proceed from the assumption that there was a Being separate from me, with whom I could have a real conversation.
I am of the opinion that all such conversations are with ones' self. I'd tend to pay more attention to the soft voice from within than the loud banging at the door.
My experience is that the ones at the door (figuratively as well as otherwise) usually come carrying a bag of snake oil, no matter how impressive they may seem, or whom they claim to be.