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bpcyclist
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Default Sep 19, 2020 at 10:56 AM
  #1
So, I have been undergoing a spiritual transformation since a series of manic and psychotic episodes beginning in 2005. I am hoping you all can help me distinguish these two. What does it mean when someone says, "I had contact with God?" Is this a fixed false belief, since I cannot provide quantum equations securing His existence? So, anyone with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia who suggests they may have interacted with God is psychotic on the basis of the claim?

Please educate me, friends.

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Default Sep 19, 2020 at 11:20 AM
  #2
Awww... Come on now, you know it isn't that black and white.

This is only what I think... And I use the word think because nobody can really know for sure, can they?

It is my belief we are created in the image of the creator. Therefore, there is a piece of that creation in us and we are then connected to the whole at all times. From that perspective, every breath you take is a communication with the creator. Every action. Every thought. Its all talking with the creator. It is a constant feedback loop.

That said, many throughout history are said to have the ability to interact with their creator in a more direct way. They see, or hear, or feel on another level altogether. Is this really the creator talking? I don't know. What I can say is there is a portion of the temporal lobe that lights up like a Christmas tree during these types of experiences. I can also say those who use this portion of the brain have been known to offer some of the most inspiring messages of our time.

Now in the case of BP and schizophrenia, the same area lights up during psychosis. Does that mean the information gathered is not from the creator? Maybe, but the thing that is 100% true is that the information gathered passes through a very unhealthy and unbalanced filter. So what may be a message of support and love could be wildly misinterpreted. What might be meant to be symbolic could be taken literally.

This is what happens to me when I am sick. My subconscious mind takes over and it speaks in symbols, but I try to process it with my conscious mind and I take it literally. Things generally go off the rails at that point.

I think a good rule of thumb is to test anything you receive against your own moral structure. If you know without a doubt something is dangerous or wrong normally, don't do it. If you know it will cause harm, don't do it. Sit with it, maybe look for deeper meaning, but do not act. Same if you are unwell and you get a command of sorts you think will save the world or bring ultimate harmony or whatever. Sit with it. It's possible that message is just meant for you internally and you interpreted it externally. When we are in psychosis, we tend to project outwardly.

For those of us who have this special blend of psychosis it is good to engage a trusted buddy before we act. Get a second opinion. If God really does speak to you, it is also conceiveable a God like imposter could as well. Talking things like this over with others can save us from making huge mistakes.

As for my own belief system, an all powerful all knowing entity should never have need for me to harm myself or others. That entity should have no need for gain or power. Anything along those lines is a huge red flag.

I hope this helps a bit. Feel free to expand on any specific communications you're struggling with.
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Default Sep 19, 2020 at 11:55 AM
  #3
Well... I am not sure if I qualify as a ''Smart Human''. I hope you're ok

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Default Sep 19, 2020 at 01:41 PM
  #4
Fern's got an excellent point, symbolic vs literal understanding of what our mind says to us. I want to reinforce that.

My pdoc has spoken to this with me and while I don't recall exactly what she said, it was something to the effect of, "Faith in the Divine is not the same as believing the Divine is speaking directly to you." I come from a fairly conservative religious background so I share the questions regarding delusion and belief. I appreciate you bringing this topic into the open in a way I never could particularly now as I struggle in my own spiritual journey facing criticism and judgement from my in-laws.

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Default Sep 19, 2020 at 08:58 PM
  #5
I was in the church choir. One Sunday at the end of the service the choir followed the priest outside where he spoke of some of the deceased in our garden. This small garden was surrounded on 3 sides by the church buildin and a wraught-iron fence with a gate.

As the choir was singing a call-and-response (where the director sings alone and the choir "answers" her I began to see these large entities in front of the gate. Now, the congregation had gathered behind the gate. These beings were in front of the gate, larger than life! They were big. And more than that, they were genderless- neither male nor female. A sense of awe came over me. The beings weren't scary. I thought they were perhaps angels. I told a few choir members of my experience and they didn't know what to think. Did I see angels or was I just hallucinating? Who knows. What do you think?

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Default Sep 19, 2020 at 09:35 PM
  #6
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moose72 View Post
I was in the church choir. One Sunday at the end of the service the choir followed the priest outside where he spoke of some of the deceased in our garden. This small garden was surrounded on 3 sides by the church buildin and a wraught-iron fence with a gate.

As the choir was singing a call-and-response (where the director sings alone and the choir "answers" her I began to see these large entities in front of the gate. Now, the congregation had gathered behind the gate. These beings were in front of the gate, larger than life! They were big. And more than that, they were genderless- neither male nor female. A sense of awe came over me. The beings weren't scary. I thought they were perhaps angels. I told a few choir members of my experience and they didn't know what to think. Did I see angels or was I just hallucinating? Who knows. What do you think?
I think God was showing his love for you, personally.

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