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Ascension
By
Alan Schneider
Ascension
is a heightened state of awareness characterized by
the presence of symbolic spiritually significant visions,
auditory or other
perceptions, verbal manifestations, and marked shifts in overall
perception,
all of which tend to emerge in more or less distinct stages of
manifestation,
cognitive significance, and psychological intensity.
The operant term in use here is spiritually significant. The
Ascension experience is markedly more focused and intensive than
the spectrum of differential perceptions consistent with normal waking
consciousness. These include so-called day dreams or casual waking
fantasies, open or focused cognition (i.e. thought-oriented perception),
emotional states (e.g. love, fear, anger, confusion, joy, etc.), and
general mood states (e.g. curiosity, boredom, apathy, etc.). The
content of Ascension-oriented experiences and perceptions is
characterized by archetypal religious symbolism that is customarily
accessed through the practice of well-known and documented techniques of
attaining altered states of consciousness under controlled conditions,
most notably Yoga postures, allied meditation systems from Eastern and
Western traditions, the practice of certain lifestyle adaptations, and
courses of study conducted in depth in appropriate spiritual
traditions, such as Buddhism, Cabala, Native American Shamanism, Sufism,
Gnosticism, and Daoism. It is both understood and presumed that the
registrant will have some extent of experience in at least some
the above specified areas before participating in this experiment, and
will demonstrate a willingness to follow the advice and suggestions of
the Principal Investigator and experimental group for further
experimental involvement.
I tend to accept the
theory that full Ascension can only be granted by the Logos - that is,
entry into the Seventh Chakra. We can, if we wish, Ascend to the
perceptual level of Ajna on the merits of our personal dedication,
sacrifice, and austerity, but at Sahasrara, only the pure, clean, and,
most importantly, detached
Soul presence can enter. Obviously, what is meant by detached here
is detachment from worldly, materialistic expectations of any kind,
since they represent ego residue in our consciousness, and thus obstruct
the vibration of the Soul from resonating in the Divine Precept of the
Logos. In this same vein, clean
means free of any lesser states of conscious manifestation, such as
fear, anger, confusion, desire, etc.
Naturally, the austerities and sacrifices that can be - but are not
necessarily - involved in the pursuit of
Ascension are very
intimidating to the generic human awareness, driven as it is by need
state gratification and hedonism as intrinsic motives. I understand
this, and have no wish to compel anyone to go any further with the
Ascension process than they are voluntarily inclined to, I conceive
of this process as being something that I understand particularly well,
based on my consciousness, and experience with my own, and the historically recorded, Ascensions of others.
This includes the specific question of austerities. If a given
individual wants to undergo an austerity, or group of related
austerities, or any extreme sacrifices as contemplated by that
individual, these considerations must be weighed very carefully against the
desired outcome of Ascension. What if the conditions contemplated
involve significant physical or mental harm? What if they cause
permanent impairment? What if they are undergone in good faith and still
do not result in full, or even partial, Ascension, which can never
be regarded as a guaranteed outcome because it ultimately can only be
granted by the Logos? And, finally, is it even acceptable to apply
personal desire to the prospect of Ascension above all other
considerations? Austerities are particularly dangerous and should only
be undertaken under the guidance of a qualified medical professional, if
at all. My Ascension experience did not take place in the context of
austerity practice - it took place in the context of an experimental
investigation based solely on meditation as the vehicle. Please be
careful - please be patient - things do take time, after all!
- Namaste, Alan -
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