The
Effect of Consciousness on the
Cranial Rhythm
The inherent cranial rhythm of the fluid elements within
the ventricular system observed by William Garner
Sutherland DO at the turn of the Century, appears to have
both amplitude and duration that alters with our state.
Osteopaths have noticed empirically that a slower rhythm
may indicate a chronic depressive state, viruses, and / or
chemical and drug depressants. A faster rhythm is often
encountered in psychotic, schizophrenic and hallucinatory
states, as well as acute febrile situations. The modus
operandi was to help alter the aberrant rhythm and flow by
inducing or applying what is known as a still point.
Still
Point
The still point is not unlike being in the eye of a
hurricane. It is a "quieting" of the forces that upset the
normal cranial rhythm. The original osteopathic technique
was for the practitioner to find the area that appeared to
move aberrantly, and very subtly induce a fulcra to
initiate a still point. Other practitioners used the same
procedure to induce change in the brain, fascia and general
fluid.
The problem inherent in this induced model is that we, as
practitioners, initiate changes that come from us. In so
doing we may "lever" a change that is not lasting, as it
has not been initiated by the client. Furthermore, it is
entirely possible to palpate - that is, to feel the work of
another practitioner within the tissues of a client. It is
as if they have left a calling card. This card reminds,
albeit subconsciously, that this practitioner got them
better - or perhaps made them worse. These unconscious
messages may then create a foci whereby the client feels
obligated, or beholden to a particular therapist,
especially if the work got them feeling better. This is, of
course, the function of therapy, but what it does do, is to
make the client unable to initiate their own healing
without someone else supporting or fixing them.
The State of
the Client
When a client comes to see a practitioner they are in a
particular state that directly effects their vegetal body.
This is the realm of the autonomic nervous system and our
ability to provide and nourish ourselves. It includes
feelings, emotions, and also the feeling of the ability to
heal ourselves.
We can look at any person's state with reference to the
life forces. The same life forces that support us also
support the cranial fluid mechanism. When we become altered
by the dominance of a force, then we become imprisoned by
it, and it takes precedence in our life. A force can
originate from any of the levels of who we are - material,
vegetative, animal or human. It can be the force of our
culture and what we have inherited (material). It may be
the force created by a feeling or emotion that we still
hold onto, or that we are entangled in (vegetative). It may
be the force of our habitual patterns, sexuality and
passions (animal). Our thinking and human ideas can exert a
hold on us as well (human).
[See below– dominant animal or instincts.]
The rhythm will change to mirror the altered niche the
organism now inhabits.
The display of a human body shows us the quality of the
life force that is effecting the state of the patient /
client. In Cranial Fluid Dynamics, we teach students to
understand each life force, how it manifests, and in what
area of the body its influence is displayed.
Traditional cranial work on the whole, works with the
fascial envelope and fluid dynamic of the system. However
one of the problems with working with the fascial envelope
- a traditional focus for many in Craniosacral therapy - is
that the envelope which encloses the neurological elements
of the brain as well as all other tissue, is designed to
hide and evade entry. That infers that its job is
protective. Dura mater means 'protective mother' and what
has been observed is that very often the chasing of the
lesion pattern through the protective nature of the fascia
may lead us into a blind spot, a dead end or merely a
satisfying change but for change's sake. In other words, no
real change occurred except for the stillness and a sense
of ease. It is what is referred to, as a horizontal change
without a vertical shift of state.
The force of
Consciousness
It would appear that the precursor for aberrant rhythms
within the body stem from a separation from the true Self .
This ability to connect with the Self also keeps us in
touch with the tidal flow of the Universe and its rhythm.
This internal physiological rhythm is an echo of something
much bigger and more complete. We mirror this, connect with
it, and yet move away from it as other forces take
precedence in our lives. By truly knowing who we are, and
recognizing our state, we can learn to be in this normal
and dynamic rhythm. This is a true human consciousness, the
source of true health.
Cranial Fluid Dynamics introduces a revolutionary new
paradigm in cranial work. The use of hand modes and
Ontological Kinesiology provide the practitioner with a
cutting edge technology for determining the precise source
of the client's dysfunction.