title: Proactive lucidity: Superconsciousness, creativity, and the virtually real

authors: Maré, Marian

abstract: This thesis considers the significance and relevance of the distinction between artificial and natural environments and virtual reality experiences which seem to directly confront the question what is reality?. In focusing on challenges and changes to human conceptions of reality, current discourse on virtual technologies and their implications tends to assume that existing conceptions of time and space are fundamentally altered. This study investigates the creative resource that apparently exists beyond the commonly accepted spatial and temporal boundaries of human experience. The nature, processes, and forms of virtuality and dream lucidity encountered by demonstrably-creative, artistically-imaginative, technically-competent productive artists and composers involved with the visual media, are identified and investigated. Related consciousness experiences are further explored. 
Among the common factors in patterns which appear to most vitally prefigure and accompany the actual production of innovative art works, this study finds a strongly perceived and contextualised awareness of creative drive and a sense of directionality in that perception to be most significant. 
Integral theory, transpersonal psychology, holonic structuralism, feminist epistemology, and a participatory approach to research, guide and inform the conduct of these case studies. The introductory chapters explain the meaning of the term integral, outline the philosophy behind integral psychology, introduce the topic of location in respect of spirit and consciousness and art, and propose the dimensions of creativity. 
Longitudinally obtained results initially gathered under the focal headings of: forms of awareness, creative process and technology, and associated context, show that the foundations of most of the important issues in our lives cannot be found in physical space with simple location. Non-simple locus and worldspace, an idea which will be developed with reference to a theory of holons throughout the thesis, are addressed in terms of their phenomenologically-real referents. Context-dependency is reviewed in terms of multidimensional life experiences and reality as a whole, and the topic of integral semiotics is raised. 
This thesis unfolds a case for transpersonal healing and creativity enhancement through receptive multiple-state consciousness and lucid rehearsal. Proactive lucidity is found to be the deliberately receptive experience of extra-awareness, perception-enhancement, self-reflective insight, and natural activities which spontaneously occur during and across various 'altered' or 'multiple' states of consciousness. Such states include lucid dreams, witnessing dreaming, within-dream visions, and similar trance-like re/visualisations. This study finds proactive lucidity to be an invaluable problem-solving resource in helping people cope creatively with life issues. 
The latter chapters summarise the participants' insights into what they discern as causal factors underlying the core issues which deeply link the broad-ranging topics raised and explored in the course of this study. They identify parallels which indicate a form of inbuilt directionality in the developmental stages of human life and consciousness, and suggest how the spiritual domain might be related to creative currents in matter and life and mind. 
By way of real examples and metaphoric imagery, this study then proposes that these currents-in-conflict explain the devastating effects and consequences of a grand-scale hegemony of reductionism which manifests as a widespread loss of the spiritual in the West. It also explains the resultant collapse of the multidimensional Kosmos into a monological cosmos. 
Finally, in terms of transpersonal interpretation and superconsciousness, this study suggests there is actual form and structure in certain leanings or moral intuitions fundamental to human and non-human alike. It further suggests that in working for the individual such intuitions work for the greater good. 
The core of this thesis is about the exciting way a group of people exhibit their creative processes by using proactive lucidity to transcend ceilings. This study finds that the greater the depth of consciousness (=height of awareness) the clearer the intuition of the ground of creativity from which it issues and of which it is comprised.

text: Proactive lucidity: Superconsciousness, creativity, and the virtually real This thesis considers the significance and relevance of the distinction between artificial and natural environments and virtual reality experiences which seem to directly confront the question what is reality?. In focusing on challenges and changes to human conceptions of reality, current discourse on virtual technologies and their implications tends to assume that existing conceptions of time and space are fundamentally altered. This study investigates the creative resource that apparently exists beyond the commonly accepted spatial and temporal boundaries of human experience. The nature, processes, and forms of virtuality and dream lucidity encountered by demonstrably-creative, artistically-imaginative, technically-competent productive artists and composers involved with the visual media, are identified and investigated. Related consciousness experiences are further explored. 
Among the common factors in patterns which appear to most vitally prefigure and accompany the actual production of innovative art works, this study finds a strongly perceived and contextualised awareness of creative drive and a sense of directionality in that perception to be most significant. 
Integral theory, transpersonal psychology, holonic structuralism, feminist epistemology, and a participatory approach to research, guide and inform the conduct of these case studies. The introductory chapters explain the meaning of the term integral, outline the philosophy behind integral psychology, introduce the topic of location in respect of spirit and consciousness and art, and propose the dimensions of creativity. 
Longitudinally obtained results initially gathered under the focal headings of: forms of awareness, creative process and technology, and associated context, show that the foundations of most of the important issues in our lives cannot be found in physical space with simple location. Non-simple locus and worldspace, an idea which will be developed with reference to a theory of holons throughout the thesis, are addressed in terms of their phenomenologically-real referents. Context-dependency is reviewed in terms of multidimensional life experiences and reality as a whole, and the topic of integral semiotics is raised. 
This thesis unfolds a case for transpersonal healing and creativity enhancement through receptive multiple-state consciousness and lucid rehearsal. Proactive lucidity is found to be the deliberately receptive experience of extra-awareness, perception-enhancement, self-reflective insight, and natural activities which spontaneously occur during and across various 'altered' or 'multiple' states of consciousness. Such states include lucid dreams, witnessing dreaming, within-dream visions, and similar trance-like re/visualisations. This study finds proactive lucidity to be an invaluable problem-solving resource in helping people cope creatively with life issues. 
The latter chapters summarise the participants' insights into what they discern as causal factors underlying the core issues which deeply link the broad-ranging topics raised and explored in the course of this study. They identify parallels which indicate a form of inbuilt directionality in the developmental stages of human life and consciousness, and suggest how the spiritual domain might be related to creative currents in matter and life and mind. 
By way of real examples and metaphoric imagery, this study then proposes that these currents-in-conflict explain the devastating effects and consequences of a grand-scale hegemony of reductionism which manifests as a widespread loss of the spiritual in the West. It also explains the resultant collapse of the multidimensional Kosmos into a monological cosmos. 
Finally, in terms of transpersonal interpretation and superconsciousness, this study suggests there is actual form and structure in certain leanings or moral intuitions fundamental to human and non-human alike. It further suggests that in working for the individual such intuitions work for the greater good. 
The core of this thesis is about the exciting way a group of people exhibit their creative processes by using proactive lucidity to transcend ceilings. This study finds that the greater the depth of consciousness (=height of awareness) the clearer the intuition of the ground of creativity from which it issues and of which it is comprised.

year: 2004

title: Aspects of the root ecology of Neotyphodium endophytes in Lolium perenne

authors: Popay, Alison J.

abstract: Three different strains of the biotrophic endosymbiont, Neotyphodium, in perennial ryegrass were compared with endophyte-free ryegrass (Nil) for their effects on root herbivory, soil biota, root growth, root morphology and alkaloid and nutrient content in pot trials. 

Ryegrass infected with the endophyte strain, AR37, which produces janthitrem alkaloids, was toxic to a root aphid, Aploneura lentisci. Relative to Nil plants, ryegrass with Wild-type endophyte (producing the alkaloids peramine, ergovaline and lolitrem B) showed occasional resistance to A. lentisci whereas ryegrass with AR1 (producing peramine only) was highly susceptible. A high variability in root aphid populations among individual AR1 plants was related to plant genotype or a plant genotype/endophyte interaction. Differential effects of endophyte on A. lentisci were maintained under nutrient stress. Neither AR37 nor AR22 (a strain similar to AR1) in ryegrass affected feeding or survival of root-feeding larvae of the scarab Costelytra zealandica. 

Endophyte infection had no discernible adverse effects on populations of Collembola, oribatid mites or dorylaimid nematodes. Higher root aphid populations were associated with higher populations of Collembola and lower populations of nematodes. Rate of mycorrhizal colonisation of ryegrass infected with AR37 and Wild-type was slower than in AR1 and Nil but then proceeded rapidly to the extent that they became more heavily infected than AR1. After 2 years, infection of roots of AR1-infected plants was less than on AR37, Wild-type and Nil plants.

Alkaloid content of roots was very low relative to that of leaf sheaths. Two janthitrem fractions were consistently found in roots of AR37 plants and may be the cause of toxicity to root aphid. Ergovaline and lolitrem B were only found in roots under certain conditions and adverse effects of Wild-type infection on A. lentisci could not be attributed conclusively to the presence of either alkaloid.

Manipulation of herbivory by insecticide showed that root and foliar growth of AR1 and Nil plants were reduced by A. lentisci and also by an unidentified pseudococcid species infesting tillers. Root/shoot ratios were occasionally reduced in the presence of both species and in the presence of A. lentisci alone suggesting plant allocation to foliar growth in response to damage by these insects.

Not all effects of endophyte infection were mediated by herbivory. AR1-infected ryegrass had a higher specific root length than Nil plants with AR37 and Wild-type intermediate between these. Insecticide treatment increased specific root length in all plants but relative differences between endophyte treatments remained the same. AR37 differed from other endophyte treatments in having a lower investment in root growth and increasing root nitrogen concentrations during summer followed by a relatively larger investment in root growth in autumn and early winter. Protection from herbivory meant that actual root biomass of AR37 plants was not less than in other treatments. 

Endophyte-infected plants had higher concentrations of potassium and phosphorus than Nil plants in roots but not in leaf blades. Nitrogen concentrations in roots were inversely related to root biomass resulting in AR1-infected plants having the highest concentrations of nitrogen due to the adverse effects of A. lentisci on root growth. The higher nutrient content of AR1-infected ryegrass compared with Nil may increase its susceptibility to A. lentisci.

It is concluded that Neotyphodium infection has multiple but highly strain-specific effects on root ecology of perennial rye grass.

text: Aspects of the root ecology of Neotyphodium endophytes in Lolium perenne Three different strains of the biotrophic endosymbiont, Neotyphodium, in perennial ryegrass were compared with endophyte-free ryegrass (Nil) for their effects on root herbivory, soil biota, root growth, root morphology and alkaloid and nutrient content in pot trials. 

Ryegrass infected with the endophyte strain, AR37, which produces janthitrem alkaloids, was toxic to a root aphid, Aploneura lentisci. Relative to Nil plants, ryegrass with Wild-type endophyte (producing the alkaloids peramine, ergovaline and lolitrem B) showed occasional resistance to A. lentisci whereas ryegrass with AR1 (producing peramine only) was highly susceptible. A high variability in root aphid populations among individual AR1 plants was related to plant genotype or a plant genotype/endophyte interaction. Differential effects of endophyte on A. lentisci were maintained under nutrient stress. Neither AR37 nor AR22 (a strain similar to AR1) in ryegrass affected feeding or survival of root-feeding larvae of the scarab Costelytra zealandica. 

Endophyte infection had no discernible adverse effects on populations of Collembola, oribatid mites or dorylaimid nematodes. Higher root aphid populations were associated with higher populations of Collembola and lower populations of nematodes. Rate of mycorrhizal colonisation of ryegrass infected with AR37 and Wild-type was slower than in AR1 and Nil but then proceeded rapidly to the extent that they became more heavily infected than AR1. After 2 years, infection of roots of AR1-infected plants was less than on AR37, Wild-type and Nil plants.

Alkaloid content of roots was very low relative to that of leaf sheaths. Two janthitrem fractions were consistently found in roots of AR37 plants and may be the cause of toxicity to root aphid. Ergovaline and lolitrem B were only found in roots under certain conditions and adverse effects of Wild-type infection on A. lentisci could not be attributed conclusively to the presence of either alkaloid.

Manipulation of herbivory by insecticide showed that root and foliar growth of AR1 and Nil plants were reduced by A. lentisci and also by an unidentified pseudococcid species infesting tillers. Root/shoot ratios were occasionally reduced in the presence of both species and in the presence of A. lentisci alone suggesting plant allocation to foliar growth in response to damage by these insects.

Not all effects of endophyte infection were mediated by herbivory. AR1-infected ryegrass had a higher specific root length than Nil plants with AR37 and Wild-type intermediate between these. Insecticide treatment increased specific root length in all plants but relative differences between endophyte treatments remained the same. AR37 differed from other endophyte treatments in having a lower investment in root growth and increasing root nitrogen concentrations during summer followed by a relatively larger investment in root growth in autumn and early winter. Protection from herbivory meant that actual root biomass of AR37 plants was not less than in other treatments. 

Endophyte-infected plants had higher concentrations of potassium and phosphorus than Nil plants in roots but not in leaf blades. Nitrogen concentrations in roots were inversely related to root biomass resulting in AR1-infected plants having the highest concentrations of nitrogen due to the adverse effects of A. lentisci on root growth. The higher nutrient content of AR1-infected ryegrass compared with Nil may increase its susceptibility to A. lentisci.

It is concluded that Neotyphodium infection has multiple but highly strain-specific effects on root ecology of perennial rye grass.

year: 2004

title: The presence of the past: Maori history in contemporary reflection

authors: Mahuika, Nepia

abstract: This is the opening line of a famous saying in my tribe. For our people - Ngāti Porou - these words have become embedded in our tribal identity as important directives that we are encouraged to aspire to. In the “days destined to you”, Ngata reminds us that each generation has its own mana (or authority), our own responsibilities and challenges, our own dreams and destinies to fulfil, and our own histories to tell about Ngāti Porou: who we are, our past, present, and future. If we consider this expectant, and I think hopeful, affirmation as a gift and responsibility, then taking real ownership of the “days destined to us” requires us to know what our forebears have entrusted us with. What are those historical gifts that we might use to “centre” and assert ourselves as Māori, as Ngāti Porou? We might look at this directly, i mua: the past before us because it is our history that is so crucial to us as we walk consciously, and with determination, into the future. Our past before us helps us to know where we are going, it helps us correc our course when we stray, keeps us mindful of the “kaupapa”: whatever that might be in our generation and corner of the Maori universe. We’ve heard already today from both Enoka and Arini how Māori, in our own ways, are engaging with our past, drawing on our korero tuku iho (our oral histories passed down across the generations), on our whakairo (our carving), to illuminate the many ways Māori do, and think about, the past.

text: The presence of the past: Maori history in contemporary reflection This is the opening line of a famous saying in my tribe. For our people - Ngāti Porou - these words have become embedded in our tribal identity as important directives that we are encouraged to aspire to. In the “days destined to you”, Ngata reminds us that each generation has its own mana (or authority), our own responsibilities and challenges, our own dreams and destinies to fulfil, and our own histories to tell about Ngāti Porou: who we are, our past, present, and future. If we consider this expectant, and I think hopeful, affirmation as a gift and responsibility, then taking real ownership of the “days destined to us” requires us to know what our forebears have entrusted us with. What are those historical gifts that we might use to “centre” and assert ourselves as Māori, as Ngāti Porou? We might look at this directly, i mua: the past before us because it is our history that is so crucial to us as we walk consciously, and with determination, into the future. Our past before us helps us to know where we are going, it helps us correc our course when we stray, keeps us mindful of the “kaupapa”: whatever that might be in our generation and corner of the Maori universe. We’ve heard already today from both Enoka and Arini how Māori, in our own ways, are engaging with our past, drawing on our korero tuku iho (our oral histories passed down across the generations), on our whakairo (our carving), to illuminate the many ways Māori do, and think about, the past.

year: 2016