Alien Dreamtime: My Fight with Whitley Strieber

I know, we need more Southern Pentecostals to contribute to this dialogue. Anyway folks...

I wonder, Daniel, if you would treat Steven Greer's disclosure and attempt at contacting extra-terrestrials with the same degree of alarm. I guess the point of contention is Streiber's grim expectations, not so much his communion with the gray beings.

Greer places hope in the possibility of zero-point energy which, I gather from your 2012 CGI video, you do as well. Greer has had, according to him, several intimate encounters with extraterrestrial or interdimensional beings, though he does not describe them as Grays. He even explains a protocol (the CE-5 protocol) that, with the help of meditation and a knowledge of your local geography, enables you to contact extraterrestrials telepathically.

Perhaps the beings contacted by Streiber and the ones contacted by Greer are in different realms? like the antipodal worlds of DMT and DPT. But Streiber seems to really empathize with the Grays - at least groups of them - as compassionate and concerned for us.

I want this world to continue - there is too much to lose. To envision the alternative makes me sad - about as sad as envisioning losing all my friends. I can't accept what Streiber says.

Great post, Daniel -- there's much to discuss here.

While I'm not directly familiar with Streiber's work, I am no stranger to the apocalyptic memes he's spreading. Many others have "done the math" across a host of down-spiralling scenarios, and the numbers don't look so hot. I sometimes find myself trapped in dark ruminations of impending doom for humanity, perhaps after reading some mordant Peak Oil essay by James Kunstler. Even Thom Hartmann's The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight paints a decidedly grim picture of the coming future, despite its tender and imploring spiritual call to arms.

But I, too, must fall back on the hope that there is a brilliant silver lining in all of this gloom – an uplifting yin to the yang. I took great intellectual solace in the notions put forth in 2012 when I first read it, and now I feel truly blessed to be involved with Reality Sandwich, where we are all playing a part in manifesting this crucial evolutionary shift.

Although I haven't done extensive studying on abduction literature or the mythology of the Grays, I do get a sense from what I have read that there is something profoundly important going on here. Rick Strassman's book DMT: The Spirit Molecule fascinated me in its accounts of "alien" contact under the influence of DMT. Several participants in his research remarked that these entities are "interested in our emotions." This rather creepy idea stuck with me - there's something to this, I thought.

Months later I went camping with a close friend, and we got on the subject of David Icke, a writer I'd always considered unpalatably conspiricist and "fringe." Much has changed in my receptivity to such ideas over the last few years, however, and I was eager to hear my friend's assessment.

Apparently, one of Icke's theories posits that we are being propagated for our psychic energies by an alien race that feeds on fear, and there are human-alien hybrids that work within our plane of reality to ensure a robust harvest of tortured emotions for their trans-dimensional cohorts. As we gain perceptivity in our psychic abilities, these "reptilian" humanoids will no longer be invisible to us, and no longer will we be so easily feasted upon. The coming phase will be a complete subjugation of the global population - to contain us physically, as our minds begin to loose themselves from their blockages and the truth is ultimately revealed. This was the sort of X-Files nonsense I'd have scoffed at before, but many recent revelations have humbled me to marvel at the possibility of the "impossible" in our truly baffling universe.

Beyond this, my friend's reasoning along this scenario has a ring of truth to it: "As we know from our experience, all living things on earth have to get energy from outside of themselves for sustenance. Is it so hard to imagine a race or species that might feed on our negative emotions? History is full of genocide, war, and terror - we have certainly been a hearty meal."

It seems clear that there are many shades of Grays, and we have some powerful allies on our side. Thanks, Daniel, for fighting to remind us that the "war in dreamland" is not yet lost.

The division you pointed out in the conversation between Daniel and Whitley is certainly not a new one and one that does to seem as if it might play a role in the dichotomy of this upcoming shift: to which category do they belong though? (even though dual these dual aspects are all part of the same coin) good/evil, love/fear, freedom/fate?

What's the place for either and do any of these dichotomies lineup? Certainly love and goodness and evil and fear... but fate and freedom? The only reason I think of this and ask is because I remember coming across some writing on the wall somewhere that suggested the upcoming battle would be one of fate and freedom.

Daniel,

I base this criticism on two points of agreement I have with you. One is your call for a sustainable society, another is your belief (as I sense it) that the Western liberal world view must be re-spiritualized. And I criticize not your argument with Strieber about evil spirits (it doesn't interest me), but two of your underlying assumptions.

1. "We in the West are obsessed with free will - with individuality... free will on an individual egoic level is not possible"
2. "...we are now learning that consciousness and intention have actual effects on physical reality"

Individuality is a Western tradition that sprouted nervously in Greek and Hebrew societies, flamed out amid Greco-Roman cynicism, and then after 1000 years reappeared (in a beautiful, integrated way, to the people witnessing it) in Dante and Giotto, etc. It is a tradition, and only secondarily an obsession; and it is to be approached with wonder and caution--not dismissed as impossible using pseudo terminologies that date to the last century, a period of high confusion we obviously remain in now.

Claiming knowledge that mind effects matter directly, instead of through human activities, may or may not misuse or even misunderstand the quantum model in physics. It does, though, unleash a wide platform for fantasy. To say that negative thinking can breed negative outcomes and so be harmful in itself is to forge a chain of fantasy. It argues ultimately for a kind of mandated happy talk that Orwell illustrated in 1984. It argues against the kind of "Jeremiad" or harsh criticism and warning that began with the Hebrew prophet Jeremiah and extends in the romantic reaction to William Blake, Dostoevsky and Orwell himself. See what will happen (these Jeremiads say) if we keep BEHAVING this way. Here's some negativity:

Mock on, mock on, Voltaire, Rousseau;
Mock on, mock on; 'tis all in vain!
You throw the sand against the wind,
And the wind blows it back again.

L.D. Gussin is author of The Seeker Academy, a literary novel set at a holistic retreat. http://theseekeracademy.com

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Kat makes a good point. However, everything she lists is easily changeable. Poverty, disease, pollution -- it's all curable, we can stop it. It's not <u>if</u> we can turn things around, but if we have the <u>will</u> to do so. Maybe I've been listening to too much U2 and Bono, but the Irish salesman-for-human-rights has the right attitude. Extreme poverty can be eradicated -- we have the technology, we have the money. What we don't have is the desire. Yes, it's important we have a realistic view -- as Kat rightly points out -- but it's equally important that we don't lose sight of the fact that we can turn things around. Or at the very least, soften the blows. <p>David Suzuki gave up a few years ago. He said the Earth's destruction is inevitable, people don't care, and won't care until it's too late. Suzuki retired from the fight to spend his last days under a tree playing with his grandchildren. When I heard him announce this, I was gutted, devastated. I do see his point of view, and some days I share it. But like Daniel, I can't help but feel betrayed by this extreme negativity. The solutions to our problems are right there, within easy reach, so close... yet apathy and pessimism places them so far away. Bono learnt this lesson the hard way -- if you tell people it's impossible to change the world despite the fact that it isn't, they'll believe it and as a result it really does become impossible. People need to know that it's not impossible, it's not too late, that the solutions aren't a million miles away. That distance is an illusion that can only be broken by positive thinking. <p>Daniel is right. We can eradicate extreme poverty. We can prevent disease and illness. We can treat each other with dignity and respect. It's never too late. But positive thinking will only take us part of the way -- to really get where we want to go, we need positive action. I'm not quite as positive as Daniel (or Bono), but even on my worst days, I still put up a fight. That's all I ask from people like Whitley Strieber ( I hesitate to demand anything of David Suzuki -- he gave so much for so long, he deserves his quiet time under a tree) -- if they think we're going down, then I wish they'd go down fighting. Make a bloody effort. It's not greed and war and pollution and negativity that will be our downfall -- it's apathy. It's never too late. Be positive and act positive -- even the tiniest effort makes a difference. Fifty years from now, I want to be able to look my grandchildren in the eye and see their appreciation for my efforts, no matter how small my contribution. </ul> <A href="http://www.dailygrail.com">The Daily Grail</A>

In my worldview I do not believe in evil. I negate the possibility that evil, negativity, fear, hatred, and war exist in reality. They are illusions created by illusory entities. They are perceptions of the real that do not serve us, but rather enslave us.

I do not know if "the Greys" exist or not (nor any extraterrestrial sentient life for that matter), but I do know that any enemy humanity has ever faced within or without has always been best defeated by negating the powers they have over us, and integrating them into our way of life. Genghis Khan knew this very well and turned enemies into assimilated allies, cohorts, and friends. Assimilate the assimilators.

I agree with Daniel that we must remain positive about the possible unknown outcomes that lie before us. Humanity has never achieved greatness in the face of death by accepting death. Rather humanity has flourished in the face of death by defying all rational outcomes and succeeding through sheer faith and hope, talents I would guess the Greys do not choose to have.

It is choice that I see is the key advantage that humans have, the thing we have learned so well. With choice, we can determine the outcome freely however we like, beyond the circumstances, making the circumstances bend to our will. With enough choice backed by our physical efforts on Earth, we can create any outcome we desire.

Pessimism is a dying notion. Some of us still cling to suffering so well (I am actually a major culprit). However, pessimism is no longer a defining characteristic in many lives. We continue to work to deny suffering in our lives by instead inviting more benevolent forces.

Instead of stopping suffering, we now promote happiness. Instead of ending war, we promote peace. Instead of ending hatred, we promote compassion. Instead of ending pollution, we promote clean air, water, and soil. Instead of ending irresponsible genetic and nanomanipulation of our foods, we promote responsible care for our food and where it comes from. Instead of ending hunger, we promote nourishment. Instead of defending, as guardians of the earth, we nurture, as stewards of it.

The positive tide is turning, and what scares those who thrive on fear most is that we would abandon fear for hope, that humanity would simply cast aside the paradigms of the ages that locked us in bitter conflict and intractability and rise up to a greater awareness of what is possible for us. Optimism, the ability to create what the collective desires, will rush like a viral wave over our collective human consciousness, and will spread beyond us without control or hindrance. Resistance is futile.

"If you shoot for the stars and hit the moon, it's OK. But you've got to shoot for something. A lot of people don't even shoot." - Confucious

Communication is the only way, start saying what you mean to say. -Bela Fleck and the Flecktones

Daniel- The fear in your voice is palpable leading into the altercation, and the vehemence of your attack stands as testament to that powerful emotion. I share that fear and agree at least superficially with some of your assessments of Whitley's perspective.

Whitley- The defensiveness you displayed and the sharpness of your retort were not unwarranted, even if they were unpleasant. I empathized with you while listening to the negativity event.

Gentlemen, and I do mean gentle men, I hope your airing of your differences of opinion leads to, and continues to stimulate, thought-provoking conversations both on and offline.

My feelings after listening to the Dreamland episode are swirling, thanks both to Daniel and Whitley. I find your opinions in no way to be mutually exclusive. I find myself dwelling in neither camp but rather situated firmly between the two of you, quite credulous on most accounts.

I find the grim reality of the current extinction event to be at times terrifying and overwhelming and at others exhilarating and life-affirming. The awareness of it chills me to the core and simultaneously fills me with radiant hope. That the transformation currently unfolding all around us IS occurring is only deniable by a great fool. The semantic argument over who is making what occur is just that, a semantic argument.

We are all playing our roles every hour of every day of our lives. In my own existence I am seeking to integrate my technological, practical, and magickal awareness. I firmly believe they can co-exist peacefully in my psyche, and need to do so seemlessly if I am to surmount whatever challenges and obstacles I am going to encounter as the transformation accelerates. I think that all those who are on some level consciously aware of the upheaval taking place recognize this in themselves and seek answers and guides to help them.

Both David and Whitley represent such guiding figures and are doing humanity a wonderful service by embracing that role. The trap very easily slid into however, is that of becoming an authority. I felt that for all of the bluster and and semantics I heard, the underlying issue which led to the eruption was the pressure inherent in such a role. When people less informed, less confident, and less self-directed than ourselves come to us for answers and guidance, they don't neccessarily appreciate being told to think for themselves. Many, if not most, long for the comforts of being told what to do, think or feel. Those in leadership or guiding roles can get overwhelmed by the sense of responsibility that accompanies that obligation. But because those on the receiving end also question, conviction must accompany the information, and conviction comes from experience. Both Whitley and Daniel have had a host of singular experiences which no man or woman can ever truly comprehend, not having been present for the experience. Both men have worked to the best of their ability to share the wisdom gleaned from those experiences and have the passion and conviction that comes from those experiences giving force to their words.

Their thoughts and methods may differ, but disagreeing makes neither man wrong. To judge either would be FoxNewsian.

I believe we can neither prevent nor cause what is already upon us. Time waits for no man....or gray. Daniel is right in his assertions about the power of intention being able to affect physical reality, just as Whitley is correct about the impending die-off being a natural consequence of population expansion.

My literary Endgame:

Whitley and David are karmic siblings who identify with all of humanity.

The earth is their mother.

While their mother was taking a nap a whole lot of their friends showed up and broke a bunch of their mom's stuff, and then left. They can both hear mom getting up from her nap and know that she is going to be very upset when she becomes aware of the damage. David experience tells him that the best way to avoid being punished is to clean up the mess, be really well behaved and hope she doesn't notice, and if she does to blame everyone else. Whitley experience tells him to accept the fact that regardless of what they do now, she is going to spank them pretty hard for all the damage she'll think was their fault, but once it's over all will be forgiven and life will be even better because a bunch of the broken stuff needed breaking.

Either way, in the end she is still their mother and will keep on loving them both (and humanity) long after the damage is forgotten, whether she punishes them or not. And because they could both be wrong or right in an intense situation; as siblings often do when opinions differ, they fight about it.

Let's hope that after they cool off, they will see how pointless the fight was, and then they will make up like siblings always do.

Aho.

Like lovers, the people who most get under our skin are those we care about and admire. Whitley endured years of attacks, ridicule and public shaming after the publication of Communion. Daniel's approach was an attempt to get past the defenses and perhaps provoke a breakdown of illusion and a habit of painting the future bleak. But Whitley does have a track record of being in front on issues such as weather. My chief concern, regarding being manipulated by entities, is that Daniel didn't appear to mention his own experiences on that. I remember it being discussed very openly in 2012: The Return..., and perhaps Breaking Open the Head also. The idea of opening a door and demons or daimons rushing in.

I smoked DMT with MachineElf once. I've never met anyone who smoked 75mg more than once. I've never met anyone who felt they had been abducted by visitors.

I think we're looking at two very courageous men here, each with their own fashion of observation.

I love the Dreamland show and have listened for years. But I have to land on the optimism side of the argument here. I'm an Infantry vet of the Iraqistan War. I missed certain death an uncountable number of times and finally got hit. But dread will hasten your exit. No one is disputing Whitley's research and scholarship on weather, etc. And Daniel isn't suggesting the road ahead is anything but gravel through mountains.

It is a mindgame, this life. What if each moment contains the whole world? What if reality is only real Right Now? To Dieback or Not to Dieback.

This argument was the awareness of Souls making short work of the men in battle. 2012 is not real. The only thing that is real is Saturday, 15 September 2007. And even that is a Dream. The moment I started to write this is in the past. What I do later is completely open to probabilities, followed by possibilities, followed by my self-discipline versus my human need to daydream.

The Earth's resources are being consumed at an insane pace. Is anyone in love with the idea of 10 billion people crammed on this little ship? Is a one-family 10,000 sq ft house not insane? I don't think population numbers are really the issue at all. Western-style material hoarding, the east-west love affair with 'abundance,' CREATES suffering on the opposite side of the globe. Does it not? Shipping organic veggies from Cali or Peru to NYC causes more greenhouse issues than can be relieved by trading 1,000 Ford F-150s for Priuses.

What action are we taking today? What if we all just forget the Future and Take Action Now. If there's a hole in your boat at sea. And 10 see it and 90 dismiss it. Probably 3 will roll up sleeves and set about fixing it. Letting the other 97 argue about whether the hole is wide enough to sink the vessel.

I'm looking for a mission. Daniel's out there, swinging his sword. Whitley too, in his own fashion. I don't need perfection from men who have the courage to walk point.