Hehehehehehehe.
I'm amazed at the OOBE only people. That's all they want to do and they ignore everything else! That's such a small partof what's available.......
I wish I was dumb enough to understand how people can lose their common sense to believe the strangest stuff.
Rastus - that's my problem though. I began to explore other avenues of the site, but because of my lack of very basic knowledge about these things, I just got my head in a whirl. Admittedly, I was reading the old post of Mayatnik's about the truth being known, on the Communications section. That post is over 30 pages long (originally about pendulums, then about aliens and allsorts!) and I ended up more confused than when I'd started.
Can you or anyone recommend a sort of "beginner's guide to spirituality" or a step by step easy instruction to, say, meditation? I suppose that's my other problem. I read so many different methods, I give up trying any of them!
Veccolo - you have a good point. At least I'm not gullible! [;)]
Sarah
Self doubt is a big problem.....
I think I should write a book: A spiritual Overview
Different people believe different things. Different people ignore different things. The ignoring is harder to deal with.
I would reccomend a basic text by Frost and Frost. It's all Wiccan based, but their later works are excellant treaties with many annotations to the sources(these are not'spellbooks', they are books on how and why things happen). "A Witches guide to Physchic Healing" is an excellant book that touches lightly on many points, but is written with generally healing in mind. There aren't any real "spells" in it, just mostly common sense. Everything in the book can be tied into Robert Bruce and Metaphysics, there are no incongruities.
Check out the occult section of your public library. Some are quite good, and some are crap. Remember, the authors have motives (not always profit). I wouldn't neglect a general book on Buddhism as well.
Thanks for the quick reply Rastus - that's really helpful. I'll have a lookout for Frost & Frost.
Self-doubt. Hmmmmm. Had that all my life. Suppose it's almost in-bred in some people.
Anyway, enough moping - on with the show!
Sarah
Haha, I thought you meant Paris and Nicole's show.
run lola run
Thank you so much. I can understand those all very clearly and they make A LOT of sense to me. It makes me sad reading them, so I guess they are pertinent in my life.
I now need to start making some internal changes.
Sarah [:)]
OK m'dear - meditation! Forget all the methods for now. Just find a chair, with no head rest support, and sit in it, with a cushion under your feet. Close your eyes, relax. Personally I like to do a kind of whole body and mind collapse, release of emotion, etc then tell the mind that its now in meditation time so kindly keep quiet! But whatever suits.
Then start counting your breaths, experiment - count your inbreaths for a while, then try outbreats, then both - like in(1) out(2), in(3) out (4). Personally I like counting both in and outbreaths, but you might prefer something else. And. Thats. It! Simple eh? All the more advanced stuff is for when you've mastered this level of practise. The important thing is to concentrate on the numbers, or perhaps the breathing. Basically what you are looking to do is occupy your (surface) mind, and so achieve a state of peace and stillness. If you watch yourself, the mind constantly throws thoughts and bits and pieces of stuff all over the place every second. This is what you want to get rid of in meditation by counting breaths - any and all distractions. When your mind settles into a state of peace it finds its own natural balance and harmony and, well, you'll probably know about it [:D].
Simple eh? - oh and if you try different methods, decide which you like the most, and stick with it. Better to master one method than be OK at 10.
You will probably also find it helpful to learn and practise putting your body into a trance state. What this basically means is that your brainwave pattern changes more towards a relaxed, sleep state. Infact your body goes to sleep, while your conscious mind stays awake. Dunno if you've looked into this already but its a good starting point. Can find details on the main site www.astralpulse.com in the OBE treatise.
As for the rest of the confusing stuff - well have you read the article by RB "the catch basket concept" or something (not sure the name)? Basically says only to believe in what you know to be true from personal experience. Oh and all the Mayatnik stuff, well I ummm wouldn't spend "too" much time trying to digest it all if I were you <politely caughs....>. There are some other loong threads like that which, if I were you, I would avoid. The whole channeling and etc issue is best left completely alone by novices, I really wouldn't get into that if I were you until you have strong foundations and can assess the area for yourself. Me, I steer clear of it. Maybe in 20 years time I'll change my mind, who knows? But not today.
Aaaaaannyway, are you confused about anything in particular? I would be happy to answer any queries you've got!
Beginners guide - cant say I can help much there though, sorry! But many of the articles RB has written are invaluable.
hope this helps some...
Rob
Selski,
It's so easy to get overwhelmed by all the information, all the methods and stuff that is shared here. And the advice so far about keeping it simple is also correct. May I suggest a few things ?
Try not to use methods that are attached to Belief Systems, otherwise it won't be simple.
Try a method every day or night for at least a week for the simpler one's and about 30 days for the more complex ones, to see if it is going to work for you.
Forget about wasting effort and 'time' training your mind to be quiet, simply focus on what you intend to do. Your mind will gradually quiet as you focus your attention more.
You could look at the easy method described in my pages, it works for a lot of people because it is so simple. It's called white light.
If you confine yourself to little pictures like, only sticking with Wiccan stuff, or Buddhist, etc, you will have great difficulty getting into the bigger pictures.
So, just sit and try it for yourself.
From Runlola's Simple Solutions....
If you want something to be different than it is, ask yourself two
questions: "If I get what I say I want, what will change?" and "What are the potential undesirable changes?" Any blocks that are keeping you from having what you say you want will be found in the answers to the second question.
What you say you want is exactly what you get. You say "I 'Want'" and the Universe/Creative Force provides more of that Want. We forget we chose to have these experiences. If a thing already 'is', then it is done and not changeable. The experience was provided as we chose.
If the experience was effective and reminded us to apply our intent differently, then that too was chosen as a life experience. It's not a lesson, only a reminder of what we do know. [:D]
Love Always. [:)]
Hi Selski,
I was just looking at your opening post again and thinking about my closest friend and psychic development mentor.
She is more than 10 years younger than me, she doesn't have my level of education, she doesn't research things the way I do, and she generally doesn't think about things nearly as much as I do. Yet in most aspects of psychic abilities she is far ahead of me. That's because she doesn't get held back by overanalysing things.
Working with the spirit world and developing psychic abilities is not about how much you use your head, in fact the more you try and think about things the less successful you'll be. It's much more about how you use your heart.
Let go of your rational thoughts and allow your feelings to guide you. Don't get bogged down in the technicalities of something. If you want to achieve something in particular, let the universe know what you want, keep that goal in mind and let the universe work out for you how its going to be done.
Much simpler and more fun that way. [:)]
Regards,
James.
Thank you for all your replies. Your words are wise and valuable.
My problem stems from a "born-again Christian" upbringing, which I never thought to question until I was in my teens. I rejected Christianity once I'd started to think for myself, however, this has stifled my trust in practically anything.
I'm drawn to spirituality and since having regular OBEs, have delved a little deeper. However, it's only now that I feel ready to take the next step, as it were. Having OBEs is all very well and good, but I know there's more out there for me.
I think meditation is where I'm going. I like the sound of listening to oneself (not anyone else!!), because I'm not very trusting, however, I do trust myself. I also feel I need to make a leap of faith, even when it's just a toe I'm dipping in the spiritual water! At times, I'm too sceptical for my own good!
Today is the day I start meditating. I like the breathing that you mentioned Inguma, so I start there. I know that having a "simple" mind can be advantageous; I just need to make it work for me!
I'm going for it. I feel positive and ready! [:)]
Thanks everyone.
Sarah
Beware what you wish for, you may get it!
I could write a book on that one. Litterally. Fortunately my mistakes haven't been too painful (well, lets not go there, I'm okay now).
I've stated before it's all really the same thing. Buddhist, Wiccan, Metaphysicist or Cleric, it's all the same thing. Mouthing some obscure words out of a sanscrit translation isn't going to do much for you if you don't believe in them. Along the same lines, sitting in a chair slowly breathing can produce spectacular results.
I tought Martial arts for 15 years(not for money). I never quite taught 2 students exactly the same. One student boxed in college, so I worked with him differently (he had great footwork starting out). Another never played sports in his life, so he had different needs. It's the same in Metaphysics, go with what your comfortable with.
"I've stated before it's all really the same thing. Buddhist, Wiccan, Metaphysicist or Cleric, it's all the same thing."
Except Zen buddhism [;)] - that seems so ALIVE to me. Not that I have ever met a zen monk, but I plan on spending some time in one of their monasteries when I have the means to do so. MU!!!!
Rob
Zen and the Art of Metaphysics? Better than motorcycle maintenance, since I'm currently bikeless [;)]
I could really go for a month long retreat....but I can't afford it. Maybe a Coma and AP there?
Rastus
Quote - Maybe a Coma and AP there?
In your words - beware what you wish for, you may get it! [;)]
Sarah
"I read the empty mirror instead. It was a good book
tells you what it's like to go to a zen monastary."
Dunno that one, I've read "the three pillars of Zen" - stunningly good book IMO. Got another classic on Zen not read yet.
" Zen and the Art of Metaphysics? Better than motorcycle maintenance, since I'm currently bikeless"
Ha! Yeah, I think I remember that...or was it wicca and the art of motorcycle maintanance??! A good one whatever!
Rob
Inguma
Thanks for the link, I'm going to read it later on today hopefully.
By the way, I'm enjoying the meditation. I sit out in the garden and count my breaths. I plan to continue with this until I feel ready to move onto the next stage (whatever that is!).
Thanks again [:)]
Sarah
Selski,
What a great post! Short, sweet, and to the point, and what a wealth of information you managed to get everyone to post. I must learn how to write shorter posts!
Everyone who replied to Selski,
Thanks, very informative for me also.
I wish I was cleverer (sic) and could understand all the posts in this Forum.
I sometimes feel overwhelmed with information that I just can't grasp.[:(]
Never mind. The simple life is for me. [;)]
Talking of which, where did I put that jar of honey...[:)]
Sarah