Philip K. Dick’s Communication with Valis and the Evolution of Humanity
Valis, Philip K. Dick, and the Evolution of Humanity
When Philip K. Dick went to the dentist in February 1974, the acclaimed science fiction author did not know that his view of reality was about to change. He was in a lot of pain with what turned out to be an impacted wisdom tooth, and was sedated with sodium pentothal while the dentist removed the tooth. The pain afterwards was fairly severe, so the dentist ordered a painkiller, Darvon, for delivery to his patient’s home later that day.
When the courier arrived, Dick answered the door and was suddenly taken aback by a pendant she was wearing. It was a fish ornament, which she explained Christians adopted as a symbol of their religion. He saw a “red and gold plasmic entity” coming from the pendant and, as he reported it, immediately experienced “crystal clear” vision and “sudden exposure to a vast amount of knowledge.”
This was not his first experience with visions and hearing voices. The voice he heard was the same voice he had heard years before while in college. He also began channeling an alien presence he called “Vast Active Living Intelligence System,” or “Valis” for short. The intense visions lasted for two months, leading him to refer to this period of his life as “2-3-74,” for February and March 1974. During the next eight years, he wrote thousands of pages about his visions and voices. His novels were more autobiographical than they were science fiction.
Dick died suddenly in 1982, shortly before the release of the movie “Blade Runner” based on Dick’s book, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” Many of his other books are now movies, as well. He is now known as the “most influential writer of science fiction in the past half century.”
But, was it all science fiction? He received multiple communications from Valis, had dreams and visions about the future, and spent the rest of his life trying to understand why he gained such supreme knowledge. He claimed to have “total recall of the future.”
Philip K. Dick: The Pre-Valis Years
Philip Kindred Dick was born in December 1928 during the cold Chicago winter. He had a twin sister, Jane, who lived for only about eight weeks. She died mysteriously, some saying she had an allergy to her mother’s breast milk. Whatever happened, Dick went through his life always missing his sister and blaming his mother for her death. His father left the family when he was only 5 years old. Shortly after that, he and his mother moved to Berkeley, California, where he lived most of his life.
First published when he was just a teenager, his first short story marked the beginning of a prolific writing career. Although he successfully published a number of his stories, he was not such a success financially. He was always running out of money and seemed to live from advance to advance.
Dick’s life was not emotionally easy and he seemed troubled throughout his entire life: married five times with three children, thought to use drugs and experiment with LSD, and frequent visions of his own death. Despite drug use allegations, he was able to continue writing. By the time of his death, he had published more than 120 short stories and 44 novels.
As early as 1954, Dick wrote about precognition in his novel, “The World Jones Made.” Based on his own experiences, the main character in that book was a “precog” who could see one year into the future. His books often referenced precognition, and Dick believed he himself had this ability.
He also heard voices, or at least a voice. As a young man taking the physics portion of a college entrance exam, Dick found that he did not understand eight of the 10 questions. Suddenly, he heard the voice explain to him, in a completely understandable way, what he needed to know. As a result, he received a perfect score on the test.
He heard the same voice again years later, when it explained to him what was happening in a television documentary that he had had difficulty understanding. In 1974, the same voice returned when he had his life-changing vision in response to the fish-pendant worn by the pharmacy delivery girl and he began his regular communications with Valis.
Philip K. Dick: The Valis Years
Although Dick reported only sporadic communications with the voice until 1974, after that date, the communications became fairly frequent and routine. Valis gave him advice on improving his health, his appearance and his financial situation. Dick credited the voice with saving the life of his young son by describing the medical condition the boy suffered from and urging Dick to get the child immediately to a doctor. He convinced his wife of the need to take their seemingly healthy boy to the doctor where they discovered the child had the exact condition the voice described to Dick. Prompt surgery saved the boy’s life.
Dick believed the voice he heard was from God, or at least from some higher power. He wrote continuously about what he experienced. He ended up writing thousands of pages and hundreds of thousands of words in his attempt to make sense of it.
He intended his 1981 book “Valis” to be a trilogy. It was more of a biographical presentation of Dick’s visions and voices than it was a book that fit in the science fiction genre. As one reviewer put it, “He’s not looking for aliens; he’s looking for the meaning of life.” Due to his sudden death in 1982, at the age of 54, Dick never completed the trilogy.
The Death of Philip K. Dick
In February 1975, Dick wrote a letter to a friend telling her about a dream he had just had where he saw “a stark single horrifying scene, inert but not still; a man lay dead, on his face, in a living room between the coffee table and the couch.” He followed the letter with another one in May 1975 in which he said he was “scared.” He added, “What scares me most Claudia, is that I can often recall the future.”
Almost exactly seven years after the first letter, Philip K. Dick’s dead body was found face down in his living room, wedged between the coffee table and the couch. Without realizing it, he had accurately predicted the circumstances surrounding his own death. Some reports say he died of a stroke. Others claim it was congestive heart failure. Others regale in the mystery of why he died so young.
Philip K. Dick left behind, in addition to his short stories and novels, his influence on other sci-fi writers and pop culture, as well as many mind-bending films. Unfortunately, he did not live to see his work on the big screen. He died before the release of his first movie, “Blade Runner;” however he saw about 20 minutes of the finished product and seemed pleased that the filmmaker preserved Dick’s vision. Other movies based on his books that were made after his death include: “Minority Report,” “Total Recall,” “A Scanner Darkly” and several others.
He also left behind more than 8,000 pages about his experiences with Valis since his 1974 vision. The pages had narrow margins and were mostly single spaced with numerous handwritten journal entries. Dick referred to this body of work as his Exegesis. The papers were edited and published in 2011 as “The Exegesis of Philip K. Dick.”
Was Philip K. Dick more than just a legendary science fiction author? Check out Mysteries of the Solar System, part of Gaia’s Deep Space series, and watch the conversation between Open Mind’s host Regina Meredith and her guest, Anthony Peake, on Scanning the Future with Philip K. Dick.
Want more like this article?
Don’t miss Deep Space on Gaia for more on the long and hidden history of Earth’s secret space program.
About the Author
What Is Automatic Writing and How to Use It for Channeling
Automatic writing is a technique used to access information from the unconscious or the spiritual plane through spontaneous writing. This practice allows for receiving messages that do not come from conscious thought, but instead manifest through the free flow of words onto paper. In this article, we explore what automatic writing is, its connection with spiritual channeling, and how you can begin practicing it step by step.
Table of Contents
- What Is Automatic Writing?
- Automatic Writing and Spiritual Channeling
- How to Practice Automatic Writing Step by Step
- Where Do Channeled Messages Come From?
- Spiritual Benefits of Automatic Writing
What Is Automatic Writing?
Automatic writing is a method of expression that allows the hand to write without the conscious intervention of rational thought. In this state, words emerge spontaneously, as if guided by an external source or an inner wisdom that manifests without mental filters. This technique has been used for centuries as a way to access content from the deep unconscious or as a tool for spiritual connection.
Many people who practice automatic writing report feeling that the messages do not come from themselves, but from other entities, energies, or planes of consciousness. The experience can vary: some people receive short phrases, others write entire pages, but in all cases, it’s about letting the body express itself without rational control. For this reason, the practice requires a state of relaxation and openness, without expectations or judgment about what appears on the page.
Automatic Writing and Spiritual Channeling
Automatic writing can also become a direct channel of communication with spiritual guides, interdimensional beings, or the higher self. In these cases, the person acts as a bridge between realms, allowing the message to be captured in words without the ego interfering in the process. This practice is considered a form of channeling when the message comes from a clear and coherent spiritual source.
In the series Channeling: A Bridge to the Beyond, available on Gaia, the various ways in which channelers access non-physical information are explored, including automatic writing as a tool to transmit messages from beyond. The series presents real experiences and testimonials from experts who explain how these practices help open consciousness and access transformative information.
How to Practice Automatic Writing Step by Step
Practicing automatic writing requires creating an adequate space, relaxing the mind, and allowing the words to flow without conscious control. It is not about writing from logical thought, but rather about opening up to a receptive state where information arrives effortlessly. With regular practice, this process becomes more fluid and clear.
Energetic Preparation and Inner Disposition
Before starting, it is essential to prepare the space and personal energy. Find a quiet place, turn off distractions, and create a harmonious atmosphere with soft lighting, incense, or gentle music if you prefer. Breathe deeply for a few minutes and set your intention to open yourself to receiving information with clarity and respect.
It is also important to check your internal state. Automatic writing is not just a technique—it is an act of receptivity. That is why it is necessary to be calm and with a neutral attitude. If you are anxious, rushed, or have rigid expectations about what “should” appear, you are likely to interfere with the process. The key is to release mental control and trust whatever arises.
Techniques to Facilitate the Writing Flow
One very useful technique is to start by writing repetitive phrases, such as “I am ready to receive” or “I open myself to whatever comes.” This initial writing acts as a bridge between the conscious and receptive states, helping calm the mind and activate the flow. Often, after a few lines, the tone of the message shifts and begins to flow on its own.
Another technique is to write without lifting the pen from the paper for several minutes, without worrying about the meaning of the words. This helps overcome initial blockages and gives way to a more natural rhythm. It doesn’t matter if at first only random words or meaningless sentences appear. What matters is to keep the movement going and observe whether the content starts to become coherent without rational intervention.
Practical Exercises to Start Channeling
One initial exercise consists of formulating a clear question before writing. Then, take a deep breath, relax your body, and begin to write anything that comes up, without correcting or thinking about structure. When finished, read what you wrote without judgment. Over time, you’ll notice the answers start to show more coherence and depth.
Another useful exercise is to write after a brief guided meditation. Spend a few minutes calming your mind, focusing on your breath, and visualizing a soft light enveloping your hands. Then, begin writing without a defined topic and allow the words to emerge freely. This practice helps you enter a deeper receptive state and facilitates connection with subtle realms.
Where Do Channeled Messages Come From?
The messages received during automatic writing can have different origins, depending on the level of connection and the intention of the channeler. These sources usually belong to higher planes of consciousness and act as guides for personal and spiritual growth. Identifying their origin helps better understand the type of information received and its purpose.
- Spiritual Guides: These are beings of elevated consciousness who accompany the soul’s path. Messages from them often offer clear guidance, protection, and support in important decisions.
- Akashic Records: They contain the energetic memory of the soul and its journey through time. Through automatic writing, it is possible to access fragments of this information to gain guidance on life processes and spiritual evolution.
- Ascended Masters: These are beings who have reached a high level of consciousness and wisdom. Their messages provide deep teachings and tools for personal and spiritual transformation.
- Higher Self: This represents the highest and wisest aspect of one’s own being. This connection allows for receiving messages aligned with life purpose and a deeper understanding of one’s path.
- Angels or Archangels: These are light energies that transmit peace, guidance, and assistance during times of change or difficulty. Often, channeled messages from these planes carry a loving, protective, and compassionate tone.
- Deceased Loved Ones: In some cases, the messages come from family members or close individuals who have passed on. These communications usually hold significant emotional value and can bring comfort or closure to unresolved matters.
Spiritual Benefits of Automatic Writing
Automatic writing is not only a tool for channeling information—it also supports spiritual growth by deepening inner connection, expanding perception, and cultivating greater emotional and energetic clarity. Its regular practice transforms the relationship with oneself and with what lies beyond the visible.
- Inner clarity: Helps identify thoughts and emotions that were hidden. This allows for more conscious and aligned decision-making.
- Connection with subtle planes: Facilitates access to higher levels of consciousness. This openness strengthens intuition and spiritual confidence.
- Emotional healing: Writing without filters allows the release of blockages and retained emotions. The process acts as a form of energetic cleansing and self-exploration.
- Development of intuition: Enhances the ability to perceive internal and external signals. This strengthens spiritual discernment in everyday life.
- Deep self-knowledge: When channeling messages, unconscious aspects of the self often emerge. This supports processes of personal transformation and expansion of consciousness.
