Induced spiritual experiences

Maria Parker77 said:Oh, you’re such a little princess, aren't you? 🙂

Look, if you actually get that this perfection hasn't gone anywhere—it's still right there waiting—then the quickest way to experience it all over again is through cutting.

mistybison said:It is possible that this perspective is still hidden somewhere; I just haven't figured out how to reach it again. 🤷

I have vivid memories of seeing the world through that lens, but a memory is certainly not the same as the actual experience in the present moment.

I am unsure if there are any specific techniques that could pull that perspective back up from the depths of the subconscious. 🤔

Meditation and similar practices seem to have the opposite effect on me—they detach and nullify—whereas magic tends to strengthen the ego. This, however, feels like something else entirely...

Matthew Cruz44 said:It’s entirely possible to induce these states naturally, though I wouldn't call it spontaneous—it requires a certain level of conscious direction. If you truly possess a deep-seated intention, rather than just a passing whim, for spiritual expansion, you begin to intuitively trigger specific areas of the psyche.
You essentially have to give your rational mind some time to catch up with where you're headed.

This is precisely why we see madness surfacing so frequently as an unintended side effect.

It happens when you achieve a distance from the intellect—which can be quite "beneficial" because the ego stops micromanaging everything—but the danger lies in the fact that once you lose that control, you aren't really steering the ship anymore either.
That is why pursuing spirituality based solely on mere desire, without the grounding force of true intention, is incredibly perilous.

Michael Gonzalez77 said:Spiritual experiences can actually act as a roadblock to spiritual growth. They don't necessarily mean you're moving forward at all. In fact, they might even be holding you back.

Real progress—both subjective and objective—is measured by qualitative changes within yourself. These shifts are subtle, but you can track them through several lenses. Look for things like an expanded creative capacity, a sense of lasting inner peace, and the disappearance of irrational fears. You should also see a growing love for yourself and the entire universe (God, humanity, and creation), a genuine drive to help others, and a more grounded way of thinking and behaving that shows increased tolerance and a deeper understanding of how things work.

urbanwalker72 said:casualtiger2, I am curious about your perspective on how virtual reality might evolve over the next twenty or thirty years. How difficult will it be to tell the difference between a digital simulation and the world we inhabit?

For the sake of this discussion, let us assume that such advanced VR—an "artificial reality"—will eventually exist to the point where it becomes indistinguishable from the physical reality we know.

How would you rank and evaluate these three distinct layers of existence? There is the material realm, your spiritual dimension, and now this third, virtual one; which of these holds true reality, and how should we weigh their importance?

Furthermore, is it possible for a virtual environment to trigger spiritual experiences so profound that an individual could not distinguish them from their "authentic" encounters?

casualtiger2 said:Absolutely. It’s just like knowing whether I'm awake or not.
Sure, you can dream that you're wide awake—but once you actually *are* awake, you notice the distinction. Bottom line: you have to experience being conscious first. If you're just dreaming, you won't know the difference. So, to answer your question—yeah, people can easily be fooled. They might experience some random brain activity—whether from meditation or some high-tech gadgetry—and immediately jump to the conclusion that they've seen God or hit enlightenment.
And people will swear on anything to make it true.

Paul Rogers94 said:I’ve spent quite a bit of time experimenting with substances designed to deepen one's perception of reality—tools meant to facilitate an encounter with the true self or perhaps transcend the confines of limited consciousness. A few observations from my journey:

1. Substance-induced experiences are qualitatively identical to those achieved through non-substance methods.

2. You won't experience anything significant—unless you find yourself caught somewhere between a fairy tale and a nightmare—if you aren't already internally prepared for the encounter.

3. The catalysts I’ve used include LSD (which has allowed me to dwell within my true nature on several occasions) and psilocybin mushrooms—which act as genuine reservoirs of occult wisdom and have imparted profound, holistic teachings to me... various "graces and fruits of the spirit." I am currently attempting to write a book regarding these experiences and DMT. There are other substances that can facilitate this if one is ready—things like ibogaine, peyote, psychoactive toads, and many others I haven't personally tested. I don't view these as "drugs" in the traditional sense; they aren't addictive, nor are they particularly popular with the typical addict crowd, since they tend to produce the exact opposite effect.

4. During certain early stages of spiritual development, it can be beneficial for some (though certainly not everyone) to break through to "THAT PLACE" via a substance—simply to verify its existence, to prove we can reach it, and to get a glimpse of what it actually looks like (essentially, getting a roadmap of where we are actually heading).

5. My initial breakthrough experiences (as well as some later ones) had absolutely nothing to do with any substances whatsoever, which is why I maintain that these experiences are qualitatively indistinguishable from those induced chemically.

6. Not every psychedelic sensation qualifies as a spiritual experience. In truth, that happens very rarely, and even then, only to those who have reached a certain level of maturity (among other specific conditions).

...

Paul Rogers94 said:What "real reality" are we even talking about? We’re already living in a world built on social conditioning and pure fantasy... you’d need some serious perspective to realize it.

bluemason3 said:I wouldn't go that far, though the symptoms and spiritual interpretations—like kundalini and such—tend to be pretty much the same.

Elizabeth Castillo87 said:http://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/who-is-actually-crazy-misdiagnosis/

Thomas Nelson25 said:Look, you can't actually have a spiritual experience while you're drunk or high—you’re just thinking differently. It might help out on a psychological level, sure.
But for truly spiritual people, choosing a way of life comes first; the "psychological" stuff is just secondary—it's basically just the outfit you wear on the outside.
It's a massive step toward true freedom.

Benjamin Taylor6 said:http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/great-geniuses-who-used-opiates/

THE GIANTS OF SUBSTANCE USE: Why did so many global geniuses turn to opiates?

Benjamin Taylor6 said:http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/great-geniuses-who-used-opiates/

THE GIANTS OF SUBSTANCE USE: Why did so many global geniuses turn to opiates?

bluemason3 said:I wouldn't go that far, though the symptoms and spiritual interpretations—like kundalini and such—tend to be pretty much the same.

Joseph Bailey41 said:Alright, fair enough. You took some psychedelics and now you think you’ve unlocked the truth. So, what's your next move?

bluemason3 said:American journalism 🙄

The headline screams "opiates," yet almost none of the substances mentioned in the actual article qualify as such.
As for that first sentence claiming these things boost intelligence—well, I don't know if we're talking about intelligence or how you define it, but there have been studies showing specific improvements in scientific output linked to certain substances.

And you're still out here dropping links like this. 😁

Paul Rogers94 said:Psychotic episodes and spiritual experiences aren't actually different—except for one thing: the former leaves the person miserable and alienated from everyone around them, while the latter brings a sense of fulfillment and joy, even amidst suffering... (not that I feel like getting into the weeds of that right now)

Paul Rogers94 said:They aren't narcotics—I call them psychedelics. Narcotics don't lead to any kind of spiritual experience. As for the intelligence bit, it's just a way to give authority to nonsense by wrapping it in pseudo-scientific jargon to make it sound more serious.