God Helmet

[Jhanananda]

The developers of the "god helmet" do study mystics, but they themselves do not appear to be mystics.

The "God Helmet" refers to an experimental apparatus originally called the "Koren helmet" after its inventor Stanley Koren. It was developed by Koren and neuroscientist Michael Persinger to study creativity and the effects of subtle stimulation of the temporal lobes.[1] Reports by participants of a "sensed presence" while wearing the God helmet brought public attention and resulted in several TV documentaries.[2] The device has been used in Persinger's research in the field of neurotheology, the study of the neural correlates of religion and spirituality. The apparatus, placed on the head of an experimental subject, generates very weak fluctuating magnetic fields, that Persinger refers to as "complex." These fields are approximately as strong as those generated by a land line telephone handset or an ordinary hair dryer, but far weaker than that of an ordinary refrigerator magnet and approximately a million times weaker than transcranial magnetic stimulation.[3]
Persinger reports that many subjects have reported "mystical experiences and altered states"[4] while wearing the God Helmet. The foundations of his theory have been criticised in the scientific press,[5] anecdotal reports by journalists,[6] academics[7][8] and documentarists[9] have been mixed and the effects reported by Persinger have not been independently replicated. The only attempt at replication published in the scientific literature reported a failure to reproduce Persinger's effects and the authors proposed that the suggestibility of participants, improper blinding of participants or idiosyncratic methodology could explain Persinger's results.[10] Persinger argues that the replication was technically flawed,[8][11] but the Swedish researchers have stood by their replication.[12]”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_helmet

A few years ago I sent off emails to every researcher who claimed to be doing research on meditation states, religious experiences, and mysticism.  I wanted to bring their attention to my research, which was, before we can study meditation states, religious experiences, and mysticism, we need to understand what it is.  Being a poly-math genius with a 40 year technical career, and 40 years studying meditation states, religious experiences, and mysticism, you would think these researchers would be very interested in my research.  Not one of them was.

So, Jhanon, this forum is a place where people who have experience with meditation states, religious experiences, and mysticism post their case histories and discuss their experiences.  Where do you think a researcher who is genuinely interested in studying meditation states, religious experiences, and mysticism would most likely find subjects to study?

[Cal]

I am not sure how sensitive a subject this may be, so instead of beating around the bush, what the hell is this "god helmet"? How is it capable of producing mentally induced charisms? Should we study this? It's implications could be very negative in regards to the GWV. Not that I really give a shit what others outside of here think. I know what I know, is real. Yet, could this device be used as a tool to amplify an already intensely "Radiant" mystic? I can't confirm without a doubt, yet I believe at different times I have felt some of you here, present, while I was absorbed. With that said, some of you are blissfully "intense" (In regards to aura). Just thought Id ask, have a great night GWV. 

[Jhanon]

Believe it or not, I had an interesting thought earlier about this. I used to own one, and I remember they were very explicit "Do not meditate while using it. Just let go and relax." Think about that.

(My best meditations have been preceded by discipline, set, setting, and letting go/relaxing.)

If you don't know, their experiments were very specific. They put people in a complete dark room in a comfortable chair in silence and they were told to relax. How often does that happen in ordinary life for most people?

I am beginning to think that they may have completely missed the point.

[Cal]

Hmm, so you imply that the helmet is false? Ahh, yes, a meditation object...hmmm

Believe it or not, I had an interesting thought earlier about this. I used to own one, and I remember they were very explicit "Do not meditate while using it. Just let go and relax." Think about that.

(My best meditations have been preceded by discipline, set, setting, and letting go/relaxing.)

If you don't know, their experiments were very specific. They put people in a complete dark room in a comfortable chair in silence and they were told to relax. How often does that happen in ordinary life for most people?

I am beginning to think that they may have completely missed the point.

They tricked the mind into absorption...hmmm.

[Jhanon]

I can't say the helmet does nothing. I can only say that they, perhaps inadvertently, produced set, setting, expectation, and a small measure of discipline. Note, again, this is the same mechanic by which psychedelics can produce experiences strikingly similar to samadhi--with DMT (the only known human endogenous psychedelic chemical) being the forerunner in similarity, in my experience.

It should be noted I used their 8-coil Shakti device, not the "God helmet" and not it's 16-coil Shiva consumer counterpart. I lost interest after 4 or 5 sessions, although I did (in retrospect) experience 2nd jhana strength tactile charism once while "using" it. This was before the GWV educated and shared their radiant presence with me.

While this is interesting, it likely constitutes as idle chatter or self-indulgence to discuss.
However, I think it is important, as members of the only known comprehensive meditative absorption sangha currently, that we should be aware of these avenues through which future proto-mystics will come. You will note this in the case of your friend

Any further discussion will probably need to be moved to a different or new thread. I apologize if I have caused this.

[Jhanananda]

Please note friends, that I split the God Helmet topic off from electromagnetic healing and merged it with an earlier investigation of this topic under meditation research.  My argument all along with the developers of the God Helmet is they never bothered to study meditation states and religious experiences.  All they did is develop a toy for transcranial stimulation, and inferred that doing so would produce a meditation state and/or religious experience. 

My argument has been meditation states and religious experiences are not electromagnetic in nature.  Also, no one has bothered to prove that brain waves have any relationship to meditation states and religious experiences.  Therefore why should we believe that transcranial stimulation will result in a meditation state and/or religious experience?

[Cal]

Yea Jhanon, it is good observation that others may look for answers after feeling thier aura, if in fact that is the case. However, in the case of my friend, he was searching for answers after a natural occurrence. Surprisingly he related it to Indigo children.

Jhanananda, you bring up a good point. If one choose to disprove something with science, they must first prove, what they attempt to disprove, with science. Wow, the reciprocity.

Also, sorry for not searching further on the forum for this topic. Thanks got putting it where it belongs

[Jhanon]

Yea Jhanon, it is good observation that others may look for answers after feeling thier aura, if in fact that is the case. However, in the case of my friend, he was searching for answers after a natural occurrence. Surprisingly he related it to Indigo children.

Jhanananda, you bring up a good point. If one choose to disprove something with science, they must first prove, what they attempt to disprove, with science. Wow, the reciprocity.

Your friend began with psychedelics. He most likely wouldn't have experienced what he did if he hadn't. That's basically how I ended up a mystic here at the GWV. You'd have to know what they are capable of to see what I'm saying.

[Cal]

Yea he has used phychedelic. Yet to my knowledge this was years back. He and I are very similar, yet I've never used a phychedelic. We both have Religous experiences.

I've pointed him to the GWV, he reads here from time to time. He's taken up a meditation practice and is aware of his aura, most likely jhana 1. I think it is safe to say that he has always been a contemplative. I am very happy for him. he also quit using tabbacco as well.

[Jhanon]

That's great news. Yeah, psychedlics are a common thread, although they can be dangerous. I have mystic friends who used psych's, and then had awakenings 2-8 years after use. This is why shamanism has a place in all of this. They "break" the mind away from obsessive and habitual thinking, like jhana does. This allows greater ease to have an "open mind." Some people take a while. Although there are many threads in a tapestry, of course.

Okay, let's nail this down. When you say "aura" you are describing the "space presence" around the body. It's also called the mantle or cloak. There is a GWV article on it. The presence INSIDE the body is the non-physical body or tactile charism or even the "breath body". It has many names. So, when you say "aura", you are referring to the feeling of a cloak or presence surrounding the exterior of the body?

Tactile nimitta
The members of the Jhana Support Group (JSG) have found there are other charismatic phenomena (jhana-nimitta) that are associated with absorption.  In fact it seems that every sense can produce its own characteristic charismatic phenomena (charism).  Those who report charismatic phenomena in the tactile field have described a wide range of phenomena.  One of the most common phenomena reported is an increase of sensation in the area of any of the higher chakras.

The chakras are psychic centers that are commonly described in various yoga sutras.  These psychic centers are located on or near the heart, throat, between the eyebrows and crown of head.  The tactile sensation that is often reported is a sense of vibration, or heat, or a tickle, a crawling sensation or a “fuzziness” in the area of the body that is associated with one of the “higher” chakras.

The secondary charismatic phenomena that are less frequently associated with the tactile field are a sensation in the hands and feet that are very much likened to the classic “stigmata” of the Christian mystics.  While no one on the JSG has reported bleeding or open sores developing in the areas of their hands and feet, those who experience these charismatic phenomena have on occasion reported that these sensations can even become painful in advanced stages of absorption.

Other tactile phenomena that are commonly associated with absorption are a sensation as if one were wearing a cloak. Christian mystics have referred to this experience as the “mantle of God.” It is believed this manifestation is feeling one’s aura. Others have reported feeling their acupuncture meridians.  And, others have reported feeling a sensation around the head where a hatband would fall.  Perhaps this is the “halo” that is often depicted in medieval Christian iconography, and was referred to as “tongues of fire” in the Christian Gospels.

http://www.greatwesternvehicle.org/jhananimitta.htm

[Cal]

Yup, mhm 

[Jhanananda]

Your friend began with psychedelics. He most likely wouldn't have experienced what he did if he hadn't. That's basically how I ended up a mystic here at the GWV. You'd have to know what they are capable of to see what I'm saying.

Many of us mystics first used psychedelics, which gave us some advantages in finding the religious experience through meditation; however, I do not believe it is necessary to use psychedelics to become a mystic.

[Jhanon]

Yup, mhm 

That is very interesting you had an opioid addiction, and yet prefer the external tactile presence over the internal.

As an aside; I owe you gratitude for making me more aware of the "aura." It's like a comfort blanket. Combined with the internal tactile, I have found it to be a powerful refuge.

[Jhanon]

Your friend began with psychedelics. He most likely wouldn't have experienced what he did if he hadn't. That's basically how I ended up a mystic here at the GWV. You'd have to know what they are capable of to see what I'm saying.

Many of us mystics first used psychedelics, which gave us some advantages in finding the religious experience through meditation; however, I do not believe it is necessary to use psychedelics to become a mystic.

I agree, Jhananda. I tried to make that clear by saying "they are dangerous" and "many threads to a tapestry" so that you wouldn't have to state that. I'll be more direct in the future, because I see now that I wasn't. I only mean that I don't wish to cause you anymore "duty" than I already have.

[Cal]

Yup, mhm 

That is very interesting you had an opioid addiction, and yet prefer the external tactile presence over the internal.

As an aside; I owe you gratitude for making me more aware of the "aura." It's like a comfort blanket. Combined with the internal tactile, I have found it to be a powerful refuge.

Hmm I never thought of it like that. I think everything just lined up with the stoppage of the Opiods. I can't honestly say that I've even thought of absorption as a refuge. I've never thought of anything as "refuge" (ego). For me it's been a life of aimless wandering until the charisms. Now I feel there is means of cessation to aimlessness. An avenue for focus! And you showed me, buddy. I just wish I knew how to show gratitude. My was has always been to dive in head first, hit my head hard, then tell someone hey you're gonna hit your head (identity)