4.3 Meditation

      My meditative capability is not very highly developed. I am quite aware of this fact, and realize that meditation will have to receive a great deal of emphasis in the early stages of the research program.

      I have had some enlightening meditative experiences, and have no qualms about my ability to develop the skills required for effective meditation. My current primitive capability is only due to the fact that my busy normal life style has prevented me from executing the required exercises.

      I present the following examples to demonstrate that I have accomplished some meditative efforts.

      Example 1: In order to investigate the Greek God Zeus, I assumed a meditational attitude by establishing the correct breathing procedure and forcing my mind intently on those attributes of Zeus that I was familiar with. Soon after the meditation began the subject of pistachios cropped up. I had not eaten pistachios for years. The feelings associated with the concept of pistachios were very encompassing. It is difficult to describe the intensity and pervasiveness of these feelings. The taste, appearance, and consistency characteristic of pistachios were very vivid. Also the totality of the very concept of pistachios was perceived with remarkable clarity. I was very puzzled by this experience until I happened to later read in Robert Graves "White Goddess" that the oak is sacred to Zeus, and that the pistachio is considered to be the only edible acorn.

      Example 2: While meditating upon Crowley's Xth Tarot Trump, which presents the image of a wheel with various additional pieces of symbolism, my consciousness was swept up in an ecstasy of circular swirlings and carried aloft into the atmosphere.

      Example 3: After reading Robert Graves account of the ancient European trinity of the Moon-Woman, Star-Son, and Serpent-Father, I generated a meditational state and was soon integrated with an immensely heavy, powerful, and awe inspiring force.