The Journey to Wild Divine Biofeedback Software & Hardware for PC & Mac: The Passage
|
Our Price: $298.00 Availability: Usually ships in 4-5 business days Buy 3rd Party: from $229.00 (click here) Category: Health Care See more product details |
|---|
Customer Reviews of The Journey to Wild Divine Biofeedback Software & Hardware for PC & Mac: The Passage
Customer Review: More Helpful Than You Realize
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading others reviews, I thought I would give my 2 cents worth. I received this product as a Christmas present - something I really wanted. I have been extremely pleased with the product, and would definitely recommend it to the right people. But I have realized that there could probably be more details about the game on their website for people who are blindly purchasing this product.
It was mentioned that the software is not user-friendly, but I have not had any problems with it. I found it rather easy, as a matter of fact.
It was also mentioned that this games takes over your computer screen. That is only true to some extent. Please note that you do not have to "quit" the game in order to go to other applications. If you hit "Ctrl/Alt/Delete" and bring up your task manager, you can then switch to another application, which will in turn minimize the game. However, when you return to the game, I suppose depending on your monitor, it will come back up a small size. I have a widescreen monitor, and the game comes back up in a small window. Actually, I suppose that makes it easier to navigate your desktop if you want to, but I prefer the game to cover my entire screen so as not to be distracted in any way.
As far as directions, the book definitely makes you think. But I did learn early on to read each location I was traveling to before starting gameplay in that area. If it didn't sound like it made sense, I would read it a few times before beginning gameplay.
As far as the difficulty/simplicity of the game, I would say that it is definitely an easy game for those who have mastered their breathing techniques and such. I feel that I am good at meditation and being quiet, but I have to say that this is still a good tool for me. I have anxieties, and I find that as I'm doing some of the breathing exercises, depending on which ones, my anxieties tend to kick in a little bit. This is helpful for me to learn to control these anxiety attacks and heart rate increases. Very frustrating when it happens during gameplay, but nonetheless a helpful experience for me. When trying to lower my heart rate, I sink when my heart jumps and the "glow" goes ALL the way to the right. Lol!
Again - this is not for everyone. I'm also not sure why people are buying it simply for biofeedback. I understood upon reading/learning about this game that the biofeedback equipment is simply a tool for the game to use - not for my own personal use, if that make sense.
I also find that it's just a beautiful game that gives you something really nice to focus on in your quiet times. And some of the music is incredible. I have found new music to add to my own personal library as a result.
Customer Review: An amazing use of technology for all ages
Summary: 5 Stars
I am incredibly enthusiastic about the Journey to Wild Divine! I am not a computer games person at all, but this experience is totally absorbing and a wonderful way to learn for all ages.
I have been using this product for over a month and have advanced my ability to concentrate and focus. I am able to use my breathing and mental processes to relax, steady my inner state, lift my energy level, or achieve peacefulness. In so doing, as I journey through the landscape visiting cottages, gardens, and temples, I am able to open doors, juggle balls, levitate golden orbs, or release a falcon from a cage, etc.
I am a retired psychotherapist and have experienced many therapies that did not quite live up to the hype. This use of biofeedback is engaging and a great technology to use in working with stress reduction and mind-body-spirit integration.
One of my most wonderful recent experiences was an afternoon with my son and grandson. After demonstrating a bit of the game, I invited my 4 1/2 year old grandson to put on the sensors and try it out. We helped him put the sensors on his tiny fingers and for the next hour, with my son and daughter in law looking on, he was embarked upon the journey.
With only a bit of prompting from me, this child focused and concentrated on juggling the balls, spinning the pinwheel, starting a fire in a fireplace, and balancing a stack of rocks on top of each other. In each activity he was eagerly using only his thoughts and/or breathing to accomplish these feats. What a thrilling sense of accomplishment. And yet when he could not do one of the activities, he could accept that coming back later after he had practiced more of the skills, was part of the process. No sense of frustration or defeat.
He is a very imaginative and active child. However, he sat for over an hour, amazingly engaged in a computer experience that involved no violence or fast action. He happily, and with his own initiave, began to learn about how to relax and yet control his thoughts and body. Wow! What a gift it is to all ages.
The technology and thoughtfulness that has gone into this process is worth the price of admission! Thank you Wild Divine Project.
Customer Review: I'm really impressed!
Summary: 5 Stars
It's now 2006. I had heard about this game when it first came out, but could just not envison spending $200 for a computer game. However, my doctor put me on blood pressure meds, which I don't want, and I decided I could maybe use some help that's not a pill. It installed easily, and I can get the monthly emails if I want them. I personally find that in order to get the conductivity I need, I have to use a bit of hand lotion on my index and ring fingers, as the game suggests. I am amazed by the concentration it takes to do some of these tasks. I am a hairdresser, and my job is very high-energy, and some of the tasks are difficult. My best friend is a massage therapist, and he had a much easier time with some of the tasks. We also each visited the Sky Temple, then visited it together, with both of us having a sensor on, and holding hands. It was really neat to see the differences. Having read some other reviews, I'd have to say my only major criticism is that it's completely intuitive. I've done some things, but not all of them, and I tried to do one event, and was told I had to go back and do something else first. The game could have used a bit more guidance, or perhaps a more guided mode and an "explore on your own" mode. I don't necessarily need to be walked through step by step, but I am having a hard time navigating. All the areas are so lovely it's hard to remember if I was there or managed to do the task. This reminds me a lot of the Myst series of games, in that it's very intuitive. However, the puzzles need to be solved by raising or lowering your energy instead of pushing levers and finding code numbers. If you're having a hard time unwinding at night before bed, or stressed out, or needing to relax and meditate, it's an excellent choice. And from what I've read, the sequel "Wisdom Quest" utilized lots of feedback and had a more guided mode. It's like meditating ewith your eyes open, only thre focus you have makes things happen on the screen. Would be great for pretty much anyone. Very enjoyable! Can't wait to figure it all out.Customer Review: Never Been So Calm
Summary: 5 Stars
Just to warn you, if you have never meditated before with a biofeedback machine you are in for a surprise. My first few times meditating(before I purchased this game) were great...but then, it became harder and harder to achieve the original calm after that, not only that, it took longer and longer to achieve even the slightest amount of relaxation.
Then out of desperation, because my anxiety and self-consciousness were once again running and ruining my life, I bought this game. Now I am always relaxed and I can reach calm in minutes and stay focused for hours throughtout the day. It is amazing how the biofeedback, music and interest in trying to play the game can be so effective...again you will be amazed.
However, I did struggle the first few times trying to get into a groove, but once you hit that groove it stays around and is easy to obtain. I would say that it probably took me about 2 hours to hit my first state of calmness. That sounds like a long time and it is, but the game and the biofeedback make the time pass.
The second time playing I was already calm and moved through the game rather quickly. The third time and beyond I am able to succeed at the challenges pretty quickly compared to the first time. I am always calm now..which is a wierd experience for me..and always feel focused. Even little babies and animals come up to me now...just kidding.
For type A personalities I would just read the comments and lower your expectations for how fast you should succeed at this game. You will definitely need patience, but once you are calm..the pace of the game is just perfect. The frustration and patience will be worth it. Meditation is so such a simple process that it leaves with the impression that it can be obtained instantly...o' contrare, meditation requires mucho patience...and if you read this far in my comment you probably have the patience to succeed,and again, it is worth it.
Customer Review: Fun way to learn to relax
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had this game since March 2004, and I really enjoy it. The gameplay feels a lot like "Myst", with beautiful rendered scenery and a variety of styles of music chosen to match the events. However, instead of intellectual puzzles, the events are based on the biofeedback techniques being taught in the game. They come in three basic types: relaxation events, "energy raising" events (good for helping to get motivated on a drizzly morning), and "heart breath" events, which help train your heart to beat with increased variability based on your breathing. These last seem to be helping with my mild arrhythmia. There are also non-biofeedback events which teach visualization and "subtle body" techniques, which are interesting. If you're looking for a first person shooter like "Unreal Tournament," this game isn't for you. But if you liked Myst, or are interested in yoga or philosophy, or if you're really stressed and looking for something to help manage the overwhelming feeling everyday life can cause, this is a good pick. For about three times the cost of a typical computer game you can get something that actually helps improve your outlook and health even when you're not playing the game (at least, that has been my experience). And the planned sequels will be less expensive, because you won't have to buy the hardware again. There's also an extremely supportive online community at the company website at http://www.wilddivine.com.