Cosmic Journeys: My Out-of-Body Explorations with Robert A. Monroe; and Soul Journeys: My Guided Tours through the Afterlife
Post a comment · 11 Comments
 Print This Post
·
|
I'm a resizer!
|
by Rosalind A. McKnight
Reviewed by Matthew Fike, PhD
Winter/Spring 2009
Matthew Fike is an associate professor of English at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C.
“We feel an urgency to get the material through so that it can get into written form, and thereby into the consciousness level of souls who are in need of growth and are searching for new inspiration and openings into their higher selves.”1 This quotation, which is spoken by a nonphysical entity through Rosalind McKnight in Robert Monroe’s research laboratory, nicely encapsulates the overall purpose of the two books under review in this issue. To that end, Cosmic Journeys and Soul Journeys provide a formidable and comprehensive cosmology that includes the consciousness of plants, animals, and the earth itself; multiple destinations in the afterlife, including “The Patrick Event”; the author’s own birth and preexistence; alien spaceships; Monroe’s death, which frames the first book; and the distant future of our planet.
Cosmic Journeys is the result of the author’s work as one of Monroe’s Explorers between 1971 and 1982. Its twenty-four chapters—divided into sections that correspond to parts of the “Gateway Affirmation”—are mostly dialogues between Monroe and either Rosie herself or guides who speak through her. Chapter 19, though, is typed as it is channeled, a technique that she employs throughout Soul Journeys, most of which is recorded at a computer keyboard as her guide, Radiant Lady, takes her on a tour of the afterlife. The author’s body functions “as a transmitting set between dimensions,” and the material has an immediacy and a conversational quality that result from her rare ability to report psychic events as she experiences them.
Cosmic Journeys not only describes the origin of numerous meditative techniques taught at The Monroe Institute® but also sheds light on several passages from Monroe’s second book, Far Journeys. It is interesting, however, that a wide variety of theological material conveyed by Rosie’s Guides did not make it into the Institute’s course cosmology or Monroe’s writings. At the very least, this pattern of references reflects Rosie’s MDiv degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Along with echoes of biblical language (especially Paul’s image of seeing “through a glass darkly” and the twin principles “Ask and you shall receive,” “Seek and you shall find”), the Guides stress, among many other important points, that God is pure love energy, that the fall is separation, that salvation means emulating Jesus who “came from the highest God-energy” to teach unconditional love, and that prayer and thanksgiving are important to spiritual development.
The fuller cosmology laid out in Cosmic Journeys is a treasure trove to which no brief review can do proper justice, but a sampling of concepts most interesting to TMI readers will provide a sense of what awaits between its covers. A fundamental principle is that “all that is exists within.” Thus the key to accessing “universal knowledge” is to look within to the five levels of consciousness or vibration. From lowest to highest, these are “the physical, etheric-substance, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels.” The lower levels are subject to time and fear; the higher levels—beyond time—correspond to realms of love. Human beings can separate from the physical at the etheric-substance level on up to the spirit level. For example, if separation occurs at the mental level, the mental and spiritual levels separate, while the etheric-substance and emotional levels remain with the physical body. The more levels are left behind, the safer the physical body remains. The five-level system also suggests that there is no genuine OBE (only phase shifting) and accounts for how we can travel during sleep but not remember doing so: unless one lives consciously in the “higher energy state of two and a half and beyond,” one is unlikely to remember the experience.
Whereas the afterlife is a subset of Cosmic Journeys, it is the author’s exclusive focus in Soul Journeys, a title that anticipates phrases like “soul journeys back to our original forms” and “journey back to the Godhead.” The book’s purpose is to help people realize that there is no death and to counsel self-recognition, faith, hope, and joy. More so than the first book, Soul Journeys provides snapshots from Rosie’s life: various jobs, her nine-acre farm, her love of cats and dogs who play supporting roles in the drama Here and There, and even a past lifetime in which she was sacrificed by a high priest (her ex-husband in this lifetime). With brutal honesty, she narrates the darkest period of her life when, in Europe, she nearly committed suicide but was saved when her beloved guide AhSo from Cosmic Journeys intervened. Since that nearly fatal moment, she has lived in the “eternal presence of God,” which may partially explain her talent for channeling spiritual beings. Her close brush with suicide illustrates two principles that reappear throughout the book: the Disconnect Principle (disconnection from God and others is bad) and the Chaos Principle 13 (when everything “seems to fall apart, it’s simply coming together at a higher level”). Of course, Soul Journeys includes a variety of other interesting psychic experiences as well. The most notable are Rosie’s reunion with her brother Larry, who was killed at a young age in an automobile accident; face-to-face meetings with AhSo, Patrick, and various pets in the afterlife; a visit to Monroe’s heavenly conference center; and a Dantesque scene in the Dark Realm where stuck souls self-punish according to their own negative thought forms.
Soul Journeys describes a soul’s incarnation as a circular journey from the spirit world to the Earth and back again. Highlights of this process include a life contract with an Earth Council, guidance while on Earth, and an automatic life review upon return to the spirit world. Most souls migrate to Summerland (a subset of which is the Park known to LIFELINE™ participants)—a realm of love, joy, and pleasure, where souls engage in learning, hobbies, and service. Over and over again, Rosie’s Guides stress a variety of key points about this soul journey. Suicide is a great no-no because it breaks one’s contract with God. We must clear ourselves of addictions while on Earth and live joyfully and meaningfully so that we may die peacefully and ascend to the level of our highest energy. Thought is incredibly important because “we attract everything to ourselves by the way we think.” God energy or spirit is the only thing that is real. And as in Platonic philosophy, everything on Earth originates on the spiritual plane.
Residing in the background of Rosie’s two books are not only Dante and Plato but also the English poet John Milton. Cosmic Journeys makes four references to the point that Milton has the angel Raphael tell Adam and Eve: “And from these corporal nutriments perhaps / Your bodies may at last turn all to Spirit, / Improv’d by tract of time, and wing’d ascend / Ethereal.” The implication of this happy thought is that the Earth and all who live on her will eventually, through spiritual ascension, come to enjoy some of the qualities that Soul Journeys associates primarily with the afterlife. Living well in love and joy is therefore of utmost importance. Perhaps Rosie will say more about this in her next book, which her Guides, she says in the final chapter, are ready to download through her fingertips—Earth Journeys: Spirit-World Guidance for Living in the Here and the Hereafter. In the meantime, readers will find much of interest in the two volumes already published, which rival Monroe’s trilogy for depth and breadth of insight, come highly recommended, and are virtually indispensable reading for serious metaphysicians.
1 For the sake of simplicity, all quotations within quotations in this review appear in a single set of quotation marks.
Hemi-Sync® is a registered trademark of Interstate Industries, Inc.
© 2009 by The Monroe Institute
All TMI Publications
Browse Titles From A-Z
View more research articles, weblog posts, and related media in our Directory
Publications
Related Articles
- The Seeds of Exploration Essence
- Byron Metcalf, Ph.D., Talks About SHAMAN’S HEART Program
- GATEWAY VOYAGE® in Brazil
- What’s Next?
Subscribe to a feed of all articles added to the Focus
Link to this Page
Help the Monroe Institute by linking to us on your blog, web site, or MySpace page using this code.
Questions and Additional Information
If you have questions regarding our programs, research, educational materials, or our website please contact us.
I’ve been a Robert Monroe enthusiast since publication of his first book and it’s because of Robert that I think differently regarding death and I look forward to finding myself in “The Park” after I die. It is also because of him that I became interested in “intelligent” OOBEs, as opposed to the New Age b.s. Just a few minutes ago I learned of Rosalind’s book and I started researching it. Now I find myself here and my first disappointment with the book’s contents regarding the author’s religious comments (see below) because of her background. I know that religious beliefs are created by mental conditioning and they are extremely difficult to replace with common sense, logic and reason. So, while Rosalind may have had a close relationship with Robert, her mental set dictated religious comments, not an outside source. It is a fact that there is no biblical god, that Jesus is not supported by historical evidence, etc. So I may still read the book for all of its other interesting information but I sure as heck am going to flip through anything that smacks of judeo/christian pap for it all came from her conditioned mind and I’m sure that when I die I will not have any such religious experiences.
["It is interesting, however, that a wide variety of theological material conveyed by Rosie’s Guides did not make it into the Institute’s course cosmology or Monroe’s writings. At the very least, this pattern of references reflects Rosie’s MDiv degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Along with echoes of biblical language (especially Paul’s image of seeing “through a glass darkly” and the twin principles “Ask and you shall receive,” “Seek and you shall find”), the Guides stress, among many other important points, that God is pure love energy, that the fall is separation, that salvation means emulating Jesus who “came from the highest God-energy” to teach unconditional love, and that prayer and thanksgiving are important to spiritual development."]
Thanks for your perspective, Edward. We do tend to perceive through our own conditioned filters, no doubt about that.
It’s likely the reason that the more religiously oriented language and concepts from Rosie’s — or any other Explorer’s, for that matter — experiences are not part of the Institute’s lexicon is because Bob Monroe felt strongly that (1) familiar words have such highly-charged beliefs attached that it’s difficult for people to see past the old structures; and, (2) he wanted to de-mystify the nonphysical world. The vocabulary he created to do this seems to have been quite successful.
I first read about Robert Monroe when I was a teenager (I’m now 50). I had already been travelling out of my body by my own will never having read about it. I just had an innate knowledge of it, that my real inner self was somehow separate from my physical body. When I read of Robert Monroe journeys into the different locales – I was so excited I told my parents with such enthusiasm it must have scared them. My father quickly told me not to tell anyone outside the house – but my mother wanted to hear more – as she’d come from a family of open-minded people – stage performers/musicians/dancers, etc, and had been into the Rosicrucian society and meditation groups, and such. I related directly to Robert’s non-mystical down to earth language as I’d experienced my out-of-experiences in a very natural way. Whilst out of my body my awareness and sense of presence was more real than in the waking day. No “angels” or relgious sense happened. My second time “out” was so fantastic though that I still remember it vividly. I walked up our street and ‘exchanged’ energy with ‘energy buds’ through the line of council-planted bottle-brush trees. The buds were little globes of reddish lights. The next day upon waking I loked at those trees and noticed there were indeed tiny buds forming. Although this was not a religious experience it did help me appreciate the wonder of life in a new and expanding way.
For me, as it sounds was true for you, Pete, reading “Journeys Out of the Body” marked my first time learning of another person who experienced some of the same phenomena I’d known as a child. So freeing and validating!
In response to Edward Lopez’s denial of the existence of a Creator from which we originate from, I would like to share a “common sense” report which is logical and reasonable. One evening as I was working the night shift as a heavy equipment operator, I became aware of a powerful presence which was close by. My eyes saw nothing out of the ordinary, yet my inner self, my spirit, knew that it was close by, was in elevation above the ground, and was looking upon me, and the impression which I was aware of from this presence, was that it was not really all that pleased with me, not at all. In that powerful presence, I sensed inside, the true part of me, that my spirit originated as a part from that greater Spirit. You know how in everyday occurances, that for each “truth” a person proposes.. that it is accompanied by a question as to try to invalidate it from being a fact. Well, when I “knew” that my spirit was in fact just a small measured portion of that greater Spirit Entity (known as God to some), that my natural worldly-conditioned self could offer up absolutely NO deniable reasoning to contradict it’s validity. It was the emodiment of what it is to be true. And in that great and powerful presence, it was a natural thing for me to fall upon my knees and tear stained face, in humble acknowledgement of the sovereignty of that greater entity. I “knew” deep inside, in my core being, that it was my Creator. I sensed not specific gender, just the powerful presence of the Creator visiting upon one of it’s vessels, which was spiritually.. living a life which daily denied the Creator’s existence by me being selfish and proud instead of what I should be. Logic rests upon certain foundational methods of revealing evidence, and sometimes the direction which it’s conclusion would point us in, is one which is seldom readily accepted. Reason would allow us to understand great mysteries by first coming to understand smaller ones. (ie: Invisible Sound Pressure Waves behaving characteristially similar to ripples in a still water pond). We did not invent ourselves Mr. Lopez, but owe our existence, our spirit, to a greater source from whence we came, and one which we could one day, return.
Have a nice day,
- Dillen Doe
(“Doe” being akin to “Smith” in that my online endeavors would not bear upon my physical livelihood)
I would like to leave a response to Edward Lopez concerning the existence of a higher spiritual being which he is in error in denying. My experience is this, that one late evening working the night shift as a heavy equipment operator, my inner self became aware quite noticeably of a very powerful presence nearby, elevated from the ground, and whose attention was upon me. From within myself, my core being, I sensed a true thing, that my spirit was but a small measured part of this greater Spiritual Entity (who I will hereby submit as being “God”). In regular life when someone shares a relatively true fact, there is always a questioning within ourselves as to offer up a circumstance or reason why that should not be universally true. In this instance, in the presence of truth personified.. my fleshly nature would not dare to offend as to offer up any question as to the embodied validity of it’s presence and true nature. I could sense (or pick up on it’s “vibes”) that it was quite displeased with me, with the state of affairs of my existence that I had in choosing certain actions in my life which I will undoubtedly have to responsibly answer for, later. It was only natural, as the law of nature goes, that in the might presence of such powerful sovereignty, for me to fall to my knees with a tear stained face and cry out for forgiveness. Logic and reason, sometimes leads us in a direction for an answer which hinges upon a truth or fact which, to someone who has not shared such a circumstance, would negate as a work of fiction. We did not create ourselves, but our true selves come from a greater source. When we return, we would again become part of that greater source of existence. Unless.. we would not be accepted back in being considered as a cancer, and be forever removed from an existence in God.
Have a nice day,
-Dillen Doe
(“Doe” being akin to “Smith” in that this online endeavor would not bear upon my personal livelihood)
I too enjoy immensely Bob’s lack of religious terminology in his books, for down through history the horrendous wars, pillage and mayhem created in the name of religion, is one reason religious terminology has these attached meanings.
We must step aside from collective consciousness and read between the lines as explorers of the human psyche. I would like to point out in one of Bob’s books he does express his wish to meet the “great designer.”
Read about loosh collecting, those harvests refer to humans as generating unconditional love on this planet, even during times of war, and upon death, compassion, something akin to loosh is created.
And so for Cosmic Journey’s to reference religious terminology does in no way discredit her journeys, nor the value of the writings. Channelers are often discredited first hand. the spirit guides, helpers used the religious terminology and she was merely relaying their messages which were not in conflict with her own beliefs.
who can argue “seek and you will find?” It is a truth with no religious value.
Reason and intellect alone, are barren of personal experience. Cosmic Journey is full of personal experiences. What is personal, is a known to Rosalind, but just a good read to another.
That is why Bob said he wished to meet the Great Designer for he knew, he was always in search of who and what he was, as well we all are doing whether it is in a scientific or religious manner.
We mold our own characters here on earth, but none of us can say that we are the creators of our own soul because we cannot find the beginning nor the ending;
we are in a time/space dream area. Focus 27 is the best we can do for most of us, if we even get that far.
I believe what Dillen speaks of because I get a sense of the humility he underwent which changed his mind as to who he is, and whether he was doing what he came here to do.
There are always beings whose light is far greater than our own that we subscribe to as being God in total.
For that moment, they are God to us. Whatever the term, our experiences remain sacred to us in whatever terminology we use to convey them.
I would say only this in reference to Dillen’s comment that there is no such thing as forever being ousted from existing in God, because God, to my mind is neutral in allowing us to kill each other and learn to stop doing that and try to understand each other instead, which could lead to unconditional love experiences, for which I believe we are set upon the earth.
To qualify, there are regions in the afterlife, the lower planes where we feel guilty about one thing or another and some do get stuck in their self-made belief systems which exclude such things as love, understanding, compassion, terms which seem to be related only to religions, while these virtues are not religious exclusively.
if anything is rejected from the focus level of 27, it would be one who uses force to get their way. these are allowed to be among their own warring kind and may feel dissociated from God, brethren and/or their own higher self/aspirations.
Yet some of us love to be retrievers and attempt time after time to bring them to happier hunting grounds.
and yes J, or Ye’shua as he was named remembered who he really was despite the language he used that has survived to this day. It is our turn to remember who we really are for we have the same inherent potential as did J. I equate Bob as having a profound effect on humanity, as did J. and both messages from both teachers are still yet unfolding.
Bob has said he will live one more life, in about a 1,000 years. I have heard it from a trusted source (ok, it’s personal)
J also will return but few will recognize him for his message will be contained in different terms. He will probably, not use the word “Father” to mean God, for example, in this new life form.
Teach only love, for that is what you are. great thread. nice place to hang here. This is the “gathering?” Just might be!
[img]http://www.pix8.net/pro/pic/3365epM5u/1148663.jpg[/img]
~ This is me, such as I appear ~
Concerning me being visited by God’s Spirit, I can only describe that something true within me recognized that I originated from that Spirit Being. Sure that Spirit was a higher stage of light than I was, but it was in no manner simply a higher form of light, but the one who created me (my spirit). That’s what the true thing from within me, was in humble recognition of. Anyways.. I’ve often wondered concerning out-of-body experiences, if there is in existence.. something of a traveller’s guide to life, the universe, and everything. One that has printed in big words, “Don’t Panic”. I think that it would be a valueable thing, to read of places which our astronomers are only just discovering. To read of what the planets are like, what their sunrise & sunsets appear as, what the local fauna and inhabitants look like and the form of civilization on such a planet. What it’s like to ride upon a comet as it enters our solar system on it’s parabolic path around our sun. I would like to read of a personal experience observing the Aurora Borialis from WITHIN the Aurora Borialis. Of visiting the martian explorer robots, and the Russian one sent to Venus. Of touring our system of places which Man’s curiosity have reach and of places still untouched by Man. I wonder about so many things and places and I have wanted for such a long time, to be able to leave the limitations of my body and be a true explorer of all that is around us. in the discovery of the Universe, and ultimately of ourselves. So if anyone has come across something like this.. please let me know by responding to this message.
Thank you and take care,
-Dillen
PS: If the subtlety of my words is not so easily grasped.. I would like very much to be able to obe. Yet I am unable at this time to venture very far from where I live. I have read a book on self-taught obe’ing.. but it just seems to reflect that one should eat healthy foods in moderation and get lots of exercise. So.. I dunno what to do, as I don’t really get much exercise outside of working for a living.
Thanks for the informative post. It helped me a lot. May the Force be with you.
Easily, the post is actually the best on this deserving topic. I fit in with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your upcoming updates.
Dillen,
There is a guidebook to everything.
The Channel Seth, who spoke through Jane roberts, has produced THE most incredible books I have ever read.. and I have read many
http://www.sethcenter.com
Get some of his books, try “Seth Speaks” and “The nature of personal reality” for starters
There is also a book specifically on dreams and OOBE.
Hope that helps.
Blessed you are my friend.