Possible reason behind metaphorical imagery?

[Sagar]

I was thinking about labels the other day.  It seems that labels basically create things that don't exist. 
For example people here on Earth saying certain things are physical, when the other planes are just as physical, or non physical as here.
Or death.  People don't really die, because your consciousness never stops perceiving and being aware of things, you only change your consciousness's primary from "here" to "there."

So, I imagine this is the reason metaphorical imagery is perceived so much when people change consciousness to other planes - because the Source, or other spirits, or God, or something has come to the realization that labels only muddy thing up. 

Thoughts???

[no_leaf_clover]

I agree completely.  Words are a powerful form of magic, because they create lots of things, just like you say.  They can make people frightened or sad or happy for no particularly good reason at all.

I think all of this confusion coming from words is also a big reason why ancient hieroglyphic writing is superior to what we use now.  With hieroglyphic symbols (like eyes representing the idea of seeing or perceiving,  and feet representing movement or travel) it's easier to remember that you're just looking at a written representation of something else, and also it's easier to see multiple layers of meaning and metaphor in the writing itself.

[EscapeVelocity]

Personally, I don't have a problem with labels, at least for a time or up to a certain point within a discussion. There eventually comes a point where we have to necessarily drill down or narrow the definition of a term or phrase to properly share a meaning or drop it completely and move on to a new definition. Can labels be traps? Sure, but I think OBE discussion keeps things pretty fluid, at least nowadays; this isn't the 1800's... Without a common agreement on certain words and their general definitions, we would never get anywhere in our discussions. We could argue indefinitely about what the meaning of 'is' is...

With that said, we have to first accept certain labels' limitations, but then be ready to expand them or move beyond them. That goes for phrases, descriptors, idioms, even syntax at times, lol...discussing NPR experiences really pushes the boundaries of common language. That's why certain NPR experiences absolutely defy translation into language that we share: words just don't convey the full meaning or sense of the event. What's the word? Ineffable. Maybe some language other than English might better convey the meaning of a particular concept, but for our convenience, most of us here use English.

Labels provide a certain convenience of common, although temporary and transient, agreement amongst many of us. Somebody new to this site will be very confused and put off initially by terms and acronyms like OBE or RTZ or NPR (what's that? National Public Radio? No...Non-Physical Reality) Physical and Rotes and data packets and Downloads and Negs and Imprints, Badlands Experiences, Retrievals, Training Zone, Dream Zone, Astral Proper, Intent, Invisible Helpers...etcetera...good grief! Just think if English isn't your first language!

So all these labels define our experiences, at least for a time, but for those who have experienced them firsthand, it is plainly apparent that they only do a partial job of defining the experience; they are incomplete.

So we have to remain open to their eventual re-definition or throwing out the old and the acceptance of a completely new conceptual description.

As to the magical power of language and words and metaphorical representations, yes the power is there. That's what is so good when an experience is transcribed into such a powerful metaphor that it stands the test of time and translates so effectively across multiple cultures.
EV

[no_leaf_clover]

I remember after having deeply spiritual experiences, I would excitedly try to relate them to my friends and realize that words were just necessary evils.  Necessary because we haven't learned to communicate without them, and evil because they never due proper justice to the depth of experience I can have within myself, and so whatever I say just sounds wrong and nothing like the actual experience.

If we could (re)learn telepathy, it would be like the invention of the printing press all over again, or like the invention of the Internet all over again.  A massive advancement in communication. 

A little beside the topic but scientists say that an octopus can communicate by relating entire memories in some way.  I don't know how that would work, but the story goes  that during WW2, once one octopus saw one of its buddies get chopped up in the propeller blade of a submarine, word must have traveled quickly because the curiosity of the animals diminished even when the submarines traveled to new locations for the first time.

This website is interesting. "[T]he octopus wears its language like a kind of second skin;  it appears to be and becomes what it seeks to mean."  http://fusionanomaly.net/octopi.html

[EscapeVelocity]

The times I have had telepathic communication, Downloads and a few Imprints, were simply transcendent experiences. I start to try to describe them in words but realize later that I have been staring at the keyboard for ten minutes, Lol.

[Bluefirephoenix]

Telepathy contains language as well as emotion. It's not just an imaginary type experience. You can hear and feel with telepathy

[Xanth]

Remember though, it's not the WORDS that have the "power".  The power comes in the Intent placed BEHIND the words.

When we project, WHAT we experience is derived from our own experiences. 

I explain perception here:
http://www.unlimitedboundaries.ca/2011/09/02/addition-to-your-non-physical-perception/

[Szaxx]

In those far reaching experiences where everything is so pure and love emanates from every  aspect of whatever this percieved place is, the only method of communication is telepathic. It's totally feelings based and practicality impossible to describe with conviction or justice. As you only have a mental capacity within this environment there's almost nothing to compare it to.
We use words placed a logical order to form a sentence and the objective of the sentence can be realised. What was unknown to the other you are communicating with is now known. Languages are a variation of the order and different words too.
To express a caring love you have for your granddaughter is almost impossible.
We can use poetry as the feel can be portrayed within the lines.
This requires an amount of intellectual capacity and knowledge of the language with at least some experience of the loving feeling being portrayed.
In these formless environments this is instantly available. Those memories you have in anything you've done to upset the little one are also there. The giggles and anticipation of being tickled and held are present. These are extremely delicate emotions and the environment itself is made of this kind of expressionism. You really don't want to return to this physical world after a few mins here.

I've tried to put the smallest of emotions into a perspective where at least one or two reading may understand the feelings based communication in operation.
There's no words whatsoever, it's an all encompassing feeling of everything with nothing being hidden, even old memories are there that have been long forgotten.
As a heaven it's absolutely wonderful.
I've not really encountered any negative reflections on this communication method. I know they exist and are very rare. It's the reason I don't read the minds of those in the unsavoury experiences.
It would be the most prominent advancement for mankind if it could be taught.
We are not ready generally for it.
Personally, I'd be lost in many experiences without the ability to see inside others. It'd be similar to being totally blind and deaf in the physical.
The telepathic communication we naturally possess should be developed in NP experiences. Without any ability you are Tommy from the Who, perhaps pinball is ok for you. Lol