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This sounds like migraine headaches. Does she get an upset stomach with the headache? Also with migraines (and tension headaches as well) it isn't uncommon to see "sparkles", sometimes well before the headache actually starts. On this subject I am an expert - at least by experience.

Whether she is bipolar or not has little or nothing to do with the headaches. Her body (yes, hormones) is changing and developing. That alone can cause the symptoms you describe. Then she adds birth control pills to the mix -- not designed to balance a system already in disorder. Then throw in the caffine, which makes things even worse. Over time her mood swings and headaches should decrease in intensity. But in the meantime there are steps she can take.

An herb called Feverfew, taken as a tea, is a very effective remedy for migraines. It is best to take it as soon as she even thinks she might get a headache. The sooner you take it before an attack, the more effective it will be. Secondly, over the counter drugs such as Advil can help, again if taken early on. Another option that can be effective (as has already been suggested) are the prescription drugs her doctor can give her. The hand massage mentioned by garomes can also help -- in some cases it does just stop the pain!

As to the mood swings, you can encourage her to pursue meditation and relaxation -- hypnosis can be a pretty big help. But for the most part, that is something she will just have to suffer through, and it can last a very long time.

IMHO, she is not dealing with Negs, but with a very natural, physical process of maturing. The joys of being female...[xx(]

Avalon, thanks for the clarification -- now I see where you were coming from! []

I guess my answer would be an emphatic "Maybe". Some early religions do have a similarity to Christianity, but only in a very generic sense. Nature worship often involves fickle dieties (am I spelling that right?), requiring rituals and sacrifices of varying kinds to keep on the divine good side. And more than a few of them require "right behaviour" from their adherents. That's about as close a connection as I've seen.

Hope the holidays treat you well! []

My thanks as well to Shinobi & bomohwkl. Also, Shinobi, thanks for reminding me that "Dharma Center" was the name I was trying to remember -- there is a Dharma Center for the Vajrayana tradition reasonably close to me. Over time I hope to become better informed as to their beliefs.

I'm still curious as to whether Buddhism has a theory of creation. Does anyone on this forum know? If no reply (I first asked about this in September!) I'll try and find out somewhere and post it here. I occasionally attend a Tibetan Buddhist service in Texas, but I keep forgetting to ask when I'm there. I guess I just hate to admit my ignorance![]

Someone posted an inquiry as to whether someone raised on an isolated island would be atheistic or would have a belief in God. Maybe I'm misunderstanding the example, but that has in fact occurred frequently in history and the answers are in the book. Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, etc. come to mind. Also relevant would be the development of Native American beliefs. Most of those early religions involved nature worship of some kind. For myself, I can see how that can happen. The Druids would be another example of independant religious development.

While I'm not saying that atheism and agnosticism never existed in those isolated cultures, it appears rare until a society reaches a point of economic plenty. When folks can produce enough food and shelter to provide comfort and still have time on their hands, then the philosophical debates begin. That's when the more esoteric religions begin to be seen (Paganism, Christianity, Islam, etc) and the atheist and agnostic discussions begin to appear.

The human mind seems universally to want or need something/someone greater than itself. John Campbell has written on this I believe. When you get right down to it, even the belief in OBE expressed by many on this site could well be nothing more than another manifestation of that search for "something above all". My agnosticism extends to that area as well, because I believe the vast majority of the OBE's related on this site are just dreams -- not reality (IMO).

BTW, the Buddist religion would fall into the Atheistic category. They do not, as I understand it, believe in divine deities. Rather, they venerate very human people as great teachers who have become enlightened. Even Buddha is not a "god" per se. And each Buddhist may aspire to become a Buddha. I don't know if there are other religions with this philosophy.

For myself, I have to put myself firmly in the agnostic camp. I am exploring and searching, but have no answers yet. I know the cosmos is enveloped in energy that pervades absolutely everything. Some religions (Wicca, Druids, etc.) believe this energy can be manipulated by those who "tap into" its power, while other religions believe the energy is sentient, hence "God". I just don't know. []

Incognito, here's where I dig myself into a bit of a hole I guess. I am firmly in your camp as regards those who claim to be able to perform telepathy, OBE, remote viewing, etc., "on demand". Talk is cheap, and claiming you are too "wise", "good" or whatever to demonstrably and scientifically prove a talent is nonsense. Sorry, no offense intended, just my own opinion. I also believe you can dismiss about 99% of those who claim so casually that they do these things.

Having said the above, now I'll tell you why I intend to keep on trying to discover these abilities in myself. I've had two provable instances of telepathy. One was a dream about a location I later saw. The second was a dream about one of my bosses hurting his leg over the weekend. I went to his office the following Monday and asked if he had hurt his leg. He asked how I knew that as he limped around his desk to show me the bruise on his shin. I told him the details of my dream before he said anything else and the details fit exactly (the only difference was that he had been unloading feed sacks from a pickup rather than loading them as I saw in my dream. His reaction was fear, not enthusiasm.

I've also had one instance of OBE, involuntary and while I was wide awake and standing up. Just instantly I was out of and behind my body and clearly aware of everything (vision and all).

The only fly in this ointment is that I can do nothing "on demand"! Try as I might, when I meditate, all I get is pretty pictures and frequently portraits of people. But despite the failure, I've been there, done that, and I know it can be done! That's why I plan to keep on plugging. I may never discover anything but I'm not giving up.

As to a question about why "true telepaths" aren't all rich, etc. -- how do we know they aren't? If I ever do obtain the abilities I'm seeking I certainly would use them to help me with a few money worries. But I also most certainly won't advertise the fact. And maybe this brings me back to an answer to my first paragraph -- it could be the true "achievers" are not eager to blow their cover. [] I can understand that.

I think this is where I start wading in WAY over my head, but here goes anyway.

I've been reading about String Theory, which proposes multiple dimensions; and also about "Dark Matter" and "Dark Engergy" as explanations for cosmic/microscopic behaviours. One article suggested the universe is kept in balance by the periodic addition or subtraction of Dark Energy or Matter (whichever is needed) but sort of fell apart in theorizing where these new supplies would come from.  

All of this, after making my head hurt, starts me thinking about some possible explanations for various metaphysical effects. What if OBE's and the Astral Plane are, assuming more than dreams, our perception of these extra dimensions. It could be that we don't quite have the technique to cross dimensions, and thus our perception is not clear. That would tie in to the String Theory, at least as I understand it.

And could "communication with the dead" be actually some sort of cross-dimensional contact with an alternate someone who is not dead  in their dimension?? Same thing with telepathy, etc.

Someone on this thread also mentioned that our perception of multiple dimensions might be just an attempt to "see" the one whole "dimension", "point" (call it what you will). That sounds intriguing and has a ring of truth to it. An ant could build a lot of theories about its surroundings, but is very unlikely to have a realistic explanation of humans, and likely couldn't even conceive of planets, stars, solar systems, etc. They just wouldn't have the frame of reference. But if we are the ant in that scenario, then will we ever be able to really grasp "reality"??

My head's starting to hurt again []! I would appreciate any comments on these admittedly unoriginal thoughts.

Squeek, good for you for expressing the thoughts of many of us! Stay the course![] I don't worry about posts that contain a few "typos"; we all make them. But when I see a post that looks like a 3rd grader's work I have two reactions:

First I check to see if the writer is from an English-speaking country. If not, I cut them a great deal of slack and admire them for their second-language abilities -- I am an "English only" moron and not proud of it. (I know, of course, that you aren't addressing those folks anyway).

Second, if the writer is a primary English speaker, I assume he/she is either very young or very ignorant and in either case dismiss their thoughts as useless at the very least.

I think it was you who said that people are judged by first impressions and made the point that this also applies to a written impression. That is absolutely true.

Syke, you certainly have a right to speak/write in any way you wish. Just realize that the more you do it, the more it becomes a habit and habits can be horrendously hard to break.

Mobius, I recall reading something a long time ago that dealt with Chinese writing skills. It indicated that they do, indeed, pay a lot of attention to accuracy and, as a result, written Chinese is a very hard art to master. I agree with you that our word processing abilities will keep evolving (so long as we don't destroy ourselves too soon). But the lazy among us will likely always find a way to mess it up. []

I agree, too, about the difference between American English and English. "Sulphur" vs. "Sulfur" comes to mind. But, hey, we have to play the hand we're dealt! I just believe we should play it as well as we can. []

I agree with  jc84corvette - it was not an OBE. It was a dream, and obviously one that was trying to tell you something. I had one the other night and when I sort of started waking up and drifting, I heard "Pay Attention!" loud and clear -- so I did.

Your dream very likely isn't about a "far out" esoteric topic or trying to give you a morality message. I have found dreams to contain very pragmatic information, what you do with the information is up to you. It probably relates to something you did or experienced in the last day or so, or something that was bothering you when you went to sleep. If you watched a horror movie or something similar, that could be a part of where the evil feeling comes from. It is common  knowledge that what we allow into our psyche, by watching, hearing, or whatever, becomes a part of us. Your dream could be telling you that you are in danger of allowing something to take up residence inside you that you consider evil.

That's the best I can do without knowing you -- hope it's helpful.

I've read some interesting articles on this topic in Scientific American and Discover magazines. I believe they were written in the last year, but I would guess you could find references to them on the websites of those mags. One of the things they commented on was the inability to target deeper areas of the brain with their current equipment, but they did succeed in paralyzing some superficial areas for brief periods. I can't recall exactly what they achieved right now. [B)]

I would really recommend against trying it at home -- there is no way you can monitor things properly, and no one to "catch you if you fall". It might be neat to get involved in a university study of such, if anyone knows who may be doing that sort of thing. I'm trying to find a formal research source for hypnosis myself, with no luck so far. Both areas of research are interesting -- we have so much yet to learn!!!!

My question about any experience that is artificially induced, whether by drugs, booze, magnetism, or whatever, is how do we know what part of the experience was real and what part was just hallucination? That's why I am looking into hypnosis. It just allows you to better use what you have, without adding any "extras".

Fortier Du Lune,
No problem, and I'm sorry if I sounded a bit "preachy". It's just that this forum is such a good opportunity to share and learn, if only we don't get mired in personality/ego issues. And believe me, I have to say that goes for me, too![B)] I'm new at this stuff too -- maybe together we can all be both teachers and students! []

Gandalf,
Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.[]

Fortier Du Lune,
Please don't get into that old "I'm offended" line -- it's so old it's growing moss! Gandalf was not trying to convert you from or to anything, he was just giving his take on the subject. You know, sort of like you did??? [] If you want to see "offended" check out the Mayatnik posts.

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that Tarot cards are a tool you can use to sort through your choices in life. Is there some "higher power" govering how the spreads come down? I don't know. [?]

Another personal opinion:
The terms "occult", "mystical", "metaphysical", etc. all describe phenomena we just don't understand at the present time. I believe in time we will understand more about how our brains function and will find that what is occult today is just a part of normal physiology tomorrow. I'm not saying there are no other beings "out there" somewhere, I just don't know. I am content to keep practicing and working toward understanding more than I do now. For me, that's hard enough!

Gandalf, can you point me to a website that has rules for games using Tarot cards? I've got some friends I play card games with most weekends and that would absolutely blow their minds! []

Also, if anyone knows of a Tarot deck based on wolves, I would be MOST interested. I've found one so far, but it is pretty crudely done. I want them to look like they'll walk off the page!

Kangaroos in Scotland?!!! Now there's a kicker. [xx(] My "hubby" would agree with you on the "neat" Scotch.

By the way, I've heard that a lot of quality Scotch is actually made in France -- THAT was a bit of a let-down! Aye and ye'd think a Scotsman would not permit it! []

Hmmm, field trip -- GOOD idea!! Hey Birm, got room for a houseful of Scottish neophytes? []

Purelight,
Welcome to the forum! I really can't think of anything to add that Jeff hasn't already covered, so just listen to him -- he's giving you good input.

As to 1 1/2 hours not being long enough, I'm luckyto get a half-hour of uninterrupted "quiet time". I don't think it's how long, it's just staying with it on a regular basis. As I said, listen to Jeff. []

Jeff,
I'm glad someone besides me forgets stuff! I've been trying to remember for 3 days now to get the author and title of a book I want to mention and it's still laying right where it was. Tomorrow, I'll definitely bring it tomorrow ..... now what was I going to bring? []

I'm reading a book about Druids now that is proving quite interesting, and "heavy sledding" as well. As soon as I remember to write the author's name down (I think the last name is Benson and the title is just "Druids") I will post it on the reading list thread. But in it he compares druidic history from many different sources to try and get at the truth about them. For instance, his conclusion is that Druids very likely never practiced human sacrifice, which works for me! He says they were more than just magicians; they were political advisors, teachers, managers,etc. Their rituals were just a part of a much bigger picture.

Gandalf, thank you for your great information, and I look forward to whatever you can get from your friends! []

Ireland is also lovely, from what I've seen in pictures, and I'm still of two minds as to which place I most want to visit. But I've heard of Scotland's red deer and forests -- I would like to see those first-hand. [^]

Of course, RB's Wales workshop sounds intriguing, but I think I would have a hard time convincing my husband and mother to attend!

I must plead ignorance as to the Isle of Man -- I know only the name and general location. Would you fill me in a bit on its history and geography?

And this is going to sound really smart, but are there still wolves in either Ireland or Scotland? We in the US, of course, have been doing our best to wipe them out here. [V]

Birm, Jeff, Adrian,

You guys are giving me excellent advice here and I appreciate it! Birm, I'm continuing to practice your triangle technique and I am getting closer, I think. Jeff, thank you for the encouragement. It is so frustrating when you knowsomething exists and still can't connect! And Adrian, I think you put a name to what happened to me awhile back. I thought it was an OBE, and posted to that effect; but with no vibrations or anything else, I began to wonder just what had happened. I have posted that experience elsewhere so I won't go into detail here, but it was just "Pop", I was behind my body, then when I realized it, "Pop" I was back. I was wide-awake and standing up -- there's no way I was dreaming. That event was totally unexpected and I have gotten nowhere (so far, Jeff) trying to do it again.

By the way, it is very nice to be able to discuss all this with folks who 1) don't think you've totally flipped out; and 2) aren't trying to re-create Saturday morning "space ranger" cartoons! I think I'm older than most of the folks on this forum, but I still get a feeling of acceptance, even from the "sprouts"! [] I've only recently found the courage to really start exploring the metaphysical. I hope I'm not too old to learn!

What is the Buddhist theory of creation? I understand their idea of reincarnation, but haven't run across anything discussing how it all began. Does anyone have anything on that?

Hi Birm!

So you're saying the dog bark I heard could have been an indication I was actually getting somewhere?! That would be great! Right now I feel like a door is being slammed in my face every time I get close to a conscious connection to the astral. I've never had a big problem with relaxing my body and keeping the mind active -- until I started trying to do it. Then it's a whole new ball game. But your system seems to offer some real progress so I'm going to hang in there.

Have you used any self-hypnosis tapes or CD's to help you?

Hi Gandalf,

I'm from Texas actually, but have been trying to put together a visit to Scotland. I'm looking for information on druidic or "old magic" sites. As you might imagine, I'm not coming up with much from the travel agencies. Can you tell me a little about Scotland, like the best time to visit, can we see both coastline and forest, etc.

We were able to visit Muir Woods in California a couple of years ago and the feeling I got there was absolutely indescribable! It is unquestionably (and trite though it sounds) a strong "place of power". With Scotland being so rich in ancient heritage, I would hope it has its own such places. That's why I ask about forests.

It's very interesting that you made this post at just this time. Any information you can give will be most helpful!

Birm, thanks for the quick response! I did have it spelled wrong, it's "Tinnitus". They define it as hearing sounds that aren't present in the external environment -- Well, DUH!!! []

I tried your technique last night and the results were interesting. I did get just a brief moment of that disorientation you mentioned, then fell to sleep. At some point I woke up when I heard a single bark from a dog. I wasn't hearing a "real" bark. We don't have dogs that close, and besides, there was emotion connected with this one. It conveyed freedom and a sense of release, for lack of better words. My sister-in-law has a seriously ill dog and I wondered when I heard it whether her dog had died. I found out this morning she did, some time prior to 11:30 (when I got the email). I don't know whether it was anything but coincidence, but if it was, the dog wasn't upset by what happened.

I fell back asleep and launched into the happiest dream I've had in quite some time. Colors were just vivid and the setting was bright -- lots of people around everywhere.

I don't think this dream was connected with the dog, but I wonder if both of them weren't connected to my use of your "listening" technique?

I really appreciate your insight on this technique. So many of them just don't work for me -- maybe this will be different!

Are you talking about Tinitis (I think I'm spelling it right)? That's a ringing in the ears I have had since I can remember. Someone on this thread posted that she heard "cricket" sounds -- sometimes this sounds like crickets, sometimes it's just a high-pitched tone. Is the sound you are describing the same as this and, if not, how do you hear it above the constant ringing?

If you take your life in a moment of dispair, then maybe you are buying into just more misery "over there", depending on whether karma is real or not. But what about those who choose suicide rather than a lingering death from illness? Or those who just believe they have lived as long as they want to -- not a spur of the moment decision but one made perhaps years before the person decides that the time has come to "execute the plan". What do Buddists believe about suicide? Are we here to learn some lesson from this life? And if that's so, and we think we have learned it, then will you still have to carry baggage if you pull the plug? Any clarification on this one will be appreciated!

I was really going to stop posting and just "listen" for awhile, but I've got such a mouth it even runs my fingers! []

Soulfire, I pretty much agree with you. Grouping all "mystical" experiences together, I guess I've had quite a few, none fatal, so far. I've experienced awe, amazement and definitely "Wait, I'm not ready to go back yet!!", but nothing bad. As to death,hey, it's a new experience and something to learn from, not fear!

Paul, have you ever been given a general anesthetic? If not, some of your concern about death may be relieved when that happens. You don't dream, there is no sense of time or place or --- anything. It's like someone switched out the lights then switched them back on with exactly nothing in between. Death may be like that, where we just "end". But if so, there's nothing to fear. It's only those we leave behind that will know anything happened! If reincarnation is real, we likely won't be aware of any transition between our death and our next life, whatever that may be. And if the astral is a place where we can exist when our physical body is done, that's a whole new world to explore, with all the time there is to do it! Same thing if we become pure spirit (call it that) and stay in this world frame. How neat would it be to be able to fly with the wind, or birds, or maybe sail out and explore a few galaxies?!

Now before I start sounding too smug, I will say it's not death I fear, it's the dying. I can think of several ways I would rather not use to cross that threshold. OBE would be a pretty good option, really.

I guess what I'm trying to say in my stumbling fashion is maybe you should try and see each new experience, including OBE, as a new opportunity, and exploit it to the fullest! As Robert Bruce probably wouldn't say, "No worries, Mate, just go for it!" []

Tish, thanks for the tips on diet -- I was able to get supper out of the way by 7:00 last night and I'm going to try and make that a habit. But I have another question and hope you can help.

I have had just one experience that I think was an OBE, but now maybe it wasn't. [?] I was wide awake and standing up when very suddenly I was behind "me", just watching the "other me". As soon as I realized it, thought "Whoa, what's this!?" and was back in my body. No vibrations, no time lag, just instantaneous. What happened -- do OBE's happen like that?

I don't do drugs or such (think middle-aged lady here) so I know that had nothing to do with it. [] Any thoughts?