From: seanm@mothra.rose.hp.com (Sean Miller)
Subject: Answer to "What are OBEs"
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 20:31:06 GMT
Organization: HP - Systems Technology Division
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1.8 PL6]


  This post is in response to the article "What are OBEs".  The following text 
is information that I have gained as a student of ECKANKAR.  OBEs are the shift-
ing from the the body consciousness to some other state of consciousness.  The
majority of the time OBEs involve the astral state of consciousness.  The person
in the astral state of consciousness has a body similar to the physical.  I 
wouldn't say that OBEs of this kind are inferior but from what I have learned 
in ECKANKAR it is starting point.

     "The aim and purpose of ECKANKAR has always been to take Soul 
      by its own path back to its divine source."
                      The Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad, Book Two

   In reference to the above quote many people have started out in ECKANKAR with
a simple curiosity in the phenomenal aspects of separating consciousness from
the body.  In ECKANKAR the emphasis is on the INDIVIDUAL's experiences and
everthing must be proved on an individual basis.  ECKANKAR is not in the
business of saving souls.  ECKANKAR as an orginization is interested in
presenting its teachings and then letting the invidual decide if they wish to
pursue the teachings of ECKANKAR.  

  As stated earlier OBEs involve the use of the astral body by Soul.  The teach-
ings of ECKANKAR state there is the Physical plane of existence, an Astral 
plane, a Causal plane, and a Mental plane. Above the mental plane, starting 
with the Soul plane, there are the pure positive God worlds.

  In the pure postive God worlds there is the one force the ECK pronounced ehk.
  The ECK is the essence of God.  The mind is not capable of grasping what the 
essence of God is in its totality is but can be perceived by Soul.  Perception 
by Soul is a knowingness.  As Soul you simply know.  When the ECK passes through
the Soul plane it splits into two streams of energy becoming dual in nature
below the Soul plane.  The planes below the Soul plane are known as the Lower
worlds.  They are a school for Soul to learn about its true nature.  The true 
nature being that Soul is an individualized spark of God.  Each plane has color 
and sound associated with it.  The color and sound of each plane is due to the 
vibratory motion of the atoms on a particular plane.

  My experiences in ECKANKAR have led me to conclude that I am not a physical 
body.  The physical body is something I use to interact with the physical 
plane of existence.  I am Soul.  It isn't "my" Soul or "the" Soul but Soul.  
I don't have "a" Soul because this leads to something else which does the 
possessing and doesn't answer the question of who I am.  Therefore as Soul 
I use the different bodies to I have on each plane to interact with the 
various planes of GOD.  "The Tiger's Fang" by Paul Twitchell is an execellent 
book about his journey through the various levels of heaven.

  There are various methods and motivations for separating the consciousness 
  from the body.  I seperate myself from the body so that I can experience
wisdom, love and freedom to a greater degree.  If Soul travel is used to gain
power over others then the person misusing Soul travel will endure hardships  
equal to or greater than the hardships he has caused others.    
 
  In ECKANKAR there is a network of spiritual masters ready to assist the 
individual during Soul travel.  These masters belong to the ancient order of 
Vairagi which is the longest unbroken line of mastership on the planet.  
Varagi is from the pali language and it means detachment.  The spiritual 
leader of ECKANKAR carries the title The MAHANTA, The Living ECK Master.   
The purpose of the living ECK master is simply to assist those who wish to 
return home to God. The Living ECK master is a person that has become one 
with the ECK, the essence of God.  

  Traveling in the astral form can be dangerous if you don't have a guide to
protect you from entities that may try to harm you.  The body is also 
susceptible to possession by these astral entities.   To get protection just 
ask.  One could say, "I would like the protection of the MAHANTA or of Jesus"
or whoever your teacher may be.   ECKANKAR advocates the use of Soul Travel as
a means of separating consciousness from the body.  Soul travel isn't really
moving from point A to point B in a straight line.  Soul travel is the shifting
of attention from one plane to another.

  Here is a Soul travel technique that involves the use of the word HU, pro-
nounced hyoo like in HUman.  HU  is an ancient name for God. This technique
begins with the eyes closed.  Look gently between the eyes at the blank
screen of your mind.  Take a few deep breaths and then sing HU in a long
drawn out manner each time you exhale.  Do the exercise for 20-30 minutes.
What a person experiences is up to the individual.  Some may see a curtain of 
light or hear different sounds.  Some may have an OBE while others may feel 
more calm and relaxed.  ECKANKAR has books, cassette, and video tapes avail-
able.  The address for the main office is: 
                               ECKANKAR 
                               P.O. Box 27300 
                               Minneapolis, Mn 55427 U.S.A
P.S.  There are also local ECKANKAR centers.  The addresses for these can be
      found in the white pages under ECKANKAR or yellow pages under religion.





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