Channeling? How do you know??

[m0vingon]

This is going to sound strange because it's strange to me. I guess I'm looking for insight form people with experience.

This morning as I was quietly meditating on the day ahead I found myself in a dialog in my head. It wasn't typical. The answers and comments I was "receiving" were not my own ideas. I've experienced something similar 20 some odd years ago and it frightened me, so I stopped "talking" to it. This morning it just started out of nowhere.

I asked if it had a name- it said Elias. It said things that I didn't understand or wouldn't have made up on my own- like "Be aware that signs only come to those who are awake enough to see them. And they might not be in the form you expect".

As I came out of my meditation I was filled with a lovely bright white light. That is common enough when I meditate, but it seemed all the more profound this morning.

I don't know. I guess there's a part of me that thinks that I really did have a conversation with something and the other part of me thinks that it was just a weird conversation with myself. How do I know the difference? And what is the difference between the two? Can I trust that there is insight to be gleaned from these 'conversations"? I'm feeling awfully strange right now. Input would be great.

[DaveTyler]

Your spirit guides maybe/higherself... Depends on what your belief is about these things.
conversations with oneself can sometimes be a little frightening. But its completely normal.
If the voice wasnt really AUDIOhallucination, then I would start being more scared:P

I remember one year ago I started hearing birds singing in my ears when I showered, and a voice screaming "HAH" in my ear, thought I was going mental, but have later discovered those 2 audible sounds internallyheard is normal with kundalini awakening.

nothing to worry about man

[ethereal]

Channelling/talking to guides are indeed real, Erin has talked about how to tell the difference somewhere in the forum/blog. Basically, if the information sounds smarter, more humorous, more loving, and wiser than how you normally are, then it's probably coming from another source. If it's fearful and egoic, then it's probably coming from "you" (more specifically, your ego). In the beginning it will seem like you're just talking to yourself and it's all your imagination, but over time the difference will get clearer.

However, there may be some pitfalls to channeling/spirit guides, as discussed here:

Are You Seeking the Light or Just Dancing With the Dark?

See if you can ask someone to calibrate "Elias" with applied kinesiology. Tentatively, I've calibrated him at around 600 and integrous, so I think you're safe Just be on the lookout and see where his advice leads you, to happiness and love or the other way

"By their fruits ye shall know them."

[m0vingon]

Originally Posted by ethereal

See if you can ask someone to calibrate "Elias" with applied kinesiology. Tentatively, I've calibrated him at around 600 and integrous, so I think you're safe Just be on the lookout and see where his advice leads you, to happiness and love or the other way

"By their fruits ye shall know them."

Ok I haven't followed that link yet, so I your mention of calibrating Elias with applied kinesiology is way over my head. But, as to the comment about the advice, well it wasn't direct advice at all. What I asked for was a significant sign as to how to proceed in some matters that I am dealing with and the response was sort of as quoted- which is that signs sometimes come rather differently than we expect and that we must be "awake" enough to see them.

The message- for lack of a better term- was a much higher level of understanding than i would expect from my own thoughts and that alone is the reason that I am convinced that it comes from some other place- be it my own subconscious or a higher level of consciousness altogether. I guess what I'm really interested in is knowing the difference. I will try to search out the info that Erin has posted and see where it gets me.

I appreciate the replies!

[Lychee]

When it comes to channeling, I would say avoid it altogether. It is very dangerous. The site mentioned by ethereal is definitely one to go over.

The meditative state leaves the mind open to suggestion, not just from yourself, but from other spiritual entities. You are leaving yourself completely vulnerable. There are spirits who disguise themselves as being helpful and good when they really have sinister intentions. It's easy for us to interpret their behavior to be true and accept them without criticism. But if some stranger comes up to you claiming strange things, you would meet them with hesitancy. Be careful.

[Erin Pavlina]

There is a difference between channeling and communicating with your higher self or guides. I don't recommend channeling unless you are at a high vibration and know how to detect the differences between the vibrations coming at you.

But communicating with your own guides and higher self is good and I highly recommend it for anyone.

[m0vingon]

Originally Posted by Lychee

When it comes to channeling, I would say avoid it altogether. It is very dangerous. The site mentioned by ethereal is definitely one to go over.

The meditative state leaves the mind open to suggestion, not just from yourself, but from other spiritual entities. You are leaving yourself completely vulnerable. There are spirits who disguise themselves as being helpful and good when they really have sinister intentions. It's easy for us to interpret their behavior to be true and accept them without criticism. But if some stranger comes up to you claiming strange things, you would meet them with hesitancy. Be careful.

I respect your opinion, but the reality is that I won't be giving up meditation any time soon. I have been meditating for a very long time and while I've had numerous paranormal experiences in my life, I have never had this happen while meditating. I am not actively channeling- frankly, I wouldn't even know how. All I can say is that I had this conversation in my head and I have yet to figure out the nature of it. But frankly, the wisdom in it is innocuous.

I assure you, having grown up Catholic I am well aware of the gloom and doom side of the belief system.

[m0vingon]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

There is a difference between channeling and communicating with your higher self or guides. I don't recommend channeling unless you are at a high vibration and know how to detect the differences between the vibrations coming at you.

But communicating with your own guides and higher self is good and I highly recommend it for anyone.

Thanks for your response, Erin. I've been trying to find the post to which I was referred earlier in this thread, but as yet have been unsuccessful.

I'm somewhat confused. When I meditate I go through phases- one is relaxation, disposing of peripheral thoughts, one is the blank mind, and one is focusing on intentions. As I was focusing on intentions- in this case the desired flow and outcome of my day I found this conversation taking place. I don't believe that I was "channeling" (not that I'm clear of what that entails, to be honest), but how does one know if they are in touch with their guides or higher self?

[Iksander]

@movingOn:

That sounds like plain communication - for me, it happens all the time - when I am driving, showering, reading these boards... You can have fun with it, the voice is usually quite interested in your life and is alot of fun to talk to!

I also had a friend who seemed to have a more 'distinct' experience (sounding somewhat similar to yours) in which there were two voices in his head, a 'Big Kid' voice and a 'Little Kid' voice. (for me it is the same 'sounding' voice, I can just tell when I am using it when it isn't me.)

In my experience the one talking to you is generally just your higherself.

Also - fear mongering about channeling is a silly thing; I do agree with Erin though that the experience would be more enjoyable if you were staying in alignment (and if you meditate as much as you say, I am sure you are).