As there is already a very robust topical discussion on survivor rates and Lucifer’s Manifesto as it relates to that topic, I appreciate your efforts Bonita to redirect this discussion back to Paper 100. This topic is about religious experience as a material mortal on the world of our birth – not survival nor non-survival, and more specifically on such a world as we live on where there are no material rulers or examples or representatives of our celestial governance…..a world where potential agondonters are born. My bad for taking us into the weeds here on that other issue.
It would appear to me that there are 3 primary stages of Religion In Human Experience to consider: first is that mindal and evolutionary growth which brings about the birth of soul by the development of morality and the moral-response in-mind – and this happens in children and in primitives alike we are told; the second is that experience we can describe as spiritization and/or spiritualization after the birth of soul and prior to that intentional and cognitive decision of volitional will described as being ‘born-again’ – and, evidently a mortal mind and soul can experience/express a love response and faith and worship and we are naturally ‘wired’ for such a reality-response and are certainly ministered to by the Spirits of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and this too can and does happen in all minds – and while it would be inaccurate to claim such progress is unintentional, it is not a cognitive exercise of volition I do not think so much as a naturally occurring response and reflex to our naturalized state of being – the dual nature is very real…both sides or aspects of it have profoundly natural drives and responses – for example the hunger and thirst and oxygen needs of the material body are no less represented by the spirit nature; and then there is that religious experience which is intentionally and deliberately pursued after being born again.
I cannot determine how many of the 7 psychic circles can be traversed prior to the 3rd Stage I describe above (caution and disclosure: the 3 stages are my own invention and study aid so far as I know…subject to review and change!) and how many, if any, require the deliberate and intentional pursuit of the spirit led life…..the transfer of the seat of identity does, I think, require such intention but again, I speculate here. I have noticed, and it was my own personal experience, that when some mortals enter Stage 3, there often ensues a season of exuberance which can often lead to impatience for enlightenment and wisdom and more radical practices in that pursuit. Transferring the seat of identity is, perhaps, something best done methodically and deliberately but patiently, awaiting that growth and experience over time that comes from prayer and thoughtful maturation by seeking out meanings and values over simple and radical change.
Below is an interesting list of warnings and dangers in certain beliefs and practices which may inflate certain distortions of experience in our religious pursuits.
100:5.8 (1099.6) There is great danger associated with the habitual practice of religious daydreaming; mysticism may become a technique of reality avoidance, albeit it has sometimes been a means of genuine spiritual communion. Short seasons of retreat from the busy scenes of life may not be seriously dangerous, but prolonged isolation of personality is most undesirable. Under no circumstances should the trancelike state of visionary consciousness be cultivated as a religious experience.
100:5.9 (1099.7) The characteristics of the mystical state are diffusion of consciousness with vivid islands of focal attention operating on a comparatively passive intellect. All of this gravitates consciousness toward the subconscious rather than in the direction of the zone of spiritual contact, the superconscious. Many mystics have carried their mental dissociation to the level of abnormal mental manifestations.
100:5.10 (1100.1) The more healthful attitude of spiritual meditation is to be found in reflective worship and in the prayer of thanksgiving. The direct communion with one’s Thought Adjuster, such as occurred in the later years of Jesus’ life in the flesh, should not be confused with these so-called mystical experiences. The factors which contribute to the initiation of mystic communion are indicative of the danger of such psychic states. The mystic status is favored by such things as: physical fatigue, fasting, psychic dissociation, profound aesthetic experiences, vivid sex impulses, fear, anxiety, rage, and wild dancing. Much of the material arising as a result of such preliminary preparation has its origin in the subconscious mind.
100:5.11 (1100.2) However favorable may have been the conditions for mystic phenomena, it should be clearly understood that Jesus of Nazareth never resorted to such methods for communion with the Paradise Father. Jesus had no subconscious delusions or superconscious illusions.
"Live loyally today—grow—and tomorrow will attend to itself. The quickest way for a tadpole to become a frog is to live loyally each moment as a tadpole."
