The world of Spirit

Exploring the World of Spirit

By Jimmy Henderson FRC

'Spirit’ could be understood as a generic term normally used to describe all self-conscious archetypal personalities existing within higher realms of the collective unconscious. When engaging these realms during deep meditation or altered states of consciousness, these personalities, traditionally called angels, archangels or spirit-guides, appear to be in different ‘dimensions’, although this is merely a perception resulting from the the mind's tendency to provide structure to our inner experiences. In fact, these so-called ‘planes’, ‘dimensions’ or ‘realms’ are actually representations of areas of lesser or greater degrees of consciousness.

These archetypal figures in 'Spirit' can be of much assistance to students of metaphysical practice, by providing information, guidance and initiations.  

Passing through to these elevated areas of mind-reality during meditation requires much effort, as our symbolic processes have difficulty functioning at such high and unusual levels of conscious activity. It is therefore possible that only light and colours will be seen at first, and later, as our symbolic processes adapt, one may be able to distinguish transparent outlines, shapes and even forms and movement appearing to the left in visual peripheral fields. At first these may seem like figments of the imagination, elements of a daydream impinging on consciousness, but as this experience is occurring spontaneously, it can be regarded as external to self.

Archetypal personalities existing within the 'collective unconscious' (within 'spirit'), take on visual forms according to their attributes. In other words, what is seen is assembled in the mind (one's inner visual field) using one’s storehouse of memories and thinking paradigm, and will usually differ from person to person. For instance, seeing a crown on a figure may denote ‘majesty’, size and height could suggest ‘power’, and seeing a figure as male or female will depend on what personality characteristics are being presented, as well as one’s own male/female framework of reference. 

The best time to view such archetypal figures during meditation is in the early hours of the morning, or at night when the room is slightly darkened and their outlines and luminosity can more easily be seen.   

In this regard, one’s intention should be to avoid entering the lower ‘realms’ of ‘Spirit’ in which there are lesser forms which are, as yet, not fully evolved (usually called elementals), as well ‘shadow entities’ which still embody the principle of chaos.  

Due to our symbolic processes of interpretation and their low level of functioning, elementals will usually appear as animal-like creatures which emerge from the earth and can sometimes be quite unpleasant, mischievous and deceptive. Apart from mutual respect, any kind of relationship with these figures is not recommended, as it could be binding on one’s consciousness.   

One therefore needs to be careful when setting an intention to explore the depths of one's own mind and beyond into the 'collective unconscious', especially at these lower, formative levels, as this energy can be very uncomfortable and disturbing to those who are not familiar with it. Inadvertently or even consciously entering this domain during meditation could be likened to making a wrong turn during a road trip and ending up in a rough neighbourhood in an unfamiliar part of town. 

Contacts with the lower levels of Spirit as embodied in shadow entities or elementals, are therefore usually not helpful and they are best left alone unless one is fully acquainted with the rules for safe engagement which have been fully explained in my previous book ‘Multi-Dimensional Perception (2010).

Jimmy Henderson is a well-known metaphysician and the author of a number of books and articles on inner exploration and self-development. See www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com