Accepting the Unbelievable

[gruntal]

I had a dream many years ago - long before I even knew there was such a thing as metaphysics - I dreamed I was crossing over a dry river bed on a bridge. As I looked down I thought I could see some thing old like a relic in the sand. The more I looked the more I saw. By the end of the dream the ground was littered with columns and statues thousands of years old from ancient civilizations. I though in my dream "I should come here more often because there are such interesting things to see". When I awoke I thought the dream was pretty stupid. How could anything exist in a metropolitan area with millions of people and not get noticed and publicized to the extreme?

Much later I began to understand the metaphoric implications of that dream.

Over the years I saw some rather odd things or observed some strange coincidences. But nothing I would call impossible or miraculous. Going to local study groups was more of a challenge. I never ever had the visionary abilities of the spiritual girls there but being there in person and sitting down beside them made it difficult to dismiss what they claimed to see as opposed to just reading it in some wild tabloid newspaper.

It also must be noted this wasn't like the local Flying Saucer Club or Big Foot Sightings Support Group. These were at first glance ordinary if not downright boring people all too reluctant to go around making fools of themselves spouting how they saw Jesus and have a new revelation to unveil. This wasn't some televangelist going before millions of people proclaiming miracles and expecting the same amount in donations. It was just things and feelings they had they felt embarrassed to talk about in mixed company.

Even as the whole idea of these spiritual study groups or even this forum was to get into an environment where the esoteric was no longer shunned or ridiculed.

As above so below. In between expanding my sum total knowledge of the Cosmos I also try to develop my senses too. To know all entails being able to perceive in all ways too. The little things that go on around me are just part of a much bigger picture. Even the level that works on has seemingly unlimited potentials for ever expanding levels. To dismiss anything is to turn your back on it and once spurned a thing may or may not come knocking on your door again begging to come in.

The unbelievable isn't always the impossible.

[sparklekaz]

Hi George,

Many, many years ago now, I once had a dream very similar to the one you describe. In which I too was crossing a large bridge over a dry river bed. I saw littered below me what looked like the remains of half buried statues and pillars. Could make out carvings from an ancient past. In dream symbology bridges represent a transition, leaving the old and entering the new. A new opportunity for growth; being on the threshold of a new direction in life. On another level, bridges can represent 'bridging' levels of consciousness, the creative-intuitive with the intellectual. So if I was interpreting the dream, I would look at what else was going on for the dreamer at the time of their dream. However, I find the fact that our dreams were so similar fascinating.

I don't know what you or anyone else thinks, but I wonder if it is symbolic of our link to the Universal Consciousness. Which some people believe explains why, cultures spread out all over the world, completely isolated from each other, would have very similar myths, belief systems that translated into almost identical iconography. That our inner world though different from geographic location was the same. Or on another level, is this type of dream a way of illustrating the journey of the soul/spirit, and its eternal journey. I would be very interested to hear yours and other people's thoughts on this.

I think as a society, we go through phases of being open to different types of phenomena. From the natural mysteries of the world, to the internal mystery. Whether it is connected to the belief in spirit communication - to the idea of ourselves being able to move through different dimensions. Not just spiritual ones. I do find it interesting that as we become more advanced technologically, many are more prepared to also except new theories on the potential of human beings. As in vast areas of the brain that lie dormant. What is it that those parts do. Are we innately capable of abilities that were once thought of as being supernatural; Why is it that some individuals seem to have parts of this area more active, than others. Is it simply a part of the super conscious. And could spiritual practices like meditation be the key to bring them to life. I am also drawn to thinking of a quote by Isaac Asimov where he says "The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom." I also ask the question. What is your definition of wisdom. Is an intellectual man who has a lot of knowledge wise. Or could a man of little knowledge of the world, still be considered wise?

I have often wondered what it would like, to live in a world where society gathered wisdom, faster than scientific knowledge. How would we have evolved? Would their be less conflict? Or would we have developed a more hierarchical society in which wisdom was revered, but knowledge was kept for a selected few. I would love to hear other people's thoughts on this. Anyone have any thoughts on what that would be like, and paint a verbal picture for us?

Very interesting post George.Thank you for sharing

Love and light
Kaz

[aceofcups]

Reading over the two posts from George and Karen made me think of the esoteric term of the Antakarana - an energy link between the One Higher Self and one's Personality called in many books by the term "the Rainbow Bridge".

The following are some excerpts by William Meader, an esoteric writer, on the concept of what this "Bridge" is and how it is created:

The path to the sacred is an inner rather than outer quest. It is the path that leads to the soul deep within the recesses of consciousness. In truth, it is the soul that is the rightful recipient of the title, “the sacred.” For that which is sacred is also eternal. This is true whether we are talking about the soul of a human being, that of a nation, or the soul of humanity as a whole. When traveling upon this inner path there is a bridge that must be crossed, and it is called the Antahkarana.

The Antahkarana is a Sanskrit term. In Eastern philosophy it is the name given to the bridge that connects the lower mind with the higher mind (mind of the soul). Through it, an individual is able to realize the soul’s profound love and wisdom. In this way the Antahkarana is a communication conduit. It makes possible the realization of wisdom and guidance that transcends the rational thinking processes of the lower-self (personality). The Antahkarana gives inspirational insight into things that the personality cannot fathom on its own. As such, it is the medium used by the soul to communicate its love and purpose into the human mind. However, this rainbow bridge (colloquial term for the Antahkarana) does not exist naturally within the human psyche. Instead it must be built over time. Through various spiritual disciplines, its construction is made possible.

It has been said that to find the path one must become the path. This is a profound notion, and directly relates to the subject at hand. Often people believe that the spiritual path is related to the things we do and the directional choices we make in life. Yet from the esoteric perspective, this is a misunderstanding of sorts. The path is not a journey based upon doing, but rather upon being. It is not governed by personality driven activity, but by an urge to be the authentic-self, filled with love and guided by wisdom and higher purpose. In truth, the path is an inner journey leading to the soul, while outer activity is simply a demonstration of the wisdom that the journey reveals. The outer life of doing is therefore are presentation of one’s state of consciousness. As a person spiritually evolves, it becomes increasingly evident that the outer path is merely an effect. It is the product of consciousness, not the cause of it.

_____________________________________________________________________________

There are three disciplines that facilitate the building and refinement of the Antahkarana, all of which are needed for its full construction. The first is the adoption of a meditative practice. Though the benefits of meditation are many, its contribution to the building of the Antahkarana is often tragically overlooked. The function of meditation is to draw the self from its personality encasement. It involves detachment from the physical, emotional and mental aspects of the personality in order to sense the soul residing behind it. This means that an individual has transcended the personality, and by so doing, experiences the soul directly (even if for just a few moments). When the meditation ends, a strand of subtle substance is carried from the soul to the personality. This strand becomes a part of the bridge. Therefore, each meditation has the power to strengthen the Antahkarana by adding filaments to it. In this way the Antahkarana is built.

The second technique that supports the construction of the Antahkarana is selfless service. When a person begins to feel compelled to make an uplifting contribution toward others, it indicates that the individual is thinking beyond his/her own needs. Such a person begins to resonate to a higher form of love—a love that is widely inclusive yet impersonal. It indicates (to the soul) that the personality is beginning to demonstrate a willingness to let go of its independent tendencies in order to be guided by altruistic motive. This demonstration begins to create a magnetic rapport between the soul and personality. When strong enough, it causes the soul to downwardly gaze, and by so doing, the Antahkarana is further built. The compassion of the soul’s loving stare adds a needed ingredient to this bridge of light.

The third process needed to complete the Antahkarana is the development of the abstract mind. The reason this is important is that the soul is found on the abstract mental plane. As such, to think abstractly is to be in the neighborhood of the soul, so to speak. Abstract thought makes it possible to see the broader (and wiser) truths underlying outer events. The deeper principles that govern life and circumstance are seen anew, and with a spiritual understanding not realized before. Most importantly, the abstract mind is the rightful recipient of intuitional insight. To develop the abstract mind requires that one study abstract ideas. For most people, it is a muscle of consciousness that needs to be developed and exercised. Yet when it becomes a part of one’s day-to-day perceptions, a new understanding of life emerges. Wisdom then takes the place of knowledge as the governing force of one’s life, for wisdom is rooted in abstract understanding.

Peace

[sparklekaz]

Hi Ace,

Thank you for this. It is a fascinating read. I have heard of the Rainbow Bridge, but tend to associate it with the journey animals take to the afterlife. I will definitely read up more about the Antakarana.

Thank you for sharing Ace.

Love and light
Kaz

[gruntal]

In real life I went over the Los Angeles River ( Flood Control Channel ) many times; at least twice riding a Pacific Electric interurban train. I thought at the time this was what inspired my dream and nothing more. But it is not impossible the exact same trolley car I rode as a kid is now the one at the Orange Empire Railway Museum down the street from me that I have ridden and operated . You do things as a kid and don't think how it is going to turn out. Or you had "secret desires" that you were reluctant to talk about because no one else understood. I eventually became a BIG fan of trams and trolleys. Now I am immersed in the Occult.

Even more perplexing - aside from where this came from - is where it all ends.

[sparklekaz]

Hi George,

I don't think the journey ever ends. At least I hope not. I believe that many human beings have this internal drive to delve into the unknown. I guess that is why there are so many explorers, and scientists, constantly trying to push back the boundaries of what they know. Or is there something more, that we are hardwired to seek out, search and learn. Part of the building blocks of our DNA.

I've long been fascinated by the unknown, the esoteric. Having dabbled with various ways of accessing my higher consciousness for answers. At times though I wish I was a little more tenacious at sticking with one way, instead of trying lots of ways for a while and then giving up. Though I think it is designed to be difficult, so as to deter the ignorant, unwary traveller, that does not know what they are walking into. So only armed with a suitable degree of knowledge and experience, can we cautiously proceed. By the way how are you getting on with your Divination cards. Personally I don't want it to end.. where would be the fun in that!

Love and light
Kaz

[gruntal]

For some reason I wasn't posted so here it is again:

I still play around with the cards although they lack detail. They are almost never irrelevant but do suggest things I would not have thought about on my own. That must surely belie the notion I am able to fully realize who and what I am. Cards enable me to step out of myself and view me in a different way. As the Rosicrucians say: we are a complex multiple of things. It is never clear if we are just observing the world or actually controlling it.