During an out-of-body experience, a person may encounter a consciousness that does not resemble his own thought-form and does not belong to a familiar human personality. For me, this possibility is not theoretical. I have experienced contacts in which the other being possessed an independent intention, communicated unexpected meaning, and acted outside my expectations.
The possibility of contact, however, does not answer the question of the other being's identity or reliability.
Communication does not occur only through words
In a nonphysical realm, meaning can be transmitted as a complete unit. I did not always hear a sequence of words. Sometimes understanding appeared at once, together with an image, emotion, and knowledge of the context.
After returning, the brain translates this package into human language. A written record is therefore not always a literal quotation. It is already an earthly translation of the experience.
The more honestly an investigator acknowledges this fact, the less likely he is to attribute his own wording to the source.
Contact does not require a human form
A consciousness may present itself as a person, a figure of light, an animal, or a being without an earthly equivalent. The outward form helps perception but does not necessarily reveal the true appearance.
Sometimes the other being creates the image. Sometimes the observer's mind completes it. At other times, the contact has no form at all and is perceived as a presence with a particular quality.
I therefore evaluate the nature of the interaction rather than the beauty of the image.
Independence reveals itself through the unexpected
A thought-form usually follows a person's inner script. It says what he already knows, fears, or wants to hear.
An independent consciousness can take the contact in an unforeseen direction. It may refuse to answer, ask a question of its own, reveal an unknown area, or overturn the investigator's expectation.
Unexpectedness is not proof by itself, but it is an important sign.
Other does not mean higher
A nonhuman form of consciousness may be intelligent and technologically advanced without being a spiritual authority.
The Universe may contain civilizations with very different histories, ethics, and attitudes toward other beings. Some may respect another being's freedom. Others may view a less developed form of life as an object of study.
Romantic faith in the unconditional benevolence of every “higher being” is as dangerous as the belief that everything unknown is hostile.
How to preserve independence
During contact, I consider several principles essential:
- do not submit merely because the image is impressive;
- do not consent to an action whose meaning is unclear;
- retain the right to end communication;
- observe your own emotional reaction;
- reject promises of special status;
- verify information after returning.
A respectful being does not demand the surrender of will. Pressure is itself information about the quality of the contact.
Can two earthly practitioners meet?
Yes, but confirmation is difficult. Both people must be kept unaware of the task's details, record the experience independently, and discover specific matches afterward.
The statement “we met in a dream” is not enough. The participants may have discussed expectations in advance or reconstructed the memory after speaking.
An honest experiment separates the experience from the later comparison.
Contact with the deceased
A deceased person is also another form of consciousness in relation to a physical personality. Recognizable traits remain, while the condition changes as the soul's memory returns.
Such a meeting can produce a powerful sense of reality and closeness. Even here, however, an independent contact must be distinguished from an image created by grief.
I look for unexpected details, the character of the behavior, and information that can be verified.
What can count as a result
The value of contact is not determined by emotional force or by the famous name claimed by the other being. More significant are:
- new information that can be checked;
- stability of the interaction;
- consistency across different experiences;
- respect and the absence of coercion;
- practical effects that make a person clearer and more responsible.
Direct meaning still passes through translation
During contact, meaning sometimes arrives as a complete unit: image, feeling, knowledge of the relationship, and understanding of the other being's intention. After returning, the brain arranges this volume into sequential words. At that stage, the investigator's familiar concepts can enter the message.
I therefore try to record the original image, emotional tone, and wordless understanding first, and formulate the explanation separately. The more completely the primary material is preserved, the easier it becomes to see where contact ended and human translation began.
We are not alone, but we must learn discernment
My experience has convinced me that consciousness exists in many forms and is not limited to humanity. Yet an open Universe requires maturity, not gullibility.
Genuine contact expands understanding. It does not take away freedom, demand worship, or turn the investigator into a dependent intermediary.
In The Phenomenon of Consciousness Beyond the Body, I describe encounters with different inhabitants of the energy levels and the criteria I used to evaluate them.
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