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    • The Brain and the Mind

      by Douglas De Long

      (Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

      "The mind of man is capable of anything— because everything is in it, all the past as well as the future."—Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness

      Most people think of the brain and the mind as being one and the same thing. Doctors, scientists, and other highly trained persons share this belief. People from all walks of life use the words "brain" and "mind" interchangeably. In reality, they are two separate and distinct creations. The brain is a biochemical organ—a part of the human body. The mind, on the other hand, is a psychic organ that is attached to the human soul. Both the soul and the mind are connected to the Creator and the heavenly realms.

      As human beings you are dual in nature, possessing both a physical body and a psychic body. Within the physical body are physical organs and glands. The psychic body—which is contained within the physical form—has its own set of psychic organs. In other words, a person possesses a physical heart as well as a psychic heart. This is the same situation in regards to the brain and the mind, the brain being the physical organ and the mind being the psychic one.

      The mind, a part of the human soul, has a profound influence upon the brain, the nervous system, the body, and all organs and glands. It is the mind that gives all of you the sense of cognition and a sense of beingness. The physical and the psychic are linked so closely together that one does not function without the other. The physical organs and the psychic organs work together in a harmonious relationship. There is a Divine Intelligence from above that orchestrates all of this. This intelligence is part of the Creator or God source.

      On a physical level, the human brain consists of four principal parts: the brain stem, diencephalons (consisting of the thalamus and hypothalamus), cerebrum, and cerebellum. Although all four are important, we'll be discussing the cerebrum. Found in the upper area directly beneath the top of the skull, the cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. The surface area of the cerebrum is known as the cerebral cortex or neo-cortex. Billions of neurons are contained in the neo-cortex. On an evolutionary scale, this is the most recently evolved or developed area of the human brain.

      On a psychic and spiritual level, the crown chakra—one of the seven major chakras or energy centers—is positioned over the top of the head and the cerebrum. It is through the crown chakra that the Divine Intelligence above directs energy downwards. This energy (known as chi, universal energy, or god force) flows from the crown and into the top of the head.

      A spiritually awakened or enlightened person can work with this energy. Through meditation and other techniques such as tai chi and dancing, the individual can sometimes feel this universal energy on the top of the head as a warm, pleasant feeling. This means that the crown chakra or energy center has "opened up." As the universal energy expands downwards into the brain itself, tingling sensations will be felt all over the head and within. This is an indication that the chi or universal energy (which is also known as divine light) has stimulated the neo-cortex causing many neurons to "fire." These firing neurons send electrical energy to other parts of the brain, in particular the rest of the cerebrum. The divine light also travels to these areas of the brain during this event.

      The cerebrum is considered the seat of intelligence where higher processes of human thought exist. The abilities to read, write, speak, and make calculations exist in this important part of the human brain. The creation of music, works of art, and philosophical thought originate from the cerebrum. In other words, some of your creative abilities are stored here. Always remember that it is the mind, as part of your eternal soul connected to the energy of the Creator above that directs and allows those abilities to manifest on the physical level via the cerebrum.

      As electrical energy and divine light enter these areas of the neo-cortex and cerebrum, brain cells that have lain dormant for a long time are stimulated. These cells become active and start to perform their designated functions or tasks. As a human being you only use about 10% of your potential brain capacity. When the neurons fire and these cells become activated, you start to use more of your mental or brain capacity. Thus, instead of using 10%, you increase your capacity to 20% or even 30%.

      There are parts of the brain that contain psychic abilities such as precognition, déjà vu, past life recall, clairaudience, and clairvoyance. As mentioned earlier, the cerebrum and the neo-cortex make up the majority of the brain. It is here that many of your psychic abilities are contained and merely lie dormant. The brain cells within these areas, when activated, will awaken these psychic abilities and gifts. This is partly why spiritual enlightenment and divine inspiration occur when the crown chakra is opened and activated. Divine light and wisdom enter into the crown energy center as well as energizing these areas of the brain.

      As you become more spiritually awakened or enlightened, you begin to reach your full potential as a human being. Not only will you use a greater portion of your brain capacity and increase your IQ level, you will also use many of your psychic and spiritual abilities. This is the goal that a person on a spiritual path strives to attain.

      An additional benefit is that the power of the mind becomes greater. Many enlightened individuals use this enhanced power in a very positive way. The ability to manifest or create beneficial things in one's life increases. You develop the potential to direct or control more of your own life and your own destiny. Think of this example: Consider your life as a ship upon the sea of destiny. Instead of being a person aboard a wind tossed ship on a rough sea, you are a captain and pilot directing your ship to your desired destination.

      Truly gifted teachers, counselors, and healers are enlightened or awakened. They use more of their brain capacity and the power of their minds. They can influence people in a loving and beneficial way. These enlightened people use the infinite power of the human mind to help humanity.

      Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2004. All rights reserved.

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    • Double Vision: Can Elderly Demented Visit Lucidly in Dreams?

      My name is Dee, and my birth date is Sept 12, 1965. My father-in-law is dying of dementia, and he has been visiting me in dreams for about six months. He is completely bedridden, can do nothing for himself physically or mentally, and is rarely lucid. The dreams are progressive. Dream #1: We are partying at his house with his departed wife, my husband and two youngest children. Dream #2: It was just him and me, and he was very happy, enthusiastic and loving. Dream #3: It was just him and me again, and he was trying to climb a ladder. Dream #4: It included him, me, my husband, and an old dark-haired lady. He was clearly telling us goodbye, and that he was happy to be going when he was going. When he stood up from his wheelchair to sit on the bed, he fell and the old woman caught him. He was very happy. Dream #5: He told me he wanted an entertainment center with a stereo in his room at the nursing home, because he was bored with the TV and he was going to be here for a while. He’s been fighting death for a long time now, for (his waking self) is afraid to die. Do you believe (as I do) that he is communicating with me in these dreams, and if so, how can I help him to peacefully transition to the other side?

      Dreamchaser:

      It is common knowledge in spiritual circles that people who have any type of illness that causes them to be unconscious or delirious frequently leave their bodies. Certainly, dementia and Alzheimer’s are diseases that make people leave their bodies. It’s the same with comas.

      It has been reported that people in comas can understand what is being said around them, which shows that even though the mind appears to be “shut down,” that person is cognizant on some level of what is happening. I think that people who are suffering like this often choose to leave the physical dimension and explore other realms of experience.

      I have no doubt that your father-in-law was visiting you in those dreams. To you they were just dreams, but to him, they were very real experiences. After he got sick, he began to interact with people and live his life on another plane.

      If you read this column frequently, you know by now that when we sleep, our souls leave our bodies and go where they most need to go. Your soul often hung out with him. You two got along well and so it seemed natural for you to “keep him company” while you were sleeping.

      You can’t, however, help him transition to the other side. He will do that himself when he’s ready to pass. He is already being made aware of his circumstances, and he knows full well the status of his health. When it’s time, he will just cross over to the other world. He is already quite familiar with that realm, so in many ways, dying will be easier for him than it is for most people.

      What you can do for him is just continue to allow yourself to go to him in your dreams and keep him company. When you visit him in person, you can also tell his body, as it lies in the bed, that you enjoy the dreams you two share. The part of him that is conscious and aware will then know that you know what is happening.

      Because of his adventures on the other side, he is becoming less and less afraid to die. I think his fear, by the way, was not so much about what would happen to him, but what would happen to all the loved ones he will leave behind, for his natural instinct is to take care of everyone around him. You can rest assured, however, that he is losing his fear about death.

      Have you bought him an entertainment center yet? You might take him his favorite music and play it, or read a book to him while he’s there. Do, however, turn off the television. When you hear a message like this in your dreams of him, please honor it, for he is trying to communicate with you.

      I wish you both peace.

      *****

      Astrea:

      The conventional explanation for what you’re experiencing with your father-in-law is that you are having “wish fulfillment” dreams. Because you would so like to be able to communicate with dad when you’re awake, your subconscious is creating those scenes in your dreams to ease your mind and prepare you for his passing. You wish he could talk to you in real time, so you dream that it happens, and that’s all this is.

      Do I believe that? Not for one second! I know from personal experience that people in the condition your dad’s in communicate with us just like he’s communicating with you.

      I also understand his fear of letting go. Though his body is worn out, he resists moving on. I feel that in part this is due to some guilt he feels about his family. Maybe he didn’t spend enough time with your husband and his other children. Maybe he was mean to them a time or two. Whatever it is, he is now afraid of facing the consequences for it in the afterlife.

      Many people experience this, and helping them cross over is very hard. Unfortunately, this is one of those things you can’t do for another person; he’ll have to find the strength to cross over on his own.

      What you can do is reassure him that he will go right to heaven. Every time you see him, tell him that, even if you don’t think he can hear or understand you. Even when someone is far gone, they have lucid moments.

      If he has done anything that you or your husband think he may feel bad about, let him know he is forgiven. Tell him this out loud when you visit him. Eventually, he’ll feel better about moving on.

      His will is very strong; that’s what’s keeping him stuck in this worn out shell. If he is a religious person, read to him about the kingdom of heaven. Make it sound attractive so he won’t be so afraid. Even though his mind may not be able to consciously grasp the words, his spirit will.

      This is a simple act of kindness that you can do for him. Also, remind him that even though he moves on, you’ll never forget him, and you’ll continue to think of him.

      As strange as these dreams may seem, he is indeed interacting with you in another realm. Your husband may be having dreams with him too, but he may not remember them because of his strong feelings, or he may not feel the need to share them.

      During the last year of her life, my grandmother communicated with me regularly through dreams. Ten years after her death, she still comes to me when something important is about to change in my life. I hope your dad is able to do the same for you; I have a feeling that he will.

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