Entering Nâ-Kojâ-Abâd Through the Black Mirror

The black mirror is more than a reflective surface, it is a gateway to the imaginal world, an entry point into Nâ-Kojâ-Abâd, the land beyond physical space described by Sohrawardi. To use the mirror in this way requires a different kind of seeing, one that moves beyond ordinary vision into the realm of visionary perception. This is the same way of seeing that Carl Jung described in his Red Book, where he entered a world that revealed deep truths about the psyche and the structure of the unconscious mind. Through the black mirror, we can follow a similar path, stepping into the liminal space between material and spiritual reality, where images speak and symbols come to life.

Entering Nâ-Kojâ-Abâd

Entering Nâ-Kojâ-Abâd through the black mirror begins with intention. The mirror should be placed in a dimly lit space, preferably illuminated only by candlelight or a soft indirect glow. Sit comfortably and gaze into the mirror without forcing focus. Instead of looking directly at the surface, let your vision relax, as if gazing through it rather than at it. Fix your awareness on the space between your own eyes in the reflection, allowing all other visual details to soften and dissolve. Over time, the reflection may begin to change, features may blur, shadows may move in unexpected ways, and a sense of depth may emerge as if the mirror is no longer a flat surface but an opening into another world.

As you remain in this state, awareness shifts, perception loosens from the grip of the rational mind, and subtle imagery begins to emerge. Some may see faces appearing and dissolving, others may experience shifts in color or light, while some may feel an unmistakable pull, as if consciousness itself is stepping forward beyond the limits of the body. This is the moment of transition, where the black mirror reveals its true function as a liminal threshold. The space beyond, Nâ-Kojâ-Abâd, is not bound by physical geography, it is a world that exists within the imaginal faculty, yet it is not mere fantasy. It is an ontologically real dimension where the soul can wander, receive insights, and interact with archetypal presences.

Carl Jung’s journey into the imaginal world, as recorded in his Red Book, provides a powerful parallel to this experience. Jung did not use a black mirror, but he engaged in a process of active imagination that functioned in much the same way. He would sit in solitude and allow his mind to sink into a visionary state, watching as images, figures, and landscapes unfolded before him. He described encounters with powerful archetypal beings such as Philemon, a wise old man who became his inner guide, and a red-cloaked figure who led him into the depths of the unconscious. Jung’s method of engaging with these visions was not passive, he spoke with them, asked them questions, and recorded their messages. He treated them as real presences, not mere projections of his mind, and through this process, he unlocked profound insights about the nature of the psyche and the forces that shape human experience.

The black mirror facilitates a similar engagement. It is not simply about seeing images but about stepping into a living interaction with them. If an unfamiliar face appears in the mirror, one can internally ask, who are you, what do you represent. If a landscape begins to emerge, one can mentally step forward into it, exploring its contours as if walking in a dream. The more fully one surrenders to the experience, the more immersive it becomes, allowing access to deeper layers of consciousness that are normally hidden beneath the rational mind.

Return from Nâ-Kojâ-Abâd

To return from Nâ-Kojâ-Abâd, it is important to ground oneself. Closing the eyes for a moment and taking deep, deliberate breaths helps to reorient awareness back to the physical body. Writing down any visions, dialogues, or sensations immediately after the session preserves the experience and allows further reflection. Just as Jung recorded his encounters in the Red Book, creating a personal record of black mirror explorations can reveal patterns and messages that may not be immediately apparent during the experience itself.

This practice, like Jung’s active imagination, is not about escapism, it is about deep self-exploration. The mirror, like the imaginal world it reveals, serves as a reflection of the soul, offering glimpses into the hidden dimensions of the self. By stepping beyond ordinary perception, engaging with symbols as living presences, and allowing consciousness to move freely through visionary space, one can access a reality that exists beyond time and space, a reality that, though invisible to the physical eyes, is as real and as vital as the world we navigate every day. Shunyam Adhibhu