douglas

Kanon, Welcome to the cave. I hope you find what you need. Douglas

ArcaneHuman, Believe it or not, your description of "psychosis" and "condemnation narrative" very closely parallels my own experience. The details are different of course, but the impact on your day-to-day life seems almost exactly as I was experiencing my life. I also had some encounters and experiences along the way that seemed significant, spiritual or supernatural things, and yet left me ultimately unchanged (and a bit perplexed). And I tried some practices that seemed promising, made some difference, but did not really touch what needed changing. This "thing" (intrusive thoughts, condemnation narrative, "psychosis") of mine just would not move for me, I could not be free of it. That has changed. I have a degree of freedom now that seemed impossible a few years ago. And I'm not done yet, I'm going to get free-er still. But if nothing more changed for me, that would be fine. My life is much better and no longer the living hell that it had become. The minutes that I've invested day-by-day in getting my energy back have paid off well enough that I have no complaints about the process. The recapitulation practice seems almost silly, but it does take some effort and persistence. It's kind of paradoxical. How could doing something like that make me whole when all these other things (and people) could not? I have some ideas about why & how, but they are really irrelevant. What matters it that it works for me. I hope it works for you, if you give it a try again. I think it will. Wishing you all the best, Douglas

Hello Toc, I often place the stone under my upper thigh as I lie on my back in bed falling asleep. It's interesting how much you feel the energy with your stone. That state between sleeping and awareness is a good entry way for me to go into dreaming energy, with or without my dreaming stone. And yes indeed, dreaming energy can be felt while awake too. Welcome to the cave, D,

Works for me too. It's funny how I forget that maybe I can actually do something about these kinds of things. And amazing how much it does work when I remember and put some effort into it. Not battin' 1000 yet, but with practice there is improvement.

and ice cream. don't forget the ice cream.

This sentence fragment begs a question, doesn't it? I have my answer, (enough of an answer to allow me to get to work). So, I'll step out of the picture and phrase it in the 2nd person only--- Who or what are your creators? -d.

Hello Makers. Niteshad mentions the lunar cycle (phases of the moon) in 1 or 2 articles on the website. In the Maker tradition is there any use of the changes in the solar cycle (seasons of the year)? I'm thinking of the Celtic observance of the 4 mid-points between the equinoxes and the solstices, particularly Samhain (Halloween) and Beltane (May Day). Those two are times when the otherworld and this world are closer than normal or less separated. Or the "veil" that separates the two is thinned, allowing things and people to pass through. (In my view it would be a time when, for whatever reason, human perception of things energetic is heightened, easier, and happens for some normal un-shamanic people. There is no veil; these are not two separate worlds. But that's a technicality). So, from a Maker perspective, is any particular time of year more likely for a perception of normally un-seen things and events? Thanks. -d.

thank you. what I "got" (later the same morning nixrana posted his response) was that "left side" was simply referring to that part of personal energy that is little-used, largely neglected, and lies outside of most people's awareness. "left side of your energy" says in 5 words what I just said in 16. much more eloquent and concise than I could be. regarding the original question in this thread, and ralph's response re brain activity, I would be submit that every thing and every event in the physical/material arena has a non-physical cause. I welcome any feedback on that statement.

I was going post last night "never mind. I've got my answer now." I'm glad I didn't.

"The second attention is a shift towards the left side of your energy, . . . ." --- anyone care to comment on the left and right sides of our energy? -d.

Hello Beth, Do you do anything physically when you "activate" your hands, or is it only a matter of intent and will? -douglas

Ralph, My friends (they are few) seem to find it more irritating than endearing. See you in class. -d.

The term "ego" is used a few times in articles on this website. What, essentially, is ego? (From a shamanic perspective of course.)

Specifically, gender -- do you experience or perceive energy as being polarized along feminine/masculine lines? (i.e., receptive/active, etc.)

That is SWEET.

So, today my favorite is Stalking Fluidity. That's the one I've put into action the most so far. (I am, however, intending to put those feathers to good use-- when I learn how.)

I have many that I really like. Limiting it to two favorites at this moment . . . . . . Contemporary Shamanism, particularly the last four paragraphs. (Even though I now have feathers in my possession.) And Shamanism in the Modern World, the whole thing. Respects to all staff, faculty, admin, pushers, and Poobahs here, douglas

I'd like a little more on Unity. Is every thing, including us, a manifestation of one thing?

Hello and a big "thank you" to all who chimed in on this last week. I read every reply soon after it was posted. Between being busy with other things and the desire to NOT unleash a flood of words, I've waited till now to acknowledge your input. It's almost hard to believe how much of each post spoke my heart. Perhaps gained some clarity. Feel less alone. The articles on the website already had me feeling a little bit at home here; the responses to my questions have deepened that feeling. Anyway, enough words. Thanks again to you all. d.

Mark and Ralph, Thank you both for your responses. This was my third new post so far. Everyone's feedback on the questions I've posed has been great. Now I think I'll post a fourth question over in the Maker's section. More cosmology. Unity v. Duality Words indeed have severe limitations and are always only a partial glimpse of a piece of what someone else has experienced. But you Makers seem to put them to good use. A friend of mine a while back referred to our spiritual endeavors as something we do "as humans who attempt to humanize everything in order to have a basis for perception." (And probably in my case to have a basis also for trying to talk about what can't be put into words. Ha ha.)

It has been said that the universe is made of loving intent. Any comments? Loving intent?

Ah...so . . . . Cool. Thanks. Anyone else care to add anything? (Ghosties? "Entities"? Duplicitous spirit-charlatans? Impersonal amorphous forces seeking physical expression? "Energy beings" seeking food/fuel?) I apologize. I'm new. And surely showing it here big-time. This was not a frivolous question. And Cyfnos has answered it succinctly and probably completely. However, I would welcome any other comments. d

Now one more question regarding hooks. Not only people, but other non-human energetic forms might also hang a hat or a coat there, (if he-she-or-it cared to and I agreed of course). Correct? Comment? Anyone?

So, from the Maker cosmological point of view "direction" or "guidance" come from the individual. There is no deity, personal Creator, or even universal intelligence. Correct? (If I remember right, Niteshad wrote that the energy of the universe is not sentient.)

Thank you much to all three of you.