I feel the use of Ayahuasca started a spark in me which has, over the course of a little over 2 years, made me have occasional very deep trances without even wanting them.

I tried going to sleep right now, but instead, without any conscious thought, I close my eyes and picture different yogic postures (i've NEVER done yoga) and see my third eye ripping through my forehead and looking into the spiritual world. . .

I've NEVER prepared to be some kind of "medium" or shaman of any sort, but I so happen to have these "shamanic" visions from time to time, and it's a little unsettling. . acutally it's quite unsettling. . .

Just got done reading a shamanic page and so far it looks like I'm opening a new chapter in my life in which I'll have the blessing of helping people to heal through energy. . . but I feel like there's a catch. . there has GOT to be a catch to this . . . it's not always pleasant. .. like in this situation I'm having. . . literally, just deep trance out of nowhere and I'm in the astral plane. . .

could it be that I'm unlocking my psychic powers? this has actually been something I've always wanted since I was a kid . .. but apparently I had no idea how it would be like. . .

please, I would GREATLY appreciate any and all advice. . . thanks all.

Just go with it

Do you take any amphetamine-based medications, or really anything that requires a doctors prescription?

I only ask because when I was younger and on Adderall, I had some pretty scary experiences that I related to being in another world; two dimensional, black-and-white, and pretty darn scary; that had happened as I was trying to go to sleep.

I would be careful not to confuse illusions with experiences, although it can be very hard to tell the difference. Do you feel like you are compelled to do something about these visions in a way that you feel you cannot ignore or something bad is going to happen to you, or perhaps do you feel like going down this path will lead to helping others?

If you feel it is the latter (and only you can tell by meditating on it) then by all means pursue whatever you feel is right, but be very careful to avoid people who claim to have special powers and want money to show you what they know!

Its a powerful medicine/substance/molecule(s) people should be prepared for such a large change in awareness and perspective when dabbling in such.
They sound like hypnagogic visions to me, enjoy them see where they take you see if there are lessons to be learnt.
I dont know about psychic powers or anything like there have been many experiments done and no evidence has been found in its favour.

There is work to be done, and we must work. Once the work has been done, we can relax. The work will find you until there is nothing else to do, you must work hard, focus, focus your mind, stay calm, try not to put undue pressure on yourself, there are others helping as well. It's your mind, you're self aware and have control over reactions to perceptual shifts.

I have some knowledge of Astral Travel both willed and spontaneous. First thing I'd say is that most of the experiences one has with mushrooms, LSD, DMT, etc etc IS actually on the Astral Plane ... however there are several different levels of the Astral. There's the mundane OBE and walking about your bedroom seeing your body asleep level all the way to the upper etheric planes that one can easily project into with changa or straight NN DMT.

Shamanic visions (brought about by drumming or sweat lodges) are gateways to the Astral (which is bloody big place with a lot of floors -- some of which contain dimensions). If you are finding yourself able to access the astral plane without having imbibed mind altering chemicals you're lucky and I'd say with 98.7% certainty you're on the right path.

Love and light,

Awooga

Why do you feel that it is unwanted?

I often see things not in trance, but more like the "shadow people" from Insidious, the ones that come back with you, I try not to let it bother me, even sometimes I jokingly torment them, as they torment me. Seeing something out of the corner of your eye or having a flashback is common, I usually just enjoy it and not delve too deep into it. I often see ravens/crows out of the corner of my eye flying off in a certain direction, these are omens, you have to appreciate them, the more you let them bother you, the more you will be bothered by them. When I get scared, when I'm alone, in the dark, in my room, I just say, "come get some, if you want some, I'm here, come get me".

Sorry for the late response all. Fortunately, these occurences have not taken place since my last post in the Nexus. After a time reflecting on how these happenings were taking place, I think I have come to the conclusion are due to my many regular fasts that I've been doing. I can say without a doubt that these fasts have helped me focus on the spiritual and that's probably why I have come to have these spontaneous trances.

But tbh, they were not deep trances by any means. They were light, but filled with very introspective feelings of spiritualism and visuals. The unsettling thought of me being somewhat schizophrenic went through my mind, but I know for sure that it's not the case because I notice that I am a quite centered person.

However, I am by all means a very deep and philosohpical thinker. I've always been that way, even before the introduction of psychedelics into my life. I've gotten some pretty amazing insights from my deep, and I would say almost OCD, philosophical thinking, and I think this is the main reason I got soooo interested in the psychedelic world when I found out about it. Although I can say without a doubt that psychedelics have done a great deal towards enhancing my philosophical thinking a hundred-fold.

At the end of the day, our realities are nothing more than our perceptions. These words that I'm putting together right now can mean and represent an infinite number of things to all individuals who read it. No one is right or wrong in the world of psychedelics, each person just is his/her own essence.



^Totally agree with this. I have found out that all the teachings from the psychedelic masters are not going to be much help if we don't take action in the direction they show us. I have done a great deal more effort wise in becoming a better person than I ever did before taking ayahuasca (first and only psychedelic I've used in my life). I've came to find so many realizations, and I'm more motivated to do stuff that doesn't even have to do anything with my spiritual side, but nonetheless take it as it is in the present moment, and I work with it because I know I got that moment and that moment only.

All in all, I believe these spontaneous glimpses have come to a (temporary) halt as I see and feel it. I guess I'm just afraid to go through the Dark Night of the Soul, which is probably the most testing phase in the life of anyone who is spiritually awakened.

I am going to be fine as long as I keep a balance between spiritual and mundane things like I have been the last few days. I strongly believe that full spiritual awakening should only take place after this physical life.

This type of argument doesn't hold water for me anymore.

The uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics describes how the act of observation collapses the possibility wave function and the phenomena disappears.

This can be translated macroscopically to suggest that psychic powers only work when unobserved, leaving the possibility wave function in tact.

My point is - what if psychic powers only work when no one is looking?

Another example:
Everyone here is familiar with the endless possibilities of visuals that can show up in our peripherals while sober or on psychoactives. Haven't you ever noticed that sometimes, the moment you look at these visuals they disappear? You might see elves in the corner but when you turn to look - it's just a shadowy corner.

This could all be coincidence of course but I like to theorize.

Well it wasnt really an argument a said I dont know about it, I am uncertain. However its come to light in another thread that there is 'some' evidence however I havent seen that experiment or the evidence presented so have no opinion either way.

Its a schrodingers cat type scenario.

Strictly speaking for something to exist it must be in our realm of observation. (eg dark matter, we cant see it but can indirectly observe its effects)

By your own reasoning your example doesnt stand up because if you 'see' something you have observed it therefore according to your own theory it doesnt exist as a paranormal phenomenon only the 'observation' of 'something' remains to exist.

Your idea moves into the area of philosophy and faith and raises the question of whether something can exist if it cant be observed? Also, what is the definition of existence? Can something be truly objective?

However abscence of evidence is not evidence of abscence.
I remain sceptical to the existence of psychic powers and the paranormal despite having had a hair raising experience an hour or so after smoking salvia when my door slammed shut for no reason, previous to that day when the area had been subject to high winds the door hadnt moved one bit.
Very odd as I was definitely in the after glow phase or so it seemed at the time.