When aura gathers in Sahasrara, a state of stillness arises, and as energy increases, filling the body with vitality, it seems necessary to distinguish between true, pure consciousness and that which is not.

If this is not done, the energy may simply increase, leading to an increase in astral mental energy. This can lead to a healthy lifestyle, but it may not allow for further progress.

My current challenge lies in this area. I sometimes feel a subtle sense of unease, as if there is a barrier within the state of stillness, and even when energy increases through meditation, it feels somewhat inefficient. While it is not a major problem, I occasionally experience a slight feeling of "something is off."

I realized that this sensation arises because the energy coming from higher dimensions during a state of stillness is being transformed from its original pure form into astral mental energy.

According to Theosophical teachings, as inner contact with the soul deepens, meditation becomes more profound, and the experience of light intensifies. However, this is simply a description of light emanating from higher dimensions, and there is a risk that this light may be directed into the astral plane, expanding the mind and potentially increasing illusion (glamour). To prevent this, it is necessary to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

If they can avoid illusion (glamour) and distinguish between truth and falsehood, then the power that flows in will overflow their lives. Then, there will be no room for self-interest, self-assertion, or selfish ambition. "The Path of the Jewel" by J.W. Bennet.

The distinction between "truth" and "falsehood" is synonymous with the Vedantic concept of distinguishing between *nittya* (truth, Brahman) and *anitya* (not-truth, not-Brahman).

This is a fundamental concept in Vedanta, but because it is so basic, it affects even the most subtle sensations. I have heard these stories many times before, and I often dismiss them as "well, that's true," but I realized that this very concept is the "invisible, thin, subtle barrier" that prevents progress to the next stage.

Until I realized this, I felt that something was slightly different, even though I was generally feeling good. However, I believe that this subtle barrier can be overcome through the fundamental Vedantic concept of *viveka* (discrimination).

According to Theosophical teachings, *viveka* can help avoid illusion (glamour), which is essentially the expansion of the ego. There is still a subtle and often unnoticed factor contributing to the expansion of the ego, even when one thinks they are safe.

By distinguishing between the pure aspect of the energy coming from higher dimensions and the astral mental energy that results from the transformation of that pure energy, it may be possible to prevent the expansion of the ego and progress to the next stage.

Meditation, achieving a state of stillness, and increasing energy are wonderful things that enrich life, and for that, I am grateful and feel self-love, allowing me to live each day with a sense of "thank you." However, even at that stage, the higher energy is constantly being transformed into mental energy, and this transformation will likely continue indefinitely. Therefore, unless *viveka* (discrimination) is practiced, astral mental energy will subtly accumulate, leading to the expansion of the ego, which initially goes unnoticed but accumulates over time, preventing progress to the next stage.

This is not about intellectual discrimination, but rather about sensing, during meditation, whether something is pure *nittya* (truth, Brahman) or a slightly impure *anitya* (not-truth, not-Brahman).