Overtones and Undercurrents
Spirituality, Reincarnation, and Ancestor Influence in Entheogenic Psychotherapy
2017. Rochester, VT: Park Street Press - Inner Traditions
Available from Inner Traditions
Overtones are the subtle sounds created in stringed instruments by the sympathetic vibrations of the struck or plucked fundamental strings. One can think of the spiritual dimensions of our experience, that we refer to as "spirit" or "soul", as analogous to these ethereal harmonics. They are the inner tones and subtle harmonics of spirit and soul that can accompany our experience.
Undercurrents are the flow of tides of water or energy invisibly, below the surface, that can induce powerful movements of surface objects in unexpected directions, towards damaging rocks or abysmal depths. Similarly, karmic entanglements of past incarnations can affect our present experience with seemingly unfounded feelings of guilt, indebtedness, resentment or shame.
The 15 true stories related here, show how the psychological problems we confront may derive from factors often not considered in conventional psychotherapy, including residual effects from prior abortions, unconscious imprints from prenatal existence, memories from past lives, ancestral and familial soul connections, and even psychic intrusions and possession states. The case histories and methods described include the use of quiet retreat space, guided regressions to pre-natal and past-life conditions, yogic light-fire practices and selective use of small doses of entheogens. The concluding chapter describes the use of three different kinds of healing serpent imagery from the Chinese Taoist traditions as well as the ancient Greek Asclepius and Hermetic teachings.