Sounds like you're astrally projecting. I've always wondered what level of reality astral and etheric phenomena take place. Fourth density? Fifth?

I think that etheric phenomena takes place on nonphysical third density, astral on fourth density.

A density is a group of seven inner planes, or seven sub-octaves. Time-space, which is where we are right now, is made up of the first three densities.

A Robert Bruce classic:
Treatise On Astral Projection

Robert Bruce also relates encounters with non-human entities.

I know "I" visit other dimensions all the time.  In the past few months I have had two different friends tell me that I haunted them at night, I came as a ghost to their room.

Sounds like you're astrally projecting. I've always wondered what level of reality astral and etheric phenomena take place. Fourth density? Fifth?

The best I can conclude so far is that within each density are sub-octaves. So when you're in your astral or etheric body, detached from your physical, your consciousness is located in the next suboctave up - a step or two beyond sheer physical but still within third density. This accounts for the the idea that 4D consciousness requires some evolution or graduation, but that astral projection can be done by anyone giving it practice. Also, accounts of etheric and astral being often indicate their consciousness, generally speaking, is not necessarily of a higher density. Rather they are simply beings existing under a different set of rules than we are accustomed to in this world. This issue of "inner planes" and "timespace" still confuses me, at least in regards to how it relates to density classification.

It's been reported that while etheric or astral, one can sometimes see grays and other "alien" types lurking -- Stuart Wilde gave some accounts of this. Are these beings then seen in their natural 4D state, or did they project themselves into 3D albeit at a higher sub-octave to escape our usual perceptions? Some questions I've been pondering...

Flatland : A Romance of Many Dimensions
by Edwin Abbott (sp?)

to understand the seperate vintage points you speak of.

Now, as for trying to understand 4d from a 3d perspective.....
my gut instinct says that 4d is here on top of 3d, it's just sort of "deeper". I imagine that if I could go "deeper" into the space in front of me I would be in 4d.

mhhh...as you stated from the book "Hyperspace" a 2d-world is an infinite small slice of a 3D-world. same with 4D. The 4th dimension we cannot understand and handle is time, I think. So you must not go "deeper" but you must be able to "stretch" your consciousness from the infinite past to the infinite future and look from "above" it. You would see and may change everything that "has" is and "will be" in 3D-world. Therefore 4D-beings are able to manipulate past so easily. If one would unterstand the 4D-view at a 3D-world fully, I think one wouldn't be here ...that lesson would have been learned.
P.D. Ouspensky explains that kind of stuff quite good in his book "Tertium Organum" - had been a real eye-opener to me.

The C's stated that 4th density feels like love. Maybe it feels only for 3D-beeings like this? I think about that this way because I think of the chakras as some kind of connection point to the various densities. The heart-chakra then connects the 3D-centered body to 4th density. The heart-chakra also is the center of "higher" emotional love in 3D-world. So, maybe, if one receives energy from 4D it always feels like love. ...after all it seems to be right to state that 4D is the density of love. I have some difficulties imagine love not as love of others but love of self...
I just wondered how a 2D-being would perceive a sudden boost of 3D-energy... Maybe it would gain some kind of enlightment like "hey, I AM EXISTING - I never recognized that before" 

I agree with Neo's statement about the states of consciousness. Living as a 3D-being means you are a "soul-fragment" of prime creator that has it's focus of consciousness in 3D-world, that is just a way of perceiving creation.

Mmm,

So to think of them as states of consciousness rather than physical states?

Well, the physical states are a state of consciousness. The dimensions of space and time are dimensions existing within consciousness. ALL is consciousness. Even the quantum physicists will tell you that

I'm not exactly sure of how the levels are all organized. One of the more popular theories says that there are three lower, physical densities; then the astral buffer/bridge which is fourth density; then three higher, spiritual densities above that. So, seven densities in all. Each density consists of seven sub-planes, so forty-nine planes in total. Human consciousness exists in third density, then moves into fourth upon death. From here it can choose to come back down to experience another physical life, or ascend to the higher spiritual densities and re-unite with it's Higher Self.

So to think of them as states of consciousness rather than physical states?

That would make sense in terms of my astral travels/obes/lucid dreams/and "involuntary" hauntings of poor unsuspecting friends.

If 4d is LOVE then this could be pulling me to visit loved ones far away.

As perception moves from 3d to 4d to 5d, I think that more of the oneness is included.

In shorthand, I have heard 3d described as the beginnings of self-awareness, 4d as love, 5d as contemplation, and 6d as unity.  7d might be unity which includes everyone in this universe.

When thinking of love in 4d, this can be love of self or love of others.  I do like Zonabi's suggestion of service to all as a domain that includes service to self and service to others.

In terms of visual images, I imagine a more ethereal existence as one moves up the levels.  Of course, a person could choose dense physicality in 4d, but that would be a choice rather than a primary condition of that density, as it is in 3d.

4d might be more like being in the clouds with varieties of forms based on intention.  Using thought, a person could create the look and feel of their own form and the look and smell and sound of the scenery around them.

This cross section of skin and blood and bones would move through his 2d world.  It would come and go and when he told his other 2d friends about it they would say "You're crazy, there's nothing beyond 2d, it's obvious, look around you!"

Now, as for trying to understand 4d from a 3d perspective.....
my gut instinct says that 4d is here on top of 3d, it's just sort of "deeper".
I imagine that if I could go "deeper" into the space in front of me I would be in 4d.

I know "I" visit other dimensions all the time.  In the past few months I have had two different friends tell me that I haunted them at night, I came as a ghost to their room.  My ex-boyfriend had a recurring dream about me before we met, and I sent him a really nasty one when we broke up.  I enter the dreams of friends frequently, often with strong symbolic messages.

I cannot control it yet so much but I am learning.  I think my Higher Self is slowly prepping me to control it.

But can anyone give me a visual or a nice verbal explanation of the differences between 3d and 4d and even 5d?

I have also seen some of these physical models of other dimensions which look like crazy biochem sets crafted into cool shapes.  I was told to stare at them to understand other dimensions.....it didn't click for me.

Can anybody offer ideas that might help it click for me visually?