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Conference hydra::dejavu

Title:Psychic Phenomena
Notice:Please read note 1.0-1.* before writing
Moderator:JARETH::PAINTER
Created:Wed Jan 22 1986
Last Modified:Tue May 27 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2143
Total number of notes:41773

1453.0. "Now you have a deal?" by SHIPS::SPENCE_G (If time catches us up, why run away?) Thu Apr 11 1991 23:21

    Last offer over,
    
    
    I am here without boundaries. I am here to help you. What would make
    you happy.
    
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1453.1RIPPLE::GRANT_JOlifted waters walk and leapFri Apr 12 1991 12:467
    re: .0
    
    I'm already about 99.9% happy.  But you can help me achieve
    that last .1% by giving us the punch line here.
    
    Joel
    
1453.2Don't be greedy. ;-)SML1DR::STARKFri Apr 12 1991 14:445
    re: .1,
    	Sounds like you've got more than your share of happiness,
    	Joel.  
    
    							todd
1453.3and thank you very muchHKFINN::STANLEYWhat a long strange trip it's been...Fri Apr 12 1991 17:219
    *world peace
    *freedom for all mankind
    *a decent standard of living for all mankind
    *a healthy and happy planet teaming with life
    *new, creative and interestng things to do...like exploring reality and
    the stars
    
    
    mary stanley
1453.4TRCO01::FINNEYKeep cool, but do not freezeFri Apr 12 1991 20:473
    ... finishing this device driver on schedule ...
    
    Scooter
1453.5RIPPLE::GRANT_JOlifted waters walk and leapFri Apr 12 1991 20:568
    re: .2  (Todd)
    
    I should have said: when I'm not at work!  ;^)
    
    Now does anyone have any idea what is going on?
    
    Joel
    
1453.6???????COMET::ESTLICKI AM, THEREFORE I THINK I AMSat Apr 13 1991 00:557
    
    RE .0
    
    		To be wealthy, healthy and wise ?  ;-)
    
    
    		Mike
1453.7Becoming dis-illusionedESSB::BROCKLEBANKLooking at/for the more subtle thingsMon Apr 15 1991 11:4813
    Re 5
    
    I'd like to know whats hoing on too!  When I saw the original
    preceeding note I thought "Oh no!, .........".  Anyhow if
    Spence_g doesn't make us happy by speaking plain english I'll
    make a guess and finish in the dots above.
    
    Hopefully its just some joke that we havn't understood yet.
    
    As far as my intuition tells me, no genuine offer of help is
    worded as in the opening note(s).
    
    Dave
1453.8'I am He who has come' ?DWOVAX::STARKBoldly into the meaninglessMon Apr 15 1991 14:5713
    re: .0,
    
>    Last offer over,
>    
>    I am here without boundaries. I am here to help you. What would make
>    you happy.
    
    	Seriously, if this is not a joke or a cute point of some kind, then it 
    	appears that it might be a theistic delusion.  Not uncommon, and
    	usually treatable.  Have you tried TERZA::PSYCHOLOGY for other 
    	opinions ?
    
    								todd
1453.9?????RAVEN1::PINIONHard Drinking Calypso PoetTue Apr 16 1991 06:5510
         Curiosity got to me and....
    
    Node:  Ships is @ location SBP
    There is no Spence_G in the Spence's in ELF, but there is one very good
    possibility.  I won't put that person name in here because I'm not
    sure.  
    
         Spence_G, what's the deal?  I saw the note in UFO's also.
    
                                                            Capt. Scott
1453.10ENABLE::GLANTZMike 227-4299 DECtp TAY Littleton MATue Apr 16 1991 11:321
  Is everyone in this conference too young or too old to recognize LSD?
1453.11Maybe no jokeSHALOT::LACKEYBirth...the leading cause of deathTue Apr 16 1991 11:5413
    
>    I am here without boundaries. I am here to help you. What would make
>    you happy.
    
Hmmm... Did you ever think that maybe it's neither a joke nor LSD?

Sounds like it could be a UNIX marketing manager who happened into the 
wrong conference.

...just kidding; couldn't resist. :-)

Jeff    

1453.12I hate that little flap of skin after biting my cheekMISERY::WARD_FRGoing HOME---as an Adventurer!Tue Apr 16 1991 13:4518
    re: .11 (Jeff)
      
          I don't know if *what* would make me happy or hoppy
    or not.  What is a *what*?
    
    >    .  What would make you happy.
    
          This does not say "What would make you happy?"  Rather it
    STATES that "What would make you happy."  Therefore I am led to
    believe that I should have some WHAT in my life.  Is this person
    giving "WHAT"s out?   If so, should I take one?  
          Life is full of these wonderful onederful gem-quality little
    itty bitty bitesized morsels or moronic information.  Ain't life
    just the grandest little 'ol thing?
    
    Frederick
    ;-)
    
1453.13there is my shotKAOFS::J_GREGOIRETue Apr 16 1991 14:064
    
    		Well for me " WHAT " would make me happy will be to	
                stop been afraid.
    
1453.14fear, Gracie ?DWOVAX::STARKBoldly into the meaninglessTue Apr 16 1991 15:085
    re: .13, re: afraid,
    	Well, at least this seems to hold more promise than the base note.
    	Is this general anxiety, or a specific fear you might be looking for
    	help in facing ?
    								todd
1453.15KAOFS::J_GREGOIRETue Apr 16 1991 19:077
    
    	        ref:14
        	      	
                 NO just fear!
                              	
                 just imagine what you could do in in life without                	
                 having fear of any kind.
1453.16fear notDWOVAX::STARKBoldly into the meaninglessTue Apr 16 1991 19:2715
    re: .15,
    	
>	just imagine what you could do in in life without                	
>	having fear of any kind.
    
    	I could get myself into a whole peck of trouble, or fun, or
    	both.  Some days, I probably wouldn't wanna do anything at all.
    
    	Some of my fear seems to keep me from doing dangerous
    	things, or motivates me to do useful things.  If I got rid of it, I'd 
    	sure have to become a whole lot more discriminating about where I 
    	stuck my nose and so on, but I guess it could work.   Just for fun, 
    	got a suggestion on how to eliminate fear from the human experience ?
    
    							todd
1453.17fearKAOFS::J_GREGOIRETue Apr 16 1991 19:5010
    
    	        REF:16
            
            	I guest you are right about getting in trouble but also	
                imagine all the time you wanted do something but was too 
                afraid to do it, so i think if i put wisdom with not having
                fear of any kind that should be the right combination.
    
    
              Jean.
1453.18A few pointersCGVAX2::PAINTERAnd on Earth, cooperation...Tue Apr 16 1991 20:0212
                                                              
    There is a wonderful book out entitled:
    
    	"Love Is Letting Go Of Fear", by Gerald Jambolsky
    
    (think his last name is spelled relatively correctly).
    
    It has helped me on many occasions.
    
    Then there's the Biblical quote, "Perfect love casteth out fear."
    
    Cindy
1453.19The ramblings explained - by the authorSHIPS::SPENCE_GIf time catches us up, why run away?Wed Apr 17 1991 08:3770
    Thank you all for your responses to my notes of last Thursday night.
    I do owe you an explantion. Bear with me, it's not easy. 
    
    Thursday night saw the end of a 23 hour day working in information 
    analysis I had been doing for a Customer. It was not the first long
    day in the past few weeks. The problems in the analysis had been
    deepening in complexity and importance. The situation was compounded by
    personal issues and concerns that had been plaguing me for some two
    months. Closing in to midnight something happened that I find difficult
    to explain ... but I will try.
    
    It may have been lack of sleep, it may have been pressures, stress,
    whatever but I reached a point where I felt the loneliest, most "hard
    done by" individual anywhere. I forgot the plight of others far worse
    off or less fortunate than myself and compressed thinking into a small
    churning ball of self pity.
    
    I slumped back in my chair and staring at the terminal sighed to my
    self: "What to do? I can't get to the bottom of this."   and then I sat
    in silence.
    
    Everything was quite at that time of night and all I could send, if
    anything, was a shallow rushing sound in my ears; half way between wind
    and water movement with a ringing modality to it. Then my thoughts went
    something like:
    
    "What is never spoken may not be heard. What is never asked for may not
    be received."
    
    I had been reading DEJAVU and UFO new notes earlier in the day and
    thought of them though no topic in particular.  Feelings and thoughts
    rushed through my mind with no structure or form although certainly not
    ones of self pity or sadness, more of creativity and release. A very,
    very strange feeling.
    
    "Write a note." I thought "Whatever, about anything; it doesn't matter.
    It will help. Someone may help.  Write about nothing but whats on your
    mind, the confusion you feel. Write whats appropriate, what takes your
    fancy."
    
    So I did, three times! I felt the first was not enough, there was more.
    So I dumped more and felt an increasing release and freedom from
    pressures which earlier had seemed so heavy.
    
    I have noted only once before in a small private conference on a
    training course. I have been read only for some time in key notes of
    interest such as DEJAVU and have taken great comfort in the free giving
    of information and ideas. This then was to be the vehicle for my
    assistance. An ashamedly selfish act.
    
    To those who were frustrated by my ramblings, I apologise.
    
    For those who were concerned, offered help or curiousity; I thank you
    and I hope I have clarified things.
    
    To whoever did whatever on Sunday afternoon around 14:00 Hrs UK time;
    abundant thanks. My personal dilema is resolved, I bit the bullet I
    had been rejecting for so long.
    
    I am sorry it has taken so long to reply, I have only just plucked up
    the courage to do so but felt I owed you an explanation.
    
    Love yourself and a quiet mind,
    
    Grahame
    
    Oh, to those still curious, the words really do mean something to me.
    Just not in that order or in the same context as each other!
    
    
1453.20ENABLE::GLANTZMike 227-4299 DECtp TAY Littleton MAWed Apr 17 1991 11:4919
  For those interested in the conventional analysis of this experience,
  it would probably be described as an isolated psychotic episode. These
  can be fantastically healthy and constructive for relieving stress (as
  Grahame demonstrated), and, in most people, occur only occasionally.
  They're scary, both for the person and for observers, but are normal
  and ok.

  On the other hand, they can also be precipitated by hallucinogenic
  drugs, and when intentionally induced in an excessive pattern, can
  lead to deeper problems. In isolation, the episodes induced by drugs
  are indistinguishable from the naturally occurring ones. At one time,
  researchers (such as Timothy Leary in his respectable days) hoped that
  these drugs would provide powerful insights into the workings of the
  mind, and might offer clues to the cure of chronic psychosis and other
  disorders. They might have been right, but we'll have to wait until we
  emerge from the "dark ages" of drug-abuse paranoia to find out.

  Thanks for the explanation, Grahame, and glad to hear your "in good
  spirits" :-).
1453.21healthy psychosis sounds funny, huh ?DWOVAX::STARKBoldly into the meaninglessWed Apr 17 1991 12:2017
    re: .19, .20,
    	Thanks for the explanation, Grahame.   I hope everything
    	is going well for you.  As far as *I'm* concerned, your
    	rationale is completely understandable.   I'm glad you entered
    	those Notes.  I think it's important to have comment's like Mike's, 
    	too, to help balance your perspective and evaluate the meaning
    	of your experience.  
    
    re: fear,
    	Isn't there a distinction between feeling fear and acting on it ?
    	Are we talking about not feeling fear, or feeling it but acting
    	on other kinds of feelings ?  The latter seems more likely to
    	be something we can do NOW, the former something that would take
    	a lifetime of facing and defeating personal demons to do.  Maybe
    	both are valuable ?
    
    							todd
1453.22got a bad cold today ...ENABLE::GLANTZMike 227-4299 DECtp TAY Littleton MAWed Apr 17 1991 12:5721
>       <<< Note 1453.21 by DWOVAX::STARK "Boldly into the meaningless" >>>
>                   -< healthy psychosis sounds funny, huh ? >-

  Interesting point, but an important one! A lot of what increases the
  frustration (beyond what we already have to deal with) of people who
  experience literally ANYTHING out of the completely ordinary "normal"
  realm of experience is that they're told that they're "sick" or
  "crazy" (or "possessed"?).

  Isolated incidents are not only normal, but probably essential to
  survival! I get a little worried about people who lead apparently
  model lives, with no evidence of even the slightest aberration. No
  depression, no neurosis, no psychosis, no anxiety. Perfectly healthy
  little specimens. Do you believe it?

  It's a big problem that we're just not allowed to show any signs of
  mental weakness. "Career limiting move", you know. You can have a
  wicked flu and be out of work for a week and a half, but try taking a
  "mental health" day and see what happens.

  Oh well. I guess we know what's gonna happen at MY next review :-).
1453.23Over-responding to single data points.DWOVAX::STARKBoldly into the meaninglessWed Apr 17 1991 15:3111
    re: .22,
    	Thanks, Mike.  I've been thinking about that a lot myself,
    	and that helped put some things into perspective.  I tend to
    	make rigid rules about things, and then expect not only
    	me but everyone else to adhere to them.  A little break
    	from our own standards of behavior seems well justified at times.
    	Otherwise, It's too easy to attach some kind of negative 
    	connotation or even mystical significance to an isolated incident, and 
    	just create a new unfounded rule.  I know I tend to do that at times.
    
    								todd
1453.24ReplyCGVAX2::PAINTERAnd on Earth, cooperation...Wed Apr 17 1991 15:5328
    
    Hi Grahame,
    
    Welcome!  I was actually reading something similar to this a few months
    ago in a book by E.J. Gold and using the human body for transformation
    (or some such thing).  The book belonged to a friend of mine, so I
    can't look it up, however there was a story of a woman who experienced
    something like what you described - overwork, stress, etc.  She called
    it "approaching her chronic", and that's when she can truly
    breakthrough to new levels of consciousness - when she can recognize it 
    and witness it instead of simply being caught up in it.  ???
    
    The other thing I read recently, hanging on the outside of a friend's
    cubicle was this article entitled:
    
        "Writing It Out is Good Therapy, Studies Show" (NY Times, 3/26/91)
    
    A few excerpted sentences:
    
       "New studies suggest that people who are able to write about their
        inner thoughts and feelings may enjoy better mental and physical
        health. ...  It reduces the physical and mental stress involved
        in inhibiting thoughts, "Pennebaker said.  But more importantly
        writing is a powerful tool to organize overwhelming events and make
        them manageable.  The mind torments itself by thinking about
        unresolved issues." ...
    
    Cindy
1453.25On the threshold of a dream....IJSAPL::ELSENAARFractal of the universeWed Apr 17 1991 17:356
Congrats, Grahame!

And thanks for writing it here.

Arie
1453.26You are writeSHIPS::SPENCE_GIf time catches us up, why run away?Wed Apr 17 1991 18:5121
    Re: 24
    
    Cindy,
    
    Has anyone told you how nice it is the way you 'welcome' people. Makes
    me feel very comfortable.
    
    The research you mention is substanciated by my experience in two ways. 
    The earlier one was a release, a letting go and it's own way very 
    fulfilling. 
    Writing about the experience was theraputic itself. My thoughts were
    around couching the words in terms that would 'bring to life' the
    experience in terms that people would understand. In so doing, I
    re-evaulated and analysed what had happened to my satisfaction. Before
    writing the note, during the 'no! I can't' phase I still had a great
    deal of confusion and disbelief.
    
    Writing it down (better, writing it down for others) works for me.
    
    Grahame
    
1453.27RAVEN1::PINIONHard Drinking Calypso PoetThu Apr 18 1991 05:497
    Hi Graeham,
    
           Congratulations...sounds as if you have had a transforming
    experience.  I can relate...  Altraea, you got anything interesting to
    add to this?  Peace, y'all.
    
                                                          Capt. Scott
1453.28Better late than neverESSB::BROCKLEBANKLooking at/for the more subtle thingsThu Apr 18 1991 08:4340
    Hi Grahame,
    I guess it took some courage to write in your explanation yesterday....
    congrats!  I must admit that my initial reaction was that the original
    note was trying to deceive.  On seeing your explanation I realize that
    it was written in a fairly stressed condition.  Probably the most
    important thing is that you tried to put your feelings & confusion
    into writing.  I'v always found this experience 'magical' as it can
    transform confused emotional mis-mash of thoughts and feelings into
    someting concrete which doesn't twist and turn when trying to graple
    with it.  Then the situation usually becomes clearer and ofter
    an over generalisation or exageration is seen in the logic being
    thought.  
    When the situation is completely behind you I'd be very interested
    to know what you meant in note 1452 no matter how imaginative it
    was.  However if you'd rather not I understand your feelings.  Anyhow
    welcome again.
    
    Re  Mike
    
    Yes I also agree with an openness which would bring about the end
    of the dark ages of drug paranoia.
    
    Re  Other notes on fear
    
    To give my tuppence worth on fear...... I don't anyone should try
    to eliminate fear.  Its an extreemely important emotion which has
    enabled us (and the other feeling animals) to survive so long.
    I think that the point of view which advocates its elimination comes
    from an extension of the western world view to 'be happy and not
    suffer and only have a good time' (hope this sounded cynical enough!)
    Fear is a real emotion and as such very much part of ourselves and
    our experience.
    However sometimes fear gets out of hand and is applied to (or evoked
    by) inappropriate situations.  This is where the problem is.  To
    identify in-appropriate fears and to eliminate those by whatever means
    one chooses.
    
    Time to stop rambling and get back to earning bread...
    
    Dave
1453.29Congratulations on making contact!ASDS::ATKINSONFri Apr 19 1991 18:0328
 Re: .19

 Good afternoon Grahame,

 For your edification, the sound of rushing wind and water was direct contact
with your causal body(your I AM Presence, aka your piece of divinity)
...which sent you the message "What is never spoken may not be heard. 
What is never asked for may not be received."

 In simplicity it communicated to you that you are in a free will area of this
universe and if you don't ask for help you can never receive it....the Master
Jesus said it simply "ask and ye shall receive". All the great beings
of light, including your own I AM presence (your piece of divinity) is always
ready and willing to help you with whatever, but since you live in a free will
universe you "must ask" for this help and assistance or they are unable to 
interfere in your reality in any shape, way or form.

Congratulations on making contact! and a hearty welcome to this conference
and Earth's acceleration into light.

With Love and Light
I AM 
Talligai (aka Altraea)
    
P.S. Next time you need assistance you won't have to wait till you get to
melt down..there are much easier ways of contacting your presence..happy 
creating!    

1453.30Taking the contact furtherSHIPS::SPENCE_GIf time catches us up, why run away?Mon Apr 22 1991 10:0724
    Re: .29
    
    Talligai,
    
    Thanks for entering the explanation of direct contact with my causal
    body and for your welcome, it is much appreciated.
    
    It was a strange yet satisfying experience and couching it in terms of
    "contact" and "help", that was exactly what the experience turned out
    to be. It is very supportive to be able to recognise that I don't
    always need to turn to others for help, I have a source within me. 
    
    I can see tremendous opportunities in the exploration of contact with 
    my I AM presence and would appreciate you expanding on your PS "..there
    are much easier ways of contacting your presence..happy creating". I
    don't want to go through the painful precursers of a week and a half
    ago!
    
    I look forward to your guidance.
    
    A little flame, getting brighter (I think).   :-)
    
    Grahame
    
1453.31Introducing "Beloved I AM"!ASDS::ATKINSONWed Apr 24 1991 13:5031
Re:.30

You are very welcome, Grahame.

Here is a descriptive and easy method of contact with your presence.

Your I AM presence (or light body) is a blazing rainbow of light. When
you arise and get in the shower (if that is your a.m. routine) visualize
in your mind's eye yourself above you enveloped in this blazing rainbow
of light...stretch your physical arms up over your head and visualize
your presence stretching it's arms down to meet yours....clasp hands
with your presence and draw it to yourself asking it: "Beloved presence
draw near me, envelope me and guide me for this 24hour period". Feel the
mergence, the surge of energy and wellbeing that come over you.

You can do this without the shower, however, the shower cleans and recharges
your auric field helping facilitate the process as a result. (Any swiftly
moving water does this, it is why we feel rejuvenated in its presence...
ie: showers, water falls, ocean, etc.)

Happy creating a new reality and I will be interested to know how you make
out.

Remember, this is your eternal internal source of love, friendship, energy,
manifestation...etc. Your personal piece of DIVINITY.  The real you!

In Light and Love,
I AM
Talligai
    
  
1453.32neatENABLE::GLANTZMike 227-4299 DECtp TAY Littleton MAWed Apr 24 1991 15:202
  Talligai, is this method specifically for Grahame? Will it work
  equally well for others (such as me)?
1453.33Your I AM Presence Awaits Thee!ASDS::ATKINSONWed Apr 24 1991 17:5211
Re:.32

Good afternoon Mike,
It will work for everyone that is interested enough and enthusiastic enough
to try it with a sincere heart.

I'm sure that applies to you!

Namasthe,
Talligai

1453.34more questionsENABLE::GLANTZMike 227-4299 DECtp TAY Littleton MAWed Apr 24 1991 19:1626
  Actually, I asked partly because some of the most gentle, useful
  insights come to me during morning washing-up-for-work, so your method
  seemed particularly coincidental. But sometimes (not as often),
  similar thoughts also come in the evening. Do you have any evening
  exercises which would benefit these moments?

  Also one other interesting sensation (if you could call it that) I
  hope you might be able to comment on (or maybe it's just an "ordinary
  emotion"): sometimes, when another person in the room is demonstrating
  or showing me something in a relaxed context or complete trust (i.e.,
  they don't feel that they're being evaluated or judged), I experience
  a strong, clear feeling of peace and relaxation, almost as if that
  person's sense of ease is being transmitted to me. It used to happen
  fairly regularly when a particular high school friend (male) played
  some simple tune for me on a piano (always that particular tune), and
  now it happens with almost perfect reliability when my older daughter
  does any sort of pretend play in front of me (such as having a tea
  party for her dolls). It doesn't happen when my younger daughter does
  it! I used to not pay much attention to it (though always noticed it),
  but since it's so strong and repeatable with my daughter, I've been
  wondering a bit about it. Have you got any thoughts or comments on
  this? Has anyone else had similar sensations? Is it in some way
  similar to the contacting of one's presence, only contacting the other
  person's presence?

  Thanks very much for any thoughts on this.
1453.35EMPATHY?DNEAST::BERLINGER_MALIFE IN THE ASTRAL PLANEThu Apr 25 1991 15:0315
    
    
            re.34
    
    
                     When the sensation you describe happens to me I tend
    to call it empathy- EMotional telePATHY. The key point, for me, is that
    were it not for the other person, place, thing, situation I probably 
    would not be feeling that way.
    
                                         I.M.H.O.
                                          Later,
                                           Mark
    
    
1453.36WOW! Thanks, Mark! Excellent insight.CGVAX2::PAINTERgive the world laughterThu Apr 25 1991 16:131
    
1453.37reminds me of the secret life of plantsDWOVAX::STARKCaution: easily confusedThu Apr 25 1991 17:038
    re: Mark,
    	Yeah, that was interesting.  Kinda reminds me of that 
    	infamous research some folks did a while back to try to determine
    	how people's emotional states affected plants.   I'm not sure
    	whatever became of that (invalidated, followed-up, reinterpreted,
    	?).
    
    							todd
1453.38LOVE is GRANDASDS::ATKINSONThu Apr 25 1991 18:5716
Re: .34

Mark,
You are experiencing an expansion of the heart chakra and the figure
eight flow and exchange of love energy (unconditional love) through
the heart. It is a most remarkable sensation. You can experience this
with persons of either sex since there are no sexual overtones or 
connotations attached to this emotion....this is what unconditional 
love feels like.

Congratulations Mark!

Namasthe,
Talligai

1453.39DSSDEV::GRIFFINThrow the gnome at itThu Apr 25 1991 20:5914
Mark,

Odds are, that if you are capable of feeling the "good" emotions of  people,
you can feel the "bad" from people as well.  I don't know about chakra and
stuff, but it is a neat feeling when the flow of good feelings becomes a 
feedback between you and the other person.

You may not feel things from the younger child for several reasons:  she 
doesn't enjoy pretend tea parties as much, or she has natural "barriers"
against people reading her (or from projecting her own feelings).  Or maybe
you are still learning how to read her?

Beth
1453.40ENABLE::GLANTZMike 227-4299 DECtp TAY Littleton MAFri Apr 26 1991 13:1937
>         <<< Note 1453.39 by DSSDEV::GRIFFIN "Throw the gnome at it" >>>
>Mark,

  Oops, sounds like you're talking about me, Mike. No matter. I've been
  called worse :-).

  It's a puzzling thing, all right, because I can, at times, reproduce
  this peaceful sensation while alone, by recalling a previous time
  during which I felt it. Not as strong, though. I use it sometimes to
  get some perspective in the middle of a hectic work day.

  As to why it happens only with the older daughter, and not the
  younger, I was able to feel it very strongly with the older from when
  she was younger then the little one is now, so I don't think it's a
  question of age or learning. They have much different personalities,
  and the older one is definitely more analytical -- she inspects and
  thinks about things intensely -- similar to myself. The little one is
  much less so, and generally has a less intellectual personality. She
  doesn't engage in as as much "thought-play" as the older one. She's
  more inclined to have "direct", active experiences.

  As far as feeling the bad emotions of other people, as well as the
  good, that may be true, but if it is, the effect is such that I feel
  badly, too, and rather than become consciously aware of it, I just
  experience it and become unpleasant. One thing I've noticed: when I'm
  in a *really* lousy mood (like, because something's going wrong on a
  project at work), a *lot* of things and people around be seem to go
  wrong, sort of like my bad mood spreads to them. So it's hard to say
  (and I somehow doubt it matters) whether the emotion spreads from one
  person to another, and in which direction, or whether it sort of just
  occurs like a "field" in several people and things at the same time,
  maybe stronger in some places or people than others.

  By the way, I tried the shower exercise yesterday morning, but the
  kids were screaming in the bathroom (beating each other up), so was a
  little too distracted to be aware of anything. This morning, I didn't
  remember to try.
1453.41I feel the need to explain DNEAST::BERLINGER_MALIFE IN THE ASTRAL PLANEFri Apr 26 1991 15:4940
    re. 37
    
             Todd,
                 I remember a "cult" movie called _The_Secret_Life
    _of_Plants. It was about a guy in a florists shop. He planted an 
    alien seed which sprouted and grew into a flesh eater. At first the 
    plant was content with the owners own blood. The plot thickens when 
    the plant developes a voice and *demands* that the man bring it 
    "*More*". .....I also rember the study you spoke of and also cannot
    remember what the conclution was.
    
      re. .36, .38
    
                  Cindy, Talligai,
                                  Thank you for the kind words. My most
    vivid recolection of an empathetic reaction was once when in high 
    school. I was in the audience watching the senior play (a musical) 
    the leading man began a song. Less than half way through his voice
    cracked and went flat. (In the true spirit of show business) He 
    finished the song way off key. I sat in my seat and died of embar-
    esment for him. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a good way
    for me to be in the normal course of things. I'm not certain that 
    I've yet explained myself fully/properly so I'll continue. When I 
    said "...were it not for the other person, thing, situation I might 
    not feel...." I was describing a lack of personal boundry. That is to 
    say that upon examination it is not clear if I am *me* feeling this or
    if I am the other person, thing, .... feeling this; and if I *am me* 
    feeling this would I still feel this were it not for the other person,
    place, thing, situation? In and of itself empathy is neither good nor
    bad. When it is not clear to me whoes feelings I am experiencing then 
    I have to stop and take an emotional/mental inventory (whats mine whats
    not mine and what do I do with each). The times when empathy is im-
    portant to me is during a heart to heart conversation and when reading
    tarot.
    
           I hope I have not muddied the waters. 
    
    
                                  Later,
                                   Mark 
1453.42Are you sure about that movie?ATSE::WAJENBERGFri Apr 26 1991 16:165
    Re .41
    
    The movie you describe wounds like "Little Shop of Horrors."
    
    Earl Wajenberg
1453.43Secret Life of the Little ShopCADSYS::COOPERTopher CooperFri Apr 26 1991 19:0552
RE: Secret life of plants.

    I agree, this sounds like "Little Shop of Horrors".  This is a great
    "bad" film.  It was produced by Roger Corman -- the king of the low
    budget horror movies.  It was quite literally made in the evenings
    while another film was being made, so as not to "waste" the rental of
    the film production equipment.  Some people who see it consider it
    simply a poor, cheap film.  Others, myself included, see it as a
    wonderful spoof of cheap horror films.  That it was itself what it was
    spoofing -- that it was a *self* parody -- helps rather than hinders
    its quality as a spoof.  Among other items of note, this film was one
    of the first appearances of Jack Nicholson (he plays Wilber Force, the
    pain junkie).

    A few years ago, a broadway musical was based on this film.  It was
    turned into a successful film, starring Rick Morraines (sp?) and a
    marvelous piece of Jim Henson wizardry, with Steve Martin in a
    supporting role.   As good a film as it is, the large budget, slick
    production loses some of the sense of "gritty unreality" of the
    original.  I recommend both films independently (it would be
    interesting to see them back-to-back: I believe that they are both
    available on videotape -- I've seen the original retailing for $4).

    It is possible that there was a release of the original "Little Shop"
    as "The Secret Life of Plants", though I don't know of it.  In that
    case, it was (re)titled after a best selling "non-fiction" book.

    That book covered a lot of subjects, but especially the work by
    polygraph "expert" Cleve Backster, which is almost certainly what todd
    was referring to in .37.  Backster, who is still at it in his own lab
    in San Diego, hooks a polygraph up to a plant and then thinks nasty
    or nice thoughts at the plant.  Supposedly he gets correlations.

    The parapsychological literature contains a number of analyses, and
    attempted replications.  The "Backster Effect" is shown as conclusively
    as can be done to be due to serious flaws in Backster's methods.  When
    those flaws are included apparent (but spurious) replication of his
    results occur.  When they are eliminated the effect vanishes.  If there
    is a Backster Effect, Backster has never demonstrated it.

    Unfortunately, Ray Hyman, in his report for the NRC on parapsychology,
    used Backster's lab to good effect in his campaign against
    parapsychology.  He included Backster's lab amoung those
    "parapsychology" labs which he analyzed.  Of course, he ripped it to
    shreds, leaving the impression that this was somehow representative of
    the state of parapsychological research.  Needless to say, there is no
    mention that the literature of parapsychology is universally critical
    of Backster's work, and no citation of any of those negative
    parapsychological reviews, though he is most certainly knowledgable
    enough with the literature to be aware of them.

				    Topher
1453.44RIPPLE::GRANT_JOlifted waters walk and leapFri Apr 26 1991 19:1613
    re: .43  (Topher)
    
    Well, that just does it!  I'm taking my Ray Hyman collection
    and feeding it to a man-eating plant!  ;^)
    
    More seriously, I was interested to read that there was an
    older, "grittier" version of "Little Shop."  I liked the
    Rick Moranis/Steve Martin one and I usually don't care
    to much for movies.  Wonder if the older version is generally
    available on videotape?
    
    Joel
    
1453.45maybe closing this rathole ...LESCOM::KALLISPumpkins -- Nature's greatest gift.Fri Apr 26 1991 19:278
    Re .44 (Joel):
    
    The original can be found in EP mode (the slowest/cheapest) in the
    "audio/video" departments of larger chain stores and some dime stores
    (what a misnomer these days!!) for as little as $5.00 new.  I think
    there may even be a colorized version.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.
1453.46DSSDEV::GRIFFINThrow the gnome at itFri Apr 26 1991 19:5615
Re: .41 Personal boundaries (or the lack there of): Seems to be a common
problem for sensitive empaths - I grew up having feelings I usually couldn't
explain, and didn't really learn how to seperate *them* from me until I was
in my mid-20s.  (Others don't necessarily take that long to figure it out, but
I grew up with parents who may not know it but are sensitive, and protected
me and my sisters extremely well - I lived with their defenses until I moved
out on my own, and didn't even know I was using their shields)

With "practice", you learn to detect sources very easily, however, that doesn't
seem to prevent the extreme emotions from taking you over anyway (you can
only filter out so much input, and with the "volume" cranked up, you "hear" it
anyway).

Beth
1453.47Thoughts on boundariesCGVAX2::PAINTERgive the world laughterMon Apr 29 1991 00:3840
    
    Re: boundaries
    
    I've had problems with this one too.  I grew up in a house where
    personal boundaries weren't exactly allowed (rather, we were told what
    to think and how we were feeling vs. being allowed to express our
    thoughts and feelings freely).  Most sensitive empaths that I've met
    have come from this kind of a background as well.  Or, the opposite is
    true - the others coming from this background have almost *no* ability
    to empathize at all.  (The first group falls typically in the 'victim'
    category, with the others falling in the 'aggressor' category.  If 
    John Bradshaw is correct (see the Adult Children topic in this file), 
    the majority of the population falls within the unhealthy boundary
    sector.  
    
    I believe there are healthy and unhealthy empath experiences, and this
    correlates directly with the amount of ego boundary we each managed (or
    were allowed to) build up in the transition from childhood to
    adulthood.  If our ego boundaries aren't established, then there is no
    line and we 'become' the other person we are empathizing with
    (unhealthy).  Whereas if we establish the boundaries, then we can 
    consciously choose to go beyond them to reach to the 'other', yet 
    remain within our self enough to view the entire process from a detached 
    witness state (healthy).
    
    Though I'm quite a few years into the process of forming and letting go
    consciously of ego boundaries, it's still a struggle.  There are lots
    of people in the world who are most willing to take your power/energy,
    and these are the people you have the most difficult time with when you
    decide to claim your power for your own and create your own boundaries.  
    
    The key is to...
    
    Know thyself.  Ask the question of yourself, "Who am I?", and listen to
    the quiet loving voice within you.  Do this continuously.  Once you 
    realize who you truly are, then there will be no problem distinguishing 
    between yourself and the other, and nobody will be able to claim your
    power for their own again.  Then you will truly be free.
    
    Cindy
1453.48THE SECRET LIF OF PLANTSSQM::HARQUAILWoof Woof!Mon Apr 29 1991 10:578
    
    In case anyones interested, I saw what looked like a new book, titled
    	The Secret Life of Plants, last week in the Booksmith on Boylston
    	street downtown Boston, I didn't really check ir out and don't
    remember the author, I did notice it wasn't at the booksmith in the
    	nashua mall.
    
    terry
1453.49Backster's stoic plantsDWOVAX::STARKCaution: easily confusedMon Apr 29 1991 12:5111
    re: .43,
    
    >    polygraph "expert" Cleve Backster, which is almost certainly what todd
    >    was referring to in .37.  Backster, who is still at it in his own lab
    >... results occur.  When they are eliminated the effect vanishes.  If 
    >    there is a Backster Effect, Backster has never demonstrated it.
    
    	Yes, that is the work to which I was referring.  Thanks for the
    	reply.
    
    								todd
1453.50Talligai to Grahame, come in please...ASDS::ATKINSONMon Apr 29 1991 19:288
Bye the way, Grahame,
Have you had a chance to try out my little exercise? How did you make
out???

Namasthe,
Talligai

1453.51DSSDEV::GRIFFINThrow the gnome at itTue Apr 30 1991 18:2118
Re .47

Actually, my family was one of neither case you stated.  I did learn a strong
sense of self, and was fairly indepedent of family opinions, however, I never
had to protect my self boundaries because my parents protected them (and did
NOT restrict them).  I just didn't realize how much they did so until I went
away to college and had to start dealing with those people who try to force
their opinions upon you by strength of will alone, without the protections of
parents.

The ability to protect my boundaries has improved, but is still difficult from
time to time, especially if I become insecure about something.  (My defense to
insecurity is to tell myself I can handle it anyway, and ignore the unfounded
fears - as recommended, always questioning why I feel something, is it really
me).

Beth
1453.52"Awakening" the chakras in the shower"LASCPM::BARNETTENot Ready for Prime Time NoterFri May 24 1991 15:3219
    
    Another shower exercise. It helps if you have the kind of shower head
    that can focus a fairly narrow beam of water on a specific region of
    the body:
    
    	After getting used to the temperature of the water, turn your
    	back to the shower head. Position yourself so that the water
    	is aimed at the base of your spine, and visualize bright red
    	light emanating from the root chakra. The light expands out
    	to fill your body, then the shower stall, then the bathroom,
    	until everything within your range of perception is filled
    	with the red. 
    
    	Move closer to the shower head. The water is now focused on the 
    	next chakra (help me out here, I don't know the name of this
    
    	one, call it the "orange" chakra %^). LET THE LIGHT 
    
    
1453.53continuedLASCPM::BARNETTENot Ready for Prime Time NoterFri May 24 1991 15:3611
    
    Sorry about the break-off in the last reply. I'm using the world's
    worst terminal emulator.
    
    Anyway, repeat the exercise, training the water on each chakra in turn.
    Visualize the light expanding from each. When you emerge from the
    shower, you will feel vibrant, balanced and centered.
    
    Enjoy!
    
    Neal/B