Gerry Gabon, Spiritual Trail Guide

[Ironee]

Gerry's spiritual path.

Lessons, exercises and practices to start you on your spiritual path (adventure, journey):

Sequence A (baby steps)
This is short session in your Mind Studio, approx. 20-25 minutes in duration.



Find a comfortable spot and posture. If you’re lying down, do your best to stay focused and not fall asleep. If you find that you’re falling asleep, get up, walk around then find another comfortable sitting spot. Don’t do Sequence A just before going to bed or operating motorized equipment including vehicles. You can use background music, however, remember to use this music only for going in to your Mind Studio, otherwise, it may trigger the neural pathways that you’re working on creating through these exercises at an inconvenient time. The music shouldn’t put you to sleep or take you to another brain wave state (other than alpha). You can record these instructions to guide yourself during Sequence A (give yourself enough time for each activity in the sequence – you should have a rough idea from your previous practicing of the baby steps). You can also journal your experience each time you do a sequence.
START:
Take note of your starting time.
Close your eyes. Keep your arms and legs uncrossed. Make sure your breath flows easily, in and out. If your hear outside noises, acknowledge them and continue to concentrate on Sequence A.
Ensure that your muscles are relaxed (without alcohol or drugs – to enhance your body’s natural capabilities and to not dull your senses). You can use the progressive muscle relaxation technique of your choice for this.
Start by visualizing the colors in sequence - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and violet. Feel the colors surrounding you and being taken in through your breath, experience each color with your 5 physical senses. When you’ve completed the violet color, then pause.

In front of you is your nature scene. Spend 1-3 minutes walking around and enjoying your nature scene and experiencing it with your 5 physical senses.

Now look for the steps that lead from your nature scene to your Mind Studio.

Start taking the steps to your Mind Studio – you can use your legs, arms and body as if you were actually taking the steps, to embed this part of the sequence in your brain. Count each step sequentially as you take them (Step 1, Step 2, etc., you can do this out loud if you wish).
When you’ve completed all your steps, you’ve reached the secret entrance of your Mind Studio. Pause. Look around. Scan the environment around your Mind Studio.
Then, use your code or key to unlock your secret entrance and enter your Mind Studio. Pause inside.
The white light shower has been activated. Let the white light flow down and around you, and feel your scattered energies being washed off your body into the ground. The white light shower will stop after a few seconds.

Feel yourself entering your Mind Studio. You may wish to remove your shoes, hang up your coat, whatever you feel comfortable doing.

Next, stop by your office area (this is usually the first area you visit in your Mind Studio).

Are there any new messages for you on your telephone?
Is there any mail on your desk?
What date is showing on your calendar? Is there anything written on your desk calendar?
What time is it on your clock? Is the time current?
Is there anything on your screen?
Are there any messages that require your urgent attention and/or response? If yes, take action (return a phone call, write a response to a letter, remember what you need to do today and any future events posted on your calendar).
Take note of non-urgent messages.
You can use the pen and notepad on your desk to write down these non-urgent messages so that you can remember them after you’ve completed Sequence A. (It’s best to write down these messages instead of typing them in to a computer or other electronic device).

Now, go to your recreation area. Notice if anything in your recreation area attracts your attention.
Is there a piece of equipment that you would like to use or an activity that you would like to do in your recreation area? If yes, spend a few minutes exercising or doing an activity – use your 5 physical senses while you’re doing this, moving your hands, feet and other body parts as if you were doing this exercise or activity.

It’s time to leave your mind studio now. Head back to your secret entrance, put on your shoes and coat before you exit. The white light shower will be activated for a few seconds to provide protection to you when you exit. Open your secret entrance and step through the entrance. P:ause. Let the white light shower invigorate you; when it stops, turn, and close your secret entrance.

Take the steps back to your nature scene, remembering the use your 5 physical senses, and count each step in reverse order (for example, if you have 5 steps, you’d start by saying Step 5, then Step 4, etc.).

You’re now back at your nature scene. Experience your nature scene for up to 1 minute, with your 5 physical senses.

Then, turn, and go through the visualizing and breathing in the 7 colors in reverse order (violet, purple, blue, green, yellow, orange and red). When you’ve completed the red color, then pause.

Open your eyes slowly. Regulate your breathing. Review what you experienced and jot down your notes in a journal. Rise slowly, remember to drink some water. You can now go about your day.

Keep practicing Sequence A until you can do it the entire sequence comfortably. Reach out if you have any challenges with the sequence.
Nameste ♥

[Mags]

I started a mindful and meaningful guiding service this past April.

https://pmags.com/mindful-and-meanin...uiding-service

[Ironee]

With all due respect, this has nothing to do with Gerry's spiritual path, it's opportunistic and intrusive.

[Ironee]

Gerry's spiritual path (continuation).
Lessons, exercises and practices to start you on your spiritual path (adventure, journey):

Sequence B (baby steps) - Recreational Training

The length of your session in your Mind Studio is up to you, however, if this is the first time you've practicing Sequence B, approx. 20-25 minutes should suffice.

What you can use Sequence B to:
- practice hiking different terrains and elevations
- practice hiking with varying back-pack weights (to prepare your body for hiking season, to test out which weight works best for you to carry)
- practice hiking using different equipment (to get a feel for which equipment works best for you - including tents, sleeping bags, compasses, etc.)
- practice using different shoes or socks (evaluate which combination gives you less foot sores, etc.)
- other combinations that you want to practice or test out for hiking
* you can also use this for other sports, recreational activities

Start with Sequence A until you reach your recreation area in your Mind Studio.

Your hiking gear (clothing, equipment, tools, etc.) are already in your recreation area. Change in to your hiking clothes and select which gear you want to practice with - this includes any items that you may want to purchase however haven't actually bought yet. It's recommended to test out only 1 or 2 variations in clothing or gear or terrain when you first start practicing.

Imagine the location where your hike will take place - use your 5 physical senses for this. Your recreation area will expand so that your hiking location is contained within your recreation area.

Now you can start practicing. Use your 5 physical senses and body movements to hike in your recreation area. If you're testing out different clothing, gear, back-pack weights, etc., then notice what works for you and what doesn't. Notice your body's reactions to changes in clothing, gear, terrain, back-pack weight. Notice your breathing, whether or not you need water, your body temperature, if you need to stop and rest. Remember to write down your observations using your notepad and pen in your office area after you've completed practicing or training.

Your hiking location will still be in your recreation area if you want to practice or train on it in the future; you can call it up with your imagination the next time you're in your recreation area.

After you've completed your practicing, notice any sore spots that need your attention. Change out of your clothing and gear. For any gear that you no longer want to consider purchasing, imagine that it's no longer in your recreation area.

You can use items in your recreation area to help with any sore spots you may have after practicing or training (shower, jacuzzi, infra-red sauna, TENS, Rub A535, etc.). When you've finished attending to your sore spots, change back in to your original clothes and go to your office area. Use the notepad and pen to make notes to your self about your experiences, what to practice or train with on your next visit, what items to purchase (or not).

It’s time to leave your mind studio now. Head back to your secret entrance, put on your shoes and coat before you exit. The white light shower will be activated for a few seconds to provide protection to you when you exit. Open your secret entrance and step through the entrance. Pause. Let the white light shower invigorate you; when it stops, turn, and close your secret entrance.

Take the steps back to your nature scene, remembering the use your 5 physical senses, and count each step in reverse order (for example, if you have 5 steps, you’d start by saying Step 5, then Step 4, etc.).

You’re now back at your nature scene. Experience your nature scene for up to 1 minute, with your 5 physical senses.

Then, turn, and go through the visualizing and breathing in the 7 colors in reverse order (violet, purple, blue, green, yellow, orange and red). When you’ve completed the red color, then pause.

Open your eyes slowly. Regulate your breathing. Review what you experienced and jot down your notes in a journal. Rise slowly, remember to drink some water. You can set your training or practice visits so that you're ready for your next hike (or other recreational activity).

Reach out if you have any challenges with the Sequence B.
Nameste ♥

[John B]

With all due respect, this has nothing to do with Gerry's spiritual path, it's opportunistic and intrusive.

And with all due respect to you, Ironee, I find it ironic that you accuse mags of being opportunistic and intrusive. I think that his post and service has far more to offer those seeking such a venue that than your incessant blathering about "secret rooms" and magical "seven colors."

Perhaps you need to find your secret time-out room and chill a bit before jumping down someone's throat.

[Ironee]

And with all due respect to you, Ironee, I find it ironic that you accuse mags of being opportunistic and intrusive. I think that his post and service has far more to offer those seeking such a venue that than your incessant blathering about "secret rooms" and magical "seven colors."

Perhaps you need to find your secret time-out room and chill a bit before jumping down someone's throat.

Paul Mags on his web site stated the following about his post about mindful and meaningful guiding service:

Paul Mags on April 1, 2017 at 10:59 am said:
An April fools joke. But, based on how many people thought it was true…perhaps I am being told something. ��

[John B]

Paul Mags on his web site stated the following about his post about mindful and meaningful guiding service:

Paul Mags on April 1, 2017 at 10:59 am said:
An April fools joke. But, based on how many people thought it was true…perhaps I am being told something. ��

Exactly. Now go retreat into your secret recreation area and amuse yourself.

[Ohio Chris]

Ironee, condolences on your loss.......I find your posts interesting and appreciate your insights.

[Ironee]

Ironee, condolences on your loss.......I find your posts interesting and appreciate your insights.

Hi Ohio Chris,

Thanks for your condolences. I'll continue to post. As I've said before, this thread isn't for everyone. It's about sharing what Gerry learned over the years and following through with his wishes. Gerry loved to teach and guide, and help others.

The sequences (and baby steps) are stronger than visualizations that athletes and others use for various performance goals. These sequences train and build the neural pathways in the brain's command center so that the brain can execute based on already developed neural pathways through the 5 physical senses. These sequences are stronger than virtual reality games because of the focus on the 5 physical senses and forming new pathways in the brain and avoiding primitive brain responses (which are appropriate for certain fight/flight circumstances, such as dangers from snakes, bears, rock slides, etc.). Also, since in today's world we're under constant stress, we're spending more time in flight/fight mode when we could be using out brains to regulate our body functions for other purposes. Feel free to reach out with any questions, happy to answer.

Nameste ♥

[Ironee]

Gerry's spiritual path.

More on your Healing Area in your Mind Studio

What resources or tools do you have in your healing area?

You can have your usual first aid materials in either your recreation area or your healing area.

For non-first aid healing resources or tools, consider what kind of healing you anticipate needing. Your have lots of space in your healing area for equipment, tools, as well as people who can help you out. You can include people skilled in healing as well, who will appear when you need them.

Infra-red sauna
hot tub or whirlpool bath
massage table + someone who can be called up to give massages
crystal or jade healing mat or bed
hand-held ultrasound
heart rate monitor
inversion table
music, tones or other sound vibrations, musical equipment
lighting - varying colors, natural, other
anti-venom
chiropractor, osteopath, naturopathic doctor, surgeon, medical specialist

Review what you have in your healing area and update it, we'll be exploring it soon!
Nameste ♥

[Mags]

With all due respect, this has nothing to do with Gerry's spiritual path, it's opportunistic and intrusive.

Intrusive, perhaps.

Opportunistic would be to post many pages on someone's forum that has nothing to do with the outdoors. As an example.

[Ironee]

Gerry's spiritual path.

Lessons, exercises and practices to start you on your spiritual path (adventure, journey):

Sequence C (baby steps) - With a Coach or Instructor in your recreation area

This sequence is about calling in a coach or an instructor to your Mind Studio to help you attain a goal (WHAT). A coach will interact with you to together find a way to help you obtain your goal, there is communication or going back and forth to help you. An instructor will typically provide you with information or demonstrations on what you want to achieve, expect that you will understand the information or that you will be able to reproduce the demonstration, and will rarely give feedback. So, depending on what you want to accomplish, it's your choice on who you want to work with in your Mind Studio. Some basic rules: only 1 coach or instructor at a time in your Mind Studio, the coach or instructor doesn't remain in your Mind Studio after you've finished your session, and your coach or instructor needs to be willing to be in your Mind Studio to work with you.

The length of your session in your Mind Studio is up to you, however, if this is the first time you've practicing Sequence C, approx. 20-25 minutes should be sufficient.

Start with Sequence A until the part where you leave your office area. You may already picked up some idea of WHAT you would like to accomplish from your office area, or you may already know exactly what you want to achieve. Be specific in formulating your goal, for example, you'd like to be able to hike 15 miles a day on a certain part of the AT by spring 2018 carrying 30 pounds in your backpack.

After leaving your office area, go to stand in front of your access device (may be an elevator or other device). Put forward your intention to request to have the best coach or instructor most suited to you in achieving your goal at this point in time. Use your control button or panel to slowly open and ask the person who shows up in the access device if they're agreeable to helping you. If they are not agreeable, then thank them and send them back through the access device by closing the entrance - then go back and make your request again. If they are agreeable, then invite them in, they'll pause for a few seconds under the white light shower, and then step in to your Mind Studio. Invite them to a comfortable area in your Mind Studio and treat them as if they were a real person. Have a conversation with them, talk to them about your goal and what you want to do. You can make notes using your notepad and pen from your office area. If the coach or instructor wants to show you some tips, demonstrate something to you, or invites you to participate in an activity, go along with them, learn and provide feedback, ask questions, etc. This may involve changing in to different clothes or using gear in your reaction area to practice. If this is the case, then lead them to your recreation area to continue your session with them.If this is the case, then lead them to your recreation area to continue your session with them.

When you've finished your session with your coach or instructor, remember to thank them for helping you, and escort them back to your access device. Make a note if they've scheduled follow-up sessions with you. The coach or instructor then goes under the white light shower and enters the access device. You use the control button or panel to send them back.

If you have any sore spots that require attention, go back to your recreation area to treat these spots. When you're done, it's time to head back to your office and leave yourself a note if you have future sessions scheduled or make any other notes.

Head back to your secret entrance, put on your shoes and coat before you exit. The white light shower will be activated for a few seconds to provide protection to you when you exit. Open your secret entrance and step through the entrance. Pause. Let the white light shower invigorate you; when it stops, turn, and close your secret entrance.

Take the steps back to your nature scene, remembering the use your 5 physical senses, and count each step in reverse order (for example, if you have 5 steps, you’d start by saying Step 5, then Step 4, etc.).

You’re now back at your nature scene. Experience your nature scene for up to 1 minute, with your 5 physical senses.

Then, turn, and go through the visualizing and breathing in the 7 colors in reverse order (violet, purple, blue, green, yellow, orange and red). When you’ve completed the red color, then pause.

Open your eyes slowly. Regulate your breathing. Review what you experienced and jot down your notes in a journal. Rise slowly, remember to drink some water.

Reach out if you have any challenges with the Sequence C.
Nameste ♥

[jjozgrunt]

I know that sometimes threads head off on a tangent into some weird places, but I really can't believe that this c#%p is still being posted. This is a hiking forum isn't it?

[Last Call]

What on Earth is this hocus-pocus?

[hipbone]

Correct (Gerry rarely used Gerald). Sharing his spiritual path and baby steps with AT hikers. Nameste

Thanks for sharing. The forest can be a spiritual place for some people. I feel different when I am in the woods...like I'm surrounded by happiness and calmness. Maybe this thread will help some people release their negative energy while helping you deal with your loss.

[Ironee]

Thanks for sharing. The forest can be a spiritual place for some people. I feel different when I am in the woods...like I'm surrounded by happiness and calmness. Maybe this thread will help some people release their negative energy while helping you deal with your loss.

Thanks, Hipbone, for sharing your experience in the woods. This thread doesn't resonate with everyone. And the intent is to share different ways to experience hiking, in particular, by providing information and guidance from Gerry that others may find useful. Hiking does have spiritual aspects - connecting with nature, challenging oneself, going inward, bonding with fellow hikers. Everyone has their own spiritual path. Ahimsa - do no harm.

Gerry's family and friends are very grateful to the ATers who met him on the trail and those who found him the day that he passed away on the trail. We're thankful that it didn't take days or months to find him as has happened with other AT hikers. And since Gerry would help anyone who needed his help, I'm passing this information on to the AT community, so that those who can benefit from this sharing will do so. Gerry wanted to leave this world a better place. In places where he hiked in Canada, he would often participate in taking care of trails and creating new ones. He respected nature in all its aspects.

Nameste ♥

[Ironee]

More on advances in science (and why it's important to start by working with our 5 physical senses and then move on to perceiving through other senses):

How do we interact with nature? How do we connect with nature?
We interact and connect not only through our 5 physical senses, also by using our subtle senses. We are tuned to use our 5 physical senses which have narrow bands that we use to interpret our world. By using subtle senses (including our heart EMF) which have wider bands, we are able to interact and connect more with everything out there.

Everything has its own natural vibrations and sense vibration patterns from others. There is information in these vibration patterns that we can access and experience.
We have our own natural rhythms which for the most part, are not readily observable, until we look for them, or if the rhythms are subtle in manner, we can use alternate techniques to detect and connect to these rhythms or vibrations. Vibrations have harmonics, so that we perceive these vibrations as color, sound, scent, feeling and we use the information conveyed at various vibration levels to interact with our environment. When we interact with vibrations of living things in a forest or woods and we resonate with these vibrations, we're more open to being relaxed, feeling at peace, feeling good about ourselves, etc.

Check out recent advances in detection of vibration in this TED talk:
https://www.ted.com/talks/abe_davis_...ies/transcript

[grubbster]

More on advances in science...

Please, don't try to drag science into this treatise. Pseudoscience would be your best bet.

[Ironee]

Science of practical interest to hikers:

Scientific research at CalTech (Kirschvink) indicates that humans have a magnetoreception sense, that is, the ability to sense, respond to and possibly interact with the earth's magnetic field.
http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/...h-sense-humans

Based on several years of scientific research in to magnetoreception, products are now available to help people locate true north (magnetic).
University of Osnabrück in Germany initially developed the true north belt (it's not just for people who are sight-impaired). There are also true north implants available.
https://sensebridge.net/projects/northpaw/
https://www.outsideonline.com/209969...st-sixth-sense
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/2016...agnetic-fields

By using these tools to locate true north, one could also develop their own sense of magnetoreception. Alternatively, using Gerry's baby steps could be used to enhance one's magnetoreception sense.

Nameste ♥

[Ironee]

We're discovering more and more about our abilities (such as magnetoreception) and our world (e.g. geomagnetic force of the earth) and how we interact with our world and each other. We've learning more about our own abilities (such as neuroplasticity) and how to use these abilities.

Question:
If some people can sense something, yet there is no scientific instrumentation capable of measuring what they are sensing, does this mean that the something doesn't exist? Consider bacteria and viruses before we had microscopes, consider x-rays and other types of radiation before we had spectrophotometric and other radiation detection equipment.