Near-death experiences are not the only way to get in touch with the reality of love, joy and light that surrounds us and of which we are a part. Meditation and prayer have enabled countless people to make the same discovery.
Meditation is not a therapy or a personal development tool, but a path to the soul. Stéphane Allix, in his book “La mort n’existe pas”, describes it as an essentially spiritual practice. Arnaud Desjardins used to say that we should always enter meditation with the awareness that we are turning towards the sacred within ourselves.
Meditation teacher Tara Brach is a wonderful example. One day, she meditated on one of her fundamental beliefs: “it’s impossible to love someone like me”. Here’s what she experienced:
“I asked what the deeply buried area where this feeling of not being able to be loved resided needed most. Suddenly, I heard myself whisper: “Please love me”. The same call, over and over again: “please love me”.
Then I perceived a very intimate presence, a field of consciousness and light that surrounded me. It was like a presence overflowing with tenderness and compassion. I lowered my head a little. I felt a kiss on my forehead, a blessing of pure acceptance and concern.
Something inside me opened up and I was flooded with a loving light. The more light I let in, the more the feeling of separation vanished. I heard the words whispered to me by an Indian master: “Love never stops loving you”. Then I knew it was true”[1].
How do I find the Source?
The Source is within us, and it is the Source that gives us true happiness. To find it, we need to completely reverse our priorities. We need to turn our energy away from external things, and inwards as much as possible. As a Zen proverb says, “you have to close the shutters of your mind to see the inner light shine”.
This means, first of all, reducing our activity, slowing down and becoming less preoccupied with what’s directing us outwards.
Everyone can find their own way, through meditation, gardening, gentle walking, yoga, singing, painting and so on. The aim is always to calm the restlessness of the mind. This allows us to become aware of our spiritual energy and find inner peace.
As with physical exercise, several short periods during the day are more beneficial than a single longer period. And a little practice every day is more beneficial than a long time once a week.
NDE, a message that feels good
During our days, we can think back to the messages of the experimenters:
- We live in a deep, universal flow of love. This underground river of life is always present and accessible. To enjoy it, you need to take the time to stop and dig for water.
- This energy connects us all at the deepest level. None of us is separate from the others.
- We are spiritual beings who temporarily inhabit a physical body. Spiritual energy is therefore an essential element of a human being. It also contributes to our physical and psychological health.
The Source is joy and love. You’re on the right track if you feel these two feelings growing inside you. And, above all, if you feel them even when external circumstances are unfavorable.
[1] Radical Compassion
