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1/10/1972 - Introduction by Andrew T. Weil

You I Latin America things might visible other parts world particular natural drugs primitive peoples positive applications altered states consciousness I really nothing Mexico directly relevant interests I planning stage I learned Spanish point I comfortable about venturing hinterlands I grown pleasantly accustomed aspects Mexico shamans magic mushrooms group consciousness rites miracle cures passed Consequently I across single external thing I genuinely wanted write about At I unber interesting internal experiences triggered manner other simply being Mexico For example I thinking about autonomic nervous system learning modify operation consciously In connection external experience clear American coming Mexico bound attention focused gastrointestinal tract usual gastro intestinal function markedly influence consciousness In I finished before leaving United States I argued general level called involuntary functions digestion appear beyond conscious control because existing channels between conscious unconscious awareness between reality ordinary experience reality ordinary experience composing trances daydreams highs meditations ecstasies other altered states consciousness In other words neurological apparatus affect internal functions heartbeat blood pressure digestion consciously forgotten speak where confro Is iecause manuscript familiar derives understanding altered states consciousness their relationships drugs appear cause including drugs provoking united States moment But I think I write about autonomic nervous system people manuscript since subject autonomic control introduced example another thinking about certain problems easily considered separately What I would first newsletters concentrate subject expand illustrations I collected observations myself others since coming Mexico As introduction would quote short section Control Autonomic ervous System pages manuscript I other pieces vomiting autonomic nervous system relationship conscious experience another turista iontezuma Revenge I found proper control In I cover gastro intestinal tract I intend through whole It seems these articles stating interests readers Institute newsletters drawing present experiences Mexico I eager cities towns remote parts country where Indian purer things I should accessible Soon I there De external things write about Control Autonomic Nervous System The autonomic nervous system known division general nervous system It innervates smooth involuntary muscles heart muscles gland cells throughout It exerts major regulatory influences important strctures including intrinsic muscles glands cardiovascular respiratory digestive endocrine reproductive systems Neuroanatomists neurophysiolegists studied components sympathetic parasympathetic systems about connections these systems organs regulate In cases organs receive fibers called voluntary motor pathway large system nerves originating motor cortex brain making connections spinal Since cortex outer covering brain seems participate higher mental functions intellection makes sense consciously responses bodies sending impIses along voluntary motor pathways voluntary mscles Breathing example function innervation respiration totally conscious totally unconscious In voluntary nerves things other autonomic slstem carries impulses We think autonomic system instinctive regulatory mechanism share animals higher cortical centers One qualities responsible reputation involuntary system carries functions without being aware Moreover autonomic response change blood pressure mowement success These facts people conclude autonomic nervous system direct connections consciousness But What consciousness fallacy conclusion becomes clear For autonomic nervous system seems direct connections every consciousness ordinary waking variety The graphic illustration truth demonstration again again hypnotic subjects whose significance badly missed decades scientists If subject trance touched finger represented piece metal authentic blister develop point contact The blister It produced autonomic innervation superficial blood vessels And channel between whenever altered state consciousness awareness focused something other intellect That autonomic responses brought under voluntary control known practitioners meditation especially students Adepts suspend respiration intervals effect drastic changes heart circulatory function otherwise demonstrate internal functions beyond reach consciousness In recent years increasing numbers Westerners including physicians chance observe these practices first Texts often vague about techniques achieving control information transmitted orally teacher student survey Nastern literature three clues stand The first these accomplishments require relaxation concentration practice The second control breathing whole system The third first acquiring control autonomic response become aware these suggestions consistent Western conceptions neurophysiology RelaXation concentration means detaching ourselves ordinary consciousness consciousness where control autonomic functions possible In neurophysiological terms suspending certain cortical activities since connections between cortex autonomic system direct Practice means which potential neuronal pathways developed since repeated circuit nervous system makes future circuit easier T importance breath control respiration function which motor pathways perfect potential balance The theory behind yogic other systems disciplined breathing regular rhythms produced voluntary pathway eventually picked involuntary pathway correspoodence established across function breathing spreads naturally other involuntary functions heart circulation forth It significant Eastern Nestern systems spiritual practice place great stress breath control words spirit breath identical Indo European languages including Sanskrit prana Hebrew ruach Greek Latin p_iTtu Consider excerpt Fo__undations_ Tibetan MYSticism Lama Anagarika Govinda The important result practice __apan_asat___ mindfulness regard breathing realization process breathing connectin between conscious subconscious volitional volitional functions therefore perfect expression nature Those exercises deeper states meditation begin therefore observation regulation which comverted automatic volitional function conscious finally medium spiritual forces Breath mystery spirit Becoming aware internal functions means paying attention sensations ignore ordinary waking state As defined neuroanatomists autonomic nervous system purely motor efferent carries impulses brain peripheral smooth muscles glands But known sensory nerves travel system carrying information internal organs brain These visceral afferent nerves called leastwell understood components nervous system We information carry brain integrates their messages infinitely complicated system processing The experiential correlate understanding inability inside bodies except vaguest We aware occasional sensations viscera particularly distended pinpoint miscellaneous pains twinges feelin arise inside chests abdomens These visceral sensations diffuse poorly localized unclear quality uncertain significance Yet yogis practiced concentration greatly sharpen perception signals success practice leads automatically greater autonomic control worki suggestion numher American researchers begun develop simple methods teaching people regulate internal functions autonomic feedback control these methods based principle using external devices augment internal signals become perceptible without special practice For example blood pressure continuously visible oscilloscope screen blood throh extremity moving graph It turns people laboratories provided continuous feedback autonomic fnction their external senses quickly learn modify fmnction In researchers parts country demonstrating heart blood pressure peripheral blood variety other functions thought beyond reach consciousness brought under voluntary control quite easily These results appeared respectable journals stimttlating considerable interest among physicians patients alike orthodox medical circles The reason interest obvious Orthodox practitioners methods regulating autonomic functions specificity For example effective blood pressure The commonest variety blood pressure called essential hypertension essential being several words doctors conceal their ignorance It widely prevalent disease associated serious complications course years Essential hypertension seems correlated general increase spathetic division autonomic nervous system orthodox medical treatment condition therefore aimed sabotaging system point surgical cutting sympathetic nerves Unfortunately these methods either alleviate course disease drastic enough cause derangements general sympathetic functioning decrease blood pressure offset apearance other problems The finding patients taught lower blood press directly specifically technique autonomic feedback control opens exciting frontier treatment It necessary people doing learn modify function heart blood pressure feedback process their senses Furthermore successful technique dispense external amplification continue practice anytime anywhere The success these methods researchers conclude Western technology about usher instant yogis wasting their I subscribe these sentiments because seems yogis learn important things their methods particular autonomic processes Autonomic feedback control certainly important nothing shows common conceptions limits conscious control mistaken But change elationship unconscious minds I convinced unconscious stands relationship autonomic nervous system conscious voluntary motor pathway The_problem learn control autonomic nervous since already doing s_imp open_ hanne scious consci_O__ These channels blocked ordinary waking state opened altered states consciousness trances highs Autonomic feedback training bypasses these channels routing unconscious sensation through external amplifying device Doubtless method important place specific clinical applications I think solve general problem establishing interchange between conscious unconscious experience In putting touch certain possibilities extended consciousness without teaching general method achieving maintaining control criticisms applied drugs means reaching desired states consciousness including inherent dependence something external material achieve something internal material In short although autononic feedback training treat symptoms ourselves natural methods clearly steps right direction touch causes health illness