Parallel Worlds

If we try, we can easily imagine two parallel worlds. There is the material world with which we are all familiar, and the spiritual world, which we are all trying to learn about. By considering that "we", being our body, mind, and soul are able to exist simultaneously in the material world, and in the spiritual world, we begin to develop new ideas and new pictures about our larger reality. Let us consider the differences and similarities between our two selves. We know that our lower, or material self, has limitations. We know that there are high-pitched and low-pitched sounds that fall outside our range of hearing, and that ultra violet and infra-red light marks the limits of our vision. We know that our material world is limited by our five senses - for those of us living entirely within the material world, the extent of our reality is severely restricted. Yet we have always been aware that there must be more. We have read about, heard about and even experienced events and occurrences that fall outside our material awareness. We call these things paranormal. Paranormal is defined as "a general term that describes unusual experiences that lack an obvious scientific explanation,[1] or phenomena alleged to be outside of science's current ability to explain or measure.[2]" (Wikipedia). So we can see that anything that can be defined by science is considered normal, and if undefined by science it is paranormal or abnormal. By limiting our senses to only that which is verifiable by science, we are limiting our view of reality. The problems created by this limited way of thinking are in serious danger of becoming hereditary, as they have inhabited the human mind for so long, thus dooming the human race to a stunted evolution. Only very limited science exists that relates to the parallel worlds of spirit and material. Quantum physics is moving in that direction, but still has a long way to go. Everything we say, do, smell, think, hear, taste or touch attempts to persuade us that the material world is the ruling world, and that man and his science is the superior influence. So it takes us quite an effort before we can imagine any intricate detail in our parallel spiritual world. This effort is an effort of the mind. Today's material world does not encourage the use of the mind. In today's humdrum world, with constant electronic sounds and beeps, with pervasive considerations of money and finance, with polluted food, air and water, and with ancient superstitions still being practised, we find it very difficult to use our mind to anything like its full potential. Before we can make any serious effort to become familiar with our spiritual self, we have to learn to control our mind. Throughout history, our sages have taught us that control of the mind is best achieved through meditation. It is extremely unfortunate that our education and employment systems have been designed in order to ensure that we have no time for meditation, and hence no time to develop our mind. Our education systems are designed to develop our memory only. It is also extremely unfortunate that we are expected to remember facts and events which are often misleading, or at least one-sided, because they fail to recognise the existence of any parallel world. Just because we are unaware of it, and cannot experience it, does not mean that it is not there. What it does mean is that we have evolved only sufficiently to be able to experience half of what is around us.We are performing to half of our potential, at best. Once we have learned to use our mind in the same way that we use our hands and feet, then we can direct our mind towards the spiritual world, and attempt to make observations beyond those usually experienced. It is no miracle - the ability is readily available to anyone, once they can control their mind. With the mind fully concentrated on the spiritual plane, we can make serious efforts to avoid interruptions from the material world around us. The first thing we notice is that almost everyone is rushing around in a totally uncontrolled fashion, allowing the machinations of an uncontrolled mind to direct the actions of the body - a mindless way of life. Most material minds do not even know why they were brought into existence. Mind is useful only when it is kept under control, and nurtured. With a controlled mind, we are able to bring into view the higher self of the spiritual world. We can see that this higher self vibrates with more subtlety . It wants to avoid the noisy bangs and clangs, the bright flashes, and the constant uncontrolled chatter of a world governed by materialism. When we use our mind to examine the relationship between material mind and spiritual mind, we can see that the spiritual mind will always give way to the more coarse vibrations of the material mind. The only way that the spiritual mind receives any priority, is when the material mind is quietened, and unobtrusive. Peace and quiet are essential for us to practice our new-found spiritual abilities. With the rough mental and bodily vibrations calmed, we are able to sense the more gentle spiritual vibrations. We are able to sense the small voice of the higher self which is constantly urging us to do our very best. We begin to listen to our spiritual self, and we gradually allow this spiritual voice, along with it's associated vibrations, to become more a part of our life.We learn how to balance our life between the spiritual and the material. We soon realise how much we had been missing. We also realise that taking actions recommended by the spiritual mind provides us with a less painful life than that provided by the material world. Gradually we begin to realise the disadvantages of allowing our lives to be controlled purely by material considerations. We also soon realise that our spiritual world is not limited by the same meagre five senses of the material world. In fact, we become immediately aware of the huge expanse which we have recently discovered and in which we have begun to live. We also realise that our education, knowledge and wisdom have been culled from one point of view only, and we begin to reconsider the value of our knowledge. Our entire point of view changes, and as a result we develop a new belief system, which causes us to feel distanced from our materially-minded brothers and sisters. We find that our hopes and aspirations become less driven by peer pressure, and more driven by our true desires and passions, as recognised by our higher self. We regret the opportunities that have previously passed us by as a result of refusing to recognise the existence of the spiritual world. Once we have set foot inside the spiritual world, we know that there is no going back. It is rather like a child discovering to his/her horror that there is no Father Christmas. Having discovered the hoax, there is no going back to believing that Father Christmas really does exist. As time passes, and our familiarity with the spiritual world increases, we feel newly awakened and we are less and less affected by the events of the material world. We realise they are created by uncontrolled minds that are half asleep. Because that is what being awakened is - it is becoming aware of the spiritual world, and realising its awesome capabilities. All plans and ideas created solely in the material world suddenly appear extremely limited, as if the thinker had not been able to extend any single thought to its logical conclusion. We realise that the mass consciousness of the human race is very poorly informed indeed. We realise that the human race is not yet civilised. We have to make a choice. Do we stay with the material world, and attempt to inform or brothers and sisters of the amazing possibilities open to them, or do we give up that immense struggle, and trudge on alone, making every effort to better ourselves in the light of our new knowledge. We see the possibilities of more harmonious ways of living, with greater understanding, and less subterfuge. We also see that the only barrier between today's material world, and tomorrow's harmonious world, is the mind of the people. If they changed their minds, and recognised the spiritual element within themselves, then we as a race could move on, and end destruction, pollution, war, anger, frustration, and much suffering. As a friend of mine often says.............."Bring it on". "Trust spirit with ALL your heart and mind; do not rely on your material understanding; acknowledge spirit in all your thoughts and ways, and let spirit direct your path." (Taken from Proverbs 3:5,6)