Abstract
There are
a number of schools of thought on the topic of the origins of visions and
altered states of consciousness. There
are spiritual perspectives, religious perspectives and psychological
perspectives. Looking back, we
understand that meditation can open up channels of conscious communication but
in some quarters there are concerns about these practices. The same can be said
for Shamanic healing practices and channeling work. Each of these practices assumes
a point of origin that is perceived to be positive or negative, helpful or
detrimental, and even good or evil. Should
we hold fear and trepidation for some or all of these practices? Should we embrace our visions and engage in
them fully to try to better understand? What are we truly seeking and where are
the visions actually coming from? Can we
trust what we might experience? Are we helping ourselves or hurting ourselves
and the potential direction of our respective life paths? This article takes a
look at some of these practices and perspectives, considers their points and contributes
an alternative thought that begs further exploration.
Key Words: Visions, Spirituality,
Psychology, Channeling, Religion and Consciousness
Considerations
As I began
to look into this topic, I encountered a vast array of opinions, thoughts and
beliefs. Some I could align with and
some I could not. I realized the
theories and beliefs behind my inquiry fell into a few areas that will likely
be familiar:
·
Meditation: There are schools of
thought that believe meditation should be embraced fully without a single
thought and that meditation should be embraced to improve health, illness and
calm anxiety. There are also those that
warn meditation is dangerous and imperils the soul,
·
Shamanic Journey/Visions: There
are cultures through the ages that have engaged in shamanic journeying or
vision quest for purposes of healing and seeking life guidance or purpose. There are others that distrust this process
and are considered information gained through the process cannot and should not
be relied upon.
·
Altered Consciousness Visions: There
are circles that believe the process of exploring the inner world and the
visions that may result are and important part of spiritual development. Alternatively, there is thought that these
visions are tantamount to embracing demonic possession and that we should be
very fearful. (This article
intentionally excludes substance induced altered consciousness and related visions).
·
Channeling: There are circles that
believe we should seek enlightenment and guidance through the invitation of
discarnate entities through medium channeling or seeking guidance or contact
from the beyond. And some on this topic
provide a huge warning that we are in no position to clearly judge the true
origins of this guidance and should never participate in this in any way.
·
Imagining: There are psychological
practices of using inner vision for specific outcomes, prophecy and healing
from attempting to conquer disease, improving performance, to various aspects
of neuro linguistic programming or reprogramming to eradicate fears. Again,
alternatively, some theories believe this to be a waste of time and energy.
This
author admits to holding a certain bias as one who regularly meditates, uses
visions and dreams for guidance and is not opposed to considering that
channeling may really be a process that is not harmful for those who are
appropriately trained and who engage with appropriate preparations. In my inquiry into the beliefs and activities
concerning the origins of visions, I found varying degrees of judgment of these
practices in terms of trying to determine what is right or wrong, helpful or
dangerous, and I find it is very difficult to determine what you should believe
about these practices.
Consciousness Perspectives
Our
consciousness is vast, holds different mechanisms to function from our everyday
storage of short-term and long-term memories and lesson-learning to creating
with our imaginations. We can access a
part of our consciousness in an altered state that may feel like visions from
the beyond or channeling our higher-selves or potentially other aspects of
consciousness. This article does not
intend to judge any perspective but instead to consider the vast capabilities
of our consciousness to hold many perspectives and to learn to understand the function
of certain aspects of our consciousness for our own self-improvement. Such topics must also come with the consideration
that some of the warnings about meditation or visions stemming from altered
consciousness may in fact be valid but not necessarily for the reasons stated
on an uninformed fear-bias basis. The author holds the perspective that
regardless of what we engage in, whether it be mindful meditation, visions or
channeling/downloading information that seems like it is from “out-there”, it’s
actually all “us” and a part of our vast consciousness. Having experienced meditation,
intentional imagining or reaching for visions, my own experience leads me to
believe that we should not fear our own minds but rather seek to understand
that which comes to us in altered states of consciousness. Our minds work in very interesting ways and
we must contend with spirituality, psychology and with our religious beliefs in
order to gain the greatest wisdom. This
wisdom actually originates from the depths of our own consciousness.
Based on
years of education and research into various aspects of psychology, metaphysics
and new age practices, I have come to believe that we already have what we seek
for greater understanding. Sometimes I
think our visions rise from within the deepest parts of ourselves in ways that
will best get our attention. The bits and pieces of glimpses we might achieve
through dreams, visions or meditations are really just parts of our own minds
and consciousness seeking conscious cognition. All we really need is greater patience,
discernment and understanding of our experiences. Sometimes the information that arises during
visions may be related to the uniting of the shadow (which we shouldn’t deny),
healing old wounds (you may need additional help with) or uniting disparate
thoughts and energy strung out across the span of our current lives that needs
greater understanding to create within us a greater sense of wholeness and
completeness. Engaging in meditation or
even contemplating visions that may come unintentionally or intentionally can
ultimately benefit the inquirer with a few caveats for psychological and
physical safety.
Other Perspectives
Shamanic Visions
From the Cuyamongue Institute, in the article “What is
Shamanic Vision?” the author discusses the Shamanic Vision and explains how the
shaman explores nonphysical reality via a journey with his or her consciousness.
In this article, the author cites research conducted on the practice of
Shamanic Vision and provides an outline of what Shamanic work entails.
There are a number of relatively
common practices and experiences in traditional shamanism which are being investigated
by modern researchers. While the older traditional practices are ignored by
some researchers, others have begun to explore these older techniques…
In order to journey to the other
dimensions of existence a Shaman induces an altered state of consciousness in
himself similar to a state of self-hypnosis called a state of flow. While in
this state of flow, or Shamanic Trance, he is in complete control. He is able
to take his consciousness and subtle bodies into nonphysical reality where he
journeys to the world of spirits, gains information, retrieves souls, and makes
subtle changes in reality which may affect his/her physical world.
The particular form of altered
consciousness associated with shamanism is called a soul journey, soul flight,
or some other similar term referring to the departure of some aspect of the
self, particularly one’s soul or spirit, from the body in order to journey to
the spirit world…
More on altered states from article from David Nez titled “Altered States:”
Altered
states of consciousness are brought about by the withdrawal of consciousness
from every day awareness as we shift to the inner world of imagination,
reverie, dreams and visions. These experiences range along a continuum from
mild waking trance to deep comatose states of trance where awareness of the
environment is drastically reduced.
It
becomes apparent that altered states of consciousness are part of the shared
human experience—we are all neurologically “wired” for them. In fact, a great
deal of religion, mythology and the arts may have originated from the visions
of shamans experienced in altered states of consciousness. Although ancient
shamans, mystics and magicians cultivated these states to an extraordinary
degree, the research suggests we can learn to access them as well.
From an article on meditative visions we have the following
perspective from the Mindworks Team:
Some
people report having visions during meditation. Having a “vision” is defined as
experiencing something out of the ordinary that wouldn’t be real in the normal
state of things, but that seems very real to us when it occurs. One of the
characteristics of a “vision” is that others can’t see it. By definition, a
vision involves mental images, but in this context we include perceptions of
sounds or scents that aren’t really there as well. This perplexing phenomenon
is not very common, but it does happen enough to warrant investigating.
Visions
tend to occur when our meditation takes us to a zone between sleep and
wakefulness. A popular woo-woo belief maintains that when someone starts having
visions during meditation, it means that he or she has unlocked the “third
eye.” This unfounded rumor is outside the Mindworks purview: as meditators, our
goal is awareness, serenity, and presence, not the unlocking of supernatural
powers. So if the beauty of mindfulness is an enhanced ability to experience
and appreciate the present moment, where do visions fit in?
From the MeditationExpert.com, we have an article that
attempts to explain also that the visions one may encounter in meditation aren’t
necessarily other worldly and readers are cautioned to use their wisdom in
interpreting their visions or meditative experiences:
There
are all sorts of various phenomena people can encounter on the spiritual trail.
Some
people -- due to lots of meditation work -- can start to know future events.
Some
people will see lights or visions or special forms in the light. Some
will even hear voices in their head.
These
aren't supernatural occurrences. Rather, in most cases there's a scientific
reason behind hearing or seeing things rather than a mystical or holy cause. In
most instances, these occurrences are caused by your chi entering the tiny nadi
(chi channels) in the vicinity of the ear, or they're caused by your chi trying
to penetrate through the occipital region of the brain.
That's
what usually causes you to hear sounds or see visions due to spiritual
practice. These are common experiences that occur when the chi tries to pass
though the difficult hind region of the skull, which is called the "jade
pillow" in Tao school literature. If
you experience this sort of thing, you must be very careful not to misinterpret
it and take it as something holy…
Psychological Perspective/Prophecy
There are those who intentionally sat with their visions and
meditations in order to better understand the nature of the symbology of what
arises in the consciousness when naturally altering consciousness (not
substance induced) and some who used visions in altered states to provide
guidance. Controversial or not, Edgar Cayce
provided readings, guidance and prophecies to folks from an altered state of
consciousness. Carl Jung spent the last
few years of his life documenting his life story, including his visions for the
purpose of understanding them.
(In the
spring of 1957, when he was eighty-one years old, Carl Gustav Jung undertook
the telling of his life story. Memories, Dreams, Reflections is that
book, composed of conversations with his colleague and friend Aniela Jaffé, as
well as chapters written in his own hand, and other materials. Jung continued
to work on the final stages of the manuscript until shortly before his death on
June 6, 1961, making this a uniquely comprehensive reflection on a remarkable
life. Fully corrected, this edition also includes Jung's VII Sermones
ad Mortuos.)
Biblical
Dreams and Visions
From the biblical perspective we have an
excerpt from genesis as noted by Pilch in relation to Altered States of
Consciousness or ASC as it is now more commonly known:
From
Genesis, when God put the first earthling into a trance in order to create a
partner for him (Gen 2:21), to the book of Revelation in which the author
explicitly says he is in an ASC four times (Rev. 1:10; 4:1-2; 17:3; 21:10), the
Bible is replete with accounts of ASC experiences. Perhaps the greatest
concentration (more than twenty reports) occurs in the book of Acts” [Pilch
2011:107].
In
the online article about the origins of biblical dreams and visions, another author
notes a number of bible passages that contain documentation of visions and
dreams thought to be inspired by God.
Question: "How did God use dreams and
visions in the Bible?"
Answer: God used dreams and visions (visions are “waking dreams”; see Numbers 24:4) several times in the Bible to communicate with people. Visions seem to have been common enough that their lack was sorely noted. An absence of visions was due at times to a dearth of prophets (1 Samuel 3:1) and other times due to the disobedience of God’s people (1 Samuel 28:6).
Answer: God used dreams and visions (visions are “waking dreams”; see Numbers 24:4) several times in the Bible to communicate with people. Visions seem to have been common enough that their lack was sorely noted. An absence of visions was due at times to a dearth of prophets (1 Samuel 3:1) and other times due to the disobedience of God’s people (1 Samuel 28:6).
Channeling
and Mediumship
From
the online source, the Crimson Circle in an article explaining what channeling
is, we have the following:
Channeling
is a natural form of communication between humans and angelic beings, nature
spirits, non-physical entities, or even animals and pets. A channeler is very
similar to a language translator or interpreter. They allow themselves to sense
the non-verbal communication from another being and then translate it into
human words.
From
another channeling expert key in the New Age Movement, we have the teachings
of Seth who was channeled by Jane
Roberts:
Who is Seth ?
Seth is the internationally
acclaimed spiritual teacher who spoke through the author Jane Roberts while she
was in trance, and coined the phrase “You Create Your Own Reality.”
Seth’s empowering message literally launched the New Age movement
Summation
A
number of pieces of important guidance has been brought through those who
meditate, conduct shamanic journeys, engage in trance for the purpose of vision
or channeling, or allow the consciousness to move through visions and dreams
and interpret then endeavor to interpret symbols. Some of the information may be considered to
be extraordinarily helpful, some quite detrimental, some meaningless, some
healing and some incredibly mind-boggling.
The experiences and outcomes are subjective to the inquirer or
experiencer. What we do with the information we receive through visions requires
a solid sense of good psychological help, wisdom, discernment and plain old
common sense. I don’t think that I ran
across anything specifically to fear.
But I would suggest, based on some of my research not specifically cited
here, that inviting just anything to come to you during meditation or engaging
in visions without discernment, being in a poor psychological, spiritual or
even physical state probably isn’t a good idea.
I think it isn’t a good idea because we don’t well understand the full
extent of our consciousness and how it may be used as a conduit for other types
of consciousness not yet fully explored.
Plainly said, I don’t discount the paranormal. What I am mainly speaking to is our intent
here and impressing the real need in using our common sense for purposes of
exploring earnestly (and safely). I
think I tend to agree with some of the warnings out there but I really lean
more towards supporting exploration, learning to interpret the symbols
presented and seeking guidance in the interpretation as we would physical or
psychological symptoms.
Conclusion
This
author’s perspective is that with channeling the medium can direct who they wish
to channel. I believe we are actually
dealing with the same source or potentially the same source consciousness
whether we are dreaming, visioning, channeling or downloading information that
seems it comes from elsewhere. I think
that our consciousness is so vast and indescribable that there is simply much
we don’t understand. It is quite normal
for humans to fear what they do not understand and perhaps your intent in any
endeavor is what drives what comes to you.
What we focus on, we tend to create.
I mention channeling here as it has also taken on the labeling and
warnings and been lumped negatively into the world of psychic mumbo jumbo. I don’t think that is accurate (or fair). The entire exploration of the mind and
altered states of consciousness must include those connected moments we are
“hearing” guidance or “seeing” themes and symbols through visions. A generalized warning of danger might be
applicable if we were truly channeling these visions from an unknown
otherworldly perspective without appropriate precautions, training and
preparation. This author is not
necessarily convinced that channeled messages of discarnate entities, visions
or dreams that seem otherworldly actually are that. I believe our consciousness is so vast we
cannot clearly determine where it begins or ends with 100 percent definitive
accuracy.
This
author has also had a number of experiences in channeling, downloads of
otherworldly seeming information, visions with very specific guidance, near
death experience and also premonitions in the form of dreams. I tend to think the other-worldly aspect is
actually just the various dimensions and levels of our own consciousness
speaking to us based on our intent and providing us with mostly useful
information that is likely more psychologically driven than anything else. But, that is just me. I posit that our psyche, the visions and
information we encounter are not something to fear but rather something to be
better understood. There are volumes of
books and articles on dreams, visions, shamanic journeys, biblical visions and
channeling efforts. The perspectives are
as varied and unique as each of us are here living in this world. To me, that is no surprise. What I cannot support, however, is a
perspective that teaches individuals to fear themselves, their minds or any
state of consciousness their own beings are capable of.
Having
said that, I would say that I don’t engage in meditation when I am not feeling
100 percent well or if I’m upset or otherwise disturbed by something. If we are psychologically unfit to manage the
consequence of experience, we probably should be fore-armed and forewarned
about engaging in personal conscious exploration that could result in fearful
or puzzling experiences we may not be able to handle or process. I also think that those engaging with intent
to explore altered states of consciousness should do so with the help of those
trained in this area. Respect what you
contemplate, understand what you perceive but don’t fear your own mind and if
you do, get you some help to manage the process.
Continued
consciousness exploration can only benefit us individually and as a
species. After this short round of
research and exploration, I’m left where most of us are in that we can pinpoint
certain aspects of consciousness but not all of it. There is much we are learning but still do
not fully comprehend. With continued
exploration, I think we can only learn more.
I do think that if we take on the perspective of exploration of our own
personal visions from naturally induced altered state of consciousness coupled
with a practical and common sense approach, we will benefit regardless of
understanding the origins. Take what is
good and useful to you and leave behind that which is not and above all else,
never fear your own mind.
Sources:
Altered States, David Nez https://treeofvisions.wordpress.com/2015/04/18/altered-states/ Accessed online April 20, 2018
Edgar Cayce Prophecies: Past, Present and Future, https://www.near-death.com/paranormal/edgar-cayce/prophecies.html Accessed on line June 2, 2018
How did God use dreams and visions in the Bible? https://www.gotquestions.org/dreams-visions-Bible.html
Accessed online June 2, 2018
SethLearningCenter.org
https://www.sethlearningcenter.org/ Accessed online June 2, 2018
What
Does it Mean to Have Visions During Meditation? http://mindworks.org/meditation-knowledge/what-does-it-mean-to-have-visions-during-meditation/
Accessed online June 2, 2018
What Every Meditator Should Know About Seeing Visions and
Hearing Voices, http://MeditationExpert.com Accessed online June 2, 2018
What is Channeling? https://www.crimsoncircle.com/Library/What-is-Channeling Accessed online June 2, 2018
What is Shamanic Vision? Cuyamongue Institute http://www.cuyamungueinstitute.com/shamanic-vision/ Accessed online April 29, 2018
Rev. J.L. Harter, Ph.D. (University of Sedona) (Founding Editor/Contributor)
