I see colors, patterns and sometimes different dimensions. Is this normal? Is this the beginners state or different?
—Paulette, Usa
Dear Paulette,
Some people have inner visual experiences (or inner sensory experiences of sound, taste, touch or smell) in meditation even as new meditators. Some people may never have inner sensory experiences in meditation. The presence or absence of spiritual experience is not in itself an indicator of spiritual progress. Not every visual experience in meditation has its source in higher consciousness. For instance, we may have dream-like images that come from our subconscious that are vague, cloudy, or emotionally charged and not necessarily uplifting. Spiritually uplifting inner visual experience is accompanied by increased stillness, peace, joy or another spiritual quality. If you receive such a gift in meditation, consider it wonderful encouragement on the spiritual path. You will have to assess whether your experiences have a spiritual quality. In general, it is good to remember that meditation should not be a circus and we do not meditate to have ‘experiences’.
You might like to know about an important visual experience in meditation, perceiving the spiritual eye. The spiritual eye can be seen in deep meditation and is a doorway to cosmic consciousness. Swami Kriyananda, Ananda’s founder and a direct disciple of Yogananda, described the spiritual eye thus: “The spiritual eye is a reflection of the astral light in the medulla oblongata. The Christ or Krishna center, where it resides at the point between the eyebrows, represents the positive pole of the medulla which is the seat of ego-consciousness. When this light is beheld perfectly, it takes the form of a five-pointed star set in a field of deep blue or violet light, and circled by a shining ring of gold. In a state of ecstasy, the consciousness penetrates the spiritual eye and enters the inner realms. Truly, as Jesus Christ put it, ‘The kingdom of God is within.” (from Meditation for Starters by Swami Kriyananda). Even if you just see a partial aspect such as the blue field, it can be inspiring. We uplift our eyes during meditation and concentrate at that point between the eyebrows to increase our opening of the spiritual eye.
Whatever comes in meditation, offer it up to the point between the eyebrows, just as the energy at the medulla is offered up to that point. In this way we are not attached to any particular experience as being ‘ours’ but offer all, even ourselves, to the Christ center. Make self-offering a part of every meditation and eventually you can become one with this Infinite Consciousness.
Many blessings to you,
Nayaswami Mukti
