Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Exploring The Sub-Conscious Using New Technology
Exploring The Sub-Conscious Using New Technology
Technology
(with 137 references + bibliography)
Third enlarged edition
M.G. Hocking
Professor of Materials Chemistry, University of London
“… After using the electronic device for 10 minutes, I was very surprised
to suddenly see a dark ghostly forest of trees, in twilight, moving slowly
across my field of vision. The trees were in sharp focus, vivid and highly
stereoscopic, not like a flat picture, and they maintained their correct
relative perspectives as they slowly passed from right to left, which made
me feel exactly that I was present in that forest. My eyes were closed,
but I was fully wide awake ... ."
The Author, Chapter A (ii)
"I found myself within a forest dark ... I cannot well repeat how I entered, so
full was I of slumber at the moment ... . But still we were passing onward
through the forest, the forest, say I, of thick crowded ghosts."
Dante (1300)
C.S. Lewis * wrote that at the back of the wardrobe, the entrance to Narnia was
just beyond some trees there, which may have been a vision which he himself
had experienced? In an actual wardrobe, CO2 narcosis, known to submariners,
would occur. Very unwise! See "Mechanism" section in Chapter A(ii).
* The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Exploring the Sub-conscious using New Technology 2
(with 137 references + bibliography)
Third enlarged edition
M.G. Hocking Ph.D.
© 4-D Books Ltd, London
Downloadable free (full text) from:
GOOGLE BOOKS
CONTENTS
DISCLAIMER: 4
PREFACE: Visualisation; Summary of chapters 5; 6
"The normal waking state is neither the highest nor the most effective state of which
the human mind is capable. There are states of vastly greater awareness which one
can enter briefly and then return to normal living, enriched, enlivened and enhanced."
- C. Maxwell Cade & N. Coxhead.
"Then only is our life a whole -- when action and contemplation dwell in us side by
side, and we are perfectly in both of them at once."
- Jan van Ruysbroeck.
Hocking, M.G.
“Exploring the Subconscious using New Technology”
…………………………………………………………….
Third (enlarged & revised) Edition, published 2016
Other Google e-books & forthcoming books by the author on related topics:
-- "The purpose of Life - Why are we here?": ISBN 9780 9521099 45 (free download).
-- "A Theory of Everything, obtained by Remote Viewing": ISBN 9780 9521099 52 (free).
-- "Remote Viewing observations of atoms & quarks": ISBN 9780 9521099 69 (free).
-- "Remote Viewing of Ancient Times: Actual events from 100,000 BC to 500 BC":
ISBN 9780 9521099 21 (free download).
Notes:
4-D Books Ltd cannot supply items mentioned in this book, due to unavailability of
product liability insurance (at reasonable cost). See DISCLAIMER on next page, page 4.
.
Related products can be obtained from: www.toolsforwellness.com and others,
or by typing search words into a Google search.
.
Information not covered in this book: You may be interested in the effect of strong
magnetic fields on the brain. A free download of “Guide to Magnetic Stimulation” by
R. Jalinous can be obtained from the website of The Magstim Company Limited, UK.
(Contact below for a copy if it cannot be found).
.
The aim of this book is to avoid psychoactive drugs and to obtain similar results using
other methods, such as electronic devices. Entry to advanced meditation is facilitated,
and, the book is relevant to mind-states leading to inventive ability in technology.
Important: See Warning on last page (page 188).
Correspondence to: [email protected]
List of Figures 4
DISCLAIMER
No responsibility is accepted for any use of light & sound machines etc
described in this book. This book contains descriptions of what the author
did and experienced, and what others have reported (as referenced).
No responsibility is accepted for any adverse effects.
See warnings on page 188.
The instructions/procedures were written by the author for his own use,
and their appearance in this e-book is not a suggestion or recommendation
for them to be used by anyone else: this book is an account of what the
author did, following the normal scholarly practice of reporting all results
obtained in a set of experiments. It is not a recommendation for anyone to
copy anything described in this e-book.
5
PREFACE
This book is for those who wish to know what may lie beyond
the “normal”:
There is something beyond what our normal 5 senses reveal.
The aim of this book is to explain drug-free methods for this investigation.
These are relevant both to mind-states leading to inventive ability in technology,
and, to entry to advanced meditative mind-states.
VISUALISATION: An exploration of what lies beyond the normal 5 senses:
The author describes how he entered a state of consciousness beyond the normal
5 senses, in which he was simultaneously awake and asleep according to an EEG
(electro-encephalograph) recording, which allowed perception of vivid visual images.
.
This expanded third edition describes this major new advance in Chapter A (ii),
a very rapid method for obtaining visual imagery, while wide awake, for those
who can get little or no imagery with closed eyes.
This method is new, easy, quick, and really works, and was found to be
effective in the first few attempts, requiring easily-constructed low-cost
circuitry, and it only needed very passive attention. The simple device
captures the user’s attention due to its entertaining display of flashing lights,
so no advanced ability of mind control techniques was required.
Important: See Warning on last page (page 188).
--o0o--
From time immemorial, visualisation seems to always have been the
prerogative of a few artists or advanced meditators. For the average person,
uncontrolled dreams were the only source of visual creativity.
The mingling of science and art can be seen in the inspired paintings,
sculptures and inventions of Leonardo Da Vinci and Michael Angelo (The
Creation in Rome and David statue in Florence).
But with the industrial revolution, further separation of the two occurred;
logic and analysis took dominance. As we progress and modernise our world,
this gap leaves us empty and isolated from our inner being. We probe
for ways to "find" ourselves.
Yoga, meditation, chanting etc are prescribed, but in our busy lives, our
progress using these traditional methods is slow. Sceptics cannot see the
need or link between modern living and ancient rituals. Scientists and
engineers see no meeting of paths between their analytical thinking and
esoteric or intangible dreams. There is a chasm between academic ability
and the intuition needed for invention, but intuition is ignored by most
academics.
A few investigators however have tried to understand what lies beyond our
obvious abilities. Today, major advances in electronics development has
placed at our disposal a range of sophisticated techniques which we can use
to examine ourselves and our brains in order to understand why the process
6
of visualisation occurs more readily for some than for others. A simple
method is now available to allow vivid visualisation, even if none at all was
possible before.
The understanding of our brain rhythms and how these are affected by our
state of visualisation, relaxation, thinking etc is the corner stone of further
development. With this knowledge we are now able to use electronic
equipment to guide our brain rhythms so that we can achieve any desired
brain-state. These techniques speed the process of visualisation, creativity,
meditation, relaxation etc which take much longer by traditional means.
This book aims to explain these new techniques and the processes involved.
Chapter A (ii) describes a new fast method for vivid visual images while
wide awake, with eyes closed. In the author’s case, the commonest images
are trees, with the author’s point of vision moving slowly past them, at night
or twilight, highly stereoscopic, but seeming more like ghosts of trees then
trees. It is easy to stop the movement, or to see them moving in the
opposite direction. After a few minutes it is possible for them to brighten up
like normal daylight trees, with green leaves and branches swaying in the wind.
The images were not only of trees – grey stone cottages in a village street and
aerial views of a distant town were also seen.
This is somewhat like the “dream-world”, and opens up the question of
whether parts of it may be real (as reported by Remote Viewers), and parts
of it may be virtual, which opens up the easy possibility of creating one’s own
virtual world while fully wide awake but without a computer!
A search through some literature revealed possible hints, from what others
have mentioned:
Dante (1300) and William Blake (~1800) describe dark forests, as do some
psychoactive drug takers of today. The present author takes no drugs, and
the simple electronic method described in Chapter A (ii) is of course
completely drug-free. But see the "Warning" section on page 188 (last page).
Although Dante’s “Inferno” mentions dark forests several times, the present
author did not see or sense anything sinister whatsoever, while moving
through the dark forests perceived when using the electronic method in
Chapter A (ii) !
Important: This chapter A (ii) describes fast entry into deep meditative
states which may otherwise may take years to achieve. The immediate (and
drug-free) visions can be used as a starting point for advanced meditation.
Chapter 2 gives us the background and explains our brain activity and how
this can be scientifically measured. This is explained in simple non-technical
language for accessibility.
C
Chapter 3 explains the different functions of both our right and left brain
hemispheres, and the possibility of activating the right hemisphere to
increase our creative abilities; most of us have a very dominant left brain
activity, for logic and deduction. The enhancement of right brain activity
would therefore add a new dimension to our performance. Mind training is
therefore very important and is covered in Chapter 4, where various
traditional meditation techniques are presented, and their role in increasing
visualisation is discussed.
Chapter 10 describes flotation tanks and how these can be used to amplify
the subconscious simply by removing the everyday “noisy” sensory input from
our usual five senses, which normally “drown it out”. Relaxation and drug-
free imagery are immediate results, when relaxation is achieved in the tank.
8
Chapter 11 describes other useful electronic devices, such as the cranial
electrical stimulator (CES) which can be used to reduce pain by increasing our
endorphin production. Ganzfeld ('entire field') units are used to remove
thoughts from our mind and help us relax. Finally, “dream machines” are
used to make us self-conscious and aware in our dreams, so that we are able
to guide them and remember them. These are also discussed in Chapter B.
-o0o-
Training of the mind to bring out our latent creative abilities and balancing
our logical minds is now an accepted concept by businessmen, sportsmen
and even the US army as a means of improved performance. The techniques
described in this book are now extensively used in the USA and increasingly
in Europe and elsewhere.
-oOo-
9
Chapter A: Methods for lucid dreaming & for fast visual imagery
But it is possible to learn how to think while in the alpha state, and
even to solve problems while in it, e.g. the physicist Albert Einstein
was able to solve problems while in an alpha state.
The alpha state borders on the next-lower state, the theta state
(about 6 Hz), which is responsible for creative and intuitive
faculties. THETA (~ 6 Hz) is the dreaming-sleep state.
So the alpha state is the doorway to the theta state, but the
everyday beta state is 'once-removed' from theta:
BETA Æ ALPHA Æ THETA Æ DELTA
awake Æ no thoughts Æ dreaming Æ sleep
20 Hz Æ 10 Hz Æ 6 Hz Æ 1 Hz
NOTE: The last parts of Chapter A (i) and of Chapter A (ii) contain practical
circuits developed and used by the author for lucid dreaming, and for rapid
perception of visual images while wide awake (with eyes closed). The latter,
in {Chapter A (ii)} is of much more interest to readers interested in greatly
improved meditation methods and / or in methods of increasing one's intuitive
and inventive ability (Cf Edison's method of entering inventive mind-states).
So it is recommended to read the author's experiences in Chapter A (ii) first.
Important: See "Warning" section on last page (page 188).
CHAPTER A
.
Chapter A (i), and especially A (ii) give rapid methods for "looking within".
Chapter A (ii) is the result of many years of developing a new fast method for
vivid imagery. The method involves placing the mind into a state of deep
sleep while simultaneously retaining normal fullly wide awake consciousness,
using a simple electronic device. The author describes here what he did for his
own use, and the reader must read the "Warning" section on page 188 (last page).
.
This is relevant to those who have tried meditation alone or at a retreat, but
have not been able to develop any significant exploration of "inner worlds".
--o0o--
Abstract
Key words: lucid dream, dream, consciousness, lucid dream method, stroboscope, brain hemisphere
Lucid dreaming
Everyone experiences the first four states, but lucid dreams are very rare unless one takes steps to
induce them.
The different states of consciousness listed above can sometimes overlap as mixed experiences. For
instance, hypnagogia may involve no imagery, but has been variously described as characterised by
visions of half-sleep, ‘faces in the dark’, ‘oneiragogic images,’ etc. (Mavromatis, 2010).
An example of a vivid dream transitioning into a lucid dream is given by Celia Green (1968) in her
classic book on lucid dreaming. It begins as a vivid dream that turns into a lucid dream. She quotes
from Delage (1919):
I find myself in Paris, on Rue Soufflot, where it meets Boulevard Saint-Michel. I am standing
on the pavement, which is on one’s right when going towards the Pantheon and I am looking
towards the other side of the road, where I see an enormous second-hand bookshop. Long
counters stretch along the shop-front under arcades, and there are assistants perched on
ladders arranging the books. On the ground between the pillars there are tables loaded with
books, and there are passers-by browsing through them and even people sitting to read. I look
at this spectacle with a certain surprise, but without remembering in my dream that this is not
in accord with reality. I know very well that in that position there is no second-hand bookshop
but a large café. But in my dream I do not remember this.
I move away, and a short distance away on the boulevard, between the street corner and the
Medici fountain, I join a group of loiterers who are gathered around a contortionist. At this
moment I become analytical. I remember coming to Paris the day before, which was a
Saturday, and it occurs to me that the next day, Monday, I shall come again to Paris, as usual,
for the meeting of the Academy. And from this I conclude that today is a Sunday. Then I say to
myself, ‘How is it that I came here on a Sunday? This is hardly ever the case.’ And at once it
Chapter A(i) Lucid Dreaming 13
dawns on me: ‘ If it is Sunday and I think I am in Paris, I must be dreaming.’ The dream
immediately becomes completely lucid, without losing any of its hallucinatory character nor
any of its vividness.
Thus, the consideration that brought me to the conviction I was dreaming was not the weighty
argument that the corner of the Rue Soufflot seems to be occupied by a shop which (in reality,
but not in my dream, for the memory does not occur to me) I know very well is not there, but in
this very feeble argument I find myself in Paris on a day when I am not usually there.
Celia Green (1968) gives many typical lucid dream examples. She comments it may be hard to
classify whether one is experiencing a lucid dream or an OBE. An example is given below.
Oliver Fox (1968) asked a friend to appear in his room during a dream and reports:
“The following evening we met and I found Elsie very excited and triumphant. ‘I did come to
you!’ she greeted me. ‘I really did. I went to sleep willing that I would, and all at once I was
there! This morning I knew just how everything was, in your room, but I’ve been forgetting it all
day – it’s been slipping away.’ She described in detail the following:
(i) Relative positions of door, bed, window, fireplace, wash-stand, chest of drawers,
dressing table.
(ii) The window had some small panes instead of the usual larger ones.
(iii) That I was lying, eyes open, on the left side of a double bed and seemed dazed.
(iv) An old-fashioned pin cushion, unusual for a man’s room.
(v) A black Japanese box covered with red raised figures.
(vi) A leather-covered desk lined with gilt, sunk plate on top for handle to fall back into,
standing on the chest of drawers. She described how she was running her fingers
along a projection ridge on the front of this desk.”
Green adds:
It is of interest that Fox initially thought that the last of these details was incorrect, and that
what the subject had taken for a projecting ridge was merely a gilt line on the leather.
However, having asserted that there was no projecting ridge anywhere on his desk, he later
discovered that Elsie was correct: Fox noted: “The desk was placed to front the wall, and the
hinges (which I had quite forgotten) made a continuous projecting gilt ridge just as she had
described. Owing to its position she had naturally mistaken the back of the desk for the front.”
Dreaming that I was walking along a road – straight and I think walled on one side – I realised
I was dreaming. I knew this was a thing I had been trying to do and thought, ‘Now I can make
something happen’. I thought I would like to have an apple. I saw a patch on the road ahead
and thought, ‘By the time that I reach that, it will be an apple’. Before reaching it, I found I had
another apple in my hand. I examined it, thinking, ‘Quite a creditable imitation of an apple’.
Lamberton, in a state of hypnagogia at the end of a sleep, had a lucid vision of a blackboard of
geometric drawings on it, which solved a problem he had been trying to solve by a different method.
This is an example of a vivid vision/dream from which a scientific proof (invention) arose. Another
example is that of the mathematician Poincare who invented Fuschian Functions. Probably they were
still in a dream-type of mental state as they awoke, or they would not have seen these in a
vision/image, for example as a blackboard.
Chapter A(i) Lucid Dreaming 14
It seems most promising to develop a state which may expand one’s faculties in ways that are beyond
normal self-consciousness, as an exploratory quest, perhaps even leading to out of the body
experiences (OBEs). While associations are sometimes noted between lucid dreams and OBEs, a
discussion of the link between these is beyond the scope of this paper and for more on this the reader
is referred to Yushak (2009) and Green (1968).
Various mind-body methods have been employed to induce a lucid dreaming state.
Non-electronic methods
1. A fast, easy method to achieve lucid dreams is to use a flotation tank (Hutchison, 1984), but may
require several sessions. This is typically an 8 ft x 4 ft tank holding 10 inches of nearly saturated
solution of magnesium sulphate (BP or USP grade), at 35 degrees C (skin temperature). This creates
an ambience where there is no sense of touch. The room is dark and soundproof, so all five senses
receive no normal input. This causes the brain to “turn up its automatic gain control”, which brings
forward normally-subliminal inputs into one’s consciousness – a very unusual state to be in. Also, an
electroencephalograph (EEG) trace shows that bi-laterally symmetrical beta, alpha and theta
brainwaves are spontaneously produced, normally associated with advanced meditation. After less
than an hour, spontaneous bright images may appear, like a vivid dream, except that one is fully
awake and self-conscious. These may be scenes from long-past memories, or cartoon characters.
Several sessions may be needed to reach this state. Some call this a “WILD” (Waking-state Induced
Lucid Dream).
A flotation-tank-induced state of consciousness has a wide range of uses, including achieving self-
hypnosis for difficult subjects; pain relief (e.g., arthritis) achieved by endorphin release caused by the
tank experience; super-leaning for students, used, for example, by lawyers preparing mentally for
court case presentations and used by baseball team members before a game; improving athletic
performance; reducing smoking and drug use; achieving weight-loss; giving access to the right-brain
for creativity and enhancement of inventiveness; reducing stress and anxiety; and it appears
beneficial in prevention of heart disease (Hutchison, 1984).
2. A simple method, needing no equipment, is to look at one’s hands very frequently throughout the
day and try to make them disappear, as a test of whether one is awake or dreaming. If this simple test
is made habitual by being done very frequently during the day (which is surprisingly difficult to
remember to do!), this will then automatically be continued during dreams but then one’s hands will
disappear and this will trigger a realisation that one is dreaming, and at that moment of self-
consciousness the dream may become lucid. Through this process, one is inviting the left hemisphere
to become active during dreaming. The dream can then be consciously directed.
A simpler variant is just to look at one hand frequently during the day and then, when going to sleep,
decide to do the same in any dream. This action can trigger a lucid dream.
Another similar daytime exercise is to continually ask if one is dreaming or not by looking away and
back again and see if the scene has changed. If it has, you are dreaming.
Other such trigger methods are described in books on lucid dreaming by the Lucidity Institute (LaBerge
and Rheingold, 1990; Levitan and LaBerge, 1993).
3. Namkhai Norbu (1992) describes a retreat into a dark room for two or three days, which has been
used by western psychologists to produce vivid dreams. But the same production of visual imagery
Chapter A(i) Lucid Dreaming 15
can be obtained in hours instead of days by using a flotation tank, described in (1) above. See also
Appendix C.
Electronic methods
1. The “Dreamlight”® (Lucidity, web reference) utilizes a face mask containing LEDs which flash when
dreaming is detected by rapid eye movements (REM). This series of flashes alerts the dreamer,
within the dream, that he/she is dreaming, and this can trigger self-awareness. However, wearing a
face mask has the disadvantage that it may be hard to sleep while wearing it.
2. A thermistor (a resistor that changes with temperature) is taped to a nostril to monitor breathing
rate. Its resistance varies with temperature. One’s in-breaths are colder than out-breaths. One’s
breathing frequency increases during dreaming sleep, triggering a frequency meter to send tiny
electric shocks to the sleeper’s wrist, or to flashes of a bright strobe lamp. The dreamer perceives the
flashes in the dream as part of the dream, and then realises he is dreaming and a lucid dream is thus
triggered. People with epilepsy should not use the strobe flashing method because it can precipitate
seizures.
3. A simple lucid dreaming method is to make a recording of fifteen minutes of silence, followed by
one’s voice saying, “This is a dream. You are dreaming.” If this is played late at night when one is
sleepy and seated in an easy chair, one may fall into hypnagogia within fifteen minutes and this may
transfer into a lucid dream. A free program called “Audacity” to make this recording, is available from
Audacity (web reference) and the recording can be copied to an I-pod or other recording device and
listened to with earphones. In addition, earphones may be uncomfortable in bed, but perfectly alright
when sitting in an easy chair.
4. Applications ("Apps") are now available on the I-pod Touch and I-phone, which wake one up during
rapid eye movement (REM) sleep - the best state for lucid dreams.
a. One App is called "Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock" and is meant to wake you up only during a dream,
giving a better wake-up feeling than an ordinary alarm clock, which may wake you in non-dreaming
deep sleep and can leave you feeling disgruntled. This App detects dreaming sleep from the fact that
one moves position slightly when dreaming, and then it sounds an alarm. Instead of using the
programmed audible alarm, which would just wake one up, the output socket on the I-pod Touch can
be taken off as in Figure 1 and used as shown in Figures 2 and 3 to trigger lucid dreams. (See further
details and explanations in Appendix B, and the Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock display in Figure 5.)
For the Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock, the I-pod Touch can be used to detect REM sleep by using the
accelerometer which is built into an I-pod Touch or an I-phone. This allows dreaming to be detected
with nothing worn on the face and no sensor connected anywhere on the person while sleeping.
Nothing is in contact with the body. This is a very major advantage, as one can sleep quite normally,
unencumbered by attached sensors. The author of this article found the system works well for its
user. A potential drawback is the use of strobe light flashes, but in this case another person sleeping
nearby was not disturbed by the light flashes. (See Appendix B, Figure 2 for the strobe setup.)
b. An alternative to a strobe for the same method is to use a device intended as a “Snore Stopper”
which can also be run from an I-pod. The type tested by the author is shown in a separate article
(Hocking, web reference). It is worn like a wristwatch and is less convenient than the strobe, because
it requires a sensor to be worn. The only advantage of the snore stopper method is that it would not
cause epileptic seizures. When the I-pod is triggered by REM sleep, its signal can power either the
strobe or the “snore stopper” device. The latter has an electret microphone which is meant to pick up
sounds of snoring that persist for more than about 8 seconds, and then it delivers tiny electric shocks
to the wrist, which rouses the snorer just enough to make him/her stop snoring, but without waking
Chapter A(i) Lucid Dreaming 16
him/her up. This has been found to alert a dreaming sleeper sufficiently to become lucid in his/her
dream.
Lily contains galantamine, which is known to cause lucid dreams. Choline or Alpha GPC may
enhance this effect. In the author’s experience, there are no effects during the day in the normal
waking state, so this seems to be a morally acceptable herb/drug in that it is non-addictive and will not
alter the user’s behaviour in any ways that may affect others.
The extract from plantation-grown Red Spider Lily (Lycoris radiata) has a long history as an herbal
treatment. For thousands of years people have used it for dream enhancement, as a headache
treatment and for its positive effect on memory recall.
An herbal extract from the common snowdrop plant has long been used for improving memory in
Eastern Europe. In experiments for the USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a synthetic version
of this extract known as galantamine improves the memory of those with Alzheimers disease. These
studies revealed an odd side effect, namely that those in the study reported significantly more dreams
and enhanced dream recall. (See Appendix A for further practical details on the use of Galantamine.)
Other methods
The author has experienced what were undistinguishable from lucid dreams but which also seemed
like OBEs, leading me to suggest that the dream state involves some aspect of the astral. On
returning from Hawaii to the UK, the author had considerable jet lag and while waking from the first
night’s sleep back in the UK, the author’s bedroom appeared as it is, except that garlands of flowers
were hanging on the walls. The field of view was a full 360 degrees, but at the instant of waking, the
field of view snapped back to the normal 170 degrees and the garlands vanished.
Sleeping at unusual times has been cited as a method for lucid dream induction, such as getting up at
the usual time in the morning and then going back to bed to sleep again (LaBerge & Rheingold,
1980).
The following reports are included on a possible link between OBEs and lucid dreams. On such a
link, see also Green (1968) who says lucid dreams are closely related to OBEs and gives many
examples, and Yuschak (2009).
Appolonius of Tyana (Hocking, 2011) wrapped wool around himself to obtain out-of-the-body
experiences (OBEs), which possibly relates to one of the flotation tank features of making the
environment temperature equal to the skin temperature. A flotation tank (Hocking, 2011) can produce
spontaneous “WILDs” (wake induced lucid dreams) but this is beyond the scope of this paper.
It is also reported that wrapping oneself up completely like an Egyptian mummy, also causes out-of-
the-body experiences.
Ashcroft-Nowicki (1980s) recommends that we might use the following exercise: Imagine an old
wooden door, with massive hinges (which will appear – depending on the depth of one’s degree of
visualisation). Through the doorway you see a wild moorland on one side and on the other side a set
of cliffs, washed by a grey wind-swept sea. You exit and lock the door behind you, placing the key in
your pocket. A detailed “pathworking” journey follows. Ancient archetypal paths can be used, defined
Chapter A(i) Lucid Dreaming 17
by scenes on Tarot cards (for example, Tarot trump card XXI is an “astral doorway” – a path between
Malkuth (Earth) and Yesod (“Astral”) in Kabbalistic terms (Z’ev ben Shimon Halevi [Warren Kenton],
1979). After such journeys, return through the door and lock it behind you. It is important to ensure
that you are fully back in your own space and time (Hocking, 1993). Surprising revelations from your
subconscious may be obtained by this method. See also last para. of Conclusions (after Chapter 11).
See also references (Hocking, 1993; and Hocking, web reference) for more information on brain
hemisphere activity, EEG usage, biofeedback, light and sound devices, cranial electrical stimulators,
Ganzfeld, pathworking, and flotation tanks and for a free download of related information by the
author.
An indication that a hypnagogic state (which is the precursor of the full sleep state) can yield valuable
applied results is evidenced by a procedure used by Thomas Edison, who was an incredibly prolific
inventor. He used to relax in an easy chair while holding a rubber ball in his hand, and dozed towards
sleep. Falling asleep caused him to release the ball, which then fell onto a metal sheet on the floor
that caused a noise sufficient to jar his consciousness enough for him to bring into his waking state
many ideas for inventions. I would speculate that Edison’s method may have led him into the theta
brainwave dream-state which has many possibilities for creative consciousness. Cade and Coxhead
(1989), using the Mind Mirror EEG (web reference), found that theta brainwaves increased in
amplitude in the hypnagogic and dreaming states. Theta brainwaves (about 6 Hz) are associated with
dreaming and meditative states, and are produced by experienced meditators but are absent in the
normal waking state. Edison developed over a thousand inventions that were patented, many of which
he obtained by his above special hypnagogic relaxation method, which he had devised for that
purpose.
It is not known if Edison’s hypnagogic reveries came only as ideas or as dream imagery, but many
others report distinct imagery during hypnagogic states, which generated important literary and
scientific contributions. Of note is Coleridge’s “Kubla Khan”; in writing this, Coleridge experienced a
daydream in which ‘all the images rose up as things’ (Koestler, 1981).
Poems, ideas for novels and entire novels have arisen in hypnagogic states (Mavromatis, 2010).
Emily Bronte describes hypnagoic imagery in writing Wuthering Heights and Villette (Mavromatis,
2010). Charles Dickens derived many of his stories during hypnagogia, but it is not known if this
generated ideas only, or imagery (Mavromatis, 2010). The author F. Miller (1906) describes in detail
how a novel arose, with her eyes closed, from imagery involving the Incas (Mavromatis, 2010).
Jean Cocteau, on waking, visualised a play, as if he were watching it in a theatre, which he later
published as “The Knights of the Round Table” (Mavromatis, 2010). Mavromatis gives many other
such examples of dreaming, sometimes lucid dreaming, of material useful for various purposes.
Other examples are given by Green & Green (1977), but too detailed to summarise here.
Probably the best-known example of a dream-state which yielded valuable scientific information was
that of the organic chemist, Friedrich Kekule, who reported, “I fell into a reverie, and lo!, the atoms
were gambolling before my eyes … I saw how, frequently, two smaller atoms united to form a pair,
how a larger one embraced two smaller ones … I saw the larger ones form a chain … I spent part of
the night putting on paper the sketches of these dream forms.” Kekule had a series of such visions,
the most famous one being on the ring structure of benzene. He did not ‘direct’ the dream, nor use
the term ‘lucid dreaming.’
Chapter A(i) Lucid Dreaming
18
Numerous other examples are given by Celia Green (1968) in her classic book on lucid dreaming.
A wide variety of examples demonstrate the broad spectrum of dreaming and inspirational mental
states, particularly in the spectrum of vivid and lucid dreaming. If one considers that there are other
zones of consciousness besides our normal three dimensional world and our ordinary conscious
state, it seems worthwhile expanding our own consciousness to include these. Such exploration
would increase one’s inner knowledge.
Acknowledgement
The author gratefully acknowledges the encouragement and helpful suggestions given by Dr Daniel
Benor, Editor-in-Chief, IJHC.
References
Ashcroft-Nowicki, D, Highways of the Mind, The Shining Paths, Inner Landscapes, etc, UK: Aquarian
Press (1980s)
Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net
Cade, C. Maxwell; Coxhead, N., The Awakened Mind, UK: Element Books 1989.
Castaneda, C., Tales of Power, and other titles, London: Penguin, 1977.
Fox, O., Astral Projection, USA: University Books (1962) and Citadel Press, NJ.
Geiger, J., The Third Man Factor: True Stories of Survival in Extreme Environments, Lulu Enterprises,
2006.
Grant, J., Winged Pharaoh, USA: Ariel Press (1985). Ariel Press also publish 9 more of her ‘past lives
memories’ books.
Green, C.E., Lucid Dreaming, Oxford, UK: Institute of Psychophysical Research (1968).
Green E.; Green, A., Beyond Biofeedback, USA: Delacorte Press, 1977. A recommended information
source book.
Hocking, M.G., World Religion & History back to 70,000 BC, Discovered by Remote Viewing, London:
www.4-D.org.uk/Books, 2011.
Hocking, M.G., Exploring the Sub-conscious using New Technology, London: CMC Ltd www.4-
D.org.uk/Books, 1993. (IGNORE THIS -- it is the First Edition of this present book))
Koestler, A., The Act of Creation, London: Pan Books, 1981, p.167.
Lama Surya Das, Tibetan Dream Yoga, USA: Sounds True, 2000.
Chapter A(i) Lucid Dreaming 19
LaBerge, S.; Rheingold, H., Exploring the world of Lucid Dreaming, New York, Ballantine Books, 1990.
Levitan, L.; LaBerge, S, A Course in Lucid Dreaming, USA: The Lucidity Institute Inc, 1993, AND:
Dreamlight Operation Manual, model DLX, USA: idem: www.lucidity.com
Lucidity www.lucidity.com
Mavromatis, A., Hypnagogia, London: Thyrsos Press, 2010. A recommended information source book.
Namkhai Norbu, C., Dream Yoga, USA: Snow Lion Publications, 2002.
Persinger, M.A., J. Neuropsychiatry Clin. Neurosci, 2001, 13: 515-524. Full text free on line from:
http://neuro.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/13/4/515
Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, The Tibetan Yogas of Dream & Sleep, New York: Snow Lion Publications,
1998.
Yuschak, T., Advanced Lucid Dreaming, ISBN 978-1-4303-0542-2, Toronto: Viking Canada (2009).
Z’ev ben Shimon Halevi (Warren Kenton), Kabalah, London: Thames & Hudson (1979).
"Remote Viewing observations of atoms & quarks" (free full-text downloadable Google e-book).
For a free download of more information related to the topic of the present paper see:
www.4-D.org.uk/Books
Chapter A(i) Lucid Dreaming 20
APPENDIX A: Resources
Yuschak (2009) has published research papers and a book on galantamine, which is essential
reading on this topic. He covers use of herbal supplements (which, unlike narcotic drugs, do not alter
one’s waking behaviour) to produce immediate lucid dreams and out of body experiences (OBEs),
including seamless transition from waking awareness to induced lucid dreamstate consciousness
(‘WILD’). Herbal supplements are also discussed by Hocking (2011).
This appendix explains the simple electronics for those who wish to put together a practical I-pod
device for triggering lucid dreams.
The required application programme (“App”) is called “Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock” (v. 3.0.1) (Maciek
Drejak Labs AB, 2010), and is available from the
I-Tunes on-line shop (Health & Fitness section) for only £0.69 or US$1.00.
The App allows a “song” of one’s own to be inserted and used as the wake-up alarm, which is played
by the App only when REM dreaming is detected, within a 45 minute window immediately before a
chosen wake-up time. To trigger the audio switch, 3 claps at about half-second intervals are
recommended by the audio switch manufacturer, but it was more reliable to make up one’s own
recording with 3 sounds (not claps), half a second apart, such as:“pah, pah, pah”, spoken staccato
and very loud, which the I-pod voice recorder will record. A recording is available from the writer if
there is difficulty with this. This recording has never failed to trigger the audio switch.
When using this, set the volume (when in the App programme) to maximum.
The aim is to convert the “song” output from the I-pod’s App, into a signal that will switch on a strobe
light at a settable flash frequency for a (settable) time interval of about 10 seconds, after which the
circuit will switch the strobe off and lock out any further strobe activations.
The audio output socket on the I-pod was used (see Figure 1) to activate the relays in the circuit of Figure
2.
Notes: Observe polarity! This is a 2 metre twin wire from the I-pod stereo jack socket, to the
electret microphone in the audio switch shown in Figure 3.
This is the only item in this paper that needs soldering.
The 22µF electrolytic capacitor has its negative end connected to the 10K quarter-watt
resistor and its function is to block the low DC voltage which exists across the electret
microphone terminals. (Electret microphones have about 3 volts DC across their terminals,
to work.)
Chapter A(i) Lucid Dreaming 22
Figure 2. Relay circuit
Notes: This setup uses two relays: RL1 is RS Type 348-245, a high sensitivity type with a 12 volt
DC input into pins 5 & 7, which switches the relay RL1 contacts.
RL1 has a 12 volt DC coil (pins 2 & 10), powered by a second 12 volt DC output PSU, which was
plugged into the mains socket strip (see Figure 6). NB: Correct DC polarities are observed for both
of the PSUs. See Figure 6 for block diagram of all connections.
The first 12 volt DC PSU (observe correct polarity) is plugged into the output socket of the audio
switch, and when it is switched on, it sends a 12 volt DC signal to the input pins (5 & 7) of RL1
which activates the Figure 2 circuit, which powers the strobe for the time period set on the time
delay relay RL2. NC = 'normally closed' and NO = 'normally open'. 'Normally' = with power off.
RL2 is RS Type 340-617 time delay relay with a 240 volt AC coil. RL2 pins 13 & 14 are its mains
240 volts AC coil, and the other pins are self-explanatory from the diagram. The base for RL2 is
RS 493-6341. This schematic of Figure 2 shows the base to be round, but it is oblong in fact.
For 115 volts AC mains, equivalent components are available. An Earth (Ground) connection is
needed (not shown) – see caption of Figure 6.
Chapter A(i) Lucid Dreaming 23
Safety:
We live in an increasingly litigious age. The author stresses that everything throughout this paper
must be taken as an account of what the author did (even if it may appear otherwise from the local
text in the articles) and cannot be used as the basis for any claim against the author, that is the author
does not intend the articles in this document to be a suggestion for anyone else to copy what he did.
For instance, if an author writes an article on bungee jumping, then he cannot be sued if someone
copies what he did and then claims to have been injured. (Note: Never try bungee jumping – the
deceleration can detach your retinas!)
(1) The circuit design (Figure 2) of this unit uses relays to keep it simple by needing only a
screwdriver. But if a user has any doubt about safety, advice from a qualified electrician should be
sought or the assembly job done by a qualified electrician.
(2) There should be no electrical hazard from the I-pod, as it is meant to be usable while connected
to its mains charger, but as an extra essential safeguard, the 4-outlet mains strip which powers
everything was plugged into an RCD (residual current detector) safety switch, which are commonly
used for electric lawnmower safety.
This also allowed everything to be turned on and off together by just pressing the red test button on
the RCD. A block diagram of all the interconnections is in Figure 6.
The mains output socket (to power the strobe light) must have a surge protector plugged into it,
because RL2 switch contacts are rated at 3 A resistive load, and could be damaged if an inductive
load is switched. The system was not left on all day (because the time delay relay coil would remain
“on”). To prevent this, everything was always switched off after waking, hopefully after a lucid dream.
(4) A non-electrical safety aspect is possible stroboscopic effects on people with epilepsy, including
as-yet un-diagnosed epilepsy. This requires the author to say that no-one with a history of epilepsy,
Chapter A(i) Lucid Dreaming 24
seizure dysfunction, or psychiatric or neurological disorders, should use flashing lights without taking
medical advice from a qualified practitioner. But the strobe is only on for about 10 seconds and when
the user is expected to be asleep. Caution: See the very last page (188) of this e-book.
IMPORTANT: If the author happened to be awake when the strobe light flashed, he kept his eyes
closed – as it is important not to look directly at powerful flashing lights. Never look at a strobe with
eyes open.
Note: A baby’s eyes can be damaged by photoflash lights – never use a strobe in their presence, and
never take photoflash camera pictures of babies.
Instructions used:
The “App” Alarm was set to a time about 30 minutes before normal waking-up time. It would then
respond to the REM sleep periods which are likely to occur within the 45 minutes before this set time.
The time delay relay (RL2) was set at first to 6 seconds, but if this did not trigger a lucid dream, this
delay time was increased. But if it woke the user up, instead of triggering a lucid dream, the delay
time was decreased. The delay time is the time for which the strobe is powered on. The strobe was
set to an (optimum) flash frequency (Levitan & LaBerge, 1993) between 2 and 4 flashes per second;
this can also be varied (at the strobe unit).
Useful reading: references (LaBerge & Rheingold, 1990) and (Levitan & LaBerge, 1993).
To stop the I-pod falling off the corner of the bed, the best method is to use a “bulldog” clip as in
Figure 4 to secure the plastic angle.
The relay switch contacts are wired such that further trigger signals (if any occur) are locked out (so
that no further unwanted strobe activations occur).
Chapter A(i) Lucid Dreaming 25
Place the I-pod face down where the words “bedsheet” are written in this figure.
The plastic angle (from DIY shops) is about 1 inch x 1 inch x 6 inch. Round off the upper
corners to avoid being scratched by it.
The bulldog clip stops the angle from slipping. Use two clips, spaced apart.
Chapter A(i) Lucid Dreaming 26
Figure 5. I-pod Touch, or I-phone, in use with the
Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock APP
IMPORTANT: The I-pod as is wrongly shown about to be covered in Figure 5! It will overheat: see
text on this point. (The APP will probably not work with Tempur® mattresses which are very
compliant to body contours, but a piece of hardboard could be tried, under the pillow and extending
under the I-pod.)
Website: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/sleep-cycle-alarm-clock/id320606217?mt=8&Is=1
Cost of the "App" is £0.69
NOTE: Airplane Mode must be set, to avoid unhealthy radiation from aerial all through the night when
asleep!
REM (light sleep) periods are peaks on the graph. When sleeping, small body movements are made
only in REM sleep periods and are then detected. The slightest movement of the I-Pod Touch
activates its internal detector (accelerometer), which then sounds music as an alarm to wake you up.
But instead of waking one with music, three sharp sounds can be used to trigger an audio switch
which triggers a strobe light. This alerts one within the dream. One then becomes aware that one is
dreaming and one’s dream-state changes to lucid.
Chapter A(i) Lucid Dreaming 27
Figure 6. “Block diagram” of all connections for the strobe method
Important: The mains supply has 3 wires: Live (L), Neutral (N) and Earth or Ground (not
shown). The Earth (Ground) connection is essential for the safety RCD to work.
Outlet 3 has a surge protector adapter plugged into it, with 2 outlet sockets on it.
The strobe was plugged into the output socket of Figure 2 (“Mains output socket” in
Figure 2), and that output socket must have a surge protector plugged into it.
Circuit Notes:
Figure 2: Two points marked L (in): Connection for 240 volt AC mains power input from the RCD via a
surge protector (e.g. RS 209-112). See Figure 6.
Figure 2: One point marked N (in): Connection for mains neutral power input from the RCD (via surge
protector as above).
Figure 2 “Mains output socket” L (out) & N (out): These wires connect to a single mains output socket,
containing (another) surge protector into which the strobe (or other device) plugs in, and so becomes
powered by the relay circuit shown above.
Figure 2 “Input”: This is for a 12 volt DC input from a 12 volt DC PSU plugged into an audio switch,
which triggers the relays in circuit of Figure 2, to activate the strobe for a fixed time interval set by the
time delay relay, RL2.
“NO” means these relay contacts are “Normally Open” and they close only of the relay coil is
energised.
“NC” means these relay contacts are “Normally Closed” and they open only when the relay coil is
energised. Both relay switches are “double throw” types, DPDT (double pole double throw). DP
means there are two separate sets of switch contacts.
Chapter A(i) Lucid Dreaming 28
Note that pins 7 & 10 of RL1 are connected together internally (not shown on above diagram).
Figure 2 “PSU”: is a +12 volt DC power supply unit, of the commonly available type which powers
many small electronic appliances. It is plugged into the same 240 volt mains power supply strip that
powers the above Figure 2 circuit and its +12 volt output is connected to pins 2 & 10 of RL1 (coil). It
is on, for all of the time that the mains supply to the relays is on.
Note that there are two separate +12 volt DC power supply units: one is plugged into the audio switch,
and another which is connected to pins 5 & 7 of RL1.
A detailed technical explanation of the relay switching logic is given on the author’s website, with other
information: www.4-D.org.uk/Books and click on UPDATE for a free download.
A suitable strobe is the 45 watt Maplin LG38R, which is £30 and mains powered. It was placed on some
furniture near the bed. A cheaper (£18) strobe (Maplin N97JB) should suffice if placed only 2 feet away.
Testing:
After recording the “song” (pah, pah, pah) in an I-pod or I-phone, it was loaded into the Sleep Cycle
Alarm Clock App, which allows one’s own “song” to be used instead of the list they provide. For
testing purposes, this “song” (3 loud “pah” sounds, to trigger the audio switch) can also be played
outside of the App by just selecting it from the playlist or wherever it is stored in the I-pod.
Or, instead of using the I-pod, the user simply says 3 loud “pah” sounds into the audio switch direct (it
has an internal microphone) and watches its 3 LEDs light up in sequence, and this should flash the
strobe and it should stop flashing after the set delay time has elapsed.
Or, just tap the side of the audio switch 3 times at half-second intervals.
There are 3 LED lights on the audio switch (Figure 3) and each light should illuminate on each of the 3
“pah” sounds. Only if all 3 LEDs light up, will the audio switch be triggered. This is to reject spurious
sounds.
If the audio switch is triggered, the LED light on the mains to 12 volt DC adapter which is plugged into
it, will light. This adapter activates the first relay, RL1 in Figure2. Relay 1’s coil is powered by a
separate 12 volt DC adapter.
Chapter A(i) Lucid Dreaming 29
Parts List:
RL1 is RS part no 348-245, @ £20, and base 342-569, @ £3.
Web reference: http://docs-europe.electrocomponents.com/webdocs/10ea/0900766b810ea7bb.pdf
RL2 is a time delay relay such as RS type part no 340-617, and base RS 493-6341.
Web reference: http://docs-europe.electrocomponents.com/webdocs/002b/0900766b8002b957.pdf
These are from RS Components UK (see internet catalogue).
Two surge protectors are required, e.g. RS part no 209-112, which is also a 3-way 13 amp plug
adapter, convenient to plug into. Alternatively, a similar device which contains a varistor (rated at 360
volts) can be used. See Figure 6.
PSU (Power supply unit): AC-to-DC type, e.g. from Maplin, P/N L82BF. This type has a rather bright
LED showing it is on. Some other types have a dimmer LED, but some indicator lamp is desirable to
easily show if it is on or off. Two such regulated PSUs are needed, each giving 12 volts DC output. A
low current output is needed, so no need for a high current model.
STROBE: Maplin LG38R, 45 watt, 240 volt AC, which is £30; or N97JB (£18).
AUDIO SWITCH: See Figure 3.
APPENDIX C
The so-called “Dream Yogis” of Tibet report the ability of maintaining continuous unbroken
consciousness, day and night. Namkhai Norbu (1992) suggests visualisation of a letter A on a
blackboard before sleeping and again on waking, and other methods for lucid dream induction.
Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche (1998) provides a similar approach, too detailed to summarise here. Lama
Surya Das (2000) has produced an audio course on achieving lucid dreaming which is a worthwhile
approach.
Chapter A(i) Lucid Dreaming 30
Contact: [email protected]
Website: www.4-D.org.uk
TERMS OF USE
Different flashing light frequencies into the left & right eyes, are
known to produce imagery, but they are too blocked out by the
distracting flashing. The new feature described below, is to switch
off the beta frequency flashes into one eye, after about 10
minutes of beta & theta flashes into both eyes. Half the field of
view is then flash-free, and the whole field only flickers like an old
silent movie. This greatly reduces the swamping-out of imagery by
the flashes, and greatly increases the strength of the visions, and
also makes them very easy to maintain (stable).
The visions/imagery are somehow behind the flashes and the
flashes can weaken, and even disappear from view, due to
habituation. Extraneous thoughts do not disrupt the visions:
simple mental arithmetic can be done. The subject can then pass
on to advanced Buddhist or other forms of meditation.
** (Footnote): Some reports say such patterns are also seen without strobe lights.
Chapter A (ii): Rapid method for visual imagery 32
ABSTRACT
Rapid entry to a state of vivid visual imagery, starting from the normal waking
state, is reproducibly obtained using a modified stroboscopic method. The
modification removes most of the distracting flashing and allows imagery to
be perceived even by those who normally see only blackness when closing
their eyes. This approach is complementary to the use of 40 Hz tACS on
dreaming sleeping subjects, which can trigger lucid dreams. Mechanisms are
suggested. The method is relevant both to meditation and to develop the
inventive intuition ability needed to enhance technolgical invention.
INTRODUCTION
Voss et al [1] report that when sinusoidal 40 Hz transcranial alternating
current stimulation (tACS) is applied to the brain, lucid dreams are reported,
for a subject who is asleep and in a normal dreaming state. I.e. the subject
moves from the status of a conscious but passive observer (the normal
dream-state), to that of a self-conscious participator in the dream (a ‘lucid
dreamer’).
The new method reported here, approaches from the opposite direction, i.e.
with a subject (with eyes closed) who is wide awake, and who then has a
deep sleep brainwave state added to his existing wide awake brain-state,
both states then being simultaneous. This method produces immediate
vivid imagery, in the wide-awake state, even for those who normally can only
see blackness when closing their eyes. Important: See Warning on last page (page 188).
IMPORTANCE
Many dreams are products of the imagination and other subjective factors.
But semi-lucid dreams which solved actual problems in the objective world,
were used by Edison to bring forward inventions from his subconscious into
his conscious mind. Edison wrote over 1000 patents, and the subject of
dream enhancement is of great technological importance. Edison’s dream
method is described in Appendix 1.
Dreams are often misleadingly bizarre because the left brain is the logical
filter which normally removes bizarre ideas which arise in our right brain, the
intuitive inventive side. But when asleep, this left-brain logic filter is almost
inactive, and so bizarre dreams can result.
measurements then showed very large peaks at 38 Hz (even though the ramp
target was 18 Hz), and, also, at 1.5 Hz (even though the target was 6 Hz).
The 18 Hz flashes are then switched off, which reduces the distracting
flashing to an acceptable level. The 6 Hz flashes maintain the special state
of vivid imagery.
INTERPRETATION
This 38 Hz (gamma frequency) produced, is at the same maximum lucid
dreaming effect frequency of 40 Hz reported by Voss et al [1]. REM
dreaming sleep has a brain-wave frequency of about 6 Hz (theta), and deep
sleep has 1.5 Hz (delta). The dreaming subjects used by Voss et al [1] were
already in a theta and/or delta state, and were conscious of dreaming, but
not self-conscious (lucid) because they had negligible beta or gamma (beta is
the normal self-conscious brain-state). They just needed some beta or
gamma frequency to make them self-conscious, which Voss et al then added,
by using a tACS device. The significance of this is that 40 Hz indicates a
wide awake brain-state, and so this, when added to their dream state, caused
self-consciousness (a lucid dream began). This interpretation assumes that
the 40 Hz is causal.
This compares with the method reported below, which is to produce visual
images starting from a wide awake state, in which the subject already has
beta and gamma activity, and just needs sleep theta and/or delta activity to
produce the imagery characteristic of the dream state. The result is
comparable to a lucid dream-state. I.e. the method reported here
approaches the result of Voss et al [1], but starting from a wide awake state,
instead of from the dream-state of Voss et al’s subjects. The two methods
are somewhat complementary.
METHOD
The new feature of this study, described below, is to switch off the beta
frequency flashes to the left eye (or right eye) after (essential) beta and theta
flashing into both eyes. Half the field of view is then almost flash-free, and
the whole field only flickers like an old silent movie. This greatly increases the
strength of the images, and also makes it much easier to maintain them, even
allowing extraneous thoughts not to disrupt them: simple mental arithmetic
can be done without losing the images. The images are not just abstract
patterns produced in the brain by a stroboscopic effect, but are natural
images such as trees blowing in the wind, vivid, coloured and highly
stereoscopic. These images are somehow ‘behind’ the flashes, which weaken
and even disappear due to habituation, when the flashing is limited into only
one eye. The images are very reproducible, on different days.
Spectrum Analyser EEG graphs of the final state (discussed later) show a very
high (off-scale) left-hemisphere peak and a medium high right-hemisphere
peak, both at 38 Hz (gamma). At 1.5 Hz there was a large left hemisphere
delta peak, when the final flashing (6 Hz) was only into the right eye.
It may be significant that the 6 Hz flashing frequency is a harmonic of 1.5 Hz.
Chapter A (ii) Induction of dream-state visual imagery while wide-awake 35
10 10 Hz 18 6 Hz 6 Hz 6 Hz
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
10 10 6 18 6
after a week’s use of the first version. This alternation of the active eye is
advantageous.
The normal effect of Light & Sound (L&S) devices is to artificially create
brainwave patterns of the types shown in Fig. 3 & 4, but the specific
programme described in this article quickly creates a brain-wave state with
gamma plus delta. Fig. 3 & 4 types of pattern may take many months or
even years of traditional (unaided) meditation practice to achieve, with no
L&S device. Fig. 3 & 4 can also be achieved fairly quickly, using biofeedback,
monitored by a spectrum analyser EEG device such as the ‘Mind Mirror’ [3].
Simultaneous monitoring or biofeedback using an EEG, is not required for the
simple method described here.
The programme described below should rapidly produce visual images, in just
one or two sessions, on separate days, even if previously one normally can
see only blackness when trying to visualise anything.
RESULTS
The results below describe what the author experienced, but if other
researchers consider using this method, the safety section at the end of this
chapter, headed: “CAUTION if using Light & Sound devices” must be
read. This chapter is not a recommendation to use this method and no
responsibility can be accepted for any adverse effects. For legal reasons, the
author reports the method below in a “first person” narrative style (“I”), and
not as a set of instructions to others. It is what I did, where “I” is the author.
Caution: See the very last page (188) of this e-book.
.
I normally see only blackness when I close my eyes, and I cannot visualise.
.
pushing the residual flashing into the far background. Any devotional music
from any other religion would be suitable and this is not an attempt by the
author to “push” Christianity.
• I did this exercise daily, in the early morning, before my mind began
thinking about other things.
• It is passive, very easy to do, and not at all boring, due to the visual light-
show input instead of the boring blackness which discourages many people
from conventional meditation-type exercises.
• Total darkness of the room is essential, or use black cloth over the lamp
glasses.
The programme used, reaches and settles at its target of theta and beta
frequencies after 9 minutes (Fig. 1.2).
• Then, if I relaxed and became “disinterested”, I may see at first many small
dark grey irregular shapes, hardly flickering, in a slightly lighter grey
background, which may then become like an irregular ancient grey stone wall,
and then dark deciduous leafless trees or other scenes appear, very
stereoscopic, slowly moving past me, i.e. as if I am walking past static trees
in a forest.
• I showed no interest in them, or they would vanish and be replaced by the
flashing lights.
• But relaxing and clearing thoughts from the mind produced the trees again
within a minute, and the flashing faded again into the background.
Often, the trees etc did not appear until the 18 Hz flashes to the left eye were
faded to off, but I still proceeded with the final steps (of fading out the 18 Hz
flashes to the left eye &c), and the trees always then appeared, within a
minute.
• If the trees were already (faintly) visible before the flashing to the left eye
was faded to off, then at fully faded-off, the trees suddenly became very
much denser and with thicker branches, moving past me, quite a marked
effect. It was very astonishing indeed, as I had never before seen any visual
imagery, but only blackness, with my eyes closed.
• The trees are initially as if seen just before dawn, all grey and dark, with no
colour, like in real life when the eyes lose their colour sensitivity in low light
conditions, a well-known property of the eye’s retina light receptors.
• They look more like ‘ghosts of trees’, than actual trees, completely without
movement, and very detailed, and highly stereoscopic. Others report
different scenes, such as a hillside with skiers on it.
• After a week or more of practice, I could move easily in and out of seeing
the trees, during a session, by thinking extraneous thoughts, which made the
trees disappear and be replaced by the flashing lights. But then clearing my
mind of all thoughts, made the trees re-appear within a minute.
• The trees were most definitely not just an image of blood vessels in the eye.
As it was early morning, I had no natural tendency to go to sleep, as a possible
consequence of this deltawave-inducing method. The trees were very
stereoscopic, and obviously the physical eyes were not involved because the
left eye flashes were switched off (2 eyes are needed for stereoscopic vision).
Chapter A (ii) Induction of dream-state visual imagery while wide-awake 38
As soon as the left eye flashes were switched off, this image was very much
more stable, and much easier to maintain than all previous ones, and was an
impressive result.
Finally, after about 12 minutes from the start, when I removed the left
earphone (6 Hz), the trees gained a light purple blossom, and soon some much
lighter green-leafed trees appeared, interspersed with the other dark grey
trees. From Maxwell Cade’s “inherent feedback” observation [4], purple
indicates theta waves, and green indicates beta waves. The purple may
also indicate delta waves (not mentioned by Cade, but seen in my EEG trace
Fig. 6).
A wind sometimes occurred later, blowing the branch ends vigorously – the
first movement ever seen, up to then, of local parts of the trees. The whole
field of view could also be made to be stationary by imagining it to slow down
to a stop. For these enhanced results, a relaxed state is essential.
Very different degrees of success may be obtained on different days,
depending greatly on one’s relaxation state and if extraneous thoughts occur
and recur. If such thoughts are a problem, then first practice avoidance of
extraneous thoughts by the simple exercises given by Mouni Sadhu, in his
book, “Concentration” [5], e.g. look at the second hand of a watch, until it
can be done for 5 minutes without extraneous thoughts arising. This exercise
may take several weeks to achieve for some people.
Possibilities for modifying the visual images include the following observations:
I found that the views became lighter, and with thinned-out spacing of trees
and more gusts of wind blowing them, if uplifting thoughts are entertained.
These can be of a simple verbal nature, or, from an external source.
I found that the views became lighter, had thinned-out spacing of trees, and
more gusts of wind blowing them, if the following were recited: (Note: If I
were an atheist, I would suspend my disbelief at this stage, and resume it
after the exercise!): The love of God be with us, always.
(Or anything which gives exalted feelings).
NOTE: Infrasound creates devotional thoughts, and, because both ears are
free, the possible playing of infrasound or near-infrasound may be effective
(not yet tested sufficiently). Suggestion: Play CD [6, 35].
E.g. measurable biochemical effects are produced by infrasound and near-
infrasound low frequencies. Low sound frequencies echoing from monastery
walls alter one’s state of consciousness, and cause brain biochemical effects --
hence the chanting of monks, especially Tibetan chants at very low frequency.
Recordings of these are available, to be heard with eyes closed for optimum
effect [6, 35]. Some large cathedrals resonate at infrasonic frequencies
produced by infrasonic organ pipes, which are too long to produce audio-range
sound, which were specifically designed, centuries ago, to enhance devotional
effects: instead of you meditating, these effects 'meditate' you.
As both ears are open after 12 minutes (see Fig. 1.2), such infrasound can then
optionally be played to enhance the images, if an infrasonic sub-woofer audio
system is available (suitable audio driver: Velleman kit K8060, 3 Hz to 200 kHz).
Chapter A (ii) Induction of dream-state visual imagery while wide-awake 39
The vision of trees &c is only the beginning – one must slowly thin out the
trees, and create other visions of one’s own choosing – likely to be a long
process, but this method is a valuable starting point for pathworking etc [36,
37, 12], and for advanced meditation: See last para on page 16, & see Chapter
9 and especially the last para. of Conclusions (after Chapter 11). Much further
effort and time is needed to convert these ‘instant’ images into mystical
experiences, for those who wish to explore that avenue. A Mantra audio CD
is available [41].
Some traditional meditation books advise against being (what they call)
“sidetracked” by phenomena during meditation, but the author disagrees with
this advice, because if a vision of anything is seen, instead of just blackness,
that gives a very valuable starting point of entry, which offers the chance of
changing it into a mystical experience. Visions/imagery obtained by this fast
method are also a great encouragement to continue meditation practice,
especially for a beginner.
After some weeks of practice, if the mind is cleared, and if not concentrating
on the trees, other visions eventually occurred almost spontaneously, e.g. a
wall and a house, and later an aerial view of a town with distant people
moving in the streets.
Note: the more time the brain spends in this special beta + delta state, by
any method, then the more likely it is to achieve it at other times, without
using a light & sound (L&S) device.
.
-----------------------------------------------------------
The Sheehan Visualisation Scale (imagery):
25 Hz
10 Hz
1.5 Hz
The author’s own design L&S device shown in Fig. 5, gave the same images. This
type of research can be done with such low-cost equipment, and so could be
suitable for projects, subject to the safety caution given in this paper. The cost of
components is only about £25. Important: See Warning on last page (page 188).
Chapter A (ii) Induction of dream-state visual imagery while wide-awake 41
Without the L&S device method, if the author tries to visualise trees, the
result is only grade 7 on the Sheehan Scale: The author normally sees only
blackness with eyes closed, due perhaps many years spent on research and
writing scientific papers and calculations, all involving only the left brain.
Right brain activity, such as art, is needed to produce visions/imagery.
Fig. 5 (a) & (b). Author’s Light & Sound device circuit design.
Two flasher circuits are needed, for each left and right lamp, or group of left
and right lamps, but only one audio oscillator. Transistors are ZTX792A.
Each flasher circuit will drive several “lilliput” LES bulbs.
The circuit board layout diagram is given in Fig. 9 in Appendix 2. See also Appendix 3.
Notes: The same +6 volts 800 mA power supply unit is used for all circuits.
The above information is minimal, and more-detailed instructions are given in
Appendices 2 & 3 below, essential to see for full details of the method,
including low-cost DIY circuits, printed circuit board layout diagrams, parts
lists, and the lamp bulbs used. Caution: See the very last page of this e-book.
Chapter A (ii) Induction of dream-state visual imagery while wide-awake 42
For the EEG measurements, when the trees’ image stabilised, at 6 Hz, the
EEG “hold” button was pressed, to freeze and record the display on the Mind
Mirror EEG.
Fig. 6 gives the EEG results, using a Fig. 1.2 process.
There is a very high (off-scale) left-hemisphere peak and a medium high
right-hemisphere peak at 38 Hz (gamma frequency range).
At 1.5 Hz there is a large left hemisphere delta peak.
It may be significant that the 6 Hz flashing frequency is a harmonic of 1.5 Hz.
Further tests are needed, such as the effect of ramping down to 1.5 Hz
(delta) to the right eye, instead of to 6 Hz. The actually measured final EEG
frequencies of 38 Hz and 1.5 Hz, instead of the notional target frequencies
used (18 Hz and 6 Hz), but it may make little difference if the brain settles
naturally into its preferred final frequencies. Voss et al [1] found that only
25 Hz (high beta) and 40 Hz (gamma) caused lucid dreams, indicating that
beta or gamma are essential.
Fig. 7. Light & Sound Device. ((Note: Fig. 6 is below Fig. 7))
All parts were conveniently assembled in a plastic box.
The printed circuit board has the left and right identical flasher bulb circuits on the
top 10 and next 10 copper tracks, and the single audio circuit on the remaining 10
lower tracks. Lower left: for earphones, with volume control.
The two (red) 50 ohm potentiometers control the left & right bulb brightness.
Grey 3 watt resistors (8.2 ohm) are seen above each potentiometer.
The “power in” socket on the top right is shown with a plug in it, from the 6 volt DC
power supply unit.
Chapter A (ii) Induction of dream-state visual imagery while wide-awake 43
Fig. 6. The 16-01-01-16 scales are the 16 LEDs of the EEG display [3], and
the italics figures are frequencies in Hz:
LED means a “light-emitting diode”, an indicator lamp whose lateral position from
screen centre line = signal amplitude at that frequency.
The left half of the screen is for the left brain hemisphere, and the right half is for the
right hemisphere.
The Mind Mirror spectrum analyser EEG graphs below were recorded at its maximum
sensitivity of 3 microvolts full scale, i.e. LED No 16 lights up at 3 μV (0.000003 volts).
The scale is linear: LED 1 is zero volts and LED 16 is 3 μV.
Experiments 1 & 2 are to indicate reproducibility. Experiment 3, for comparison,
was just after thinking extraneous thoughts to destroy the image (no image seen).
Chapter A (ii) Induction of dream-state visual imagery while wide-awake 44
Important: Four LES “pygmy” torch bulbs are used over each eye (6v, 60mA),
sandwiched between two pieces of thin paper for diffusion of the light. Eyes
must be kept closed during use. Each set of 4 bulbs are in a square array (of
1.6 cm side), sandwiched between two pieces of very thin paper or thin (0.4
mm) translucent plastic sheet for diffusion of the light, which greatly improves
results. The sheet is secured close to the lamps, with as small a gap as
possible, to best spread out the illuminated field. The miniature bulbs are in
“lilliput” LES lamp sockets, conveniently secured to the plastic lenses with cable
ties through drilled holes. Further essential details are given in Appendices 2 &
3 below.
The room must be totally dark (e.g. very early winter mornings) or, black
cloth must be fitted over the front of the lamp spectacles to ensure that the
background is as black as possible. A grey or lighter background reduces the
essential contrast of the images to an unusable state.
Siever [9] reports that a problem with whole eye stimulation systems is that
they do not account for the distinct visual fields that exist in each eye:
The left visual field of both eyes activates the right brain, and, the right visual
field of both eyes activates the left brain [2].
Chapter A (ii) Induction of dream-state visual imagery while wide-awake 45
This suggests that lamp bulbs are be best placed so that four bulbs are over
each eye, arranged such that the 2 left-most bulbs over the right eye can be
switched off, to stop flashes from the right eye from activating the left brain.
But results indicate best results are obtained by instead switching off the two
right-most bulbs over the right eye, after about 15 minutes (see in scheme
below). See essential details of switches (in wires to glasses) & pictures of
glasses in Appendices 2 & 3 below.
NOTE: The above information is minimal, and a parts list, and essential
detailed instructions are in Appendices 2 & 3 of this free Google Ebook by
the author, which includes oscilloscope pictures of the square waves produced.
Please report any problems to the author. See Appendix 7 for "Troubleshooting".
FURTHER DISCUSSION
The author is investigating an alternative to flashing lamp bulbs, using two
electrodes on the inion and vertex [1, 10], because such electrical stimuli
produce phosphenes [10, 11].
Voss et al [1] report that when sinusoidal 40 Hz transcranial alternating
current stimulation (tACS) is applied to the brain (via inion & vertex), lucid
dreams are reported, sometimes bizarre, for a subject who is asleep and in a
normal dreaming state. I.e. the subject moves from the status of a conscious
but passive observer (the normal dreamstate), to that of a self-conscious
participator in the dream (a ‘lucid dreamer’).
The left brain is the logical filter which normally removes anything bizarre which
arises in our right brain, when awake. Nothing bizarre was seen by the author,
probably because the starting brain-state was the normal wide-awake state, the
opposite direction from that which Voss et al [1] started from. Voss et al started
from a REM dreaming sleep state and their subjects were awoken after only 5 to
10 seconds after tACS gamma stimulation at 40 Hz. But in a flotation tank, in
which one starts from wide-awake, bizarre images are seen [12].
Visual imagery in a flotation tank is far more inconvenient to use than the
L&S method described here. In this L&S method, the author was fully
conscious (felt "wide awake"), unlike when deeply relaxed and imagining a
scene (a very rare occurrence for the author), and the highly stereoscopic
vision (e.g. trees) felt like the author was actually present "there", somewhere.
Chapter A (ii) Induction of dream-state visual imagery while wide-awake 46
The author's visions of trees were quite unlike any ever seen in actual walks in
woods, and were not from any memories. The initial procession of trees across
the field of view could be modified; it was more like a view into another dimension,
into which a window had suddenly opened. See also the comment above on Dante.
Also, the author has tried ramping the right eye down to 3 Hz, and this
changed the images of trees seen at 6 Hz, to grey-stone buildings in village
streets, no trees. But unlike the easily recoverable stable images of trees
seen at 6 Hz, the images of buildings seen at a 3 Hz final frequency were
difficult or impossible to recover, if lost due to adventitious extraneous thoughts.
Other methods for entering visionary states are available [30] and a new
method devised by the author for lucid dreaming requiring no sensor at all
in contact with the sleeper [30].
FUTURE RESEARCH
Siever [9] reports that a problem with whole-eye stimulation systems is that
they do not account for the distinct visual fields that exist in each eye:
The left visual field of both eyes activates the right brain, and,
the right visual field of both eyes activates the left brain [2].
This observation suggests that lamp bulbs may be best placed so that (at
least) two bulbs are over each eye, arranged such that the leftmost bulb(s)
over the right eye can be blocked out, to stop flashes from the right eye
from activating the left brain. But early results indicate best results are
obtained by instead switching off the two right-most bulbs over the right eye.
.
The final flashing into one eye is far less distracting than if into both eyes,
but the possibility is being investigated of further reduction by just applying
the final 6 Hz only as electrical impulses to electrodes at the inion and vertex
(reported [10,11] to produce phosphenes). For this, electrodes are
connected to points A & B in Fig. 5a via a potentiometer and a simple
amplifier (e.g. Velleman 7W mono audio amplifier module, VM114, 20 Hz to
20 kHz, or better, Velleman K8060, 3 Hz to 200 kHz), adjusting the
potentiometer upwards from zero for safety. Phosphenes and magnetic
effects have been reported in many papers by Cohen Kadosh et al [11].
.
The visions of trees &c had no flicker, so they were not dependent on any
optical persistence of vision -- the lamp flashes at only 6 per second, which
is well below that used and needed for cine/film projectors.
MECHANISM
Evolutionary natural selection has developed the 5 primary senses to warn
animals and man about events in their immediate vicinity, which might affect
their survival. E.g. hearing, to detect a snapping twig in a forest; vision, to
detect an enemy, etc. But if these senses are all suppressed, e.g. by deep
relaxation, or dreaming sleep, or in a flotation tank [12], then much weaker
subliminal secondary senses’ inputs may become perceivable, and, may be
enhanceable by psychoactive compounds.
Events beyond the immediate vicinity, are less of a threat and thus secondary,
and less developed, and if the author may be allowed to hypothesise, if they
exist they should have a biological basis -- an organ to sense them. For
subliminal (secondary) vision, this could be the pineal gland, which produces
serotonin and melatonin, tryptamines, which are a class to which several
naturally-occurring psychoactive compounds belong, such as psilocybin and
DMT (N,N-dimethyl-tryptamine). Melatonin is a pre-cursor of DMT with a very
similar molecular structure, and is produced by the pineal gland in dark
conditions. Psychoactive compounds have been used in attempts to enhance
creativity, by opening perception to subliminal areas [13], rather like Edison’s
drug-free method (see Appendix 1). A link between vision/imagery and the
pineal gland is that nerves from the eyes connect (circuitously) to the pineal,
and light regulates seratonin and melatonin production by the pineal, instantly
suppressing its melatonin release if absent. See caption of Fig. B.2 in Chapter B.
Strassman [14] (84 references) has suggested that DMT is produced by the
pineal gland at times of special stress and other specific times. Enzymes which
convert seratonin and melatonin into psychoactive compounds are present in
the pineal gland, as methyltransferases, which can di-methylate tryptamine to
create DMT. Another example is the production of betacarbolines by the
pineal, which act with DMT [14] to produce the same powerful psychoactive
ayahuasca as occurs naturally in Psychotria viridis and Banisteriopsis caapi [15]
(360 references).
E.g. it can be said that the "God helmet" [32] can “generate so called
spiritual experiences”, but, it could instead be said that the God helmet “can
put the brain’s receptors into a state in which they perceive what are
normally un-perceived subliminal inputs”. This is a very topical subject, as
many neurologists today are trying to show that all religious experiences can
be explained as being simply physically generated by brain neurological activity.
Persinger [32] developed a method using low intensity magnetic fields at 1/50
of the Earth’s magnetic field, but alternating at low frequency (Cf. Fig. 2 - 4),
to induce a dissociation effect. It seems as if another person is present, but it
could be a higher aspect of one’s self, which is normally not perceived. The
effect is reported by some as being in the presence of God or an exalted
being [32]. A book “The Third Man” [33] describes this unusual effect, which
is also encountered by mountaineers under extreme conditions, including anoxia
which causes CO2 narcosis, putting the brain into a receptive state for subliminal
inputs (visions). The breathing exercises of yoga also increase CO2 (narcotic)
levels, producing the same effect, as discussed above. Very high currrent
magnetic methods are at the other extreme, producing savant-like effects [34].
The vision of trees described above may be that the L&S activates or opens
the so-called "third eye" or eyebrow chakra [38, 12]; books by Dante ["The
Divine Comedy" - Dante's Inferno, etc] report many visions of trees [39]. The
present author saw nothing which was in any way threatening or sinister!
Important: "Stop Press" item added: see on page 83, just before Appendix 5.
S
Safety Note: To avoid leaving the user in a dreamy state, for safety, any
user of any L&S unit should add a ramp up to a higher flashing rate after the
session end [7], to exit from the low frequency brain-state, – any frequency
ramp programme can be created using a computer as explained in Appendix 2 & 3.
DISCLAIMER
The author can take no responsibility for any effects produced by the above
methods. This paper is a description of what the author did, not a
recommendation for anyone to use flashing light systems and professional
advice must be sought if in doubt. See page 188 of this e-book.
Note: To avoid leaving the user in a dreamy state, for safety, any user of any
L&S unit should add a ramp up to a higher (beta) flashing rate after the
session end, to exit from the low frequency brain-state, – any frequency ramp
programme can be created using a computer as mentioned above.
Additionally, it is essential to allow at least half an hour after using light and
sound devices and other mind-enhancing units and tapes before operating
machinery or driving a car. Dangerous accidents could occur and so the
author cannot recommend use of any equipment mentioned, nor accept any
responsibility for any adverse effects. No responsibility is accepted for any use
of light & sound machines or devices, nor if any of the above information is
used. See additional cautions at end of Appendix 3, and on page 188.
Flashing LEDs and flashing xenon lamps, MUST be viewed ONLY through
closed eyelids, NEVER with eyes open. LEDs have a small laser effect,
harmful if the eyes are open. Bright MES and LES filament lamp bulbs very
close to the eyes could be a hazard if the eyes are kept open.
APPENDIX 2: Layout diagram for a printed circuit board for circuit of Fig 5.
Fig. 9 (a & b) are views of the top (component side) of the printed circuit
board. To obtain a view from the underside of the board, the figure can be
put into any graphics programme with an option to create a “mirror image”
view.
A printed circuit board with 30 rows of parallel copper tracks is used.
The top 20 tracks are used for the left & right channels, and the lower 10
tracks are used for the audio oscillator circuit.
Only the top 10 tracks are shown in Fig. 9a, 1 to 10. Tracks 10 to 19 are
identical to tracks 1 to 10, with track 10 being the positive 6 volt DC power
input track, just like track 1.
So the emitter of T4 is on Track 10, but in the layout diagram below, only a 6
volt connection to track 10 is shown. The other connections must be added as
in track 1 above it.
Chapter A (ii) Induction of dream-state visual imagery while wide-awake 50
Fig. 9 a. Printed circuit layout board for Fig. 5a: square wave amplifier.
Chapter A (ii) Induction of dream-state visual imagery while wide-awake 51
Fig. 9 b. Printed circuit layout board for Fig. 5b: audio oscillator.
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 52
NOTE: The Reference numbers in this Appendix 3 are for this Appendix 3 only, and they
do not correspond to the reference numbers in any other Appendices above.
CONTENTS:
Circuit diagrams & corresponding printed circuit board layout diagrams ….2
Component Parts List ….………………………………………………………………… ….5
Glasses / spectacles …………………………………………………………………………..7
Square wave generator …………………………………………………………………….14
USB audio device ……………………………………………………………………………..16
Picture of constructed unit ………………………………………………………………..17
Circuit testing & troubleshooting ………………………………………………………..18
Mind Mirror EEG spectrum analyser biofeedback graphs………………………..19
Oscilloscope Graphs (for testing only)………………………………………………….21
Miscellaneous instructions for use ……………………………………………………...23
Future research ……………………………………………………………………………..…25
SAFETY …………………………………………………………………………………………...26
References ……………………………………………………………………………………….27
Soldering safety:
Between uses, always put the iron where it cannot burn anyone, and because solder
flux smoke is carcinogenic (like cigarette smoke) do not let it reach your face. Use a
simple fume extraction system – some soldering irons are available with a simple in-
built small fan, or consider working with a fan blowing the smoke away out of an open
window as you solder, or work in a porch in open air.
Do not forget to switch a soldering iron off, if room is unattended.
For printed circuit soldering, use an iron with a bit diameter not over 2 mm.
Skill and practice is needed to avoid creating unwanted solder “bridges” from one copper
track to the next. If this occurs, use Cu solder-removal braid (from electronics suppliers
like Maplin) and press it onto the unwanted bridge with the iron; the braid will remove
the solder bridge. Or, invert the circuit board (i.e. with the copper tracks facing
downwards) and try to run off the molten solder by gravity, onto a clean soldering iron
tip coming up from below.
Soldering skill is the same as embroidery skill, and women have told me incorrectly that
none would construct this (very simple) circuit. It is a fact that in electronics industry
factories, women produce excellent reliable soldering on printed circuit boards.
Any science teenager with moderate dexterity could construct the circuits given below.
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 53
CIRCUIT:
Use sockets for the 741 I.C. and for all the transistors.
x means that the copper track is cut at the x, on the component layout
diagram below. The view given below is as seen from the components
side, but to see a view from the copper tracks side, many graphics
programmes have an ability to convert a picture to its mirror image.
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 54
Square wave in, Note: Set the PSU to 6 volts, not the 7.5
from MP3 player. volts shown in the above diagram.
A & B connect to (not shown) a 50 ohm potentiometer in series with
an 8 ohm resistor and the torch bulbs fixed to one of the spectacle
lenses. The bulbs are in parallel with each other. One 3.5 mm stereo
socket is used to connect to the bulbs, for each channel (L & R).
C (earphone from each channel, L & R) is connected via a 0.56 μF or
0.68 μF capacitor to a 3.5 mm stereo socket for the earphones.
The ZTX-792A transistor has its wires as c,b,e in a vertical line, with the BC327
transistor case as a D seen from its top, or e,b,c if viewed from its wires’ side.
Note: The PSU was set to 6 volts rather than the 7.5 volts shown on
the above layout diagram. It is connected to the same 6 volts supply
unit as the left & right flasher circuits on the same board above it.
The dots at the end of copper tracks 1, 3 & 4 are single-sided printed
circuit board pins, for connections to the main flasher circuits above it on
the circuit board. The pin on line 4 connects with a wire to Cu line 5 on
the flasher board (= pin 3 of the 741 I.C.).
The BC327 transistor has its wires as c,b,e in a vertical line, with the BC327
transistor case as a D seen from its top, or e,b,c if viewed from its wires’ side.
NOTE: Only ONE audio oscillator circuit is needed, not two.
x on the layout diagram means the copper track is cut at the x.
PARTS LIST: Box: Maplin Part No RL6335-F. This box has a thick
wall which needs to be thinner where the stereo jack sockets are
installed, needing a wider drill to bore part-way through the wall before
drilling the jack socket holes.
Circuit board: Maplin Part No JP47, which has 30 rows of copper tracks.
The top 20 tracks are used for the left & right channels and the lower 10
tracks are used for the audio oscillator circuit. Only one oscillator circuit
is needed to drive both left & right channels.
Transistors: T3 & T4 are both ZTX792A; available from Farnell as part no
9526137 (£1 each).
(Transistors T1 & T2 do not exist – used in an early prototype device only.)
Transistor sockets: Use these in case easy changing is required: Farnell
type 177-128 or equivalent small 3-pin type.
Bulbs: A prototype used a standard MES torch bulb (2.5v, 0.3A), for
testing, but these are replaced by four LES bulbs, (6v, 0.06A), for each
eye, for much improved performance, discussed later below.
Bulb holders: Conventional MES type, Maplin part no JX87U. MES torch
bulbs can also be got from Maplin (part no BT96E (2.5 volt, 0.3 amp), or
from Farnell as part no is 150-492. These are for testing only and LES bulbs
(below) are used for the actual final device. If using MES 2.5 volt bulbs, the
potentiometer must not be turned up too far, as the voltage to the bulb
filament will exceed 2.5 volts and burn out the bulbs.
If miniature 6 volt LES bulbs (lamps) are used (recommended), different
holders are needed: miniature tungsten bulbs, as in the DP L&S machine,
obtainable from Farnell (see on internet) as part number 113-9306 (6 volt,
0.06 amp Lilliput LES lamp) Farnell part No 329-368 lamp holders are also
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 57
needed. Or Maplin part numbers are UJ72P (LES bulb holder) and BU12N
(6 volt Lilliput LES bulb).
Other miniature bulb types are available, but it is probable that the DP
spectacles bulbs are a miniature tungsten type, because they are dimmable
and their light looks yellowish.
Resistors: Quarter watt, except the two 8 ohm resistors: 5 watt.
Capacitors: Low voltage types, non-electrolytic types.
Potentiometers: Two, 50 ohm, Farnell type 150-2919 (wirewound, 1 watt).
Battery Eliminator: (power supply unit, PSU), 6 volt (e.g. Maplin model
L06BR, or any type giving at least 500 mA at 6 volt). Use 2.1 mm
“power in” type socket to accept the 2.1 mm “power in” plug on the PSU,
available from Maplin.
The circuit layout board is shown below, but only the top 10 tracks are
shown, 1 to 10. Tracks 10 to 19 are identical to tracks 1 to 10, with
track 10 being the positive 6 volt DC power input track, just like track 1,
fed by the same single power supply unit (PSU).
So the emitter of T4 is on Track 10, but in the layout diagram below, only
a 6 volt connection to track 10 is shown. The other connections must be
added as in track 1 above it.
The zero volts track (16) must be connected to track 7.
The Maplin PSU Part No given in the parts lists has a 6 volt option. 7.5
volts can be used, optionally, for brighter flashing. A 6 volt supply is
preferable.
NOTE: The final audio output to the (external) earphone volume control
is taken from the main flasher circuit at the connection from the 0.56 μF
capacitor and the base of T3, via (another, different) 0.56 μF (or next
available higher) capacitor. This audio output is taken from each
channel (left circuit & right circuit) to a 3.5 mm stereo jack socket, into
which standard low impedance earphones are plugged (like the normal
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 58
Pictures of the prototype plastic reading glasses (cost £3) used for tests:
Prototype glasses,
using 2 MES bulbs
Shows the two cable ties used to secure the torch bulbs to the plastic reading
glasses via drilled holes (supported on a small plastic box for this photograph).
Two holes were drilled through each plastic lens, to thread the cable ties
through. The cable tie ends (shown here still pointing upwards) were then
cut short.
Important: The distance between the eyes of different people varies. To fix
the torch bulbs in the right place, the glasses are put on, and then looking
into a mirror, a fibre pen is used to mark the centre of vision spot for both
eyes.
This is where the bulb centre should be, laterally. Then the holes can be
drilled for the cable ties. The bulb centre should preferably be a little below
the line of vision, which gives satisfactory brainwave entrainment, but avoids
being too bright (can wash-out the imagery to some extent).
The picture below shows the standard MES torch bulbs lit up. The twin
twisted wires shown, are unscreened. Screened wires are not necessary
(and are typically not used in commercially available earphones, as they are
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 59
low impedance and so do not pick up mains hum interference). Thin and
flexible wires are preferable, but able to carry a current of up to 0.2 amp:
Prototype glasses,
using 2 MES bulbs
Prototype glasses,
using 2 MES bulbs
This is a prototype, using single MES bulbs, but see later below for the final
glasses design used, having instead four LES “pygmy” bulbs at each eye.
CAUTION: If MES (2.5 volt) bulbs are used, e.g. for circuit testing, they will burn
out if the two potentiometers are turned fully clockwise (delivers nearly 6 volts).
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 60
Getting the bulbs the right way round: It is confusing to achieve the correct
connections to get the 6 Hz flashes to the right-side bulb. With the (free) “Audacity”
programme (discussed later below) on the computer screen, the square wave
programme was loaded and the Fast Forward icon was clicked to get the cursor to the
end (39 minutes); then the cursor was dragged to the left to about 46 minutes and
then the Play button was clicked, for a test. The right-hand 50 ohm potentiometer
should control the slower-flashing bulb (ignoring the bulb’s position on the spectacles
for now), and if not, the solder connections were changed over at the jack socket
which accepts the jack plug from the USB Audio Device. After doing this, the left
bulb should be flashing faster than the right and if not, the bulb holders were changed
over at the spectacles.
It is also important that the audio pulses to the earphones are the correct way round;
the sound is crossed over, so the sound pulses to the left ear should be in step with
the light flashes to the right eye. So near the end of the programme (say at about
46 minutes: see paragraph above), it was checked that the left earphone is sounding
at 6 Hz, and if not, the earphones were just changed over, and marked for future
quick reference. An in-line accessory “extension cord with volume control” was used
to adjust the sound volume, available from Maplin, etc.
Brightness controls are provided for the two bulbs, and after about 12 minutes into a
session, the left-hand control knob could be manually turned fully down, to remove
the faster flashes from the left-eye bulb, to begin the enhanced imagery. Just before
this, the right earphone was pulled out. About a minute later, the (lower frequency)
left audio earphone can optionally be pulled out, or left in (but more distracting and
not necessary nor recommended).
It is essential at first to be in a darkened room, but much later (only after several
successful image visions) the author experimented with a table lamp shining into the
closed eye (after the visions have been obtained), to give a Ganzfeld uniform low
illumination (from scattered red light through the eyelid), to see if that has a useful
effect. The result of this is still uncertain. (For experiment, but not recommended.)
Suggestions for using single MES bulbs (not recommended except for testing):
After about 12 minutes, which is about 3 minutes after the ramp down to 6 Hz is
complete, and with the left bulb turned fully down (using its 50 ohm potentiometer)
and the right audio earphone removed, the spectacles were moved slightly down the
nose so that the right-side bulb is further down the field of view (which may reduce
the flashing’s distracting effect).
Also worth trying after a few minutes, was moving the spectacles (at an awkward
angle!) so that the right side bulb is over the right side of the right eye, which reduces
the flashing distraction without reducing the imagery.
Also tried was moving the left (6 Hz) earpiece to the right ear.
This could give an image with less flashing distraction – worth trying.
Many other variation experiments are possible, including different target frequencies
after ramp-down.
Reversing all the left and right stimuli (flashing and audio) also gives imagery:
recommended every few days.
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 61
It is reported that the left and right fields of view of each eye separately, go to the
right and left brains respectively [8, 9]; i.e. reversal occurs for each eye separately.
Siever [in 8] reports that a problem with whole eye stimulation systems is that
they do not account for the distinct visual fields that exist in each eye:
The left visual field of both eyes activates the right brain, and,
the right visual field of both eyes activates the left brain.
This suggests that lamp bulbs may be best placed so that four bulbs are over each
eye, arranged such that the left-most bulb over the right eye can be blocked out, to
stop flashes from the right eye from activating the left brain. But early results
indicate best results are obtained instead by switching off the two right-most bulbs
over the right eye.
Spectacles with 4 “Lilliput” LES bulbs can be used to investigate the effect of switching
off (say) both of the bulbs at the left eye and the right field of view bulb at the right
eye, which may be a useful alternative to the above suggestion of just moving the
spectacles down the nose to reduce the flashing while not losing the imagery. See
ref. [8] for other experiments and more discussion of the cross-over.
All-plastic “reading spectacles” are available for about £3 from many public libraries
(or by mail order from ReadySpex) and were used to fix four miniature Lilliput LES
bulbs onto: two on each lens, fixed side-by-side, spaced out laterally to illuminate the
left & right fields of view, for each eye. LES miniature bulb sockets can be held by
cable ties secured through holes drilled through the plastic spectacle lenses.
To connect these 6-volt bulbs, four Maplin part no FH99H (double pole double throw
{DPDT} switches) were used to separately switch any of the four individual goggle
bulbs on or off. (This is not the final arrangement – see later below)
E.g. for some early experiments only, the two left spectacle lens 6-volt LES bulbs were
connected, in parallel, to the light pulse output of the left flasher circuit board, so that
if one bulb is switched off the other will stay lit. The DPDT switches should be
mounted in a separate small box (Maplin Part No FT31J) with ventilation, which switch
over from the LES bulb fixed to the spectacle lens, to an identical LES bulb mounted
inside the box, to avoid any switch-over brightness change of the other bulb, on the
spectacle lens, which is powered from the same circuit. See picture below:
NOTE: No 8 ohm resistor is optional for the 6 volt LES bulbs – it is only essential for
MES-type 2.5 volt torch bulbs.
(2) IMPORTANT:
The author had not then realised the importance of filling the whole field of view
with flashing light. Later tests using the D.A.V.I.D.™ Paradise (DP) eye-set, with
the simple circuit given above in this article, showed a much improved result
over that obtained using the spectacles described and pictured above. The DP
eye-set uses two white translucent diffusing screens fixed over four LES-type
bulbs, arranged in a diamond shape, unlike the simpler four LES bulbs arranged in
a horizontal line on plastic spectacles as in the picture above. The cold resistance
of the four DP bulbs in the left set, is 8 ohms, and the right side is also 8 ohms.
Fortunately, although LES bulbs connected in parallel (the standard 6 volt type,
from Farnell or Maplin) have a different resistance, a satisfactory brightness is
obtained when used with the final circuit given above in this article (without the
two extra 8 ohm resistors). Two pairs of 2 LES bulbs connected in parallel are
needed for the left side, and two more for the right side. Wiring details are below.
The first picture below shows the DP eye-set layout with the bulbs lit. The DP
uses a standard type of dark sunglasses with length-adjustable side arms [3]:
D.A.V.I.D.
Paradise™
Eye-set
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 63
View from
other side
Any ambient light must be blocked out. For a prototype DIY version of such
an eye-set, this can be done with black paper stuck onto the inside of the
sunglasses, with white paper stuck over it (to reflect light into the eyes). Four
LES Lilliput bulbs (6 volt type as used earlier above) can be fixed using cable
ties through holes drilled through the sunglasses’ visor, as was done above in
the earlier simple spectacles.
These 8 bulbs are fitted in plastic “safety glasses”; the right side-arm (to the ears) is
clearly visible on the extreme right. This view is from the wearer’s side, before the
light diffusing screens were added. The type of safety glasses used was selected to
have almost flat-front large-area plane lenses. Avoid glasses with curved fronts.
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 64
Light diffuser: Plastazote sheet is widely available (searched for in Google). LES
bulb-holders are 6 mm diameter, so a thin plastazote sheet 6 mm thick, with holes
cut to accommodate the LES bulbs and holders, can be glued to the inside of the
safety glasses. A layer of aluminium “cooking foil” can be glued to the outside
front of the safety glasses (this metal foil should not be glued to the inside, to
avoid possible short circuiting any lamp bulb contacts through the metal foil.)
A thin white translucent screen (about 0.7 mm thick) is then glued to cover the
plastazote sheet. The translucent screen used in the DP spectacles (pictured
earlier above) looks like translucent HDPE (high density polyethylene) but is
probably another material, such as PVC, because polyethylene is difficult to glue as
most adhesives do not stick to it. It must be translucent, not transparent, to
diffuse the light. The degree of translucence is similar to that of the HDPE plastic
milk cartons in supermarkets.
Three Velcro ™ adhesive-backed circles (13 mm diameter) are fixed near the ends
and centre of the plastic diffusing screen so that another (optional) similar
diffusing screen (which has 3 corresponding Velcro circles stuck to it) can be fixed
to the first screen. There is then about a 4 mm gap (optional) between the two
diffusing screens, to give further light spread-out.
The two 8 ohm resistors are not required for 6 volt LES bulbs, and if fitted in the
flasher circuit, can be (optionally) shorted out with a suitable switch. Brightness is
reduced slightly if the resistors are left in; bright flashes are needed for effective
brainwave entrainment. (Reminder: eyes must always be closed during use.)
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 65
Note: The commercial DP eyeset (pictured earlier above), is not suitable, as its
diamond array of the bulbs cannot switch off light to the left and right sides of the
eyes, and a square array of bulbs is needed instead.
The author has made a programme which gives a similar frequency ramping path for
gradual brainwave entrainment, as used in the DP and all other L&S machines, which
is, for the present requirement:
10 Hz flashes into both eyes, ramping up during 9 minutes to a target frequency of 18
Hz (Beta) flashes into the left eye, and, ramping down during the same 9 minutes to a
target frequency of 6 Hz (Theta) flashes into the right eye. The ramp up (left eye)
from 10 Hz to 16 Hz is over 4 minutes, followed by a shallower ramp up to 18 Hz over 5
minutes. The simultaneous ramp down (right eye) from 10 Hz to 6 Hz is at a constant
rate over the 9 minutes. Then, there is 40 minutes of constant flashing rates of 18 Hz
to the left eye and 6 Hz to the right eye. The programme can be quit by the user at
any point during the 40 minutes. Before using any flashing lights, see the Caution at
the end of this article. This article is not a recommendation for anyone to use flashing
light systems and professional advice must be sought if in doubt.
In step with the lights, 10 Hz sound pulses enter both ears, ramping down to 6 Hz
sound pulses into the left ear and up to 18 Hz sound pulses into the right ear. The
circuit for this audio is described above. The two audio outputs are connected to the
stereo earphones, with flexible co-axial wires, of the type used for stereo earphones.
These wires need to be small diameter and flexible, to avoid a distracting drag force
on the earphones.
The computer waveform will be downloadable soon from the writer’s website,
www.4-D.org.uk/Books but if the writer has data download charges to pay, it may
have to be withdrawn! It can be posted on a CD, on request to [email protected]
(with a stamped addressed CD mailing packet), or, the procedure for making it is as
follows:
Download a computer programme called “NCH Tone Generator” from NCH (their
website is www.nch.com.au/Tonegen) Use this to make a stereo square wave with
left start frequency 10 Hz and end frequency 16 Hz and duration 4 minutes (240000
milliseconds), and right start frequency 10 Hz and end frequency 8 Hz and the same
duration (240000 ms). Save this file as “LS 0 to 4 min” as a wav file.
Do the same procedure for the remaining 5 minutes, for left & right eyes (left start 16
Hz, end frequency 18 Hz) (right start frequency 8 Hz, end frequency 6 Hz) (duration 5
minutes). Save this stereo file as “LS 4 to 9 min”.
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 66
Finally, make another file with left start frequency18 Hz and end frequency 18 Hz, and
right start frequency 6 Hz and end frequency 6 Hz, with duration (say) 40 minutes
(2400,000 ms). Save as “LS 9 to 49 min”.
Then add these 3 files together, using a free digital audio editor programme called
“Audacity” (available free from http://audacity.sourceforge.net).
In Audacity, load first the biggest file made above.
Then load the “LS 4 to 9 min” file and go to Edit and Select All and Copy.
Then go back to the big file (already loaded) and click on Paste.
This should paste the 4 to 9 min file at the cursor (which, if not disturbed, will be at
the big file’s start).
Wait for it to complete. If nothing happens, click on a toolbar with a magnifying
symbol with a horizontally elongated “H” below it (“fit project in window”).
Then save the combined file as “LS 4 to 49”. Then re-load it.
Then repeat the addition procedure, to add “LS 0 to 4 min” also at the start of the
“LS 4 to 49” file.
Wait for it to complete. If nothing happens, click on a toolbar with a magnifying
symbol with a horizontally elongated “H” below it (“fit project in window”).
Save the result as “LS 0 to 49”.
Check that the final file is actually 49 minutes long: use the time scale and Fast
Forward symbol atop the Audacity window on the computer screen.
Then inspect the file by repeatedly pressing an icon in toolbar with a magnifying glass
with a “+” in it. Press it repeatedly until recognisable square waves appear.
Then click the “Play” triangular button and listen to the square wave, to check ok.
Use this file as the input to the above circuit.
The final on-screen result is shown below. To see this square waveform, it is necessary
to click on the magnifying glass icon marked “+” (many times) to get these views:
This is a picture of the “Audacity” programme on the computer screen. The “volume
control” (see loudspeaker icon scale, above 2.7 on numbers scale) is shown above at
about 75%. The left (upper stereo channel) shows square waves, as does the right
(lower) graph. These slowly diverge away from the starting 10 Hz.
These screen pictures are of a wav (Microsoft) file, which is a very pure square wave
but if it is converted to a smaller mp3 file, the square edges are “noisy”, but this does
not affect the flashing. Copying and pasting mp3 files may add further noise - if
experimenting, check the waveform against the pictures given here.
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 67
The later result (fast-forwarded to nearly 49 minutes), is shown in the picture below,
where the volume control is seen above 48:57.5 (being 48 minutes & 57.5 seconds).
The left channel lamp would flash at the left eye target frequency of this programme
of 18 Hz and the right channel lamp would flash at 6 Hz (right eye):
Note: The lower trace is the Left stereo channel. This was connected to the TIP of
the 3.5 mm jack socket, which should be wired to a printed circuit board marked “L”
with a fibre pen. Convention: tip is left audio stereo channel.
If the result in the earphones comes out the “wrong way round”, this is
covered in the “Instructions for use” section later below.
(For any cross-over experiments later, a stereo plug was connected to a stereo line
socket (not a chassis-type socket) with short wires, and, to create a cross-over, the
tip of the plug was connected to the ring of the socket, and vice-versa.)
plugging earphones into it (at half volume!). If a 2-way stereo adaptor is used,
earphones could be plugged into one of it two outlets, and the flashing unit into the
other, for testing. The earphones’ jack plug was removed after testing.
The Audio Device should feel cool at all times: checked several times, with the
square wave running and lights flashing, and with the power to the lights switched
off. An oscilloscope was not connected to the flashing light bulb circuits unless a
10K (for protection) resistor is placed in the connection to the negative (ground)
input of the oscilloscope (see instruction below). It is not essential to use an
oscilloscope for fault finding.
Note: It is not necessary to have a computer available while using the flashing
lights unit, because the output of the USB Audio Device can be copied to any small
recording device as an mp3 file. More details are given later below.
The two identical circuits (for left and right bulbs) made it easy to find a fault, by
comparing voltages at similar points and by swapping components (the power was
switched off before removing or inserting components). Both transistors, and the
741, are in sockets, to make changing them easy. There are no T1 & T2 (only used in
an earlier prototype). The same power supply is used for all the boards: +6 volts.
Picture of circuits: circuit board containing left & right flasher components
and audio components, in Maplin RL6335-F plastic box:
The picture above shows the constructed bulb-flasher & audio circuits.
The printed circuit board has the left and right identical flasher bulb circuits on the top
10 and next 10 copper tracks, and the audio circuit on the remaining 10 lower tracks.
The two pink 50 ohm potentiometers control the left & right bulb brightnesses.
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 69
The grey 3 watt resistors (8.2 ohm) are above each potentiometer.
The “power in” socket on the top right has a plug in it, from the 6 volt PSU.
NOTE: The square wave input (recorded from the computer onto a Sansa solid-state
MP3 player, shown on the left), is seen at the top left of the above picture. But it
should better be placed instead on the lower left of the box, to allow the circuit board
to be “hinged” up simply, by easy removal of only the ”power-in” socket at the top of
the box.
The 3.5 mm stereo jack socket audio output next to the knobs, is shown connected to
an external volume control (the small black box below the main box), essential to
allow the audio volume to be adjusted. The two red items at this socket are two 0.68
μF capacitors soldered to the left & right output pins of this socket.
The black 3.5 mm stereo-type socket at the lower right of the main box picture is the
output to the two bulbs of the spectacles.
The wall thickness of the plastic box is troublesome, as the thread on the 3.5 mm
stereo-type sockets is too short. This was solved by not using the threaded bushes
at all, and securing the sockets with large brass nuts which had been drilled through
one of their hexagonal flats and the drill-hole tapped to take a set-screw, seen in the
picture above. The large brass nut was sprung tight to the plastic box with a split-
type of shake-proof washer and the assembly was held tight to close the shake-proof
washer using water-pump pliers while the set screw was tightened very hard. When
the pliers were removed, the socket was secure and would not turn. Holes were
drilled in the plastic box wall for the full diameter of the body of the Maplin 3.5 mm
stereo sockets used. Alternatively, an easier solution may be to use a large diameter
drill to part-drill through the box wall, before drilling the through-hole for the jack
sockets.
Stand-offs were placed on the 4 screws which secure the box lid to the box, to leave
an annular gap for ventilation. These stand-offs are conveniently brass nuts which
have a loose fit to the 4 lid screws.
series with the negative oscilloscope input terminal and the flashing unit’s output
jack negative terminal (screen). The Audio Device should run quite cool (check this).
Troubleshooting:
(1) BEFORE first switch-on, solder bridging was checked for between adjacent copper
tracks. Use a strong lens – even tiny strands of solder will cause a fault.
(2) The supply voltage was quickly checked at switch-on, to be actually about 6 volts.
(3) Replacing transistors if suspected faulty (very low cost).
(4) The lights’ jack plug should not rotate such that either the L or R solder
contact touches onto the ground contact! If there was rotation, a paper was
wrapped on the ground contact to stop a short. Check for a blown bulb.
For the EEG measurements, both earphones were removed. (Using earphones, not
headphones.)
This left only the right eye flashing lights active, at 6 Hz (see Fig. 1.2 in Chapter A(ii) ).
So the left eye view was free of flashes.
For the EEG measurements, when the trees’ image stabilised, at 6 Hz, the EEG “hold”
button was pressed, to freeze and record the display on the Mind Mirror EEG.
High beta (38 Hz): A very high (off-scale) left-hemisphere peak, and a medium-high
right-hemisphere peak.
Delta (1.5 Hz): A large delta peak on the left, which vanished when the strobe was
switched off.
It may be significant that the 6 Hz theta flashing frequency is a harmonic of 1.5 Hz
(delta).
Further tests are needed, such as the effect of ramping down to 1.5 Hz (delta) to the
left eye, instead of to the 6 Hz (theta) used, &c.
The actually measured final EEG frequencies of 38 Hz and 1.5 Hz, instead of the
notional target frequencies used (18 Hz and 6 Hz), but it may make little difference if
the brain settles naturally into its preferred final frequencies. Voss et al [1] found that
only 25 Hz (high beta) and 40 Hz (gamma) caused lucid dreams, indicating that beta or
gamma are essential.
Fig. 6. The 16-01-01-16 scales are the 16 LEDs of the EEG display [5], and
the italics figures are frequencies in Hz:
LED means a “light-emitting diode”, an indicator lamp whose lateral position from
screen centre line = signal amplitude at that frequency.
The left half of the screen is for the left brain hemisphere, and the right half is for the
right hemisphere.
The Mind Mirror spectrum analyser EEG graphs below were recorded at its maximum
sensitivity of 3 microvolts full scale, i.e. LED No 16 lights up at 3 μV (0.000003 volts).
The scale is linear: LED 1 is zero volts and LED 16 is 3 μV.
Experiments 1 & 2 are to indicate reproducibility. Experiment 3, for comparison,
was just after thinking extraneous thoughts to destroy the image (no image seen).
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 72
Oscilloscope Pictures:
Above picture shows sharp rise & fall of square wave edges, measured at the lamp
bulb terminals. The scope happened to be set to “AC input”, but the picture below
was set to “DC input” and shows a squarer square wave. The vertical DC voltage
difference between the two lines below, is 1.5 volts:
The picture below shows the waveform at either side of the 0.56 μF capacitor (on
flasher circuit board), showing a sharp rise but a ragged fall. However, the final
result across the lamp terminals is all that is necessary (the picture above).
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 73
All the pictures above all use a “wav” (Microsoft) square waveform.
The picture below is across the bulb terminals for that wav file saved as a much smaller
mp3 file, but which has some noise on its verticals: note the vertical multiple starts of
the “on” (upper horizontal) line (ignore the vertical jitter which causes apparent double
horizontal lines):
Both the wav and mp3 square waves have been tested for vision production, and
found successful. The less pure mp3 waveform is ok because the bulb filament
cannot follow its fast multiple “on” starts. The advantage of an mp3 file is that it is
acceptable by, and can be copied into, small external recorders like an I-pad or lower
cost MP3 digital recorders/players, which allows a cumbersome computer not to be
needed during use.
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 74
Below, is the “Audacity” programme computer screen picture of the mp3 square
wave referred to just above. This was obtained by converting the wav file to mp3
using a converter programme (www.NCH.com.au/tonegen). Note the small slightly
noisy corners of the mp3 square waves. (Cf the similar computer screen wav pictures
given above). The MP3 result works quite satisfactorily.
See the Caution note below, about those who should not use flashing light systems.
It is not necessary to have a computer available while using the flashing lights unit,
because the output of the USB Audio Device can be copied to any recording device,
such as a CD or MP3 player, a tape recorder, or any miniature sold-state
recording/replaying device, whose output 3.5 mm jack socket can then be used to plug
the 3.5 mm plug-to-plug cable into, with the other end being plugged into the flasher
unit’s input. The playing device’s volume control will need to be adjusted, to get
suitable amplitude square waves from it. For the Sansa MP3 player, shown in the
picture of the final unit, a few pages above, its half-volume is ok. To find the best
level, the MP3 player’s volume control was reduced until the bulbs stop flashing, and
then increased to about halfway between that value and the maximum. The setting
was noted. A suitable low cost MP3 player is Maxell, P-Series, see www.maxell.eu
Power supply unit (“battery eliminator”): Set the voltage on it before switching it on
(it will not respond to changes made after switch-on). Set it to 6 volts to power the
circuit board. If the bulbs burn out they are very low cost and easily replaced. All
the transistors are in sockets, not soldered in, for easy replacement.
Very Important: It was made sure that the two 3.5 mm stereo-type plugs were
firmly clicked fully into their correct sockets (labelled), which may be very stiff.
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 75
Note: The earphones’ sound volume was set “moderately loud” for effective
brainwave entrainment, but not “very loud”. Recall the caution that earphone and
MP3 player manufacturers put in their instructions leaflets – that excessive loudness
can cause permanent hearing loss in later life.
If extraneous thoughts occur, the flashing habituation will cease and the field of vision
will be blocked out by a red field of light. The trees are “behind” this light and if the
mind is cleared of thoughts, the flashing will be re-habituated and it will then diminish
and the trees will re-appear, within usually 10 or 20 seconds. This effect is
repeatable. With practice, it should be possible to do simple arithmetical calculations
without losing the trees vision. This effect is very similar to a ticking clock in a quiet
room, which the mind habituates to, so that no ticking is sensed, but if one thinks of
the clock then its ticking will be heard again because the mind’s habituation to it is
lost.
Other experiments (not yet done) would be to change the flashing mark:space ratio,
i.e. the ratio of on-time to off-time for each flash.
Note: It is essential to wait 2 minutes before assessing the success of the settings,
if the flashing seems too bright and blocks out the images, because the eyes/brain will
habituate to any repetitive stimulus like regular flashing, and it will recede, leaving the
images to be seen. A good familiar example is the ticking of a new clock in a room,
which is quite distracting at first, but after some time becomes quite inaudible and is
not distracting at all. The same applies to flashing lights and time must be allowed
for habituation to occur before assessing the imagery situation.
The order of switching on, does not matter, electronically, but is best to switch on the
square wave from the computer (or preferably from a recording of it on an MP3
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 76
player) last, by using the “pause” button on the MP3 player, to avoid loss of the start
of the programme. For the same reason, the 6 volt LES bulb brightness was set to
maximum before starting the MP3 player, and was thus set to be of equal brightness
before putting the spectacles on.
Note: It may take about 30 seconds for the bulbs to start flashing and 30 seconds for
the sound pulses to settle down steadily.
Circuits have been tested and the diagrams checked, but please report any errors
found, to the author: [email protected]
Please report any results and problems.
The author will endeavour to reply to any questions.
Future research:
(1) The author has tried using a telephone pick-up coil to find out if magnetic field
pulses would allow reducing the flashing brightness required, while still obtaining the
images. The pick-up coil was heavy enough for its lead to drape over the head and
hold the coil at the left occipital region, without a head-band. This is very
experimental and the results are not sure, as there may be an effect like the placebo
effect for medicines, i.e. a beneficial effect may be imagined. The pickup coil with a
3.5 mm mono jack plug (Maplin Part No LB92A) was plugged into an additional jack
socket which is connected between the points A & B in the main Circuit diagram
above. Magnetic field measurements show the field at its rubber cup is 100 milli-
Gauss (measured with a 50 Hz calibrated Gauss meter). Applying a notional safety
factor of 10 to correct for an actual frequency used of 6 Hz, this could be 1 Gauss.
Safety information is given below:
From: http://sp.ehs.cornell.edu/lab-research-safety/radiation/magnetic-
safety/Documents/Magnetic_Field_Safety_Program_Cryo_Guide_v4.pdf
The field at (touching the rubber cup of) a typical telephone pickup coil (used to
record phone conversations by placing on the phone handset) is only about 1
Gauss (see above), which is well below the IRPA safety level recommendation.
For comparison, holding an electric drill gives about 10 Gauss, and using a hair
dryer or vacuum cleaner is similar.
(2) Varying the mark:space ratio during actual use, could be worth investigation.
(3) The final flashing into one eye is far less distracting than if into both eyes, but the
possibility is being investigated of further reduction by only applying the final 6 Hz as
electrical impulses to electrodes at the inion and vertex (reported by Kanai [10] to
produce phosphenes). For this, electrodes are connected to points A & B in Fig. 5a
via a potentiometer and a simple amplifier (e.g. Velleman 7W mono audio amplifier
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 77
The low-cost “recommended” DIY circuit given above produced the same visionary
result as the DP L&S machine, but I had put no ramp-up square waves at the end,
so if this is used, a user should (after the session, for safety) use a higher
flashing rate to get out of the low frequency brain-state, at the user’s own
discretion, by creating a ramp-up programme as described above – any frequency
regime programme can be created using the computer as explained above. See
the Caution below. The writer can take no responsibility for any effects produced, and
if in doubt, professional advice should be sought. The above is not a recommendation
to use any of the circuits described; it is just a descripton of what the author did.
C
CAUTION: When using Light & Sound devices:
NOTICE: For legal reasons, the following statements are made. The items described are
experimental consciousness-enhancing products, for which no medical claims are made or
implied. The descriptions given are reports of the effects produced as given by the
manufacturers and by professional users. None of these statements by professionals
should be construed as medical claims. The claims made centre around relaxation, medi-
tation, hypnosis and learning.
Warning: Light & sound and CES units should not be used by persons with a history of
epilepsy or other neurological disorders. But the following finding is quoted, for information,
from Maxwell Cade & Coxhead [2]: "After 4 years use of the lights, with more than 4000
pupils including 25 known epileptics, there have been no mishaps, and most of the
epileptics have reported a marked improvement in their condition. ...subjects were only
exposed to the lights after they had become very relaxed..." (see page 49 loc cit for more
details). This is quoted for information only and our advice is that medical advice should be
obtained before proceeding in such cases.
Note: Epilepsy is not very common, but it is possible for someone to be an as-yet undiagnosed
epileptic.
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 78
The author followed the advice below, which is copied here for information only. It is not
a recommendation for anyone else to repeat anything related to flashing lights &c described
in this book:
It is essential to allow at least half an hour after using light and sound machines
and other mind-enhancing units and tapes before operating machinery or driving a car.
Feel the chair and floor beneath you, get up and walk around and have something to eat
and drink. Eating and drinking is the quickest and safest way to close down the doorways
to the imagination or to unknown "inner worlds" after an inner exploration.
No responsibility is accepted for any use of light & sound machines, nor if any of the above
information is used. Important: See Warning on last page (page 188).
2. See in C. Maxwell Cade & N. Coxhead, “The Awakened Mind”, Element Books,
UK (1989): RECOMMENDED READING.
4. M.G. Hocking, “World Religion & History back to 70,000 BC, Discovered by
Remote Viewing”, published by 4-D Books Ltd, London: www.4-D.org.uk/Books
See its Appendix 8. See more details on next page here below (page 79).
Reverting to normal people, the left and right fields of view of each eye
separately, go to the right and left brains respectively; i.e. reversal occurs for
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3 79
each eye separately. Relevant to flashing lights spectacles, see United States
Patent 5709645, by D. Siever, in: www.google./com/patents/US5709645
.
If the field of view seen by each eye is limited by the nose, for each eye, as
when using flashing bulb spectacles, then from data in reference [9]:
LEFT eye left field of view goes to R brain
LEFT eye right field of view goes to L brain
(Note: lateral inversion occurs in each eyeball due to its single convex lens.)
10. Ryota Kanai, R., Chaieb, L., Antal, A., Walsh, V. and Paulus, W. (2008).
Current Biology, 18, 1839–1843. DOI 10.1016/j.cub.2008.10.027
11. Terhune, D. B., Song, M. and Cohen Kadosh, R.(2015). Cortex, 63, 267-270.
https://cohenkadosh.psy.ox.ac.uk/publications/base_view?b_start:int=25&-C
The author:
M. Gwyn Hocking is a Professor of Materials Chemistry (University of London).
In his latest book he has included detailed discusssions on ESP ('remote viewing')
investigations of the fine structures of molecules, atoms and elementary particles:
“World Religion & History back to 70,000 BC, discovered by Remote Viewing”.
(400 pages hardback, with many illustrations)
See Chapter 3, & Appendices 3 to 6.
80
APPENDIX 4: OTHER APPLICATIONS
Remote viewers report that people have been successfully trained for remote
viewing [18-28]. The image-producing method described here may be a
useful practical start for remote viewing training, as it produces immediate
images and a relaxed brain-wave state.
Remote viewing is based on a very rare special ability or innate ‘gift’, and so it
cannot satisfy the usual requirement in science that a valid observation
should be immediately “repeatable by anyone, anywhere”. This requirement
causes problems in securing the publication of such information, but it seems
illogical not to publish such admittedly anecdotal information if it can never be
obtained by other methods, provided that it is clearly stated that it is
anecdotal. An example is the reported use of a magnifying ability by some
remote viewers, which has been claimed to reveal fine structures of
subatomic particles, which can never be observable by microscopes due to
their resolving power limitations [12, 18, 31]. Such data may be useful for
future researchers. The difference between this and the above example of
dice in a steel box, is that the box can be opened by anyone to verify that the
dice are as predicted by the remote viewer, but the subatomic particle
structures cannot be viewed “by anyone” to verify them, but only by the four
known remote viewers reporting on these particles [18, 31].
world, and he became a main member of the USA government CIA remote
viewing group (Schnabel [19], Swann [20]). Remote viewing ability is either
innate (Swann [20, 29], Morehouse [25-28], McMoneagle [21-23]), or it can
be acquired by training, as discussed by these and by the present author [12,
18, 31].
Other methods for entering imagery states are available, e.g. a new method
for lucid dreaming requiring no sensor at all in contact with the sleeper [30].
35. D. Parsons, “Dorje Ling”, CD: Fortuna 17076-2; Tracks 1 & 4 (must be
heard with eyes closed). This is remarkable music from Tibet. Sub-woofer
speaker essential, for the near-infrasound (suitable low cost audio driver:
Velleman kit K8060, 3 Hz to 200 kHz). Infrasound causes strongly
devotional feelings, and is produced in medieval cathedrals which have
specially designed organ pipes too long to produce audible sound, and it is
felt as a buffeting of the head and body.
36. Ashcoft-Nowicki, D. “Highways of the Mind”, “The Shining Paths”, “Inner
Landscapes” etc , Aquarian Press (1980s).
37. J.H. Brennan, “Astral Doorways”, Aquarian Press (1971).
38. C.W. Leadbeater, "The Chakras", Theosophical Society, London.
39. Dante, "The Divine Comedy -- Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso" mentions
dark ghostly forests, e.g. in Canto 1 & Canto 4.
40. Isaacs, Megabrain Report, 1990 (available on internet).
41. A Mantra CD: "Saraswati Mantra", Om Ayim Srim Hrim, Saraswati Devyai
Namaha, published by SMVA Trust (UK), at: www.karunamayi.org
The author:
M. Gwyn Hocking is a Professor of Materials Chemistry (University of London).
In his latest book he has included detailed discusssions on ESP investigations of
the fine structures of molecules, atoms and elementary particles:
“World Religion & History back to 70,000 BC, discovered by Remote Viewing”,
See Chapter 3, & Appendices 3 to 6.
Available from 4-D Books Ltd, London at:
www.4-D.org.uk/Books (400 pages, hardback with 58 illustrations).
£6 + mailing within UK.
-o0o-
"Stop Press":
Important note, added from the end of the "Mechanism" section of Chapter A (ii):
During a vision of trees etc, the author found that if the brightness of the flashing
lamp at 6 Hz is increased, then the intensity of the images increased, even though
the brighter flashes intruded into the vision. As a speculation, this may indicate
that DMT production by the pineal gland, which is known to be caused by stress
[ref. 14, above], may be increaseded by increased flashing brightness, as the
pineal is (albeit circuitously) connected to the eyes. Anecdotally, the pineal
gland has been called the "third eye". It is dormant in most people, but it may be
a "sixth sense" sensor, if activated.
See the Mechanism section in Chapter A (ii).
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 5 84
The new method described in Chapter A (ii) reduces the genetic difference
between people who can, and cannot, visualise naturally.
The advantage of this method is that it gives early encouragement to
meditators, especially beginners, who otherwise find they are making no
progress, and just give up:
For many years, the author had tried traditional meditation methods, but
made no progress. Not even a candle could be visualised with eyes
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 5 86
The results reported are of great importance to those, like the author, who
have spent years trying to obtain visual imagery by conventional
meditation methods but with no success.
I have always seen only blackness, with eyes closed, and I have been
searching for years for a method for obtaining visual imagery, which I
finally obtained by the (fast) method described, never published anywhere
else.
Chapter A (ii) gives these entirely new important results, which will
interest many readers, so when it was sent as a paper for limited
publication as mentioned above, I was very surprised by one referee's
dismissive comment, "It may possibly have a kernel of value"!
He had not appreciated the importance of the results, but I do admit that
people who are not interested in meditation methods, nor in possible ways
of increasing one’s intuitive inventive ability, would not be interested in
the paper.
The author has published 150 scientific papers, and has never before had
new experimental results rejected! There may be grounds for rejecting a
theory or an “opinionated” discussion paper which has no experimental
results, if it is judged by referees to be a scientifically unsound discussion,
but there can never be a valid reason for rejecting experimental results.
Also, such visions cannot be dismissed by saying they are due to brain anoxia,
as they are obviously not, in a normal healthy observer.
Chapter A (ii) Appendix 5 87
The actual inane comment made by one referee is, “My guess is that his
trees/branches imagery actually relates to the capillary architecture of the eye."
But he is completely wrong in ‘guessing’ that the images seen are the capillary
structure of the eye, without even trying the method out! I am absolutely
certain that it is not the eye capillaries. What were the stone-walled houses?
.
Such comments should not be allowed to deprive others from reading these
observations, especially as they is important not only for meditators but also for
those interested in invention in science & technology to be able to easily
enter an intuitive state to facilitate invention and new ideas. The paper is not
confined only to those interested in meditation methods.
.
I was very surprised that a report of experimental results should be
rejected, on the basis of the unconfirmed beliefs of referees -- it suggests
that the report was dismissed because the referees concluded (incorrectly)
that I saw only blood vessels in the eye, and not the scenes involving trees etc
which I described! Also, only one eye receives the flashes during the highly
stereoscopic visions of trees, and the other eye receives no light at all. So
stereoscopic vision of the blood capillaries in the eyes is impossible! Two eyes
are required, and, the trees moved steadily across my field of view, accurately
stereoscopic, and, the direction of motion was reversible, or stoppable, at will.
.
It took me hundreds of hours of careful development to optimise my
(freely-available) circuits to a standard which any non-technical person
with some practical dexterity could easily make, with no need to understand
the circuit operation. Hence these results are reported in this e-book instead.
.
The completely new method given, puts one quickly into an intuitive
simultaneous beta and delta brain-wave state, with implications for
invention (Cf. Edison & Einstein), quite independent of what mechanism
the user believes is involved.
I had hoped that referees of the paper might take a different view, but they
did not consider this important technological aspect at all. Unless they
happen to be involved in industrial research & development, it would
probably not occur to them, if they are psychologists. It will take decades
before the importance of intuition to industry is recognised, although
Edison had demonstrated this a century ago, but he did not publicise his
method.
“That one can generate images using electronic techniques -- yes. But
also the "God helmet" ((see ref. 32)) can generate so called spiritual
experiences. Visions are cheap and can be generated by many electrical
or chemical methods. But they may have nothing to do with meditation.
This is a very topical subject, as many neurologists today are trying to
show that all religious experiences can be explained/generated by
neurological activity”.
My comment:
It is an assumption to say that he “God helmet” of Persinger [32]
generates spiritual experiences -- an alternative view is given in the
section called “Mechanism” above:
it can be said that the "God helmet" can “generate so called
spiritual experiences”, but, it could instead equally be said that the God
helmet “can put the brain’s receptors into a state in which they perceive
what are normally un-perceived subliminal inputs”. I agree that this is a
very topical subject, as many neurologists today are trying hard to show
that all ‘religious experiences’ can be explained as being simply physically
generated by brain neurological activity. Do I detect some prejudice here?!
His assertion: “visions are cheap”, is untrue if drugs are excluded! No
drugs were used by the author and so it is quite inappropriate to cite drug
use in a referee’s comment. I specifically wanted to give a non-chemical
method -- no drugs!
I am not aware of any electrical methods (other than those producing
vague cloud-shaped phosphenes, which are primitive, and nothing like the
sharp imagery which my method produces).
Other electrical methods such as stroboscopic lights produce geometrical
patterns generated by processes within the brain, which are nothing like
the visions of forests etc produced by the method reported by the author.
His statement, “many neurologists today are trying to show that all
religious experiences can be explained/generated by neurological activity”,
indicates that his sympathies lie with a materialistic/atheistic “explanation”.
E.g.: a "truth" here is that NDE patients have accurately described subsequently-verified events
which occurred in rooms outside the room that they were lying unconscious in, in hospitals.
This is not mentioned by those who wish to attribute NDEs to hallucinations caused by anoxia.
Appendix 6 91
SETTING UP: These are the instructions set out as a checklist for the author
to follow. There may be minor differences in (e.g.) the exact locations of
switches & sockets on the box containing the circuit board.
CAUTIONS:
(1) The jack plug & earphone connectors may be very stiff – if so, ensure
they are fully pushed in hard (a click is heard) – if only part in, the voltage to
the lamps might be shorted out, if the spectacles jack plug is not fully in, and
the output transistors overheat. Look carefully at the jack socket and ensure
the plug is fully in.
It is advisable to leave the spectacle jack plug in – no need to remove it.
(2) Check the power supply unit is set to 6 volts (preferably no higher).
(3) Read Chapter A (ii) on this fast method for visual imagery, and its
Appendices 2, 3, 5 & 6, before starting.
(4) See especially Fig. 1.2 and its instructions.
(5) Check that the left potentiometer controls the left eye lamps, and at the
start both potentiometers should be fully clockwise.
(6) Read especially the caution about epilepsy.
(7) Read all the instructions here below. Caution: See the very last paragraph
of this e-book (page 188).
IMPORTANT: Before starting, it is essential to familiarise with the Maxell
P-Series MP3 player (cost £20 in 2015, from Maplin), or any other MP3 player
used, as this needs to be operated while wearing the L&S spectacles. This
was done first, as an entirely separate operation – using the instructions in
the Sub-Appendix below, called MP3 PLAYER FAMILIARISATION. Important
to do because the MP3 player needed to be operated in the dark, but
fortunately the Maxell P-Series MP3 player has only has 3 control buttons.
The spectacles’ jack socket is the ONLY socket on the SIDE of the box, and the
earphones’ socket is (approximately) diametrically opposite it, next to the two
potentiometers: see Fig. 7 in Chapter A (ii).
Plug the spectacles into the jack socket for them, and plug the earphones into
the jack socket for them. Do not put these on yet.
IMPORTANT: Do not plug anything except the spectacles’ cable, into the spectacles’
socket.
IMPORTANT: To check that the power supply is set to 6 volts and that the
“power-in” connector plug polarity is TIP +ve. See markings on the tip itself,
or check polarity with a voltmeter. If the tip gets detached from its
receptacle (on the black twin cable), re-connect observing the correct polarity
markings. Reverse polarity will destroy the transistors {a diode needs to be
included in the circuit (power supply line) to prevent this – see layout circuit
diagram in Chapter A (ii) Appendix 3}.
The power-in plug will only fit into one of the sockets on the unit.
DO NOT SET THE VOLTAGE TO OVER 6 volts, for normal use (7.5 volts is
possible to get a higher brainwaves’ “drive”, optionally).
Appendix 6 92
Only then, plug the “power-in” plug into the power-in socket. The mains
adaptor can be left plugged in, and the “power-in” connector used as a
convenient local “switch” to power the L&S unit on or off (pull it out).
The 8 lamps should glow (set the two red potentiometers to maximum).
See the lamp spectacles in Fig. 8 in Chapter A (ii).
Preferably don’t leave the system in this state (all 8 bulbs full on) for long
periods (i.e. for more than a few minutes).
The two switches on the other (narrow) black box are for the right-side
lamps, and one switches off the two outer bulbs, and the other switches off
the other two bulbs. Test these switches, and then leave both in the ON
position.
Proceed now to the operation instructions (below) for the MP3 player:
Operation of Maxell Series-P MP3 player with the main L&S device:
Plug the short lead with stereo jack plugs on each end, into the Maxell MP3
player and into the square wave input socket on the L&S device (on opposite
face of the box from the earphones’ socket).
Navigate to Track 1 (music), first, using the procedure explained in the Sub-
Appendix below. The only other ‘music’ track is the square wave for the
flashing lights.
Note: It is important to start from the very beginning of the square wave
audio, because it quickly begins to start ramping to different frequencies.
Starting with the music track makes this easy to achieve, without any haste
being needed. Changing then to Track 2 from Track 1 ensures that Track 2
(square waves) starts from its beginning.
Now put the earphones on, observing the letters R & L written on them.
Switch on the MP3 player as explained in the Sub-Appendix below.
Very distorted music is heard, which just confirms you are on Track 1 (music).
If such music is not heard, BRIEFLY press the + (or the –) on the MP3 player.
This should start the music track.
Next put the spectacles on, and then press the + (or -) to quit the music and
to start the square wave.
Next set the sound volume as explained in the section “VOLUME CONTROL” in
the Sub-Appendix. No haste is needed. Take time to do this.
Finally, because some time has been lost while doing this, select the music
track again, by pressing BRIEFLY the + (or -). Distorted music will be heard.
Then, BRIEFLY press the + (or -) to re-start the square wave track. This
simple procedure will re-start the square wave from the beginning of the
ramp, so no ramping will be lost at the start. There is no urgency needed.
Follow the general instructions in Fig. 1.2 of Chapter A (ii) (Fast Method for
Visual Imagery). Caution: See the very last paragraph of this e-book, page 188.
Appendix 6 93
After about 10 minutes, (without removing the spectacles of course) rotate the
left-hand potentiometer to zero, to stop the flashing into the left eye. All 4
bulbs on the RHS should still be flashing, at 6 flashes per second (6 Hz). See
Fig. 1.2 in Chapter A (ii) for full details.
When trees etc are being observed, gaze into the distance to avoid the
flashing, the intrusion/perception of which will gradually decrease. If flashing
intrudes again, ignore it and gaze into the distance again.
Switch off the outer two right lamps to improve the images.
[ Later, try also switching off the inner lamps (put the outer lamps back on),
but this will probably not give good images. ]
The two toggle switches for this are on the narrow black box.
Do not switch off all the lamps!
You need to know where you placed the boxes, before putting the spectacles on!
If the battery goes flat, do not leave it flat -- recharge the battery
immediately, to preserve battery life.
Charge every 3 months, if not in use.
If the MP3 player has a red light on, switch it off by pressing the ►|| button
until the light goes off.
Only needed once, for initial familiarisation: To check operation of MP3 player
only:
Important to familiarise, because you will need to operate the MP3 player in the
dark, but it only has 3 buttons.
Press and hold the ►|| button until the red light appears (on its RHS).
Release button.
Press button again, but briefly only, to start playback.
Press BRIEFLY either the “+” or the “-“ symbol to get back to the other track.
Music will be heard: either TRACK 1 (music), or TRACK 2 (square wave).
VOLUME CONTROL:
This procedure will probably not be needed, as the default (automatic)
volume setting at switch-on is probably ok. But listen to the sound quality
and volume and compare it with the optimum result from the procedure
below. The volume should be “loud” but not “very loud”.
Be familiar with the procedure below in case needed:
Plug the earphones into the earphone output on the main L&S device.
Connect the MP3 player to the L&S device with the short lead with 3.5 mm
stereo plugs on both ends.
(Select the square wave sound track as explained above.)
If the + or the – button is pressed & held, the volume will increase or decrease.
To set the best volume level for the square wave, press & hold the – button
until the square wave sound goes off (or almost off). Then listen carefully
and press & hold the + button; the sound will increase as a musical
monotone, but if the volume is too high it becomes just clicking (no tone).
Select the optimum volume as the best sounding series of tones (no clicking).
Note: If the + or – button is not held down for long enough, the unit will
change to the other track instead of changing the volume.
SWITCHING OFF Maxell MP3 player: Press and hold the ►|| button until
the red light goes off.
IMPORTANT: If this is not done, the MP3 player will probably remain on
until its internal rechargeable battery goes flat.
Do not let its battery stay flat – charge it immediately (see separate
instructions above)
Note: In Pause mode (not needed) the MP3 unit will auto-power-off after 2 minutes.
BASIC INSTRUCTIONS, copied from Fig. 1.2 in Chapter A (ii), are on the next page:
Caution: See the very last paragraph of this e-book, on page 188.
Appendix 6 95
Basic instructions
From Fig. 1.2 of Chapter A (ii)
“Lilliput” LES 6 volt torch bulbs are used, 4 over each eye; the two vertical pairs over the right eye can
be switched off (see below). Warning: See DISCLAIMER on page 4, and see page 188.
Check that both potentiometer knobs are fully clockwise at start (both knobs turned to position 3 on an
imagined clock-face around knob). ENSURE that the unit is not upside down! The “left”
potentiometer should control the flashes to the LEFT eye (check in a ‘dummy run’ before using).
10 10 Hz 18 6 Hz 6 Hz 6 Hz
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
10 10 6 18 6
-- Did you see a bright visual field for the first 10 minutes, changing slowly
during the ramp-down to final frequencies (6 Hz and 18 Hz)?
.
-- Did you hear tone pulses in both ears, with the left ear reaching 6 Hz after
10 minutes, and the right ear hearing 18 Hz?
.
-- Did you manage to then turn down the knob which controls the left eye
flashes, to successfully put off the left eye only flashes, and leave flashes to
the right eye only (continuing at 6 flashes per second)? This is important.
-- Did you remove the higher-frequency pulsing (right) earphone first, after
about 10 minutes or more (from the start)?
-- Did you then remove the lower frequency pulsing (left) earphone?
-- Could you prevent any adventitious thoughts arising during the whole process?
-- After the 10 minutes ramp-down, did you see anything apart from the 6 Hz
flashing?
Did you try to gaze "into the distance"?
-- AUDIO: Were you able to select and use the audio tone pulsing channel
(not the test music channel)?
(There were only 2 channels on the MP3 player, and the music channel was
for test purposes only)
-- Were you able to start off fairly quickly, and thus not to lose the first part of
the ramp-down time?
-- Did you try the relaxation exercises on the CD (e.g. Schultz relaxation),
which are very useful at first and then could be dispense with it in later sessions.
.
NB: It is advisable to first go through the procedure without wearing the goggles,
to become familiar with it, as it needs to be done later while wearing them.
A Comment:
Some women have said that they have no knowledge of science, but if they
can do needlework or tapestry, this is exactly the dexterity needed for
soldering, and when I tell them that many women work in factories doing
soldering, they just look blank ! I have had comments from non-scientific
people that they cannot construct the circuit, but if they are unwilling to even
try, I am not sure if they deserve to reap the benefits !?
A story from ancient Greece, is told of a young man who asked a philosopher
if he could teach him how to access the “inner world”. The teacher then
pushed the man’s head under the sea (that they were both standing in at the
time) and after some time he released the man who was about to drown! The
philosopher told him, “You need to want to succeed as much as you wanted to
take a breath of air just now, if you are to be successful !”
CHAPTER B
The author has also met others (who also were not taking any
drugs) and has also asked them the same question on whether
their visions are still visible if they close their eyes, and they have
also reported that their visions disappear if the eyes are closed
and re-appear when opened. This means that these visions were
not hallucinations, in the author’s opinion, and were of the ‘etheric’
type (see below). ‘Astral’ (dreamstate) visions do not disappear.
Note on Figures B.1 & B.2: The artist says that if she closes her eyes, the
vision disappears and re-appears on opening; and if she looks away it is still
there when she looks back. This means it is not a hallucination. Similar-
looking psychedelic art from independent un-connected people worldwide
suggests that an objective reality exists (i.e. it is not just from within one
individual’s mind). Examples of such psychedelic art are available on the
internet, with search words, “Psychedelic Review”, or, “Isaac Abrams”.
9
This can be drawn on his 2-D paper as shown in Fig. A8.1 above,
or, as our normal perspective drawing of a cube:
Monday or later in the following week; Frances did not see her
uncle develop the plate but received a copy on her return home.
In 1983, sixty-six years later than when she first saw the fairies,
Frances prepared notes for a book which was subsequently
published in 2009 by her daughter [4], from which the following
details are given:
She said that she (aged 9) often visited the stream alone because
Elsie was normally working. She was daydreaming one day and
then saw a miniature man about 18 inches tall walking down the
bank. He held a leaf in his hand and crossed the stream by just
walking over it, walking on the water, and quite unaffected by the
current which she expected to carry him downstream. This first
time she saw him, he stared at her and was aware that she could
see him. But on later occasions he gave no indication that he
knew she was seeing him, but she sensed that he knew.
His face was that of a typical working man and was neither ugly
nor friendly. Later she said she saw him leading other miniature
men, dressed like him in green clothing. She watched them until
Chapter B Remote Viewing Mechanism 107
they went behind some plants out of sight. Frances said she did
not tell Elsie for a long time and it was her own secret, which she
did not want to share. She said Elsie never mentioned seeing the
miniature men or “the pretty fairies” when she was there with her
when they appeared.
It turned out later that Elsie never saw any fairies and only
Frances had that gift of “second sight”.
The author (MGH) comments that drizzle was present during this
sighting. There is a waterfall in the beck (see it on left side of
picture 10436087 in [8] Fig. A8.4 between p. 63 & 64); it was
raining for the week before the day (in August 1920) when the
last, “unfakeable” photograph was taken ([8] Fig. 1.3 between p. 63
and 64, and enlarged in Fig. A8.5 & A8.6). This means there
would have been high humidity in the air, rising from the rain-
saturated ground.
The waterfall (out of focus) is seen on the far left of picture
10436087 ([8] Fig. A8.4 between p. 63 & 64), about 20 feet behind
Frances, age 9, and rocks are on the right. It is known that
breaking water into tiny drops creates a negative charge cold
plasma ion cloud. So the waterfall produces ideal conditions for a
normally-invisible cold plasma (if nature spirits have bodies
composed of that) to become normally-visible and
photographable. Millikan’s cloud chamber is used in modern
physics to see plasma particle tracks and if the nature spirits
(composed of cold plasma) were in a high humidity atmosphere
or something else within the wavelength range recordable by a
camera, then they could become photographable.
In the summer of 1917, Frances was 9 and Elsie was 15. Fairies
are traditionally said to be seen by some pre-puberty children but
rarely by adults. There were no more photographs after the
Chapter B Remote Viewing Mechanism 108
It emerged later [4] that Elsie had never seen any fairies at any
time but she felt sorry for her younger cousin who was always in
trouble for slipping and getting her clothes wet in the beck.
Following a particularly difficult incident, Elsie had the idea of
making paper cut-out fairies and taking a photograph of them with
her father’s camera, thus showing the grown-ups that this was
why Frances was always going near the beck.
Elsie, liked jokes, and set up fake pictures with paper cut-outs, as
she could not get fairies to appear. See [8] Fig. A8.4. She asked
Frances to agree a children’s pact never to disclose this, but many
decades later Elsie disclosed it and the press latched onto it,
claiming fraud. Accounts of the controversy that this caused are
found on the internet (search for: Cottingley Fairies), but for an
accurate account see the book written by Frances and her
daughter [4]. The first 4 photographs were of paper cut-outs
which Elsie had produced. Elsie and Frances had remained silent
until 17th February 1983 when Elsie said in a letter that all the
photographs were a hoax, claiming that they had drawn the
fairies, cut them out and fastened them to the ground with
hatpins. This was not true for the 5th photograph. Elsie was not
telling the truth in 1983 when she said that all 5 photographs were
fakes. Frances, who was the first to see the fairies (when she
was alone), said in her last television appearance in 1986: “there
were fairies at Cottingley”.
The expert who had supplied the last 3 (1920) marked plates,
confirmed they were the ones he supplied; he would not commit
on plates C & D but said the last one (E) was, “an impossibility to
fake” [2] (see [8] Figures 1.3 & A8.5 & A8.6 & captions, near p.63).
In the years, after Conan Doyle’s 1920 & 1921 articles in Strand
Magazine, and Conan Doyle’s book “The coming of the Fairies” in
1922, the girls were hounded by the press, to the extent that Elsie
emigrated to America to escape it. A video [3] was made about
60 years later by Warner Bros, press hounding re-started but the
girls were then much older women in their 70s and Elsie began to
say that it was all a hoax. This turn of events was of course a
great dis-service to the subject, but as always, it is not “allowed”
for an incontrovertible proof of such phenomena as fairies to be
given; an element of doubt is always inserted!
1. C.W. Leadbeater, “Clairvoyance”, publ by TPS, Adyar, India (1899 & later),
available as a free download from: www.AnandGholap.net
Note: This website has many free downloadable books, but see important
comment in General References below.
2. E.L. Gardner, “Fairies”, publ. by Theo. Publ. House, London (1945).
Contains photographs. See: http://www.cottingleyconnect.org.uk/fairies.htm
3. “Fairy Tale, a True Story”, Video S015879, by Warner Bros (1997).
This video is about Conan-Doyle’s (actual) investigation of the fairies.
4. “Reflections on the Cottingley Fairies” by Frances Griffiths (ISBN 978-1-
8992 28-06-5) in her own words with additional material by her daughter
Christine - £8.99 (postage/packing + £1.50 UK. + £2.50 Europe, + £3.99 Rest
of World - More than 1 copy please request p&p rates) from Christine Lynch
at JMJ Publications, 1 Thornhill, Malone, Belfast, BT9 6SS or email:
[email protected] Published 2009.
Website: www.cottingleyreflections.com
Also available from Saltaire Bookshop and Media Museum, Bradford.
5. Website: http://www.cottingleyconnect.org.uk/fairies.htm
6. A. Besant & C.W. Leadbeater, “The Lives of Alcyone”, publ 1924, down-
loadable free from www.AnandGholap.net but see comment in ref. 1 above.
7. See espec. D. Van Gelder, “The Real World of Fairies”, Quest Books (1999).
8. M.G. Hocking, (2011). “World Religion & History back to 70,000 BC
Discovered by Remote Viewing”, 400pp, 58 illustrations, London: 4-D Books Ltd:
www.4-D.org.uk/Books
111
CHAPTER 1
CONSCIOUSNESS - THE ULTIMATE FRONTIER
A study of creative scientists (27) says, "Creative persons appear to have stumbled
onto and then developed to a high degree of perfection the ability to visualise ... in the
area in which they are creative. This is illustrated by reports by many of the great
inventors of the past."
The chemist Kekulé spoke of deep dreamlike reveries, leading to his theory of
molecular constitution, "I turned my chair to the fire and dozed. Again the atoms were
gambolling before my eyes. My mental eye, rendered more acute by repeated visions
of this kind, could now distinguish larger structures, in manifold conformation; long
rows, sometimes closely fitted together, all twisting in snakelike motion. One of the
snakes seized hold of its own tail and the form whiled mockingly before my eyes. As if
by a flash of lightening I awoke ..." He urged his contemporaries, "Let us learn to
dream, gentlemen."
The author Jean Cocteau reports visualising, "as if from a seat in a theatre, three acts
in which appeared an epoch and characters about which I had no documentary
information", which formed his subsequent play "The Knights of the Round Table".
Robert Louis Stevenson's ability to command his mind to furnish him with a story while
he slept is well documented. There are many other such accounts, e.g. Graham
Greene's ability to dream plots for his novels (110).
These accounts show that valuable ideas may lie dormant in the deeper and less
accessible parts of the mind.
Beyond our normal 5 senses there is evidence that we have other faculties which are
normally subliminal and thus not perceived (1-25;32-42;45-47;84-105;111;113-
116;123).
Chapter 1 112
These faculties may be responsible for intuitions which are translated into all kinds of
vitally important creative work, ranging from scientific and engineering invention to the
composing of great music and art. Also, greatly enhanced and fast learning rates may
be achieved, with no wandering of attention and no boredom, if the mind is placed in
certain special states. It is thus very worthwhile to explore this subliminal region of the
mind. There is also evidence that if the mind is deprived of sensory input, it "turns up
the volume control" and in this state its normally subliminal and subconscious regions
can be perceived.
Many traditional methods (14,15) exist for this purpose, many of them in the monastic
traditions of all religions, but the process is in no way tied to any religion or belief and
can be performed in an entirely secular way, as I shall show below. Science has
recently moved into this fascinating field and has evolved various electronic units
which greatly assist this quest. Before reviewing these units it is necessary to give
some background against which they can easily be understood.
Many years ago I met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (the guru of the Beatles and founder of
'Transcendental Meditation' or TM). In describing his method of approaching the
subliminal areas of the mind he told me to repeat a short word after him; he then
spoke this word for me at (I estimate) about 4 or 5 repetitions per second. At the time I
thought this was surprisingly fast; I would have expected a slow rate of about 1 per
second. Many years later, I discovered why he chose that rate - it is the rate of a
particular electrical frequency in the brain called theta waves. It doesn't matter much
what the repeated word is; a purely secular word like "one" can be used and is equally
effective. A long line of Hindu monks have been using this method from time
immemorial and it must have evolved because it works and not (perhaps) because
they knew the theta frequency was the right one to chose. It may take years to
achieve results by this traditional method, trying verbally to "drive" the brain at the
theta frequency; but electronic light and sound units are now available which may
achieve this result in minutes! This has been called a form of 'instant mysticism'.
Another way to modify brainwaves is by drugs (1,6,20). This is also a form of instant
mysticism, but usually the people involved are wrongly motivated and the flaws in
one's personality can be magnified a thousand fold and reflected back at one, unless
proper preparation is made. The personality may disintegrate, opposite to the other
methods to be described below.
Modern biofeedback methods for revealing the inaccessible regions of the mind are an
important area for investigation and training. The deeper levels of the mind are the
source of all kinds of vitally important creative work. Later some electronic units will be
described, which allow us to become self-conscious and aware during a dream, using
no drugs.
Most people live at a lesser efficiency than they are actually capable of. A few people,
like Edison and Einstein, have a natural ability (or have chanced across how to
develop it) for excellent performance. But following recent advances in electronics
this can now be learnt and we do not any longer have to just admire genius in others:
we can create it in ourselves.
Chapter 1 113
Whatever your day time activity, you can benefit from the electronic units described in
this book. We are fortunate in living in an age of great electronic advances. See
especially Chapters A (i) & (ii) and Chapter B. Chapter A (ii) describes the author’s
recent experiences of fast visual images observed with eyes closed but while fully
wide-awake. This could be a valuable quick aid to meditative states which may
otherwise take years to achieve.
Another aspect is the attainment of mystical states, which allow insights into depths of
truth unattainable by the discursive intellect. Such insights have a tremendous sense
of authority (45).
Koestler (125) writes, "... the temporary relinquishing of conscious controls liberates
the mind from certain constraints which are necessary to maintain the disciplined
routine of thoughts but may become an impediment to the creative leap; at the same
time other types of ideation on more primitive levels of mental organisation are brought
into activity."
Before proceeding further, it is necessary to give some basic information about the brain.
Chapter 2 114
CHAPTER 2
BRAIN ACTIVITY
In Meditation, you don't work with the "Mind", you work with "Awareness"
During the normal working of the brain, very small electrical signals are generated
in it. These can be detected and displayed using an electronic amplifier (electro-
encephalograph, EEG). These signals were first discovered about 100 years ago.
Alternating low frequency voltages of about 10 microvolts amplitude were detected
on the scalp and recorded by a sensitive galvanometer. Today we use amplifiers
to magnify these voltages. Over 2 million miles of EEG chart paper have been used
in the last century! So EEG instrumentation is clearly well established.
A few gifted individuals in our society have made outstanding contributions to science
and the arts. In case a clue to this might lie in their brain electrical activity, some of
these people were investigated using an EEG. An explanation is necessary about the
different types of electrical signals in the brain, which are best classified by their
frequency; see Fig. 1.1.
BETA (around 20 cycles per second or Hz) is our normal everyday thinking state.
(There are also higher frequencies, such as those around 4OO cycles per second,
called P1 & P2).
ALPHA (around 10 Hz) is our state with eyes closed and all thoughts excluded from
the mind, and is fairly easy to achieve. Any attempt at thinking will immediately put
us back into a beta state again. But it is possible to LEARN how to think in the alpha
state and even to solve problems while in it. A few gifted individuals were discovered
to have this ability naturally, e.g. the famous physicist Albert Einstein was found to
able to think about problems while in an alpha state. This state borders on the next-
lower state, the theta state (about 6 Hz), which is thought to be responsible for the
creative and intuitive faculties. So the alpha state is the doorway to the theta state,
whereas the everyday beta state is 'once-removed' from it. Einstein thought in
images, not words:
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - A. Einstein.
Edison used to relax in a chair with a metal sheet on the floor and a rubber ball in his
hand over it; relaxation produces the alpha state and the deeper intuitive theta state,
but this is usually accompanied by loss of the beta which means one falls asleep.
Edison prevented this happening because the ball then fell on the sheet which woke
him up and in this way he maintained some activity in beta, alpha and theta and was
able to bring the inventions of this special state into his aware mind.
Chapter 2 115
Fig. 1.1
A monotonous job can induce an alpha state, e.g. driving a car on a long journey.
Car makers have devised an alpha meter alarm for drivers to wear, with a simple
headband. An alternative method is an "eyes closed" detector which sounds an alarm
if the eyes stay closed for more than a preset short time.
Opening the eyes makes alpha hard to produce for beginners. But if you open your
eyes disinterstedly, i.e. without seeing anything, just gazing abstractly, then with
practice you can produce alpha waves. Alpha by itself is no good - you must produce
alpha with some beta and theta as well, the theta for contacting the subliminal levels of
the mind (inner experience) and the beta as a link to normal consciousness.
THETA (around 6 Hz) is our state when dreaming. It is a state of visual imagery which
a very few gifted individuals are able to enter spontaneously at will. A traditional
monastic exercise in advanced meditation is to cup one's hands and see (with visual
imagery) a daffodil in one's hands. Success in this traditional meditation (mind
training) method is normally many years away, but with EEG biofeedback or the use of
an electronic light and sound unit or similar, success is only hours away and one can
even learn fairly quickly to develop the state of mind needed to reach theta wave
production by the brain without having to use the machines. Theta is a mind state for
problem solving and entry to it is a worthwhile pursuit.
The right (artistic) hemisphere of the brain generates visual images. The left
(analytical) hemisphere does not. In meditation, you don't work with the "mind",
you work with "awareness". 'Meditation' is a secular word, merely meaning a form
of mind training. See Chapter 4.
Kasamatsu & Hirai (29) studied the brainwave output from people with long traditional
training in mind control and found a shift from beta through alpha to theta waves,
which the people producing the waves described as a state of "knowing" (= right
hemisphere) rather than of "thinking" (= left hemisphere). Years of training are
required unless light & sound machines or biofeedback equipment etc is available.
These will be described later in this book.
A brain in a theta state is in a state of visual imagery and because of the unusual
luminous quality of the images this state was termed, in mediaeval times, the astral
state. So-called ‘astral consciousness’ is not something weird; it is nothing more than
a state of visual imagery. But this does not mean it is unreal; the image of the daffodil
is absolutely as real and solid in its "region" as a wooden table is in our physical
region, although an inability to distinguish the two has been used as a definition of
insanity. Do not let this put you off, of course, but just remember when you see your
daffodil that it is entirely ‘astral’ and not physical. With (a lot of) practice, one can slip
in and out of astral and physical vision without difficulty. It is a knack. A few
individuals have this ability naturally; a famous one was William Blake.
Chapter 2 117
The daffodil is no greater illusion than a physical table, because the table can be made
from materials found available in the physical world just as the the daffodil can be
made from the materials of the ‘astral’ level. Both are thus equally constructs and
both are thus equally illusory!
Children's brainwaves are normally rich in theta, which links with their imaginative and
special type of consciousness, which unfortunately leaves us as we grow up. But it
can be regained by EEG theta training, for example. Children's imaginary playing is
akin to what is called pathworking (23). In the theta state our consciousness has
become transferred to a so-called astral level. A theta state is a state of visual
imagery and with (a lot of) training one can enter this without falling asleep and losing
consciousness. This is one of the major uses of an EEG as a biofeedback device and
of light and sound and other units.
DELTA is the fourth and last major brainwave rhythm, about 1 Hz, and is the state of
dreamless sleep. (Theta is dreaming sleep). EEG studies have shown that a few
people like psychic healers and other psychics can produce delta while in a normal
conscious state. One of my colleagues can produce delta easily on request by "going
very quiet". Delta is associated with psychic abilities. The pioneer mind-researcher
Maxwell Cade has successfully used an EEG to identify potential trainees to be
effective psychic healers. Maxwell Cade, using an EEG also showed that when a
psychic healer TOUCHES a patient, the patient's EEG pattern becomes the same as
that of the healer (the "laying on of hands"). There is no orthodox scientific
explanation of this phenomenon. A meditation teacher with developed inner intuitive
faculties can do the same - hence the value of meditating in the presence of a gifted
teacher, but they are as rare as hen's teeth!
Chapter A (ii) gives an easy quick method for entering a delta state while fully wide
awake, which is a very rare state of mind normally.
Iamblichus, in the third century, describes a state between waking & sleeping in which
voices are heard and sometimes "a bright & tranquil light shines forth". More well-
known are Swedenborg's writings about his 'distant vision' and other experiences and
ways of inducing them (123).
CHAPTER 3
LEFT AND RIGHT BRAIN HEMISPHERES
It was discovered long ago that we have almost independent left and right brain
hemispheres (43, 127, 126). Oversimplifying for brevity, movements of the left hand
are controlled by the right brain hemisphere and right hand movements by the left
Chapter 3 118
hemisphere. More recently it was discovered that the left brain hemisphere is the
linear logical thinking part of the brain - a sort of calculator. About 2/3 of the
population are left-brain dominant. In particular, technical people (e.g. scientists) are
left-brain dominant. The right hemisphere is where visual imagery is perceived and so
artists are right-brain dominant. The right hemisphere is responsible for spatial
matters, like recognising faces, maps etc. and art appreciation, as well as music. In
scientific people, the left brain is often so dominant that their right brains often close
down & go to sleep because that hemisphere has nothing to do; they are literally 'half-
asleep' [Fig. 2.1]. Each brain hemisphere tends to be active and then dormant for some
time, alternately, causing bouts of daydreaming while performing scientific calculations
for example. In a recent interview, the celebrated Sri Satya Sai Baba commented that
scientists have 'half-knowledge'. Ouspenski, a pupil of Gurdjieff (19), said, "Man is
asleep...life for him is only a dream...from which he never wakes." We are
sleepwalkers moving about in a twilight of consciousness but believing ourselves to be
awake (5).
This "half-asleep" condition of the brain is far from ideal because the right brain is
thought to be the source of inspiration and intuition. So science and engineering
which is done only with the left brain will be rather unimaginative, without inspiration or
sparkle. If you want to bring inspiration to a technical activity, you need to activate the
right brain, e.g. to invent a new process, or, if you are a business person, to run your
business creatively.
Fig. 2.1
Chapter 3 119
The right hemisphere is concerned with visual imagery and spatial perception, e.g. if
you want to remember where you put a certain book, this recollection is done by the
right brain. To activate it we need to look at a landscape for about half an hour; there
must be no buildings in it or the left brain will start to analyse them! If you do a
painting you will get better results if you paint with your left hand for a while because
that hand is controlled by the right (artistic) brain.
Focus on the centre of the mandala (Fig. 3.1) and relax. After 5 minutes a quieting of
the mind will begin to replace the mind's usual inner dialogue. After several sessions,
extraneous thoughts etc. will be unable to penetrate into your consciousness. Prevent
the left brain from trying to logically analyse the mandala, by keeping concentrating on
its centre. At first you will find yourself looking for and analysing any geometrical
symmetries which are present, but this is a logical-left-brain activity and should be
ignored (just let the left brain get on with it). The next thing you will notice is probably
boredom; this is the left brain having exhausted its logical analysis that is now trying
to tempt you to give it up and do something else which it prefers! It is an activation
barrier and if you persist you can get over it and activate the spatial domain of the right
brain and the left brain begins to go to sleep. You then enter a slightly altered state of
consciousness in which there is no feeling of boredom at all. In fact the bored feeling
that you pass through is a sign of success - boredom here is a welcome sign because
it means the left brain is protesting that there's nothing for it to do! Persist and it will
close down.
After relaxing the grip of the left hemisphere on your consciousness by use of a
mandala or by biofeedback, etc., you are ready for meditation, or for pathworking
(Chapter 9).
A professor of architecture uses mandalas and guided imagery before starting his
architectural designs (48). He teaches his students to enter the right brain mode and
imagine that they are walking through the building before starting their design.
Sport is mainly a right brain activity - an old (and unfair!) trick is to make your opponent
activate his left brain, e.g. by shouting comments or questions requiring logical
analysis. This can irrecoverably destroy his game.
Chapter 3 120
Judging from the number of computer games which involve wizards and magic, there
is an increase (perhaps subconscious!) in the subconscious - i.e. in the right brain area
of operation.
There are many ways of activating the right-brain, like meditation, Zen, light and sound
machines (discussed in Chapter 7), hemi-sync tapes (Chapter 7), cranial electrical
stimulation (CES)(Chapter 11), narcotic drugs (not recommended) etc., and an easy
way is to spend an hour in a flotation tank (Chapter 10).
A remarkable demonstration of how completely dominated by the left brain our culture
is, is that patients have had their entire right brain hemisphere surgically removed,
without their noticing the slightest change in awareness subsequently!
If you ask yourself a question such as, "what shall I do with my life?", and write the
answer with your right hand and then with your left hand, you will probably get different
answers! The right brain has a quite different view of life (48). Zdenek gives valuable
exercises to bring forward and develop the right brain (48).
Different cultures may progress along mainly left or mainly right brain development.
Culture is reflected in language, as the following examples (well known to linguists)
show. Indo-European languages have an analytical (left brain) subject-predicate
Chapter 3 121
structure, e.g. "The stone fell down", but the totally different language structure of the
indigenous North American Indians has a process structure (right brain) and the event
in the above example would be expressed as, "It stoned down". The subject (stone)
would be expressed as a process (a verb, it stoned).
Consequently, European culture has developed in a linear logical scientific way (left
brain), while North American Indian culture has developed in a spatial process way
(right brain) and has produced shamanistic insights which most Europeans lack.
Some grasp of these can be obtained from the books by Carlos Castaneda (20).
Once we have advanced along the "European" left brain path, our growth will stop
unless we add the totally different "Red Indian" (for example) right brain development.
Only then will we become fully integrated. Developing along only either the one, or the
other path, will leave us quite unbalanced, although we may not realise this until the
very environment starts to protest, as is now happening (e.g. global warming, ozone
layer hole, etc.) (30).
The "European" path is closer to the material world and so has given rise to material
wealth, while the "Red Indian" path is not and so has not. This does not make it any
less valid than the "European" path. We are suffering much more than we realise
through not encompassing the "Red Indian" way; see the Hopi video "Koyaanisqatsi"
on this topic (30).
Right-brain activity and theta brainwaves are needed for visual imagery. Light and
sound machines and EEGs with biofeedback can fill both these requirements. The
light and sound is applied to both hemispheres and this will wake up any dormancy in
the right (or left) hemisphere. An EEG with biofeedback (e.g. displaying the brain
activity on a screen) allows you to observe and it is possible with some practice to
correct the pattern as desired.
After some use of the stroboscopic feature of a light and sound machine, there will be
a lasting and beneficial tendency for both hemispheres to operate together. Another
unit for equalising brainwave outputs is the alternophone (see also chapter 7); a note
alternately played into left and right ears at an alternation frequency of about 4 Hz (the
frequency with which the hemispheres naturally communicate via the corpus callosum)
will produce a heightened state of consciousness after about 30 to 45 minutes (24).
To activate the RAS (see Chapter 10), the sound pulses used in the alternophone
must begin with a sharp crack - this relates to the cracking of a twig behind one which
causes the primitive RAS to 'turn up' one's attention for a fight-or-flight response.
It has been reported that reverse speech is used by the right brain and hence if a tape
recording of a conversation is played backwards, revealing words from the right brain
can often be heard (126,127). Reverse-playing tape recorders are available to
facilitate this.
Chapter 3 122
Music is a right-brain activity and also removes stress. For those interested in the
eastern tradition, listen to "Dorje Ling" by David Parsons (137). This has gongs, 12
foot Tibetan trumpets & deep bass Tibetan monastic voices. Listen with eyes closed
to band 1 followed by band 4 only. It has a most remarkable effect; I have never
heard anything like it.
For the western tradition, there are several choices. Movement 2 only (Et in terra pax)
of Vivaldi's Gloria in D major (RV589) is unearthly in the rendering by the USSR
Academy Chorus {film music of last 4 minutes of "Runaway Train", available second-
hand on internet {now deleted except in USA, Milan CH067, CD}}, but not so striking in
some other versions. Parts of "The Encircled Sea" by Boyle, "Spem in alium" by Tallis
and Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis by Vaughan Williams are other
recommended music. There are many other choices of music in the western tradition.
Music is further discussed at the end of the next chapter (Chapter 4). Poetry is also a
right brain activity. To illustrate its effect read the poem at the end of this chapter.
This remarkable poem is the result of right brain inspiration, albeit out of balance in this
poet's case.
Phosphenes (after-images) have long been known to have special effects (24).
Looking steadily at a 60 watt whitelight (mushroom) bulb at about 70 cm for 30
seconds creates a phosphene when the eyes are subsequently closed. Do not wear
glasses while doing this; do not use the sun as a light source without precautions. An
application in education in learning some formulae is to read them through and then
review them mentally while looking at a phosphene in the dark. Some French tests
(24) report an increase in I.Q. by looking at phosphenes. The Roman emperor Julian
was trained in the Greek Mysteries and shortly afterwards advised people to look at
phosphenes, so we may perhaps infer that the use of phosphenes was taught in the
Greek Mysteries. In the ancient Zoroastrian religion people were asked to look
through a small opening at a fire, which would produce a phosphene (24). It is said
that it increases one's insight or intuition.
To digress, the use of auguries in the Greek & Roman Mysteries is worth mentioning.
Consider this: President Lincoln was killed in Ford's Theatre by a man who then ran to
a warehouse. President Kennedy was killed in a Lincoln Continental car made by
Ford, by a man in a warehouse belonging to Continental Warehouse Co, who then ran
to a theatre. President Kennedy had a secretary called Lincoln, who advised him not
to go to Dallas that day. President Lincoln had a secretary called Kennedy, who
advised him not to go to the theatre. These are only some of the well-documented
auguries surrounding President Kennedy's death.
Use of light and sound machines is also reported to increase I.Q., which until fairly
recently was thought to be unchangeable for an individual throughout life (apart from
its well-known variation with age). Two theories are that apprehension is reduced
which allows higher I.Q. scores, but it has also been proposed that intelligence actually
does increase: a beneficial increase in the number nerve connexions in the brain has
been reported (2). Also a synchronicity of activity in the two hemispheres of the brain
is reported for light and sound machines, hemisphere synchronising tapes and EEGs
with biofeedback. This effect gives a strong and beneficial enhancement of general
brain power. Learning from pre-recorded tapes while simultaneously using these
devices has been reported in several studies to be greatly enhanced (super learning)
compared with normal learning (2). In the theta state the brain is capable of uncritical
acceptance of information at about 3 times the normal rate. These mind machines
are the technological equivalent of enriched environments which can stimulate brain
123
growth and in minutes can produce an increase which takes a month to achieve in an
ordinary environment (2).
Oo O oo
oo O oo
CHAPTER 4
MIND TRAINING
Biofeedback:
(i) a steady stimulus, like a repeated word, or looking at a given object, which
causes a shift from everyday logical thought;
(ii) distractions must be ignored and attention returned to the meditation;
(iii) decreased muscle activity is essential (comfortable position);
(iv) quiet surroundings are essential.
To (iii) Maxwell Cade would add that the position must not be too comfortable or sleep
occurs - a straight back avoids this (5). Use a chair with a firm back but not an
armchair or you will fall asleep. The traditional Indian lotus meditation position has
this in mind.
Sadhu (14) has collected many excellent classic exercises on concentration and put
them into a self-study practice course of graded difficulty. E.g. look at a (mechanical)
watch with a moving second hand and try to reach 2 minutes without any extraneous
thoughts intruding; concentrate only on the moving hand. This is quite difficult for
beginners, until the knack is obtained, and if a thought intrudes the 2-minute target
time must start again! Another exercise is to look at the head of a pin and concentrate
only on it for a target time. The next exercise requires 4 dimensions and so cannot be
performed with the 3-dimensional normal way of thinking.
But all 4 of the requisites (i) to (iv) listed above are immediately and effortlessly
produced by flotation! This is discussed in Chapter 10. The traditional need for
avoiding an over-comfortable position is also sidestepped in the tank because other
(automatic) mechanisms (the Reticular Activating System, RAS, explained in Chapter
10) prevent sleep.
Chapter 4 125
The problem with traditional meditation systems is that they are not easy, requiring
considerable time & effort. Many people give up. A flotation tank provides the easiest
system giving all the benefits obtainable by advanced meditation and its beneficial
physical effects are not just temporary. It apparently makes the hypothalamus
lastingly more stress resistant (59,79), without any particular conscious effort being
directed to this end (41).
You may create (or discover) an 'inner advisor'. This is a powerful technique and an
outstanding book on it is reference (47).
Even people who have never experienced deep relaxation have it conferred on them
in a flotation tank (discussed in Chapter 10), most usually in their first float (41).
Breathing Exercises:
Breathing exercises are very important and are discussed by Cade & Coxhead (5).
They suggest full concentration on the breathing process only, excluding all else and
not changing one's field of view, for 5-10 minutes. If you remain conscious of yourself,
you cannot succeed. In time, a brief state is reached where sounds are not heard and
no external world exists; one is lost in one's own mindfulness of breathing. Self-
consciousness becomes identified with one's breathing and if the attention is held on it
long enough, one becomes one with one's own breathing. Then the mind and body
merge. In this brief state is joy, happiness & tranquillity but it takes repeated practice
to extend its duration & lead to very high mystic achievements. The flotation tank
(Chapter 10) makes the whole process very much easier.
Place right-hand middle finger over right nostril and left thumb over left nostril.
Inhale via left nostril. Imagine current rising via LHS branch of spine + a clockwise
spiralling force going up.
Then turn eyes up.
Exhale via right nostril. Imagine current descending via RHS branch of spine + a
clockwise spiralling force going down.
Eyes normal.
Chapter 4 126
Inhale via right nostril. Imagine current rising via RHS branch of spine + anticlockwise
spiralling force going up.
Then turn eyes up.
Exhale via left nostril. Imagine current descending via LHS branch of spine +
anticlockwise spiralling force going down.
Eyes normal.
Inhale via both nostrils. Imagine current rising via middle of spine + double helix force
going up. Eventually this step takes your consciousness aloft.
Then turn eyes up.
Exhale via both nostrils. Imagine current descending via middle of spine + double
helix force descending.
Visualisation
Chapter A (ii) in this book describes an effective fast and easy method developed and
used by the author.
A sports (basketball) study where one group practised, one group visualised and one
group did neither, found equal 23% improvements in the first two groups (75)! A
terminal cancer study where patients visualised white blood cells as a vast army of
valiant white knights on horseback or ravenous white dogs or powerful polar bears
tearing apart & devouring the cancer cells, showed doubling of longevity compared to
a control group, and many 'spontaneous remissions' (complete recoveries) (41, 50).
Any imagery can be used; Hutchison reports one person visualising his heart as a big
house, walking into it and repairing its rooms like a carpenter with hammer and nails
and plaster! The effect is almost instant (41).
A study was made where specific immune system activities were tested and the
subjects were then hypnotised and told to visualise an activity increase in these same
specific parts. Subsequent tests showed that the activities of these parts had actually
risen (41). Hutchison points out that results using just hypnosis can be surpassed
using tank floating (discussed in Chapter 10)(41).
Longevity should be increased by tank flotation, but results on this are not yet
available. An "age clock" exists in the hypothalamus and neurotransmitter chemicals
output normally decreases with age (52).
As Hutchison points out (41), manipulation of mental imagery is an ancient method for
marshalling inner energies for healing. Biofeedback research shows that visualisation
is very effective for modifying any body process - e.g. migraine is alleviated by
visualising the hands dipped into hot water (which actually increases the blood flow to
Chapter 4 127
them). Muscle tensions can be relieved when imagined as tightly twisted cloth
becoming limp (41).
In a study where women were told to visualise a warm towel over their breasts, all
such subjects showed significant breast size increase, averaging from 1.5 to 2 inches,
with many of the women also reporting a simultaneous body weight loss (53-56)!
Taylor reports studies showing that 'high imagers' are more relaxed, creative, mature
and flexible, than 'low imagers', and that absence of imagery correlates with strong
aversion to act on impulse (58).
People having extraordinary memories are gifted with mental imaging abilities.
People using flotation tanks (discussed in Chapter 10) have higher theta wave output
and visualise better than non-floaters (41). Everyone has the potential to visualise &
produce theta waves and can realise this with training (light and sound machines,
hemisync tapes, flotation tank, etc.).
The flotation tank is unique in producing both deep relaxation and strong mental
imagery (visualisation) spontaneously & without effort. See a further discussion of
visualisation in Chapter 10.
A recent survey of 60 people who have had near-death experiences report hearing
similar music to each other, which has a "beautiful floating sound and evokes feelings
of overwhelming bliss" (116). Near-death experiences are reviewed by Moody and
others (95-99). These people's hearts had temporarily stopped and in the survey
afterwards music was played to them to discover which sounded most like the music
they had heard while 'dead'. It was decisively New Age type synthesiser music and
many of the survivors wept on hearing it again.
The highest ranking music was 'The Angels of Comfort' from 'Angelic Music' by Iasos
(available from 4-D Books at www.4-D.org.uk/Books), and other fairly high scorers are
'An Ending' from 'Apollo' by Brian Eno, 'Journey to Stratos' by John Serrie, 'Structures
of Silence' by S. Roach and Neptune from the Planets Suite by G. Holst.
128
CHAPTER 5
DRUGS, NARCOTICS, OPIATES
vs
Our Natural ENDORPHIN Production
Note: The author does not recommend psychoactive drugs, and has never used any.
Drug misuse is an increasing problem in our society. But there are a few examples of
some drugs which are not accompanied by undesirable side-effects which antisocially
modify one’s waking behaviour. These include drugs for lucid dreaming, which
operate when asleep. See especially:
T. Yuschak, “Advanced Lucid Dreaming”, ISBN 978-1-4303-0542-2 which is highly
recommended reading.
It covers use of certain herbal supplements, which, unlike narcotic drugs, do not alter
one’s waking behaviour and so are morally acceptable. These produce immediate
lucid dreams and “out-of-the- body-experiences” (OBEs), including a seamless
transition from the waking state to lucid dreamstate consciousness.
In the USA, Galantamine has been sold as a dietary supplement for memory and
dream support prior to being approved as a drug for mild Alzheimer’s disease by the
FDA. Internet suppliers include: www.smartnutrition.info/brain.html#Galantamine
and www.dreamamins.com
and also Vitamin Express (USA) who call it ‘Galantamind’ (from
www.life-enhancement.com), but these are herbal plant extracts and have no
standards like BP or USP, so caution is necessary and the present author (MGH)
cannot recommend or give an opinion on their use.
See: M.G. Hocking (Ed.), “Remote Viewing of Ancient Times: A historical novel of
actual events from 100,000 BC to 500 BC”:
www.4-D.org.uk/Books (free download) for more information,
and also:
M.G. Hocking, (2011). “World Religion & History back to 70,000 BC,
Discovered by Remote Viewing”, 400pp. London: 4-D Books Ltd:
www.4-D.org.uk/Books (parts may be published later as a free Google Book)
To summarise this, endorphins are the body's natural narcotics, which make us feel
'normal' by counteracting various depressive effects. Narcotic drugs inhibit endorphin
production (and the receptor centres for them) and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms
occur because the (natural) endorphins are absent and so nothing counteracts certain
natural depressive effects which exist in our makeup. Some people have more, or
have less, endorphin production and receptor centres, causing them to be happy, or
depressive, types (59). This can however be beneficially modified by one or more of
the techniques decried in later chapters. (Light & Sound, chapter 7, CES, chapter 11,
and Flotation, chapter 10). These techniques increase endorphin production and can
also increase one's immune system by increased control of hormone production (41).
Chapter 5 129
Endorphin levels are naturally (automatically) increased within the brain, to cause a
mild euphoria either as a reward for doing something which the body "considers"
beneficial (e.g. eating, smoking etc.), or, to ease pain (e.g. endorphins are released
after about 40 minutes of running - causing what is called "the runner's high").
Runners can feel (mild) withdrawal symptoms if they miss a habitual running session.
This euphoric release of endorphins by low to moderate levels of pain also gives a
rational explanation for other, non-beneficial, activities like masochism which otherwise
seem bizarre.
Cranial electrical stimulation (CES) also causes endorphin release & consequent pain
relief & euphoria. Depression or unhappiness can be alleviated if we can enhance
endorphin production. Floating is also analgesic and euphoric. In addition, in the tank
environment, the RAS (Reticular Activating System in the brain - explained in Chapter
10) switches awareness away from the body, where nothing is happening, to the mind;
all pain consequently fades away. Further, the tank distorts (shortens) time perception
and this effect is analgesic.
After a 30 minute alpha frequency session with a light & sound machine, Cady &
Shealy (124) found a 25% rise in endorphin level, 21% rise in serotonin and 11% rise
in norepinephrin, by blood tests on 11 people in good health. An increased feeling of
well-being was generated.
Endorphins determine what the world "looks like" for each of us, by selectively filtering
(via an anciently evolved inherited filter) every sense input before passing it to our
higher levels of consciousness: no-one really knows what the world looks like, as the
philosophers Berkeley & Hume had earlier realised. Our impressions of it as a child
are also, and significantly, different from those we have now.
Addiction is not confined to narcotic drugs. Alcohol is addictive because it causes the
brain to release endorphins. Such addiction (releasing endorphins) can also involve
cigarettes, food, work, coffee, sex, gambling, buying, running, religion, and all flow
activities and basic human drives and anything involving the body's reward system,
described above (57). Overeating leading to obesity is due to the depletion, every few
hours, of the pleasure chemicals, such that withdrawal symptoms appear. The same
pattern applies to the other activities listed above. One activity can compensate for
lack of another.
Floating is the (effortless) answer to these addictions, without, apparently, itself being
also an addiction!
Chapter 5 130
Valium, Librium and benzodiazepine drugs relieve anxiety by fitting into what are
(anachronistically!) termed 'valium receptors' in the brain (anciently evolved and so
obviously not intended for the synthetic drug Valium, but for a natural anti-anxiety
substance). Use of Valium is thus addictive, similarly to opiates. Valium is also
probably dangerous, being linked to breast cancer in one study (68).
Behavioural science studies reveal that doing things we enjoy doing, apparently
provides an intrinsic reward and has been called a "flow experience", "a holistic
sensation that people feel when they act with total involvement" (69). An even match
is needed between a challenge and a person's ability to meet it, to avoid the two
extremes of either boredom (no challenge) or anxiety (overwhelming challenge) and
obtain enjoyment. Challenges which constitute flow experiences may be
predominantly physical, like rock climbing or sailing, or mental like playing chess.
Hutchison describes tank floating (described in Chapter 10) as a flow experience, one
reason being that the tank is both experience and environment (41). The chess player
must find the equally matched opponent, but the tank floater always finds in the tank a
perfect match! The tank eliminates both boredom & anxiety; the mind stays very alert
which counteracts all boredom by immersing us profoundly in our awareness (41).
'Flow' is difficult to maintain for long in the real world, as things are usually beyond our
control there (69). But the feeling of control, developed in the tank, can be carried
forward into the outside world.
Drug abuse
Light & sound machines have been used to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, if daily
sessions are used, especially at theta frequencies. Cranial electrical stimulators (CES
machines) are reported to be very effective for treatment of withdrawal and to help
prevent further drug misuse. Similarly flotation as discussed previously (41).
Psychedelic Drugs
This is beyond the intended scope of this book. The remarkable effects of these
drugs, taken under controlled conditions in a supportive clinical surrounding, are well
documented (1, 6, 85-89). Dangerous side effects can ensue if taken without clinical
supervision.
CHAPTER 6
BIOFEEDBACK
In biofeedback, a display or meter is viewed by the subject and shows one or more of
his/her body parameters (such as temperature, brainwave pattern etc.). It has been
found that the subject is then able to alter this parameter through biofeedback making
this a very powerful tool to alter one's state.
Training thus, to increase hand temperature and decrease forehead temperature has
been found to often result in control of migraine headaches. There are many simple
medical uses of biofeedback. E.g. electrodes are taped on each side of a muscle such
as the frontalis (forehead) muscle, and the signal from it is made visible to subjects
with severe facial tics or with insomnia; by seeing the image of his muscle signals on
the screen, the person is able to change it (simply by imagining it to change) which
alleviates these conditions considerably. Similarly tension headaches have been
treated thus, because frontalis relaxation is generally accompanied by similar
relaxation of the scalp and neck muscles (5). It is however very important that one
should be sitting comfortably and resting the head so that no muscular neck strain
should occur due to bad posture.
Biofeedback can apply to a signal from brainwaves (EEG), skin resistance (which
indicates relaxation), muscular tension, heart beat, skin temperature etc., and
whatever is thus fed back to the subject can be controlled by him. Once the knack is
learnt, the biofeedback machine is no longer necessary and can be dispensed with:
the subject is the controller - not the machine. The more times the alpha or theta state
is experienced, the more inner benefit is gained. Eventually the ability is gained to
enter these states without the biofeedback machine connected.
CHAPTER 7
SYNCHRONISING OF THE LEFT & RIGHT BRAIN HEMISPHERE
BY SOUND & LIGHT
Ancient ways for entering higher State of Consciousness by Light and Sound:
The effects of light and sound are not a new discovery. Before recorded history, the
mesmerising effect of flickering firelight and tribal drum beats were noted for creating
trance-like states; these have now been replaced by the beat of pop music and disco
flashing units!
Ptolemy, in 200 A.D., recorded that the flickering of sunlight through the spokes of a
rotating wheel can cause fascinating visual patterns and euphoria. Nostradamus in
the 13th century gained visual images by quickly passing his opened fingers between
his eyes and sunlight... . The thing that is new is the remarkable application of
advanced electronics to this phenomenon.
♦Educational
- produce high speed learning, even of boring material! This is of special value for
students!
- improve memory
- increase I.Q.!
- equalise the activity of both brain hemispheres, to bring out latent abilities
Brain Activity
Many people are normally active mainly in the left (problem solving) hemisphere and
their right (intuitive, artistic) hemisphere lies fairly dormant. To achieve our maximum
abilities we need to balance our brain hemispheres' activities. Light & sound machines
are very effective in placing both hemispheres into highly desirable balanced states
with increased awareness & creativity.
Sound
Many years ago I visited Robert Monroe (7) in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia
(USA). He ran an institute for investigating consciousness. His institute has
developed a method of changing both frequency and phase of sound waves.
Listening to a sound pulse which is repeated at, say, 10 times per second, should
'drive' the brain into the alpha frequency, but because the mind soon learns to reject a
repetitive noise (e.g. a clock ticking at night is soon not perceived), this method does
not work. Monroe sidestepped this ability of the brain by applying a tone of, say 100
Hz to one ear and 110 Hz to the other, so that the beat or difference frequency of 10
Hz is produced in the mind and is not rejectable by the brain. This has proved to be a
powerful technique. The most effective frequencies are in the low hundreds of Hz
(e.g. 250 and 240 Hz to produce 10 Hz).
This beat frequency is very effective in balancing the hemispheres and driving the
brain and at the beat frequency. The subject can be taken and held into any of the
stages of sleep, from alpha through theta into delta and REM sleep (i.e. dreaming
sleep). Monroe has taken out a patent on this method. By this means he set up an
"explorer group" for 'astral projection' (7-12, 34, 37-40) at will. Incidentally, Monroe
mentions that a focused but relaxed state of prayer or meditation can also produce
synchronisation of the hemispheres. He believes that his method creates new neural
pathways between the brain hemispheres.
Pre-recorded tapes are now available which produce such beat frequencies which can
produce effects similar to light and sound machines in inducing the theta state etc.
For further information on this effect of beat frequencies, see reference (31, 80).
Chapter 7 134
More recently, The Monroe Institute has performed research into EEG mapping from
brain areas (see back cover of book for a typical brain wave map after using a light
and sound machine) and has made advances into binaural beat technology as
described later in this chapter. Objective proof of the effect of binaural beats has been
well established in many EEG studies, showing the brainwave state does change
(131).
A light & sound machine uses pulses of slowly falling frequency which lead the mind
from its normal waking consciousness to deeper, more relaxed states in which intuitive
regions are reached. This frequency following is called 'entrainment'. Everyone can
benefit from one or more of the features listed above.
Light & sound machines can facilitate entry to various brainstates in a controlled way.
If some beta (wakefulness) is maintained while passing through the alpha (relaxation)
state to the theta (imagery) state, then sleep will not follow uncontrollably. The
remarkable properties of the theta state can then be consciously explored (rather than
merely dreamed).
In outline, light and sound machines start at the beta frequency and slowly lead the
brain frequencies down to the lower alpha & theta states. Leading further down to
lower frequencies induces delta (sleep) in just a few minutes if there is no
simultaneous stimulation of beta (wakefulness). The effect of several hours of normal
sleep can be gained in about 15 minutes by using a light & sound machine to hold the
brain in the delta state. The benefits of induced relaxation are very great, ranging from
tension & stress relief to removing jet-lag travel effects. All light and sound machines
allow dual users, with the correct matching eyepieces.
Bio-feedback from an EEG unit can be added: if one can immediately perceive the
effect of entering a particular mental state, this is found to greatly enhance the ability
to re-enter that state at will. This feature is available on some of the machines.
However, as mentioned in Chapter 6, a form of biofeedback is inherently available in
all light and sound machines (see Fig. 4.1).
Binaural beats from an external sound source can only be detected if the sound is <
1000 Hz (cycles per second), because below 1000 Hz the wavelength of sound is
greater than the diameter of the skull. Such external sounds (< 1000 Hz) can curve
around the outside of the skull by diffraction and can thus be heard by both ears, but
because of the distance between the two ears the sounds are out of phase (i.e. the
peaks in the sound waveform arrive at slightly different times at the two ears). This is
why sounds < 1000 Hz can be accurately located & is why most animal sounds are <
1000 Hz (with some specialised exceptions). A phase difference causes binaural
beats (interference frequency): see Fig. 5.1). However, if earphones are used
to feed the two signals to each ear, there is no external physical sound wave
interference as in Fig. 5.1, but the brain still detects a phase difference and the brain is
thus forced to perceive an (apparent) beat frequency (the beats are not actually 'heard'
but one thinks that they are being heard!).
Entrainment rule (i) above means that such a beat frequency must be < 30 Hz or it will
not entrain the brainwaves. Subjects do not report 'hearing' binaural beats at above 30
Hz (129).
Each brain hemisphere has a sound centre which receives signals from each ear,
causing two standing waves equal in amplitude & frequency, in each brain
hemisphere, which entrain each hemisphere. There are more cross-connections
however, than direct connections (i.e. the right ear has more connections to the left
brain sound centre than to the right brain sound centre, and vice-versa). Thus,
unusually, to specifically activate principally the right hemisphere (say) the volume of
the hemi-sync signal to the left ear must be increased & that to the right ear be
decreased.
The brain has vertical divisions as well as the horizontal division into hemispheres (this
is explained in Chapter 10). Each vertical brain component resonates at a certain
frequency at which it is conscious (130). The Monroe Institute has developed complex
mixes of hemi-sync beat frequencies to activate these various brain areas in specific
ways to achieve specific states of consciousness. Much valuable research has been
done by the Monroe Institute; 'hemi-sync' is their registered trademark.
Their famous "Focus-10" state (mind awake, body asleep) entrains the cerebellum
(controls body functions & muscles) to delta (sleep), and the cortex (seat of mind,
consciousness) to theta (visual imagery, dream state). The cerebellum is first exposed
to delta beats & the cortex later to theta. The subject becomes unaware of where his
hands and feet etc. are, but does not lose consciousness (fall asleep). Such pre-
recorded tapes are available. The user aims to eventually learn how to achieve
various states of consciousness without the tapes.
subject's brainwaves to that frequency. Light & sound machines are also very
effective in entrainment.
It is well known that with flashing lights or stroboscopes, it is possible to drive the
brain's electrical oscillations at the flashing light's frequency. Similarly, sound will
drive the brain's oscillations. Infrasound, sound waves below the audible range, below
about 20 Hz, is generated by some winds like the sirocco, and has very negative
mental effects, well documented. Earthquakes owe part of their terror to the
infrasound which they generate, which disorients the mind by disrupting the normal
beta frequency in it. Old single-decker buses can sometimes have roof oscillation at
around 10 Hz (cycles per second), which is not exactly audible but is manifest as a
buffeting sensation which blocks out normal thinking. Infrasound weapons have been
developed to disorient the thinking of an enemy.
A less objectionable use is in a disco where a strong sound beat drives the brain at a
hypnotic frequency, in the theta/alpha range, an effect which is increased by the
simultaneous use of synchronised flashing lights. A more objectionable use was the
continuous round-the-clock powerful radio transmission known to amateur radio
operators as "the woodpecker", which it sounds just like. These signals were the most
powerful radio transmission in the world, of transmission frequency around 16 MHz,
and they emanated from the USSR. Their repetition frequency of 10 Hz was in the
centre of the alpha brainwave band. When the brain is oscillating at this frequency,
thinking becomes impossible. The aerials of this transmitter were arranged so that
these sinister oscillations could not be heard in the then Soviet Union, but could be
heard everywhere else. This was a very unwelcome form of electromagnetic
pollution.
In case you may think that radio waves do not affect us, it is known that certain radar
frequencies are perceived, by everyone, as a hissing noise, apparently located above
and behind the head. Depression due to mains 50 Hz frequency radio waves from
power lines is discussed below. A few people can hear radio programmes in their
head, without using a receiver. They thought they had become psychic, but actually
this rare effect is due to a loose filling in a tooth, which acts both as detector (“cat’s
whisker”) and loudspeaker!
The light and sound machines or 'mind machines' now commercially available for
driving (entraining) the brainwave frequency, combine both flashing light strobing and
synchronised sound beats which are very effective in driving the brainwaves to
desirable states. One currently available light and sound machine, the Alphapacer,
also contains a synchronised electromagnetic transmitter which is believed to enhance
its effect.
The complex patterns seen are in the mind of the perceiver (5). Light and sound
strobes are very useful to use before or during meditation.
People living near mains power lines become irritable and sometimes depressed; this
is because 50 cycles per second borders on the upper part of the beta brainwave
band. A big beta output from the brain is synonymous with a stress situation. So
irritability is not surprising, if the brain is driven at a beta frequency by proximity to
mains power lines, or even, perhaps, by night- long proximity to bedside mains-
powered radios and lamps with mains flexes (112, 117-122).
Chapter 7 137
Anthropologists have found that shamans use drum frequencies in the theta range to
enhance their claimed ability to enter states of visual imagery. Music is of course well-
known for its consciousness-altering powers; the brain-state of listeners is altered by
the rhythms and frequencies used.
Gray Walter, the first modern researcher into flashing light reported, "The rhythmic
series of flashes appear to be breaking down some of the physiologic barriers between
different regions of the brain. This means the stimulus of flicker received by the visual
projection area of the cortex was breaking bounds - its ripples were overflowing into
other areas. Subjects reported lights like comets, ultra-unearthly colours, mental
colours, not deep visual ones." These reports interested the novelist Burroughs, who
investigated the effect and reported, "Subjects report dazzling lights of unearthly
brilliance and colour. Elaborate geometric constructions of incredible intricacy build up
from multidimensional mosaic into living fireballs like the mandalas of eastern
mysticism or resolve momentarily into apparently individual images and powerfully
dramatic scenes like brightly coloured dreams." Later researchers showed that the
addition of synchronised sound beats greatly increased the effects (49). Chapter A (ii)
in the present book further develops this.
Harrah-Conforth has studied a control group who only received pink noise stimulation
and a main group who received light and sound stimulation. He found that the latter
group showed major alterations of their EEG patterns and brain hemispheric
synchronisation. He reports comments like, "I lost all sense of my body", "I felt like I
was flying", "I was deeply relaxed", "I felt like I was out of my body". He suggests that
light and sound machines may cause simultaneous arousal of the sympathetic
nervous system plus cerebral cortex and arousal of the parasympathetic system which
is linked to "the timeless, 'oceanic' mode of the mystic experience." He concludes that
these two states may be viewed as hyper-arousal (ecstasy) and hypo-arousal
(samadhi) (49).
Recent research by Isaacs and Megabrain Inc shows that there is "very clear evidence
of brainwave driving" by light and sound machines, with very strong correlation to the
intensity of the lights used, both for red LEDs and incandescent bulbs. Dim lights have
no brain driving effect (49).
The effect could be related to that of the ganzfeld device (See Chapter 10) which
obtains a blank-out effect by presenting a uniform featureless non-pulsing (steady)
light which fills the entire field ("ganzfeld") of view (49).
Chronic pain can be managed with light & sound machines (132) Reduced medi-
cation, lower suicide ideation, decreased stress, better sleep and other beneficial
effects are reported. The findings are discussed in terms of endorphin production (see
Chapter 5) and relaxation response.
Super-learning can occur in the theta state, with no problem of attention wandering or
boredom! In this state, knowledge can be absorbed uncritically (whether interesting
or boring) and at about 3 times the 'normal' rate. Self- made lesson tapes can be
superimposed from your 'Walkman' onto the sound channel of a light & sound
machine; an input jack is provided for the purpose. Users of such systems include
businessmen & women, scientists, engineers, artists, music composers (because of
the intuitive & creative abilities enhancement), students, hospitals, athletes, insomnia
sufferers, people under tension & stress, people interested in exploring meditative
states, etc.
Flashing lights & pulsing tones cause a brainwave resonance in the visual & auditory
cortex, which in turn causes resonance in adjacent brain areas. These areas in turn
then cause resonance in further areas. This process is called the frequency following
response, or 'entrainment', causing the subject to drift into a meditative/hypnotic state
accompanied by muscular relaxation.
The brain will follow pulsing lights, pulsing sounds, pulsing magnetic fields and, most
strongly of all, pulsing electrical waves when applied directly. Light & sound
entrainment by themselves tend not to persist after the light & sound pulses are turned
off, but do produce a genuine effect on brainwaves while on, which can be shown on
an electro-encephalograph (EEG). Binaural beats as the sound source is more
effective, but the effect also dissipates quickly after the sound is turned off. Only with
some practice in meditation methods, can this dissipation be avoided. But the
dissipation effect is found to be much reduced if pulsed electrical waves are applied
directly to the body (similar to electrical acupuncture). The most effective waveform is
pulsed pink noise, as used in the Alphapacer III+. Adding the other synchronous
stimulations available (magnetic, light & sound pulses) increased the entrainment
effect. Even short times spent daily, or less often, in a theta state will be very
beneficial.
Chapter 7 139
Biofeedback by Light and Sound Machines:
All Light and sound machines inherently allow biofeedback due to the following very
useful effect discovered by Maxwell Cade (5):
If red or green colours are observed, this means that predominantly beta waves are
being produced. If white or yellow, then mainly alpha is being generated; if blue,
mauve and deep purple are seen, then mainly theta is being produced. This is
tabulated below.
This biofeedback will greatly help in achieving brainwave control, i.e. in learning how to
alter one's brain-state to and from any of the 3 major types (beta, alpha, theta).
Fig. 4.1
Biofeedback of brain-state:
Colours seen using Light and Sound machines and corresponding brainwave states.
______________________________________
Colour field Brainwave State
perceived
=============================
red beta
green beta
_______________________________________
white alpha
yellow alpha
________________________________________
blue theta
mauve theta
deep purple theta
________________________________________
Higher range alpha is useful for light relaxation and for fast learning. Lower alpha
frequencies are ideal to induce deep relaxation & meditation. As the frequencies are
lowered into the theta range many people experience imagery and an awareness of
material from the subconscious. Deeper meditation experiences occur in this lower
range. Access to personal creativity can also be enhanced by the induction of alpha
and theta brainwave states. Greater integration of one's conscious and unconscious
minds may also result from this conscious opening to deeper brainwave states;
integration of awareness from left and right brain hemispheres is produced by the
equalising effect of light and sound machines on the brainwave amplitudes from each
hemisphere. This is an important feature for creativity.
Low sound frequencies echoing from monastery walls alters consciousness and
causes brain biochemical effects. This eventually produces a state of enlightenment.
Hence the chanting of monks, particularly Tibetan chants at very low frequency. The
latter are available, for example, in 'Dorge Ling' by D. Parsons (137). This take many
years and light & sound machines, beat frequency tapes and flotation tanks greatly
accelerate the process. Instead of you meditating, they 'meditate' you!
Technical Comments:
Superbright red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have a very fast switch-on brightness rise,
which causes simultaneous firing of numerous retinal neurons. Some special white
filament lamps are available with very fast rise times of 7 milliseconds (which is in fact
faster than the eye receptors can respond).
White light flashes are more effective in reducing anxiety than red. There are
divergent opinions on whether white or red light is more effective for entrainment. Red
light is probably more effective than xenon strobe white light but this does not apply to
fast rise incandescent lamps (which have a controllable 'on' time, unlike xenon
strobes).
Red light is much more effective than other single colours for brainwave entrainment;
this does not apply to special fast-rise white incandescent bulbs which are as effective
as red LEDs.
An important feature is isochronicity of sound pulses, i.e. the pulses should appear at
precisely the same time intervals (no 'jitter') and also the ratio of 'on' intensity to 'off'
intensity should be at least 200 to 1 to produce brainwave entrainment.
Chapter 7 141
Eyelids are very good diffusing screens, blurring point LEDs to a ganzfeld of wide
uniform featureless lighting; e.g. if the sun is faced, with closed eyelids, a uniform
ganzfeld is seen.
A few light & sound machines allow different frequencies to be presented to each eye
& ear, giving intermodulation with extraordinary psychedelic imagery. E.g. theta in one
eye and beta in the other, giving "mind awake, body asleep" and other special states.
The beat frequency produced generates enhanced states (e.g. from 15 Hz RHS & 10
Hz LHS, 5 Hz is obtained, which is, fortuitously, the theta frequency).
See Chapter A (ii) in the present book. The ”psychedelic imagery” referred to above is
mainly geometrical patterns, but the method in Chapter A (ii) gives quite different
visions, such a forest of trees with branches swaying in the wind.
Precaution: It is essential to allow half an hour after using light and sound machines
and other mind enhancing units and tapes before operating machinery or driving a car.
IMPORTANT: See the Warning given after the references list (1 to 137).
Note on high volume music (e.g. that by Jarre) where multi-kilowatt outputs are used:
Extremely high loudness will make the whole body vibrate. Much pop music is at a
theta frequency and so this is an effective way of entraining the brain to that
frequency, however with damaging side effects to the ear!. A similar phenomenon of
whole body vibration can be achieved without the negative side effects of loud music
using a specifically designed couch connected to high power vibrators.
142
CHAPTER 8
ELECTRO-ENCEPHALOGRAPH (EEG) UNITS
An EEG is an electronic detector which records and amplifies the signals emitted by
our brain. Several electrodes are used. One is affixed to the forehead, two to the ear
lobes and two halfway between the ears and the back of the head.
Grey Walter, in 1954, developed an EEG with 22 visual output channels. About 10
years ago, Maxwell Cade and Geoffrey Blundell produced a similar device which they
called the 'Mind Mirror' (5). The output is displayed on a screen which one can be
viewed thus allowing biofeedback (by imagining a change in the output which makes it
actually occur and change on the screen). This has 12 channels (frequencies) for
each hemisphere of the brain, i.e. 24 channels in all. Another version is now available.
Although the results are very impressive, a disadvantage of EEGs is the need to hold
electrodes onto the head to pick up the microvolt size signals there. This can be
overcome by using dry self-adhesive electrodes behind the ears where there is a
patch of bare skin, with a third electrode on the forehead. But then the electrical
activity is that of the whole hemispheres rather than that from the occipital regions
only, which latter is obtained if 5 electrodes are used [one (earth) on the forehead, two
at the ears and two more about halfway between ears and back of head]. But any
electrode in a region of hair cannot be a self-adhesive type and a wet gel pad is
needed. Fig. 2.1 shows the type of display produced by the Mind Mirror (5).
Many years ago ther author attended one of Maxwell Cade's workshops where
everyone had a chance to use a Mind Mirror EEG. The results of EEG biofeedback
are impressive (5). EEG users should refer to reference (5), which also contains
exercises for relaxation and visual imagery. Workshop: See Fig. 6.1 in this Chapter.
Some gifted people can produce advanced patterns on the mind mirror immediately -
e.g. Sir George Trevelyan, founder of the Wrekin Trust, could immediately produce a
big circle.
Note that "just alpha" is not really a meditational or inner awareness state because the
latter requires simultaneous sidebands of theta and beta. Display of all these bands
together (Fig. 2.1) shows the value of the Mind Mirror - to observe one's own pattern
and get it into the proper multiband states by this biofeedback process.
A typical aim is to generate an alpha output with the eyes open. This requires us to
observe-without-looking (stare into space), i.e. disinterestedly. It is possible to learn
how to hold this state and even answer simple questions without losing it. But the first
step is to produce alpha with the eyes closed, of course.
The next step is the "theta reverie", in which a theta output is produced and very clear
visual images appear spontaneously without us being aware of their origin or creation.
This state corresponds to descriptions by geniuses of the past who wrote descriptions
of their state of consciousness while at their most creative.
Chapter 8 143
Alpha production can easily be learned with open eyes but initially theta is usually
possible only with closed eyes. Theta images are so tenuous that open eyes drive
them away.
Green and Walters in Kansas (4) have worked in this area. They made tests on a
trained yogi, Swami Rama, from Rishikesh. He produced alpha simply by "thinking of
an empty blue sky" and theta by "stilling the conscious mind and bringing forward the
unconscious". He said pure alpha is literally nothing, but pure theta is a "very noisy"
state in which things he should have done and associated images rushed up and
shouted at him etc. In a pure theta state he was clearly a prey to suppressed worries
in spite of his training. This is similar to experiences reported with psychedelic drugs,
a state of visual imagery but with suppressed problems magnified and reflected back
at one. The psychedelic drug state appears similar to the theta state that can be
developed by EEG biofeedback. EEG training or the easier and cheaper light and
sound machines and hemisphere synchronisation tapes offer an acceptable way to
replace the drugs problem and this could be of immense importance. Swami Rama
generally avoided a (pure) theta state. He demonstrated delta also, after 5 minutes
lying down with his eyes closed. He repeated back some words which had been
spoken in the room during his apparent sleep. He said that 15 minutes of this 'yogic
sleep' as he called it is equivalent to an hour's normal sleep. He said in the delta state
both his brain and mind were asleep, he told the mind to be quiet, not to respond to
anything but to record everything, and to remain tranquil until activated. The Mind's
Eye Courier light and sound machine has a 'jet lag' programme which makes use of
the foregoing effect, but without needing years of yogic training.
Swami Rama could diagnose illness like Edgar Cayce except he was totally conscious
but indrawn briefly while picking up the information. He said he wants to give a
training programme for medical doctors. I have already mentioned that Maxwell
Cade discovered psychic healing ability in people by looking for delta wave production.
When Swami Rama produced alpha he did not have to cease beta production. When
producing theta, he was able (and preferred) to simultaneously produce both alpha
and beta, each for about 50% of the time. Alpha is a conscious state and it may be
necessary to keep it going when theta is produced, in order to be aware of and have
some control of the imagery of the theta state. This idea is supported by research by
Green et al who trained some subjects in Swami Rama's breathing method: this
consists of deep and slow rhythmic breathing at a constant rate both in and out with no
pauses at the top and bottom of the breathing cycle. After 4 or 5 months, with at least
10 days per month doing this exercise, their breathing rate could be slowed down to
one or two per minute for 10 minutes. This agrees with observations by Wallace (5)
that a considerable drop in metabolism accompanies the practice of 'transcendental
meditation' (the system publicised by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi). Swami Rama took
some EEG machines back to India and said they would speed up the training of yogis.
Swami Rama and others say that self-healing can be performed in a state of deep
reverie. The Silva method is similar (18). Images for giving the body instructions are
used while in the theta state. Theta brain wave training narrows the gap between the
conscious and unconscious states. In the theta state the body can be programmed at
will and the instructions will be carried out. Emotional states can be objectively
examined, accepted or rejected or totally replaced by others, and problems which are
insoluble in the normal states of consciousness can be solved. ESP abilities in the
theta state have been developed by EEG biofeedback.
1. All subjects, without exception, and usually at the first EEG training session, show a
post-meditation phase with continuous alpha persisting about 10 minutes with open
eyes (if the gaze is unfocused).
2. Alpha appears in two quite different states: One is pure alpha with only a few
percent of other frequencies. This state is mindless, relaxed and neither thinking nor
imagining. The other is high strength alpha with two continuous side bands (about 30
to 60% of the alpha amplitude) of steady frequency. One side band is beta at 16 to 18
Hz (waves per second) and the other is theta at 4 to 6Hz. This special alpha state is
always symmetrical in both hemispheres of the brain. Subjects can open their eyes,
hold conversations, and walk around. They can do mental arithmetic and experience
self- induced emotional states, without losing the state. 'Testing' the state causes it to
stop after about 10 minutes but it can always be restored by the subject adopting a
passive attitude for a few minutes. Maxwell Cade believes this state is Goleman's
"fifth state of consciousness".
If you want to read accounts of this "fifth state", see references (16,17 & 21).
Paramhansa describes the transition from fourth to fifth state, called savikalpa
samadhi and nirvikalpa samadhi, respectively. In the fourth state, a temporary
realisation of oneness with Spirit is obtained but this 'cosmic consciousness' can't be
held except in the immobile trance state. By continuous meditation the higher fifth
state (nirvikalpa samadhi) is reached in which one can move freely in the world and
perform one's duties without any loss of 'God-perception'. This transition can occur
rapidly or take years, depending on the state of the nervous system of the individual.
One attribute of the fifth state (22) is that pure awareness infuses the waking state and
also the dreaming and sleep states. One can witness oneself entering the sleeping
and dreaming processes, just as one can witness thought in meditation. This aspect
of mind is called "The witness" by Gurdjieff (19).
Sleep & deep meditation are described as dissociative states by Atwater (131) and
are accompanied by alpha suppression. "Resting state alpha" is alpha brainwaves
confined to the back of the head. In a dissociative state, this alpha is suppressed
Chapter 8 145
which frees he mind from normal belief systems and opens the doors of perception to
non-physical energies (131).
"Transcendence" is a further stage beyond dissociation, where one is beyond the limits
of the ego and unconscious mind and into universal awareness. Experience of this
state can alter the nature of the subject's reality (131). EEG maps show high
amplitude delta and theta.
Cade & Coxhead (5) give an alternative description, described above, in terms of a
"fourth state" (probably similar to the "dissociative state" of Atwater (131) and a "fifth
state" (probably Atwater's "transcendence").
Procedures
Maxwell Cade found experimentally that obtaining the fifth state of consciousness is
aided by special excercises to develop detachment. Subjects who can already
produce continuous alpha or theta, to order, were trained to maintain these rhythms
while visually scanning the surroundings, solving successively more difficult
arithmetical problems, experiencing self-induced sensations of no-emotion, anger,
hate, grief, love, joy and reverence, and finally walking about, and conversing with
other people (while still maintaining the EEG pattern).
It must be emphasised that the brainwave state to aim at is not just pure alpha or
theta, but is alpha ACCOMPANIED by unvarying side-bands in the theta and beta
regions. The former states are, however, essential stepping stones to the latter fifth
level. Before starting the exercises it is essential to go mentally up or down the body,
relaxing all the muscles one by one.
Then the next step (using the Mind Mirror EEG, in this example) is to produce
continuous alpha and theta by, for example, passive concentration on breathing.
Breathing is the only body function that can be entirely automatic, as in sleeping, or
entirely under mind control. It is used in many meditation systems just because it is a
pivot between voluntary and involuntary control. The breathing exercises of
meditation in which the breath can be imagined like a swinging door, have a hypnotic
effect; one breathes at a frequency in the delta range.
Then incremental stressing can be used to infuse the alpha or theta with one's normal
activity (5):
1) (a) Open eyes; look slowly and disinterestedly around the room without focusing on
anything. If the alpha signal disappears, rest and allow it to return. Do not restart
these stressing exercises until the signal has remained steady for at least 30 seconds.
(b) Focus eyes sharply on various objects.
(c) Make eye contact with other people.
3) For 2 minutes each, feel each of these 7 emotions (=1 cycle); then repeat the cycle:
(a) no emotion, just calmness; (b) anger; (c) hate; (d) grief; (e) love; (f) joy; (g)
reverence.
4) Pick up your EEG machine (or as appropriate) and walk about talking to people.
Stop and rest with closed eyes if you lose the signal.
Chapter 8 146
Experience at these levels leads to permanent changes. With practice you can also
recognise what brainwave state you are in, without being connected to an EEG!
(The ultimate in biofeedback).
Most people do not have symmetrical left and right brainwaves patterns but only a few
hours of meditation leads to symmetry - the balancing of the logical (left) and the
intuitive (right).
Green et al describe a theta training project with a group of volunteers (4). To prevent
them from drifting off to sleep (i.e. losing all of their beta), they used a type of alarm
clock which would ring unless a bar on top was pressed which advanced the alarm
setting by 7 minutes. Portable EEG's were lent to the volunteers who practised about
an hour each weekday recording observations in a notebook. They were asked to
increase the amount of theta produced and to report the visual imagery. The imagery
was classified into 7 groups:
mental events, physical events, symbolic content, personal content, transpersonal
content, extrapersonal content.
Most subjects could easily increase alpha and increase theta with more difficulty.
There was a big increase in the imagery. Many students reported integration of their
personalities and increased vitality occurring with alpha- theta training. Memory and
concentration also improved. Some reported an increased awareness of nature -
colours, wind, trees, sky. Archetypal images were reported by many, such as:
travel through tunnels, up and down stairs, images of eyes, images of a wise man or of
a book of knowledge.
There was increased awareness and recall of dreams and of forgotten events of
childhood. These were not a memory but a re-living of the events, complete with
sounds and smells and with great clarity.
ESP observations of events were also reported, including distant vision (Remote
Viewing) (4).
For later advances in fast methods of seeing imagery, see Chapter A (ii).
Fig. 6.1.
Students during an exercise in
one of Maxwell Cade's classes
in the 1970s, with Maxwell Cade
and Isabel Cade, centre.
Total attendance: 4000 people.
Each student is wired up to both
a Mind Mirror and an ESR meter
showing their physiological
responses as they go into deep
relaxation.The Mind Mirror EEG
is the unit in the lower right.
The red bars each contain 16
LEDs. There are 13 red bars of
LEDs for the left and 13 for the
right brain outputs.
Some results are shown in Fig. 6 in Appendix 3 of Chapter A (ii). Pictures of the Mind Mirror
unit and other information are available in internet references at the end of Chapter A (i).
147
CHAPTER 9
PATHWORKING
(this is important information)
Entries to the so-called astral level depend on visual imagery, developed by various
methods. One method is hypnosis; in hypnosis visual images are easy to develop.
Another way is through the Tarot, or other pathworking doorways (11,23,26). One has
to create a picture of the doorway as a visual image and then imagine one's-self
moving into it, to reach the astral level.
Chapter A (ii) in this book gives a rapid entry to imagery which is a basis for
pathworking, where one can move out of the usual initial visions of trees and into more
open clearings and also one can slowly rise upwards for aerial-type views and with
practice and patience distant towns can be seen, while wide awake but with eyes
closed. This method can be used as an easy alternative preliminary to use of the
methods given by Ashcroft-Nowiciki (23) which are outlined below.
Surprising revelations from your deep subconscious may be obtained by this method,
even if you are not familiar with the tarot.
Paraliminal audio recordings are a recent invention in which one ear hears one story
and the other another, simultaneously, but these have not yet been developed for
pathworking.
Another entry to the astral level is by interrupting a dream while asleep. During
dreaming the emotional disturbance caused by the dream produces an increase in
breathing rate. A temperature sensor called a thermistor can easily be attached to the
nostril with adhesive tape and it changes its resistance with temperature; one's
outbreath is warmer than the inbreath. The thermistor's resistance changes are
measured and when these changes exceed a preset frequency (due to faster
breathing) another circuit delivers a very small electric shock to a wrist band and the
dreamer is thereby alerted IN the dream to the fact that he IS dreaming and he can
then become self-conscious in the dream. An alternative to a nasal thermistor is a
ribbon around the chest with an (inexpensive) flat strain gauge on it, whose resistance
changes with each chest expansion (breath). This and a more convenient recent
electronic device which requires no sensor at all to be worn while asleep, is discussed
in Chapter A (i) in this book.
Dreams occupy about 20% of total sleep time, about 90 minutes each night. During
dreaming, rapid eye motion (REM) occurs. A commercially available unit
("Dreamlight") uses the direct method of sensing eye motion electronically and
immediately sending a train of flashes to a tiny light (LED) fixed in a simple mask (like
the ones issued on air flights to exclude light, for those who wish to sleep). The
person wearing this mask will then see, in the dream, a brightening-up of the scene or
perhaps flashing jewels appear (or some other event) which will trigger off the
memory of wearing the mask before sleeping with the intention of becoming aware in
the dream. Then immediately, the dream becomes vivid or lucid and the dreamer
becomes aware and can control instead of merely being a bystander. The effect is
remarkable and the experience is highly recommended. But having to wear a mask
containing small flashing LEDs can be avoided by a recent method described in
Chapter A (i) in this book.
Chapter A (i) and Chapter 5 list some websites with lucid dreaming information.
The benefits obtainable from awareness during dreams were outlined in Chapter 1.
Some useful references are (7-11 & 32- 40). Reference 34 has been verified by an
acquaintance of the author to produce results.
For a further comment on pathworking, see the last pararaph in the Conclusions, (after
Chapter 11).
CHAPTER 10 Sensory Deprivation: Flotation Tanks 149
CHAPTER 10
SENSORY DEPRIVATION - FLOTATION TANKS
DISCLAIMER:
This book contains descriptions of what the author did & experienced, and what
others have reported (as referenced). No responsibility is accepted for any use
of flotation tanks, nor if any of the information in this book is applied practically.
Any instructions/procedures were written by the author for his own use, and
their appearance in this e-book is not a recommendation for them to be used
by anyone else. No responsibility is accepted for any adverse effects.
See also the WARNING/CAUTIONS section on page 188 of this e-book.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flotation tanks
This section tells of the remarkable effects obtained from a very simple
procedure: merely floating on 10 inch deep pool of water in a dark
enclosed chamber less than 8 feet by 4 feet in size (Fig. 7.1).
Of all the methods described in the above book, this and CES (cranial
electrical stimulation) are the most universal in their effect.
A flotation tank is perhaps comparable to the ancient “mysteries”, like
the Elusinian Greek Mysteries, etc, but is not secret.
Sensory Deprivation:
At first, the mind will do anything to prevent the removal of the
sensory input to which it has got used. Research has been done on
CHAPTER 10 Sensory Deprivation: Flotation Tanks 261
150
Fig. 7.1. Flotation Tank (picture: courtesy of Visionary Designs, Brighton, UK)
Contains 700 litres of water and 500 kg of MgSO4 .7H2O B.P. (Epsom
Salts) to give buoyant floating. (B.P. = British Pharmacopoeia grade,
possible supplier: William Blythe Ltd, Church, BB5 4PD ).
Water temperature = 35ºC (= skin temperature).
DIY Caution: floor loading!
Total darkness and silence are essential for complete 5-sensory
deprivation.
CHAPTER 10 Sensory Deprivation: Flotation Tanks 151
The flotation tank has water only 10 inches deep but it contains 800
pounds weight of Epsom salts to give extreme buoyancy. An air
pump provides ventilation. The optimum water temperature of
93.5oF is maintained by a thermostat. At this temperature it is
impossible to feel the water (by its temperature) and so you cannot
distinguish where your skin ends and the water begins! Also, in a
fluid you have no sensation of any pressure (unlike lying on a bed).
Such floating completely removes the sense of touch. It is comparat-
ively easy to remove the other senses (vision - just keep out light;
sound - just keep out noises; taste - just don't eat!; smell - just don't
have any scented materials around). Clearly, of the 5 senses, touch
is the most difficult to avoid. It requires a flotation tank.
Lilly & Shurley were the pioneers of flotation [6] and laid the
foundations, but following Ptolemy's 1800 year-old account of the
mental effects of a stroboscope (his spinning spoked wheel between
closed eye and sun), one is tempted to speculate on the use of the
deep sarcophagus in the Great Pyramid which can still be seen there,
and in which one can lie [100, 111]. There is nothing new under the
sun...[42]!
The granite coffer in the Great Pyramid is over 6 ft 6 inches long and
over 2 ft wide (internal measurements) and is too wide to go through
the door. Clearly it would not have been removed by those who put
it there, so the inference must be that they did not want 'those who
came after' to remove it either. One may then speculate that they
'built it in' to be an 'indelible message' for those who came after. As
a speculation, could the message be a recommendation to use a
flotation tank to gain very easily the enormous benefits of deep
meditative states?
Maxwell Cade [5] discovered from studies of over 4000 people that
unusual abilities like self-control of pain, healing, telepathy etc. are
associated with changes in EEG pattern to a bilaterally symmetrical
form [5] (see Fig. 3 & 4 in Chapter A(ii)). Other workers (and Maxwell
Cade) [76-78] found the same thing for those in deep meditation.
The same happens during floating; the tank does not block left brain
CHAPTER 10 Sensory Deprivation: Flotation Tanks 265
154
activity but makes it a partner with the right brain, whose activity
floating brings forward [41].
Some suggest the tank experience has obvious parallels with a return
to the womb. Babies have theta brainwaves. Tanks cause increased
endorphin levels [79]; for comparison pregnant women have up to 8
times the usual blood endorphin level. Endorphins, like heroin and
morphine, relieve pain and create euphoria.
You can also 'see' familiar cartoon figures from TV and imagine them
dancing about.
An advanced visualisation is to imagine yourself getting smaller and
smaller (like Alice in wonderland). Such visualisations have been
described many centuries ago by Patanjali [114], who indicates that
a trained observer may be able to observe atoms. A century ago,
trained meditators reported using this (claimed) ability and drew
string-like pictures of what may be recognised today as strings of
quarks. The author has discussed this extensively elsewhere [115].
If such an ability can be developed, it would have profound scientific
consequences.
Similar visualisations stopping at the cellular level are the basis for
the healing described below and in Chapter 4. Visualise entering your
body and visiting various organs.
(ii) Visualise your own face; smile; notice all details. Anything you
don't like? Visualise in some activity - like climbing. Let the image
speak to you - what do you hear?
The results of such visualisations will often surprise you and will
reveal directly what is hidden in your mind.
.
Fig. 6.2
The method given is to imagine one’s self moving through the gap between
the figure and the surrounding wreath, to enter the “astral” world of dreams.
CHAPTER 10 Sensory Deprivation: Flotation Tanks 158
Superlearning
In a survey [41] with a control group and a float tank group, taped
chemistry lessons were heard, containing: (a) basic information, (b)
application, (c) problem solving. Results showed floaters were better
than the control group for (a), much better for (b) and very much
better for (c). EEG traces showed greater theta waves during
flotation and this was shown to be related to the depth of
CHAPTER 10 Sensory Deprivation: Flotation Tanks 269
159
threats, body chemicals return to (better than) normal and one has
the chance to examine one's life calmly and objectively.
Tank treatment is not passive but has an equal and opposite effect to
what any stress could have. Hutchison [41] points out that our
Judeo-Christian ethos imbues a tendency to regard relaxation as
something opposed to productive activity: if you're relaxed this
means you're not performing any worthwhile activity! Its apparent
wasting time and laziness aspects makes it appear to be a luxury.
The limbic system atop the brain stem is responsible for some effects
of altered states of consciousness such as euphoria, feelings of
divided consciousness, loss of awareness of body boundaries,
feelings of floating or flying and strange visual experiences like white
or golden light [5].
Most people have been taught to avoid solitude, isolation and
confinement. TV sets are anti-isolation devices! So most people
have a negative attitude to solitude and isolation [6]. It is thus
necessary to make a (small) mental effort to overcome this feeling.
• Floating is effective if weight loss is desired and its effect lasts for
months after floating.
• Dogmatic attitudes and beliefs are realised for what they are,
while floating. Unreasonable resistance to new ideas is thus
weakened - a very beneficial effect.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
A Final Comment:
20. C. Castaneda, "The Teachings of Don Juan", (& other titles), Penguin (1977).
21. Paramhansa Yogananda, "Autobiography of a Yogi" , Rider, London (1961).
22. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, "Commentary on the Bhagavad Gita", Penguin
(1969).
23. "Highways of the Mind", "The Shining Paths", "Inner Landscapes" and other
books by D Ashcroft-Nowicki, Aquarian Press (1980s).
24. Translations of books by F. Lefebure
Some titles are:
"Brain development by alternative audition" by Dr F.Lefebure [English
translation of book below]
"L'activation du cerveau par l'audition alternative (alternophonie)" by Dr F.
Lefebure (Editions Jacques Bersez, Paris)
"Phosphenism - the art of visualization" by Dr F.Lefebure [English
translation]
"Developing clairvoyance by phosphenism" by Dr F.Lefebure
"L'exploration du cerveau par les oscillations des phosphenes doubles
(phosphenisme)" by Dr F.Lefebure (Editions Jacques Bersez, Paris, 1982)
"Du moulin a priere a la dynamo spirituelle (Kundalini)" by Dr F.Lefebure
(Editions Jacques Bersez, Paris, 1982)
"Le pneumophene (phosphenisme)" by Dr F.Lefebure (Editions Jacques
Bersez, Paris, 1982)
[Translations of some of these may be available from The SEED Institute,
10 Magnolia Way, Fleet, GU19 9JZ, UK]
25. J. Vernon , "Inside the Black Room", C. N. Potter Inc., New York, (1963).
26. VIDEOS: "The Lion, Witch & Wardrobe" (cartoon version, Vestron CAD
14194); "The Neverending Story"; "A Flight of Dragons"
(Channel 5, CFV05732); these are just a few highly recommended
examples.
27. L.E. Walkup, Perceptual Motor Skills 21, 35-41 (1965).
28. R. May, "Creativity & its cultivation", ed. H.B.Anderson, Harper & Bros., NY,
(1959).
29. A. Kasamatsu & T. Hirai, Psychologia, 6, 86-91 (1963).
30. VIDEO: Koyaanisqatsi (Polygram Video Ltd, 083 448 3).
31. "Auditory beats in the brain", Sci. Amer., 94-102, (Oct. 1973)
32. C. Green, "Lucid Dreams", (Inst of Psychphysical Research, Oxford, 1968)
33. K. Harary & P. Weintraub, "Lucid Dreams in 30 Days", Aquarian
Press (1989)
35. H.de Saint-Denys, "Dreams & How to guide them", Duckworth, London, (1982)
36. M. Watkins, "Waking Dreams", Spring Publ.Inc, Dallas (1984)
37. S.J. Blackmore, "Beyond the Body", Paladin (1986)
41. M. Hutchison , "The Book of Floating", Quill - Morrow, New York (1984)
42. The Book of Ecclesiastes, The Bible.
43. Michael S Gazzaniga "The Split Brain in Man", Scientific American, 24-29,
Oct. 1967.
44. S. Rose, "The making of memory", Bantam (1992)
45. F.C. Happold, "Mysticism" (1963)
46. C. Tart, "Altered States of Consciousness" (Wiley, NY, 1969)
47. E.C. Steinbecher, "Inner Guide Meditation", Aquarian Press, UK (1988)
48. M. Zdenek, "The Right-brain Experience", Corgi (1983)
49. Megabrain Report, 1990
CHAPTER10 Sensory Deprivation: Flotation Tanks 275
165
50. O. Simonton et al, "Getting well again", Tarcher, Los Angeles (1978)
51. M. Westcott & J. Ranzoni, "Correlates of Intuitive Thinking", Psychological
Reports, 12, 595-613 (1963).
52. R.L. Walford, "Maximum Life Span", Norton, NY (1983)
53. G. Leonard, "The Silent Pulse", Dutton, NY (1978)
54. P.H.C. Mutke, "Selective Awareness", Celestial Arts, Millbrae, CA (1976)
55. R.D. Willard, Am J Clin Hypnos 19, 195 (1977)
57. J. Hooper, "Interview with C. Pert", Omni, (Feb. 1982)
58. G Rattray Taylor, "The Natural History of the Mind", Dutton, NY (1979)
59. P.B. Applewhite, "Molecular Gods: how molecules determine our
behaviour", Prentice-Hall (1981)
60. J. Olds, Scientific American 195, 105-116 (1956)
61. J. Olds, Am Psychologist 24, 707-719 (1969)
62. J.E. Adam, Pain 2, 161-6 (1976)
63. J.B. Levine et al, Nature 272, 826-7 (1978)
64. D.J. Mayer et al, Brain Res 121, 360-73 (1977)
65. H. Benson & R.K. Wallace, "Decreased drug abuse with Transcendental
Meditation: A study of 1862 subjects", Congressional Record, 92nd
Congress, 1st Session, June 1971.
66. M. Shafii et al, Am J Psychiatry 131, 60-3 (1975)
67. Idem, ibid 132, 942-5 (1975)
68. Time, 19 Jan 1981
69. M.Csikszentmihalyi, "Beyond boredom & anxiety", Jossey-Bass,
San Francisco & London (1975)
70. P.D. MacLean, "A triune concept of the brain & behaviour", Univ of Toronto
Press (1973)
71. "How the brain works", Newsweek, 7 Feb 1983
72. J.C. Lilly, "The deep self", Simon & Schuster, NY (1977)
73. H. Benson, "The Relaxation Response", Morrow, NY (1975).
74. T. Budzynski, Proc First Intl Conf on R.E.S.T. & Self-regulation, Denver,
CO, (18 March, 1983)
75. Alan Richardson, "Mental Imagery", Springer-Verlag, NY (1969).
76. BC Glueck & C.F. Stroebel, Comprehensive Psychiatry 16, 303-21 (1975)
77. J.P. Banquet, J Electroencephalography & Clin Neurophysiol 33, 449-58 (1972)
78. Idem, ibid 35, 143-51 (1973)
79. J.W. Turner, Proc First Intl Conf on R.E.S.T. & Self-regulation (Denver, CO,
18 March, 1983)
80. Diana Deutsch, "Musical Illusions", Scientific American, 92-104, Oct (1975).
81. Nathaniel Kleitman, "Patterns of Dreaming" Scientific American, 82-88,
Nov. (1960).
82. S.Ostrander & L.Schroeder, "Superlearning", Delacorte Press, NY (1979)
83. G.Lozanov, "Suggestology & outlines of suggestopedy", Gordon
& Breach, (1982)
84. N. Drury, "Music for Inner Space", Prism Press, UK (1985)
85. A. Puharich, "The sacred mushroom", Doubleday (1959)
86. "Beyond Telepathy" idem, Doubleday (1962)
87. J. Dunlap, "Exploring Inner Space", Harcourt Brace & World (1961)
88. D. Solomon, "LSD, the consciousness-expanding drug", Putnam,
London (1964)
89. "Drug Experience" ed. by D. Ebin (Orion Press)
276 CHAPTER 10 Sensory Deprivation: Flotation Tanks 166
90. Lama Anagarika Govida, "The Way of the White Clouds" Rider (1966)
91. I.Tweedie "The Chasm of Fire", Element Books, UK (1979)
92. Gopi Krishna, "Kundalini", Robinson & Watkins (1971)
93. "The Secret of Yoga" idem, Turnstone Books, London (1972)
94. Mouni Sadhu, "Samadhi", Allen & Unwin (1962)
95. Dr R.A. Moody, "Life After Life", Bantam Books, (1977) (a best seller)
96. Dr R.A. Moody, "Reflections on Life After Life", Bantam Books.
97. H.Wambach, "Life Before Life", Bantam (1981)
98. Dr M.B.Sabom , "Recollections of Death", Corgi, UK (1982)
99. D.Scott Rogo, "The Return from Silence", Aquarian Press, (1981)
and: "Life after Death", idem, Harper-Collins, Glasgow, (1992)
100. P. Lemesurier, "The Great Pyramid decoded", Element Books (1977)
101. Suzuki, "Zen mind & beginner's mind", (& other titles), Weatherhill, NY, (1970)
102. E. Herrigel, "Zen in the Art of Archery", Routlege & Kegan Paul (1959)
103. Z'ev ben Shimon Halevi (Warren Kenton), "Kabbalah", Thames & Hudson,
London (1979)
104. S. Court, "The meditator's manual", Aquarian Press, UK (1984)
105. P. Russell, "Meditation", published by BBC, London (1979)
106. D. & J. Beck, "The pleasure connexion: how endorphins affect our health
& happiness".
107. "Altered States of Consciousness" ed. by C.P. Tart (1990)
108. M. Csikszentmihalyi, "Flow: the psychology of optimal experience".
109. P. Kelder, "Tibetan secrets of youth & vitality", Harper Collins, Glasgow (1991)
110. Graham Greene, "A World of my own: a Dream Diary", Reinhardt (1992).
111. P. Brunton, "In search of secret Egypt" (& other books).
112. R.O. Becker & G. Selden, "The body electric" and R.O.Becker, "Cross currents".
113. C.W. Leadbeater, "The Chakras", Theos Publ House, London.
114. Patanjali, "Yoga Aphorisms", published about 400 BC.
115. in: M.G. Hocking, M.G., "World Religion & History back to 70,000 BC,
discovered by Remote Viewing", London: www.4-D.org.uk/Books (2011).
(400 page hardback, 58 illustrations)
116. Dr Joel Funk, Professor of Psychology, Plymouth State College, New Hampshire.
117. Nature 345, p.463 (1990)
118. Science News 137, p.229 (1990)
119. The Lancet, Jan 1983, p.246
120. New England J Medicine 307, 249 (1982)
121. New Yorker, 12 June 1989, p.69
122. Cancer Research Aug 1988, p.4222
123. E. Swedenborg, "Heaven & its wonders and hell", (Swedenborg
Foundation, New York; distributed by Popular Library, New York, (1960)
124. "Neurochemical responses to CES & photo-stimulation via brainwave
synchronization" study by Dr R.K. Cady & Dr N. Shealy at Shealy Institute of
Comprehensive health care, Springfield, Missouri (1990), 11 pages.
125. A. Koestler, "The act of creation", Pan Books, London (1984)
126. B. Edwards, "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain".
127. Doreen Kimura, "The Asymmetry of the Human Brain", Scientific American,
70-78 (1973).
128. K. R. Pelletier, "Mind as Healer, Mind as Slayer", Derlacorte Press, NY (1977)
129. G. Oster, 'Auditory Beats in the Brain', Scientific American 229, pp94-102 (1973).
130. A.R. Luria, article in "Recent Progress in Perception" publ. Freeman, San
Francisco (1970).
CHAPTER 10 Sensory Deprivation: Flotation Tanks 277
167
Note: Light & Sound machines, flotation tanks, etc can be obtained
from: www.toolsforwellness.com
This is given for information only. The author has no connection
with this firm, but has found it reliable.
Many other suppliers exist; a low-cost “DIY” flotation tank
construction booklet is available from: Design Mobility Inc, 280
Nevins Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA. The author (MGH) can
give advice on request: to contact, see www.4-D.org.uk/Books
Warning: Light & sound and CES units should not be used by persons with a
history of epilepsy or other neurological disorders. But the following finding is
quoted, for information, from Maxwell Cade & Coxhead [5]: "After 4 years use of
the lights, with more than 4000 pupils including 25 known epileptics, there have
been no mishaps, and most of the epileptics have reported a marked
improvement in their condition. ...subjects were only exposed to the lights after
they had become very relaxed..." (see page 49 in reference 5 for more details).
This is quoted for information only and our advice is that medical advice should
be obtained before proceeding in such cases.
Note: Epilepsy is not very common, but it is possible for someone to be an as-yet undiag-
nosed epileptic.
The author followed the following advice, which is copied here for information only. It is
not a recommendation for anyone else to repeat anything related to flashing lights etc
described in this book: It is essential to allow at least half an hour after using light and
sound machines and other mind-enhancing units and tapes before operating machinery
or driving a car.
CHAPTER 10 Sensory Deprivation: Flotation Tanks 168
Feel the chair and floor beneath you, get up and walk around and have
something to eat and drink. Eating and drinking is the quickest and safest
way to close down the doorways to the imagination or to unknown "inner worlds"
after an inner exploration.
No responsibility is accepted for any use of light & sound machines, nor if any
of the above information is used.
This book contains descriptions of what the author did and experienced.
No responsibility is accepted for any adverse effects.
169
CHAPTER 11
OTHER MACHINES
Some other machines have been reviewed (2). To mention a few, there is
the TENS unit which gives very low voltage and current stimulation to the
ankles at about 8 Hz, reported to produce interesting perceptual results; the
Graham potentializer is more complex but again is reported to give very
interesting effects.
Cranial Electrical Stimulation (CES) was developed in the USSR in the late
1940s and has been widely used. Research shows that CES produces a
mild stimulation of the hypothalamic area of the brain, balancing
neurotransmitter activity, in particular beta endorphin & norepinephrine. The
effects are like the so called "jogger's high"; habitual joggers experience a
slightly euphoric state due to endorphin production and experience
'withdrawal' symptoms if they miss jogging sessions. A CES machine can
remove these withdrawal symptoms, and, can also remove withdrawal
symptoms experienced by drug abuse. CES is a powerful way for treatment
of drug abuse. Narcotic drugs replace the body's natural opiates
(endorphins) and the body stops making them, and if the drugs are then
stopped the body still doesn't make them and the user gets the awful
withdrawal symptoms which we normally do not experience because we
have our natural 'opiates' in our systems to protect us from such an effect. If
we had no natural endorphins, we would all have awful 'withdrawal
symptoms' all the time!
Use of CES devices may cause interesting occurrences of vivid dreams; see
the section further below on the Dream Machine for some explanation.
High quality CES devices use a 3-wire output, which gives dual frequency
capability, producing two simultaneous brainwave states. Some units may
use only two wires and can thus apparently only give one frequency.
CES units are very simple to use: the stimulus pads are connected to the ear
lobes and back of neck. Very low currents are used, in the microamp region
(cf the milliamps of the TENS machines used routinely medically for intract-
Chapter 11 170
able pain relief). Battery operation is essential for complete electrical safety:
no mains connections.
Some CES units can be synchronised with the flickering lights of light &
sound machines.
CES units allow the user to quickly learn how to get into advanced meditation
states (compare 10 years by conventional meditation methods).
They promote brain hemisphere balance, between logical and intuitive abili-
ties. This balance can improve communicative skills and creative thinking.
Out-of-the-body experiences and other psychic effects have been reported
by users. Many users report reduced sleep requirement, about 2 hours per
night less than before use. Excellent results are reported when used with
language audio recordings, etc.
CES units intended for the medical treatment of anxiety, depression & drug
addiction usually operate at a fixed frequency of 100 Hz and so will not
interrupt normal activities and can be used while reading, typing, etc. (It
should not be used while operating machinery). It is reported to release
endorphins and to have the consequent beneficial effects.
Budzynski (133) has published a review on CES and Beck (134) has given a
list of published papers on CES.
tACS devices
Ganzfeld Units
Gazing into a ganzfeld, the mind eventually 'blanks out'; you do not see
blankness but instead lose the sensation of having eyes at all. One's atten-
tion then turns within and deeply relaxed meditative states are entered.
Dream Machines
You can enjoy the power of being awake and aware in your dreams!
These remarkable units answer the wishes of people for centuries - a way of
entering their dreams with self-conscious awareness and taking part in them
(called lucid dreams). This extends your conscious time from day into the
night and many useful experiences can be gained which have a direct
Chapter 11 172
bearing on one's everyday life. Up till recently, this possibility was only "in
the compass of a dream...", but is now a reality! In dreaming sleep, rapid
eye movements (REM) occur (81) and by using a sensitive electronic sensor
this event can by sent to a microprocessor unit which then sends a train of
low-level flashes to a subminiature lamp set into a light-shield worn by the
sleeper. The light-shield is similar to those which airlines give out on night
flights, for passengers who want to sleep in a lit cabin. When the unit
detects REM, indicating dreaming sleep, and responds thus, the dreamer
sees the dream light up, or some other event occurs, like bright jewels
suddenly appearing. The effect of this is to trigger the memory of having set
up the experiment to become aware and self-conscious in the dream! At
that instant the dream suddenly becomes much more vivid or lucid and one
can take conscious part in directing it. It forms a remarkable experience.
You can find out how it feels to fly, to climb the highest mountain, to visit
exotic lands; you can use lucid dreaming to help you make your dreams
come true in real-life. Throughout history, dreams have inspired many great
new ideas and inventions. With lucid dreaming you can go directly to the
source of inspiration within your unconscious mind to stimulate ideas and
solve problems.
Lucid dreams are so real that you can use them to practice and improve
skills. Lucid dreamers have thus developed their techniques in sports,
dancing, music, speaking, mathematics, science, surgery, computer
programming, etc. etc. Fears can be overcome. Your conscious and
unconscious minds can be brought together which helps you to grow
psychologically. Lucid dreaming is especially valuable for those interested in
dreams as a path to self-knowledge.
Because of the complexity of design of a unit which will reliably perform this
function without needing continual adjustments, the price of these units is
unavoidably high. But the value for money is there. The units are the pro-
duct of years of dream research at various institutes. They have been well
tested by many people with great success.
Some more details were given earlier, at the end of Chapter 9, and,
especially see Chapter A (i).
See Chapter A (i) for the author’s recently developed self-build circuit and
the detailed instructions used by him. Caution: See the very last paragraph
of this e-book.
173
CONCLUSIONS
It may be significant that some of the techniques described in this book are
very simple and can be performed with readily available equipment that is
easy to use. But see the very last paragraph in this book.
Some techniques have been accepted by major organisations in the USA and
Europe, and a new era is expanding where subconscious enhancement and
the ability to tap into our inner being is beginning.
Many of the electronic units and other devices, such as flotation tanks, are
available from internet suppliers. Chapters A (i) & A (ii), in this book, gives
very low cost free simple circuit diagrams for lucid dream devices and for
rapid visual-image-producing devices. But see the very last para. in this book.
With the help of these new electronic units we can all at least aspire
towards becoming Einsteins or to writing rhymes of ancient mariners,
or composing music and painting masterpieces, or producing inspired films
and videos: Tolkein's 'Middle Earth', Lewis Carrol's 'looking glass',
C.S.Lewis's 'Narnia', the 'Fantasia' of The Neverending Story and the
magical world of A Flight of Dragons (26). None (and all!) of these are
"children's videos"!
REFERENCES
1. A. Huxley, "The Doors of Perception" , Penguin, (1960). .
2. M. Hutchison, "Megabrain", Morrow, NY (1986)
3. W. Grey Walter, "The Living Brain", Pelican (1961).
4. E & A Green, "Beyond Biofeedback", Delacorte Press, USA,
(1977).
Also see Research Centre J. (T.S.), 16, no 4, p 87 (1972).
5. C. Maxwell Cade & N. Coxhead, "The Awakened Mind", Element
Books, UK, (1989). AND:
G.G. Blundell, C. Maxwell Cade, "EEG Measurement", Published
by Audio Ltd, London.
6 J. C. Lilley, "In the centre of the Cyclone", Paladin (1973).
7. R. A. Monroe, "Journeys out of the Body", Anchor (1977).
8. O. Fox, "Astral Projection", University Books, NY, USA (1962) &
Citadel Press, N
9. Yram, "Practical Astral Projection", S. Weiser, New York,
(1979).
10. B. Steiger, "Astral Projection", Para Research Inc., Rockport, MA
(1982)
11. J. H. Brennan, "Astral Doorways", Aquarian Press (1971).
12. N. R. Clough, "How to make and use magic Mirrors", Aquarian
Press (1977).
13. W. Sargant, "Battle for the Mind", Great Pan (1957).
14. M. Sadhu, "Concentration", Unwin Paperbacks (1977).
15. H. Hewitt, "Meditation", Teach Yourself Books, Hodder & Stoughton
(1978)
16. A. E. , "The Candle of Vision" , University Books Inc. NY.
17. R. M. Bucke, "Cosmic Consciousness", Dutton, USA, (1969).
18. J. Silva & P. Miele, "The Silva mind control method", Souvenir
Press (1978).
19. G. I. Gurdjieff, "Views from the Real World", Routledge & Kegan Paul (1976).
20. C. Castaneda, "The Teachings of Don Juan", (& other titles),
Penguin (1977).
21. Paramhansa Yogananda, "Autobiography of a Yogi" , Rider,
London (1961).
22. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, "Commentary on the Bhagavad Gita",
Penguin (1969).
23. "Highways of the Mind", "The Shining Paths", "Inner Landscapes"
and other books
24. Translations of books by F.Lefebure. Not available from the
address below but may be in the British Library. Some titles are:
175
8
177
(look away and back again and see if the scene has changed -- if it
has, you are dreaming!).
Other such trigger methods are in the books on lucid dreaming by S.
LaBerge (Lucidity Institute).
C.H. Dechanet, “Christian Yoga”, publ by Burns & Oates (1960); &
others.
G.K. Khalsa et al, “Kundalini Rising”, publ. Sounds True Inc, Boulder,
CO, USA (2009). See also:
G.L. Paulson, “Kundalini & the Chakras”, publ. Llewelyn, Woodbury
Publs, MN, USA.
Yram, “Practical Astral Projection”, publ. S. Weiser, New York (1979).
Joan Grant, “Winged Pharaoh”, Ariel Press, Columbus, OH, USA:
Recommended.
C. Greene, "Out of the Body Experiences", Inst. of Psychophys Res,
Oxford (1968).
R.A. Monroe "Journeys out of the Body", p. 172, Anchor Press/Double-
day, NY (1977).
J.B. Hasted, D.J. Bohm, E.W.Bastin, P. O'Regan and J.G. Taylor,
Nature 254, 470 (1975).
Targ et al, Nature 251, 602 (1974).
MUSIC – CD list
Some readers may like a list of CDs which have an uplifting effect.
The list below is of course very incomplete, but a ****
recommendation is given:
********* “Dorje Ling”, D. Parsons, Fortuna 17076-2; Tracks 1 & 4
(must be heard with eyes closed). Deep bass & infrasound
produce devotional feelings (Note: some mediaeval cathedral organ
pipes are in the infrasound acoustic frequency range!).
******“Vespers … 1610”, Monteverdi, Apex 2564 61429-2; track 10.
******“Parsifal”, Wagner, Conducted by Barenboim, Berlin Phil, very
good slow version, Teldec 4509-97910-2.
******“Gloria”, Vivaldi, very best version is film music LP record of
“Runaway Train”, available on internet, Enigma Records, Capitol
Records – EMI Inc, SJ 73200.
*****“Pilgrim’s Progress”, Vaughan Williams, EMI CMS 7 642122; Act
4 Scene 3.
*****“Spem in Allium”, Thomas Tallis, (best version) Gimell CDGIM 006.
****“The Encircled Sea”, Boyle, Silva Screen Film CD 076; tracks 8, 12.
****“Faust Cantata”, Schnittke, Malmo S.O., BIS-CD-437; tracks 9, 10.
****“Miserere”, Allegri (very special version) Ambionay Naïve E 8846:
www.naïve.fr
****“Responsories for Tenebrae”, Victoria, Decca CD 425-078-2.
****“Gathering of Spirits”, R. Fox, FX Music FXCD4; track 3.
***“Gotterdammerung”, Wagner, Cond. Solti, Decca 455 569-2; Act
3, track 11.
***“Koyaanisqatsi”, P. Glass, Island Masters IMCD 98 (814042-2)
*** Organum – Compostella (chanting), Ambroisie 3 760020 170660;
tracks 1, 8, 11.
***“La Poeme Harmonique”, Boesset, Alpha 057, track 20 (Nos
Spirites Libres).
**“Atlantic Realm”, Clannad, BBC CD 727. And other Clannad CDs.
**“Akenaten”, P. Glass,
**“Turn of the Tides”, Tangerine Dream, Miramar CD 09006-23088-2.
**Angelic music (various CDs) by Iasos (reported by NDE people as
nearest to what they heard during an NDE!)
S
See also the book: N. Drury, "Music for Inner Space", Prism Press,
UK (1985). Highly recommended.
CAUTIONS & WARNINGS 184
For those who want to compose music but have difficulty in writing it
down, a programme called Akoff Music Composer, which converts
one's humming or whistling a tune into music (e.g. violin, + notation),
is available at: www.akoff.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
NOTICE: For legal reasons we make the following statements. The items in described in this
book are experimental consciousness-enhancing products, for which no medical claims are
made or implied. The descriptions given for each product are reports of the effects produced
as given by the manufacturers and by professional users. None of these statements by
professionals should be construed as medical claims. The claims made centre around
relaxation, meditation, hypnosis and learning.
Warning: Light & sound and CES units should not be used by
persons with a history of epilepsy or other neurological disorders. But
the following finding is quoted, for information, from Maxwell Cade &
Coxhead (5): "After 4 years use of the lights, with more than 4000
pupils including 25 known epileptics, there have been no mishaps, and
most of the epileptics have reported a marked improvement in their
condition. ...subjects were only exposed to the lights after they had
become very relaxed..." (see page 49 in reference 5 for more details).
This is quoted for information only and our advice is that medical
advice should be obtained before proceeding in such cases.
Note: Although epilepsy is not very common, it is possible to be an
un-diagnosed epileptic, with a seizure triggered off by flashing lights.
Additional: The author allowed a minimum of half an hour after using
light and sound machines and other mind-enhancing units and audio
recordings before operating machinery or driving a car.
It was important to feel the chair and floor beneath one, to get up and
walk around and have something to eat and drink. Eating and drinking
is the quickest and safest way to close down the doorways to the
imagination or to unknown "inner worlds" after an inner exploration.
The author accepts no responsibility for any consequences for use of
Light and Sound devices.
This book describes the author’s experiences and is not a recom-
mendation for anyone to use such devices.
17
Appendix 8 185
For ease of reference, the various procedures given in the above pages are
collected here:
NOTE: These instructions/procedures were written by the author for his own
use, and their appearance in this e-book is not a recommendation for them
to be used by anyone else. Caution: See the very last paragraph of this e-book.
This book is an account of what the author did, following the scholarly normal
practice of recording all results obtained in a set of experiments. It is not a
recommendation for anyone to copy anything described in this e-book.
See the "Warnings" section at the end of the previous page above.
Note: Flashes and sounds are partly crossed-over within the brain, to the
hemispheres, but the above instructions can be reversed (in a new session) to
send the 18 Hz flashes to the other eye, also of course changing over the left
& right sound inputs, to give an improved result, after a week’s use of the
first version. This alternation of the active eye is advantageous.
It is not necessary to have a computer available while using the flashing lights
unit, because the output of the USB Audio Device can be copied to any
recording device, such as a CD or MP3 player, a tape recorder, or any
miniature sold-state recording/replaying device, whose output 3.5 mm jack
socket can then be used to plug the 3.5 mm plug-to-plug cable into, with the
other end being plugged into the flasher unit’s input. The playing device’s
volume control will need to be adjusted, to get suitable amplitude square
186
waves from it. For the Sansa MP3 player, shown in the picture of the final unit
(Fig. 7), its half-volume is ok. To find the best level, the MP3 player’s
volume control was reduced until the bulbs stop flashing, and then increased
to about halfway between that value and the maximum. The setting was
noted. A suitable low cost MP3 player is Maxell, P-Series, see www.maxell.eu
See details in Appendix 6, for this alternative MP3 player.
Very Important: It was made sure that the two 3.5 mm stereo-type plugs
were firmly clicked fully into their correct sockets (labelled), which may be
very stiff.
Note: The earphones’ sound volume was set “moderately loud” for effective
brainwave entrainment, but not “very loud”. Recall the caution that earphone
and MP3 player manufacturers put in their instructions leaflets – that
excessive loudness can cause permanent hearing loss in later life.
Note: In use, the two brightness control potentiometers should be set at
maximum, just before putting the spectacles on, to get the bulbs about
equally bright. The brainwave entrainment is more effective if the bulbs are
bright. But if too bright, the flashing may intrude. Try 7.5 volt supply volts.
After the visions are observed, at about 10 minutes, with the left bulb turned
off (i.e. left potentiometer turned fully anticlockwise), the right potentiometer
can then be reduced slightly (only about 10 to15 degrees of rotation) to
further reduce the distraction of the flashing, but too much reduction will
cause the brainwave state to be lost, but it can be recovered by turning the
flashes brighter again (without delay).
The flashing should quite soon become habituated to, and then appear as a
slight flickering only. Surprisingly, after the trees or other vision has been
observed for several minutes and if one is relaxed, then if the right bulb is
turned fully bright (potentiometer turned fully clockwise), the images become
more vivid and the flashing is not a distraction. Experimentation is necessary.
If extraneous thoughts occur, the flashing habituation will cease and the field
of vision will be blocked out by a red field of flashing light. The trees are
“behind” this light and if the mind is cleared of thoughts, the flashing will be
re-habituated and it will then diminish and the trees will re-appear, within
usually 10 or 20 seconds. This effect is repeatable. With practice, it should be
possible to do simple arithmetical calculations without losing the trees’ vision.
This effect is very similar to a ticking clock in a quiet room, which the mind
habituates to, so that no ticking is sensed, but if one thinks of the clock then
its ticking will be heard again because the mind’s habituation to it is lost.
187
Other experiments (not yet done) would be to change the flashing
mark:space ratio, i.e. the ratio of on-time to off-time for each flash.
Warning:
Light & sound and CES units should not be used by persons with a history of
epilepsy or other neurological disorders. But the following finding is quoted,
for information, from Maxwell Cade & Coxhead [2]: "After 4 years use of the
lights, with more than 4000 pupils including 25 known epileptics, there have
been no mishaps, and most of the epileptics have reported a marked
improvement in their condition. ... subjects were only exposed to the lights
after they had become very relaxed ..." (see page 49 loc cit for more details).
This is quoted for information only and our advice is that medical advice
should be obtained before proceeding in such cases.
The author followed the advice below, which is copied here for information
only. It is not a recommendation for anyone else to repeat anything related
to flashing lights &c described in this book:
It is essential to allow at least half an hour after using light and sound
machines or devices and other mind-enhancing units and audio CDs & tapes
before operating machinery or driving a car.
Feel the chair and floor beneath you, get up and walk around and have
something to eat and drink. Eating and drinking is the quickest and safest
way to close down the doorways to the imagination or to unknown "inner
worlds" after an inner exploration.
No responsibility is accepted for any use of light & sound machines or
devices.