In the course of some general reading on consciousness I came across some very itladian comments by Henry Nasrallah, Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology and Neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati.Professor Nasrallah (image left) specialises in schizophrenia and psychotic disorders. He proposes that during normal communication between the right and left hemispheres that the normal component of interhemispheric integration is:'inhibition of any awareness by the verbally expressive hemispheric consciousness (usually the left) that actually receeives and sends thoughts, intentions and feelings from and to another (the right) consciousness'.
He considers that in schizophrenia this function is disturbed with the result that the left hemispheric consciousness (Eidolon in our terminology) becomes aware of an influence from an 'external force', which, in fact, is the right (Daemonic) hemisphere. In this way, Nasrallah argues, the schizophrenic person becomes confused and open to delusions.
Is this not what I argue with regard to 'leakage' from the Daemonic to Eidolonic consciousness? I suggest that this 'communication' is similar to Blake's "Doors of Perception". When slightly open we have migraine, slightly more and we have TLE, wider again we see bi-polar and open wide we have schizophrenia.Any thoughts or observations?
16 comments:
I think your assertions are essentially sound and true. In reading Jung, Earnest Jones, Theodore Reik, R.D. Laing, Searles over the years, regarding their patients and the transference phenomenom, as well as James and his discourse on levels of conscious perception, there can be no doubt that there is indeed an "other" within; and this communicates especially clearly in episodes of mania, psychotic breaks, and the like.
Jill Bolte's experience would suggest that the left brain can breakdown and the right brain operate without necessarily suffering delusions. So schizophrenia is different than her experience. Is it possible that we might view people whose right brain is not accessed also as delusional?
Ra; As usual, you make a very interesting point; and well worth further exploration and discussion! And it is indeed true that delusions can arise from "left-brain" thinking as well. And certain types of autism and Aspberger syndrome, etc., would seem to be a deficiency and not an excess of right brain activity. . .
Everyone,
I totally agree with Tony, Ruth and Susan Marie.
In my own, deeply personal, involvement with writing within the Mental Health sector (under a different pseudonym), I have met and discussed such points as raised previously with many remarkably insightful people who live with all varieties of atypical mental states.
Indeed such is my own belief that it is those who have what are termed normal brains that have their "eyes wide shut", to the possibility of greater realities, and as Tony mentioned in his post, I have discussed with him previously the degrees of Mental Illness that echo the relative openess of inner cross hemispherical brain communication.
My own struggles with depression and manic highs of cerebral creativity and torrents of hypergraphia are but shadows to the wonderful view of the world that has been shared with me by souls I have talked to who live with Schizoffection, Schizophrenia and Delusion.
Indeed there is one particular gentleman, who I genuinely hope will find the determination to come on here and talk to you all, for he will blow all your minds, including Tony's.
He is wary of others and would perhaps be willing for me to write on his behalf, but as I recall being seated with him, enraptured by his words and descriptions of his reality, I would wish to share that precise feeling with you all and would feel humbled to try and communicate his words through those of my own.
Beautiful post Tony, deeply personal to me, but strikingly ITLADian in so many aspects.
"The man who comes back through the Door in the Wall will never be quite the same as the man who went out. He will be wiser but less sure, happier but less self-satisfied, humbler in acknowledging his ignorance yet better equipped to understand the relationship of words to things, of systematic reasoning to the unfathomable mystery which it tries, forever vainly, to comprehend."
- Aldous Huxley: "The Doors Of Perception"
Karl; Wonderful remarks and love the Huxley quote. I for one (and I am certain many others) would love to hear from your friend, and come to know his perceptions in his own words. Do you think he can be gently persuaded to post some of them here on the blog? He should know that all here are receptive and gentle and kindhearted, and would of course be respectful of all his thoughts and observations. Please assure him of this, and let him know that any remarks from him would be greatly appreciated.
Susan Marie;
Thank you Dear Lady
*smile*
I know that I am one of a very few people that he feels comfortable talking to (why, I could not say) and I will certainly make sure he is aware of your words (and mine) in the hope that I can encourage him to share his often mind-bending ideas and perceptions of reality (and yes, that is coming from me!!!!!!)
*BLIMEY!!*
But thank you for your kind words Susan Marie *hugs*
Oh Karl, Why so coy *smiles fondly* You are open, receptive, non judgmental and warm hearted. I can completely understand why this gentleman would open up to you. I could pass you in the street tomorrow and not know who you are but I feel totally at home chatting to you because of the above attributes.
Oh and you're a liiiiii'l bit eccentric which helps enourmously!!
*out comes the gingham kerchief with which to dab my eyes*
Tony, love the analogy of the open door, helps me to see in pictures. Here we are striving for greater understanding and insight and, in my case, direct communication with my daemon. It may be wise for me to remember that access to the daemon is restricted for good reason.
Johar;
"Eccentric"!!
How very dare you!!
*flounces off, replacing monacle which had fallen from eye owing to startled expression*
*creeps back in on tippy-toes*
But, erm, thank you for your very kind words also, Jo.
*blush*
Karl,
I am glad that you can see the spirit within the gentleman friend of yours. An analogy for our spirit's view of the physical world could be that the brain is like a lens for perceiving this world. Some are symmetrical, others not, some may be like a prism, with many subdivisions of perception, still others a kaliedoscope. Most people are afraid of views other than "normal." Scenes from the edge of perception can indeed be the most breathtaking, beautiful, or frightening one may perceive. I too would like to visit with your friend. I have found the truest adventurers near the edge, where the "normal" fear to tread.
Peace to you both,
Jon
Hi,
I am living with a young man (my 23 year old son) who has all the traits talked about in this post.It is only since knowing Tony, Karl and others and studying the condition a lot more that I have come to see for myself what is actually going on in my son's mind. There's always a lot more to learn, but we are on the journey of great discovery6 and it all fits. I'd love to give a talk on it sometime, if I ever get the chance. in the meantime, I will try to present snippets as is appropriate.
Ed
Hi Ed,
I remember the second time we met, and you showed me the camcorder footage you took of your son in the restaurant.
It brings the illusion of our perceived reality into real focus doesn't it?
I met up with my friend, who I decribed in an earlier comment, this evening at his home and I have placed a link to this post on his desktop of his PC for him so he can read through everyone's kind comments at his leisure.
And if you are reading this Aidan, then you still owe me for the shopping remember!! Don't try those games with me fella!!
*BIG smile and wink at Aidan*
Oh and Hi also Jon,
Thank you for your kind words, I totally agree.
Fortunately I tend to see the spirit of most people, often brighter than they feel it themselves!
aloha kakou!
these kind of 'different' awarenesses are what is talked about by 'first people' when they talk about 'walking in both worlds'.
this can be learned with practice, and I am finding I am able to do this more and more often.
actually the correct phrase is probably 'unlearned' as it is our western focus on the material which is un-natural, and I cringe every time someone mentions funding a so-called 'school' in africa or somewhere, where we take perfectly happy people and turn them into miserable stressed out grey robots, such is our western materialist culture! *ends rant*
I will be posting an opportunity soon, (if I get permission from Tony), for anyone who wants to find out how to open up the doors of perception and to jump between worlds at will, ultimately to walk between worlds, becoming an 'edge-walker' in the process
love and blessings
aloha e maluhia
Aloha Gary,
I would very much like some pointers on opening the doors to perception. Karl is helping me out with some dream work NLP so this would be a great adjunct. Am most keen to learn. Look forward to hearing more.
JO
XX
*whispers to Johar*
Ssshhhhhh!!!!
*winks at JoJo*
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