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Torch Magazine • Spring 2019 The Continuity of By Deborah N. Bauserman

In the dark recesses of a fascination with consciousness, limestone cave on the Indonesian involving the brightest minds in island of Sulawesi are found the arts and , we have no red and white stencils of human very complete understanding of hands. They are the oldest known its vast potential. When we buy a art depicting humans in the digital watch, we may receive an world, a picture postcard made instruction manual of 20 pages; nearly 40,000 years ago. While however, at birth, when we are archeologists are uncertain of their endowed with the most incredible Deborah Bauserman is a native of function—to convey important tool of all, consciousness, we get East Grand Rapids, Michigan, and rituals, to invoke protection, or to no instructions at all. Commonly completed degrees at Michigan State cast spells—our ancient ancestor understood to be housed in the University (B.A, M.A), the University of Northern Colorado (Ed.D), and the has sent us a simple, undeniable brain, it gives a lifetime of service (post-doctoral message: “I am human. I exist.” It managing sensory information, studies). is the first recorded spark of self- remembering, dreaming, creating,

She retired in 2016 after more than awareness. providing a of self and 40 years as a Licensed Clinical connection to others, all with Psychologist in a private practice As humans evolved, the spark unobtrusive efficiency. Yet, after located in Winchester, Virginia. of consciousness blazed into a over 40,000 years of collective She was for many years an active fierce light shining on the minds experience with consciousness, volunteer in organizations supporting of philosophers, poets, mystics, we are still without an operator’s the arts, environment, and historic preservation. Her hobbies include and artists, who inquired deeply manual. practicing taichichuan, , riding into the question of consciousness. and driving horses, and art. She In the 6th century BC, Lao Tzu Although we only incompletely continues to enjoy farm work involving running a tractor, chain saw, mowing, left this record: “Without going understand the parameters of our and anything other than going to the outside, you may know the whole incredible gift, and although those gym. world. Without looking through the who study it produce conflicting

She is married to Steve Bauserman, window, you may see the ways of the explanations, we will briefly and they have two sons and two heavens” (50). Today, the insights consider highlights of scientific grandchildren. Since 1998 she has of these early explorers are being study of consciousness, followed been a member of Winchester Torch Club, where she presented this paper investigated with sophisticated by a few noteworthy examples. in June, 2016. technology and methodology by scientists representing a whole Let’s begin with , She may be reached at [email protected]. array of disciplines: physics, an acknowledged world authority chemistry, biology, physiology, and in consciousness studies. He . points out how much more than pure awareness is involved: “Our Yet, for all the continuous ordinary state of consciousness is 36 Torch Magazine • Spring 2019 not something natural or given, then we can understand that this causal, and “masculine.” In contrast, but a highly complex construction, consciousness is only one possible the right hemisphere is described a specialized tool for coping with consciousness. The psychologist as timeless, holistic, non-lineal, our environment and the people in William James compared this simultaneous, spatial, intuitive, it” (3). That is, in ordinary personal process to that of a sculptor synchronous, and “feminine.” As consciousness we find a mixture carving a statue out of stone. The different as night and day, they are of thoughts, fantasies, ideas, and process largely involves many often seen as demarcating ordinary sensory information from the levels of selection and consequent and non-ordinary consciousness. external world geared to survival, limitation, so each individual all significantly selected and sculptor’s statue is unique, just like While current research limited by cultural conditioning. each person’s consciousness. upholds aspects of hemispheric In addition, we experience things specialization, neuroscientists are that are not physically present such discovering greater integration as hallucinations, daydreams, and between the hemispheres than fruits of imagination. At night we Personal previously thought. The formerly dream and experience events and held position that the brain is a objects that we totally produce by consciousness physiologically static organ has ourselves. been replaced by the concept of cannot fully neuroplasticity, according to which To this incredible array neural pathways and synapses are added elements of life that represent the may change due to changes in lie outside detectable ranges behavior, environment, neural of : in the external or processes, thinking and emotion, electromagnetic band, microscopic as well as changes from bodily phenomena, very high- and low- internal world, injury. Jill Bolte Taylor, a Harvard- level sound waves, and infrared trained neuroanatomist, provides radiation. We also generate our but must consist a riveting account of her own left own internal stimuli—buzzing hemisphere stroke, the gradual thoughts, familiar, peculiar of an extremely shut-down of her brain functioning, or unnoticed internal organ and her eventual recovery in her sensations, volitional muscular small fraction best-selling memoir, My Stroke of activity, aches and pains, variable Insight. emotions, and much more. These of our entire processes are always occurring For an even broader model, we simultaneously throughout life, “reality.” can look to the work of , yet we from moment to moment one of today’s most influential we are unaware of most of this philosopher/psychologists. His overwhelming input, thanks to the Ornstein, University of conceptual latticework, almost filtering process of consciousness. California, San Francisco, stands fractal in beauty, proposes multiple out as a pioneer in consciousness elements of consciousness: Thus, personal consciousness studies. His foundational work functions, structures, states, cannot fully represent the external centered on the observation that modes, developmental stages, and or internal world, but must consist right and left hemispheres of the relational interactions, a project so of an extremely small fraction of brain control different aspects of complex that it really requires its our entire “reality.” If we realize consciousness. For instance, the own paper. our ordinary consciousness is left hemisphere of the brain is something we must construct understood to be in time, analytic, Clearly, theoreticians and in order to survive in the world, linear, sequential, focal, verbal, scientists have no end of research

37 Torch Magazine • Spring 2019 topics in sight. make each separate part, accurate viewing—the ability to experience to within a thousandth of an inch, and describe objects at distant places * * * and the completed machine would that are blocked from ordinary fit together perfectly. perception. In a typical protocol, In academia, major divisions given a specific longitudinal and have predictably split the research latitudinal coordinate, the remote community, almost in parallel viewer is asked to describe his or to the right-left split of the brain In academia, her perception of what is there. itself. On one side are conservative members who stand by their belief major divisions Recent interest in remote that consciousness is strictly a viewing began in the l960s when function of one’s own brain activity have predictably Russell Targ, then a graduate and ends at death. In contrast are student in physics (and future equally convinced researchers who split the pioneer in laser development and follow ancient Buddhist belief as senior staff scientist for Lockheed well as contemporary quantum research Missile and Space), began to physics research in maintaining notice his gift for . that separation is an illusion. community, Curiosity piqued, he assembled For them, consciousness is more an informal group of experienced than the physical brain and can almost in researchers who were willing to be empirically shown to function share their own introspections as a transmitter for nonlocal parallel to the about non-ordinary consciousness consciousness—broadly speaking, in experimental situations. Their the entire consciousness of mankind right-left split of work eventually led to creation and creation, untethered by time of the Stanford Research Institute and space. For this community, the the brain itself. International (SRI) individual brain might be compared program. Surprising evidence of to a radio playing music—no the existence of the nonlocal mind orchestra inside! Careful empirical observations eventually came to the attention and even mathematical proofs, of the U.S. government, the CIA The math on what constitutes historically, have not always and a host of other governmental ordinary versus non-ordinary states swayed strongly held beliefs, so the agencies, where it was utilized as of consciousness is somewhat fuzzy, same may be true for our modest an intelligence gathering technique given the enormous variability in primer of the origins and mechanics during the Cold War and remained individual abilities. For example, of consciousness. But, with at highly classified until the l990s. for most of us, imagery in ordinary least rudimentary descriptions of consciousness is likely to be consciousness in place, and given Jack Anderson, syndicated unstable and lack vividness, as the many interesting directions we columnist for the Washington when we head out into a vast might pursue, we will now go on Post, was an avid follower of the parking lot and try vainly to picture to consider two examples of non- developing field. He described a where we left the car. Others, such ordinary consciousness gaining CIA project titled “Grill Flame” as the inventor Nikola Tesla, enjoy traction in some research circles. carried out by Harold Puthoff, imagery that is vivid, intense and Both examples involve (l) valid formerly with the National controllable. When Tesla designed empirical research, (2) a teachable Security Agency, and Targ. Given a machine, he did it in his head skill, and (3) creating a positive only the coordinates of a remote without using physical drawings. societal impact. location, Targ was able to describe Nevertheless, he could instruct a an airfield, complete with such dozen different machinists how to Let’s start with remote details as a large gantry and crane

38 Torch Magazine • Spring 2019 at one end of the field. The CIA to prevent war.” He also holds Michael Harner to refer to persons was impressed but critical. There that it has wider potential social in non-Western cultures who were was indeed an airfield, the Soviet’s benefits, citing studies showing previously known by terms such as ultra-secret nuclear testing area in information breakthroughs in “witch,” “witch-doctor,” “medicine Kazakhstan, but no gantry or crane. executive decision making, futurist man,” “sorcerer,” “ man,” That is, until the next series of U.S. predictions, medical diagnosis, and “seer.” According to Harner, spy satellite photographs arrived. and even space exploration (for shamans are the keepers of a body Then, in fact, a gantry and crane example, details about Jupiter that of ancient techniques to achieve and were observed, just as Targ had were later confirmed by Pioneer maintain well-being for themselves described them. 10). and members of their communities. Because these so-called primitive Remote viewing sounds like people lacked our advanced level a rare gift, yet Joe McMoneagle, of medical technology, they had one of the top remote viewers for What is real and excellent motivation to develop SRI for nearly two decades and the capacities of consciousness for author of Remote Viewing Secrets, what is fantasy health and healing. Moreover, believes anyone can be taught the the basic uniformity of shamanic skill. Hella Hammid, a photographer depends on methods, which are strikingly and regular contributor to Life similar in vastly different cultures, magazine, was invited to join the the person’s suggests that through trial and SRI team as a “control” subject, error people arrived at the same having no experience in so-called state of conclusions around the world. abilities. With training, Hammid became an outstanding consciousness. The essential practice of the remote viewer who beat the odds shaman begins with a shift from of one in a million over nine trials what Harner designates Ordinary in her descriptions. In successive Remote viewing as the ability States of Consciousness (OSC) to studies she accurately described to receive information outside the Shamanic States of Consciousness objects hidden in wooden boxes, sphere of ordinary consciousness. (SSC), the latter being small objects hidden in aluminum To look at the other side of the states that may be facilitated by cans, and even microscopic targets coin of consciousness, what about drumming, rattling, or (sometimes) the size of a dot, such as those sending information—specifically, ingestion of sacred potions of used by spies to conceal messages information to enable healing with ayahuasca. The differences between in letters. All these viewings were a present or remote person? Indeed, these states of consciousness are carefully evaluated and found to be new data substantiating remote suggested by the role of animal statistically significant. healing has aspects in common guides: dragons, griffins, and with double blind studies in remote other animals functioning as Many years have passed since viewing, showing that all people guides that would be considered the heyday of official, classified have capacities to be healers. “mythical” by us in the OSC are government interest in remote “real” in the SSC. Basically, what is viewing, and more sophisticated The first experts we call upon to real and what is fantasy depends on technology has taken its place. illustrate the power of intentionally the person’s state of consciousness. Is there still a need for this skill? altering consciousness for the Targ seems to think so, saying purpose of healing are shamans. A well-known example “we favor the government being “Shaman” is a word from the combining with as well informed as possible about language of the Tungus people Western technological medicine is what is happening the world. We in Siberia and has been adopted the work of Dr. Simonton and his think this is one of the best ways widely by anthropologists such as wife in treating oncology patients,

39 Torch Magazine • Spring 2019 originally at the Simonton Cancer pranic healing and Chi Gong.2 was quite interested to learn about Center in Fort Worth, Texas.1 As (Alternations in consciousness the strategies producing such a part of their treatment, patients facilitated by LSD and psilocybin, remarkable results. relax in a quiet room and visualize by the way, are making a comeback themselves on a walking journey for treatment of intractable pain and Like so many other areas until they meet an “inner guide,” end of life comfort, as explored in of non-ordinary expressions which is a person or animal. The Michael Pollan’s recent book, How of consciousness, the causal patient then asks the “guide” for to Change Your Mind.) Psychic mechanisms of various forms of help in getting well, a process healers and those trained in psychic and remote healing are not that closely resembles a shamanic energetic healing have also shown known, yet the results, for those journey and the recovery of ability to manipulate symptoms who experience them, are profound. a power animal. When the with their mind from a distance. Opportunities for expansion Simontons, without suggesting For evidence that anyone can learn of personal consciousness are content, had their patients make remote healing, your author has had numerous and freely available drawings of their cancers, they first-hand experience and offers the through the practice of disciplines spontaneously drew snakes and following example. such as , contemplative other creatures surprisingly prayer, self-, yoga, or similar to those seen by shamans In 2010, when the author taijichuan. as harmful intrusive powers in the was enrolled in a year-long study bodies of their patients. Using these of energetic healing,3 a fellow Before we conclude, mention and other techniques, patients were student whom we shall call Pam ought to be made of a hypnotic sometimes surprisingly successful (a biochemist and the CEO of a technique known as age regression, in gaining relief from pain and healthcare consulting company in which reveals the continuity of other side effects of their cancerous Maryland) suffered three broken consciousness from lifetime to conditions. bones and a concussion after falling lifetime. Evidence of from a cliff during a hike. Pam had is now well-documented in the presence of mind to call the mainstream medical journals, group and ask for help from the general audience publications, At the two-week emergency room. Healing energies and even the national evening were immediately directed to her news. Chief contributors are Ian follow-up, the for the next two days the group was Stevenson and Jim Tucker of the meeting, followed by telephone University of Virginia, who have fracture sites contact to receive feedback from completed decades of research into our subject about results; she children’s memories of previous were consistent reported that she needed no pain lives. Just around the corner, medication after the first day and new credibility may be in store with eight, not rapidly regained function in all for techniques enabling adults areas. At the two-week follow-up to recall their past lives and their two, weeks of with her surgeon, the nurse was experiences between lives as pure apologetic that their department consciousness. Accessing these recovery. seemed to have lost her x-rays. states with skilled practitioners The x-rays they possessed depicted has been to shown to alleviate her fractures, her name and other persistent physical and emotional At present, healing modalities identifying information, but the symptoms otherwise unresponsive using shifts in consciousness in fracture sites were consistent to traditional medical treatment. the presence of the client include with eight, not two, weeks of but are not limited to energetic recovery. The surgeon appeared To conclude, what about healing, , , later with a group of interns and that missing operator’s guide

40 Torch Magazine • Spring 2019 to consciousness? Let’s take a health benefits. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, l977. cue from the great poet Emily 3 The year-long training in energetic healing Targ, R., and Katra, J. of Mind: Dickinson, herself an intrepid took place under the auspices of the White Exploring Nonlocal Consciousness and explorer of consciousness from the Winds Institute, Atlanta, GA, in the satellite Spiritual Healing. Novato, CA: New study center then in Edinberg, VA, directed World Library, l998. narrow confines of her Amherst by Dr. Fernand Poulin. family home: Targ, R., and Puthoff, H.E. Mind-Reach: Go thy great way! Scientists Look at Psychic Abilities. WORKS CITED Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads The stars thou meetest Publishing, 2005. Originally published Are even as Thyself – Bolte Taylor, J. My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Delacorte Press, 1977. For what are Stars but Scientist’s Personal Journey. NY: Viking, 2008. Tart, C.T. States of Consciousness. Authors Asterisks Guild Backinprint.com Edition, 2000. To point a human life? Dickinson, Emily. The Poems of Emily Originally published by Dutton, 1975. Dickinson, No.1673. Edited by R. W. Franklin. Cambridge, MA: Harvard U P, Tzu, Lao. Tao Te Ching. Tr. Gia-Fu Feng, Jane NOTES l999. English, and Toinette Lippe. NY: Vintage, 1997. 1 The Simonton Cancer Center’s integrated Grof, S. Psychology of the Future: Lessons program was the first of its kind in the from Modern Consciousness Research. Walker, C. “The First Artists.” National world and was pioneered by the “father of SUNY Press, 2000. Geographic vol. 227, no. 1 (January mind-body medicine” for cancer, O. Carl 2015), p. 41ff. Simonton, M.D. Harner, M. The Way of the Shaman. NY: Harper and Row, 1980. Warcollier, R. Mind to Mind. NY: Creative Age 2 Pranic healing is a comprehensive no Press, 1948. touch treatment technique based on McMoneagle, J. Remote Viewing Secrets: A ancient practices and uses energy or Handbook. Charlottesville, VA: Wilber, K. Integral Psychology: prana to treatment various illnesses in the Hampton Roads Publishing, 2000. Consciousness, Spirit, Psychology, physical, emotional and mental bodies. Therapy. Boston: Shambhala, 2000. Taichichuan is an internal Chinese martial Ornstein, R.E. The Psychology of art practiced for its defense training and its Consciousness. Second Edition. NY:

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