Part Eight: Cyber-Shamanism: The Fusion of Modern Technology with Ancient, Plant-Based Shamanism
By Zoe Seven
Now to me this made perfect sense since neuroelectrical stimulation users, while undergoing this type of therapy, report that both short-term and long-term memory begins to come back . So as you can see, this explained – at least to me – why it was that I was begining to succesfully recall most of my nightly forays into the dreamworld.
The neuroelectrical stimulator I use is the BT-6, which stands for Brain Tuner model six, which was developed by the late (and great) doctor Bob Beck. This device consists of a small base unit the size of a pack of cigarettes, and an electrode headset that is attached behind the ears. Once attached it sends an electrical current into the brain; but the current is in the microampere range. According to bioelectric research this current is similar to the current produced by the body’s cells. And when the brain is electrically stimulated at appropriate frequencies and amplitudes, the body responds by increasing its manufacturing of neurochemicals, including acetylcholine, dopamine, beta endorphins, enkaplins, etc. I have also found this type of technology to be very compatible with plant-based shamanism, and would encourage researchers and scientists to take a closer look at this.
Three-Dimensional Perception
After many experiments and resulting experiences I began to wonder what exactly was happening to me or rather to my brain and mind during them. I began to take a closer look at how the brain percieves three-dimensional reality and found something very interesting.
Back in the 1920’s a group of misonaries took a film projector and portable generator into the jungles of Africa to show the natives a film of the outside world. When the film began however and to everyone’s surprise, the natives couldn’t see the pictures on the screen! It was concluded that the reason for this anomaly was because the natives could not adequately process the visual perception of the motion-picture, for they lacked the necessary neurological pathways that are needed in order to see those images. Apparently, their brains hadn’t made the necessary neurological connections required to see two-dimensionally. But the brains of the missionaries had, of course. So the missionaries saw in fact a number of moving images. But all the natives saw was a bunch of flickering lights. Therefore, their brains had to develop the special neurological pathways needed to see two-dimensionally before they could view the motion-picture. This taught me that in order for us to perceive and see anything, we must first develop the proper neurological connections that will process said type of data.
As I continued with this new phase of my research I found that there are multiple areas in the human brain specifically designated for processing (seeing) images. I learned that an object – any thing, person, etc – elicits a particular kind of neuronal pattern activity unique to each object, in which neurons fire in a particular rate and frequency thereby indicating what the objectimage is to the conscious mind.
For example, when you look at a car, a tree, a person, etc. a corresponding pattern of neuronal activity, which symbolizes or represents each of those visual objects to your conscious mind is evoked, thereby notifying other brain centers and you of what it is that is being perceived. In that regard this is how our sense of sight constructs what we see.
However, what I found most compelling about this process is that when our sense of sight perceives say a moving object, like a car (we’ll call this an ‘input’), all that the retina perceives is a series of dots moving together. The car does not yet exist! (At least not in objective terms, but rather subjective.) This data (the moving dots) is then relayed to the brain centers which deal with depth and motion, and which in turn relay this information to other brain centers responsible for detecting shape and color. Then, all of this information is combined together with everything we have ever learned about cars – which is stored in our memory banks – and, consequently, all of this sensory data is then constructed into a model (we’ll call this an ‘output’) which we finally come to perceive and ‘see’ as a car (objective reality)!
In the case of imagined constructions however, I theorize that since there is no input from the retina, the input originates from the subconscious mind, instead; and then travels the previously given process backwards, all the way back to the primary visual cortex, leading to the perception of an output. Which means that this output (object, person, or event) then spawns from the subjective realm of the subconscious mind… Yet it is experienced as objective reality! In this case – and in my opinion – the subconscious mind, the dreamstate, and the hallucinatory states produced by certain psychoactives act as a gateway to alternate realities, which exist ‘adjacent’ to this one (parallel universes).
Another interesting piece of information I came across while engaged in this particular phase of my research is that people who suffer from what is known as Charles Bonnet syndrome – a neurological disorder – see fully formed three-dimensional hallucinatory images. This leads me to believe that the human brain has the innate ability to perceive (see) ‘hallucinations’. However, since these alternate images are both thought of and taught to be nothing more than mere hallucinatory constructions, they are disregarded by the conscious mind.
I know that some of this sounds fantastic. But these have been my experiences. For those that may feel inclined to follow my work I recommend that you visit my website, read my book, and maybe even come down to the Amazon for your own experiences with the teacher plants I’ve been discussing in their own natural habitat. However, I want to make it perfectly clear that these plants, as well as the neuro-technology tools I use are not toys. They are delicate tools that facilitate entrance into one’s psyche. These experiences should not be considered ‘recreational’ in any sense of the word. Quite contrary, they are a serious undertaking, but I feel that they have the potential of allowing individuals to understand the nature of reality as well as confront and dissolve various fears, insecurities and psychological blocks.
These shamanic experiences have changed me in a lot of ways: mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The teacher plants inherently know that the best place to go for answers of a personal nature is inward, and that THE “kingdom” lies within. As Buddha once said: “Look within thou art the Buddha”, while Jesus said: “The kingdom of heaven is within you”. Indeed, teacher plants make the user go inside for answers and self-healing, as opposed to making one look for an outside source for help. They encorouge us to be self-empowered and to the depend on the greatest force of all: ourselves.
It seems ironic to me that in a sense a different species (a non-human one) can teach us how to be better humans, yet what I feel they are trying to inpart in us is simply to be what we truly are: beings – whatever that really means – which are at the moment undergoing what we know as the human experience. And this is not our destination, rather, it is one of many stops along the path.
In closing, a great poet, mystic and philosopher, Khalil Gibran, once wrote: “No man can reveal to you ought but that which already lies half asleep in the dawning of your knowledge. The teacher who walks in the shadow of the temple, among his followers, gives not of his wisdom but rather of his faith and his lovingness. If he is indeed wise he does not bid you enter the house of his wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshold of your own mind.” Ironically that is exactly what teacher plants do.
Disclaimer: The author and the publisher do not approve nor disapprove of the opinions or ideas expressed by this article. Entheogenic or psychedelic research is illegal in many parts of the world. The author makes no claims about the validity of his views or personal opinions as his works are to be considered a work of fiction.
Copyright: Zoe Seven, Author and AVS Journal, Michael Landgraf, Publisher (2006) Granada Hills, CA. All rights reserved.