Stress Management historical posts August 1998

Re:website about music and chakras

Thanks, Pamela.

Actually, the tapes I have were given to me by Steve Halpern. We have shared the podium several times and he sent me a set as a gift nearly 15 years ago. I know he has progressed a lot since then. Steve was never one to stand still!

What is the address of Steve's website?

Walt

This must be the place .... (website about music and chakras)

In Reply to: Re:website about music and chakras posted by Walt Stoll on August 01, 1998 at 10:29:58:

Steven Halpern's Website

The "Other" Alpha Male...

In Reply to: This must be the place .... (website about music and chakras) posted by Greg on August 01, 1998 at 10:48:50:

ALPHA BRAINWAVES

Re: This must be the place .... (website about music and chakras)

In Reply to: This must be the place .... (website about music and chakras) posted by Greg on August 01, 1998 at 10:48:50:

Thanks, Greg.

It looks like Steve has taken his early research & incorporated it into commercial offerings. I was hoping to see something about his research. Have you seen any way to contact him via the web?

Namaste` Walt

Re: Steven Halpern articles

In Reply to: Re: This must be the place .... (website about music and chakras) posted by Walt Stoll on August 02, 1998 at 09:58:36:

Dear Walt,

So you met Steven Halpern? He sounds like an interesting person. You can find his CD's at the stores and his Spectrum Suit has been tested as the best music for relaxation with biofeedback equipment. I have that one plus
3 others.

He does have articles on his website about music and is
currently writing a book about music and healing.

http://www.innerpeacemusic.com/articles.htm

Here is a link to his articles. There are two others
I found with really healing music. One is an old friend who
did research with him long ago, Iasos Aorelian who
writes extrememly beautiful and healing music.

www.iasos.com

www.members.xoom.com/aeoliah

Hope this helps. I don't agree with all the viewpoints
at the iasos site but the music is very beautiful.

love and peace,
pamela

Both have beautiful and relaxing musinc

Re: Steven Halpern articles

In Reply to: Re: Steven Halpern articles posted by Pamela J. on August 03, 1998 at 14:28:54:

Hi, Pam.

I got a copy of Steve's "Spectrum Suite" when it first came out so many years ago and agree with you that it stil lis one of his best.

Thanks for all the information being shared with the BB.

Namaste` Walt

relaxation cd

Can anyone recommend a good relaxation cd? I have a hard time trying to meditate in silence and I thought listening to something might help. Suggestions?

Re: relaxation cd

In Reply to: relaxation cd posted by Aimee on August 01, 1998 at 14:43:57:

Aimee

If you scroll down to "Testaments to Skilled Relaxation" on this BB, on July 29 I posted a link to a site called BrainSync, which has many different tapes and CDs with guided relaxation. I find that the narration helps me to stay focused. Good luck!

Nancy

Comprehension & Focus

Hello Sara,

I've been following the post, and I thought I'd add my quarter.
I was thinking that maybe the High Focus CD from Brainsync might provide
you with the boost you need concentration-wise. I have been using the Deep Learning CD to good effect. Very fast assimilation of material and very good recall. Alternatively, you may
also want to check out this article on alpha
brainwaves which will not interfere with any physical
recuperative protocol you are engaging in, and will considerably
(IMHO) any strategy you are employing.

With Love,

the Mage
(ps sending you healing energy)

Re: Comprehension & Focus

In Reply to: Comprehension & Focus posted by CyberMage on August 01, 1998 at 20:40:46:

Hey CM!

Thanks for the information. I just ordered a CD from Brainsync last week; I think it was the Deep Meditation one. I have one CD already that I've been listening to almost every day, "Brainwave Suite-Theta" by Dr. Jeffrey Thompson. It's really great; kind of feels like "brain candy" if you know what I mean. I checked out the Brainsync site again to read about High Focus, and it sounds great, but I really think I may get the Deep Learning CD instead.

I had heard of Steven Halpern many times, and really want to get out and purchase one of his CD's. Hopefully all of this will help me get over this "brain fog" I am currently in, although I suspect I may just have to wait for my thyroid levels to come down before I feel any significant change.

Thanks sweetie,
Sara

dystonia

An osteopath has diagnosed me as being in the beginning stages of dystonia. I went to a neurologist who said he could not say definatively that I have dystonia because if I do have it I'm in the beginning stages when it is very difficult to diagnose. Unfortunately there is no conclusive test for dystonia.

My symptoms are that I feel a lot of pulling in my chest and right shoulder. It takes effort just to hold my shoulder and head up. By the end of the day I'm exhausted and my symptoms are worse. Because the pulling is constant it also makes it difficult for me to focus, relax, and enjoy life.

Could you talk about what dystonia is, its causes, and what to do about it?

Tbank you for this opportunity to learn more about this.

Re: dystonia

In Reply to: dystonia posted by Tracey Miller on August 02, 1998 at 14:16:30:

Hi, Tracy!

Here we go!

First of all ALL dystonia is caused by total body bracing focused in the neck & chest area by a symbolic psychological patterning from early in life.

You first need to read "Bodies, Health & Consciousness" by Rosie Speigel ( an instructor at the Rolfing Institute). Call (800) 938-0942. Then, call the Rolfing Institute for the closest Certified Rolfer to you: (800) 447-0150.

This will get you immediate relief BUT will only last a year or so----long enough for you to actually do what will permanently resolve it: the regular practice of effective skilled relaxation at least twice a day for 20 minutes (not counting any you might do within 2 hours of going to bed).

Go to the FAQ link to read about skilled relaxation.

Let us know how you do.

If I am to figure out any more of your causes or mechanisms, I would need you to do exactly what it describes under my Health Coaching Protocol (Link) and put the information right here on the BB under this string.

Walt

Re: dystonia

In Reply to: dystonia posted by Tracey Miller on August 02, 1998 at 14:16:30:

Tracey,
You might check out a dystonia support group:
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/5914/
and a dystonia bulletin board:
http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/asdboard/asd1.html

Best of luck to you.
Irene in TX

Re: dystonia

In Reply to: Re: dystonia posted by Irene in TX on August 04, 1998 at 17:10:46:

Thanks, Irene.

I have found that most "support groups" for "incurable" conditions are just that: "Support for keeping your chronic condition."

I used to use these support groups a lot when I did not know that the condition was resolvable. However, once I learned to teach the person how to be well, I found no need for them. You will not likely find any of these groups discussing how to resolve their problem.

Support groups for curable conditions would be like having a support group for "cuts", "broken bones", chicken pox, etc.

Why not go to a group and find out what they do. If they are really interested in teaching people about their alternatives, they would be a great thing to be associated with. If they are just a way to help people live with their condition, it is time to run the orther way.

Walt

Re: dystonia

In Reply to: Re: dystonia posted by Walt Stoll on August 03, 1998 at 15:30:13:

Thanks Dr. Stoll so much for your help. I'll get on it right away.

Re: dystonia

In Reply to: Re: dystonia posted by Walt Stoll on August 05, 1998 at 13:38:19:

Aaaahh, I'm so glad you said that Walt. I thought only I felt that way about support groups and learning to "live with your condition."

When I became ill (ulcer. colitis) the people close to me were very sympathetic, yet, I was always so astonished at how everyone wants you to be "accepting" of it. It's "the hand you were dealt" ... it's "no big deal, everyone has problems and is on pills for something or other" ... "You're no different from anyone else" ... "Noone is in perfect health." As if illness is a natural part of life. Well, I just couldn't accept it. I was suicidal. I'm sure if they were in my shoes, they'd be singing a different tune. Sure, it's no big deal, as long as it's someone else. They also suggest that you have so many other things to be grateful for -- as if that is supposed to replace your health.

Guess I just wanted to get that off my chest.

Peggy

Re: dystonia

In Reply to: Re: dystonia posted by Peggy on August 05, 1998 at 20:59:56:

Thanks, Peggy!

Most people don't know what you just said!

Who would believe it?

IF a condition is truly incurable, then the support group is a good idea. Unfortunately, they are being used for any condition considered "incurable" by the simplistic paradigm that is conventional medicine in this country--thus dooming many people to just accept their fate--that fate being that they live in a country with a medical monopoly.

This is just another problem with the AMA continuing to insist on "trying to force the health care camel through the eye of the allopathic needle".

Namaste` Walt

Insomnia/Sleep Deprivation

As you can see from the time I'm writing this post, it's the early hours of the morning. Once again I can't sleep. This will be the third night in a row I haven't slept. Insomnia has plagued me for many years. Is there anything that will help me sleep?

Thanks so much,

Mica

Re: Insomnia/Sleep Deprivation

In Reply to: Insomnia/Sleep Deprivation posted by Mica on August 03, 1998 at 02:58:57:

Dear Mica,

Living at the limits of your hypothalamic tolerance for the stored stress-effect feels exactly like you are right at the "edge of a cliff". ANYONE who falls asleep standing right at the edge of a cliff is not sane. Your insomnia is a natural consequence of this process.

I can confidently tell you this since more than 99% of insomniacs have this process as their cause.

For now, you can solve your immediate problem by getting a deep, whole-body, therapeutic massage 3 times a week for 2 weeks. You might even get your first night's sleep the very first night. The above will last you at least a month or so of sleep (perhaps MUCH longer).

HOWEVER, I would not recommend you wallow in your success & do nothing else since your insomnia is but a warning about the stress-effect storage running over. The massage trick will not solve the cause of this problem. It is just a way to get you past your current emergency!

I would STRONGLY recommend that you use your relatively normal state (lack of insomnia) to learn what to do to resolve the cause. You will not only not get the insomnia back but will avoid the more serious things coming if you do not deal with THIS message your bodymind is sending.

In the long run, the only permanent solution to this is for you to learn an effective skilled relaxation technique & practice it as described on the FAQ page of this 'site.

If you need to learn a lot more about your other options, you would profit by reading my book (link on this page) AND following that up by reading one of the resources in the back: Mind as Healer, Mind as Slayer" by Dr Pelletier.

Let us know how you do & you will help others, suffering as you are, understand that this is an easy problem to resolve.

Walt

Re: Insomnia/Sleep Deprivation

In Reply to: Insomnia/Sleep Deprivation posted by Mica on August 03, 1998 at 02:58:57:

I just had a very loved wife of 25 years abandon me, take $160,000 in cash in the middle of the night and I no langer can sleep. I don't think massge is the answer to this. I have been mostly awake for 60 days and am always on the verge of collapse. I read until my eyes drop and when I turn out the lights, my eyes pop open like on springs. I eat, I overdrink, I take benedryl . . . noting works. I am so tired and so desolate . . .

Re: Insomnia/Sleep Deprivation

In Reply to: Re: Insomnia/Sleep Deprivation posted by Tom Dombrosky on August 04, 1998 at 23:47:34:

Dear Tom,

Massage will not bring your wife back but it will stop this cycle of no sleep/more stress-effect.

The results will not be permanent but it will work for at least a few weeks & you can always do it again.

In the long run, you need an effective skilled relaxation technique. Go to the FAQ page & read everything that seems to relate to stress or relaxation. Also, I responded to another insomnia question within the past week & you can find that on this BB.

To get the temporary results from massage, you will have to have a deep, total-body, therapeutic massage at least 3 times a week for 2 weeks.

Let us know how you do & if you have more questions.

Walt

Arica Institue

Dear Walt and Everyone:
I've been away for awhile on vacation and nursing a broken down computer.
I think I located Arica based on a previous post of Walt's.
The Arica Institute @ 914-674-4091 has coursework and books regarding meditation and deepening states of consciousness. And more, based on where the learner wants to go in her/his personal journey. They are in the process of updating their materials so she(Bobbie) wanted me to be patient about getting the info. Arica is also creating a website but it is not up and running as yet.
She suggested a book, if you can locate, called Interviews with Oscar Ichazo who apparently founded and was the driving force initially behind Arica. I decided to wait until I receive more info from them and order through Arica.
Also, Bobbie gave me the name of a prerson who was quite familiar with Arica; using their techniques, training info, etc. I will E-mail him privately, ask some questions and let him know others might be interested in contacting him. Or better yet, rather than be inundated by people, ask if he might be interested in at least initially being in contact with Walt and possibly joining us publicly at this BB. I assume thats okay with you Walt? I'll be back with more.
Sam

Re: Arica Institue

In Reply to: Arica Institue posted by sam on August 04, 1998 at 14:07:06:

Wow! Sam. Thanks a lot!

I would really like to see professionals like Arican instructors on this website! I appreciate your thinking of it & hope you will go ahead & at least mention that possibillity to him. This site is busy enough that it would be a good way to direct people to their developing website anyhow.

Is Oscar still alive? My son & I took our training in the early '80s. I would appreciate any further information you can find for us!!!!

Namaste` Walt

Rollercoaster Meditation

Walt or Anyone Who May Also Experience This,

Sometimes I feel queasy after meditating. Maybe the sensations/waves rushing thru my head while meditating could cause this?

Does this mean anything to you, Walt?

Thanks,
Peggy

Re: Fainting during Meditation - Dr. Stoll?

In Reply to: Rollercoaster Meditation posted by Peggy on August 05, 1998 at 15:18:36:

I am a newcomer to this BB and have gleaned a tremendous
amount of info concerning my illness (CFIDS/Fibromyalgia).
I understand that I need to learn to use skilled relaxation, but how?
Every time I try to let go a little, I faint. In fact, I believe
that a lot of my total body bracing is an attempt to stave off fainting.
Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't.

The queasiness that you describe, Peggy, could be along the same lines.

Any tips for me? I am desperately unwell.

Thank you,

Martha

Re: Fainting during Meditation - Dr. Stoll?

In Reply to: Re: Fainting during Meditation - Dr. Stoll? posted by Martha S. on August 05, 1998 at 15:47:48:

I lived on an ashram and meditated 3 times a day. No one everfainted but I do know that sometimes people get very close to no tbreathing. IN deep stages of meditation, people do actually stop breathing...very deep stages and it takes a long time to get to this point. But you might just be experiences the effects of very shallow breathing, I have heard of this.

Re: Rollercoaster Meditation

In Reply to: Rollercoaster Meditation posted by Peggy on August 05, 1998 at 15:18:36:

Dear Peggy,

Temporary abberation. It will pass. This is, however, a pretty good indication that you are reaching the level we need for optimum results.

Walt

Re: Fainting during Meditation - Dr. Stoll?

In Reply to: Re: Fainting during Meditation - Dr. Stoll? posted by Martha S. on August 05, 1998 at 15:47:48:

Dear Martha,

I have seen this happen (rarely) with people who have just kept themselves going by dint of guts & nothing else. They have been functioning with one foot over the edge of the cliff for years whereas most of us would have fallen over the cliff long ago.

The best way to get past this phase (and it IS just a phase) would be to get the series of massages I have described so many times and continue to do what presently causes you to faint. Hold a big serving spoon in your hand while doing your relaxation. As soon as you faint, it will slip out of your hand. That early into the faint the little stimulus of the spoon slipping can quickly bring you back to your self. Just pick up the spoon & go back to what you were doing up to that point. The fainting will probably stop in a few days of starting the massages but the series of massages will only work for a few weeks to months. If you start fainting again, you may need to repeat the massages. Rolfing would last longer but it would take 10 sessions.

In the end, it is the skilled relaxation that will change your life. Congratulations for getting it started.

Let us know what happens.

Walt

Re: Guts and Pride

In Reply to: Re: Fainting during Meditation - Dr. Stoll? posted by Walt Stoll on August 06, 1998 at 10:19:21:

Dr. Stoll:

Thank you for your extremely fast response to my problem. I will immediately
try the "Ben Franklin spoon method" (he used to sit down to take a nap with a spoon
in his hand; he claimed that the split second of sleep that he got before the spoon
clattered to the floor was enough to revitalize him.)

Your perception that I have had one foot off the cliff for years is quite accurate.
I'd like to tell my story, so that you and other readers can understand how
someone can get to be this far gone....

I have been ill ever since I contracted a bad case of Epstein-Barr at age 16.
I never really recovered from it, and many other things have exacerbated my
condition since. Back then, even with all my obvious physical symptoms, the
orthodox medical community diagnosed my lack of immune functioning as a lack of
character instead: I was repeatedly rejected by them as variously (from my charts):
a whiner, a hypochondriac, a narcisist, and "passive-aggressive." I accepted
these characterizations because I was young and didn't know any better, and
because I had been raised to revere MD's as the all-knowing annointed saviors
of humankind.

So the docs said I wasn't sick and the numerous shrinks they sent me to said I wasn't
sick and my parents believed I wasn't sick so I guess I decided that I had no choice
but to just "snap out of it" as the doctors had instructed me to do so many times.
In the 24 years since then I have finished high school, put myself through college,
earned a PhD, gotten married, and had a child, all while holding down full or part-
time employment. I've done it all on auto-pilot, and don't even have memories of
large chunks of it, such as my very own wedding ceremony. Add to those stresses the
GUILT of not always being physically able (even though I had no excuse because I was
officially NOT SICK) to do what it takes to parent a child, nurture a marriage, maintain
a household and contribute to family income, and you've got one messed-up, stressed-out,
ready to JUMP off the cliff, cookie.

I realize now that, instead of it betraying me as I have so often felt, I have actually
been betraying my own body (uh-oh - more guilt) in the name of pride - to prove that I'm not
the lazy, selfish sluggard that I was accused of being.

Over the last 3 years I have been working with two health coaches: an applied kinesiologist/DC
and an orthomolecular MD. The most healing aspect of my treatments has been their attitude of
acceptance of me and my illness. Now I am wondering if the "Type A" personality characteristics
and hard-driving perfectionism so often attributed to us "yuppie flu" patients is actually a result
of our rejection early on.

Thank you for letting me vent. I really have no one else to discuss this issue
with considering that well people don't usually want to talk about illness, especially the
chronic kind.

God bless you for your kindness and caring. I will keep you posted on my progress.

Martha

Re: Guts and Pride

In Reply to: Re: Guts and Pride posted by Martha S. on August 06, 1998 at 16:16:35:

Martha, I want to say how I relate to your post. Especially about being a lazy, selfish sluggard. I also have not felt well since early on, and I pushed myself until 5 years ago ( I am 42). It is the part about trying to prove to others that we are "normal" because we've been told there is nothing wrong with us, all the while our bodies and minds tell another story. I remember my dad telling me that I didn't have the pep of other kids, but there was nothing wrong with me? Go figure! Anyhow I faked it until the age of 37. I would love to dialog with you and find out what you do in your healing. Susan

Re: Guts and Pride--ME TOO!

In Reply to: Re: Guts and Pride posted by Susan on August 06, 1998 at 20:17:39:

Martha & Susan

Ditto, here. My story is so much like yours, Martha, that I could have almost written it. I'm 48 and have suffered since I was 21. The good news is that there is REAL help on this BB! I've read all the books recommended by Dr.Stoll and I've read the BB for months. I learn a little every day and I get a little better as I practice what I learn. Still got a ways to go, but I'll get there. You will, too. You're lucky to have some good health care providers. I found an iridologist that is helping me. I've also been led by various people to new discoveries that are helping. You can both write me, too, if you want.

Nancy

Re: Guts and Pride--ME TOO!

In Reply to: Re: Guts and Pride--ME TOO! posted by Nancy on August 06, 1998 at 20:30:31:

Hi Nancy, I am new to this board and the web in general. I would love to share my experiences along the way. I deal with CFS which I prefer not to call it because it is just a hoge-podge name for something that baffles most docs, health professionals, and people. I didn't have the class healthy one day and got the flu that I could never shake syndrome, My decline was very gradual over the years. A more detailed description of what I have done the last five years to recover is under my name in the PAGING ROBERT MCFERRAN posts. Let me know what you are dealing with and how you cope. Are you able to work? Susan

Re: Fainting during Meditation - Dr. Stoll?

In Reply to: Re: Fainting during Meditation - Dr. Stoll? posted by Supriya on August 06, 1998 at 09:08:35:

Dear Supriya,

I agree with you completely!

The only reason I did not discount the "fainting" diagnosis is that people are just too different for that not to be one of the explanations for that experience.

Either way, it is nothing to worry about, However, if one becomes unconscious, the skilled relaxation is not working. SO, something needs to be done to prevent unconsciousness.

Thanks, Walt

Re: Guts and Pride

In Reply to: Re: Guts and Pride posted by Martha S. on August 06, 1998 at 16:16:35:

Dear Martha, et al,

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I have been trying to tell people on the internet, for years, how common this process is. Who would believe it?

Isn't it typical that, when your condition doesn't fit the very narrow paradigm of the ruling medical monopoly, that the patient is blamed????

This is part of what I am talking about when I say that the AMA is desperately "Trying to force the health-care camel through the eye of the allopathic needle." It cannot be done. As long as the public lets the "profession" get away with what you have experienced, a large % or the public will continue to be victimized as you have been.

I hope ALL of you are practicing an effective skilled relaxation technique since, in the long run, nothing else is going to resolve this total-body condition. There are MANY alternative, short term reliefs of symptoms but in the end, all of you are going to have to add this skill to your lives.

Namaste` to you-all. Walt

meditation experiences

Dear Walt:
Meditation practice continues to go well as I near three months of regular practice along with a good diet regimen (for well over a year now) and walking for exercise. I know my adrenals are still very weak and anxiety is often present but my body temp. some days is up and sometimes I don't need anti-anxiety meds in order to work. And that is cool.(The language of working with kids!)
I've had some weird experiences I'd like your opinion on.
When I meditate:
1. I sometimes get wild images even very spiritual ones
2. My sacrum and lower lumbar get warm sometimes poker hot in coccyx area at times.
3. Sometimes urine burns
4.Sometimes I can be sitting in meditation without a thought in my head, at peace, for what feels like a few minutes and when I open my eyes an hour went by.
5. I hope I can write this to make sense. My central nervous system and blood sugar sometimes are "off"-both creating more anxiety and especially nervous system seems really affected at times throughout the day but esp when bladder meridian is supposed to be open 3-5pm (which governs nervous system.) I don't know what to make of these symptoms other than to note that there is a relationship of both to kidney energy which as we know is weak in my system.
I had a final materia tachyon treatment (using the tachyon crystals on meridiam points) to remove more old emotion over a month ago and don't know how much I should attribute to that.
I do know that any energy change in my body impacts my adrenals so begin to wonder if between meditation and that last treatment I might be kicking out some old emotion or maybe the answer is way less esoteric than all the above. I do intuit that the meditation seems part if not most of what is going on but I just don't know for sure.
Appreciate your feedback.
Oh yes, I find myself getting excited and wanting to go into meditation and some days, maybe even often, will meditate for 2-4 hours a day (not all at once).
Thanks,
Sam

Re: meditation experiences-additional info

In Reply to: meditation experiences posted by sam on August 07, 1998 at 20:15:49:

Dear Walt:
I should add that the anxiety, blood sugar and nervous system symptoms(along with some I didn't mention like headache or pressure in third eye area and breathlessness because of "pushing" feeling in upper abdomen) I've had since adrenals really went downhill. However with diet and exercise prior to meditation they had all subsided to some degree. One thing I found myself doing in meditation was focusing on sacral/lumbar area to move that energy up my spine...maybe that also contributed.
Finally, because I trust you and this website, and at the risk of other people reading this labeling me crazy, I also have had on 2 occasions a very intense reaction to meditation.
Coming out of meditation 2x I had an intense emotional grief reaction that at the time had the following accompanying thought: the emotion was in response to my awareness of my separation from the Source or how I brought my ego in as a way to protect myself after I was born and all the layers I added on further removing myself from that Source..the ultimate loss of innocence.
Thanks, Walt. You somehow may it easier to support such disclosures. I thought it important to add this since meditation is clearing bringing up some big stuff for me.
Sam

Re: meditation experiences

In Reply to: meditation experiences posted by sam on August 07, 1998 at 20:15:49:

Dear Sam,

This is wonderful stuff! Greg could hava a hey-day with this. You are talking about (and experiencing) everything fromn Kundalini to Rolfing.

If you have any friends that know about either of these, you would learn a lot by sharing this with them. Perhaps others on this BB will jump in here & share experiences.

I, too, found when I first learned to do this that I became so healthy that I wanted to meditate for hours a day. I found I had the time because I only needed a couple of hours to lie down to rest my body. I never acrtually went to sleep. This went on for years. My entire life was spent in the alpha rhythm & I felt better than I had ever felt in my life. This, too, shall pass. Just never give up practicing every day.

Walt

Re: meditation experiences-additional info

In Reply to: Re: meditation experiences-additional info posted by sam on August 08, 1998 at 10:05:02:

Dear Sam,

Once again, wonderful stuff!

If this gets too intense for you, I would recommend seeing a Rolfer in consultation. If s/he felt incompetent to guide you through this phase, I am sure s/he would have an idea of whom in your area could.

Let us know how you do. All of this is very encouraging .

Walt

Re: meditation experiences-additional info

In Reply to: Re: meditation experiences-additional info posted by Walt Stoll on August 08, 1998 at 11:42:14:

Dear Sam,

Reading your posts is a joy. Nothing crazy about them. Just inspiration at the potential of us humans. Wanna hear some real "wacko" stuff? Last night I was trying to sleep through the night at my brother-in-law's in Berkeley after a grueling one-changeover flight from Halifax to San Francisco. You wouldn't believe the inflight torture movies...kiddie cartoons in French about animated stuffed bears during the last hour before delayed landing...great detachment practice...I failed miserably...those damned stuffed bears...the boys loved them of course. Anyway, last night I woke up at 2:30 AM California time with a strong need to meditate away the bloody bruins and the drunks in the hotel room next to us from the night before, along with the forlorn and drunken husband who was pounding on his wife's door begging eternal forgiveness and would she please give him a ride home... at my spiritual best I stood at the threshold of room five in my New Age Santa Fe sauna T-shirt and matted hair and threatened to call the Mounties on all of them (all the soap opera participants went blissfully silent)..anyway, I digress. After that, when son number one had peed in his pants, and son number two was throwing a deep-sleep temper tantrum, and by this time it was 4:30 AM, I had the strong urge to meditate. It was extraordinary. From zero to sixty in a millesecond, I was at a place of calm observation, watching my day-to-day energy levels and seeing the blocks they were creating in my development. All of a sudden, I was operating at a higher frequency ( the only way I can logically or empirically describe it). Nothing frenetic; only absolute stillness. And in that meditative stillness, I 'd swear on a stack of Bibles if I were a Christian that I felt and saw an "energy being" stop feeding on me, detach from me, and bolt out the front door. No free lunch anymore. I will never believe in demons, but I swear that I now have direst awareness that we can be parasitized upon on a larger (etheric?) scale, just as we demonstrably are by the micro-parasites that feed on our sloughed-off skin cells. My entire awareness is calmer and profoundly solid today in a way that I've not experienced before. So much to learn and grow from in this wonder that we call reality. Catch you later, Sam, and all the best in your own extraordinary and beautiful voyage. Let me know how I can be present for you. I'm honored to learn from you.

Love, Kyra

Re: meditation experiences-additional info

In Reply to: Re: meditation experiences-additional info posted by Kyra on August 25, 1998 at 01:04:50:

Dear Kyra,

"It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood."

We humans have little idea of what we are capable of till we are pushed to "extremis".

Namaste` Walt

Brain Allergies book

Dear Walt,

Is this the book you recommend for people who seem to
have mood swings from foods?

Brain Allergies : The Psychonutrient Connection Including Brain Allergies
Today : An Update
by William H. Philpott, Dwight K. Kalita, Linus Pauling (1987)

There are two copies of this at Amazon.com. A 1980 version too. I am reading about Candida and am working with a
Naturopath for that. It appears it is effecting my nervous
system more than anything.

If I eat sugar, even a few teaspoons in tea, I get nervous
and jittery. I never felt like this years ago. A few years
ago I had a horrendous panic attack after drinking a large
coke. I noticed that sugar and chocolate and caffeine would
set off panic and anxiety. I don't ingest these anymore.
I kept telling the doctors that I felt there was a connection
and they ignored me...offering me valium. I refused medication.
I always believed it was a physical problem and that I needed
to find the cause to heal.

If this is the correct book, I will buy it.

I had a blood test for my magnesium levels and they are in
the normal range.

I am striving to do all I can to heal. I meditate daily.
I have improved....but I did not realize how very sick I was. Amazing how I strong and in control I used to be
and now a sip of sugary caffeine drink and cause me to
feel out of control. It used to relax me!

I truly appreciate this site and all your help.

love and peace,
pamela

Re: Brain Allergies book

In Reply to: Brain Allergies book posted by Pamela J on August 09, 1998 at 15:01:01:

Hi, Pamela.

It is the right book. I thought there had been an upgraded edition in the '90s but the original is good enough. The problem with this book is that, although it does a wonderful job of explaining the concept, it does little about telling people how to resolve the causes other than eliminating the triggers.

With what you have, even with the laboratory magnesium levels falling into the "normal" range, I would still take at least 2 grams of elemental magnesium orally for a few months. This science is in its infancy & we still don't have a perfect idea of what is "normal" for any individual. So far, it seems that the range of normal varies much more widely than the labs think so far. It could be normal for you or YOUR ideal level might be much higher. Initial results are most valuable for comparison tests after you have done somethiing about it.

There is really no way you can hurt yourself by doing a therapeutic trial. You might read up on the rare cases of magnesium excess and, if you start to have those symptoms, just stop it.

A 12 oz can of regular coke has 14 teaspoons of sugar in it, It also has enough caffeine that the caffene releases another 14 teaspoons of sugar from the liver. This is more sugar than there is in an entire cow. Is it any wonder, as you get older, that your pancreatic reserves have finally been exceeded?

These "cokes" have always stressed your system this much. It was just that your machinery was a lot more capable of handling it and you actually felt "better". However, over the years, your system is now saying "enough already".

Are you meditating twice a day or just daily?

The results that I have been predicting only happen when this is done twice a day. Once you are well, you might try cutting to once a day to see if you will STAY well.

Namaste` Walt

Re: Brain Allergies book

In Reply to: Re: Brain Allergies book posted by Walt Stoll on August 10, 1998 at 16:17:20:

Dear Dr. Stoll,

Thanks for telling me this is the right book. I will buy it and read it. It will help me be aware of potential triggers.

It does not surprise me that colas are not good for the body...every body. I will never drink one again. My husband and my son don't drink them anymore either.

I am meditating twice daily. I was not meditating every day over the last few months. NOW I meditate EVERY day. The Brainsync tapes are great. They help make it eaiser.

I bought the Deep Meditation and the Healing Meditation. The
Healing Meditation helps produce Delta Waves and this is supposed to help your body produce the Growth Hormone. Both of these tapes have helped people heal. I will just keep at it.

I hope to see a Rolfer soon. I found someone through the Rolf website. I need to check with the Osteopath to see if this is okay yet. I may need to wait awhile.

I read about how we all seem to have different needs for minerals and vitamins. I agree that more magnesium might be beneficial. I will try to take more.

I was very OVERSTRESSED 2 1/2 years ago. I was afraid I was going to die at that time. I was really sick. I am much better now, but still have a long way to go. I don't feel well enough to drive. I can't work much. I stay home most of the time. I am too tired to go out much or do anything. I sleep alot.

I am certain I have Leaky Gut along with everything else. I remember you said that Leaky Gut is the precursor of many other ailments like food sensitivies, Candida, chemical senstivies etc. It just makes sense.

Thanks again,

love and peace,
pamela

Re: Brain Allergies book

In Reply to: Re: Brain Allergies book posted by Pamela J on August 10, 1998 at 17:50:49:

Dear Pamela,

At the risk of being called a merciless taskmaster: TWICE A DAY, Pamela! TWICE A DAY!

Twice a day skiled relaxation is more than 4 times as effective as once a day. Once a day is not enough to resolve anything in less than years--if ever.

Namaste` Walt

Re:Thanks for reminder

In Reply to: Re: Brain Allergies book posted by Walt Stoll on August 11, 1998 at 17:56:03:

Dear Walt,

Yep....I do meditate twice a day. I BELIEVE you when you say do it twice a day. You healed yourself of many illnesses and have helped many others heal so I listen. There are many others who recommend the twice daily meditation too! Seems like others have found this to be the optimum also. That is enough evidence for me.

Thanks again. I believe that the meditation will heal me. I already feel calmer.

Thanks again!
love and peace,
pamela

Stress Test (I have no interest in the company)

Not sure if your illness is "caused" by stress?

Take this simple Stress Test.

Greg

Re: Stress Test (I have no interest in the company)

In Reply to: Stress Test (I have no interest in the company) posted by Greg on August 09, 1998 at 17:39:11:

Hi Greg,

I read this site's stress test and found it to be one I used to always use at my workshops and seminars. It was always shocking for people to put a numerical score on their stress level. I agree with it to a point. It DOES point out the accumulation of psychological and social stress factors. However, I feel it is misleading because it does not mention the physical stressors. I hope if people have only this to go on, it will lead them to learn and practice skilled relaxation anyway. Remember what Walt says, that 90% of the accumulated stress response is NOT due to psychological or social factors. I do not use this stress scale anymore. I do address the psychological and social stressors we all think about when we hear the word "stress", but I hope I now put it in context.

Namaste` Linda

Re: Stress Test (I have no interest in the company)

In Reply to: Stress Test (I have no interest in the company) posted by Greg on August 09, 1998 at 17:39:11:

Greg,

There's a section in MAH,MAS about this test - if you ever get that far!!! ;-)

xxoo
trish

Re: Stress Test (I have no interest in the company)

In Reply to: Re: Stress Test (I have no interest in the company) posted by Linda hynds on August 11, 1998 at 16:34:05:

I've seen similar tests before and I have to say I
agree with Linda about its usefulness. In addition
to her comments about the physical stressors, I think
its fairly ridiculous to even try to put a generalized
numeric value on the stresses people experience. Not
to mention that some of the experiences I've had or that
other people I've known have had were not even mentioned.
Breaking up a relationship is surely stressful no matter
what, but is it as stressful as ending a marriage? And
what about addiction? Do you just pile that in with
other sicknesses? The ranking in generic and not at all
individualized to people of different ages, financial
means(loans over or under 10,000?), or anything else. It's
a sort of fun game but I don't think anyone should
take it seriously.

Lindsay

Re: Stress Test (I have no interest in the company)

In Reply to: Re: Stress Test (I have no interest in the company) posted by Lindsay on August 17, 1998 at 18:34:23:

Dear Lindsay,

I agree!

ESPECIALLY since more than 90% of the stressors that cause the chronic stress-effect overload of the hypothalamus are NOT psychosocial stressors. They are physical, nutritional, electromagnetic, chemical, etc. Each stressor causes a fight or flight response. If the person does not actually run or fight, the readiness stays in the hypothalamus.

How many of us run away from, or fight, electromagnetic smog, etc.?

The fact is that psychosocial stressors are the hardest to do something about. In this culture the most cost effective (in money, time & effort) things we can do is reduce our response to that which we are exposed & increase our horsepower to deal with unavoidable stressors. THEN, if we want to deal with psychosocial stressors, we will have more reserves (available horsepower) to have a better chance of doing so.

Those methods of ranking psychosocial stressors alone almost completely miss the boat. Even worse, they tend to continue the fiction in the public mind that "stress" is mainly psychosocial.

Walt

Aching joints in a 16 yo

Hi Walt,

My 16 yo daughter has moved back in with me, and complained on Saturday night of "growing pains".

The pain is usually in her ankles, and sometimes the knees and/or hips. Always at night.

This appears to have been a problem with her for several years, intermittently, and we tried to find some causal factor - food, exertion, menstrual cycle and so on.
Her mum's Dr. said "growing pains", and end of story.

What do you think?

Thnks Deryk

Re: Aching joints in a 16 yo

In Reply to: Aching joints in a 16 yo posted by Deryk Bramwell on August 10, 1998 at 12:13:26:

Hi, Deryk.

This is a serious problem only because 16 year olds are like we were at the same age: Everything worth knowing is already known by a 16 year old.

Almost the only thing that can cause this is chronic total body bracing (due to the repressed stress described on the FAQ page) POSSIBLY aggravated by a low INTRACELLULAR magnesium. Look under the fibromyositis on the FAQ page to see how to check that.

IF nothing is done about the causes of this, the next message sent by the mindbody will be much more serious than joint pains. You can learn more about this by reading Dr Pelletier's classic: "Mind as Healer, Mind as Slayer". Get the most recent edition. However, it will only tell YOU what is the cause. SHE is the one who needs to know.

Let me know if I can be of more help.

Walt

Re: Aching joints in a 16 yo

In Reply to: Re: Aching joints in a 16 yo posted by Walt Stoll on August 11, 1998 at 17:03:50:

Walt,

It's good to hear someone who can even try to explain
these things called "growing pains". My question is,
I went to a doctor a couple of years ago complaining of
brief chest pains and was told it was just another
symptom of my asthma. I talked to my new allergist/ear
nose throat doctor about this recently and he said that
it is NOT related to the asthma, and he called my
chest pains "growing pains". They are frequenty accompanied
by either irregular or extremely slow heartbeat. My
doctor said that as long as they last less than one
minute I shouldnt worry. Any better ideas?

By the way, thanks for your devotion to this site. I've
been reading up on a lot of alternative medicine approaches
since I found your site, and I've gotten a lot of
contradictory information, which I'm sure will all take
some time to sort out, but so far I keep coming back
to this BB to see what you've been telling people. The
AMA is clearly out of its collective mind to come after
you. I mean, here you are offering such horrible and
offensive advice as eat healthy, excersise, and relax
(skillfully). You should be ashamed of yourself ;)

Lindsay
P.S. I read a book put out about 10 years ago which was
part of a series on medical issues, complete with
introcuction by the surgeon general and other brands of
approval of the authorities, which mentioned your health
clinic as one of about 5 holistic medicine practices.
I read your FAQ about why you lost your license. Was there
any specific practice you promoted that led the powers that
be'd to come after you after such apparent endorsement?

Lindsay

Re: Aching joints in a 16 yo (extended)

In Reply to: Re: Aching joints in a 16 yo posted by Lindsay on August 17, 1998 at 17:29:13:

Dear Lindsay,

I would be interested in the reference where I was mentioned. I know that there were a lot of people impressed with what we were doing but had not heard of this one. Thanks. It makes me feel less a "Lone Ranger".

I think, in retrospect, that it was having a Chiropractor (as an equal team member) in my office that put me on their list of must purge practitoners. I was still so naive at that time that I thought that the AMA would want whatever was best for the patient.

I did not even know enough to be aware that this happened right in the middle of the big court case between the Chiropractors and the AMA which the Chiropractors won. From that time on, there was never a time that they were not harassing me.

I hope that some time there is an investigative reporter willing to unmask this entire affair. I know that I will come out a hero & the AMA will have a lot of dirt on their faces.

Hope springs eternal.

By the way, what you have in your chest is costochondritis. Rolfing would get rid of it for a couple of years. It will never come back if you do the skilled relaxation twice a day in the meantime. This has been discussed within the past few months on this BB.

Walt

Walt: please explain stress in hypothalmus

Dear Walt,

I have spoken to many massage therapists (including rolfers), osteopaths, naturopaths etc... about stress
and its effect on the body. All of them believe that
stress definitely effects the health. When I used the term
'body bracing' they had never heard this before, but use
the term 'body armoring'. I even read this term in a
magazine for massage therapists. Just a problem of word choice. I think they are talking about the same concept.

I believe that most of my illness at this time is due to
stored stress in the body. I have eliminated most of the
stress in my current life. (This includes food, water, chemical exposure, noise etc. ) If I have less stress in my
current life then ever before, then why am I still sick?
It must be STORED stress effects in the body. I think that the accumulative effects of stress are still
there. I am taking supplements, eating organic food, meditating etc...

Massage therapists seem to be the most in agreement that
stress is stored in the body, but they see it as stored
in the soft tissue....not the hypothalmus. I think the
massage therapist I see believes it is stored in body organs as well as the muscle tissue
for she does Reiki and Reflexology. Reflexology has been
incredibly healing for me. She told me that her clients
who complained about being too cold comment that they are
very warm after having enough massage treatments over time.
I think this is a good sign of her ability to release stored
stress and balance the bodies energy fields.

Anyway, I have read through most of the 'Mind As Healer,
Mind As Slayer' book and it is FANTASTIC. Thanks for the
recommendation for it. I don't remember reading in there
about how the stress is stored in the hypothalumus but
I assume since it is the gland that is part of the 'flight
or fight' response to stress then it must get overstimulated
with repeated stress. Stress must be stored in there.

If you could explain more about this, I would appreciate it.

Also, sometimes....during meditation...I feel this small burst of energy...sort of like a release of energy. It feels
like it is energy being released from my body. I picture
it in my mind, like a tiny ball of energy that is let go.
Could this be stored stress in my hypothalmus being released?
It feels good when I feel that release. I feel relief and
relaxed. It seems that when I relax enough in meditation,
I let go of a part of that large mass of stress.

This is how it feels to me. I would greatly apreciate your
comments.

Also, I feel that total self care becomes even more critical
when you start meditating. That thought just popped into my
mind yesterday. This idea that what you eat, think and do
aids you in your ability to meditate more deeply and
effectively. I saw this idea of a need to cleanse, energize and
purify the body as you purify, energize and cleanse the
mind and spirit in meditation.

I am becoming interested in simple yoga and tai chi as part
of the physical energizing and cleansing and helping me
to connect my mind, body and spirit.

Your thoughts????

I am EXTREMELY grateful to all the teaching you do here.
I have great respect for you as a healer and a teacher.

love and peace,
pamela

PS: I have read here and there about energy fields. This seems
fascinating and true to me. Those who have experienced NDE
(Near Death Exeperiences) have seen our spiritual bodies as
energy and that we vibrate. Some saw others that vibrated
to different frequencies. It appears there is healing on
MANY different levels. I have had some experiences with
osteopathy and massage that were very spiritual. I could
feel their energy and mine. This was particularly healing
for me.

Hypothalamic stress-effect storage & relaxation.

In Reply to: Walt: please explain stress in hypothalmus posted by Pamela J on August 10, 1998 at 14:27:50:

Dear Pam,

You are to the place where you are asking all the right questions and already suspect the answers to most of them. CONGRATULATIONS!

Just a few notes about your questions:

It takes 6-12 months of effective skilled relaxation, done at least twice a day for 20 minutes, to discharge the storage of the fight or flight readiness we both are talking about. The hypothalamus is the core of where this effect comes from so rthat is where it is stored. That is why it effects every part of the body.

Those who know now understand that the bodymind is a hologram. NO part can be separated from any other part. ALthough body workers (which have to be energy workers at the same time) can show dramatic releases by doing what they do, unless the person learns skilled relaxation & practices it regularly, the entire problem will just come back
--sometimes even years later.

Some people are so far gone that they cannot DO the skilled relaxation without some of the effect of the hypothalamic storage being discharged by the body person.

Your "bursts of energy" during meditation are just brief glimpses of how you are going to feel all the time when you finally get out from under this readiness where you have been living. AGAIN, congratulations!

Your bodymind is the only tool your spirit has to experience this sensory reality. The healthier you make it, the more spirritual you will become. Jesus said it best when he said: "The body is the temple of the soul."

Empirically, the eastern healers have found that things like tai chi & yoga are very effective ways to join the mind & body into this journey. So long as you can continue to do the things you are already learning, I would not hesitate to start one of them. IF it is too much, do not do it. You are already progressing VERY nicely. I would hate to see you give up anything you are doing right now. Later on, you may find that one of these disciplines would be an easy way to stay exuberantly healthy.

You might be interested to know that the AMA is trying to get me off the internet by accusing me of "practicing medicine without a license". I suppose I should take that as a compliment for the effectiveness of this BB. If it were not helping people they would ignore it.

Namaste` Walt

Re:Thanks for the explanation

In Reply to: Hypothalamic stress-effect storage & relaxation. posted by Walt Stoll on August 11, 1998 at 17:31:39:

Dear Walt,

Thanks again for helping me understand. It is amazing how many times I have had to read through the posts here, the archives and the articles you have written and your book to begin to understand more fully what you are talking about. It is a very different way of looking at healing but it is the way my intuition thought it worked. What I have learned is that most of the MD's in this country and the AMA don't see the body's beautiful way of healing. See...I thought they already knew this. I always thought that stress and every part of the body was somehow interconnected. You have taught me HOW interconnected they are and how they work. I am ETERNALLY grateful for that. There seems to be no end to how much there is to learn about how our bodies heal.

I am truly sorry to hear that the AMA is after you again.
I consider you my REAL doctor. A doctor teaches. You have patiently taught us all and helped us achieve better health.

I don't know what I would have done if I had not found this website. I was in tears and desperate. I just didn't want to go on living some days. I was so miserable and all the doctors told me there was nothing they could do.

I learned that I have to MAKE an effor every day to heal myself. No one is going to do it for me. I have mainly had to educate myself about different therapies.

I meditate EVERY DAY. I will never stop doing that. I must have alot of energy inside me if those little bursts and strong surges are what my potential is. It is exciting to think about what I am going to do with all that energy once
I get more healed. ;)

Thanks again,
peace and love,
pamela

I don't know what we all can do to help you out. If there is anything we can do, please ask.

Re:Thanks for the explanation

In Reply to: Re:Thanks for the explanation posted by Pamela J on August 12, 1998 at 02:14:19:

Thanks, Pamela!

I needed that.

Namaste` Walt

More on Meditation

Dear Walt:
I know its hard to communicate this way about my meditation experiences, but your support and guidance are particularly helpful at this time. I hope it is also useful for others as well.
I think this is Kundalini but want to be sure?

I had a full-blown panic attack today anticipating a meeting with a client. Haven't had one of these for quite some time. Employing good diet and moderate exercise for the most part (unless it's a stressful meeting) I've had them under control. I had to excuse myself at the beginning in order to compose myself and was able to return much calmer. I woke up, did two hours of meditation and my legs and arms became warm at first then increasingly cold. I also felt some pulsing/throbbing(lighter than recently) in the sacral/lumbar region. I have noticed an increased need (past 2 months) for low amounts of klonopin and propanolol to get through segments of the workday.
The panic attack threw me at first but now I've recovered. It was pretty scary hearkening back to the days they were frequent and intense.
Looking at two books(Are You Getting Enlightened or Going Insane by Gersten & The Rainbow Diet by Cousens) as well as some private E-mail advice from Greg have helped.
The reason I speak uncertainly about whether this is Kundalini is because when the panic attacks started 5 years ago I was not meditating but was doing some(not daily) guided imagery and homeopathics (thru EAV evals) and jin shin(holding meridian points). I don't know what was happening at the time. The only thing differently I do now is meditate and it is doing something...kundalini I hope, I'm ready for it. I'd like to know if now is different from before. If so, how?
The fears around panic sometimes make me fear pheochromocytoma or something like that. Though EAV testing was negative and a visit to an alternative MD(he did no tests)but said the symptom picture did not look like pheochromocytoma.
Anyway along with Gregs suggestion to help balance energy I'm planning a psychological treatment a friend of mine does to help unblock and release frozen emotion and I might do some acupuncture as well. If it is kundalini, Gersten provides examples of some things I can do as well.

I wish I knew for sure.
And
I'm going to proceed with meditation anyway.
Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks.
Sam

Re: More on Meditation

In Reply to: More on Meditation posted by Sam on August 10, 1998 at 16:28:08:

Dear Sam,

The organization that has the most practical & research experience with this (over the past 20+ years) is the Spiritual Emergence Network at 5905 Soquel Avenue #650, Soquel, CA 95073, (408) 464-8261. The founder & still head man there is Stanislav Grof, MD. I have been there & they are head & shoulders above the rest of the world. They would be glad to send you references & resources to smooth your path in this direction.

Your comments remind me of a book I read about exactly this about 15+ years ago: "Kundalini, Illness (or something like that) or Enlightenment?" by White. I would bet that your library could find a copy for you. SEN, I am sure knows about it too.

Let us know what you learn. You are in a good place.

Namaste` Walt

2 hour rule

why is skilled relaxation not effective if done within 2 hours of sleep time? and what if one finishes a session and then takes a brief nap?

Re: 2 hour rule

In Reply to: 2 hour rule posted by d on August 13, 1998 at 14:11:47:

Does that also include within two hours of waking up time? Or just going to sleep time? Because for me, the ideal time to do sleep relaxation would be soon after I wake up due to my work schedule. Is it still valid that soon after arising? What are the "peak" times of the day to practice sleep relaxation?
One more question: Someone recently sent a post about total body cleansing. I have always been very drawn to this kind of thing and believe there is a lot of merit to getting rid of old "gunk" that can pile up in the intestines. I also suffer from candida. My question is this: If I were to do a program to cleanse and a program to help eliminate candida (with proper diet, exercise, and skilled relaxation, of course) which one should come first? Would getting rid of the candida first facilitate the cleansing, or vice versa? Obviously, the LGS will have to be the first thing to go before anything else will be of much benefit. Any input on this would be appreciated.
Thank you, Dr. Stoll, for everything that you do. As soon as your PC is up and running again, let us know who we can write to keep you on the internet!!
Sarah

Re: 2 hour rule

In Reply to: Re: 2 hour rule posted by sarah on August 13, 1998 at 17:03:11:

Only 2 hours within retiring is not allowed. Dr. Stoll says that doing it first thing upon waking is actually the best time.

I've wondered about the napping, too.

Peggy

Re: 2 hour rule

In Reply to: 2 hour rule posted by d on August 13, 1998 at 14:11:47:

Hi d,
I hope I can explain this well. We have several brain wave states. Beta waves are when we are alert and thinking, Alpha waves occur as we begin to get alittle drowsy. Theta waves are BETWEEN alpha and Delta, which are the waves when we are asleep. It is in the Theta state (on the way to sleep) where we get rid of the effects of accumulated stress. When we get good at skilled relaxation/meditation, it is as effective as 8 hours of sleep. If, however, we cross over into sleep and the Delta state, we have gone past that window of opportunity so to speak. When in the theta state, we can affirm ourselves, experience all kind of neat phenomena and use the power of positive suggestion. It is SO_O_O_O easy to fall asleep. If we do this this when we are normally conditioned to sleep, we will most likely fall asleep. I also think the best time is upon wakening in the morning, then again in the afternoon or evening, whatever accommodates your schedule and lifestyle. If you frequently fall asleep during your skilled relaxation, you might hold a large spoon in your hand as Walt suggests. When you doze off, you will drop the spoon, rousing yourself. I hope this helps. If you have further questions, please ask on BB or email me - kickstress@aol.com. Good luck and peace.

Namaste` Linda

Re: 2 hour rule

In Reply to: 2 hour rule posted by d on August 13, 1998 at 14:11:47:

I'm too new at skilled relaxation to know anything personally about the effectiveness of doing it within 2 hours of sleep time, but I have experienced another reason for not doing it during that time. My husband and I did an autogenics exercise an hour before going to bed a few nights ago, and we were so wired we weren't able to fall asleep for four hours, even after taking melatonin. I have found that even doing 5 or 10 minutes of deep breathing after going to bed will cause me to wake up--WIDE awake--2 or 3 hours later.

Re: 2 hour rule

In Reply to: 2 hour rule posted by d on August 13, 1998 at 14:11:47:

Dear d.,

I don't think anyone knows. At least I have never spoken to anyone who did. EVERYONEseems to know that falling asleep while doing it is a big NO NO. But few seem to know why THAT is as well. I think it may be just that people frequently use it as a way to GO to sleep because it is easy & convenient. That way, they have no idea as to whether they have just gone to sleep or actually have stayed in the alpha/theta rhythm for an extended time. The alpha/theta rhythm is 24 times as effective as sleep (per minute) in discharging the hypothalamic readiness that causes all this. It is critical not to spend the time sleeping.

If just going to sleep would solve their problem, they wouldn't have it anyhow. Most people go to sleep every day and they still have these problems.

I do know that people that obey that rule do MUCH better.
I think it is very risky to associate a nap with the practice of skilled relaxation. Those practicing regular skilled relaxation soon find that they need a lot less sleep and that naps are a thing of the past anyhow.

Walt

Re: 2 hour rule

In Reply to: Re: 2 hour rule posted by sarah on August 13, 1998 at 17:03:11:

Dear Sarah,

The very best time to do skilled relaxation is upon arising.

Thanks for your kind words. I am using my sister's 'puter to try to not get too far behind. It looks like my hard disc crash has erased everything on it & I am going to have to start from scratch.

Total body cleansing will help you feel better. When your GI tract is functioning normally, it does it for you! The order in which I would do it for myself would be: 1. Get started with the skilled relaxation. 2. Consider a cleansing procedure & start something like the 4R program. Look for it on www.fxmed.com. 3. Check a comprehensive stool analysis and several purged stool analyses at Great Smokies Labs (by a physician in your area who would know what to do with the results). 4. THEN, if you still had energy to do more, consider a whole foods diet till you were ready to treat candida properly.

Hope I am addressing your questions.

Walt

Re: meditation-kundalini awakening-oops-lost original in posting

Dear Walt: Thought I should keep you posted about developments. Continue meditation 2-4hr/day @3.5 months. SEN gave me book references and therapist referral if necessary. I can handle this and know the issues though challenging at times with the symptoms I get. Kundalini is at chakra one which makes sense given the adoption history and fear related issues. I'm releasing alot of fear physically increasing need for klonopin-not dosage as yet but frequency because of anxiety, panic.
Questions:How long at this level of release? Postures/ breathing/exercises to help moderate symptoms? Should I do anything else to release frozen emotion or let meditation-kundalini interface take care of that.
Needing less sleep but also disturbed sleep from the release of energy/emotion.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks again for your help.
Interesting this all began to help relieve the stress response from hypothalamus and take pressure off adrenals.
Sam
Sam

Re: meditation-kundalini awakening-oops-lost original in posting

In Reply to: Re: meditation-kundalini awakening-oops-lost original in posting posted by sam on August 17, 1998 at 13:58:04:

Hi, Sam!

You are to be congratulated for your progress to date. It it were me, I would consider adding Rolfing at this stage. They would compliment each other ESPECIALLY at the stage you are describing.

If you want to see the connection, read "Bodies, Health & Consciousness" by Rosie Speigel. Call (800) 938-0972.

Let us know what you learn & what happens. This IS a transition.

Walt

Re: meditation-kundalini awakening-oops-lost original in posting

In Reply to: Re: meditation-kundalini awakening-oops-lost original in posting posted by Walt Stoll on August 17, 1998 at 18:27:41:

Sam & Walt,

This may also be a good time to invest in a good, programmable
Light & Sound machine. Helpful in conjuction with rolfing, and
would help with fitful sleep: set the machine to "ramp down"
into delta, with alpha overtones, and you will "slide" into
sleep relaxed and at peace.
From my experience, you tend to stay that way until waking.

I'd be interested in hearing about what happens too. I have become involved in an offshoot project, and put my Kundalini
"becoming" on hold (as best I can) to follow this lead...

Yours In The Light,
Greg

More on kundalini & sound/light machine info

In Reply to: Re: meditation-kundalini awakening-oops-lost original in posting posted by Greg on August 18, 1998 at 00:19:00:

Dear Greg:
Where can I get more info on a light and sound machine?

My experience with kundalini is like a rollercoaster. When the sacral/lumbar pulsating/throbbing occurs I can be sure within the next day there will be a release and likely at this point it will be fear-related emotion and have nervous system involvement.
However, it does not occur daily or at least not at that intensity. Trying to read about this as well as gauge what my body is doing and telling me, it seems I release, then stabilize, then integrate both consciously and unconsciously. Then a new round begins. I slept quite well last night (6 hours) but only after getting 3 hours the previous night when a release began at about 3 am. The release also does not occur immediately after experiencing the sacral/lumbar "symptoms". I knew sunday night would be interesting because the throbbing continued well past meditation earlier in the day.
Walt, curious if these comments are consistent with others who experience awakening phenomena?
Sam

Re: More on kundalini & sound/light machine info

In Reply to: More on kundalini & sound/light machine info posted by sam on August 18, 1998 at 12:51:42:

Sam,

As an interested observer and novice meditator, I just wanted to thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I really appreciate having people like you, greg, kyra and walt to learn from, and I realize that often the things you post are of a personal nature. It is a real gift to the rest of us. Thanks.

trish

Re: More on kundalini & sound/light machine info

In Reply to: More on kundalini & sound/light machine info posted by sam on August 18, 1998 at 12:51:42:

Dear Sam,

Yes they are! They are transitory however.

Thanks for sharing. I hope you will continue to do so. This is a very powerful way to wellness!

Namaste` Walt

Re: Help with release of fear

In Reply to: Re: meditation-kundalini awakening-oops-lost original in posting posted by sam on August 17, 1998 at 13:58:04:

Dear Sam,

You have great courage to face the fear that is being released at this time. I respect you for this. I know how difficult it can be. I have great empathy for you.

I also am releasing alot of fear at this time. Much of this fear is related to childhood trauma and some is related to a car accident.

I am meditating daily and have found this is helping me. Here are some other therapies that have helped me release the fear quickly and with less negative side effects - like panic attacks and health problems.

Walt encourages us to share what works for us so here is my contribution of what has worked for me. I agree strongly with him that everyone is different. I think these therapies work for me because they related to the CAUSES of my panic and anxiety.

1. EMDR (Rapid Eye Movement) This has been very helpful to me.
EMDR, which is an acronym for Eye Movement Desentization is an excellent method of helping one release and process trauma rapidly and with less emotional and physical discomfort. I am currently being treated by a highly skilled therapist with this treatment. Dr. Shapiro wrote an excellent book about the technique. She is the originator of the technique. They have a website at: www.emdr.org if you are interested.

The therapist I am working with is EXCELLENT. He told me that he has had clients that released alot of fear and panic when they faced the anger that was locked inside too. I have alot of buried anger. I am learning to work through this too. I didn't want to dump the anger on anyone so I buried this. Journaling is very helpful

2. Another therapy that has been helpful with releasing trauma is Osteopathy. My Osteopath did a technique by pressing his fingers on my navel and lots of trauma was released from this. It was a great relief. Much of what osteopathy is about is the release of trauma from the body and then of course this effects the mind and spirit.

3. Proper BREATHING. Most people who have panic disorder also breath improperly. They hold their breath and have shallow breathing. This can increase the likeliness of panic or anxiety. I am reading about deep belly breathing and this has been VERY helpful. My Osteopath taught me a breathing exercise to STRENGTHEN my diaphragm. He told me that it influences the Solar Plexus. (Related to a Chakras point as well)

An explanation of proper breathing is also in in the Relaxation Workbook that Walt recommends.

4. The Osteopath found that I was mainly using ONE lung to breath. Due to having the wind knocked out of me as a child and other various injuries, I could not fully use my left lung. He adjusted the pelvis and diaphragm and I am feeling MUCH better now that I can breathe easier. My lungs are still feeling tight in the chest and it will take more sessions with him. I did not even KNOW that I was mainly using one lung but he proved this to me.

5.Massage/reflexology/Reiki This was very helpful and calming.

Rolfing - I have not tried rolfing yet, for I think it is best that I finish the osteopathy first. I found a website for the Rolfing Institute and they have a list of certified rolfers in your area. I found a few in my area. They told me that they have seen people improve from the treatments.

www.rolf.org (it took awhile for me to get there today)

6. Nutrition and Help with my CANDIDA. Candida can effect the hormones and often causes feelings of panic and anxiety. I have been tested for Candida and indeed have an overgrowth of it. The more I heal the Candida overgrowth problem, the better I feel.

Everyone is different so I know you will have to find which therapies or lifestyle changes work for you. I know how it feels to have to face the fear. I never really felt it before. It was locked away for years deep inside. I have been working with this for 3 years now. It is much more manageable now.

I am beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Prayer has been very helpful also and the support from my husban

Re:Comments from my Biofeedback Therapist

In Reply to: Re: Help with release of fear posted by Pamela J on August 19, 1998 at 12:05:35:

Dear Sam,

As I reread your post, I realize that I misunderstood your posting about the fear being released from your meditation. There have been others on this BB who have panic and/or anxiety attacks and somehow thought this was a problem you were having. MY MISTAKE ....sorry. Well, for those who do have this problem, maybe some of what I wrote will be helpful.

My Biofeedback therapist did tell me that some who start meditating begin to experience some uncomfortable feelings that have been ignored for sometime. If there is trauma in the past, this might come up. It sounds like it is relatively minor for you and not related to anything like that. He told me that if you keep working with the meditation that it will improve.

He also told me that many stop practicing meditation when this happens and that if they would continue with it and face whatever is coming up they will actually feel better in the long run.

I commend you for your courage and tenacity to continue meditating through the uncomfortable feelings.

Good Luck....and please disregard the other posting.

peace and love,
pamela

Re: Help with release of fear

In Reply to: Re: Help with release of fear posted by Pamela J on August 19, 1998 at 12:05:35:

Dear Pam,

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help on this BB. It is people like you sharing this kind of information that keeps me from being overwhelmed by this BB.

Of course, this is one of the main reasons that the AMA is so opposed to the public knowing this stuff: it can be shared by non-MDs. As such, it is direct competition to the conventional medical monopoly.

Namaste` Walt

sound/light machine resources

In Reply to: More on kundalini & sound/light machine info posted by sam on August 18, 1998 at 12:51:42:

Light & Sound Machine Resources

1. MindGear
2. Photosonix
3. Synetic Systems

Trance Tapes

1. Acoustic Brain Research
2.
3. Learning Strategies Corporation

-Greg

Re: More on kundalini & sound/light machine info