Guest guest Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 I just finished reading the first section of " Astral Dynamics, " part one. I thought I would paraphrase some of what I learned that I found interesting. It helps me to remember what I read. I have to admit that I am gaining more respect for Robert Bruce after reading this. He is obviously an intelligent man. But it is almost like a textbook, so impossible to grasp all of it in one reading. But, this is what was interesting to me: He said (and I didn't previously understand this) that while dreaming or having an OBE, consciousness splits (commonly known as the " mind-split. " ) He helped me to understand that what this means is that we are conscious of being in more than one place at the same time. I think he said that consciousness can split as many as four times or more. So, there is a part of our consciousness that is keeping our bodies alive, another part of our consciousness that can be in " real time, " which is in between the physical dimension and the astral dimension. And consciousness can (at the same time) also be in higher levels of the astral dimensions. He says that the higher levels are almost always abstract and metaphorical. In order for the " memory " to be " downloaded " into what he calls " base consciousness, " it has to be able to be interpreted by this same base consciousness. In other words, it is kind of like trying to teach algebra to someone. The more abstractions that our " base consciousness " is able to understand, the better the memory will be comprehended. He says that this is why higher level dreams and OBE's contain so many symbols. Because it is trying to transfer the information to us in a language that we can understand. He says that the lower levels of consciousness always have a stronger pull into our memory than the higher ones for this reason. Because they are more easily understandable, and therefore more easily remembered. But the higher levels are still creating " memories " every night, but are being downloaded (most of the time) into the deep recesses of inaccessible regions of our subconscious mind. Bruce believes that the best way to gain memory of these higher regions is to disregard all strongly held belief systems and begin to see through the eyes of a child. (Hence, the biblical term, " be as little children if you are to enter into the kingdom of heaven. " ) He says that strongly held belief systems will override the memories and make them impossible to remember. Especially, he pointed out, if those belief systems are " contradictory " to the memories picked up in the " higher levels. " In other words, open-mindedness is the key to being able to bring these memories into conscious awareness. He said a lot more than that in over 100 pages (out of 540!), but this is what I found most fascinating. Hmmmm. Food for thought. Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 You're right Deb. Every time we fall into the quagmire of judging, extrapolating and labelling, we reinforce the walls of our cages of self-definition and self-limitation. Better to self-correct as in: " I am not this " and " I am not that " , unlearn the sophistry of being an " adult " and surrender to the sublime forces that rush in to fill the vacuum. As a generalisation I've found any focus that creates excitement, aggression or competition is bad for spiritual well-being. Ridding myself of triggers for these emotional states is presently what I'm trying to do - a challenging but unfashionable task. Really enjoying your contributions, Deb - please write more !! John R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 For John & Deb: Interesting reading! I have come to a point that I try not to think TOO much! That's not meant to be a joke-LOL! But, John said: " any focus that creates excitement, aggression or competition is bad for spiritual well being " struck a note! I think I subconsciously felt this all my life! Though I chose to study martial arts to bring order in my life, I avoided competition--It created strife and caused students to seek short cuts to winning. Same with sports. Same with religion. Same with friendships and marriage. Same with work. I always felt more comfortable with the " lone pursuits " . I only had myself to " compete with " and even then I would make sure " myself " wasn't trying to compete with some imaginary goal. Whenever I see anyone trying to compare themselves to me, or use " one upmanship " I say: " I'm not competing with you! I'm happy that you can do what you do! Keep up! " Sometimes that doubt my sincerity, but it is real! There are too few humans who do not compete, or who not check themselves. Competetion can cloud focus! Love to all! :) Stephen - Monday, July 17, 2006 12:39 AM Re: Astral Dynamics You're right Deb. Every time we fall into the quagmire of judging, extrapolating and labelling, we reinforce the walls of our cages of self-definition and self-limitation. Better to self-correct as in: " I am not this " and " I am not that " , unlearn the sophistry of being an " adult " and surrender to the sublime forces that rush in to fill the vacuum. As a generalisation I've found any focus that creates excitement, aggression or competition is bad for spiritual well-being. Ridding myself of triggers for these emotional states is presently what I'm trying to do - a challenging but unfashionable task. Really enjoying your contributions, Deb - please write more !! John R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 I couldn't have said it better for myself, Stephen. Maybe our most deeply satisfying achievements are ones where we don't make someone else a loser !!I - stephen condrey Monday, July 17, 2006 8:17 PM Re: Re: Astral Dynamics For John & Deb: Interesting reading! I have come to a point that I try not to think TOO much! That's not meant to be a joke-LOL! But, John said: " any focus that creates excitement, aggression or competition is bad for spiritual well being " struck a note! I think I subconsciously felt this all my life! Though I chose to study martial arts to bring order in my life, I avoided competition--It created strife and caused students to seek short cuts to winning. Same with sports. Same with religion. Same with friendships and marriage. Same with work. I always felt more comfortable with the " lone pursuits " . I only had myself to " compete with " and even then I would make sure " myself " wasn't trying to compete with some imaginary goal. Whenever I see anyone trying to compare themselves to me, or use " one upmanship " I say: " I'm not competing with you! I'm happy that you can do what you do! Keep up! " Sometimes that doubt my sincerity, but it is real! There are too few humans who do not compete, or who not check themselves. Competetion can cloud focus! Love to all! :) Stephen - Monday, July 17, 2006 12:39 AM Re: Astral Dynamics You're right Deb. Every time we fall into the quagmire of judging, extrapolating and labelling, we reinforce the walls of our cages of self-definition and self-limitation. Better to self-correct as in: " I am not this " and " I am not that " , unlearn the sophistry of being an " adult " and surrender to the sublime forces that rush in to fill the vacuum. As a generalisation I've found any focus that creates excitement, aggression or competition is bad for spiritual well-being. Ridding myself of triggers for these emotional states is presently what I'm trying to do - a challenging but unfashionable task. Really enjoying your contributions, Deb - please write more !! John R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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