Conference hydra::dejavu

    Re .0 (Gerard):
    
    >What are the influences ,consequences , etc. of all the occult sciences
    >and everything we talk about in this Notesfile ?
     
    That covers a lot of territory!  Throughout the Conference, you'll
    find references to personal experiences, etc.  Philosophies, such
    as the latest spate of "reality creation" notes, also play a part.
    Many of the things written of here aren't sciences yet -- they're
    mostly arts.
    
    In general -- Some have asked for help (e.g., interpretation of
    dreams) and have gotten suggestions.  Others have asked for references
    (e.g., finding a book on shamanism) and have been given pointers.
    Many have shared experiences.
    
    However, generally changes of life have been subtle; despite a note
    on "Winning Megabucks!", I don't think a noter here has.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

    
    DEJAVU has become a place for me to meet people of a like mind,
    and vice versa.  I would be far more alone with my views if not
    for this conference.  It was getting rather lonely for me for a
    while in my life, but that's changed now...primarily because of
    DEJAVU and a few other similar spots.  
    
    Cindy

Influences; I think they're growing.  More people are becoming interested in 
metaphysics.  When I first started in to it in 1981, people thought I was 
either trying to bring back the 60's, or becoming a fanatic, or just being 
weird Meredith, like always.

I think the influences and consequences range.  Some are capitalizing on what 
they see as a trend, or on the fact that a wide audience is able to pay to 
listen and feel as if they have come away with something, which is why we buy 
anything (to come away with something; to have something).  I see a lot more 
metaphysical/occult stores around; more crystals for sale; I hear more about 
magic and witches in terms of everyday life as opposed to being only in the 
Twilight Zone and/or Devil-controlled.  As I see with any area that attracts 
large crowds, I see a hierarchy forming of those "well-practiced" and those 
"novices","neophytes","initiates"...et cetera...right along with the fanatics 
and the wounded who seek repair, answers to questions, philosophies to embrace,
something to take care of them.

I see that even in the most metaphysical of circles, when more than a couple of 
people are brought in, I can still get blasted for honesty, condescended to; 
all the traits that I think as being traits that the enlightened have allegedly 
overcome; traits that I see in myself, too.  Metaphysics gives me a dream for 
what I want to be all the time.  The more that I go on, I see that life is not 
what I achieve; it's what I am.  The greatest consequence of metaphysics has 
been, for me, to learn at what is and get clues in to my Self by judging my 
perceptions; to realize that I am at the center of everything I see and 
experience.

I also believe that I do not want to get to a point where I'm selling 
metaphysics as the only way to get where I have gotten.  People either find 
something that gives them hope and makes them grow, or they don't.  I feel 
fortunate that I have, but my path is only one of many.  I don't need to argue 
for being right, although I still do.  I'm glad I'm not denying the parts of me 
that I wish would go away any more!  Part of overcoming them is accepting them. 
I accept my humanness and imperfection, whereas before, I tried to hide it from 
myself and especially from others.

    
    .0
    
    	I guess the influences ect are best felt on an personal level.
    From there...who knows? But personally the topics ect have encouraged
    study on my part and have made me more aware of others with
    similarities and differences. I have met people that under normal
    conditions I would of never known of, and hopefully in return, I
    have helped and have encouraged others with what I have learned
    or have thought about.
    
    	Craig
    	

It makes me feel good.  I've conversed (electronically) with some pretty interesting and
caring folks and that alone makes it *very* worthwile.  If the conference went away,
it would be like saying goodby to a warm and close friend.  

Terry

    
I'm just beginning to understand the impact DEJAVU has had on me 
personally.  It has allowed me to expand my horizons and explore areas 
that I might not have otherwise.  Most importantly, what I've learned 
has been succinctly stated by Joe Jas in reply .17 to topic 975:

        
<<    	Therefore there's no reason to believe that my perception of
    reality is exactly like, or will ever be exactly like, that of
    any other human being. In fact, there's a good chance that my
    perception of reality will never be *anything* like anyone else's!
    *Parts* of it will certainly "go along with" that of others, and
    I will try to associate with like minded people (as I'm trying to
    do here in Dejavu), but I think I'm giving up on the idea of trying
    to impart my *perception* of "the way things are or should be" on 
    another person. No wonder people argue incessantly, no amount of
    time explaining your perception will ever get another to *fully*
    understand how you see it!  I'm sure everyone here thinks I'm crazy
    already...  >>

I don't think you're crazy Joe, I agree with what you've written.  
Coming to that realization has allowed me to 'let go' of stuff that 
was keeping me 'stuck' waiting for people to agree with my version of 
reality.  That awareness can free a person and allow them to move on 
along their 'path'.

Ro

                                                                        
    

        
    If not for DEJAVU, Frederick and John M. would have never met.
    
    As a side note - at one of the last Eastern US DEJAVU parties, we
    thought that perhaps we might solicit donations from the participants
    out here so that we could send Frederick and John M. plane tickets
    to attend a future gathering.  We figured it would be about 10-20
    US dollars/person.
    
    (;^)
    
    Cindy

    re: .7
     
          I don't know why exactly (all right, maybe I *could*
    figure it out) but that's a little bit embarassing.  Anyway,
    my reality has brought out very, very many warrior issues.
    Though I long to be the "adventurer", I cling to the shield
    (but less to the sword.)  I have certainly learned much in
    the almost two years here...even John's obnoxiousness have
    helped me to see parts of myself that I may have never discovered
    or seen as soon.  ;-)
          In any case, there is a strong possibility that I may be
    going to the East Coast within the next eight or nine months,
    so maybe I could take a "side trip" to New England (to which 
    I've never been.)  It would be fun to do the attaching of faces
    and bodies to names and thoughts!  I hope you're not in Australia
    at the time, Cindy-roo!
    
    Frederick
    

    As a newcomer to DEJAVU, I'd like to say that it's a great place
    to validate each others illusions! ;-)

    Well Frederick, if you are planning to visit New England
    in 8 months, it'll be right around my birthday... so if 
    you do plan to come I hope you also plan to bear gifts
    of great joy and good tidings... ;-) ...like a VCR...or
    I'd settle for a BM'er... you'd make a smiley face become
    really attached to you... ;-)
    
    -Arthur

    re: .10 (Arthur)
     
          Well, in that case, I'll take a Super VHS camcorder, seeing
    as to how my birthday falls around the same time.  I've always
    liked Ferrari's, too.  (HINT, HINT!!)  So we could have a little
    exchange after all.  Then *I* could have a smiley face, too!
    (HEY, in working towards enlightenment, I must keep reminding myself
    to RECEIVE, since receiving is so much more difficult than giving
    is.)
    
    Frederick
    :-)
    

                               
    Re.8 (Fred)
    
    I'm sorry Frederick - didn't mean to embarass you.  We just wanted
    to meet you both, that's all, and witness the historic event.  I'll 
    be back from OZ by then.  Mebbe.  (;^)  
    
    Speaking of roo's - there is a fellow in my office who stopped by
    to ask if I could answer a question posed by his 6-year-old daughter.  
    It was, "Do boy kangaroos have pockets too?"
    
    If anybody knows the answer to this, I know one father who would
    be forever indebted to you!
    
    Cindy

    
    re: .11
    
    Good point Frederick...we must be willing to *receive* as well
    as *give* as we work are way thru enlightenment and beyond.  
    
    So maybe we can exchange sports cars as well as handshakes...
    
    See ya when ya get here.
    
    -Arthur

Yes, Virginia, there really is a ........... Frederick Ward

  can't wait!

    I say we hire a BUS and throw a party in Frederick's hotel room.
    I know a caterer who will make perfect hors d'ouevres from an
    elegant Anchovie Paste!
    
    ...meebe he will let us all sleep over!
    
    L...who is always Game for a party ;^)

    re: .15
    
         Who said anything about a hotel room?  (Maybe I'm the sort
    that likes sleeping in bus stations.)  Anyway, why not have a party
    on the bus?  For me the whole trip would be a party, so no special
    jacket would be required.  Actually, I don't like anchovies, but
    pizza or hors d'ouevres would be fine, with or without the bus.
    But if I do get a hotel room, then why not, right? (Although it
    sounds crowded...maybe that's not so bad, either.)  Oh brother,
    brother Brother.  WE be getting partying for a game when the time
    is right.  Some of my tribe is back East and it's also an anniversary
    of my high school reunion.  So I need to coordinate several things
    before I actually decide.  Then all I'll need is the funding.
    But I know it will be fun, whatever or however it turns out.
    
    Frederick
    

    Sounds like it would be more crowded than GROUCHO'S state room.
     aboard that luxury liner he was on in the film "night at the opera"
    yours could be "night at the party" 
                           Bill :^}

>    As a side note - at one of the last Eastern US DEJAVU parties, we
>    thought that perhaps we might solicit donations from the participants
>    out here so that we could send Frederick and John M. plane tickets
>    to attend a future gathering.  We figured it would be about 10-20
>    US dollars/person.
    
I am for that!  I for one would like to meet Frederick.

Darryl Wagoner
imokay::wagoner

    re: .18
    
          Darryl...and a few others...thanks.  That's certainly real
    nice of you all.  I'm not used to that sort of thing so it isn't
    easy for me to accept (yeah, I've still got deservability issues
    going on, etc.)  But, in case the basket comes around, I can probably
    contribute $20 for myself AND the anchovy.  
          I seem to remember writing this in here before but I will
    take a chance that I haven't or at least I will repeat it anyway.
    I once had a dream that I was on the Ed Sullivan Show and got out
    on the stage in front of the big audience and tv cameras and then
    had nothing to say or do.  Talk about cold sweats!  I don't consider
    myself a performer (except for the ocassional intimacy :-) ) so
    if people would be looking for a juggling act or something, I'd
    be a real letdown.  I know I give a heck of a good massage but that's
    not something I do in crowds, either.  However, all that
    self-flaggelation aside, I'd be real happy to meet with most of
    you and look forward to the actual event sometime within 1989.
    I *want* to say, don't expect too much, but I realize that is very
    poor thinking.  As my friend Lazaris has pointed out, disappointment
    is always the same whether the expectation was low or high.  On
    the other hand, high expectations can provide enthusiasm and greater
    likelihood of a positive event than lower expectations can.  So,
    towards that "end", I hope we can all have high expectations for
    a great year and specifically a great meeting.
    
    Thanks again.
    
    Frederick