(word processor parameters LM=8, RM=75, TM=2, BM=2) Taken from KeelyNet BBS (214) 324-3501 Sponsored by Vangard Sciences PO BOX 1031 Mesquite, TX 75150 There are ABSOLUTELY NO RESTRICTIONS on duplicating, publishing or distributing the files on KeelyNet except where noted! November 16, 1993 PSYCHMAN.ASC -------------------------------------------------------------------- Message 2690 DATE/TIME: 10/18/93 17:18 From : JERRY DECKER (SYSOP) To : ALL Subject: PsychoManteum Folder : A, "Public Mail" Hi Folks! Don't know if you got a chance to see the Oprah Winfrey show broadcast today, Monday 18th of October...at 4:PM on Channel 8? She had Dr. Raymond Moody and 3 other folks who have been working with "communicating with the dead"...I plan to write a file (this is the first part!) on the particular techniques that are being used extrapolated from a recording of the program but FOR NOW, I just wanted to see who all might have seen it and if anyone had any thoughts on it or would be willing to give it a try??? Basically, the ancient Greeks had a very dark room (no light WHATSOEVER) which had a mirror that a person faced while sitting in a comfortable chair. By getting into the correct frame of mind, they claimed you could actually communicate with the departed. Moody says there is some kind of preparation I would guess to get you in the mood but some of the other people don't use that beyond a mental idea of what they are trying to do and asking for "guidance". So, the scoop is to devote small room (closet, etc) or build a box large enough to place a chair and large mirror. The chair must be very comfortable and the TV program showed the use of flat black felt for the maximum blackout of any light. You are supposed to sit back in the chair, look into the mirror and just wait or think of who you want to contact (depending on which method you use, Moody's or the other folks). There were several theories as to what was really happening and some such as Persinger's work that were not even mentioned, but it looks like a low level sensory deprivation experiment...one subject plugged her ears, so with that you have a lack of auditory AND VISUAL stimulation which would allow the evocation of images that could be perceived as real.... The main thrust was that no one described a negative experience and all felt it was of benefit to them....an interesting show, this one. I have done limited sensory deprivation for 1 hour and had no bizarre experience PERIOD except for the electrical tone of my Page 1 muscles going away to the point that I could not move at all....and this was not cured by the tingling that comes from restriction of blood flow...it was in a water tank (600 pounds of epsom salt dissolved in a coffin type container that prevented any light). I understand such experiences should be done frequently for the best benefit and to get the range of hallucinations that come with sensory deprivation...in this case, I could hear...the temperature by the way, was maintained at a constant 98 degrees...no light, no cold, just sound so it did not qualify as a true sensory dep experiment. Anyway, this Psychomanteum thing is intriguing as it does not really take any advanced equipment or cost an arm and a leg to experiment with...hmmm, could we maybe do an orgone box while we're at it??? Wonder what that would conjure up, Reich maybe...???...>>> Jerry ...forgot to mention one of the primary reasons why this was SO INTRIGUING... It might offer a means of enhancing creativity by allowing the subject to call up someone like KEELY, TESLA, RUSSELL, whoever or just to help pull in those loose thoughts that when brought together show correlations and thus new perspectives.... Creativity and/or inspiration....now that could be of use...>>> JWD ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have comments or other information relating to such topics as this paper covers, please upload to KeelyNet or send to the Vangard Sciences address as listed on the first page. Thank you for your consideration, interest and support. Jerry W. Decker.........Ron Barker...........Chuck Henderson Vangard Sciences/KeelyNet -------------------------------------------------------------------- If we can be of service, you may contact Jerry at (214) 324-8741 or Ron at (214) 242-9346 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 2