The Nature of Revelation

[Guest]

I’ve had a few circumstances lately that have caused me to reflect upon the nature of revelation and from whence it originates.

My entire life I was taught that revelation comes from either God or His son, Satan..

I’ve had revelations. The ones I’m talking about are premonitions and/or impressions. Some were unsolicited (mostly warnings but occasionally an overwhelming feelings of love, peace and acceptance) others were direct answers to prayer (should I or shouldn’t I). Yet others were distinct impressions as I lay my hands upon the heads of those that had requested/pronounced blessings for healing or comfort.

I’ve seen healings in an instant, but this is not a thread about whether or not they bare efficacy. If you wish to nitpick, please dump your thoughts in the Terrestrial.

That being said, I’ve been giving this type of past communication from beyond the veil a great deal of thought lately.

Where does revelation come from?

Some will insist it is all physiological. While this is correct for many instances, my life experience insists that it cannot claim every event.

Others say that it is either from a Heavenly Father or Satan (and perhaps a little of the above as well).

I would suggest that perhaps there are other influences.

(edited for typos)

[_Inconceivable]

In my family, we’ve had dreams where deceased relatives come to discuss matters of importance. Most in the family consider these events a matter of revelation. You could call some of them simply projecting - no doubt. Then there are those dreams that warn of future events.

Who or what is it that conveys the messages that bare consideration?

[_Inconceivable]

Who or what is it that conveys the messages that bare consideration?

I’ve read several books on NDE’s (Near Death Experiences). With little exception, those that relate a personal NDE describe those that greet them as loved ones and in many cases, their own deceased relatives - known or unknown at the time.

I think upon my family’s legacy in the Mormon church.

We speak in the real world about spirits that haunt houses and even meadows - the spirits of those that have not moved on. Remaining here to care for relics or perhaps even influence those that yet live (as if they have some sort of incompleted mission to fulfill). I’ve been in the presence of good, evil and even indifferent spirits throughout my life (perhaps worth a different thread).

Who is it that has been answering prayers, giving well intentioned clues to the veracity of a fraudulent religeon, assisting in the healing of loved ones, giving comfort or even giving match-making recommendations (I distinctly recall sensing the presence of my wife’s deceased mother during our temple marriage ceremony).

Those of you that are TBM, you are free to omit the "fraudulent religeon" reference above for the sake of keeping this threat on track.

Thoughts?

(edited for typos)

[_moksha]

I would suggest that perhaps there are other influences.

I've had epiphaneous experiences while reading, in pre and post hypnogogic states, and even eating wasabi.

[_truth dancer]

Hi Inc,

I think it is more complex than we comprehend.

I too have had some amazing "spiritual" experiences.

As a hypnotherapist I have witnessed all sorts of amazing experiences, (like past life regression).

While I don't believe in a personal God, or other worldly human beings, I do think there is more to our reality than we know. I think our subconscious is extraordinarily powerful, I think we are connected in ways we do not yet grasp, and I think the universe is beyond our comprehension.

At this point I'm basically a pantheist and believe we are all one energy/essence hence we are not as separate as we think. I also think our thoughts create our reality in ways beyond our knowledge.

Anyway, based on my personal experiences, I do think there is more going on, but I do not think it is quite what we think.

LOL!

Nice topic!

~dancer~

You may be interested in my very favorite organization, the Institute of Noetic Sciences. I've been a member for quite some time... :-) They have a special trial membership going on but the SHIFT magazine alone is well worth the price of membership.

Actually, they have a discussion board which I have never participated but it might be fun!

http://www.noetic.org/

[_Dr. Shades]

I don't know how to address most of your post, but let me chime in to say that occurrences within mere dreams are most likely not revelations at all. In dreams, anything can happen.

For example, I had a best friend die unexpectedly a little over 12 years ago. He appears in my dreams ALL THE TIME. I dream that he'll be back from "the other side" in spirit form, interacting with us like nothing was amiss. In each of these dreams I bombard him with questions about life after death, how he was able to come back to the mortal world, etc.

Now, do I think that he really has come back to me in my dreams? Of course not. It's merely my own lack of closure welling up and expressing itself in my dreams, just like Freud explained. I'm willing to bet money that that's all it is in your family members' cases, too.

[_Inconceivable]

Now, do I think that he really has come back to me in my dreams? Of course not. It's merely my own lack of closure welling up and expressing itself in my dreams, just like Freud explained. I'm willing to bet money that that's all it is in your family members' cases, too.

I wish it were so. It would be much easier to let it roll off. But in your example, I think you are correct.

[_Dr. Shades]

I wish it were so. It would be much easier to let it roll off.

The mere fact that your family members' visitations from the dead are occurring in their dreams is a dead giveaway that they aren't actually happening. Does it even need to be said that lots of things happen within dreams that aren't actually real??

If these visitations were the real deal, they would happen while your family members were awake, not when they were asleep.

[_Inconceivable]

If these visitations were the real deal, they would happen while your family members were awake, not when they were asleep.

Your refering to a rule book I don't have access to. It's a valid enough assumption on the surface, but why the rule and why would you believe it?

[_Dr. Shades]

For the same reason that prophets caught in lies are inherently suspect.

Dreams are notoriously unreliable--right? Things that happen to you while you're awake, while perhaps not 100% reliable from a philosophical point of view, are nevertheless infinitely more reliable as true occurrences than things which happen in your dreams--right?

It just seems to me that if a deceased relative wished to return and convey some sort of information, that it would be counterproductive to do so in a venue which is so notoriously unbelievable. If they wished to be believed, it makes the most sense to appear in a venue which is the most believable--right?