New psychology idea.

[IJesusChrist]

I was looking for cool rocks in a parking lot today, way out at a national park. It was the first nice (free) day I've had in a long time and I got to relax like a baby . I feel great now.

But I had something running through my head. I was trying to explain to my lady how I can see the rocks I was looking for - because they look rather plain until you wash them off - then they are magnificent (at least in my taste). So I tried to explain to her - but really I didn't know. It was spontaneous. I just knew when I saw them - "to the [un]trained eye" as they say. So while I was going through this it struck me too, a deep thought along the lines of shamanism.

I've been reading a book that I can't really agree completely with, but has got me thinking about the realities of shamanic healing - the book is "DNA and the origin of knowledge". The author tries to incorporate the visions of Ayahuasca with DNA, although I just don't see it. He proposes a very intriguing argument, and compiles a lot of anomalies between the two. I don't buy it, but its still very intriguing how correct and truthful shamans can be - and I've experienced it myself; when on strong psychoactives my mind tends to 'read' people very well. I tend to understand their body language and what they are thinking more so than when sober. It was while I was on the influence of shrooms that I realized my cat wanted to be petted backwards. (sorry thats my best example because I've never tried to do any type of therapy on a person)...

Looking past the simplicity of my resolution with my cat, the question comes - how did I know?

I could explain that I assumed it. I think it may have come from the fact that I like the feeling of combing through my own hair the opposite way that it falls naturally. Feels good, doesn't it?

Anyways - the moment I saw that agate and attempted to pull a real explanation, I realized something similar: I just knew. I 'had an eye for it'. When people come to me for back massages they say I'm the best. If the person takes off their shirt I can usually tell by their posture, their skin, and their immediate response to my touch what I need to do. I tend to close my eyes when I am doing such things, and I attempt to feel the person, listen to their breathe, and feel their emotions.

I am doing the same when I look for rocks. I sit and stare, and without me consciously knowing it, my mind picks up a rock that looks fairly ugly - but I can see beyond that. I see the entire rock - when i see its waxy surface I see the quality of the back side as well. I become a master of the minerals.

Shamans have become master introverts. They know their own body so well that they read other people's as if their own. They are able to have absolute empathy, when a man or woman comes with a sickness, or perhaps unknowingly are asking for help (i.e. don't KNOW they are sick!) the shaman sees it, like the back side of a gem, the slightest hint of a sickness on the outside (front) gives way to the identification of the inside (back).

So, I think... that shamanistic healings are actually from the greatest amount of empathy one can have (but also one must have experienced what the other is).

However - it may be much deeper than that. The fact that shamans at times take twigs from the forest and mix things together that they see in visions on ayahuasca or other psychoactives and cure people is beyond my explanation. It may be that the shamans somehow can see plants as well... perhaps empathy goes beyond race - but to all life.

I thought I would share!

 

[Sticki]

It seems you have had a break through in thought mate

I agree with your statement,

Shamans have become master introverts. They know their own body so well that they read other people's as if their own. They are able to have absolute empathy, when a man or woman comes with a sickness, or perhaps unknowingly are asking for help (i.e. don't KNOW they are sick!) the shaman sees it, like the back side of a gem, the slightest hint of a sickness on the outside (front) gives way to the identification of the inside (back).

The shaman understands himself and his surroundings so well he is able to develop advanced mental states and through his own experiences begins to understand the human condition. They are the most aware, They are the most observant and they are the most mystic of human beings. They understand that people are like sheep and take control of thier own destiny by braving the elements and seeking knowledge in the most ancient of places, helping many people on thier way. The shaman was the first counsellor, the first judge, the first doctor, the first teacher and the first leader by knowledge.

Have you heard of "The Cosmic Serpent", IJC?
Its a book about Ayahausca and Shamanism regarding accessing the DNA for information written by an anthropologist, Maybe worth a look

 

[IJesusChrist]

The cosmis serpaent! yes thats what I'm reading - sorry the sub-title is "Dna and the origins for knowledge"

I think also that the placebo affect has to do with our ancient roots in shamanism. We put our faith in others hands that they understand us more - so we take a pill and feel better. Whether or not it is really helping.

 

[Sticki]

The root of all illness is in the mind and / or the build up of negative energy, The shaman recognises this and guides the concerned to a state of recovery if possible. You may take a horse to water, But you can not make it drink...

Wilhelm Reich recognised that illness was a manifestation of negative energy through his discovery of Orgone. It is said he was able to cure cancer with his orgone accumulator but apparantly it returned in his patients and in his own conclusion said the cure was only temporary becuase the illness truelly lay within the psyche and the build up of orgone.

Like you have said the placebo effect is very powerfull, The power of belief is something extremely powerfull
I have heard that Merck had run into issues regarding new drugs becuase the placebo effects were trumping the drugs that were on trial.

Here's a quick google search result:
http://www.wired.com/medtech/drugs/maga ... ntPage=all

 

[IJesusChrist]

great article, but what hit home most:

Two days later, Eli Lilly broke off testing of a much-touted new drug for schizophrenia when volunteers showed double the expected level of placebo response.

Hahahaha. The placebo affect is not a mystery - it is psychology from our most important roots. It is the ultimate example of. . . well, love. It shows that when someone is given something that they think should help - it does. Its putting belief in something, trust in something, and especially another person. Whether you are taking a pill, getting acupuncture, or taking herbal medicine - you are completely laying yourself out to someone else's ideas and care. It is trust.

Its a deep subject and I wish we would use it, rather than try to avoid it. It is not a 'trick' - it has just happened to appear that way.

 

[Sticki]

I think its also important to point out some of the drugs that do work are synthesised molecules that we naturally create too.

The brain is the most powerfull piece of equipment we will ever own

 

[Reasonablelogic]

The brain is the most powerfull piece of equipment we will ever own

Indeed. :thumbsup:

 

[ophiuchus]

thanks for the link sticki.

have you (anyone) heard of gregg braden? i came across his work recently. im checking out "awakening to zero point" online right now, have yet to get into the meat of his theories.

 

[Sticki]

No problem mate

I haven't heard of Gregg Braden but I'll have a little look tho, Cheers mate.