Hi Vicky,
Been trying to get back to you but my concentration has been poor lately. It affects my reading and I notice that I'm easily distracted. Fortunately Comcast has discounted my tv access to HLN-thank god. A little of that tabloid station can go a long way.
Anyhow, I found your section on imagination especially helpful in reminding me of how I was able to develop my nonphysical skills to the point that when I was blindsided by a 2 week medically induced coma, I was able to distinguish and recognize the various levels. The most intense was when I was on the threshold of life and death. I consider that experience a full blown OBE but the others were varies combos of possible mental telepathy, helpful delusions, and funny hallucinations. The later ones took place after during surgery decisions, in ICU, and as I was coming out of the coma. In one I got a great suggestion for a Totem to use if I was into native American lore and the others I got the opportunity to experience much of what many of my clients were going through whether it be in their in their mental health issue or drug use or a combo of both.
Aside from my own perception of the experience I was fortunate enough to have regular journal notes recorder by my 3 sons and 3 brothers in addition to my medical records. I noticed that my nonphysical self was extremely active during this period.
In addition I was able to see first hand what Bruce means by the interpreter tagging on to the first familiar concept in hopes of helping us to make sense of a nonphysical story line. For example, while in the coma my mind had made up a story regarding the circumstances of my oldest son's involvement with coming to my aid. When I repeated this story back to my son during recovery, he was able to verify the essence of his reactions, including who he was with at the time, transportation arrangements, and other details but not quite the same way that my mind ordered it. My mind gave more of a fairy tale or romantic twist to it.
But getting back to valuing and having permission to use our imagination as a starting point to honor our nonphysical experiences as well as recognizing when it is pure fantasy, is really helpful when many of us have been so conditioned to discount this part of who we are.
Reviewing Bruce's take on the value of imagination and following it up with you meetings OBE during the Jim Daydreams brought home again how much we can do when we allow ourselves to value this very important part of our makeup as humans. So many quotes I'd like to share, but this one I found especially helpful on page 154, “Herein lies the concept I call “opportunity for experience”. Wherever you focus your awareness, opportunity for experience in in the making and this is what Bruce means by priming the pump of imagination.”
I'll get back to you further regarding my second reading. Thanks for writing this book. I'd also like to do a review on Amazon, but I want to take my time with that one and as long time fan of yours, I'm open to any suggestions on how I might help. It always bothered me that I wasn't up for proofing your book why you requested help but now I'm glad I didn't and instead became a purchaser that's now trying to support you as a legitimate writer
.
Jean