Hari Aum.
Om Namo Narayanaya. Om Sri Durgayai Namah.
Om Durgam devim sharanamaham prapadye.
Around two-and-a-half years ago, I wrote a play on the conversation between the higher and lower self/mind (link at end of this page). Today, I'd like to continue that conversation.
Higher mind: sitting quietly and contemplating spiritual matters, including the various twists and turns in spiritual life.
Lower mind: "Hello! We need to speak urgently about our spiritual life!"
Higher mind: "Sure, no problem. What's the issue?"
Lower mind: "What's the issue?! You've got to be kidding me! Last time we spoke, I'd agreed to let you do a moderate amount of mantra japa and bhajan in exchange for some concessions on sweets and suchlike. It's been working out ok between us since then-- I've been feeling a bit better and been more cooperative with you. I'm very concerned though by the way unexplained things are happening in our spiritual life."
Higher mind: "I didn't realise that you were interested in spiritual life--that's great! What is the unexplained stuff you're concerned about?"
Lower mind: "Well, you told me that you would be doing mantra japa and karma yoga and all the usual stuff. It's been hard on me to tolerate all that but I've coped with it patiently for years.”
“I'd like to know what's been going on lately though! What's all this twin soul nonsense? I don't like it at all! Make it go away! I find all this talk of astral stuff very unnerving!”
“I like the 3D world, the solid, 'real' world of waking consciousness. It's nice and familiar. There are scientific laws that operate here and we've studied some of them. I like science. It makes feel me comfortable.”
“On the other hand, I don't like all this talk of energy, astral stuff, nadis and chakras. What nonsense! Why are we having astral experiences now? What was the need for that?”
“Your Guru showing up in dreams was a bit odd but ok. But what's all this stuff about meeting a so-called twin soul in dream? It's downright freaky! It really scared me! I don't approve. I want that stuff to stop completely! Never again, I tell you! Cut them off, I say!"
Higher mind: "Well, I've explained the energetic anatomy to you already. You know perfectly well that there are three layers of the human being-- physical body, energy body and causal body. You can't have one without the other. And, as spiritual life progresses, various experiences occur in each of these layers. It's part of the process.”
“With regard to a twin soul, well, it seems we have one. That's pretty much all that there is to say about it. It's a creation of the universe for spiritual growth apparently. I suggest we accept it. That would be the sensible way forward. Go with the flow sort of thing!"
Lower mind: "Go with the flow! You must be joking-- I'm not going with any flow! Especially not with this twin soul nonsense.
You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Gallivanting about with a 'twin soul' in the astral realm of dreams-- and, that too, as a married individual-- the sheer horror of it!
I sometimes wonder whether you've swapped places with me-- am I the higher mind now, having to remind you of the importance of virtue, and are you the lower one? Honestly!"
Higher mind: "I'm not 'gallivanting' with anyone in the astral realm! The universe is doing something and we are just a part of it. I'm not going to fight the universe-- let things unfold the way they must.”
“This twin soul thing seems to be something that others have also experienced. Their experiences are very similar to ours, if not identical in certain aspects.”
“We should, therefore, keep an open mind, study this subject and learn about it. Figure out how this fits into our spiritual life- instead of pretending it's not happening and burying our head in the sand. Denial of reality is not spirituality! Surely you can see that."
Lower mind: "What of the ethics? You've been ranting on about the importance of yogic ethics in spiritual life all this while! What about them? How do the yogic ethics apply here-- I'd like to see how you explain that! Shame I say, it's a terrible shame, this entire thing! A complete disgrace! A mess! Horrific, just horrific!"
Higher mind: "The yogic ethics are very much being practiced here-- truth, love and all the rest. What's the issue? This is not a straightforward journey-- surely, that should be obvious to you by now. This is a spiritual path. We're dealing with kundalini, karma, chakras, cleansing and all sorts! Not easy I agree-- but spiritual life is not easy, you ought to know that by now!"
Lower mind: "I am deeply upset, I tell you! This twin soul thing does not fit with social norms. The whole set-up is laden with karma and is really off-putting! It's a recipe for trouble, total disaster. Run from it like the plague, I say! Do not touch it with a ten-foot barge pole!"
"My advice to you, if you'll listen for once, is to cut the cord. That's right, you know how the pranic healers cut cords-- we've done that course. Just cut the bond, and the problem will be fixed! We will have some much-needed peace.”
“You keep saying all the twin souls got activated some years ago and there's been some serious turmoil in the so-called 'collective'. Well, it's time for a bit of peace, I say! Cut the cord and be done with it!"
Higher mind: "I'm sorry you're upset. Everyone on this spiritual journey gets upset at one stage or another. It's sort of designed to be that way.”
“We’ve already tried your running idea-- for years! That didn't work so well in the end, now did it? It's quite common to run, and most (if not all) twin souls do run-- but eventually, most people realise there's not much sense in it. Because, you clearly cannot run from yourself! Or 'cut the cord' from yourself for that matter!"
Lower mind: "What do you mean, 'run from yourself'? The twin soul and we are definitely not the same! They are nothing like us! We're two different people--entirely different. We look different, we sound different. We are entirely, 100 per cent different! How dare you suggest we're the same and stuck with them for life? That's complete nonsense and I will not accept it!"
Higher mind: "Well, I'm still in the process of understanding this connection so I don't yet have all the answers! But, there does seem to be an astral connection. In that sense, at least, we are a sort of interconnected unit within which energies seem to flow-- this includes thoughts and feelings. This may be a reason for the 'mirroring' aspect of this journey.”
“We may not be exactly 'the same', but there appears to be a pretty intense, energetic connection nonetheless. The astral layer of our being, the chakras, seem to be interconnected. There also seems to be some possible telepathy for many people who experience this connection."
Lower mind: "Telepathy?! That's it--I knew this spiritual stuff was going to get us into trouble one day! That's the sort of thing that people with mental health issues talk about! We're headed in that direction, this stuff is seriously weird.”
“Too much meditation is bad for the brain and mind-- makes one bonkers! I knew this day would come! We should have lived a normal life. It's not too late, I tell you. Stop reciting the mantra and contemplating the Divine from this day onwards-- it's totally unhealthy!"
Higher mind: "The yogis do quite openly accept that there are various dormant functions of the mind that naturally become active as a result of meditation over a period of time. It may feel weird, but it's actually pretty normal in a way.”
“Science is also increasingly finding evidence of telepathy-- not just between humans, but even between animals. In the coming years, all of this stuff will probably become pretty normal in our world and not so weird anymore!”
“Twin soul telepathy seems to be an experience that many have had. We've experienced it too-- whether you like it or not, it's simply a fact. Just get used to it!"
Lower mind: "I refuse to 'get used' to anything that's not fully proven by science! I also refuse to accept anything that does not fit with the traditional way of life-- in society and even spirituality! I can't stand anything that's new and unexplained-- it really freaks me out! This telepathy, astral stuff and dream conversations and so on really alarm me!"
Higher mind: "I understand. Not easy for anyone to deal with stuff like that. But it is a part of spiritual life to keep an open mind, and to allow the universe to guide us. I believe the mantra chanting keeps us in touch with our Guru and the Divine. It also helps us attune ourselves to the will of the Divine. That's a very important part of spiritual life."
Lower mind: "I just cannot shake off the guilt aspect of this connection. The shame of it. Being married to one person, and having this sort of energetic connection with somebody else-- both in the waking and dream state! It's a total disgrace, I tell you! A matter of deep shame!”
“I know virtually all twin souls tend to have this issue-- but it's just disgusting! So unethical! I'm supposed to be the 'lower mind' and even I can see this is not at all in accordance with the 'yogic ethics' you keep talking about! I shudder with shame and horror at it! It is totally at odds with our scriptures. This will surely lead to a spiritual downfall.”
“I literally weep at the sheer spiritual downfall we have experienced as a result of this connection! I never imagined in a million years that it would come to this!”
“The ideal spiritual, married woman according to the yoga tradition is a 'pativrata'-- a loyal, faithful wife like Anasuya or Sita! Not a Pingala or Ahalya! The shame of it, I cannot bear it!”
“Your Krishna has betrayed you. He's ruined you like He ruined the original 'Vishnupriya' (He created similar trouble for her too in a way!). Woe betide us, we are totally undone!"
Higher mind: "Yes, this is very difficult, I agree. Can't blame you for finding it disturbing. Most people on this journey do face the same difficulty, to be fair.”
“It's not as simple as you describe though. It's a lot more complex. In a higher sense, I guess what it comes down to is that this is not really about a connection with 'someone else'. It's sort of a part of us, if you see what I mean.”
“Is it shameful to love oneself? All aspects of oneself? Both of us, the higher mind and the lower mind, come from God. The astral body comes from God, the connection of this astral body with that of the twin's astral body also comes from God.”
“The twin soul, in a sense, is a part of oneself-- at least, on an astral level. So, twin soul love is not really loving 'someone else'-- ultimately, it is about loving oneself. It is not a crime to love and be kind to oneself, is it?
It is actually quite healthy and perfectly in line with yogic ethics. The yogis recommend being loving and accepting of ourselves as we are, however the universe has made us. If we cannot love and accept ourselves, how can we hope to love anyone else?”
“I can see the dilemma though-- when there are different external manifestations, even when there is a level of oneness on an astral and soul level, it can be very tricky to understand and accept the situation.”
“But, ultimately, that is what this is. The last time you and I chatted in 2023, we talked about how both you and I are a part of the same God. We may be 'higher' and 'lower' mind, but we are part of one Supreme Being or God. You had said you did not like me seeing you as my enemy and that I had no right to do that-- you were right.”
“I would suggest you start to see the twin soul in the same way. Just like you and I are part of one being, the higher and lower mind of the twin soul is also a part of us (and not an enemy).”
“It is pretty weird, I accept, and it will take quite some time to fully digest and understand this situation. But I hope you can now start to see where I'm coming from when I say that this is part of our spiritual journey and we need to be open to where the universe guides us."
Lower mind: "I will never surrender to the universe for the sake of union with a so-called twin soul! I signed up to this spiritual journey for the sake of union with God, because you said that would bring us peace. This twin soul journey is nothing but trouble-- I will never, ever surrender to unite with such a person in any way, shape or form! Let me be very clear on this! Say what you please, but I never will surrender!"
Higher mind: "Hmmm. Ok. Nobody is asking you to 'surrender' anything for the sake of union with any twin soul. I feel 'acceptance' is a better word than 'surrender'. There's no harm in accepting life as it is though, is there?”
“Accepting the will of God is very healthy in spiritual life. It brings peace, healing and joy."
Lower mind: "I'm not fully convinced by what you've said. But I accept that running away from the twin soul and trying to cut them off hurts like hell and frankly doesn't work for us twin souls who've tried it. It's a pretty dumb option from that perspective. And we're not stupid to keep hurting ourselves!
I don't like any of this, but, I definitely want some peace in life.”
“I'm very angry with God and the universe for putting us and other twin souls through this hell-- but I will accept His will as that seems like the only sensible choice.”
“Every now and again, I reserve my right to rant and rave at this connection and at God for creating this. You've got to allow me at least that much!
I've put up with all your mantra sadhana and what not, and now this! It's been just terrible! I will need to vent my feelings periodically, I tell you!"
Higher mind: "Ok, no worries, you can vent your feelings to me when you need to! Totally understandable! I know none of this is easy and I really appreciate your patience with this entire process."
Lower mind: "When is this going to end? Tell me that!"
Higher mind: "Wait and see, let the universe decide the path of each one of us. In the meantime, can we please carry on with the mantra japa and other spiritual practices? That really is the only sensible way forward!"
Lower mind: "Fine! This is the worst experience ever, and I'm really annoyed, but ok. I suppose it's the only option!"
And, there we have it! That is the nature of the higher and lower mind in many twin souls, the inner battle that many of us go through. Not particularly easy-- but then, no spiritual path is. We just have to keep going. :)
Om Namo Narayanaya.
Hari Aum Tat Sat.
P.S. This is the link to the previous conversation between the higher and lower mind.
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