For years, I’ve had a fascination with pinecones. Beyond admiring their natural beauty, I’ve amassed art, china, barware, ornaments – pretty much anything with a pinecone motif. Others have yearnings for their own collectibles like cars (TV host Jay Leno has a fleet) or historic artifacts (a Louisville philantropist had so many items that he commissioned a museum). Whatever the attraction, there’s usually a reason why. I’ve always assumed that South Alabama’s abundance of towering pines, a deeply rooted connection to childhood, was the force behind my level of intrigue.
Nowadays, due to my Intuitive Counseling practice, I’ve been drawn to books, specifically, books about spirituality, Law of Attraction, energy and psychic work (see my recent blog post entitled, Shelf Life, for a few titles I’ve read). Currently, I’m spending time with DMT: The Spirit Molecule by Rick Strassman, M.D. Over a year ago, a Southern California hospice hosted a lecture about near-death experiences, which I attended. One of the cited resources was Dr. Strassman’s years of documented research on the subject.
“Aha! moments” came early on in the book. Did you know that each of us has a small gland (originally formed on the roof our mouth that eventually migrates to our brain) called the pineal gland? Strassman theorizes that the gland, which was first written about by a third-century B.C. physician, not only secretes Melatonin (related to sleep patterns) but also an enzyme, di-methyl-trytamine (DMT). He compares this natural, body-produced DMT enzyme to that of psychedelic compounds. Through the DMT generated by this tiny gland, the ability to open up to other spiritual realms – to include dreams, astral travel, psychic-medium ability, near-death experiences – is greater. This coming from a medical doctor who’s spent a greater portion of his professional career focusing on this type of research.
Needless to say, I was swept away by his findings, as I’ve had my share of multi-dimensional, spiritual experiences. Experiences by which even I’ve been baffled. For example, being aware of transporting myself from one location to another hundreds of miles away and assuming the identity of someone else – all without leaving my bed! Told you it was baffling! But, this book, with its scientific studies, helps me better comprehend my amazing encounters.
Ready for the Bonus Round? According to research, the pineal gland gets its name from the Latin pineus, relating to the pine, pinus. And, it’s shaped like a pinecone!
Love and light,
Tony
: ) Wondering if you have a pine bed with pine cone knobs for taking those pineal journeys. I inherited one from my grandparents.
But aren’t the pine cones out there in California ENORMOUS? We have a huge one, another gift of inheritance, on our porch that everyone says must’ve come from Canada…or California!
Thanks for making me think about Georgia pines again. Sigh.
Well, no pine bed : (
And, not too many pine trees in the desert here in Palm Springs. But, yes, other parts of California do have pines with large cones. I’m going to Alabama over Thanksgiving, so I’ll get my fix of southern pines (sap and all!) Love to you!
Beyond cool! Love this kind of information. Love the connection.
It’s amazing how everything – when we stop and observe – does connect in one form or another. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Tony I too have a thing for pine cones also. Everywhere John and I go like Lassen Valley Northern CA picked up pine cones there huge ones on Mom’s Street pine cones that fell off neighbor’s trees and I do have a mess of from Uncle Dwain’s yard those are my Southern grown ones(LOL) and I’m proud of everyone one of them they all have special meanings………..Love them cones 🙂 HAPPY THANKSGIVING Cousin and hugs to Mama and Sis from me and Johnny
Hey Honey….glad to know that there are other pinecone admirers out there! Have a great Turkey Day! Love to you!
Wow—gave me goose bumps! Thanks Tony! Hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving! Love you, V V
Thanksgiving was great! Ate my share of turkey and all the other good stuff too!