2022/10/04

Attunement - Wikipedia

Attunement - Wikipedia

Attunement

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Attunement was the early term adopted by practitioners of energy medicine, originally developed by Lloyd Arthur Meeker (1907 – 1954) and his colleagues.[1] Meeker taught and practiced Attunement as a central feature of his spiritual teaching and ministry, Emissaries of Divine Light.[2] Attunement is taught as a personal spiritual practice and as a healing modality offered through the hands.[3] Emissaries of Divine Light believe that Attunement is a pivotal factor in the conscious evolution of humanity.[4]

Like QigongReiki and Therapeutic touch reiki attunement is a putative practice as defined by the United States National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), lacking published scientific study of its effectiveness.[5] Attunement practitioners and clients rely on personal and anecdotal experience to promote it.

History[edit]

Beginnings[edit]

Lloyd Arthur Meeker shared the first Attunement with Rudolph Plagge in Wichita, Kansas, in 1929, and developed the teaching and practice of Attunement with colleagues until his death in 1954.[6] From September 14 to 16, 1932, Meeker had a spiritual awakening experience that he described as a “heavenly ordination.”[7] He marked that experience as the initiation of Emissaries of Divine Light.[8] That same year he instituted a series of energy medicine experiments. Meeker reported that he could stand across the room from the client and the client could feel the intensification of life force.[9] He also reported excellent results when his hands were one to six inches from the client.[9]

Lloyd Arthur Meeker wrote and lectured using the name Uranda, which was how he was known to his followers.[10] From 1935 to 1945, Meeker traveled across the United States and Canada, establishing centers for healing and spiritual teaching for varying periods of time in Atascadero, Oakland, Burbank and Long Beach, California; Buffalo, New York; Grand Forks, Iowa; and Loveland, Colorado.[11] In December 1945 Meeker established his headquarters at Sunrise Ranch in Loveland, where Attunement continues to be taught and practiced.[12][13]

The Role of G-P-C Chiropractors[edit]

The G-P-C movement played a significant role in the development of Attunement.[14] G-P-C stood for God – Patient – Chiropractor.[15] It was a no-fee system of service that George Shears created in the late 1930s after he, himself, had a severely debilitating ruptured disk, and vowed to offer his services on a donation basis. Shears had been a Major League Baseball pitcher in 1912, and then a graduate of the Palmer School of Chiropractic in 1917.[16] He experimented with "no-force" chiropractic adjustments in which he believed it was the healing energy through his hands that brought positive results, shown through x-rays.[17] The G-P-C movement saw the relationship between the chiropractor and the patient as the base of a triangle with God at the apex.[18] Meeker eventually embraced this model for the healing relationship.[19]

In 1949, Albert Ackerley, a G-P-C chiropractor in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, was introduced to Lloyd Arthur Meeker's writings.[20] In June 1949, when Ackerley was preparing to offer an adjustment to his patient, he saw that the patient's spine had aligned before he had given the adjustment. He believed that this result was a consequence of the flow of subtle energy between himself and the patient, rather than any physical intervention.[20] Ackerley met Meeker in July 1949 and began to practice Attunement under his tutelage. Up to this point, Meeker had referred to Attunements as “treatments.” It was Albert Ackerley who named those treatments “Attunements.”[21] With Lloyd Meeker's urging, Ackerley began to experiment with long-distance Attunements in which the person receiving the Attunement was not in the physical presence of the practitioner.[22] Albert Ackerley and G.P.C. President, Virgil Givens, were both prosecuted legally due to their practice of energy medicine, but continued to practice nonetheless.[23]

In May 1950, Lloyd Arthur Meeker met George Shears. Meeker's meeting with Shears was followed by G-P-C meetings at a Chiropractic Convention in August 1950 in Davenport, Iowa, and then a G-P-C conference in Huntingburg, Indiana, which was attended by Meeker.[15] Following these events, about twenty-five chiropractors attended a G-P-C Convention from September 2 through 8 of that year at Sunrise Ranch.[24]

The prospect of joining with Meeker and Emissaries of Divine Light raised suspicion and concerns among the G-P-C chiropractors. Nonetheless, at the G-P-C Convention in the home of George Shears in Huntingburg, Indiana, on February 24 and 25, 1951, the G-P-C board of directors voted to cooperate with the Emissaries to establish a G-P-C Servers Training School at Sunrise Ranch.[25] Lloyd Arthur Meeker led three six-month G-P-C Servers Training School sessions at Sunrise Ranch from 1952 to 1954. His classes from the 1952 session were transcribed and published as The Divine Design of Man, # 1 and # 2.[26][27] The audio recordings and the transcripts of Meeker's classes from the 1953 and 1954 sessions are still extant. The sessions included Attunement technique, nutrition, psychology and a broad spectrum of spiritual teachings.[28][29]

In August 1954, Lloyd Arthur Meeker, his wife, Kathy Meeker, Albert Ackerley and two children died in the crash of Meeker's small plane in San Francisco Bay.[30][31] A close associate of Meeker's, Martin Cecil, assumed the responsibility for the leadership of Emissaries of Divine Light and for carrying forward Meeker's Attunement work.[32] With assistance from G-P-C chiropractors, James Wellemeyer and Bill Bahan, and from Roger de Winton, Alan Hammond and others, Martin Cecil continued the Servers Training School at Sunrise Ranch and the teaching of Attunement.[33][34][35] George Shears eventually moved to Sunrise Ranch in 1968 where he practiced Attunement until he died in 1978.[30]

Development[edit]

As Emissaries of Divine Light grew in the 1960s, '70s and '80s, so did the teaching and practice of Attunement. Martin Cecil emphasized in his teaching of Attunement that the basis of it was a spiritual practice.[36] While many of the early Attunement practitioners were chiropractors, lay people became increasingly active in the practice.[37] Building on the early work of Lloyd Arthur Meeker, Attunement evolved to include groups of people practicing it together.[38] In 1993, a World Blessing time was established for practitioners to share a time of collective Attunement and healing prayer. In the '80s and '90s, the teaching and practice of long-distance Attunement was developed further.[39]

Following Martin Cecil's death in 1988, his son, Michael Cecil, become the Spiritual Leader of the Emissaries.[40] In 1996, Emissaries of Divine Light formed an Attunement Guild, which established standards for the teaching and certification of Attunement practitioners.[41] A group of Attunement practitioners, including Chris Jorgensen and Andrew Shier, formed the International Association of Attunement Practitioners (IAAP) in 1999. IAAP developed and taught the practice of Attunement separate from the organization of Emissaries of Divine Light.[42][43] Roger de Winton continued his Attunement trainings through Attunement Intensives offered at Sunrise Ranch. He also continued his work of long-distance Attunement until his death in 2001.[44]

In 1996, Michael Cecil left Emissaries of Divine Light to continue his own work, which includes Attunement through The Ashland Institute.[45] A group of trustees assumed the leadership of Emissaries of Divine Light with Michael Cecil's departure.[46] In August 2004, the trustees of Emissaries of Divine Light named David Karchere as the leader of the global network.[47] Since becoming the leader of the Emissaries, Karchere has developed programs, including Life Destiny Immersion and Journey into the Fire, that are designed to assist people to transform the spiritual and emotional factors that block the experience of Attunement.[48] In 2010, with other Attunement practitioners, David Karchere founded the Attunement School at Sunrise Ranch.[49]

Philosophy[edit]

Attunement is based on Lloyd Arthur Meeker's vision that the human body is designed to be the temple of God.[50][51] The foundational principle underlying Attunement is what Meeker named as The One Law, or the Law of Cause and Effect.[52] Emissaries of Divine Light teach that the causative factor in spiritual regeneration is the universal power and intelligence within all people, and that through response and opening to that power and intelligence, people experience healing.[53] Attunement practitioners believe that positive shifts in consciousness release a healing energy through a person's body, mind and emotions. Traditionally, the Attunement practitioner is referred to as a server and the recipient is referred to as a servee.[54]

Attunement servers believe they transmit universal life energy through their hands to the servee.[55] The primary connecting points on the servee are the endocrine glands.[56] Attunement servers teach that the endocrine glands are portals for universal life energy that operates through the physical body, and through the mental and emotional function of the individual, and that the servee has the opportunity to open more fully to the life energy within them through receiving an Attunement.[57]

Emissaries of Divine Light hold that the origin of universal life energy is divine in nature and that the core reality of all people is divine.[58] The goal of Attunement is to increase the energetic flow while removing blockages to that flow so that a person's core reality can emerge.[59]

Lloyd Meeker taught that the human connection to universal life energy relies on pneumaplasm, which was his name for the aura of subtle energy, or etheric body surrounding the physical body.[60][61] Attunement practitioners believe that pneumaplasm is generated when the universal life energy flows through a person, and that the clarity of the pneumaplasmic body depends on the clarity of that energy flow.[62] Attunement practitioners focus on clarifying and enriching the pneumaplasm associated with the endocrine glands and the anatomical systems of the body.[63]

Practitioners believe that the endocrine glands translate seven aspects of the universal life energy into the human experience. They name these as the Seven Spirits.[64]

GlandSpirit
PinealLove
PituitaryThe Womb
ThyroidLife
ThymusPurification
Islets of LangerhansBlessing
Adrenal glandSingle Eye
GonadsNew Earth

Attunement practitioners relate these Seven Spirits to the Seven Spirits of God referenced in the book of Revelation in the Bible.[64] Some Attunement practitioners correlate the seven endocrine glands with seven chakras.[65]

Technique[edit]

At the core of the teaching of the technique is the establishment of an energetic circuit between the practitioner (server) and the client (servee).[66] Practitioners seek to establish that circuit by the radiant extension of life energy through the dominant hand of the practitioner to the gland or organ of the client, and the receiving of life energy through the opposite hand from a corresponding contact point in the body.[67]

Meeker taught that the first step in the Attunement process was the alignment of the cervical vertebrae by the radiation of healing energy through the hands on either side of the neck.[68] Contemporary Attunement practitioners continue to teach attunement technique that begins and ends with an Attunement of the cervical vertebrae.[69] Often, the cervical Attunement is followed by Attunement of the endocrine glands and some of the major organs of the body.[70]

Spiritual practice[edit]

As a spiritual practice, Attunement is intended to connect a person more closely to their spiritual source and to open the flow of life current.[71] The practice includes conscious attention to the quality of spirit expressing through the practitioner in the daily living of life, and specific periods of meditation in the beginning and ending of each day, taught as Sanctification in the Evening and the Morning.[72]

A central aspect of Attunement as a spiritual practice is referred to by Emissaries of Divine Light as spiritual centering, which they define as a daily practice of opening thoughts and emotions to the spiritual.[73]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Wilkinson, Bill (1986). Attunement With Life. Loveland, Colorado: Eden Valley Press. p. 13. ISBN 0-932869-05-X.
  2. ^ Van Duzen, Grace (1996). The Vibrational Ark. Loveland, Colorado: International Emissaries. pp. 171, 172. ISBN 0-932869-05-X.
  3. ^ Layne, Laurence (2008). Attunement: The Sacred Landscape. St. Augustine, Florida: Health Light Publishing Company. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-9771193-2-5. Archived from the original on 2013-01-25.
  4. ^ Uranda (1986). The Third Sacred School: Volume 7, Health, Healing and Attunements. Loveland, Colorado: Emissaries of Divine Light. pp. 367–370. Archived from the original on 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  5. ^ "CAM Basics" (PDF). National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
  6. ^ Layne, Laurence (2008). Keepers of the Flame: A History of Attunement. St. Augustine, Florida: Health Light Publishing Company. pp. 14, 29. ISBN 978-0-9771193-3-2. Archived from the original on 2012-07-09.
  7. ^ Uranda (1986). The Third Sacred School: Volume 7, Health, Healing and Attunements. Loveland, Colorado: Emissaries of Divine Light. p. 288. Archived from the original on 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  8. ^ Uranda (1986). The Third Sacred School: Volume 7, Health, Healing and Attunements. Loveland, Colorado: Emissaries of Divine Light. p. 286. Archived from the original on 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  9. Jump up to:a b Layne, Laurence (2008). Keepers of the Flame: A History of Attunement. St. Augustine, Florida: Health Light Publishing Company. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-9771193-3-2. Archived from the original on 2012-07-09.
  10. ^ Stein Henderson, Jaclyn (1998). The Healing Power of Attunement Therapy: Stories and Practice. New Delhi, India: Sterling Publishers. p. 255. ISBN 81-207-2442-9.
  11. ^ Van Duzen, Grace (1996). The Vibrational Ark. Loveland, Colorado: International Emissaries. pp. 14–78. ISBN 0-932869-05-X.
  12. ^ "Communities Directory". Fellowship for Intentional Community. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
  13. ^ "The Attunement School at Sunrise Ranch". Sunrise Ranch. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
  14. ^ Layne, Laurence (2008). Attunement: The Sacred Landscape. St. Augustine, Florida: Health Light Publishing Company. pp. 15–17. ISBN 978-0-9771193-2-5. Archived from the original on 2013-01-25.
  15. Jump up to:a b Van Duzen, Grace (1996). The Vibrational Ark. Loveland, Colorado: International Emissaries. p. 149. ISBN 0-932869-05-X.
  16. ^ Layne, Laurence (2008). Keepers of the Flame: A History of Attunement. St. Augustine, Florida: Health Light Publishing Company. p. 19. ISBN 978-0-9771193-3-2. Archived from the original on 2012-07-09.
  17. ^ Stein Henderson, Jaclyn (1998). The Healing Power of Attunement Therapy: Stories and Practice. New Delhi, India: Sterling Publishers. pp. 255, 256. ISBN 81-207-2442-9.
  18. ^ Layne, Laurence (2008). Attunement: The Sacred Landscape. St. Augustine, Florida: Health Light Publishing Company. p. 14. ISBN 978-0-9771193-2-5. Archived from the original on 2013-01-25.
  19. ^ Meeker, Lloyd A. (1952). Servers Training School: The Divine Design of Man, Volume 1. Loveland, Colorado: Emissaries of Divine Light. p. 12.
  20. Jump up to:a b Layne, Laurence (2008). Keepers of the Flame: A History of Attunement. St. Augustine, Florida: Health Light Publishing Company. p. 25. ISBN 978-0-9771193-3-2. Archived from the original on 2012-07-09.
  21. ^ Layne, Laurence (2008). Keepers of the Flame: A History of Attunement. St. Augustine, Florida: Health Light Publishing Company. p. 26. ISBN 978-0-9771193-3-2. Archived from the original on 2012-07-09.
  22. ^ Layne, Laurence (2008). Keepers of the Flame: A History of Attunement. St. Augustine, Florida: Health Light Publishing Company. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-9771193-3-2. Archived from the original on 2012-07-09.
  23. ^ Layne, Laurence (2008). Keepers of the Flame: A History of Attunement. St. Augustine, Florida: Health Light Publishing Company. pp. 27, 35, 36. ISBN 978-0-9771193-3-2. Archived from the original on 2012-07-09.
  24. ^ Van Duzen, Grace (1996). The Vibrational Ark. Loveland, Colorado: International Emissaries. p. 154. ISBN 0-932869-05-X.
  25. ^ Van Duzen, Grace (1996). The Vibrational Ark. Loveland, Colorado: International Emissaries. p. 157. ISBN 0-932869-05-X.
  26. ^ Meeker, Lloyd A. (1953). Servers Training School: The Divine Design of Man # 1 & #2. Loveland, Colorado: Emissaries of Divine Light.
  27. ^ Stein Henderson, Jaclyn (1998). The Healing Power of Attunement Therapy: Stories and Practice. New Delhi, India: Sterling Publishers. p. 256. ISBN 81-207-2442-9.
  28. ^ Uranda (1986). The Third Sacred School: Volume 7, Health, Healing and Attunements. Loveland, Colorado: Emissaries of Divine Light. Archived from the original on 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  29. ^ Layne, Laurence (2006). The Spiritual Nature of the Physical Body: Anatomy and Physiology for Attunement Practitioners. St. Augustine, Florida: Healing Light Publishing Company. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-9771193-01. Archived from the original on 2013-01-25.
  30. Jump up to:a b "The Sunrise Ranch Cemetery". The USGenWeb Project. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
  31. ^ "Bodies of Plane Crash Victims Will Be Returned to Colorado". Oakland Tribune. August 5, 1954.
  32. ^ Jorgensen, Chris R. (2002). Attunement: Love Made Visible. Kansas City, Missouri: Chris Jorgensen. pp. ixv. ISBN 0-9652997-0-8.
  33. ^ Cecil, Hammond; Emery, Black; Wellemeyer, de Winton & Bahan (1979). Spirit of Sunrise. London, England: Mitre Press. pp. 45, 119, 133, 149. ISBN 0-7051-0271-8.
  34. ^ Van Duzen, Grace (1996). The Vibrational Ark. Loveland, Colorado: International Emissaries. p. 272. ISBN 0-932869-05-X.
  35. ^ Stein Henderson, Jaclyn (1998). The Healing Power of Attunement Therapy: Stories and Practice. New Delhi, India: Sterling Publishers. p. 11. ISBN 81-207-2442-9.
  36. ^ Layne, Laurence (2008). Keepers of the Flame: A History of Attunement. St. Augustine, Florida: Health Light Publishing Company. p. 30. ISBN 978-0-9771193-3-2. Archived from the original on 2012-07-09.
  37. ^ Layne, Laurence (2008). Keepers of the Flame: A History of Attunement. St. Augustine, Florida: Health Light Publishing Company. p. 41. ISBN 978-0-9771193-3-2. Archived from the original on 2012-07-09.
  38. ^ Meeker, Lloyd Arthur (1985). The Third Sacred School, Volume 7, "A Group Attunement". Loveland, Colorado: Emissaries of Divine Light. pp. 365, 366.
  39. ^ Cecil, Martin (1983). The Third Sacred School, Volume 5, "Vibrational Attunement". Loveland, Colorado: Emissaries of Divine Light. pp. 291–296.
  40. ^ Foster, Chris (1989). One Heart, One Way: The Life and Legacy of Martin Exeter. Denver, Colorado: Foundation House Publications, Inc. p. 13. ISBN 0-921790-00-7.
  41. ^ "Attunement Guild". International Emissaries. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
  42. ^ "International Association of Attunement Practitioners". International Association of Attunement Practitioners. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
  43. ^ Jorgensen, Chris (2004). Attunement: The Energy of Being. Kansas City, Missouri: Heartland Attunement. p. 39. ISBN 0-9652997-2-4.
  44. ^ Layne, Laurence (2008). Keepers of the Flame: A History of Attunement. St. Augustine, Florida: Health Light Publishing Company. p. 51. ISBN 978-0-9771193-3-2. Archived from the original on 2012-07-09.
  45. ^ Todd, Douglas (September 29, 2003). "Leader left Divine Light behind him"Vancouver Sun. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
  46. ^ "Trustee Leadership". Emissaries of Divine Light. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
  47. ^ "David Karchere". Emissaries of Divine Light. Archived from the original on June 1, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
  48. ^ "Programs". Emissaries of Divine Light. Archived from the original on May 8, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  49. ^ "The Attunement School at Sunrise Ranch". Sunrise Ranch. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  50. ^ Uranda (2010). Seven Steps to the Temple of Light. Loveland, Colorado: Emissaries of Divine Light. p. 19. ISBN 978-0-932869-08-1. Archived from the original on 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  51. ^ Palombo, D.C., Anthony J. (2010). Sacred Anatomy: Where spirit and flesh dance in the fire of creation. Lake Charles, Louisiana: Anthony J. Palombo. pp. 2–17. ISBN 978-0-9763517-1-9.
  52. ^ Jorgensen, Chris R. (2004). Attunement: The Creator's Magic. Kansas, Missouri: Heartland Attunement. p. 2. ISBN 0-9652997-1-6. Archived from the original on 2012-05-25. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  53. ^ Wilkinson, Bill (1986). Attunement With Life. Loveland, Colorado: Eden Valley Press. p. 11. ISBN 0-932869-05-X.
  54. ^ Van Duzen, Grace (1996). The Vibrational Ark. Loveland, Colorado: International Emissaries. p. 200. ISBN 0-932869-05-X.
  55. ^ Jorgensen, Chris R. (2002). Attunement: Love Made Visible. Kansas City, Missouri: Chris Jorgensen. p. 35. ISBN 0-9652997-0-8.
  56. ^ Layne, Laurence (2006). The Spiritual Nature of the Physical Body. St. Augustine, Florida: Health Light Publishing Company. pp. 58–72. ISBN 978-0-9771193-0-1.
  57. ^ Uranda (1986). The Third Sacred School: Volume 7, Health, Healing and Attunements. Loveland, Colorado: Emissaries of Divine Light. pp. 10–16. Archived from the original on 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  58. ^ Aumra (1968). As of a Trumpet. Loveland, Colorado: Emissaries of Divine Light. p. 13.
  59. ^ Cecil, Martin (1983). The Third Sacred School, Volume 5, "Levels of Being". Loveland, Colorado: Emissaries of Divine Light. pp. 432–437.
  60. ^ Uranda (1982). The Third Sacred School, Volume 4, "The Principles of Pneumaplasm". Loveland, Colorado: Emissaries of Divine Light. pp. 168–174.
  61. ^ Gerber, M.D., Richard (1996). Vibrational Medicine: New Choices for Healing Ourselves. Santa Fe, New Mexico: Bear & Company. p. 121. ISBN 1-879181-28-2.
  62. ^ Layne, Laurence (2008). Attunement: The Sacred Landscape. St. Augustine, Florida: Health Light Publishing Company. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-9771193-2-5. Archived from the original on 2013-01-25.
  63. ^ Layne, Laurence (2008). Attunement: The Sacred Landscape. St. Augustine, Florida: Health Light Publishing Company. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-9771193-2-5. Archived from the original on 2013-01-25.
  64. Jump up to:a b Jorgensen, Chris (2004). Attunement: The Creator's Magic. Kansas City, Missouri: Heartland Attunement. pp. 71–127. ISBN 0-9652997-1-6.
  65. ^ Palombo, D.C., Anthony J. (2010). Sacred Anatomy: Where spirit and flesh dance in the fire of creation. Lake Charles, Louisiana: Anthony J. Palombo. pp. 24–25. ISBN 978-0-9763517-1-9.
  66. ^ Layne, Laurence (2006). The Spiritual Nature of the Physical Body: Anatomy and Physiology for Attunement Practitioners. St. Augustine, Florida: Healing Light Publishing Company. pp. 31–32. ISBN 978-0-9771193-01. Archived from the original on 2013-01-25.
  67. ^ Layne, Laurence (2008). Attunement: The Sacred Landscape. St. Augustine, Florida: Health Light Publishing Company. pp. 77–92. ISBN 978-0-9771193-2-5. Archived from the original on 2013-01-25.
  68. ^ Van Duzen, Grace (1996). The Vibrational Ark. Loveland, Colorado: International Emissaries. pp. 218–223. ISBN 0-932869-05-X.
  69. ^ Jorgensen, Chris (2004). Attunement: The Energy of Being. Kansas City, Missouri: Heartland Attunement. pp. 26, 33. ISBN 0-9652997-2-4.
  70. ^ Jorgensen, Chris (2004). Attunement: The Energy of Being. Kansas City, Missouri: Heartland Attunement. pp. 26–33. ISBN 0-9652997-2-4.
  71. ^ Karchere, David. "Meditation and True Freedom". Emissaries of Divine Light. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  72. ^ Cecil, Martin (1990). The Third Sacred School, Volume 11, "Sanctification in the Evening and the Morning". Loveland, Colorado: Emissaries of Divine Light. pp. 74–78.
  73. ^ Karchere, David. "Spiritual Centering". Emissaries of Divine Light. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2012.

Attunement: Divine Stewardship – Tone of Life

Attunement: Divine Stewardship – Tone of Life


Attunement: Divine Stewardship
AUGUST 14, 2022

"The language of the familiar three earth dimensions may be said to be words. The language of the fourth level, the apex meeting point of below and above, is attunement."



by John Gray and Chris JorgensenListen to Audio

John Gray: All of us participating in this teleconference speak English, and some may speak other languages as well. Whatever the case, our mother tongue is the primary language our mothers and fathers taught us. As very young children we began to learn to talk by mimicking the vocal sounds of those closest to us. Gradually, we associated meanings with those sounds. Later, in school, we were acquainted with written symbols to represent sounds and words. We learned to read.

As a child our personal identities centered in our physical bodies and the physical world around us—the densest of the earth dimensions. As we grew up, our mental faculties developed and the focus of personal identity shifted to be more centered in our minds. We thought of ourselves and others as individual personalities, distinct and different and separate. We acquired great amounts of knowledge of various sorts and lived in our heads and to some extent, our emotions. The prepubescent self had passed away by then, and a postpubescent self was coming into his or her own—more worldly, more refined, more than just a physical body. We became, in our experience of ourselves, a complex creature describable by the word ego.

For countless human beings the natural experience of maturing stops here. People harden and become set in their ways. Embellishments are added over time, but personal identity remains stuck at a mental-emotional level. For many others, however, the refinement of experienced personal identity continues. At some point we began to notice other mother tongues—the languages of nature, of other human languages, perhaps, and of art, of mathematics, of music, for example. We learned to express ourselves through these. Some of us heard words spoken in a different way by others; words that drew us toward them. These were mostly word-forms we’d learned in our younger years, but they carried transcendent meaning. Something in us resonated with the sounds behind the words we heard or read and this began to guide our lifepath. Words imbued with spirit held us as we learned to speak them ourselves. We began to discover the origin of them, becoming more closely aligned with the spirit that gives birth to meaningful words.

For most if not all of us on this teleconference, this is all ancient personal history.

The transition of experienced identity from coarser to finer, from physical to mental to spiritual, has brought us to this point. I say “point” because it’s an apt symbol of the apex of this refining process. The vastness of the tone of life itself emerges from above, so to speak, into the dimensional world through this point in ourselves. It is where the apex of earthly identity is experienced as merging with the focus of the Presence of the One I am, the Eminent One. In this place I am whole. I am really, fully here.

We know words can embody the spiritual expression of the Eminent One to some considerable extent, provided there is sufficient connection of sufficient purity. Just as spoken words require air to be transmitted and heard, so do spiritual essences require spiritual substance as a medium of transference. Spiritual expression is a translation process from one language to another; we could think of it as the words from below being permeated with and by the tone from above. To translate literally means “to carry over.” The purpose of human beings is to carry over, to translate, the meaning of life into the world we think of as creation. To put it another way, our purpose is the translation of the ineffable—literally, “not able to be spoken”—into dimensional forms. In our full glory we are the Word of God made flesh.

The spoken language of the tri-dimensional earthly world utilizes words. The language at the actual apex point and above might be alluded to in words as the current of pure spirit. As this divine language is accurately translated through the crossover point in ourselves it is clothed and made visible and audible in an unlimited multitude of wonderful ways, including words. The point of true identity is the place of perfect attunement, the place of merger, of oneness.

The language of the familiar three earth dimensions may be said to be words. The language of the fourth level, the apex meeting point of below and above, is attunement.

Obviously, what I’m talking about here isn’t limited to us as individuals. The crossover point is a singular place, yes, and in a sense we’re each alone here, but also, being at this point, we figuratively look around and see others who are also at the same point themselves. Before long we realize we are a multitude. All together we compose the conscious focus of identity for humanity, prepared and able to serve the whole planet and beyond.

I invite my forever friend Chris to continue.

Chris Jorgensen: John described coming to the crossover point in words that I trust are recognizable and understandable. We each have lived on varied paths of life bringing us to this day with the invitation to live at the crossover point. The crossover point is the place of union of the Heaven and Earth dimensions. It is not some new level of school or education, nor is it a group where one can find an external “leader” that will instruct one how to live and behave. No! The crossover point is a dynamic and fluid point where we find ourselves utterly alone. In this point, you know your own radiation, your own divine name, your own purpose, your commission for the life-pattern that you created and continually enfold and love.

The vibration of the crossover point is the current phase of the world vibration. The world has moved through various levels of vibration as John described. The physical vibration was the easiest to connect to and now the crossover point is the most challenging. The crossover point is the sacred vibration where the Attunement Radiation, the Radiation of Being, is consciously known. It is Love made visible!

Let’s share Attunement and enfold our own life-patterns. There are a couple of ways to share this Attunement. You can hold the life-pattern of your human form between your hands and radiate your Love into it, or put your life-pattern in your left hand and radiate Love into the pattern with your right hand. Let the radiation of Being enfold, surround, and bring balance into the life-pattern. Let’s share Attunement. [Following Attunement:]

Okay, we can release the Attunement. This is our creation, our life-pattern through which we express our Presence into the earth dimension. So, let us continually love and enfold our creation.

I wish to speak today about pneumaplasm. For many on this call it is a topic that has been known for a long time. For others online it may be somewhat new. What is pneumaplasm?

In Attunement we use the word pneumaplasm as a name for living, atmospheric, energetic substance. The word pneumaplasm was originally coined by Richard Thompson, an Attunement Practitioner who shared Attunement in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, during the 1940s and 1950s. Pneumaplasm literally means “air or spirit substance.” Pneumaplasm is the connecting medium between the vibrational frequencies of Spirit/Being and the vibrational frequencies of Matter/Form.

All living things create an atmosphere, energy, and substance through their moments of living. A person’s atmosphere of living substance, pneumaplasm, is generated by the radiation of Being, Life, moving through the human form. Every act, thought, feeling, and spiritual expression counts towards the creation or the dissipation of one’s personal pneumaplasm. The right use of the body, mind, and heart creates the living substance that immediately has an effect on one’s physical well-being, mental understanding, and emotional serenity.

Over the centuries, and up to the current day, the generation of pneumaplasm through the physical, mental, and heart was designed to allow divine identity to emerge in one’s consciousness. Today, living at the crossover point with divine identity in place, the right use of consciousness helps generate newer ranges of pneumaplasm. These newer ranges of pneumaplasm allow for the perception of the higher vibrations and frequencies of the Planet, the Solar System, and even the Galactic essences or energies on our part so we may steward them into the Earth. It is our divine job! I recall a verse from the book of Job speaking to this responsibility.

Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? (Job: 38:33)

There are at least two challenges for anyone who comes to and lives at the crossover point. One is how to work with the intense feeling crosscurrents and mental vibrations in the world of today and yet not be distracted or lost in them. I have noted in myself that as there has been an increase in the quality and ampleness of pneumaplasm, there is a greater sensitivity and a fuller perception experienced. A second challenge is working with one’s own life-pattern, helping to handle the “somatic mutations” in one’s body and energetic field, from controlling and taking over. I recently read a research paper on the buildup of somatic mutations in the blood, starting in the ‘70s, which scientists are viewing as a large part of the aging process.

The answer to both of these challenges is Attunement! Let the Attunement radiation do the work of clearing and releasing oneself from the distortions in the currents and vibrations of the world, and as well letting the radiation help with sanctifying the somatic mutations in our human makeup. Keeping a sacred and holy space at the crossover point will influence perception and understanding, and put one in position to steward the divine vibrations and frequencies from the larger creative field above! The answers to the questions in the thirty-eighth chapter of Job are revealed. The flesh is renewed and even the mind can expand with the understanding and wisdom of Being. In today’s world, a full and sustained heaven of pneumaplasm will lead us to the right place, with the right people, doing the right activity, at the right time.

Something to take note of is a practice called Astrology. It is something which many people have dabbled in from time to time. The idea behind Astrology is that the Planets, Moon, Sun and other living elements in the Solar System transmit energy influences to Earth which affect each one of us. Astrology is an attempt to understand and predict these influences. Has anyone ever questioned what the energy is that the Earth is sending out to influence the other Planets, Moon, and Sun? A person living at the crossover point has this sensitivity!

The basic principles of Attunement and the generation of pneumaplasm are true for every life-pattern. Over the last few months I have been participating on the International Weather Attunement Team (IWAT). I appreciate Cliff Roberts who helped me create the Team and now coordinates it. We are discovering that sharing Attunement with unique patterns of the planet’s body is similar to sharing Attunement with a unique aspect of an individual’s body. So, holding the Pacific Tectonic Plate or the Ionosphere layer of the atmosphere in Attunement generates a quality of pneumaplasm, filling in the living substance of connection between Spirit/Being and Matter/Form, at the planetary level. This new planetary range of pneumaplasm is awakening and developing planetary consciousness in those who are open to it.

Planetary consciousness is opening our perception to new understandings. One is that the Earth is alive and it has its own endocrine gland system. A side note here: when consciousness “fell” awareness and living substance went down vibrationally and kept going down beyond the planet’s gonadal level, finally coming to a stop in the animal vibration. Hence, the current human form is an animal form. Restoration of consciousness is moving to a higher vibration. Second, Attunement with the planet’s life-patterns is helping to release and clear the somatic mutations that are present on the surface part of the planet. Third, Attunement does magnify the generation of pneumaplasm, creating a new heaven for our planet home. Fourth, those of us on the Team are understanding in a greater way the divine pattern of the number seven. Seven is reflected in the creation of the planet—seven Endocrine Glands, seven layers to the Atmosphere, seven major Seas, seven major Continents, and seven major Tectonic Plates. This wisdom does not come out of a book, rather it comes by living at the crossover point sharing Attunement with the planet.

Many years ago, I experienced my first Attunement with a Chiropractor named Joe Wilson. It was mind-altering. I could see light coming off my skin! It changed the vibration and frequency of my life. Do you remember your first Attunement experience? Especially at the close of that first Attunement, I felt like I was finally home – a home that I subsequently define as the sacred living substance of pneumaplasm. As I, and the other members of IWAT, share Attunement with the different life-patterns of the planet, and as well as the whole holy life-pattern of the Earth, I sense and perceive a similarity to my first Attunement. Finally, because there are some who are sharing planetary Attunement, there is a feeling perception that on the surface of the planet, home is present once again. In this sacred substance of home, there is a beginning awareness that the Earth has a specific purpose in the larger context of Creation, something which has been largely out of the sight of humanity until now.

To close I invite you to share Attunement with the planet. The Weather Attunement Team has been, as I noted, working with various life-patterns of Earth. One such pattern is the Pacific Ocean. It is interesting to note that Mikao Usui, who lived in Japan and founded the spiritual practice of Reiki, viewed the Pacific Ocean as a living form in the shape of a Goddess, somewhat similar to the indigenous people’s view that the Earth is the living Mother. Those of us on the Team noticed in working with the Pacific Ocean (we were working with the drought on the west coast of the North America Continent) there were hard spots where the Attunement current was reduced. Recently I read a NASA report on three blobs in the Pacific Ocean–a large one off Alaska, a smaller one off British Columbia and Washington, and a small one off of southern California and Mexico – that were areas of heated water and virtually no oxygen. Very few life forms live in these blobs! They appear to be human-made blobs. So, let’s share Attunement with the Pacific Ocean, sending the radiation of Love into that part of our celestial home. You can put the life-pattern of the Pacific Ocean in your left hand and send the Attunement radiation into it with your right hand. Or, you can put one hand near Japan, and the other hand near the west coast of the U.S. Let’s share Attunement for the next 3-4 minutes. [Following Attunement:] We can now release our Attunement.

John Gray: “Pacific” means peaceful. As we held the pattern-surround for the ocean, the words that sounded in my mind were, “Peace be unto you. Peace be unto you.”

Let’s never imagine that we don’t know the truth. We do know; let nothing ever convince us otherwise. This is assurance, the peaceful assurance of Being that Chris so capably demonstrated. Together, the somatic mutations of the world, to use Chris’s term, are dealt with—even the “blobs,” the seeming dead spots in the ocean, whatever they may mean. It’s a perception of something that is coming to change. They’re coming to pass. We welcome that. The world is purified because there are people, ourselves included, who are connectors of heaven and earth, living at the crossover point, providing the radiance of God that reunites the world in oneness with Him.

Following Comments…


John Gray: Thank you all who have spoken. Something has indeed changed in this time together, and it is good.

Chris Jorgensen: Thank you to all who contributed to this time of radiation. I observe different ranges and frequencies of pneumaplasm in the world. Each living form generates a unique quality and of living substance by reason of its life-pattern and function. The mineral-bacteria-virus Life, including crystals and gems, creates a range of pneumaplasm. Plant Life creates a range of pneumaplasm, as does animal Life. There are differences in the bio-pyramid of life forms on the planet. Plant substance has a band of vibrations/frequencies narrower than animal substance, while at the same time plant substance is larger than the range of mineral-bacteria-virus substance. Yet, in each band of Life’s pneumaplasmic substances, there is a rich diversity present. Taken all together there is a very large pneumaplasmic field surrounding the Earth, available as the perfect setting for the divine to appear. The only additional requirement is to have people consciously living at the crossover point.

My final words: Share Attunement. Bless the world. Let Love radiate!

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Attunement | Encyclopedia.com

Attunement | Encyclopedia.com

Attunement
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Attunement

Attunement is a spiritual healing technique developed in the early 1930s by Lloyd Meeker (d. 1954). It appears that in the 1920s he had come across some forms of magnetic healing which launched his own speculations concerning the nature of spiritual healing. He began working as a healer in 1929. Then in 1932 he had a profound spiritual experience during which he became aware of his higher self. He returned to this experience with the higher self repeatedly and soon felt that he had merged with it. He also adopted a new name, Uranda, under which he began to teach. He founded the Third Sacred School that was later incorporated as the Emissaries of Divine Light.

In the 1940s, Meeker met George Shears, a chiropractor who had developed a no-fee chiropractic practice based upon the donations of patients. He shared his ideas with his colleagues and many accepted his approach. He also began to include a form of spiritual healing in what became known as the God-Patient Chiropractor (or G.P.C.) system. Through the 1940s, Meeker used a mixed healing system that included both the laying on of hands with the idea of the radiation of healing power from the hands to specific parts of the body. Then, in 1949, a chiropractor who had worked with Meeker had an unusual experience. He was preparing to do an adjustment, but before he made it, the problem corrected itself. He intuited that the change had been made by spirit. This observation led to the separation of this specific form of healing, now taking the name Attunement, from Meeker's larger theological preachments.


The chiropractor, Albert Ackerly, eventually dropped his chiropractic practice and devoted himself full time to the development of Attunement. The practice is focused on the radiation of energy to the body, based upon the understanding that the endocrine glands are the principal portals through which spirit can enter the body. The endocrine glands are closely related to the traditional chakras. Following Ackerly's discovery, other chiropractors joined him in becoming full time Attunement healers.

In 1950, Meeker first addressed a group of G.P.C. chiropractors and soon afterward a convention of chiropractors was held at Sunrise Ranch, the headquarters of the Emissaries movement in Colorado. In 1952, a set of Emissary programs was regularly offered to chiropractic professionals through what was then known as the G.P.C. Servers Training School. The practice of Attunement was spread through the school.

In 1996, a number of Attunement practitioners gathered at Sunrise Ranch to found the Attunement Guild as a professional association to promote the practice. They use the Server's Code introduced by Meeker in 1953. There are currently several hundred Attunement practitioners found across North America, and in Israel, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and South Africa.

The Attunement Guild may be reached at the headquarters of the Emissaries at 5569 N. Country Rd. 29, Loveland, CO 80537. It has a website at http://www.attunement.org/.
Sources:

Jorgensen, Chris. Attunement, Love Made Visible. Kansas City, Mo.: The Author, 1996.

Layne, Laurence. Attunement: The Sacred Landscape. St Augustine, Fla.: The Florida School of Attunement and Natural Healing, 1998.


2022/10/03

서울을 떠나 여우숲으로 오길 참 잘했다 : 벗님글방 : 휴심정 : 뉴스 : 한겨레

서울을 떠나 여우숲으로 오길 참 잘했다 : 벗님글방 : 휴심정 : 뉴스 : 한겨레

서울을 떠나 여우숲으로 오길 참 잘했다

등록 :2022-09-29 

김용규 여우숲인문학교장. 김용규 제공숲을 터전으로 살아온 세월이 어느새 20년에 가깝다. 돌아보니 모험하는 삶이라면 당연히 마주해야 할 것들을 차곡차곡 마주하며 산 시간이었다. 설레는 날이 많았고 더러 서러운 날도 있었다. 아마 인간의 삶도 숲과 같아서일 것이다. 돋아나고 싶은 것들은 반드시 어두운 땅을 뚫고 일어서는 새싹처럼 돋아났고, 부러져야 할 것들은 세찬 바람에 무너지는 나뭇가지처럼 한사코 부러지고 말았다. 떠나야 할 것들은 변명을 두고 혹은 변명도 없이 떠나갔고, 다가와야 할 것들은 새로이 혹은 다시 다가오는 시간이었다.

서울에 살던 한때 높바람처럼 사나웠던 나는 숲과 함께한 세월을 거치며 가을 하늘 구름처럼 순해졌다. 내 삶이 가을 앞마당에 섰다. 가을은 확실히 풍요와 평화의 시절. 하지만 굴곡 없이 찾아오는 가을이 어디 있던가! 봄날에 돋운 잎은 눈부신 꽃을 피워내고 재빨리 열매로 맺지만, 기어코 가뭄과 폭우와 태풍의 고비들이 철따라 찾아오니, 겪어내야 할 것들을 다 겪으며 겨우 붙들어낸 것들만이 가을을 맞으며 익어간다. 그렇게 온갖 풍상을 견디고 나서야 찾아오는 가을은 비로소 평화의 시간이다. 물들어야 하는 자리는 모두 제 빛깔로 물들고, 가라앉아야 할 것들은 일제히 항복하듯 가라앉고, 또한 드러나야 할 것들이 드디어 소리 없이 드러나며 도처에서 가장 저다운 모습이 부끄러움 없이 드러나는 평화의 시간. 숲처럼 평화롭기에는 하염없이 멀지만 내 삶에도 소박한 가을이 찾아왔다. 삶의 가을을 맞으며 일어서는 한 생각이 있다. ‘숲으로 떠나오길 잘했다. 참 좋다.’

삶이 막 가을로 들어서는 오늘 나는 당신을 이 평화의 숲으로 초대하고 싶어졌다. 도처가 산이고 숲인 좁은 땅의 나라에서 고개만 돌리면 숲이거늘 ‘너 사는 숲은 무엇이 다르냐? 어째서 평화의 숲이냐?’ 당신은 캐묻고 싶을지도 모르겠다. 맞다! 내가 사는 숲이라고 달리 특별할 건 없다. 이곳 충북 괴산의 ‘여우숲’도 우리나라 중부지방의 산과 들, 계곡에서 아무렇지도 않게 살고 있는 생명 대다수의 그것처럼, 혹은 우리의 인생처럼 특별할 것 없는 듯 살아가고 있는 공간이다.

하지만 장담컨대 나와 함께 걷게 될 이 숲은 당신이 일생 한번도 마주한 적 없는 숲일 것이다. 마음을 열어 당신이 나의 초대를 받아들인다면 나는 당신과 함께 나란히 숲을 걷고 싶다. 늘 보던 것이라고 생각했던 그 평범한 흙과 풀과 나무와 바람과 구름과 비와 폭설과 햇살이 사실은 얼마나 새롭고 눈물겹고 신비로운 것들인지 보여주고 싶고 들려주고 싶다. 그래서 유혹한다. ‘Shall we walk?’

함께 걷기에 앞서 궁금하다. 당신이 얼마나 숲의 말을 잘 알아들을 수 있는 귀를 가졌는지, 그리고 어떤 가슴을 지키고 사는지. 당신의 일상이 마주하는 모든 장면에는 오늘도 아주 많은 신비가 흐르고 있다. 그대의 삶과 나란히 흐르고 있는 그 많은 신비를 당신의 가슴은 얼마나 잘 포착하며 살고 있는가? 또 당신의 하루는 얼마나 많은 감탄으로 채워지고 있는가? 떠올려 보라! 어린 시절에는 누구에게나 들렸던 말이 자연의 말이었고, 순간순간 넘쳐났던 것이 감탄 아니었던가!



충북 괴산 여우숲 전경. 여우숲 누리집 갈무리누군가의 삶이 감탄을 잃었다면, 그리고 더는 신비를 발견하기 어렵게 되었다면 그 삶은 메말라가고 있는 것이다. 아무리 많은 돈과 빛나는 외양, 화려한 명함을 가졌더라도 그 삶은 시들고 있는 것이다. 우리가 세상에 떠밀려 견디듯 하루하루를 살기 전까지는 우리에게도 넘쳐흘렀던 그 신비와 감탄의 날들이 지금은 혹시라도 사라진 지 아득하다면, 부탁이다. 잠시 마음을 내어 지금 당도한 이 숲으로의 초대장을 가만히 열어보시기 바란다. 숲 앞에 서면 당신의 귀에는 무엇이 들리는가? 내 귀에는 생명의 노래가 들려온다. 욕망하는 생명들, 그래서 부딪히고 뒤엉키며 살게 되고, 그 과정들이 빚어내게 되는 ‘살아있음의 박자와 리듬’이 두-둥둥 들려온다.

숲에 들면 당신에겐 무엇이 보이고 무엇이 느껴지는가? 당신은 숲에서 어떤 것들을 발견하고 느끼는가? 나의 몸뚱어리는 숲의 가장 낮은 바닥으로부터 하늘을 향해 솟구친 나무의 우듬지까지, 아니 우듬지 너머의 탁 트인 하늘에 이르기까지 촘촘히 채워져 있는 놀라운 신비들을 포착한다. 감히 표현하건대 나는 숲에서 날마다 신(神)의 입김을 느낀다. 무거운 땅을 극복하고 돋아나는 여린 새싹과 그것을 탐하여 꼬물꼬물 뜯어먹고 있는 애벌레의 움직임에서, 또한 그 긴장 관계를 넘어서며 아무 일도 없었다는 듯 마침내 피어난 한송이 꽃에서, 그리고 이파리를 뜯어먹던 애벌레가 이번에는 나풀대는 나비로 찾아와 그 꽃을 파고듦으로써 상처 견디고 피어난 꽃에게 열매로 가는 길을 선물로 안기며 꿀 한모금 머금고 떠나가는 기막힌 전환적 화해의 신비 속에서… 나는 신의 임재(臨在, presence)를 목격한다. 그러므로 나는 숲이 빚어내는 저 깊은 가르침을 더할 나위 없이 순한 귀로 가만가만 듣게 된다. 무자천서(無字天書), 옛사람들은 숲을 하늘이 지은 글자 없는 책이라 별명(別名)했다. 내게 저 말은 너무도 정확하고 놀라운 표현으로 다가온다. 눈 밝은 사람에게 숲은 그 자체로 깊이 있는 경전이다. 숲을 이루는 모든 존재들은 사시사철, 날마다 우리에게 말을 건네고 있다.


숲은 원형리정(元亨利貞), 생장수장(生長收藏), 춘하추동(春夏秋冬)의 리듬을 통해 하늘과 땅이 만나 빚어내는 아름다운 리듬을 사시사철, 날마다 보여주고 있다. 우주는 리듬이요, 삶 역시 그 리듬 위에 있어야 하는 것임을 여실히 보여주는 곳이 숲이다. 우리가 왜 태어났고 무엇을 위해 살며 어디로 가는지, 그 알기 어려운 질문에 대한 답을 넌지시 건네고 있는 공간이 바로 숲이다. 숲의 긴 역사와 하루하루 속에는 나고 자라고 무언가를 이루고 죽기까지, 기쁘고 버겁고 때로 다투고 상처주고 상처받으며 또 화해하고 꽃 피고 열매 맺고 아프고 죽어야만 하는, 우리 인간 실존의 문제에 대한 거의 모든 해답이 전사(mirroring)되어 있다. 바람에 눕는 풀이나 그 바닥을 지탱하며 사는 지렁이를 보다가, 혹은 땅속에서 굼벵이로 긴 세월의 어둠을 먹고 올라와 풀섶에 제 한때의 옷을 벗어 놓고 어느 나무에 기대어 한 여름 생을 노래한 뒤 먼 곳으로 떠나가는 매미의 가락을 듣다가. 이윽고 제 스스로의 삶을 들여다보고 알아채게 하는 공부! 생명과 생명 아닌 것들이 사방팔방으로 서로를 연결하며 빚어내는, 혹은 현재가 과거를 먹고 서서 다가오지 않은 날들로 향하고 있는, 쉬는 날 없이 윤회하고 있는 숲 공동체를 보면서 인간 공동체의 갈 길을 탐험하는 공부! 이것을 나는 ‘숲 인문학’이라 부른다. 요컨대 내가 말하는 ‘숲 인문학’은 숲을 통해 인간 실존의 문제와 인간 공동체의 방향을 탐색해가는 공부이다.



여우숲 인근에서 여우숲학교 참여자들이 숲 체험을 하고 있다. 여우숲 누리집 갈무리이곳 ‘휴심정’을 통해 내가 안내할 무자천서로서의 숲 인문학이 담을 핵심 주제를 한 문장으로 표현해보자면 그것은 ‘숲을 만나다, 삶을 사랑하다’ 정도로 요약할 수 있을 듯하다. 한 10년 정도 숲과 함께 산 뒤부터 내 대중강연의 주제는 하나의 지점으로 수렴하기 시작했다. 그것은 ‘숲을 만나는 일은 잃어버린 나를 되찾는 일을 넘어 마침내 자신과 타자를 사랑할 힘을 되찾는 길을 발견하는 것입니다’라는 점이었다. 고백하자면 내가 먼저 그렇게 되었다. 나는 숲의 가르침을 통해 비로소 무늬만 인간이었던 옷을 벗고 진짜 인간으로 다시 태어날 수 있었다. 이것은 마치 매미나 나비, 나방이 알과 애벌레와 번데기의 허물을 차례로 벗어내며 마침내 자신을 이루어내는 극적인 전환 같기도 했다. 나는 우선 자신의 삶과 불화했던 모든 지점을 받아들이고 화해할 수 있게 되었다. 아울러 스스로를 존중함을 넘어 나 아닌 존재 모두를 깊이 받들 수 있게 되었다. 은연중에 세계를 이해나 우열로, 아니면 좋거나 나쁜 것, 혹은 옳거나 그른 것들로 바라보고 있었던 관점이 속절없이 허물어지기 시작했다.



오랫동안 훈련받으며 나의 내면에 장착했던 저 이분법적 세계관을 숲은 마치 비가 먼지를 닦아내듯 닦아지게 했다. 숲을 통해 비로소 나는 더 순해졌고 자유로워졌다. 맞닥뜨린 가난 속에서도, 무시로 찾아오는 다채로운 곤경 속에서도 나는 나를 떠나지 않게 되었다. 그 모든 날들을 사랑하게 되었다. 높고 낮은 땅이 있고 크고 작은 나무와 풀이 있다지만, 또 마음껏 햇살을 받는 나무도 있고 빛 한 조각 받기도 어려운 풀이 있다지만, 숲 안에서 생명은 모두 대등하고 존엄한 존재로 서로 연결되어 하늘이 품부해둔 제 꽃을 화들짝 피움으로써 저마다 환하게 빛나는 세계를 창조하는 것이라는 소식을 알아채게 되면서부터 나는 온전히 나를 바라보게 되었고 마침내 스스로를 더욱 깊게 사랑할 수 있게 되었다.



사랑은 빛과 같아서 사방을 향해 자꾸 뻗어나가려 한다. 자신을 온전히 사랑하는 자는 그러니 이제 타자를 사랑하지 않을 수가 없게 된다. 나와 함께 긴 호흡으로 숲의 속살을 함께 걸었던 누군가도 그렇게 되었다고 고백했다. 어떤 이는 화해 불가능할 것 같았던 자신의 과거를 따뜻한 연민으로 품게 되었다고 했고, 어떤 이는 미워하는 마음 탓에 한 공간에 함께 지내는 것이 날마다 고역이 되어버린 남편을 마침내 품어 안을 수 있게 되었다고도 했다. 아버지가 집을 떠나버린 상태에서 엄마와 동생만 함께 살고 있다는 어느 초등학교 5학년의 아이는 나무와 풀들이 감당하면서 극복해내고 있는 삶의 고난과 역경을 알아보는 눈이 열리더니 이렇게 썼다. ‘나도 해낼 거예요. 나무와 풀처럼!’ 조현병을 앓고 있는 어느 잘생긴 청년은 ‘숲이 보여주는 신비가 자꾸 자기를 숲으로 부른다’고 표현하기도 했다. 그가 처한 상황이나 상태에 따라 정도의 차이는 있지만, 숲이라는 글자 없는 책을 뜨문뜨문 읽기 시작하면서부터 함께 걸었던 이들은 모두 최소한 잃어가던 생명성을 되찾는 것이 출발점임을 알아챘다.



나의 유혹어린 초대장에 마음이 끌리는가? 그렇다면 이제 산책에 나설 시간이다. 길을 나서기에 앞서 당신에게 드릴 정중한 부탁이 하나 있다. 다음을 기억하며 숲을 걷자는 것이다. 우리가 도착하고 싶은 장소는 지겹도록 듣는 “숲에서 ‘힐링’하고 왔어요” 수준의 숲이 아니다. “이건 이름이 뭐예요?” 수준의 숲이 아니다. 지금부터 당신과 내가 숲을 만나는 일은 잃어버린 생명성을 회복하는 산책이요, 스스로를 사랑할 힘을 회복하여 마침내 이웃과 세상을 사랑할 수 있는 힘을 되찾는 과정으로서의 숲 마주하기라는 점이다. 이것을 기억해두자!

거듭 밝히지만 ‘숲을 만나다 삶을 사랑하다’, 당신과 함께 나란히 걸으며 마침내 만나게 해주고 싶은 지점은 바로 저 문장 속에 있다. 당신이 진정 숲의 말을 듣게 된다면 당신은 틀림없이 당신의 삶을 사랑하게 될 것이다. 자신을 사랑할 수 있는 자만이 타자를 사랑할 수 있다. 그러니 숲의 노래를 제대로 들을 수 있게 된다면 당신은 자신 아닌 존재를 사랑하는 기쁨마저 누리며 살게 될 것이다. 우리의 산책이 설레지 않는가? 설레도 좋을 것이다. 지혜와 사랑의 숲을 깊은 곳까지 산책하기 위해서는 약간의 준비과정이 필요하다. 숲을 만남으로써 자신의 삶과 화해하고 마침내 사랑할 수 있는 숲을 만나기 위해서는 약간의 새로운 시선이 필요하다. 그리고 머리에 의존함으로써 차가워진 가슴이라는 채널을 다시 덥히고 개방해야 한다. 이어지는 몇 꼭지의 연재는 우선 그 워밍업의 시간이 될 것이다.

글 김용규(여우숲인문학교장)

충북 괴산군 사오랑 외딴 산골에 있는 숲학교와 숙박시설을 갖춘 복합숲문화공간인 ‘여우숲’ 설립자다. 금융회사와 이동통신회사에 다니다 벤처 붐이 일던 2000년대 초반에 벤처 시이오를 하던 중 껍데기를 추구하는 삶을 견딜 수 없어 숲으로 들어갔다. 지은 책으로 ’숲에게 길을 묻다’, ’숲으로 온 편지’, ’당신이 숲으로 와준다면’ 등이 있다. happyforest@empas.com


*이 시리즈는 대우재단 대우꿈동산과 함께합니다

연재[휴심정] 김용규의 숲과 지혜

2022/10/01

Life of the Author, The: Maya Angelou by Linda Wagner-Martin - Audiobook | Scribd

Life of the Author, The: Maya Angelou by Linda Wagner-Martin - Audiobook | Scribd

Life of the Author, The: Maya Angelou

Written by Linda Wagner-Martin

Narrated by Allyson Johnson

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A comprehensive biographical and critical reading of the works of American poet and memoirist Maya Angelou (1928-2014). Linda Wagner-Martin covers all six of Angelou's autobiographies, as well as her essay and poetry collections, while also exploring Angelou's life as an African American in the United States, her career as stage and film performer, her thoughtful participation in the Civil Rights actions of the 1960s, and her travels abroad in Egypt, Africa, and Europe.



In her discussion of Angelou's methods of writing her stunning autobiography, which began with the 1970 publication of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Wagner-Martin writes about the influences of the Harlem Writers Group (led by James Baldwin, Paule Marshall, and John O. Killens) as well as Angelou's significant friendships with Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., and other leaders from both international and African American United States cultures. Crucial concepts throughout include the role of oral traditions, of song and dance, of the spiritualism of art based on religious belief, of Angelou's voiced rhythms and her polished use of dialogue to convey more abstract "meaning.” Wagner-Martin shows that, viewing herself as a global citizen, Angelou never lost her spirit of adventure and discovery as well as her ability to overcome.



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THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR MAYA ANGELOU

DISCOVER THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF MAYA ANGELOU WITH A HIGHLY PERSONAL AND DETAILED ACCOUNT OF HER CHALLENGES AND TRIUMPHS

The Life of the Author: Maya Angelou delivers an engaging and thorough retelling of the life and work of the celebrated and accomplished writer, director, and essayist. The book offers readers an engrossing retelling of Maya Angelou’s entire life, from her time as a child in the segregated town of Stamps, Arkansas, to her death in 2014 in Winston-Salem.

Written with an emphasis on accessibility, the author avoids critical theory and focuses on Maya Angelou’s growth as a person and writer as well as the ways in which her life influenced her work. This new biography tells the story of a young black woman who overcomes poverty and endemic structural and personal obstacles to lead an accomplished life.

Readers will also enjoy:A thorough retelling of the time Maya Angelou spent in Africa and how it shaped her views and work
An exploration of the screenplays written by Maya Angelou
Discussions of Maya Angelou’s early life as a dancer, singer, and writer
Accounts of Maya Angelou’s writing and production of television shows
A fulsome treatment of Maya Angelou’s work, including her poems, autobiographies, films, music, and theatre

Perfect for undergraduate students in Contemporary Literature courses as well as general readers who love Maya Angelou and her work, The Life of the Author: Maya Angelou will also earn a place in the libraries of biography and literature enthusiasts who seek to improve their understanding of the life and story of Maya Angelou with a highly personal and accessible new book.
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Print length

220 pages
Language

English







Editorial Reviews

Review


“This book offers an accessible, clear biography of the highly acclaimed poet, essayist, memoirist, educator, and civil rights activist. Refreshingly unburdened by footnotes and theoretical digressions, the book applies a wide-angle lens to Angelou’s life and provides a sweeping view of the woman and her works. The approach is nonetheless scholarly: Wagner-Martin (Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill) frames her discussion of Angelou’s life with other critics’ viewpoints and emphasizes Angelou’s influence on the larger literary world. The book is as much a biography of Angelou’s writings as it is a biography of the woman. Wagner-Martin smartly anchors her study in Angelou’s six autobiographies, beginning with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings―thus highlighting for readers her subject's growth as an author. Wagner-Martin even posits that Angelou’s poetry gives insight into her love life. She also provides an analysis of some of Angelou’s essays and her important work as a civil rights activist. The book includes a useful bibliography of primary sources ―poems, autobiographies, essays, spoken-word albums, children’s books, screenplays, and so on―as well as a comprehensive bibliography of secondary sources. Summing Up: Essential. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; general readers.” -CHOICE

“Maya Angelou: Adventurous Spirit is a perfectly timed, must-have volume for any reader interested in the life and work of the writer, activist, campaigner and performer Maya Angelou. In a vivacious and accessible study, eminent scholar Linda Wagner-Martin combines biography and literary criticism, spanning Angelou's first book to her final publication in 2014 - a poem on the death of Nelson Mandela. Wagner-Martin considers Angelou's life as an African American in the US, her life as stage and film performer, her full involvement in the Civil Rights actions of the 1960s and her travels abroad in Egypt, Africa and Europe alongside her literary career, recognizing Angelou's dexterous maneuvering of genre. In a manner befitting its subject, Maya Angelou: Adventurous Spirit achieves that rare balance: incisive, scholarly, well-researched, but also immensely enjoyable to read.” ―Laura Rattray, Reader in American Literature, University of Glasgow, UK

“This engaging study brings much-needed scholarly attention to Maya Angelou's memoirs and poetry and shows how Angelou's political involvement and time in Africa inform her writing. Linda Wagner-Martin's interest in the use of language mirrors Angelou's own and highlights the unities in Angelou's wide-ranging career.” ―Kelly L. Reames, Associate Professor of English, Western Kentucky University, USA

“Kudos to Linda Wagner-Martin, one of our most esteemed literary critics, for her superb scholarship in Maya Angelou: Adventurous Spirit. This accessible and deeply engaging study launches a new era in the assessment of a very important author and world-changing woman.” ―Hilary Holladay, Author of Wild Blessings: The Poetry of Lucille Clifton--This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
From the Inside Flap


DISCOVER THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF MAYA ANGELOU WITH A HIGHLY PERSONAL AND DETAILED ACCOUNT OF HER CHALLENGES AND TRIUMPHS

The Life of the Author: Maya Angelou delivers an engaging and thorough retelling of the life and work of the celebrated and accomplished writer, director, and essayist. The book offers readers an engrossing retelling of Maya Angelou’s entire life, from her time as a child in the segregated town of Stamps, Arkansas, to her death in 2014 in Winston-Salem.

Written with an emphasis on accessibility, the author avoids critical theory and focuses on Maya Angelou’s growth as a person and writer as well as the ways in which her life influenced her work. This new biography tells the story of a young black woman who overcomes poverty and endemic structural and personal obstacles to lead an accomplished life.

Readers will also enjoy:A thorough retelling of the time Maya Angelou spent in Africa and how it shaped her views and work
An exploration of the screenplays written by Maya Angelou
Discussions of Maya Angelou’s early life as a dancer, singer, and writer
Accounts of Maya Angelou’s writing and production of television shows
A fulsome treatment of Maya Angelou’s work, including her poems, autobiographies, films, music, and theatre

Perfect for undergraduate students in Contemporary Literature courses as well as general readers who love Maya Angelou and her work, The Life of the Author: Maya Angelou will also earn a place in the libraries of biography and literature enthusiasts who seek to improve their understanding of the life and story of Maya Angelou with a highly personal and accessible new book.





--This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

About the Author
Linda Wagner-Martin is Hanes Professor of English and Comparative Literature at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA. She was the 2011 recipient of the Hubbell Medal for lifetime service in American literature (sponsored by the MLA), and has received the Guggenheim fellowship, the senior National Endowment for the Humanities fellowship, the Bunting Institute fellowship, and awards from the Rockefeller Foundation, the American Philosophical Association and others. She has published more than fifty-five books of criticism, some edited, including Sylvia Plath: A Biography (1987) and “Favored Strangers”: Gertrude Stein and Her Family (1995), as well as studies of Ernest Hemingway, Zelda Fitzgerald, Barbara Kingsolver, and others. Recent books are A History of American Literature from 1950 to the Present (2013) and Toni Morrison and the Maternal (2014). --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
From the Back Cover


DISCOVER THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF MAYA ANGELOU WITH A HIGHLY PERSONAL AND DETAILED ACCOUNT OF HER CHALLENGES AND TRIUMPHS

The Life of the Author: Maya Angelou delivers an engaging and thorough retelling of the life and work of the celebrated and accomplished writer, director, and essayist. The book offers readers an engrossing retelling of Maya Angelou's entire life, from her time as a child in the segregated town of Stamps, Arkansas, to her death in 2014 in Winston-Salem.

Written with an emphasis on accessibility, the author avoids critical theory and focuses on Maya Angelou's growth as a person and writer as well as the ways in which her life influenced her work. This new biography tells the story of a young black woman who overcomes poverty and endemic structural and personal obstacles to lead an accomplished life.

Readers will also enjoy:A thorough retelling of the time Maya Angelou spent in Africa and how it shaped her views and work
An exploration of the screenplays written by Maya Angelou
Discussions of Maya Angelou's early life as a dancer, singer, and writer
Accounts of Maya Angelou's writing and production of television shows
A fulsome treatment of Maya Angelou's work, including her poems, autobiographies, films, music, and theatre

Perfect for undergraduate students in Contemporary Literature courses as well as general readers who love Maya Angelou and her work, The Life of the Author: Maya Angelou will also earn a place in the libraries of biography and literature enthusiasts who seek to improve their understanding of the life and story of Maya Angelou with a highly personal and accessible new book.





--This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
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Product details
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B098ZF9FHM
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wiley-Blackwell; 1st edition (July 7, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 7, 2021
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 11384 KB

Using The Social Engagement System | Psychology Today Ireland

Using The Social Engagement System | Psychology Today Ireland





Tom Bunn L.C.S.W.
Conquer Fear Of Flying

ANXIETY
Using The Social Engagement System
Control flight anxiety with your most powerful regulation system

Posted November 13, 2012



When it comes to flight anxiety, statistics don't help. It doesn't matter—at least emotionally—whether there is one crash in a million flights, or one crash in one-hundred million flights. No matter how remote the possibility, when an anxious flier contemplates an upcoming flight, images of disaster come to mind. The images may involve emotional disaster such as panic, or physical disaster such as a crash. Whichever is the case, the images release stress hormones that cause emotional distress.

When released, stress hormones activate the Mobilization System (MS. This system, being primitive, has just one way to deal with uncertainty. It produces an urge to escape. Some creatures, those with a tiny brain, do just that. But humans, with a bigger brain, look for other options. When stress hormones activate the MS, they also activate Executive Function (EF), our high level, conscious thinking. EF—at least temporarily—overrides the urge to escape and tries to figure out what is going on. Does this situation really call for escape, or is it a false alarm? If there is a problem, EF looks for a way to deal with it.


When it looks for a way to deal with problems, EF is in the prediction business. Healthy EF does not insist on a sure thing. It looks for the plan that is most likely to get good results. When healthy EF comes up with a plan that will probably work, it commits to carrying out that plan. At that moment, EF signals the amygdala to stop releasing stress hormones. Anxiety disappears.


Not so with the anxiety-prone person. Their EF requires certainty. Otherwise their EF finds it difficult—perhaps impossible—to commit. Since commitment to a plan is necessary to end stress hormone release, when EF can't decide and commit, stress hormone release continues. If stress hormones build up too high, EF collapses, and MS, the primitive escape-based system, takes over.


When a person panics, if escape is available, they can get relief. But when a person panics on a plane, there is no escape. Neither the person's sophisticated EF nor their primitive MS can stop anxiety.

What can control flight anxiety? There is another emotional control system, one we use it every day in social settings. When we are with other people, unexpected things are being said and done almost constantly. Each of these triggers the release of stress hormones. At the same time, a system researcher Stephen Porges says the Social Engagement System (SES) picks up signals from others, such as body language, voice quality, and facial expressions. If the SES likes what it sees and hears, it calms us. Since the SES operates unconsciously, we are not aware that it is calming us. We have no idea that the SES is overriding stress hormones that other people almost constantly trigger in us.
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Think of being in your car with one foot pressing on the accelerator and one foot firmly holding the brake. Though gas is revving up the engine, the car goes nowhere because of the brake. In your body, stress hormones are being released, but signals the SES picks up from others, can cause you—in spite of the hormones—to feel calm, using what Porges calls the Vagal Brake. Not only can the SES override stress hormones, it can prevent the release of stress hormones by increasing the level of oxytocin, a hormone that inhibits the amygdala.


Because it works unconsciously, the most powerful regulation system we have is the one we know little if anything about. And the system we know the most about, our high level cognition, is—when it comes to flying—our weakest one. We all know that when someone supportive is with us, we are less afraid. But what we don't know—because the SES works automatically—is that the "someones" who were supportive when we faced uncertainties during formative years are built inside us. Not only can a person physically present calm us, but a person psychologically present (because they are "objects" built inside our psyche) can also calm us.

If someone supportive is on a flight with you, they can respond and reassure you when a shot of stress hormones is released by a noise or a bump. But a "someone" supportive who is built inside you can override stress hormones or prevent stress hormone release.

For the fortunate child, links are established naturally between the face of a supportive person and the various uncertainties encountered. Since we are not aware of it when an established link calms us, a person who flies with no anxiety can't understand why others are fearful. Likewise, a person—lacking those links—is afraid when flying, and can't understand anyone isn't afraid.
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It all comes down to what was—or wasn't—built inside way back when we were facing uncertainties as little kids. If we were adequately responded to, links between uncertainty and mom's or dad's face unconsciously protect us from anxiety. If we were not adequately responded to, there are not enough links to protect us from anxiety now. To regulate anxiety, we try to control things. If unable to get enough control, we make sure we have a way to escape the situation.

When working with fearful fliers, I have them tap into the SES. It is incredibly powerful. We simply find a moment when signals from another person caused the SES to actively control anxiety. Then, we link that face of that person to the door of the plane being closed, to the engines starting, to the plane taking off, and to turbulence, and to landing. Once the various moments of flight are linked to vivid recall of the person's face and the signals it sent to the SES, anxiety is controlled.

About the Author



Captain Tom Bunn, LCSW, is an airline pilot and author who has dedicated 30 years to the development of effective methods for treating flight phobia.


Online: Fear of Flying, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

Read Next

James Heckman - Wikipedia Inequality in America: What Role for Human Capital Policy?

James Heckman - Wikipedia

Research[edit]

Heckman is noted for his contributions to selection bias and self-selection analysis, especially Heckman correction, which earned him the Nobel Prize in Economics. He is also well known for his empirical research in labor economics, particularly regarding the efficacy of early childhood education programs.

His work has been devoted to the development of a scientific basis for economic policy evaluation, with special emphasis on models of individuals and disaggregated groups, and the problems and possibilities created by heterogeneity, diversity, and unobserved counterfactual states. He developed a body of new econometric tools that address these issues. His research has given policymakers important new insights into areas such as education, jobtraining, the importance of accounting for general equilibrium in the analysis of labor markets, anti-discrimination law, and civil rights. He demonstrated a strong causal effect of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in promoting African-American economic progress. He has recently demonstrated that the high school dropout rate is increasing in the US. He has studied the economic benefits of sorting in the labor market, the ineffectiveness of active labor market programs, and the economic returns to education.

His recent research focuses on inequality, human development and lifecycle skill formation, with a special emphasis on the economics of early childhood education. He is currently conducting new social experiments on early childhood interventions and reanalyzing old experiments. He is also studying the emergence of the underclass in the US and Western Europe. For example, he showed that a high IQ only improved an individual's chances of financial success by 1 or 2%.[12] Instead, "conscientiousness," or "diligence, perseverance and self-discipline," are what led to financial success.[12]

In the early 1990s, his pioneering research, on the outcomes of people who obtain the GED certificate, received national attention.

Heckman has published over 300 articles and several books. His books include Inequality in America: What Role for Human Capital Policy? (with Alan Krueger); Evaluating Human Capital Policy, Law, and Employment: Lessons from Latin America and the Caribbean (with Carmen Pages); the Handbook of Econometrics, volumes 5, 6A, and 6B (edited with Edward Leamer); Global Perspectives on the Rule of Law, (edited with R. Nelson and L. Cabatingan); and The Myth of Achievement Tests: The GED and the Role of Character in American Life (with John Eric Humphries and Tim Kautz).

He is currently co-editor of the Journal of Political Economy. He is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences (USA) and the American Philosophical Society.[13] He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Econometric Society (of which he is also former president), the Society of Labor Economics, the American Statistical Association, and the International Statistical Institute.