We have to remember that it is not the mind that meditates. Consciousness meditates,and this meditation is more effective when the mind is still.
The astral and mental planes are higher than the physical in that they are composed of more subtle substance, but they are still part of our everyday experience. Just as we experience the physical plane through the physical body, so we experience the astral plane through the astral vehicle and the mental plane through the mental vehicle.
The challenge of meditation is to raise consciousness beyond the mental, to that plane which Alice Bailey terms the Buddhic. This is where consciousness (the Soul) normally resides, resting in itself.
As you say, the mind cannot perceive levels beyond the mind. Therefore we have to let go of the mind and all thought, and simply rest in consciousness, which itself rests in Being.
I was sat down for second initiation (going beyond the mind) in February 1982. I sat for eight days, and at the end of the third day I reached the point of surrender. A vast and powerful Being seemed to reach down and pluck me up into itself, and I rested in this void where thought was absent. I don't know how long I remained there, but when I returned to normal awareness I discovered that I was indeed greater than my mind. My thoughts, which had previously filled my awareness, were now no more than tiny bubbles arising within consciousness.
Of course I attributed all this to JY at the time. Now I consider that the vast and powerful Being is actually my own Higher Self. But when initiates were having such experiences through meditation on the Light & Sound it is no wonder we were so willing to accept all that we were told about JY being the Perfect Master.
Peace.
The astral and mental planes are higher than the physical in that they are composed of more subtle substance, but they are still part of our everyday experience. Just as we experience the physical plane through the physical body, so we experience the astral plane through the astral vehicle and the mental plane through the mental vehicle.
The challenge of meditation is to raise consciousness beyond the mental, to that plane which Alice Bailey terms the Buddhic. This is where consciousness (the Soul) normally resides, resting in itself.
As you say, the mind cannot perceive levels beyond the mind. Therefore we have to let go of the mind and all thought, and simply rest in consciousness, which itself rests in Being.
I was sat down for second initiation (going beyond the mind) in February 1982. I sat for eight days, and at the end of the third day I reached the point of surrender. A vast and powerful Being seemed to reach down and pluck me up into itself, and I rested in this void where thought was absent. I don't know how long I remained there, but when I returned to normal awareness I discovered that I was indeed greater than my mind. My thoughts, which had previously filled my awareness, were now no more than tiny bubbles arising within consciousness.
Of course I attributed all this to JY at the time. Now I consider that the vast and powerful Being is actually my own Higher Self. But when initiates were having such experiences through meditation on the Light & Sound it is no wonder we were so willing to accept all that we were told about JY being the Perfect Master.
Peace.