2000-5-8 10:31:00
Rob writes:
I'm still hung up on this etheric field thing. I don't know why it's so important to me, but it is. You said, JJ, that the etheric field is its own light source. Why can't we see it without the aid of an outside light source then? Is EVERY after-image an etheric field? If a flashbulb goes off and I see an after-image am I seeing the etheric field of the light itself?
JJ:
The etheric body is much easier to see in the natural light because it does reflect some physical light as well as radiate some light of its own. If you become sensitive enough you can see the etheric field in the dark. You can also see the aura in the dark, but this is more difficult also. Another reason this is difficult is a point of focus is difficult to establish in the dark. I have done it before, but it took a lot of practice and concentration.
Jean you have stumbled on one of the hypnotic mantras of the Dark Brotherhood. There are two powerful ones that I know of. They are "What if I am wrong?" and "Who do you think you are?" Now there is an appropriate use of these phrases, but when projected into the mind of the seeker at the right time and place they can be a powerful deterrent to progress and soul contact.
What if I am wrong? This phrase is often projected into the mind of the seeker when he is seeking to move away from fear based teachings, especially those that concern hell, fire and brimstone. If the seeker decides he wants to leave his church and move on to higher things, within his mind he will often hear: "What if I am wrong? If I am wrong I could burn in hell forever, and forever is a long time. Maybe I'd better keep my big toe in the church just in case." This was a concern to me in relationship with my church when I was young. It was only through a powerful confirmation through the soul that I was able to shed all fear of eternal retribution for not conforming. I have seen many people come to an understanding of higher principles, yet still maintain a lingering fear of hell. They are unable to fully shake off the tentacles of their church.
Now don't get me wrong - at a certain stage upon the path a church may be a positive influence; and some churches are much better than others, but the time comes in the life of a disciple where he must break completely free of the hold of outside authority and replace it with the inner voice of the soul. It is always the outer voice substituting for the voice of God that makes him afraid of hell and punishment for the innocent acts of questioning, or breaking free and moving to a higher aspiration. The seeker can often use reason and tell himself that he is 99.9% positive that God would not punish him for leaving the church or its doctrines, but no amount of reasoning completely silences that one tenth of one percent doubt that gnaws at him. Only a contact with the inner voice giving him assurance can give him the courage to completely break free.
Many people who are into metaphysics have never been caught up in the thought form of eternal punishment, and never generate the fear and doubt the religious-based person experiences in this life. Some look upon these religious people as being backward spiritually, but such is not usually the case. Many seekers in the churches are just as advanced spiritually as the ones out of them. Those who have never been captured by church doctrines often have little understanding of what the seeker within a strong religion must do to break free. And he who does break free has certain advantages over those who have never had to make the struggle; such a person will have made a great step in seeing out of illusion. He will also have to live very close to the soul to maintain his freedom.
Here's the advantage the church has over the seeker who is exploring the knowledge of reincarnation and karma. If reincarnation is true then I will not be eternally punished if I break free from the church or if I stay in the church. If staying in the church is a mistake then I can correct that mistake in a future life. BUT if the church doctrine of eternal punishment is true and I reject the church, my mistake will be of overwhelming proportions. Being tormented by the devil and his angels forever is much worse than the delay of progression for a life or two. What if I am wrong? Maybe I should play it safe. Safe is good...
The trouble is many have faced this fear for a number of lives and have not broken free. They are like the two men who were afraid to move on the path in the parable in my book. It seemed safe for them to just stand still and go nowhere. Once a person has learned the lessons a church has to offer and does not move on, he is just standing still, immobilized by his fears and will remain so until he quiets those fears, listens to the inner voice and moves in the new direction that God has for him. Punishment from God is the greatest hurdle to overcome from the "What if I'm wrong" mantra, but there are other lesser ones.
You may receive a new direction from the inner voice that will put you at odds with your spouse, friends, co-workers or family and if you are wrong you may look like a fool or be rejected by them. It's almost like the higher forces test you to see if you are worthy of communion with the soul. I have found in my life that I often seem to be tested to the core when I attempt to follow the inner voice. Sometimes the direction has seemed very illogical and almost impossible. What makes it worse is after a period of time has passed that it seemed more and more certain that the soul was wrong as everything seemed to be falling apart around me. It is during this period of dark and heavy clouds, where any further communication with God seems remote, that you must do one important thing. Think back to that communication and direction you had with your soul and trust in it.
Several times in my life this was very difficult for me; it did not seem that the soul was correct and the "what if I am wrong" came up with great force. But, every time I have followed the soul at all costs, in the end I have found the inner voice to be correct and the reward has been great. He who seeks to follow the inner voice over the outer will have many points of tension in his life and much courage, inner fortitude and diligence will be required to tread the path that leads to knowing.
The second mantra is: Who do you think you are? When the seeker studies the lives and teachings of the great ones in history and desires to follow their example and tread the path of service; this mantra will echo strong within his mind as he begins his journey. He reads of miracles performed by holy ones in ages past and he wants to perform miracles also. "Who do you think you are?" chants the voice. "You are not holy - you're not even a good person. Just look back upon your life and you'll see that you are sinful and unworthy indeed."
The seeker reads about acts of courage and valor that lead to new discoveries, new enterprises and new opportunity. He wants to be like these brave men and women and show others the way to higher ground.
"Who do you think you are?" chants the voice again. Look at all the cowardly things you have done in your life. Crawl back in your hole. You are no hero or pioneer.
The seeker reads of teachers and philosophers who have inspired many and made the world a better place. He wants to do the same. "Who do you think you are?" How do you expect to teach when you've been such a poor student that you're lucky to get anything right? People will see right through you? You're a poor excuse for a human being let alone a teacher."
The power to stop the seeker with the first mantra is through fear, but the power to stop him with the second is through guilt. The seeker must learn to trust in the goodness of God and accept himself where he is now, and move ahead without guilt or fear. This is accomplished when trust in the outer voices are dropped and the inner voice is followed. Guilt can only exist when God within is substituted for a false god without. The spirit of God speaking to you from within will never bring guilt, but instead an increase of awareness so true progress can be made.
"A thing must be understood before it can be loved." Leonardo DeVinci
Copyright 2000 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved