Hearing Voices When Attempting Ap Options

I have taken up astral projection after falling away from it for a time -- biggest mistake ever. It's hard trying to get the hang of it again. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/badmood.gif) Well, "again" might be misleading. I haven't had a full projection, rather I've had partial ones where my spirit was disjointed from my body. I could look around even though my eyes were closed and it was dark in the room.

Now that I have taken it up again and am staying cosistent, something strange happens ever once in a while. As I begin to feel the light/heavy sensations and vertigo, I'll hear my name called. Or I'll hear some strange speech I don't understand; whether this is a language I'm not familiar with or just gibberish I don't know. It's all Greek to me. Often, however, I'll hear my name followed by the gibberish, or my name in the middle of the gibberish, so I suspect it's actually a language. Whoever or whatever it is, it is speaking directly to me; I'm not merely overhearing a conversation.

What, or who, is this? What is going on? Is this a spirit guide or something else?

Two ways to see it, some will suggest they're completely separate, I prefer to think they're interchangable and basically the same phenomenon. The first is that part of that state of mind involves auditory hallucinations, and most people hear their name called, among other things, as well as 'random' vocalizations - people report singing, 'gibberish', ghostly humming or wailing, as well as other sounds like gunshots, popping, bells; I imagine anything is possible. I heard an elephant once.

The other view is that as your mind opens, you're also opening yourself to a torrent of psychic information at first - the two most 'loud' streams being sight and sound. The physical brain, unable to handle that information properly - it requires a non-physical level of consciousness to properly separate and interpret those streams, and that's something you get a handle on once you successfully begin to navigate those states, quite naturally - jumbles it up together and you hear, see, and sometimes smell, taste, and feel tactile sensations that are basically just elements of the psychic field that exists throughout the world - and presumably the rest of the universe as well at a higher level; those sensations, as I hear it, defy explanation or reason. Not there yet personally.

Reconciling the two views is not difficult, and in my opinion is the more appropriate approach - we are both physical, psychic, and spiritual beings, and all of those parts play a role in everything we experience.

For now, don't put a lot of stock into those sensations, they're distractions. Let them happen, pass, and move on - later, they'll be more distinct and you'll be able to understand them, and then they will be of value. For now, observe objectively, but don't get distracted or you'll postpone the experience of leaving fully.

peace

I agree with vagrant dreamer about the two theories going on. I also agree that both are interchangable and related.

Some additional information that might be of help: When you do open your mind up through astral projection it is a lot like learning how to walk as a baby. In fact I would be willing to bet the day in the life of a new born baby is probably very confusing and full of strange incomprehensible sounds and sensations. As the baby developes it learns to compensate with its environment and learns to make sense of its reality. Reality to the infant being on the physical plain. Now you are learning to explore realms beyond the physical. But just the same for the baby you haven't learned to make sense of such states. As already said, as you practice more these psychic realms will make more sense and you will gain more self control as well as control over your environment in such places.

The other thing is that some think when people begin to learn how to astral project they draw the attention of other beings already existing on the astral plains. This realm is much the same as the astral. As such there are creatures there who have developed there and know how to function on that level. So to them you may appear as a flash of psychic energy trying to come through but just not quite making it yet. So some would say that the voices you are hearing can be of several sources - spirit guides trying to communicate with you, "helpers" or beings that live on the astral plains who's purpose is to aid novice travelers and help them develope astral technique and thought forms or manifestations of your own thoughts.

Some contend that each thought you generate gives rise to form. Form gains function through the intent and desire of the thought. Therefore a thoughtform is a creation of intention and desire through thought. A thoughtform is composed of desire and intention. It is also a partial reflection of the self. Since it is composed of essencially your own being it can manifest as a reflection of you. Thus the sounds you hear are your own thoughtforms.

Subconscious thoughtforms are the ones you create unintentionally. But they still represent inner desires, memories and emotions. You would not be aware of these thoughtforms unless they were driven by a very powerful force within yourself. The sounds of such thoughtforms is like a cacophony. It makes little sense and has no meaning. The form of these things also tend to be distorted, even animalistic. Yet the mind, when in a state attempting to reach astral projection, becomes aware of these thoughtforms since it is now on their level. It tries to make sense of them through the most logical frame of refference it has - prior experience through mundane existance.

Conscious thoughtfroms (servitors) are then the one's you've created intentionally. Usually very well defined, strong intention, specific form, made for a purpose, and given a measure of intelligence. If you have worked with servitors in the past then it is possible that the odd sounds and sensations are comming from the dead husks of these constructs. Such things would linger on especially if you have not properly banished their energies. In this case the sounds are just residual energies. Or if you still have active servitors it is possible that they are attempting to interact with you. Perhaps you have one that has fullfilled its purpose but not out lived its life span. If that were the case it would likely hang around and you and sort of keep asking "what do you want me to do next?". Which because of its nature you cannot hear it in the physical sense. But through astral projection your sense are tuning into its wave lengths and you are begining to be able to hear any thoughtform that might be around you.

The fickle thing about thoughtforms and servitors is that they might not even be things you've created, intentionally or not. They might be things generated and then projected to you from an alternate source. I think the best example I can think of such thoughtforms is any relative who is a nagging nanny. They feel worry or doubt and then project it onto you by repeatedly reminding you of things you already know. This feeds into a thoughtform that might hang around you.

Regardless of what these things might actually be, be they sentient beings reaching out to, thoughtforms or just hallucinations, it is normal to experience these things and they will become more managable as you develope more skill. One thing you might do is simply write the things you hear down once you've completed your routine. Sometimes only bits and pieces come through at one time and writting things down, over time, can produce a greater meaning.

Thanks to both of you. As ever, you two give clear and thorough explanations. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

One interesting thing to note though, is that this voice speaks directly to me, and I hear it as clearly as someone speaking right in my ear. Another thing is if I ignore it, it talks a little longer, like one extra line, but it's hard to ignore someone speaking to me. When I start to concentrate or shift my focus, I lose it. I think I know why this is though; I'm just not in that "right" frame of mind anymore when I do that and sabotage my efforts by starting to "care" (for lack of a better term).

I was a bit hesitant to mention this before, but lately I've been using the Book of the Old Ones, a book that subscribes and relys heavily on the Cthulhu mythos of the Necronomicon. The book says that when using this system of magick, you'll become aware of shadows and beings following you around, which I have, and I've been having strange dreams, but I'm still not sure if these two developments are related.

This post has been edited by Slayden: Apr 30 2008, 06:01 PM

The fickle thing about thoughtforms and servitors is that they might not even be things you've created, intentionally or not. They might be things generated and then projected to you from an alternate source. I think the best example I can think of such thoughtforms is any relative who is a nagging nanny. They feel worry or doubt and then project it onto you by repeatedly reminding you of things you already know. This feeds into a thoughtform that might hang around you.

This may be related. Because of an ID issue, I'm stuck living with my mother right now until the state finishes dragging it's feet on getting me one. My mother and I don't get along very well. At all. My father left when I was 3, my stepfather when I was 9, and my mother isn't much better than either of those two. She was hardly ever around, but when she was, she usually nagged and picked fights that were usually pointless, and still does. In fact I was about to start a new thread asking about the stress and magick and why I'm having a tremendous time astral projecting and working on other magickal pursuits.

I was a bit hesitant to mention this before, but lately I've been using the Book of the Old Ones, a book that subscribes and relys heavily on the Cthulhu mythos of the Necronomicon. The book says that when using this system of magick, you'll become aware of shadows and beings following you around, which I have, and I've been having strange dreams, but I'm still not sure if these two developments are related.

Power of suggestion nothing more, imho.

You're reading a book that is surrounded in lore from the necronomicon and that gives it a psychic power to influence you. You read it has the ability to make you aware of such beings and so you start paying attention to see if you do - then you do.

These "shadows" could be thoughtforms.

Although I will say I have come across the concept of "shadow people" many times and I have to say that I do think there is a level of validity in such claims. That and I have my own experiences. And I certainly agree that practicing astral projection altogther can open one's awareness to other beings that exist throughout the various levels of the universe. But I doubt that the book you're talking about has the power, alone, to make you see such things. Possible, but more than likely just the power of suggestion.

This post has been edited by Acid09: Apr 30 2008, 06:13 PM

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/hmm.gif) Perhaps. Thanks for that. The Book of the Old Ones makes the tall claim that you can get results in 1-7 days, but this hasn't happened to me.

Oh well I guess I'll just ask about the other thing here instead of starting a new thread. All of this has been very strange to me. Ever since I got into magick, things are not progressing at all the way I want or expected they would. Things that should make sense don't, and things that don't make sense strangely work. And when I focus on a particular working in my path, another area in my practice developes while the one I focus on barely makes progress. For example, when I try to open my chakras, divination becomes a little easier and I make little or no progress with my chakras. When I try to raise energy for rituals, astral projection becomes easier but raising energy becomes difficult. If I try to astral project, my chakras open easier but I can't AP!!

WTF!!

Does this have to do with my stressful environment? I'm not kidding about the extreme tension between my mother and me. Thankfully I should be able to move out within 3 months. *crosses fingers*

Well the first guess I would venture is that you have some major blockages with your natural energy. As a result the flow of your energy is is abnormal. Stress could deffinately be a cause of this, probably the number one. I'm of the opinion that a healthy body is one that is balanced between positive and negative stresses. Positive being stresses that reinforce productive behaviors, and promote pleasurable feelings. Negative, not being stress that harms the body, but challenges it - setting goals, working hard to get something, dealing with life's bull shit in a constructive and self expressive manner. Having too much postive or negative stress can lead to energy blocks. The other main cause of this would be poor diet or putting too much crap into your body. There was thread somewhere where someone said "You eat shit you cast shit" and thats about right. And its not just diet but also physical exercise too. If you don't eat well and don't do much to take care of your body then that will cause energy blocks.

Another theory that comes to mind; since I don't have a technical name I'll just call it the "scatter brain affect". You basically are overwhelmed and are not focusing enough energy in one direction. I mean you mentioned divination, astral projection, energy rituals, opening chakras and to top it off stress from life in general. Yeah you're biting off more than you can chew. While I think any occult practitioner can study several areas at a time I think the best way to truely gain results is to focus on one area entirely - at least until you can skill at it. But what it sounds like you're doing is multiple things and that is causing you to not be able to direct your full energy potential in any one direction. Instead your efforts are being "scattered" about. So the affect is that somethings things come through in different areas but it doesn't seem that results come through anything specific that you want.

I think any beginner in anything should tackle the situation with the focus of a kid with ADD on riddalin and the mind set of a tibetan monk. Inother words one is focused and commited to something and they remain that way until they get the results or the skills they are looking for. By doing this you'll focus your energy in one direction while not having to worry about having other things on your mind. And in my opinion I think if you have some serious stress going on that should be the first priority in resolving. Doing that alone should help to clear up any major energy blocks and allow you more quality results.

This is a common occurrence when trying to reach the vibratory state just before projection..i usually hear voices whispers bells and all sorts of otherworld noises..I've yet to be able to get out because of them fear does tend to cut the experience short...and has anyone ever noticed shadow forms after you open your eyes? I used to think i was having night terrors or something but soon worked out that they were merely astral entities just curious to find out what is going on.

I used to think i was having night terrors or something but soon worked out that they were merely astral entities just curious to find out what is going on.

This and the other reference to astral entities - something most people experience at some point or another - makes me want to bring up a particular point, just so it's available out there to anyone reading.

The astral plane is not like the physical (in a certain sense) - everything there is alive, conscious, moving; it's a plane of existence that has no distinction between 'organic' and 'inorganic', 'living' or 'dead'. If you happen to find yourself in a landscape of some sort, with common symbols like trees and rocks, you can speak to the rocks, the dirt, the clouds (if there's a sky), etc., and any time that you're there you can, if you want (and sometimes if you don't want to) communicate directly with the plane itself that you're in.

So it can be misleading to read and assume that astral entities 'come by' to see 'what is happening' - because the astral plane is literally a living plane of energy; technically speaking, you're always surrounded by astral entities at all times. Likewise time and space are relative concepts that exist in a sort of flux, sometimes there, sometimes not there depending on the particulars of the intentions prominent in a particular sphere at a particular 'time'.

That said, the most common entity to 'pop up' at some point, is the thoughtform of Curiosity itself - simply the manifestation of the questioner, the seeker, the onlooker, as it is present in the astral plane. There are of course entities 'good' and 'bad' from our limited material point of view, but the good ones only appear if they are in particular resonance to the projector. This is because just being in the astral plane creates a sort of field resonance that causes those entities to be able to manifest - some are proactive and will do so without being called, and in a sense are always present, and some will come only if called, but are also in a sense always present assuming the projector creates a resonance field amiable to their existence. You have to take space and time out of the equation all together when you're trying to conceptualize the astral plane, and when interpreting your experiences there.

The bad ones work on a similar set of laws - they are there, because you, in a sense, took them there with you. The active ones will confront you, haunt you, etc., the passive ones typically have to be called or sought out.

Not to try and step on anyone's experience, but it's necessary to have a proper context of interpretation - I can't tell you how many people have described being viciously attacked by some entity who was attracted to their divine light. Those people don't typically have that much light when they go out, otherwise they wouldn't have those problems. While there are negative entities who specifically target particular 'high frequency' individuals, it is because there is an element within that individual in resonance with those entities, usually because of a desire to be challenged, to seek out battle with the forces of darkness, etc. It's part of the complicated dynamic between a timeless, spaceless, formless plane of existence, and the necessarily form-based, time-based, space-based ego the projector takes in with him/her.

Hope that gives a little insight into future questions about astral entities and their apparently curious nature. Unless an entity is specifically resonant with the concept of Curiosity - it's Archetypal force, you might say - it won't just show up to see what's going on.

Peace

So they are not curious they are just..there...So right now i'm surrounded by six ft tall shadow forms and other entities..Yah i understand the whole plains interconnected to ours resonating at different frequencies so we cant see them thing..and i also understand the whole ..planet full of art and mythology and the plains are actually chock full of these mythological forms thing...truth in the guise of art methinks..it makes me wonder if shadowforms are actually a native species to the plains like the dragons,fae and were..even though we get some of them here aka the otherkin. I envy you guys..everytime i try to get out i end up seeing it but unable to get out of my body..its like i'm trapped in it staring at the ceiling frozen and then i open my physical eyes and the whole room is full of shadows i'm still frozen its a bit like sleep paralysis but not at all alarming when i'm trapped its like i know this place tha i see i just cant move in it. I have a friend who is also an angelic who claims that its impossible for an angelic to project away from the etheric plain..Can anyone help me by describing the resonant of the etheric..how does the vibration feel? I might be able to match the vibration description and get out..i've been trying for a long time and all i get is a lucid dream..

Can anyone help me by describing the resonant of the etheric..how does the vibration feel? I might be able to match the vibration description and get out..i've been trying for a long time and all i get is a lucid dream..

Hmm, it's a bit off topic, but I'll try to tie it in.

THe short answer is, there's no way to really describe it - we lack a common vocabulary based on a lack of common experience. Everyone can see the color red, for instance, its a common experience - those who are blind or color-blind understand the vocabulary, but don't comprehend what it means. The same goes for descriptions of astral experiences - while the common sensory experiences (visual, auditory, etc.) are easy enough, the sensation of resonance is far more difficult. There are examples in 'normal' consciousness that are comparable however.

Have you ever felt instantly attracted and connected to another person? Have you ever found a spot that felt like it was meant for you (in the woods, etc.)? Have you ever heard a song that struck the perfect chord inside of you for that particular moment? These are all examples of resonance. To achieve resonance with a particular plane (which, by the way, takes practice, there's really no shortcut) you have to find it's 'signature' in yourself first - either because it's there naturally, or by cultivating and entering into those qualities that define that particular plane.

When you can enter into resonant frequencies with a particular entitiy that you encounter, you can communicate with far greater ease. Sometimes it's a conversation, sometimes it's telepathic, sometimes it goes even beyond that in a way that really is outside of common parlance all together.

You can practice entering resonance by practicing emotional control. Entering totally into love, bliss, fear, anger, etc. (I suggest the 'higher ones' personally, I don't think you'll like what you attract in the 'lower' emotions [higher and lower being frequency definitions, not moral ones]). Externally, you can practice by doing the same thing with another person, with places, concepts, virtually anything, really, although some things are easier than others simply due to the nature of our common interaction and sense of connection with the world around us - most of us aren't raised to 'feel' a rock, but rather people, places, and ideals.

The word 'vibration' can be misleading, because with think of those AP vibrations mostly, which is simply the result of the differential between the astral and physical body - not all vibrations are so... vibratory. Love is a vibration, fear is a vibration, or a range of them anyhow, like a bandwidth of frequencies. Your mind is a symphony of vibrations at any given moment, usually not focused into one particular bandwidth, but made up of many of them all at once. Concentration, focus, meditation, etc., are methods essentially geared towards narrowing that range down to something specific for one reason or another.

As far as getting out - it just takes a lot of practice. I would suggest every night unless there's some particular reason not to - when you're sick (at first at least, later on you can do a lot of healing work this way), undergoing some specific ritual period, extremely low on energy for any other reason, basically times when you want to conserve your energy. Practice entering into the hypnogogic state whenever you have an extra half hour you're not using. Give yourself constant reminders and time to focus on the intention to astral project that night over the course of a day. Fifteen minutes five or six times a day may suffice, to simply focus on that intention and 'hype' yourself up. "I'm going to do it tonight," "It's as easy as stepping out," etc. Whatever suites your particular model of consciousness.

Perhaps most important is to not have expectations, though, hard as it is. And to be observant. Any shock during the process can keep it from happening, can't tell you how many times I got out and was so shaken by the suddenness of the experience that it ended as soon as it began. Before that I'd get shaken out of the initial 'opening' phase before even that happened, and it took weeks and weeks of nightly practice to get to the point where I could just see it happen and let it go on it's own. It just takes time, experience, and dedication to making it happen. Remind yourself that it's an enlightening experience beyond anything you can get in the physical world, be excited about it, keep journals, but don't ever, ever, claim to have done it until you have. This is one of the most critical things! because once you start saying that you're telling your unconscious mind that you've already achieved it, and you won't get any farther for a loooooong time. You'll have to go through a breaking down process where you have to confront the fact that you haven't done what you say, and eventually think, you have, and that's a huge hurdle that is easily avoided with simply honesty.

Which isn't to suggest any judgement towards anyone here on the forum - I'm in no position. However, naturally there are always going to be people out there saying they've accomplished what they haven't, and they typically are doing nothing but harm for themselves.

So keep at it, stay honest with yourself (and everyone else, cause it's the same thing), and the whole experience will unfold naturally. There are levels you'll get to where instruction of some sort can be beneficial, but really it's a very natural process, once you get out there, you start learning immediately, especially if you call a guide - who will come in resonance with your intention to attract one, so even that takes virtually no effort. In fact, the lack of effort is one of the obstacles of mastering astral projection. Everything about astral travel is effortless, which confounds our effort based consciousness, which has been structured to function in an effort based existence since we were born. Take it easy, keep an attitude of play and fun and learning, and you won't need any advice.

peace

Interesting. This will in all likelihood help me a lot, especially that emotional channeling part. And I'll keep in mind that everything is alive on the astral planes.

And Acid, thanks for pointing out that I'm overburdening myself. I had suspicions that I was doing too much, but it's nice to have someone else articulate it plainly. And I think you're right about the energy blockages. I had an interesting but unsurprising dream last night, but it's off-topic and better suited in the Dreamworks section in its own thread.

my goodness! this is valuable information! i only knew a little bit of this, and its always good to have it cemented in my mind...and written down on paper!

for anyone who might be interested in the noise...did you know its interactive? try it sometime when you are not projecting but in between stages of sleep...you'll be tickled! for instance, i have music...but i am a live audience. and sometimes, even, an active composer!
there was this one time, when i was listening in on a violin duet. The duet moved me so much i HAD to compliment the ladies. i got a strong sensation of surprise from the ladies when i thanked them for their star performance; so strong that it woke me up from my nap! sadly, they have not played for me since.
possibly, i think it could be used as a method of studying. after a long night of reading in french, one time, i fell asleep to someone speaking the language!
so, i do believe the mundane will come back at you at this stage...(when i was a cashier...the electronic blips would always revisit me at night) but does it have to be mundane?