If there's one thing I've learned from working with an autistic child, it's the significance of sensory in our lives. In psychology we are currently discussing altered states, subconscious and unconscious thinking, and other similar matters.
As this has sparked some interesting conversation, I'd like to share my thoughts on a few of these things.
I believe in spirits, not ghosts. Spirits with a distinct identity in either good or evil surround us at every moment in my opinion. The actions of said spirits contribute to our actions, encouraging us in whichever direction they are fighting for. And yes, I see it as a battle. I don't like the term 'demon' because it's so frequently misused, but I suppose it fits. Demons are, I believe, a reality that we have forgotten about. Whether Christian or not, it's hard for me to believe you don't think that both evil and good forces exist in the world. Ghosts are, according to my understanding, the spirits of the dead who have not yet moved on to the after life for one reason of another. If you believe in an after-life and a greater deity, why would it make sense that there is some 'in between' stage that people can just hang out in until they figure themselves out? Isn't that what life is for?
Sensory Deprivation. I'd love to talk to anyone who has had an experience with this. What an interesting concept. I think I would sleep for the first 18 or so hours because I am perpetually exhausted and under-rested, but I'm sure I'd go crazy within a few hours after that. But seriously I'd love to try it because I think it's just the most interesting concept.
Subconscious/unconscious. Makes sense to me. Isn't it like 90% of our communication is nonverbal? There's no way we're wholly conscious of that much communication. In a conversation I'm focusing on what I'm hearing and what I'm saying, not much else. To think that there is 9 times that much more going on with me is mind boggling but I believe it.
Goodness knows I've had my share of Freudian Slips... if that's really as it seems, then our subconscious has incredible potential.
The mind is complex and beautiful. It is also incredibly delicate.
I also think that some mental illnesses can be associated with an infestation of subconscious or unconscious actions taking over that which was controlled by the conscious.
That's all for now...I need to write a letter.
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I don't know if the sensory deprivation that you're referring to is the same that I'm thinking of, but here's an idea for an experiment for you:
Blindfold yourself for a day, or even a week, and observe how your other senses pick up the slack. Many disciplines do this (and/or things like it) to force the student to use not just their eyes, but their whole body to sense their environment. It's amazing what our sense of smell or touch (even when we're not actually touching anything) can actually perceive.
-- quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Well the thing I was talking about is where they put you in a chamber with no skin exposed, and you can't hear anything and you're blindfolded and it's dark and the air is controlled so theres no smell even. And then they keep you in there and see if you hallucinate, in a nutshell.
But that's definitely something to try. Have you done that before?
When I took psychology we learned about the different phases of sleep. I am not sure if you have gotten to that yet but we did this when we were studying subconcious states and everything that you are studying now. When someone dreams their dreams only last 5 seconds to one minute and everyone has nearly 100 or more a night. You can only have dreams in rem (rapid eye movement) sleep. Everyone has to dream every night because I believe it can cause health problems or death.
I have never tried the blind fold thing before and I don't believe I would want to because I have a crazy imagination and hallucinations would be a bad thing for me.
Something people should know about:
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what