Friday, 6 June 2008
A Dream within a dream?
Are we living a dream within a dream,i posted sometime ago about dreams and how i have been waking up in them and realizing they are dreams.Sounds crazy but it happens all the time now,just the other night i was telling my family in the dream that it was all an illusion and everything around them was created by their own minds.They just laughed at me and told me not to be so silly,just like most people tell me when i mention that this could be a life playback they are living.Also when i awake in my dream i can sometimes change and control the surroundings. Is it we are slipping into another one of our lives when we dream or even taking a peek at other universes containing other versions of ourselves.Does the Daemon give us a sneak preview of what is to come ?
Matrix Warrier - Being The One
I strongly recommend that any itladians keen to understand how we are part of a greater "weltgeist" should try and track down a copy of the simply stunning Matrix Warrior - Being The One by Jake Horsley (isbn 0575075279).If you read this book with your itladian glasses on you will be stunned. It is like a 'self help' manual for an Eidolon who wishes to become a Daemon (or a unification of both - something I think we should term a "Homoplasmate" in honour of Philip K Dick) . Jake applies the philosophy of the first Matrix movie and takes it to its logical conclusion - that we are all existing in The Matrix. Of course we term this the "Bohmian IMAX" but the principle is identical. Jake suggests that the vast majority of people - he calls them"humatons" are blissfully unaware that they exist in a brain-generated illusion. For Jakes' "humatons" read "Eidolon" and it all suddenly makes sense. Jake's book discusses how some individuals - "Matrix Warriers" . The central character of the Matrix movie is Thomas Anderson (Humaton/ Eidolon) who becomes Neo (Matrix Warrier/Daemon). The book discusses what it is like to be a Daemon in an eidolonic world.
Jake has now been in touch again and has joined this blogsite this morning. I am honoured to have him on board and I am looking forward to some fascinating postings from him.
Jake tells me that the book is now out of print but I am sure that copies can be sourced via Amazon etc or from libraries. Do check it out ... it is great read!
Another occasional reader of this blog - Dr. Bill Irwin, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Kings College Pennsylvania, has edited a book called The Matrix And Philosophy - Welcome to The Desert of the Real. I am not sure if Bill knows of Jake's work but he may find it of some interest - and vice versa. Bill and I were in email contact only the day before yesterday ... so synchrondipity abounds!!!
Daemonic Thoughts
Having been contacted by Tony almost a year ago, I have finally got around to clocking his thesis, and so here I am. Although ostensibly, this delay was simply the result of laziness, I have to say, in defense of the Eidolon/humaton, that the Daimon was at work here. I have just been through a major personal paradigm shift, a central thread of which entails the discovering of male allies. So perhaps the Daimon deliberately kept the Eidolon distratced by other matters, in order to save this alliance for the correct time?
This may seem like unnecessary personal info, but it seemed appropriate to begin with an “Eidolonic” perspective, before moving on to the Daimonic.
Some of you may have heard of me, thanks to Tony's endorsement of my book Matrix Warrior, now out of print, so far as I know (hard to tell these days, what with the afterlife of Amazon). Tony is probably the first person in the scientific community to take my little book seriously. He was kind enough to call it “an absolute masterpiece,” and has suggested that “Is There Life After Death? and Matrix Warrior are like the theory and the practical manual — reflecting each other perfectly.” Having looked into his theories, I have to say I concur with him 100%.
A lot of people called Matrix Warrior Buddhist, maybe because of all religions Buddhism is the most pragmatic, common sense one. My own philosophy (encapsulated but also simplified—even satirized—in MW) is to work with what we’ve got in the here and now, and not to worry too much about the hereafter. That “Heaven” is attainable by each of us right NOW, in this life, and unless we attain it while alive, there is no chance in Hell of getting “there” (to a state of Unitive consciousness) after we die — because then we are “stuck” in the bardo realm, with no possibility of gathering new experiences. (We become ghosts. I touch upon this idea, in suitably sci-fi terms, in MW.)
I believe we are here to collect all the energy/knowledge we can in this life and take it to the Next Realm, or rather, to create an Afterlife, using these experiences as raw material. Gods and Angels, etc, are simply Beings who have already done this, and who now consciously create and maintain their own Reality. As is the Daimon-Lucid, the bridge between human and divine existence?
It seems as though perhaps we are condemned (or allowed?) to relive this one life as many times as possible, until we get it “right,” i.e., use it to connect to that part of us which is “God” — the Universe temporarily experiencing itself as a fragment, rather than the whole. The Daimon, then, is that part of us which is God.
This is just a thumbnail summary of a philosophy - I have so many things to comment on, inspired by Tony’s work (and I haven’t even read his books yet!), and I guess that is what I will be doing, in this place.
Daimon willing!
Blogsite Numbers & possible solutions
The success of this blog has been beyond my wildest dreams. I have just done a quick check of the full membership list and we have itladians from (just a selection) Shanghai, Melbourne, Sydney, Windhoek (Namibia), Capetown, Noth Pole (Alaska), New York, New Jesey,Toronto, Oklahoma, Mexico City, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Brno (Slovakia), Oslo, Reykjavik, Calcutta, Halifax (Nova Scotia), Madagascar, Asuncion (Paraguay), Vancouver, Los Angeles, Chicago, Geneva, Dublin and lots of places across the UK. (Forgive me if I have missed you location out - no shun intended).
Clearly itlad is now an international phenomenon. This year the book will be translated into Russian, Polish, Dutch, Czech and Spanish with others to follow in due course. This will add to the numbers of itladians. And this is where I have a very great problem ... a positive one but nonetheless a problem.
As numbers increase so do the demands on this blogsite. As I have mentioned in the past I am limited to 100 "Full" members. A full member can not only just respond to postings and make comments (as can anybody who has a Google Account) but they can also contribute their own postings which appear on the front page. When I first started this blog I was unaware that I was restricted to 100 "Full" members. Therefore lots of people showed interest in me and my work and joined the blog as full members. The problem now is that we are very close to that magic number. Every day I have more people wishing to join in .. people who wish to make regular postings on itladian subjects close to their heart. Now of the 96 or so "Full Members" there are about 35 who are contributors and within that number maybe 20 who are regulars.
In order to open up places to those 'newbies' I have to withdraw "Full Rights" from those members who are inactive (i.e. never made a posting or who have not done for over a year). This I do with a heavy heart but all these new members that replace an old one are told that they must contribute at least one full posting in the first month of membership.
Today I have withdrawn "Full" membership for a handfull of members that have never placed a posting or responded with a comment and have been members for more than a year. This does not mean that these people cannot still make comments - only that they can no longer post. Clearly if you are one of these people and wish to now become more involved simply let me know and I will reinstate you.
I am working on a potential solution to this issue. I wish to keep this priceless blog going but I also plan to open up an Itladian Forum on my Website. This will be open to all comers and will not be restricted by numbers. It will be much more open and will be more a question and answer type format. Clearly it would be great if all of you joined in this one as well ... but this site will continue as the more intimate 'inner circle' type beast that we have all grown to love. So, no changes, just another potential location to spread the word out into hyperspace and beyond.
Tony
Clearly itlad is now an international phenomenon. This year the book will be translated into Russian, Polish, Dutch, Czech and Spanish with others to follow in due course. This will add to the numbers of itladians. And this is where I have a very great problem ... a positive one but nonetheless a problem.
As numbers increase so do the demands on this blogsite. As I have mentioned in the past I am limited to 100 "Full" members. A full member can not only just respond to postings and make comments (as can anybody who has a Google Account) but they can also contribute their own postings which appear on the front page. When I first started this blog I was unaware that I was restricted to 100 "Full" members. Therefore lots of people showed interest in me and my work and joined the blog as full members. The problem now is that we are very close to that magic number. Every day I have more people wishing to join in .. people who wish to make regular postings on itladian subjects close to their heart. Now of the 96 or so "Full Members" there are about 35 who are contributors and within that number maybe 20 who are regulars.
In order to open up places to those 'newbies' I have to withdraw "Full Rights" from those members who are inactive (i.e. never made a posting or who have not done for over a year). This I do with a heavy heart but all these new members that replace an old one are told that they must contribute at least one full posting in the first month of membership.
Today I have withdrawn "Full" membership for a handfull of members that have never placed a posting or responded with a comment and have been members for more than a year. This does not mean that these people cannot still make comments - only that they can no longer post. Clearly if you are one of these people and wish to now become more involved simply let me know and I will reinstate you.
I am working on a potential solution to this issue. I wish to keep this priceless blog going but I also plan to open up an Itladian Forum on my Website. This will be open to all comers and will not be restricted by numbers. It will be much more open and will be more a question and answer type format. Clearly it would be great if all of you joined in this one as well ... but this site will continue as the more intimate 'inner circle' type beast that we have all grown to love. So, no changes, just another potential location to spread the word out into hyperspace and beyond.
Tony
Thursday, 5 June 2008
ITLADian Film Glossary
At the request of a few members recently, here is my Top 20 ITLADian films with a brief review. Please feel free to add more to this list in the comments section where i have placed a few more. I've rated these on a balance of relevance to Anthony's work as well as just general appeal. I'm sure i have forgotten or missed out thousands, that is what this post is for, for you to add for reference purposes.
1. The Matrix(Trilogy)
I think we'd all agree the best one was the first, but an impressive trilogy none the less. There are quite a few films i would like to place above this one but in terms of ITLADian reference, this film is probably unparalleled to any other. It covers virtually every single element of Anthony's theory in one way or another. Will you take the Blue Pill or the Red Pill, or, just read Tony's book, it's safer.....just. If you haven't seen it by now, you're probably don't exist!
2. 12 monkeys
Memory and time travel can affect the mind's grip on reality.
"As Cole dies in Railly's arms, she makes eye contact with a small boy - the young James Cole witnessing his own death; the scene that will replay in his dreams for years to come."
This time loop which climaxes at the end of the film is one of the best executed endings to a film which ponders the nature of time, space, deja vu, precognition, multiple world theory and all things ITLADian. The scene in the movie theatre towards the end gets me every time. James Cole marvels, "The movie never changes. It can't. But every time you see it, it's different, because you're always a different person." It's been said that Cole grasps the futility of trying to relive a moment locked away in time, unlike Jimmy Stewart in "Vertigo", the movie they are watching. Quite honestly I'd like to see this film at the number one spot because it is that good!
3. What the bleep do they know?
Stating very similar theories to Anthony Peake, many have criticised this film for taking science a bit too far, but, as we all know that's how great things are achieved and discovered. Boundaries need to be broken and minds need to be expanded, the concepts here are very familiar and nicely explained. A MUST SEE!!
A trailer compilation
4. Groundhog day
A central film to Anthony's work. A great comedy that delivers many ITLADian themes in an enjoyable film experience. Bill Murray must learn to evolve as a human being in order to free himself from repeating the same day over and over. The film progresses as this becomes more of a pleasure than a burden for Murray.
5. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind
One of the most beautiful films ever made. A masterpiece, i can't emphasise enough how great this film is and how brilliantly it delves into the world of memory, dreams, multiple world theory, destiny and the power of love. There's something Eerie about a film that can tap into memories and dreams that you barely realised were there. I recommend checking my full review if you're a fan of the film.
Full review here
6. Vanilla Sky
Another film that i know is very high on Anthony's pick list, Vanilla Sky offers a sometimes worrying, sometimes beautiful possibility of where we are headed in the future. We are gods, we create our own universe, the power and nature of the mind means this can end as both a daydream and unfortunately a nightmare as well.
Anthony's review
7. Waking Life
Dreams, dreams and more dreams but so much more. The collective conscience is a spooky thing. In your dreams, everybody is you, this brilliantly illustrates how in real life this is an extension of our dreams and the beautiful way in which we are accessing information without any knowledge of doing so. The score to this film is outstanding providing as much atmosphere as the visual does, sometimes you catch yourself checking to see if you actually are awake!
Helpful review and dialogue analysis here
8. Jacobs Ladder
A favourite of Anthony's, this chilling film will unnerve you as it plays with chronology of time and taps into something very dark and disturbed. Anthony's post
9. The Jacket
Similar in many ways to Jacobs Ladder this film also enjoys playing with time. I actually preferred this for two reasons. One; it didn't unnerve me down to the very depths of my soul. Two; Kiera Knightley. A very nicely made film that flows like a creepy novel.
Sort of review here!
10. K-PAX
Such a fantastic film. Kevin Spacey is a treat to watch as Prot, the visit er from the planet K-Pax. He has savant like knowledge of the stars and also in healing people as he attends one by one to the ward similar to "one flew over the cuckoo's nest" That, or he is merely a catatonic patient come to life for a brief period of hilarity!
Anthony's review here
11. Minority report
Loosely based on the short story from Anthony's favourite Phillip K. Dick, this chilling tale of the policed state and the foreknowledge provided by "precogs" is much like Vanilla Sky, in that it's a worrying indication of where we could be headed. The film has a unique visual style using almost black and white colours very much providing a feeling of film noir. Watch out for the thought police, they're on to you. Great film.
12. Contact
This film is driven by the obsession of Dr. Eleanor Arroway or "Ellie" to make "contact." When the unthinkable starts to happen the film really begins with the opposing reactions of the human race. Science vs Religion. A very powerful, moving and enjoyable film.
13. Donnie Darko
Our main character intervenes to prevent tragedy once again in an exploration of time travel and the human condition. This has become a cult favourite, over the years and there has recently been mention of a sequel, I'm pretty sure this is unnecessary and unlikely to be anywhere near as good. Every time i watch this film i walk away with a very different impression and opinion, it's ambiguous in a beautiful way, a lot of relevance.
14. Paycheck
Based on the short story by Philip K Dick, Paycheck is quite an impressive film once again supported by the presence of Paul Giamatti. Once again exploring memory, instinct, deja vu and precognition, Paycheck is a very nice little film with a lot to offer the ITLADian voyeur.
Anthony's post here
15. The Golden Compass
One of the best films by far to illustrate the existence of the "Daemon." I had read Tony's book a few months before watching this and was constantly making comparisons to his work. I'd like to say it offers much more than an insight into communication with the Daemon but I'm a jaded sarcastic man that had no time for children's movies! .... OK, i actually enjoyed it quite a bit!
Anthony's review
16. 12:01
Sharing a very similar plot to groundhog day but with more of a drama/sci-fi edge to it. It's actually quite an impressive film, which, by the way, is not devoid of comedy itself either. A very good watch with a lot to offer, it does have a few more mentions of sub atomic particles than in Groundhog day though!
My review here
17. The Science of Sleep
Directed by Michel Gondry, the same genius that brought us "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind", this film beautifully explores the world of dreaming. Stephane doesn't like his world, so often retreats to his bed where he has mastered the art of controlling his dreams. Visually beautiful as well as intriguing, fans of E.S.O.T.S.M (number 4) will not be disappointed as it taps in to the in between state quite successfully as well.
18. Deja Vu
Again, a lot of helpful insight into one particular area but it's more of a mainstream blockbuster than a cult favourite which tend to have more to offer. A great film though. Definitely worth a watch.
19. A Scanner Darkly
Phillip K Dick, hey hasn't he popped up before a few times? Phllip K Dick crossed with Richard Linklater equals genius. It explores the darker side of drugs and reality, similar visual style to Waking life (also by Linklater).
20. The Fountain
A beautifully shot film spanning over thousands of years, this film explores mortality, love and the forces that drive our world and the people in it. The film is fairly wide open to interpretation and requires probably several views.
Review here
1. The Matrix(Trilogy)
I think we'd all agree the best one was the first, but an impressive trilogy none the less. There are quite a few films i would like to place above this one but in terms of ITLADian reference, this film is probably unparalleled to any other. It covers virtually every single element of Anthony's theory in one way or another. Will you take the Blue Pill or the Red Pill, or, just read Tony's book, it's safer.....just. If you haven't seen it by now, you're probably don't exist!
2. 12 monkeys
Memory and time travel can affect the mind's grip on reality.
"As Cole dies in Railly's arms, she makes eye contact with a small boy - the young James Cole witnessing his own death; the scene that will replay in his dreams for years to come."
This time loop which climaxes at the end of the film is one of the best executed endings to a film which ponders the nature of time, space, deja vu, precognition, multiple world theory and all things ITLADian. The scene in the movie theatre towards the end gets me every time. James Cole marvels, "The movie never changes. It can't. But every time you see it, it's different, because you're always a different person." It's been said that Cole grasps the futility of trying to relive a moment locked away in time, unlike Jimmy Stewart in "Vertigo", the movie they are watching. Quite honestly I'd like to see this film at the number one spot because it is that good!
3. What the bleep do they know?
Stating very similar theories to Anthony Peake, many have criticised this film for taking science a bit too far, but, as we all know that's how great things are achieved and discovered. Boundaries need to be broken and minds need to be expanded, the concepts here are very familiar and nicely explained. A MUST SEE!!
A trailer compilation
4. Groundhog day
A central film to Anthony's work. A great comedy that delivers many ITLADian themes in an enjoyable film experience. Bill Murray must learn to evolve as a human being in order to free himself from repeating the same day over and over. The film progresses as this becomes more of a pleasure than a burden for Murray.
5. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind
One of the most beautiful films ever made. A masterpiece, i can't emphasise enough how great this film is and how brilliantly it delves into the world of memory, dreams, multiple world theory, destiny and the power of love. There's something Eerie about a film that can tap into memories and dreams that you barely realised were there. I recommend checking my full review if you're a fan of the film.
Full review here
6. Vanilla Sky
Another film that i know is very high on Anthony's pick list, Vanilla Sky offers a sometimes worrying, sometimes beautiful possibility of where we are headed in the future. We are gods, we create our own universe, the power and nature of the mind means this can end as both a daydream and unfortunately a nightmare as well.
Anthony's review
7. Waking Life
Dreams, dreams and more dreams but so much more. The collective conscience is a spooky thing. In your dreams, everybody is you, this brilliantly illustrates how in real life this is an extension of our dreams and the beautiful way in which we are accessing information without any knowledge of doing so. The score to this film is outstanding providing as much atmosphere as the visual does, sometimes you catch yourself checking to see if you actually are awake!
Helpful review and dialogue analysis here
8. Jacobs Ladder
A favourite of Anthony's, this chilling film will unnerve you as it plays with chronology of time and taps into something very dark and disturbed. Anthony's post
9. The Jacket
Similar in many ways to Jacobs Ladder this film also enjoys playing with time. I actually preferred this for two reasons. One; it didn't unnerve me down to the very depths of my soul. Two; Kiera Knightley. A very nicely made film that flows like a creepy novel.
Sort of review here!
10. K-PAX
Such a fantastic film. Kevin Spacey is a treat to watch as Prot, the visit er from the planet K-Pax. He has savant like knowledge of the stars and also in healing people as he attends one by one to the ward similar to "one flew over the cuckoo's nest" That, or he is merely a catatonic patient come to life for a brief period of hilarity!
Anthony's review here
11. Minority report
Loosely based on the short story from Anthony's favourite Phillip K. Dick, this chilling tale of the policed state and the foreknowledge provided by "precogs" is much like Vanilla Sky, in that it's a worrying indication of where we could be headed. The film has a unique visual style using almost black and white colours very much providing a feeling of film noir. Watch out for the thought police, they're on to you. Great film.
12. Contact
This film is driven by the obsession of Dr. Eleanor Arroway or "Ellie" to make "contact." When the unthinkable starts to happen the film really begins with the opposing reactions of the human race. Science vs Religion. A very powerful, moving and enjoyable film.
13. Donnie Darko
Our main character intervenes to prevent tragedy once again in an exploration of time travel and the human condition. This has become a cult favourite, over the years and there has recently been mention of a sequel, I'm pretty sure this is unnecessary and unlikely to be anywhere near as good. Every time i watch this film i walk away with a very different impression and opinion, it's ambiguous in a beautiful way, a lot of relevance.
14. Paycheck
Based on the short story by Philip K Dick, Paycheck is quite an impressive film once again supported by the presence of Paul Giamatti. Once again exploring memory, instinct, deja vu and precognition, Paycheck is a very nice little film with a lot to offer the ITLADian voyeur.
Anthony's post here
15. The Golden Compass
One of the best films by far to illustrate the existence of the "Daemon." I had read Tony's book a few months before watching this and was constantly making comparisons to his work. I'd like to say it offers much more than an insight into communication with the Daemon but I'm a jaded sarcastic man that had no time for children's movies! .... OK, i actually enjoyed it quite a bit!
Anthony's review
16. 12:01
Sharing a very similar plot to groundhog day but with more of a drama/sci-fi edge to it. It's actually quite an impressive film, which, by the way, is not devoid of comedy itself either. A very good watch with a lot to offer, it does have a few more mentions of sub atomic particles than in Groundhog day though!
My review here
17. The Science of Sleep
Directed by Michel Gondry, the same genius that brought us "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind", this film beautifully explores the world of dreaming. Stephane doesn't like his world, so often retreats to his bed where he has mastered the art of controlling his dreams. Visually beautiful as well as intriguing, fans of E.S.O.T.S.M (number 4) will not be disappointed as it taps in to the in between state quite successfully as well.
18. Deja Vu
Again, a lot of helpful insight into one particular area but it's more of a mainstream blockbuster than a cult favourite which tend to have more to offer. A great film though. Definitely worth a watch.
19. A Scanner Darkly
Phillip K Dick, hey hasn't he popped up before a few times? Phllip K Dick crossed with Richard Linklater equals genius. It explores the darker side of drugs and reality, similar visual style to Waking life (also by Linklater).
20. The Fountain
A beautifully shot film spanning over thousands of years, this film explores mortality, love and the forces that drive our world and the people in it. The film is fairly wide open to interpretation and requires probably several views.
Review here
Audio From Interview On City Talk Radio
I have managed to record the internet stream of Tony's interview, from yesterday on City Talk Radio, and I have converted it to an audio file for all those of you who couldn't listen live.
When you click on the link below, you will be taken to a new page, at the bottom of which is the audio file (City Talk Radio Edit.wma), and when you click on that, you have the option of simply opening the audio or saving it to your computer, so please click on Open or Save according to your wishes.
Link to Tony's Interview On City Talk Radio
A Dark Philosopher
Karl L Le Marcs
When you click on the link below, you will be taken to a new page, at the bottom of which is the audio file (City Talk Radio Edit.wma), and when you click on that, you have the option of simply opening the audio or saving it to your computer, so please click on Open or Save according to your wishes.
Link to Tony's Interview On City Talk Radio
A Dark Philosopher
Karl L Le Marcs
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
Interview on City Talk
As always time caught up with me. I did feel very honoured and part of history really. Yesterday Sir Paul McCartney had been at the station and just before me this morning was the wife of the ex-British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, Cheri, sitting in the same seat as little old me!!!! Also, for those who follow British TV, Ardel O'Hanlon had also been interviewed by Dean. You may remember him as "Father Dougal" in the classic Irish comedy Father Ted.
I have been in touch with the programme's producer and she will send me a WAV copy of the interview. I will place this on this blogsite so it can be listened to at any time in the future. I know that Roshni had a problem logging on in India and others may have had similar issues. But that is now sorted out.
I would like to thank Ed, "ItsCoolToCare" who managed to phone through and Karl who managed to get his email question read on air. A special thanks also to Karine from Geneva who very muc surprised the production team at the console. Clearly they were not used to calls from Switzerland. Karine has subsequently been very complementary about the blog and is keen to join in.
Sorry to all the others who sent emails in but failed to have them read out. I guess that time was always against us. However Dean and the producer were so pleased with how it all went that they are keen to have me back for a longer show.
Dean now has a copy of the book and will be reading it before the next interview with me. Indeed I commented to him off-mike that he really had very quickly grasped some of the more esoteric elements of ITLAD and CTF. He did seem genuinely interested and keen to get into the book.
Thanks again to you all for your support on this. Ever upwards and onwards eh!
I have been in touch with the programme's producer and she will send me a WAV copy of the interview. I will place this on this blogsite so it can be listened to at any time in the future. I know that Roshni had a problem logging on in India and others may have had similar issues. But that is now sorted out.
I would like to thank Ed, "ItsCoolToCare" who managed to phone through and Karl who managed to get his email question read on air. A special thanks also to Karine from Geneva who very muc surprised the production team at the console. Clearly they were not used to calls from Switzerland. Karine has subsequently been very complementary about the blog and is keen to join in.
Sorry to all the others who sent emails in but failed to have them read out. I guess that time was always against us. However Dean and the producer were so pleased with how it all went that they are keen to have me back for a longer show.
Dean now has a copy of the book and will be reading it before the next interview with me. Indeed I commented to him off-mike that he really had very quickly grasped some of the more esoteric elements of ITLAD and CTF. He did seem genuinely interested and keen to get into the book.
Thanks again to you all for your support on this. Ever upwards and onwards eh!
City Talk Interview
Folks,
Just a quick request. I am sure that this afternoon's interview (due in 2 hours and 15 minutes!!) will be recorded and therefore available on 'listen again' but just in case it is not could some of you attempt to record it for me? Unfortunately it is impossible for me to do this. those of you listening in on FM can simply tape it whilst others may be able to convert the webcast into an MP3 or WAV format.
Just a quick request. I am sure that this afternoon's interview (due in 2 hours and 15 minutes!!) will be recorded and therefore available on 'listen again' but just in case it is not could some of you attempt to record it for me? Unfortunately it is impossible for me to do this. those of you listening in on FM can simply tape it whilst others may be able to convert the webcast into an MP3 or WAV format.
The PsychoManteum
Last year when my beloved partner died I wanted to use any means at all to communicate with him. This led to a most interesting discovery of books by Dr Raymond Moody regarding contact with people in the Afterlife. He has constructed a chamber called a Psychomanteum, a darkened chamber with a large dimly lit mirror and conducted experiments with various different people from all walks of life. Apparently, 8 out of 10 people saw deceased loved ones (NOT always the ones they expected!!), communicated with them and in some cases they even saw them *emerge* from the mirror and into the room!! All were extremely affected by this. I wondered if it could somehow be connected to the "Collapsing the Consciousness Wave" mentioned by Karl L le Marcs? I do not pretend to thoroughly understand Quantum Physics, but perhaps the mirror deflects this wave somehow so that a link between these parallel existences is temporarily forged? He has also done extensive research into the forerunners of this, much again in Ancient Greece actually ;i.e. crystal gazing and water or oil gazing, citing many famous people throughout History.
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
Aaaaargh!
I hold this site personally responsible for my spending a fortune with Amazon and for the extra weight placed on my already stressed bookshelves!
Not to mention the time spent pondering weighty matters when I should be doing other things!
Not to mention the time spent pondering weighty matters when I should be doing other things!
City Talk Radio
Just a quick note to let everybody know that my time on -air has been extended but in doing so the timings have changed slightly. I will now join Dean Sullivan at around 1410 and I will be interviewed for around 50 minutes. This is really great because it gives me the chance to really attempt to get the complexities of ITLAD across to the general public. I am really keen for our little band of international itladian philosophers to use this as an opportunity to show just how widespread we are. I know that questions have already been received by the station from various far-flung places but the more the merrier. You all may have questions of me and this is the opportunity - at least until we arrange our International Conference at some time in the future.Any questions can be emailed to dean@citytalk.fm . If he gets them in advance he may then be able to schedule them in a logical fashion. Clearly we will not be able to get through themm all but it is my hope that I will get invited back at some time in the future (fingers crossed).
If you are in a position to phone in please ring in on ++ 44 (0) 151 708 1059. 44 is the international code for the UK. The ++ is whatever digits are added for an international line in your country (usually 00). Callers in the UK should add the 0 and dial 0151 708 1059.
I look forward to a very interesting time. Remember - to listen in on the web go to:
http://www.citytalk.fm/ and click on 'listen live'.
I will be following in the footsteps of some very famous people. Paul McCartney was interviewed in the very same studio yesterday!!!
As you will note from the picture I will cerainly need a head for heights - the studios are at the top of this tower!!!
Life Implications
Astonishing - and gratifying - to see how much interest has been generated in Tony's ideas since the day I first picked up his book. (I felt exhausted just reading his forthcoming appearances schedule.) It's very clear, both from this Blog and several private conversations, that a great many people have made the step of viewing Peake Theory as something that concerns them in their lives here and now, rather than something that might concern them in future at the point of their death. What hasn't yet emerged (or if it has, I've missed it) is a coherent insight into how best to lead our lives in the light of the theory. In his book, Tony does, of course, allow for the possibility of changing our extended Groundhog Day, but I found myself unclear about the evidence supporting this belief. If my life is an extension in a four dimensional space-time continuum, where is the opportunity to change it; and if such an opportunity did, in fact, arise, what would be the motivation for doing so? I've always thought Tony has done sterling service in presenting a viewpoint that takes the findings of modern physics seriously. The next step would seem to be to work out the implications of that viewpoint. Any ideas?
Monday, 2 June 2008
Blog
Wow, not left a post on this blog for a while - so much interest now! Looking forward to the new book! Tony, some time ago you mentioned you do quantum physics talks as well as your normal presentation, are you planning to do any more physics talks soon?
Also I'm thinking of reading a book by Philip K. Dick, does anyone have any favourites or recommendations that would be a good idea to read first?
One more thing, does anyone here who has precognitive experiences have any system for recording them? I sometimes have very vivid dreams but normally it's just small pieces of information that I remember when I wake up but then in the future when i get Deja Vu I'm never sure whether I had dreamt it before (probably due to the nature of Deja Vu).
Thanks
Also I'm thinking of reading a book by Philip K. Dick, does anyone have any favourites or recommendations that would be a good idea to read first?
One more thing, does anyone here who has precognitive experiences have any system for recording them? I sometimes have very vivid dreams but normally it's just small pieces of information that I remember when I wake up but then in the future when i get Deja Vu I'm never sure whether I had dreamt it before (probably due to the nature of Deja Vu).
Thanks
To Live.....
Sunday, 1 June 2008
coma state
I was wondering whether the state of being in a coma can be understood from an ITLADian perspective.
Friday, 30 May 2008
thoughts on the creation of the Eidolon
Consider this;
If two lines intersect, at the point of intersection they produce a point i.e. the intersection of two one-dimensional objects creates an object of 0 dimensions – a point.
If two surfaces intersect, at the point of intersection they produce a line i.e. the intersection of two two-dimensional objects creates an object of 1 dimension – a line.
Similarly,
If two cubes intersect, at the point of intersection they produce a surface i.e. the intersection of two three-dimensional objects creates an object of 2 dimensions – a surface.
So if we take this one logical step further,
If two four-dimensional objects intersect, at the point of intersection they produce a three-dimensional object i.e. a three-dimensional object is produced when two four-dimensional objects intersect!
What if beings of four-dimensions exist and travel thru this four-dimensional world.
As one of these 4D beings moves through its world what happens?
It continuously creates a three-dimensional being!
So there was a “Garden of Eden”, beyond the realm of human perception- whose glory and beauty is totally unknowable to us. A garden of the fourth-dimension.
Perhaps a 4D being was indeed passing through this paradise for the first time, and it happened upon, or somehow became “conscious” of the 3D being that it was continuously creating as it strolled thru. This “awareness” resulted in the birth of consciousness in the lower 3D realm. Perhaps it is possible for 4Ds to pass thru without creating a 3D being or object at its point of intersection with the 4D world. Perhaps there is some mechanism or intent “Eve ate the apple...” that allows the 4D being to become aware of its 3D counterpart.
This 4D being looked thru to this lower realm and was delighted and drawn-in by all the new perceptions that were rushing at his newly-created 3D senses from the 3D world.
“Eve ate the app...and they became aware of their nakedness....”
Over a long period of time, the 4D becomes completely absorbed in the consciousness of the lower dimension, until finally it forgets its true nature and becomes totally identified with its consciousness in the 3D realm. Forgetting its true reality, it sees the 3D illusory realm as absolutely real.
“Adam and Eve were thrown out of the Garden of Eden……
Was this the “fall from grace” that is referred to in the Bible?
What if Genesis’ description of the creation of the world was in fact the creation of the “human being”; the dawning of consciousness of the 4D being in the 3D realm; the creation of the Eidolon.
If two lines intersect, at the point of intersection they produce a point i.e. the intersection of two one-dimensional objects creates an object of 0 dimensions – a point.
If two surfaces intersect, at the point of intersection they produce a line i.e. the intersection of two two-dimensional objects creates an object of 1 dimension – a line.
Similarly,
If two cubes intersect, at the point of intersection they produce a surface i.e. the intersection of two three-dimensional objects creates an object of 2 dimensions – a surface.
So if we take this one logical step further,
If two four-dimensional objects intersect, at the point of intersection they produce a three-dimensional object i.e. a three-dimensional object is produced when two four-dimensional objects intersect!
What if beings of four-dimensions exist and travel thru this four-dimensional world.
As one of these 4D beings moves through its world what happens?
It continuously creates a three-dimensional being!
So there was a “Garden of Eden”, beyond the realm of human perception- whose glory and beauty is totally unknowable to us. A garden of the fourth-dimension.
Perhaps a 4D being was indeed passing through this paradise for the first time, and it happened upon, or somehow became “conscious” of the 3D being that it was continuously creating as it strolled thru. This “awareness” resulted in the birth of consciousness in the lower 3D realm. Perhaps it is possible for 4Ds to pass thru without creating a 3D being or object at its point of intersection with the 4D world. Perhaps there is some mechanism or intent “Eve ate the apple...” that allows the 4D being to become aware of its 3D counterpart.
This 4D being looked thru to this lower realm and was delighted and drawn-in by all the new perceptions that were rushing at his newly-created 3D senses from the 3D world.
“Eve ate the app...and they became aware of their nakedness....”
Over a long period of time, the 4D becomes completely absorbed in the consciousness of the lower dimension, until finally it forgets its true nature and becomes totally identified with its consciousness in the 3D realm. Forgetting its true reality, it sees the 3D illusory realm as absolutely real.
“Adam and Eve were thrown out of the Garden of Eden……
Was this the “fall from grace” that is referred to in the Bible?
What if Genesis’ description of the creation of the world was in fact the creation of the “human being”; the dawning of consciousness of the 4D being in the 3D realm; the creation of the Eidolon.
American Philosophy and a new Perspective on ITLAD
In my work as a writer/philosopher, I use my own blog as a venue in which to publicly explore various aspects of politics, culture, and philosophy. I have recently posted a piece centered on Tony Peake and Karl L Le Marcs, and their theories as applied to a dilemma within American academia.
I thought some of the bloggers here might be interested in reading the piece, and remarking on it in the comments below:
Click here for my article entitled:
"On Quantum Theory, Afterlife and Consciousness: 2 British Midwives to our National Pregnancy"
Thursday, 29 May 2008
Article
I sent an article proposal to Psychologies Magazine about a week ago regarding ITLAD.
The reply got was that the editor feels the readers would find it too 'out there'!
What can I say? *stumped*
The reply got was that the editor feels the readers would find it too 'out there'!
What can I say? *stumped*
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Rebuttal to suicide
Osho on existence is a rebuttal to the previous post on suicide. To grow you've got to be here and to be here you've got to think life and yourself are wonderful. Suicide is the act of returning to daemonic reality and backing out of eidolon based reality. Should we condemn the suicidal as some religions do, for letting the team (the living) down? No because this is negative too. Life is reaching out in hope - death is collapsing back in despair (Letting go as opposed to fighting to hold on: Alice through the Looking Glass, and running on the spot to stay in the same place).
These things happen. Like disasters and accidents - the power to avoid things is not always there: Too tired to fight/ observe (stuck in daemon land/ feet not firmly planted on the ground).
I would have just added this as a comment but I'm having difficulty accessing this facility at the moment as well as getting on the blog in general (Technical difficulties with all things electronic at the moment - computer, DVD, Music Centre, scales - you name it!).
These things happen. Like disasters and accidents - the power to avoid things is not always there: Too tired to fight/ observe (stuck in daemon land/ feet not firmly planted on the ground).
I would have just added this as a comment but I'm having difficulty accessing this facility at the moment as well as getting on the blog in general (Technical difficulties with all things electronic at the moment - computer, DVD, Music Centre, scales - you name it!).
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
Radio Interview - City Talk 105.9
Please note the change in date and time. City Talk wish to have more time discussing ITLAD and CTF so it will now be for about half an hour on Wednesday 4th June at 1400. They have also confirmed that listeners can phone in or email comments.You may all be interested to know that I will be interviewed by Dean Sullivan on City Talk Radio 105.9 on Wednesday 4th June 2008 at 14:00 UK time (BST). I will be on-air for about 20 minutes. This can be listened to on 105.9 FM in the Merseyside area of the UK and for those of you spread across the globe this can, by the wonders of the internet, by listened to by logging onto the stations website http://www.citytalk.fm/.
Many of you may recognise Dean Sullivan as the actor who played Jimmy Corkhill in the long-running 'soap' Brookside. Indeed Dean had the rather dubious 'honour' of closing the long-running series by having his character paint a change on the roadsign that featured in the opening credits. "Jimmy" added the letter 'd' at the end of "Brookside Close" to make it "Brookside Closed". As a long-term fan of the show this was, for me, a very sad ending to a brilliant TV series.
I think that this will be an interview well worth listening into. You may also have the opportunity to phone in whilst I am on air ... if this is the case then the number is ++ 44 (0)151 708 1059.
the last time they met-anita shreve
I read this book some years ago and it refuses to go out of my mind...
the book explores the mysteries of love, grief, longing and .....about lives lived in the past.....
Shreve masterfully plumbs the depths of loss and longing and love and the fictions we all keep in our heads that both save us and doom us as we go about the business of our lives!
Monday, 26 May 2008
The Daemon in our Lives
We have talked extensively about the important role the daemon plays in our lives.
I believe the daemon is the guide that is part of our selves and also the connection to the universal consciousness.
So, the daemon is running the recording of previous runs. Its goal is to help us evolve to our full potential and reach our ultimate life.
This maybe the recognition of past mistakes, the need to learn something specific to move forward or maybe just going over old ground to appreciate the goodness of our lives and gain a greater insight and therefore learning, also an evolutionary step forward.
Q1) Is it possible for the daemon to make mistakes? As part of the collective can it get it’s ‘wires crossed’ leading us in a direction that’s not meant to happen? By being part of the universal consciousness, can the daemon get confused with the infinite ‘traffic’ within the egregore? Or would you say it’s our free will that leads us, metaphorically, ‘up the garden path’ and the daemon always has our best interests at heart? That the daemon tries, ultimately to do what is right by us, as it is us, even if it causes us immense pain and suffering?
Q2) Conversely, if the daemon does not make mistakes, in recognizing that a certain path is not the evolutionary step forward it wants us to make, can the daemon ‘cause’ obstacles to it’s eidolon to be removed to ensure the move forward is achieved. Even if the obstacle is another human being? Could a daemon interfere with the daemon of another's eidolon to meet the goals of it's own?
Free will still exists because the eidolon ultimately makes the choices but I wonder if the will of the daemon is such that it will do everything in its power to steer the eidolon in the right direction.
El DÃa de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebrations - Mexico
This morning I received an email from a reader of ITLAD who lives in Iceland and is in the process of backpacking round Mexico. I was so interested in the implications of his observation that I have decided to post it for him. He writes:
"I spoke to you a while ago about your theory which I find fascinating. Anyway I am currently backpacking around Mexico and have been reading my copy of lonely planet religiously and noticed that when I was reading about the famous day of the dead celebration that occurs every November it seems to tie in very well with your theory. The festival stems from indigenous beliefs that when you die you relive your life in a parallel world but on this one day in November it is possible for the dead to return in spirit form to this world and they believe this festival eases their passage. You may already know about this but if you don't I thought you might find it interesting and maybe worth researching further. I am going to look into it further when I get back to Iceland. Any way best regards from a keen follower of your blog."
Ari, thank you very much for this. I for one was totally unaware of this parallel. I will be checking it up today. I am sure that we will receive some interesting comments. I look forward to any other obervations you may have.
Could it be that you are our first field-based itladian anthropologist - an itladian Margaret Mead perhaps?
An interesting observation
Recently I was reading a book on microscopy and came across a little poem which although applies to plants could well apply to man's multi-lives, if you will allow me to write it up here.
The poem written in 1727 by Henry Baker entitled 'The Universe' subtitled 'A Poem Intended to Restrain the Pride of Man'.
Each Seed includes a Plant: that Plant again,
Has other Seeds, with other Plants contain:
Those other Plants have all their Seeds; and Those,
More Plants, again, successively inclose.
Thus,every single Berry we find,
Has, really, in itself whole Forests of it's Kind.
And it concluded with the revelation of 'Reason's piercing Eye',
That Adam's loins must have contained 'his large Posterity, All people that have been,and all that e'er shall be.'
I thought what a wonderful poem which in a way has a parallel with our multy souls or lives.
The poem written in 1727 by Henry Baker entitled 'The Universe' subtitled 'A Poem Intended to Restrain the Pride of Man'.
Each Seed includes a Plant: that Plant again,
Has other Seeds, with other Plants contain:
Those other Plants have all their Seeds; and Those,
More Plants, again, successively inclose.
Thus,every single Berry we find,
Has, really, in itself whole Forests of it's Kind.
And it concluded with the revelation of 'Reason's piercing Eye',
That Adam's loins must have contained 'his large Posterity, All people that have been,and all that e'er shall be.'
I thought what a wonderful poem which in a way has a parallel with our multy souls or lives.
Embarkation on a voyage of discovery
Well it's just over a week since I properly discovered ITLAD. A week of synchronicity (well more than a week really), mind stretching and dreaming. The book has been devoured (metaphorically) with space in between chapters to go to work! It feels like rediscovering an old friend with all the joy that brings.
Let me explain a bit about how I got here. I'll have to start somewhere, although it's all a chain and I could go back link by link to my birth (and before!). Never mind ... the easiest starting point is my holiday in India at the beginning of April. I was stunned, challenged and stimulated into thinking about things I'd left dormant. I was provoked by the whole idea of life as an illusion which repeats in a cycle of birth and rebirth for the simple purpose of living a better life. I witnessed a different way of life where people seemed to be less obsessed with material things - I suppose surviving was enough of a motivation. I came home determined to find out more about Hinduism and spirituality in general. It all seemed to reawaken my awareness of a bigger picture and a need to find out more.
Work has been busy - it always is after a holiday. I work with children and families in regards to mental health. The week after my holiday was memorable because for the first time I witnessed a child I knew quite well move into a psychotic episode. Psychosis is unusual in children. I had never come across it myself. This time I was very involved in trying to help a girl and her family manage a very frightening situation. I observed directly the way she was hyper-aware of stimuli and in her agitated bewilderment she seemed to be checking out everything with an internal voice who was telling her what to do. It was a fearful situation for her which left her totally incapacitated. She hadn't slept in days, refused to eat and was apparently afraid of water. I was at a loss how to help her but luckily the medics took over and I was spared that responsibility. She was given medication and became less obviously distressed. I cannot imagine what was happening for her "inside". I feel privileged to have met her at a stage before she was sedated.
The day after I saw her in hospital, I was looking on the intranet in a casual way. It's usually full of boring information but it also promotes events happening locally. I was struck by a talk that was going to be held that weekend at a local library. I have loved the Philip Pullman "His Dark Materials" trilogy. (In fact I read the whole of the Northern Lights book on a train journey to and from Durham!) So when I noticed that someone called Anthony Peake was due to be giving a lecture on the Science and Pholosophy behind the books, my interest was aroused. So began a process of checking on the internet (thank you Google) leading to watching the video clips on You Tube. The whole thing chimed with things I had read, studied and experienced throughout my life! At this point I knew I had to attend the talk. I was as excited as if I was going on a date!
Needless to say I was totally blown away by the ideas Anthony was introducing. (And he only mentioned Philip Pullman's work once in passing! I'll forgive him though... those ideas weren't as new to me as the way Anthony links things!)
Since then there have been other synchronicities, the main one relating to a dream I have had throughout my life. It goes like this:
I am aware of myself asleep in bed. I wake up (in my dream) with a start because I remember I have been given some very vital information (possibly by God) which has been entrusted to me so that I can make the whole world suffer less and be more safely protected. Only I can't remember what it is! I wake up (in reality) weeping and shaking, asking myself why should God give me of all people something so important when I can't rememember anything! Usually it takes me about 20 minutes to come out of the trance and the feeling leaves me deflated all day.
I had the dream again this week but this time I held out my hand to my daemon at the point when I usually get tearful. (In fact I must have done this really because it woke me up!) Instead of feeling a sense of failure, this time I was quite elated. I had a sense of "bring it on!"
Let me explain a bit about how I got here. I'll have to start somewhere, although it's all a chain and I could go back link by link to my birth (and before!). Never mind ... the easiest starting point is my holiday in India at the beginning of April. I was stunned, challenged and stimulated into thinking about things I'd left dormant. I was provoked by the whole idea of life as an illusion which repeats in a cycle of birth and rebirth for the simple purpose of living a better life. I witnessed a different way of life where people seemed to be less obsessed with material things - I suppose surviving was enough of a motivation. I came home determined to find out more about Hinduism and spirituality in general. It all seemed to reawaken my awareness of a bigger picture and a need to find out more.
Work has been busy - it always is after a holiday. I work with children and families in regards to mental health. The week after my holiday was memorable because for the first time I witnessed a child I knew quite well move into a psychotic episode. Psychosis is unusual in children. I had never come across it myself. This time I was very involved in trying to help a girl and her family manage a very frightening situation. I observed directly the way she was hyper-aware of stimuli and in her agitated bewilderment she seemed to be checking out everything with an internal voice who was telling her what to do. It was a fearful situation for her which left her totally incapacitated. She hadn't slept in days, refused to eat and was apparently afraid of water. I was at a loss how to help her but luckily the medics took over and I was spared that responsibility. She was given medication and became less obviously distressed. I cannot imagine what was happening for her "inside". I feel privileged to have met her at a stage before she was sedated.
The day after I saw her in hospital, I was looking on the intranet in a casual way. It's usually full of boring information but it also promotes events happening locally. I was struck by a talk that was going to be held that weekend at a local library. I have loved the Philip Pullman "His Dark Materials" trilogy. (In fact I read the whole of the Northern Lights book on a train journey to and from Durham!) So when I noticed that someone called Anthony Peake was due to be giving a lecture on the Science and Pholosophy behind the books, my interest was aroused. So began a process of checking on the internet (thank you Google) leading to watching the video clips on You Tube. The whole thing chimed with things I had read, studied and experienced throughout my life! At this point I knew I had to attend the talk. I was as excited as if I was going on a date!
Needless to say I was totally blown away by the ideas Anthony was introducing. (And he only mentioned Philip Pullman's work once in passing! I'll forgive him though... those ideas weren't as new to me as the way Anthony links things!)
Since then there have been other synchronicities, the main one relating to a dream I have had throughout my life. It goes like this:
I am aware of myself asleep in bed. I wake up (in my dream) with a start because I remember I have been given some very vital information (possibly by God) which has been entrusted to me so that I can make the whole world suffer less and be more safely protected. Only I can't remember what it is! I wake up (in reality) weeping and shaking, asking myself why should God give me of all people something so important when I can't rememember anything! Usually it takes me about 20 minutes to come out of the trance and the feeling leaves me deflated all day.
I had the dream again this week but this time I held out my hand to my daemon at the point when I usually get tearful. (In fact I must have done this really because it woke me up!) Instead of feeling a sense of failure, this time I was quite elated. I had a sense of "bring it on!"
Sunday, 25 May 2008
Servants of the Light (SOL)
On Friday evening I was honoured to present the opening lecture for the Servants Of The Light (SOL) 'Ritual With Purpose" weekend. Gary and Karl were also keen to attend so the three of us made our way over to the foothills of the Pennines in East Cheshire.The theme of my talk was 'Space & Time' and I decided to focus on the subjective nature of time perception and to present evidence that precognition is a reality rather than a supposition.
The reception my presentation received was fantastic. Indeed we spent another hour not only discussing the implications of ITLAD and CTF but also receiving some amazing personal experiences from the audience, all of whom gave huge support to both theories. The majority of these focused in on the reality of the Daemon as a guiding force within human experience.
The subject then moved to synchronicity and one member of SOL was not only amazed at the series of coincidences that facilitated his attendance but also how many elements of itlad were being shown to be true by the work of The Federation of Damanhur in Italy - a place that he had been only a few days before. He strongly advised that direct contact should be made with this organisation (http://www.damanhur.org/).
As we discussed synchronicity my eye caught the front cover of the booklet outlining the weekend's events. I simply could not believe my eyes.
The image on the cover is the one at the start at the post. Remind you of anything?
Take a look at my posting of the 1st May 2008
Look at the image that I hypnogogically 'saw' whilst holding the Solar Cross.
Now is that not weird .... and clearly significant!!!
May I thank Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki and Elizabeth Fox for again allowing me a platform to get across my ideas and theories. And thanks to Karl and Gary for not only attending with me but also for the great conversation and witty bantor in the car both on our way there and on our way back.
Thank you also to the attendees of the Ritual. You made me very welcome and I really enjoyed our chats afterwards. You are all also very welcome to join in with us here on our little part of the web. Any contributions, comments or questions will be more than welcome.
has anyone ever met themselves in a dream?
In the past I had many lucid dreams but now they are, sadly, very infrequent. I do recall, though, that in three of them I "met" myself.
On each occasion the other me was totally unresponsive and I would walk around him and stare at him and try to elicit a response.
I particulary remember one such dream in which the other me was sitting on a sofa in a meditating position and I was standing behind him, and I studied him for a long time, wondering why he wouldnt move or speak to me. Could this have been an attempt to communicate with my Daemon, or indeed he with me? And if so, why was it such a failure!
On each occasion the other me was totally unresponsive and I would walk around him and stare at him and try to elicit a response.
I particulary remember one such dream in which the other me was sitting on a sofa in a meditating position and I was standing behind him, and I studied him for a long time, wondering why he wouldnt move or speak to me. Could this have been an attempt to communicate with my Daemon, or indeed he with me? And if so, why was it such a failure!
Saturday, 24 May 2008
the voice of the Daemon?
About ten years ago I was near San Francisco having dinner with a lady friend at our favourite Indian restaurant. I was eating my favourite dish, Chicken vindaloo.
AS I was bringing the chicken to my mouth I was suddenly hit
by an overwhelming feeling of sufferring; I actually experienced the
suffering of all the chickens that died so that I could eat my favourite meal. It was so intense that I burst into tears and dropped my fork, unable to eat anymore. This feeling was to last for several minutes.
For the next two years I was a vegetarian until I became very ill. After one week of nightly stomach pains I admitted to myself that I should seek medical help. Just as I had this thought, a voice inside my head very very clearly said to me " eat chicken".
Of course I was astonished by this! On two counts;first because it was my experience of the suffering of animals that had made me become a vegetarian, and second because the voice was so clear, so real.
the next day I ate a little chcicken. That night I had my first nights sleep in a week. For the next three days I ate checken and each night slept well. I decided to experiement and did not eat cheicken the following day. That night the pains returned! SO, for the next week I ate chicken each day. My health and energy returned. Now I am no longer a vegetarian - its very confusing!!!
Shiva.
AS I was bringing the chicken to my mouth I was suddenly hit
by an overwhelming feeling of sufferring; I actually experienced the
suffering of all the chickens that died so that I could eat my favourite meal. It was so intense that I burst into tears and dropped my fork, unable to eat anymore. This feeling was to last for several minutes.
For the next two years I was a vegetarian until I became very ill. After one week of nightly stomach pains I admitted to myself that I should seek medical help. Just as I had this thought, a voice inside my head very very clearly said to me " eat chicken".
Of course I was astonished by this! On two counts;first because it was my experience of the suffering of animals that had made me become a vegetarian, and second because the voice was so clear, so real.
the next day I ate a little chcicken. That night I had my first nights sleep in a week. For the next three days I ate checken and each night slept well. I decided to experiement and did not eat cheicken the following day. That night the pains returned! SO, for the next week I ate chicken each day. My health and energy returned. Now I am no longer a vegetarian - its very confusing!!!
Shiva.
electromagnetic memory - my ideas
Hi,
finally!!!!! I can access this blog from my location!!!
I have had a similar idea about memory , with a slight twist.
First an analogy. If two guitars are tuned exactly the same, then if a string is plucked on one guitar then the corresponding string vibrates on the other one.
My thought is this: if memory is stored as vibrations then there is no need for a "computer like" brain with complex algorithms to lookup memory. The stored memory simply vibrates with the input!
It is instananeous.
So our brain is not a super-computer, its more like a musical
instrument!
Shiva.
finally!!!!! I can access this blog from my location!!!
I have had a similar idea about memory , with a slight twist.
First an analogy. If two guitars are tuned exactly the same, then if a string is plucked on one guitar then the corresponding string vibrates on the other one.
My thought is this: if memory is stored as vibrations then there is no need for a "computer like" brain with complex algorithms to lookup memory. The stored memory simply vibrates with the input!
It is instananeous.
So our brain is not a super-computer, its more like a musical
instrument!
Shiva.
Friday, 23 May 2008
Pictures of the Mind
There’s a subject I’ve been trying to write about for days now but ironically I’m finding it hard to put into words – that subject is visual thinking. I once read some of the greatest minds in history were visual thinkers. It’s a hard point to argue against when one considers the evidence.
Autistic savant Daniel Tammet is a math genius like the world has never known. Tammet can perform the most complex mathematical equations in his head faster than an accountant with a calculator. He can also recall pi to 22,514 decimal places (it might interest the group that Tammet’s obsession with numbers began after suffering an epileptic seizure at age 3). Not surprisingly, Daniel doesn’t calculate numbers like the rest of us:
"When I multiply numbers together, I see two shapes. The image starts to change and evolve, and a third shape emerges. That's the answer. It's mental imagery. It's like maths without having to think."
Of course there are countless other examples of extraordinary people who could be defined as visual thinkers. And given the apparent strength of visual thinking, I wonder if it's a hardwired function of the brain or is it a skill which can be learned?
Sometime ago I came up with a mental exercise designed to improve my meditation skills. The exercise consists of eliminating words from my thought process and performing everyday tasks using only mental images. At first I experienced a great deal of difficulty and not an insignificant amount of physical pain. It felt as if my head had turned into a construction site as my brain learned to function under the new conditions. Eventually the task became easier but I have yet to master what I would consider true visual thinking. On a positive note though, I did sense an improvement in my ability to focus during meditation.
So I have to ask if anyone here is a visual thinker, or possibly knows someone who is. Given the amazing minds assembled I would venture to guess there are more than a few here. I for one would be most interested in hearing your thoughts and experiences on this subject.
References: A genius explains: The Daniel Tammet Story
Autistic savant Daniel Tammet is a math genius like the world has never known. Tammet can perform the most complex mathematical equations in his head faster than an accountant with a calculator. He can also recall pi to 22,514 decimal places (it might interest the group that Tammet’s obsession with numbers began after suffering an epileptic seizure at age 3). Not surprisingly, Daniel doesn’t calculate numbers like the rest of us:
"When I multiply numbers together, I see two shapes. The image starts to change and evolve, and a third shape emerges. That's the answer. It's mental imagery. It's like maths without having to think."
Of course there are countless other examples of extraordinary people who could be defined as visual thinkers. And given the apparent strength of visual thinking, I wonder if it's a hardwired function of the brain or is it a skill which can be learned?
Sometime ago I came up with a mental exercise designed to improve my meditation skills. The exercise consists of eliminating words from my thought process and performing everyday tasks using only mental images. At first I experienced a great deal of difficulty and not an insignificant amount of physical pain. It felt as if my head had turned into a construction site as my brain learned to function under the new conditions. Eventually the task became easier but I have yet to master what I would consider true visual thinking. On a positive note though, I did sense an improvement in my ability to focus during meditation.
So I have to ask if anyone here is a visual thinker, or possibly knows someone who is. Given the amazing minds assembled I would venture to guess there are more than a few here. I for one would be most interested in hearing your thoughts and experiences on this subject.
References: A genius explains: The Daniel Tammet Story
Thursday, 22 May 2008
The Overview Effect: Enlightenment Made Easy
So you want to experience enlightenment, eh? Forget all the meditation, hours of chanting and animal free diets. Turns out all you have to do is become an astronaut. In a fascinating article at the dailygalaxy.com this week, Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell discusses his mind altering experiences in space. Apparently the phenomenon is quite common among space travelers and has even been given a name: the Overview Effect. Mitchell briefly touches on his ideas about the how and why of his ordeal including some comments about consciousness and quantum mechanics. Something tells me he might actually be one of us. ;-)http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2008/05/space-euphoria.html
The Lake House
I just caught the ITLAD genre film 'The Lake House' on HBO. Although it doesn't speak directly to ITLAD, it does a very nice job with some of the related themes - especially that of time. It received only mixed reviews when released 2 years ago but I suspect many here would find it quite enjoyable.“[The Lake House] was written by David Auburn, directed by Alejandro Agresti, and stars Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock as Alex Wyler and Kate Forster, respectively an architect living in 2004 and a doctor living in 2006. The two are introduced and share correspondence across the years by leaving letters in a mailbox at the lake house they've both lived in at separate points in time.” Wikipedia link
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
"The Gospel of the Second Coming" by Timothy Freke & Peter Gandy
Many years ago, when I had finished the first version of ITLAD I was not sure what I should do. I knew that one needed to secure the services of a literary agent but which one. I had heard that this was harder than getting a publishing deal so I was at a loss. Whilst on holiday in Stoupa (a beautiful small resort on the Greek Peloponnese) I read an amazing book called The Jesus Mysteries by Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy. I was really excited to discover that Freke & Gandy also discuss the Daemon and Eidolon as I had done in my book. On my return to the UK I checked out their website and fired an email of to Tim. I never expected a reply. What I received was that and more. Tim was so fascinated by my 'take' on this Gnostic belief that he suggested that I contact his literary agent. This I did and, as we like to say, the rest is history.
Tim and Peter have brought out another couple of books since Mysteries including the amazing Laughing Jesus. However it is their latest book - The Gospel of the Second Coming that is well worth reading. Not only that but it is rib achingly funny!
In this book may I draw particular attention to Chapter 10 (page 81) which has a most interesting discussion regarding the Daemon and the Eidolon.
If you are interested Tim and Peter have a website dealing with this classic book - check it out at
I know that Tim is aware of our little blog here ... and I will give him the "heads-up" that I have referenced his great book.
Tuesday, 20 May 2008
Opening paragraphs of original 2001 "Cheating THe Ferryman"
For one of those Gnostics
the visible universe was an illusion
or (more precisely) a sophism.
Mirrors and fatherhood are abominable
because they multiply and disseminate the universe.
Jorge Luis Borges
(from: Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius”).
In 1988 I purchased a book entitled “Labyrinths” written by the Argentinean poet and philosopher Jorge Luis Borges. I had come across one or two of his stories in anthologies of fantastic literature and his style and content so intrigued me that I wished to read more. I quickly discovered that although I enjoyed the strange worlds that he created I simply did not fully understand what he was about. At least once a year I took the book from my bookshelves and took a different story as a starting point. However in the way that certain books can, I found myself admiring the style rather than the content. In this way the book was to remain not fully read and not even vaguely understood, a silent testament to the success of ignorance over pretension.
Twelve years later I began research into the book you now have in your hands. Many dinner parties and frustrating pub discussions had lead me to believe that the only way that my curious cosmological theories could be understood would be if I wrote them down. For years I had watched as inquisitors, initially fascinated, became more and more puzzled by my esoteric ramblings. In a curious vindication of the overall theory I had come by my beliefs through introspection rather than research. Like Schliemann and Troy I knew that my intuitions were correct but I could back them up with no empirical evidence. However as I began my quest I discovered that every book I picked up at random from my personal library gave me the support I needed. I discovered that my ideas had not spontaneously occurred but had come together in a very deeply subliminal way. My ‘facts’ had been quietly marshalling themselves within my subconscious so that when I came to look for support my book collection became my personal Hill of Hissarlik. All the books that I had, as far as I could understand at the time, bought and read at random, showed a pattern. Gems of supportive information fell from the pages with no search needed from myself. “Cheating The Ferryman” was not being researched; it was being excavated. It lay just below the surface of my conscious mind waiting to be uncovered.
the visible universe was an illusion
or (more precisely) a sophism.
Mirrors and fatherhood are abominable
because they multiply and disseminate the universe.
Jorge Luis Borges
(from: Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius”).
In 1988 I purchased a book entitled “Labyrinths” written by the Argentinean poet and philosopher Jorge Luis Borges. I had come across one or two of his stories in anthologies of fantastic literature and his style and content so intrigued me that I wished to read more. I quickly discovered that although I enjoyed the strange worlds that he created I simply did not fully understand what he was about. At least once a year I took the book from my bookshelves and took a different story as a starting point. However in the way that certain books can, I found myself admiring the style rather than the content. In this way the book was to remain not fully read and not even vaguely understood, a silent testament to the success of ignorance over pretension.
Twelve years later I began research into the book you now have in your hands. Many dinner parties and frustrating pub discussions had lead me to believe that the only way that my curious cosmological theories could be understood would be if I wrote them down. For years I had watched as inquisitors, initially fascinated, became more and more puzzled by my esoteric ramblings. In a curious vindication of the overall theory I had come by my beliefs through introspection rather than research. Like Schliemann and Troy I knew that my intuitions were correct but I could back them up with no empirical evidence. However as I began my quest I discovered that every book I picked up at random from my personal library gave me the support I needed. I discovered that my ideas had not spontaneously occurred but had come together in a very deeply subliminal way. My ‘facts’ had been quietly marshalling themselves within my subconscious so that when I came to look for support my book collection became my personal Hill of Hissarlik. All the books that I had, as far as I could understand at the time, bought and read at random, showed a pattern. Gems of supportive information fell from the pages with no search needed from myself. “Cheating The Ferryman” was not being researched; it was being excavated. It lay just below the surface of my conscious mind waiting to be uncovered.
Joy within ITLADian theory
[Written in the interests of balance, and as a counter-contemplation to the excellent previous post by Hurlyburly]
How has Tony’s book and this blog brought Joy to your lives, or made you see things in a more positive light?
I’ll post my own thoughts in the comments to save blog space, and welcome ALL to share your stories and thoughts.
A Dark Philosopher
Karl L Le Marcs
How has Tony’s book and this blog brought Joy to your lives, or made you see things in a more positive light?
I’ll post my own thoughts in the comments to save blog space, and welcome ALL to share your stories and thoughts.
A Dark Philosopher
Karl L Le Marcs
Suicide within ITLADian theory
Well it's been over 4 years since i was studying one of the great founding fathers of Sociology, this of course being the wonderful Emile Durkheim who gave such a marvelous contribution to all of Sociological theory but in particular to the study of Suicide.
For all of you who perhaps aren't aware of his work, maybe this would be a good time for some Wikipedia!
So taking all of these things into account, what are the implications of this for Tony's theory? (excuse the fact that some of these questions are the same dressed differently! It's simply me trying to encourage lots of questioning in this area!)
Is Suicide a discourse for certain individuals or is it a Sin?(I don't necessarily mean in a religious context)
What would the Daemon's influence be in such an outcome? - Is it possible this decision could be encouraged? Surely there are recorded stories of voices persuading the individual to choose both paths, but not necessarily from the Daemon.
Would there still be a life review played back in real time?
Would an outcome of suicide indicate a weak Daemonic influence or merely a necessary chain of events?
If we are all making subtle changes each time striving for the perfect life/frequency is it likely that a particular individual committing suicide could ever be the desired ending (for them in their reality)?
Is Suicide an indication that an individual simply has a lot of growing and evolving to experience in order to achieve a healthier life path?
That should get the ball rolling!? You get the point right? Suicide, how does this change things at all?
Monday, 19 May 2008
IONS "Shift In Action"
On the 2nd of May 2008 I placed a blog entry onto the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) 'Shift In Action site. This has therefore been on the site nearly three weeks. This is one of a few I have placed on this site over the last couple of months. However this particular blog has proven amazingly popular. I have been watching with amazement as the number of 'reads' have became greater and greater. However in the last two days it has gone crazy. Now either there is something wrong with their counting system or my contribution has, within less than 20 days, been the most read blog entry in the history of this site (5,715 reads!). I have done a quick review back to the start of the site in February 2005 and I cannot find one contribution that has generated as much interest. It must be an error ... but if it is not this really shows how itlad and CTF are now starting to make a real impact!Check this out on http://www.shiftinaction.com/declare?from=30
And maybe even give it a read to increase the numbers even more!
Sunday, 18 May 2008
Where Is The Internet? (An Analogy)
[A continuation (and attempted clarification) of the original thought-process from my previous post The 'Sensation' Of Being Stared At and my “Collapsing The Consciousness Wave” theory within, incorporating ITLAD and CTF]We all use it; we all think we know what it is; but where is the Internet?
This blog for instance: All of us merrily skip here to frolic in the cerebral carnival of consciousness, but where is it; where do we go to get here?
Now, consider Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), which allows us to connect to the Internet wirelessly. The Internet is a waveform, all around us, and if we have a Laptop or a PC that is Wi-Fi enabled then our computer can collapse the waveform of the Internet and produce a particle of the Internet within our system.
Within this particle of the Internet that is your computer, you store memories (downloaded content), experiences (website history) and personality (bookmarks of favourite sites) which you can access and revisit every time you use it.
So, in effect, our computer collapses the waveform of the Internet and creates a particle of the Internet within it, which is then subjective and useable by us to store our memories, experiences and personality. Then, by using email and chat facilities, we can form Quantum Entanglements with other computers, other particles of the Internet, and these entanglements interact on the objective wave of the Internet, which is everywhere.
Therefore, I posit this as analogous to how Consciousness works within my theory:
"We are all of one consciousness," (the Internet wave)
"but experiencing itself subjectively," (Internet on our computers)
"as collapsed particles of consciousness," (our computer)
"from the objective consciousness field waveform." (the Internet)
Our Daemon in this example is therefore our Cache (that part of our computer that stores previous web-pages for faster access) so when we revisit sites we have prior knowledge of previous experiences.
Can I ask my fellow ITLADists -
Do you think my Internet/Wi-Fi/Computer analogy helps explain my “Collapsing The Consciousness Wave” theory in more accessible and personably understandable language?
A Dark Philosopher
Karl L Le Marcs
some more on osho!
Existence
You are not accidental. Existence needs you. Without you something will be missing in existence and nobody can replace it. Thats what gives you dignity, that the whole existence will miss you. The stars and sun and moon, the trees and birds and earth - everything in the universe will feel a small place is vacant which cannot be filled by anybody except you. This gives you a tremendous joy, a fulfillment that you are related to existence, and existence cares for you. Once you are clean and clear, you can see tremendous love falling on you from all dimensions.
By: Osho
You are not accidental. Existence needs you. Without you something will be missing in existence and nobody can replace it. Thats what gives you dignity, that the whole existence will miss you. The stars and sun and moon, the trees and birds and earth - everything in the universe will feel a small place is vacant which cannot be filled by anybody except you. This gives you a tremendous joy, a fulfillment that you are related to existence, and existence cares for you. Once you are clean and clear, you can see tremendous love falling on you from all dimensions.
By: Osho
Abundance
In the East people have condemned the body, condemned matter, called matter "illusory," maya - it does not really exist, it only appears to exist; it is made of the same stuff as dreams are made of. They denied the world, and that is the reason for the East remaining poor, sick, in starvation. Half of humanity has been accepting the inner world but denying the outer world. The other half of humanity has been accepting the material world and denying the inner world. Both are half, and no man who is half can be contented. You have to be whole: rich in the body, rich in science; rich in meditation, rich in consciousness. Only a whole person is a holy person, according to me. I want Zorba and Buddha to meet together. Zorba alone is hollow. His dance has not an eternal significance, it is momentary pleasure. Soon he will be tired of it. Unless you have inexhaustible sources, available to you from the cosmos itself...unless you become existential, you cannot become whole. This is my contribution to humanity: the whole person.
By: Osho
In the East people have condemned the body, condemned matter, called matter "illusory," maya - it does not really exist, it only appears to exist; it is made of the same stuff as dreams are made of. They denied the world, and that is the reason for the East remaining poor, sick, in starvation. Half of humanity has been accepting the inner world but denying the outer world. The other half of humanity has been accepting the material world and denying the inner world. Both are half, and no man who is half can be contented. You have to be whole: rich in the body, rich in science; rich in meditation, rich in consciousness. Only a whole person is a holy person, according to me. I want Zorba and Buddha to meet together. Zorba alone is hollow. His dance has not an eternal significance, it is momentary pleasure. Soon he will be tired of it. Unless you have inexhaustible sources, available to you from the cosmos itself...unless you become existential, you cannot become whole. This is my contribution to humanity: the whole person.
By: Osho
"And therefore, as a stranger, give it welcome" : A Peakian transformation of Hamlet
This post is far removed from scientific theorizing; it sprang from a tendency in me toward literary criticism, but it's subject is very much related to Tony's eidolon/daemon dyad, and hopefully can at least facilitate discussion.
It has been a source of my profound and overwhelming gratitude to Tony, that his eidolon/daemon dyad theory has - at least for me - cast a new light on all, illuminating in all directions: "everything is new, and yielding!". . .
I do not know if any fellow-bloggers are as fond of the play, Hamlet, as am I, but I have noticed as of late that it now seems brimming with eidolon/daemon references. Even the meeting with the ghost now strikes me as Hamlet in inner dialogue with his daemon. The brilliant and classic critiques and commentary by Earnest Jones and Theodore Reik were Oedipal in their focus and brought much insight and pleasure; however, viewing through Tony's lens has increased such, very much so, for me.
I have now found a pattern - a subtext - in the play, which had before escaped me, in which I see for the first time Hamlet struggling with a second self (i.e., daemonic influence, take over). Certain of his cryptic lines are now both more poignant and more revealing.
To list a few, in no particular oder (as they come from memory; I have written/presented on this play so often I feel that I can trust myself well in this regard) - The following are all from Hamlet's own mouth: [spoken by H. to the ghost] "I will follow thee, call thee Hamlet."; "Hamlet from himself be taken away"; "Hamlet does it not; Hamlet denies it"; "Hamlet [though he act]is yet of the faction wronged"; "I have that within which passeth show [surpasses his own appearance]; "shall I couple hell?" [join with an alien force]; "the body is with the king, but the king be not with the body" [i.e., the eidolon is with the daemon, yet the latter is detached and autonomous]; "he was my dying voice; the rest is silence"[of the daemon territory]. . .
There is as well visible to me for the first time a trajectory of progress, a sense not of Hamlet's madness - feigned or actual - but of a subordination to his higher self which he initially fights but finds increasingly seductive (" 'tis now the very witching time of night[daemon time]. . now I could do such bitter business as the day would quake to look upon[eidolon does not comprehend the daemon's quest]"). The dialectical process, initiated by the daemon, followed furtively by the eidolon, is revealed.
I cannot describe the way in which Tony's concept has altered this play - a life long treasure of my soul - to the point where I feel it has been rendered fully whole , at last: To my thinking, this is no small feat. The shadow of the Bard touched by Tony's concept: alchemy across the centuries! How odd, but somehow beautiful. How can I not be grateful for such transubstantiation? This is magic to a literary soul. That it was unintentional, unknown by the agent! All the more potent for its action at a distance (and spooky as well). In any case, such windfalls are few and far between.
Moreover, even Tony's theme which runs throughout ITLAD regarding TLE/schizophrenic onset is quite evident now: Hamlet speaks of "time" being somehow "set out of joint", and something has altered his thinking, "by my fare, I cannot reason"; he makes claims of perception and process both being "askew"; that he feels odd, a stranger in his own court and land, and "my imagination's all afoul." His odd comments to Horatio upon the castle platform (Horatio hears the bell strike quite loudly the hour; Hamlet's response: "Indeed, I heard it not" ) become clear: He has crossed the border, he is already, as Peake says, "falling out of time". Obviously all issues from the playwright himself, and Shakespeare at age 36 was clearly experiencing something uncanny and disturbing. A biographical study confirms this.
An interesting aside, perhaps also daemonic in its origin: Reik himself speaks of the age of about 36-38 (Ortega y Gasset places it at 26, but I think that is far from correct)as being one of profound import for the superior man, of a rising of "the man within the man"; Freud speaks of a second such movement, from about 50-53, with a point of extreme danger requiring survival at the age of 51-2 (my own husband fell just at this point). . . In any case, while I am fully aware that not all are obsessive Hamlet fans as I have been since age 28, I do think the parallels to be found within the play to Tony's dyad are profound; and hopefully this will counterbalance and compensate for the importunity of going on at such length regarding my literary passion (or perhaps not). But I will let is stand: Surely it is proper and fitting to express gratitude to Tony, for that which seems akin to the miraculous.
It has been a source of my profound and overwhelming gratitude to Tony, that his eidolon/daemon dyad theory has - at least for me - cast a new light on all, illuminating in all directions: "everything is new, and yielding!". . .
I do not know if any fellow-bloggers are as fond of the play, Hamlet, as am I, but I have noticed as of late that it now seems brimming with eidolon/daemon references. Even the meeting with the ghost now strikes me as Hamlet in inner dialogue with his daemon. The brilliant and classic critiques and commentary by Earnest Jones and Theodore Reik were Oedipal in their focus and brought much insight and pleasure; however, viewing through Tony's lens has increased such, very much so, for me.
I have now found a pattern - a subtext - in the play, which had before escaped me, in which I see for the first time Hamlet struggling with a second self (i.e., daemonic influence, take over). Certain of his cryptic lines are now both more poignant and more revealing.
To list a few, in no particular oder (as they come from memory; I have written/presented on this play so often I feel that I can trust myself well in this regard) - The following are all from Hamlet's own mouth: [spoken by H. to the ghost] "I will follow thee, call thee Hamlet."; "Hamlet from himself be taken away"; "Hamlet does it not; Hamlet denies it"; "Hamlet [though he act]is yet of the faction wronged"; "I have that within which passeth show [surpasses his own appearance]; "shall I couple hell?" [join with an alien force]; "the body is with the king, but the king be not with the body" [i.e., the eidolon is with the daemon, yet the latter is detached and autonomous]; "he was my dying voice; the rest is silence"[of the daemon territory]. . .
There is as well visible to me for the first time a trajectory of progress, a sense not of Hamlet's madness - feigned or actual - but of a subordination to his higher self which he initially fights but finds increasingly seductive (" 'tis now the very witching time of night[daemon time]. . now I could do such bitter business as the day would quake to look upon[eidolon does not comprehend the daemon's quest]"). The dialectical process, initiated by the daemon, followed furtively by the eidolon, is revealed.
I cannot describe the way in which Tony's concept has altered this play - a life long treasure of my soul - to the point where I feel it has been rendered fully whole , at last: To my thinking, this is no small feat. The shadow of the Bard touched by Tony's concept: alchemy across the centuries! How odd, but somehow beautiful. How can I not be grateful for such transubstantiation? This is magic to a literary soul. That it was unintentional, unknown by the agent! All the more potent for its action at a distance (and spooky as well). In any case, such windfalls are few and far between.
Moreover, even Tony's theme which runs throughout ITLAD regarding TLE/schizophrenic onset is quite evident now: Hamlet speaks of "time" being somehow "set out of joint", and something has altered his thinking, "by my fare, I cannot reason"; he makes claims of perception and process both being "askew"; that he feels odd, a stranger in his own court and land, and "my imagination's all afoul." His odd comments to Horatio upon the castle platform (Horatio hears the bell strike quite loudly the hour; Hamlet's response: "Indeed, I heard it not" ) become clear: He has crossed the border, he is already, as Peake says, "falling out of time". Obviously all issues from the playwright himself, and Shakespeare at age 36 was clearly experiencing something uncanny and disturbing. A biographical study confirms this.
An interesting aside, perhaps also daemonic in its origin: Reik himself speaks of the age of about 36-38 (Ortega y Gasset places it at 26, but I think that is far from correct)as being one of profound import for the superior man, of a rising of "the man within the man"; Freud speaks of a second such movement, from about 50-53, with a point of extreme danger requiring survival at the age of 51-2 (my own husband fell just at this point). . . In any case, while I am fully aware that not all are obsessive Hamlet fans as I have been since age 28, I do think the parallels to be found within the play to Tony's dyad are profound; and hopefully this will counterbalance and compensate for the importunity of going on at such length regarding my literary passion (or perhaps not). But I will let is stand: Surely it is proper and fitting to express gratitude to Tony, for that which seems akin to the miraculous.
Saturday, 17 May 2008
Glutamate - the REAL link between Autism, Epilepsy and Psychosis??
Hi.... having fought my way through the last 3 or 4 posts and their 100's of comments my brain needs to cool off a little and so I thought I'd bring things back down with a bump and create a heap of controversy (this blog doesn't have much of that does it, ha ha).
Hypothesis.... "Glutamate is the trigger for stereotypical autistic behaviour, seizures and also schizophrenia."
Some out there may already know this. Let me know if you do. No-one who talks to us about our son has ever accepted any of these links and they treat him for 3 separate conditions. So how have I been brought to this belief?
Well, it is really a combination of years of trying to understand my son's conditions and some fascinating observations of my son in the past 2 weeks. If we are right, or even on the right path, the effect could be shattering for him and maybe many others.
But without ITLAD and this blog I would have continued to miss the critical ingredient which is the power and enormity of the unconscious mind and the Daemon.
History....
We have known for 20 years that the chemical, MSG (Mono-Sodium Glutamate, E621), which is added as a flavouring in many many foods, causes our son to climb walls, babble, change personality, get angry and hyperactive. As a child, such behaviour was partially controlled by removing MSG from his diet. Nobody took us seriously that he had a condition or even that MSG could do this. They effectively patronised us. But we persisted. At 18 years old, after 14 years of trying, we eventually got someone to accept that he may have an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. But again, nobody cared to connect it to anything he ate or any predisposition to chemicals in the brain.
However, we started to read about it and there was a school of thought that Gluten may have a connection. Some reported success by cutting it out of the diet. But no-one could say why this worked, as Gluten was not really linked to brain issues per se, it just tended to be see as an issue to do with digestion and skin issues. And besides... nobody knows how the brain works, do they!? (But that still doesn't stop doctors from cramming drugs into us to help with problems of the head!)
Anyway, at 20, he had 2 big seizures for the first time, a month apart. Medics quickly treated it as epilepsy and gave him anti-seizure drugs. 3 months later, we saw the start of serious psychotic episodes of anger, paranoia, anxiety and hallucinations. Nobody knew what it was or why. No-one accepted any link to the seizures or the drugs. We could not find anyone who would even consider the possibility.
18 months ago, the psychosis was present every day, many times a day and unpredictably severe. It was a terrifying time for the family. For months, we refused to medicate, but we gave in eventually as it was becoming dangerous for him and for us. For 12 months he has been on anti-seizure and anti-psychosis drugs. The seizures seemed to be in control but the psychosis would still rear its head every few days without any obvious trigger. The Psychiatrist was surprised but agreed not to further increase the dose.
NOW HERE IS THE DISCOVERY..........
2 weeks ago, he had his first grand mal for over 2 years (See my earlier post on this). No-one can tell us why this would happen after so long. We just get sympathy and the medics wanting to increase his dose (over my dead body). Last week, he started having daily episodes of 'Mr Hyde' behaviour again. All the old hallucinations coming back and the anger etc.
We looked for what had changed in the last couple of weeks.
Just one thing came to mind.... Weetabix... he had started to eat Weetabix, by the bucket load. That's when it came to me... the old wives' tale that a Gluten free diet sometimes helped Autistic people. But is there a connection?
Well, guess what... Wheat Gluten is the modern source for producing MSG!!
NOW THE HYPOTHESIS....
1. The link to seizures and psychosis.
If some reports are true that, at the times when Glutamate 'floods' the brain, one has vivid hallucinations of one's past life, then perhaps what Glutamate is doing is 'opening the doors' of the unconscious mind and allowing it to leak into the conscious field. For some who are more predisposed, this 'leakage' is probably more of a tidal wave that overwhelms the brain and can, at worst, trigger a major seizure. At the least, it could trigger illusions, visions and voices composed in any combination from the past. It would not be unreasonable to expect such a sufferer to become very frightened, even angry or aggressive and certainly could appear psychotic if still awake! (And a thought on why people get the shakes during a seizure.... perhaps it is because the daemon/unconscious mind finds itself 'in charge' while the eidolon is out for the count... and it is nor very practiced at mundane tasks like managing a human body!)
2. Now the link to Autism
Many of you will have a view that someone with autism has difficulty relating to the 'real world' and will often hide away from it and avoid contact with people. If they are living in their 'right brain', it is no surprise - what goes on in the real world would be far from what goes on in the unconscious mind.
Conclusion
I must research more into the chemicals that could trigger the 'letting in' of the unconscious mind. It may not just be glutamate. Indeed, there is no obvious reason why it has to be the same for everyone. However, I am tempted to believe that the treatment for all 3 conditions may be the same and quite different from the traditional, subjective medications which are accepted by many as really quite hit and miss. The suppression of Dopamine may well be the right treatement for some conditions, but is this deliberate 'flattening of the personality' right for those with Autism? Perhaps all they need is an acceptance that the human mind is made up of 2 minds, one of which is connected to the universe, the other is connected to this human world and when one gets into the other at the wring time, the only possible result can be chaos..
Sorry for keeping you all up late... But I'd be really intersted to hear what yuo all think...is there merit in this? Is it total rubbish? Do you know of anyone who is doing related research?
Cheers
Ed
PS - If controlling the amount of Glutamate in one's head can help manage the overactive 'positive' side of someone's character, then maybe we should recommend daily Weetabix as a cure for people who need a bit more personality in their lives!
Hypothesis.... "Glutamate is the trigger for stereotypical autistic behaviour, seizures and also schizophrenia."
Some out there may already know this. Let me know if you do. No-one who talks to us about our son has ever accepted any of these links and they treat him for 3 separate conditions. So how have I been brought to this belief?
Well, it is really a combination of years of trying to understand my son's conditions and some fascinating observations of my son in the past 2 weeks. If we are right, or even on the right path, the effect could be shattering for him and maybe many others.
But without ITLAD and this blog I would have continued to miss the critical ingredient which is the power and enormity of the unconscious mind and the Daemon.
History....
We have known for 20 years that the chemical, MSG (Mono-Sodium Glutamate, E621), which is added as a flavouring in many many foods, causes our son to climb walls, babble, change personality, get angry and hyperactive. As a child, such behaviour was partially controlled by removing MSG from his diet. Nobody took us seriously that he had a condition or even that MSG could do this. They effectively patronised us. But we persisted. At 18 years old, after 14 years of trying, we eventually got someone to accept that he may have an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. But again, nobody cared to connect it to anything he ate or any predisposition to chemicals in the brain.
However, we started to read about it and there was a school of thought that Gluten may have a connection. Some reported success by cutting it out of the diet. But no-one could say why this worked, as Gluten was not really linked to brain issues per se, it just tended to be see as an issue to do with digestion and skin issues. And besides... nobody knows how the brain works, do they!? (But that still doesn't stop doctors from cramming drugs into us to help with problems of the head!)
Anyway, at 20, he had 2 big seizures for the first time, a month apart. Medics quickly treated it as epilepsy and gave him anti-seizure drugs. 3 months later, we saw the start of serious psychotic episodes of anger, paranoia, anxiety and hallucinations. Nobody knew what it was or why. No-one accepted any link to the seizures or the drugs. We could not find anyone who would even consider the possibility.
18 months ago, the psychosis was present every day, many times a day and unpredictably severe. It was a terrifying time for the family. For months, we refused to medicate, but we gave in eventually as it was becoming dangerous for him and for us. For 12 months he has been on anti-seizure and anti-psychosis drugs. The seizures seemed to be in control but the psychosis would still rear its head every few days without any obvious trigger. The Psychiatrist was surprised but agreed not to further increase the dose.
NOW HERE IS THE DISCOVERY..........
2 weeks ago, he had his first grand mal for over 2 years (See my earlier post on this). No-one can tell us why this would happen after so long. We just get sympathy and the medics wanting to increase his dose (over my dead body). Last week, he started having daily episodes of 'Mr Hyde' behaviour again. All the old hallucinations coming back and the anger etc.
We looked for what had changed in the last couple of weeks.
Just one thing came to mind.... Weetabix... he had started to eat Weetabix, by the bucket load. That's when it came to me... the old wives' tale that a Gluten free diet sometimes helped Autistic people. But is there a connection?
Well, guess what... Wheat Gluten is the modern source for producing MSG!!
NOW THE HYPOTHESIS....
1. The link to seizures and psychosis.
If some reports are true that, at the times when Glutamate 'floods' the brain, one has vivid hallucinations of one's past life, then perhaps what Glutamate is doing is 'opening the doors' of the unconscious mind and allowing it to leak into the conscious field. For some who are more predisposed, this 'leakage' is probably more of a tidal wave that overwhelms the brain and can, at worst, trigger a major seizure. At the least, it could trigger illusions, visions and voices composed in any combination from the past. It would not be unreasonable to expect such a sufferer to become very frightened, even angry or aggressive and certainly could appear psychotic if still awake! (And a thought on why people get the shakes during a seizure.... perhaps it is because the daemon/unconscious mind finds itself 'in charge' while the eidolon is out for the count... and it is nor very practiced at mundane tasks like managing a human body!)
2. Now the link to Autism
Many of you will have a view that someone with autism has difficulty relating to the 'real world' and will often hide away from it and avoid contact with people. If they are living in their 'right brain', it is no surprise - what goes on in the real world would be far from what goes on in the unconscious mind.
Conclusion
I must research more into the chemicals that could trigger the 'letting in' of the unconscious mind. It may not just be glutamate. Indeed, there is no obvious reason why it has to be the same for everyone. However, I am tempted to believe that the treatment for all 3 conditions may be the same and quite different from the traditional, subjective medications which are accepted by many as really quite hit and miss. The suppression of Dopamine may well be the right treatement for some conditions, but is this deliberate 'flattening of the personality' right for those with Autism? Perhaps all they need is an acceptance that the human mind is made up of 2 minds, one of which is connected to the universe, the other is connected to this human world and when one gets into the other at the wring time, the only possible result can be chaos..
Sorry for keeping you all up late... But I'd be really intersted to hear what yuo all think...is there merit in this? Is it total rubbish? Do you know of anyone who is doing related research?
Cheers
Ed
PS - If controlling the amount of Glutamate in one's head can help manage the overactive 'positive' side of someone's character, then maybe we should recommend daily Weetabix as a cure for people who need a bit more personality in their lives!
Some Quotes From Osho....
“Everybody is going to pass through the gates someday. If you can remember that you are only pure consciousness – not the body, not the mind, not the heart, not your money, not your prestige, not your power, not your house, but pure consciousness – then you can pass through the barrier of death unscratched... Death has power over you only if you are attached. Freedom from attachment makes you capable of entering into the universal light and becoming one with it, and that is the greatest blessing, the ultimate ecstasy beyond which nothing exists. You have come home.”-OSHO
Death is not the end of life; in fact, it is a completion of one life, the crescendo of one life, the climax, the finale.And once you know your life and its process, then you understand what death is. – Osho
“Life and death are one...in reality there is no such thing as death – life is eternal.”
Virgin Life - Deja Vu
Oh goodie it's another Virgin life post! Was just wondering if there has been any research into Virgin Lifers that do claim to have Deja vu and other Daemon based phenomenon? Is that a complete contradiction because if it is i think it's a dangerous problem. I agree with a fair majority of Tony's theory but have several issues with this Virgin Life concept that i probably couldn't do justice by attempting to explain.
Surely it can't be as simple as if you claim to have had Deja Vu than you are not a Virgin Lifer!
Surely it can't be as simple as if you claim to have had Deja Vu than you are not a Virgin Lifer!
Simple CTF Question
Are the subsequent lives in ITLAD theory experienced in the same flesh and blood manner as the virgin life or are they played out only within our consciousness, like in a dream. From my understanding I would say the latter; however I suspect the panel would say this is incorrect.
Friday, 16 May 2008
Crystal (Eye) Ball – ‘See’ The Future ?
[Warning: Don't stare at the image too long as you will start to bend your own perception and most likely feel somewhat unwell]
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Unfortunately, (or not, depending on your perspective), I don’t have time to compose a full post on this very interesting development in ongoing research into perception, and my many previous posts and comments regarding the temporal time delay between empirical experience and what is presented to active consciousness (Daemon to Eidolon communication), so I shall give you a link to an online report published today and an optical illusion to illustrate the findings.
“Catching a football; manoeuvring through a room full of people; jumping out of the way when a golfer yells “fore”. Most would agree these seemingly simple actions require us to perceive and quickly respond to a situation. Assistant Professor of Cognitive Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Mark Changizi argues they require something more — our ability to foresee the future.”
Crystal (Eye) Ball: Visual System Equipped With 'Future Seeing Powers'
Link to online report - "Perceiving The Present"
A Dark Philosopher
Karl L Le Marcs
“Catching a football; manoeuvring through a room full of people; jumping out of the way when a golfer yells “fore”. Most would agree these seemingly simple actions require us to perceive and quickly respond to a situation. Assistant Professor of Cognitive Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Mark Changizi argues they require something more — our ability to foresee the future.”
Crystal (Eye) Ball: Visual System Equipped With 'Future Seeing Powers'
Link to online report - "Perceiving The Present"
A Dark Philosopher
Karl L Le Marcs
The Electric Universe
A few months back I stumbled upon the works of David Talbott, an American comparative mythologist and author. Talbott contends the universe operates more by the forces of electricity than the “gravity-driven universe of prior theory.” And though much of Talbott’s Velikovsky inspired work is controversial at best, it did introduce me to the more solid (though obscure) science of plasma cosmology.I won’t attempt to delve too deeply into this fascinating subject for fear of not doing it justice. What I will say is it completely changed my way of thinking. If you are unfamiliar with plasma cosmology I highly recommend you take the time to do some research. It sets forth the canvas from which many of the ideas discussed on this blog spring forth. A great primer on this subject can be found at the below listed web site:
"Mainstream science, for the most part, looks on the universe as electrically neutral and purely mechanical; a place where the weak force of gravity holds fort. Plasma Cosmology, by contrast, acknowledges the electrodynamic nature of the universe. Gravity and inertia are NOT the only forces at work."
Electromagnetic Waves of Memory
To my knowledge the precise mechanics of memory storage has yet to be discovered, though conventional thinking places it in quasi digital format somewhere within the brain (much like the hard drive on your computer). I would argue this would be an inefficient method of data storage and prefer to take an analog approach in terms of waveform modulation and resonant oscillators.
I propose that memory is actually stored as a modulated electromagnetic wave similar to the radio signal received by your car radio. If we look at the brain as a memory converter rather than storage device then we begin to build the foundations of an extremely efficient analog computer.
I believe each one of us oscillates at a distinct central frequency determined at conception. This frequency becomes the carrier which we use to store our memories. When neurons fire in the brain a modulated electromagnetic wave (at our personal carrier frequency) is generated and propagated into the atmosphere. Individual neurons would act as bandwidth filters, each one tuned to a distinct frequency.
As we stroll thru life the inputs from our five senses are converted to an electromagnetic wave by their respective neurons and create a complex modulated analog signal. This signal becomes the film of our Bohemian IMAX and records everything we ever experience. Along with sensory input, we can also record our thoughts, emotions and certain other indiscernible inputs. And by its very nature this signal carries a built in time stamp for later memory retrieval.
Certainly the electromagnetic carrier wave we produce would not be lost. Because our bodies are a mass of electrical currents it stands to reason we carry with us our own magnetic field. This field would create a resonant oscillator at our own personal frequency. This oscillator would act as the bucket in which we stored our ‘memory waves.’ The model for this concept can be seen in Earth’s own Schumann resonances and the transmission of VLF radio signals around the globe.
The method of memory retrieval would be quite simple really. Suppose we encounter a red hot burner on the stove. We throw this visual image into our electromagnetic memory bank… and then we listen. Basic wave theory states if the signal comes back amplified then it had to be added to an existing waveform (a memory). If it is returned dampened then it has not found a match is only recorded. Once a past memory is found we can demodulate all the additional information stored on the carrier wave. There we might find heat, pain, certain smells and emotions. We now have a complete recollection of a certain image, one which has been reinforced (amplified) by our new current view.
So that’s my electronics technician view of the mind. I’m sure it’s not exact but I think it sets up a nice direction going forward. For me it helps explain certain other phenomenon such as ESP and telepathy. It seems if we were able to tune ourselves to someone else’s frequency then we could easily demodulate their thoughts (quite common among long time couples, which I feel is a direct result of entrainment). It also helps explain the Akashic record and our access to it. Our thoughts are not just our own but are also modulated with the Earth’s own resonant frequency. Not only do I have access to my own personal memories but also to all the memories of those who have come before.
I propose that memory is actually stored as a modulated electromagnetic wave similar to the radio signal received by your car radio. If we look at the brain as a memory converter rather than storage device then we begin to build the foundations of an extremely efficient analog computer.
I believe each one of us oscillates at a distinct central frequency determined at conception. This frequency becomes the carrier which we use to store our memories. When neurons fire in the brain a modulated electromagnetic wave (at our personal carrier frequency) is generated and propagated into the atmosphere. Individual neurons would act as bandwidth filters, each one tuned to a distinct frequency.
As we stroll thru life the inputs from our five senses are converted to an electromagnetic wave by their respective neurons and create a complex modulated analog signal. This signal becomes the film of our Bohemian IMAX and records everything we ever experience. Along with sensory input, we can also record our thoughts, emotions and certain other indiscernible inputs. And by its very nature this signal carries a built in time stamp for later memory retrieval.
Certainly the electromagnetic carrier wave we produce would not be lost. Because our bodies are a mass of electrical currents it stands to reason we carry with us our own magnetic field. This field would create a resonant oscillator at our own personal frequency. This oscillator would act as the bucket in which we stored our ‘memory waves.’ The model for this concept can be seen in Earth’s own Schumann resonances and the transmission of VLF radio signals around the globe.
The method of memory retrieval would be quite simple really. Suppose we encounter a red hot burner on the stove. We throw this visual image into our electromagnetic memory bank… and then we listen. Basic wave theory states if the signal comes back amplified then it had to be added to an existing waveform (a memory). If it is returned dampened then it has not found a match is only recorded. Once a past memory is found we can demodulate all the additional information stored on the carrier wave. There we might find heat, pain, certain smells and emotions. We now have a complete recollection of a certain image, one which has been reinforced (amplified) by our new current view.
So that’s my electronics technician view of the mind. I’m sure it’s not exact but I think it sets up a nice direction going forward. For me it helps explain certain other phenomenon such as ESP and telepathy. It seems if we were able to tune ourselves to someone else’s frequency then we could easily demodulate their thoughts (quite common among long time couples, which I feel is a direct result of entrainment). It also helps explain the Akashic record and our access to it. Our thoughts are not just our own but are also modulated with the Earth’s own resonant frequency. Not only do I have access to my own personal memories but also to all the memories of those who have come before.
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