Hemi-Sync® Journal 1991-2 (Spring)

as defined by DSM III classification, were included. Each had suffered from depressive disorder for at least three months, and one had chronic disorder for two years. All patients were past the acute period of depression. I feel that during the acute period Hemi-Sync wouldn't be effective. Of the seven patients between the ages of twenty-six and fifty-four, there were four females and three males. Five were engaged in professional activities; two were disabled. Two patients were self- educated, three had high school level educations, and two were educated at the graduate level. Two lived alone and five with family. All study participants had problems with concentration, atten- tion-to-task deficit, lack of short-term memory, and felt unable to perform mental tasks as well as they had previously. These problems did not seem to be linked to medication. They were present whether or not the patients were taking medication. The Concentration tape was given to all patients, with the in- struction to listen to it at least once each day during an activity which required attention, or during a period of study or other cognitive work. The patients were asked to report their feelings: better concen- tration, negative effects if any, or other responses. Results were collected during consultations over a three-month period. RESULTS No negative effects were reported during or after listening to the tape. Response was always positive; the patients seemed to love this new approach to treating their problems. Two patients reported improvement of their ability to concentrate during test preparation and other cognitive tasks. They reported better short-term memory, greater interest in their study, and an ability to sustain attention for longer periods than was previously possible. Two other patients described a little improvement, very variable with time and circum- stances. The other three patients didn’t report any improvement or any negative effect. CONCLUSIONS Due to the small number of patients participating in this study and the short period (three months) of the study, no conclusions were drawn regarding the effect of Hemi-Sync on depressive syndrome. However, results indicate that the Concentration tape can be signifi- cant in alleviating symptoms of attention and memory deficit. Hemi- Sync may be helpful in the depressive disorders, after the acute period treatment. Our task now is to define the indicators which could predict accurate results from a larger sample. It seems that the more the patient is involved in a task which requires focused attention, the better the result. WILL I SEE LIKE NORMAL PEOPLE SEE? HEMI-SYNC AND BLINDNESS by Patricia Leva-Michael, RN, MA, & Sally Kubrak Patricia Leva-Michael isa certified GATEWAY OUTREACH Trainer and has been a member of the Professional Division since May 1989. She is the founder of Natural Learning Systems in Solon, Ohio, where she presents classes and workshops focused on the Hemi-Sync tech- nology. In her work, Ms. Leva-Michael also integrates Hemi-Sync with more traditional approaches to healing and learning. In the following account, she and co-author, Sally Kubrak, describe the results of using Hemi-Sync methods to confront Ms. Kubrak’s per- sonal challenges. In January of 1990, Patricia Leva-Michael, through her educa- tional consulting practice, began working with a new client named Sally Kubrak. Ms. Kubrak, born prematurely, has been blind from infancy as a result of retrolental fibroplasia, burned tissue covering the retina, due to improper administration of oxygen while she was in an incubator. Throughout their work together, both women re- mained acutely aware of the Ms. Kubrak’s stated purpose: “to see like normal people see,” and they structured a personal learning program to support her goal. Ms. Leva-Michael and Ms. Kubrak reflect on this process and the value they received from it. S.K.: At thirty-five years old, [ had been unemployed, undecided about many things, and generally losing interest in life. Challenged by a radio interview describing the Hemi-Sync approach, I tele- phoned Patricia and said I’d like to rebuild my self-confidence and expand my attention span using Hemi-Sync. P.L-M.: During my first visit to Sally's home, I found myself floun- dering in my explanation and searching for words. The Hemni-Sync technology and product information aren't easily accessible to blind folks. I realized I couldn't draw diagrams to explain the process or show her the catalog. I was concerned that Sally wouldn’t be able to remember one tape from another with over 200 choices available. On --- PAGE 4 (OCR) --- HEMI-SYNC JOURNAL the second visit I let go of my confusion and simply asked Sally to “take me into your world and guide me.” I listened carefully to Sally's medical and personal histories, highlighted by diabetes and nar- colepsy which were diagnosed while she was in high school. Ritalin was prescribed to combat the drowsiness of narcolepsy. Sally reported a lack of ability to focus her attention and low self- esteem. She began using Attention and Off-Loading from the HUMAN PLUS (H-PLUS) series. In the evenings, when sleepiness overcame her in spite of the Ritalin, she used the Concentration tape. Sally worked as a student in a radio broadcasting studio during the day and had to be physically rested and verbally quick. To aid in these efforts I recommended she use the H-PLUS Speak Up and Reset tapes. ‘S.K.: When I told my mother about my interest in using this unusual approach, she expressed feelings of skepticism and had reservations about the results. I began to feel very anxious and instinctively recited the Function Command for the Off-Loading tape in my mind: “Plus- Fade-Fade.” Minutes later I found myself saying very emphatically, . ..Lwanted.. . the eagerness for life Thad had as a little child. through my tears, that I wanted to get back the eagerness for life I had had as a little child. Maybe it was the way I said it, but from then on it was my mother who noticed and pointed out how I was changing. For instance, when | used Aéfention it was as if someone opened the top of my head and breathed fresh air into it. All of my senses snapped open! A major event occurred when my pastor at church asked me to give the Palm Sunday children’s homily entitled “Blessed Are the Blind,” describing my experience of blindness, and to sing a favorite song of mine for the congregation. I used the Function Commands for Attention, Speak Up, Off-Loading, and Reset during my talk to the kids. Having taken singing lessons for a long time, I was aware of the importance of breath control. After invoking the Function Com- mands, I was amazed to feel my breath expand like an endless balloon. Hardly any stagger breaths were necessary to retain my control. I was able to continue speaking smoothly, evenly, and easily. In the past, I wouldn’t have had the courage or the words to accomplish this. P.L-M.; Sally was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome in March of 1990 and surgery was advised. Two other surgeries in the past year had caused weight loss, hypoglycemic episodes, and had added to her feelings of losing inner control. Sally began to dread the surgery. She asked to use the Emergency Series Hemi-Sync tapes and gained the support of her orthopedist, anesthesiologist, and nursing team. Sally followed the recommended approach, using each tape repeatedly at Sally expressed . . . pride in her ability to be a partner in her healing process. the appropriate times. She negotiated to have a local surgical in- tervention rather than general anesthesia. After the procedure she experienced significantly less pain, and used no pain medication for the first six hours. In the Recovery Room she ate heartily without experiencing nausea or vomiting and did not have cyclic constipation during her four or five days post-op. Although after previous surger- ies she typically dropped to around 89 pounds, Sally experienced no weight loss following this procedure. At the first dressing change three days post-op, her surgeon remarked about how clean and clear her suture line looked. It is unusual for diabetics to heal so quickly and so well. Sally expressed a great deal of pride in her ability to bea partner in her healing process. This was in contrast to her old, passive behavior of assuming her healing was being done to her. She was aware that her new attitude was instrumental to her increasing feelings of inner control. S.K.: Tasked Patricia to help me begin the GATEWAY EXPERIENCE home course for my spiritual growth. Inside my “dark world,” I knew I was sighted in some way and I wanted to make it more apparent to myself. I began working with the GATEWAY EXPERIENCE exercises, and then followed the instructions to achieve a Focus 10 state without the tapes. One day, while grocery shopping with my mother and my aunt, I distinctly heard my uncle telephoning to say he was going to pick up his wife the next day. I told my mother what I had heard. That evening my uncle did call and said exactly what I had somehow heard in the store earlier that day. I attributed this precognitive experience to my work with the GATEWAY EXPERIENCE. When I recounted this to Patricia, she explained about the development of perceptual skills beyond the five physical senses, and about the “third eye” energy center. Later, I had another intuitive experience involving a close friend which gave me more proof that I was indeed seeing more than | had ever looked for. This kind of intuitive skill might be a distinct advantage for other blind people to develop. Patricia and I had taken each other's hands and crossed into each other's worlds. I have become physically self-assured as if lam more keenly aware of what's “out there.” Looking back over the year we worked together, I realize that I have overcome my fear of the world. Instead of being afraid to leave the house, I now look for places to go. At a recent soccer game I was able to perceive and understand the game vividly. My concentration and feeling of personal freedom have increased considerably. | am more relaxed, less anxious, and sleep through the night now, waking refreshed. My confidence and self-es- teem have grown tremendously as a result of this last year. | am well ‘on my way to completing my radio broadcasting work at college, and am looking forward to employment next summer. P.L-M.; With Sally's help, I discovered what real sightedness skills are all about. A video presentation of this case study was delivered at the Professional Seminar at The Monroe Institute, July 1990. The video- tape runs approximately 64 minutes and is available for purchase through Natural Learning Systems, 5745 SOM Center Road, Cleve- land, OH 44139-2330. (216) 349-1148. é HEMI-SYNC APPLICATIONS IN PSYCHOTHERAPY by Joseph Gallenberger, PhD Joseph Gallenberger is a clinical psychologist with eighteen years of experience as a psychotherapist in numerous settings. For the past eight years he has offered services such as insight psychotherapy, marital counseling, relaxation training, and trauma recovery to his private outpatient clients, He is experienced in training and supervis- --- PAGE 5 (OCR) --- Spring 1991 ing other therapists, and is a certified Monroe Institute GATEWAY OUTREACH Trainer. He and his wife, Charlene Gallenberger, PAD, are the directors of The Open Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where the GATE- WAY OUTREACH programs are offered. The Open Center also plans to offer group programs that blend Hemi-Sync technology and clinical instruction on issues such as sleep improvement, marriage enrich- ment, and adjustment to multiple sclerosis. Recently, clients and tl surance companies have pressed for briefer treatment. This presents me with a challenge, as I want therapy to be a learning experience for the individual and not just an exercise in temporary symptom relief.