Conscious CT

How Far We’ve Come

In the past month I had the opportunity to connect with the work of J. B. RHINE and ERVIN LASZLO, two great men in the field of consciousness research and theory; and it gave me pause to reflect on how far we have progressed over the last century.
 
While on vacation last month I stopped at Duke University in Durham, NC to visit the Rhine Research Center, founded by J. B. RHINE (1895-1980). Rhine is the father of scientific research of psi phenomena, a parapsychologist who coined the term extra sensory perception or more commonly known as ESP. He started his work at Duke in 1927 after listening to a lecture on spiritualism by Arthur Conan Doyle.

In the center’s small museum are the early machines and tools used to test telekinesis and copies of the publications that reported on his ground breaking work. You’ll also find the Zenar cards he developed and  used to test precognition. Zenar cards are  the five card set of star, circle, wave, square and cross you may have experimented with yourself.  Rhine founded the institutions necessary for parapsychology's continuing professionalization in the U.S., including the establishment of the Journal of Parapsychology and the formation of the Parapsychological Association. He took psi from seance parlor to laboratory, establishing it as a branch of experimental psychology. Rhine showed the phenomena was real, but he could only speculate on how it happened.

Last weekend I attended a lecture by ERVIN LASZLO in Milford, CT sponsored by The Graduate Institute. Laszlo is not a household name either, but has become for me one of the most important people in the field. Laszlo,  now 77, has written over 80 books and was twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. His current work focuses on bringing attention to the sustainablility crisis and the need to shift if we want to survive for another generation. His arguments come from science more than spirituality, but with all the focus on 2012 it’s a convenient focal point for urging people and governments to take action now.

The Lost Symbol

Dan Brown’s long awaited follow-up to “The Da Vinci Code” was published recently. What drew me to run out and buy a copy of “The Lost Symbol” was Lynne McTaggart’s blog detailing how the book referenced her work and included some detail on what Brown calls the ‘noetic sciences.’ Lynne McTaggart is the author of “The Field” and “The Intention Experiment,” which delve into the research and researchers in the field of consciousness. The science side of spirituality is a subject I’m very interested in and to see it woven into popular fiction is exciting.

If you liked “The DaVinci Code” you’ll probably like “The Lost Symbol” too as it has the same basic plot outline, pacing and similar characters. The Masons replace the Templars and the action takes place in Washington, DC instead of Europe. This time they are searching for a lost pyramid that leads to the secret of the Ancient Mysteries, which gives power to whoever has it. Not as esoteric and controversial as a continuation of the bloodline of Jesus, but still a fun read. Lots of descriptive information about Masonic history, ritual and symbolism and how ancient wisdom was encoded in Washington’s layout and architecture.

One of the main characters is a noetic researcher providing the opportunity to introduce research that is actually being done today. In her blog McTaggart notes and verifies specific points made in the Brown’s book.

Then And Now

I was recently a guest on RAY GENOVESE'S The Four Seasons radio show in Northampton, MA. When you do this type of interview the host usually asks for some talking points or questions that gives the guest the opportunity to include anything they might like to discuss, and helps the host guide the conversation.

Rather than just tell my story I thought it would be more interesting for listeners if I wove in the evolution of spirituality and holistic health in Connecticut over the past 30 years. In that period we grew from a small underground movement to become nearly mainstream and widely accepted. Holistic health has moved from small practices in the home to substantial centers and into the hospital.

Being Virgo I wrote up a pretty detailed outline for the radio show. It was a nice history review for me and gave the journey real perspective. Organizations were born, grew, declined and vanished to be replaced by something new. The flow was organic and ever shifting, but always moving towards greater light and awareness. To hold onto structure and not recognize when a group had fulfilled its purpose and let it go could be a mistake; change often came quickly; from small churches to stores to organizations to schools to centers to the Internet and back again.  Reminiscing its been quite a ride. Perhaps one day I’ll find the time to write up the history of new age and holistic Connecticut.

For now you can get a taste by listening to the radio show. It naturally jumped around and didn’t follow the outline and we would have needed another two hours to cover everything, but pieces of it are there. Click for a recording of the September 26 show.

My Orb Shoot

I had the opportunity this summer to go on two Orb Shoots.

Orbs are circular artifacts that show up in photographs, particularly those taken with digital cameras using flash. Skeptics insist they are back scatter from dust, pollen or water droplets. Believers are convinced they are something else -- perhaps invisible spirits, auras, angels, ghosts, energy fields, psychoenergetic artifacts, energy balls, etc.

I’d seen some very convincing photos, but the engineer in me was a little skeptical. GENE ANG invited me to some evening sessions with the objective of photographing them. I brought my trusty camera to see if it would work for me.

The first session was on a cool evening in June in a backyard in Manchester. At an Orb Shoot you take a lot of pictures, one right after another. Gene often takes 500 in the course of an evening. You’ll shoot, shoot, shoot getting nothing and then they begin to appear. As Gene's accompanying photos show you may see a few at first and then get an orb shower. Same direction, same angle, same light -- first nothing, then orbs.

That first night wasn’t too successful. When I reviewed my shots only in one did I find something I was fairly convinced was an orb. Some of the others were more successful.

Childhood's End

When I was a teen I got hooked on science fiction and read everything I could find in local stores. After college I searched for all the books written by the old masters - Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, Theodore Sturgeon, Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke and others. They were prolific writers, had very creative minds and many had a strong background in science. What attracted me most was that the genre allowed them to explore “what if’s,” both with advancements in science and changes in history and culture.

As I’ve been exploring the Mystery of 2012 one of the themes that comes up often is the spiritual evolution of mankind in a time of crisis. It brought to mind a book I read long ago called “Childhood’s End” by Arthur C. Clarke  that explored the idea that we would evolve into a higher level of being in a very short time. The book was published in 1953, over half a century ago, and 15 years before his more famous “2001: A Space Odyssey,” which also explores evolution.

In “Childhood’s End” Clarke introduces an alien race who first impose peace on the planet to ensure that we survive long enough to evolve. He notes that there may be forms of intelligence completely foreign to us and that advanced science would be far beyond our current capacity to understand. Clarke does not seem to be a fan of the paranormal, probably because he prefers to play with ideas that are more scientific, yet uses and attempts to explain some paranormal activity as a key plot device.

Whither 2012?

The ending of the Mayan calendar on December 21, 2012 has sparked a worldwide discussion — best selling books, New York Times and USA Today articles, Hollywood films and more. Will life as we know it end — metaphorically, literally or at all? Could 2012 actually represent an evolutionary leap in consciousness?

Looking in bookstores, magazines and the cinema ‘2012' has become the hot new thing - at least in metaphysical and spiritual circles. Prominent authors and speakers seem to be required to tie whatever their topic is to 2012 and interviewers always want their opinion on what will happen or what it means. And we’re still three and a half years away from the 2012 Winter Solstice!

I decided I had better get a working knowledge of the subject so for the past few months have been reading books, listening to interviews, attending local events and questioning channels. Sooner or later you’ll have to form your own opinion too as it is beginning to become a national topic and the television talking heads will latch on to it soon. Nothing better for ratings than a subject that can be manipulated to generate fear and the first big Disney movie on the subject will be out in November showing a post apocalyptic world.

One Easy Choice Toward Living Green

Every month you buy electricity. Are you paying for clean, renewable energy produced by wind, water and other sources or are you buying energy generated by oil, coal and nuclear plants? Did you know you have a choice? Here is an easy step you can take that will make a difference in how energy is produced.

CTCleanEnergyOptions is a Department of Public Utilities Control (DPUC) approved program that allows any CL&P customer the opportunity to support clean energy. Customers who enroll, pay a small clean energy surcharge and continue to receive electric generation services from CL&P or an electric supplier.  Currently over 20,000 Connecticut consumers have committed to support clean energy.

You can join by returning the insert with your electric bill, going to CTCleanEnergyOptions, or signing up at the Vernon Healthfest, Booth #210. Visit the website for more information and pricing.

Breakfasts

I host two breakfasts a month, one in Vernon at Charlie’s on the first Friday of each month and one in Windsor. Both have been meeting monthly for over 5 years. Although primarily attended by practitioners they are open to anyone who would like to stop by. Business professionals use breakfasts to network and make contacts. That happens at ours too, but most attend for the socializing and community.

Study after study shows that one important factor in good health and a long, happy life is a strong social network and a community of friends. In the age of email, text messaging and working from home it’s important for those in our holistic community to find ways to come together face to face. Its not unlike the psychological lift the patrons of Cheers get ‘where everyone knows your name.’

The breakfasts are a nice way to build community and make friends as they are informal and consistently there month after month - something that can be counted on when you need a lift or feel the need for some human contact. Some business does happen as people connect, set up workshops, plan advertising and once in a while form a joint venture. But I think this is secondary to the friendships that are made and renewed.

In Vernon we average 15 people each month - half regulars and the rest either new or stopping by when they have the day open.. In the course of a year we probably have 50 different people join us as they can. Charlie’s is informal so we can get as much or as little to eat as we please. We just greet and schmooze for the first hour. At about 10:00 I call things to order and we go around the table introducing ourselves and talk briefly about anything we are up to, sharing personal and community news. Then it breaks up into ever shifting little groups of people getting to know each other and catching up.

We close up at around 11:00 feeling refreshed, renewed and valued. Building and maintaining community is essential. If you are interested see the breakfast listing in the Calendar for the first Friday of each month.

Channeling

Channeling refers to a personality not in the physical speaking to or through a person. The personality is  specific to their host identifying themselves as a variety of figures - some from previous physical manifestations and some spiritual, including masters, Jesus or God. Many have dictated books such as Seth through Jane Roberts, God through Neale Donald Walsch or The Course in Miracles from Jesus. Whether or not you believe the entities are who they call themselves the material that comes through is fascinating and frequently of great value for those treading the spiritual path. As with anything else, whether read in a book, advice from a friend or teacher, it’s just another piece of information to be considered and weighed; if it serves you work with it, if not ignore it.

There are a number of channels in our area of the state, but the one I have been fortunate to work with recently is Creatious, channeled by Cathy Fischer. I don’t always agree with Creatious, but find his (or her) view on things thought-provoking and helpful on my own journey.

Creatious came to Cathy some twenty years ago as a result of a series of past life journeys she had with Norton Berkowitz. Norton then worked with her as the relationship developed and she learned to trust the voice that came through her. Creatious described himself as an aspect of Being manifested as a result of her questions; a spiritual teacher to work with those attracted to her.

Expos

The annual Whole Health Expo at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cromwell was held this weekend. Founded by Barbara Hardie over ten years ago this has regularly been one of the larger expos held each year. Last year Barbara retired from the expo business and the event was passed on to Jonathan Podolsky, who produces Whole Health Expos in Northampton, MA and throughout the northeast. Since last year went well for him he expanded the expo to a two day event this year. Being the largest expo producer in the area this event has a more professional look with pipe and drape decor than most of the others.

Expos and fairs are not just  a nice way to spend a cold winter day, but are also an opportunity to learn from the experts, meet and talk with holistic health practitioners, get a reading, experience a massage and find unique and unusual products and gifts. All in one place, all in one day.

Personally I’m far more interested in the learning and meeting practitioner aspects of a fair than the shopping, but that’s just me. The ladies try to explain to me the delights of exploring what is essentially a bazaar of goodies, but I have enough Stuff at this point in life.