January 28
Day 3: Working with an intention
So yesterday Duff said that he recommended working with intentions with Shiva Nata, and gave me an example one. I’m easily persuaded, so I tried it out today.
The intention was around asking my unconscious to give me a sign as to whether I really have ‘mastered’ Level 3, or if I’m kidding myself. And ok, it’s come up in my head a couple of times, but so far I’ve not had anything revelatory – but that’s ok, I’m patient (well, no, I’m not, but I’m trying to be here, ok).
Today’s Shiva Nata was my second variation of Level 3 starting from the right. I got further than yesterday, but I did actually end up in the wrong place a couple of times. Still didn’t completely halt and give in, like I was doing when I first tried Level 3, but also I’ve been limiting myself to 10 minutes, because I’ve found previously that if I do much more I end up getting completely exhausted, and as it is I’m already spending more time in bed again just after yesterday (plus I did like 45 minutes of improvised dance and another 5 mins of Level 2 to warm up before that in the evening, so yeah, it’s not exactly a surprise).
Well, there you are, just keeping you all up to date, and thanks again to Duff for his cool suggestion. Tomorrow we start trying funny breathing – here’s hoping I don’t pass out! 
Nice! Did you interpret screwing up a couple of times as an answer, or are you still waiting?
There’s going wrong, and there’s getting stuck. I may make a blooper every so often, but I’m not getting completely thrown, which is what Havi says we need for the epiphanies. That, combined with the fact that I found the original flavour of Level 3 even easier today (day 4) means that I’m thinking I could move up now if I wanted to.
Of course, I need to get more info on the next lot of levels first! Sari gave me the Level 4 arms, but is there more to be had? (Cause the Level 4 arms aren’t really tripping me up either).
Still, I’ve a few more combos to try with Level 3 – but I may speed up the process and drop the variations to see if any of the different tricks work to throw me over (maybe even literally).
Yea, sounds like level 3 (and perhaps even 4) is too easy for you. No worries, you are a math geek too, so you can either try to learn the official higher levels, or else just make up new permutations that are even more difficult.
One thing I considered was creating an additional variable–the eyes. There are several eye movement techniques for healing and nervous system integration, in particular EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and EMI (Eye Movement Integration).
The eyes are directly connected to the brain. By moving them smoothly through various patterns while thinking of an unpleasant memory or emotion, the nervous system can automatically find new connections and heal itself.
Imagine a 3×3 grid from upper left to upper right to lower right to lower left. Create some basic patterns like that for the legs and add this to any level. Smoothness of motion is the key with the eyes. Any bumpiness or jumping indicates potential to move more smoothly.
You can make any level more difficult by visualizing the paths that your arms and legs make through space and even adding an imaginary color to visualize them drawing through space. Imagine that drawing these paths through space charges your body with vital energy. This way, you engage your emotional “body” as well as your physical body.
One final suggestion: before shiva nata, think of something that is bothering you, an unpleasant feeling or thought or memory. Notice exactly how you experience this: where exactly in your body, what images are associated with this, what internal dialogue or sounds? Try to keep this image/feeling/sound in experience as you allow a difficult level of shiva nata to transform the unwanted emotion/thought/memory, etc. This is basically how EMDR and EMI work.
Anyway, those are some of my thoughts!
@Duff Oh I totally missed your awesome comment – I suck, I’m sorry.
I read on one of Havi’s posts something about her trying to muck about with Level 5 and being told to wait until she’d done Level 7. So I don’t know whether the variations I did aren’t worth playing with that much or what, but I do think I need to go knocking on Havi’s door. Especially with the wise Duff as my witness that I’ve cracked Level 3. (Oh how I am a sucker for validation.)
Adding the eyes sounds like a very cool idea. Not only for the neurological possibilities but it would work your balance like crazy. I’m imagining adding eyes, legs and quarter turns. Would closing your eyes as well make it easier or harder? Actually, maybe combining a few of them wouldn’t be such a stupid idea…