Mertonoia Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 (edited) I've been oriented toward the transcendent as long as I can remember and I've made self-examination and practice life priorities for about forty years. A few months ago I was startled by a moment of intimate communion I could have never imagined. It was very direct and personal in a way that goes against our usual thinking in the west. In the past whenever I got close to anything scary I ran into the arms of the nearest Pop-Tart, becoming distracted in the simple sensation comforts of home. This time, however, I notice I'm actually physically uncomfortable when I'm not being as mindful as I can be in every moment. So I feel sort of on a precipice. Must I just dive into the Divine independently or is it okay to ask for advice from others further along in their journeys? Edited February 3, 2017 by Mertonoia 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveS55 Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 (edited) if there is nothing more to learn, I would suggest finding a teacher and allowing them to push you into the abyss. Steve Edited February 3, 2017 by SteveS55 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosephM Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Mertonoia, It seems to me, asking for advice is fine but needs no distance requirement. How will you know they are further along in their journey? Perhaps you could dive in and feel free to ask all and compare notes. Joseph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tariki Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Hi Mertonoia, I have heard that the final step of the journey (if "step" is the right word) is like leaping from the top of a 100 foot pole without a safety net. Not having made the leap myself I'm not in a position to offer first hand advice, but maybe you could ask the same questions here...... http://www.spiritualforums.com/vb/ Some on that particular forum appear to have made the leap and lived to tell the tale..........(or, what tale there is to tell..... ) Obviously, if such is the final step then looking for reassurance would be counter productive. Me, I will keep clinging on tight to the kitchen sink. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Realspiritik Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 (edited) Hello, Mertonoia, Your post is most interesting, and, of course, one of the first questions I asked myself was what prompted you to write your post here, on the TCPC Progressive Christianity thread. You give no indication about the faith traditions and experiences that have led you to this point, but I assume there's a good reason for your choosing this forum. I disagree with advice given above by Steve, Joseph, and Tariki, but this is because I'm a practising cataphatic mystic with extensive personal experience of the Divine as well as academic knowledge of the various mystical paths and traditions. I've been where you are, and I can tell you that if you want to pursue this path, it's not a "final step" at all, but simply a turning in a new direction (as reflected by the name you've chosen). If someone had told me 17 years ago what the path of mysticism would actually be like, I would have saved myself a lot of embarrassment, grief, and heartache. There are definitely safety nets to make the journey easier (though it's never exactly easy), and I highly recommend those safety nets. I also don't recommend that you seek open advice from those who haven't walked this path and don't know what they're talking about. I made that mistake, too, and it's only because my guardian angel/guide is way smarter than I am that I was eventually able to repair the damage I caused to myself and others after I listened to some very bad advice. If you'd like to know more, I'd be pleased to send you my email by P.M. Or you can reach me through my website, if you feel comfortable with that. All the best to you, my friend. Jen Edited February 3, 2017 by Realspiritik 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thormas Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 I've been oriented toward the transcendent as long as I can remember and I've made self-examination and practice life priorities for about forty years. A few months ago I was startled by a moment of intimate communion I could have never imagined. It was very direct and personal in a way that goes against our usual thinking in the west. In the past whenever I got close to anything scary I ran into the arms of the nearest Pop-Tart, becoming distracted in the simple sensation comforts of home. This time, however, I notice I'm actually physically uncomfortable when I'm not being as mindful as I can be in every moment. So I feel sort of on a precipice. Must I just dive into the Divine independently or is it okay to ask for advice from others further along in their journeys? If God is Love how could any journey be independent of others? To dive into humanity is to dive into divinity. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soma Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Mertonoia, You are on your path and are already being guided. Mindful of the moment brings everything we need may it be joy, sorrow or a teacher in the form of nature, a book, music, movie or just silence. You don't have to ask, the universe will deliver at the right time. Enjoy the show it is all for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romansh Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 if there is nothing more to learn, I would suggest finding a teacher and allowing them to push you into the abyss. Steve If there is nothing more to learn ... I would suggest try teaching. Learning may be accomplished, understanding will start. Welcome Mertonia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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