Gloomification as a survival factor?

S wrote on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Jhanas/:

> If these [jhanas] are naturally occurring states of mind, which i believe they
> are, then i need to ask in general, what is happening to the development
> of human beings? Why are these states such threats to so many?

Ramon:
You might want to Google on the word "kundabuffer," about which
Señor Gurdjieff wrote at some length in his co(s)mic novel, "All and
Everything: Beelzebub's Tales to His Grandson."

I have my own theory that somewhat impinges on Mr. G's, although
I think that orthodox followers of the Fourth Way would poo-poo it.
"Something" indeed was created in humans on or about the time of
the mini-glacial period, or perhaps when that famous volcano obscured
the sun for years. Anyway, when the planetary climate turned away
from 'gentle' to 'severe,' humans could no longer live the easy life,
plucking fruits from trees and just foraging through the woodlands.
The light-to-bliss neural network had to be shut down -- or the group
ceremonial use of amanita mushrooms (or other plant allies) stopped -- so
that the clan could concentrate on survival, which now required hunting
for meat and collecting firewood, curing skins for warm clothes etc.
The role of shaman evolved from the clan 'crazy' whose light-to-bliss
network had no 'off' switch. It then became the shaman's job to
do the blissing-out and then report back to the group.
This became the beginnings of a priesthood, ultimately taken over
by the males (perhaps they were more susceptible to schizoid
states or because they did not bear the children?), and thus the patriarchy
evolved.

That 'light to bliss' experience I believe is the basic jhana connection
that can be experienced in greater and greater depth and intensity
as we drop out of the ego "I" feedback loop and merge ahead that 1/2 second
into pure non-referential awareness into 'Nature's NOW.'

Of course your mileage may vary.