Organic Portals, the "Second Death", Reincarnation, NDEs
I have wondered about many of these things myself and will try to respond more sustantively soon, but in the meantime, let me recommend 2 books that have "found" me recently. For me, both of these books have served to fill in the kind of details you've inquired about.
Power Vs. Force by David Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D. is a discussion of fascinating research into consciousness and is one of my most-cherished books for which I'm deeply grateful. (That category also would include Laura's "stellar" gift to us of her voluminous articles about the C's material.)
Hawkin is a gifted teacher who writes very clearly about complex matters -- and about that which he's actually experienced. The research he shares in this book was inspired by his own unexpected (as a farmer's son in Minnesota in the 1940's), transforming experiences of enlightenment at 3 and 12 years of age. In fact, his research is based upon what could easliy be considered another form of "channeling" (i.e. tapping into higher levels of consciousness). In this case, this kinesiology-related technique discovered by others, involves a distinct, easily-detected bodily response which indicates whether a stated proposition is "true" (i.e. life enhancing) or "false" (i.e. life diminishing)! As he proposes in the Preface or the Introduction (don't skip either!), "What if I could show you a technique by which you could always know if a statement was true or false? How might that transform your world? Think of the impliications of that one thing!" (i.e. the C's mantra, "Knowledge protects")
In a beautifully-controlled demonstration, Hawkins taught this technique as part of a seminar presentation. He then he randomly divided up 100 volunteers into 50 pairs. He handed out one sealed envelope to each pair. (Each envelope contained either vitaman C powder or the artificial sweetener aspartame; and each envelope was unmarked except for a reference number on the outside linking the envelope to a master contents list to be used for verification and statistical analysis.) He didn't tell them anything about the contents at all. He instructed them to practice the newly-learned technique to rate the truth of this proposition: "The contents of this envelope are good for me", and write down "True" or "False" on the envelope. After a verbal tally was taken by calling out their reference numbers, Hawkins told them to open the envelopes and do a taste test (if rated "True" the powder should taste sour, and "False", sweet). These novices' ratings were 100% accurate, and there was 100% reliability when this experiment was repeated numerous times at subsequent seminars!
Using this technique (e.g. "if 1000 is total enlightenment, 'Pride' is less than 500? [T]...less than 200? [T]...less than 100?" [F]), Hawkins has established a logorithmic reference scale from 0 ("Non-Being") to 1000 ("Total Enlightenment") as a relative map of the levels of consciousness 20 is "Apathy", 50 is "Shame", on up through "Guilt", "Desire", "Anger" to 190, "Pride" which is the highest level of the Negative frequencies. He discovered that 200, "Courage" ("a willingness and openness to the unknown"), is the first step on the staircase up into the Positive frequencies of consciousness.
Using this scale as a reference point, Hawkins has organized, calibrated, and mapped out many things in the realms of metaphysics, quantum physics, and consciousness (e.g. abstract qualities like truth; religions, original and degraded; the human race as a whole; progress across reincarnations; etc.). In fact, he even proof-read this book's manuscript with this technique and found content errors -- not typos (e.g. John Lennon did not belong a list of those who'd "self-destructed" because he was murdered)! He even rates each of his chapters on the 0-1000 scale (range from 840-890!).
Interestingly, Hawkins has "inquired" (using this kinesiological technique) about the state our earthly population. Not surprisingly, he learned that 85% of humanity is below 190 -- not even open to expansion of consciousness (as Jesus (rated 1000) pointedly stated in one of those rare portions of the Bible that escaped the disinformation process, "the road to destruction is broad and many will travel it, but the road to life is narrow and few there are who will find it.") Hawkins findings are that the average frequency level of consciousness for humanity as a whole has been stuck at 190 ("Pride") for centuries, but around 1998, humanity's frequency of consciousness inched upward to 207! (see Laura's pondering about the significance of the year 1998 in the last third of her article "The Beast and His Empire").
He goes into some interesting findings about the logarithmic superiority of high frequency consciousness when weighed against low frequency consciousness: 1 being at 1000 can offset the entire negativity of the rest of humanity on earth; 12 beings at the 700 level equal 1 at 1000, etc. (similar to the C's comments in Chapter 13 of The Wave Series where they said "yes,"there are beings who have come to earth at this time into human form to anchor the frequency, so that when the wave comes enough of us will be ready, the frequency will be set, and the the change in the planet can take place as it has been planned.
Hawkins also discusses the quantum physics concept of "attractor patterns" that shape our invisible energies positively or negatively (i.e. STO or STS). He even describes Jesus much as the C's do, enlightened one who makes available to those who ask his own "attractor pattern" (i.e. the C's call it a "soul template"). He says humanity's problems all stem from masses of low frequency (i.e. low energy) beings siphoning off each others' energies. Thus, true Love (500) is nearly absent in this world, because it only can exist when people rise to a high enough frequency that can serve as a conduit through which Absolute Consciousness can flow into others.
[Look for article review I'll post soon regarding recent success scientists have had in slowing down light enough to utilize it for telecommunications vs. physical wires or fiber optic cables. This promises to be 1000 times faster than fastest technology]
Overall, I found Hawkins book completely harmonious with the C's material, but zoomed in to a greater level of detail pertaining to our human experience. Thus, this book provides rich potential for actively applying these findings -- and this very simple "channeling" technique -- in our daily lives as we seek to increase our frequency of consciousness (i.e. enlightenment).
Treat yourselves to this wonderful book which seamlessly integrates quantum physics complexities, metaphysical mysteries, and religious abstractions to provide a practical tool with vast potential to accelerate your personal expansion of consciousness. I see this and other rays of light beaming into our decaying, fascist culture as the continuing approach of the The Wave. Surf's up! ;)
The other book that "found" me recently was
Original Christianity by Peter Novak
Let me begin by saying that I've been around the block more than a few times with Christianity, church, faith, conversion, etc.; I've long ago abandoned any illusions about the "inerrancy, infalliability, inspiration" of the "Holy" Bible; and I've read all Laura has written from the C's info and her own studies on the disinformational nature of the Bible.
But that said, I found this book intriguing because Novak discusses the meaning of those "lost" first-century documents that were unearthed in Nag Hammadi, Egypt in 1945. These 35+ "other gospels" contain the metaphysical teachings of Jesus that are only alluded to in the "official" Bible (of disinformation and political power). He does a great job introducing the basic plot of censorship and transformation of the Roman military machine of oppression into the Roman Christian church of oppression (as in book- and people-burning). Possession of any of these documents was grounds for death, which is a pretty good way to expunge writings from planet earth back then. Fortunately, some brave soul buried his library that interestingly was discovered just when the lights started going out in in 1945 (WWII, Hiroshima, USA becomes world power, NSA, CIA, Roswell).
More importantly, his thesis is simple and well-developed: the oldest doctrine on earth is the Binary Soul Doctrine (BSD) as it's been termed. He does a great job of demonstrating this is the central tenet discovered by all enlightened beings through the ages and reflected in all true "religions" prior to their corruption by later unenlightened literalists who followed. Novak begins by taking the reader through the oldest piece of literature on earth,
The Epic of Gilgamesh . Without any contortions, he shows the clear themes of the BSD contained in the characters and plot. From there, he quickly moves forward through all major religions, through
original Christianity, and all the way up to modern times with Freudian concepts (e.g. conscious, unconscious) and neurological concepts today (e.g. left brain, right brain), tracing the central tenets of the BSD.
This also brings to mind the discussion of Laura and the C's regarding the "Fall" of mankind being related to our DNA being tweaked so that now we are dominated by the other (i.e. "wrong") side of our brain.
Novak goes on to demonstrate convincingly that all cultures have embraced the key tenet of BSD of reincarnation, including early followers of Jesus, as evidenced in these "lost" documents, which is why they were banished. Reincarnation eliminates the one looming judgement day concept of monotheism, which is the leverage needed by the "official" church where any knowledge or or access to personal power could not be permitted (i.e. religious fascism).
This BSD was completely new to me, but after a first reading of it, it seems to harmonize with the C's information. The central challenge contained in the BSD is for us to seek to unite the divided parts of ourselves while in this current life, whatever we want to call these (conscious, unconscious; soul, spirit; ying, yang; etc.). In other words, we must face the dark part of ourselves, the truth about ourselves--and God and the universe--because this truth sets us free from continual reincarnations without any accrual of wisdom (i.e. retaining memories of each life), thus the C's admonition once again is relevant "knowledge protects." This process also reminds me of Laura's discussions of consolidating our magnetic centers, etc. a la Gurdjieff, Mouravieff, Ouspensky's writings
I think you'll find this book provides some rich material to consider regarding your concerns and questions. Below are several pages from the book that introduce the BSD if you want more details.
Despite the machinations of the official church, it remains clear that at least some early Christian groups originally believed in reincarnation. The question is, how did they reconcile this with resurrection, Christianity's single most fundamental and central belief? The whole promise of Christianity relied on the Resurrection. Jesus rose from the dead, and thanks to Him, it was declared, everyone else could. But if early Christians already believed that people regularly came back from the dead, returning to reincarnate again lifetime after lifetime, what need could they have seen for a general resurrection of the dead at Judgment Dayor, for that matter, for any savior's self-sacrifice to guarantee that resurrection? This has remained a long-standing mystery. For the past 1,500 years, it has not been understood how both beliefs could be held simultaneously. Thanks to church censorship, no documents existed that would explain it. With the rediscovery of the lost scriptures of Nag Hammadi, however, it has finally become possible to tackle this mystery. With these ancient works in hand, we are no longer totally dependent on the adulterated data stream the official church has been feeding the human race for the past 1,500 years.
But we still have work to do. These recovered scriptures do not paint as clear and direct a road to our goal as we might have preferred. Virtually all the texts found at Nag Hammadi are filled with mysterious and obscure passages; although scholars have been studying these works for decades, huge portions have defied comprehension. It is no secret why this is so; these works openly identify themselves as Jesus' secret teachings, not meant to be read, and certainly not meant to be understood, by all. The Bible itself says that Jesus had two separate and distinct sets of teachings-one for the masses, and quite another for His closest disciples:
The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them." (Matt. 13:10-11)
These "heretics" considered themselves devout Christians, yet they believed in both reincarnation and resurrection. This mystery has never been explained. Some have suggested that Original Christianity only believed in reincarnation, and not resurrection, but we have enough evidence to rule out such suggestions. In the Gospel of Thomas, for instance, Jesus repeatedly praises the religious knowledge of Judaism, and those Judaic scriptures clearly prophesy a coming Universal Resurrection at Judgment Day. There is no doubt, then: Mysterious elements in the early church believed in both resurrection and reincarnation. But how?
There is an answer. A very popular and widespread theology once existed within the Roman empire that would explain this mystery (along with many other mysteries within Christianity), and this theology is readily apparent in the rediscovered scriptures found at Nag Hammadi. This ancient belief system is virtually unknown to the modern world, however. As one might suspect, it failed to survive the 1,500-year editing and censorship campaign of the official church.
The Binary Soul Doctrine
Thousands of years ago, numerous cultures all over the globe believed essentially the same thing about death and the afterlife. They thought that human beings possess not one, but two souls, which usually would divide at death, each going off to a very different sort of afterlife. These ancient cultures often described those two souls in very similar ways, frequently referring to them in the same way modern psychology now describes the two halves of the human psyche. One soul was thought to contain one's free will and intellect, while the other contained one's emotions and memory. The intellectual soul was said to possess the person's life force and could not leave the person's physical body without resulting in death. The emotional soul, however, was deemed capable of wandering free from the body and was said to commonly do so during sleep, disease, or mystical experiences.
Although these two souls were tied closely together inside a person's heart during life, they were generally believed to divide from one another at death, literally ripping the person's nonphysical essence apart into two disconnected fragments. After this division, which was often called "the second death," the intellectual half of the person was often believed to reincarnate, while the emotional half was generally thought to become trapped in a dark and dreary dreamlike netherworld.
The Second Death: A Journey Written in Stone
Ancient Egypt is one of the best-documented examples of a culture that believed in this "binary soul doctrine" (BSD). It devoted huge amounts of its resources to the problem of death and the afterlife, and its most famous monument reflects this obsession. The interior of the Great Pyramid of Cheops, with its multiple chambers and forking passages, seems specifically designed around the binary soul afterlife theology. Just as Egyptians believed the living possess three elements: a body, a soul (Egypt's ka), and a spirit (Egypt's ba). The pyramid has three unique chambers that seem to mirror the expected afterlives for each of these elements. Similarly, the passageways between these chambers closely reflect Egypt's vision of the processes and changes thought to occur along the journey from life to death.
Fifty feet above the base, the pyramid's entrance opens into a steeply descending, claustrophobically narrow corridor that descends almost to ground level, then forks into two branches. One branch plummets farther, to an underground chamber known as "the pit," while the other branch ascends again. This ascending passage eventually forks into two branches as well, one leading to the "Queen's Chamber" and another to the "King's Chamber." The first fork in the pyramid's corridor seems to represent the "first death," the initial change people experience upon their demise, when their mind and body disengage and go their separate ways. Similarly, the second fork seems to reflect the "second death," when the spirit and soul disengage as well, fracturing the mind.
At the first fork, one branch continues downward under the monument until it reaches a rough-hewn cave containing nothing but a shallow, empty pit. Crudely carved out of the actual bedrock, this grave-like cell is small, dark, and airless, perfectly symbolizing the end of the physical body at death. Meanwhile, the ascending branch rises just as sharply upward again, appropriately symbolizing the hopeful promise of the mind's survival as it separates from its failing corpse. The very beginning of this upward passage is blocked, however, by a thick granite plug, an appropriate reminder that nothing physical can escape the inevitable descent into death. Of the three components Egyptian theology credited a living person as possessing, only the two nonphysical elements, the ba and ka, could hope to pass into this ascending corridor.
On the other side of that granite plug, the person's ba and ka could continue together, proceeding through the passage until they reached the place where it also forks off into two directions…
Some BSD cultures taught that the after-death division of the soul and spirit was inevitable, but a few believed that it was possible to avoid it. Those nations believing that the second death could be avoided, such as Egypt and China, focused most of their religious efforts on helping people escape it. Those convinced the division was inevitable, on the other hand, tended to emphasize the importance of one soul and devalue the other, which made their imminent division seem less threatening. But until Christianity came along, the second death was thought to be irreversible and permanent. If the second death caught you, all hope was lost. The person you had been in that lifetime, that "self," would be ripped completely apart and would never truly exist again. Even though it was widely believed that half of one's being might yet go on to reincarnate after the second death, this seemed small consolation for the perpetual loss of memory and identity lifetime after lifetime, and the endless suffering of the other half of one's being in its mindless netherworld prison.
This binary soul doctrine was the cultural mindset when Christianity was born. And, despite what the official church later maintained, Christ does not seem to have refuted this story. Instead, He added a new chapter to it. For the most part, Original Christianity assumed the same assumptions and spoke the same language as all the BSD cultures around it, only adding one new element to the story line-it was now possible to overcome the second death: "He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death" (Rev. 2: 11).
If Jesus had come bearing an entirely new and unfamiliar message, telling the citizenry of the Roman Empire to discard everything they had previously believed to come and follow Him instead, few would have listened. But that's not what happened. Instead, His movement picked up followers at an amazing rate throughout the empire because He and they were already on the same page in their underlying cultural beliefs. Christ provided a solution to a problem everyone already knew they had, a solution no one previously had thought possible. This was the great message that won so many converts to Christianity, the unprecedented breakthrough the world had been waiting for: Even if someone died and suffered the second death, it was now possible for them to live again. 'Jesus said, 'I am the resurrection. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies'" (John 11:25).
No one had ever said this before. Although a few cultures claimed to know the secret of avoiding the second death before it struck, no one had had the audacity to claim that he could reverse its effects after the fact.
As we will see, a number of the lost Christian scriptures found at Nag Hammadi are unmistakably based on this ancient dual-soul religious system. Until now, the theology of these scriptures remained undeciphered; the Gospel of Thomas, for example, begins with a challenge, declaring that the whole book points to a single mystery, and if one can identify that mystery, one will never die. Until the rediscovery of the BSD, no analyst or theologian had been able to identify that common denominator in Thomas' passages. In addition to deciphering the Gnostic Gospels, the forgotten theology of the BSD explains a plethora of other mysteries about early Christianity; it immediately explains, for example, how the early church could simultaneously believe in both resurrection and reincarnation: While one soul might incarnate again and again, the other was thought to remain trapped in a static heavenly or hellish dreamworld reality after death, and so still needed to be rescued via resurrection. In book after book, and passage after passage, these Nag Hammadi scriptures demonstrate that the BSD was the original foundation of Christ's teachings.
