A person who has overcome the enormous trials of the second and third
matrices and is enjoying the experience of rebirth associated with the
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fourth matrix usually has triumphant feelings. These can be embodied by
heroic figures from mythology, such as St. George slaying the dragon,
Theseus defeating the Minotaur, or baby Hercules finishing off the dangerous
constrictor snakes that attacked him at birth. Many people report visions
of brilliant light with a supernatural quality radiating divine
intelligence or experience God as pure spiritual energy permeating all.
Others describe a translucent, heavenly blue haze, beautiful rainbows, or
spectacular displays of intricate patterns resembling peacock feathers.
There can be glorious images of divine epiphany featuring angels and other
celestial beings. This is also a very appropriate time for the appearance of
the Great Mother Goddesses of different cultures, radiating love and protection—
Virgin Mary, Isis, Cybele, or Lakshmi.
Occasionally, spiritual rebirth can be associated with a very special
form of experience—the Atman-Brahman union described in ancient
Hindu texts. Here the person feels a deep connection with the innermost
spiritual core of his or her being. The illusion of the individual self {jiva)
fades away and the person enjoys reunion with his or her divine Self
(Atman), which is also the Universal Self (Brahman), the cosmic source of
all existence. This is a direct and immediate contact with the Beyond
Within, with God, or with what the Upanishads refer to as Tat tvam asi
("Thou art That"). This realization of the fundamental identity of the individual
consciousness with the creative principle of the universe is one of
the most profound experiences a human being can have. Spiritual rebirth,
as experienced through BPM IV, can re-open the gateway to the oceanic
ecstasy of BPM I, and through it we experience cosmic unity.