Reiki

I recently read an artical going over the practice of reiki as a form of healing. Reiki is a form of healing that involves acknowledging that matter(including what makes up human beings) is not solid. " We are made of energy or atoms which vibrate at a number of frequencies. In doing so we produce our own magnetic fields in the same way as the earth, which can be manipulated." Practicioners of this believe that thought is a manifestation of this energy and can be used in a positive or negative way. It is already acceped fact thet a single thought can effect a whole cascade of hormonal changes within the body which can either induce a state of profound wellbeing or misery and illness. When investigating this phenomena Dr James Oschman, a respected American cell biologist and physiologist discovered that the pulse of each heart beat is capable of pumping an electrical charge through the blood stream to different parts of the body. So certain individuals could emit fields with similar frequencies and intensities from their hands, to another, sending healing energy in the process.

David Eiserman Dec 7 2007

Neurotheology

I’ve recently read an article that explores the belief that our brains are the sole creators of what is perceived to be divine, a belief called neurotheology. The article talks of a neurologist by the name of Dr. James Austin who experiences a moment of infinity. He reflects “I, me, mine” disappeared “time was not present, and I had a sense of eternity… I had been graced by a comprehension of the ultimate nature of things.” Some would call this a mystical experience but Austin took this experience as “proof of the existence of the brain.” He eventually published his theories in a paper entitled “Zen and the Brain” inspiring other scientists to flock to this phenomena. Studies to investigate the effect of spiritual experiences have on the brain (or vice versa) were subsequent. They used the subject of a tibettan buddhist lost in meditation to conduct a brain scan, which would give them the identity of the brain’s spirituality circuit. The brain scan showed that the prefrontal cortex(seat of attention) lit up with activity; whereas the region, nicknamed the orientation association region, was basically turned off. This region processes information of time, and ones orientation of the body in space, determining where the body ends and the rest of the universe begins. This region requires sensory input in order to function so when one blocks that, by meditation, one prevents the brain from distinguishing between self and not-self, invoking a feeling of infinate space.

“I could hear the singing of the planets, and wave after wave washed over me. But… I was the light as well… I no longer existed as a separate ‘I’… I saw into the structure of the universe. I had the impression of knowing beyond knowledge and being given glimpses into all”

The paradox exists when one attempts to “determine whether the neurological changes associated with spiritual experience mean that the brain is causing those experiences… or is instead perceiving a spiritual reality.”

David Eiserman Dec 7 2007

Astral Projection

Recently I’ve been interested in out of body experiences and have been practicing astral projection, which before recently have I only done by accident. Astral projection is a method for separating your spiritual body from your physical body. In order to separate these two one must turn off all physical stimuli, by entering a state of extreme relaxation, similar to sleep. The best way I’ve found to do this is by lying down with your forearm in the air and you upper arm on the bed. When you start to fall asleep your arm will fall and wake you. The goal is essentially to let your body go to sleep but keep your mind awake. When you reach a certain point of relaxation, takes me about an hour, you become tuned to perceive vibrational frequencies. Which is entirely audible, and somewhat loud, sounding like an electric tearing. You must attempt to harmonize with and be able to control these vibrations. At this point I try to send a wave from my head to my toes ionizing my spiritual body in the process. Once comfortable and deep into this state I then visualize a strand of spider’s silk pulling my forehead upwards. This is when one is able to leave their body, and explore the astral plane. On my last attempt I was unsure whether I was “there” or not so I pushed against my bed and began to float up to the ceiling, then realizing that I was free to explore. I still am having trouble remembering these experiences but im sure with more practice I will be more adept. I just wanted to blog about my newest obsession hopefully inspiring some curious souls to give it a shot.

David Eiserman Dec, 9, 2007

The End

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love.... you make"


This quote comes from The Beatles "The End" on their 1969 relaese of Abby Road. When i first heard this song that line struck a very resonating chord with me. For the idea of giving only as much as one takes is a very karmatic approach, which i happen to identify with greatly. it says that in the end, we have only taken as much love that we have contributed, i think of this idea as, not limited to just love but, any emotion. As when one experiences an emotion it is released into the pool that is the collective unconsciousness, stimulating a complementory feeling in another. Or more directly from one person to another.

David Eiserman Dec 7 2007

Amusment parks.

In our last class Dr. Redick, read a paper he wrote that explored the capatalist society a a religion of sorts. In his paper he talked about how money is the driving force in ones life, and that to many pilgramiging to the capitalist mecca of disney world(or any theme park) is the goal of their deterministic existance. As once they enter the park are they free from the "make, save" mindset that consumes their lives and replaced with one that encourages freedom to "spend, spend, spend". It was only 2 days afterward that i was standing in line at the bank, that i overhear a teller talking with an account holder about how "once every year" each goes to Bush Gardens, to unwind and perhaps even temperaraly enjoy ones life.

I just though it was funny, and worth a blog.

David Eiserman Dec 7 2007

Cosmos

It was earlier in the semester that we talked about religions purpose in establishing and maintaining cosmos amidst chaos. This can be elaborated to, without religion, or some kind of structure we are all part of chaos participating in the random spiral that has no end. It is only when one fathoms the end do they believe that everything leading up was meant to be. Religion is important because it provides a culture with an end, thus establishing cosmos. And the fact that religions are groups with many participants only strengthens cosmos. So very many, it seems to me, participate in a religion because others do as well, following the person in front of them in a metaphorical labyrinth where none can see the center. I believe that it is only once one determines that chaos to be cosmos in its most pure form are they free to discover thir own cosmos.

David Eiserman Dec 7 2007

Wisdom sits in places.

Even after reading Martin Ball’s response to Keith Basso’s philosophical speculations I must say that I still agree with Basso’s ideas. Those being that what a “sacred place” is, is relative to the viewer, meaning “places express only what their animators allow them to say”. I base this solely in the fact that all different cultures consider different places sacred for different reasons, reasons that are determined by the area in which the culture occupies. For example the Japanese consider Mt. Fuji to be sacred when no other cultures do, and if the sacred place is inherently sacred then why don’t more believe it to be. I think what is sacred is all relative to the person, in that, ones landscape (where they have grown up and live) is considered to be sacred as they possess a connection with it, through ancestry or memories of the past.

David Eiserman Dec, 7, 2007

Fractal geometey

Fractal geometry is a fairly new field of study, which focuses on understanding the dynamic structure of chaos. Fractals are the result of simple mathmatical equations that are repeated indefinatly. the most widly known and the first fractal ever brought to life was that of the mandlebrot set which used the simple equation of z = z^2 + c. The output recycles into the input perpetuating the cycle into infinity. this mechanistic following of rules has huge application in living systems, and fractal geometry is just now begenning to help in understanding the way our world, bodies, and even brains function. All living things are incredibly complex, but what determines ones physical makeup is determined by a simple sequence of base pairs encoded into our DNA. the simple sequence through devolopment is repeated over and over creating complexity in the process. If one was to look at a tree and observe its branches to determine the pattern they follow, one would realize it follows a simple rule and essentially is a fractal. The human circulatory system is also another good example of fractal geometry, as the network veins, capillaries, and arteries follow a specific fractal pattern as they scope from large to small. Fractal geometry, i belive, is a huge leap foward in understanding how life works as it privides a standard of organization for living systems.

david eiserman december 6 2007

Gestalt therapy

i recently rescued a book entitled "turning on" by Rasa Gustaitis from a dumpster, which i am very proud of since i cant imagine there are many copies circulating as it went out of print in the early 70's... But any ways

In the beginning of the book the author visits a retreat that practices a unique form of treatment, called gestalt therapy. from what i have read i have gained this understanding of the process. Your average person possesses a lattice work thought/ideas, which determine our needs and desires. when one is unhappy or without drive it is because there is a gap in this network. this type of therapy focuses on an individuals experience at the present moment, emphasizing on personal responsibility for ones current position. Inventive means of realization like role playing guided by a highly skilled therapist are ways of making one realize what is lacking and why they cannot rely on others to provide the missing piece. Though this practice has dwindled in popularity over the years i belive it is a great way to come to terms with ones current position and determine what changes need to be made in order to be happy.

David Eiserman December 15 2007

Creativity as means to experience divine

I have been reading The Mission of Art by alex grey as a source for my research paper and it was not until i read the final paragraaph was i able to entirely grasp the idea of creativity as a force in human devolopment. As said in the text; creativity was a seed planted in the hearts of primal man, which provides "contact with the universal creative force beyond time" or more simply stated as contact with god. As the seed took root man progressed and cultures interacted, becoming homogenized in an ethereal melting pot. brodaning everyones awarness in the process. I now am aware that this process is one with an end, which essentially is also a begenning. For once ones creative potential or connection with god is permenantly established are they them selves able to become god, in that they could potentially cause the next big bang.

"Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration. That we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively. There is no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves."

-Bill Hicks

David Eiserman Dec. 5 2007