Awakening sense

point of contact

Let's touch upon one of our old themes, what you term the transitional ego.

Yes, also variously termed transitional self, transit self, provisional self, awakening-self.

Well, why so many terms?

All pointing to the same thing, but an attempt not to get stuck in terminology. Also an attempt to keep looking at the context and to be open to different shades of meaning, different aspects of what is something that's basically hard for ego-mind to grasp.

So would you call transitional self a kind of hybrid self?

Not at all. It represents a new center of operation, a new center of gravity that's simultaneously connected to higher influences and to ego-mind, to our expression in the world.

Could you also call it our higher self?

You could, in the sense it's our contact point with the only One Self.

And, again, its purpose, its usefulness?

It's the result of wholehearted spiritual work and aspiration, our spiritual workhorse or platform, the place in us that our awareness resides when not totally overtaken by ego-mind's programs and designs. It's that place in us through which our bindings and knots get undone, where effort and grace meet, where activity is based more on service than seeking.

full circle

Let's talk about the relation of detachment to intimacy.

By intimacy do you mean a more immediate and heartfelt connection with others?

Yes, and with life in general.

Well, if one detaches from self-imposed barriers, that would lead to more closeness with a life more freely lived, living beyond the narcissism of what can I gain for myself but rather extending and participating in the goodwill of our common life energy.

But would that include a more impersonal tone or flavor?

Actually the opposite. The less reality in our life, the more it becomes a vague reflection, an abstraction.

Could you re-state that?

We usually assume that ego-mind expresses itself in a personal way. Of course this personal expression is flavored by a high dose of selfish self-interest.

Meaning it's identified as a separate person relating to other people.

Yes, and let's define an impersonal state as being that one Self that manifests through each of us, the One Being experiencing that oneness directly in each apparently separate person and that could only see and seek the best for each and all. Now what could be more personal, more intimate than that?

potent cocktails

I notice there are some attempts at out of body experiences using virtual reality devices. Any thoughts?

Could be the precursor to new 'blast-off' tools for inducing so-called spiritual or psychic experiences. Add artificial intelligence to the mix and you might get a potent cocktail.

A post-psychedelic cocktail?

Sure, the next wave, the next attempt to storm heaven's gates.

Why do you say "attempt?"

I should actually say a misdirected attempt. Such devices might put our usual perceptions and impressions of who we think we are in temporary deep freeze, meanwhile tapping in to the next randomly available energies. 

What's the problem with that?

Only that such artificial entries can cause more harm than good. As with drugs, one may get some initial opening to higher influences, only to be followed by a thirst for more entertainment. Our ego-mind goes underground instead of being truly unraveled, effaced, erased. Spiritual growth can then get subverted or delayed as we add to rather than subtract from who we think we are.

uncharted territory

What's the distance between forgetfulness and remembrance,
And what bridge can span the two?

Could the key be a rare remorse,
An intense feeling beyond emotion?

For that is heart's might alchemy,
A secret yet uncharted element.

Perhaps that's the Beloved's gift to us,
And our response in turn our only true giving.