Vivid dream last night. Strong memory of it throughout the day. My family and I in church: a large, old but homey feeling church with lots of twists and turns in it, very warm with natural woods and lamp light. Great sense of comfort. My wife and two kids and I were in a large crowd, standing in the church, and the feelings was just really good. I saw lots of friends that I did not know were "members" of the church, which I clearly saw to be an Episcopalian church (I even saw the Episcopalian symbol on  a sign in the church). I remember a strong feeling of belonging, and fellowship, with my wife and all of the people there. We saw the minister, who moved through the church and up some stairs, I guess into the vestry.  He was in "civilian" clothes but we knew him (I think he is someone I know in "real" life). A very strong sense that this was a holy man, very high holy man. Strongly drawn to him. He disappeared up the stairs, and we were all looking up at something, and then I got the sense of a golden light shining as if under a rising garage door. The deepest most golden light imaginable, and an intensely deep sense of love and joy. I remember thinking to myself, "this is it, I am going to finally give in and give myself totally..." I remember seeing that my wife felt the same way.  Deeply moving, the closest to what you describe as PUL that I have ever experienced.
Analysis: None, except to say that I have done the church thing and rejected it. I knew immediately upon waking that the real church, no matter how good, could never live up to the feelings I had in the dream, which transcended Jesus. Overwhelmingly good feeling, but I don't understand its guidance. Have not really tried.

Albert,
Yes, I did not mean to imply any disrespect for Jesus.  Only to state that I felt the sense I got was inclusive of the entire light of love that we associate with God. I am coming to a renewed appreciation for Jesus, outside of the context of organized religion. Thanks for pointing that out.

Hello,

That 'dream' must have been a wonderful experience!
The feelings it gave sound like they will be with you for a very long time or even a lifetime. I don't mean feelings in a transitory sense, but deeper, more like attitudes of well-being, reverence, holiness.  It sounds beautiful.

The idea of family and other worshippers being together in this experience, and of the minister 'rising,' and the wonderful light, etc -- all these were chosen for you and may have extra meaning personally to you than they can to others. It all seems very reassuring.

Betson

Justin,
I think I know him, but I can't put a name to him. Maybe the younger seeming version of one man that I know. I remember that I felt that I did know him. I am pondering that aspect of the experience (I no longer want to refer to it as a dream). Having my family and friends with me is very significant, as I am not communicative about my spiritual path at all. In particular, my wife is a very direct, action oriented person. I love her dearly, and she is my soul-mate without ever discussing our souls. Her world revolves around this life and the things that she does, and needs to do here and now. I do not think she thinks about the afterlife, although I have told her about some of my experiences with my family after they passed, and she did not disagree with me. You put a very different slant on the vision than I did, Justin. But one that makes perfect sense. The fact is that I have not been able to articulate a meaning to the whole thing yet. Thank you for your clarity.

The light existed long before any religion.

Bardo wrote on Jan 20^th, 2012 at 11:47am: