233. Panel Discussion on Refined (“Celestial”) Perception - a podcast by Rick Archer

 Painting by Harri Aalto
The iconography and texts of most spiritual traditions depict and describe realms of existence more subtle than ordinary sensory perception reveals. The most commonly portrayed phenomena are halos in paintings of saints. But in addition to this evidence of the human “subtle body”, the traditions are abundant with paintings and stories of subtle beings such as angels, gods, devas, demons, etc.Is this mere mythology or does it suggest that subtle perception is part of spiritual development? So far, the non-dual community has not discussed this at all. The New Age community has, but often in a fanciful way that the non-dual community has, perhaps wisely, chosen to eschew. Yet many who have had abiding awakenings that non-dual traditions predict and respect discover, in time, that subtle perception begins to dawn. They begin to perceive auras, angels, devas, and the like as routinely as most of us see other human beings.

This panel discussion included five such people: Name
WebsiteOther Batgap Interviews


Francis Bennett8/4/2012, 4/21/2013* 10/26/2013*, 5/24/2014*, 10/23/2014*, 10/22/2015*, 10/21/2016, 10/25/2016*


Harri Aaltoharriaalto.com
3/22/2014, 7/19/2014, 11/12/2016Kristin Kirk
kristinkirk.com11/2/2013, 10/22/2015*


Ruffina Farrokh Anklesariabestagainststress.com
Facebook pageStan Kendz
stankendz.com12/2/2009



*Part of group discussionWe discussed:

what subtle or “celestial” perception is,its relevance to spiritual awakening,
whether it is an inevitable development on the path or a special aptitude like musical or athletic ability,the nature of our relationship with the beings which reside on subtler levels of creation. Do we and they support each other in some way?
whether subtle perception should be intentionally cultivated or whether it will develop on its own if and when it is meant to. If it can be developed, what are the prerequisites to and stages of its development?Transcript of this discussion

Recorded 5/24/2014Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.


YouTube Video Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction to Refined Perception
00:06:23 - Reluctance to Participate and Cultural Norms00:10:34 - Personal Experiences with Spiritual Beings
00:14:07 - Experiencing Consciousness as Everything 00:19:11 - The Sublime Area of Consciousness
00:23:24 - A Life-changing Experience00:26:59 - The Transformative Experience and Past Lives
00:31:09 - Past Lives and Reincarnations00:35:40 - Enlivening the Shakti
00:40:12 - The Richness of an Enlightened World00:45:05 - The Kingdom of Heaven Within Us
00:49:33 - The Golden Hue of Consciousness00:53:14 - Shifting Consciousness and Expanded Self
00:57:05 - Releasing Beings through Meditation01:00:25 - Aging and the Laws of Nature
01:04:19 - The Recognition of Love and Compassion01:08:27 - The Expansion of Consciousness
01:11:20 - The Unfoldment of States of Consciousness01:14:40 - Parallels in Maps of Consciousness
01:17:13 - The Vast Range of Possibilities in Consciousness01:20:01 - Universal Phenomenon of Consciousness Growth
01:22:12 - Shifting Awareness and Refined Perception01:24:34 - Celestial Perception and Spiritual Awakening
01:26:48 - Unfolding States of Awareness01:29:50 - Overpowering Experiences and Support
01:33:43 - The Journey of Unfolding Consciousness and Surrender01:38:28 - Surrender and Devotion in Spiritual Practice
01:43:07 - The Phenomenon of Channeling01:47:23 - Experiences of Lord Vishnu and Celestial Levels
01:51:40 - The Celestial Levels of Consciousness01:56:24 - Concluding Remarks

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