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 | "Beneath the Surface" | |
| When I was in the forces, it was drummed into us that we should never 'bunch'. One grenade or shell could take out any squad that did so. Yet, repeatedly, I saw men huddling together when under fire. Have you ever watched a movie in which someone is being hunted, and wondered why it is that they invariably head for the roof, or, if it is a mother with children, they huddle in the basement or a cupboard? Watch a tribe of monkeys being chased by a predator. The adults head for the tree tops while those unable to climb with the necessary dexterity, huddle among the roots or in holes in the ground. Even today, it is specific sections of the limbic system that are the prime structures involved in learning and remembering. That which has proved to be pro-survival for millions of years is not likely to be forgotten, even though it may now be anti-survival. Our final brains, the two hemispheres of the Neo-cortex, are very late growths; separating us once and for all from our more primitive forebears; except when they are overwhelmed by the earlier brains, causing us to behave in 'mindless' ways. The societies of Neanderthal Man would have been appalled by the pointless bestiality of our modern football hooligans. Each of our brains developed to handle functions that were necessary at certain periods of our evolution. Those times, and the conditions that obtained during them, no longer exist. Although the separate brains continue to react to stimuli in manners that are no longer wholly appropriate, it is an error to attempt to repress the drives to action that continue to issue from them. |
| That which is suppressed often finds even less acceptable means of expression; leading to internal conflicts and bad programming. We need to learn to recognise the sources of the forces within us, accept them, and divert that energy into constructive designs. A valid analogy is that of highly complex pieces of machinery under the control of a committee. A committee whose assets are accumulated wisdom, experience, emotions, and the ability to analyse new data. Set against them is, arch-conservatism, bigotry, naiveté, intransigence and an ego that is frequently prepared to act against it own best interests just to make its point. In an ideal situation one would find the neo-cortex directing operations and, where necessary, inhibiting inappropriate drives rising from more primitive parts. The reality is that the control of the neocortex is often suborned; being used only to dress up those primitive drives in a false rationale. This conflict of interests is a major stumbling block in all persons working to change themselves. Knowledgeable experience allows the keen observer to watch and listen to another person and know which of that person's brains are directing their actions at that time. Insight allows one to observe those mechanisms working within oneself. A working knowledge of these mechanisms can prove to be invaluable. Knowledge of the mechanisms involved can change obstacles into tools. The degree of change possible is in a direct ratio to the degree of dissatisfaction with one's present self. When we set out to change ourselves, these are the realities with which we have to deal. When we want to change channels on our television, we only need to press a button. We need no understanding of the underlying technology. Changing ourselves requires a whole, new understanding. |
| The methodologies of change, as evolved in the past, contain inbuilt obsolescence. Those methods were developed to suit societies that no longer exist. They also lacked a precise understanding of the processes involved. However, once shorn of their religious accretions, their explanations of human behaviour do have validity. An understanding of mythic archetypes and the roles they play in our lives, have standing with the latest findings in psycho-neuro-immunology. Acknowledgement of the powers of the first, fit us to use the tools supplied by the second. All societies have been based upon attempts to legislate against the dictates of those earlier brains, without even knowing of their existence, let alone making any attempt to integrate each facet into the whole being. Far too frequently, the actions they inaugurated were attributed to devils and demons. Civilisations rise and fall mainly due to internecine conflicts that are but a shadow show of the internal conflicts of its members. Our purpose is to establish communication with each of those differing control centres. Each of us shares a common heritage. Likewise, we are each of us uniquely individual, and the power of integration is in its ability to promote the growth of each person's uniquely individual potential. The first appeal is, of necessity, to the intellect. The first aim is to establish lines of communication between the conscious and unconscious mind. To bring into awareness the intuitive, creative sides of our nature. Without a two-way flow of communication, the vast store of otherwise useful information originating in the right brain is mainly lost to us. In our intellect dominated world we are constantly feeding raw data into the right brain but are conditionally unable to access that data once it has been processed. |
| Although only the left brain has direct contact with the external world, the right brain frequently attempts to make its presence known by forcing information into conscious awareness. For most of us, our only interface with it is through the medium of dreams. The subconscious is both a mighty processing engine in its own right and a gateway through which the other brains attempt to make their needs known. If this stream of information is repressed or suppressed it does not just fade away. Its demands become increasingly pressing until it forces itself into awareness. Often in forms other than that which we would prefer. In our dealings with each other, we find that some of the most sophisticated concepts can be conveyed and discussed with the power of our verbal and written language. Attempting to convey, discuss and make use of information supplied or retrieved from the right brain presents problems that lie on the very borderlands of the intellect. The subconscious has no ability to use languages other than those of symbols. We are fortunate to live at a time when much of the codifying of those symbols has been carried out by such eminent people as Carl Jung. He found that certain symbols are common to people from all around the world.
Appearing alone, or modified by being in context with others, they tell stories that are open to understanding by those of us who choose to learn the language. |
| Much of what we see in our daily lives goes unnoticed by our conscious awareness. Events have shown that even the smallest details are stored in the subconscious for varying periods of time. If one knows the methods and the nature of the material one is looking for, such information can be retrieved at will. However, the right brain is much more than a mere depository of unacknowledged facts. It frequently shows its workings in unexpected ways. Empirical studies indicate that it can take apparently unrelated details then work at looking for, or forming, patterns. When such a pattern emerges, the right brain makes efforts to bring it into consciousness. There are many recorded instances of this happening. They range from sudden insights and the discoveries of geniuses, through to gentle intuitive feelings or the repeated dreams that demand our attention for our own good. When we go looking for our true selves, we undertake exploration of the last great-unknown territory. The languages spoken are as different from those we are familiar with as are the hieroglyphics of ancient Egypt. The material we bring back is of vital import to the here and now. The Charisma files are mind maps into, and back out from, these private landscapes. There are other aspects that each person must find for himself or herself. As understanding of oneself grows, so does understanding of all people. Regular users of the texts develop understandings of things the existence of which they had not suspected. As you will find out, much of what you learn is very difficult to convey with words. The Charisma Texts also include pictograms of archetypal situations that allow different explorers to compare their findings. It is coded into our genes that 'change' and 'difference' are threatening. That program shows itself in ways as diverse as the rejection of organ transplants and as the basis of racism. To be different is to be unacceptable. It is now time that we grew past that. Time that we discarded the outdated fears, inhibitions and brutish demands of our past. Time to step into the future, taking only that accumulated baggage which has value to us as individuals and to ourselves as members of a truly civilised people. A final reason for working towards an understanding of evolution is that all animals evolve as a product of the ecology of their time. Our ecology now includes ideas. |
