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100:5 Conversion and Mysticism (view source)
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, 12:40, 18 July 2011Created page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame 100:5.1 The world is filled with lost souls, not lost in the theologic sense but lost in the direct...'
[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:The_eye_of_all_ur60.jpg|right|frame]]
100:5.1 The world is filled with lost [[souls]], not lost in the [[theologic]] sense but lost in the directional [[meaning]], wandering about in [[confusion]] among the [[isms]] and [[cults]] of a frustrated [[philosophic]] era. Too few have learned how to install a [[philosophy]] of living in the place of [[religious]] [[authority]]. (The [[symbols]] of [[socialized]] [[religion]] are not to be despised as [[channels]] of [[growth]], albeit the river bed is not the [[river]].)
100:5.2 The [[progression]] of [[religious]] [[growth]] leads from [[stagnation]] through [[conflict]] to [[co-ordination]], from insecurity to undoubting [[faith]], from [[confusion]] of [[cosmic consciousness]] to [[unification]] of [[personality]], from the [[temporal]] objective to the [[eternal]], from the [[bondage]] of [[fear]] to the [[liberty]] of [[divine]] sonship.
100:5.3 It should be made clear that [[professions]] of [[loyalty]] to the [[supreme]] [[ideals]]—the [[psychic]], [[emotional]], and [[spiritual]] [[awareness]] of [[God-consciousness]]—may be a [[natural]] and [[gradual]] [[growth]] or may sometimes be [[experienced]] at certain junctures, as in a [[crisis]]. The [[Apostle Paul]] [[experienced]] just such a sudden and spectacular [[conversion]] that [[eventful]] day on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus_road Damascus road]. [[Gautama Siddhartha]] had a similar [[experience]] the night he sat alone and sought to [[penetrate]] the [[mystery]] of final [[truth]]. Many others have had like [[experiences]], and many true believers have [[progressed]] in the [[spirit]] without sudden [[conversion]].
100:5.4 Most of the [[spectacular]] [[phenomena]] [[associated]] with so-called [[religious]] [[conversions]] are entirely [[psychologic]] in [[nature]], but now and then there do occur [[experiences]] which are also [[spiritual]] in [[origin]]. When the [[mental]] mobilization is [[absolutely]] [[total]] on any level of the [[psychic]] upreach toward [[spirit]] [[attainment]], when there exists [[perfection]] of the [[human]] [[motivation]] of [[loyalties]] to the [[divine]] [[idea]], then there very often occurs a sudden down-grasp of the [[indwelling spirit]] to [[synchronize]] with the [[concentrated]] and [[consecrated]] [[purpose]] of the [[superconscious]] [[mind]] of the believing [[mortal]]. And it is such [[experiences]] of [[unified]] [[intellectual]] and [[spiritual]] [[phenomena]] that [[constitute]] the [[conversion]] which consists in [[factors]] over and above purely [[psychologic]] involvement.
100:5.5 But [[emotion]] alone is a [[false]] [[conversion]]; one must have [[faith]] as well as [[feeling]]. To the extent that such [[psychic]] mobilization is partial, and in so far as such [[human]]-[[loyalty]] [[motivation]] is incomplete, to that extent will the [[experience]] of [[conversion]] be a blended [[intellectual]], [[emotional]], and [[spiritual]] [[reality]].
100:5.6 If one is disposed to [[recognize]] a [[theoretical]] [[subconscious]] mind as a [[practical]] working [[hypothesis]] in the otherwise [[unified]] [[intellectual]] life, then, to be [[consistent]], one should postulate a similar and [[corresponding]] realm of [[ascending]] [[intellectual]] [[activity]] as the [[superconscious]] level, the zone of [[immediate]] [[contact]] with the indwelling [[spirit]] [[entity]], the [[Thought Adjuster]]. The great [[danger]] in all these [[psychic]] [[speculations]] is that [[visions]] and other so-called [[mystic]] [[experiences]], along with [[extraordinary]] [[dreams]], may be regarded as [[divine]] [[communications]] to the [[human]] [[mind]]. In times [[past]], [[divine]] [[beings]] have [[revealed]] themselves to certain [[God]]-knowing [[persons]], not because of their [[mystic]] [[trances]] or morbid [[visions]], but in spite of all these [[phenomena]].
100:5.7 In [[contrast]] with [[conversion]]-seeking, the better approach to the [[morontia]] zones of possible [[contact]] with the [[Thought Adjuster]] would be through living [[faith]] and [[sincere]] [[worship]], wholehearted and [[unselfish]] [[prayer]]. Altogether too much of the uprush of the [[memories]] of the [[unconscious]] [[levels]] of the [[human]] [[mind]] has been mistaken for [[divine]] [[revelations]] and [[spirit]] leadings.
100:5.8 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 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 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 However [[favor]]able 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]].
<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_100 Go to Paper 100]</center>
<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>
[[Category:Paper 100 - Religion in Human Experience]]
100:5.1 The world is filled with lost [[souls]], not lost in the [[theologic]] sense but lost in the directional [[meaning]], wandering about in [[confusion]] among the [[isms]] and [[cults]] of a frustrated [[philosophic]] era. Too few have learned how to install a [[philosophy]] of living in the place of [[religious]] [[authority]]. (The [[symbols]] of [[socialized]] [[religion]] are not to be despised as [[channels]] of [[growth]], albeit the river bed is not the [[river]].)
100:5.2 The [[progression]] of [[religious]] [[growth]] leads from [[stagnation]] through [[conflict]] to [[co-ordination]], from insecurity to undoubting [[faith]], from [[confusion]] of [[cosmic consciousness]] to [[unification]] of [[personality]], from the [[temporal]] objective to the [[eternal]], from the [[bondage]] of [[fear]] to the [[liberty]] of [[divine]] sonship.
100:5.3 It should be made clear that [[professions]] of [[loyalty]] to the [[supreme]] [[ideals]]—the [[psychic]], [[emotional]], and [[spiritual]] [[awareness]] of [[God-consciousness]]—may be a [[natural]] and [[gradual]] [[growth]] or may sometimes be [[experienced]] at certain junctures, as in a [[crisis]]. The [[Apostle Paul]] [[experienced]] just such a sudden and spectacular [[conversion]] that [[eventful]] day on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus_road Damascus road]. [[Gautama Siddhartha]] had a similar [[experience]] the night he sat alone and sought to [[penetrate]] the [[mystery]] of final [[truth]]. Many others have had like [[experiences]], and many true believers have [[progressed]] in the [[spirit]] without sudden [[conversion]].
100:5.4 Most of the [[spectacular]] [[phenomena]] [[associated]] with so-called [[religious]] [[conversions]] are entirely [[psychologic]] in [[nature]], but now and then there do occur [[experiences]] which are also [[spiritual]] in [[origin]]. When the [[mental]] mobilization is [[absolutely]] [[total]] on any level of the [[psychic]] upreach toward [[spirit]] [[attainment]], when there exists [[perfection]] of the [[human]] [[motivation]] of [[loyalties]] to the [[divine]] [[idea]], then there very often occurs a sudden down-grasp of the [[indwelling spirit]] to [[synchronize]] with the [[concentrated]] and [[consecrated]] [[purpose]] of the [[superconscious]] [[mind]] of the believing [[mortal]]. And it is such [[experiences]] of [[unified]] [[intellectual]] and [[spiritual]] [[phenomena]] that [[constitute]] the [[conversion]] which consists in [[factors]] over and above purely [[psychologic]] involvement.
100:5.5 But [[emotion]] alone is a [[false]] [[conversion]]; one must have [[faith]] as well as [[feeling]]. To the extent that such [[psychic]] mobilization is partial, and in so far as such [[human]]-[[loyalty]] [[motivation]] is incomplete, to that extent will the [[experience]] of [[conversion]] be a blended [[intellectual]], [[emotional]], and [[spiritual]] [[reality]].
100:5.6 If one is disposed to [[recognize]] a [[theoretical]] [[subconscious]] mind as a [[practical]] working [[hypothesis]] in the otherwise [[unified]] [[intellectual]] life, then, to be [[consistent]], one should postulate a similar and [[corresponding]] realm of [[ascending]] [[intellectual]] [[activity]] as the [[superconscious]] level, the zone of [[immediate]] [[contact]] with the indwelling [[spirit]] [[entity]], the [[Thought Adjuster]]. The great [[danger]] in all these [[psychic]] [[speculations]] is that [[visions]] and other so-called [[mystic]] [[experiences]], along with [[extraordinary]] [[dreams]], may be regarded as [[divine]] [[communications]] to the [[human]] [[mind]]. In times [[past]], [[divine]] [[beings]] have [[revealed]] themselves to certain [[God]]-knowing [[persons]], not because of their [[mystic]] [[trances]] or morbid [[visions]], but in spite of all these [[phenomena]].
100:5.7 In [[contrast]] with [[conversion]]-seeking, the better approach to the [[morontia]] zones of possible [[contact]] with the [[Thought Adjuster]] would be through living [[faith]] and [[sincere]] [[worship]], wholehearted and [[unselfish]] [[prayer]]. Altogether too much of the uprush of the [[memories]] of the [[unconscious]] [[levels]] of the [[human]] [[mind]] has been mistaken for [[divine]] [[revelations]] and [[spirit]] leadings.
100:5.8 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 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 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 However [[favor]]able 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]].
<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_100 Go to Paper 100]</center>
<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>
[[Category:Paper 100 - Religion in Human Experience]]