The Time Before the Secret Words
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The Time Before the Secret Words
John Vivanco’s account reads less like a polished memoir and more like a raw transmission from the front lines of consciousness exploration. The strength lies in its unvarnished portrayal of remote viewing applied to scenarios ranging from FBI counter-terrorism to alleged alien encounters, all while navigating personal danger. The narrative’s directness pulls the reader into Vivanco’s often precarious reality. However, the constant undercurrent of threat and conspiracy, while central to the plot, sometimes overshadows the deeper introspective quest. A particularly striking passage describes the disorientation following a remote viewing session that seemed to blur the lines between perceived targets and psychic intrusion. The book’s ultimate value is in its unflinching look at one individual’s struggle to reconcile extraordinary experiences with a search for personal truth.
📝 Description
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John Vivanco's 2016 book chronicles his experiences as a civilian remote viewer working for the FBI.
The Time Before the Secret Words recounts the experiences of John Vivanco, a civilian remote viewer who engaged in professional work. His narrative moves from counter-terrorism assignments with the FBI to encounters with non-terrestrial intelligences. The account is shaped by alleged sabotage from clandestine entities and explorations of phenomena categorized as High Strangeness. This book is for individuals interested in consciousness studies, paranormal investigation, and spiritual quests. Readers curious about remote viewing's practical applications, especially within intelligence contexts, will find detailed accounts. It also appeals to those who consider the nature of reality, extraterrestrial contact, and hidden structures influencing human experience.
Published in 2016, this work emerged during a time of renewed interest in parapsychology and government secrecy, following declassified documents. The early 21st century saw a growing community of independent remote viewing researchers. Vivanco's narrative engages with ongoing discussions about anomalous phenomena and consciousness. It positions itself within a tradition where figures like Jacques Vallée explored similar 'high strangeness' concepts, connecting personal experience with broader inquiries into reality.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Gain insight into the practical, often dangerous, application of remote viewing in counter-terrorism and intelligence work, as detailed in Vivanco's experiences with the FBI. • Explore the concept of 'High Strangeness' through specific accounts of alleged extraterrestrial contact and covert group interference, offering a unique perspective beyond typical paranormal literature. • Understand the personal quest for self-knowledge framed by a mysterious childhood injunction – 'the time before the secret words' – which drives Vivanco’s exploration of consciousness and reality.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is civilian remote viewing as described in the book?
Civilian remote viewing, as presented by John Vivanco, involves trained individuals using their psychic abilities to perceive information about distant or unseen targets without conventional sensory input. Vivanco details its application in professional contexts, including counter-terrorism.
What does John Vivanco mean by 'the time before the secret words'?
This phrase refers to a formative childhood memory or instruction given to Vivanco. It acts as a guiding principle for his lifelong quest to understand himself and the nature of reality, suggesting a state of being or knowledge that predates societal conditioning.
What kind of threats does Vivanco describe facing?
Vivanco recounts facing death threats and alleged setups from a covert group. These threats are presented as a consequence of his work and his pursuit of knowledge in areas that may involve classified or suppressed information.
Are there accounts of extraterrestrial contact in the book?
Yes, 'The Time Before the Secret Words' includes descriptions of contact with beings from another world, which Vivanco encountered as part of his explorations into high strangeness phenomena.
What is 'High Strangeness' in the context of this book?
High Strangeness refers to anomalous phenomena that defy conventional explanation and often possess bizarre, paradoxical, or inexplicable qualities. Vivanco applies this concept to his experiences with remote viewing, non-terrestrial contact, and perceived covert interference.
When was 'The Time Before the Secret Words' first published?
The book was first published on August 1, 2016, making it a contemporary account of remote viewing and related esoteric experiences.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
The Nature of Remote Viewing
Vivanco presents remote viewing not as a parlor trick, but as a rigorous discipline and a powerful tool for accessing information beyond the veil of normal perception. The book details its application in high-stakes environments, suggesting its potential for intelligence gathering and personal discovery. It explores the psychic discipline required and the potential pitfalls, framing it as a pathway to understanding consciousness itself.
Personal Quest for Self-Knowledge
Fundamentally, the book is a deeply personal odyssey driven by a childhood enigma: 'the time before the secret words.' This enigmatic phrase propels Vivanco's lifelong search for identity and truth. His encounters with the extraordinary—from counter-terrorism to alleged alien contact—become catalysts for introspection, forcing him to confront his own reality and purpose.
High Strangeness Phenomena
Vivanco’s experiences fall squarely within the domain of High Strangeness, a term used to describe anomalous events that are particularly bizarre and difficult to categorize. The narrative encompasses alleged extraterrestrial encounters and perceived interference from covert groups, pushing the boundaries of what is considered possible and challenging conventional scientific and societal frameworks.
Conspiracy and Covert Operations
The book alleges that Vivanco faced significant threats, including death threats and deliberate setups orchestrated by a covert group. This element introduces a narrative of conspiracy, suggesting that certain knowledge or individuals are actively suppressed. It adds a layer of danger and intrigue, framing Vivanco's journey as one undertaken against potentially powerful, hidden adversaries.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“You must always remember the time before the secret words.”
— This cryptic childhood admonition serves as the central mystery and driving force behind Vivanco's life journey, representing a state of pure perception or unconditioned awareness he seeks to reclaim.
“From counter-terror work with the FBI, to contact with beings from another world...”
— This phrase captures the extreme range of Vivanco's experiences, highlighting the transition from conventional, high-stakes professional work to the most unconventional and potentially paradigm-shifting encounters.
“...death threats and set-ups from a covert group...”
— This indicates the perilous nature of Vivanco's pursuits, suggesting that his activities attracted unwanted attention and active opposition from clandestine organizations.
“...projects that exist in the area of High Strangeness.”
— This phrase positions Vivanco's work within the territory of the inexplicable and the profoundly unusual, signaling that the book will explore phenomena beyond standard scientific understanding.
“His ultimate quest though, is to understand what Mr. Causey told John as a child...”
— This emphasizes the deeply personal and introspective nature of Vivanco's journey, framing his extraordinary experiences as means to unravel a fundamental childhood mystery and achieve self-understanding.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
While not explicitly aligned with a single esoteric lineage, Vivanco's work touches upon Gnostic themes of hidden knowledge and the search for true self-awareness, often obscured by external forces or illusion. The concept of 'the time before the secret words' suggests an original, uncorrupted state of being reminiscent of pre-fall narratives found in various mystical traditions. His exploration of remote viewing as a means to perceive beyond the material world aligns with Hermetic principles of correspondence and the idea that 'As Above, So Below'.
Symbolism
The central symbol is 'the time before the secret words,' representing an primal state of awareness, innocence, or direct perception prior to societal conditioning and the imposition of limiting beliefs ('secret words'). Remote viewing itself functions symbolically as a tool for reading through the unseen realms, akin to the astral projection or scrying practices found in Western esotericism, offering glimpses into the underlying fabric of reality.
Modern Relevance
Vivanco's narrative appeals to contemporary interest in consciousness hacking, biohacking, and the exploration of altered states for personal growth and intelligence gathering. Thinkers and practitioners in fields like neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and even certain branches of transhumanism explore similar ideas of manipulating perception and accessing latent human potentials. The book’s engagement with alleged non-terrestrial contact also aligns with ongoing discussions within UFOlogy and contactee research communities.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Individuals interested in the practical applications and personal experiences of remote viewing, particularly those seeking accounts beyond academic studies. • Researchers and enthusiasts of 'High Strangeness' phenomena, including UFO encounters and alleged covert operations, who appreciate first-hand narratives. • Seekers of esoteric knowledge interested in personal quests for self-understanding, consciousness exploration, and the nature of reality.
📜 Historical Context
Published in August 2016, "The Time Before the Secret Words" arrived during a period of heightened public fascination with fringe science and unexplained phenomena. The early 21st century saw a surge in online communities dedicated to remote viewing, ufology, and consciousness studies, often challenging mainstream narratives. Vivanco’s work sits within this milieu, contributing to a growing body of literature by independent researchers exploring topics previously confined to government programs like the aforementioned Project Stargate (which officially ran until 1995). His narrative engages with the broader discourse on 'High Strangeness,' a concept explored by thinkers like Jacques Vallée, who sought to integrate anomalous experiences into a more coherent, albeit unconventional, framework. The book’s reception occurred in an era where information, and disinformation, spread rapidly online, allowing such personal accounts to find dedicated audiences.
📔 Journal Prompts
Reflect on the meaning of 'the time before the secret words' in your own life.
Analyze the challenges and potential benefits of professional remote viewing as depicted.
Consider the implications of 'High Strangeness' on your understanding of reality.
Explore the nature of covert groups and their potential influence on knowledge.
Document personal experiences that challenge your perception of normal reality.
🗂️ Glossary
Civilian Remote Viewer
An individual trained and often professionally employed to use psychic perception to gather information about targets without using conventional sensory methods, distinct from government-sponsored programs.
Counter-Terrorism Work
Activities focused on preventing, deterring, and responding to terrorist acts, which in this context involved utilizing remote viewing for intelligence gathering.
High Strangeness
A classification for anomalous phenomena that are particularly bizarre, paradoxical, or defy easy explanation, often involving elements of the inexplicable or uncanny.
Covert Group
An organization operating in secrecy, allegedly involved in clandestine activities, and perceived by Vivanco as interfering with or threatening his work.
Set-ups
Deliberately arranged situations designed to ensnare or discredit an individual, as alleged by Vivanco concerning actions taken against him by a covert group.
Non-terrestrial Intelligences
Beings or entities originating from beyond Earth, often referred to as extraterrestrials or aliens, with whom Vivanco claims to have had contact.
The Time Before the Secret Words
A central phrase from Vivanco's childhood, representing a state of pure perception or unconditioned awareness that guides his personal quest for understanding.
This book appears in 1 collection
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