Post by Mysti on Aug 6, 2007 19:43:40 GMT -5
Shaman : is there any questions or comments from last weeks class?
Allan2nd : nty
Novie : nty
spiritofthelynx : nope
WolfofChaos : nty
Shaman : Okay then we shall continue
Shaman : Now we have met our totems
Shaman : and are learning their aspects
Shaman : Once you have this in mind
Shaman : then the next step is to strengthen yourself
Shaman : Most people just assume that all this is easy and does not require work
Shaman : oh are they ever wrong
Shaman : You have to have the correct mind set
Shaman : and that takes practice
Shaman : A secret to mastering intense shamanic trance states and experiencing ecstatic flight of the soul into other realms of existence is a mind trained to concentrate.
Shaman : Concentration is the ability to focus your thoughts and attention on a chosen subject. With most of us this ability is weak.
Shaman : Welcome to class Derek
Shaman : When we attempt to concentrate on a subject we are soon distracted by stray or unrelated thoughts.
Shaman : The purpose of this is to give you the necessary mental training tools to develop the ability to produce vivid three-dimensional imagery by conscious deliberate activation of your subconscious mind in which you are in full control.
8WolfofChaos has joined the conversation.
Shaman : Notice I say IN FULL CONTROL
Shaman : This basic tool is the ability to concentrate the mind deeply and intensively. Concentration, will power, and visualization are closely related.
Shaman : When you increase your ability in one of those areas your abilities in the others are simultaneously developed.
Shaman : The goal of mind training can be divided into several sub-goals which will not necessarily be mastered in the order.
Shaman : In fact when you regularly practice the exercises given later, you may find that several of them are attained simultaneously.
Shaman : Development of one ability often leads to the attainment of other abilities as well.
Shaman : These sub-goals are:
Shaman : 1. To develop the ability to rapidly and intensely concentrate on any desired subject or object as long as necessary ant to instantly change your attention to another subject or object at will.
Shaman : *and*
Shaman : 2. To develop a keep sense of observation and to think deeply using your inherent intellectual potential to the fullest extent possible.
Shaman : 3. To concentrate so intensely that your physical environment, distracting stimuli, or anything unrelated disappears from your awareness.
Shaman : (This may be the hardest one for many)
Shaman : 4. To concentrate on an imagined sensory stimulation so intensely that, with your eyes closed, you experience it similar to a hallucination. For example you concentrate on a banana and are able to see it clearly in your minds eye, smell it, and taste it.
Shaman : 5. To produce the same effect with your eyes open. For example, you visualize a candle with your eyes closed and see it in your minds eye, vividly, in complete detail.
Shaman : Then you open your eyes while continuing to concentrate on the image of the candle to such an extent that you are not aware of the objects in your physical environment.
Shaman : 6. To take a vividly visualized image, such as a flower, and to project it into two dimensional space, such as on a piece of paper, vividly enough that it appears to you to be like a picture or photograph that you can trace with a pencil.
Shaman : 7. To project an image into three dimensional space so that you see it in the same way you would if looking at the real thing with your eyes open.
Shaman : 8. To be able to mentally change your perception of physical objects at will. For example you look at a piece of white paper and imagine it turning blue until you see it as blue.
Shaman : When you can do this you will be able to produce physical phenomena on your body such as sensations of pain or pleasure, and the elimination of actual pain.
Shaman : 9. To create any feeling or emotional state such as happiness, anger, sadness, peace, contentment, and so forth instantly and at will.
Shaman : When you can do this you will be able to change your spontaneous emotional reactions when they are aroused. For example you will be able to turn feelings of anger, anxiety, fear, sadness, or depression into joy, confidence, happiness, contentment and so f
Shaman : forth
Shaman : 10. To combine more than one intense sensory experience. For example, you visualize a dog in front of you, hear him bark, feel his fur when you pet him, and smell him. Or visualize a rose so clearly you see it on the table, can smell it, and feel it's tho
Shaman : and feel its thorns when you touch it
Shaman : 11. To rapidly produce all of the phenomena mentioned above. For example, at first it will take an extended period of time to produce the image of a rose.
Shaman : With sufficient practice you will be able to produce a three dimensional image of a rose simply deciding to do so and saying to yourself something like, "I want to see a rose in front of me now."
8Flutterby has joined the conversation.
Shaman : Or by saying "I feel happy" you instantly feel a wave of happiness filling your entire being.
Allan2nd : welcome to class flutters
Shaman : 12. To produce all of the above phenomena not only rapidly, but also under adverse conditions, such as distractions from people, noises, physical or psychological discomfort.
Flutterby : ty
Shaman : Concentration can be defined as directing thoughts and attention to some topic or object and keeping the attention firmly on it.
Shaman : Therefore in concentration exercises you need to:
Shaman : 1. Select an object of concentration.
Shaman : 2. Direct your thoughts and attention on it
Shaman : 3. Keep your attention on it and intensively think about it.
Shaman : 4. Prevent any unrelated and distracting thoughts from entering your mind.
Shaman : That is, as soon as unrelated or distracting thoughts enter your mind you need to send it away and again concentrate and think about your object.
Shaman : With practice fewer and fewer unrelated thoughts will occur and your periods of undisturbed concentration will lengthen.
Shaman : Again the magic word - Practice Practice Practice
Shaman : Any questions or comments so far?
spiritofthelynx : nty
Novie : nty
Flutterby : nty
Allan2nd : nty
Shaman : good
Shaman : If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask
Shaman : Mental Processes used in concentration
Shaman : 1. INTELLECT: You think about the object of concentration; that is, you think about its form, color, shape, material of which it was made, its use, and so forth.
Shaman : You analyze it, remember everything you know about it, and eventually think about how it could be improved.
Shaman : At this point you think in terms of words. You speak mentally (not aloud) and tell yourself in your mind whatever comes to you pertaining to the object.
Shaman : It's important at this stage to develop in your mind an uninterrupted flow of thoughts and speaking related to the object.
Shaman : Your thinking should be similar to the uninterrupted flow of oil poured from a bottle.
Shaman : As long as this uninterrupted thought flow is maintained your concentration will not be broken.
Shaman : 2. WILLING: You make decisions to keep concentrating and think about your object of concentration until a determined period of time is spent.
Shaman : You keep returning your attention to the object of concentration as soon as your thoughts slip away, and keep sending away unrelated thoughts.
Shaman : 3. IMAGINATION: You need to visualize and clearly imagine the object of your concentration with closed eyes.
Shaman : When you begin exercising you may have very little ability to visualize however with time you will develop "eidetic imagery."
Shaman : This is the ability to see the object in your mind as clearly as you can when you are looking at it with open eyes and to keep the image in your mind as long as you want.
Shaman : After your exercise session is completed it's important to refuse to think about your object of concentration until your next session. This will prevent obsessive thinking about it.
Shaman : This is also what is know as photographic memory
Shaman : a handy tool in everyday life
Shaman : Now for some General Rules
Shaman : OBJECT OF CONCENTRATION: The object of your concentration exercise can be anything: a coin, a stamp, a candle, a flower, or a quartz crystal are all good.
Shaman : Each of those have enough detail to help keep your mind focused, but are not so complex as to lead you away from the purpose of the exercises.
Shaman : Using a flower bud or a crystal as the object of your concentration will have a tendency to develop your clairvoyant abilities.
Shaman : After you develop proficiency in concentrating on simple physical objects you can begin using intellectual topics, abstract ideas, and more complex objects.
Shaman : PLACE FOR EXERCISES: In the beginning its best to find a quiet place where you can be undisturbed. This could be your own room, a church, or any other private place.
Shaman : You might find it useful to use ear plugs such as those made of wax and cotton which are available in most drug stores.
Shaman : As you gain proficiency noises and the environment will not distract you and you will be able to exercise anywhere.
Shaman : Just make sure you are comfortable and relaxed
Shaman : otherwise you will not be able to concentrate enough
Shaman : REGULARITY AND PERSISTENCE: Regularity and persistence in exercising is extremely important. Do not miss even one day.
Shaman : Ideally the exercises should be practiced twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, and if possible at the same time every day.
Shaman : This helps set the mind and body into a routine
Shaman : It makes it easier and easier
Shaman : DURATION OF EXERCISES: Don't demand too much of yourself at the beginning.
Shaman : Start with exercises lasting one minute or less, but do them regularly and correctly.
Shaman : The exercises may be difficult and boring in the beginning, but they will become fun when they become habit and you realize the positive effects they have on you in terms of better mental functioning.
Shaman : INCREASE DURATION OF EXERCISES: When you gain some proficiency with a one minute exercise gradually increase the duration of the exercise by an additional one minute per day.
Shaman : When you are able to think intensively about any selected object or topic without interruption for 15 minutes you will have made tremendous progress.
Shaman : If you are interested in occult, magical, or shamanic abilities you should gradually extend your practice to an hour or more.
Shaman : The 15 minute time period should be maintained when it is reached.
Shaman : An effort should then be made to improve the quality of your concentration and to keep improving it until no disruptive thoughts appear during this period.
Shaman : It's best to get an inexpensive digital kitchen timer to measure the length of your exercises. These can be set in one minute increments and make no distracting noise from the time they are activated to the time they ring.
Shaman : BODY POSITION: During the exercises your body should be erect, with your spine, neck and head forming one straight line.
Shaman : You may find it helpful to do these exercises sitting in a straight backed chair, your feet flat on the floor, and your hands resting on your knees.
Shaman : Sitting indian style is another option for those who prefer this position
Shaman : BODY RELAXATION: Your body relaxation must be complete, except for the muscles which hold your body in the appropriate position.
Shaman : Make an effort to relax every muscle before starting the exercises. If, during the exercise, you notice that nay muscle is getting tense, immediately relax it then return to the exercise.
Shaman : Although you need to be completely physically relaxed, you should not fall asleep and your mind should be alert. The rule is that your body should be relaxed, and your mind intensively active.
Shaman : QUIETING THE MIND: This is done before the exercises begin. You do this by (1) excursion of thoughts and (2) rhythmic breathing.
Shaman : (1) Excursion of Thoughts: Before starting an exercise relax your mind and let your thoughts come and go as they please.
Shaman : It's important to keep a distance from your thoughts and just observe them as you would observe the flow of a river from a bridge.
Shaman : Don't get involved and carried away by passing thoughts, just observe them indifferently and they will slow down after a couple of minutes.
Shaman : This takes practice so do not give up
Shaman : (2) Rhythmic Breathing: It's very good to breathe rhythmically before the actual exercises in concentration are started.
Shaman : Your heart beat should be used as a measure.
Shaman : The rule is that your inhalation should equal your exhalation in duration, and the pauses between inhalation and exhalation, as well as those between exhalation and inhalation, should last half as long as the inhalation.
Shaman : For example inhale for 6 heart beats, hold your breath for 3 heart beats, then exhale for 6 heart beats, hold your breath for three heart beats, and repeat.
Shaman : make sense?
Shaman : it is confusing in the beginning
Allan2nd : ok
Shaman : This should be whatever length of time is comfortable to you since the actual length of time is not important, but the regularity and pattern is.
WolfofChaos : makes sense
Flutterby : yes
spiritofthelynx : makes sense
Shaman : It's important that your breathing be done effortless and without any strain.
Shaman : During inhalation think and imagine how air is entering and filling your lungs, during retention imagine how it is absorbed by your lungs, and during exhalation visualize how it smoothly leaves your lungs.
Shaman : These exercises should calm your mind and let you create a temporary distance from distracting everyday events.
Shaman : The number of rhythmic breaths taken can vary from 6 to 20 depending on your mood and the available time.
Shaman : DECISION: As you begin your exercise session think to yourself, "I shall concentrate on this (name of object) for (amount of time).
Shaman : ). I shall permit no other thoughts to enter my mind. If any unrelated thought enters my mine I will immediately send it away and concentrate on this (name of object).
Shaman : Every day I am concentrating better and better. I shall concentrate on this (name of object) for (amount of time) and nothing will distract me."
Shaman : By doing this it helps get you in the mind set you need to practice
Shaman : I think I am going to stop here. The next time we meet we will discuss specific exercises
Shaman : Thank you all for coming tonight
Novie : Ty Shaman
Flutterby : thanks!
Shaman : You are all welcome
8WolfofChaos is away.
Flutterby : a wonderful reminding!
spiritofthelynx : great class thank you
Shaman : If you have any questions feel free to ask
Allan2nd : thank you shamn great class
Shaman : Otherwise walk in peace
4/3/2007
Shaman : Tonight we will contiue on with the shamanic studies
Shaman : any questions from last week before we start?
Shaman : This will start the series on how to induce and do trance working
Shaman : you have been learning about exercises to help you focus and remain in control
Shaman : now it is time to put theory into practice
Shaman : As always, if you have any questions feel free
Shaman : In order to journey to the other dimensions of existence a shaman induces an altered state of consciousness in himself similar to a state of self-hypnosis.
Shaman : While in this shamanic trance he is in complete control; able to take his consciousness and subtle bodies into nonphysical reality where he visits the heavens and hells of existence
Shaman : (for our christians friends reference)
Shaman : communicates with and controls spirits, gains information, retrieves souls, and makes subtle changes in reality that affects the physical world.
Shaman : There are many ways to produce this altered or shamanic state of consciousness.
Shaman : The shamanic trance is similar to but not the same as a self-induced hypnotic trance
Shaman : A classical, and fairly accurate descriptive definition of hypnosis is
Shaman : "a condition or state of selective hyper suggestibility brought about in an individual through the use of certain specific psychological or physical manipulations of the individual."
Shaman : The key words here are "selective hyper suggestibility." A trained hypnotherapist uses that selective hyper suggestibility in order to help bring about desired changes in an individual.
Shaman : On the other hand a shaman uses that state in order to fine tune his senses so that he can see, feel, hear, and smell more vividly while traveling in the other worlds.
Shaman : I believe that you can induce in yourself a state of trance, at will, quickly and easily.
Shaman : You already know what it feels like because you have already been in trance many times
Shaman : those times when you are driving down the road and suddenly realize that you have driven miles without being aware of it
Shaman : or are reading a book, or watching television or a movie, and are so engrossed that you are not aware of your surroundings.
Shaman : Those are states of trance. Some of the deeper states feel like you feel when you are first waking up in the morning.
Shaman : You are aware that you are awake, your imagery is vivid and dreamlike, and you feel relaxed, calm, and good.
Shaman : All that is necessary for you to go into a shamanic trance is to show you how to bring about that same state of consciousness at will instead of unintentionally.
Shaman : The ability to attain a shamanic trance is the result of cumulative conditioning and mental training.
Shaman : Again my favorite word - PRACTICE PRACTICE
Shaman : example:A weight lifter trains himself by practicing daily. He begins by lifting relatively light weights and progresses to heavier and heavier ones.
Shaman : Eventually he is able to lift a 200 pound weight above his head with relative ease. By working in this manner he has trained his muscles to respond according to his will.
Shaman : After he has reached his goal he can maintain the ability by practicing only two or three times per week.
Shaman : If he stops practicing entirely his muscles will gradually loose their conditioning and strength and, after a time, he will no longer be able to lift the weight.
Shaman : By reestablishing a routine of practice he will bring his ability back to where it was.
Shaman : This same principle applies to the shamanic trance.
Shaman : You must train your mind to respond in accordance with your will in order to produce the ability to instantly produce a deep shamanic trance.
Shaman : This is done by daily practice. It may take some time and effort to establish that ability, but once you have it you will be able to maintain it by practicing only once or twice per week.
Shaman : . If you stop practicing entirely your ability will gradually lessen. Like the weight lifter you will need to begin a more regular practice in order to reestablish your abilities.
Shaman : When you go into any trance you gradually progress from ordinary consciousness into deeper levels.
Shaman : It's convenient to have a means of measuring the depth of your trance, so the paragraphs that follow outline some of the symptoms found at various depths.
Shaman : Even though you will produce a deep trance in yourself you will not necessarily experience each of the symptoms given. Likewise you won't necessarily be aware of the ones you do experience in the order they are given.
Shaman : For convenience sake I've divided the depths of trance into four major sections of ten levels each, and, using terms borrowed from the hypnotic sciences, called them the Hypnodial, Light, Medium, and Deep trance states.
Shaman : In the Hypnodial Trance (levels 1 through 10) you progress from ordinary consciousness through the following steps:
Shaman : feeling physically relaxed, drowsy, your mind becomes relaxed and you may feel apathetic or indifferent, your arms and legs start to feel heavy, you may have a tendency to stare blankly, and have a disinclination to move your limbs.
Shaman : As you border this and the Light Trance your breathing becomes slower and deeper, and your pulse rate slows.
Shaman : In the Light Trance (levels 11 through 20) you progress to a reluctance to move, speak, think or act. You may experience some involuntary twitching of your mouth or jaw, and sometimes of the eyes.
Shaman : You will feel a heaviness throughout your entire body and a partial feeling of detachment. You may also experience visual illusions.
Shaman : As you border this and the Medium Trance you recognize that you are in a trance, but may find that feeling hard to describe.
Shaman : In the Medium Trance (levels 21 through 30) you definitely recognize that you are in a trance and may experience partial amnesia unless you consciously choose not to.
Shaman : By giving yourself the proper suggestions you can make any part of your body insensitive to pain, and can experience the illusions of touching, tasting, and smelling.
Shaman : You will be more sensitive to variations in atmospheric pressure and temperature changes. As you border this and the Deep Trance you may experience complete catalepsy of your limbs or body.
Shaman : In other words, if your limbs or body positions are changed you will leave them in the new position until they are changed again.
Shaman : In the Deep Trance (levels 31 through 40) you can have the ability to open your eyes without affecting the trance.
Shaman : You will also have the ability to control such body functions as heart beat, blood pressure, digestion, and body temperature.
Shaman : You can make your body and limbs completely rigid. You will be able to recall lost memories and experience age regression.
Shaman : Here you can experience the sensation of lightness, floating, or flying.
Shaman : You can also experience both positive and negative visual and auditory hallucinations both while in the trance, and, if given the proper suggestions, after awakening from the trance state.
Shaman : (A positive hallucination is when you are told that you see something that is not there, and you see it. A negative hallucination is when you are told that you do not see something that is there, and you do not.)
Shaman : .) In this state you can also stimulate dreams and visions, both during the trance state and (upon proper suggestion) later in your natural sleep.
Shaman : Although there are other signs and symptoms of each level of trance, the above are all that are necessary for our work.
Shaman : Each depth of trance has valuable uses. For example, in the Light and Medium Trances you can learn to begin practical shamanic journeying so that you can see, hear, touch and smell experiences in the worlds that border ours.
Shaman : In those trance states these journeys will feel similar to a fantasy or daydream and you may wonder if it is real, or just your imagination.
Shaman : As you train yourself to deepen the trance the journeys become more vivid, until, in the Deep Trance, they look and feel as though they are taking place in physical reality.
Shaman : Any Questions or Comments so far?
Allan2nd : nty
Novie : nty
spiritofthelynx : nope
WolfofChaos : nty
Shaman : Okay then we shall continue
Shaman : Now we have met our totems
Shaman : and are learning their aspects
Shaman : Once you have this in mind
Shaman : then the next step is to strengthen yourself
Shaman : Most people just assume that all this is easy and does not require work
Shaman : oh are they ever wrong
Shaman : You have to have the correct mind set
Shaman : and that takes practice
Shaman : A secret to mastering intense shamanic trance states and experiencing ecstatic flight of the soul into other realms of existence is a mind trained to concentrate.
Shaman : Concentration is the ability to focus your thoughts and attention on a chosen subject. With most of us this ability is weak.
Shaman : Welcome to class Derek
Shaman : When we attempt to concentrate on a subject we are soon distracted by stray or unrelated thoughts.
Shaman : The purpose of this is to give you the necessary mental training tools to develop the ability to produce vivid three-dimensional imagery by conscious deliberate activation of your subconscious mind in which you are in full control.
8WolfofChaos has joined the conversation.
Shaman : Notice I say IN FULL CONTROL
Shaman : This basic tool is the ability to concentrate the mind deeply and intensively. Concentration, will power, and visualization are closely related.
Shaman : When you increase your ability in one of those areas your abilities in the others are simultaneously developed.
Shaman : The goal of mind training can be divided into several sub-goals which will not necessarily be mastered in the order.
Shaman : In fact when you regularly practice the exercises given later, you may find that several of them are attained simultaneously.
Shaman : Development of one ability often leads to the attainment of other abilities as well.
Shaman : These sub-goals are:
Shaman : 1. To develop the ability to rapidly and intensely concentrate on any desired subject or object as long as necessary ant to instantly change your attention to another subject or object at will.
Shaman : *and*
Shaman : 2. To develop a keep sense of observation and to think deeply using your inherent intellectual potential to the fullest extent possible.
Shaman : 3. To concentrate so intensely that your physical environment, distracting stimuli, or anything unrelated disappears from your awareness.
Shaman : (This may be the hardest one for many)
Shaman : 4. To concentrate on an imagined sensory stimulation so intensely that, with your eyes closed, you experience it similar to a hallucination. For example you concentrate on a banana and are able to see it clearly in your minds eye, smell it, and taste it.
Shaman : 5. To produce the same effect with your eyes open. For example, you visualize a candle with your eyes closed and see it in your minds eye, vividly, in complete detail.
Shaman : Then you open your eyes while continuing to concentrate on the image of the candle to such an extent that you are not aware of the objects in your physical environment.
Shaman : 6. To take a vividly visualized image, such as a flower, and to project it into two dimensional space, such as on a piece of paper, vividly enough that it appears to you to be like a picture or photograph that you can trace with a pencil.
Shaman : 7. To project an image into three dimensional space so that you see it in the same way you would if looking at the real thing with your eyes open.
Shaman : 8. To be able to mentally change your perception of physical objects at will. For example you look at a piece of white paper and imagine it turning blue until you see it as blue.
Shaman : When you can do this you will be able to produce physical phenomena on your body such as sensations of pain or pleasure, and the elimination of actual pain.
Shaman : 9. To create any feeling or emotional state such as happiness, anger, sadness, peace, contentment, and so forth instantly and at will.
Shaman : When you can do this you will be able to change your spontaneous emotional reactions when they are aroused. For example you will be able to turn feelings of anger, anxiety, fear, sadness, or depression into joy, confidence, happiness, contentment and so f
Shaman : forth
Shaman : 10. To combine more than one intense sensory experience. For example, you visualize a dog in front of you, hear him bark, feel his fur when you pet him, and smell him. Or visualize a rose so clearly you see it on the table, can smell it, and feel it's tho
Shaman : and feel its thorns when you touch it
Shaman : 11. To rapidly produce all of the phenomena mentioned above. For example, at first it will take an extended period of time to produce the image of a rose.
Shaman : With sufficient practice you will be able to produce a three dimensional image of a rose simply deciding to do so and saying to yourself something like, "I want to see a rose in front of me now."
8Flutterby has joined the conversation.
Shaman : Or by saying "I feel happy" you instantly feel a wave of happiness filling your entire being.
Allan2nd : welcome to class flutters
Shaman : 12. To produce all of the above phenomena not only rapidly, but also under adverse conditions, such as distractions from people, noises, physical or psychological discomfort.
Flutterby : ty
Shaman : Concentration can be defined as directing thoughts and attention to some topic or object and keeping the attention firmly on it.
Shaman : Therefore in concentration exercises you need to:
Shaman : 1. Select an object of concentration.
Shaman : 2. Direct your thoughts and attention on it
Shaman : 3. Keep your attention on it and intensively think about it.
Shaman : 4. Prevent any unrelated and distracting thoughts from entering your mind.
Shaman : That is, as soon as unrelated or distracting thoughts enter your mind you need to send it away and again concentrate and think about your object.
Shaman : With practice fewer and fewer unrelated thoughts will occur and your periods of undisturbed concentration will lengthen.
Shaman : Again the magic word - Practice Practice Practice
Shaman : Any questions or comments so far?
spiritofthelynx : nty
Novie : nty
Flutterby : nty
Allan2nd : nty
Shaman : good
Shaman : If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask
Shaman : Mental Processes used in concentration
Shaman : 1. INTELLECT: You think about the object of concentration; that is, you think about its form, color, shape, material of which it was made, its use, and so forth.
Shaman : You analyze it, remember everything you know about it, and eventually think about how it could be improved.
Shaman : At this point you think in terms of words. You speak mentally (not aloud) and tell yourself in your mind whatever comes to you pertaining to the object.
Shaman : It's important at this stage to develop in your mind an uninterrupted flow of thoughts and speaking related to the object.
Shaman : Your thinking should be similar to the uninterrupted flow of oil poured from a bottle.
Shaman : As long as this uninterrupted thought flow is maintained your concentration will not be broken.
Shaman : 2. WILLING: You make decisions to keep concentrating and think about your object of concentration until a determined period of time is spent.
Shaman : You keep returning your attention to the object of concentration as soon as your thoughts slip away, and keep sending away unrelated thoughts.
Shaman : 3. IMAGINATION: You need to visualize and clearly imagine the object of your concentration with closed eyes.
Shaman : When you begin exercising you may have very little ability to visualize however with time you will develop "eidetic imagery."
Shaman : This is the ability to see the object in your mind as clearly as you can when you are looking at it with open eyes and to keep the image in your mind as long as you want.
Shaman : After your exercise session is completed it's important to refuse to think about your object of concentration until your next session. This will prevent obsessive thinking about it.
Shaman : This is also what is know as photographic memory
Shaman : a handy tool in everyday life
Shaman : Now for some General Rules
Shaman : OBJECT OF CONCENTRATION: The object of your concentration exercise can be anything: a coin, a stamp, a candle, a flower, or a quartz crystal are all good.
Shaman : Each of those have enough detail to help keep your mind focused, but are not so complex as to lead you away from the purpose of the exercises.
Shaman : Using a flower bud or a crystal as the object of your concentration will have a tendency to develop your clairvoyant abilities.
Shaman : After you develop proficiency in concentrating on simple physical objects you can begin using intellectual topics, abstract ideas, and more complex objects.
Shaman : PLACE FOR EXERCISES: In the beginning its best to find a quiet place where you can be undisturbed. This could be your own room, a church, or any other private place.
Shaman : You might find it useful to use ear plugs such as those made of wax and cotton which are available in most drug stores.
Shaman : As you gain proficiency noises and the environment will not distract you and you will be able to exercise anywhere.
Shaman : Just make sure you are comfortable and relaxed
Shaman : otherwise you will not be able to concentrate enough
Shaman : REGULARITY AND PERSISTENCE: Regularity and persistence in exercising is extremely important. Do not miss even one day.
Shaman : Ideally the exercises should be practiced twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, and if possible at the same time every day.
Shaman : This helps set the mind and body into a routine
Shaman : It makes it easier and easier
Shaman : DURATION OF EXERCISES: Don't demand too much of yourself at the beginning.
Shaman : Start with exercises lasting one minute or less, but do them regularly and correctly.
Shaman : The exercises may be difficult and boring in the beginning, but they will become fun when they become habit and you realize the positive effects they have on you in terms of better mental functioning.
Shaman : INCREASE DURATION OF EXERCISES: When you gain some proficiency with a one minute exercise gradually increase the duration of the exercise by an additional one minute per day.
Shaman : When you are able to think intensively about any selected object or topic without interruption for 15 minutes you will have made tremendous progress.
Shaman : If you are interested in occult, magical, or shamanic abilities you should gradually extend your practice to an hour or more.
Shaman : The 15 minute time period should be maintained when it is reached.
Shaman : An effort should then be made to improve the quality of your concentration and to keep improving it until no disruptive thoughts appear during this period.
Shaman : It's best to get an inexpensive digital kitchen timer to measure the length of your exercises. These can be set in one minute increments and make no distracting noise from the time they are activated to the time they ring.
Shaman : BODY POSITION: During the exercises your body should be erect, with your spine, neck and head forming one straight line.
Shaman : You may find it helpful to do these exercises sitting in a straight backed chair, your feet flat on the floor, and your hands resting on your knees.
Shaman : Sitting indian style is another option for those who prefer this position
Shaman : BODY RELAXATION: Your body relaxation must be complete, except for the muscles which hold your body in the appropriate position.
Shaman : Make an effort to relax every muscle before starting the exercises. If, during the exercise, you notice that nay muscle is getting tense, immediately relax it then return to the exercise.
Shaman : Although you need to be completely physically relaxed, you should not fall asleep and your mind should be alert. The rule is that your body should be relaxed, and your mind intensively active.
Shaman : QUIETING THE MIND: This is done before the exercises begin. You do this by (1) excursion of thoughts and (2) rhythmic breathing.
Shaman : (1) Excursion of Thoughts: Before starting an exercise relax your mind and let your thoughts come and go as they please.
Shaman : It's important to keep a distance from your thoughts and just observe them as you would observe the flow of a river from a bridge.
Shaman : Don't get involved and carried away by passing thoughts, just observe them indifferently and they will slow down after a couple of minutes.
Shaman : This takes practice so do not give up
Shaman : (2) Rhythmic Breathing: It's very good to breathe rhythmically before the actual exercises in concentration are started.
Shaman : Your heart beat should be used as a measure.
Shaman : The rule is that your inhalation should equal your exhalation in duration, and the pauses between inhalation and exhalation, as well as those between exhalation and inhalation, should last half as long as the inhalation.
Shaman : For example inhale for 6 heart beats, hold your breath for 3 heart beats, then exhale for 6 heart beats, hold your breath for three heart beats, and repeat.
Shaman : make sense?
Shaman : it is confusing in the beginning
Allan2nd : ok
Shaman : This should be whatever length of time is comfortable to you since the actual length of time is not important, but the regularity and pattern is.
WolfofChaos : makes sense
Flutterby : yes
spiritofthelynx : makes sense
Shaman : It's important that your breathing be done effortless and without any strain.
Shaman : During inhalation think and imagine how air is entering and filling your lungs, during retention imagine how it is absorbed by your lungs, and during exhalation visualize how it smoothly leaves your lungs.
Shaman : These exercises should calm your mind and let you create a temporary distance from distracting everyday events.
Shaman : The number of rhythmic breaths taken can vary from 6 to 20 depending on your mood and the available time.
Shaman : DECISION: As you begin your exercise session think to yourself, "I shall concentrate on this (name of object) for (amount of time).
Shaman : ). I shall permit no other thoughts to enter my mind. If any unrelated thought enters my mine I will immediately send it away and concentrate on this (name of object).
Shaman : Every day I am concentrating better and better. I shall concentrate on this (name of object) for (amount of time) and nothing will distract me."
Shaman : By doing this it helps get you in the mind set you need to practice
Shaman : I think I am going to stop here. The next time we meet we will discuss specific exercises
Shaman : Thank you all for coming tonight
Novie : Ty Shaman
Flutterby : thanks!
Shaman : You are all welcome
8WolfofChaos is away.
Flutterby : a wonderful reminding!
spiritofthelynx : great class thank you
Shaman : If you have any questions feel free to ask
Allan2nd : thank you shamn great class
Shaman : Otherwise walk in peace
4/3/2007
Shaman : Tonight we will contiue on with the shamanic studies
Shaman : any questions from last week before we start?
Shaman : This will start the series on how to induce and do trance working
Shaman : you have been learning about exercises to help you focus and remain in control
Shaman : now it is time to put theory into practice
Shaman : As always, if you have any questions feel free
Shaman : In order to journey to the other dimensions of existence a shaman induces an altered state of consciousness in himself similar to a state of self-hypnosis.
Shaman : While in this shamanic trance he is in complete control; able to take his consciousness and subtle bodies into nonphysical reality where he visits the heavens and hells of existence
Shaman : (for our christians friends reference)
Shaman : communicates with and controls spirits, gains information, retrieves souls, and makes subtle changes in reality that affects the physical world.
Shaman : There are many ways to produce this altered or shamanic state of consciousness.
Shaman : The shamanic trance is similar to but not the same as a self-induced hypnotic trance
Shaman : A classical, and fairly accurate descriptive definition of hypnosis is
Shaman : "a condition or state of selective hyper suggestibility brought about in an individual through the use of certain specific psychological or physical manipulations of the individual."
Shaman : The key words here are "selective hyper suggestibility." A trained hypnotherapist uses that selective hyper suggestibility in order to help bring about desired changes in an individual.
Shaman : On the other hand a shaman uses that state in order to fine tune his senses so that he can see, feel, hear, and smell more vividly while traveling in the other worlds.
Shaman : I believe that you can induce in yourself a state of trance, at will, quickly and easily.
Shaman : You already know what it feels like because you have already been in trance many times
Shaman : those times when you are driving down the road and suddenly realize that you have driven miles without being aware of it
Shaman : or are reading a book, or watching television or a movie, and are so engrossed that you are not aware of your surroundings.
Shaman : Those are states of trance. Some of the deeper states feel like you feel when you are first waking up in the morning.
Shaman : You are aware that you are awake, your imagery is vivid and dreamlike, and you feel relaxed, calm, and good.
Shaman : All that is necessary for you to go into a shamanic trance is to show you how to bring about that same state of consciousness at will instead of unintentionally.
Shaman : The ability to attain a shamanic trance is the result of cumulative conditioning and mental training.
Shaman : Again my favorite word - PRACTICE PRACTICE
Shaman : example:A weight lifter trains himself by practicing daily. He begins by lifting relatively light weights and progresses to heavier and heavier ones.
Shaman : Eventually he is able to lift a 200 pound weight above his head with relative ease. By working in this manner he has trained his muscles to respond according to his will.
Shaman : After he has reached his goal he can maintain the ability by practicing only two or three times per week.
Shaman : If he stops practicing entirely his muscles will gradually loose their conditioning and strength and, after a time, he will no longer be able to lift the weight.
Shaman : By reestablishing a routine of practice he will bring his ability back to where it was.
Shaman : This same principle applies to the shamanic trance.
Shaman : You must train your mind to respond in accordance with your will in order to produce the ability to instantly produce a deep shamanic trance.
Shaman : This is done by daily practice. It may take some time and effort to establish that ability, but once you have it you will be able to maintain it by practicing only once or twice per week.
Shaman : . If you stop practicing entirely your ability will gradually lessen. Like the weight lifter you will need to begin a more regular practice in order to reestablish your abilities.
Shaman : When you go into any trance you gradually progress from ordinary consciousness into deeper levels.
Shaman : It's convenient to have a means of measuring the depth of your trance, so the paragraphs that follow outline some of the symptoms found at various depths.
Shaman : Even though you will produce a deep trance in yourself you will not necessarily experience each of the symptoms given. Likewise you won't necessarily be aware of the ones you do experience in the order they are given.
Shaman : For convenience sake I've divided the depths of trance into four major sections of ten levels each, and, using terms borrowed from the hypnotic sciences, called them the Hypnodial, Light, Medium, and Deep trance states.
Shaman : In the Hypnodial Trance (levels 1 through 10) you progress from ordinary consciousness through the following steps:
Shaman : feeling physically relaxed, drowsy, your mind becomes relaxed and you may feel apathetic or indifferent, your arms and legs start to feel heavy, you may have a tendency to stare blankly, and have a disinclination to move your limbs.
Shaman : As you border this and the Light Trance your breathing becomes slower and deeper, and your pulse rate slows.
Shaman : In the Light Trance (levels 11 through 20) you progress to a reluctance to move, speak, think or act. You may experience some involuntary twitching of your mouth or jaw, and sometimes of the eyes.
Shaman : You will feel a heaviness throughout your entire body and a partial feeling of detachment. You may also experience visual illusions.
Shaman : As you border this and the Medium Trance you recognize that you are in a trance, but may find that feeling hard to describe.
Shaman : In the Medium Trance (levels 21 through 30) you definitely recognize that you are in a trance and may experience partial amnesia unless you consciously choose not to.
Shaman : By giving yourself the proper suggestions you can make any part of your body insensitive to pain, and can experience the illusions of touching, tasting, and smelling.
Shaman : You will be more sensitive to variations in atmospheric pressure and temperature changes. As you border this and the Deep Trance you may experience complete catalepsy of your limbs or body.
Shaman : In other words, if your limbs or body positions are changed you will leave them in the new position until they are changed again.
Shaman : In the Deep Trance (levels 31 through 40) you can have the ability to open your eyes without affecting the trance.
Shaman : You will also have the ability to control such body functions as heart beat, blood pressure, digestion, and body temperature.
Shaman : You can make your body and limbs completely rigid. You will be able to recall lost memories and experience age regression.
Shaman : Here you can experience the sensation of lightness, floating, or flying.
Shaman : You can also experience both positive and negative visual and auditory hallucinations both while in the trance, and, if given the proper suggestions, after awakening from the trance state.
Shaman : (A positive hallucination is when you are told that you see something that is not there, and you see it. A negative hallucination is when you are told that you do not see something that is there, and you do not.)
Shaman : .) In this state you can also stimulate dreams and visions, both during the trance state and (upon proper suggestion) later in your natural sleep.
Shaman : Although there are other signs and symptoms of each level of trance, the above are all that are necessary for our work.
Shaman : Each depth of trance has valuable uses. For example, in the Light and Medium Trances you can learn to begin practical shamanic journeying so that you can see, hear, touch and smell experiences in the worlds that border ours.
Shaman : In those trance states these journeys will feel similar to a fantasy or daydream and you may wonder if it is real, or just your imagination.
Shaman : As you train yourself to deepen the trance the journeys become more vivid, until, in the Deep Trance, they look and feel as though they are taking place in physical reality.
Shaman : Any Questions or Comments so far?