The Brain Stem- Mid Brain

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This experience engages the midbrain’s sensory and cognitive processing centers, particularly the superior and inferior colliculi, which regulate visual and auditory perception. The interplay of charcoal textures and vibrational music activates pattern recognition, guiding the brain to find meaning within ambiguity. Sensory input transcends literal interpretation, inviting a more fluid and intuitive form of perception. Additionally, the reticular activating system (RAS), responsible for regulating wakefulness and attention, is directly influenced through its meditative framework. Entering in a quiet, intentional state shifts consciousness between deep relaxation and heightened awareness, reinforcing its role as a liminal space for perception.

Beyond sensory engagement, this integration extends to the dopaminergic pathways of the midbrain, which influence motivation, reward, and altered states of consciousness. Its abstract nature mirrors how the brain processes psychedelic experiences, where familiar structures dissolve and new patterns emerge. This functions as an integrative experience, expanding perception and self-awareness through a dynamic interaction between external stimuli and internal meaning-making. By engaging the midbrain’s mechanisms of sensory processing, attention, and neural plasticity, it fundamentally shifts how reality is perceived and internalized.

Defali Image: Mixed Media-Charcoal, Copper, Thread, Plastic, and Graphic

Soundtrack: Kalimba. Golden Whistle. Water. Egyptian Sistrum. Music of Memory

This journey of barbaric discipline,
of unearthing myself,
oh, how desperately I sought myself.
How I wanted to be anything but human,
yet, layer upon layer, I only saw vibrance in this self.
Why must one escape being human?

Yet this journey of blatant cruelty
I have done, needed itself.
Now, even though I know nothing exists,
I remind myself:
there is this dream, so beautiful,
full of joy and abundance,
I must return to.

This is the dream I gift myself,
the dream of being human.

⬤

A minimum three nights

Chickpea

The Frontal Lobe- Right Hemisphere

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The right frontal lobe is primarily associated with creativity, intuition, emotional processing, and holistic thinking. It plays a crucial role in recognizing patterns, interpreting emotions, and engaging in abstract thinking. This side of the brain is also involved in spatial awareness, nonverbal communication, and the regulation of social and emotional responses. It helps in navigating the world intuitively, allowing for a more fluid and interconnected perception of reality.

Defali Image: Charcoal On Paper

Soundtrack: Metronome. Kalimba. Golden Whistle. 2hz Binaural Beats.

Defali interacts with the right frontal lobe by engaging the intuitive, emotional, and abstract aspects of cognition. The interplay of charcoal, thread, copper, and sound stimulates non-linear thought patterns, allowing the mind to explore beyond rigid logic. The immersive nature of Defali both visually and sonically enhances emotional resonance and activates subconscious associations, fostering a deep sense of presence and introspection.

⬤

A minimum three nights

Reishi

Beta Carotene

The Frontal Lobe- Left Hemisphere

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The left frontal lobe governs logical reasoning, analytical thinking, language processing, and structured problem-solving. It is responsible for planning, decision-making, and executing deliberate actions. This side of the brain facilitates structured expression, verbal communication, and rational analysis, making it essential for cognitive organization and goal-directed behavior.

Defali Image: Charcoal. Copper. Thread. On Paper

Soundtrack: Metronome. Kalimba. Whistling Wind. Water. 2hz Binaural Beats.

While Defali is inherently abstract, it interacts with the left frontal lobe by challenging conventional structures of thought and expanding cognitive flexibility. The intricate layering of textures, materials, and compositions engages the mind in a process of decoding and interpretation, prompting analytical engagement beyond conventional language. The deliberate yet unstructured nature of Defali disrupts habitual thought patterns, inviting the left frontal lobe to navigate ambiguity and reconstruct meaning in a nonlinear way. This integration encourages a balance between logic and intuition, allowing for new cognitive pathways and expanded modes of understanding.

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A minimum three nights

Strawberry

The Temporal Lobe- Amygdala

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In Defali, the amygdala’s role in emotional memory and conditioning is deeply engaged through both visual stimuli and sounds with layered frequencies, rhythmic shifts, and abrupt activation points that link the experience to emotional recall. Because the amygdala strengthens emotionally significant memories—whether fear-based, pleasurable, or deeply personal—Defali serves as a medium for reprocessing stored experiences. By guiding the listener through moments of intensity and release, it allows conditioned emotional responses to be revisited and reframed, creating space for both heightened awareness and subconscious exploration. As the amygdala processes these sensory and emotional stimuli, Defali fosters a state of deep introspection, facilitating emotional integration and release.

Defali Image: Charcoal on paper

Soundtrack: Egyptian Sistrum. Kalimba. Golden Whistle. Alpha-Theta-Gamma frequencies.

Oh how beautiful it is to see myself,

To feel my breath,

To touch the bejeweled decoration,

Stitched to perfection,

We call flesh.

Oh how beautiful it is to hear myself,

Oh heavens, is this what it’s like to be human?

⬤

A minimum two nights

Complex Carbohydrates

Vitamin B6

Potato