04 Oct Mystical Experience
When we first entered this module, I was surprised that these experiences were contained within one threshold, but as I progressed with the videos and readings, it made sense. All of these experiences have to do with personal encounters with the transpersonal, whether through mystical or visionary experiences, or in our creative work.
Work is a word I associate with the creative, because I experience the writing I do as more of a craft than an art. Maybe the first draft or outpouring is more of an art, as it is unformed and messy, but writing for me is about rewriting, and that is a very meticulous and obsessive type of pursuit. Perhaps it is more of an art for poets and fiction writers, although when I wrote in those genres, it was obsessive and meticulous in the rewrites as well. Certainly Alex Grey helps when he shares that the objects (in this case books and papers) we create can be transmitters of spiritual light, and certainly this is something I fervently hope for in my work.
I did the 20-minute timed writing every day of this module. I had done “Morning Pages” before and found them unhelpful because at that time I was a writer who wasn’t writing, and it seemed a wasteful use of time. For this module I enjoyed getting away from scholarly writing and just letting loose. I also found writing with pen and paper to be much more sensual than standing here at the keyboard, so that was good to acknowledge.
I have also been a student of dance and don’t do it much of late, so I decided to move for my creative hour. Osho has a Nataraj Meditation which is ecstatic dance done for 40 minutes, then 20 minutes of silent meditation, and five final minutes of celebratory movement. I had forgotten how joyous it is to let the body lead, to be surprised by where it wants to go, and how supple and expressive it is (I am? Can I say that?). Also, I had had an emotionally challenging morning, and the dance made me realize how ecstasy is always only a moment away, if you remember to take in lots of air and raise your endorphins. Something athletes know better than scholars perhaps.
© 2023 Catherine Auman
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