Sensitivity
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hence, "comfort food"
And, the opposite can sometimes be effective. A juice fast, or similar diet periodically can make me more sensitive, to the point that I'll sniff out the bad vibe from far enough away that I can avoid the situation entirely.
It's not good if I'm already in a situation where I have to mingle with people indiscriminately, though...
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@Jim Eshelman said
"It is, perhaps, unsurprising that I say: We wouldn't recommend this!
But perhaps it isn't obvious why.
The goal isn't to desensitize. You don't want to wound or destroy the mechanism of sensation, or interfere with the (sometimes delicate) biological and psychological instruments of perception. You will need those one day! (And perhaps now.)"
I wasn't exactly being serious. (Mercury in Gemini, you see
) And no, it's not something I would recommend either.Hence the footnote about Asana. And Jugorum is an excellent practice as well. i don't exactly condone such extreme behavior as self-flagellation, I just incuded it as an example. Speaking in terms of evolution, there is the Left Pillar path of non-resistance, and the Right Pillar path of Trial by Fire. Ideally one would follow the Middle Path, ascending in balance and equanimity. But to each his own.
It did work for me, though. (Not the flagellation bit, but the overdose, yes.) I reached such a highly sensitized state that my organs of perception went into shock. Realizing my error, I turned to Asana and meditation, and actually had to re-construct my ego from scratch. Not a very enjoyable experience. I thank my lucky Spica I'm back in the land of the living, and I've since adopted more user-friendly forms of consciousness expansion.
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@JPF said
"It did work for me, though. (Not the flagellation bit, but the overdose, yes.) I reached such a highly sensitized state that my organs of perception went into shock. Realizing my error, I turned to Asana and meditation, and actually had to re-construct my ego from scratch. Not a very enjoyable experience. I thank my lucky Spica I'm back in the land of the living, and I've since adopted more user-friendly forms of consciousness expansion.
"Been there too....not fun.
Out of curiosity, how would you characterise your experience in terms of the Tree of Life?
My analysis is inconclusive.
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@nderabloodredsky said
"Out of curiosity, how would you characterise your experience in terms of the Tree of Life?
My analysis is inconclusive."
Good question. Not to say that I haven't tried, but I'm a little reluctant to classify my experience. I know I went to a place that was "void," and that through Love I passed beyond my suffering. As I said, the effect of the experience itself (an overdose of LSD and amphetamine) was to destroy my ego. This being done, I started from scratch, and had to re-learn a lot of things. I went directly to a spiritual teacher, a Hindu priest, and we worked together to integrate my self through Asana, Meditation, Kirtan (religious dance), Fasting, and Ritual. During this period my Will was revealed to me, and I was able to re-integrate my personality.
That's the experience in a nutshell, and like you my analysis inconclusive. A part of me wants to say that I became a "Babe of the Abyss," but again I'm reluctant to make a judgement on something beyond my ken. I've since had several friends go through the same thing, and not come out so sane. It's a sobering thing, and I'm glad you're still with us.
How did your experience pan out? What was similar, and what was different?
Perhaps Jim, knowing a bit more of Hermetic Progress, could shed some light on the situation?
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I share your reluctance to map this in the Tree. My experience is that people either have this experience in the framework of their current state, or push just past to the next.
FWIW this sounds broadly similar to an experience I had on the Path of Tav late in my 1=10 period.
(posted by BlackBerry while out of town without computer. Just landed @ JFK.)
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@Jim Eshelman said
"I share your reluctance to map this in the Tree. My experience is that people either have this experience in the framework of their current state, or push just past to the next.
FWIW this sounds broadly similar to an experience I had on the Path of Tav late in my 1=10 period.
"That's exactly right. I didn't really spend much time trying to figure it out, as I was immediately invovled in bigger and better things. After discovering my Will, i realized there was a lot of work to do, and set right to it.
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Yep, if I don't want energy going from others to me I shield with my imagination.
Learned that from Monroe's hemi-sync. -
What is the proper way of fasting?
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@zoso92 said
"What is the proper way of fasting?"
There's not just one way. There are dozens (or more) valid ways, depending upon such things as your immediate goal, your body's functioning, your experience with fasting, the amount of time you want to spend on it, etc.
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Depends on the goal.
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My goal is to increase my energy and regenerate will power. What do you suggest? I have never done it so I am new to it.
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Start easy ...try going without meats & eggs for a bit before you decide to fast altogether. Make sure that you're easing your way toward success rather than setting yourself up for failure.
729
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Fasting can tend to make one sensitive and physically weak, as many in the thread have pointed out. To me, fasting is better for enhancing and refining one's senses, for letting go of deep-seated emotions, and for generally purging/cleansing.
Exercise is a great way to increase energy and will power. Especially something that takes a little endurance, and serves up a little sense of accomplishment. Like climbing a mountain, bicycling long distances, or digging a ditch.
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It is an excellent idea to give your body a break from digesting. Each person is different, but I was taught to teach people that when they fast it is vital to consume liquids, frequently. For a beginner also it is recommended to go slow, eliminate the heavy foods first (animal products). Some people do well to not consume anything, while other people need to have a few pieces of fruit, or broth to take the edge off. Think about what you do all day also, it is easier to fast icompletely f you sit on your bum all day then if you are digging a ditch. Also please be aware that as you fast your body is going to tap into reserves (fat or muscle) for energy. Memory is stored in muscle, and toxins in fat, so you may expierence emotional issues, or ill feelings. I recommend to drink some detoxing herbal teas as well, ( black walnut is a persoanl favorite, as well as burdock, chickory) or take some herbal products to strenghten the liver esp. Some herbs do effect people differently, and can interfer with medication. Please if you take any perscriptions or are under the care of a doctor, discuss your desire to fast with them first.
Depending on your diet your digestive tract may need some coaxing to let go of impacted fecal matter as well. A good cleasing program will help get rid of that, purge any parasites and offer herbs to strenghten your system.
As you come off a fast, take it slow as well. Meaning dont rush out and down some steak and potaotes, raw fruits and veggies, lightly steamed veggies in small portions will be welcomed. -
Hello Veronica,
I have a couple of questions for you. You mentioned the idea that memory is stored in muscle. I have never heard this claim before, and I am googling this idea after I post this. I am curious where you learned this, and if a google search turns up fruitless, where can I find more information concerning this topic?
My second question concerns fasting. You seem to have a good grasp on the biological issues with this, so I was wondering if you knew whether or not fasting is a good process to use when quitting smoking? -
I first heard about memory being stored in muscle through my sister. She had injured her shoulder and was trying a new method of muscle manipulation (new to her that is). I do believe it is called Rolfing and it is a deep tissue massage in a way. Before she could under go the therapy she had to provide proof to her therapist that she had a secure support system, that she had people in her life who would be there for her. She even had to sign a waver stating that she had this support and that she would not hold the therapist responsible for any psychological issues that may (were pretty much gaurentied) to arise. As she under went this treatment she had memories arise that she had been holding on to and not processing for decades, she was an emotional wrek for weeks.
I performed a lymphic massage on myself a while back, I had been having a lot of asthma and wanted to try to get things flowing (the lymphatic system does not have one muscle to pump it like our circulatory does, it relies on all your muscles). That night, and for several days later I had memories arise that I had blacked out of my life. Things that I had had no conscious memory of, came flooding back and knocked me on my bum!
As we get older we can see signs of muscle memory a lot easier then we would like. The lines that scar our face, whihc we call wrinkles show how our body remembers how we hold ourselves. People who walk around with a constant frown (or smile) are not often conscious that they are holding thier muscles, flexing them in any particular way, but becuase muscles remember our habits, our patterns we show out to the world where our thoughts lie.
In learning Yoga, I have seen muscle memory in a profound way. One of the "basic" postures Tadanasana, which is a standing posture can be a work out in itself if the muscles have a memory of incorrect posture. When I worked with my sister on this posture, and she helped me correct my stance I broke out in a sweat-just standing there, working my muscles back in to correct alignment. Modern peoples tend to have extremely poor posture, our shoulders shloop forward, our head and neck juts out, our feet are splayed, our hips protrude, and our body remember this stance. That is why IMO it is very beneficial to work with an instructor, they have been taught how the postures could be perfected and then work with the individual to retrain the muscles. The Iyengar method uses straps to actually tie up the body, to pull the muscles back into proper alignment and hold them there for extended period of time. (My sis must have looked pretty silly all tried up on her plane flight to India, but she knew the 14 hours flight would devistate her muscles.)Learning to relax and release our msucles in one of the hardest things to do. we hold on, and clench and tighten. I have students running for the door in yoga when I tell them its time to lay down in corspe posture and relax. They dont want to, the fight it with all thier being. I have (unfortuanely) noticed in myself how I hold my face muscles, tightly. I have to consciously remind myself several times a day to soften and release, cause I sure dont want my face looking like a road map before I am 40!
Here is another example....my mother was a chain smoker. She held her smokes with her left hand in a very British like manner. I dont smoke cigarrettes, but I picked up this hand posture. I wasnt aware I did this until I was at the beach with my sister and daughter. My sister took a picture of me and my baby girl (3). In the photo you can see the way I am holding my left hand that it looks like I would be holding a cigarrette. Not only was I doing this, but my daughter was golding her hand in the exact manner as I was! Her muscles were already being conditioned to remember.
As for fasting and quitting smoking, IME each person is unique and what works for one many work for another. I am firm believer in listening to our bodies, and doing what we feel is right for ourselves. In my personal expierence I think it is a great idea to clease and purify the body, but for some people that may not be best. Trust yourself, if you have no medical conditions (ie diebetes, heart conditions, allergies) I would go for it. I personally think that it is best for the average person to undergo a colon clease, and a parasite cleases as well. After a good clleasing and you have gotten rid of any impacted fecal matter, rid of any worms (which unfortunately about 70% of American now have!) and parasites, your intestinal walls should heal and allow for proper absorption of nutrients. IMO that is when you would benefit best from a fast. But I also believe that doing anything for health is better then nothing, and if you cannot do a clease and purge, then a fast is still a great way to releave your system.
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Thank you for your response. The muscle memory idea is pretty bizarre, but makes sense
I think I may try the cleansing when I start my quitting, along with fasting. My whole idea is to give my body and brain something else to worry about than my addiction. Then the initiatory yoga won't be such an <ouch>