ALTERNATE REALITIES

 

When asked to write this article by the Historic Society, I had to use one of the old "Alternate Realities" machines in order to remember how we use to live, just a little over 10 years ago. We've come so far in just a few short years. I believe that "Alternate Realities", way back in the early Teens, is largely responsible for what we've achieved. I remember my first introduction to "Alternate Realities" when the craze was just beginning to sweep the country.

One of my friends treated me to my first $35.00 session during an extremely stressful period in my life. After that I was hooked. We arrived at an grand old Victorian house which had been turned into an office. The large front room was set up like a doctor's waiting room. The dining room was the children's play area. The four bedrooms had been converted into the "Alternate Realities" suites.

I was shown into my suite and told to follow the recorded messages. The attendant closed the door and the recording started,

"Welcome, to your "Alternate Realities" relaxation session. Please remove all your clothing and valuables and store them in the locker.....

"Next, step into the shower and wash off the days accumulation of impurities.....

"Now you are ready to step into the relaxation chamber....."

I stepped into the warm water. The ozone used to purify the highly mineralized water was strong in the chamber. As I lay back in the water I was surprised at my buoyancy.

The narration continued, "Lay back and relax. Adjust the arm rest to the length of your arm. Under your fingers you will find buttons to adjust the Jacuzzi jets, intensity of TENS Units, red LED Light Energy, and the volume of pulsing tones. As you lay your head back on the headrest it will fold into a helmet. When everything is adjusted to your satisfaction, press the green light on the door to activate the program. Each of these different companies products have been brought together to create the ideal environment in which to lead your brain waves from Beta, to Alpha, to Theta, to Delta and back to Theta where you can experience "Alternate Realities". At the end of the session you will be stimulated back up to Alpha and finally to Beta. Now, close your eyes and enjoy your experience."

As the helmet folded around my head, the red LED lights came on. The Mind Magic tones and Bi-neural Beats started pulsing in my ears. The Jacuzzi jets started up, and the TENS Unit pads sent tiny electrical currents through my muscles. After playing with all the control buttons, I settled back for a relaxing time. A small visor slid down over my eyes which had two more red LED lights flashing in time to the tones.

I don't remember much of the next 15 minutes. I think I went to sleep. I awoke to the soft voice instructing me to open my eyes. On the backlit screen overhead the Theta Art showed.

I had seen those posters in the mall many times. I always stopped and tried to see the pictures to no avail and much to my chagrin and disgust. You could always tell when someone saw the pictures for the first time. There was always someone sighing, "Oh, oooh, wow!" as if they were having an orgasm right there in public!

Now it was my turn. I opened my eyes to find a photo of the Seattle skyline with the Space Needle in the foreground. As I looked at the picture it seemed to go out of focus in my relaxed state of being. Suddenly the whole picture shifted and now the saucer part of the Space Needle was like a tropical island with palm trees growing out of the top. A whale was diving in the foreground, a pod of dolphins frolicked nearby, some jumping out of the water. Schools of fish swam everywhere. An octopus perched atop a rock. And the depth! I wasn't just looking at a flat surface. Some things in the picture were actually 3-D, projecting toward me. It was my turn to say, "Oh, oh, ooo, wow!" I reached out to try to touch the whale, but my fingers passed right through it. I gazed with awe and wonder at this marvelous creation before my eyes, taking in every minute detail.

Then the picture changed. There were 5 or 6 more pictures, and following that came the geometric designs. The pulsing tones changed in my ears and out of my peripheral vision I could see the red LED lights pulsed in different rates. The effect was even more startling than the Theta Art - I fell into the patterns. Suddenly I felt as if I were in free fall in Space. My first reaction was to vomit, which I only avoided by closing my eyes and swallowing many times. Even with my eyes closed the sensation of free fall continued.

I guess I passed out, because I dreamed I was back in the meeting last week where Mr. B. had announced the new department head. A job I had applied for, had been the most qualified for, but had not gotten. Mr. B. was saying,

"I want to thank you all for your cooperation and understanding in this matter. And to all the qualified applicants, thank you, and don't give up. We are looking forward to expanding next year.

"Now, I want to congratulate and introduce the new department head, Heather Jackson."

My heart sank. Suddenly, I was 12 years old and my father had just chosen my sister for his volley ball team instead of me. I was crushed, but I couldn't show it in front of my friends. I never told my father how hurt I was, instead, I shut him out of my life, to such an extent, that I moved across the contenent to get away from him.

Suddenly, my perspective shifted. I was Heather Jackson! When Mr. B. said my name, I was shocked. I never dared to hope that my Heart's Desire could ever come true. I grabbed the edge of the table with both hands, clenched my teeth, shut my eyes tight and inhaled deeply. It made quite a sucking sound through my clenched teeth. Disbelief turned to elation and pride which quickly turned to panic as I realized what an awful noise I was making and how I must look.

Then I was a little girl of eight and Daddy had given me a very important job to do and I had failed. *I've failed at everything my whole life. I should just quit now while I'm ahead.... No! I'll not be a quitter as well as a failure. At least I'll try. Oh, but, why? I'll just make a fool of myself in the end. But, at least I'll have done my best!*

This inner dialogue happened so fast that it was only because of Suspended-Time-Playback that I realized it now. My eyes flew open wide in apprehension, darting around the room to confirm the fact that all eyes were, indeed, on me. Forcing my mouth into a smile, I slowly stood up and advanced toward the head of the table to shake Mr. B.'s hand. He was looking extremely unhappy. Taking another deep breath and praying for courage, I said,

"Thank you, Mr. B. You won't be sorry that you've chosen me, I promise." I turned to George, whom I was replacing. "George, I just want to say that I will especially miss you. You've been the best boss I've had until now." George smiled, stood up to shake my hand. "I know that I can never fill your shoes." Looking down at my feet I continued, "Actually, I think they're about two sizes too big." Chuckles rippled through the room. *Humor, the only thing in life that I am successful at. Making people laugh makes me feel good.* "But, I fully intend to follow in your inspiring footsteps." I walked back to my chair and sat down with as much finesse and dignity as I could muster.

Again my Perspective shifted, and I was Mr. B. I was saying, "I want to thank you for your cooperation and understanding in this matter." *It's stupid! I'm loosing one of my best department heads, all because his wife got transferred to another town. Women! They ought to be home taking care of the babies where they belong!* "And to all the qualified applicants, thank you," *All those qualified applicants, especially Gary who's the person I really need to fill this position, and who I couldn't choose because I have to have that damn token woman in my management team, or I'll have those damn women-libbers and equal-opportunist down my neck again!* "and don't give up. We are looking forward to expanding next year."

"Now, I want to congratulate and introduce the new department head, Heather Jackson." *Ugh, look at her screw up her face like that. Stupid! Why can't women stay home where they belong? Now, look at her. Thinks she's some big shot and has to give a speech. And I have to act like I'm happy with this decision. Oh, how unbearable!*

Heather shook my hand and said, "Thank you, Mr. B. You won't be sorry that you've chosen me, I promise."

*Huh, I already am sorry! This whole deal galls me to the bone. Those damn government agencies won't even let me run my own company the way I want!*

Then I was free-falling again. I didn't react so violently this time. In fact, I began to enjoy the sensation. I hadn't been prepared for it the first time. I was Gary again. I was previewing a possible future, as a present moment experience; just as the past had been experienced in the present.

I called Heather's husband on the phone, "Jason, this is Gary. Look, I've arranged a surprise for Heather after work tonight. She'll be about an hour and a half late. It's been a hellish week for her, so it would be extra considerate if you could have dinner waiting for her when she gets home, Oh, and candles would be a nice romantic touch. I think she would appreciate that."

Then I walked into George's office--Heather's new office. Old thought patterns are slow to change. "Heather, we were friends when we were coworkers." I closed the door and helped myself to a chair without being invited. "Now, suddenly you're my boss and everything's changed. I resented this unexpected decision, because, frankly, I'm much more qualified for this position than you are."

Anger flashed in her eyes. "Now, see here, Gary."

I held up my hand. "Hear me out. Let me finish before you draw any conclusions. OK?" She nodded her head, still plainly seething.

"It's Mr. B.'s policy to hire from within. Every one starts at the bottom and works their way up. Not always the best policy, rather limiting, nevertheless, a policy which Mr. B. believes in. So, with that in mind, Mr. B. had no choice but to choose you, the "token woman" in upper management. I think he figures that you won't make it and you'll quit or he can fire you for incompetence. But, we're going to fool him, you and me. Beat him at his own game. You won't fail, Heather, because you're determined to do your best. And I'm going to help my friend succeed. I have the knowledge and understanding of what needs to be done. But, you, Heather, are the best leader. You are the People-Person with the contagious joy and enthusiasm, which inspires those around you. You are the one, out of all the people in this department, who makes coming to work a pleasure.

"In this last week, your joy, enthusiasm, and sense of humor has been stressed right out of you. I want to see it come back, so I've arranged a little surprise for you after work tonight. I've taken the liberty to let Jason know that you'll be late and not to worry.

"Everything's going to be just fine, Heather. You just wait and see. You'll make you the best department head Mr. B. ever had; even better than George. What d'ya say, Heather?"

Tears glistened in her eyes. She seemed to be speechless. Then coming around the desk, she hugged me. "Thank you, Gary. You are a good friend. I don't understand why you want to help me, but, I appreciate the fact that you are willing."

I hugged her back. In that moment I felt more wonderful and peaceful than I had ever felt in my entire life. A simple selfless act of kindness, and I felt as if I could fly. I was flying! I was flying through the stars. It was like fireworks.

Then I was back in my body in the flotation Jacuzzi. The jets were starting up. The tones and lights pulsed faster and faster, bringing me back to peak awareness. Instead of my bazaar experience of "Alternate Realities" fading like a dream, it seemed as vivid if not more vivid than the days activities!

In another ten minutes or so my session was over. After showering and dressing again, I felt more alive than I had since childhood. This feeling of aliveness and awareness of the moment lasted through the evening and for days afterward. The tensions in my body were gone. I felt alive energy, health and vitality flowing through my body like an electrical current. I became aware of the subtle energies around each person, also, of the current of energies between people.

Time seemed to stand still. Everything, myself and everyone around me, seemed to be moving in slow motion, yet, I seemed to accomplish much more.

Each time I went for another session of "Alternate Realities" I became more Aware. The petty differences and judgments began to fade. I began to realize the Oneness of humanity. We all have our fears which run our lives, rooted in our childhood, when we didn't understand the reasons or the big-picture, and buried in our subconscious. From this secret place of hiding our fears ruled our every reaction.

Now, through the gift of "Alternate Realities" and the gift of "Momentary Awareness" we began to be able to hear the Voice in our subconscious, to know the lies which we had believed and lived our lives by. An in that moment to know the Truth. Truly, the Truth does set you free. For each time you know the Truth, in that moment you are free to Choose your next action - free from the bondage of reaction. Ah, such an empowering and exhilarating feeling!

I wasn't the only one experiencing empowering aliveness. Everyone experiencing "Alternate Realities" was becoming more Aware. By the time that one-third to one-half the people of the nation were experiencing "Alternate Realities" drug addiction suddenly ceased to be. The Nation was overjoyed with these results.

The first real miracle realized from "Alternate Realities" was the healing. The sick simply got well. Then, not only were the well able to stay well, but, somehow able to transfer that state of being to others.

But, all these wonderful Gifts had their price. With no one sick doctors, nurses, paramedics, pharmacist, hospitals and drug companies were suddenly out business. This event was almost the demise of "Alternate Realities". The AMA and FDA joined forces to attack the industry; jailing all owners and the "Suddenly Gifted Healer" for practicing medicine without license. These government agencies would have succeeded if the sudden abuse of drugs and alcohol hadn't hit epidemic proportions over night. Three-quarters of the Nation was either depressed or stoned. So, "Alternate Realities" shops were allowed to reopen.

This was only the beginning of our economic upheaval. With more and more people suddenly manifesting psychic gifts; the ability to see auras, telepathy, clairvoyant, clairsentience, clairaudience, to mention a few; more industries were being affected, especially telephone and the media. People could simply tap into each others thoughts and think to each other. Or tap into collective consciousness and simply know what was happening all over the world.

Telepathy posed a large a problem as well as an asset. Personal privacy was being invaded without people meaning to as well as those who meant to. "Integrity" classes were set up to teach people how to deal with telepathy, and how to shield their thoughts so intimate details of their life were not up for public inspection.

At first a large crime wave swept the country. Those still rooted in greed saw a way to get rich quick. But the general population formed the psychic posse. Those greedy, twisted power-hungry minds suddenly found themselves surrounded by the police and the newly formed "Psychic Network". For the criminal mind there was no escape. The general public could now read their maligned intent.

Then when more and more people developed tele-abilities, especially telekinetic and teleportation, the automobile and all other transportation industries became obsolete, as did most of the jobs in the U.S.A. And that was the Big Crash!

By this time "Alternate Realities" was all the rage in almost every country around the world, with similar miraculous results and economic chaos following. So, when the U.S.A. economy crashed along with the government, it was only a matter of days until the economy of every country and its government was null and void.

Looking back, now, what followed seems only natural, but at the time it was nothing short of miraculous. Still, through "Alternate Realities" when you experience another's point of view it is suddenly easy to give of yourself and what you have. But, we were still so close to the Old Way of thinking; indeed, a few had never given up the traditional lies.

We were so close to world wide civil war, looting, robbing and bloodshed, and, yet, the balance swung the other way. No one had any money, so suddenly money didn't matter. Possessions were to be shared, there was no question of hoarding or selfishness. Somehow, the goodness and compassion in Human Nature won out over greed and fear. People started helping each other and sharing what they had. Lawns were dug up and planted to gardens. In the cities were everything was paved, hydroponic gardens were set up in every block and apartment house.

People became communities and communities interfaced with each other through "Quality Cosmic Consciousness Meetings". This was the beginning of what we have today. The Shift took about eight years from beginning to end. "Alternate Realities" was a totally unexpected way to put an end to war, strife, poverty, pollution, and greed, but, none the less, most effective!

 

 

(C) Sharri Lorraine 1980, 2001