Metaphysics?

[Eternum]

Yay, first post ever! 

I'm new to the concept of metaphysics and what the numbers and such mean. Is there an FAQ or recommended reading that'd make a good introduction to it?

[AvantiAvanti]

Hi Eternum:
Great question.
I have not developed a faq area yet, so we will have to do so together.

Here is a little picture for you to consider, but remember the more questions you ask, the more information you will receive.

The numbers relate to the what in metaphysics is called the five bodies of man. Now that may sound strange but here is a very simple way to look at it.

You have a physical body - easy to see, just look in the mirror or pinch yourself.

You have an emotional body - easy to feel, just think of an experience that evokes your emotions.

You have a mental body - you are using that one right now as you consider what I am saying.

Then there is the etheric body - this one is a subconscious part, not as easily understood but can be noted when you respond without thinking, without moving or without feeling. What sometimes we call automatic.

Finally there is you - the soul - the energy source - the spark of God, Creator, Creation, or whatever you wish to call it. That breath that brings you into the physical and the last breath that escapes as you leave the body.

Now you may say but how can these really be separate bodies, aren't these just parts of the physical?

Actually everything is so well integrated in this universe that you might think this to be the case. But once you actually experience a conscious out of the body moment, you will realize there are many levels of consciousness or planes of existence or you may call them simply mansions of heaven. But when you free yourself from the confining ideas of earth's cultural and scientific communities, you will discover there is a whole lot more to being soul then you have been taught.

Here are couple of questions that may help you recognize this.

Have you ever awoken in the middle of the night and bumped your shoulder on a door frame?

You did this because on the astral, or emotional level, everything is larger and you're consciousness is still focused there instead of here in the physical. So your consciousness sees a bigger opening and your physical body bumps. When we sleep at night we almost always shift consciousness to the astral.

If you are working with a math problem you have shifted all your consciousness to the mental body or mental level, thus if you suffer a paper cut, you will not even notice till you switch back to the physical reality.

We naturally shift consciousness all day long just like we shift gears in a car when we drive.
 
Let me know if this makes sense to you. I could speak at great length on this subject but because of time limitations I have to do it a little bit now and then.