This concept comes up from time to time, so I thought I'd share some of my own experiences with talking with God. First, a definition is in order. To me, God is not an entity or deity per se, but rather the intelligence/energy/consciousness that underlies all of reality. In short, God is everything. (If this seems hard to grok, talk to your friendly neighborhood Sufi mystic.)

Sometimes, when I really need a loud and clear message, I will hear a voice in my head. Like five years ago, when I decided to really get serious about getting clean and sober (after many failed attempts over the preceding thirty years). Me: "God, I am really serious this time." God: "Good--it's about time!"

Another time, I was mulling over a problem while driving, and some song lyrics I heard on the radio provided the insight I needed.

Then there is bibliomancy, the favorite Chrisitan method of doing psychic readings. Ask your question, open a book at "random" and see what you see.

When I'm trying to understand something I'll usually speak aloud the points of one side of the thing in mind while speaking its opposites in my head. After a while I'll end up finding my self doing the opposite and before long I'm speaking both of them aloud without much confusion. Then I understand and be happy.

But that's only if I'm by myself. If I'm trying to do it with others around I do it in my head but find it harder to accomplish.

ArmsMerchant, you are one of the few other people I know of that use the word grok and the only one I know of that's old enough to have picked it up when it first came around. Such a wonderful word.

Thou art God, ArmsMerchant.

One time in 3rd grade, while I was at home, I heard a voice that said "The end is near." It didn't feel like someone said it physically, it felt like I heard it mentally(telepathy).
That was the only time I've ever "heard a voice."
A pretty useless statement since it's so vague(not to mention that "soon" hardly means anything).
I'd like to find out what it was.

Thou art God, ArmsMerchant.

One time in 3rd grade, while I was at home, I heard a voice that said "The end is near." It didn't feel like someone said it physically, it felt like I heard it mentally(telepathy).
That was the only time I've ever "heard a voice."
A pretty useless statement since it's so vague(not to mention that "soon" hardly means anything).
I'd like to find out what it was.

According to some brain researchers, the speech centre is in the left hemisphere, however the right hemisphere does have a speech capacity usually found when one makes a spontaneous statement that may even surprise oneself. The brain may be confusing the event of the spontaneous thought, or voice in one's head, as being alien -- when in fact it is simply the 'voice' of the right brain, rarely heard over the incessant chatter emananating from the left:D

Cheers:)

I've had moments like these, but being an agnostic/atheist/whatever I've never attributed them to God. I still view them with an aura of spirituality, though, so I suppose they belong in this thread.

One example is the absolute change I underwent after hearing the song "Good Thoughts, Bad Thoughts" by Funkadelic. The first half (or so) of the song is an instrumental, but the second half is a monologue delivered by George Clinton. The basic gist of the monologue is that conscious thoughts control the subconscious thoughts, and subconscious thoughts control how you feel and who you are. Since I was so high out of my mind when I was listening to it, the words really struck me. I had never really been so deeply touched by anything like that before.

Until that point, I had been struggling with deep depression for years. Sometimes it would get better, and sometimes it would get a lot worse, but it never went away. For awhile I was taking prozac and that seemed to clear it up really well. However, I decided that I didn't really like the way antidepressants made me feel. It's like I wasn't making my own emotions, like I was taking them out of a can. Homemade food > canned food. After that, I sank back into depression, but at least I felt like a human being.

Then I heard the Funkadelic song and decided to bombard myself with positive thoughts as often as possible. Every time I had a negative thoughts I drowned it in positivity and decided to revel in life instead of hate it. After only two days my depression subsided drastically. I actually walked around feeling happy and content. That might seem weird to a normal person, but before that the best I ever felt without stimulus was neutral, and only rarely. I was afraid at first that the change was only temporary. I had made decisions like that before, but they never lasted more than a week.

This time it stuck. I don't know what I've done differently, but I'm still happy with life. If there is a God, or a god, or a powerful intelligent power underlying the universe, or one of those many things that I don't really believe in but still acknowledge might exist, then maybe He/She/It was talking to me through that Funkadelic song.

Or maybe George Clinton is really god! ;)

EDIT: grumble grumble stupid spelling mistakes grumble grumble

According to some brain researchers, the speech centre is in the left hemisphere, however the right hemisphere does have a speech capacity usually found when one makes a spontaneous statement that may even surprise oneself. The brain may be confusing the event of the spontaneous thought, or voice in one's head, as being alien -- when in fact it is simply the 'voice' of the right brain, rarely heard over the incessant chatter emananating from the left:D

Cheers:)

^this

Also talking with god is most often done through prayer, a form of meditation, and is in most cases is a simple inner dialogue we all possess, be you heathen or theist (of any religion).

Sometimes I ask things like "What should I do?" or "God where are you in all this darkness and negativity" Out of nowhere I would intuitive kind of answer that shoots off in my head. Like "Do it that way and all will workout" or "I am hiding in the root of the problem."

At first when this happened I had little faith it was god or something of higher level of being. Than started actually listening to it and the voice would be right and since than faith is strong that it can help me... I will tell you on lean on God always... In other words theres not a moment in the day I wouldnt try to see where "God" is in all of this, I contemplate on God as well.

Interestingly enough people think that for god to speak with you it needs to be like this extravagant almost Hollywood type visual effects. When in reality it seems to be a humble small voice thats always speaking and all you need to do is lower your inner volume to listen to it.

He is a delusional, infantile narcissist. Unless he shows me otherwise, I will not give him any of my respect.

Hahaha...AM, are you familiar with the adage 'If you can spot it, you got it'?

I hope so, because it makes the bold post quite hilarious.

On topic though...I think that first example you provided is what many would call the voice of your conscience. I recognize a distinction between my inner voice and my conscience's voice. Compared to the voice that I call the Voice...well, there is a massive distinction. The voice that I understand to be God's rarely says a thing. It sounds like a whisper, but is louder than a jet engine (or for you southern folk, louder than the engine start-up at a NASCAR event ;)). The voice of my conscience is very meek sounding. It's rather quiet, rather soft. My inner voice sounds pretty much like my vocalized voice; deep, a little bit loud, and demanding.

Disclaimer: I have no evidence to prove anything I say. Feel free to see me as totally insane.

To me, God is not an entity or deity per se, but rather the intelligence/energy/consciousness that underlies all of reality.

It sounds to me as if Reality is your god. I am forced to resort to an old adage in response:"A rose, by any other name, is still a rose."

I would be interested in your explanation of how it is that "Reality" came to be intelligent (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/intelligence) and conscious (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/conscious), since it is not actually an entity, but rather a state of existence (as far as we know, based on scientific observation of our universe).

It sounds like you're perfectly comfortable personifying something just as ambiguous and unprovable as the God Christians dedicate their faith to. I don't see the difference.

"Good -- it's about time!" <--- This seems like a very HUMAN-like thing to say.

As for the song on the radio, did you ever consider that it might just have been a coincidence? I know coincidences can feel pretty remarkable, but it's not difficult to trick a human into thinking something incredible has happened to them when it really hasn't (see all the loonies that think it is a miracle when Benny Hinn touches their heads...they are then willing to make asses of themselves on national television by falling onto the ground and sobbing uncontrollably). Nor is it unheard of for a human to trick THEMSELVES, based on their deepest desires, whether rational or not.

This concept comes up from time to time, so I thought I'd share some of my own experiences with talking with God. First, a definition is in order. To me, God is not an entity or deity per se, but rather the intelligence/energy/consciousness that underlies all of reality. In short, God is everything. (If this seems hard to grok, talk to your friendly neighborhood Sufi mystic.)

Sometimes, when I really need a loud and clear message, I will hear a voice in my head. Like five years ago, when I decided to really get serious about getting clean and sober (after many failed attempts over the preceding thirty years). Me: "God, I am really serious this time." God: "Good--it's about time!"

Another time, I was mulling over a problem while driving, and some song lyrics I heard on the radio provided the insight I needed.

Then there is bibliomancy, the favorite Chrisitan method of doing psychic readings. Ask your question, open a book at "random" and see what you see.

LOL, I opened a book randomly to my question of "How will my life be 10 years from now?", and the page had "AIDS" written all over it.

But back on topic, I totally agree with you. I think god is all the positive energy that is in our mind, body, spirit, and environment.

For some reason whenever I go out for a walk on a crisp evening and pass by the serene nature around me, I get a zen-like feeling. I noticed the closer you are to your essential self, the more zen-like you feel. I too have noticed that sometimes my thoughts can somehow manifest themselves in reality. For example, whenever I direct my thoughts to a certain subject, everything around me starts reflecting it. Sometimes if I think about subject, one of my friends will abruptly bring it up.

Great post ArmsMerchant.

^Wouldn't it be interesting if, ten years hence, you were in the Peace Corps helping AIDS patients in Africa?

I would be interested in your explanation of how it is that "Reality" came to be intelligent and conscious, since it is not actually an entity, but rather a state of existence (as far as we know, based on scientific observation of our universe).

Perhaps that is The Kingdom of Heaven, the ultimate reality the one that is over the ones we have built in our own views? Perhaps that is God, The infinite and eternal Reality behind all phenomena.

Yet, although being infinite, God is in a sense beyond all qualities; one may nevertheless affirm that God is the highest, perfect transcendental Existence in Whom everything originated and by Whom everything is sustained.

Although being infinite, God is in a sense beyond all qualities; one may nevertheless affirm that God is the highest, perfect transcendental Existence in Whom everything originated and by Whom everything is sustained. In a secondary sense God is Being in activity; He is Being in actuality. In a secondary sense God is Being in activity; He is Being in actuality. - The Gnostic Catechism

Again Gnosticism is only a religion, the religion started around however an experience called Gnosis which is the discovery that is God in this definition yet transcends this definition it cannot be understood by words but by the experience, and its different for everyone, allowing no dispute between people.

^Well-said.

You may have heard, however, that due to the many different sects which roughly fell under "Gnosticism" some scholars think the word itself should be abandoned.

So you think you're talking with God?

I think you're talking with a deep part of your mind, that little voice in your head

^Well-said.

You may have heard, however, that due to the many different sects which roughly fell under "Gnosticism" some scholars think the word itself should be abandoned.

I would agree with the changing o the phrase of Gnostic to something else... What it maybe IDK but it wouuld make The religious powers that be scared of where the gnostics went... Thxs, btw

So you think you're talking with God?

I think you're talking with a deep part of your mind, that little voice in your head

Yes, I very much do believe I am talking with some aspect of God. I am going to read this semantically and assume what you mean is what you said that "I am talking with a deep aspect of mind... The little voice in your head."

The Gnostics believe that mind comes before physicality, the mind is God but since God is in everything yet its own seperate entity than this is the transcendental aspect of God. However, since its within me, than God goes from transcendent to Immanent, This Immament aspect of God is The Christos or "Living Christ." Some Gnostics believed in the trinity as do I... I am talking to the depths of my being which is Christ which is God, so yes I am talking to mind and God. In my believe at least...

Just a thought I wanted to throw in here.

Prayer can be defined as a small portion of God talking to a larger portion of God.

Then there is bibliomancy, the favorite Chrisitan method of doing psychic readings. Ask your question, open a book at "random" and see what you see.

What is funny is that his actually works. You can turn to any page in the bible, have any question on your mind, and find the answer to that question.

You can dig through the ramblings of Nostradamus, and find things he "predicted", all day long.

You can take any newspaper, read ANY of the horoscopes you like, and watch as your day unfolds in something similar to that manner.

You can peer up into the night sky, and watch as the stars take the shape of what you are thinking about. This same bit of magic can happen with clouds.

As a child asleep in the dark, your coat rack is a monster, the lump of clothes on the ground a gremlin, and the branch outside your window a skeletal claw.

Self-fufilling prophecy, and a human beings uncanny natural ability to find pattern in all things, are amazing, but unfortunately for all you romantics out there, not magical in the slightest.

Me: God, why do you let people suffer?

God: Without it, there'd be no happiness G.

Me: Couldn't you change that? Being God and all?

God: I is what I is yo. Problem is that most of y'all don't want to accept that. No bro, I can't change it. It's Truth, see?

Me: No, I don't see.. can you maybe explain it to me?

God: Hells no I can't explain it to you. Lemme tell yuh a story. Once upon a time this phat cat was chattin' me up 'bout some dude that was frontin'. I mean really frontin', guy stole his car with the spinnin' rims, busted up his windows in his house and took the guys favorite piece. What's worse is the guy was doin' fine in life and got off on fuckin' with everyone else. So he says, "Yo nigguh, I be needin' some help cappin' this foo!" which don't fly with me. I tell this G straight up, "Naw man, that ain't how shit works. Yur trippin' if you think fuckin' this bitch up is gonna help you in any way. The path to TRU love be decorated with understanding. Yous gonna be miserable as shit if you go through with this, and all that'll change is that you'll make other niggas even worse off."

The guy say, "Fuck you, bitch! He be frontin'! This nigga gonna get what comin' to him!" Then he fuckin' went out and capped the guy AND his bitch!

And that's how World War 1 started.

Me: ..What?

God: Shup bitch, there be more story!

So the nigga who shot the nigga be rottin' in a block, and he decides to talk to me some more. "Yo B, I think you mightuh been right. That bitch was fuckin' shit up for all us righteous niggas, and somethin' had to be done.. but killin' the bitch just started all this other killin' an' shit. Problem was I was bein' an ignint nigga an' dint think this shit out. Problem wan'it you for not preaching Truth an' whateva', problem be all us bitches that don' wanna see your Truth. Sorry."

I tells the G, "Yo bitch don' be apologizing all over at me. I just is. From now on, jus' be thinkin'. Peace."

Me: Is that really how the war started?

God: 'The fuck's it matter yo? Be it lie or truth, there be Truth in my werdz.

Someone seems to have been listening to too many Negro spirituals.

My God can speak plain English.

Someone seems to have been listening to too many Negro spirituals.

My God can speak plain English.

Funny thing is he's white.

'The fuck's it matter yo? Be it lie or truth, there be Truth in my werdz.

Thats some wisdom there.

Good post.

Thats some wisdom there.

Good post.

Indeed.

People say there are no meaning to dreams, or the stories and lessons that can be learned from studying the clouds are meaningless.

If someone can find meaning in something, whatever it may be, then I would argue that the thing along with the meaning that was imagined is not meaningless.

Someone seems to have been listening to too many Negro spirituals.

My God can speak plain English.

So your God is anglo saxon? Or just hails from an plain english speaking country?

I'm going to go ahead and say it: one can not converse with the ultimate god-head.

I'm going to go ahead and say it: one can not converse with the ultimate god-head.

What are you talking about? I just posted a real conversation between God and I!

Irrefutable evidence.

What are you talking about? I just posted a real conversation between God and I!

Irrefutable evidence.

sorry, yr idea of God is still rooted in the 2nd circuit.

I'm talking about the 8th circuit.

sorry, yr idea of God is still rooted in the 2nd circuit.

I'm talking about the 8th circuit.

You crazy man. You crazy.

You crazy man. You crazy.

No, you just don't understand what I'm talking about. There's a difference. Crazy people bring chaos to chaos; shamans/sorcerers/whatever you want to call them bring order to chaos.

No, you just don't understand what I'm talking about. There's a difference. Crazy people bring chaos to chaos; shamans/sorcerers/whatever you want to call them bring order to chaos.

Alright.

Enlighten me, please.

Alright.

Enlighten me, please.

I can't enlighten you, but I can try to explain it in some what rational terms that might allow you to move into the irrational part of the universe (which is most of it).

The 2nd circuit is part of the 4 lower circuits (or chakras) of the human organism, and this deals mostly with yr relationship with other people, specifically in a tribalistic type manner. It deals with how you interact with people, money, things (stuff you buy, sell, etc). By looking at God in a 2nd circuit type manner, you basically see him as the Ultimate-super-duper Alpha Male. While this is, I suppose, true in some convoluted way, you're not really getting down into the nitty gritty of what "is".

I'm talking about the highest level of reality, of which I have only experienced through Salvia. Pure oneness and no separation, pure light, pure being at its highest form. The next level down is that of the "Gods", yr "friends", or more specifically yr 12 organs, the 12 signs of the zodiac, etc etc. You'll see this connection in mythologies and what nots of all sorts - King Arthur and the TWELVE knights of the ROUND table (the 12 "friends"/"gods" are in the cycle of becoming, while pure being is just that - being.)

But even then, there might be something beyond. I don't know. The universe is incredibly and incomprehensible.

I can't enlighten you, but I can try to explain it in some what rational terms that might allow you to move into the irrational part of the universe (which is most of it).

The 2nd circuit is part of the 4 lower circuits (or chakras) of the human organism, and this deals mostly with yr relationship with other people, specifically in a tribalistic type manner. It deals with how you interact with people, money, things (stuff you buy, sell, etc). By looking at God in a 2nd circuit type manner, you basically see him as the Ultimate-super-duper Alpha Male. While this is, I suppose, true in some convoluted way, you're not really getting down into the nitty gritty of what "is".

I'm talking about the highest level of reality, of which I have only experienced through Salvia. Pure oneness and no separation, pure light, pure being at its highest form. The next level down is that of the "Gods", yr "friends", or more specifically yr 12 organs, the 12 signs of the zodiac, etc etc. You'll see this connection in mythologies and what nots of all sorts - King Arthur and the TWELVE knights of the ROUND table (the 12 "friends"/"gods" are in the cycle of becoming, while pure being is just that - being.)

But even then, there might be something beyond. I don't know. The universe is incredibly and incomprehensible.

Salvia made me think that Mickey Mouse was trapped inside of a red circle that was somehow trapped in the door of a 2-car garage.

I think that the experiences we have because of drugs bring us further from the true Truth.

Salvia made me think that Mickey Mouse was trapped inside of a red circle that was somehow trapped in the door of a 2-car garage.

I think that the experiences we have because of drugs bring us further from the true Truth.

That's because yr mind is filled with nonsense. If you have a clear mind, if you are an empty vessel, than ANYTHING you bring you enlightenment.

however, drugs are very, very powerful tools.

until you can stop yr internal dialog, drugs will just bring further confusion - for the most part.

That's because yr mind is filled with nonsense. If you have a clear mind, if you are an empty vessel, than ANYTHING you bring you enlightenment.

however, drugs are very, very powerful tools.

until you can stop yr internal dialog, drugs will just bring further confusion - for the most part.

I'm no monk, but I've read a good deal of their wisdom. And to me, they make a lot more sense than you.

The Truth is right in front of you, and easily simple enough to understand without the aid of outside substances. Drugs, in my experience, distort reality into something it's not. Wouldn't it be easier to use your own emotions to understand why life is what it is?

Talking to people on the drugs doesn't bring about much productive though either, from my experiences.

"Ohh man.. the universe is like, so crazy. I finally just, "Get it," you know man? We're all one, and the one is all."

Once the 'shrooms wear off, they're like, "Shit man, I can't even fucking explain it. Understanding just snaps into you. I don't get it anymore, but when I did I was at peace with myself."

A fast track to enlightenment sounds great and all, but those that seem to have the greater understanding generally say it's nothing like what you get with psychedelic drugs.

/shrug, I love my drugs and all, but I don't see it as a spiritual or awakening experience.

I'm no monk, but I've read a good deal of their wisdom.

Of who's wisdom? There are thousands of different kinds of monks.

And to me, they make a lot more sense than you.

This doesn't mean much. If you really understand, anything will give you wisdom.

The Truth is right in front of you, and easily simple enough to understand without the aid of outside substances.

Hardly! Do you think the Buddha just suddenly went, "Oh, hey, DUH!"

No! It took him years of years of trying out all sorts of different paths, and then he decided "fkkk it, I'm going for the gold. Enlightenment or bust." Unbending intent.

Drugs, in my experience, distort reality into something it's not

Impossible. Reality can not be distorted. Perception, yes, reality, no. Perception is altered every single moment, anyway. It's known as the mystery of the assemblage point.

Wouldn't it be easier to use your own emotions to understand why life is what it is?

Not at all! Emotion must be overcome for you to gain true understanding. Emotions come and go like waves in the sea. You have a high crest and you feel happy, you get a low valley and you are sad. It goes on and on. Just sit back, detach yrself, and observe.


Talking to people on the drugs doesn't bring about much productive though either, from my experiences.

Like I said, unless they can stop the internal dialog, it's nothing but self-indulgence.


"Ohh man.. the universe is like, so crazy. I finally just, "Get it," you know man? We're all one, and the one is all."

Once the 'shrooms wear off, they're like, "Shit man, I can't even fucking explain it. Understanding just snaps into you. I don't get it anymore, but when I did I was at peace with myself."

"Knowledge for a warrior is a mysterious affair. It engulfs him all at once, and then leaves him."


A fast track to enlightenment sounds great and all, but those that seem to have the greater understanding generally say it's nothing like what you get with psychedelic drugs.


Funny, many monks who have spent years on meditation have said that when given drugs like LSD, it mimics the state they are currently in.


/shrug, I love my drugs and all, but I don't see it as a spiritual or awakening experience.

The universe can be seen as a giant computer. Bad input, bad output. Spiritual input, spiritual output.