Feeling It

The Night Face, X.

Elfavy, setting off to the Holy City for Bale time, stops to talk to Raven. When two people converse, three factors are involved, in this case:

Elfavy's perception of the world;

Raven's perception of the world;

the world.

Elfavy makes the common mistakes first of identifying her perception of the world with the world and, secondly, of thinking that Raven's perception must be identical to hers:

"'...it's impossible that you can't feel it! God is here already, everywhere. I see Vwi shining from you, Raven!'" (p. 637)

I have no doubt that Elfavy sees something beyond her usual perceptions shining from Raven. I do not visualize but, like many others, I have felt something. The immediate question is whether the word, "God," is appropriate. That word has many meanings. I knew someone who used it aggressively. Thus, "It's what God [shouted] wants!" (I think that that counts as taking the Name in vain.)

Decades ago, I was present went the guru, Sri Chinmoy, addressed a public meeting. Like, I think, most people present, I saw and heard an Indian man chanting, then speaking. A few saw other things. One saw a shimmering canopy above Chinmoy's head and - bright colours; I forget the details. If I were to encounter someone like Chinmoy now, then I might just possibly be open to seeing more than I did then. Such experiences need to be recorded, studied and interpreted. We are only just beginning. Poul Anderson imagines future seekers.