Hemi-Sync® Journal 1996-2 (Spring)

--- PAGE 1 (OCR) --- Vol. XIV Spring 1996 No. 2 A Research and Educational Publication of The Monroe Institute IN THIS ISSUE PEAK AND OTHER EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCES DURING THE | GATEWAY VOYAGE .................. i Todd Masluk objectively examines Hemi-Syne as a life-enhancing neurotechnology in the context of the GATEWAY VOYAGE residential program. HEMI-SYNC'S IMPACT ON REMOTE VIEWING......... 0.2.2.0... iii How Hemi-Syne played a pivotal role in refining his | innate remote viewing talent is the subject of this article by Joseph McMoneagle. PEAK AND OTHER EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCES DURING THE GATEWAY VOYAGE by Todd J. Masluk, MA, EaqM Todd J. Masluk is a PhD candidate (ABD) at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto, California. He holds MA and EdM degrees in counseling psychology from Columbia University. He has worked as an educational-vocational counselor at Columbia's Psychological Consultation Center and as a hospice counselor with cancer patients at Cabrini Medical Center in New York City. His chief research interests are in the areas of peak performance states and exceptional human abilities. Todd also has a strong interest in the possibilities of using Hemi-Sync technology for human factors engineering in business and industry. The varieties of exceptional experience encountered during TMI's GATEWAY VOYAGE residential program became the subject of his PhD dissertation. Preliminary findings were reported at the 1995 Professional Seminar. Background A revolution is occurring in consciousness expansion, the develop- ment of altered states, and psycho spiritual growth (Walsh and Vaughan 1993). At the forefront of this movement is an array of "neuro- technologies." These neurotechnologies are one of the newest hopes for promoting psychological growth. Many claims have been made regarding the efficacy of neurotechnological approaches to enhancing human performance and promoting exceptional positive well-being (Hutchison 1994). Their potential to induce peak or similar kinds of experience is also suggested by some researchers (Isaacs 1993; Wilson 1991). Despite such claims, a computer-assisted search of the literature has revealed a dearth of empirical research on the nature and patterns of peak experiences associated with the use of these modalities. One program in which audioguidance is used is the GATEWAY VOYAGE conducted at The Monroe Institute (TMI). Anecdotal reports suggest that peak or similar experiences are a common occurrence during this pro- gram and participants’ lives are often dramatically changed by these events. The unusual frequency and consistency with which such events Teportedly occur constitute a phenomenon worthy of investigation. However, to date there have been no systematic attempts to confirm these claims by empirical means. Introduction to the Study A dissertation study was conducted to (1) examine the qualitative nature of reported peak and peak-like experiences during the GATE- WAY program as recounted by participants, and (2) study selected characteristics that may differentiate participants who have these experi- ences from those who do not. Description of Participants Participants consisted of volunteers from TMI's GATEWAY VOYAGE. Out of eleven groups, 160 people (81 males, 79 females) participated. They ranged in age from 24 to 72, with a median age of 46.5. ©1996, The Monroe Institute 62 Roberts Mountain Road 804/361-1252 --- PAGE 2 (OCR) --- Measurement Instruments A two-part Peak Experience Questionnaire (PEQ) was developed for this study. Part 1 was used to collect retrospective self-reports of partici- pants' recent peak and other personally significant experiences, Part 2 was designed to explore the impact of these experiences on participants! lives, as well as the cognitive processes involved in integrating them. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was used to assess the personality types of participants in the program. The Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI), a self-report, Paper-and-pencil inventory, was used to assess participants’ thinking or cognitive styles. The inventory is based on a metaphorical model of the brain that is quadripartite: left and right cerebral, and left and right limbic. The HBDI indicates one's degree of preference for each of the four thinking styles associated with these four "areas" of the brain. Procedures Pre-GATEWAY The HBDI and MBTI were administered to volunteers by GATEWAY Trainers on the first day of each program. Demographic data were also collected to further define the research population. Post-GATEWAY Part 1 of the PEQ was mailed to participants one week after GATEWAY. Part 2 of the PEQ was mailed six months after GATEWAY. Accompanying the PEQ was a transcript of each participant's most signi experience(s) to aid in accurate recall. Reminder notices were sent one week after the initial mailings. If there was no response after three weeks, the mailings were re 5 Preliminary Results Out of 160 participants, 125 completed the study. Incomplete but useful data were collected from 35 participants who dropped out. The MBTI was completed by 157 participants. The most frequently occurring type (40 participants) was "INFP" (Introverted Intuitive Feeling Perceiving). People with "INFP" preferences are characterized by inner warmth, tolerance and flexibility, and strong personal loyalties and convictions. They seek work that contributes to "something that matters," such as human. ing, happiness, or health. Their natural curiosity about new ideas frequently endows them with insight and long range vision. The HBDI was completed by 156 participants. The most frequently occurring type (47 participants) was "2211." Primary characteristics of this type are the ability to be creative, holistic, and synthesizing in the right cerebral quadrant, and interpersonal, emotional, and spiritual in the right limbic quadrant. Secondary characteristics include logical, ana- lytical, and mathematical thinking associated with the left cerebral quadrant, and organization, planning, and structure with the left limbic quadrant. In common parlance, these people are more "right brained" than "left brained." One hundred twenty-one participants reported peak and other powerful or significant experiences on the PEQ (for a combined total of 291). Of these 121 participants, 23 were single experiences (ie., report- ed only one experience) and 98 were multiple experiences (two or more). Twenty participants did not report any experiences. Nineteen Participants did not retum the PEQ. Only two negative or "nadir" experiences were reported. The fact that only two nadir experiences were Teported—out of a large pool of positive experiences—suggests that the GATEWAY program is overwhelmingly perceived as positive and growth- roducing. P In addition to peak experiences, a large variety of other "exceptional human experiences" were reported for which a provisional classification was developed. In Table 1, experiences are grouped by pheno- menological content under four major categories: "Intensified Sensory and Perceptual Experiences (Body),” "Cognitive Experiences (Mind)," “Psychodynamic Experiences (Emotions)," and "Ti i- ences (Spirit)." A fifth category, "Miscellaneous Experiences," was added to accommodate those that did not logically fit any of the other four cate- gories. More experiences were reported under the category of "Tranis- personal Experiences" than all other major categories copibined. The subcategory containing the greatest number of reported experiences is "Other i of Consciousness outside the Usual Experiential Realms of Time and Space." However, it is closely followed by "Peak and Peak-Like Experiences" and "Inner Guidance or ‘Channeling! Experi- ences" in descending order of frequency. Data were also collected on the conditions under which experiences began. Insight was sought into what may possibly trigger or facilitate such events. Participants' peak and most powerful or significant experi- ences occurred most frequently (72 percent of the time) while listening to Hemi-Sync tapes. This finding suggests that the majority of personally ingful experiences had during the GATEWAY program are directly associated with the use of the Hemi-Sync technology. A variety of consistent aftereffects were reported: a greater commit- ment to one's psycho spiritual growth; a sense of being more self-deter- mined and responsible for one's life; a greater self-acceptance; living more fully in the present; a greater love for humanity, an increased willingness to take risks; an increased desire to help others; feeling more inner-directed (less willing to please others at the expense of self); an increased spontaneity, and introspective tendencies (an inclination to use inner guidance in decision-making). The overall effects pointed in the direction of increased self-actualization. In addition, for many the effects also implied a newly acquired sense of self-transcendence or realization that one is, indeed, "more than one's Physical body." This new, sense of self included belief in the existence of other levels of reality; feeling i connected to power"; and the loss of fear of death (knowing there is life after death). The data suggest that some kind of active cognitive engagement is Necessary to integrate one's experiences. Some methods of engagement were preferred. Discussing the experience with others was the method most frequently cited. Many participants mentioned confining discus- sion to trustworthy, significant others, or to those who had ‘undergone similar experiences. The next most frequently cited method was to read about similar experiences. This was followed—in order of frequency—by keeping the experience to oneself (many found the occurrence too sacred to share), and writing about it. These four processes were the Predominant modes of synthesis. Other approaches included pondering experience, painting or drawing the experience, expressing it musically, reliving or replaying the experience in one's mind, meditating on the experience, trying to recreate it, and listening for inner guidance. Summary and Condusion . Based on data collected from eleven groups, it appears that peak experiences occur with regularity during the GATEWAY program, as well as a wide range and multidimensionality of other trans-ordinary experi- ences. This great variety and depth of experiences suggest that GATE- WAY helps to facilitate a huge opening or expansion of consciousness. This expansion seems to occur in both the outer and inner dimensions of being. Interestingly, the types, intensity, and richness of patterns of experience reported bear a striking resemblance to those reported by psychedelic (LSD) researchers (Grof 1976; Masters and Houston 1966; Pahnke and Richards 1972, 409-39). A useful metaphor to conceptualize the types of experience reported is that of "turning up the volume on life." One becomes more physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually awake. To the extent that individuals are willing to acknowledge and consciously integrate such profound experiences, their lives may radically change in positive, growth-producing directions. el Major Categories and Frequencies of Reported Experiences 1 Intensified Sensory and Perceptual Experiences (Body) A. Deautomatization Experiences (11) B. Somatic Awareness (18) IL. Cognitive Experiences (Mind) A. Enhanced Mental Abilities (17) --- PAGE 3 (OCR) --- IIL. Psychodynamic Experiences (Emotions) A. Regression to Early Childhood (and other life periods) (2) B. Resolution of Emotional Conflicts and Personality Integration (16) IV. Transpersonal Experiences (Spirit) A, Extreme Psychological Well-Being Experiences (23) B. Peak and Peak-Like Experiences (43) C. Psychical Experiences (21) D. Inner Guidance or "Channeling" Experiences (42) E. Imagery of the Personal and T; sonal Unconscious (19)