Archive for the 'Mysticism' Category
There has been a recent resurgence in the use of psychoactive substances* to aid in achieving trance states or spiritual experiences, so I thought I'd write an article about why I made a personal decision not to use them in my own exploration of consciousness.
Though many of these substances have been used for centuries in various cultures around the world, I don't believe their use is needed in the study of expanded states of consciousness, particularly in modern times and with so many other options available. I'll even go as far as to say for many modern seekers the use of psychoactive substances is more of a hindrance than a help because they learn to rely on a drug to trigger altered states instead of learning how to achieve those states on their own.
With drug-free methods of practice — such as meditation, drumming, chanting, hypnosis, yoga, dance, and others — the practitioner can achieve an altered state, and may choose to fully embrace that state for the course of the event, but even in doing so and allowing herself to be carried away by that current, she always retains the option of being in 100% conscious control of her mental and emotional state. At any time, at any moment, she can consciously choose to end the experience.
Psychoactive substances restrict the user's freedom by limiting — and in some cases eliminating — his conscious control. Once the substance is ingested, injected or inhaled, it begins to act on the user's brain and body and there is no turning back. Until the effects …Continue reading
This is a very simple meditation technique you can perform in any location that has enough room for you to walk around — a park, your neighborhood, a shopping mall, etc. I recommend trying it outdoors first, preferably in a place that isn't too crowded, but with a bit of practice you can use this technique even in a crowded place (sometimes with unusual results, which I'll explain later in this article).
This technique might sound a bit too "new agey" at first but give it a try anyway. It's simply a different way of interpreting sensory input, so there is really nothing new agey about it.
If you're practicing lucid dreaming, you can also try this technique while in a lucid dream.
Step 1: To begin, just walk for a few minutes at a comfortable pace. Look around and get a feel for your surroundings.
Step 2: Continue walking and begin to imagine that everything around you — trees, cars, animals, people, buildings — is made up of the same thing. Some people like to imagine that everything is …Continue reading
When most people think about meditation, they think of sitting cross-legged on the floor and trying to empty all the thoughts from their mind. Or they think of Tibetan monks chanting mantras in temples far away. While it's true those are forms of meditation, they aren't the only ways to meditate.
Unfortunately, many people never realize meditation doesn't have to be quite so complicated. They give up because sitting in the lotus position is too uncomfortable or because they can't stop the constant stream of thoughts going through their mind or for any number of other very legitimate reasons. They miss out on all the rewards of meditation – better sleep, reduced stress, improved health, deeper self-awareness, and a whole host of other benefits.
That's why I've decided to begin a new series of articles devoted to everyday meditation. I'll offer simple techniques you can incorporate into your day with very little effort, along with suggestions for how to turn daily tasks into a form of meditation.
I'm going to begin with one of my favorites, a technique so easy little children do it all the time. I can almost guarantee you've done it at least once in your lifetime, and most of you probably have done it hundreds of times.
It's called coloring.
Yes, you read that correctly. Coloring. Before you laugh and dismiss the idea, stick around long enough to learn how coloring can be turned into a meditative activity.
You don't need to be an artist to make this technique work. In fact, you don't need any artistic skill whatsoever. …Continue reading
Several years ago, I reached a point in my life when I began to doubt there was any purpose or validity to anything I was working on. Researching the mind's infinite potential, studying lucid dreaming, exploring the mind's apparent ability to heal the body — all of it started to seem futile.
This feeling wasn't new. It was nothing I hadn't experienced before, yet at the time it seemed overwhelming. It was driven by an internal conflict that needed to be resolved.
I'm part scientist, part mystic. I see the beauty in science and mysticism equally and believe they are simply two ways to explore the same world. One is objective, one is subjective, but both are valid approaches in their own right.
I don't fear the merging of science and mysticism the way many people do. Instead, I imagine the many discoveries and advancements that could come from a truly scientific exploration of mystic traditions. Studies in meditation, dreaming, biofeedback and visualization have turned up fascinating results and prompted as many intriguing questions as they've answered. Mysticism relies on an intense personal examination of the inner workings of the mind. Having those same inner workings explored from another direction through science is practical and, in a way, inspirational. I find it immensely exciting whenever these areas overlap. This is why I've always felt comfortable treading the gray area between the two.
But for reasons I didn't recognize back then, I suddenly felt lost, directionless, and anything but comfortable. …Continue reading
This article is part of the series Mastering the Art of Lucid Dreaming. If this is your first visit to the site, I recommend starting at the beginning of the series.
It is well known that the mind can be a powerful tool for healing. Studies have indicated simply using a daily affirmation about wellness can improve a patient's health. In the same way, your dreams may be used for health and healing purposes.
Before going to bed, spend time performing the dream incubation technique to incubate a dream environment where you will be comfortable and relaxed, such as a beach, a garden, or a luxurious bedroom. Perform your choice of lucid dreaming techniques and set your intent to become consciously aware once you reach the desired setting in your dream.
If there is a particular illness or injury you would like to address, use your dream to …Continue reading
Since the dawn of civilization, humankind has searched for meaning in the universe. In the hunt for ultimate truth, we have scoured both the universe without and the universe within, striving to locate the source of that unshakable feeling, that inner "knowing" that triggers us to believe there is something more to reality than meets the eye. Throughout the ages, the practice of magic and mysticism has offered individuals the ability to exercise a measure of control over their reality. Magic, in all its many guises, has allowed seekers to tap into higher levels of consciousness, to interact with and manipulate the forces and energies around them, and to cause changes in their reality.
Magic has acquired many definitions throughout the years. The notorious Aleister Crowley defined magic as "the science and art of causing change to occur in conformity with will." Dion Fortune later defined it similarly as "the art of causing changes in consciousness at will," and Murry Hope expressed magic as being "concerned with the conversion of universal energies into practical energies that can be utilized according to the needs of the occasion." In my view, all of these definitions are lacking. They describe the pursuit of end results rather than the journey itself. They describe magic as an intermittent act rather than a continuous state of being.
Magic, like science, is about exploration and discovery. It is about finding the boundaries of reality and then finding ways to …Continue reading
