I have what is referred to as auditory sensory perceptions during the state of Hypnogogia. Hypnogogia is the transitional state between wakefulness and sleep, otherwise referred to as drifting off, the borderland or onset of sleep. It's those few lucid moments as you nod off into never neverland, but are still somewhat conscious of what's happening around you. Aristotle, Iamblichus, and Edgar Allen Poe all referenced this state, the latter writing of the "fancies" he experienced "only when I am on the brink of sleep, with the consciousness that I am so."
Some people, including Beethoven, Salvador Dali, Thomas Edison and Isaac Newton have credited the hypnagogic state as fueling their creativity, through the experience of different sensory perceptions. Some are visual, such as tetris effects, random speckles, lines or tunnels of light. Others are audible, olfactory and thermal sensations, all of which are normal experiences within this state.
I am particularly sensitive to the audible perceptions, in that at times, I feel as if I'm in the midst of a crowded room with the constant buzz of low conversation around me. Suddenly, a random statement will pop out of the crowd, usually in an unrecognizable voice, not gender-specific, and will say something like, "It doesn't go there." Or, "I thought the same thing!" As soon as I recognize this statement, I switch immediately back into wakeful a state. I have a few theories about this, but it's all speculation and truth be told, I find it all fascinating. With that as the set up, I give you the following conversation:
It was our third date and things were going quite well, for once. Our first two dates consisted of a few drinks with a lot of conversation, and we laughed a lot. She was funny, and I really liked her for it. So while laying on her couch during a movie, we were quietly drifting off to sleep. I know I was struggling to stay awake for a good part of the film and I'm not sure if I ever actually fully drifted off, but I was suddenly aware of of that crowded room sensation and then my dad's voice, ringing in my head clear as a bell. I can't remember exactly what he said, but it jolted me and I sat directly up. I know I startled her a bit, so...well, here's how it went.
Her: Are you okay?
Me: ...yeah...I just, yeah...
Her: What's wrong?
Me: Nothing. I just, ...it's okay. Sorry, I'm just really disorientated right now.
Her: Did you have a bad dream?
Me: No, not really. I just...hey, do you mind if I step outside and make a quick phone call?
Her: It's 2am.
Me: I know. I can't really explain it. Hold on, it'll just take a few seconds.
Her: Who are you going to call?
Me: My dad.
Her: ....
Me: It's early morning for them. Honestly, he could be up. Just give me a second.
Her: Why are you calling your dad? Did you have a nightmare about him?
Me: No, it's not...it's just a strange feeling. You know what? Nevermind, I'll just call him later on.
Her: What's all this about?
Me: It's nothing. I know, it's sounding all dramatic. I don't mean for it to be.
Her: You know, I saw you.
Me: Huh? What do you mean?
Her: Well, one second you were there with me, watching the movie. The next, you were just...gone.
Me: Yeah...
Her: Like, completely gone. Your eyes. It freaked me out.
Me: Sorry.
Her: You have to tell me what's up.
Me: Um...it's kind of hard to explain.
Her: But it wasn't a nightmare?
Me: Nope...it's different.
Her: I'm a nurse. I can take it.
Me: Okay...okay. So, have you ever heard of hypnogogia, ...I think that's what it's called. Basically, it's the transition between wakefulness and sleep. Do you know what I'm talking about? That weird, transitional state?
Her: I think so.
Me: Okay, well some people...not all...but some, including myself, experience a sensory perception during that state.
Her: ....okay?
Me: I, for instance, hear a crowd of voices. I feel like I'm in the middle of a crowded room. Then all of a sudden, one distinct voice will stand out among the rest.
Her: ...
Me: Yeah, I know what it sounds like. "He hears voices...looney." But it's a real thing, and not a crazy, mental-disorder thing. They actually classify it as a sleep disorder. And I talked to my aunt about it once, who's a psychiatrist, and she said that it's completely common in people who are more right-brained orientated like myself.
Her: Hmm.
Me: I've had it all my life, and I'm kind of used to it by now, but I just heard my dad's voice in the crowd, and I've never heard my dad's voice in that state before. Usually it's a random voice, like someone I don't know.
Her: You hear voices.
Me: Only in that state. I know, it sounds weird....
Her: Yeah, it's really weird.
Me: Well, c'mon, I mean it's kind of like dreaming..
Her: No, it's really weird.
Me: Okay...
Her: I'm pretty sure you should leave.
Me: ...Seriously?
Her: Yeah, here are your movies. You should go.
Me: You're a nurse. You said you can take it.
Her: I can take most things. Not, "I hear voices." That's some Beautiful Mind horseshit.
Me: Whoah, settle down.
Her: No, you're freaking me out. You've got to go.
Me: Wow, thanks for being so sensitive about it.
Her: Seriously, go. Now, Crazy.
Me: I'm not...fine. Wow, thanks for the hospitality. See you later.
Her: Probably not.
And with that, I left. And I never heard another word from her. Not one. I'm pretty sure that in her mind, I'll always be the schizo that she almost started dating. I mean, that's a pretty ignorant judgment, especially after I tried to explain it the way I did, but whatever. I wouldn't want to be with someone who's that close-minded about things anyway.
Oh, and for the record, these "voices" have never told me to do anything. Half the time, I barely remember what was said. There's an entire investigative methodology dedicated to the study of this phenomenon. Look it up, as it gets incredibly interesting. Maybe she should read up on it one of these days. Although, I doubt it.
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