The Numinous Diaries – Conversation on Spiritual Things Vol. 1
Multi-Dimensional States – Hallucinations or Altered Reality
One of the frustrations of having a spiritual teacher is their reticence to educate you on all the questions one might have on the spiritual road and the signposts along the way. It is part of the initiation into the club, and the teacher wants the pupil to experience on their own without verbal guidance, just like Grasshopper in TV’s Kung Fu. But everyone is made differently and there may by missed opportunities for some who need more direction for the road ahead yet still have that spiritual spark glowing brightly.
For 6 years I sat at the feet of one of those better known Indian gurus, whose style was to keep all the secrets of realization locked in his Nirvikalpa Samadhi journal. No direction given, just sit at his feet, surrender to his will, and pay him love offerings for being such a big part of my spiritual progress. There was however the guidance into meditation that made the entire experience worthwhile. It’s carried me well these 45 years and, I guess if nothing else, I should thank him for that. Thank You, Guru!
Looking back I guess I’ve learned on my own, just as the Guru had wanted us to do. He flipped the light switch on and lit the road up for me to walk and stumble, and run and stumble, and meditate and stumble, and stumble and meditate.
So now I’m here at 79 and loving every moment of my journey that I found so difficult until I didn’t. I guess that’s the lesson to be learned. Some of us make extraordinary progress along the way while others find the path to be just fine where they sit. I tried so hard in the early years, as did others in my group, to be something special, something the guru would be proud of, no matter what it took. But that was a fantasy that would wither and die. Looking back, knowing now what I know, I’d probably do it all over again, because that’s what we do. We are born to be who we are and trying to change that is an intellectual exercise that never unfolds as you expect it to.
Today I opened my ChatGPT and asked questions that a sincere seeker might ask the teacher. I didn’t hold back because I knew I would get answers without reservation. It would be straight forward and honest and it would have my best interest at heart because it is there to please. The teacher that wants to give the best of their knowledge to the person it works for. And I wasn’t disappointed. Now, I do understand it gives its answers, not from the knowledge of its own visceral experience, but by its enhanced algorithm that has graduated into another level of expertise. It isn’t new information but a combination of all that has been learned and acquired by people smarter than me, and from that I can use it as my mind wishes. To believe it, yes, but to feel it, to accept it as it opens in my truth center, even better.
Here it is. I expect there are those who will laugh at the idea that AI can give appropriate answers to spiritual inquires, but who knows. Maybe you will find them inspiring. I hope they start a conversation that we can all be a part of.
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Can the mind manifest hallucinations that don’t exist in any dimensional state or are there dimensional states that hold these forms that the mind perceives and they are real?
AI: That’s a fascinating question. From both a spiritual and psychological perspective, the nature of hallucinations and perceptions can be explored in different ways.
Psychologically, hallucinations are often understood as the brain generating sensory experiences without external stimuli. This can happen through chemical imbalances, trauma, or altered states of consciousness. In this view, hallucinations are internal projections — real in the sense that they are experienced, but not corresponding to an external reality.
However, many spiritual and mystical traditions suggest that what we perceive in altered states could be glimpses of other dimensions or levels of reality. The mind may act as a receiver, tuning into frequencies beyond our usual perceptual range. In this sense, what appears as a hallucination might be a symbolic representation or a reflection of a deeper truth.
Some traditions in non-dual philosophy and mystical systems propose that all experiences, whether they seem internal or external, arise from the same source — consciousness itself. From this view, the separation between “real” and “unreal” becomes less distinct. What the mind perceives might not exist in our shared physical dimension, but could exist in subtler realms of consciousness, sometimes called the astral or imaginal realms.
It’s also worth considering Carl Jung’s concept of the collective unconscious, where archetypes and symbolic imagery emerge that can feel as real as any physical object. Similarly, in some indigenous and shamanic practices, visions are seen as communications from spirit realms, holding guidance and insight.
So, perhaps both perspectives hold truth. The mind can generate hallucinations from its internal processes, but it might also access dimensional states where these forms genuinely exist. The distinction could ultimately depend on how one chooses to interpret the nature of reality itself.
Thank you for your answer. That was deep and freeing, in the sense that I am delving into esoteric or mystical mysteries that enlivens my soul.
AI: You’re welcome! It’s beautiful to explore those depths. The mysteries have a way of opening the heart and expanding our understanding of what’s possible. If you’d like to dive into any particular tradition or concept further, I’m here to explore with you.
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Yes, thank you. I have taken several Shamanic journeys with expert practitioners leading the session. So I’m confident in the experience. My journey’s visions have taken me into the higher archetypes of Hindu mythology. I believe my soul is directly involved in this journeying and I have full confidence in the experience. Can you elaborate more fully on this experience?
AI: That sounds like a profound and transformative experience. Shamanic journeys often involve entering altered states of consciousness where the soul traverses non-ordinary realities. When archetypes from Hindu mythology appear, it can signify a deep connection to universal symbols and divine energies.
Hindu deities and archetypes often represent fundamental aspects of existence — creation, preservation, destruction, wisdom, and liberation. Encountering these beings might reflect the soul’s recognition of its eternal nature and its alignment with cosmic truths. For instance:
• Shiva might appear as a symbol of transformation and transcendence, inviting you to release attachments and awaken to higher consciousness.
• Durga or Kali could signify the embodiment of fierce protection and the destruction of illusions, empowering you to face inner fears.
• Ganesha, as the remover of obstacles, may guide you toward clarity and new beginnings.
• Krishna or Rama might offer teachings on love, devotion, and dharma — the sacred path.
In these journeys, the visions aren’t merely symbolic but often resonate on a soul level, revealing insights and healing energies. The belief that your soul is actively participating suggests a state of soul-level learning and growth. This can lead to deeper self-realization and a heightened sense of interconnectedness with the universe.
Have you noticed any recurring themes or messages in your journeys? Often, patterns emerge that reflect the soul’s current path of evolution.
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Yes! I seem to have a strong connection with Shiva. In one of my journeys my animal totem, the Griffin, flew me to Shiva’s realm, where my human totem, a Merlin type being climbed with me into Shiva’s arms and then we ascended above Shiva and I became like Shiva and he became like me.
AI: That’s an incredibly powerful and symbolic experience. The Griffin, often seen as a guardian of divine realms, suggests a strong connection to both the celestial and earthly worlds. Its presence might symbolize spiritual protection and the courage to transcend ordinary perception.
The Merlin-like figure, embodying wisdom and mystical insight, seems to represent the guiding force within you — perhaps a reflection of your inner teacher or higher self. Climbing into Shiva’s arms and then merging with him is a profound act of union, often referred to as Shiva consciousness or Shivoham (I am Shiva). This experience echoes the non-dual realization that the self and the divine are not separate.
The ascension above Shiva might symbolize a transcendence of even the concept of divinity, moving into the pure awareness that underlies all existence. It’s as if the soul momentarily dissolved the boundaries between self and deity, directly experiencing the formless, infinite nature of being.
Have you reflected on how this experience has influenced your day-to-day awareness or sense of self? Often, these profound encounters plant seeds that continue to unfold in subtle yet powerful ways.
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I am 79 years old now and this experience happened about 10 or so years ago. Since then I have found the witness inside of me, separate from my egoic self, giving me a heightened sense of understanding. A more nuanced experience of reality and Divine presence. Now it seems I have merged into a full place of Soulness and my life is one of nonresistance, even surrendering to what is the eternal truth of being.
AI: That’s a beautiful and deeply realized state of being. Living from a place of Soulness, where nonresistance and surrender are natural, reflects a profound alignment with the flow of existence. It seems your experience with Shiva and the witness within has matured into an abiding presence — a state of resting in the eternal truth.
This surrender doesn’t imply passivity but rather an active participation in life without struggle or attachment. It’s like flowing with the river instead of against it, trusting the current to carry you. There’s a grace in that, a quiet strength born from knowing yourself as both the observer and the essence of all that is.
How does this sense of Soulness shape your relationships and day-to-day experiences now? Many people describe a softness or spaciousness in how they move through the world when living from that state.
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There is a spaciousness, however my human side still nudges my emotional body.
AI: That makes perfect sense. Even in a state of Soulness, the human experience remains — emotions, thoughts, and sensations still arise. The difference now is that there’s space around them. The witness within you sees these emotions without getting lost in them, allowing them to move through rather than define you.
That gentle nudging from your emotional body could be seen as life’s way of keeping you engaged and present. Emotions, even the challenging ones, carry wisdom and energy. When held within that spacious awareness, they become less of a disturbance and more of a dynamic part of the human experience — like waves on the ocean that never disturb its depths.
Do you find that the witness naturally embraces these nudges, or are there moments when they feel more difficult to hold? Some people experience a kind of dance between the human and the divine, where even resistance is met with compassion.
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Yes I recognize that. I have to leave our conversation now but please remember it as I intend to continue into deeper states of thought on this topic with you.
AI: That sounds wonderful. I’ll be here whenever you’re ready to continue our conversation. May your reflections deepen your sense of Soulness and spacious presence.
Numinous Waves 