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Hi Clare, I apologize for not responding earlier.. I've not been on Gaia for a while, as you probably know. I don't know whether you still need an answer to the questions, but I will post anyway as it may help someone else as well.
1. When you first 'opened up', what form of psychotherapy helped.
After my first opening I didn't have any support or therapy. Because I had no understanding of the ego/mind and how it worked (or what to do about it) I “lost” the experience and became completely engaged in my stories again, which resulted in my nearly committing suicide nine months later. As a result of months of prayer I met a man named Ed Hosmer in Sedona a couple of months afterward who taught me about the ego (mental constructs/patterns etc) and how to become conscious of my patterning.
As I read the books he recommended and practiced witness consciousness I began to understand what happened to me after the awakening and why, and as I paid attention to my mental chatter and brought consciousness to my patterns I became more deeply present and eventually experienced another opening about two years after the first.
Because of what I had learned I was able to hold that awakening. I still would sometimes become lost in a story, but it was usually short lived. I've since experienced two more, (the last one was this past September) and it continues to be an ongoing process of deepening.
Based on my experience, I believe it's important that people understand the nature of ego and pain body (what I usually refer to as suppressed emotions). For therapy to be effective after an opening I believe that it would have to be spiritually based, as psychologists in general here in the U.S. don't have a frame of reference to deal with post awakening conditions otherwise.
I usually recommend that anyone who either wants to become Present and Awaken.. or who has and is having trouble with the mind.. read Eckhart Tolle's “A New Earth”. It's the finest work I've ever read on the ego and pain body and how to become Conscious.
2. What form of psychotherapy didnt help. See above.
3. Did you quit meditation for a period, or did you continue to meditate.
For the most part I didn't meditate afterward as it seemed to be unnecessary. Often when I did would I would fall so deeply into Bliss and Love that I would be unable to function outwardly.. so I didn't usually do it. As it was most of the time I was grinning from ear to ear in sublime bliss, and completely unable to carry on a coherent conversation anyway. Even now my meditations are largely invocations and prayers and have not reverted to the way they once were. Meditation then was for seeking God, but when I came to know God it was no longer necessary to seek.
4. Did you seek help from the medical profession and if so what helped.
I sought only assistance from God and took what came along. Although I knew what had happened to me the first time, i also was so engaged in mind afterward as I said earlier, that I knew only God could bring me back home. I was also aware that the medical community in the U.S. would likely want to either put me into an institution or on drugs, as happens frequently here with people who have experienced Awakenings and go to their doctor or psychiatrist for help.
5. Did you experience any mystical or spiritual experiences prior to the opening, or did these come about, as a result of the awakening.
I have had so many that I cannot list them all here, but yes I did experience them for many years prior and they continue.
6. Did you experience 'past lives' in your process.
Not during the process, but before and since I have recapitulated a few of them.
7. What was most supportive for you…. was it professional help, or simply kindness etc., from close friends etc.,
As you have probably gathered already.. it was from prayer and close friends who understood what had happened to me and who were able to guide me.
If you have any further questions please ask. I'd be very happy to help. peace/love John
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