Great article, Tim! There's so much to be explored in this intersection of writing, creativity and consciousness.
Also, that's a wild near-death experience you had. I heard other people describe that overwhelming sense of love and gratitude in similar life or death situations.
Incredible article. I once “wrote” 3 songs simultaneously, while in a state of serious sleep deprivation. (I joke that sleep deprivation is akin to a poor man’s LSD.) The songs were recorded at the time, so I was able to go back and learn the music.
The first one is based on a book by Dr. Peter Fenwick about Near Death Experiences(Art of Dying). A fascinating collection of stories by people who have experienced this. After the song was finished, an incredible surge went through my entire body and recording equipment (which was grounded). It was surreal — I’ll never forget it.
This song is about my mom, who passed away with my dad and little sister in a car accident. Shortly before they passed, we were at the park together, and she was pushing my then 1-year-old son on the swing.
Finally, this tune is about a dream that I had of my family visiting me after they passed — I woke up in tears, stunned at how visceral it felt. It changed my life, and to this day I carry that feeling with me.
The feeling when you think that you dive deep brave enough to throw yourself into the cold water. This must be it, you think... And than someone grabs your hand and pull you down deeper, where the ocean perfectly balance light with full darkness. At the edge. That's the experience book-worthy.
Aug 31, 2023·edited Aug 31, 2023Liked by Tim Denning
I do love your writing and for a behavioural scientist & spiritual director who has many out of body experiences and lives, writes and thinks about Flow daily, and I help guide consciousness to allow people into altered states (theta states) to unknot subsconscious fears, to flow and create - I love that you captured some of it so simply and beautifully!! Your personal story is amazing and a miracle. Its amazing how chaos comes to awaken & evolve us, even if we can't see it straight away! Nila
Of course, offline! Ironically its not about ascension or escaping, its the opposite (for me) we need to fully embody ourselves consciously, ease our nervous sytem & neurobiology to do this. We are spirit having a human experience, so we are connecting to our energy and then inviting ourselves back to spirit.
Thank you. Great Post. I've expereinced runner's high esp when i used to run under the rain. I've expereinced flow when I write, though I'm struggling to be consistent with it. I've also dabbled with pschedelics (under right set and setting and yes they truly altered my take on reality. I'd love to try lucid dreaming or out of body but they seem way out of my reach.
I had an experience in 2004 when I was 57 years old. I was about to attend a meeting with my boss. I walked up to his room but got hit by some wooden object in my chest probably the sharp end of some high table. I fell down and lost consciousness according to my friend who came to help me. I didn't know whether he came to help me in taking me to a physician and all that. But according to him I walked down the stairs by myself without help. I also answered the doctor's queries as per my friend. Sometime after, I was sitting before my boss who offered coffee. The smell of coffee brought back my consciousness. Later I told my friend whatever he did to me has not registered in my mind. Till date I am at a loss to know what sort of thing that besieged me! Can you please explain that? Thank you.
Good piece Tim. I’ve experienced many of these states but never categorized them as you have. Fascinating to think back on them in this context. Like you said “you never forget.”
I do forget my active and vivid dreams unless I consciously try to salvage them upon waking. I’ll try it more often after consuming this post.
Brilliant, Tim. Near-death higher state of consciousness is powerful, also reminds me of this story about the author George Saunders, who nearly died in an accident. Afterward, he said he felt so alive:
“For three or four days after that,” he said, “it was the most beautiful world. To have gotten back in it, you know? And I thought, If you could walk around like that all the time, to really have that awareness that it’s actually going to end. That’s the trick.”
I was at Woodstock in 1969, and recall Santana’s opening set of “Soul Sacrifice,” which sent myself along with the massive crowd into a dream state with congas, drums and rhythm guitar offset by Carlos Santana’s lead guitar. It was a swaying motion in a crowd of likely thousands of spectators. Never had a moment like that before or since.
I woke up in the hospital after one I had in school. Don't know how I survived or what they did. The other I had to get adrenaline to keep my heart going, I think.
Runners High and Flow State are 2 states of consciousness I chase every day. Love everything about this one, that headline stopped my scrolling for sure. Nice one Tim
A very interesting read Tim. I had a weird experience with accupuncture. It was the first time I'd tryed it and it probably goes against alot of my Christian friends advice, but I researched the art and couldn't find any legitimate claims against it's practice. Accupuncture freed my creative ability to write like I've never experienced before. You can read about it here if you want to:
Great article, Tim! There's so much to be explored in this intersection of writing, creativity and consciousness.
Also, that's a wild near-death experience you had. I heard other people describe that overwhelming sense of love and gratitude in similar life or death situations.
Thanks Stephen. Have you had any near-death experiences?
Incredible article. I once “wrote” 3 songs simultaneously, while in a state of serious sleep deprivation. (I joke that sleep deprivation is akin to a poor man’s LSD.) The songs were recorded at the time, so I was able to go back and learn the music.
The first one is based on a book by Dr. Peter Fenwick about Near Death Experiences(Art of Dying). A fascinating collection of stories by people who have experienced this. After the song was finished, an incredible surge went through my entire body and recording equipment (which was grounded). It was surreal — I’ll never forget it.
https://bobbytlewis.bandcamp.com/track/fenwicks-art-of-dying
This song is about my mom, who passed away with my dad and little sister in a car accident. Shortly before they passed, we were at the park together, and she was pushing my then 1-year-old son on the swing.
https://bobbytlewis.bandcamp.com/track/black-coat
Finally, this tune is about a dream that I had of my family visiting me after they passed — I woke up in tears, stunned at how visceral it felt. It changed my life, and to this day I carry that feeling with me.
https://bobbytlewis.bandcamp.com/track/perlita-avenue
Thank you for writing such thoughtful articles — they are so inspirational . 🙏
Bobby
Thanks for sharing Booby.
The feeling when you think that you dive deep brave enough to throw yourself into the cold water. This must be it, you think... And than someone grabs your hand and pull you down deeper, where the ocean perfectly balance light with full darkness. At the edge. That's the experience book-worthy.
Wow awesome reply Nina. Thank you.
You are very welcome Tim.
Have you got a title to work on already?
Not yet Tina. Could you recommend a few?
If I would get to chose your new book title it would be:
Flow States in Online Writing
Enigma behind millionaire mindset
Wow there's some good ideas there Nina. Thank you.
I am sure that you will come up with the better title to your own work, but I appreciate the engagement. That's really nice of you Tim.
Tim has inspired me so often no amount of thanks an admiration would justify the apperication I receive.
Barry Hicks
Much love Barry.
Fascinating read, Tim.
Thanks mate.
I do love your writing and for a behavioural scientist & spiritual director who has many out of body experiences and lives, writes and thinks about Flow daily, and I help guide consciousness to allow people into altered states (theta states) to unknot subsconscious fears, to flow and create - I love that you captured some of it so simply and beautifully!! Your personal story is amazing and a miracle. Its amazing how chaos comes to awaken & evolve us, even if we can't see it straight away! Nila
Thanks Nila. Can you share one out of body experience? I'm just curious.
Of course, offline! Ironically its not about ascension or escaping, its the opposite (for me) we need to fully embody ourselves consciously, ease our nervous sytem & neurobiology to do this. We are spirit having a human experience, so we are connecting to our energy and then inviting ourselves back to spirit.
Thank you. Great Post. I've expereinced runner's high esp when i used to run under the rain. I've expereinced flow when I write, though I'm struggling to be consistent with it. I've also dabbled with pschedelics (under right set and setting and yes they truly altered my take on reality. I'd love to try lucid dreaming or out of body but they seem way out of my reach.
Interesting Mo. I'd like to try Lucid dreaming too.
On the writing goal of yours, send me an email to tim@timdenning.com
iPhone Notes is the best I can do. My thumb typing is better than my handwriting skills these days 🤷🏻♂️
My thumb typing sucks Dee as I have fat fingers. I do love Apple Notes though.
👍
I had an experience in 2004 when I was 57 years old. I was about to attend a meeting with my boss. I walked up to his room but got hit by some wooden object in my chest probably the sharp end of some high table. I fell down and lost consciousness according to my friend who came to help me. I didn't know whether he came to help me in taking me to a physician and all that. But according to him I walked down the stairs by myself without help. I also answered the doctor's queries as per my friend. Sometime after, I was sitting before my boss who offered coffee. The smell of coffee brought back my consciousness. Later I told my friend whatever he did to me has not registered in my mind. Till date I am at a loss to know what sort of thing that besieged me! Can you please explain that? Thank you.
What a powerful story. I have no idea how to explain it though and am certainly no doctor.
Good piece Tim. I’ve experienced many of these states but never categorized them as you have. Fascinating to think back on them in this context. Like you said “you never forget.”
I do forget my active and vivid dreams unless I consciously try to salvage them upon waking. I’ll try it more often after consuming this post.
Thanks!
What's your process for writing these dreams down Dee?
Brilliant, Tim. Near-death higher state of consciousness is powerful, also reminds me of this story about the author George Saunders, who nearly died in an accident. Afterward, he said he felt so alive:
“For three or four days after that,” he said, “it was the most beautiful world. To have gotten back in it, you know? And I thought, If you could walk around like that all the time, to really have that awareness that it’s actually going to end. That’s the trick.”
What an awesome story Matthew. I've added it to my database. Thank you.
I was at Woodstock in 1969, and recall Santana’s opening set of “Soul Sacrifice,” which sent myself along with the massive crowd into a dream state with congas, drums and rhythm guitar offset by Carlos Santana’s lead guitar. It was a swaying motion in a crowd of likely thousands of spectators. Never had a moment like that before or since.
What was so unique about it Charles?
Two of my overdoses ended in NDEs. I kept feeling others near me who I couldn't see. We are not alone.
How did you recover from the overdoses? Are you better now?
I woke up in the hospital after one I had in school. Don't know how I survived or what they did. The other I had to get adrenaline to keep my heart going, I think.
I'm clean off hard drugs for over two years!
Glad you recovered. What's the next few years look like for you?
I guess become a famous writer? Maybe obtain more cats?
Sounds like decent goals to me. Why fame though?
Cause fame brings money, and money brings more stability and more cats.
Runners High and Flow State are 2 states of consciousness I chase every day. Love everything about this one, that headline stopped my scrolling for sure. Nice one Tim
I chase both of those states too Anthony. Thanks for reading Anthony.
You are on point with this!
A very interesting read Tim. I had a weird experience with accupuncture. It was the first time I'd tryed it and it probably goes against alot of my Christian friends advice, but I researched the art and couldn't find any legitimate claims against it's practice. Accupuncture freed my creative ability to write like I've never experienced before. You can read about it here if you want to:
https://medium.com/age-of-empathy/how-an-ancient-chinese-art-changed-me-40a525630688