Friday, March 2, 2012

Things Rarely Talked About

Some time ago I mused on creating a second blog that would only be about metaphysical and "paranormal" things. That term annoys me. Nothing can be paranormal because if it exists it's normal. Meeting zombies and Klingons on your way home from work would be paranormal. Don't get contrary, I can hear you. Just go with me here. "Supernatural" I like. It's a part of nature we don't have a grip on yet. At this time it's stuff still beyond our ken. Anyway, I'm too busy and lazy to handle a second blog so from here on I'll be ranting and recounting things supernatural, time to time.

One supernatural thing I'm sure of happening is time slips. Just recently I had a conversation with a friend where we both knew we'd just had this same conversation. It wasn't deja vu. It was like being on echo or a seven-second delay. It was a time slip. The first time slip I recall was on a subway ride in Brookyn when I lost 20 minutes. I can't even explain it. It shortcircuits my brain. I throw in those moments when you hear someone died and you're sure they'd already died; you remember where and how you heard the news and even how they died. And I think those "ghosts" that appear at regular times and are called "residual" are time slips. Some kind of loop that gets stuck like a vinyl and repeats the same instant over and over.

Most people who've followed this blog know I was raised with several religions, one of which is Spiritualism. So I began going to seances and billet-reading services from the age of 6. Through the 60s I was at my Episcopal church on Sundays and the Spiritualist church on Thursday nights. That doesn't count the circles done in people's homes and going to psychic fairs and camps. Ghosts are the Spiritualists' stock in trade. They spend several hours a week calling up the dead in a ritual manner using Christian orders of service. I'd put the number of how many seances I went to in those days at around 300. I've seen all the tricks of the medium trade. But even the lousiest medium sometimes gets lucky or manages to open that portal, and it's glaringly obvious when that happens. It's what the congregants hope for and why they all come back, like gambling. That one time when odds turn by sheer number of attempts. Of that 300 mentioned, the real thing, I'd estimate, happened about a dozen times. It's mindblowing and it changes you. It's something you can't really get unless you've been through it. I'm glad to have gotten those experiences but I don't recommend it. I think it leaves the portal open to your life forever in some ways. You can't turn it off. You can't unlearn things.

So yes, I know there are what we call ghosts, and many other things besides. There are time slips, which makes me think there are dimensions. We have 5 little senses and they aren't the sharpest on Earth. There's a lot we can't be aware of with these limited senses because we can't see/hear/smell/touch or taste them. Which doesn't mean they aren't there. Because someone is colorblind doesn't mean colors don't exist.

Well, I've rambled enough for one post. I hope these subjects don't freak anyone out, because they've been a part of my whole life and I'd like to talk about them.

8 comments:

Twisted Scottish Bastard said...

Ah, Dear Austin.
Paranormal = crazy delusional.

If it exists in this Universe, it's normal. But evidence must be shown.
I'd love to believe in ghosts and spirits, but I've never seen any real evidence.

Austan said...

TSB- and you never will if you don't put yourself in the way.

Elephant's Child said...

Time slips is an elegant explanation for something which my partner and I have often noticed. On regular journeys the distance is marked shorter in one direction. Which of course it isn't - but it surely feels that way.
I am not convinced, but know that there are many, many things I don't know. I am looking forward to your paranormal posts.

Austan said...

EC- that's how I look at it. "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio..." I know what I've experienced. And I'm amazed in this "enlightened" age that people are ignorant of the concept of things beyond their ken. Or just arrogant and think they know everything already.

Anonymous said...

Austan I think some folks have just decided that if certain things really existed it would be entirely too scary so they simply don't believe it to be possible. It is safe for them. Never deny someone their security blanket.
Personally, I don't DISbelieve anything. Anything is possible. I have never seen a ghost but I have been visited by deceased relatives. I know I have. I felt their presence. You can't convince me otherwise. So ramble on my dear about anythng and everything....I am all ears.

Austan said...

Lawless- You have a point. I suppose the idea that there are things you can't perceive is frightening to some.
You can't know what it is to swim unless you've gotten in the water. That's all I'm saying. Some jump in the water on their own, some are pushed. Either way, those who don't go near it can't know what it's like.
I know it's not PC to talk about the supernatural, but I will be. It's been too much a part of my life to ignore it.

Anonymous said...

It's your blog and your forum. If folks don't like what you write they don't have to read. I'll be here...these things fascinate me.

Austan said...

Thanks, Lawless.