The Star Group by Christopher Pike

dissolve. When you dissolve you allow your higher self to carry out your meditation instead of your limited ego. As each of these elements is represented on the yantra, each is present inside you in each of your seven centers. Each element and therefore each center will dissolve as we proceed. Let us experience this.
    “ Now focus your attention on the base of your spine, where the first center is present. This is the earth center and the energy that radiates from it binds you to the earth. As you bring your attention to this spot, you may feel some energy. Be with it, don't resist it. It is not necessary for you to mentally link this center with the earth element on the yantra. That will happen automatically. ”
    Mentor was silent for several minutes. Clearly I felt some type of energy flow through the base of my spine. I didn't have to strain to keep my attention there; the process was addicting. Mentor spoke once again.
    “ Bring your attention to just below your genitalia. Here is your second center, which connects to water. Your body is primarily composed of this element, and it also binds you to this planet. Let your attention relax here for several minutes. ”
    Again Mentor fell silent. My euphoria continued to increase.
    “ Bring your attention to just above your navel. Here is your third center, which connects to fire. Allow your attention to focus here. ”
    More silence. It was growing deeper.
    “ Bring your attention to your heart, the fourth center, which is connected to air. ”
    I felt as if I were rising up. Being sucked up by a divine force.
    “ Come to your throat. To space. ”
    The sensation was definitely liberating.
    My mind was expanding rapidly.
    “ Be between your eyebrows. Home of the subtle mind. ”
    As my mind grew in size, it lost all activity.
    I was aware but I had no thoughts.
    “ Rest at the crown of the skull. Be content. Just be. ”
    I was dissolving. The I was being annihilated.
    I heard no more. Daniel knew no more.
    Yet it was as if I now knew everything.
     
     
    CHAPTER TWELVE
     
    THE NEXT DAY, HIKING BY MYSELF IN THE mountains, I tried to sort out what had happened the previous night. The experience had been the most profound of my life, yet I could hardly remember it – and that was driving me crazy. There were only fleeting images in my head: vast blue-green planes; cyclones of colors spiraling into space; flying ships that were made of living matter, and strange glowing beings that flew through the heavens like angels. But beyond these images had been the exaltation of perfect peace and oneness.
    Yet I could not remember what I had learned. Worse, I didn't even know what the others had experienced. When I had become aware of myself again, I saw them lying around me, sleeping peacefully. And that morning over breakfast, when I asked to discuss our experience with them, they had shrugged and said that it had been pleasant, like a Technicolor dream. Obviously they remembered less than I did, but still had positive feelings about Mentor and his process. They didn't make fun of me in any way, yet I found their vagueness disturbing.
    My solitary hike was to bring matters into some kind of focus. At least I got some exercise out of the failed attempt. But I was surprised, on my way back, to find that Sal had also gone out for a walk. Actually, he was hanging out by a stream, throwing rocks into the water.
    Throwing very big rocks into the water – boulders actually.
    I surprised him as I came up behind him. He jumped.
    “Daniel!” he scolded as he removed his hand from the stainless revolver he had tucked into his belt. “Don't do that. I thought you were a bear. I could have shot you.”
    “Sorry. I was so intent on watching you play that I forgot to announce myself.” I gestured to the rocks he had thrown in the stream. “What are you doing?”
    “Getting a little workout. I didn't bring my weights because there was no room in the van, but I need to work out every