absence and so are able to see with fresh eyes changes that have happened.

EM

PS: I agree on the earlier point regarding Wilbur, Kegan and the other constructive developmentalists...the cult of clinging to the idea of linear transition through levels, lines and stages actually gives me the &%^$£. And I am the worst culprit. Of course it is all essentially a great big cosmic joke of an illusion anyway........right?.

Re: true transformation

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:44:13 -0000

PS: I am so used to working with the term stages/orders that I may have slightly gotten off point when I now re read the original discussion challenge from you Sean. Thats the problem with all this jargon...states, levels, stages, quadrants, parallelograms...I think I shall take to my bed.

Re: Holotropic Breathwork

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 00:55:56 -0000

Over 20 yrs ago while on a walk seeking to communicate w/ discarnates and at the same time to stir the wind with my mind, I felt an inner urge to engage my breathing in a way that was similar to hyperventilating or some other change I can no longer remember that I imagine altered my blood gases because it soon left me tingling in my flesh like my extremities and upper body were all tingling as though I'd gotten the "pins and needles" we all associate w/ muscles falling asleep. Oxygen and CO2 out of normal balance seemed like the most likely explanation. Did I tap into a physical mechanism that is consciously activated in Holotropic Breathwork? BTW, whether I foresaw the wind "storm" or created it, the change to the atmosphere was successful and quite magnificent.

Thank you all for any comments in advance. I'm very curious as to how this works.

~Soul Friend
~~~Rick

Re: Holotropic Breathwork

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 13:40:26 -0000

The breathwork is truly amazing. Basically the same technique as Leonard Orr's Rebirthing, but with eyeshades and music. I knew Leonard, and did the One-Year Course. He should get the credit for introducing this to the West. But by whatever name its called, this is a wondrous resource for healing and transformation. No, its not LSD. But its very powerful in its own right, and is inherent in every human being. The simplest things are often the best. Simply breathing can open up so much.

Re: true transformation

Tue, 25 Dec 2007 13:11:51 -0000

I recently had an amazing experience which truly transformed me! I have since become a Vegan, solidified my identity with the cosmos and no longer fear my future and the world. I wonder how anyone would be able to tell me that I have had a transformative experience, as change in the physical world, which is what others percieve, is only gradual. And in any case, I can tell there was a change, so why would I need anyone to tell me about it.
So often with state experiences you are just left with the knowledge that there is something higher of yourself out there, but you couldn't quite take it back with you, while if it transforms you, it not only comes back, but you become it. right? How could you not notice? How could you not be certain of this change, when you look into the mirror, and something has changed. Not what you see, but the being that sees is different, which changes everything. To me, there is never any doubt about this kind of change. There is no going back, and no question as to its reality.
While of course sometimes a plato-experience can feel like a profound change has happened, it becomes clear that it hasn't relatively soon, when things go back to normal, with a slight discomfort.
What is the real difference in these experiences though? Why are we sometimes transformed and sometimes only catch a glimps?