Hello All,
Firstly, I am new to this forum and hope that some participants can comment on my experiences, from an Islam perspective.
From an early age 5yo or younger, I would experience / dream(?) of an angel with large wings coming to me when in bed and taking me (flying) to a location high in the heavens, where I would see an old grey bearded man writing in a large book. This old man was enormous as was the book and he was sitting at the largest desk and table I had ever seen. From what I could tell, the book was a story and as he turned the page and began to write I knew it was the story of my life - no words were ever spoken and I felt safe and secure whenever this happened. This occured a number of times in my early childhood and ever since have felt a presence with me - looking after me.
I was born greek-orthodox and there is a greek saying that say's - everything is written. So my understanding of this kind of sits well with me.
As years passed the visits stopped, but I felt close to god, love him and honour him, as best as I could in my life. I began to develop an inner voice, wisdom perhaps, that helped me avoid many troublesome situations that were occuring around me. During this time teens-early twenties, my faith continued.
It was during my twenties that even though my faith was strong, I began to abuse alchohol and drugs. It was during this time that I had another visit from something more sinister, during my sleep - it scared me - and I battled with it and fought it off. It was a very physical battle as I awoke with strained muscles, ligaments and bruising - the type you get when grappling with someone - it was a fight, kicks and punches! Sometime, after this I stopped using alchohol and drugs - cold.
In my early thirties, I married and converted to Islam. During the early stages of my conversion and marriage, I had many unanswered questions - answers to which I found in the Qurán. As day to day problems appeared, I would seek solace by reading the Qurán, picking up reading from where I left off the day before, and the ANSWER was on the very same page I was reading.
This has happened many many times and still does, though to a lesser extent now.
For many years I have had discussions with '" the man upstairs " - I feel that I can do this wherever I am. I am whole hearted a believer in a supreme being. When I was asked during my conversion, what were my thoughts on religion, I replied "there is only one god".
I am not affraid to say that I have cried many times, when I have read the Qurán or given deep thought to god and what he means to me.
During our marriage ceremony the men from the local mosque converged on my father-in-laws house and we prayed - during the prayer session, I experienced what was a sensation that I can not put into words, perhaps a great deal of energy - almost as if the ground was moving / vibrating underneath us. There was something with us in that home that night......
Only recently, I had a situation where I was awoken by a man whispering into me ear in a language I do not know - I was frightened. It happened after I had one of my chats with the man upstairs asking for strength and guidance.
Lastnight again I was visited by some kind of spirit after I asked for help with my life, guidance & strength and it scared me as it felt as if this spirit was trying to merge with my body and an ensuing battle errupted as I tried to ward it off.
During the past two experiences, the fear was not the same as the previous sinister experience. It was a fear of the unknown. I had asked for help and it came - instantly - but I didn't know how to use it, accept it, understand it. Here in lays the the question, what does it all mean?
My wife warned me not to send this post and that I might be attacked for it's content, if that is the case so be it. I will be judged by god, as we all will be.
Look forward to hearing some responses......
Firstly, I am new to this forum and hope that some participants can comment on my experiences, from an Islam perspective.
From an early age 5yo or younger, I would experience / dream(?) of an angel with large wings coming to me when in bed and taking me (flying) to a location high in the heavens, where I would see an old grey bearded man writing in a large book. This old man was enormous as was the book and he was sitting at the largest desk and table I had ever seen. From what I could tell, the book was a story and as he turned the page and began to write I knew it was the story of my life - no words were ever spoken and I felt safe and secure whenever this happened. This occured a number of times in my early childhood and ever since have felt a presence with me - looking after me.
I was born greek-orthodox and there is a greek saying that say's - everything is written. So my understanding of this kind of sits well with me.
As years passed the visits stopped, but I felt close to god, love him and honour him, as best as I could in my life. I began to develop an inner voice, wisdom perhaps, that helped me avoid many troublesome situations that were occuring around me. During this time teens-early twenties, my faith continued.
It was during my twenties that even though my faith was strong, I began to abuse alchohol and drugs. It was during this time that I had another visit from something more sinister, during my sleep - it scared me - and I battled with it and fought it off. It was a very physical battle as I awoke with strained muscles, ligaments and bruising - the type you get when grappling with someone - it was a fight, kicks and punches! Sometime, after this I stopped using alchohol and drugs - cold.
In my early thirties, I married and converted to Islam. During the early stages of my conversion and marriage, I had many unanswered questions - answers to which I found in the Qurán. As day to day problems appeared, I would seek solace by reading the Qurán, picking up reading from where I left off the day before, and the ANSWER was on the very same page I was reading.
This has happened many many times and still does, though to a lesser extent now.
For many years I have had discussions with '" the man upstairs " - I feel that I can do this wherever I am. I am whole hearted a believer in a supreme being. When I was asked during my conversion, what were my thoughts on religion, I replied "there is only one god".
I am not affraid to say that I have cried many times, when I have read the Qurán or given deep thought to god and what he means to me.
During our marriage ceremony the men from the local mosque converged on my father-in-laws house and we prayed - during the prayer session, I experienced what was a sensation that I can not put into words, perhaps a great deal of energy - almost as if the ground was moving / vibrating underneath us. There was something with us in that home that night......
Only recently, I had a situation where I was awoken by a man whispering into me ear in a language I do not know - I was frightened. It happened after I had one of my chats with the man upstairs asking for strength and guidance.
Lastnight again I was visited by some kind of spirit after I asked for help with my life, guidance & strength and it scared me as it felt as if this spirit was trying to merge with my body and an ensuing battle errupted as I tried to ward it off.
During the past two experiences, the fear was not the same as the previous sinister experience. It was a fear of the unknown. I had asked for help and it came - instantly - but I didn't know how to use it, accept it, understand it. Here in lays the the question, what does it all mean?
My wife warned me not to send this post and that I might be attacked for it's content, if that is the case so be it. I will be judged by god, as we all will be.
Look forward to hearing some responses......