Sherlock Holmes was on Cocaine? Wow, I never knew that!
“Cocaine brings about an exhilaration and lasting euphoria which in no way differs from the normal euphoria of the healthy person... You perceive an increase of self control and possess more vitality and capacity for work... Long intensive mental or physical work is performed without any fatigue... The result is enjoyed without any of the unpleasant after effects that follow exhilaration brought about by alcohol” (Freud 174).
Cocaine may have been very popular during the 1980’s because so many young adults sought a way to “get rich quick” or to get ahead in life. “The drugs confidence-boosting, energizing qualities made it the drug of choice for the generation of the fashionably-selfish young people of the Thatcher-Reagan ascendancy” (174).
I can remember the term “yuppy” used to describe polo shirt wearing, 20 something, golf-playing, energized young men of the 19080’s. LOL, my Dad uses this term today... The wide spread use of certain drugs, during certain time periods, typically seems to reflect upon societies needs or interests. Music and literature from different eras have been influenced by certain drugs; Acid during the 60’s, Marijuana during the 70’s, and Cocaine during the 80’s.
I can also remember hearing somewhere that the original Coca-Cola contained Cocaine. Therefore, I did some research and found, “Until 1905, the soft drink, marketed as a tonic, contained extracts of cocaine as well as the caffeine-rich kola nut”(Bellis 1). I also found a really interesting we site which explains how the Cocaine was added to Coca-Cola for medicinal purposes. This address tells the whole story: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomitheos/508314603/
But, when it was discovered that Cocaine is addictive and causes anxiety, it was removed from the formula. But, its replacement caffeine, also is addictive...
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
My Addiction to Chai Tea
In Chapter 12, Hughes talked about drugs, addiction to whether its coffee or cocaine and i though that he was talking about because when i am addicted to chai tea and if i don't have my chai tea in the morning, i am a nervous wreck. Since i never tried heroin, speed or cocaine, i would never how they make feel so i am addicted to what i love best. When i drink chai tea , i feel like i could type a millions papers and memos for my classes, but when i don't have it, i become a tea feen just like a person withdrawing from a drug.
Reading and Southpark
As humans we are naturally drawn to patterns. We seem to love them and look for them in everything. We even try to see them where none exist. The brain even sends signals in patterns of 40 Hz oscilation bursts. After reading this chapter I immediately thought of something on how you can get to creative tendancies. It made me think of a bottle of something my room mates had called Absinth. Now I did not part take of this drink because there was a picture of a man without an ear on it. It was van Gogh. I heard the story of how he used this as a muse for his paintings and along with his girlfriend made him cut his ear off. (Yeah this is something I want to try. Maybe I can cut my nose off.) My friends spoke of this as liquid mushrooms. I was intrigued but I will still not try this drink.
Now I also saw something on tv this past week about an altered state. It was the tv show Southpark in which the characters caught a lerperchaun. They ended up going to imagination land where everything that the human mind created lived. Fairy tale characters, dragons, cereal mascots, the care bears etc all lived there. The land was full of fly of garrett mushrooms. There was a second part of this imagination land where the nightmare creatures lived. Now the show goes on about terrorist attack to kill the imagination and everything but the show resumes with part 2 tonight at 10 and part 3 next Wednesday at 10.
Now I also saw something on tv this past week about an altered state. It was the tv show Southpark in which the characters caught a lerperchaun. They ended up going to imagination land where everything that the human mind created lived. Fairy tale characters, dragons, cereal mascots, the care bears etc all lived there. The land was full of fly of garrett mushrooms. There was a second part of this imagination land where the nightmare creatures lived. Now the show goes on about terrorist attack to kill the imagination and everything but the show resumes with part 2 tonight at 10 and part 3 next Wednesday at 10.
Chapter 11
There were a handful of ideas that I found interesting in this chapter. One of which was the assertion that "artist are attuned to resonances that chime in with their own." I know the author may not have meant for this comment to apply exclusively to aesthetics, but it is there that I found the most interesting implications. For example I have always felt drawn to artistic works that deal with non-representational or non-narrative themes, such as the paintings of Kandinsky or the short stories of Robbe-Grillet. This comment made me think that perhaps there is something within me that drives me to favor these types of work as opposed to some quality of style within the work that I was drawn to. As I contemplated this I began to look back on the chapter and found that most of the passages I had initially highlighted were related to that same aesthetic value that I was drawn to; namely the work of art as "a reference to something else, inspiring emotion for that thing, but as a thing in itself."
Chapter 11
When I was reading other people's blogs, it seemed like some people disliked the chapter. It's not that I loved it or it was my favorite, but I thought it was interesting. It also was a lot better than chapter 10 so I'm sure that helped its case. Of course, like everyone else, I enjoyed the section on hypnosis the most. In the beginning of the blogs I mentioned that my stepfather was a numerologist, so I was predisposed to this kind of material from a young age. He also owns an entertainment company which contracts out hypnotise, so again I've been around these people most of my life (I was 4 when my stepfather moved in). That said, I completely believe in it. However I also think people fake it. I know I mentioned this in an earlier class, but I was always taught that if you can "lose" yourself or "zone out"(for instance while driving and seconds or minutes later you realize you don't actually remember driving but you still are on the right track) you can be hypnotised.
At the all night senior party at my high school, they always had a hypnotise. They start with like 20 random people and start to "weed out" the people to get like 5 or 6 people who can fall into the deepest hypnosis and start making them do weird things. I know I read in someones blog that they were in something like this and couldn't be hypnotised. For most people it's not that they can't be hypnotised, it's usually that they won't allow themselves to let go completely (I wouldn't even go up to try because I had no idea what they would make me do in front of all of my classmates). Anyway, I know that people also use hypnotism for diets and to quit smoking. Although I don't know if all of those people are hypnotised or if it's psychosomatic.
At the all night senior party at my high school, they always had a hypnotise. They start with like 20 random people and start to "weed out" the people to get like 5 or 6 people who can fall into the deepest hypnosis and start making them do weird things. I know I read in someones blog that they were in something like this and couldn't be hypnotised. For most people it's not that they can't be hypnotised, it's usually that they won't allow themselves to let go completely (I wouldn't even go up to try because I had no idea what they would make me do in front of all of my classmates). Anyway, I know that people also use hypnotism for diets and to quit smoking. Although I don't know if all of those people are hypnotised or if it's psychosomatic.
Complete and utter distraction
It's sad that I can't get completely excited about reading Hughes anymore. Everything that I read I think, hey wait, didn't I read that earlier? The only time that I get really excited while reading is whenever he mentions an author, artist, poet, or pop icon that I like.
I understand how much everyone loves van Gogh's art... I guess because he's one of the most well-known in the world. Of course, we've all heard the stories about his life and how it reflected his art... so of course it has been "extensively investigated." I'm kinda at the point now where I think, so what if he had some mental retardation, or slept with his sister, or ate only locusts and roaches (I made these up)? His art is just beautiful. And that's all I find myself thinking about now. I want to leave the theory alone and just admire his paintings. How he takes that horse-hair brush and forms the perfet blend of linseed oil and midnight blue paint... sweeping it across a canvas, putting dots of it here and there, in between dashes of other colors. More than that, it is how the paint makes me feel when I look at it that it astonishing.
Hughes mentions John Keats and quotes him with "Negative capability... when a man is capable of being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason." Keats has a poem called "Eve of St. Agnes." If you've never read it... you should read it before you graduate... or before the end of the year... or now!
And let's not even start on William Blake. He is the everyman. This dude is political and sentimental, a painter and a poet, empowered by the Bible but ultimately a mystic. His paintings are of scenes from the Bible, or aggressive illustrations of the Bible's characters. He is the kind of person I want to look up to, try to understand better, or even become like him. Why? Because he's damn sure of who he is, which is more than I can say for myself.
I think the point of this blog was to demonstrate how off topic my mind flies when Hughes babbles about the same things, or writes in circles and loses his reader. It's hard to listen to all the brain research when a chapter that we read is titled Structures of the Mind, and it clearly explains the brain and its functions dealing with altered states.
PS - Those interested in mandalas (the history is fascinating), watch "The Last Mimzy." There is so much more to our world than what we can see with just our eyes.
I understand how much everyone loves van Gogh's art... I guess because he's one of the most well-known in the world. Of course, we've all heard the stories about his life and how it reflected his art... so of course it has been "extensively investigated." I'm kinda at the point now where I think, so what if he had some mental retardation, or slept with his sister, or ate only locusts and roaches (I made these up)? His art is just beautiful. And that's all I find myself thinking about now. I want to leave the theory alone and just admire his paintings. How he takes that horse-hair brush and forms the perfet blend of linseed oil and midnight blue paint... sweeping it across a canvas, putting dots of it here and there, in between dashes of other colors. More than that, it is how the paint makes me feel when I look at it that it astonishing.
Hughes mentions John Keats and quotes him with "Negative capability... when a man is capable of being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason." Keats has a poem called "Eve of St. Agnes." If you've never read it... you should read it before you graduate... or before the end of the year... or now!
And let's not even start on William Blake. He is the everyman. This dude is political and sentimental, a painter and a poet, empowered by the Bible but ultimately a mystic. His paintings are of scenes from the Bible, or aggressive illustrations of the Bible's characters. He is the kind of person I want to look up to, try to understand better, or even become like him. Why? Because he's damn sure of who he is, which is more than I can say for myself.
I think the point of this blog was to demonstrate how off topic my mind flies when Hughes babbles about the same things, or writes in circles and loses his reader. It's hard to listen to all the brain research when a chapter that we read is titled Structures of the Mind, and it clearly explains the brain and its functions dealing with altered states.
PS - Those interested in mandalas (the history is fascinating), watch "The Last Mimzy." There is so much more to our world than what we can see with just our eyes.
Who's to Say?
I find myself, again, at odds with a seemingly minuscule, and easily overlooked part of this chapter. First of all, I feel as though we've been over nearly all of this before today. The drugs have been a part of this course since the very beginning. That is why I am writing about a line that was missed even by myself the first time that I read it.
The second sentence in the second paragraph reads: “Puritanism apart, it is generally agreed that art made while on drugs is often less good than art done ‘cold.’” It goes on to explain that the experience may be worthwhile to draw upon in the creative process, but that is not what I’m concerned with. To make a statement like that, even leaving it open ended, as Hughes does, I can’t help but get rubbed the wrong way by this statement. It’s saying that the art itself is not enough to stand alone; we must know how it’s been created in order to rank it. Which is what I really don’t like about that statement, it suggests that some art is better than other art. That statement goes against the very nature of art. I’ve always thought of art as subjective, not objective. Art is good for the personal reasons of the artist and the personal reasons of those viewing it. Who’s to say one piece of art is better than another because of the state of the creator? Hughes probably didn’t realize the implications of this statement when he added it and was simply looking for a segway into his next point, but it really rubbed me the wrong way.
[Yawn] Oh, Yeah... Chapter 11
With complete honesty, I did not like chapter 11. I have to agree with Brian and say that I don't like the title Ways to Creativity. These are ways to altered states of consciousness, but they seem to lump the two together in the title. I'm sure that in many cases it does, but, nevertheless, creativity does not necessarily come along with an altered state of consciousness; I think the book actually warns us not to make that assumption. Furthermore, I just didn't seem to find many of the concepts interesting.
Hynosis seemed to be the only part of this chapter that caught my eye, and, looking at the blogs, I'm not the only one who feels that way. It's a very interesting and controversial topic. Many people beleive that it, to put it blantantly, is a load of crap. Others beleive it is an acceptable accent to and alternative form of modern medicine. Personally, I'm not sure how I feel on the subject. I have never seen anyone hypnotized or been hypnotized myself, so I do not think it would be fair to pass judgement, but I am open to just about anything. After doing a little informal research, I found a branch of hypnotism, self-hypnotism, to be the most interesting. Some people claim to put themselves into a hypnotic trance. Most articles claim that the hypnotist is really just a guide and tutor in the experience; they are not absolutely necessary. Many accounts claim that self-hypnotizing is a door to creativity for them. They are more succeptable to imagination when in that altered state of consciousness.
Are meditation and other similar practices just other forms of self-hypnotism? I would have to say yes.
Hynosis seemed to be the only part of this chapter that caught my eye, and, looking at the blogs, I'm not the only one who feels that way. It's a very interesting and controversial topic. Many people beleive that it, to put it blantantly, is a load of crap. Others beleive it is an acceptable accent to and alternative form of modern medicine. Personally, I'm not sure how I feel on the subject. I have never seen anyone hypnotized or been hypnotized myself, so I do not think it would be fair to pass judgement, but I am open to just about anything. After doing a little informal research, I found a branch of hypnotism, self-hypnotism, to be the most interesting. Some people claim to put themselves into a hypnotic trance. Most articles claim that the hypnotist is really just a guide and tutor in the experience; they are not absolutely necessary. Many accounts claim that self-hypnotizing is a door to creativity for them. They are more succeptable to imagination when in that altered state of consciousness.
Are meditation and other similar practices just other forms of self-hypnotism? I would have to say yes.
Thoughts on Chapter 11
Though chapter 11 has not been my favorite of all of the chapters there were certain aspects which I found interesting, particularly the section on dance and movement. I believe that dance is one of the most beautiful art forms, whether it is ballet, salsa, tribal dancing, etc. I love that fact that dancing is not just merely moving your body, but it also tells stories and conveys emotions that most people find rather impossible to communicate through face to face verbal interaction. I agree with Hughes when he states "dance is the movement of access though the trance state into the other worlds." Hypnosis has always been a little fascinating to me. Of course when I think of hypnosis, shows such as Maury Povich or hypnosis shows in Las Vegas, which make people do vulgar acts, however I do know that hypnosis is much more than that. I did not know that people in hypnotic states are able to alter their skin and body temperatures and also that their pain threshold is much higher. Though Hughes states that whether hypnosis is beneficial for the creative process is unknown, I think the fact that is helps to look into deeper emotional states and help confront suppressed fears and conflicts should help to open the door to creativity.
Belated blog from 10/17
After actually being caught up on the right chapter and reading it again, I find that the connection between sex or rather sexuality and creativity to be fascinating, especially in regards to the sadomasochism, particularly the part where Hughes talks about men and women using sexuality as a means of power rather than pleasure. It is difficult for me however to see the link between sadomasochism and creativity, maybe that is mostly because I do not understand it. As I stated in a the previous blog I think that muses, icons and sex goddesses serve as a great source of influence in creativity such as Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy Onasis, or any other female that inspired anyone during their creative process.
Hypnotizism
I found this chapter to be interesting partly because of the discussion on page 158 about hypnosis. I've tossed around the idea about wondering if someone can really hypnotize another individual. I'm not sure if I can completely grasp this vision of someone being in such an altered state without some other type of medium used such as drugs, alcohol, etc. I had an interesting discussion with a friend of mine during the week. There was a commercial on TV for a new television show called Phenomenon. We both knew about Criss Angel and just in general some of the stuff that 'magicians' so to speak have done in past years. We got on the topic of hypnosis and he was completely critical and cynical about the possibility of hypnotizing someone. He didn't believe it was possible. I'm the type of person that even though I haven't seen something or experienced something out of the ordinary, I'm not going to completely rule it out and say it isn't possible. However, this type of action boggles my mind. I'd like to see someone being hypnotized just so I can be proved wrong and that it really does happen and also can affect your mind and influence situations!
Hypnosis
This chapter definitely caught my attention and interest. A trance-like state that resembles sleep but which is induced by a hypnotist whose suggestions are readily accepted by their subject. Some supposed hypnotic indicators and subjective changes in mental state can be achieved without relaxation or a lengthy induction by means of simple suggestion or waking hypnosis, a fact that increases the controversy and the misunderstandings which exist around hypnosis and the hypnotic state.
I'm going to be honest. I, for some reason, cannot be hypnotized. One time, in high school, we had a hypnotist come into the auditorium, and a bunch of us went down to be hypnotized. For me, with the crowd laughing and making loud shouting noises. I couldn't hear the guy's instructions, and had to leave the floor. I have yet to be hypnotized, but I am open to try again some day.
I'm going to be honest. I, for some reason, cannot be hypnotized. One time, in high school, we had a hypnotist come into the auditorium, and a bunch of us went down to be hypnotized. For me, with the crowd laughing and making loud shouting noises. I couldn't hear the guy's instructions, and had to leave the floor. I have yet to be hypnotized, but I am open to try again some day.
Blog # 8 from Erik
Blog #8 The section of this chapter called good vibrations struck - a chord – with me. The notion that everything has a vibration and similar sound at its core, parallels the zero point theory we discussed last week. The zero point theory suggests that everything we know is made of light, well, does light have a vibration to it as this section describes? The resonance of the big bang throughout the universe is very logical in my opinion, but does the zero point theory debunk the notion of sound altogether? If so, then what this section describes as “primal sound” is actually light, not sound! Hmm…. We have not discussed the string theory, but the basis of that is at the heart of what this section mentions. Everything is made up of vibrating strands of “something” and the vibrations of those strands, both individually and as a group, make up everything from air to dirt; even the vacuum we call space is not really a vacuum but rather filled with these vibrating strands.
\n\n\u003cbr\>\nThe fascinating part, and truly simplistic base of the zero point theory from what I can understand of it so far, is that if it is fact, everything is instantly explained and there no longer is much mystery behind anything. Perhaps the entire unexplained phenomenon contained within and surrounding certain facets of our society are glimpses of the human mind, reality, and existence slipping past our reduction valves for periods. I believe we are all blinded by a learned rigidity of thought governed and solicited by societies at large. I also think that we begin being annexed into this process from the moment of birth and is completely inescapable – unless at some point the person slips through a door of perception and avidly seeks to block our defaulted reality in order to connect with what fills the space around what we know.\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/td\>\n\u003c/tr\>\n\u003ctd colspan\u003d\"2\" width\u003d\"575\"\>\u003chr noshade size\u003d\"1\"\>\u003c/td\>\n\u003c/table\>\n\u003c/div\>\u003c/div\>\n",0]
);
D(["ce"]);
//-->
The fascinating part, and truly simplistic base of the zero point theory from what I can understand of it so far, is that if it is fact, everything is instantly explained and there no longer is much mystery behind anything. Perhaps the entire unexplained phenomenon contained within and surrounding certain facets of our society are glimpses of the human mind, reality, and existence slipping past our reduction valves for periods. I believe we are all blinded by a learned rigidity of thought governed and solicited by societies at large. I also think that we begin being annexed into this process from the moment of birth and is completely inescapable – unless at some point the person slips through a door of perception and avidly seeks to block our defaulted reality in order to connect with what fills the space around what we know.
\n\n\u003cbr\>\nThe fascinating part, and truly simplistic base of the zero point theory from what I can understand of it so far, is that if it is fact, everything is instantly explained and there no longer is much mystery behind anything. Perhaps the entire unexplained phenomenon contained within and surrounding certain facets of our society are glimpses of the human mind, reality, and existence slipping past our reduction valves for periods. I believe we are all blinded by a learned rigidity of thought governed and solicited by societies at large. I also think that we begin being annexed into this process from the moment of birth and is completely inescapable – unless at some point the person slips through a door of perception and avidly seeks to block our defaulted reality in order to connect with what fills the space around what we know.\n\u003cbr\>\n\u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/td\>\n\u003c/tr\>\n\u003ctd colspan\u003d\"2\" width\u003d\"575\"\>\u003chr noshade size\u003d\"1\"\>\u003c/td\>\n\u003c/table\>\n\u003c/div\>\u003c/div\>\n",0]
);
D(["ce"]);
//-->
The fascinating part, and truly simplistic base of the zero point theory from what I can understand of it so far, is that if it is fact, everything is instantly explained and there no longer is much mystery behind anything. Perhaps the entire unexplained phenomenon contained within and surrounding certain facets of our society are glimpses of the human mind, reality, and existence slipping past our reduction valves for periods. I believe we are all blinded by a learned rigidity of thought governed and solicited by societies at large. I also think that we begin being annexed into this process from the moment of birth and is completely inescapable – unless at some point the person slips through a door of perception and avidly seeks to block our defaulted reality in order to connect with what fills the space around what we know.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Music, Dance and Movement
Music and dance can be a release of energy and can also be pleasurable. When I was reading about the section on dance and movement, I was reminded of the traditional wedding; with it’s music, walks and dances.
When first attending the wedding, the music is solemn and serious. It has a wonderful melody to it, mostly religious. When the bride is about to enter the church, the music suddenly picks up and becomes louder. The beat gets faster, as she makes her way down the aisle. Then there is a song, or two, during the ceremony, adding to the heightened emotions of the captured audience of wedding well-wishers. Finally, the recessional is played and the bride and groom rush out of the church together. All the energy stored up in everyone during the ceremony is starting to be released.
It is now time for the reception. Music and dance release more energy for everyone. At the reception, the song and dance can be seen as an art, ritual and also recreation. The art will be when some couple steps up to the dance floor and does a waltz. Perhaps it will be the bride and groom that dance this waltz. The ritual is always the traditional father and bride dance. Then of course we cannot forget the recreation and fun of dances like the Mexican Hat Dance, Chicken Dance and the Electric Slide. Of course, there could be a little bit of unhappiness experienced, because some loved ones are no longer here to experience the joyous occasion. Many types of Altered States will be experienced before the joyous occasion ends.
When first attending the wedding, the music is solemn and serious. It has a wonderful melody to it, mostly religious. When the bride is about to enter the church, the music suddenly picks up and becomes louder. The beat gets faster, as she makes her way down the aisle. Then there is a song, or two, during the ceremony, adding to the heightened emotions of the captured audience of wedding well-wishers. Finally, the recessional is played and the bride and groom rush out of the church together. All the energy stored up in everyone during the ceremony is starting to be released.
It is now time for the reception. Music and dance release more energy for everyone. At the reception, the song and dance can be seen as an art, ritual and also recreation. The art will be when some couple steps up to the dance floor and does a waltz. Perhaps it will be the bride and groom that dance this waltz. The ritual is always the traditional father and bride dance. Then of course we cannot forget the recreation and fun of dances like the Mexican Hat Dance, Chicken Dance and the Electric Slide. Of course, there could be a little bit of unhappiness experienced, because some loved ones are no longer here to experience the joyous occasion. Many types of Altered States will be experienced before the joyous occasion ends.
Mind and Music
Chapter 12 was an interesting Chapter, especially when it talked about brain and vibrations. It mentioned Rodolfo Llinas who compared it to a "well-tuned musical instrument", and the complexity of chords. The fact that we are different from other animals because of the way our brain is set up allowing us to have capacity and and ability to imagine and be creatives. We are able to think and find reasons, uncertainties, and more.
Sometimes we need a little help and through relaxation by meditation or rhythem such as music and dance with certain beats a person can reach an altered state. The brain is even compared to a harp with different types of strings that produce different tones or responses. Music has been around for ages and is part of many cultures and religions. It is an easy topic to compare to the brain because of all the varieties and results of it. Our brain has the ability to think and realize things in different ways and allows us to act on it. Just like music we can be happy or sad, boring or romantic. Music as well as other art can represent the artist's mood towards something. It can also take the listener out of one mood and put them in another depending on the beat and tones of the rhythem.
Sometimes we need a little help and through relaxation by meditation or rhythem such as music and dance with certain beats a person can reach an altered state. The brain is even compared to a harp with different types of strings that produce different tones or responses. Music has been around for ages and is part of many cultures and religions. It is an easy topic to compare to the brain because of all the varieties and results of it. Our brain has the ability to think and realize things in different ways and allows us to act on it. Just like music we can be happy or sad, boring or romantic. Music as well as other art can represent the artist's mood towards something. It can also take the listener out of one mood and put them in another depending on the beat and tones of the rhythem.
MIndfulness and Hypnosis
I thought the part of this chapter about meditation was particularly interesting. What I always considered 'meditation' probably hasn't come close to as it is described in this chapter. Imagine being completely relaxed and still, but yet senses you rarely practice are pushed to the front of your consciousness and self awareness becomes incredibly acute. Similar to a state of hypnosis? Quite an altered state, and I suppose many people who have suffered from an illness or injury have experienced something similar to this feeling.
I had a hard time buying the 'animal magnetism' concept--hypnotism is quite real, but I don't know if we should give credit to Mesmer for simply stumbling upon it. Since he did not perfect it (can it be perfected at all?) then the pioneer label is somewhat generous in my opinion. Hughes states the altered state of consciousness known as hypnosis doesn't necessarily facilitate a greater sense of creativity (p. 159), however it may be a gateway to the part of the brain (however indirectly) that could lead to the creative "right."
I had a hard time buying the 'animal magnetism' concept--hypnotism is quite real, but I don't know if we should give credit to Mesmer for simply stumbling upon it. Since he did not perfect it (can it be perfected at all?) then the pioneer label is somewhat generous in my opinion. Hughes states the altered state of consciousness known as hypnosis doesn't necessarily facilitate a greater sense of creativity (p. 159), however it may be a gateway to the part of the brain (however indirectly) that could lead to the creative "right."
Monday, October 22, 2007
Relaxation
Chapter 11, had some interesting things to read about. What I thought was most interesting was reading about hypnosis. I have friends that use to go to hypnosis shows and come back and tell me the off the wall things that would happen. They say that you can be hypnotized to quite smoking! The book says that hypnosis is, “an altered state of consciousness.” (158) One fact about hypnosis is that it reveals a range of powers within the individual, inaccessible to personal consciousness. Interesting stuff!
On days that I feel really stressed out it would be great to know how to meditate. The book quickly mentions about meditation and that it produces an altered state of consciousness that combines alertness and relaxation. It describes the way meditation relaxes the brain. It is a way of relaxing the left – brain grip on consciousness and allowing the right free expression. It also is a way of dissolving personal consciousness into superconscious reality. I think everyone in the world would be a lot happier if we all learned to meditate.
On days that I feel really stressed out it would be great to know how to meditate. The book quickly mentions about meditation and that it produces an altered state of consciousness that combines alertness and relaxation. It describes the way meditation relaxes the brain. It is a way of relaxing the left – brain grip on consciousness and allowing the right free expression. It also is a way of dissolving personal consciousness into superconscious reality. I think everyone in the world would be a lot happier if we all learned to meditate.
Ways to Creativity?
Is it just me or does it seem like the anchor has been pulled up. Some how the past two chapters (10,11) have felt like I have been set adrift on a wide but shallow ocean. I feel like we are no longer feasting on the subject. The discussion so far has been excellent, but now I feel like we are at edge, trying our best to remain interested in the ways to creativity.
Maybe it is just me, maybe it's because I don't like the statement "Ways to creativity" I don't believe that there is a way to creativity. That makes me feel like there is some guy sitting with legs folded, pointing to the horizon. To me it implies that you can make a wrong turn somewhere and some how not be creative. The truth is, creativity is the spark that drives us all,it is the core, it is simply achieved by existence.
The existence of a Bengal tiger is what makes the stripes so beautiful. Am I making any sense? or should I go read the chapters again?
Maybe it is just me, maybe it's because I don't like the statement "Ways to creativity" I don't believe that there is a way to creativity. That makes me feel like there is some guy sitting with legs folded, pointing to the horizon. To me it implies that you can make a wrong turn somewhere and some how not be creative. The truth is, creativity is the spark that drives us all,it is the core, it is simply achieved by existence.
The existence of a Bengal tiger is what makes the stripes so beautiful. Am I making any sense? or should I go read the chapters again?
I happened upon this article in my daily news browsing: http://science.howstuffworks.com/parallel-universe.htm
It deals with parallel universes.
It deals with parallel universes.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Spinning and spinning and spinning and.....
While on a study abroad trip in Egypt this summer, I had the pleasure of viewing a dance performance. The gentleman dancing would spin around and around, faster and faster, causing his outfit to becoming disclike. Though I do not fully understand the significance of the dance, you could “feel” energy resonating from him. You could see that he had gone into a trance, his spinning had spiraled him into another state of conscious. (An interesting side note, finishing spinning in circles for about 15 minutes the dancer showed no signs of dizziness or fatigue, and merely bowed and walked strait off the stage.)
Don’t we all from time to time get lost in music, dance, sound, language, and art? I often will be driving some where and a song will be playing that takes me to another world. I’ll still get where I’m going, but my dominant persona is no longer driving, a different part of my conscious is.
On a side note, did anyone else think of Tart’s Diagram of Perception when they saw the pictures of Mandalas and Yantras? (Not that they represent similar things, just the look and connectedness (and that is a real word haha))
Don’t we all from time to time get lost in music, dance, sound, language, and art? I often will be driving some where and a song will be playing that takes me to another world. I’ll still get where I’m going, but my dominant persona is no longer driving, a different part of my conscious is.
On a side note, did anyone else think of Tart’s Diagram of Perception when they saw the pictures of Mandalas and Yantras? (Not that they represent similar things, just the look and connectedness (and that is a real word haha))
Blog 8 or Umm, oops I mean Omm
Francis Bacon gives me nightmares, on occasion so does Oscar Mayer but that is a different blog.
The primal sound, the vibration of the Big Bang, interesting stuff. Everything is connected. We are all part of the earth and the earth is part of us and creation comes from life force and if you do not create you do not live. Create anything, something. The mere act of doing a crossword puzzle is creating. You are forcing the brain to dig up the things in its memory banks. Delving into the subconscious to access that latent knowledge. My parents will ask me questions from their puzzles and somewhere that knowledge is in my brain and then gets pushed to the front.
Hypnosis can bring those latencies to the forefront again. Suppressed emotions, memories (are they all real?) are brought up through the strata to the daylight again. Through meditation some have been able to achieve this effect also. Music can also bring about or help to bring about the retrieval of memory and the movement into altered states. The power of a person's voice and music underlying the background can create the mood in which many people in the same room can experience the therapeutic recovery of memory. Drum circles, raves, religious services--music and people in like minds sharing like experiences can raise the level of consciousness of the group as a whole. If you allow yourself the freedom to be open to the experience.
Wassily Kandinsky was transported and transformed by music. He wove music and art together to create beautiful abstract painting. Not all of his work is abstract but the pieces entitled Compositions I-X are recognized as some of the best abstract art to come from the Bauhaus period. I agree. (See overview for more.)
http://www.glyphs.com/art/kandinsky/comp4640.jpg
The primal sound, the vibration of the Big Bang, interesting stuff. Everything is connected. We are all part of the earth and the earth is part of us and creation comes from life force and if you do not create you do not live. Create anything, something. The mere act of doing a crossword puzzle is creating. You are forcing the brain to dig up the things in its memory banks. Delving into the subconscious to access that latent knowledge. My parents will ask me questions from their puzzles and somewhere that knowledge is in my brain and then gets pushed to the front.
Hypnosis can bring those latencies to the forefront again. Suppressed emotions, memories (are they all real?) are brought up through the strata to the daylight again. Through meditation some have been able to achieve this effect also. Music can also bring about or help to bring about the retrieval of memory and the movement into altered states. The power of a person's voice and music underlying the background can create the mood in which many people in the same room can experience the therapeutic recovery of memory. Drum circles, raves, religious services--music and people in like minds sharing like experiences can raise the level of consciousness of the group as a whole. If you allow yourself the freedom to be open to the experience.
Wassily Kandinsky was transported and transformed by music. He wove music and art together to create beautiful abstract painting. Not all of his work is abstract but the pieces entitled Compositions I-X are recognized as some of the best abstract art to come from the Bauhaus period. I agree. (See overview for more.)
http://www.glyphs.com/art/kandinsky/comp4640.jpg
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)