another life

[taijasi]

Regarding past lives, I think there's every bit as much evidence for them as there is for the existence of extra-terrestrial civilizations, the fact that such civilizations have been visiting us for aeons (but especially so in the past few decades), and for the existence of the Soul, of a pantheon of loving, guiding supra-human Intelligences, etc. It's just up to us to take the leap of faith that's sometimes required to cross from one bank of the stream to the other. It doesn't always come in one swift motion, either. But a rock here and there can help us once again to get in touch with the Firmament.

I recall one shared dream experience during college. That was a good 16 years ago, when I was 20, and when I was a bit more open to new experiences ... and less prone to filter what I experienced through the "corrective" lens(es) of what I've since learned, come to understand, and make Sacred in my life. Amazing how there can be connections, across 16 years, while in other respects even moment to moment seems like an eternity.

It was during the summer, while I was taking a World Religions class in the philosophy dept. I woke up with a distinct memory of having been visiting, and discussing (something) at length with Maurice, someone in my class. I had never met Maurice, and didn't know him from Eve. But I sure as hell recalled his face & personality clearly from the dream. At the time, I did have some idea of what we had been talking about, but I temporarily forgot the specifics of the conversation when I awoke, because I didn't see any overwhelming need to remember it.

During class, however, I felt some kind of inner prompting, and the dream came to mind when I saw Maurice. I couldn't let it drop, and I felt certain that I was just "meant" to speak to him about it. [I hadn't ever spoken directly to this guy ... before that day.]

So you know, I'm thinking, "Ok, he's gonna figure I'm wacked out, or that I'm trying to be funny," but I also said ... What the hell! So I mentioned the dream to Maurice, and said a few words about the subject of our conversation - which came back to me at the time - and the expression on this guy's face was something for the camera. It was uncanny, that's all I can say - uncanny - to see him recognize every single thing I was saying, and nod, and say things like, "Yeah, and then YOU said ---, and I said ----," etc.

Float around your brain chemistry mysteries ... that's neat stuff to explore, and sure, it's one of the several valid areas of investigation -- while simultaneously it is fascinating to acknowledge the meetings like this in the Astral World (and subtler worlds) which take place every single night, involving every single one of us. I remember these from childhood sometimes, and I know - as some of you do - that they are just as `objective' as the asphalt you drive to work on each day.

And of course, for the person who has experienced telepathy - direct, either brain to brain, or if you've been fortunate, from mind to mind -- such a person cannot, and will never again, doubt ... the objectivity of these things.

We may not always be able to explain them, but what if we could? How does that help, except to recognize that paranormal abilities, and other states of consciousness, most definitely fit into the Grander Scheme of things. And as part of a Greater Cause, it may be that in not so many years time these phenonmena are studied as objectively as are the "social sciences" of psychology and sociology today. Let us at least hope so.

Sometimes, it's good to acknowledge the world(s) that we don't fully understand. Sometimes, however humbling it may be - even a little intimidating ... it's the only thing that keeps us human!

~Andrew/taijasi

[seattlegal]

Hi, Andrew. It's nice to read you again.

Would you classify this phenomenon as analogous to the mechanisms associated with prayer, or would you classify it as an unrelated phenomenon?

[taijasi]

Tyvm, Seattlegal.

My short answer is that I think it could really go both ways.

In many cases, such as the ones I've listed, I certainly wasn't consciously *trying* to have these experiences, so I don't think you could say this is like intentional prayer. Past life memories have come to me in pretty much the same way -- serendipitously.

On the other hand, there are plenty of people who seek for, and find, past life memories, OOBEs (Out-Of-Body-Experiences), and telepathic or other psychic experiences. For at least some of these people I am absolutely certain that many parallels can be drawn to the mechanisms of prayer.

I am certain of this because *some* of my own experiences also meet this criteria, overlapping with the spontaneous (or more Mystical?) type.

[greymare]

taijasi, well, that was an interesting encounter you had with Maurice. But , funny as it seems it doesnt seem to be unusual. to me, i read your post and that experience should be totally natural. i know its not, but for some reason im thinking that it should be. interesting........ when you dont go looking for stuff............ bang......... it finds you. eh???