76. Yvonne Kason M.D., Transforming Kundalini and Near-Death Experiences (Podcast)

[alextsakiris]

Guest: Dr. Yvonne Kason, discusses her experience with, and research of, near-death experiences and other transformative experiences like Kundalini, death bed visions, and past ...

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[Toni]

I'm not much of a commentator, but would like to say I thought the show's theme is interesting. I did find it odd how nonchalant Dr. Kason was about losing the patient in those icy waters after the crashlanding. I suppose it would detract from her story somewhat but it still bothered me and made a little sad too. Best wishes for the full recovery of Dr. Kason.

[Purple Scissor]

Toni,

At least she is not being like the average Christian who at once mourns like an atheist should, and at the same time says their loved one is in heaven with Jesus and they will see them soon. She is not conflicted. She ought to be cheered.

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Originally Posted by Purple Scissor

At least she is not being like the average Christian who at once mourns like an atheist should, ...

There is a particular way that an atheist should mourn?

~~ Paul

[Purple Scissor]

This being a forum, I used the common speech for "disbeliever in an afterlife," and assumed that one would take the average: a disbeliever in an afterlife should, that is to say, must, mourn as if they are never going to see the dead person again, and also as if that person has been utterly destroyed, silly remonstrations about "living on in memory" not withstanding. An average disbeliever in an afterlife will, on average, mourn this, and do so in this manner. By "Christian" I meant "believer in an afterlife." It takes a lot less time to say things if one can be slightly poetic.

[sr332603]

Originally Posted by Purple Scissor

This being a forum, I used the common speech for "disbeliever in an afterlife," and assumed that one would take the average: a disbeliever in an afterlife should, that is to say, must, mourn as if they are never going to see the dead person again, and also as if that person has been utterly destroyed, silly remonstrations about "living on in memory" not withstanding. An average disbeliever in an afterlife will, on average, mourn this, and do so in this manner. By "Christian" I meant "believer in an afterlife." It takes a lot less time to say things if one can be slightly poetic.

Interesting that you describe your last comment as "poetic"...

[sr332603]

In all, I think this is one of the worst interviews I have heard from Alex.

Alex, where are all of the probing, critical questions that you rightfully throw at people whose positions you disagree with? You gave her a pass on everything she said!

For instance, she claimed that she simply knew that her experiences weren't hallucinations. You asked "how?" Her answer was that nothing positive can come from hallucinations, therefore hers could not have been hallucinations. Your response? Let it slide!

If that is how she is going to define the term hallucination, then it has simply lost all meaning. Hallucination, as a term, implies absolutely nothing about how the person interprets the experience, be it positive or negative. To say that simply because she viewed an experience as profound is enough evidence to believe that it was not a hallucination, but that it was her experience with a magical spirit realm, is utter crap. What is even more embarrassing, for you and for the show, is that you failed to challenge her in the slightest!

Or how about the fact that the majority (if not all) of her NDEs were not actually NDEs! She didn't die in any of the ones that she recounted in great detail. All she did was pass out, or get scared, or hit her head - events that correspond strongly with hallucinations!

To quote a Johns Hopkins study, which took a double-blinded look at the effects of magic mushrooms on a group of participants that had no prior experience with psychoactive drugs:

Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions researchers conducted [a] study following carefully controlled, scientifically rigorous procedures. They said that the episodes generally led to positive changes in attitude and behavior among the 36 volunteer participants and that the changes appeared to last at least two months. Participants cited feelings of intense joy, "distance from ordinary reality," and feelings of peace and harmony after taking the drug. Two-thirds described the effects of the drug, called psilocybin, as among the five most meaningful experiences of their lives.

But in 30% of the cases, the drug provoked harrowing experiences dominated by fear and paranoia. Two participants likened the episodes to being in a war. While these episodes were managed by trained monitors at the sessions where the drugs were taken, researchers cautioned that in less-controlled settings, such responses could trigger panic or other reactions that might put people in danger.

For one, I don't think anyone is arguing that magic mushrooms cause any actual "spiritual" experience, assuming such a thing even exists. It is a psychoactive chemical that "materially" affects the brain and the way the person views the world while under the influence. And yet, 66% of the people used spiritual language to describe its effects!

A couple of points about this study:

1) 66% of participants listed taking the drug as one of the 5 most meaningful experiences in their lives! Clearly, this utterly materialistic, non-spiritual means of inducing hallucinations can have a meaningful, "spiritual" impact on people. I wonder who Yvonne would interpret their stories if she did not know they were under the influence of a drug? I could fancy a guess...

2) In 30% of the cases, the drug experience was horrible, dominated by fear and paranoia. This represents your and Yvonne's distorted view of what a hallucination is - clearly they can be both positive and harrowing, as shown by this study.

Yvonne demonstrated quite clearly that she has absolutely no self-reflective, critical thinking capabilities. She is 100% certain concerning the nature of her and others' experiences, just so long as they're positive!

And you wonder why nobody takes this seriously?

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Originally Posted by Purple Scissor

This being a forum, I used the common speech for "disbeliever in an afterlife," and assumed that one would take the average: a disbeliever in an afterlife should, that is to say, must, mourn as if they are never going to see the dead person again, and also as if that person has been utterly destroyed, silly remonstrations about "living on in memory" not withstanding. An average disbeliever in an afterlife will, on average, mourn this, and do so in this manner. By "Christian" I meant "believer in an afterlife." It takes a lot less time to say things if one can be slightly poetic.

But you seem to be applying your own anguish at the idea of no afterlife to those of us who don't believe there is an afterlife. Of course the person is utterly destroyed. Of course I'm never going to see him again. What I have left are memories. That is how it works. I don't have to rant and wail and beat my fists against the sky. That's just the way it is.

~~ Paul

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by sr332603

In all, I think this is one of the worst interviews I have heard from Alex.

Alex, where are all of the probing, critical questions that you rightfully throw at people whose positions you disagree with? You gave her a pass on everything she said!

I do think there is some substance to this comment. Alex, perhaps it would be best to warn your interviewees that some of the questions will be tough an skeptical in a sensible sense - and then ask the hard questions.

David

[craven]

Originally Posted by sr332603

In all, I think this is one of the worst interviews I have heard from Alex.

Alex, where are all of the probing, critical questions that you rightfully throw at people whose positions you disagree with? You gave her a pass on everything she said!

You mean you haven't figured out yet that Alex is an unconditional believer with an agenda?