thank you chocolatelover.. your interest inspires me... i believe sincerely that 1oxbowgirl cares about us..

1oxbowgirl, may i ask if you've studied Thomas Merton?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Merton

here is a related link regarding Catholic Mysticism:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystical_theology

a book about buddhism i'd read about 20 years ago also mentioned the phenomona 1oxbow describes and gave a caution that the student risks losing his/her place in ascension by dwelling on the supernatural occurences while in meditations..

the books advice was simply, do not dwell...

a similar statement as your own:

chocolatelover said:
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I think any journey into the unknown, any study of thoughts and approaches that stretch the boundaries of God's Word can be risky business. I think one needs to always tread softly in places where God is not the centre. I think one needs to know their own limits and be willing to keep God at the centre of their searchings. One needs to take special care to protecting themselves at all times. To put on the cloke of prayer and the garments of praise, to walk in purity.

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i heeded the advice of the buddhism book .. it was not for many years before it became important in a real life way..

i cant imagine not having experimented and explored with spirituality...

such was the pain inside me that i ached for relief...

i dont want to feel damned for what ticks inside me... i, like you, like anyone i believe, only wish for inner peace... for whatever variety of reasons, we've both sought outside ourselves and simultaneously, looked within...