The Call

Back in November of 2009 I had a series of synchronistic events happen that I recorded in my blog over at the Broken Bokken .... http://broken-bokken.blogspot.com/ See 'Shamans At Work'

These events led me to the world of Shamanism. To be frank with you, I had no interest in the subject until these events...and since then have been called into this interesting world.

I really don't consider myself a Shaman, but many of the hypnotic practices I have engaged in since the age of 16 are very similar to shamanic practices. So...in upcoming posts I will begin sharing my journeys as I conduct a series of past-life regressions...and maybe some future life progressions.

As Muso Soseki wrote, "for a person of Zen no limits exist."

Please join me as I explore the parameters of consensus and non-consensus reality. Please comment...and let the playful journey begin.

Many Blessings,
Shinzen

Friday, April 30, 2010

Mountain Hermit

Seeing myself coming down from a mountain in Japan carrying a bundle of herbs. I was dressed like a Taoist Sage, Chinese hair in bun, smiling. Sun shining as I walked through a field of grass and flowers. The funny thing for me was that I was not in China, but Japan.

I then realized that I had fled from China and went to live in the mountains of Japan. Not sure where or when.  All I can remember seeing is that I came to a small village where I was greeted warmly. I was helping tend the animals and children with herbs and words.

The last image that came to me was my Taoist self staring at me watching. It was like my past life knew I was there watching. He stared at me, Shinzen, smiled and faded away. It felt very peaceful.

Hands palm to palm,
Shinzen

Monday, April 26, 2010

Hypnosis is Natural

Ta Wan mentioned that perhaps I should make a post about how natural hypnosis is. Well, it is a very natural state of mind. In fact, you go in and out of a hypnotic state of mind countless times throughout the day. If you've ever been so engrossed in a book or movie or activity, you were in a trance state. 'You' disappeared for awhile and were the book, the movie or the activity.

The hypnogogic state of mind also occurs as you drift off to sleep at night. This is where you feel dreamy yet awake. Also, whenever you daydream you are also in a hypnotic trance. You can't get caught forever in a hypnotic state of mind no more than you can be forever caught in a daydream.

Some people believe, and I am still amazed this belief exists, that if you get hypnotized the devil will take your mind! Wow...I have used hypnosis since the age of 16 to help myself get through anxiety and panic attacks. The pills (Valium and Stelazine) did not work. In fact they made me feel like a zombie. Hypnosis, for myself, was a lifesaver and I don't consider myself demon possessed....well, maybe some gremlins, but that's all, and only the ones that like pb and j sandwiches :)

People who are worried about going into a trance or those who claim they can't be hypnotized typically are caught in the biggest and most difficult type of trance to break...it is called Ego.  The sense of Self as distinct and separate from the universe is a humongous monster of a trance, but once broken, can be used for fun in the playground of the mind.

As a man of Zen, as Muso Roshi stated, has no limits. The sky is small to the unlimited potential that exists for a man or woman who has seen through the trance state if 'I".  Hypnosis can be a vehicle by which you can experience this. Your sense of I gets suspended, yet still can watch, as the exploration of inner space is happening.

Hypnosis, as a therapy, also has been approved by the American Medical Association since 1958.  It is used pre and post surgery, during childbirth, dentristy and I use it in psychotherapy to help people cope with Post Traumatic Stress, anxiety, OCD, smoking cigs, weight loss and even soul retrieval. Yep. I had one request for a soul retrieval and within one month her soul returned and she feels great. I know it can sound way out there, but the mind is unlimited with unlimited power...and we're just beginning to tap into it.

Well, enough said on this. I have to prepare for my next regression. Thanks Ta Wan for the suggestion.

Hands palm to palm,
Shinzen

Sunday, April 25, 2010

My Self-Hypnotic Technique

Rizal had asked if I share my hypnotic technique for a doing a past-life regression. I do this technique for most changes I wish to make. It is simple and actually fairly common in the hypnotic world.

Now, I have been doing this since the age of 16 and it does require practice and some faith.  While in the regression it is important to trust the first impulses, ideas, images, impressions that you receive. When you start questioning you are engaging too much of the conscious mind.

Here's the technique that I practice:

Put on some quiet music...instrumental, new age and lately I have been using drumming shamanic music.
Then get in a comfortable position, sitting more upright than lying down. Lying down will just put you to sleep.
I take three deep breaths and after each exhale let out a great sigh of relief, allowing my body to relax deeper with each breath.
I then tell myself I am the greatest self-hypnotic practitioner in the world and am extremely susceptible to recalling past lives (or healing pain, or staying lean, or whatever).
Then I ask a question or put in a request. For instance: "I would like to explore a past life that will help me understand my anxiety. I will remember all that happens and when I return in 15 minutes will feel refreshed and alert."
I then call upon a guardian...can be animal or human or angelic to protect me through my journey.
Then I just 'let go' and listen to the music.


Now, if you are new to hypnosis you might want to find a past life hypnotic script and either record it for yourself or have someone you trust record it. This can be very helpufl.

After I return from my journey I also will keep a journal, especially of 'stuff' that pops up during the day or in dreams at night. After poking around in the subconscious, sometimes images and impressions will continue to rise and enter your consciousness. Trust it and write it down, even if it feels you are 'making it up'.

Try it for yourself..and happy traveling.

Many blessings,
Shinzen

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Eric Reicher

Eric Reicher is the name of one of my former lives. This discovery came from my first past life regression I did around six years ago.
Some background: Growing up I had recurring nightmares of being hunted and chased down by the Gestapo...Nazis.  In my dreams I would be hiding in walls, under furniture and even under an old tub. I would wake up sweating and really freaked out.

When I was in sixth grade I also began having a sharp searing pain in my lower left abdomen. No known reason was found for it and it would come and go throughout my life.

Now to the past life. I went into it with the question of searching the WWII era and my nightmares.  Eric Reicher was a Jewish German newspaper editor...He was hunted and killed by the Gestapo. Bayoneted in the lower left abdomen...in a bathroom. He was killed for what he wrote, plus being Jewish. Now, I don't have scientific or historical evidence to back this up, but that doesn't matter to me.

This past life cleared up a lot of personal issues for me in this life...like my writing and distate for German culture. I used to be fearful of allowing people to see my writing. I know many writers can be touchy about their work but I really didn't like being critiqued...even if the critique was good.  I also had, in this life, a dislike for the German language and German Shepards. The language always seemed course and harsh, plus German Shepards tended to growl at me...and was even bitten by one when I was about ten.  Never cared for them.

Now I write freely...and am not so concerned with comments and critiques. I write for myself and just let the shit fly.  I now have my first book due to be published in a few months...Black Belt Healing.  Who would have thunk. I have overcome that fear of critiques and now am an author in this life. Cool.

The pain in my left side....gone since the regression. (hint at another life I had...also knifed in that spot).

Oh, yeah...I also saw my old face. Slim build like I am now, but thin blond hair and wore round wired rim glasses...just like I do now. In this life, before I turned gray, my hair was very black.

That's all I have for now. This is a good start...if I remember anything I left out I can add later.

Hands palm to palm,
Shinzen

Past Lives

I will be taking some journeys into my past. Yes, I do believe I have lived before and will live on...but in different bodies and even in different worlds outside 'this' world.

Ever since I was child I had hints into this world. My parents would tell me I was just dreaming or had a very vivid imagination. I knew what I saw. As a child from 4 until puberty, I saw and heard 'dead' people.  Early on they scared the piss out of me!  As I grew older, not so much. It didn't help any that my backyard abutted a cemetary.  Often, I could hear my name called while in the backyard, but no-one was there but me.

Flying. At times I fly at night. Sounds weird, but I have a lot of flying 'dreams'. A Native American Seer Woman told me in her tradition these are out of body experiences and I was soul traveling. As a young kid, flying scared me, but as I got used to it...well, now I like it....for the most part.

So, to begin Samurai Shaman, I will be posting my past lives. Feel free to join in with comments and intreprations...and let the unfolding of my lives begin.

Hands palm to palm,
Shinzen