Thank you,
I enjoyed you writing about these ideas and raising the subject of avoiding to live fully because of fear of death, which in fact is just another transition as we will all come to experience sooner or later. Some of us come back to tell it and some will move on to the next stage in the evolution of the One Consciousness. But avoiding enjoying life for fear of death is just another absurdity of the human confusion in the trap of mind-created illusions that seemingly are separate from our own expectation of what's to come...
"What if they are just accessing ordinary states of mind that appear to be extraordinary only through their lack of use? What would happen if everyone was able to generate the same experiences?" This is exactly what the spiritual practices invite you to do - access the extraordinary states of mind and make them a permanent state. Samadhi. The "direct knowledge" has no rival in any form of writing, scriptures or recounts of other people's experiences. Nothing is more powerful in transforming one's perception of "reality" and worldview than personal experience.
"In order to do that, we need to gain some mastery over the experience of this otherwise mysterious state of mind." Exactly. Something I am actually writing about these days.
Thank you for this thought provoking post.
Look forward to them - followed now (I thought I already had, but could have been another account. lol)
Yes, the science of spirit in the East has (sadly) no real equivalent living heritage in the West - complex history without the time now! Also sadly because it means transposing what appear "alien" texts into some natural English equivalent. Indeed, very few published texts describe in detail the various states, as that is left to the teacher to impart to the student. IMO best to leave the technical words such as samadhi or rigpa as they are so as to then give a fresh definition.
The good part is that such things can and do happen spontaneously :-) Then it is up to the individual to gain mastery - that is perhaps much harder than the flash of experience.
"The good part is that such things can and do happen spontaneously :-) Then it is up to the individual to gain mastery - that is perhaps much harder than the flash of experience." Exactly!! In most of the cases those are the "tipping point" moments in peoples' lives and then they start seeking the same experiences consciously. Thus the importance of "spiritual" or "transcendental" practices that lead to "direct experience", Gnosis, instead of just reading books and soaking up god-concepts and dogmas written by others.
I cannot agree that the "western" spiritual lore has less to offer than eastern traditions.
The whole modern secular literature (let's take the last 1000 years) is densely permeated with alchemical symbolism, where the wise people who have had the experiences are trying to pass on the message and teachings through metaphors, at the same time risking to be persecuted by the Holy Catholic Inquisition...
Most of the western legends, fairy tales, myths and "pagan folklore" are teachings and revelations and advise for the Truth Seekers. They are lavishly loaded with symbolism and messages. But only those who "have eyes to see and ears to hear" understand them. And no, Freud wasn't an alchemist hahaha.
But Jung was...
The true god-realized alchemists are a threat to the System that needs people dumb and locked in the programmed mind limitations. Conscious Creators cannot be subdued by anything that hasn't been created by their own mind. So, "samadhi" states are for our own benefit. Being aware of where our mental focus is in every given moment - thus, taking responsibility for what our thoughts are creating.
If you follow me, I'll write :)) ..somehow had lost the motivation lately, had a feeling that no one here really understands what I am writing :)) I even considered just to post #instablurt pics with me eating a cake or me playing with a dog hahahaha :)))))))
Thank you.
so long as you're not eating the dog and playing with the cake ;-)
hahahahahahhahahahaha noooo!!! But I'm sure those would get the most votes hahahahahahahahahhahahahahah