R. Adam Crane BCIA, ACN, NRNP
The following chapter is excerpted by permission from Mr. Crane’s forthcoming book.
What is “R – Tech” (Relationship Technology) and Consciousness
Processing Technology? What are the implications for Neurofeedback,
Biofeedback, Applied Psychophysiology, the evolution of science, our
individual and collective mental health?
August 10, 1994 I had the opportunity to present at the Forum co
sponsored by the Wisdom Society and the Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater
and Science Center. The Forum was conceived as an opportunity to
exchange ideas on “The Place of Science and Technology in our Culture”.
Since I feel that the material that emerged in that presentation may
be useful to others and (all things being relative) I feel the evening
went well, I would like to offer this edited version of that talk.
We intend to communicate with each other at the highest level we can
and to create an atmosphere that is as conducive as possible to
individual and group creative thinking. Together we make up a kind of
mind field (not mine field I hope). If it is true that the learning is
the doing and multi sensory, multi dimensional awareness is part of the
technology of consciousness, perhaps we can practice these principles as
we work together. Then possibly something altogether unexpected,
creative may emerge.
May I suggest that as you read this you experiment with me? You will
probably be more comfortable and get more out of this short time
together if you scan your body, notice if you are holding your shoulders
up, look for unnecessary muscle tension, breathe normally, deeply and
comfortably. Be aware of all that you can in the room. Loose your belt
if it is too tight. Breathing should be relaxed and deep and your
stomach should be free to move in and out. If you have eaten or you are
tired and feel like taking a nap or even meditating and you close your
eyes, be as aware as you can of what is going on around you and within
you.
As you are able, please watch the thoughts and feelings that arise
inside you (and outside too) as we work together in a spirit of play. To
paraphrase Marshal McLuhan, “Those who think education and
entertainment are two different things probably do not understand either
one very well”. Parts of this discussion may be difficult,
controversial, even fun. What is most important is to watch your
feelings arise and change.
I would like to examine one of the greatest (depending on how you
define technology) perhaps the greatest challenge humanity faces.
In October of 1970 one of my best friends died of cancer. Tom was
only 41. Afterwards I took a long weekend at our little country house in
Rhinebeck, New York. I had spent a rather dreamy day sitting by the
lake contemplating The Big Picture. Dagne, my wife, suggested that I
read a magazine article entitled “Alpha, The Wave of the Future”. I
promptly read it because I had learned that she had an uncanny way of
planting very good ideas in my mind at just the right time.
During the next twenty four-hours I had a kind of classic creative
experience. Decades of contemplation and thought seemed to converge with
a euphoric, laser like intensity. It seemed as though one of the
greatest scientific and spiritual stories of our time was creating
itself before my eyes. And I was being invited to immerse myself in an
almost unimaginably great work.
The next day I entered full time into what has turned out to be an
astonishing, scientific art form, a business and a series of adventures
leading me to this discussion here with you. I sold my old business and
plunged headlong into the strange, paradoxical, controversial field soon
to be called by inadequate terms like Biofeedback, Applied
Psychophysiology and Instrument Assisted Transactional Psychophysiology.
I like to think of it as.
More Info : The Marriage of Technology and Consciousness