i just have found that i seem to wake up at nite a lot and if i am not really tired i believe it is a calling to meditate. i do not have the ability to leave my body at will as you seem to have Eric. It is quite a gift! Even if it is not developed. i would say that i leave this dimension quite frequently and enter one in which i am in an altered state of heightened peace and bliss. i look forward to this happening even though it is infrequent. At nite there are very few distractions except those in your own mind. That is why i also go deep in the woods when i can to get away from all distracting sounds of civilization. Nature seems to be and interiorizing influence on consciousness. Also; when we can go deeper in meditation it is easier to think of friends and send them our best thoughts and prayers.
It came to me tonite right after meditation how to explain what happens to me at times during meditation. In contrast to leaving the body as you speak of here Eric i have the experience of ENTERING some state of consciousness that is higher then my own experience in this visit and walk thru life. You cannot really beat down the door so-to-speak. The emotions and activities of the day must be calm and having a detached attitude to environmental contingencies there is more probability that one can enter such states of consciousness. Without a concern and helpful service to our brothers and sisters and mother earth there is little chance of an expansive consciousness.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your reply. I thought about you as I awoke last night at 3:11AM. I felt something was trying to speak with me. Unfortunately it's all to real sometimes and I am fearful... I think about Murshid Inayat Khans words here...
Those who study mysticism and philosophy while omitting self-sacrifice and resignation grow egoistic and self-centered. Such persons are apt to call themselves either God or a part of God, and thus make an excuse for committing any sins they like. Regardless of sin or virtue they misuse and malign others, being utterly fearless of the hereafter.
I am such a person. I even think this may have been my teacher getting my attention. I tried to meditate but thought I was going to leave my body and wasn't quite comfortable at the time. I have been questioning the significance of religious wars. How HE would handle such a thing when the teachings are to respect all religious ideal... And I wonder what he has to say about religions that support cruel punishment.
I hope your day is going well.
i do feel utterly fearless of the hereafter but i do not see myself as maligning others and feeling any sense of heavy sin or remarkable virtue. i have this notion that some kind of God or spiritual guide would not want our fear but rather our love.
