Document the spiritual crisis , the evidence, hypothesis and possible origins The spiritual crisis is at its crux, a shift in dimensions, a clinging or dissolving of boundaries and a change in consciousness. The terms Spiritual Emergence or Awakening are often in the same breath either referred or related to as a Spiritual Crisis or Emergency. As the event is often related to predecessing factors, and fits into a continuum of experiences, it is viewed both as through personal events and experiences and ripples through those effected. In India, there is a group of people considered “masts”, perhaps the earlier stage of “master”. According to Maher Baba “In Sufi philosophy, a mast (pronounced "must" is a person who is overcome with love for God, with concomitant external disorientation resembling intoxication”. The Spiritual experiences, without being placed in the right environment, lead to a crisis. In this essay I will be exploring the experiences of a man who explained to me the nature of his Spiritual Experiences and evolution and how a crisis of understanding and identity changed into a relationship of Divine Love and an enfoldment of Spiritual powers. The person (C) communicated to me the initial steps in his journey of understanding. A simple interest in yoga developed into research into mythology, cosmology and Spiritual Traditions of East and West. Interest in Entheogens, as sacraments was also researched and experimented with. A wholehearted search to find meaning, transcendence and wholeness began, with practices, rituals and experimentation. Teachers were sought for their wisdom and a love of wisdom began to swell. This also began a creative period and progression of images seeking to comprehend ancient wisdom through imagery. Icon images of Christ and Buddha were created, seeking connection with historical figures of significance. Each painting emerged, as if from a higher source, in moments of intense reverie, inspiration and transcendence. Mandalic images, cosmic works of esoteric significance emerged, further opening doors of perception. As the series was well underway, on an inspired night, without company, the artist took a dose of psilocybin mushrooms, seeking a mystical experience. Alone in the studio, amongst the works, the plants took effect, opening the doors of perception wider. Sprawled on the ground, looking at an image of Christ , the Divine Presence of Infinite love and Light emerged above the work in a beatific vision. Surrendering to the incredible spectacle, the artist dissolved into the Divine light, transfigured and amazed at the holy experience. The experience had also affected his body, he described how it awakened his Kundalini, or Shakti energy from his spine. The next few weeks emerged with an incredible luminous quality of introspection, meditative contemplation and research. The quest of knowledge had much earlier begun, new qualities emerged as information was sought and assimilated, and new works developed. As interest in comparative religions were studied, a crisis of faith emerged, being torn between paths, as all held interest and although complemented each other, held different perspectives. This resulted in a larger realization, as similarities in philosophies merged into a universal vision, devoid of dogma or strict doctrine, but an internal quality and dimension, seeking to embrace all wisdom with discrimination, but without holding on to the forms of traditions, seeking to trace the spiritual truth back to the source and the quality of the deliverer. As spiritual practices, which began to include Kundalini Yoga, Raja Yoga, Gyan Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Hatha Yoga and Naad Yoga, a transformation further commenced, as each practice imparted knowledge of the nature of consciousness and the importance of vibration. Ecstatic Visionary experiences happened daily, with huge quantities of works being produced in frenzied states. The quality of Devotion and Service seemed to be the supreme path to wisdom, and vows of SEVA were taken as a means of channeling energies productively to help others. Through the meditative contemplation, high states of consciousness, Samadhi were reached, without subject-object, in mystical consciousness, as a merging into all things and a silence of mind allowed the realization of the vast interconnection between all things and the divine harmony of the universe. “Self Realization” he explained, is the knowing of the formless and silent self, pure consciousness itself. “Self Realization” is operating from the centre, the spiritual heart, not the ego mind. The Ego mind once dissolved, reveals a greater self, the Divine Soul, which is full of virtuous qualities- love, service and empathy. He further explained, the masts in India are at an earlier state; their energy is generally stuck in the heart without reaching up to the third eye. As such, they remain on an inner plane, disconnected from the higher source and find it difficult to remain connected to the interior/exterior reality. The meditative union Is a oneness of the Soul, with Supreme Soul, or Supreme Spirit which permeates all as the all. Thus the knowledge, all is one, one is all. He further elaborated- In the Western context, spirituality and Spiritual or Mystical experiences are misunderstood. All societies operate under a prevailing paradigm, which is both historical and contemporary. All beings generate a “reality tunnel”, a set of beliefs, a cosmology, awareness, a level of consciousness and an education. While their may be a “consensus reality”, everyone’s sense of identity and experienced is very much grounded in a sense of separateness and personal world. A yogi in their search for comprehension of “life” seeks to find perfect harmony within themselves as a means to find “truth”. In seeking truth, all veils must be stripped back; all beliefs must be questioned and surrendered, until the experience of the eternal present is felt. Being “trapped in your head” is a cultural illness. The mind constantly generates a false sense of reality and an inferior state of consciousness. The west worships rationality, as we live in a scientific state, identified by our prevailing cultural mythos. The rational mind serves a purpose in our consciousness, but remains closed off to the spiritual plane, in fact denies its existence. This attitude creates much suffering, because the spirit is our authentic self, it’s our life force in fact, and our level of being is dependent on our spiritual consciousness. Remaining at the ego mind level is an illusion, because the self cannot and is not a concept, or precept to be viewed and analyzed by the mind. The self is the source of consciousness to which the mind is but a filter, generating a commentary of analysis to experience. This filter includes all history, the unconscious, subconscious minds, which are a storehouse of experiences. A yogi seeks to cleanse these doors, so as to not be bombarded with mind garbage and super ego attacks. Once these doors are cleansed, through meditation and service- karma yoga, new patterns which fix positive outcomes, one lives in a state of perpetual peace. Interestingly, the conscious, the emotional ethical center, decider of right and wrong, good and evil, is the root of the consciousness. Returning to this center can deliver two responses internally, either that of vexation ( I have done wrong and feel guilt), or, I have been good, or done good- and a feeling of peace emerges. An opening of the conscious, a purification of the past and a commitment of purity are the necessary steps for mental peace. A guilty conscience is like a super ego, constantly criticizing oneself for one’s lack of goodness. Societies conscious, which extends to counties charitability and social policies, also reaches down to the collective shadow. War mobilizes both, either as call to fight for goodness and virtue, or in the case of loss where the collective shadow assumes the role of victim, defeated and mutilized. As such, governments assume the role of defective parent to returning soldiers, rarely failing to properly honor returning warriors because of a guilty conscious. This ripples back into society, as maladjusted members find they cannot function in the mundane world. Dissolve the parasite The wrong Mistaken sense of I Which claims you Like a sleepy eye In infinite bliss, Like a momentus bolt Of lightning And know that there is No sense of lack No mind disturbance No superego attack Om Shanti, Om Ananda, Om nDocument the spiritual crisis , the evidence, hypothesis and possible origins The spiritual crisis is at its crux, a shift in dimensions, a clinging or dissolving of boundaries and a change in consciousness. The terms Spiritual Emergence or Awakening are often in the same breath either referred or related to as a Spiritual Crisis or Emergency. As the event is often related to predecessing factors, and fits into a continuum of experiences, it is viewed both as through personal events and experiences and ripples through those effected. In India, there is a group of people considered “masts”, perhaps the earlier stage of “master”. According to Maher Baba “In Sufi philosophy, a mast (pronounced "must" is a person who is overcome with love for God, with concomitant external disorientation resembling intoxication”. The Spiritual experiences, without being placed in the right environment, lead to a crisis. In this essay I will be exploring the experiences of a man who explained to me the nature of his Spiritual Experiences and evolution and how a crisis of understanding and identity changed into a relationship of Divine Love and an enfoldment of Spiritual powers. The person (C) communicated to me the initial steps in his journey of understanding. A simple interest in yoga developed into research into mythology, cosmology and Spiritual Traditions of East and West. Interest in Entheogens, as sacraments was also researched and experimented with. A wholehearted search to find meaning, transcendence and wholeness began, with practices, rituals and experimentation. Teachers were sought for their wisdom and a love of wisdom began to swell. This also began a creative period and progression of images seeking to comprehend ancient wisdom through imagery. Icon images of Christ and Buddha were created, seeking connection with historical figures of significance. Each painting emerged, as if from a higher source, in moments of intense reverie, inspiration and transcendence. Mandalic images, cosmic works of esoteric significance emerged, further opening doors of perception. As the series was well underway, on an inspired night, without company, the artist took a dose of psilocybin mushrooms, seeking a mystical experience. Alone in the studio, amongst the works, the plants took effect, opening the doors of perception wider. Sprawled on the ground, looking at an image of Christ , the Divine Presence of Infinite love and Light emerged above the work in a beatific vision. Surrendering to the incredible spectacle, the artist dissolved into the Divine light, transfigured and amazed at the holy experience. The experience had also affected his body, he described how it awakened his Kundalini, or Shakti energy from his spine. The next few weeks emerged with an incredible luminous quality of introspection, meditative contemplation and research. The quest of knowledge had much earlier begun, new qualities emerged as information was sought and assimilated, and new works developed. As interest in comparative religions were studied, a crisis of faith emerged, being torn between paths, as all held interest and although complemented each other, held different perspectives. This resulted in a larger realization, as similarities in philosophies merged into a universal vision, devoid of dogma or strict doctrine, but an internal quality and dimension, seeking to embrace all wisdom with discrimination, but without holding on to the forms of traditions, seeking to trace the spiritual truth back to the source and the quality of the deliverer. As spiritual practices, which began to include Kundalini Yoga, Raja Yoga, Gyan Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Hatha Yoga and Naad Yoga, a transformation further commenced, as each practice imparted knowledge of the nature of consciousness and the importance of vibration. Ecstatic Visionary experiences happened daily, with huge quantities of works being produced in frenzied states. The quality of Devotion and Service seemed to be the supreme path to wisdom, and vows of SEVA were taken as a means of channeling energies productively to help others. Through the meditative contemplation, high states of consciousness, Samadhi were reached, without subject-object, in mystical consciousness, as a merging into all things and a silence of mind allowed the realization of the vast interconnection between all things and the divine harmony of the universe. “Self Realization” he explained, is the knowing of the formless and silent self, pure consciousness itself. “Self Realization” is operating from the centre, the spiritual heart, not the ego mind. The Ego mind once dissolved, reveals a greater self, the Divine Soul, which is full of virtuous qualities- love, service and empathy. He further explained, the masts in India are at an earlier state; their energy is generally stuck in the heart without reaching up to the third eye. As such, they remain on an inner plane, disconnected from the higher source and find it difficult to remain connected to the interior/exterior reality. The meditative union Is a oneness of the Soul, with Supreme Soul, or Supreme Spirit which permeates all as the all. Thus the knowledge, all is one, one is all. He further elaborated- In the Western context, spirituality and Spiritual or Mystical experiences are misunderstood. All societies operate under a prevailing paradigm, which is both historical and contemporary. All beings generate a “reality tunnel”, a set of beliefs, a cosmology, awareness, a level of consciousness and an education. While their may be a “consensus reality”, everyone’s sense of identity and experienced is very much grounded in a sense of separateness and personal world. A yogi in their search for comprehension of “life” seeks to find perfect harmony within themselves as a means to find “truth”. In seeking truth, all veils must be stripped back; all beliefs must be questioned and surrendered, until the experience of the eternal present is felt. Being “trapped in your head” is a cultural illness. The mind constantly generates a false sense of reality and an inferior state of consciousness. The west worships rationality, as we live in a scientific state, identified by our prevailing cultural mythos. The rational mind serves a purpose in our consciousness, but remains closed off to the spiritual plane, in fact denies its existence. This attitude creates much suffering, because the spirit is our authentic self, it’s our life force in fact, and our level of being is dependent on our spiritual consciousness. Remaining at the ego mind level is an illusion, because the self cannot and is not a concept, or precept to be viewed and analyzed by the mind. The self is the source of consciousness to which the mind is but a filter, generating a commentary of analysis to experience. This filter includes all history, the unconscious, subconscious minds, which are a storehouse of experiences. A yogi seeks to cleanse these doors, so as to not be bombarded with mind garbage and super ego attacks. Once these doors are cleansed, through meditation and service- karma yoga, new patterns which fix positive outcomes, one lives in a state of perpetual peace. Interestingly, the conscious, the emotional ethical center, decider of right and wrong, good and evil, is the root of the consciousness. Returning to this center can deliver two responses internally, either that of vexation ( I have done wrong and feel guilt), or, I have been good, or done good- and a feeling of peace emerges. An opening of the conscious, a purification of the past and a commitment of purity are the necessary steps for mental peace. A guilty conscience is like a super ego, constantly criticizing oneself for one’s lack of goodness. Societies conscious, which extends to counties charitability and social policies, also reaches down to the collective shadow. War mobilizes both, either as call to fight for goodness and virtue, or in the case of loss where the collective shadow assumes the role of victim, defeated and mutilized. As such, governments assume the role of defective parent to returning soldiers, rarely failing to properly honor returning warriors because of a guilty conscious. This ripples back into society, as maladjusted members find they cannot function in the mundane world. Dissolve the parasite The wrong Mistaken sense of I Which claims you Like a sleepy eye In infinite bliss, Like a momentus bolt Of lightning And know that there is No sense of lack No mind disturbance No superego attack Om Shanti, Om Ananda, Om namah shivaya, Om Tat Sat amah shivaya, Om Tat Sat
Posted on: Fri, 16 Aug 2013 01:22:24 +0000
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