Transcending the Physical Being
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Dr Rudolph Steiner (whose book Knowledge of the Higher Worlds and their Attainment I’m currently reading) has written extensively about different spiritual realms, spiritual phenomena such as sleep paralysis and non-physical gateways and dimensions. His work includes how to develop spiritual abilities, how to enter spiritual realms and how to manage these abilities and gateways.
Steiner’s work on sleep paralysis is unprecedented, as he discusses the spiritual gifts that can be gained once passing “The gateway of fear” and he embraces the physical and nonphysical nature of our daily lives.
In his book, he outlines 7 conditions that are necessary for any student of spiritual attainment or what he calls Esoteric training. He clearly states that “the fulfilment of any one of these 7 conditions is not insisted upon, but only the corresponding effort is necessary”. This means that the effort put into trying to achieve them is more important than their successful attainment, as the process is continual.
Let us review these conditions:
The student should pay attention to the advancement of their bodily and spiritual health. All efforts should be made to improve one's bodily and spiritual health as much as possible. Unhealthy persons can take part in spiritual development, but the demands will be great and everyone should have the will to lead a healthy life. Speaking well of others must also take place. When we speak ill of others it impacts our spiritual well-being, as the negative energy is mirrored back onto us. Each person must try as much as possible to take care of themselves.
The individual should feel coordinated as a link in the circle of life. He states that much is included in the circle of life and each person can only achieve it in their own manner. It's important for the student to reflect upon who they are and what they are, and to pay attention to all living things that surround them. In time, the student will begin to see the connectivity between them and the lives that exist all around. This includes all life forms, including plants, insects and animals.
The student must work his way upward to the realization that his thoughts and feelings are as important to the world as are his action. He states that each person must realize that it can cause injury to hate a fellow being just as much as it would to strike them. One must admit that their feelings produce an effect, as without the feeling there wouldn't be an effect. And without the thought that precedes the feeling, there would also be no effect. One must believe in the cosmic importance of the inner life, and that the inner life must be fit for the outer life to be healthy.
The acceptance that the real being of a human does not lie in the exterior, but in the interior. And that one must regard themselves as a product of the outer world as a result of the inner world. There are duties to be performed inwardly for there to be successes achieved outwardly.
The student must be steadfast in carrying out their resolutions. Anything that you have decided to do, the student must make sure that it is achieved, that is completed. Procrastination must be avoided.
The development of a feeling of thankfulness and gratefulness for everything that surrounds them. The realization that our existence is a gift from the Universe must be achieved and the individual must learn to feel gratitude and appreciation for the life that has been gifted to them. Thoughts should come naturally to anyone who is on the spiritual journey, thoughts of satisfaction, appreciation, and of all-embracing love for the life that they have.
To regard life unceasingly and in the manner demanded - the student must make it possible to give the life that he has the stamp of uniformity. This then brings into harmony all modes of expression and they will no longer contradict themselves. Thus, he will prepare himself for the inner tranquillity that is needed during the steps of the training.
Steiner states that these 7 conditions are necessary for the avoidance of hesitation and for the development of faith, which is a requirement for anyone on the spiritual journey. Place these conditions consciously into your life - before you know it they will become your natural behaviour, to the extent that to behave otherwise feels uncomfortable.
May you have a wonderful weekend until the next episode.
With Love and Light Sheila.
Don’t forget to put any questions that you may have into the comments section below or email me at info@sheilapryebrooks.com. I’ll be answering questions at the end of the month and look forward to seeing what comes up.
I look forward to hearing from you.
