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Editor note: Part 2 is a tribute to what can show up as response to an authentic query. This time from a woman who is inquiring into the energetic dynamics with her teacher; wondering what is real and how she'd know. The responses are mostly from Gene Poole's font of clear insight about the nature of our connectivity (the quantum or 'Alterbrain' - with an amazing link), the responsibility of a teacher, root chakra damage, confronting our 'way of Being, morality, and personal responsibility. Very little has been cut from these dialogues, so this is a longer edition. May they serve.   Nbe: I have been asked to preserve anonymity, so the questioner is referred to as "~".  

Gene Poole's three letters:  

1. I have been following the discussion around your experiences with your teacher. I would like to address a point or two which you have brought up.   Your overall questions seem to be a request for knowledge, rather than a request to resolve the interpersonal issues of which you speak.   I wish there were resources available on the web to help explain the phenomenon you have questions about, but I have been unable to find any.   In brief, the 'human brain', which seems to the the 'seat of consciousness', has another, as-yet undiscovered (by western science) set of 'powers'.   These 'powers' are always in use in everyone, but 'in the background', usually not sensed.   It is entirely possible (as I well know!) for any reasonably aware and intelligent person to gain access to those powers, to put them to deliberate use.   The traditional set of Yogic instructions (not Hatha Yoga) entailed gaining conscious control of these systems. There is not yet an equivalent set of descriptors in wide enough use in western science to make this concept available easily. See:   <http://www.innerx.net/personal/tsmith/QuanCon.html>   Essentially, the 'hidden powers' are functions of quantum resonance within what are called 'microtubules', which are little-known parts of the brain. Each person 'is a transmitter and receiver' and usually knows it not.   In my own internal dialog, I refer to all of this as the 'Alterbrain', or 'alternative brain'. My Alterbrain speaks directly to yours; the two of us are linked in what may be experienced as 'sexual' (better related as 'Tantrik') flow/counterflow negotiations, always. This is an ongoing communication.   Someday perhaps, if the 'powers that be' can be distracted long enough, this information can be publicized. Knowledge is power; in this case, the power to defend yourself against 'psychic hackers', and undue influence by manipulative social control systems, secular or religious.   Humans are already 'networked psychically'; it is unavoidable, we are made that way. However, it is possible for a person to promote oneself to the status of 'system administrator' in the network of humans. Many Gurus and teachers, actors, politicians, etc, have done this, and are able to exert powerful influence among humans.   In truth, it is possible for a person to exert or create almost any conceivable effect, almost anything that can be imagined can be done. It is not particularly difficult for a skilled person to exert overwhelming influence over other people, animals, insects, and the surrounding local environment.   The Vast Living Universe stands ready to mutate to serve us; it already is in service, but the scope of the usual human perspective removes conscious awareness of this. We live entirely by Grace (for free) but delude ourselves that we 'earn' our way as we go. We are all endowed with the machinery necessary to control the local Universe; and this can be extended to control of other people.   It is as though, we all contain a 'remote control' unit, which is actually part and parcel of the target system. Because there is nowhere to hide, a person will either remain blissfully ignorant of these things, or will attempt in some way, to master them. I suggest the latter path.   It is possible to learn how these things work; and it is possible to 'erect an effective firewall' (stateful) against hackers, benign or otherwise.   If you are interested in gaining deep and intimate knowledge of these things, please reply to this letter, onlist.   PS: You may print this letter an give it to your teacher. Chances are, he will understand and agree with what I have put forth.  

2 Gene Poole   ~ Hi Gene, Yeah I'm interested in gaining knowledge of this stuff! The stuff with the teacher is confusing, but the reason I'm in the class is to find out as much as I can about consciousness and to learn how to transcend my identification with my body. The class has been interesting, but in my opinion he isn't going deep enough and there are only 2 weeks left. Thanks.  

GP: There is a chance that your Teacher is compassionately NOT confronting you, about how you are able to _maintain_ your ignorance of these things.   A direct, head-to-head confrontation could produce unwanted (yet not necessarily inhibiting) consequences; namely, that you would be hurt or offended, and depart, thus to possibly spread rumors which could hurt the rep of the teacher. Another possibility is that your Teacher understands that you are not 'ready' to be open to what you think you are asking for.   In any event, there is a script of sorts, which I would like you to become aware of. It occurs frequently between 'teacher and student' and it goes like this:  

_1: Teacher demonstrates (by action) or speaks what is essentially a challenge for the recipient (the student).   The student could respond by saying, deliberately:   "I do not understand".   _2: If the student is ABLE to respond, clearly and deliberately, to the demonstration (in your case, the psychic touch by your teacher) by saying "I do not understand... (how that happened, etc)", the teacher may then proceed to deliberately fill in the blanks, thus 'teaching' as per the agreement.   _3: If the student is NOT able to respond in a clear and direct way to the challenge, the teacher will know certain things. These are:   _a: The student has made self _oblivious_ to what is interpreted as 'anomalies of the sensorium' by the student.   There is usually only one reason for this (non- response) by the student, and that is FEAR that something bad, which happened before, will happen again. There is little difference between 'psychic rape' and physical rape, as experienced by a very young child; but the memory of 'invasion' as carried by the child/adult, has gone unchallenged until now. This is the real issue, IMO. An overly pushy, invasive adult/parent may cause the 'root chakra' of the very young child to 'slam shut'; this is a very common event. The result is an adult child who is seriously 'malnourished' for the energies which would gate through the (closed) 'chakra'.   _b: The teacher has 'found' (by probing) the very center of the fears of the student; and that by carefully 'zeroing in' on this area, the student can be relieved of what could otherwise be a lifetime of self-imposed blindness/identification.   It can take a long time (as some of our participants can tell you) for a person to become free enough to look openly at 'what seemed to happen' (as recorded by memory) and thus to be able to convert that 'false memory' into 'what actually happened'.   _c: Teacher can be aware that HE could be the next, of a long line of 'victimizers' who inhabit the memory of the student, all by arrangement of the student, who needs 'victimizers' to maintain the identity of 'victim'.   'Victim' identity imparts certain 'powers', chiefly that of 'righteous slayer of evil', as powered by resentment and outrage. This situation is one which I have learned, by experience, to avoid.   (I have actually had people run screaming from the room, later to report to friends, that I had 'tried to hypnotize' or 'brainwash', or even that I have 'the demonic power of satan'. A group setting is safer for the teacher, but still does not guarantee that 'fatal misunderstandings' will not occur. In other 'traditions', it occurs that the touch of the Teacher will 'cause' the student to lose consciousness, have a prolonged psychotic experience, stagger about like one demented, etc... do you know of this? )   You had written earlier, in response to Michael:  

~I'm just confused about what is real and what is not. Nobody (that I've talked to at least) has ever said that people can zap with energy from their eyes. Can people put "thoughts" into your mind by shaking your hand? It seemed like he did that too. Can people look at a person and know stuff? How come when I was looking at him one time his face changed into a kids face? Why does my body burn sometimes? How come when he was crying about his dog one time my heart chakra started really burning like hell? Could he tell you think? What the fuck is going on? Where can I find out about these things? I don't get it!  

GP: he answers to most of the above questions is "Yes".   The question being put to you is this: Now that you have directly experienced this demonstration, which proves to you that there is a vast spectrum of 'knowledge and experience' which you do not (yet) have, are you willing to open yourself to understanding WHY you do not know about these things?   That is the real question; how have you managed to NOT know about this stuff? The emotion expressed in your letters (as above) denotes that this 'stuff' is far outside the range of your experience, yet, you are seeking such knowledge. Are you open, to coming to understand HOW you have avoided such experience before now?   Such experiences are daily, even continuous, for many people. You can take my word on this. Yet, our cultures forbid the words, concepts, and experiences, punishable by various unpleasant and fearful means.   There is actually NO penalty for knowing about this stuff, or for having such experiences. Knowing about this stuff, and having such experiences, is the same as knowing that there is no penalty.   The choice is yours. Are you willing to confront you own 'way of Being', which has kept you safely isolated from the full spectrum of 'human possibilities'?   That seems to be the question.   Please reply onlist; this can be a very fruitful discussion for everyone.     PS: Did you follow the link I provided (quoted below)? If so... what impressions do you have?  

Response from questioner:   ~ I'll try to answer your questions and be a little bit more specific this time. I don't think I was very clear before.  

GP: _3: If the student is NOT able to respond in a clear and direct way to the challenge, the teacher will know certain things. These are:   _a: The student has made self _oblivious_ to what is interpreted as 'anomalies of the sensorium' by the student.  

~ He shook my hand, but was also walking away while he was doing it. If I had wanted to respond in any way I wouldn't have been able to because he was out the door. Also, when he shook my hand it felt like there was a warm energy and a sexual energy. The picture I had in my head was that the shake was really more of a lingering caress and the idea that "we" needed to wait until school was out. My confusion was not about energy being transmitted (though that was the strongest, wierdest energy I have ever felt), it was about my interpretation of the content. I'm very attracted to this guy, so it isn't out of the realm of possibility that it was wishful thinking on my part. But, it really didn't seem like that, it seemed real. The next time I saw him was on Monday, in a classroom situation. It seemed like he was looking at me, then glancing away really fast when I looked at him. I was hoping for some kind of "clue" from him about how I should interpret the handshake. I never really got one until Wednesday. When I looked at him that day his gaze seemed unguarded, I got the impression that what I was thinking (that he is attracted to me) was true. He held my gaze for a few seconds, then looked away. Then I felt warm energy which seemed to have sexual undertones in my head. I perceived it to be energy from an external source. Again, I can't be sure.  

GP: You had written earlier, in response to Michael: ~ Can people put "thoughts" into your mind by shaking your hand? It seemed like he did that too. Can people look at a person and know stuff? How come when I was looking at him one time his face changed into a kids face? Why does my body burn sometimes? How come when he was crying about his dog one time my heart chakra started really burning like hell? Could he tell you think? What the fuck is going on? Where can I find out about these things? I don't get it!   GP: The answers to most of the above questions is "Yes".   The question being put to you is this: Now that you have directly experienced this demonstration, which proves to you that there is a vast spectrum of 'knowledge and experience' which you do not (yet) have, are you willing to open yourself to understanding WHY you do not know about these things?  

~ I know about these things from the perspective of experiences I've had before. What I don't always know is what they mean, and how they happen. For instance, when my heart chakra was burning, I knew it had happened before and that it happens fairly frequently. It had never been so strong, so "big" or burned so much. What I didn't know was if he could feel it also. I still don't know. What does it mean when my back, along the spine, burns? Can other people tell when that is happening?  

GP: That is the real question; how have you managed to NOT know about this stuff? The emotion expressed in your letters (as above) denotes that this 'stuff' is far outside the range of your experience, yet, you are seeking such knowledge. Are you open, to coming to understand HOW you have avoided such experience before now?  

~ I've had such experiences before, though not so often or so strong. Lately every time I'm around that guy my back burns. When I meditate all of my chakras burn and sometimes it feels like there is pressure on the top of my head. What is that? What does it mean?  

GP: Such experiences are daily, even continuous, for many people. You can take my word on this. Yet, our cultures forbid the words, concepts, and experiences, punishable by various unpleasant and fearful means.   There is actually NO penalty for knowing about this stuff, or for having such experiences. Knowing about this stuff, and having such experiences, is the same as knowing that there is no penalty.   The choice is yours. Are you willing to confront you own 'way of Being', which has kept you safely isolated from the full spectrum of 'human possibilities'?  

~ Yeah, I am. I'd just like to be able to tell what things like that mean. I'd also like to know how to tell the difference between what is real and what I'm just "making up."    

3. Gene Poole   ~ Gene, I showed to my teacher the first post you wrote to me. He said that yes, it was true, but that you were missing
Christ. He told me what you were describing was black magic because of the missing Christ principal (his outlook is Anthroposophy, which is akin to, or is a form of, Esoteric
Christianity.) He said that it is Christ which lets humans partake of the kinds of abilities of which we were speaking without "casting each other down" or getting caught up in Power. We are here to redeem the earth and need to take on
the karma of the "other" to do so. At least that's my interpretation of what he said. I'm going to talk to him about it more in depth tomorrow afternoon. Before I talk to him I
would be interested in hearing your ideas about what he said.  

Gene Replies:   I am very glad that you showed my letter to your teacher.   I am somewhat familiar with Anthroposohpy, although more
familiar with it's source, which is from Goethe.   I disagree with the assessment of 'black magic'. Magic is magic; doing magic on another person is actually what I was
describing.   There is no 'license' provided by an alleged alignment with Jesus Christ, or the 'Christ Principle'. Actions under- taken by
any individual are what they are, regardless of whose name they are committed in.   I do not mean to imply that any such doing of magic is right or wrong, good or bad. Your questions had to do with phenomena, and I have endevoured to engage your attention to the root of those phenom, which is common to the nature
of every person. As you are discovering, certain people have taken the trouble to develop their own awareness of certain aspects of human nature. The choice to do so, and the results obtained by individual efforts, are independent of
factors of morality.   Morality (which I think you are asking about, and which your teacher certainly seems to be concerned) is an issue distinct from our powers; but it does have bearing on the consequences of how our powers are used.   It is a good thing to learn about our nature as humans; one principle which should be clear from a study of history, is that
acts are what they are, no matter how they may be justified, or in whose name.   If a person is able to exert control of another person, that is
what is actually happening. There is no blanket permission or probibition involved, so there is no rule, to save or condemn you or anyone.   It is incumbent upon each person to learn the lay of the land, and to make appropriate adaptations. The worldly powers that be, would have us all remain ignorant and thus vulnerable
to mass-control.   The work of a 'good master' is to help a person become aware of how the overall system works the master becomes an
adjunt to the immune- system of the student, promoting the very best of functionality.   Only you, can decide what is 'right or wrong' in terms of morality. In this regard, your decisions transcend any rules, no matter from whom such rules are reputed to emanate. In fact, it is this very issue, of the decisions which you make,
and the consequences of your decisions, which is of the most importance in this whole discussion; you must (and I don't mind saying 'must') assume responsibility for all of your own
decisions. If you let yourself be influenced to obey or believe 'rules', you will probably assign responsibility to the source of the rules.   I have tried to show that seemingly strange psychic powers are natural properties of humans, and that certain people have taken the trouble to develop their abilities, for good or bad. You have the opportunity to learn about such things, to strengthen yourself, to ultimately free yourself from the constraints of the culture, and able to adequately protect yourself from any and all assaults.   Probably the greatest inhibitor to freedom is the assumption that upon the accomplishment of certain tasks, that it will be
OK to go back to sleep, to go back onto autopilot, and to cruise in eternal happiness and contentment. Our search for rules, is usually an attempt to find such a comfortable position; 'just obey the rules, and everything will be OK'.   The 'Disney version' holds a terrific lure, and the 'perfect relationship' is a very powerful goal to follow. Love and thoughts of future always enter. The advice I can offer is to
be very selfish and to always think of yourself first, in the context of love relationships. Be ready to 'bail' if you need to. This means to resist forming attachment to the projected outcome of any relationship, attachment which would make you stick around while you are being abused. This goes 'double' for spiritual teachers.   So now you are in this position, as you describe it, and what will you do? Will you be passive, and depend upon a vast overall system of rules of morality, or will you actively pursue your own goals?   I respect the values of your Teacher, with the exception of the needing to 'take on the karma' of others. This is something which I have looked into, and I deem it to be untrue. Always, it is our own karma which we are dealing with. If anything, I would suggest to avoid 'taking on' the karma of another, even if such a thing were possible.   Only you are in position to actually decide what to do, and this is always the case, no matter what. So far, nothing you have described would seem to cast your teacher in a bad light. Still, you must accept responsibility for your own decisions.   If you wish to develop yourself, to free yourself of arbitrary cultural rules, you may do so. You may begin at any time.   In any event, you will find that it is true, that it is your own awareness which will be your guide, or your downfall. learning to 'think for yourself' in all matters is necessary.   I will be happy to continue this discussion onlist, and I will reply to your previous letter after my digest arrives.  

Michael Read's response  

~ I'm just confused about what is real and what is not. Nobody (that I've talked to at least) has ever said that people can zap with energy from their eyes.  

M: Reality? Sheesh! Haven't you grokked in completeness that ALL is an illusion? Everything, yup!   The ideas we formulate in our heads. politics, religion, art appreciation, economies, sexual mores, automobile design, and on and on and on   Our sense of aloneness and family. laughs, jokes, kids crying, chores, good times, bad times   Your spiritual quest and mine. every step on the path falls into nothing   Matter is energy and energy is matter. now you see it now you don't - ask the physicists   On the other hand the Real Reality, as they say, is the only
real thing.   The Real Reality is so lovely, so beautiful, so fullfilling! Ah, yes. Such a happy happy joy joy place. It is there, just around the next corner, just past the next bend in the river,
somewhere at the rainbow's end.   In the meantime there is a huge blob of ketchup on your blouse. Your brand new, hand washed, silk, meditation blouse from Indonesia! heeheehee!   I do not know what kind of teacher this person is or, what practices you are doing. If your practicing tends toward mind stilling, breath control, or focused energy work, you will have
certain side effects.   From your description, I think this is part of what is happening. It happens to all of us to some degree or another.
These side effects include everything from seeing lightforms, telepathy, bi-location, clairvoyance, increased empathy, healings, astral and interdimensional travel, visions and
visitations, and of course blissful states. To name just a few of the things that can happen.   Anyhoo, it's still illusion, still just another part of the show. Like other folk who these things happened too, I also at one time was caught up in believing that 'my' path was spiritual
and somehow a wee bit more blessed. Ha! What a dope. <grin>   Most do not teach this. To do so would be to burst one's own party balloons. <grin>   I think that is what is holding you back from having a heart to heart with this person. Maybe I'm projecting a wee bit but - is
there a part of you that doesn't want to find out that your teacher is just a person, like you?   I'd like to suggest that you try something before you talk to him, as someday you no doubt will. Try this, if you like. Take a calm, firm and gentle look at what is going on inside of you.
See what the ego/body/mind is projecting. See what comes up. Don't weigh and judge whatever is being projected. Don't 'own' it or deny it. Just see it.   Observe what it does, how it goes, how it shifts. Remain as detached as possible. Observe the antics of the ego/mind. Now it's worried about this or that, now it's singing some silly song, one moment great pleasurable fantasies unfold, the next gibbering fear runs naked across a burning desert of desires. <phew! - what the fuck was that?!>   In other words, you get to face the human condition full on. But the question still remains. Who is the observer? Oooh, scary stuff! The mind doesn't want to go there! heeheehee!   I wish you well. Thanks for letting me ramble on.   at play in the fields of eternity -    

Su Gandolf's confession   Musings on the teacher I wrote about (note: he is not the coward referred to in the subject line), and other things:   When I met this man, he was not in the guru role, and I seemed to be the only one there who had an intense energy experience in his presence, so I asked him about it. He
touched me in a way that felt right, the energy released, and he directed me in and up, not toward himself. I went to visit him a little while later, he lives in a very small community of
which he is the head.   It's possible I confused the guy as much as he confused me. I
*wanted* a sexual healing. I was very clear that I needed a male teacher at that moment, and that I needed to be touched. But I didn't want to be kissed by a guy proclaiming monogamy to a wife of 30 years and celibacy and the ability
to love me the way god does. I wanted to be near someone who had more boundaries than I did (I'd been led to believe that he was such a one from his vows, for one. I didn't understand the possible underside of a vow practice). I didn't want contact that was sexual to the exclusion of the other energies. I was a tongue-tied woman who needed to talk.
And, he could have told a lot of other lies, but he did not. He could have told me it was him in my consciousness, in my dreams, and first of all in my heart. He who gave me experiences of heart-busting light and love, ESP, kundalini
awakening, a desire to practice. But he did not. So, in that way he was cautious, and he certainly didn't have any intention to mislead. He was full of himself and I wanted to surrender, wanted to be full of him too (ha, ha). But I did not. That is not what was happening. Have you ever wondered if Hafiz is just a dirty old man? And then laughed with him, knowing he will be whatever you want him to be?   In fact, I was healed. Not in all ways and forever, but healed
nonetheless. He was a catalyst for much that was of benefit. There was the dream of The Phallus, and he rode it, his wife his consort. This was a healing dream. And here, there was
no confusion about sex or our roles.   We meet people and our wounds meet theirs, sometimes. For me, it is important to look at issues of power and authority. I have misused power on occasion. I doubt my understanding
of power dynamics will ever be very deep. So often there is a subtle feeling of one "person" above or below the other. And, yet.   What do we really want? Nina, you said "a peer". Yes. Isn't it wonderful to have one? Sometimes, though, it seems like we have to play out our needs to surrender or to proffer. To be
the student or the teacher. The roles do have some kind of a conditional reality, and that can be noticed and respected, I think. To say and mean "you're doing great" to one who is
unsure is a lovely gift. And, there are a hundred and three examples more.   Me, I seem to avoid mastery in any discipline. *This* is the coward's way. It changes in an instant, anyway.  

Jerry Katz responds to ~ and to Nina   Something's going on energy-wise, but I could only speculate as to it's nature. He's trying to make some quality of connection, it sounds like.   Why not just say, "hey, man, what's this energy crap going on. Tell me now or i'm outa here."   He should give you a straightforward answer. He's just a guy.   Remember, you're in control.   jerry (just a world renowned guru)  

Nina responds:   Hey - I like your straightforward approach. It works equally well in any socially challenged situation. You know - so many people are so eaten up inside that they can't even make the most simple social contact. The longer you let this go on, the harder it gets. Ah, what exquisite and totally unnecessary
torture! A hearty and genuine HELLO at first recognition is usually enough to bring anyone out of their self- imposed social turmoil.  

Jerry : i'm just as tongue-tied in social situations. In 'life or death' situations, however, things often get said.

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