Posted 06 December 2004 - 08:54 AM
Vortex Entity,
The churches like to be the source for authentic information?
Maybe, you meant to say, ''the source for information''.
If there's one thing we cannot trust them for is 'authenticity'.
Anyway, even if a modern day priest wanted to 'inform' us more as regards our spiritual nature, still, he would likely be just as uninformed,himself.
The original teachings have been interpreted in so many ways, it is impossible to believe everything wholeheartedly. To make matters worse, just look at the differences between the so-called Christian sects--catholics, protestants, J. witnesses,etc.,etc.) Egoism knows no boundaries.
The church is good only for those that need emotional support. You cannot expect to find answers to your philosophical questions. Much less for your questions of a more mystical nature. One has to understand that those so-called preachers are merely orators well-versed in the so-called teachings. As far as teaching is concerned, they cannot teach what they themselves do not know. Some might,and like you say, they are not telling. Just like the pharmacists that sell the diluted medicines.
If you want real knowledge(mystical) ,you're better off if you find yourself some good books elsewhere. You don't have to go Eastern( Hinduism or Buddhism), although, it would help a great deal. For starters, anything similar to the Rosicrucians will help you get started. Stories about the afterlife by real life ,everyday people. People who have had their own experiences. Right now, you don't even have to spend a cent. There's a lot of good stuff on the internet.
The source that Jesus relied on, the I AM prescence that you mention is in his hands now. He is not on the same level as before. If anyone should desire to meditate on the I AM presence that he, himself, spoke to, it would be possible until one has had a thorough understanding of what he(Jesus) himself is teaching you. You cannot know the Father , if you do not know the Son. And then again, that doesn't guarantee you anything. The best thing to do is to first understand spirit itself. The Eastern mystics call it the impersonal form of God. Even they, start at the bottom of the ladder, before they start getting glimpses of their personal God or gods.
Once, one has become familiar with a little something here and there(the books) , if the person is ready, spirit will most likely start sending the signs he or she can understand, through the dream state. It won't be long before such person will realize that this life is only a dream,manifested in the gross material elements. For some, this dream is rather pleasant, and thus, their desire to stretch it to infinity. For others, it is actually, a nightmare, thus, their desire to end it as soon as possible. There are many factors that determine whether we will get our desires. The main one is karma. But that is a more complex subject than is readily understood. We all reap what we have sown in our previous lives. Those are the rules. One cannot be a murderer in this life and expect to be a righteous king in the next.
And like you said, Vortex Entity, intuition does also play a major role in our spiritual development. One has to get accustomed to it. It doesn't work like magic, but in time it becomes like a mirror. A mirror that reflects what's really going on, on the other side. This world is only the reflection of the real world. The problem is that people don't want to believe that. To those that don't believe, especially right now, don't worry. Spirit is in no hurry. After all, Spirit has all eternity in its hands. The choice is up to you.
stranger
P.S. The goals of this institute are to work with, or do research concerning physical life and extend it. Also, to prevent, if at all possible , death itself. I have nothing against it. There are some people that have hinted at the immediate future of this planet, and its ascension into fourth dimension. They call it, bringing heaven to Earth. And us humans going from limited consciousness to full consciousness. Supposedly, we won't have to die. We'll just go to wherever we please--more advanced planetary worlds,or the spiritual world, for that matter.
On this, I also leave it up to the reader to believe,or not. I,myself, am more of a spirit freak, but I do believe in UFO's.