earthchanges
I dreamed that life was joy. I woke to find that life is service. I discovered that service is joy.
Afterdeath -- Jane Roberts & William James
deathHere is a lovely section from Jane Roberts' book
The Afterdeath Journal of an American Philosopher
in which William James discusses the 'atmospheric presence'
in which he found himself:
"Nowhere have I encountered the furnishings of a
conventional heaven, or glimpsed the face of God.
On the other hand, certainly I dwell in a psychological heaven
by earth's standards, for everywhere I sense a presence,
or atmosphere, or atmospheric presence that is well-intentioned,
gentle yet powerful, and all-knowing....
At the risk of understating, this presence seems more like a loving
condition that permeates existence, and from which all existence
springs...
There is the constant feeling that the universe is with me,
for me, and with and for all others at the same time.
Not only does it not conspire against me,
but it ever lends its active support...
I KNOW that this presence or loving condition forms itself into me,
and into all other personalities; that it lends itself actively
to seek my good in the most particular and individual ways;
yet that my good is in no way contrary to the good of anyone else,
but beneficial...
The universe leans in each individual's direction, gives,
and is compliant, for each person is part of that psychological fabric,
coming to life. It is as if the universe were a multidimensional cloth
with infinite patterns, and figures which did not remain flat
but sprang alive, lived, moved, and died and came alive again,
while the fabric of which they were made never wore out
but miraculously revitalized itself and rewove its parts...
The psychology, if one can use the word in this regard, of such an
atmospheric presence is such that it ever seeks the most creative,
expansive, loving expression, in such gargantuan terms that our
usual ideas of motivation utterly fail us...
It is as if this atmospheric presence were a psychological
repository for all possible subjective beings, of such import that
no one could comprehend these at once, or in any combination
of 'times', and that each of us draws from that repository whatever
it is we require, according to our understanding and circumstances,
whatever they may be - while simultaneously our own experiences also
add to the supportive psychological framework. In it, personal and
impersonal meet and blend, forming new combinations and creative
versions...
I am surrounded by a sense of psychological luxury and supported by
that atmospheric presence whose qualities I find at once so curious
and so familiar. This presence is responsive. I am sure that it
reacts to me, yet while it is everywhere, it is not obtrusive, but
again, like the summer day, it is more like a delighful medium in
which all living is bathed so that it is quite possible to forget it
almost, or take it for granted...I am convinced, then, that this
atmospheric presence is the creative medium from which all
consciousness springs...
I was comforted by the fact that this presence did not seek me out,
examine me, or attempt to overwhelm me in any way. Instead it
quietly offers - what? Solace, support, a buoyancy in which my
existence is everywhere strengthened, refreshed, and yet led to
perceive enticing futher developments, or rather to feel itself
able to expand, even to be transformed, in perfect safety...
With no way to prove any of this, I know that on earth each person
is also supported in the same way."
The Afterdeath Journal of an American Philosopher
in which William James discusses the 'atmospheric presence'
in which he found himself:
"Nowhere have I encountered the furnishings of a
conventional heaven, or glimpsed the face of God.
On the other hand, certainly I dwell in a psychological heaven
by earth's standards, for everywhere I sense a presence,
or atmosphere, or atmospheric presence that is well-intentioned,
gentle yet powerful, and all-knowing....
At the risk of understating, this presence seems more like a loving
condition that permeates existence, and from which all existence
springs...
There is the constant feeling that the universe is with me,
for me, and with and for all others at the same time.
Not only does it not conspire against me,
but it ever lends its active support...
I KNOW that this presence or loving condition forms itself into me,
and into all other personalities; that it lends itself actively
to seek my good in the most particular and individual ways;
yet that my good is in no way contrary to the good of anyone else,
but beneficial...
The universe leans in each individual's direction, gives,
and is compliant, for each person is part of that psychological fabric,
coming to life. It is as if the universe were a multidimensional cloth
with infinite patterns, and figures which did not remain flat
but sprang alive, lived, moved, and died and came alive again,
while the fabric of which they were made never wore out
but miraculously revitalized itself and rewove its parts...
The psychology, if one can use the word in this regard, of such an
atmospheric presence is such that it ever seeks the most creative,
expansive, loving expression, in such gargantuan terms that our
usual ideas of motivation utterly fail us...
It is as if this atmospheric presence were a psychological
repository for all possible subjective beings, of such import that
no one could comprehend these at once, or in any combination
of 'times', and that each of us draws from that repository whatever
it is we require, according to our understanding and circumstances,
whatever they may be - while simultaneously our own experiences also
add to the supportive psychological framework. In it, personal and
impersonal meet and blend, forming new combinations and creative
versions...
I am surrounded by a sense of psychological luxury and supported by
that atmospheric presence whose qualities I find at once so curious
and so familiar. This presence is responsive. I am sure that it
reacts to me, yet while it is everywhere, it is not obtrusive, but
again, like the summer day, it is more like a delighful medium in
which all living is bathed so that it is quite possible to forget it
almost, or take it for granted...I am convinced, then, that this
atmospheric presence is the creative medium from which all
consciousness springs...
I was comforted by the fact that this presence did not seek me out,
examine me, or attempt to overwhelm me in any way. Instead it
quietly offers - what? Solace, support, a buoyancy in which my
existence is everywhere strengthened, refreshed, and yet led to
perceive enticing futher developments, or rather to feel itself
able to expand, even to be transformed, in perfect safety...
With no way to prove any of this, I know that on earth each person
is also supported in the same way."
Love is a Decision
What's Your Truth?
Grab a chair
Tell me about it
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