As we begin our search for answers to these questions, let me tell you about a person I read about named Mark.Like many of us, Mark had much too much to do. He was running as fast as he could, only to find that at the end of each day he was further behind. The stress became so bad he couldn't sleep more than a few hours at night. He lost his appetite. He felt a constant tightness in his chest and a burning sensation in his stomach.When he told a co-worker how he was feeling, the man suggested he try a form of Eastern meditation. His friend told him he had tried this kind of meditation himself, and it had calmed him down, given him a more positive outlook, and helped him to cope with day-to-day frustrations.It sounded great. Even though Mark seemed to remember somewhere in the back of his mind that this form of meditation involved "mystical" religious practices, that didn't really bother him. He was ready to try anything, and he figured that meditation had to be better than a daily dose of Prozac.Mark found that meditation was everything his co-worker said it would be. Almost immediately, he felt renewed and relaxed. He meditated as often as he could...even at work. He could close the door of his office, recite his mantra, and leave his worries behind. Even though Mark was a dedicated Christian, he wondered how he had ever managed to get through life without meditation.At his deepest, most peaceful moments, he felt he had made contact with benevolent spirits from beyond this world -- beings that were beautiful, loving, full of joy and peace.Mark practiced to the point where it was easy to slip into a dreamlike state. It was almost like a trance.And that's when he had the vision.On a quiet, still evening, all alone in his living room, Mark had an encounter with something evil. Something that had been waiting for him in the depths of his meditation experiences.Mark wasn't so sure it was just a vision. To him, the creature was suddenly in the room with him, mocking him and daring him to try to regain control of his life."I was aware," he said, "that I was falling into the grip of someone I didn't want to even touch me."Was it Satan?"If it wasn't, it came pretty darn close."Why did the "creature" choose that moment to reveal himself?"I have no idea. Maybe they figured I was so far gone that they had me, so they had nothing to lose by revealing themselves to me.""Themselves?""The ones who are behind it all, Satan and his demons."NEXT: Terror in Indiana
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