Incarnate living (ICA)

This state occurs when an individual experiences being enveloped in what seems to be a cloud of mystery that invades every corner of life; as if, at every turn, he encounters the unknowable. The mundane activities of life are suddenly no longer commonplace but full of mystery which engenders wonder. It is like walking into a surrealist painting by Salvador Dali, and may be compared with the main character in the book "Journey to Ixtlan" when he experiences the world around him as being transformed by the Indian Shaman, Don Juan. The world has seemingly taken on an extra dimension that one experiences one's self as part of while still being part of the everyday world.

A dimension of this experience is a sense of awe, that is fear and fascination. The fear is primarily one of not knowing what to do and of inundation: "What will I do if this continues and there is no way to get away from it?" The fascination is at the wonder of it all; there is a perpetual sense of surprise and of being able both to participate in events and to stand outside watching the participation.

The decision experienced in this state is to decide. One is driven to settle for nothing less than the whole of reality. Following such times one is able to see from many perspectives and has a new appreciation of ambiguity. There is also a new kind of restlessness in one's life.

This state is number 5 in the ICA Other World in the midst of this World.