refalo.com

I took a 6 day course on the Bonny Technique of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM). It was offered by the Music Therapy Department of Marylhurst College. One of the instructors is part of my Reiki Lineage. I was interested because I thought it my fit in with playing music at the bedside.

It was really quite a strange experience. I thought the guiding would have involved more suggested imagery. In a GIM Session, there are two people involved, the guide and the imager. The ‘session’ starts with an intake, induction (progressive muscle relaxation as example), a suggested starting point, then carefully designed classical music is played. The imager talks about any sensations, thoughts, or images that come to mind. The guide listens, makes listening noises and gently keeps the session rolling. Finally there is out take.

Helen Bonny designed music programs for the LSD research in the 60’s at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center . It is in part a non-drug method of exploring consciousness and perhaps invoking a peak religious experience. I found it very irritating. I can go much more deeply in to an altered state with entrainment music and without having to talk to someone at the same time. I also felt frustrated with how long it took and how little we really got into it for the 6 day period. You can take a course from the Foundation for Shamanic Studies and in a weekend get a good toolbox of techniques to interact and relate to your inner landscape.

I haven’t really re-entered normal society since I took the class Thursday – Tuesday. Paul is on a 10 day business trip and I’ve been telecommuting. I did make the arduous 2.5 mile commute in to the office yesterday. It was a ghost town and the only living person I spoke to was the guy next door and at best his hold on reality is shaky.