We thank Stuart Hameroff for detailing the intellectual history of the Orch OR model. However, re-rooting its foundations in a form of monism begs more questions than it answers. Even ignoring the problematic conclusion that—then—all forms of matter (rocks, air, grass, protozoa etc.) have minds, we still find it hard to understand how his mind-component of matter influences the...
Adult asthmatics, ranging from 19 to 52 years from an asthma and allergy clinic in a university setting volunteered to participate in the study. The 17 students were randomly divided into yoga (9 subjects) and nonyoga control (8 subjects) groups. The yoga group was taught a set of breathing and relaxation techniques including breath slowing exercises (pranayama), physical postures (yogasanas),...
In two experiments, we investigated physiological correlates of transcendental consciousness during Transcendental Meditation sessions. In the first, experimenter-initiated bells, based on observed physiological patterns, marked three phases during a Transcendental Meditation session in 16 individuals. Interrater reliability between participant and experimenter classification of experiences at...
This thesis explores a traditional Native model of healing. This holistic approach to healing is based on Native philosophy which integrates the physical, the emotional, the mental and the spiritual aspects of being for the person to be healthy, balanced and in harmony. The healing process incorporates an experiential approach based on shamanic techniques of healing including breath work or...
It is difficult to appreciate and understand Sufism fully without an informed exposure to the expressive cultural forms that help define and enhance it. It is this dimension of Islamic mysticism that transports the seeker on the path of spiritual attainment into higher states of consciousness that promise spiritual intoxication (Wajd) and a unique and intimate union, even annihilation (fanā),...
Michael Faraday (1791-1867) was a protégé of Humphry Davy. He became one of Davy's successors as Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution of Great Britain. Of Faraday's many brilliant discoveries in chemistry and physics, probably the best remembered today is his work on electromagnetic induction. Faraday's contribution to introduction of anesthesia was his published announcement in 1818...
Abdominal rather than chest breathing is the preferred breathing technique for psychosomatic adjustment and development of cosmic consciousness.One of the features of abdominal breathing in the East is that the length of expiration is longer than that of inspiration.Another feature of abdominal breathing is that breathing is slow and deep.As breathing skill and meditation abilities increase,...
To the Editor.— Descriptions of the experience of surviving near-death events are entertaining,1but should be interpreted with caution. Report of a Case.— A 40-year-old woman with normal findings on physical examination except for breakaway weakness and nonanatomic sensory loss, underwent myelography for long-term lower back pain. Immediately after subarachnoid instillation of iohexol she...
This article describes a process of psychological transformation of a former Soviet defector. After years of alienation and angry denunciation of the Soviet system, he renews his contact with his family, still living in Siberia. This creates a state of tension and "dis-ease" which he at first attempts to relieve through conventional therapeutic means and then through a renewed sense of...
In a study designed to identify the electrophysiologic characteristics of the Transcendental Meditation Program, 52 periods of spontaneous respiratory suspension (RS) were observed in 18 subjects during the practice of this program. These periods were correlated with some but not all the subjective experiences of pure consciousness. Nineteen RS periods (belonging to 11 subjects) free from any...