More Esoteric Secrets
11. CRYSTALS: Crystals interact with the human energy field to create subtle shifts in consciousness.
If you stand and hold crystals in your hands about solar plexus level, and if you are perceptive, you will notice an effect within 2 or 3 seconds. Frequently the effect is calming and is good for meditation purposes. Crystals can also be held at or placed on various parts of the body, especially chakra locations.
12. ANTIHISTAMINE DEPRESSIVE SIDE EFFECTS: If you take antihistamines, especially the first generation sedative type antihistamines which put you to sleep, be very careful. They cause lethargy, lack of motivation and depression. Despite the fact that many of these are “4-hour” medicines, not all of the effects wear off after 4 hours. Some of the depressive effects don’t wear off for a day or two. If you take these medicines frequently, you could find your self in an almost perpetual state of antihistamine induced chronic fatigue and depression.
You also need to be careful with the more recently developed “non-drowsy” antihistamines. They can have a similar depressive effect.
As an alternative you might try an antihistamine nasal spray or an anti-inflammatory steroidal nasal spray. These of course can have their own serious side effects so you still (always) need to be careful. However, depression is less of an issue with them.
Decongestant type medicines seem to have massive rebound effects and make the problem worse rather than better. It is probably a good idea to stay away from decongestants altogether.
13. PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION: Pick a muscle group in your body. Tense the muscles for about 30 seconds then relax them. Start with muscle groups near your feet and work your way to your head. The whole process only takes a few minutes but produces significant relaxation in the body.
14. THE EYE SQUEEZE: This is similar to progressive muscle relaxation but focuses specifically on the muscles surrounding the eyes.
Close your eyes then tense the muscles around your eyes. You will see images form, then change, then dissipate. The whole process takes about 30 seconds.
This is a useful technique to do when you are feeling stressed out or sad. It reduces these stressed or sad emotions and produces a noticeable mood boost.
15. BODY AWARENESS AND BLOOD FLOW: If you focus your mind on a certain part of your body, blood flow (and chi energy) will increase to that location.
Try the following experiment: the next time you are lying in bed and your feet are cold, focus your mind on your feet. It won’t take long, 5, 10, 15 seconds. Blood flow will increase to your feet and they will warm up slightly. Now your feet might still be cold but they will warm up enough for you to experience first hand this biological truth. Blood flow will increase to where your mind is focused in the body.
You can use this phenomenon to improve functioning of nerve centers, glands and organs within your body. Increased blood flow means increased oxygenation, increased transport of nutrients to, increased transport of waste products from whatever location within your body you choose to focus your mind on. This is why chakra meditations, which require focus of mind at certain important locations within the body, result in improved functioning of the organism.
Mind focus also affects chi flow throughout the body and improves the functioning of your non-physical subtle energy body.
16. BREATH RETENTION FOR RELAXATION AND MANTRA: Brain states are heavily correlated with breathing patterns. Quick shallow breathing is associated with stress, anxiety and panic. Slow deep breathing is associated with calm relaxation.
To relax inhale slowly and deeply through your nose. Hold your breath in for 3-5 seconds. Then exhale slowly and deeply through your mouth. Repeat.
Slow deep breathing combined with a short period of breath retention is very effective at relaxing the mind and body. You can use this breathing method on its own or as part of a mantra recitation.
17. OVER THE COUNTER DEPRESSION LIFTER: A totally legal combination of herbal extracts, nutritional supplements and over the counter pharmaceuticals which lift depression away overnight.
325 mg asprin
200 mg advil/ibuprofin
Passionflower alcohol extract (Herb Pharm) 1 dropper full (approximately 30 drops)
Valerian Root alcohol extract (Herb Pharm) 1 dropper full (approximately 30 drops)
3 mg melatonin
Kava Root alcohol extract (Herb Pharm) 1 dropper full (approximately 30 drops)
WARNING: Be very careful with Kava. I no longer use it. It seems to cause me a severe form of sleep apnea. On several occasions I have woken up unable to breath. I throw off the covers and jump out of bed. It takes several seconds to start breathing again. I have literally thought I was going to die right then and there. Hence I no longer use Kava, even in small quantities.
18. ABSOLUTE LUCIDITY: Lucid dreaming is a phenomenon in which a person is physically asleep and dreaming but is awake within their dream. The individual is aware it is “just a dream” and the “real” them is laying in bed asleep having a dream. They can enjoy the dream as both a participant and witness knowing that they are totally safe and free from harm because it is “just a dream”. It is an extreme case of the mind awake body asleep state of consciousness so important in the attainment of religious states of consciousness.
Anyone who has experienced lucid dreaming knows what an amazing experience it is…total dream state freedom from all forms of social prohibition/control or material realm consequences. It can be used for pleasure or for meditation/energy cultivation or for learning from your subconscious mind or superconscious mind or as a platform for transitioning into astral projection.
The following substances are entirely legal in the United States (as of this writing) and can be used in combination to promote the induction of lucid dreams.
Calea Zacatechichi
5-HTP
Valerian Root alcohol extract (Herb Pharm)