From Journeys Out Of The Body;
Originally Posted by Robert A. Monroe
There were no other physiological changes significant enough to be
recalled consciously. The only above-ordinary nutritional factor was
that of vitamin intake. Since my wife believed strongly in nutrition,
daily dosages of vitamins A, B complex, C, and E, plus mineral tablets,
had been a norm for several years. Again, a cumulative effect could have
been the cause, but no reports or research studies indicated any factors
resembling the Second State. Other than this, a normal diet was the
rule, with no major changes for five years at the least.
At the psychological and physical activity levels, there is much to be
noted. It is quite conceivable that the causes of the phenomenon lie
here.
The first consideration might be termed the anesthesia episode, which
took place some six months prior to the first symptom. The beginning
came when I noticed an unusual "heady" effect from the fumes of a gallon
can of contact cement. I was installing a cubbyhole desk top in the wall
of a bedroom at home when I became aware of the sensation. The can
clearly stated on the lid that the cement should be used in wellventilated areas.
I correctly assumed that this was a fire-hazard warning from the manufacturers.
The sensation reminded me of the strange effect I had experienced in the
past just as I was "going under" from anesthesia. Curious, I
experimented with the effect of the fumes a number of times in the
following month, with very significant results. Upon learning that the
fuming agents were toluol (a common commercial hydrocarbon detergent)
and acetone (once used as anesthetic), I made several experiments with
the subjective effects of light anesthesia, utilizing a less volatile
and relatively safe inhalant, Trilene. In retrospect, the results of
these experiments seem to parallel closely the reports of those who have
undertaken the LSD experience. Intensely vital and not at all
unpleasant, the effects may well have triggered an inner desire or need
for experiences beyond those I had had to that date. Reluctantly, I
stopped the experiments, as there seemed inherent dangers of
physiological side effects if they were continued.
Originally Posted by Robert A. Monroe
Some three months after this "drug" experience, which by then was
almost forgotten, I developed an interest in the possibilities of data learning
during sleep. I do not know what brought about this interest. Perhaps it
was an outgrowth of an early academic environment coupled with my
immediate observation of the teaching methods applied in the primary
grades to my own children.
To explore the potential of this interest, I made some studies of past
and present concepts of the waking-unconscious mind. There was
supporting evidence that the unconscious recorded all sensory input data
while awake and asleep. The problem was to introduce intelligent and
organized data during sleep and to provide conscious recall when
desired.
The limited formal research material available showed contradictory
conclusions. Simple reading of data to a sleeping subject produced only
fragmentary and erratic results. No comparative studies between
induction during deep (delta) sleep and the dreaming state (now termed
REM sleep) had been made. Nor had any attempt been made to create
deliberately a receptive sleep state with a Pavlovian type of
conditioned reflex induced to bring recall at will.
To carry out this research in a convenient pattern, I made autohypnotic
sound recordings to test various approaches to a workable technique.
This seemed to be the first logical step, as results had been obtained
along similar lines utilizing hypnotic sleep instead of the natural
sleep state. The reason for the use of tape recordings was to
depersonalize the technique and to ensure identical tests among
different subjects. The tapes were designed for use in a booth isolated
from light and sound.
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