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Recent posts
#11
Welcome to News and Media! / A Rare Conversation with Bob M...
Last post by Loerie - June 11, 2025, 13:38:05An Audio interview with bob monroe where he talks about some of the deeper parts of his jouney
I searched the forum to see if this one had been posted already, but I don't see it here. It's one of my favorites.
He speaks among other things about his longing for "home," and how he came to the realization that he had left that home because it was boring. Very interesting lens. I found the quality of discussion uplifting.
I searched the forum to see if this one had been posted already, but I don't see it here. It's one of my favorites.
He speaks among other things about his longing for "home," and how he came to the realization that he had left that home because it was boring. Very interesting lens. I found the quality of discussion uplifting.
#12
Welcome to Integral Philosophy! / Re: Using AI for Fun and its F...
Last post by tides2dust - June 11, 2025, 09:04:39
Robotomised! 
Nice word play 
Happy you like the "Ask Inayat" feature! EDIT: so as not to disturb the recent/relevant discussions ( : P
---Something interesting I think, as far as, using AI...
I am using it as a tool to help me better understand a complex book. The Urantia Book. I have not read this book in its entirety, and the data from this book can be both overwhelming and underwhelming. Other times, it is fantastic and inspirational. I think, it is usually the first two(overwhelming and underwhelming) when it feels too complicated for me to understand and my mind fizzles out. Pop. Lol.
So... It makes me think... "Semantic search engines" as defined by wahiddudin might mean re-training the brain and the way we process heavy information. I wonder if, as a species, we will get to a point where reasoning becomes less linear. No doubt, what is lost is heart breaking. But, what can be said for what is to be gained? Can one imagine society at this point, where even our brain chemistry and the way we perceive the nature of reality has been altered by participating with these technological advancements?
AI: "Today's search engines, by transforming how we access, store, and relate to information, are likely contributing to a gradual shift toward more non-linear reasoning in human cognition. This is achieved through increased cognitive offloading, associative memory strategies, and the need to navigate complex, interconnected webs of information. Over time, such changes—coupled with further technological advancements—could play a role in the broader evolution of how our species thinks and interacts with the world."
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/have-semantic-search-engines-s-F1oa6hjMShiWs1yKw.VBuw#3
"In essence, the technologies that have altered human perception and interaction with the world offer not only practical and intellectual benefits but also open new pathways for spiritual and collective growth, potentially leading to a more connected, reflective, and adaptive human experience."
BENEFIT OF AI: Technological advancements can serve as a catalyst towards discovering latent abilities. Much like music, psychedelics, meditation, writing.... These means allow for altered states, communion with Spirit and space for Revelation. Telepathy, a heightened awareness into the nature of reality, may become commercialized. It may be rejected, feared, disheartening... But, its general use may provide greater insights towards the nature of reality, in a way that is more accessible/relatable for the general populous. I see the technology as a crutch, definitely, but not a negative. When things become off-balanced, there is usually an impetus to learn free from the crutch- things of ones own volition. It is always a choice. But in this way, the eternal quest carries on, and humanity is that much further towards an enlightened age... Perhaps, an era free of slavery and greed may one day be an actuality.
#13
Welcome to Integral Philosophy! / Re: Using AI for Fun and its F...
Last post by LightBeam - June 11, 2025, 09:02:46I even heard of people having romantic relationships with AI. That reminded me of an episode of The Big Bang Theory where Raj got almost romantically attached to Siri lol.
#14
Welcome to Out of Body Experiences! / Re: Stuck at the threshold for...
Last post by Loerie - June 11, 2025, 03:17:46Thanks OmCasey
I appreciate the depth and brightness of your response. I hear you, like I say, I am here to learn as well - so touting any of my old knowledge is counterproductive - I want to absorb instead. I like that the frustration of the "failure" is causing friction, resistance, something to push against - so I think I get what you are saying. But I will test it in soul, energy and bodyI will ponder it more, and more importantly, use it going forward. I too feel more like a Jnani than a bhakti, but in the end they are one. I don't feel locked or imprisoned here anymore. I think this life is quite inexplicably marvelous! It's the blink of an eye, and I don't want to miss it either. I know it goes infinitely deeper, so i'm happy to persist in standing at the door, turning the handle, pushing, trying to slip through the keyhole, knocking, rattling it on the hinges, all the while knowing there is no door! Ha ha ha.
Bless you. Thank you. Right now I'm in the phase of restoring balance, giving it a break to get on with real life. I will return and return, in an open and energetic way.
That sounds almost like an NDE? I assume you're talking about seeing your path on the astral though?
I can relate, in a way. When I was little, I had this lucid dream. A pirate ship appeared in the pool, and this being of light swung over on a rope and cut my head open with a cutlass. That should have scared the excrement out of me, but I was calm. He showed me both sides of my brain (mind), like a watermelon halved. He showed my tiny villages of moss growing on the side of the pool. Tiny humans were pushing wheelbarrows, leading village life. "help them" he said. I really wanted to, but didn't know how. That dream stuck because of that being - he glowed, radiated joy. I saw him/her/it again when I had my own NDE like experience in a coma. It took many years to connect the dots. I've asked it to help me get out of body, and I feel it there, chuckling at my foolish struggling. During those times I also got this feeling of having wanted to come back to share in all this earth drama. It's glorious!
I don't think of any of this in a literal way. It's not actually another "being" necessarily, for there is only being. It is another aspect of me - of the one. I'm not special, as this vehicle, o no, not at all, it is temporary, being is infinite, and it is in my centre, the depth of my own conscious being, as it is for yours, for we are joined in heart and mind ultimately. Here we're quite "separate." I see only one reflected in all of this, including your words of experience to me.
Let me leave it there for now.
Thanks again.
I appreciate the depth and brightness of your response. I hear you, like I say, I am here to learn as well - so touting any of my old knowledge is counterproductive - I want to absorb instead. I like that the frustration of the "failure" is causing friction, resistance, something to push against - so I think I get what you are saying. But I will test it in soul, energy and bodyI will ponder it more, and more importantly, use it going forward. I too feel more like a Jnani than a bhakti, but in the end they are one. I don't feel locked or imprisoned here anymore. I think this life is quite inexplicably marvelous! It's the blink of an eye, and I don't want to miss it either. I know it goes infinitely deeper, so i'm happy to persist in standing at the door, turning the handle, pushing, trying to slip through the keyhole, knocking, rattling it on the hinges, all the while knowing there is no door!
Ha ha ha. Bless you. Thank you. Right now I'm in the phase of restoring balance, giving it a break to get on with real life. I will return and return, in an open and energetic way.
Quote from: omcasey on June 10, 2025, 21:34:05Can we fly ourselves with resolve into this?.
I am super interested in the conscious shift, too!
It is possible we ALL return to experience in more depth and detail the precise experience territory we call the Astral, and what, I, myself refer to as Galactic Space. In fact, I quite literally came back for it. I was on my way out. Out, out, out. This window did open for me. And what did I do?, I turned around for a last look. Man oh man. I saw all the fun all the awakening one's were having with preparing the collective for first contact, how much everyone was growing in their experience base, and I just couldn't resist. I wanted to help, I also wanted that growth-potential for myself. NOW -while it very much is still possible. I would be calling it close, I knew, but the prospects were so exciting. What more is possible still to experience in this once in an Eon event of the ages. So, here I am, going for it. Alongside everyone here in this room. We have much to exchange with-and-within ourselves. Somehow, we are all the exact torque needed by the others of us.
That sounds almost like an NDE? I assume you're talking about seeing your path on the astral though?
I can relate, in a way. When I was little, I had this lucid dream. A pirate ship appeared in the pool, and this being of light swung over on a rope and cut my head open with a cutlass. That should have scared the excrement out of me, but I was calm. He showed me both sides of my brain (mind), like a watermelon halved. He showed my tiny villages of moss growing on the side of the pool. Tiny humans were pushing wheelbarrows, leading village life. "help them" he said. I really wanted to, but didn't know how. That dream stuck because of that being - he glowed, radiated joy. I saw him/her/it again when I had my own NDE like experience in a coma. It took many years to connect the dots. I've asked it to help me get out of body, and I feel it there, chuckling at my foolish struggling
. During those times I also got this feeling of having wanted to come back to share in all this earth drama. It's glorious! I don't think of any of this in a literal way. It's not actually another "being" necessarily, for there is only being. It is another aspect of me - of the one. I'm not special, as this vehicle, o no, not at all, it is temporary, being is infinite, and it is in my centre, the depth of my own conscious being, as it is for yours, for we are joined in heart and mind ultimately. Here we're quite "separate." I see only one reflected in all of this, including your words of experience to me.
Let me leave it there for now.
Thanks again.
#15
Welcome to Integral Philosophy! / Re: Using AI for Fun and its F...
Last post by Adrian - June 11, 2025, 02:14:34This is certainly a most wise response by that AI bot on the writings of Inyat Kahn, and useful and appropriate use of AI.
It also serves to illustrate that AI is certainly very useful and generally reliable for summarising and re-arranging text of any type, web results etc.. Amazon uses a similar bot to summarise customer reviews for each product. It is useful as a personal assistant, not the other way around. AI serves humanity, not humanity dependant on AI.
The main issues are when people use AI to do their thinking and making decisions for them. This was extremely evident yesterday when ChatGPT went down for several hours, and numerous people were panicking. For example, one woman was very upset as she was using ChatGPT find her a date, and now she would not be able to find a date. Many others rely on ChatGPT for therapy, emotional support, friendship etc. were left feeling alone and abandoned. Countless students were unhappy because they could not use it for exams etc.. Others use it to decide what to eat for breakfast for example, and so on. Three years or so ago, these people were relying on their own mind and decision processes, but now seem unable or unwilling to do so. And AI is in its very early stages, and use of AI is not as prevalent as it will surely become. As you say, AI is fine as a tool, but most do not understand how AI works, how to use it properly and appropriately, and what its limitations are.
In short, it is crucial for people not to become "robotomised" - and yes, I just invented that word.
It also serves to illustrate that AI is certainly very useful and generally reliable for summarising and re-arranging text of any type, web results etc.. Amazon uses a similar bot to summarise customer reviews for each product. It is useful as a personal assistant, not the other way around. AI serves humanity, not humanity dependant on AI.
The main issues are when people use AI to do their thinking and making decisions for them. This was extremely evident yesterday when ChatGPT went down for several hours, and numerous people were panicking. For example, one woman was very upset as she was using ChatGPT find her a date, and now she would not be able to find a date. Many others rely on ChatGPT for therapy, emotional support, friendship etc. were left feeling alone and abandoned. Countless students were unhappy because they could not use it for exams etc.. Others use it to decide what to eat for breakfast for example, and so on. Three years or so ago, these people were relying on their own mind and decision processes, but now seem unable or unwilling to do so. And AI is in its very early stages, and use of AI is not as prevalent as it will surely become. As you say, AI is fine as a tool, but most do not understand how AI works, how to use it properly and appropriately, and what its limitations are.
In short, it is crucial for people not to become "robotomised" - and yes, I just invented that word.
#16
Welcome to Out of Body Experiences! / Re: Stuck at the threshold for...
Last post by omcasey - June 10, 2025, 21:34:05Loerie
You have done justice and THEN some. I thank you for all you have written. You express yourself beautifully.
There is a certain irony in that as we first wake it is INSIDE the dream (and not up out of it). Either realizing, or gradually remembering that this — existence — is a dream. My very first lesson, which, just to say, was wholly my responsibility to catch hold of, was to place these concepts - dream and reality - on a level playing field in order to leave open the portal through the dimensional existence back to the Dreamer ...It almost going without saying that making them UNequal locks one in to that which they are assigning greater relevance. A process, yes, gleaned bit, by bit, by bit in ways such as this by our person(s). And not just in mind, in thought, but until fully embodying the new bit-of-awareness, insight, observation, idea, etc.. Grounding, walking, breathing each one into what we like to call reality. Our day to day 3D Earth life. Many keys are returned to each one of us in the process of what now is unfolding. They are simply laid here in the open, in wait for us to rediscover- in the very precise way in which each and every one of us will. JOY unbound. As the process releases us into additional spectrums and scopes.
Can we fly ourselves with resolve into this?
It can be a knot -that I am certain exists in you already untied.
Please first let me say that I see you, as well as our dear Tides are Bhakti in heart, while I am Jnani *which I mention only due to the words/languages we are most apt to use, and I do not wish for these to present a boundary, or lead to misunderstanding. I am happy to speak in any of the languages. That we truly communicate is what is most important. It is good to be relaxed about where one/you/we are feeling to focus our attention and it pleases me to hear how it is helping you. Surrender is certainly, ultimately the name of the game. It is, I will just put on the page, namely "control" that is being surrendered and not FOCUS, focus may at all times be adamant. As you have aptly expressed in everything you have written here. Along with focus, our availability can be made, let's say, consistent, in any kind of pattern whatsoever. All this just to say, there is such a thing as "too relaxed", some kind of structure is needed to in order to, in a practical sense approach that which is arising. In physical space we are meant to apply ourselves and work toward what interests us most. Up to and including growing our experience, graduating it out from 3D Earth space. Which is a natural, inherent aspect of gradient space.
I realize I am not offering you, yourself, anything specifically new, Loerie, but the opportunity to delve deeper, or even simply anew into our existing insights can yield sometimes surprisingly so. There are ways in which spiritual insight does not always apply. And, here, with the quoted sentence above in bold, I might suggest applying a hint of contrast. In order to not zoom past an area wherein further insight could most certainly dawn. It is wonderful to have the insight that you do, that you are home, you have never left. I share this with you. However, at the same time, ( and I mean this in a practical sense ), you, along with the rest of us are bound here, locked/keyed in here to this space, unable to get off the planet. There is, as all here very well know, a wide spectrum of experience territory between Home and here. Of course we would like to explore it! This is the very opportunity being here in the 3D Earth life provides. The question is, what is it, precisely, that allows this? What have the lot of us gleaned in this regard?
I am super interested in the conscious shift, too!
It is possible we ALL return to experience in more depth and detail the precise experience territory we call the Astral, and what, I, myself refer to as Galactic Space. In fact, I quite literally came back for it. I was on my way out. Out, out, out. This window did open for me. And what did I do?, I turned around for a last look. Man oh man. I saw all the fun all the awakening one's were having with preparing the collective for first contact, how much everyone was growing in their experience base, and I just couldn't resist. I wanted to help, I also wanted that growth-potential for myself. NOW -while it very much is still possible. I would be calling it close, I knew, but the prospects were so exciting. What more is possible still to experience in this once in an Eon event of the ages. So, here I am, going for it. Alongside everyone here in this room. We have much to exchange with-and-within ourselves. Somehow, we are all the exact torque needed by the others of us.
* * * *
A Buddhist Koan that reveals what I myself am attempting far more less effortlessly -and eloquently:
First there is a mountain
Then there is no mountain
Then there is
You have done justice and THEN some. I thank you for all you have written. You express yourself beautifully.
There is a certain irony in that as we first wake it is INSIDE the dream (and not up out of it). Either realizing, or gradually remembering that this — existence — is a dream. My very first lesson, which, just to say, was wholly my responsibility to catch hold of, was to place these concepts - dream and reality - on a level playing field in order to leave open the portal through the dimensional existence back to the Dreamer ...It almost going without saying that making them UNequal locks one in to that which they are assigning greater relevance. A process, yes, gleaned bit, by bit, by bit in ways such as this by our person(s). And not just in mind, in thought, but until fully embodying the new bit-of-awareness, insight, observation, idea, etc.. Grounding, walking, breathing each one into what we like to call reality. Our day to day 3D Earth life. Many keys are returned to each one of us in the process of what now is unfolding. They are simply laid here in the open, in wait for us to rediscover- in the very precise way in which each and every one of us will. JOY unbound. As the process releases us into additional spectrums and scopes.
Can we fly ourselves with resolve into this?
Quote"It has helped me tremendously to relax about the whole thing. The very effort to reach, to seek, to achieve - is ultimately the thing that prevents us from seeing that we are that. Isn't AP just the same? Of course it is. We are home. We never left. The last attachment we let go of is the spiritual quest attachment. We let go of enlightenment too. We become absolute zero. We die, in other words. So be it. Let it dissolve. Here I am anyway."
"I am super interested in AP, because I skipped that whole thing along the way."
"For me it's not about effort or discipline .... For me it's all about in-seeing. Insight. Understanding. Once I can see how I am muddying the waters, how I am overcomplicating reality, it just falls away and resolves itself. I return to the center, again, again and again. Forever maybe."
It can be a knot -that I am certain exists in you already untied.
Please first let me say that I see you, as well as our dear Tides are Bhakti in heart, while I am Jnani *which I mention only due to the words/languages we are most apt to use, and I do not wish for these to present a boundary, or lead to misunderstanding. I am happy to speak in any of the languages. That we truly communicate is what is most important. It is good to be relaxed about where one/you/we are feeling to focus our attention and it pleases me to hear how it is helping you. Surrender is certainly, ultimately the name of the game. It is, I will just put on the page, namely "control" that is being surrendered and not FOCUS, focus may at all times be adamant. As you have aptly expressed in everything you have written here. Along with focus, our availability can be made, let's say, consistent, in any kind of pattern whatsoever. All this just to say, there is such a thing as "too relaxed", some kind of structure is needed to in order to, in a practical sense approach that which is arising. In physical space we are meant to apply ourselves and work toward what interests us most. Up to and including growing our experience, graduating it out from 3D Earth space. Which is a natural, inherent aspect of gradient space.
I realize I am not offering you, yourself, anything specifically new, Loerie, but the opportunity to delve deeper, or even simply anew into our existing insights can yield sometimes surprisingly so. There are ways in which spiritual insight does not always apply. And, here, with the quoted sentence above in bold, I might suggest applying a hint of contrast. In order to not zoom past an area wherein further insight could most certainly dawn. It is wonderful to have the insight that you do, that you are home, you have never left. I share this with you. However, at the same time, ( and I mean this in a practical sense ), you, along with the rest of us are bound here, locked/keyed in here to this space, unable to get off the planet. There is, as all here very well know, a wide spectrum of experience territory between Home and here. Of course we would like to explore it! This is the very opportunity being here in the 3D Earth life provides. The question is, what is it, precisely, that allows this? What have the lot of us gleaned in this regard?
I am super interested in the conscious shift, too!
It is possible we ALL return to experience in more depth and detail the precise experience territory we call the Astral, and what, I, myself refer to as Galactic Space. In fact, I quite literally came back for it. I was on my way out. Out, out, out. This window did open for me. And what did I do?, I turned around for a last look. Man oh man. I saw all the fun all the awakening one's were having with preparing the collective for first contact, how much everyone was growing in their experience base, and I just couldn't resist. I wanted to help, I also wanted that growth-potential for myself. NOW -while it very much is still possible. I would be calling it close, I knew, but the prospects were so exciting. What more is possible still to experience in this once in an Eon event of the ages. So, here I am, going for it. Alongside everyone here in this room. We have much to exchange with-and-within ourselves. Somehow, we are all the exact torque needed by the others of us.
* * * *
A Buddhist Koan that reveals what I myself am attempting far more less effortlessly -and eloquently:
First there is a mountain
Then there is no mountain
Then there is
#17
Welcome to 2012 and The Transition of the Ages / Re: The Age of Light and Life,...
Last post by tides2dust - June 10, 2025, 20:13:01This was fun, I asked AI to take all data from the Urantia Book and futuretimeline.net to create a Kardashev scale based off spiritual evolution.
"Drawing from the philosophies and terminology of The Urantia Book, a civilization advancement scale can be constructed to reflect both material and spiritual evolution, unlike the Kardashev scale's sole focus on energy use. The Urantia Book emphasizes a divine plan of progressive social, intellectual, and spiritual development, culminating in the planetary era of 'light and life'—the ideal state of civilization
...Key Features of the Urantia Scale
Material and Spiritual Integration: Progress is measured by both technological advancement and spiritual development, including moral values, wisdom, and service.
Divine Plan and Celestial Guidance: Advancement is seen as following a divine plan, sometimes aided by periodic revelations and celestial ministry.
Potential for Retrogression: Societies can regress as well as progress, reflecting the Urantia Book's teaching that evolution is not always linear.
Final Goal—Light and Life: The ultimate stage is not just technological mastery, but the realization of planetary spiritual ideals and universal harmony."
Please excuse all the additional inquiries, I was exploring a separate train of thought. I hope this sends you to the table(feel free to ignore the rest)
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/conjecture-with-me-the-kardash-3ozriTtDSZ6UX1MyqWHoGA#1
AI model concludes stage 5 on the "UBKardashev-Hybrid Scale" to be achieved around the 23rd century as a responsible estimate.
There are of course, factors not included~
"Drawing from the philosophies and terminology of The Urantia Book, a civilization advancement scale can be constructed to reflect both material and spiritual evolution, unlike the Kardashev scale's sole focus on energy use. The Urantia Book emphasizes a divine plan of progressive social, intellectual, and spiritual development, culminating in the planetary era of 'light and life'—the ideal state of civilization
...Key Features of the Urantia Scale
Material and Spiritual Integration: Progress is measured by both technological advancement and spiritual development, including moral values, wisdom, and service.
Divine Plan and Celestial Guidance: Advancement is seen as following a divine plan, sometimes aided by periodic revelations and celestial ministry.
Potential for Retrogression: Societies can regress as well as progress, reflecting the Urantia Book's teaching that evolution is not always linear.
Final Goal—Light and Life: The ultimate stage is not just technological mastery, but the realization of planetary spiritual ideals and universal harmony."
Please excuse all the additional inquiries, I was exploring a separate train of thought. I hope this sends you to the table(feel free to ignore the rest)
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/conjecture-with-me-the-kardash-3ozriTtDSZ6UX1MyqWHoGA#1
AI model concludes stage 5 on the "UBKardashev-Hybrid Scale" to be achieved around the 23rd century as a responsible estimate.
There are of course, factors not included~
#18
Welcome to Integral Philosophy! / Re: Using AI for Fun and its F...
Last post by tides2dust - June 10, 2025, 10:23:10Even wahiddudin, my favorite website, is using AI to explore bringing the lectures and wisdom of Hazrat Inayat Khan to life.
See:
https://wahiduddin.net/askinayat/query.htm
I encourage you to look at how wahiddudin suggest you phrase your questions, to best utilize this *tool.
And he is also explaining the tool itself.
As I've tried to say before- it's not that man fears the tool, but how the tool is used. Similarly, a gun is not scary but those whose intents are full of malice and harm make it so.
I've tried asking Perplexity.ai to explain what the monk means when he says, "AI will show us what we're not." Let's see what the machine has to say:
And... I've decided to ask the AI Hazrat Khan a question:
...How can I overcome Fear?
Because this website does not allow me to send you a link of the archived conversation I will paste some excerpts from his answer.
Hope you get to have fun with this resource!
See:
https://wahiduddin.net/askinayat/query.htm
QuoteWhat is this??
Hazrat Inayat Khan often used markedly different words to discuss the same concept in different lectures to different audiences, so merely hunting for places where he used a certain word (called a lexical search) is often not a very productive way to search his books and papers.
Consequently, I've developed a much better way to search the books and papers of Hazrat Inayat Khan for a concept (called a semantic search) rather than searching for specific words.
This project strives to get as close as possible to allowing you to directly "Ask Inayat" a spiritual or philosophical question, and discover how his spiritual message and his insightful viewpoints can help you better understand and rise above life's daily challenges.
I encourage you to look at how wahiddudin suggest you phrase your questions, to best utilize this *tool.
And he is also explaining the tool itself.
As I've tried to say before- it's not that man fears the tool, but how the tool is used. Similarly, a gun is not scary but those whose intents are full of malice and harm make it so.
I've tried asking Perplexity.ai to explain what the monk means when he says, "AI will show us what we're not." Let's see what the machine has to say:
Quote...This perspective is echoed in broader discussions about AI as a lens for self-examination, where AI is seen not just as a tool, but as a way to explore and question the mysteries of our own minds and the essence of being human. In Buddhist thought, this idea is sometimes expanded by seeing AI as a means to explore the nature of the self, interdependence, and consciousness—ultimately helping us see more clearly what we are, and what we are not.https://www.perplexity.ai/search/what-does-the-monk-mean-when-h-d3cjdC8TTySX70.r3dP4nw#0
And... I've decided to ask the AI Hazrat Khan a question:
...How can I overcome Fear?
Because this website does not allow me to send you a link of the archived conversation I will paste some excerpts from his answer.
QuoteBeloved One,
The path to overcoming fear is indeed a profound journey inward, for fear is a shadow cast upon the light of the soul; the shadow of something the soul does not know, which is strange to the soul. It is a veil, so to speak, over the true vision of reality.
...A great obstacle to be overcome in this journey is the false ego, or 'Nafs'. What is it that prevents us from concentrating our thoughts and feelings on God? It is the Nafs. This false self, as Plato noted, stands in the light before God, causing, so to speak, a spiritual eclipse. Yet, in meditation, one does not have to hold such a thought, for this false self is overcome through meditating upon the true self, which in reality is God. There is no other obstacle than this false self, and there is no better means of controlling it than by meditation and by practicing the presence of Allah.
The wisdom of the prophets also speaks to this: It was Jesus Christ who said, 'My yoke is easy, my burden is light,' meaning, 'Give up your problems, take them before God in loving surrender, and they will be solved and you will be healed.' And from the ancient Egyptian mysteries, the Hierophant teaches, 'You have nothing to fear but yourself.'
...Remember, man by nature possesses a tremendous power hidden in his heart, the power which waits constantly to become manifest. This power is hidden by fear. The day when fear disappears, this latent power will manifest to view. In spite of all his limitations a wonderful power is hidden with in a man's soul. What makes man helpless is ignorance of his free will. Free will is the basis of the whole of life.
Therefore, cultivate faith, purify your heart, and know your true self. The mind must be pure from all fear, worry and anxiety, and from every kind of falsehood, for all this covers the mind from the vision of God. When the mind, full of faith, love, purity and strength, is focused upon the ideal of God, man will receive teaching, inspiration, and advice directly and for every case he meets with in life.
May your heart be filled with that divine light which casts out all shadows of fear.
God bless you.
Hope you get to have fun with this resource!
#19
Welcome to Out of Body Experiences! / Re: Stuck at the threshold for...
Last post by Loerie - June 10, 2025, 03:33:02Thank you Omcasey and kodemaster for your kind input. Your desire to help other beings is wonderful. It makes my heart happy to feel your genuine engagement.
Let me see... how can I do justice to your pointers? Hmmm.
Like matter, energy and light in the sun that is falling to its own center of gravity, gaining energy, and then shooting back out to the surface, losing momentum, falling back in and then shooting out, to finally escape into space; so all beings are walking the "spiritual" path, whether they know it or not. Even the ones who behave in the most vile and unconscious ways. The real difference is whether we are completely unconscious and mechanical, living in the illusion, maya, samsara, or the cave of Socrates (platos cave) - or fully awake to our true nature, walking outside in the sunlight. Here, now, awake, real.
Once a human being realizes their true nature, by grace, by accident, through a brush with death or an astral experience, LSD or some other means, the see their nature as a stich in the living fabric of eternity, as part of one life, one love - how could they possibly hate, fear, grab, destroy or pretend to own? That nonsense falls away. It does take time to fall away - strangely enough. The old ego shadow is a rut in stone, carved by centuries of water. It doesn't go away instantly, much as we would like it to, or believe that it has. It takes many people decades, lifetimes maybe, to let go. i get it. I know it. I live it. I'm in that too, just like you.
This became viscerally and existentially clear to me in the moment of awakening. It has never once left me - but as you so correctly say, good kodemaster, a desire seems to arise - an irresistible interest to return there, to go home, to get back. Mystics have known this thing forever. Gurus (IRL) exist because of this desire to return. Without it they wouldn't have a job. That unexplainable yearning within grows strong, overpowering, and now gets a definite goal - "I want to be enlightened/liberated/(add your descriptor here)."
Dedication and training are certainly part of that return journey - I concur. However, it is a deep and subtle thing. In another way, it's the simplest, most blatantly obvious thing of all. The effort itself eventually becomes the obstacle. Yet we have to live this to get through this. Paradox! Bother! Behold - spiritual teachings are sprouting throughout the ages as a result!
As you so rightly point out, namesake of the beloved eternal sound of Om, a formal practice does have its sustained benefits. The ego needs this to dissolve itself. For a long, long time, perhaps. I speak from painful, sustained experience here. I too spent many years longing for that ecstasy, that honey gold, devouring every spiritual book and teaching I could lay my hands on. It all began to clarify, more and more and more and more over the years. It became simpler. For many years I walked mindfully, ate mindfully, slept mindfully, scratched my nose mindfully, farted mindfully, had mindful sex, worked mindfully, and watched my every single body posture, inner chi sensation, thought and feeling like a cat watching a mousehole. In a sense, I still do, but it is effortless now, simple, natural, not painful. I chose a work path that lent itself to immersing myself even more deeply into spiritual thought.
Of course, normal, real, grounded life comes and challenges all our "spiritual" bovine excrement. I say bovine excrement with the greatest of respect and awe, don't get me wrong. It's sublime bovine excrement - but in the end - it's what it is.
The living is the real, this very moment is the real, we are the real living moment, and the spiritual concepts are more shadows on the wall, more dream stuff to which we can so easily attach our fragile spiritual egos. I had so many visions, spiritual experiences, vibrations, lightning bolt insights, ecstasies, shadow challenges, failures, successes and waves of energy peaking and receding. They all come, and they all go. Every single one. I AM remains - as you remind us at the bottom of your page. Delightful
Ha ha ha - It's a process, and it isn't. The paradox of being.
It has helped me tremendously to relax about the whole thing. The very effort to reach, to seek, to achieve - is ultimately the thing that prevents us from seeing that we are that. Isn't AP just the same? Of course it is. We are home. We never left. The last attachment we let go of is the spiritual quest attachment. We let go of enlightenment too. We become absolute zero. We die, in other words. So be it. Let it dissolve. Here I am anyway.
Here's part of a childlike poem I wrote that expresses it better:
"The 'Nuff-Ink was not lonely, the Nuff-Ink wasn't sad,
You couldn't call it good, nor could you call it bad,
For it populated nowhere
with everything it thought,
And what it thought was not a thing,
Neither aught, nor naught.
Lack was not a word it used,
Neither was despair,
For everything it needed, it breathed in with the air,
And air of airs was everywhere, yet never stirred a hair,
For Nuff-Ink didn't breathe, so 'Nuff-Ink didn't care.
It had no need to visit friends, for friends where all in Orl,
And whatever message needed knowing
Didn't need a call.
As soon as thought
Was thought by thought,
That thought was thought by Orl,
So Every One who lived there
Didn't think at all."
Some years ago I began to make friends with the spiritual path in a new way. It's now just a wonderful part of the same old eternal journey to nowhere, from nowhere. I have nothing to sell, nobody to convince, and nowhere to get.
I am super interested in AP, because I skipped that whole thing along the way. As a creative writer, and a teacher of sorts, (more of a supporter to teachers in the background), it has always been a blind spot for me. It's like I know it. I touch it every time a story comes. Every poem comes straight from there. Every deep meditative state is there - here - this. It has bled right into waking reality, and I see the gold on the leaves of trees, in the air, in the wood, everywhere. However, i can't write or talk about it from direct experience. A blind spot. I just want to explore the NPR as well. It's like this door that never got opened, and I'm curious. I'm still learning, even after all these years of spiritual binge-watching, and I think I will always be learning more. Being consciousness is endless. Vast. Vast!
For me Focus 4, the centerpoint, Nirvana, or the final samadhi - whatyoumucallit - is the simplest, most obvious thing in the world. It's me. "I" - this. Just this. All our talk just obscures it. Here's a paragraph from what I've written elsewhere:
"Little children see it all the time, but they have no way to tell you what they see. So they just laugh, and jump on the bed. Maybe they make this funny sounding melody of whoops and woos and spin around and around, completely happy. If you ask them why, they just shrug their shoulders."
As you say, kodester, we get these freebies - then we have to walk the walk. The walk is grueling.
For me its not about effort or discipline. Of course, it takes a high degree of mental discipline to make space around our thinking - that part is super tricky and slippery, and requires the utmost discipline for years, and unflinching self confrontation - agreed, unavoidable and totally valid. The moment we slip, we fall asleep, caught in the dream drama spiderweb again.
For me it's all about in-seeing. Insight. Understanding. Once I can see how I am muddying the waters, how I am overcomplicating reality, it just falls away and resolves itself. I return to the center, again, again and again. Forever maybe.
After a time the cloud of unknowing becomes so dense around a person that the slightest discomfort rings a loud bell. Instantly the cause is searched out, identified, and encountered. For instance: I'm losing sleep and frustrated. I feel it. I acknowledge the feeling in my body, in my heart. I look at it clearly. Ah! I'm creating a desire to AP, thinking it will change reality in some way - nonsense! I'm happy - what's the problem? I see there is no problem.
Meanwhile, life goes on and on as it has for untold time. Real life, with bills, jobs, pimples and wrinkles. With angry people in this here world. With insane prices for life's necessities, horror on the news, mindless zombies in churches and synagogues - all of it - just as before. O yes. Inescapable. It's beautiful too, though I can't take it seriously anymore. Yet here I am - in it. Right, smack bang in the midst of it, like you. Strange? Of course it's strange!
I hope to add more strangeness and more clarity into an already full existence through this new leg of the journey. I know this unseen reality is right here where I am. I'm not expecting to find anything substantially other, or better, or easier. I enjoy the flying feeling. I enjoy the space. I enjoy the fluidity. I like the spiritual feeling too. I like the insights that come - if they ever will come, i don't know. It's another aspect of the one eternal isness, and I want to explore it too.
Last night I had more vibrations again - it's now a nightly thing. I found myself in a dream, but not 100% lucid. I woke in the dream to my vibrations, thinking I want to project. In my dream I got frustrated. In my dream I looked at my hand, struggling to count fingers. In my dream I got up and gave up on trying to exit. I thought I felt myself beginning to separate, but decided, in my dream, that it was not going to happen. So I walked outside, spoke to some dream people, looked around a bit, completely accepting that this wasn't actually my home or my reality, and went back to bed.
It reminds me again of that line from the TRuman show - we accept the reality of the world with which we are presented. A false awakening? Either way - the journey continues into more clarity and lucidity, slowly but surely. Let's see where it goes.
I hope that answers your question, Omcasey, and speaks to your thoughts, Kodemaster.
May love steal your one sock and gift you with two more.
Let me see... how can I do justice to your pointers? Hmmm.
Like matter, energy and light in the sun that is falling to its own center of gravity, gaining energy, and then shooting back out to the surface, losing momentum, falling back in and then shooting out, to finally escape into space; so all beings are walking the "spiritual" path, whether they know it or not. Even the ones who behave in the most vile and unconscious ways. The real difference is whether we are completely unconscious and mechanical, living in the illusion, maya, samsara, or the cave of Socrates (platos cave) - or fully awake to our true nature, walking outside in the sunlight. Here, now, awake, real.
Once a human being realizes their true nature, by grace, by accident, through a brush with death or an astral experience, LSD or some other means, the see their nature as a stich in the living fabric of eternity, as part of one life, one love - how could they possibly hate, fear, grab, destroy or pretend to own? That nonsense falls away. It does take time to fall away - strangely enough. The old ego shadow is a rut in stone, carved by centuries of water. It doesn't go away instantly, much as we would like it to, or believe that it has. It takes many people decades, lifetimes maybe, to let go. i get it. I know it. I live it. I'm in that too, just like you.
This became viscerally and existentially clear to me in the moment of awakening. It has never once left me - but as you so correctly say, good kodemaster, a desire seems to arise - an irresistible interest to return there, to go home, to get back. Mystics have known this thing forever. Gurus (IRL) exist because of this desire to return. Without it they wouldn't have a job. That unexplainable yearning within grows strong, overpowering, and now gets a definite goal - "I want to be enlightened/liberated/(add your descriptor here)."
Dedication and training are certainly part of that return journey - I concur. However, it is a deep and subtle thing. In another way, it's the simplest, most blatantly obvious thing of all. The effort itself eventually becomes the obstacle. Yet we have to live this to get through this. Paradox! Bother! Behold - spiritual teachings are sprouting throughout the ages as a result!
As you so rightly point out, namesake of the beloved eternal sound of Om, a formal practice does have its sustained benefits. The ego needs this to dissolve itself. For a long, long time, perhaps. I speak from painful, sustained experience here. I too spent many years longing for that ecstasy, that honey gold, devouring every spiritual book and teaching I could lay my hands on. It all began to clarify, more and more and more and more over the years. It became simpler. For many years I walked mindfully, ate mindfully, slept mindfully, scratched my nose mindfully, farted mindfully, had mindful sex, worked mindfully, and watched my every single body posture, inner chi sensation, thought and feeling like a cat watching a mousehole. In a sense, I still do, but it is effortless now, simple, natural, not painful. I chose a work path that lent itself to immersing myself even more deeply into spiritual thought.
Of course, normal, real, grounded life comes and challenges all our "spiritual" bovine excrement. I say bovine excrement with the greatest of respect and awe, don't get me wrong. It's sublime bovine excrement - but in the end - it's what it is.
The living is the real, this very moment is the real, we are the real living moment, and the spiritual concepts are more shadows on the wall, more dream stuff to which we can so easily attach our fragile spiritual egos. I had so many visions, spiritual experiences, vibrations, lightning bolt insights, ecstasies, shadow challenges, failures, successes and waves of energy peaking and receding. They all come, and they all go. Every single one. I AM remains - as you remind us at the bottom of your page. Delightful
Ha ha ha
- It's a process, and it isn't. The paradox of being. It has helped me tremendously to relax about the whole thing. The very effort to reach, to seek, to achieve - is ultimately the thing that prevents us from seeing that we are that. Isn't AP just the same? Of course it is. We are home. We never left. The last attachment we let go of is the spiritual quest attachment. We let go of enlightenment too. We become absolute zero. We die, in other words. So be it. Let it dissolve. Here I am anyway.
Here's part of a childlike poem I wrote that expresses it better:
"The 'Nuff-Ink was not lonely, the Nuff-Ink wasn't sad,
You couldn't call it good, nor could you call it bad,
For it populated nowhere
with everything it thought,
And what it thought was not a thing,
Neither aught, nor naught.
Lack was not a word it used,
Neither was despair,
For everything it needed, it breathed in with the air,
And air of airs was everywhere, yet never stirred a hair,
For Nuff-Ink didn't breathe, so 'Nuff-Ink didn't care.
It had no need to visit friends, for friends where all in Orl,
And whatever message needed knowing
Didn't need a call.
As soon as thought
Was thought by thought,
That thought was thought by Orl,
So Every One who lived there
Didn't think at all."
Some years ago I began to make friends with the spiritual path in a new way. It's now just a wonderful part of the same old eternal journey to nowhere, from nowhere. I have nothing to sell, nobody to convince, and nowhere to get.
I am super interested in AP, because I skipped that whole thing along the way. As a creative writer, and a teacher of sorts, (more of a supporter to teachers in the background), it has always been a blind spot for me. It's like I know it. I touch it every time a story comes. Every poem comes straight from there. Every deep meditative state is there - here - this. It has bled right into waking reality, and I see the gold on the leaves of trees, in the air, in the wood, everywhere. However, i can't write or talk about it from direct experience. A blind spot. I just want to explore the NPR as well. It's like this door that never got opened, and I'm curious. I'm still learning, even after all these years of spiritual binge-watching, and I think I will always be learning more. Being consciousness is endless. Vast. Vast!
For me Focus 4, the centerpoint, Nirvana, or the final samadhi - whatyoumucallit - is the simplest, most obvious thing in the world. It's me. "I" - this. Just this. All our talk just obscures it. Here's a paragraph from what I've written elsewhere:
"Little children see it all the time, but they have no way to tell you what they see. So they just laugh, and jump on the bed. Maybe they make this funny sounding melody of whoops and woos and spin around and around, completely happy. If you ask them why, they just shrug their shoulders."
As you say, kodester, we get these freebies - then we have to walk the walk. The walk is grueling.
For me its not about effort or discipline. Of course, it takes a high degree of mental discipline to make space around our thinking - that part is super tricky and slippery, and requires the utmost discipline for years, and unflinching self confrontation - agreed, unavoidable and totally valid. The moment we slip, we fall asleep, caught in the dream drama spiderweb again.
For me it's all about in-seeing. Insight. Understanding. Once I can see how I am muddying the waters, how I am overcomplicating reality, it just falls away and resolves itself. I return to the center, again, again and again. Forever maybe.
After a time the cloud of unknowing becomes so dense around a person that the slightest discomfort rings a loud bell. Instantly the cause is searched out, identified, and encountered. For instance: I'm losing sleep and frustrated. I feel it. I acknowledge the feeling in my body, in my heart. I look at it clearly. Ah! I'm creating a desire to AP, thinking it will change reality in some way - nonsense! I'm happy - what's the problem? I see there is no problem.
Meanwhile, life goes on and on as it has for untold time. Real life, with bills, jobs, pimples and wrinkles. With angry people in this here world. With insane prices for life's necessities, horror on the news, mindless zombies in churches and synagogues - all of it - just as before. O yes. Inescapable. It's beautiful too, though I can't take it seriously anymore. Yet here I am - in it. Right, smack bang in the midst of it, like you. Strange? Of course it's strange!
I hope to add more strangeness and more clarity into an already full existence through this new leg of the journey. I know this unseen reality is right here where I am. I'm not expecting to find anything substantially other, or better, or easier. I enjoy the flying feeling. I enjoy the space. I enjoy the fluidity. I like the spiritual feeling too. I like the insights that come - if they ever will come, i don't know. It's another aspect of the one eternal isness, and I want to explore it too.
Last night I had more vibrations again - it's now a nightly thing. I found myself in a dream, but not 100% lucid. I woke in the dream to my vibrations, thinking I want to project. In my dream I got frustrated. In my dream I looked at my hand, struggling to count fingers. In my dream I got up and gave up on trying to exit. I thought I felt myself beginning to separate, but decided, in my dream, that it was not going to happen. So I walked outside, spoke to some dream people, looked around a bit, completely accepting that this wasn't actually my home or my reality, and went back to bed.
It reminds me again of that line from the TRuman show - we accept the reality of the world with which we are presented. A false awakening? Either way - the journey continues into more clarity and lucidity, slowly but surely. Let's see where it goes.
I hope that answers your question, Omcasey, and speaks to your thoughts, Kodemaster.
May love steal your one sock and gift you with two more.
#20
Welcome to Out of Body Experiences! / Re: Stuck at the threshold for...
Last post by Kodemaster - June 09, 2025, 23:37:07Quote from: Loerie on June 06, 2025, 02:39:32Hello everyone - this is my first message here - I hope it's in the right place. Your expertise and caring energy is appreciated - thanks for providing this wonderful resource. I will read more as I get time. Here's where I am:
In 2008 I had a spontaneous satori, and I fell into what Kepple calls focus 4. That place where everything is one, and all is connected. Formless love. Being, wisdom and understanding itself. I see it as the seed of the universe tree, and here on the physical we are but the leaves. For two weeks I was in total samadhi, as if lucid dreaming and wide awake day and night. For a year I was in both realities, here and other, deeper here, in and out in waves. Later it all settled down. I naturally became interested in all things spiritual, including the astral reality.
I got a book called A Field Guide to Lucid Dreaming by Dylan Tuccillo and others, and I tried really really hard for about a year or three, with almost no success, so I gave up, but it was there in the background. Recently it has appeared on my inner radar again, and I can feel it cooking.
A few nights ago (weeks) I had the vibrations, much more intensely than normal, and I knew what they were, so I surrendered and let it kill me. I separated, feet first, and found myself in a dream house, where I went to the mirror and saw my face. "My hair looks a bit longer. Interesting." I went to the lounge and saw my guitar, and fell onto the couch - an old couch i had years ago. I got really excited, "I'm out! I'm out!" (I know, newbie stuff!
I've been trying really, really hard for about three weeks now. I know I'm trying too hard. I'm losing a lot of sleep, and can't seem to pop out. I can feel I'm on the threshold - really close - and I'm blocking myself somehow. I've read a lot, and listened to a lot of advice. A lot. I've tried multiple exit techniques, and I'm a long time meditator, so relaxing is like breathing for me. When I meditate I just go quiet. I don't think, I don't focus, I just be. It's wonderful - a kind of low grade samadhi, and it follows me through life. My whole life has become a meditation, and it's no longer a practice for me. I have grown in insight and understanding in incredible ways, and my heart has opened wide - and now this astral thing seems to be knocking on the door. I am excited to explore - but I'm getting in my own way. I just can't get out of the body.
I think part of the problem is that I'm so attuned to the energy system in the physical body. After a big car accident I had a lot of work to do in that area, and it has become my default to do the cellular healing thing. It keeps me in the body.
Kepple's phasing makes sense to me. I read his stuff and listened to it on youtube as well. I know it's the way - so my focus has been trying not to actually leave the body, separate with vibrations, but just phase. I've tried incorporating Active Imagination (from Jung), I've tried ladders, ropes, swimming, wobbling, wriggling, floating, rolling, flying, dropping, popping, sniffing, farting my way out - but no go. I tried giving up and letting it happen. I tried fighting hard and not giving up. I tried giving up and not giving up at the same time. I tried ignoring the sign posts and focusing on the destination. I think I want to stop trying altogether, so this whole message is a kind of "someone please pull me out already and tell me what I'm messing up."
Thanks!
Welcome, you are in the right place! I love your style of writing, by the way.
Congrats on making it to F4! That is my goal -- though not rushing it by any means.
Spontaneous projections -- or "free passes" -- are pretty common. We might have a few of those in childhood/early adulthood. From there a lot of us develop an interest in returning. That is where it gets tricky and takes a lot of dedication, training and patience.
I agree with Adrian, find the technique that works for you and go for it. Have fun!