Notes from a fav. book , C.S. Hyatt
UNDOING YOURSELF PRACTICES:
Before we get into the first segment of this technique let me make
you aware of some facts. Constant mental chattering or thought
creates tensions. When you are thinking your voice box moves ever
so slightly as thoughts are flowing through your mind. In addition,
the jaw moves slightly, as well as the tongue and the eyes. In fact, as
stated before there is a fine state of tension when we are thinking. So
to achieve true Mindlessness, we first must become aware of the
facial, throat, and neck tension which are associated with thinking.
EXPERIMENT I
Sit or lie down in a quite place and allow yourself to "think" about
anything. Notice how and where your thinking is experienced.
Notice what motions and tensions exist in your face-neck-throat
area. After you have completed this, "think" about something
unpleasant and notice if there is any difference. Now try "thinking"
about something pleasant and make the same notations. Once you
are thoroughly aware of this, attempt the following:
EXPERIMENT II
Lie down and do not move. Just breathe normally with your eyes
closed. Now become aware and describe out loud for 15 minutes
every sensation and muscle twitch in your body. Become aware that
tension exists all around and within you.
These two experiments should be tried three times over a week to
help you verify that tension is thought — thought is tension. This
will require 45 minutes — 15 minutes for each trial. If you do not
experience the voice box — facial sensation, or if you are not aware of
anything during experiment II, double the time.
METHOD I
Step 1. Sit or lie down. Make Faces ~ Stretch all the muscles in the
face. Open your mouth as wide as you can, move the jaw from side to
side. At the same time open your eyes as wide as you can. Move your
eyes up and down and from side to side. This will begin to destroy
tension, thereby destroying uncontrolled and extraneous thoughts
generated by this area. Make many different faces. Do this for about
2-3 minutes. (A word of caution: While in the end these exercizes are meant to
reduce and eliminate certain thought patterns, some might find an increase of new
thoughts from previously "Hidden" places of the mind. If this is the case don't be
concerned, since this will be a fine way to perform "mental house cleaning.")
Step II. Hum and Chatter — Hum from the depths of your voice
box. Use OM or just MMMM. Do this for 1-2 minutes. Now using
your tongue, chatter — DA DA — BA BA BA. Stick out your jaw as
far as you can and continue humming and chattering. Do this for
2-3 minutes.
Step III. Shoulders to Ears — Pull your shoshoulders up as if you were
trying to reach your ears. When they start feeling tired, drop them as
low as you can. Repeat this 3 times in 2-3 minute intervals.
Step IV. Nose Breathing — With your mouth closed take in a deep
breath inflating your chest and pulling your stomach up. Be sure to
pull the belly in. Hold for a 7 count and then just let the chest fall and
the belly relax. Repeat this 10-20 times. Be sure to allow an
additional 7 count to elapse before your next inhalation.
Step V. Turn Head — Now bring your attention to your head and
turn it from side to side as far as you can. Repeat for 2-3 minutes.
Step VI. Leg Stretch — Lying down on your back, hold your legs
about 4 inches off the ground and stretch outward. Hold this as long
as you can then let them drop. Repeat this 2-3 times.
Step VII. Quick Breath — With your mouth slightly open breathe
rapidly, sighing as you exhale. Do this for 2-3 minutes.
Now lie down and sense and feel your body, for about 10
minutes. Note every sensation you feel. Now assume a meditative
position of your choice making sure that:
(1) Your eye lids are not tightly closed, but simply relaxed.
(2) That your jaw is relaxed and not tense. Make sure of this by
trying to stick out your tongue; if you have to lower your jaw, it was
too tightly held. Check your forehead making sure it is not
wrinkled. Once you are relaxed, either concentrate on your mantra
or point of focus. For those students who do not have a mantra or
point, we suggest Dr. Regardie's Mantram tape or simply OOOOOOOOMMMMMMM.
For students who wish or require specific
images or points of focus, please feel free to contact us.
(3) Finally make sure your throat is not blocked by holding your
head in the wrong position. Make sure it is straight. In order to
reduce thoughts, keep the eyes relaxed and still, with your tongue
touching the roof of your mouth. Do not move the larynx and again
be sure that your jaw is relaxed. Meditate before eating, or wait for
2-3 hours after eating a heavy meal. It is also best if the bladder and
bowels have been emptied before you start your work.
METHOD II
You should have practiced the first stage until you became
aware of your deeper tensions. Before starting the second stage be
sure your bladder, bowels, and stomach are empty.
LIE DOWN ON YOUR BACK
Take 10-15 deep breaths starting deep in your guts and work it
upward. Try to become aware of all the muscles you use in
breathing. When this has been done slowly get up. Stand straight up
and count to three. When you reach three let the top part of your
body collapse downward at your waist. Do not fall, just let it
collapse, do not force it, let gravity pull it down. Repeat this 10-20
times. When you are finished take a few deep breaths and feel the
effect this experiment had on you. See if you can sense your pelvic
region. Now repeat the same experiment this time exhaling rapidly
as you fall and breathing in slowly as you rise. Repeat this 10-20
times and then become aware of the sensations in your body.
LIE DOWN ON YOUR BACK
Inhale as you do this slowly bring your legs with the knees
flexed up to your chest, as you exhale kick your legs out as far and
fast as you can. You might want to do this in bed or place some
pillows under where your legs will fall. Repeat this until you start
feeling tired, then allow your breathing to return to normal. When
this happens start again but this time try to hold your legs extended
for a second or two before you let them fall. Continue this for a
minute or two and then relax again.
Now inhale—on the exhale
scream — scream — scream,
or if you are a male - yell
-yell - yell. Repeat this at
least five times. (In order to
prevent your friends and neighbors
from thinking you're
nuts and phoning the police I
suggest you yell or scream
(depending on your sex, of
course) into a pillow.
Now lie down on your back
and sense and feel the energy
moving around and throughout
your body. Do this for
about 5 minutes, and feel
the life force move. When
you are finished begin your
mantram, or if you wish you
may use the one recorded by Israel Regardie. If it is used following
these experiments it will blow your mind. If you prefer to use your
own, record it continually on a tape for at least 20 minutes and then
play it back to yourself while you're meditating — Method II is not
meant to take the place of Method I, it is just an extension of the
experiment. If you are inclined, make a note book or diary of your
experiences. There are no-short cuts, so proceed seriously — you can
laugh at yourself later — that is unless your laughter begins on its
own. When you have completed this experiment try to spend at least
ten to fifteen minutes alone. Don't eat or drink, just sense and feel.
METHOD III
Again Method III is not meant to take the place of Method I
or II, but is a further extension of the technique. This will take a
little more time and you shouldn't try this until you have mastered
and documented the effects of the other two methods.
STAND UP
Bend your knees slightly, not too much and let the top part of your
body flop forward. Do not force it — just let it drop.
While you're in this position, use a five count breath. Five in, hold
five, five out, hold five. Repeat this three times and slowly
straighten yourself out. Repeat this sequence 08 times or more.
When you're done, stand erect for a few moments with your eyes
tightly shut. Become aware of any tension in your face, neck or
shoulders. Mobilize these tensions by opening your mouth as wide
as you can and distorting your face. Now close your mouth and
continue on with these distortions. When you've done this for at
least 5 minutes, bend your head back on your shoulders as far as you
can, and start turning it from side to side. Some people might get
nauseous at this point, so be prepared. If by some chance you desire
to vomit go right ahead, since the gag reflex is marvelous for
reducing deep body tension.
GETTING OUT OF YOUR HEAD
Sit down again and think about something which you are worried
about. Get up again and pace around the room repeating the phrase,
"Wh — ats go — ing to hap — pen to me," or some equivalent phrase
which expresses worry. Try not to numb yourself while you are
doing this. If you feel silly that's fine, because your worry — ing is
silly anyway. Now after five minutes sit down in your chair and
think of something joyful. When you have it in mind get up and pace
around the room repeating the phrase, "I love it," or some equivalent
phrase expressing happiness or joy. When your five minutes are up,
imitate laughter as well as you can, then tears, alternating these
emotions for at least five minutes. When you are done lie down.
Clasp your hands over your chest, pull your knees up and roll
yourself up as tight as you can in a ball, tensing every muscle. Hold
this position for at least three minutes. Feel your restrictions, now
expand, let go of your restriction, let go of everything. As you start to
expand let out a shout such as AH! Become aware of your freedom.
Repeat this a few times.
MEDITATE
Choose your mantram, or point of focus, and begin your meditation.
SUGGESTIONS
There are many ways to use these and the more advanced
techniques. Do not become rigid in your experiments — yet remain
diligent in your efforts. Some people do better by alternating levels,
i.e. use Method I on Monday, II on Wednesday, and III on Saturday,
then switch Methods and Days the following week. Others stay
with one Method for one month and then switch to others. Be open
with your experiments but always remain dedicated to the work.
During these periods of experimentation, call yourself by different
names, this will help separate the machine you from the emerging
Self — the true Scientist of the LAB. If you have any difficulties or
questions or wish to find out more information, please feel free to
drop me a short note.
We are near the end of this work. By now you should have
established your LAB. I suggest that you keep its location secret,
since there are many "out there" who might think you're crazy if you
don't act like a dopey robot. With proper security your LAB will be
free of unwanted inter-fear-ence.
THERE IS NO NEED TO BE PARANOID
For those STUDENTS who practice these techniques with
dedication we believe that you will in fact become your own LAB
and EXPERIMENTER, which if you haven't guessed yet means
Magick or "Brain Change Willed."
The truth of Becoming more than HUMAN, the goal of all
legitimate occult and psychological systems, is nothing more than
becoming your own LAB and EXPERIMENTER, intentionally
changing your brain and chemistry to meet your "desired" (TRUE
WILL) ends.
THESE METHODS WILL IN FACT CAUSE TREMENDOUS
CHANGE IN YOUR SEXUAL LIFE AS WELL AS EVERY
OTHER ASPECT OF YOUR EXISTENCE. THEREFORE DO
NOT UNDERTAKE WHAT FOLLOWS UNTIL YOU HAVE
ASSURED YOURSELF THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO
CHANGE. REMEMBER, ALL TRUE SPIRITUAL CHANGE,
BY ITS VERY NATURE, HAS UNPREDICTABLE
QUALITIES.
BE SURE YOU HAVE BECOME EXPERT ON THE EARLIER
EXERCISES IN THIS BOOK BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT
WHAT FOLLOWS.
OVER MANY YEARS OF PRACTICE I HAVE FOUND THAT
THESE EXERCISES AND MOVEMENTS WILL INCREASE
THE CHANCES THAT CHAKRAS WILL BE OPENED AS
WELL AS ACHIEVING THE RESULTS PROMISED BY
TANTRIC PRACTICES. BE SURE THAT YOU ARE TRULY
DESIROUS FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. (See Notes below).
FOR THOSE UNINTERESTED IN CHAKRAS AND
TANTRA, A FEW MINUTES ON EACH EXERCISE WILL
ALSO INCREASE THE CHANCES THAT YOUR
PSYCHO/SPIRITUAL POWERS WILL IMPROVE AND
THAT INFORMATION FROM THE COLLECTIVE MIND
WILL BE MORE READILY AVAILABLE.
PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS AT LEAST THREE
TIMES, SEPARATED BY AT LEAST ONE DAY. DO NOT
PERFORM MORE THAN TWO SESSIONS A WEEK FOR AT
LEAST 6 MONTHS.
AS THESE MOVEMENTS AND TECHNIQUES ARE
VERY POWERFUL PLEASE MAKE HASTE
S L O W L Y
WESTERN TANTRA
The practice of Tantra whether Eastern or Western is often
associated with the Female Goddess. When the power of the
Goddess was usurped by Christianity, the female as well as her
powers were regarded as evil and dark. This notion has been
frequently "justified" through blaming Eve and the Serpent for
the fall of man. Those familiar with Tantra and Kundalini will
automatically associate these Judaic-Christian "devils" with the
practice of these ancient arts. As the Goddess begins reemerging,
various forms of these ancient practices have begun
reappearing.
This book presents one of the most powerful methods of
releasing Kundalini through the Practice of Tantra. It uses the
Tarot, The Symbols of the Tree of Life, Bio-energetic technique,
and Chakra meditation to help aspirants obtain the pure essence
of both Magick (Power) and Mysticism (Love).
Note: Magick and Mysticism, or Power and Love, is again a
false dichotomy created by the Christian ethos. Christian philosophy
assumes that power (ACTIVITY) is evil, while Love
(PASSIVITY) is good. This slavish philosophy of turning man
into a sheep is similarly identified by its emphasis on pleading as
a form of worship, as compared to the practice of Magick which
is dynamic and active. The Goddess religions do not recognize
such childish cutting off of power from love. Instead the
Goddess religions recognize that each concept is deeply tied to its
apparent opposite.
In fact, Great Love is Great Power, and Great Power is Great
Love. Any force when fully developed transforms itself into the
All.
THE TREE OF LIFE SYMBOLS
The Tree of Life is one of many useful models for gaining
insight and intuitive awareness of how Tantra works. It was
from my work with the Tree of Life and Sexual Magick that this
system was evolved and so I have a special place in my heart
Chakra for this model. However, if you find this model difficult
or cumbersome, feel free to use the Eastern model for meditation
and association. Better yet, use both.
The Tree of Life formula:
Kether is the Point, or Crown.
Chokmah is the Father Principle.
Connecting the two is a straight line, which metaphorically
cannot encompass space.
Adding Binah, the Great Productive Mother, a Triangle is
created which metaphorically encompasses space.
Within space normal matter and spiritual matter can be
generated.
Thus in Tantra, each act always includes the Emanating force
of Kether, the Crown of the Tree of Life. Therefore in the
practice of Western Tantra, a God-form is always included,
bringing the participants to Three.
Relationships which include the Third Principle are powerful,
when compared with Relationships which only include the
Principle of two.
As we descend the Tree from Kether, the point, to Chokmah
the Father, we find that Binah (the Great Mother Principle) is the
Third point. Thus we see one reason why Tantra is frequently
associated with the Goddess principle. However, in practice, the
new energy which is brought into the relationship is Kether. This
is the point of energy which is forgotten or never employed in
normal sexual intercourse. Thus Tantric intercourse is always
symbolized by WHITE LIGHT. I want to emphasize again that
WHITE LIGHT has nothing to do with Christian morality.
While Kether is the first Sephiroth, for reference sake we will
say that when practicing Tantra we must include Kether as the
third symbolic participant in the act. This is so because normally
God-Forms are left out of western sexual practices.
The practice of Western Tantra brings the energy up from
Malkuth to Kether. As we develop our practice, we bring Kether
back down to Malkuth, then finally equa-liberating both in
Tiphareth. Adepts will recognize this ancient formula.
Occult Eugenics concerns the creation of the Magickal Child.
Creating Magickal Children is rarely practiced, normally being
left to Fate or Chance. If we truly wish to change the world as
well as ourselves then we must deliberately create the Magickal
Child instead of waiting. The implication here is that Man has the
power to create Messiahs.
Noting the Tree again, the Son of the Parents, Chokmah and
Binah, when filled with the power of Kether is Tiphareth. The
daughter is Malkuth. Of course this is symbolic. In addition to
the forces previously mentioned the powers of the other
Sephiroth must be generated to create the desired effects.
Tiphareth is often associated with the Heart Chakra. Malkuth
is the Bride of Kether manifested in the world, and when an
Adept is in the correct posture Malkuth is associated with
Muladhara. Her purity is the result of Chokmah and Binah
combining with Kether. Thus Malkuth is in Kether, and Kether
is in Malkuth, but different in kind. (It is no coincidence that the
Path between Kether (the Crown) and Tiphareth the heart is
"guarded" by the High Priestess.
The practice of Occult Eugenics whether for the purpose of
creating a living physical entity, or for the purpose of
creating a spiritual God-form, mixes the energies of
Kether and Malkuth. We bring the force up, and we bring the
force down, mixing at the point of Tiphareth, the center of the
Tree of Life, the Heart. The correct practice of western Tantra
assures that the God-forms we create will act according to the
power and essence used to generate the form. Using the Tarot
symbols to define the desired force you wish to create is
described in detail in Secrets of Western Tantra (New Falcon
Publications, 1989).
FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENTS
PRELIMINARY EXERCISES
For the practice of Tantra it does little good to have common
orgasms. The movements below are preliminary to any form of
Tantric practice, although the simplest forms of pre-Tantric
Intercourse may be practiced at the same time. Once these
movements have had their effect, certain bio-psychological
events take place which increase the depth and breadth of orgasm
elevating it to its highest pre-Tantric intensity. These movements
have been designed to help you shake off the negative
associations created toward your sexuality by "civilization".
You can use them as you see fit. However, if you wish to gain
all their benefits you should proceed to the practice of Tantric
Intercourse. (See Secrets of Western Tantra, New Falcon
Publications, 1989.)
SECTION ONE
Remove your clothes, or wear loose fitting clothing.
Lie down on a very soft surface in a cool room. If your room
is too warm turn up the air conditioning slightly, or turn on a fan.
Coolness is very important.
Take a big stretch. Move your arms to your side and take a
deep breath. Hold your breath, while doing a slow, controlled sit
up. Let the breath go and flop. Repeat the breath, sit up and flop
two or three times. Stretch again.
Get in the "breathing position". This means that you are to lie
on your back with your knees bent and your feet solidly on the
floor or bed about a foot from your rear end. Your knees should
be about 18 inches apart. Your arms should be at your side.
Now begin to breath through your mouth. Make sure your
mouth is held loosely open, about 1 inch. Inhale to a slow count
of three, then exhale to a slow count of three.
We will call this "deep breathing". The inhalation should be
full but NOT forced. Start inhaling from your lower belly. The
belly should begin to expand first, followed by the chest.
When the inhalation reaches its highest point, JUST LET GO
saying "AH", allow the chest and belly to collapse/contract on
their own.
Make no voluntary movements as you breathe. If you sense
tension leave it alone. Allow what happens to just happen.
Remember, allow a slow count of three while inhaling and begin
exhaling by saying "AH". You should set a tinier for 10 minutes.
When it goes off, just sense and feel your body, for another 5
minutes or so. Verbalize only what you sense and feel. Make no
interpretations at this time.
Now you will begin to combine deep breathing with other
movements. As you do the following exercises you may at times
notice that your breathing becomes erratic or even that you are
holding your breath. Do not allow this to continue. It is essential
that you continue deep breathing throughout the exercise unless
specifically instructed otherwise.
Begin deep breathing for at least five minutes. Continue deep
breathing, but now on the inhale open your eyes as wide as you
can and on the exhale close your eyes as tight as you can. Utilize
just the section of your head from the eyes up. Do not move your
jaw or change the position of your body. Do this for about 5
minutes.
After you have done this, continue deep breathing but this time
lift your head while inhaling and let it flop on the exhalation. (Be
sure to have something soft to catch your head).
Some people get nauseous during this phase, so have an
empty stomach or a pot handy. Set your timer for 3 minutes.
After you feel comfortable you may increase the timer to 10
minutes.
When this phase is completed become completely aware of
your sensations and feelings for five minutes or so. Be sure to
verbalize what is going on. Again no interpretations please.
Next, begin deep breathing again; on the inhalation push your
lower jaw out as far as you can. On the exhalation let it relax.
Keep this up for 3-5 minutes. Allow any automatic grimace to
develop. Become aware of any heat that develops.
Relax for a moment or two. Begin deep breathing again. On
the inhalation push your lower jaw out as for as possible as
before, but this time growl on the exhalation. The growl should
be as full and deep as possible. Begin to become aware of the
origin of your growl. Do not do this exercise for more than one
minute. When finished relax for a moment or two.
If you are not already in bed, please do so now. I want you to
put the two exercises together along with a few other
movements.
On the inhalation stick your jaw out as far as you can and at
the same time raise your arms slowly behind you. At the same
time begin lifting your head toward your chest and growl,
leaving your arms behind your head.
When you are almost finished growling and your chin almost
touches your chest, clench your fists and fling your arms
forward hitting the bed. Let go with a giant yell as your arms hit
the bed. Be sure to let your head fall back on the bed. Repeat this
procedure six times.
It is very important to relax now. Give yourself a break. I
would suggest at least ten minutes of just plain sensing and
feeling.
You may now stop for this session or continue on with
Section two.
SECTION TWO
Begin by lying down and sensing and feeling your body. Do
this for at least five minutes. Ten minutes is better.
Now begin deep breathing as described previously. Five
minutes of breathing will do.
Raise your hands straight up in the air over your chest. Inhale,
then stretch the left arm and relax the right arm as you exhale.
Then inhale, stretch the right arm and relax the left arm as you
exhale. Continue alternating arms. Reach for the sky as you say
"AH" with every attempt. REACH up as high as you can, as if
your greatest desire was just out of reach. To help you get the
feeling of this movement you might say the name of a person
who you would like to make contact with. Sometimes "Maamee"
or "Dadee" can create the desired feeling. Learning how to
YEARN is very important to later work in the area of Tantra and
Devotional prayer. (See my article on Active Prayer in Healing
Energy, Prayer and Relaxation by Israel Regardie, New Falcon
Publications, 1989).
Keep this exercise up until your arms begin to get tired. Now
just let go into a feeling of exhaustion and peace.
I can't emphasize the importance of yearning, both in releasing
repressions and to help you learn devotional sexuality.
To help you further with learning how to yearn, repeat the
above movement except this time reach up with both arms at the
same time on the exhalation and relax both on the inhalation
repeating either the name of a significant other or a Divine name
See The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic (New Falcon
Publications, 1991) for Divine names.
Repeat this movement until your arms become very tired. Be
sure to reach as high as you can.
Now treat yourself to some special food such as ice cream,
cake or popcorn.
SECTION THREE
I must warn the reader at this point that these movements are
designed to open up areas of consciousness loaded with psychospiritual
energies. Proceed slowly. Do not lust after results.
This is a good time to discuss journals. If you are serious
about your personal work a special journal should be on hand to
record the results of your work. This might include feelings,
thoughts, dreams, divinations etc. which have occurred after you
have begun your practices. This record will be essential if you
desire to go further in your Tantric practices.
Lie down and begin deep breathing for 20 minutes.
Begin by opening and closing the eyes as described above in
section one for another five minutes.
Relax, sense and feel your body for ten minutes.
Now I want you to breath backwards. This means on the
inhalation pull your belly in and pull your chest up making the
sound of a wheeze. (This should sound similar to someone who
has a very bad chest cold.) Hold the breath for one or two
seconds and let your chest collapse. Relax for one minute and
repeat the backwards breath 5 times. Relax again and repeat 5
times. Do 6 more sets. You can raise the breathing movements to
10 times as well as increasing the sets to 10 when you become
comfortable with this movement.
Relax and treat yourself to some goodie.
SECTION FOUR
Begin deep breathing for 15 minutes. Then as you continue
breathing, on the inhalation slowly tilt your pelvis toward your
face. On the exhalation let it DROP. Repeat this for 15 minutes.
Do not tilt any part of your body except your pelvis.
Now slowly bring your knees together on the inhalation and
let them fall open on the exhalation. Continue this for 10
minutes. If your legs, or for that matter anything else, begin to
quiver or shake, just allow this to happen. (And by the way,
congratulations.)
Now rest for at least 10 minutes sensing and feeling your
body.
begin breathing again, this time with your legs flat on the bed.
On the inhalation lift up your right leg and on the exhalation
strike the bed as hard as you can with it. Now do this with the
left leg. Alternate legs for 5 minutes. If the circumstances allow,
give out a loud shout as your leg strikes the bed.
Now relax. Sense and feel your body for at least 15 minutes.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Begin with the movements in Section One and work your way
through each section to Section Four.
Do not begin from Section four and work your way up.
Sections one and two can be practiced together.
Section three and four should not be practiced together until
you feel comfortable with the results of section one and two.
Start a journal and use a tape recorder during your sessions.
No session should be longer than one hour.
If you have medical problems consult your doctor before
undertaking the movements.
You will be shaky for at least ten minutes after your sessions.
Do not drive or operate dangerous equipment.
After six months of practice you can try a GRAND session of
four hours using all the movements in the described sequence.
After a year of practice you can begin to mix up the
movements when it suits your needs.
These are spiritual exercises and only individuals who have
chosen to take the Path toward enlightenment and self development
in the most profound sense should undertake these
movements.
If you have any questions about the movements please feel
free to write. Please keep the questions simple, short and to the
point.
These movements can and should be used throughout your
entire life. Not only will they help with depression and anxiety,
they will continue to bring you insight and creative force.
THE USE OF THESE EXERCISES
AND THE TRANSFORMATION
OF SEX ENERGY
The purpose of these sexual practices
is to intensify AND control energy
and then move that energy according
to your true will.
RULES FOR USE
The creation of Power is the purpose behind what follows. If
you have Christian notions that power is evil, or if you believe
that Sex Magick is evil then these techniques are not for you.
Power is the force of the Universe. The Goddess creates and
destroys. Simple?
There are many "occultists" who are preoccupied with White
and Black Magick. There is no such division except when it is
based on the philosophy of Christianity or similar slave
philosophies. No matter what a person calls his personal
practices, be it prayer or magick, its purpose is to gain Power to
serve self-defined ends. This is not evil!
Good and Evil relate to psycho-physical realities of pain and
pleasure, power and powerlessness and nothing more.
Power is a neutral concept. What you use it for and how you
interpret its use is up to you. If you even begin to use the words
of Black and White, Good and Evil you have lowered yourself
and have entered the world of fear and trembling. Good and Evil
are self-serving concepts which are required when the ego is
under tension or attack. In the beginning and in the end there is
simply POWER followed by Discipline.
The purpose of these rules is to increase the probability that
you will be successful at the work. They contain no "moral"
injunctions or sanctions.
The purpose of these movements is to intensify bio-spiritual
energies; learning how to tolerate great energy and then how to
move that energy according to your desire. Once you have
accomplished this you then can call upon this power at will and
direct it to your highest ends.
It is important to remember that during these practices you are
stimulating various body organs and brain centers. We are in fact
doing something real. So-called sexual/emotive energy is the
essence of all deep change and power. This energy may be used
for dream work, insights, healing or whatever you choose. This
is left completely up to you.
While practicing what follows do not moralize on your
activities. Do not discuss your work with outsiders as it will
drain your energy and in the end simply confuse and inhibit the
practice. Remember the motto of the New Era is DOIT.
1. You may begin sexual work as soon as you have
learned the first set of exercises described in section
one above.
2. No sexual intercourse or genital contact, is allowed
during the practice of these preliminaries.
3. Sexual intercourse is allowed once all of the
preliminaries have been accomplished. This will take
six months.
4. If you decide you wish to practice these Tantric
movements, choose a partner who will not
romanticize the process.
5. If the partner is a wife or husband, or steady
partner be sure to separate the practice from your
normal sexual activity with that person by at least two
days.
6. These sexual movements should be practiced no
more than once a week.
7. During these sessions only masturbation or oral
stimulation is allowed.
Begin with the Banishing Ritual in the area in which you will
be working.
Practice the Middle Pillar for 20 minutes with your partner.
Hold hands or make sure that your bodies are touching.
(Instructions for the Banishing ritual and the Middle Pillar can be
found in Golden Dawn Tape Series I, New Falcon Publications,
1992.
Meditate on the heart chakra for 10 minutes. Do not control
your thoughts or excitement.
You may light incense, burn candles or use lights or soft
music to enhance the mood.
Touch your partners hands and vibrate OM for 5 minutes.
The female lies on the bed in the breathing position described
above. She begins to breath as described above, gently tilting her
pelvis forward on the inhalation, toward her head. Be sure the
"AH" sound is made with every exhalation and the pelvis is
dropped. After ten minutes of intense breathing, she stops the
pelvis tilt and, while continuing deep breathing, her partner
begins to stimulate her genital area with his hands, a vibrator, or
his mouth. Timing and control are very important. The major part
of the stimulation must occur with the exhalation. The rhythmic
breathing must be kept up through the entire session.
When the female is about to reach orgasm her task is to switch
her attention away from whatever it was on, to Muladhara (see
below). When orgasm is reached her focus must be on this
chakra.
The idea is to allow the energy of the genitals to move to
Muladhara at the time of orgasm.
If she is capable of more than one orgasm per session or if it
takes her less than 15 minutes to reach orgasm another practice
session is desirable. However, the entire practice session should
not last for more than 30 minutes.
When it is the male's turn to breath, everything is done the
same way, except that he should be kept from reaching orgasm
for at least 25 minutes. This assumes that he can not have
multiple orgasms of equal intensities. If he can have two orgasms
of more or less equal power, this is permitted.
Once these practices have been performed for the 1st center
(see descriptions of the centers below) and for at least 1 month,
you may begin to focus the energy to the next Chakra,
(Svadhisthana, the 2nd region), and so on.
Each Chakra should be worked 2-4 times per month. If this is
not possible extend the six month program out far enough to
accomplish this goal.
When all Chakras have been properly worked for one month
you may begin the next set of movements which include
intercourse as described in Secrets of Western Tantra, New
Falcon Publications, 1989.
BRIEF MEANINGS AND LOCATION OF
THE CHAKRAS
Ajna Chakra — #6 Located between the eyebrows. Relates to the
region of the Mind-Ether. The color is white. Beyond the notion
of dimensions. The pure Mind. Divine Union of personal self
with the Collective Self. Power to leave the body at will. The
ability of the True Seer.
Visuddha Chakra — #5 Location, the throat region. Relates to
Sound and Ether. Color is smoky purple. Power; freedom from
possession by worldly activities, complete knowledge is
obtained, of the past, present and future. Mandala is a circle.
Animal is elephant. The organ is the mouth.
Anahata Chakra — #4 Location, the heart region. Relates to the
Air. The sense of touch and feelings. Color of the petals is blood
red. Power of hearing with the inner ear of OM. Power to protect
and destroy the three worlds. Mandala is hexagram. Animal is
the antelope. Organ is the penis.
Manipuraka Chakra — #3 Location, the diaphragm-navel region.
Relates to Fire. The Sense is sight and "emotions." The color of
heavy rain clouds, dark blue. Power to create and destroy worlds
and the wealth of personal knowledge. Mandala is triangle.
Animal is the ram. Organ is the anus.
Svadhisthana Chakra — #2 Located slightly above the genital
region. The Sense is taste. Color on the petals is vermilion.
Relates to Water. Power of well reasoned discourse, or verse,
imagination. Freedom from enemies. Mandala is the crescent.
Animal is the alligator. Organ is the hand.
Muladhara Chakra — #1 Location, the anal area. Relates to the
earth. The sense is smell. Color is crimson. Power of Speech
and eternal knowledge. Mandala is the square. The animal is the
elephant. The organ is the feet.
Note: The locations given above reflect spheres of psycho/
bio/spiritual energy, which in fact are more sublime than the
physical regions mentioned. However, by focusing on these
areas you will achieve proper results.
EXERCISE 1
Go into a restaurant and find two items on the menu that you are in
the mood for (for example, an egg salad sandwich and a hamburger).
Order both of them and eat part of each. Alternate eating each of them
and quit one or both as soon as you are no longer in the mood for that
food. You can do the same with liquids (for example, tea and coffee).
EXERCISE 2
Call up some "friend" whose company you, in fact, do not enjoy
that much, someone who is not in fact fun for you to be with. Tell that
person that you have decided not to see him or her any more. Gutsy?
You bet. But undoing yourself means to have the courage to do that
which gives you pleasure and not do those things which are only duty
or habit.
EXERCISE 3
Take any one pattern and change it. The pattern can be the way
you comb your hair, the type of clothes you wear, the makeup you
use or don't use, the places you go or don't go, the type of movie,
book or TV show you watch, etc. Yes, you might be doing something
that is not enjoyable; but the idea is flexibility. By doing something
that is different, you are able to test whether you still don't like it (as
opposed to when you first made the decision). Our likes and dislikes
change with time and with experience. What you may have disliked at
one time may now be something that you enjoy—except that you
never discover that because you never try it.
EXERCISE 3-A
Do exercise 3 with the same pattern many times. Don't stop at
making the change just one time. Initially it is likely that your superego
will punish you for disobeying the internal law. It will put you in
mental jail. But just keep doing it until your internal cop shuts up.
When you can do it at will with no self-recrimination and no guilt,
then you can see if, in fact, you are not rather enjoying it.
EXERCISE 3-B
Take another pattern and do exercises 3-A and 3-B again. The
more times you do this with more set patterns, the more you will free
yourself.
EXERCISE 4
Find any building (preferably one with at least 10 floors) and ride
up and down the elevator. Each time someone gets in, start a conversation.
A good icebreaker is, "How has your day been going so far?"
If the person does not respond, then just go on talking about your own
day. The idea is to be able to destroy the beast that says "don't talk to
strangers" and "mind your own business."
EXERCISE 5
Do exercise 4 with people in line at a supermarket check out stand
or in a movie line. In the supermarket you can talk about the items in
the other person's shopping basket and at the movie you can talk
about the movie you are waiting to see or about other movies. There
is, however, one forbidden topic: that is, to talk about children. That
is too easy. Challenge yourself. Undo that punishing superego.
EXERCISE 6
Change your church habit. If you go every Sunday, then don't go
for several weeks. If you usually attend a particular church, go to
another one. If you never go to church, go to a different church each
week for several weeks.
EXERCISE 7
If you have a sexual partner, change your sexual behavior. If you
always initiate or always wait for the other, do the opposite. By the
way, the idea here is not to cause trouble; it is to undo yourself, not
the other person.
Before I bring up exercise 8, I need to add another pointer. When
doing any of these exercises (and in doing them with any particular
thing or way), there are two good indicators that you are on the right
path. One indicator is guilt, shame, or disapproval. The other is
anxiety
Before I bring up exercise 8, I need to add another pointer. When
doing any of these exercises (and in doing them with any particular
thing or way), there are two good indicators that you are on the right
path. One indicator is guilt, shame, or disapproval. The other is
anxiety.
Guilt, shame, and disapproval all arise from the superego.
When you "break an internal law," you usually feel some form of
guilt, shame or disapproval. If something is easy to do, it usually
means that you are not breaking one of your internal law. Like eating
cherry rather than chocolate ice cream, it is only a preference. You
could do the one as easily as the other.
Throughout this book Dr. Hyatt has been pointing out how many
things are stuffed into us by our parents, our teachers, or our society
and how little importance these things really have. To make this more
clear, let me introduce a topic I always use with my therapy patients.
It is the difference between the necessary and the happenstantial
(i.e., arbitrary-nonessential).
Something is necessary when it is required for a civilized society.
Things like don't steal, don't physically injure, don't play loud music
late at night that can disturb your neighbor; these things are necessary
for a civilized society. Most everything else is happenstantial. Do I
really mean that, for example, not having an extra-marital affair is
merely happenstantial? Yes, I do. I have never seen an instance where
it is beneficial in our society, but there have been societies where it is
expected and causes no problems. Do I mean having sex on your
front lawn is merely happenstantial? Yes, I do. Most all of what we
do is happenstantial. It is a custom (or even a law) in our society; but
it does not have to be.
What about things that are personally harmful like the use of some
drugs, or excess alcohol, or being overweight, or smoking, or a number
of other self-hurtful activities? Where do they fall?
Here we come to two tricky issues. One is the idea that you are
self-owned. The other is that the law is an ass with a monopoly on use
of guns to enforce their ownership of you.
***
I would not advocate any activity that is self-hurtful. But I would
also say that it needs to be a choice, not a compulsion. It is better to
live a shorter life with pleasure than to live a longer life with misery.
You are the owner of your own life and body and while your
choices may affect others (as for example you might embarrass your
children by your weight or your smoking or whatever) still, in the last
analysis, you own yourself and what you do with your own life and
body is ultimately an issue of self-ownership.
Usually we do things that are self-hurtful because these things fill
some internal need. These needs can be and often are, expressions of
the superego and thus are things to be undone. But that doesn't mean
that they must be from the superego.
Many times we are unable to do something because we lack the
will power, which is to say that we lack sufficient ego strength regarding
something. These "things" can be deep within our personality
but still be attacked by use of the exercises Dr. Hyatt has presented in
this book; they can also be attacked by the help of a professional or
through techniques such as weight-loss or stop-smoking systems.
As before, we have a valuable clue to when something which is
self-hurtful needs to be undone. If you don't like it in yourself, if you
feel ashamed about it, if you consider that you are less of a person for
it, then you are at war. Then you need either to change the thing of
which you disapprove or accept it.
A life lived in guilt, in self-loathing or self-disdain is a wasted life.
Undo the damage and get on with the joy of living.
That brings us to the ass with a gun, the law. Most law is immoral
and thus destructive. Most law should be repealed ("Do what thou
wilt shall be the whole of the law. Love is the law, love under will.")
But the fact is, the law exists and policemen are trained assassins. We
follow the law not because it is right or because it results in proper
behavior, but because the penalty for ignoring it is too severe. To give
a number, 95% of all law deals with the happenstantial, not the necessary.
But being murdered by a policeman or kidnapped and held
for the ransom of time (i.e., being put in jail) is too great a price to
pay. The issue in undoing yourself is to recognize that you are following
the law not because it is right, but because you don't want to be
shot or kidnapped for not following it. In short, law is violence, not
morality.
We have a final small issue. I mentioned that you know you are on
the right track when you feel guilt (shame, disapproval) or when you
feel anxiety. Why anxiety? Well, imagine that you are thinking of
doing something which you know is wrong (by your own moral system).
Would you be surprised that the thought makes you nervous or
anxious? No. When we are about to violate our own moral system,
our own internal policeman, we feel anxiety. That is simply the way
human beings are built. Anxiety is a signal of internal conflict. If you
like pasta and you have pasta for dinner, you don't have any anxiety
about the meal. If you think snails (escargot) are disgusting and you
are being asked to eat snails, you feel anxiety about whether you can
do it.
EXERCISE 8
Since we just mentioned food, that is exercise 8. Go to a restaurant
and order and eat some food that you think you hate. Even if you only
eat one bite, it is a start. You can always repeat the exercise at some
time in the future and eat two bites. At least you will learn that it will
not kill you to eat that food. You can also (exercise 1) order two
foods: one that you like and one that you hate and alternate bites.
***
Now, two hard ones. If you can get by these two you will really be
on your way to liberation.
EXERCISE 9
After a light dinner or lunch, go into the bathroom and gag yourself.
Many people find gagging to be totally unacceptable. But it is
neither illegal nor dangerous. It is just that abominable superego
holding up its own book of laws. If God only needed 10, humans
seem to need ten thousand.
To gag, simply put two fingers into your mouth and press on the
back of the tongue or touch the back of the throat. The idea is to let
the food come back so if you are closing your throat to prevent it or
making a "ugh" like sound at the gag then work to simply leave the
throat open so that the food in fact comes back up. It doesn't taste all
that good, but it sure doesn't hurt anything.
EXERCISE 10
Get a large piece of paper (newspaper will serve). Take a shit.
Take the shit out of the toilet and make a sculpture with the turds. Let
it dry.
Disgusting? Why? Simply because you have been taught from the
earliest days that shit is dirty. It is not. It is that over-inflated superego
that is giving you a kick in the ass (so to speak) and preventing you
from any contact with the product of your digestive system. Of course
don't eat it and be sure to wash your hands afterwards.
Well, now, if you have gotten this far and actually done all the
exercises you are a long way toward undoing yourself. From here on
it is both easy and more challenging. But I also have to add a note of
caution at this point. The superego is one powerful SOB. Like a rogue
cop, it will do anything, even to the extent of destroying you and thus
itself, in order to enforce its laws. It needs to be brought down, but it
also has to be respected for its power. Feelings of shame, disgust,
embarrassment, and guilt are its prime weapons. But fear is its ultimate
weapon. Anxiety, at a tolerable level, is a sign of progress—it is
a sign that you are challenging that nasty beast—but if the anxiety is
debilitating or preventing you from living the good life that you
deserve, then back off. Let the superego win the contest. There will
be another day and another challenge. Give yourself permission to let
that irrational law (superego) stand for now with the secure knowl
edge that in the end it will be your Will, not your forced actions (your
superego), that will be victorious.
EXERCISE 11
You have already tried a new food. Now let's go at that shopping
habit—or the lack of a shopping habit. Adjust this exercise for your
budget.
If you are a shopper, don't buy anything (except food and
medicine and the like) for a period of one month or until you notice a
strong impulse to shop. See how long you can go without buying
anything. Last year's clothes will still be usable this year. If you
really really really think that this will cause you trouble at work ("Oh,
look she or he is wearing last year's styles!") then buy as little as is
possible (and I mean it—don't use style as an excuse; it must be truly
needed to not cause stares or gossip at work).
If you are not a shopper, then go out and get or do something that
you absolutely regard as a luxury (budget considered).
EXERCISE 12
As you do this exercise, see how nervous, edgy, apprehensive you
become. If you can do either or both parts of this exercises with no
hesitation, no nervousness, then you are a gem in the rough. You have
wondrous personal flexibility.
If you consider yourself to be a polite or considerate person, then
be rude for a day. The variants are endless. Bump into people on the
street and blame them for the collision. Eat a lot of garlic and then
stand close to people when you talk. Walk up to strangers and tell
them their clothes or hairdo or jewelry or whatever is ugly.
Caution: we are taught from the age of two to say "please", "thank
you", etc. A hundred years ago the great sin was sex. Today the great
sin is anger. If this exercise raises too much anxiety, back off and do
it by small degrees. Do one rude thing one time and then let yourself
relax back to your normal way of being. Then try two times. Work up
to a full day. Then work up to two days in a row.
If you consider yourself to be aggressive or easily angered or a
"stand up for your rights" person, then be ultra polite for a day. Walk
up to strangers, either gender, and tell him or her how nice he or she
looks, etc. This is not a pick up or a come on; it is an exercise. So
make the statement and just walk away. Don't wait for a response.
Get some food at a fast food place and return to the counter to tell
the counter person how wonderful the food was. At the supermarket,
let three people go before you in the line saying that you are in no
hurry to get out. Buy a pair of tickets to a movie (assuming you can
afford it) and give them to someone else in line, saying that you
changed your mind and you would really like them to use these
tickets.
These examples of rude and polite are just examples. There are
many more you can think of along the same lines. The more you do
this exercise, the more it will prepare you for the last one.
***
You have now taken a swipe at that overblown, tyrannical superego.
Hopefully, you now have some personal, experiential insight
into how much of our lives, as humans, is ruled by this internal monster.
But, before I begin the next exercise I would like to include a
little diversion to show how much of your life is ruled by that lawgiver
inside your head.
As this contribution to Dr. Hyatt's Undoing Yourself was being
written, the attack on the New York World Trade Center and the
Pentagon occurred. What struck me most about people's response
was the phrase used again and again when people on the street where
interviewed: "I don't know what to feel."
Think about that. What does that oft-repeated phrase mean?
"I don't know what to feel." Why does one need to "know what to
feel?" Isn't feeling simply there or not? Isn't a feeling automatic and
you do not need to know ahead of time "what to feel?" Interestingly,
no. Feelings are not automatic; and they are more often than is realized
the result of the superego, the supposed to feel.
How often do we fake feelings? I don't mean just lie about them or
hide them, I mean fake in the sense of create for personal or interpersonal
display. There are actually two parts to this tyranny. The superego
can create emotions for personal or inter-personal display or it
can squelch emotions that are "unacceptable."
Dr. Hyatt has amply demonstrated how this internal policeman—
and a brutal and sadistic cop it is—gets stuffed into young and pliable
minds.
The purpose of his energized meditation and body work is designed
to help you put that cop in jail, perhaps in solitary confinement.
The purpose of my contribution to Dr. Hyatt's fine work is to
give you some personal experience of how much of your life, your
actions, your choices, and your emotions are ruled by this tyrant.
Psychological researchers in emotion call these superego dictates
"display rules." Different cultures have different display rules and
thus different emotional responses to the same situation. An interesting
study was done in Japan.
Japan has a very group-dependent culture. Group consensus is a
high social value. The researchers selected a film which would result
in the emotion of disgust.
Disgust is one of the half dozen or so emotions which have been
identified as showing on the face and which are comparatively culture
independent. Using a hidden camera, they videotaped a subject
watching the film. As expected, the subject's face showed the characteristic
pattern of disgust. Then they introduced another person into
the film studio and this person was told to have no reaction to the
film. In the mere presence of another person, not interacting, not
talking, the Japanese subject seeing the same film now showed no
reaction.1 The display rules for acting or reacting in the presence of
another person took precedence over the display of any emotion.
Why? That superego. The social display rules say you only display an
emotion when it is permitted by the group (of two).
If you like to quibble, you could say: well he felt disgust, he just
did not show it. It is a question of some interest to researchers
whether one can "have an emotion" and yet not show it. At best, this
represents a repression of affect and, for some theories, it says very
explicitly that there was no emotion.
In truth, you are already probably very familiar with this aspect of
emotion; you just never identified it as such. If you go to a performance
(concert, play, etc.), don't you have the tendency to react the
same way other people around you are reacting? Why do television
shows add a "laugh track"? They do so to tell you when you are supposed
to laugh because others are laughing. If the fabricated audience—
the laugh track—finds the dialog funny, then you are supposed
to also. If the superego did not demand that you think it funny because
other people think it funny, then television producers would not
add the laugh track.
But then, too, there are oppositional people. Their superego demands
that they react in an opposite way. The superego not only supplies
the demanded response, it also supplies the excuse: you are an
independent thinker. You go your own way. You decide for yourself.
You are a person of taste. You are a highbrow or a lowbrow.1 You
think for yourself. You don't follow the crowd. The superego
demands, and then provides, the excuse why it is laudatory.2
But, as the superego creates emotions, it also does the opposite. If
you get angry at work you often don't display it because it could get
you in trouble.3 The superego can create emotion and it can prevent
it. One more example. Many years ago I was actively involved in
politics. Of course, we ran the mandatory opinion polls to see what
was important to the voters. We stopped after just a few of these
because we already knew the answer. What was important, according
to the polls, was whatever had been in the newspaper headlines in the
last few days. People tend to think or feel what they are told is important
or appropriate to think or feel.
I'll repeat that point: THE SUPEREGO CAN CREATE
EMOTION AND IT CAN PREVENT IT!
As you work through these exercises and the energized meditation
that Dr. Hyatt has provided, you are changing your superego and thus
your feelings. As a matter of fact, one of the hallmarks of the person
acting at a higher level of psychological development4 is that his
thinking or evaluation of a situation and his emotions (body state)
come to be in greater harmony. That is actually a measure you can
use to watch your progression through energized meditation to what
Scientologists call "clear."
As you develop, you will find less and less conflict between your
thinking and your emotions.
This, of course, does not mean that we can escape display rules; it
only means that we will display or not display an emotion based on
our rational conviction of its appropriateness. It is certainly not
appropriate to do the rude exercise at work and it is not, generally,
appropriate to display anger at work. That is part of our culture and
the price for violation is high.
EXERCISE 13
There is going to be a final exercise, a real hard one, but to prepare
you for it I would like to add the following energized meditation to
Dr. Hyatt's list.
The purpose of this meditation is to teach you how to identify your
emotions. First, you will have to take on faith until you experience it
yourself, that it is extremely rare for us to have only one emotion at a
time. Sometimes we are vaguely aware of this melange of emotion.
When we are asked, "How do you feel about X?" we sometimes honestly
answer "I don't know. I feel all kinds of ways." As a rule of
thumb, at any given moment, you have about a dozen ongoing emotions.
This exercise—and some will be very good at it almost immediately
and others will have to practice at some length—is designed to
aid you in identifying not only what all those emotions are, but where
in your life they came from. (The current situation is only the stimulus
to the recall of past emotion.1)
Broadly speaking, there are three modes of thinking: visual, auditory,
and kinesthetic (see Monsters and Magical Sticks: There's No
Such Thing as Hypnosis?, Steven Heller, New Falcon Publications,
1987). Some people think in pictures. Other people think in words.
Still others are best at sensing their own body states and "go with
their gut." Here we have to call on at least two of these three. We start
with the body (that is where emotion is) and then apply either pictures
or words for the next step. Either method can work, so use the one
that is easiest for you.
This exercise can be done at any time. It is best done when you are
otherwise emotionally calm, but the better you get at it with practice,
the more you can use it. You can be having a morning cup of coffee,
jogging, watching a TV program, talking on the phone. Any time is
fine (except driving a car where it can easily distract you).
Step 1: Find any part of your body where you can sense some tension.
It can be an arm, a leg, your back, your jaw, anywhere in your
body.
Step 2: Identify that tension with an emotive word or phrase. If
your preferred method of thinking is kinesthetic, then ask yourself:
what does that part of my body want to do if it could act on its own?
If your preferred method of thinking is visual, then picture a blackboard
and let the emotion (the tension) write a word on that blackboard.
For example: You might find tension in your calf. If that calf could
act on its own—if it had its own will—it might want to run (i.e., to
flee, anxiety), or it might want to kick a ball (i.e., have fun, enjoyment),
or it might want to kick out (i.e., anger).
For another example, the tension is in your shoulders. What do
your shoulders want to do? Perhaps, shrug (I don't know, I don't care,
leave me alone, annoyance). Perhaps rise to your head like a turtle
pulling in its head (fear). Perhaps move your arms to reach out
(lonely, need reassurance, need tenderness, want to be held). Perhaps
move your arms to strike out (anger). Perhaps to pull them back as in
a military posture (courage, determination, stubbornness).
You do not have to identify the emotion exactly; sometimes it is an
emotive or action phrase as opposed to a word.
Step 3: Now take that emotion/tension and spread it over your
whole body. I liken this to pouring a can of paint at the top of a wall
and watching it gradually move down the wall covering it all in the
color. Again this can be done visually or kinesthetically. You can see
the tension spreading through your body or you can feel that specific
tension spread over your whole body.
Step 4: Holding that spread tension (emotion) state, now again
scan your body for a new area of tension. While it can be in the same
place as before, that is rare and you should try to find a tension in
some other part of the body. Once you have found that new tension,
again find an emotive word or phrase that describes the new tension.
Almost always, on this second emotion, you will spontaneously
recover a memory of when these two emotions occurred together in
your life. It is that past scene to which you are currently responding
and the issue of undoing yourself is to see how that past event either
participated in causing the present event, or how the past event
pushed you toward a specific response to the present event.
There is no reason to stop at two areas of tension. If two does not
get you to a memory, try for a third pass (identify, grow, scan, identify).
There is also no reason to stop at one set of emotions. As I mentioned,
at any given moment we generally have about a dozen ongoing
emotions (areas of body tension). The more you do this, the better
at it you will get and the more you will be able to unscrew the inscrutable.
EXERCISE 14
And now a final exercise, lucky 14. This is an exercise for the rest
of your life.
It is the most exacting, requiring the most integrity (integrity is
honesty turned inward: the refusal to lie to yourself about yourself).
Make a list of every trait of yours you can think of. Keep the list
handy and keep adding to it over time. To give you an idea, here is a
list I constructed from one of my Reichian patients:
1. gets bored easily when reading
2. demands proper manners from his children
3. has trouble concentrating, tends to go off in his mind to
other subjects
4. uses humor to make friends
5. looks to effort rather than results (if he works hard, he is
doing it right, irrespective of the outcome)
6. pays little attention to his clothes
7. has very limited ability to sense his body
8. is polite
9. has a very active social life
10. is a very attentive father
11. treats life as a series of tasks
12. does not make long range plans
13. is forgetful
14. has trouble with anger
15. has a relatively low (for his age) sex drive
16. generally wants his wife to initiate sex
17. remembers anniversaries, birthdays, etc.
18. is compliant rather than assertive
19. sometimes drinks too much at parties
20. occasionally uses recreational drugs at parties
21. is willing to lie to protect someone's feelings
Now, with your list, for each of the traits or ways of being, try to
do the opposite for a few days. Notice the anxiety (either in planning
or in executing). Apply exercise 13 to find out where the pattern came
from. Like healthy eating or exercise, exercise 14 is something you
should plan for as part of your life from here on.
With time you will add things to your list. For example, something
you notice for the first time or something someone else may have said
or pointed out. Simply add it to your list. You can analyze it later.
DON'T DECIDE AHEAD OF TIME THAT IT IS IMPORTANT
OR UNIMPORTANT. DON'T DECIDE AHEAD OF TIME THAT
WHAT THAT PERSON SAID ABOUT YOU IS NOT TRUE.
Just add it to the list and then challenge it. If you can challenge it
without a hint of anxiety or guilt or remorse, then you can perhaps
mark it off the list. But better to challenge than to let that superego
daemon run your life.
No doubt there are traits of which you approve. Let's say, courtesy.
Nothing wrong with it, as long as it is not a compulsion, as long
as it is something you can put on and take off as the situation demands.
But, if you can't see how to break the pattern, then you are a
victim, not of society but of your own internal cop.
