Chapter 29

or: Suppress the Spirit and the Soul. I'd like to express some thoughts about chapter 29 of Kundalini Tales, as it makes a lot of sense and provides another angle on what one might describe as the suppression of the spirit and soul. Coincidentally, this also happens to be the 29th entry on the blog.

To give a general overview on the book, it's primarily about author Richard Sauder's various metaphysical experiences which he associates with the kundalini, but also included in the second half are reproductions of actual U.S. patents for mind control and manipulation technology. These are devices which will do more than your good ol' fashioned bog-standard television conditioning.


It was a curious read and I can relate to quite a few of the experiences or sensations, particularly those that overlap with what Robert Monroe similarly described. I'm not sure if I've had quite the classic 'awakening', nothing as intense as some of which are mentioned, but often pretty powerful and this has been going on for about a decade. I'm able to induce this phenomenon, however, usually it occurs of its own accord - the 'serpent' doing the rounds as it were.

Chapter 29, and Richard is writing on what he sees as a correlation between Wilhelm Reich's bio-electricity research findings and the kundalini energy, where both seem to correspond with what we term as sexual energy. That is, Wilhelm Reich 'conducted experiments which demonstrated that during pleasurable sexual excitation the skin in erogenous zones becomes charged with a higher bio-electrical potential than it normally carries. And, the climactic release of sexual orgasm effectively dissipates the heightened bio-electrical charge, reducing the skin to a lower bio-electrical potential. In order for more sexual pleasure and another orgasm to occur, a period of time is required for a renewed build-up of bio-electricity.' Similarly, it seems that energy is generated and dissipated during a kundalini experience.

For example, Gopi Krishna, during his kundalini awakening, reported feverish activity in his genital organs and seminal fluid bubbling up through his spine to his brain, which he observed with an internal vision. This does sound odd, I think you'll agree, though, if I'm to interject, I would guess that this was his perception of the occurrence and that no physical fluid was actually drawn from one region to the other.

I've considered this before, that our sexual organs, or at least the sacral chakra, have an important part to play in our creative expression, and it certainly gives a new dimension to the term 'creative juices'.

Here's one for you: Which pop star mentioned her vagina and her creativity in the same sentence?

Seriously, a little search, find her quote, post it here in the comments if you like, and consider it more than just passing her off as eccentric - she may be, but that doesn't change anything of the underlying meaning. Look beyond the simplistic mass-opinion that she's just a clever little kook, there is more to her than that, more than what the public is served. The level of fame she is at, it's a very different reality. Also, just whose marketing idea was it for a perfume with the molecular structure of blood and semen? And this is pop culture? Black like the soul of fame, indeed. Actually, to deviate slightly, it's a modern (Marilyn) Monroe and co. situation, obviously that control system never left; back then there was a moment where the private fantasy met the public as never before and mingled, or rather spilled out, and you might have seen it for what it was, what it is; I'm thinking right now of Hollywood tragedy. It's just that nowadays the poppy-cultured masses are doped to the eyeballs and tend to fixate on the glamour and the glitz, completely overlooking the trauma which is going on behind the scenes in order to preserve the image.

Back to Gopi Krishna and onwards, come on, come on, come on. He also reported being sexually continent during his kundalini awakening and subsequent experiences, the implication being that his sexual energy was concentrated elsewhere during such times. It does seem that when one manifests, the other switches off, and it would seem probable that to consciously abstain would allow for the manifestation of this other energy and potential. The purpose of abstinence through and through; no excess; balance. And the explanation seeming to be that both kundalini and sexual impulse stem from deep within, from the most basic, biological core of our being; likely integrated in this way, something intrinsic. But...

- and there are many angles to this - it's not that simple. Because society is increasingly hyper-sexualised and artificially gender-bent, throwing out any balance and keeping us hyper-stimulated, which means that little to no abstinence is taught on any level. Not only does this mean that our potential is crushed and practically non-existent, it also means that this inherent energy isn't being channelled properly and causes all manner of complications and problems on a personal and public (outward, external, global) scale. Here, a quote from Twin Peaks:

'...the problems of our entire society are of a sexual nature.'

It's not the only factor, obviously. Perhaps that's the more Reichian approach.

As important as it is to understand, truthfully, I'll backtrack slightly to the more personal level and how an unrealised 'potential' can have such serious ramifications. This suppressed state can create a host of complications affecting physical and mental health, these usually overshadowing the spiritual needs, and also impacting on our interpersonal relationships. We're locked into a vicious cycle. Similarly, if the kundalini is unleashed - that is, no longer suppressed (or a better word at this point would be repressed) - but awakened and not channelled properly, this can also cause nasty repercussions. Gopi Krishna experienced some ten years of torment, ups and downs, mental anguish and excruciating physical pain, which is enough to turn anyone away from the desire to seek, but he realised his mistake, that the energy was stuck at a certain blocked chakra point. And our man Richard Sauder also experienced his fair share of undesirable symptoms over the years. And it is solely for this reason, probably, that there is such emphasis placed on spiritual initiation and guru mentors. I myself don't think I could ever rely on someone else to show me the way, I'm just not one to be led, but I don't know, maybe it's a good idea. It's certainly a good idea and, actually, of utmost importance to your wellbeing to be confident, prepared, respectful, considerate, wise, et cetera, before you openly seek to awaken this dormant energy.

Before I pick up speed (momentum, not amphetamine), because I really want to get to the heart of the subject, I'd like to make a note on the sexuality matter. Simply, sex can work wonders. There is a lot to be said for abstinence though, as well, and not just from a sexual standpoint. Free love, sexual revolution shit, fine, acceptable to an extent, but never started with good intentions. This promiscuity they're promoting is designed to break down morals, destroy the balance, divide, manipulate - we don't have a choice, we're just fed it, and that's not natural. If we look to nature, it can get quite raunchy, like with the bonobo monkeys - they even turn greetings into an excuse for more sex - but they're also an incredibly peaceful species, the same of which cannot currently be said of us.
Homosexuality also occurs within nature, again, probably nowhere quite like it is within the bonobo community, and I can't see that there is anything wrong with this, we all have the masculine and feminine aspects to our psyche; it's only a problem when this is manipulated in order to throw out the natural balance we need to strive for and maintain. It should be horrifyingly apparent that this is what they're doing through popular culture and in mainstream society, constantly manipulating and engineering trends and desires, literally inducing states of mind. And what many are viewing as women's liberation in the modern age, sadly, that's not liberation, that is not empowerment; it is total exploitation. How have we been so foolish as to settle for anything less than emancipation?

Right, now, the heart of the subject which I really felt inspired to write about, second half of the chapter. Wilhelm Reich, despite his general dismissal of mysticism, developed the idea that the atmosphere itself carries a vital, living energy that he called orgone - a sexual energy or lifeforce which is distributed throughout the universe. To relate this to Robert Monroe's understanding of our sexual magnetism is interesting. Bob was convinced that this literal attraction is essential, intrinsic, and often occurred in the 'second state' (astral plane) as naturally as a greeting, a warm embrace - hm, like the bonobos - and, in the physical, this is translated to affection and sexual contact. When I first read that in Journeys Out of the Body it made so much sense on so many levels, it still does. But anyway, according to Reich, who I've not yet personally researched, the atmosphere is charged with bluish orgone energy and it is this energy that he contends lies at the heart of biological life - we breathe it in with every breath. Much like the concept of the prana (lifeforce) described in the Vedas.

Richard Sauder then draws attention to the significance of the following sentence:

'The form of the movement of biological energy is that of a slow undulation, reminiscent of the movements of an intestine or a snake.' - The Discovery of the Orgone: The Function of the Orgasm (Sex-Economic Problems of Biological Energy) by Wilhelm Reich.

This makes another possible correlation between bio-electrical energy and the kundalini. As we know, the kundalini is frequently associated with a snake in yogic literature and shamanism, its movement as snake-like. Reich may have been familiar with this literature and failed to mention it, or he may have subconsciously recognised and sensed its nature within himself.

Reich also maintained that orgone energy can be transmitted only by organic material - living tissue (plant or animal) or substances derived from such.

And then I'm questioning, could there be those among us who don't or can't transmit such an energy?

What about the disregard or misuse of this energy? What, then, of animals slaughtered in the manner that they are? Or trees, carelessly hacked down, like flesh torn from bone, no regard. What might this do to the energy or what energy might this release? I don't know if Wilhelm Reich addresses this in any of his books - perhaps - although it'd be speculation at best.

What about the manipulation of our senses by the artificial society that has a hold of us? Generating fear, stimulating lust... just what might they be obtaining from us?

Shaktipat is the transferral of energy from one person to another, usually from master to disciple. It can be transferred with mantra, look, thought or touch. Again, the sharing, encouragement and sustenance of energy. In Reichian terms, the master would transfer orgone to the disciple. Only, in the case of shaktipat, those who have mastered the energy have nurtured and allowed it to better adapt in the physical environment. We all have this potential, well, presumably all of us, it's just a matter of expanding our consciousness.

Human sexuality and procreation has been manipulated throughout history, surrounded by all manner of taboos, regulations and restrictions, as Wilhelm Reich will have realised, and Richard Sauder and Robert Monroe have highlighted. From the standpoint of those with authoritarian control of societies, this makes total sense. The motive force behind human sexuality is the kundalini, the super-conscious, universal lifeforce. In other words, there's a very good reason why they attempt to control and regulate sexual behaviour, it represents an attempt to alter, corrupt or suppress the kundalini (spirit) in the human, or social sphere.

So, the masses are permitted to over-indulge (all in good time, bit by bit, Brave New World; look at us now compared to just a decade or two ago) in whatever takes their demiurge-given fancy, as long as it's not pure. Pornography and the softcore family-friendly porn of pop culture cheapens everything about men and women and sexuality.

And what does this conversion of the general attitude and desires do to the nature of the spirit? What energy do we transfer tenfold or hundredfold back into the world? Whereas if we're focusing our attention and energy much higher, far greater, what wonders we might manifest for ourselves, each other. If we're preoccupied with debasement or corruption, more of that is what we'll see. And if we're looking at each other with respect and admiration, then that is the bigger picture we're painting.

Orgies aren't out of the question, surely. In all honesty, surely it depends on the good treatment of all involved. It's about consent, it's about freedom of choice; money doesn't figure, money has no place. But if such an act has been influenced by the concoction that is popular culture, it's not sincere but mimicry, degrading and humiliating, and of no true value to anyone nor the state of the planet.

In fact, if I may, I'm going to include the last few lines of the chapter as an excerpt. I've checked the copyright claim at the front of the book and acknowledge it - all rights reserved, no reproductions in any way, except for the inclusion of quotations or brief excerpts in a review. I'd say this was a bit of a review, wouldn't you? I encourage you to check out the book, I do. These next few lines are so well-written that it'd be a shame to massacre them by trying to explain in another way:

Kundalini Tales - Richard Sauder, Ph.D. - Adventures Unlimited Press - chapter 29 - page 64

'Of course, heterosexual intercourse creates a propitious set of circumstances (biological, genetic, spiritual) that facilitates the entry of human consciousness into this physical plane of existence. Thus the womb itself, when viewed properly, is actually a mysterious, interdimensional portal through which we all travel, male and female alike, as we pass from some other dimension and into this dimension we call "Earth". Sexuality, seen from this standpoint, is an interdimensional activity. In one sense, sexual intercourse by a potent man and a fertile woman can even be seen as a magical rite that conjures up a previously discarnate spirit and creates a body for that spirit to inhabit - presto sexualito! - a little baby is conceived and born.'

- I have my own ideas on this 'portal'-business, involving the moon (fertility, womb...) and the reproductive cycle. Regardless, the moon is influential, the desperate race to reach it, because 'he who controls the moon controls the earth.' It was U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Homer Boushey who made reference to this and how, if the statement proved to be true, "the U.S. must control the moon."

Let's continue with the excerpt:

'Watching over it all, from the inside, is the kundalini, the magical creative force that permeates the entire universe. No wonder that sex is so rigidly controlled by so many societies and religions. Interdimensional doorways and the activities that occur in their vicinity are the gates to the unknown and the unfathomable. Open those doors too wide and God knows what might happen - things might get out of control! And control is the last thing that authoritarian religions and political systems want to lose.'

Exactly. The snake, the serpent, is chaos; the natural order of the universe is chaos. Not disorder, just a higher order. But the buggers at the very top can't tolerate this. They need order out of chaos, right? That's the motto on the dollar bill, for sure. 'Novus ordo seclorum' which means 'New order of the ages'. Also reminds me of the masonic term, 'Ordo ab Chao' which means 'Order out of chaos'. They can't tolerate the natural order, so they disrupt our balance and create their own disorder from which they can claim control over us. This, my brothers and sisters, is one of the reasons they suppress the spirit and the soul.

Ride the snake, ride the snake,
to the lake, the ancient lake, baby,
the snake is long, s e v e n miles.
- 'The End' written by Jim Morrison (The Doors)

Seven chakra points. Trust me, this is the way. Ride the snake.

Church Swine

 

Oh, it must have been almost a month ago that my friend Jackie showed up with the then latest issue of NME and gave it to me - he'd bought it for me - and I didn't know what to expect, I've been kind of out of the loop for a while. My eyes adjusted and I saw Richey Edwards on the cover. Well thanks so much, bud, this is swell because I don't always enter into society, I would have missed this issue and probably the next 500 to come, but whatever, materials. This is neat though, so I'd intended to give appreciation.

If you've not heard of Richey Edwards, that's a shame. He was the co-lyricist, rhythm guitarist and representative for the Manic Street Preachers. They're one of several bands I hold in high regard, their social commentary is the most effective and they really spoke for a generation, especially at a time when Madchester, Britpop, alcohol and pills were on the agenda.

It was coming up to the 20th anniversary of their beloved album, The Holy Bible, and so that's why they've got an extensive feature in this issue. Ten pages worth, rightly.

That is a Kerrang issue on the left. Dirty, dirty mag. I heard there was a Manic's Holy Bible feature in there, and there it is, all of two pages. Most impassioned band to grace the pages of that rag in years, I reckon. Since they changed their demographic it's been like a cross between a dirty magazine and a kids comic.

Still, good to see them featured at all. Maybe some scene kids will be able to discern what's real from what is a ream of superficial ridiculousness.

Heading: IS THIS THE DARKEST RECORD EVER?

I consider it to be in that division. If not the darkest, then certainly one of. For a reason though; it's not dark for the sake of it; it is the unembellished, ugly truth which religions choose to ignore. And ignorance breeds suffering, so why does religion nurture it? Because the ignorant and the weak are easily herded.

For all of its truth, by no means is it an ugly album; it's a plethora of emotions, truly a work of art. What I say can scarcely do it justice. Lyrically scathing, poetic and poignant, too. Richey wrote around 70-75% of the lyrical input for the record and it is unparalleled. I can only imagine the exquisite works he'd have produced if he'd stayed around and been able to overcome his despair.

Cover slogan: BRAND NEW TESTAMENT

It's been almost a month and I've not read either article. I'm always preoccupied, hence the delayed appreciation. I would have liked to have taken a picture with the magazine on the early evening it was given to me, a sobering sunset, sat on a park bench, but never mind, instead what we have are a selection of photos in a church. Kind of appropriate, kind of senseless.

I actually took them to read, but didn't get around to it. I finished the last three chapters of Kundalini Tales, then found half a bottle of church wine and impulsively downed the lot. I don't even like alcohol, haven't touched it in a couple of years, so got considerably tipsy. Essentially drank the blood of Christ and let the congregation go without. Afterwards I tried to comprehend what made me think it was a good idea to begin with. Strange one. Brain's readjusted now.

Serpent and the Butterfly

A few reflections on this day, considering the expression that there is 'no such thing as coincidences' (but synchronistic events...)

I stopped by a church so as to read and meditate in the quiet, away from distractions. I've always been appreciative of the architecture and atmosphere of churches and that I can differentiate between the building and the oppression that surrounds it. The artificial lighting overhead was switched off, suitably, and I chose to sit in the aisle which had a nice golden glow about it.

I was finishing Kundalini Tales and reflecting on what I'd read after each short chapter, enjoying the calm and the space. The book, by the way, is about the 'serpent energy' or serpent-like energy that we supposedly have in our possession - an aspect of the divine within our souls. I've had many unusual and often captivating experiences since my mid-teens, although I'd never associated them with the kundalini as it's not something I'd heard of until recently; I'm still not sure that my experiences are related to it - there are definite similarities, also inconsistencies - but it is possible.

Several times I looked up at the stained-glass window beside me without realising which biblical passage the image stood for. Then I noticed the serpent on the staff behind the man and realised it was Moses and... ah yeah.

'Even so must the Son of Man be lifted up...' (John 3:14)

One of the passages I mentioned in Afterglow and how it could be an allusion to the kundalini. A couple more snakes entangled there, almost appearing as two-headed, a dualistic quality. Unknowingly I'd taken a seat next to the window that depicts the lifting of the serpent in the wilderness, which is compared to the later story of the Son of Man being lifted up, to read from my serpent-related book. A neat coincidence, I thought.

Then I heard some fluttering sounds across the other side of the church. A butterfly had got inside through a tiny window and couldn't get back out. I watched for a moment, thinking on how its life was short and precious and that if it couldn't get out it wouldn't get to enjoy its final phase of magnificence; how people, too, are trapped by the church and religion. Prisons of the cross. The butterfly is of great importance to me, its symbolism, I'll write more on this soon; the next phase in my spiritual development is the last and I believe it to be near. As a result, inner tension and conflict is at a peak, I'll either crash and burn - or - take flight, shine on, transcend.

So, I saw this butterfly as a symbol of my current situation - trapped, unable to get out or break habitual behaviours, stagnation... As far as I'm aware the butterfly found its way out within a couple of minutes - the fluttering stopped - I hope so. If I could have gotten a photo of it against the old lattice window and azure sky, that would have been rad. Alas...

I finished reading, three chapters to go, and decided to blast out some Japanese Voyeurs and Marilyn Manson's Mechanical Animals on the church speakers. Then vicar came along and I made a dash to turn the music down and off, fumbling with the controls, obviously he heard. Seemed a friendly guy, so I asked him a question about the stained-glass window, how he would interpret the line: 'That rock was Christ'. It took him a while to answer, he had to recall what he'd been taught - fair enough, there's a lot of passages to remember - and his interpretation was textbook, recital, of course; to do with Moses and Jesus in their respective times providing water to the needy people. He didn't go into detail about what water is representative of from a spiritual perspective, but that's what I was thinking of - the living water, the Holy Spirit, Mary, Star of the Sea...

Anyway, best thing he said was, "Yes, they seemed to be obsessed with serpents back then."

Yes, yes they did. Why oh why, vicar?

I told him I'm not religious but in the middle, taking from different sources, and that's my way. I assume he took this to mean that I'm lost, as he invited me to a free autumn course for 'those who think there is more to life'. I'm considering going along in October - me, the pilgrim - just to observe the indoctrination.

Now to tie up loose ends, get this poor show over with. The magic número trois. I was tired, had to decide on the short or long route home, happened to choose the long route, and so I walked right by a dead snake. I took this as similar symbolism to the trapped butterfly - stagnation, wasted and unmet potential, shadow side; imbalance; destruction...
I hadn't seen a snake in over a decade until now. I've seen a couple of slow-worms, heh. This was a grass snake, coiled, certainly dormant, quite flattened by the wheel of a car and quite dead. I should have taken a picture for archive sake, not at all morbid. Alas, t'was not meant to be.

No such thing as coincidences, but synchronistic events. Serpent and the Butterfly. Both are symbolic of renewal or rebirth. The serpent sheds its skin and the butterfly goes through its metamorphosis to reach that glorious stage. I see these examples as like living sticky notes, reminders. They're there, on the periphery, something is definitely in motion, definitely occurring. I think they're a reminder of how fragile life is, especially in my current state of health, and that I can either embrace these days or they'll slip away. I know which I'd rather.

Blink, Blink

So, I am shuffling along with Kundalini Tales, truly, ever so truly shuffling...
Chapter two, an aspect. In the 1970s, author Richard Sauder participated in a weekend training session at The Monroe Institute. It was in the following week that he had his first kundalini awakening, most powerful, and with this his heart chakra was opened and he had vision. 360° vision, startling clarity. Not with his physical eyes, which were closed, but with his heart. I take this to mean that the so-called serpent energy (kundalini) had arisen from the base of the spine to as far as the heart center, this is what this means. The idea for anyone interested is to raise the energy up through the main chakra points to the seventh one at the top of the head; the sahasrara (crown chakra). That is if we're trusting of this 'serpent' power, given the time to understand and research it - interesting how it could be implicated with biblical teachings. Not the best choice of words though to put your mind at ease, 'serpent power', so coined by a so-titled Sir John Woodroffe.


Lovely heart with eye - JoanDougArt

Possibly the soul enters and leaves the body through the heart (anahata, heart chakra), as if by a portal or channel, and until death we are connected from physical to metaphysical to that region via a 'cord' or 'cords', sort of like an astral umbilical. Descartes referred to the pineal gland (associated with the third eye, thought to be of the ajna chakra) as the 'principal seat of the soul' though, where we're at the helm, where subconscious meets conscious mind.



In a seat older than this time, watching from behind eyeline, spinal staircase, lightbulb signifies consciousness, like a moth to a flame, enlightenment, brow and then crown, weeping, thy single eye...




Album art and above illustration are by Alan Aldridge.

So there you have the eye inside the heart again. Incubus, Light Grenades. Anyone have any interpretations for the spikes that surround the heart? I see some have described the grenade as shaped like an owl, where the peace symbol and sun are in place of the eyes. Incubus singer, Brandon Boyd, does have a tattoo of an owl on his back, alongside the Eye of Providence. Ordinarily I would have been wary of that, but I've had a radical change of mind in the last couple of days - for better or worse, a thrill nonetheless. The lotus flower at the foundation of the grenade; the lotus grows in muddy water, flowering above the murky depths, the bowels of below, to attain enlightenment. The lotus might double as flames here, flames at the foot of an owl. Cremation of Care, the annual ritual at Bohemian Grove where a human effigy (which represents 'Care') is burned before a 40ft owl statue; an event held by the Bohemian Club, all-male members and guests of which have included politicians and other notable figures; a convergence of the high-ranking. The Bohemian Club mascot is also of an owl, a symbol of knowledge and wisdom. Deftones used an image of an owl for Diamond Eyes album cover.



Bohemian Grove, Cremation of Care, covert image > look into history.

Deftones, Diamond Eyes, photograph by John Ross.

Continuing with the symbolism from Light Grenades then - the lotus might double as flames, but in all honesty it probably has no relation to the Cremation of Care. The grenade being shaped as an owl is likely intentional though. From the lotus rises the phoenix, commonly a symbol of renewal, meeting the base of the spiky heart. Although the spikes seem to be at one with the heart here, facing outwards, I considered how they might represent an assault of some sort; a denial of feelings; a defence mechanism, how a hard exterior has built and turned many a heart callous. It's difficult not to make comparisons with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the eye resides where the crown of thorns would, although I'm confident the band are saying something else, like not waiting for something to manifest and instead instigating our own change. In a traditional sense it could be viewed as anti-Christian, but that's labelling it. You only have to read the art and the lyrics of the album to understand what's being said here. Directly above the heart a dove rests an olive branch, making peace, an offer of reconciliation, making amends. The dove descends from a symbol of the sun, so it could be forgiveness, a reunion between heart and soul and thus mind, re-establishing a relationship with the world around us - nature - to undo the damage religion has caused. The dove and olive branch are of the bible also, apparently a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Therefore if we get back in touch with ourselves, first look within, then the spirit will descend upon us individually and we will be in communication with the 'universe' - be that God or Gods. Because the bible is a pack of distortions, the grief it has caused throughout history, it's a malevolent device. What does the bible say about malevolence? It promotes it so long as you revere it. Whereas to collapse this cataclysmic tangent and return to basics, there is the sun and there are the planets and evidently there are forces of nature that we can channel.

On why the album was titled Light Grenades, Brandon Boyd explained - "There's a song called that on the record and it felt like the most pertinent conceptual aspect of the album, the idea of throwing ideas at problems and the ideas explode with light and good results and intention on consciousness. So I started imagining imagery of students in different countries protesting and throwing Molotov cocktails with masks over their faces. But there's one brave student who runs up to the police line and, as opposed to throwing rocks or things that destroy, there's this concept of that one courageous, lonely student running up and throwing ideas and having them actually change things. It just seemed kind of a cool concept: the redefining of weaponry."

That combined with the lyrics to the title track, it's about realisation, illumination. I would provide the lyrics here for you to see, but we live in a world of twisted copyright laws, perfectly reasonable to an extent and then retarded for the rest. The theme that runs through song and album is that we've gone off course, which is no revelation to me, but I'm sure for most people that would be quite difficult to conceive of, otherwise we wouldn't still be in this mess we're in. Where the lyrics mention the end, I think this is not literal, rather an end to the old; out with the old, in with the new. I'm sure it has to do with the transition to Age of Aquarius, whether it is already here or its influence is being felt, and whether that's a good thing only time will tell - I think it depends on which force has its way, and this has more than one outcome. Those who subscribe to and promote the new age are hopeful.

Neptune has ruled in the Age of Pisces, while Saturn and Uranus will 'contend' for the Age of Aquarius. Christ or the story of Christ was the inauguration of the Age of Pisces, and ironically sought to divide our connectedness with God - which I consider to have been the purpose. What could be an inauguration of this new age? Contact with extraterrestrials, actual or staged?

So the song 'Light Grenades' is a call for change and awareness, ending with the repeated line 'Come on, remember who you are'. We've been led astray and these orthodox religions are old hat, it's no longer the plot device of choice. For as long as we are herded, we're not reaching our full potential.

The grenade on the album cover - each square around its edge has a religious symbol, each allocated their own little box. These are portions of the whole, the whole truth. On the left there is the Yin-yang, Star and Crescent, Torii, and Om. On the right is the Star of David, the circumpunct (represents much - known as ancient symbol of the Sun, Keter, Entered Apprentice Freemasonry... possible ties to Saturn...), Jain Hand, and the Christian Cross. Both sides lead to or are capped by a small heart, the spikes ever-present. If we're to view the grenade also as an owl, then these religions make up the greater knowledge or wisdom that is behind them. Not separately; they all offer bits of truth and good advice mixed with unequal measures of fear and oppression - not freedom. Within is trapped the heart, all the while, not open to living, not open to giving, not open to receiving; truth. Except for that dove. The dove that symbolises freedom and the spirit of life is reaching out, beyond the confines of doctrines and indoctrination.

The owl is commonly associated with knowledge and wisdom, but many meanings have been applied. Certainly the government and elite are the possessors of knowledge. Is that the only reason for their association with the owl? Or does it also correlate with their pagan beliefs?


Washington, wise old D.C. owl or power of suggestion?

Sophia came to my mind, the Sophia as mentioned several times by Kai ('the hatchet-wielding hitchhiker'). Sophia is honoured as a goddess of wisdom, seemingly then with connections to the owl. Wisdom, that's also Athena, Minerva, Lilith, et cetera... all goddesses represented with wisdom and the owl. According to one legend, Lilith was Adam's first wife, but refused to be submissive - who can blame her? - and either left or was kicked out of the Garden of Eden, thus she was a fallen angel. Yet another text portrays her as the serpent who tempts Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit. Athena and Minerva are connected with the olive tree and the dove. Worthy of mention, Deftones also have a song called 'Minerva' from their self-titled album. This is just a new stream of thought, so forgive me if it seems to go nowhere - to me it's obvious there is a relevance here, but I'm not yet familiar with mythology.

Crucial to what I started this post with - though it has unfolded as intended - we'll get back to the kundalini. In finishing the analysis of the Light Grenades album cover, there is the lever of the grenade which is composed of two snakes entwined, a peace symbol and a lone wing. The peace symbol contains two cloud-looking things and two hearts, light on the left and dark on the right, identical to the Yin-yang, maybe a reflection on the duality of man; altruistic and yet so barbaric.

'So that your understanding becomes perfect, consider that your heart is both good and evil.' - Carl Jung, The Red Book.

The serpents tangled as they are on the lever extend to the peace symbol or surmount, this is representative of the caduceus in Greek mythology. The caduceus as well has the wings attached to it; the winged sun. One myth depicts the wand as a sign of peace, so that fits with the artwork. What about the second wing? The dove's wing, while significantly smaller, neatly meets the peace symbol and completes the likeness. There's little doubt to my mind that the caduceus is emblematic of the kundalini process, as the serpent energy ascends the spine and stimulates each chakra. And is it a surprise to find that this ancient symbol has been adopted by government, mistakenly or not, and again the associations with wisdom and the dove?

Caduceus, staff of Hermes.

Seven major chakras.

The seven major chakras, kundalini and caduceus.

The kundalini of course extends to the crown chakra, not stopping at the throat chakra as shown in the superimposed image above. The wings and top of the caduceus can be seen as the highest level of enlightenment, the 'cherry on top'. The twin serpents may symbolise duality again and the marriage of polar opposites. As Jung was saying, we need to accept that this polarity exists within our nature if we're going to find balance and harmony. This is like the world of dualism here, this is what we're dealing with.

Knowledge and wisdom is fundamentally within, lying dormant, and this revelation is kept from us. If we don't look, we'll never know. We're kept distracted, kept from realising our destiny and kept from RISING. The keepers of this ancient knowledge have an utter revulsion for us, and how are we to know why? Apart from the dominion it gives them, I mean really, something deep-rooted sets us apart from them.



A closer look at the paperwork beneath the seat - the serpent, the coil, the kundalini...

There beneath the seat of the psyche is an illustration showing the coil; spiral; kundalini. Excuse the pixelation, in the booklet it is plain to see. This would appear to be the serpentine path we must take if we wish to be in communion with the spirit; the 'universe'.

And I now realise how scripture is a distortion, how its true meaning is craftily hidden, how it has been reversed and twisted to fit an agenda. It dawns on me that the serpent is not at all bad, it was an important component of our ancient past. In the bible it offers enlightenment in the form of fruit from the tree of knowledge, just as the kundalini process symbolically does. Humankind has been conditioned to think of the serpent as evil though, because it is a necessity in our development and evolution.

The serpent within encourages the pursuit of knowledge and therefore wisdom, understanding, advancement, since it is a gateway to truth.

More Than I Can Chew

What have I done? This is a mammoth task I have undertaken. I'm not going to give this up though, I committed myself to this as soon as I became aware of the atrocities. Right, I need to sort my information overload into the cabinet of curiosities. The layout and colour scheme of the blog needs a desperate makeover, I'm going to stick a wig on it. For future readers, the colour scheme at the time of writing this was a penguin-rolling-down-a-hill sort of colour and surprisingly not very fun. You'd exit the blog and move onto greener pastures with white font still emblazoned on the pupils of your eyes. I want something light, because right now it's like a dingy website for dingy activities in dingy bedrooms. That was never the intention. Learning is fun, right? Yeah, is fun. So I need to get a good breeze going through here, appealing atmosphere that bananas would be fond of.

I'm going to start to archive some of my symbolic experiences. They will be found further back, dated accurately (where possible) or approximately; dates that precede the emergence of this blog in May 2014.

I'm also attempting to read three books at once, which is never a good idea. My brain feels like it's about to explode and in the air the words will waltz together and I'll be saying, 'No, no, don't get mixed up'. I am shuffling along with Richard Sauder's Kundalini Tales, properly assigning myself to Self-Hypnosis and Scientific Self-Suggestion by William J. Ousby, and apparently I thought it'd be a good idea to re-read Grace Slick's memoir Somebody to Love?

It's not a good idea. I will have to take to reading one at a time. Conversely, it's the very worst idea to not read at all. If I'm not reading, I'm not able to write as fluently or unwind.

Providing I get on with it, which I have to really, then I'll write anything applicable here. That's if I don't get fixated on the shiny, shiny cover of GS's memoir. Afterwards I aim to dive into Break On Through (Jim Morrison biography), as it seems somehow logical. And, as if that wasn't enough, a friend is expecting me to read Bound Together (The Libertines unofficial biography). I'm going to have a meltdown. It's not about reading this, reading that, sailing through, eyes closed, nailing pages to the wall; what my friend doesn't realise is that there are special ways of doing these things, a combination, an order which makes them most effective. That order isn't set in stone either, it depends on the distortion of space and time. And all of this damn research I've done in almost two years, a rough estimate with the calculator, an average of 10 hours spent each day, that's around 7300 hours of information, all spiky and untameable, which I'm trying to put into words and convey, while still consuming more information every new day. And with a new job on the horizon, it's only going to get trickier. Of course, I will find a way.

Follow Your Heart

In the preface, Richard Sauder refers to reality as the 'reality game' in which we're all players. It's a competitive world, that's for sure. Not easy for those of us who don't wish to compete. It's like an extended lesson of Physical Education. Blood sports day - no I can't, I forgot my kit! Not good enough, get in the arena!

I've entertained the idea that we may be plugged in, tuned in, projected into this system - not unlike a computer simulation, yes, something like what is shown in The Matrix (which I haven't seen for years and years and personally am not interested to). Of note, the Wachowskis also co-directed a film called Cloud Atlas and are directing a new film titled Jupiter Ascending, both of which seem to involve themes of body/soul/energy harvesting. Imagine we are on another plane of existence and we've agreed to come here, everything was agreed to beforehand, we were wired up to machines... wouldn't that make the most sense, provide the most answers upon dying/waking from this experience? Maybe the one rule is that no outside intervention is allowed, the simulation has to be allowed to pan out, even if things get out of control or there are glitches in the system. What if other beings elsewhere could hack into this 'reality', hijack it and use it for their own gain? Altogether it's not something I believe, just something I've considered.

The reality game. Boot camp. Mind, body and soul training. Here for educational purposes and/or hedonistic pursuits.

We're here to learn, whatever it might be that we each learn - even if it's a plan on how to escape this social circle! I think it's quite true that this is a meeting of heaven and hell, life is what you make it. We either accept it or we are tormented by it - that rests in our hands.

We mustn't live in the past or the future, otherwise we miss our chance in the present to do something worthwhile. We should live in the moment. We should, yet some of us are determined to figure out why we're here and what it all means, I know I am. I'm not going to rest until I reach a better understanding of the situation; obviously I want to keep busy, it's confusing and at times painful not knowing why this is happening.

Kundalini is the energy that purportedly resides at the base of the spine according to Yogic philosophy, it lies dormant, coiled like a serpent, until awakened. Chapter one of Kundalini Tales, the first few lines made me raise my eyebrows incredulously. Richard Sauder recalls his kundalini awakening or experience on this occasion in 1992, when a male voice gleefully proclaimed "Party hearty!" He lived alone at the time, so there was no simple explanation for the voice, but it was immediately followed by a short, intense kundalini-energised episode. It's absurd, what kind of an individual would say something like that? It's very strange, but to be honest I know that many of my own experiences have been unusual and would obviously be regarded as such by others. It's just not a normal thing to say, nor would you expect to hear it. Did the individual behind the disembodied voice not consider that his words might disturb or frighten someone? Was there not a more thoughtful way of 'introducing' the kundalini experience? Clearly it didn't worry Sauder, but someone else could be expected to react differently. Perhaps 'it' knew that Sauder was mentally and spiritually prepared, as he'd been fascinated for years by the kundalini and had made efforts to activate it. It was a gleeful voice, so presumably that's a good sign.

What I'm having to reckon with is a mix of the occult (that which is hidden, concealed) and what Christianity has to say on the matter (being currently the most prevalent religion in the Western world). They may both be right. I was reading Christian views on mysticism, how they believe kundalini awakening or 'third eye' opening, for example, to be influenced by demonic forces. I think it's more likely to be both positive and negative forces that one is subjected to. Rather than completely abandoning occult study, one should proceed with careful consideration - knowing the potential risks and acting responsibly, as activation of chakra points provides a channel for all kinds of forces. I suppose that if you open yourself to the light, you're also susceptible to the darkness as well.

Richard Sauder at his present understanding (when Kundalini Tales was written and published in 1998) believes the kundalini not to be God, but possibly a servant of God; a sort of archangel. I don't know enough about it yet, but was under the impression that it is an aspect of the soul - what with the chakra points and all - and therefore corresponding to the celestial in that sense - a personalised form of. Enough speculation though, I shall have to see for myself.

Half-Gospel

It hasn't changed my life, but it's working to - it's been instrumental to me and there couldn't have been a better year to read it.



Journeys Out of the Body was first published in 1971 and Robert Monroe had been having these 'second state' (out-of-body/astral) experiences and taking notes since the 1950s, so at the time this was released to the public it would have been very much a fringe interest - can imagine all the pot smokers and LSD experimenters with their pocket book copies, discussing it in parks and in college dorms. It was the right time, wasn't it, really. If it had been published in the 50s, it would have been too much for people to consider and Robert would have unquestionably been labelled a nut and shipped off to cuckoo land.

A young Robert Monroe.

You could almost believe that the whole 60s hippy movement was manufactured or, at the least, infiltrated and steered; directed. And Robert alone couldn't have known how his book was to be received up until that point. So I just hope that this wasn't part of a scheme, tying neatly with the New Age movement that grew out of that time. Also, the Monroe Institute (which Robert established in the early 70s) has had links to United States Military Intelligence, who, at that time, were interested in staring goats to death, walking through walls and just generally a ton of mind-blowing psychological operations - which you can read about in Jon Ronson's The Men Who Stare At Goats.

The redeeming factor is that I can relate to many of the experiences that Robert Monroe mentions in Journeys Out of the Body, so I know that what he says isn't complete fabrication. I know that if it has any downside, it's because it is misleading through means of disinformation, though I can make no certain claim of this.

It was so incredible to read though because of its relatability. I've had similar experiences since I was around the age of fourteen and they've only intensified (as I've harnessed them) over the years. My own experiences transpired of their own accord, so it's not a simple matter of power of suggestion. Aside from what I can relate to, I trust a lot of what Monroe's saying and feel that he recorded his experiences to the best of his abilities and if there are any discrepancies they're down to the brain's interpretation of events. This book is pretty much gospel for me, there's a lot to sink your teeth into.

The most profound element wasn't the reality of out-of-body experiences, but how many answers and solutions his experiences and subsequent writings provided for me, it's helped tie together a lot of loose ends, even if temporarily. The only thing I wish is that I'd been posting on here when I started reading it, as I've had lots of overwhelming thoughts I could have shared. It's taken from around March/April until now to finish it, I re-read quite a few chapters and took notes, allowed my mind to wonder/wander and absorb the information, it's been a buzz. Oh wow, it's been such a buzz.

I've yet to read his two other books, Far Journeys (1985) and Ultimate Journey (1994), so it'll be interesting to see how his validity holds. Apparently, according to some reviews, they get a bit far out (or further out, depending on your initial stance). That's part of the enjoyment, I can't tell you how enthusiastic I am to get around to them! Before that though I'm going to begin with Kundalini Tales by Richard Sauder - I read an excerpt online here and thought it would be worth getting hold of a copy. Richard seems to have had a respect for Robert Monroe's work, however, as he noted himself, the connections between the Monroe Institute and the military intelligence are dubious and worth being aware of. Still, this could be innocent enough and it'd be unwise to discount Monroe's work completely on that connection alone, and I know firsthand that much of what he says in Journeys Out of the Body is truthful. Additionally, if a government orders an institute to comply, there are surely two options: comply or decline and expect to be met with hostility.

I already know one of the subject matters in Far Journeys, since I read a couple of reviews on it. Apparently it delves into the topic of energy harvesting (or the peculiarly termed 'loosh farming'), which I've been fascinated with for a few months and I didn't realise he had written about the subject in one of his books, so that's a bit of synchronicity. Until I entertained the concept of some of these 'wackier' theories, I totally avoided them, considering them to be ridiculous. It seems like natural progression to move on to them and give them a chance, well, that's what I've done and I can't ignore how much this resonated with me. It'll be compelling to read what Monroe had to say on the matter way back then. The fact that the military were in correspondence with him, does that insinuate that his works were heavily propagandised or does it indicate that they knew he had valuable information and therefore were using him to obtain additional data? I'm in two minds about it, but would suspect if it's not just for the latter then it's for both of those purposes. The U.S. military clearly had a vested interest in the Monroe Institute, as they confirmedly sent officers there in the 70s and 80s for out-of-body training.

An elderly Robert Monroe.

Robert Monroe died in 1995, aged 79. His research has been continued by members of his family. The Monroe Institute still exists to this day and is based in Virginia, United States, with facilitators of the programs to be found in many countries.