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(forthcoming)
Book title: Astral Signposts: The Stages Of Out-of-Body
Experiences
by Charles C. Goodin
The following article is part of materials being prepared for a
book
on the subject of astral projection. It is a work-in-progress.
OOBEs Are Something You "Do" -- And
Can Get Better At. While OOBEs just seem to happen (spontaneously
or miraculously) to some people, most sucessful projectors have
the attitude that OOBEs are something we "do." Results
are produced by the right knowledge and attitude, diligent
practice, and long term effort. Can everyone have a
"conscious" OOBE? Probably not. Can you? Perhaps. It
may sound like a cliché but the mere fact that you're reading
this article means that you are interested in this subject and
that suggests that you have to some degree an astral ability. Let
your interest take root and grow. Are you willing to work at it
with no guarantees? Good!
Projectors Are Drawn To It. Like moths to flame, many of us are
drawn to OOBEs. We can't really help it. It's not that OOBEs are
cool, neat, fantastic, or the "in" thing to do -- at a
deep level something tugs at us. Remember that time, long ago
when you were a child and found yourself "out"? You
can't forget it, can you? The memory and feeling is always right
there... tugging at you.
Successful Long-Term Projectors Are Physically Grounded. There is
an unfortunate tendency for some people to become physically weak
and mentally disoriented as a result of OOBE training. Some say
that it is easier to project when the body is physically weak.
This may be true but it is at best, a short-term, narrow-sighted
strategy. Successful projection requires an abundance of internal
energy, much of which can only be derived from a healthy physical
body (think of it as your generator). A relaxed, balanced,
healthy physical body is far superior to a weak, sickly one. In
addition, a weak body negatively affects the mind. You should
engage in regular exercise to ensure that you will remain
properly grounded. Why do you think the yoga masters and Zen
priests also practice a physical discipline -- not just
meditation? If you feel yourself becoming "flighty" or
disoriented, take a break from your OOBE training and go for a
walk at the park or beach, play with your children, participate
in a sport, etc. Give yourself time to recharge your battery.
Physical Limitations Do Not Result In Astral Limitations. Having
said that it is important to take the steps necessary to maintain
a healthy body, I should add that physical limitations do not
necessarily affect your ability to have OOBEs. I wear glasses and
am pretty much nearsighted. Nevertheless, my OOBE vision is
perfect. What about people with missing limbs? Many will find
that they are whole when they are "out." I believe that
you can learn to project despite disease, physical limitation,
injury, etc. Also, you can project despite the fact that you have
metal pins or other foreign objects in your body.
Keep in mind that shape is a very flexible thing in the astral.
Sometimes people project as a mere point of consciousness, a
geometric form or as nothing at all discernible. Therefore, you
should not feel too attached to your physical form -- that
attachment will make it more difficult for your to project. I
believe that the pure astral form is always in its prime, so to
speak. It is neither young nor old, and at higher levels it is
neither male nor female. The astral body feels the same as the
soul between lives.
Astral Diet. There is no magic diet which assures OOBE success.
Rather, the proper diet during OOBE training is one which makes
you feel healthy, energetic and comfortable. Heavy (especially
meats), oily or spicy foods might make it difficult to train. I
was in a class learning to sit zazen many years ago and the
teacher mentioned that we should not eat pizza before training.
There is nothing wrong with pizza -- he simply did not want us to
burp (because it would disrupt the sitting and our composure)! In
addition, eating or drinking too much will make you have to use
the restroom more often, which could disrupt your OOBE training
session. It is better to feel a little hungry while engaged in
OOBE training rather than feeling too full.
Several people have mentioned to me that being a little thirsty
is useful. Place a glass of water down the hall or in another
room and will yourself to leave your body and go get a drink.
I do not think it is necessary to be vegetarian but I can
appreciate the value of it. Also, I do not personally recommend
fasting but recognize that it is a part of many traditions. Use
common sense and take good care of your body.
Reading About OOBEs Only Helps So Much. I never met anyone who
simply read books about guitars and magically developed the
ability to play! OOBEs are like playing a musical instrument,
practicing a martial art, meditating, etc. You should read books
and articles to familiarize yourself with the subject but success
requires practice (and often years of trial and error). Also keep
in mind that as described below, you will need to learn to
function with non-verbal awareness and this is the antithesis of
conventional forms of study such as reading or attending
lectures.
I went to a writer's conference once and talked to one of the
speakers. He mentioned that many of the same people turned out
year after year but never wrote anything at all! Don't become a
"fan" of OOBEs. They are something to do. I also know a
Zen priest who likes to say that reading an entire library of
books on the subject of Zen adds up to less than a pimple on your
butt! The same could be said about OOBEs.
An Encompassing Belief System. Successful astral projectors have
a belief system in which OOBEs are accepted. Suppose you define
life as spirit animating the flesh. Well, having the spirit leave
the body seems to violate this definition. Unless OOBEs fit
within your belief system, your conscious mind -- and more
importantly your Unconscious Mind -- will create all kinds of
roadblocks to your success.
Keep It In Perspective. Take at look at the tip of the fingernail
on the little finger of your right hand. That's how important
OOBEs are in the grand scheme of things. OOBEs don't make you
enlightened, give you a free pass to heaven, etc. Some people
read about saints or holy people who could leave their bodies and
foolishly think that developing the same ability will make them
saintly or holy. Hey, they did a lot more than that! You have to
work on your life!
A Fearless, Daring Attitude. Who You? Yes you! You might have
heard or read about all sorts of dangers associated with OOBEs. I
have written an article entitled Understanding Out-of-Body Fears,
which lists many of the fears people report based on the number
of times they have left their bodies. As you would expect, people
who have had many experiences tend to be less fearful. But fear
is something which must be managed, especially for beginners.
I believe that there is a "fear barrier" which is
designed to keep out curiosity seekers and the timid. OOBE
success comes to those who fully understand the risks but are
willing to train despite it all. Hey, most of us can't help it
anyway -- we are drawn to it. In addition, many seemingly
irrational fears are created by the Unconscious Mind because it
is uncomfortable with the astral process. Have you asked for its
permission and cooperation?
Many OOBE fears are based on the wrongful assumption that the
astral world is a direct (but less dense) counterpart of the
physical world. If you went on a journey to a strange place in
"this" world, you might rightfully worry about getting
lost. Not surprisingly, the most commonly reported OOBE fear is
that of getting lost. Falling is another very common fear. Don't
let your 3D assumptions get in the way of your OOBE training.
OOBE Affirmations. Some people find it useful to write and repeat
OOBE affirmations -- positive statements about what you will do
(can already do). Merely repeating things does nothing but
stating meaningful words and phrases with 100% conviction should
produce some results. To some extent, you are giving instructions
to your Unconscious Mind. Be very careful about what you ask for
-- you just might get it!
Training Place. It should be clean, quiet, secure, uncluttered
and to the extent possible, reserved for OOBE training. You will
pick up on the vibrations of the area when you get
"out" -- you might even see them -- so plan ahead.
Also, clutter tends to make novices disoriented. I would avoid
heavy duty electrical appliances in the immediate area. Turn off
the television and radio, switch off the alarm, unplug the
telephone -- prevent disruptions. Also, make sure the door is
locked so that you won't have to worry about "phantom"
intruders later.
When you have a "special" place for OOBE training, your
Unconscious Mind will learn that it is time to go "out"
when you are there. Simply entering the space with the objective
of leaving your body will trigger your Unconscious Mind's OOBE
autoexec file. If you practice a martial art, think of your
training place as your OOBE dojo. You could also think of it as
your OOBE temple. It is a special, holy place where you come face
to face with your True Self. You should treat it with reverence.
Spouse. If you share a bed with a spouse or lover, you might
consider moving to another room for a few hours for OOBE
training. Restless movements or noises can be very disturbing. In
addition, a sleeping person might tend to make you sleepy as well
-- sleep is infectious. Naturally, if your spouse or lover also
projects, OOBE training in the same bed/location might be ideal.
Position. You are lying flat on your back. Perhaps you are seated
in a comfortable chair or in a lotus/half-lotus position on the
floor. In any case, you are resting comfortably in a stable
position. Plan ahead so that the jerking motion of "nodding
off" will not terminate your OOBE. For the most part, OOBEs
while walking or otherwise in movement are an exception.
Magnetic Orientation. Don't worry about it. Some swear by
aligning the head towards magnetic North. I think it is just a
mental crutch. You are about to step out of conventional
time/space so you might as well start thinking in an unlimited
way. Don't create unnecessary barriers to projecting.
Some Form Of Invocation Of Protection. Most skilled projectors
protect their physical space and various bodies (physical and
astral) by prayer, energy formations, etc. One of my teachers
warned me to ensure that I always, always do this (and I do!).
Clear Purpose -- Definite Target. Have a very clear idea about
what you are going to do. Don't just think, "I am going to
leave my body." That's too general for now. Plan a specific
course -- where you will go, who you will visit (with
permission), what you will discuss, when you will return, etc.
Have a DEFINITE TARGET! Go there in the physical ahead of time
and set an energy marker (a homing beacon so to speak). Then
desire to go to it with all your being. Half-hearted efforts get
no results. Most people fail at OOBEs because they lack the
discipline and patience to train correctly. It's not something to
do because it's cool or to be able to say, "been there, done
that." It is a very serious undertaking. Astral keys can
open a Pandora's Box or the Hall of Records!
Noble Aim Or Goal. There is a saying in Japanese: "bachi ga
ataru." In English we say, "What goes around comes
around." Bad deeds come back multiplied and in the astral,
the return is very quick. Act at all times in a noble manner and
with a good intent.
Some Form Of Progressive Relaxation. You will probably find that
a systematic method of progressively relaxing the body produces
far better results than just lying there. It will also help you
to avoid falling asleep involuntarily. Many people visualize the
various parts of their body switching off from toes to head. Feel
your body (the inside as well as the outside) and watch it as it
slows down and goes to sleep (into trance).
Some Form Of Deep Or Rhythmic Breathing. Breathing exercises are
an important part of progressive relaxation. The breaths are
gradually lengthened so that the number of inhales and exhales
per minute is reduced. Sometimes it might even feel like you are
not breathing at all or that the air is coming in through your
skin. Your internal energy is largely generated by your breath so
proper breathing is extremely important. By the time you've
finished your routine of progressive relaxation combined with
deep or rhythmic breathing, you will likely find yourself in the
next stage.
Catalepsy Or Sleep Paralysis. Your physical body will "go to
sleep." It will be heavy and you will not be able to move
it, except with great effort. Attempting to move at this point
will likely terminate the experience and result in discomfort.
Some people panic the first few times they experience this
paralysis. Relax, soon you will learn to enjoy it. And it is an
excellent sign of your progress.
Mind Awake. You might get the distinct feeling that while your
body is completely asleep (paralyzed), your mind is fully awake
-- in fact, it feels incredibly clear. The initial novelty of
this experience should help you to focus on what's going on and
minimize any stray thoughts. Gradually let your thoughts settle.
Do not initiate new lines of thought. Simply relax mentally until
you are pure awareness.
The Buzzing Sound. Energy takes many forms. You will likely hear
a sound that may be as gentle as leaves rustling, could be more
like the buzzing of insects, or might even be as loud as a
roaring train or howling hurricane. You might even hear music.
But you will probably hear something -- and it might be quite
pronounced. Relax, it's normal. If the sound is annoying, try to
raise the pitch an octave or two.
The Light. Although described less often, the energy could result
in flashing lights, waves of pulsating colors, etc. I find that
at a certain pitch and intensity of sound, the light kicks in. I
tend to think that light is a higher form of energy. Your eyes
might flicker (rapid eye movements). Rather than trying to look
around (with your eyes shut because you can't move) focus your
attention on your third eye (the spot between your eyebrows).
The "Itchy Skin" Feeling. Depending on the form(s) your
energy has taken, you might feel electric, itchy, like insects
are crawling all over your skin, hot, etc. Again, relax. If it is
uncomfortable, try to raise your pitch (energy frequency). The
physical sensations follow the pitch. With practice the process
becomes pleasant. I sometimes get the feeling of being sunburned
on the "inside."
A Hard Tongue. This does not happen very often but if the light
and sound become very strong and your gaze is set on your third
eye, you might find your tongue pressing against the roof of your
mouth and becoming rigid. Your breathing will probably have
become very rapid as well. This is described in the Kundalini
literature. At such a time, remain calm and watch -- this is a
pretty rare and fantastic show! You can leave your body later.
Sudden Stillness. The sound is roaring, the light is flashing,
your skin is electric... then suddenly it all stops. The silence
is deafening. For a split second you can't even think. You are
still inside your body but you feel like a tiny point of
awareness in a huge expanse. It's almost like being in a dark
cavern. Just wait. Don't let your mind run off in a million
directions. Something wonderful is about to happen.
A Switch-Over To Non-Verbal Awareness. You won't be able to think
in the way to which you are accustomed. One of my teachers
described this by saying: "You can't think 1, 2 3." To
some extent, you become a witness to what is happening to you.
But your awareness is not passive. You are still in control, it
is just that there is no internal verbalization or dialogue.
There is no separation between thought and action. Later, after
you return to your body, you will have to translate the
experience into words. This will feel somewhat like remembering a
dream. In fact, the Watcher of the dream and the Watcher of OOBEs
is the same.
This phase is of critical importance. Practicing "non-verbal
awareness" during normal consciousness is an important part
of OOBE training. Reading without verbalizing (the words just
stream in without being spoken or translated... like an
ultra-highspeed modem connection), typing without verbalizing,
performing dance or martial arts without thought... these are all
helpful. You will find that "wordless awareness" is not
the same as "not thinking." Without formulating the
question you will find that the answer is right there -- there is
no gap.
The Watcher. I am not using this term with reference to a
particular belief system. Some religions or groups might also use
the term. I am using it in an experiential sense. When I project,
I feel the presence of my own "Watcher" which is a part
of "me" but not part of my ordinary thinking mind. It
is there when I project, dream, sleep, think, daydream, work...
always. This may have been my own "Higher Self"... I
don't know. After this article was first posted, someone
suggested that the term "Monitor" was more appropriate.
I think that in truth that no term is sufficient. You could call
it "the part of you that can't be named but you know its
there at all times and is incredibly wise and powerful and
ageless...."
Your Self-Concept Is Limiting -- Pack Light For Your Trip! Who
you think you are will limit the perceptions which will be
acceptable to you. Inconsistent perceptions will either seem
dreamlike or will be ignored or deleted. Imagine yourself
purified to the bare essence -- to the part of you that truly
makes you, you. Imagine a large mass of coal which over the ages
becomes a tiny diamond. Much of what you consider to be
"you" (height, weight, skin color, gender, age, race,
religion, economic status, education level, etc.) does not pass
from life to life. They are just variables. It is the core you,
the essence, which is the real you and which is active during
OOBEs. Leave the unnecessary "trapping" of your
personality behind. Get ready... there's a bigger YOU waiting.
You are going on a divine trip. Pack lightly.
Movement. You are moving. Direction is irrelevant... up,
sideways, down. There is no "good" or "bad"
direction. Go with the flow. Rise, float, spin, sink, climb,
soar.... Go with it -- don't fight it. You might feel air rushing
over your body, your hair flowing back, all this indicates
movement. You might hear the rushing of wind. Good.
If you do not experience a sense of movement, you may be able to
initiate it by visualization. Don't limit yourself to images of
rising up. Also try using the image and feeling of being pulled
out. Be creative.
Expanding Boundaries -- Physical Triggers. You might feel like
your body is growing in all directions -- like the boundaries are
expanding. You may feel it localized around your head, feet or
even near your stomach. Relax and go with it. Extend the feeling.
Bring it back and extend it again, this time farther. This might
be a good time to imagine floating like a cloud.
Dual Awareness. You might feel like you are simultaneously inside
your body and outside of it. Sometimes your awareness will bounce
back and forth! This is usually a transition stage which will
pass fairly quickly. Remain aware at such times. Leaving the body
is really about learning to shift your attention from one place
(the physical body) to another (the astral body). The astral body
does not merely sleep within the body during your waking hours --
it is very active. Right now it might be outside of your physical
body and you don't even know it! Can you shift your attention to
it?
The Tunnel. Some people (especially in near-death-experiences)
find themselves moving down a dark tunnel with a point of light
at the end. Some do not. It doesn't matter. You're not out of
your body yet... but you're almost there.
Click! That's it. You might hear a click, a switching sound, a
crack. It's not your skull breaking... it's just a sound. Maybe
it's the sound of an astral form of static electricity as you
pass through the physical barrier. Congratulations... you're out!
Black Out. Maybe you've lost consciousness. Remember, you've
already lost your normal thinking mind and switched to the
nonverbal. But for a few minutes you might be completely
"blacked out." That's alright. Just be diligent about
seizing your awareness at the earliest opportunity.
Awakening In A Dream. You might have to regain awareness by
awakening in a dream. A lucid dream can be an entry point to
OOBEs. Identify any anomalies in the dream. Seize control by
doing something tactile -- touch something. Skilled astral
projectors are usually also skilled dreamers.
Sheer Terror. Some people, after weeks, months or even years of
training, finally achieve an OOBE only to find themselves
frightened to the bone, gripped by absolute terror, scared almost
to death, etc. Panic sets in and the immediate result is a quick
and sometimes unpleasant return to the body. Why the fright?
Imagine standing near the edge of a cliff. Intellectually you
might feel perfectly safe but your "gut" makes you feel
scared. Your body reacts to situations that it perceives as
dangerous. During your first OOBE, you will still be very close
to your physical body -- barely separated from it -- and it will
still exert a strong influence on you. Trust me, with experience
the fear disappears.
Oh, another reason for the fear is that you think you are dead...
really dead. If you are reading this, that obviously was not
true.
If the fear persists, go back and reassess your belief system.
Also, respectfully ask your Unconscious Mind what's troubling it.
You're Home. You feel that you have returned to a familiar place,
somewhere you've been many times before. You have! You're home,
safe. Cherish the feeling. You'll probably not want to leave.
Your Normal State. Are you a physical being which can project
into the astral, or an astral being which descends into the
flesh? Think about it for a moment. Right now you are physical (I
assume) and later today you might have an OOBE. When that
happens, are you going "out" or waking up? Is it a
journey or a return? You can see that it all depends on your
perspective.
For some people (probably a very small group), OOBEs are the
natural state. Can you imagine how slow and limiting the physical
world must be for an astral being? They might naturally feel
disinterested in it and even in some of the people who inhabit
it.
You Can't See. It takes a while for your astral senses to switch
on. You're probably not used to using them except when completely
unaware. What I mean by this is your nonverbal Watcher has to get
the knack of using the astral sight, hearing and sense of touch.
Sorry Bud but you're working at a preschool level right now and
your Watcher has a Ph.D. It doesn't really like diddling around
in the near physical level and it has to relearn the ropes!
Many novices report seeing a black or gray mist. Just give your
astral eyes some time. Don't "blindly" interpret the
vision (or lack thereof) to mean that you're in a dark, evil
realm. If you are uncomfortable where you are, raise your
pitch/vibration.
Seeing Your Physical Body. There's no rule that says you have to
examine your physical body. But if you do you'll probably find
that it seems very foreign and practically lifeless... inanimate.
You might even feel indifferent to it -- as if it is merely a
convenient vehicle, like a car. Can you see the energy you set up
around your body for protection? If not, do it now.
Everything Shines! More correctly, everything is illuminated by
its own light. There is no sense of dark once your astral eyes
being to function. There is ambient light even in an absolute
vacuum.
Are Your Feet Touching The Ground? Probably not! Do you even have
feet? Hmmmm. The physical body is a vehicle --like a car. Whether
you call it a temple of enlightenment or a prison, it is a
vehicle. You are not limited by your physical characteristics. At
the highest level you are pure light.
The Silver Cord. You might see it. You might not. Your attachment
to your physical body is normally invisible (sort of like
gravity) -- no need to clutter up the astralscape. Don't be too
iteral about it. Even if you don't see a cord, you will probably
have occasion to feel it. The cord (visible or invisible) may be
attached to your astral body in various places. Don't worry about
it.
Eight Corners -- Spherical View. You can see in all directions at
the same time. Some describe this as seeing the 8 corners of the
room. Try it. It is difficult to see 6 while physical. Some also
describe this as having an eye in the back of the head. Your
astral vision is not limited by direction. It takes a while to
get used to this.
Directional Confusion. Right, left, up, down? It gets confusing.
We are accustomed to moving in only two directions. Now you are
moving in three... actually more. Some people begin to get
confused between left and right even while physical! OOBE vision
is often reversed, inverted or inside-out -- but not always.
No Time Or An Altered Sense Of It. Sometimes an OOBE seems very
brief, and yet it lasts many minutes or even hours. The opposite
is also true -- what seems like an extremely long OOBE may only
take seconds. You are in a different time/space.
Time Travel. Some OOBErs report that they can travel backward and
forward in time. I can't offer any personal guidance on this. For
some reason, when I project I have no interest in the subject.
Limitations Are Mental. The walls cannot hold you, the ceilings
cannot keep you in, gravity cannot weigh you down...unless you
let them. The more you act like you are physical, the more
limited you will be.
Astral Motion. Novices tend to act like they are swimming or
flying. You create your own limitations. Some people go from
Point A to Point B by travelling through space. Others just jump
straight to Point B. Tunnels, vortexes, mists... there are many
modes of travel.
Light Is Intelligent. Oh my, the light is alive. Yes it is. The
higher you go, the more alive -- and intelligent -- it gets. This
may sound mystic. Quite the opposite is true. Imagine a giant
hologram containing scans of every page of every book of the
Library of Congress. If that hologram were shattered, every
little piece would continue to contain the entire contents (only
smaller and perhaps at a different angle). I think that light is
very like that -- small pieces of the Whole. At the higher astral
levels, light can be read, so to speak. But by that time, you are
normally acting beyond the capability of words. Sounds mystic
again, I know.
Joy, Joy, Joy! Unbridled ecstasy, joy, bliss, rapture, clarity,
happiness beyond words, indescribable freedom.... Hey, being
out-of-the-body is not so bad!
Enhanced Understanding. You will just "know" certain
things. This is not the first time you have been "out,"
perhaps just the first time your were consciously
"out." Your Watcher knows infinitely more than your
ordinary consciousness. As you gain more experience, insights
will begin to stream in. The answer is in there! Be respectful
enough to pay attention to the whispers.
Telepathic Communication. You can "hear" what someone
is thinking. Actually, since neither of you are thinking (you are
functioning non-verbally) you know each other's thoughts
directly. In any event, you will probably not be speaking in the
usual sense.
Astral Etiquette. You are not a visitor here (this is where you
belong in a sense), but for the time being you are a novice. Act
with courtesy and respect toward the beings (that sounds better
than people to me) you meet. This is not like the internet where
"flaming" has relatively no consequence. Negative
emotions or outbursts here can have serious repercussions.
Initially, treat everyone you meet as a potential teacher.
Like Attracts Like. You attract and are attracted to like energy.
If you don't like your surroundings ask yourself why you have
been drawn to them. Rise out of areas that make you feel ill at
ease. By rising out I am referring to frequency rather than
direction.
Secondary Black Out. You might have "blacked out" (lost
consciousness) when you first left your body. It might happen
again when you're out but for a different reason. You will black
out whenever you exceed your ability to perceive or remember. You
(the Watcher) can perceive a great deal. You (consciousness) can
only remember a little. The more you become accustomed to
non-verbal awareness, the more you will be able to remember.
Also, you will not be able to remember correctly if you become
confused or overwhelmed by too many sensations.
Let's pretend that you are a television set with 36 channels.
Your Watcher is an expert at all of them. In fact, it has a
remote control with its favourite channels pre-programmed. It
likes to jump around. Your conscious mind is only good at
Channels 1 and 2 (maybe). Everything else comes in as static or
scrambled images. So your OOBE might be going along fine while
you are on Channels 1 and 2 but black out -- or become dreamlike
-- when your Watcher hits the remote and jumps to its favourite
channel. This is overly simplistic but you get the idea.
Hey Bud... you're not just that little conscious mind! Your
conscious mind will have to learn to cooperate (non-verbally)
with the Watcher. Remember, the conscious mind translates your
OOBE -- after the fact usually -- into words, sentences and
"normal" daily thoughts. It will only be able to do so
if it remains focused non-verbally during the OOBE.
Let's return to the television example. Imagine that each channel
is twice as strong as the one below it. Channel 2 is twice as
strong as Channel 1, Channel 36 is twice as strong as Channel
35.... The "strength" of the channel strikes against
"verbal thinking." The force will be minimal at the
first couple of levels but pretty soon, even the slightest verbal
thought will result in a blackout (sensory overload). But if the
mind is kept perfectly nonverbal, there will be no resistance no
matter how strong the force (even 1,000,00 times 0 = 0).
There was on old Star Trek episode (I only like the old ones).
Captain Kirk, Spock and Bones were trapped in a force field.
Finally, Spock realized that the way to get out was to clear the
mind of thoughts. The force field was powered by thoughts and
resistance! How profound!
Back to the television... there are really an infinite number of
channels. And the Watcher can actually function on many at the
same time. Just wanted to make that clear.
Snap Back. If the body is disturbed, you become afraid, if any
number of things happen, you might feel yourself snapping back to
your body. You might sense movement at great speed or you might
just feel a jerk as you enter your body. This is typical in early
experiences and rare with more experience (unless someone touches
your body -- which you should have planned for/against). With a
snap back, you might suddenly find your heart and respiration
racing. Calm down and don't move. In fact, don't move for a few
minutes. Let your astral body properly realign itself to the
physical.
Catalepsy Or Waking-Up Paralysis. Well, it often happens again!
This is the reverse of what happens when you leave your body.
When you return, there is a transition time when you cannot move.
Don't try to move for few minutes. Just rest comfortably. Your
recollection is greatest right now! This is the time to translate
what happened during your OOBE into words and thoughts. This may
sound hard but with practice it is sort of like clicking on a
file and unzipping it! Really.
Going "Out" Again -- And Again. The attachment between
your physical and astral bodies is very weak when you first
return. It is often easier to leave the body again during the
return paralysis. Sometimes you might be able to go back and
forth several times. It feels a little like bouncing or being in
two places at the same time. This is a good time to practice your
exit and entry techniques. The more times you do it the more you
will be able to do it! I hear from many people who have left
their bodies more than 100 times -- sometimes many times in a
single session.
The Intruders. Hey, who are those three guys (or women) behind
me, watching me, inching closer. I want to stand up and run away!
Don't get excited. This is normal. Maybe they are your guides,
maybe they are your Watcher. Maybe it's just that you feel very
vulnerable because you can't move yet. If you have taken the
proper precautions before you left your body (secured the room,
among other things), you should feel perfectly safe. If the
entities persist, non-verbally thank them for their help and ask
them to identify themselves.
Record Your Experiences. After you regain complete physical
control, promptly write down or tape record the highlights of
your OOBE. At least in the beginning, this will help you with the
remembering and with the translation process. It is a process.
People project without knowing it! Leaving the body is really not
about separation mechanics as much as it is about training
yourself to function non-verbally and remember what happens.
The Failure Of Words. Try to write down the highlights of your
experience. But don't be surprised if words fail you. Who says
that words can express EVERYTHING? Sometimes when I try to
describe my experiences I reach a point where I get tongue tied
-- so overwhelmed by the enormity of it all that I become
nonsensical. Sometimes, to define is to defile. Also, one of my
teachers often advised that I not dilute the experience by
talking about it. He was a very wise man.
Physical Disorientation. You might feel physically disoriented
after your first few experiences. You might feel dizzy or just
not "right." Once in a while I had difficulty walking
correctly -- and I probably could not walk and chew gum at the
same time! The best remedy for me was a quick nap. Your astral
body naturally realigns itself after a nap.
The best way to avoid disorientation all together is to take the
time to properly align yourself when you return to your body.
Don't just jump up!
Close The Chakras. If you've opened them, close them now. I don't
think about this much but people are always warning me to do it
so I've included it here.
Automation -- Autoexec File. After a while most of the steps
described here become automated, so to speak. Instead of going
through each step consciously, you might just set the mood and
go. A similar thing happens when you switch on your computer.
Your autoexec file saves you time and trouble by loading the
required files, running diagnostics and getting to the correct
initial directory. But remember -- if you cannot consciously OOBE
(or remember it afterwards), one of the main problems may be that
you've already unconsciously automated the process and your
consciousness was left "out of the loop." Learning to
have OOBEs is more a matter of learning to consciously tag along
and to do this you might have to edit your autoexec codes.
Heightened Awareness in "Ordinary" Consciousness. You
have opened the door. Don't be surprised when you just
"know" things. Your view of Channel 0 (the physical
plane) may begin to be accented by scenes from the higher
channels. Don't be surprised, either, if the Watcher starts to be
more active... after all, you've begun to enter his/her realm.
Take care that your OOBE activities do not make you lose your
common sense or neglect your family, work and other
responsibilities.
Intuition Of Impending OOBEs. Once you get the knack of it, you
will generally know when you're primed and ready to go astral.
Sometimes you will just know that it will not happen or should
not happen. Go with your intuition. At other times, you will feel
the need to go "out" without knowing why. The reason
will usually present itself at the right time.
Hey, I Sense That You Can Do It Too! When you get that feeling
you might stop and say, "Hmmmm." People who do this
tend to recognize each other pretty quickly. They seem like old
friends (sometimes lovers). This is hard to explain but perhaps
you know what I mean. But you certainly should be discreet about
it. Don't run up to people and say, "Hey, can you leave your
body?" They will probably think you are nuts. And maybe they
are not consciously aware of their own abilities. Perhaps you met
before on Channel 36. Can they remember that? Can you?
A Reluctance To Talk About It. You might consider your gift to be
a secret to be carefully guarded. Depending on your social and
personal environment, you might be right. I think 99% of the
people who do this are reluctant to speak about it -- unless they
get involved with an understanding circle of friends who share
the gift. Those of us who write about the experience tend to have
a weird split personality -- mega-nonverbal and mega-verbal at
the same time (or able to switch back and forth easily).
A Changed Attitude About Death. You've been out of your physical
body. It wasn't so bad, was it? In fact, it felt like returning
home. Your views about death might need to be revised. It's not
that you are looking forward to death -- but you are not running
away from it either.
What Is Your Astral Body Doing Right Now? Now this question can
be asked. If I asked it earlier it might not have made as much
sense. Your astral body does not simply lie dormant in your
physical body waiting for you to activate it. No way! It is
always active. Sometimes you can shift your focus to it and we
call that an OOBE. But at other times it is fully active while
you are awake. Back to the Watcher. It can "watch" or
network the various aspects of your "self" quite
nicely.
You can use your astral while you are physical. Try giving it a
task and then be sensitive to the signals it will give you when
the mission is completed. Listen for the "tiny" voice.
If you ignore it, it won't be as cooperative the next time you
ask.
Highest And Best Use -- Your "Calling." Why do you
think you can do this? For amusement? Certainly not! Find the
reason... seek it during OOBEs if you like. Find what it is you
are to do and try your best to do it. I think we all have the
duty to try to raise the consciousness of the planet (maybe more
than that) just a little. And remember, you are physical for a
reason. That reason is not to always leave your body! You wanted
to be here. Astral projection is just a small part of the plate
you have set for yourself.
I Can't Do It Again No Matter How Hard I Try -- That Free Pass.
I've added this category because so many people complain to me
about it. If your first OOBE was spontaneous -- I think of such
OOBEs as a "free pass" -- you might have difficulty
repeating it unless you engage in a disciplined, long-term course
of OOBE training. What I mean by this is a free pass gets you
"out" despite your hectic work schedule, poor health,
unfocused mind, lack of effort, etc. But to do it again you're
going to have to work at it. You don't get many free passes in
life! The above also applies if you began to experience OOBEs
during your childhood or teenage years and then lost the ability.