[jsam]

Dear Laceyjade10, and others;
I think it is significant that your post was placed in the "spiritual" category when it might have been in the "psychic" one.

I would like to share some understanding from a wonderful life of eighty years.

After growing up devoted to Science, and concerned that the materialist atheists might be right, I began to have precognitive dreams and other paranormal experiences. My intellect could not fit them with what I believed to be "reality", yet I could not dismiss them as purely imaginary, so I put them in a catagory of "unexplained phenomena". Later in life, I met and married a woman who was a "psychic", and started the Parapsychology Society International. Met many leaders in that field, and paranormal events happened more frequently. I believe that the paranormal experiences happened to me in order to break down and expand my concepts of "reality" and of the person I thought I was. Eventually I had a traumatic breakdown of my self and world, and there were other shattering events besides the psychic stuff that led me to the Event. I worked through my transformation by myself, knowing that medical people would only bring me back to my old self and concepts. After a few days and nights, I (as ego) surrendered completely, and the experience people call "enlightenment" happened. Since that time, thirty years ago, I have enjoyed life with out fear, anxiety, and wanting. I only wish everyone could be in this condition, which is the true state of all people, but hidden by the beliefs that we all aquire growing up.

That said, (which I have kept secret all these years) let me give you my opinion on the questions raised in this forum; of course, my opinion may be wrong; enlightenment does not necessarily bring one a brilliant intellect or verbal wisdom.

I believe the "high Self", "Christ spirit", "Krishna", guardian angel,
"Awareness", whatever you want to call our guiding forces, brings to one experiences that may crack the walls of one's mental shell of belief. This may be necessary to prepare one for a spiritual awakening. Some ego's use psychic abilities, which are never controllable by us humans, to impress other people and get some sort of fame, or at least attention. They can be a drag or dead-end on one's spiritual path. The ego-self wants to use anything to its advantage for its ego-growth. I have known people (such as my former wife) who alllow psychic phenomena for the purpose of counselling people and opening their minds. Like most things, these phenomena can be used in a positive or negative way.

I do not believe paranormal experiences will necessarily lead to psychosis, but like any ego trip, can be abused and cause problems for the "psychic", or others. It is vitally important that those having these experiences keep their "feet on the ground" of our shared "reality" and back off if they feel threatened. Usually an ego will be afraid, and back off. A lot of psychological preparation is necessary before we explore the mysterious parts of our world experience.

Having experienced and successfully gone through a psychotic "breakdown" I believe these to be an opportunity for transformation, but are very dangerous, as most people are not adequately prepared, and wind up in very unpleasant personal "realities". I am sure that many people are gradually awakening and evolving, and reach "enlightened living" without having to go through the "dark night of the Soul". And be careful; what you seek, you will probably find.

How to get there? (Meaning- to discover who you are not)... Moderation in all things, constant self-observation, "follow your heart", be accepting and forgiving, and follow the guidance of Jesus, Buddha, Eckhart Tolle, J.Krishnamurti, or whatever your 'heart' (not your ego) resonates to.

Love, and Namaste'....John