Can We Communicate with the Other World During Meditation? Understanding Meditation and Dimensions

Introduction to Dimensions and Meditation

From the teachings of various spiritual masters, it is understood that the universe contains multiple realms or dimensions wherein all life forms coexist, whether on our planet or others. However, our five senses are limited, only allowing us to perceive within their narrow scope. In essence, meditation isn’t about acquiring some new realm, but about recognizing the state of presence that already exists. Often, this state is obscured by our engagement with our personal identities and the deceptions of the mind, which convince us that our perceived reality is the entirety of existence.

Understanding Meditation

Meditation involves a practice of sitting quietly with closed eyes, disconnecting from the immediate world, and withdrawing from sensory experiences. This practice helps to quiet the mind, which is typically filled with constant thoughts or vibrations. Over time and with consistent practice, one can enter a "meditative state" that can be maintained in various activities such as walking, working, or sleeping. As one deepens in meditation, sensory perceptions can expand, potentially opening up perceptions of realms beyond our physical and mental limits.

Dimensions and Perception

It is important to understand that to experience these other dimensions, we do not need to enter another world; they become accessible as we deepen our meditative practice. However, a caution from spiritual teachings suggests that many may feel trapped by these initial experiences, mistaking them for ultimate enlightenment. True understanding is far more profound and indescribable.

Vedic Tradition and Meditative States

In the Vedic tradition, the term “world” in the context of spirituality generally referred to altered states of consciousness. You have the world of dreams, the world of waking, the world of sleeping, and the world of being enlightened to some degree or other. The original term for enlightenment in the Vedic tradition is turiya — the fourth state of consciousness — and it encompasses both meditation and the state of consciousness found during meditation, which is appreciated as that which underlies all other states of consciousness.

Turiya and Brahman

Turiya refers to both meditation and the experience that emerges outside of meditation as one meditates regularly. There is no separate “world” implied by this understanding. The more modern term for enlightenment is brahman, all that there is. The Mandukya Upanishad notes that turiya also refers to brahman. This atman or “individual soul” is brahman, all that there is. This brahman is atman.

Conclusion

Meditation is not about entering a new world but about recognizing the inherent presence that exists within us. As we deepen our practice, we can gain insights into dimensions beyond our limited perceptions. Understanding these concepts in the context of the Vedic tradition, particularly the state of turiya and brahman, can help us approach meditation with a clearer and more profound understanding.