Hearing Voices

The Quakers teach us to listen to that still voice within. While we may struggle to do so, few dispute the wisdom of the adage. Then there is the notion of hearing voices from outside ourselves. There is less unanimity about this phenomenon. Some think this is normal, some call it paranormal and others dismiss the idea as fantasy, others label hearing voices as abnormal. 

In Amidst the Stones, Abby hears a voice speak to her while visiting an ancient stone circle. Much of her story revolves around how she perceives and reacts to this phenomenon.

So imagine my delight in picking up a copy of the magazine Mind, Body, Spirit recently and finding an article entitled “Do Psychics Need Psychiatry? or Does Psychiatry Need Psychics?” The author is a Dublin-based Trinity professor of clinical psychology who has spent over ten years researching the topic of “hearing voices”. The article was insightful and thoughtful. Now I can’t wait to read his book “Can’t You Hear Them?”. 

His name is Simon McCarthy-Jones. His thesis centers around the practical question of “when is hearing voices problematic?” Ponder that for a moment. Think of intentionally inviting a voice in silent meditation like suggested by Quaker practice. Think of waking from a dream with a voice still ringing in your head. Think of channeling. Think of someone feeling driven to madness by constant voices in their head. There are so many forms hearing voices may take.

Which examples come to your mind? Do you ever hear voices yourself? If so, what form(s) do they take?. Are some forms more acceptable to you than others? When have you questioned or even scoffed at someone’s account of hearing voices? 

Professor McCarthy-Jones observes that too often labels get placed on the report of hearing voices too early in the process to be beneficial. He suggests that all possibilities need to be explored before a judgment is made. He offers three key questions:

First ask, Can I hear voices?

Then ask, Are they problematic? 

Thirdly ask, What are they saying?

Do we label voices as meaning one is either gifted or crazy? If we choose traditional therapy or alternative modalities too early in the process, we might start analysis too soon and fail to explore the full nature of the phenomenon.

He acknowledges that both ancient processes such as shamanic journeying and modern practices such as past life regression and energy release processes may be beneficial as a means of exploring the messages that are coming through the voices we hear. We must honor them and honor the process of discovering their meaning. Labels can block this from happening.

In my novel, Abby is guided by her intuition and supported by her friends. Mark, her traveling partner brings a grounding framework from his perspective as a Christian pastor. Her new road- buddy, CynDee is, not at all fazed by the idea that one can see and communicate with spirits. Abby shares aspects of her experiences with each of them as she finds her way amidst the stones of Celtic Ireland.

In real life, not everyone is in an accepting and supportive environment to explore experiences like hearing voices. Part of my motivation in writing Abby’s story was to suggest we open our senses to a wider experience of the universe and that we be open and supportive to others who are exploring new phenomena.

 As Chardin said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” Labels limit that experience.