We live in a world of things seen, a world that is visual, and we use much of our physical and emotional energy on the act of seeing. Like fish, we swim in a sea of images, and these images help shape our perceptions of the world and ourselves. However, I don't see much creativity in big business. To me, creativity seems to lurk in the corners being seen only by only those who can understand and relate it to their own life.
I especially liked the Quote "The future belongs to those who create it." It reminds me of the question about the seashell; what is a seashell to you? Is it dead,sterile and empty or is it natural, elegant and beautiful? Like creativity its not what you see, but what you are looking for.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Blog 10 or Art is Always Commerce
Maybe not cave paintings but hasn't art always existed to make the artist some money? There are exceptions of course as there is to everything, but i can't imagine an artist not wanting to make enough money to survive or at least eat something. I knew an artist who would get so busy, so involved in her work that she would forget to eat. Only later when she was ready to collapse from exhaustion and hunger would she stop and think, "oh yeah i haven't had anything to eat all day." But she still wanted to make money for her work. Bills to pay, etc. We have less, I imagine, of the patron artist in today's world. There are grants available but eventually the money goes away and you have to fins a way to pay the bills.
There also seems to be a difference in the medium. It appears that writers don't have a problem taking the money or so the press would show. Though there is probably one million starving authors for every one Stephen King and a million painters for every Thomas Kinkade (give me the million, thank you), etc. We hear about popular authors, musicians much more than we hear about popular "artists" probably because those mediums are much more accessible to the masses. But holy cow there are a lot of art galleries in NYC and for that matter in Harrisburg and they all seem to want to make some money.
I don't see any problem with that.
There also seems to be a difference in the medium. It appears that writers don't have a problem taking the money or so the press would show. Though there is probably one million starving authors for every one Stephen King and a million painters for every Thomas Kinkade (give me the million, thank you), etc. We hear about popular authors, musicians much more than we hear about popular "artists" probably because those mediums are much more accessible to the masses. But holy cow there are a lot of art galleries in NYC and for that matter in Harrisburg and they all seem to want to make some money.
I don't see any problem with that.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Heaven and Hell
Oh my stars, i had to re-read the Hughes chapters over again to get understanding, but i enjoyed Huxley didn't bounce around so much like Hughes and i think that he talked about things that other writers were afraid or just didn't want to write about and he asked questions that people probably wanted to know for a very long time such as dreams and drugs . Just as Sarah's blog when she talked about religious statues are a little bit too high when religion is supposed to way for a person to change their lives and not a cult because i attend a a baptist church , there are so many rules and regulations just as the catholic churches such as women can't wear pants to church on Sunday or any other day if there is church services. My bishop has the right to approve whether he wants someone to be one the church choir or not even if they want to join, it's not their choice. Religion is always being questioned in today's society because there 's so many rules and all religion is here for is to change people's lives to become better people.
Heaven & Hell
This was definitely an interesting read, and I found myself re-reading pages like so many of you! I'm not sure if it was the switch from being used to Hughes and his style, jumping around so much, but I think Huxley required much more focus. Might have also been the topics of choice, and the fact that religion always catches my eye. I was raised Catholic, went to Catholic school...have the kind of family that said I couldn't take my baby out of the house until she was baptized... which was all a bit too crazy for me, and has always been too much for my husband. Organized religion on the whole I think works, sometimes must be transformed or changed a bit, but it works. It's worked for thousands of years, through all kinds of events, wars, coloniziations, etc. It's perservered through history's blunders and good times. The main thing we need to do is put aside the differences and realize religion is a way for all of us to get through life, to put emphasis on our beliefs about right and wrong, and ultimately to keep people in order and doing the right thing. I do believe in God, and in many teachings of the Catholic Church, but I definitely ask too many questions and got a few raised eyebrows through highschool. Anyway, Huxley was refreshing because I enjoy reading about people who aren't afraid to ask questions.
Heaven and Hell
Huxley's Heaven and Hell is an amazing read. I found myself often lost in his descriptions and arguments. I really liked how analytical this work was. He made some very convincing claims with evidence from around the world to support them. It’s almost as though he’s written a paper on our entire class; in the sense that Heaven and Hell is encompassing as it looks to altered states of consciousness from all the angles. I also like how Huxley makes it known in the begging of the essay that we have quite a ways to go in the exploration of the mind. He makes no attempt to cover up of the vast unknown that we call our brains. This really sets the tone for the rest of the paper; that for those searching for the key to the mysteries of the mind, a great understanding of the rituals of the past is needed, as well as a current understanding of the scientific research that is available to you. Huxley did a fantastic job of combining the old and the new for what makes a truly thought provoking essay on the abyss inside our skulls
Don't hate me :)
I've really been into some underground, anti-establishment media lately; particularly Alex Jones, Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris. Jones is most notorious for his 9-11 conspiracy theories, while Dawkins and Jones believe that religious reign has become to prominent in government, not only in our country but throughout the world. I find this particularly interesting considering the state of our times, post 9-11. Has the country become even more religious since Sept. 11? I think so, but thats OK; what's not OK is the separation between church and state is shrinking with each year. President Bush has not made it a secret that he believes it is his God's will to win in Iraq.
What's factual is the world in general is becoming less interested with religious beliefs, and more interested in FACT. In a poll taken in 2004, less than 6% of Europeans considered themselves religious-- 6%!!! People want to know why things are the way they are; an ancient book, whose author is still debatable, doesn't cut it for most anymore.
Some people would label the literature or media of Dawkins, Harris, Jones and Micheal Moore just political propaganda which demoralizes patriotism around the country. But as this class has focused on the themes of perception, take one moment to step out of the mindset that everything we know is true, because:
A. Our parents said so
B. The Bible (or Koran or Torah)
C. The government said so
Is it possible that none of these sources are reliable at all? I am not meaning to offend anyone who reads this, I'm only trying to create a spark in your mind for a split second that perhaps has never fired before.
What's factual is the world in general is becoming less interested with religious beliefs, and more interested in FACT. In a poll taken in 2004, less than 6% of Europeans considered themselves religious-- 6%!!! People want to know why things are the way they are; an ancient book, whose author is still debatable, doesn't cut it for most anymore.
Some people would label the literature or media of Dawkins, Harris, Jones and Micheal Moore just political propaganda which demoralizes patriotism around the country. But as this class has focused on the themes of perception, take one moment to step out of the mindset that everything we know is true, because:
A. Our parents said so
B. The Bible (or Koran or Torah)
C. The government said so
Is it possible that none of these sources are reliable at all? I am not meaning to offend anyone who reads this, I'm only trying to create a spark in your mind for a split second that perhaps has never fired before.
Organized Religion In General...
I have always been opposed to organized religion. It doesn't really make sense to me. Why do we need rules and regulations set in place for us by men who commit the same crimes they preach against? How can one earthly man have a closer connection to God than I do? I suppose those are extreme questions, but they are all strengthened by the opening subjects in Heaven and Hell. The aspects of hypnosis are there in the traditional catholic mass. Huxley shows them to us in a way that makes it impossible to dispute. It is common knowledge that many of the catholic traditions are adapted traditions of other religions/cultures. Huxley shows us that the altered state of consciousness is no different. The question is: are they conscious of the other consciousness? Do they set the church up in this way purposefully to lull us into an altered state of consciousness? Is it simply another borrowed tradition, or is it brainwashing?
Brainwashing... that sounds so vindictive, but I can't help but think it sometimes. Am I the only one that sees this extreme? The catholic church has become an enterprise, a corporation.
I went to a catholic school until 7th grade, Sacred Heart to be exact. My last year at the school, they shut down the church for remodeling. The church was beautiful to begin with, but they began bringing in imported marble, gold statues, and gold altar furniture.
In the actual school (directly across the street from the church), the tiles would literally pop off the floor if you stepped on them the wrong way. My gym teacher was my art, music, and library teacher. They shut down the school for good not long after the reopening of the church.
What does that show? They cared more about the appearance of their church than the education of their children. They would rather adorn the church walls with gold and marble than continue educating their children with catholic values.
Brainwashing... that sounds so vindictive, but I can't help but think it sometimes. Am I the only one that sees this extreme? The catholic church has become an enterprise, a corporation.
I went to a catholic school until 7th grade, Sacred Heart to be exact. My last year at the school, they shut down the church for remodeling. The church was beautiful to begin with, but they began bringing in imported marble, gold statues, and gold altar furniture.
In the actual school (directly across the street from the church), the tiles would literally pop off the floor if you stepped on them the wrong way. My gym teacher was my art, music, and library teacher. They shut down the school for good not long after the reopening of the church.
What does that show? They cared more about the appearance of their church than the education of their children. They would rather adorn the church walls with gold and marble than continue educating their children with catholic values.
Heaven and Hell
I thought that this was an interesting read, however I have to agree with a few people when they said they had to re-read some pages. It was a switch from Hughes, so when I started reading I was still in that mind set and had to change a little. I found it very interesting that the majority of dreams aren't in color. Maybe it appeared odder to me because I can't ever remember a dream I have had that wasn't in color. Since they really didn't offer any explanation besides not really understanding yet, it was intriguing. I also think that if (through mescaline or hypnosis) I saw all the colors and visions that were described, and then I had to see things normally again, it would be more depressing then never have seen them in the first place.
Heaven and Hell
I did not realize that there was a natural acid that the body can produce to nullify the effects of mesaclin, acid, or LSD. By fasting you lower your blood sugar you can enter states of consciousness that do not involve any survival instincts at all. I think that fasting would be a good way to enter an altered state. I have tried water and sleep deprivation. Fasting I would like to try and I have a good friend that is muslim. I think that the fasting for 1 month could do world's of good for a person. Whether its cleansing the mind and spirit or cleaning the body and soul fasting would be something that everyone could do.
“Other worlds” out of this world
No media product, whether it was article, textbook, or book has better summed up the central themes of this class better than the documentary, “Other worlds.”
Among the many interesting and well thought our topics presented during the film the idea that science, religion and philosophy are all really related resonated the most with me. Not only are they related, but also the gateway to confirm this idea comes through altered states of consciousness.
This film also confirms that techniques and knowledge for entering, traveling and returning from these altered states is not as easy as ingesting a plant and waiting for the fuzzy stuff to begin. The shamans in this film are described to use almost every technique discussed by our class to enter other realms of consciousness. They experience deprivation, chant, use psychotropic plants, inflict pain—it was all mentioned and described in the film. Not only did they use these techniques they perfected and acted as a guide for others to the point that experts on the film called what they did a “science.”
Getting back to the my main point, the double helix discussion during this film has to be convincing evidence we consider the relationship between what people experience during an altered state and DNA. The noble prize guy was very compelling, but the fact that the double helix has appeared in native artwork on five separate continents has to show a relationship between the two.
Science is brought into the fold through the DNA portion, but religion is tied in with assertion made early in the film, that every major religion started with an individual that could have possibly been in an altered state of consciousness at the time of contact with higher beings. Moses, Abraham, Jesus, Mohammed and Buddha all have these similar experiences.
Finally philosophy is easily related to all this because the central theme of altered states revolves around how we perceive reality. The question of how we perceive reality begins in Modern Greek philosophy with Socrates and Plato, follows through every other philosophical unit, right up to Emmanuel Kant and beyond.
This blog is only the tip of the iceberg in relationship to all the interesting topics brought up by “Other worlds.”
One more this I though was interesting and is just an observation I had about the film. At two point in the film the eye movements of the shaman and the French filmmaker looked like eyes in the state of REM. (At 28:54 for the Shaman and 56:00 for the filmmaker) The film also discussed the Chacruna plants ability to increase serotonin level in the brain. As we discussed before serotonin levels also increase when we dream. Could the altered states seen in the film be related to dreaming?
Among the many interesting and well thought our topics presented during the film the idea that science, religion and philosophy are all really related resonated the most with me. Not only are they related, but also the gateway to confirm this idea comes through altered states of consciousness.
This film also confirms that techniques and knowledge for entering, traveling and returning from these altered states is not as easy as ingesting a plant and waiting for the fuzzy stuff to begin. The shamans in this film are described to use almost every technique discussed by our class to enter other realms of consciousness. They experience deprivation, chant, use psychotropic plants, inflict pain—it was all mentioned and described in the film. Not only did they use these techniques they perfected and acted as a guide for others to the point that experts on the film called what they did a “science.”
Getting back to the my main point, the double helix discussion during this film has to be convincing evidence we consider the relationship between what people experience during an altered state and DNA. The noble prize guy was very compelling, but the fact that the double helix has appeared in native artwork on five separate continents has to show a relationship between the two.
Science is brought into the fold through the DNA portion, but religion is tied in with assertion made early in the film, that every major religion started with an individual that could have possibly been in an altered state of consciousness at the time of contact with higher beings. Moses, Abraham, Jesus, Mohammed and Buddha all have these similar experiences.
Finally philosophy is easily related to all this because the central theme of altered states revolves around how we perceive reality. The question of how we perceive reality begins in Modern Greek philosophy with Socrates and Plato, follows through every other philosophical unit, right up to Emmanuel Kant and beyond.
This blog is only the tip of the iceberg in relationship to all the interesting topics brought up by “Other worlds.”
One more this I though was interesting and is just an observation I had about the film. At two point in the film the eye movements of the shaman and the French filmmaker looked like eyes in the state of REM. (At 28:54 for the Shaman and 56:00 for the filmmaker) The film also discussed the Chacruna plants ability to increase serotonin level in the brain. As we discussed before serotonin levels also increase when we dream. Could the altered states seen in the film be related to dreaming?
Heaven + Hell
I thought that Heaven and Hell was a very interesting read. When first venturing into this part of the book, I came to the conclusion that it was going to be about the religious Heaven and Hell, however, once I read further, I realized that Huxley seemed to be speaking about Good and Evil. It was about the visionary experience - the beauty in the world - and then for Hell he used a schizophrenic as an example.
On page 134, it says: "Everything that, for healthy visionaries, is a source of bliss brings to Renee only fear and a nightmarish sense of unreality. The summer sunshine is malignant; the gleam of polished surfaces is suggestive not of gems, but of machinery and enameled tin; the intensity of existence which animates every object, when seen at close range and out of its utilitarian context, is felt as a menace."
The pictures that he paints with his use of descriptive text allows the reader to envision exactly what he is seeing. On page 103, it says: "There exists, he tells us, an ideal world above and beyond the world of matter. 'In this other earth the colors are much purer and much more brilliant than they are down here.... The very mountains, the very stones have a richer gloss, a lovelier transparency and intensity of hue. The precious stones of this lower world, our highly prized cornelians, jaspers, emeralds and all the rest, are but the tiny fragments of these stones above. In the other earth there is no stone but is precious and exceeds in beauty every gem of ours.'" It was interesting the way he described Heaven to be of this pure beauty, something that no one has ever experienced before, and something that no one could imagine. The beauty of Heaven surely exceeds the beauty and pureness of our planet earth and what we perceive Heaven to be.
On page 134, it says: "Everything that, for healthy visionaries, is a source of bliss brings to Renee only fear and a nightmarish sense of unreality. The summer sunshine is malignant; the gleam of polished surfaces is suggestive not of gems, but of machinery and enameled tin; the intensity of existence which animates every object, when seen at close range and out of its utilitarian context, is felt as a menace."
The pictures that he paints with his use of descriptive text allows the reader to envision exactly what he is seeing. On page 103, it says: "There exists, he tells us, an ideal world above and beyond the world of matter. 'In this other earth the colors are much purer and much more brilliant than they are down here.... The very mountains, the very stones have a richer gloss, a lovelier transparency and intensity of hue. The precious stones of this lower world, our highly prized cornelians, jaspers, emeralds and all the rest, are but the tiny fragments of these stones above. In the other earth there is no stone but is precious and exceeds in beauty every gem of ours.'" It was interesting the way he described Heaven to be of this pure beauty, something that no one has ever experienced before, and something that no one could imagine. The beauty of Heaven surely exceeds the beauty and pureness of our planet earth and what we perceive Heaven to be.
Posted For Erik
I liked Heaven and Hell. I thought the points given were quite compelling and very intuitive. Many of the things in which Huxley attempts to convey make much sense and hit me aside the head in a way that made me read MANY pages more than once. The whole idea of reaching the altered state through so many paths, the brining out into the open the things in which Huxley throws at you, put me in an altered state just reading his book.
Heaven And Hell
I thought that "Heaven And Hell" was interesting to read, but I found myself getting lost a lot. Huxley made some great connections. I'm assuming that in the beginning of the chapter Huxley was comparing mescalin to hypnosis? If I understood it right, I think he was. Huxley states, "the visions met with under the influence of mescalin or hypnosis are always intensely and, one might say, preternaturally brilliant in color."(89)
I also found it interesting that Professor Calvin Hall states that about two - thirds of all dreams are in black and white. I personally always dream in color. When I was reading this chapter last night, this really caught my attention and I was hoping I would dream last night and remember if it was in color. My dream was all in color. Professor Hall says that only a few people dream in color. Dr. Hall came to the conclusion that, "color in dreams yields no information about the personality of the dreamer."(90) If I'm reading into Dr. Hall's conclusion correctly about dreaming in color, I have no personality!! Could this really be true?
Dr. Kearney, I also found myself reading many many pages over and over again!
I also found it interesting that Professor Calvin Hall states that about two - thirds of all dreams are in black and white. I personally always dream in color. When I was reading this chapter last night, this really caught my attention and I was hoping I would dream last night and remember if it was in color. My dream was all in color. Professor Hall says that only a few people dream in color. Dr. Hall came to the conclusion that, "color in dreams yields no information about the personality of the dreamer."(90) If I'm reading into Dr. Hall's conclusion correctly about dreaming in color, I have no personality!! Could this really be true?
Dr. Kearney, I also found myself reading many many pages over and over again!
Heaven and Hell
I really thought that Heaven and Hell was a great read. I love Huxley's writing style. His logical progression is so solid that even if I am questioning the content of what he is saying I still find myself amazed at the clarity and concreteness of his arguments. As I was reading I kept asking myself if the inclusion of statistical or medical data involving brain scans or something like that would enrich the text, but ultimately I feel that being inundated with statistical data would weigh down the poetic nature of his writing. The idea of ancient people seeing color and brightness in an entirely different context than a modern observer has some interesting implications in regards to historical revision. It begs the question of how the conquistadors, encased in reflective armor of polished steel, would have been received by native peoples of the Western hemisphere.
Heaven and Hell
I enjoyed reading Huxley's "Heaven and Hell" essay. To be completely honest, it wasn't at all what I expected. The essay explains the relationship between bright, colorful objects, geometric designs, psychoactives, art, and profound experience.
I particularly found Huxley talking about the difference between mystical experience and visionary experience and how the mystical is beyond the realm of opposites and visionary is still within the realm of opposites very interesting.
Being a religious person, whenever I think of heaven and hell, I automatically think about Dante Alighieri's "The Divine Comedy." His images of hell, purgatory, and heaven are brilliantly thought out and visually stunning.
I particularly found Huxley talking about the difference between mystical experience and visionary experience and how the mystical is beyond the realm of opposites and visionary is still within the realm of opposites very interesting.
Being a religious person, whenever I think of heaven and hell, I automatically think about Dante Alighieri's "The Divine Comedy." His images of hell, purgatory, and heaven are brilliantly thought out and visually stunning.
Heaven and Hell
Maybe I just wasn't understanding what he was saying, but I didn't agree with Huxley on some things.
I agree with Huxley that art does possess some “mystical” ability to transport our thinking to “other worlds,” worlds, which we do not concern ourselves with during our day to day activities. It is in this other area of our psyche that our imagination runs wilds and allows us to be creative.
“To be busy is the law of our being. The law of theirs is to do nothing” (Huxley 120). I found this to be an interesting idea, that the “creations,” or “Cherubim” as William Blake calls them, of our “other world” don’t really do anything, and “a heroic figure at rest is has a greater transporting power than one which is shown in action” (Huxley 121). I am not sure I agree, but there is something intriguing about seeing a statue of a Greek hero at leisure.
“Shiny objects may remind our unconscious of what it enjoys at the mind’s antipodes, and these obscure intimations of life in the Other World are so fascinating that we pay less attention to this world and so become capable of experiencing consciously something of that which, unconsciously, is always with us” (Huxley 106). It seems to me that he is really reaching here. Could it not be that we are simply focusing/meditating and that allows us to feel more clear and lost (go inside ourselves). I don’t agree that are interest and the “transporting” power of artwork, focusing on objects, or color remind us of another world. It seems more likely we either focus till enter anther state of conscious or are imagination/thinking begins to run wild.
Huxley states that most people dream in black & white; I wonder if most people today still dream in black & white; I myself, never remember my dreams, and when I use my imagination I don’t even think about color, one way or the other. If anyone does remember which their dreams are, I‘d be interested to know.
I also, disagree with the idea vision-inducing art is at its best when it comes from artists who have had a visionary experience. It seems to me that many people are “transported” by things other than these artists, be it the world around them, seeing the Virgin Mary in a taco, or by a bunch of splotches on the wall.
I felt as though he were reaching on many points, sort of like our Altered States book, without providing very much support for his ideas. He tries to relate everything we do, are, or see to these “alien other worlds.” While some of his points are interesting, I didn’t really feel like Huxley explained himself well or provided enough proof.
I agree with Huxley that art does possess some “mystical” ability to transport our thinking to “other worlds,” worlds, which we do not concern ourselves with during our day to day activities. It is in this other area of our psyche that our imagination runs wilds and allows us to be creative.
“To be busy is the law of our being. The law of theirs is to do nothing” (Huxley 120). I found this to be an interesting idea, that the “creations,” or “Cherubim” as William Blake calls them, of our “other world” don’t really do anything, and “a heroic figure at rest is has a greater transporting power than one which is shown in action” (Huxley 121). I am not sure I agree, but there is something intriguing about seeing a statue of a Greek hero at leisure.
“Shiny objects may remind our unconscious of what it enjoys at the mind’s antipodes, and these obscure intimations of life in the Other World are so fascinating that we pay less attention to this world and so become capable of experiencing consciously something of that which, unconsciously, is always with us” (Huxley 106). It seems to me that he is really reaching here. Could it not be that we are simply focusing/meditating and that allows us to feel more clear and lost (go inside ourselves). I don’t agree that are interest and the “transporting” power of artwork, focusing on objects, or color remind us of another world. It seems more likely we either focus till enter anther state of conscious or are imagination/thinking begins to run wild.
Huxley states that most people dream in black & white; I wonder if most people today still dream in black & white; I myself, never remember my dreams, and when I use my imagination I don’t even think about color, one way or the other. If anyone does remember which their dreams are, I‘d be interested to know.
I also, disagree with the idea vision-inducing art is at its best when it comes from artists who have had a visionary experience. It seems to me that many people are “transported” by things other than these artists, be it the world around them, seeing the Virgin Mary in a taco, or by a bunch of splotches on the wall.
I felt as though he were reaching on many points, sort of like our Altered States book, without providing very much support for his ideas. He tries to relate everything we do, are, or see to these “alien other worlds.” While some of his points are interesting, I didn’t really feel like Huxley explained himself well or provided enough proof.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Thoughts on Heaven and Hell
I have to say that I found Heaven and Hell to be quite an interesting read. It is sad but I never really thought how about how we take simple everyday things for granted, especially when there was a time when objects such as velvet or precious gems were not available to most people, basically only to the wealthy. Very few people possessed “vision inducing treasures” and here most of us sit surrounded by them not evening realizing it.
I found when Huxley was talking about the difference between mystical experience and visionary experience and how the mystical is beyond the realm of opposites and visionary is still within the realm of opposites to be very interesting. Especially when he said “Heaven entails hell, and “going to heaven” is no more liberation than is the descent into horror. Heaven is merely a vantage point, from which the divine Ground can be more clearly seen than on the level of ordinary individualized existence.” There was something about that statement that is so profound to me. I struck me immediately.
One last note, I also must agree with Mary Jane, I dream in color as well. Though, I don’t think believe it is all the time, I can remember some dreams vividly which were in color.
I found when Huxley was talking about the difference between mystical experience and visionary experience and how the mystical is beyond the realm of opposites and visionary is still within the realm of opposites to be very interesting. Especially when he said “Heaven entails hell, and “going to heaven” is no more liberation than is the descent into horror. Heaven is merely a vantage point, from which the divine Ground can be more clearly seen than on the level of ordinary individualized existence.” There was something about that statement that is so profound to me. I struck me immediately.
One last note, I also must agree with Mary Jane, I dream in color as well. Though, I don’t think believe it is all the time, I can remember some dreams vividly which were in color.
The little Things
Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles,and warm wollen mittens. Brown paper packages tied up with strings. Remember when we used to notice things like that?We all have things that put us in a good mood, or calm us. That is what I kept thinking about while I was reading Heaven and Hell. What might happen if you are having negative emotions when you take mescalin? What happens when you drive while listening to "Ramble On" by Zepplin?. It affects you to your core.
Black polished chrome, ever looked at your reflection on a piece of chrome?. No matter how perfect the chrome there is some distortion. If you look at that distortion long enough it can begin to mess with your head, take you to another world.
Black polished chrome, ever looked at your reflection on a piece of chrome?. No matter how perfect the chrome there is some distortion. If you look at that distortion long enough it can begin to mess with your head, take you to another world.
Heaven and Hell
I was informed in a previous class that the Catholic Church is still in the dominant position to identify certain books as dangerous. Heaven and Hell surely must be on their Black List. In the appendices, it explains that people in Biblical times suffered from vitamin deficiencies, causing the nervous system to be more vulnerable than other areas of the body. It goes on to say that the result of an inadequate diet lowers the efficiency of the brain, thus causing anxiety, depression and also visions. Most of the early visionaries experienced terrifying visions, like in Christian theology – the Devil revealing himself and the visions with GOD. I hate to say this, but this story points toward throwing the Bible out the door, therefore it would be very interesting to know if Heaven and Hell is condemned by the church. I can certainly understand why it would be on their list of condemned books.
On pages 116 and 117, of Heaven and Hell, Aldous Huxley talks about all the glut of chrome and nickel, of stainless steel and aluminum and the other new alloys. Heaven and Hell is copyrighted in the late 50s. At that time silver was the in thing! I can remember having a silver tree and all the balls and trimmings in shades of the silver too. It was really the style at that time, so I can see where Huxley is coming from in his description of this.
Also, I have one last comment. I had a dream last night and I dreamed throwing a red rubber bone to my dog. My dreams are in color.
On pages 116 and 117, of Heaven and Hell, Aldous Huxley talks about all the glut of chrome and nickel, of stainless steel and aluminum and the other new alloys. Heaven and Hell is copyrighted in the late 50s. At that time silver was the in thing! I can remember having a silver tree and all the balls and trimmings in shades of the silver too. It was really the style at that time, so I can see where Huxley is coming from in his description of this.
Also, I have one last comment. I had a dream last night and I dreamed throwing a red rubber bone to my dog. My dreams are in color.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Heaven and Hell
I found this reading very interesting and facinating. It refers to how different shapes and colors in nature or artwork can be "transporting" and take a person to "other worlds" I prefered this reading more than doors of perception though they were both interesting. It is so true when Huxley mentions how the everyday objects and colors we are used to today were not always available and usually owned by the few prevelidged. Some colors and metals when they were new or rare would put people in an altered state becaused they would be so entranced by the colors and reflections. The traditional things that led to altered states do not work so effectively anymore for most of us because we are so used to things like the neon signs and crome and other metel items such as our sinks and dishes. It is hard to imagine some of the things that would lead people to vissions and still due. A person just needs the right type of environment and sometimes drugs such as mescaline. While many vissions can be heavenly there is also always the violent and trechoris visions as well. The mood also tends to have an affect when interacting with certain colors and sounds.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Blog 10 . . . Somehow It All Makes Sense
Fascinating.
You must have a Hell if you have a Heaven. One of those dichotomies of life. If everything was
perfect, how would you know? It is only when we have something with which to compare experiences can we truly see what is good or evil. We agree that murder is bad but self defense is not. Both take a life, but do they weigh upon the conscience in the same way? I don't see how they could but the psyche is a strange thing. I don't know and I hope I don't have to find out.
Huxley appears to be saying that how you go into your experience determines the type of "trip" you will have. (Right?) That seems to make sense to me. You hear about different types of drunks: mean, loud, affectionate, sad; I would expect that a lot of that is based on your subconscious. The alcohol just ramps up the already existing emotions and I would imagine that the psychotropics just accentuate the mood of how you go in.
The dude took 100 journeys with the shaman! I love Moebius' artwork, never really thought that he might be using mood-altering substances, though it makes a lot of sense now that I see the worlds that are inhabited when you crossover. I just thought he had a very vivid imagination. And as an artist I guess he does. He just brought some of the stuff back with him.
You must have a Hell if you have a Heaven. One of those dichotomies of life. If everything was
perfect, how would you know? It is only when we have something with which to compare experiences can we truly see what is good or evil. We agree that murder is bad but self defense is not. Both take a life, but do they weigh upon the conscience in the same way? I don't see how they could but the psyche is a strange thing. I don't know and I hope I don't have to find out.
Huxley appears to be saying that how you go into your experience determines the type of "trip" you will have. (Right?) That seems to make sense to me. You hear about different types of drunks: mean, loud, affectionate, sad; I would expect that a lot of that is based on your subconscious. The alcohol just ramps up the already existing emotions and I would imagine that the psychotropics just accentuate the mood of how you go in.
The dude took 100 journeys with the shaman! I love Moebius' artwork, never really thought that he might be using mood-altering substances, though it makes a lot of sense now that I see the worlds that are inhabited when you crossover. I just thought he had a very vivid imagination. And as an artist I guess he does. He just brought some of the stuff back with him.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)