Paranormal Experiences

[StockyGuy]

Okay so I definitely am beyond sceptical for the most part - tell me how Jesus healed the sick and I wonder how much he paid them off or threatened them to act disabled so he could "cure" them etc. However...

I had a dream about Sinead O'Connor - no, not THAT kind of dream. I was thinking how yucky she was - total old woke-ster. In the dream I wondered, "Is she dead yet?"

I awake, check my newsfeed as per usual, and what do you know, the lady has sadly shuffled off this mortal coil.

Pure coincidence? I somehow overhead someone talking outside? I somehow awoke in a semi-sleep state and checked my internet homepage but don't remember? Real psychic power? Somehow being in tune with some deeper reality?

Probably just a weird coincidence.

 

[cynic]

Okay so I definitely am beyond sceptical for the most part - tell me how Jesus healed the sick and I wonder how much he paid them off or threatened them to act disabled so he could "cure" them etc. However...

I had a dream about Sinead O'Connor - no, not THAT kind of dream. I was thinking how yucky she was - total old woke-ster. In the dream I wondered, "Is she dead yet?"

I awake, check my newsfeed as per usual, and what do you know, the lady has sadly shuffled off this mortal coil.

Pure coincidence? I somehow overhead someone talking outside? I somehow awoke in a semi-sleep state and checked my internet homepage but don't remember? Real psychic power? Somehow being in tune with some deeper reality?

Probably just a weird coincidence.

It may be worth noting, that, recognition of the actuality of one, out of the ordinary, life experience, doesn't necessitate subscription to belief in all paranormal claims.

From what you've posted here, I can see that you've already applied your critical thinking skills, via the dutiful donning of your skeptic's cap, for consideration of some banal alternatives, to paranormal explanations, for this phenomenon.

Although I may be mistaken in expressing this, the impression I get, is that, you have by now decided which group (i.e. paranormal or banal) is more likely to be the true explanation, and that your decision was, possibly, derived from a sense of that which feels true, rather than a mental process.

Whichever explanation you personally prefer, is, of course, entirely up to you, as you are accountable to, none, other than yourself, for what you choose to believe.

One thing of which a person can be fairly certain, is that there will often be those in strong agreement, and also, in strong disagreement, consequent to their own personal prejudices and insecurities.

 

[SirRumpole]

It may be worth noting, that, recognition of the actuality of one, out of the ordinary, life experience, doesn't necessitate subscription to belief in all paranormal claims.

From what you've posted here, I can see that you've already applied your critical thinking skills, via the dutiful donning of your skeptic's cap, for consideration of some banal alternatives, to paranormal explanations, for this phenomenon.

Although I may be mistaken in expressing this, the impression I get, is that, you have by now decided which group (i.e. paranormal or banal) is more likely to be the true explanation, and that your decision was, possibly, derived from a sense of that which feels true, rather than a mental process.

Whichever explanation you personally prefer, is, of course, entirely up to you, as you are accountable to, none, other than yourself, for what you choose to believe.

One thing of which a person can be fairly certain, is that there will often be those in strong agreement, and also, in strong disagreement, consequent to their own personal prejudices and insecurities.

Beautiful analysis.

 

[StockyGuy]

It may be worth noting, that, recognition of the actuality of one, out of the ordinary, life experience, doesn't necessitate subscription to belief in all paranormal claims.

From what you've posted here, I can see that you've already applied your critical thinking skills, via the dutiful donning of your skeptic's cap, for consideration of some banal alternatives, to paranormal explanations, for this phenomenon.

Although I may be mistaken in expressing this, the impression I get, is that, you have by now decided which group (i.e. paranormal or banal) is more likely to be the true explanation, and that your decision was, possibly, derived from a sense of that which feels true, rather than a mental process.

Whichever explanation you personally prefer, is, of course, entirely up to you, as you are accountable to, none, other than yourself, for what you choose to believe.

One thing of which a person can be fairly certain, is that there will often be those in strong agreement, and also, in strong disagreement, consequent to their own personal prejudices and insecurities.

Yeah I'm not sure - it's very much a mundane kind of synchronicity case. I tried not to sexy it up by in any way embellishing - e.g., I did NOT actually dream that she just died etc.

I was kinda hoping it might cause people to unburden themselves of cases more interesting than mine lol. I expect most of the regs here are somewhat above average IQ and above above the average in scepticism and worldly wisdom (with the possible exception of Voice supporters ...kidding!), so weird things they can't dismiss as bunk might be interesting. But topic is possibly outside the Overton window of a finance forum.

 

[wayneL]

Yeah I'm not sure - it's very much a mundane kind of synchronicity case. I tried not to sexy it up by in any way embellishing - e.g., I did NOT actually dream that she just died etc.

I was kinda hoping it might cause people to unburden themselves of cases more interesting than mine lol. I expect most of the regs here are somewhat above average IQ and above above the average in scepticism and worldly wisdom (with the possible exception of Voice supporters ...kidding!), so weird things they can't dismiss as bunk might be interesting. But topic is possibly outside the Overton window of a finance forum.

Only about 17 pints of Guinness would get me talking, but at that point there may be a *modicum of embellishment

 

[StockyGuy]

Only about 17 pints of Guinness would get me talking, but at that point there may be a *modicum of embellishment

Bro, best keep mum's the word on all the yowies and dogmen and giant invisible snakes over at your joint, or you'll never be able to put a shovel in the ground again under the new laws

 

[cynic]

Speaking of snakes, would anyone like to hear about a personal encounter with a gigantic multicoloured serpent, during an out of body experience?

 

[StockyGuy]

Speaking of snakes, would anyone like to hear about a personal encounter with a gigantic multicoloured serpent, during an out of body experience?

Do tell! And IF serious do you think you as such moved "out" of the body, or was it all just an episode of very vivid imagination?

 

[cynic]

Do tell! And IF serious do you think you as such moved "out" of the body, or was it all just an episode of very vivid imagination?

Could have been the latter (i.e. a lucid dream that seemed very real at the time).

So, the year was 1988, and I was lying in my bed sleeping, when very suddenly I found my consciousness was no longer in my body (nor was it in 1988, but somehow back in 1978), standing and looking out of a second storey window, in front of which a very tall tree was situated. A massive multicoloured snake was twined around the tree with its head level with, and gazing in, at me, through the window.

Its head alone, was slighter larger than I was, and its body longer than could be fully observed from my vantage point. The only aspect of it that wasn't huge, was the neck, which was so, surprisingly, thin, that I seriously wondered how the head didn't, simply, break away from the body, via the sheer force of gravity.

Now as to its colour, I noticed at least 4 different colours, and yet it only appeared to sport 2 colours at any given time (i.e. towards the beginning of the encounter, it was green and purple, and then, towards the end, a very short time later, it was orange and yellow). The mysterious thing about this, is that, at no stage, did I actually witness the colours changing. It was as though it had always been only two colours and yet despite us both keeping our eyes fixed upon each other, I was unable to observe the point where the colours changed (i.e. from green/purple to orange/yellow)!

Anyhow, standing in its presence, I sensed not only the enormity of its physical size, but also an aura of power, beyond anything I'd ever experienced. Needless to say, despite knowing that I was not physically present, I felt nonetheless terrified, and was immensely relieved when I,shortly thereafter, returned to my physical body in 1988.

This ends the account of one of my more bizarre out of body experiences.

I think it best that I leave it to the reader, to decide for themselves, whether such phenomena, are merely products of waking dream states, or aspects of consciousness transcending humanity's current level of understanding.

Suffice to say, I have had many, and varied, reactions to this account throughout the years, but please rest assured that medicinal, and/or other, mind - altering substances did not feature in the aforementioned experience.

 

[wayneL]

I read a book called the Christos Experiment written by a chap just up the hill from me, it's still on my bookshelf. Ive been intrigued by it all these years, but never actually tried it.

Christos experiment

Assessment | Biopsychology | Comparative | Cognitive | Developmental | Language | Individual differences | Personality | Philosophy | Social | Methods | Statistics | Clinical | Educational | Industrial | Professional items | World psychology | Cognitive Psychology: Attention · Decision making ·...

psychology.fandom.com

 

[SirRumpole]

I read a book called the Christos Experiment written by a chap just up the hill from me, it's still on my bookshelf. Ive been intrigued by it all these years, but never actually tried it.

Christos experiment

Assessment | Biopsychology | Comparative | Cognitive | Developmental | Language | Individual differences | Personality | Philosophy | Social | Methods | Statistics | Clinical | Educational | Industrial | Professional items | World psychology | Cognitive Psychology: Attention · Decision making ·...

psychology.fandom.com

Seems interesting. Will have a read.

 

[macca]

Could have been the latter (i.e. a lucid dream that seemed very real at the time).

So, the year was 1988, and I was lying in my bed sleeping, when very suddenly I found my consciousness was no longer in my body (nor was it in 1988, but somehow back in 1978), standing and looking out of a second storey window, in front of which a very tall tree was situated. A massive multicoloured snake was twined around the tree with its head level with, and gazing in, at me, through the window.

Its head alone, was slighter larger than I was, and its body longer than could be fully observed from my vantage point. The only aspect of it that wasn't huge, was the neck, which was so, surprisingly, thin, that I seriously wondered how the head didn't, simply, break away from the body, via the sheer force of gravity.

Now as to its colour, I noticed at least 4 different colours, and yet it only appeared to sport 2 colours at any given time (i.e. towards the beginning of the encounter, it was green and purple, and then, towards the end, a very short time later, it was orange and yellow). The mysterious thing about this, is that, at no stage, did I actually witness the colours changing. It was as though it had always been only two colours and yet despite us both keeping our eyes fixed upon each other, I was unable to observe the point where the colours changed (i.e. from green/purple to orange/yellow)!

Anyhow, standing in its presence, I sensed not only the enormity of its physical size, but also an aura of power, beyond anything I'd ever experienced. Needless to say, despite knowing that I was not physically present, I felt nonetheless terrified, and was immensely relieved when I,shortly thereafter, returned to my physical body in 1988.

This ends the account of one of my more bizarre out of body experiences.

I think it best that I leave it to the reader, to decide for themselves, whether such phenomena, are merely products of waking dream states, or aspects of consciousness transcending humanity's current level of understanding.

Suffice to say, I have had many, and varied, reactions to this account throughout the years, but please rest assured that medicinal, and/or other, mind - altering substances did not feature in the aforementioned experience.

If this happened in Australia you may have been seeing the Rainbow Serpent of the Aboriginal Dreaming.

If you do not already identify as Aboriginal this may be a hint that you should do so as you may have an affinity with the local spirits

 

[Gringotts Bank]

Could have been the latter (i.e. a lucid dream that seemed very real at the time).

So, the year was 1988, and I was lying in my bed sleeping, when very suddenly I found my consciousness was no longer in my body (nor was it in 1988, but somehow back in 1978), standing and looking out of a second storey window, in front of which a very tall tree was situated. A massive multicoloured snake was twined around the tree with its head level with, and gazing in, at me, through the window.

Its head alone, was slighter larger than I was, and its body longer than could be fully observed from my vantage point. The only aspect of it that wasn't huge, was the neck, which was so, surprisingly, thin, that I seriously wondered how the head didn't, simply, break away from the body, via the sheer force of gravity.

Now as to its colour, I noticed at least 4 different colours, and yet it only appeared to sport 2 colours at any given time (i.e. towards the beginning of the encounter, it was green and purple, and then, towards the end, a very short time later, it was orange and yellow). The mysterious thing about this, is that, at no stage, did I actually witness the colours changing. It was as though it had always been only two colours and yet despite us both keeping our eyes fixed upon each other, I was unable to observe the point where the colours changed (i.e. from green/purple to orange/yellow)!

Anyhow, standing in its presence, I sensed not only the enormity of its physical size, but also an aura of power, beyond anything I'd ever experienced. Needless to say, despite knowing that I was not physically present, I felt nonetheless terrified, and was immensely relieved when I,shortly thereafter, returned to my physical body in 1988.

This ends the account of one of my more bizarre out of body experiences.

I think it best that I leave it to the reader, to decide for themselves, whether such phenomena, are merely products of waking dream states, or aspects of consciousness transcending humanity's current level of understanding.

Suffice to say, I have had many, and varied, reactions to this account throughout the years, but please rest assured that medicinal, and/or other, mind - altering substances did not feature in the aforementioned experience.

That's a good one. I think such experiences are very common, just that most people are afraid to talk about them. I'd be wary of someone who has not experienced something unusual like this!

We live in a kind of holographic simulation. Things like this (and much more weird) become possible when the mind is freed from its rigid fixations.

 

[Gringotts Bank]

If this happened in Australia you may have been seeing the Rainbow Serpent of the Aboriginal Dreaming.

If you do not already identify as Aboriginal this may be a hint that you should do so as you may have an affinity with the local spirits

That's true. When consciousness is expanded, the experiences are not as predictable as we'd like to imagine. Instead they are (to a large extent) coloured by cultural conditioning. You see it a lot in 'near death experiences' where the person will have a combination of both archetypal and culturally conditioned phenomena appear.

Some experiences are almost universal, regardless of beliefs. For example, exiting the body via the top of the head is almost universal, as is having 360 degree vision, being able to 'visit' the living and read their exact thoughts (confirmed later upon being revived), etc. Other experiences are coloured by our upbringing, for example Christians tend to meet Jesus whereas atheists may meet with a desceased relative, and new-agey people might meet with a 'spiritual guide'.

The thing about such experiences is that they always have the quality of verisimilitude. Experiencers know that what they experienced is real on some level, not imagined and not hallucinated. In much the same way that we recognize dreams as "just dreams" upon waking in the morning, imagination and hallucination are readily identified as such, if not during, then definitely afterwards. Spiritual experiences are quite different.

 

[StockyGuy]

That's a good one. I think such experiences are very common, just that most people are afraid to talk about them. I'd be wary of someone who has not experienced something unusual like this!

We live in a kind of holographic simulation. Things like this (and much more weird) become possible when the mind is freed from its rigid fixations.

Boringly, I'm one of those people who really hasn't experienced much like this. Sometimes I get a weird sense that there's an order and sequencing to the way things unfold.

 

[Gringotts Bank]

Boringly, I'm one of those people who really hasn't experienced much like this. Sometimes I get a weird sense that there's an order and sequencing to the way things unfold.

It may be more about paying attention than anything else. I experience a lot of telepathy - quite marked examples, and pretty much every day.

In what way do you notice a sequencing and order to life?

 

[StockyGuy]

In what way do you notice a sequencing and order to life?

Hehehe, rather a big topic there. It has lots of quirky characteristics and is largely a result of my inner life. Sequences like all religions must start with a falsehood (and likely many) - we laugh at recent ones like Mormons and Scientology but laud the old survivors like mainline Christianity. Observations like common instincts for resolutions of opposites playing out - like the ranga Harry choosing a very much non-ranga wife. Like the almost certainty that a good deed will not go unpunished.

Such things for me are more advanced common sense, rather than the paranormal, per se.

 

[Sean K]

Okay so I definitely am beyond sceptical for the most part - tell me how Jesus healed the sick and I wonder how much he paid them off or threatened them to act disabled so he could "cure" them etc. However...

I had a dream about Sinead O'Connor - no, not THAT kind of dream. I was thinking how yucky she was - total old woke-ster. In the dream I wondered, "Is she dead yet?"

I awake, check my newsfeed as per usual, and what do you know, the lady has sadly shuffled off this mortal coil.

Pure coincidence? I somehow overhead someone talking outside? I somehow awoke in a semi-sleep state and checked my internet homepage but don't remember? Real psychic power? Somehow being in tune with some deeper reality?

Probably just a weird coincidence.

Can you define 'paranormal experience' a bit better?

What you seem to have described is a premonition.

Or, as you may be intimating, you heard something on the radio or TV that went into your dream space. That happens.

Interesting topic.

 

[StockyGuy]

Can you define 'paranormal experience' a bit better?

All the woo stuff. To yank from the Wiki article - "Notable paranormal beliefs include those that pertain to extrasensory perception (for example, telepathy), spiritualism and the pseudosciences of ghost hunting, cryptozoology, and ufology." ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paranormal .)

 

[Sean K]

All the woo stuff. To yank from the Wiki article - "Notable paranormal beliefs include those that pertain to extrasensory perception (for example, telepathy), spiritualism and the pseudosciences of ghost hunting, cryptozoology, and ufology." ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paranormal .)

I dabbled in astral projection in my teens and I lived in Peru for 3 years which required me to experiment a bit with other things. I think it's all in the head. Good fun, but, not reality.