John Magnus - Astral Projection

ASTRAL PROJECTION and

T he N atu r e O f R eality

E x p l o r i n g t h e O u t - o f - B o d y S t at e J O H N

M A G N U S

H am pto n R oads ' • • . - J i . l B U ' PUBLISHING COMPANY.IKC

Contents

A cknow ledgm ents Preface: T h e R ise o f a B o o k

ix xi

Circle 1—P reparin g for th e A stral W hat Is A s tra l P r o je c tio n ? The H isto ry o f A s tra l P r o je c tio n P rep are fo r A d v e n tu re Aw areness Between Ego a n d Soul The B elief S y ste m Physical R ea lities Astral R ealities Basic F e a rs Astral P ro je c tio n F e a rs

Circle 2—Getting Out T here S le e p S t a t e s A f f ir m a t io n s V is u a li z a t i o n A t t it u d e T h e E n e rg y o f I n te n t E n e rg y E x e rc is e s

3

6 16 19 27 37 47 60 68 78

95 11 6 119 135 144 148

E x it T e c h n iq u e s P u ttin g I t All T o g e th e r If a t F irs t You D o n ’t S u c c e e d . . . S im p lifie d A P T e c h n iq u e T h e R e a lity o f A s tr a l P r o je c tio n P e r s o n a l C h a lle n g e s f o r t h e P r o je c t o r C o n q u e r in g F e a r P s y c h ic S id e E ffe c ts

C ircle 3 —“M ind” Your Step N e e d s f o r G r o w th T a m in g t h e M in d A d d ic tio n s R e a litie s a n d B e lie fs A s tr a l S e x U r g e s C a u s e s o f A d d ic tio n H e a lin g A d d i c ti o n s C l a r ity N o w ! P h y s ic a l A t t r a c t i o n P r o lo n g i n g t h e P r o je c t io n M in d C r e a t i o n R e q u e s ts R e p l e n is h i n g E n e r g y

Circle 4—The Nature of Reality T h e M e a n i n g o f L ife O u r N a tu re T h e W o rld s B ey o n d T h e N a t u r e o f R e a lity F u r th e r E x p lo ra tio n A p p e n d ix : A s tra l T r o u b le s h o o te r E n d n o te s A d d i t io n a l R e s o u r c e s

Acknowledgments

I w o u ld lik e t o g iv e a b ig h u g t o e v e r y o n e w h o h a s c o n tr i b u te d to th e m a k in g o f t h i s b o o k . A s th is b o o k h a s p r o g r e s s e d , 1 h a v e c o m e to r e a liz e t h a t n o n p h y si­ cal p e o p l e s u r r o u n d u s . T h e y v i s i t m e i n m y d r e a m s a n d a s t r a l p r o j e c ­ tio n s . A f e w o f t h e m h a v e b e e n f i e r c e l y i n t e r e s t e d in t h e c o n t e n t s o f t h is book a n d s o h a v e u n s e lf is h ly p u t id e a s in m y m in d . A h u g e g r a titu d e g o es t o t h e s e m u s e s . A n o th e r Jam es,

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p r o j e c t o r s —A n d r e w F lo y d ,

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B r e n n e r —w h o h a v e r e v i e w e d t h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s b o o k a n d p r o v i d e d in v alu ^ l e fe e d b a c k . I a ls o t h a n k t h e m f o r t h e te c h n iq u e s th e y h a v e s h a re d .

I w ould also l ik e t o t h a n k t h e g o o d p e o p l e a t H a m p t o n R o a d s : F r a n k DeM arco, R ic h ard L e v i t o n , S a r a h H i l f e r , T a n i a S e y m o u r , J a n e H a g a m a n , *«ne L ouque, D i a n e L y n c h , V i r g i n i a C o l b u r n , a n d e v e r y o n e e ls e w h o has pitched in. And t o m y w i f e , B a r b , w h o s e s o u l (I h a v e s e e n it) is a s s h in i n g b lu e as th e f ir m a m e n t: T h a n k

y o u f o r o p e n in g m y e y e s w h e n th e y w e re

closed, an d f o r o u r l e a p s o f f a i t h . ix

Preface

The Rise o f a Book

Journal Entry, July 11, 2002 I wake up after a n afternoon nap. I h a v e the w hole outline o f this b o o k in my head. Strange, I n ever h a d a n y special pa ssio n fo r writing such a book, but now I can’t wait to get started. I am m otivated like n eve r before. The top o f m y head is tingling like crazy, as if som eone or som ething is feeding m e information. Plus, I am irritated, p o s­ sibly because m y logical m ind can't m ake sense o f where I am getting the inspiration.

A fe w y e a r s b a c k , s e e m in g ly f o r n o p a r t i c u l a r r e a s o n , I b e c a m e c u ri­ o u s a b o u t w h a t l ie s b e y o n d

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m o r e ? I s u r e h o p e d s o , b e c a u s e i f t h e r e w e r e n o t , life w o u ld l a p s e b a c k i n to t h e b o r e d o m

a n d c o m p l e x i t y o f m o d e r n W e s t e r n s o c ie ty . I m a g in e

m y s u r p r i s e w h e n , a w e e k l a te r , I s tu m b le d u p o n a c c o u n ts o f n e a r- d e a th e x p e r i e n c e s o n K e v in W i l l i a m s ’s n e a r - d e a t h s i t e ( w w w . n e a r - d e a t h .c o m ). I t w a s a s if I w e r e g u i d e d t o t h e i n f o r m a t i o n b y a h e lp f u l e n e r g y , a n d I p r o b a b l y w a s . P r e v io u s l y , I h a d b e e n i g n o r a n t o f a n d u n i n t e r e s t e d in t h e c o n c e p t o f life a f t e r d e a t h . B e c a u s e I a m s o m e w h a t o f a p r o c r a s t i n a t o r , I h a d p o s t p o n e d t h i n k i n g a b o u t d e a t h . I r e a s o n e d t h a t d e a t h g e ts in t h e

xi

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality way of living. Literally, it d oes, but I now a p p re c ia te d e a th b e e a u se it

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m akes life larg er a nd m o re p rofound. T he n e a r-d e a th a c co u n ts I re a d a b o u t o n th e s ite w e re am azing. T h e re w as no doubt th a t th e r e m u st b e so m e s o r t o f e x .s te n c e a f t e r th e d e a th o f th e physical body. T h e s h e e r n u m b e r o f w it n e s s e s - t e n s o f thou-

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sa n d s—should be p ro o f enough to c o n v in ce a n y o n e b u t th e m o s t h a rd ­ co re skeptic. In th e face o f th e e v id e n c e , d e a th n ow s e e m e d q u ite a rid e ,

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a n d I could not w ait to d isc o v e r w h a t w as in c lu d e d in t h a t r id e . A d e s ire

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b egan to grow in m y m ind. W ould it n o t b e a w e s o m e to s e e all th e s e th in gs in th e beyond w ith o u t a ctu ally h av in g to d ie fir s t?

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Im agine my s e c o n d s u rp r is e w h e n I s tu m b le d u p o n s o m e th in g c alled a s tra l p ro je c tio n on th e I n te r n e t. Now, th is w a s a fa r-o u t s u b je c t. A p p arently, t h e r e a r e p e o p le all o v e r th e w o rld w h o e n g a g e d in th e v ery th in g I d e s ire d : se ein g th e w o rld b e y o n d t h e p h y sic a l. I w a s s u r p r is e d to d iscover th a t so m e p e o p le s p o n ta n e o u s ly e x p e rie n c e d a s tr a l p ro je c tio n , a n d I w as th rille d th a t o th e r s d e lib e ra te ly a tt e m p t e d to in d u c e such e x p e rie n ce s, a rm e d w ith n o th in g b u t a m e a g e r a m o u n t o f lite r a tu r e , th e ir e x p e rie n c e , a n d th e ir w its. It s e e m e d p o s s ib le f o r m e t o go w h e re I w a n te d to go w ith o u t th e h a s sle o f d y in g a f t e r all. A fte r m y d isc o v e rie s, I p r a c tic e d a s tr a l p r o je c tio n d ilig e n tly fo r w eeks. I trie d o u t 2 0 te c h n iq u e s d e s ig n e d fo r lea v in g th e b o d y , all o f w hich I found o n th e W e b , f re e o f c h a rg e . N o n e o f th e m w o rk e d a s I h a d h o p e d . I c o n c lu d e d t h a t t h e r e m u s t b e s o m e th in g 1 w a s n o t d o in g rig h t, b u t w h a t? T h e n o n e n ig h t, a f t e r tw o in te n s e m o n th s o f a tte m p tin g to leave th e body, th a t “s o m e th in g ” re v e a le d its e lf a s if b y a c c id e n t. I fell asle e p d u rin g a se ssio n . W h e n I w o k e u p , I h a d t h e s u r p r i s e (a n d te r r o r ) o f my life as I w as s u c k ed in to a n o th e r d im e n s io n o f e x is te n c e . I had finally a c co m p lish e d my f ir s t a s tr a l p r o je c tio n . T h e m is s in g in g re d ie n t h ad b e e n th e s ta te o f m in d th a t c a n o n ly b e a c h ie v e d w h e n w a k in g up a fte r a p e rio d o f sle e p .

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everything UP fror I did.

T he rea liz a tio n b ro u g h t a b o u t by m y w e ird a s tr a l e x p e r i e n c e - t h a t I w as n o t th e body, b u t s o m e th in g t h a t c o u ld le a v e t h e b o d y a n d r e tu r n to it radically c h a n g ed my p rio ritie s . I s ta r te d ta k in g re s p o n s ib ility fo r my

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sp iritual a nd e m o tio n al g ro w th . I g re w less in te r e s t e d in m a te ria l purMy a c ad e m ic la b o r s u ffe re d . It n o lo n g e r m a d e s e n s e to m e to q u ite skills (in m a rk e tin g ) th a t h a d n o th in g to d o w ith m y sp iritu a l

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Tlie Rise o f a Book

311,

growth. I c o n fe ss t h a t s o m e o f m y e d u c a tio n in m a rk e tin g w as b lata n tly c o n tra d ic to ry to s p ir itu a l g ro w th . I a b a n d o n e d t h e q u e s t f o r fin a n c ia l se c u rity , s o m e th in g to w h ich I ^

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previously h a d b e e n p r e p a r e d to d e d ic a te m y f u tu r e . I re a liz e d th a t life is n o t a c o m p e titio n w h e r e t h e p e r s o n w h o d ie s w ith th e m o s t m o n ey is d eclared w in n e r. Life is p r e c io u s , to o p r e c io u s to b e v iew e d a s a b a ttle

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over m o n ey a n d s e c u rity . It d o e s n o t m a k e s e n s e to w a s te tim e o n col­

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U ltim ately, it d o e s n o t m a k e s e n s e to s p e n d y o u r life p r e te n d in g to be so m e o n e t h a t is n o t y o u , d o in g th in g s t h a t a r e n o t in y o u r n a tu r e . W h a t m a k e s s e n s e is to b e y o u r s e lf a n d t o c r e a t e s o m e th in g in life t h a t you can tak e w ith you a f t e r t h a t life h a s e n d e d . I re a liz e d t h a t p e o p le in g e n e r a l, a s I h a d , s u c c u m b to a s o r t o f s p ir­ itual tu n n e l visio n t o s u c h a d e g r e e t h a t th e y re m a in o b liv io u s to th e im m e n se v a lu e o f t h e i r o w n lives, a n d I felt c o m p e lle d to d o so m e th in g a b o u t it. S o m e w h e re in t h e s e th o u g h ts , t h e id e a o f a b o o k w a s b o r n , a book t h a t w o u ld h e lp p e o p le h e lp th e m s e lv e s . A b o o k t h a t w o u ld h e lp s tre s se d -o u t m o d e r n

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w o m e n a w a k e n to t h e i r o w n la rg e r

n a tu re , in w h ic h th e y w o u ld ta k e c h a rg e o f t h e i r lives a n d m a k e th e m b e tte r. It w a s a n id e a o f a b o o k , n o t j u s t on a s tr a l p ro je c tio n , b u t also on th e n a tu r e o f re a lity . I d o u b t r e a d e r s o f t h is b o o k s u ff e r fro m to o m u ch o f t h e m e n tio n e d tu n n e l vision ( o r you w o u ld n o t b e r e a d in g th is ) , b u t a t le a s t I m ig ht a d v a n ce y o u r k n o w in g o f r e a lity a n d in s p ire yo u to tell o th e r s a b o u t th e aw e so m e e x p e rie n c e s t h a t c o m e w ith t h a t k n o w in g . F ro m n o w o n , w ith ev e ry th in g you say a n d d o , y o u will in s p ire e v e ry o n e a ro u n d you to w ake up fro m t h e ir s ta t e o f tu n n e l v isio n a n d fin d a life t r u e r to o u r fo rm , as I did. A s a rip p le u p o n w a te r, th e a w a k e n in g will tra v e l o v e r th e h u m an sp e cie s, w h ic h will th e n ta k e a g ia n t le a p in to n o n p h y sic a l re a lm s a n d a c c e p t th e m a s w e have a c c e p te d th e p hysical re a lm fo r so long. W ith th a t s o r t o f u n d e rs ta n d in g o f reality , t h e r e will b e n o lim its to w h e re we

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c an go. W ell, t h a t is m y ro m a n tic iz e d id e a o f w h a t will h a p p e n . O riginally, I p ra c tic e d a s tr a l p ro je c tio n , a sid e from for th e fun of it, to g et p e rs o n a l p ro o f th a t th e r e w as s o m e th in g m o re to ex iste n ce th an th e physical. Specifically, I w a n te d to know w h e th e r d e a th w as th e final

Astral Projection a n d the Na ture o f Reality curtain o r if it w as ju st a p o rtal, as th e n e a r-d e a th acco u n ts h ad sug­ gested. In tim e, my objectives e x p a n d ed . A ssum ing th a t th e r e is m uch m ore to existence th a n th e physical, w hich c e rta in ly se em e d ev id en t, 1 h ad an urge to find o u t how th e physical fit in to th is g r e a te r p ictu re. 1 w anted to know how c re a tio n w as s tr u c tu r e d - i f it w as s tru c tu re d . This book is my r e p o r t on w h a t I have le a r n e d o n th is su b je c t so far. Or, m o re correctly, this book r e p o r ts m y o p in io n s a n d in te r p re ta tio n s of w hat I have e x p e rie n ce d . F rom w h a t I hav e s e e n , c re a tio n s e e m s to be a very subjective place. W h a t I have p e rc e iv e d m ay o r m ay n o t m atch w h at you have p e rc e iv ed o r will p e rc e iv e; t h e r e fo r e , I c a n t claim th a t w h at is rev e a led in th is book is th e a b s o lu te t r u t h . I c a n only say t h a t to th e b e st of my ability I have d ra w n c o n c lu sio n s fro m m y e x p e rie n c e . In th e end, w e all have o u r ow n o p in io n s, a n d th is is s o m e th in g w e should tre a s u re , l a k e w h a t k n o w le d g e you c a n u se f ro m th is b o o k a n d m ak e it y our ow n. Rip o u t th e p a g e s you d o n o t a g r e e w ith a n d m a k e a nice w arm fire w ith th e m . I

could w rite un til m y h a n d s fall o ff a b o u t w h a t I h a v e e x p e rie n c e d ,

y e t nobo d y w ould b e n e fit fro m it, s im p ly b e c a u s e it is h u m a n n a tu re (and a good n a tu r e it is) to r e m a in u n c o n v in c e d u n til p e rs o n a l e x p e ri­ e n c e says o th e rw is e . T h e r e is n o s u b s titu te f o r p e r s o n a l p r o o f, w h ich is why th is b o o k e n c o u ra g e s you r e a d e r s , w ith t h e h e lp o f s o m e e x ercises, to fin d y o u r ow n e x p e rie n c e o f t h e n o n p h y s ic a l r e a lm . I w a n t yo u to see w hat I have s e e n , b u t I w a n t you to s e e it in y o u r o w n u n iq u e way. T his b o o k gives you th e to o ls fo r e x p lo rin g o t h e r w o rld s , physical a n d no n p h y sic a l. T h e to o ls c o n s is t o f a t e c h n iq u e fo r lea v in g y o u r body a n d th e k n o w le d g e to n a v ig a te o n c e o u t o f y o u r b o d y . If y o u r m o tiv e for leaving y o u r b o d y is to h a v e fu n , th e n y o u a r e r e a d in g t h e rig h t b o o k . I can t th in k o f a n y th in g m o re fu n th a n a s tr a l p r o je c tio n . If y o u r m otive is a d e s ire to u n d e r s ta n d re a lity , t h e n y ou a r e a ls o r e a d in g t h e rig h t book. In th is book, w e will s e rio u s ly c o n s id e r w h a t w e a r e a n d w h a t e v e ry th in g a ro u n d us, physical a n d n o n p h y s ic a l, is. W e w ill d o th is p a rtly by m ak­ ing se v era l d e e p d iv es in to th e a s tr a l a n d p a r tly by re f le c tin g a n d dis­ cu ssing th e e x p e rie n c e s . To e a se e x p lo ra tio n , I h a v e d iv id e d t h is b o o k in to s e c tio n s I call ' te les b e c a u s e I b e lieve o u r lives a r e d iv id e d in to c irc le s o f know ledge. of w hich w e m u st d ig e s t b e fo r e w e c a n ta k e o n th e n e x t Circle.

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The Rise o f a Book gach Circle c o n ta in s a n u m b e r o f to p ic s . R ach to p ic is e x e m p lified by journal e n tr ie s a n d e x e rc is e s . T h e jo u r n a l e n tr ie s r e p r e s e n t a sm all porlion of m y p e rs o n a l e x p e rie n c e s . A p a r t fro m th e k n o w le d g e th e y communicate, I th in k y o u will f in d th e m fu n to r e a d . R egarding t h e e x e r c i s e s - th e y a r e s te p p in g -s to n e s in to th e a s tra l. Astral p ro je c tio n is n o t m e r e ly a m a t t e r o f lea v in g th e b o d y a n d co m in g back to it. T h e e x c itin g p a r t is w h a t h a p p e n s b e tw e e n t h e s e tw o e v e n ts. That e x p e rie n c e d e p e n d s o n b e lie fs , m o o d s , a n d o t h e r th in g s g o in g on in the m in d . T h e e x e rc is e s a r e m e a n t t o lo o se n u p th e m in d , so it can fully b e n e fit fro m t h e p r o je c tio n . S o m e e x e rc is e s m ay s e e m to hav e lit­ tle to d o w ith a s tr a l p r o je c tio n , b u t th e y a r e a p r e p a r a ti o n fo r th e e x p e ­ rience. If all you w a n t t o d o is s e e w h e t h e r you c a n lea v e y o u r b o dy (which you c a n ), t h e n s o m e o f t h e s e e x e rc is e s m a y b e s u p e rf lu o u s . B ut if you w a n t to e x p lo r e t h e a s tr a l p r o je c tio n e x p e rie n c e to th e fu lle st, I re c o m m e n d t h a t y o u c a r r y o u t a s m a n y o f t h e e x e rc is e s a s p o ssib le . T h e f ir s t C ir c le , “P r e p a r i n g fo r t h e A s t r a l ,” g e a r s yo u up fo r th e a s tra l. It d is c lo s e s s o m e g r o u n d b r e a k in g o p in io n s o n t h e n a tu r e o f r e a l­ ity. A lth o u g h y o u d o n o t n e e d to k n o w a n y o f t h is in o r d e r to lea v e y o u r body, it m ay h e lp y o u u n d e r s t a n d w h a t is h a p p e n in g . T h e s e c o n d Circle, “G e ttin g O u t T h e r e , ” a s s i s ts y o u in c r e a tin g y o u r f ir s t a s tr a l p r o ­ je c tio n . E v e n if y o u h a v e a lr e a d y h a d o n e o r m o re p r o je c tio n s , it is a good id e a to a t l e a s t lo o k a t t h e te c h n i q u e u s e d . I u se w h a t I hav e found to b e t h e e a s i e s t m e t h o d a v a ila b le to g e t o n e in to th e a s tr a l fro m a s ta r tin g p o in t o f w a k in g c o n s c io u s n e s s . T h a t m e a n s a lo t, b e c a u s e I have t r ie d m any. T h e th ir d C ircle , “‘M in d ’ Y o u r S te p ,” a s s is ts yo u in g e ttin g to know how th e a s tr a l w o rk s . K n o w in g h o w y o u r m in d w o rk s is key, b e c a u s e th e a stra l is c o n tro lle d by y o u r m in d . I w o u ld ev en go a s fa r a s saying th a t th e a s tra l is y o u r m in d . B u t th e n , o f c o u rs e , w e w o u ld h av e to d e fin e th e w o rd “m in d ” t o c le a r u p m is c o n c e p tio n s. T h is is s o m e th in g th a t has nev er p ro p e rly b e e n d o n e , a n d p e rh a p s it c a n ’t b e p ro p e rly d o n e until w e know m o re a b o u t w h a t w e rea lly a re . F o r th a t r e a s o n , I will no t

s I c8‘ # le W '

a tte m p t to d e fin e m in d h e re , e ith e r. W h e n you have fin ish ed th e th ir d C ircle, you will have th e to o ls you ne e d to e x p lo re th e n a tu r e o f th a t w h ich s u rro u n d s you. As m en tio n ed , th e to o ls c o n sist o f y our skills in leaving y o u r physical b o d y a t will a n d

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f Reality your know ledge of how to navigate th e a s tra l to g et th e b e st resu lts for your explorations. The fou rth Circle, “The N a tu re o f R eality,” d iscu sses th e rela tio n sh ip betw een th e physical a nd th e a s tra l, how w e fit in to th e p ic tu re , and w h a t m ay lie o u tside th e b o rd e rs o f e x p lo re d re a lm s . T h e r e is so m uch to be discovered, a w hole n ew w orld, so let us begin.

Qetym m Ifyou a sk a ( physical m atter i

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1,1 & C*'m enS*0n w *i e r e d r e a m s live, w h e r e w e h a n g o u t w h e n w e a re k b re a k h o rn physical re a lity . W e a r e m u ltid im e n s io n a l b eings.

4

W h a t Is Astral Projection? O u r c o n s c io u s n e s s e x is ts in m a n y d im e n s io n s , a n d t h e a s tr a l is o n e o f th e m . L a t e r in th is b o o k , w e w ill g e t in to t h e d e ta ils o f w h a t th e a s tra l m ight b e , a n d y o u w ill e x p e r i e n c e it f o r y o u rse lf. A s t r a l p r o je c tio n ( s o m e tim e s r e f e r r e d to a s A P) is th e p ro c e s s by w hich y o u t u r n y o u r a w a r e n e s s in to t h e a s tr a l r e a lm . T h e a s tr a l in clu d es m an y d if f e r e n t ty p e s o f e x p e r i e n c e s , e v e ry th in g fro m d r e a m s to th e a fte rlife , a n d t h e r e is a p l e t h o r a o f w a y s to g e t t h e r e : d re a m in g , d ay ­ d r e a m in g , fa n ta s iz in g , d y in g . W e w ill b e u s in g t h e p r o je c tio n ty p e t h a t is k n o w n a s o u t-o f-b o d y p r o je c ti o n , w h ic h m e a n s t h a t w e in te r a c t w ith th e a s tr a l a s w e d o in w a k in g p h y s ic a l re a lity : fro m a f ir s t- p e rs o n v iew a n d w ith s e n s e s s im ila r to t h e p h y s ic a l s e n s e s . I a m n o t to o t h r i ll e d w ith t h e t e r m o u t-o f-b o d y b e c a u s e it im p lies a p h y sic a l p a r t o f y o u s o m e h o w e s c a p e s t h e p h y s ic a l b o d y . In m y o p in io n , out-of-body tr a v e l in v o lv e s d ir e c tin g y o u r a tt e n ti o n to a n o n p h y s ic a l p a r t o f y o u r s e lf t h a t w a s n e v e r lo c k e d d o w n by t h e b o d y in th e f ir s t p la c e . It a lso im p lie s t h a t p r o je c ti o n s t a k e p la c e in t h e p h y sic a l w o rld , as th e w o rd “o u t” m a y b e i n t e r p r e t e d a s a p h y s ic a l lo c a tio n re la tiv e to th e p h y s­ ical b o d y . A s tr a l p r o je c ti o n is n o t m e r e ly t h e p r o c e s s o f leav in g th e p h ys­ ical b o d y a n d f lo a tin g a r o u n d in p h y s ic a l r e a lity , a lth o u g h it is q u ite p o s s ib le to d o s o . T h e a s t r a l is a r e a lm o f its o w n w h ic h is v e ry m u ch l a r g e r (in n o n p h y s ic a l te r m s ) t h a n t h e p h y s ic a l. It c o n ta in s m illions o f w o rld s t h a t m a y o r m a y n o t r e s e m b le o u r p h y sic a l u n iv e rs e . W e w ould m iss o u t o n to o m u c h if w e w e r e to lim it o u r jo u rn e y s to o n ly o u r phys­ ical w o rld . E v e ry b e in g in t h e u n iv e r s e c a n p r a c tic e a s tr a l p ro je c tio n . W h e th e r you a r e y o u n g o r o ld , s h o r t o r ta ll, ric h o r p o o r, you c a n a s tr a l p ro je c t. T h e a b ility to a s tr a l p r o je c t is a c o n s e q u e n c e o f h o w th e p h y sical body is c o n s tr u c te d a n d h o w t h e n o n p h y s ic a l p a r t s o f y o u r b e in g c o n n e c t to it. I t is a n a tu r a l skill. T h e r e is n o th in g s u p e r n a tu r a l a b o u t it. A s tra l p io je c tio n is n o t a f re a k o c c u rr e n c e o f n a tu r e ; it is a n e x p re s s io n of w ho we a re . In fa c t, e v e ry o n e a s tr a l p r o je c ts all th e tim e . If you co u ld n o t proj e c t y o u r a w a r e n e s s , you c o u ld n e v e r s h a rp e n y o u r p en cil. If you could n o t p r o je c t y o u r m in d t.o t h e a s tr a l, t h e n yo u c o u ld n e v e r have d rea m s. W h a t w e will d o in th is b o o k is n o t to o f a r fro m d re a m in g , all hough I a d m it it is vastly m o re exciting.

The History o f Astral Projection

A s tra l p r o je c tio n in o n e f o r m o r a n o t h e r a p p e a r s t h r o u g h o u t a g e-o ld lit e r a t u r e . T h e e a r l ie s t a c c o u n t I h a v e f o u n d c o m e s f r o m R a m t h a , a s p irit c h a n n e le d b y J Z K n ig h t. R a m th a d e s c r i b e s h o w , a r o u n d 3 3 , 0 0 0 B .C ., h e h a d a n ou t-o f-b o d y e x p e r i e n c e ( O B E ).2 I f t h i s c h a n n e l e d i n f o r m a t io n is to b e t r u s t e d , it h in ts t h a t p e o p le h a v e p r a c t i c e d a s t r a l p r o j e c t i o n s in c e p r e ­ h is to ric tim e s . B e tw e e n t h r e e t h o u s a n d a n d f iv e t h o u s a n d

y e a r s a g o , E g y p tia n

p r ie s ts w e r e s o f a m ilia r w i t h t h e a b ility t o le a v e t h e b o d y t h a t t h e y w r o te t h e B o o k o f t h e D e a d to g u id e t h e d e p a r t e d a w a r e n e s s t o t h e a fte rlife :

M o re o v e r, g r a n t y e t h a t t h e B a -s o u l o f t h e O s i r i s A n i, w h o s e w o rd is t r u t h b e f o r e t h e g o d s , m a y c o m e f o r t h w i t h y o u r n a v e l c o rd s in t h e e a s t e r n p a r t o f t h e s k y , a n d t h a t i t m a y fo llo w R a to t h e p la c e w h e r e h e w a s y e s te r d a y , a n d m a y s e t in p e a c e , in p e a c e in A m e n te t . M a y it g a z e u p o n i ts e a r t h l y b o d y , m a y it t a k e u p its a b o d e a n d its S p irit- b o d y , m a y it n e i t h e r p e r i s h n o r b e d e s tr o y e d f o r e v e r a n d f o r e v e r.

The H istory o f Astral Projection A stra l p r o je c tio n w a s a ls o u s e d in p r ie s th o o d in itia tio n ritu a ls. T h e p rie st a p p r e n tic e c o u ld , f o r e x a m p le , b e a s s ig n e d to p r e s e n t h im s e lf p a r­ tially o r to ta lly m a te r ia liz e d in f r o n t o f a g r o u p o f p e o p le w h ile in an outof-body s ta t e . H e w o u ld le a v e h is k h a l, h is p h y sic a l fo rm , a n d s te p into his kh a , t h e a s t r a l d o u b le . T h e a s tr a l d o u b le w a s th o u g h t to b e th e p e r­ sonality a p p e a r in g a s a s u b tle c o p y o f t h e p h y sic a l fo rm , a tta c h e d b u t cap ab le o f r o a m in g f r e e . A t t h e d a w n o f G r e e k p h ilo s o p h y , a s tr a l p r o je c tio n s p r e a d fro m th e religious i n to t h e i n te lle c tu a l r e a l m . P la to p r o p o s e d t h a t w h a t w e se e in this life is o n ly a d im r e f l e c t io n o f w h a t t h e s p ir it c o u ld s e e if it w e re re le a se d f r o m t h e p h y s ic a l. In T h e R e p u b lic (c ir c a 3 6 0 B .C .), h e illus­ tr a te d t h e id e a b y s a y in g t h a t life w a s lik e s ittin g c h a in e d in a cave w ith o u r b a c k s to a f ir e . W e c a n o n ly c a tc h t h e s h a d o w s o f th e p e o p le p a s s ­ ing b e tw e e n u s a n d t h e f ir e . In t im e , w e w o u ld c o m e to a s su m e th a t th o se s h a d o w s m o v in g a c r o s s t h e c a v e w all w e r e t h e o n ly re a lity . If we w e re r e l e a s e d f r o m t h e c h a in s a n d t u r n e d a ro u n d a n d s a w t h e p e o p le p a ssin g by, w e w o u ld n o t u n d e r s t a n d w h a t w e w e r e se e in g ; w e w ould c o n tin u e to t h in k t h e s h a d o w s m o r e r e a l t h a n t h e p e o p le w h o c a s t th e m . P la to a ls o r e la y e d t h e s to r y o f a w a r r io r n a m e d E r, w h o d ie d in b a t­ tle b u t c a m e b a c k t o s h a r e h is e x p e r i e n c e o f t h e a fte rlife :

W h e n E r a n d t h e s p ir i ts a r r i v e d , t h e i r d u ty w a s to go a t o n c e t o L a c h e s is ; b u t f i r s t o f all t h e r e c a m e a p r o p h e t w h o a rra n g e d th e m

in o r d e r ; t h e n

h e to o k f ro m

th e k n ees of

L a c h e sis lo ts o f s a m p le s o f liv e s, a n d h a v in g m o u n te d a high pu l­ p it, s p o k e a s fo llo w s: “H e a r t h e w o r d o f L a c h e sis , th e d a u g h te r o f N e c e s s ity . M o r ta l s o u ls , b e h o ld a n e w cy c le o f life a n d m o r­ ta lity . Y o u r g e n iu s w ill n o t b e a llo tte d t o y o u , b u t y ou c h o o se y o u r g e n iu s ; a n d l e t h im w h o d r a w s t h e f ir s t lo t h a v e th e firs t c h o ic e , a n d t h e life w h ic h h e c h o o s e s s h a ll b e h is d e stin y . V ir tu e is f r e e , a n d a s a m a n h o n o r s o r d is h o n o r s h e r h e will h a v e m o re o r le s s o f h e r ; t h e re s p o n s ib ility is w ith th e c h o o s e r— G o d is ju s tif ie d .” T h ro u g h t h e a c c o u n t o f E r, P la to p r e s e n ts th e so u l’s o p p o rtu n ity to c h o o se th e d e ta ils o f its lifetim e a n d th e a m n e s ia p la c e d u p o n t h e newly

Astral Projection a n d the Nature o f Reality b orn. T hese a re concepts confirm ed by n e a r-d e a th a n d prelife hypnotic regression accounts m o re th a n tw o th o u sa n d y e a rs later. In his essay, “On the Delays of th e Divine V engeance,” bundled in Moralia, the G reek historian Plutarch sh a re s th e sto ry o f Thespesius, also known as A ridaeus, a m an of ill-repute, w ho had a b a d fall in a .d . 79. Thespesius ended up in a two-day com a, d uring w hich tim e h e found him ­ self outside o f his body. Thespesius sp e n t th e tim e exploring a n o th e r inhab­ ited dim ension. His body pulled him back ju s t in tim e to p rev e n t his burial. The experience p ro m p te d him to tu rn his life in to o n e o f e th ics a n d values. T h e G re e k s c o n te m p la te d a s u b tle b o d y s im ila r to th e E g y p tian k h a . Plotinus suggested th a t all souls m u st b e s e p a r a b le fro m t h e ir physical b odies. A risto tle ta u g h t th a t th e s p irit c a n leav e th e b o d y a n d is c a p ab le o f com m unicating w ith o th e r s p irits . H o m e r sp o k e o f t h r e e c o m p o n e n ts : th e body (som a); th e im p e rso n a l psy c h e; a n d th e s e a t o f in te n t, w ill, a n d feelings k now n as th e th u m o s . T h e ability to leave o n e ’s b o d y in flu e n c e d t h e G r e e k lan g u a g e . T h e English w o rd e c sta s y is d e riv e d fro m t h e G re e k w o rd e k sta s is , w h ich m ea n s “to s ta n d o u tsid e o n e s e lf.” T h is m a y v e ry w e ll c a r r y t h e lite ra l m ea n in g o f leaving o n e ’s body. T h e fa c t t h a t it l a t e r c a m e to m e a n an ex a lte d s ta te o f m in d a tt e s ts to th e fa c t t h a t p e o p le le a v in g th e b o d y w ould find th e m s e lv e s in a e u p h o ric s ta te . A stra l p ro je c tio n

a c c o u n ts a r e a ls o p le n tifu l in t h e B ib le. T h e

p ro p h e ts s e e m to re c e iv e visio n s in a lt e r e d s ta t e s o f m in d , o f te n aw ay fro m t h e ir b o dies:

T h e n th e s p ir it lifte d m e u p a n d I h e a r d b e h in d m e th e n o ise of th e L o rd r u m b lin g a s th e g lo ry o f t h e L o rd r o s e f ro m its plac e . (E zekiel 3:1 2 ) T h e S p irit w h ic h h a d lifte d m e u p s e iz e d m e , a n d I w e n t o ff sp iritually s tir r e d , w h ile th e h a n d o f t h e L o rd r e s t e d h e a v ily upon m e. (E zekiel 3:1 4 )

The a c c o u n ts c a rr y o n in to t h e N e w T e s ta m e n t. A f t e r t h e c ru cifix ­ ion, th e a p o s tle s s e t o u t to s p r e a d t h e n e w re lig io n . In t h e m id s t o f polit­ ical tu rm o il, Paul gave a s e c o n d s e r m o n t o t h e C o r in th ia n s . H e relay ed >Howing s to r y a b o u t a h e a v e n ly tr ip to d riv e h o m e a p o in t:

The H istory of Astral Projection I k n o w a c e r t a in C h r is tia n m a n w h o 14 y e a rs ago (w h e th e r in th e b o d y o r o u t o f t h e b o d y I d o n o t know , G od k n o w s) w as s n a tc h e d u p to t h e h ig h e s t h e a v e n . . . a n d t h e r e h e h e a rd th in g s w h ic h c a n n o t b e p u t in to w o r d s , th in g s th a t h u m a n lips m ay n o t s p e a k . (2 C o r in th ia n s 1 2 :2 -4 )

It is b e lie v e d t h a t P a u l w a s r e f e r r in g to h im se lf. T h is e x a m p le h in ts a t th e d iffic u lty in f o rm u la tin g a s tr a l e x p e rie n c e s in to w o rd s . T elep ath y is w id e ly u s e d o u ts id e t h e p h y s ic a l, a n d t h e e m o tio n s a n d u n d e rs ta n d ­ ings t h a t a r e t r a n s m i t te d b e tw e e n m in d s a r e n o t easily tra n s la te d into w o rd s. T h e A p o s tle J o h n ’s r e v e la tio n to o k p la c e in a n a lte r e d s ta te , in a s tra n g e w o rld , m o s t lik e ly o u ts id e h is b o d y . T h is c a n b e c o n s id e re d an a s tr a l p r o je c tio n o f im p r e s s iv e le n g th a n d c o n te n t.

I w a s in t h e S p irit o n t h e L o r d ’s d ay , a n d I h e a r d b e h in d m e a lo u d v o ice lik e t h e s o u n d o f a t r u m p e t, sa y in g , “W rite in a b o o k w h a t y o u s e e , a n d s e n d it to t h e se v e n c h u rc h e s : to E p h e s u s a n d to S m y rn a a n d to P e r g a m u m a n d to T h y a tira a n d to S a r d is a n d to P h ila d e lp h ia a n d t o L a o d ic e a .” (R ev elatio n

1 : 10- 11) A f t e r th is I lo o k e d , a n d , b e h o ld , a d o o r w a s o p e n e d in h e a v e n : a n d t h e f ir s t v o ice w h ic h I h e a r d w a s a s it w e re o f a tr u m p e t ta lk in g w ith m e ; w h ic h s a id , “C o m e u p h ith e r , a n d I will s h o w t h e e th in g s w h ic h m u s t b e h e r e a f t e r . ” A n d im m e d ia te ly I w a s in t h e s p ir it: a n d , b e h o ld , a t h r o n e w a s s e t in h e a v e n , a n d O n e s a t o n t h e t h r o n e . ( R e v e la tio n 4 : 1 - 2 ) S o h e c a r r ie d m e a w a y in t h e S p irit in to t h e w ild e rn e s s: a n d I saw a w o m a n s it u p o n a s c a r le t c o lo r e d b e a s t, full o f n a m e s o f b la s p h e m y , h a v in g s e v e n h e a d s a n d te n h o r n s . (R ev elatio n 17:3) A n d h e c a r r ie d m e a w a y in th e S p irit to a g r e a t a n d high m o u n ta in , g r e a t city, t h e holy J e r u s a le m , d e s c e n d in g o u t of h e a v e n fro m G o d . (R e v e la tio n 2 1 :1 0 ) Bible a c co u n ts re s e m b le b o th m o d e rn a s tra l p ro je c tio n a n d alien a b d uction e x p e rie n ce s. It w ould b e re a s o n a b le to a ssu m e th a t th e p ro p h ets

Astral Projection and the Nature o f Reality m ade an in te rp re tatio n of th e experiences acco rd in g to th e beliefs and culture of th e ir tim e. R am tha spoke ab o u t becom ing th e w ind, th e G reeks about stan d in g outside them selves, a n d J o h n a n d Paul ab o u t ris­ ing to th e heaven in th e sp irit. F rom th e sp a rse w o rd in g , w e can only speculate about w hat really h a p p e n ed . In th e seventh c e n tu ry A.D., M u h a m m a d , th e fo u n d e r o f Islam , enjoyed an equally im pressive p ro je c tio n th ro u g h w h a t h e te r m s th e

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The H istory o f Astral Projection Thodol (m e a n in g “lib e r a tio n th ro u g h h e a r in g in th e in te r m e d ia te s ta te b e tw e e n

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eighth c e n tu ry , 100 y e a r s a f t e r B u k h a r i’s b o o k . It is c o m p o s e d from teach in g s d e liv e re d o ra lly f o r m a n y g e n e r a tio n s . T h e B a rd o T h o d o l is rea d to th e d y in g to give t h e m a p r e v ie w o f w h a t is to c o m e a n d to w arn th em o f t h e d a n g e r o f g e ttin g e n ta n g l e d in d r e a m lik e w o rld s o f th e ir own c re a tio n . T h e id e a o f t h e s u b tle d o u b le f ro m E g y p tia n a n d G r e e k b e lie fs re s u r­ faces in T ib e ta n B u d d h is m a s t h e b a r d o b o d y , w h ic h is th o u g h t to b e an invisible a n d e th e r e a l c o p y o f t h e p h y s ic a l b o d y c o n ta in in g a psychic n e rv o u s s y s te m . T h e

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in sta n tly , sim p ly b y d e s ir in g to b e a t t h e d e s tin a tio n . T h e w e a lth o f p r o je c ti o n k n o w le d g e k e p t by T ib e ta n B u d d h ists w as e x p o rte d to A m e ric a b y P a u l T w itc h e ll, w h o b e c a m e t h e f ir s t A m e ric a n EC K m a s t e r

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E c k a n k a r, w h ic h in c lu d e s t h e k n o w le d g e o f E C K ( th e G o d c o n scio u s­ ne ss) a n d w h a t h e t e r m s S o u l T ra v e l. S o u l T ra v e l is a skill t h a t utilizes a s tr a l p r o je c tio n to r e a c h t h e E C K r e a l m in o r d e r to a s s is t p e o p le such as a s tr a l p r o je c to r s a n d t h e n e w ly d e c e a s e d . D u rin g t h e s e c o n d m ille n n iu m A.D., a s tr a l p r o je c tio n le ft a sm a lle r im p rin t in l i t e r a t u r e . In t h e w e s t, C h r is tia n ity h a d b e c o m e th e c o m m o n lifestyle. P e o p le r e lie d o n p r ie s ts to in fo rm t h e m a b o u t life a n d th e t h e r e ­ a fte r; a s tr a l p r o je c tio n w a s n e v e r t h e to p ic o f t h e s e rm o n . E ven th o u g h Paul, t h e a p o s tle , h a d s p o k e n o p e n ly a b o u t it, relig io u s le a d e r s w e re q u ick to f ro w n u p o n a n y th in g p a r a n o r m a l .

S u c h e x p e rie n c e s w e re

re s e r v e d fo r s a in ts a n d p r o p h e ts . Y et a s tr a l p r o je c tio n w a s p r a c tic e d by w itc h e s a n d s h a m a n s in lan d s re c e n tly c o n v e rte d to C h ristia n ity . A c c o rd in g to p a g a n tra d itio n , w itch es could e x p e rie n c e m e n ta l flig h t by r u b b in g t h e i r b o d ie s w ith h e rb a l e x tra c ts o f a c o n ite , b e lla d o n n a , a n d h e m lo c k , e a c h leth a l if in g este d . M exican s h a m a n s u s e d m in d -a lte rin g p la n ts su c h a s p e y o te , a n d th e Vikings u s e d p o iso n o u s m u sh ro o m s to a c h ie v e th e s a m e effect. T h e cul­ tu ra l sh o c k to th e s e new ly c h ris te n e d p a g a n p o p u la tio n s w ould cau se fric tio n fo r m an y g e n e ra tio n s . C h ristia n s in g e n e ra l w e re a fra id to d isc u ss th e ir a s tr a l e x p e rie n ce s, fearful of th e re a c tio n s o f th e ir b r e th r e n . T h is fe a r w as o fte n ju stifie d .

tl'""' Astral Projection a n d the Nature o f Reality

> f First, th e re w as the Inquisition, beginning in th e th ir te e n th c e n tu ry and lasting until th e n in ete e n th century. W itc h c ra ft w as c o n d e m n e d by th e C hristian church in th e fo u rte e n th c entu ry . F ro m th e r e it w e n t fro m b ad to w orse: 3 0 0,000 people w e re exe cu te d fo r h e re sy d u rin g th e six te e n th and se v en te e n th c e n tu rie s. C om m on b e lie f says th a t m o st victim s o f th is p ersecu tio n w ere n o t sin c e re p ra c titio n e rs o f w itch c ra ft; n e v e rth e le ss, th is hardly e n c o u ra g e d sh a rin g o f kn o w led g e re g a rd in g a s tr a l e x p e ri­ ences, an a tm o s p h e re th a t laste d for c e n tu rie s . P a ran o rm al p ra c tic e s b e c am e th e p ro v in c e o f o c c u lt g r o u p s, su ch as th e R osicrucians, th e G olden D aw n, a n d th e C a b a lis ts. K n o w led g e o f a s tra l p ro je c tio n w as p a s se d s e c re tly f ro m o n e g e n e ra tio n to a n o th e r, from m a s te r to a p p re n tic e . T h e s e c re c y w a s u n f o rtu n a te , fo r t h e r e is m uch w e could have le a rn e d fro m th e s e g ro u p s . M illio n s o f p e o p le h ad s p o n ta n e o u s out-of-body e x p e rie n c e s , a n d m o s t o f th e m u n d e rs ta n d a b ly b e c am e te rrifie d o f th e e v e n t. It w as in e v ita b le t h a t s u c h e v e n ts w ould o c c u r since all th a t is r e q u ir e d to a c h ie v e s u c h e x p e rie n c e s is o n e o f

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m any fav o ra b le s ta te s o f m in d , a n d th e n a tu r a l s le e p p r o c e s s s o m e tim e s ju m p s in to such s ta te s . T h e ir t e r r o r s te m m e d n o t f ro m th e p ro je c tio n ev en t itself, b u t fro m th e fa c t t h a t th e y d id n o t k n o w w h a t w a s h a p p e n ­ ing to th e m . T hey w e re c o n fu se d a n d s c a r e d t h a t th e y m ig h t b e falling physically o r m e n ta lly ill. B ut b e c a u s e o f t h e s e c re c y , t h e r e w a s n o in fo r­ m ation on such p h e n o m e n a a n d th e r e f o r e n o h e lp a v a ila b le t o th e m . In th e e ig h te e n th c e n tu ry , C o u n t S a in t G e r m a in m a d e f a n ta s tic claim s. It is sa id

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m y fee t. H o ra c e W a lp o le a n d V o lta ire b o th w r o te a b o u t t h e C o u n t, bu t h e w as larg ely d ism isse d a s a n e c c e n tric b y h is c o n te m p o r a r ie s . In th e e ig h te e n th a n d n in e t e e n th c e n tu r ie s , a s t r a l p r o je c tio n r e s u r ­ faced as a leg itim ate to p ic th a n k s to s in c e r e in v e s tig a tio n o n t h e p a r t of

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12

The H istory o f Astral Projection Still, th e d i s t r ib u tio n o f m a te ria l r e m a in e d lim ite d . A s tra l p ro je c tio n did n o t e n t e r t h e m a i n s tr e a m fo ru m s . T h e A ge o f R e a so n h a d beg u n , " ' " i n |,

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Society. A g a in , t h e id e a o f a s u b tle b o d y r e s u r f a c e d . B la v a tsk y d iv id e d th e p e r s o n in to s e v e n b o d i e s , e a c h o n e m o re s u b tle th a n t h e o n e p r e ­ ce d in g it. H e r c o n tr i b u ti o n s w o u ld b e c o m e a la rg e p a r t o f W e s te rn m e ta p h y s ic s . In t h e e a rly t w e n ti e th c e n tu r y , a s tr a l p r o je c tio n b e c a m e a highly dis­ c u s se d to p ic in p s y c h ia try a s p e o p le s o u g h t h e lp to d e a l w ith a s tr a l e x p e ­ rie n c e s. It w a s a n in trig u in g f e a t u r e o f t h e p s y c h e . P r o fe s s o r C a rl G u stav J u n g r e p o r t e d s e e in g e v e n ts in h is h o s p ita l r o o m w h ile h is b o d y w as in a c o m a . In 1913, D u tc h p s y c h ia tr is t F r e d e r i k v a n E e d e n f ir s t u s e d th e te r m lu c id d r e a m in g w h e n r e f e r r i n g to t h e ty p e o f d r e a m in w h ic h th e d r e a m e r k n o w s h e is d r e a m in g . In t h e 1 9 2 0 s , S y lv an M u ld o o n , w h o h a d e x p e rie n c e d s p o n ta n e o u s out-of-body tra v e l b e g in n in g a t a g e 12, t e a m e d u p w ith p sy c h ic in v estig a­ to r D r. H e r e w a r d C a r r in g to n to s h e d lig h t o n th e s u b je c t. T h is e ffo rt r e s u lte d in T h e P r o je c tio n o f th e A s tr a l B o d y , p u b lis h e d in 1929. It r e p ­ r e s e n te d t h e m o s t p r a c tic a l a n d c o m p r e h e n s iv e g u id e to a s tr a l p ro je c ­ tio n o f its tim e . A s t h e title s u g g e sts , it r e lie s h eav ily o n th e e x is te n c e o f a s u b tle s e c o n d body. M u ld o o n a n d C a r rin g to n ’s l a t e r b o o k , T h e P h e n o m e n a o f A s tra l P ro jec tio n , p r e s e n te d n e a rly a h u n d r e d c a s e s o f out-of-body e x p e rie n ce s, c a te g o riz e d b y w h e th e r th e y w e r e p r o d u c e d by d ru g s o r a n e sth e tic s; o c c u rre d a t th e tim e o f a n a c c id e n t, illn e ss, o r d e a th ; o r w e re s e t o ff by a s u p p re s s e d d e s ir e . P u b lis h e d in 1951, it w a s a t th e tim e th e la rg e st col­ c »rt «f o i ' t h e P >. the

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lec tio n of out-of-body a c c o u n ts. R o b e r t C ro o k a ll p r o d u c e d a n im p re ssiv e r e p e r to ir e o f a s tra l lite ra ­ tu re . B e tw e e n 1964 a n d 1979, h e a u th o r e d a t le a s t 2 2 w o rk s on a stra l p ro je c tio n . E ven th o u g h h e did so w ith a g o o d d eal o f r e p e titio n , h e m an­ aged to cover m any a s p e c ts o f a s tr a l p ro je c tio n , such as tec h n iq u e s,

Astral Projection and the Nature o f Reality cases, the afterlife, a nd th e n a tu re of th e soul. He advocated th e idea that each person has a super-conscious m ind th a t is resp o n sib le for psy­ chic phenom ena such as telepathy, clairvoyance, a n d telekinesis. R obert M onroe, a b usinessm an w ho found h im self flo atin g n e a r th e ceiling one day. w en t th ro u g h a re m a rk a b le .tra n s itio n fro m q u e stio n in g his sanity to becom ing a fearless p a rtic ip a n t in ev e n ts u n ex p lain ab le by logic. T he a u th o r of J o u rn e y s Out o f th e B o d y a n d U ltim a te J o u rn ey , he also founded The M o n ro e In stitu te o f A p p lied S cien ce to co n d u ct re s e a rc h th at w ould help him u n d e rs ta n d w h a t w as h a p p e n in g to him . As it tu rn e d out, T h e M o n ro e In stitu te h e lp e d a lo t m o re p e o p le . The In stitu te dev elo p ed H em i-Sync, a to o l t h a t u se s b in a ry s o u n d freq u en cies to affect b ra in w aves, th e re b y in d u cin g a n y th in g fro m a le rt­ ness to sleep. M ost n o tic e a b le is its c a p ab ility to p u t th e b o d y to r e s t while th e m ind is k e p t fro m lapsing in to u n c o n s c io u s n e ss . M o n ro e d e s­ ig n ated th e b ody-asleep/m ind-aw ake s ta te a s F o cu s 10, a n d s ta te s o f m ind beyond th a t h ad h ig h er F ocus n u m b e rs . Dr. C h a rle s T a rt is a p a ra p s y c h o lo g is t w ith a s in c e r e d e s ir e to p ro v e th e validity o f a s tr a l p ro je c tio n a n d a lte re d c o n s c io u s n e ss in g e n e ra l, th e re b y bridging th e g ap b e tw e e n s p iritu a l a n d sc ie n tific c o m m u n itie s . H e c o n d u c te d r e s e a r c h in to lucid d re a m in g , a s tr a l p ro je c tio n , ESP, a n d th e psychedelic e ffe c ts o f LSD a n d m a riju a n a . In th e late 1960s, T a r t b ro u g h t s u b je c ts in to t h e la b o r a to r y w ho could leave th e ir b o d ie s a t w ill. T h e e le c tric a l a c tiv ity in t h e s u b je c t’s body w as m o n ito re d w h ile h e r a w a r e n e s s a tt e m p t e d to s e e a t a r g e t n o t visible fro m th e b e d . T a r t ’s f ir s t s u b je c t, M iss Z, w a s t e s t e d in a la b o ­ r a to ry w h e re a five-digit n u m b e r w a s p la c e d o n a s h e lf a b o u t five-and-ah a lf fee t above h e r b e d . A f te r t h r e e u n s u c c e s s fu l a tt e m p t s , M iss Z aw oke to r e p o r t t h a t s h e h a d s e e n th e n u m b e r 2 5 1 3 2 . S h e w a s r ig h t o n all five digits. Tart s s e c o n d su b je c t w as R o b e r t M o n ro e . A lth o u g h M o n ro e did n o t hit th e ta rg e t in an out-of-body s ta t e , h e d id o b s e rv e a m a n in t h e m o n ­ ito ring ro o m w ho la te r w a s c o n firm e d to b e t h e te c h n ic ia n ’s h u s b a n d . As a r e s u lt o f m a te ria l p u t f o r t h in t h e tw e n tie th c e n tu r y by th e a b o v e m e n tio n e d

a u th o r s

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o t h e r s - S y lv e s te r

A.

W e s t,

H ugh

G.

Callowitiao. Pe ° f <

denly fo rg e t to b r e a t h e . O n t h e c o n tr a ry , a s tr a l p r o je c tio n c o u ld a c tu a lly b e b e n e fic ia l in th is re s p e c t. F o r e x a m p le , if like m e y o u a r e a n a n a ly tic a l p e rs o n , y our

dy a rea from

a w a re n e s s c a n b lo c k t h e flo w o f e n e rg y fro m t h e h ig h e r s e lf in to th e

1 th e thinker

physical b o d y . B u t w h e n y o u s h if t y o u r a w a r e n e s s a w a y f ro m y o u r body,

n a |ytical per.

as you d o in a s tr a l p r o je c tio n , t h e a n a ly z in g c e a s e s a n d th e e n e rg y flow

>d-But when-

r e s u m e s. T h e m u c h - n e e d e d h ig h e r e n e rg y c a n t h e n r e a c h y o u r bo d y . T h e

y ch est. This

flow a lig n s y o u r b o d y w ith y o u r h ig h e r se lf, a llo w in g yo u to b e m o re you

eive feelings

(if t h a t m a k e s a n y s e n s e ) . T h is is a ls o a b e n e f it o f m e d ita tio n : W h e n you

analytical

m e d ita te , y o u a r e n o t lo o k in g f o r s o m e th in g , yo u a r e j u s t s te p p in g a sid e

ng

reing.

to allow y o u r n a tu r a l flo w to r e s u m e . I

h a v e n a m e d t h e o b s ta c le s o f t h e flo w th e m in d v e il. It is w h a t

k e e p s you s e p a r a te d f r o m y o u r h ig h e r self. T h e veil is k e p t in p la c e by c e rta in b e lie fs , s u c h a s t h a t y ou a r e s e p a r a te f ro m o th e r s a n d t h a t life is y are you

a s tru g g le f o r a c h ie v e m e n ts r a t h e r t h a n a flo w b a c k to yo u . If you lo o sen

aching.

o r r e p r o g r a m t h o s e b e lie fs , in a c o n s c io u s a tt e m p t to re s u m e th e flow, you m ay b r e a k th ro u g h t h e veil a n d s e n s e y o u r h ig h e r self. T h is m ay also

j u suck in

h a p p e n if you s h ift y o u r a w a r e n e s s a w a y fro m y o u r b o d y lo n g en o u g h .

y o u r day,

Wednesday, M arch 27, 2 0 0 2 From an Elevated Point o f View These last few days I have been standing on a high nonphysical mountain peak from which I see things from an aw esom e perspective. I see others’problems and the solutions are immediately obvious to me. This is my mind veil coming off. I can see in my mind without distractions. But still, I can’t communicate the solution to the person in need for there is no way I can make them understand. There is no way I can show

y o u r ph y sica' ial c o n scio "5 ,a r e n e s s -

them what I feel. I can’t even describe what I feel in words. This is ultimate wisdom. It is a knowing, not knowledge. But this wisdom can’t be shared easily. Only wise hearts can understand wise concepts. Human languages are inadequate.

■a w a re n e ss - ilh .h e ^ e n y ou ‘ ' - ° k

in in K * ^

S h ifting y o u r a w a re n e s s aw ay f ro m th e b o d y is e asy : J u s t focus youi a w a re n e ss on a p o in t o u tsid e y o u r body.

Astral Projection a n d the Nature o f Reality

Exercise: Awareness I Focus your awareness outside your physical body, one foot to the right o f your right cheekbone. If you are having trouble with this, ju s t think o f it as turning y o u r attention to th a t sam e place and listening for any sound or m ovem ent o ur there. 2 Keep your awareness there constantly. It will try to move back to its habitual center o f thought. W hen it does, ju s t move it back outside y o u r physical body. 3. A fter a few hours, you will notice a slight feeling o f being ou tsid e your body, observingyourself in action.

you are playing on the field.

You can focus y o u r a w a r e n e s s o u ts id e y o u r p h y sic a l b o d y b e c a u se th e physical b ra in is n e ith e r th e o rig in n o r t h e c a u s e o f y o u r a w a re n e s s . In fact, yo u r a w a re n e s s d o e s n o t n e e d y o u r p h y sic a l b o d y in o r d e r to exist. In 1981, th e N u rsin g M ir r o r p u b lis h e d t h e a r tic le , “Is Y o u r B rain Really N e c e s s a r y ? ” It w a s b a s e d o n a n in v e s tig a tio n c o n d u c te d by n eu ­ D r.

Jo h n

L o rb e r

o f th e

U n iv e rs ity

o f S h e ffie ld .

P ro fe sso r L o rb e r fo u n d s e v e ra l h u n d r e d p e o p le w ith irr e g u la r ly sm all b ra in s . S om e h a d no d e te c ta b le b r a in a t all, a n d y e t th e y f u n c tio n e d p e r­ fectly well in society. IQ te s ts given to s o m e o f t h e s e in d iv id u a ls m a d e it ev id e n t th a t IQ is n o t d e p e n d e n t u p o n t h e s iz e o f t h e b r a i n . D r. L o r b e r ’s r e s e a rc h show s t h a t t h e m in d is a b le to f u n c tio n p e rf e c tly w ith only a fra c tio n o f th e b ra in . F o r fun, try on th e follow ing id e a in y o u r m in d f o r a m in u te : Your a w a re n e ss is a c tu a lly n e v e r in y o u r p h y s ic a l b o d y . It is in s o m e n o n p h y s­ ical place, e a v e s d ro p p in g o n t h e in p u t f ro m t h e p h y s ic a l s e n s e s (h ea rin g , sight, sm ell, ta s te , a n d to u c h ) , w h ic h a r e in t h e p h y s ic a l b o d y . You can view th e physical b ra in a s th e lin k t h a t c o n n e c ts t h e p h y s ic a l b o d y with h e a w a re n e s s . I th in k o f th e b r a in a s a g ia n t a n te n n a . It a s s e m b le s input fro m th e physical s e n s e s a n d p r e s e n t s t h e r e s u lt a s a c h e m ic al-ele c tric a l 22

vo»f #8 vo»r "

•Id, i»cUI would th

10*

,lf. Bu*

4. After a while, this role of o bserver will b en efit y o u r spiritual grow th. By way o f m etaphor, it is easier to see th e o p p o rtu n itie s d u rin g a soc­ cer gam e if you are w atching it from th e au d ien ce p latfo rm th a n if

rology p ro fe s s o r

y ' e. r»i5fS > ti"s yOl" '

0f com

,, ,-elatt

Awareness s ta te .

Y our a w a r e n e s s t h e n r e a d s th is s ta t e o f th e b ra in . In th is sc en a rio

th e ph y sic a l b o d y is a v e h ic le t h e a w a r e n e s s u se s in o r d e r to in te ra c t w ith th e p h y sic a l w o rld , a n d t h a t v e h ic le is re m o te ly c o n tro lle d . T h is r a is e s a n in te r e s t in g q u e s tio n : If th e a w a re n e s s is you, th e n w h at is y o u r p h y sic a l b o d y ? Q u ite p o ssib ly , th e p hysical b o d y is j u s t a fig­ m e n t o f y o u r im a g in a tio n . P e r h a p s t h e p h y sic a l b o d y is so m e th in g y our a w a re n e s s h a s in v e n te d . P e r h a p s e v e n t h e w h o le p h y sical w o rld is so m e ­ th in g y o u r a w a r e n e s s h a s in v e n te d f o r yo u to p lay w ith . If w e a ssu m e y our im a g in a tio n is a p a r t o f y o u , t h e n th is w o u ld m e a n t h a t th e physi­ cal w o rld , in c lu d in g t h e p h y sic a l b o d y , is y o u . E x p e rie n c in g th e physical w orld w o u ld t h e n b e a p e r f e c t o p p o r tu n ity fo r yo u to le a r n a b o u t y o u r­ self. B ut o f c o u r s e , u n til w e h a v e e x p lo r e d m o re o f o u r n a tu r e , th e bodya w a re n e s s r e la tio n w ill r e m a in a n a r e a o f s p e c u la tio n .

Friday, A p ril 5, 2 0 0 2 The Return o f the Veil I have com e dow n from m y amazing trip, in which I saw everything from a very high place. I am m y old boring se lf again. I think the mind veil was removed during this last week or two. I was m ore ‘‘so u l”than I have ever been. I felt in understanding, even union, with everything. I understood everything that happened. I understood it, but I could not explain it in words. A friend asked m e for help. I could clearly feel the solu­ tion for his problem, but I could not express it in words. The few words I managed to stutter did not do it justice and were completely misinterpreted. How frustrating. W hen the veil was lifted, I was no longer fearful or worried. I was free o f the human condition! My state o f knowing knocked all those things out o f the way. Those emotions are unnecessary, but it is hard to get rid o f them when one is in the “normal human state. I felt immortal, invincible. If troubles would come my way, I knew with­ out a doubt that I would survive. Even if the b ody failed, I would still be intact. I s a w the spirit w orld. It a p p e a r e d to m e a s a giant sp h e re floating in a d ark void. It w as m a d e o ut o f sm a lle r sp h e r e s o f b r o w n sm oke. I felt the nature o f the sphere. It alw ays pulls a p e r so n in the right direction, so o n e is n e v e r d o n e for if o n e m akes mis­ takes. There is alw ays a c h a n ce to get b a c k o n o u r feet, sh o u ld w e fall. You might think o f it a s a c o m p a ss that is co n tin u o u sly a va ilab le to us. The c o m p a ss p oints out the right direction, n o matter h o w lost w e get. This is the n ature o f existence. But o f course, we ignore the c o m p a ss m ost o f the time. I have spent m ost o f m y life looking for reasons to d o things. Without the veil, I did

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f Reality things just because I felt like it, o r because I knew they were right. There u>as no need for reasons. In fact, there was nothing called reasons. There were n o logical concepts o f cause and effect. I could see how everything interacted in the sphere, a n d it was far from logical.

1 .1#

.if to 3

I have searched tirelessly for the p u r p o se o f this life. I felt like I w as running arou nd in circles, trying every path to se e w hich way w as best for me. W h e n the veil was lifted, the p u rp o se w as obvious. It cam e to m e a s a feeling that I c o u ld not put into words. N ot o nly that, but I k n e w the general p u r p o s e o f all lives. This too w as a feeling, o r state o f knowing. N o w I am n o longe r in that state, so I can't access that feeling. W hen in this state, I grew v ery headstrong. M y will c o u ld m o v e m ountains. I was

r< p L

single-minded, locked o n target. I w as co nfident that I c o u ld d o anything if I put my m ind to it, which I did. N o w that the veil is b a c k in place, I get distracted b y little things, this a n d that, a n d w hat I intende d to d o n e v e r gets d on e. Little d o u b ts get in m y way. From what I h a v e seen in the spirit world, I k n o w I am putting o bstacle s in m y ow n way in order to stop m yself! W hat a w aste o f life it is to d o u b t yourself.

I lost touch with m y human emotions. I no longer felt guilt, remorse, or pity. I felt that everyone was capable o f taking care o f their own lives and changing them for the better, so I am sorry to say I was annoyed by complaints m ade by people around me. Everyone has the power to take action and make what is wrong for them right, but instead they choose to blame everything and everyone around them. They do this sub­ consciously. From my point o f view, it feels like such a waste o f time and energy. If peo­ ple put as much effort into fixing themselves as they pu t into complaining, they would soon run out o f things to complain about. I no longer cared where m y life w ould take me. I did not even care if I m ade mis­ takes, although, in my state o f knowing— where I could see the truth behind every­ thing— there was little risk o f making mistakes. With my n ew found power, I could get

•i*#™

out o f any situation, because I was no longer a slave to obligations, emotional debts,

S i*

or even consideration. The truth is that each person has the p ow er to manage any sit­

»«pe

uation. You can hurt them, disappoint them, or even d u m p them on their wedding day.

W|*i,

They will get back on their feet eventually. The p o w er is within them. It is our nature to endure and overcome. It is a beautiful nature, an d the only reason we feel like giving in sometime is that we temporarily forget that beauty. The only thing that can truly hurt a person is that person allowing himself to be held down by strings to unhealthy life situations. Take a look at yo u r own life. Is there anything you do not feel like doing? Then break free, go yo u r own way, detach from your responsibilities. Everyone deserves freedom. You are a free being. You are bounded and unrestricted. The only thing holding y o u back is you.

K>

Awareness

re u>as „

rhis may sound coW /or a hum an, bu t when (he mind veil is gone, (he word "coId" does nol euen exis/. In fact, all judgm ents are gone. Forgiveness Is natural. There is no need

lo ask for forgiveness or go through any painful process to forgive someone. The

soul has no need for judgm ents. In fact, judgm ents are unhealthy. Judgments create

me-

emotional attachments. Attachm ents h o ld yo u down. In a way, judging another person is sentencing yourself to a life em otionally attached to your judgment o f that person. Treating another person negatively in thoughts or in acts is the same as changing the perfectly beautiful nucleus that is you. Each person is com plete in h im self We already have everything toe need inside. We have no n e e d to com pete for anything. In spite o f this, we cling to each other, try­ ing to make the other provide w hat w e think w e are lacking. We try to bury the compe­ tition, so we can get w hat we want fo r ourselves. W here does this behavior originate? I think that a long tim e ago, as we went from tribes to larger societies, we forgot our tribal pledge to help each other. Since then, we have come to view our fellow beings as com petitors— predators fighting over the sam e prey. We act as if we are dead scared that what we are striving fo r will suddenly run out, not remembering that it can never run out because w e already ha ve it within. Little do we know that there is no way we can get w hat we want by taking it from whatever is around us. We have to change this behavior. We have to realize who we are. Our ultimate desire is to be free. How do we go about achieving this? We search all around fo r som ething to p rovide us freedom . We hope that we will have good polit­ ical leaders who will respect our free will, a nd we strive to build up some wealth to pro­ vide financial freedom . We fail to see that freedom is a state o f mind, and there is no way on Earth a politician o r m oney can set us free if our minds are enslaved. We have to free our minds before we can b ecom e free. W hat is more, we have to do it ourselves, because there is no other person w ho can do it for us. , a l * w s'

O n e p e r so n d o e s n o t n e e d a n o t h e r to b e com plete, a lth o u g h w e som etim es team u p to h e lp e a ch o the r re m e m b e r this w h o le n e ss. I co n fe ss w h e n the veil started to co m e b a c k a n d the feeling o f co n n e c t io n to eve ryth ing w a s fading, I w as beginning to realize that I h a d a strong s u b c o n s c io u s n e e d to b e loved. It d a w n e d o n m e that I h ad bee n o n a w ild g o o s e c h a se fo r s o m e o n e to g iv e m e lo v e w ithout realizing that I was already lo v e d m o re than I c o u ld e ve r a s k for. A ll that heart-aching loneliness h a d been

. s r f '0 "

com pletely unnecessary. M o st o f m y teenage y e a rs I

had su b co n scio u s ly bee n looking

for a p e rso n w h o w o u ld g iv e m e love. A n d w h e n I f o u n d it, I w o u ld feel trapped, like

i H / e ,s ,| „> , d e » c' you ar£

an addict trapped by his drug. In this case, the drug w a s love. At the sa m e time, the other p erso n w o u ld be trapped. N o w I realize I lo v e d myself. The w hole universe

Astral Projection a n d the Nature o f Reality loved me. Not because I was me, but because I was. M y quest for loue-prouiders is over. / am content a n d self-sufficient. I n o w love people unconditionally. It d oe s not matter whether they are half a w orld away; they are still in m y heart. It doe s not matter if they step all ove r me o r try intentionally to hurt me. Love is unaffected. Tha t is u ncon­ ditional love— loving without wanting anything back.

Remember that love for oneself is one o f the most fundamental and important workings in the universe. This seems to come automatically when the mind veil is lifted. When you love yourself, the need for others to supply affection disappears. And with that, jealousy and other negative emotions that the ego uses to manipulate you into securing affection disappear. As a result, love becomes your natural state. Not human love, but love on a much higher level. It is so natural, you do not even reflect on it. You no longer worry about whether other people love you back, for you know they do even if they do not realize it themselves. Love is always there, it is our natural state, but there is so much junk piled on top o f it, most o f the time we can’t sense it. Achieving love can’t b e the goal o f your life quest, but remembering that love could be. That is a worthy quest.

Between Ego and Soul

The Birth o f th e Ego C o m p a r e d t o o u r s p ir i t h o m e w o r ld , p h y s ic a l life is re la tiv e ly re c e n t a n d u n e x p lo r e d . You a n d I, a s s p ir i ts , i n c a r n a t e d in to th is p h y sic a l life in o r d e r to f in d o u t w h a t it is a n d t o s e e if o u r p h y s ic a l v e h ic le s (o u r b o d ­ ies) c a n s u rv iv e it. P h y s ic a l life is a c h a lle n g e , t h e r e is n o d e n y in g th a t. W h e th e r w e a r e b ig o r s m a ll, r ic h o r p o o r , c le v e r o r slow , p h y sical life is d iffic u lt. 1 h a t is b e c a u s e w e a r e e x p lo r in g a n e w ly c r e a te d fro n tie r. U ntil w e f ig u re o u t h o w to d e a l w ith t h e p h y s ic a l, w e will c o n tin u e to s tru g g le . D u rin g o u r in itia l e x p lo r a ti o n o f t h e p h y s ic a l, w e d isc o v e re d th a t, c o m p a r e d to o u r n o n p h y s ic a l c o u n t e r p a r t s , o u r p h y s ic a l b o d ie s a re Very ^r a ‘* a ° d r e q u i r e a lo t o f a tt e n ti o n . T o h e lp u s w ith th is , w e d evel­ o p e d e g o s to m o n it o r t h e p h y s ic a l b o d ie s a n d m a k e s u r e th e y h a d all th e fo o d , w a te r, a n d s h e l t e r t h e y n e e d e d in o r d e r t o s u rv iv e , a s well as th e m e a n s to g e t fo o d , w a te r , a n d s h e l t e r in t h e f u tu r e ( so m e th in g we m m o d e r n tim e s c all s e c u r ity ) . H a d w e n o t h a d o u r e g o s, o u r b o d ies w ould p ro b a b ly n o t h a v e liv ed lo n g e n o u g h fo r u s to e x p lo re m u ch o f th e ph y sic a l.

Astral Projection a n d the Na tu re o f Reality W e designed th e ego specifically to c o m p a re w h a t w as b e n eficial a n d w hat d e trim e n ta l to th e physical body. B efore th a t, it h a d b e e n u n n e c essa ry for us to value o ne Ihing o v e r a n o th e r , b u t in th e physi­ cal w orld we did n o t have th a t luxury. W ith th e ab ility to c o m p a re cam e c a te g o riz a tio n . W e s ta r te d filing e x p e rie n c e s a c c o rd in g to w h e th e r wo th o u g h t th e y w e re good o r b a d fo r th e body. T h is b e c a m e

y

Id th " „e

o * ici1 '

a h abit a n d soon we w e re ju d g in g e v e ry th in g t h a t c a m e o u r w ay. W e b e c am e inca p a b le o f a p p re c ia tin g e x p e rie n c e s sim p ly fo r o c c u rrin g . If we a tte m p te d to re m a in n o n ju d g m e n ta l, t h e e g o a lw a y s in te r f e r e d as it c o lo re d th e e x p e rie n c e s e ith e r g o o d o r b a d . O u r p e r c e p tio n o f th e w o rld a ro u n d us t u rn e d b lac k (b a d ) a n d w h ite (g o o d ). S o o n w e fo u n d it difficult to th in k in a n y o t h e r te r m s . In o u r t r u e n a tu r e , w e w ould n o t have a p p lie d a n y c o lo r a t all. T h e c lo s e s t w e c o u ld g e t w ith t h e ego w as gray. W ith c a te g o riz a tio n c a m e ju d g in g o t h e r p e o p le . T h is is s o m e th in g w e w ould n e v e r d r e a m o f d o in g a n y w h e r e e ls e . B u t in t h e p h y s ic a l, th e

Til" 1 it g‘>el

refor6 *prfsociety’

i

tt»

(er a,1(1

"'8

o It

„

in abu^ „ „f future * ’nC , l.e and sh e *-• water, a"0 bESt to trade the lheir o w n futures

ego felt w e h a d to k n o w w h e th e r a p e r s o n w a s a t h r e a t to t h e p h y sical body. As if t h a t w e re n o t e n o u g h , w e s t a r t e d ju d g in g o u r s e lv e s , s o r t ­

This is the b

ing o u r ow n a c tio n s a s to g o o d o r b a d . A t t h e r is k o f o u r a c tio n s e n d ­ ing up in th e “b a d b u c k e t,” w e h a d to in v e n t r e a s o n in o r d e r to e s tim a te w h e th e r t h e c o n s e q u e n c e s o f a n a c tio n w e r e lik e ly to tu r n o u t good o r b a d . In o r d e r to m a k e g o o d e s tim a tio n s , r e a s o n h a d to b e a b le tell ca u se from effect, c o n c e p ts b e lo n g in g to r e a s o n only. To a c h ie v e th is , rea so n o rg an ized ev e n ts in a tim e lin e . W ith th a t , t h e c o n c e p t o f tim e w a s b o rn . R eason h a d th e a m a z in g ab ility to n o t o n ly tell w h e t h e r a n e v e n t h ad o c c u rre d in th e p a s t o r will o c c u r in t h e f u tu r e , b u t a ls o to tell w h e th e r we should w o rry a b o u t th e e v e n t. A n d b e c a u s e r e a s o n is so d e d ic a te d , w o rry b e c am e a big p a r t o f o u r daily p h y sic a l lives. W ith o u r n ew to o l c a lle d r e a s o n , w e r a tio n a liz e d a w a y all o th e r m o d es o f th in k in g . W e fo u n d th e m to b e u n r e a s o n a b le . In tim e , r e a ­ son re p la c e d o u r u su a l m e a n s o f th in k in g : i n tu itio n a n d k n o w in g . By

S » c h 00ses “^ e p o o , s fan

'“rite .

sh u ttin g dow n in tu itio n , w e s e v e r e d th e lin k to o u r t r u e n a tu r e . B u t it did n o t s to p t h e r e . R e a so n w e ig h s e v id e n c e a n d e x p e r ie n c e a g a in st p o ssib ilitie s in o r d e r to tell w h a t is p r o b a b le a n d w h a t is n o t. In this m a n n e r, r e a s o n c o n s id e r e d all p r e v io u s e x p e r ie n c e s in t h e physical 28

' ‘tat of.

Between Ego and Soul 91 * « . h and. ignoring th e fa c t t h a t it h a d n o e x p e rie n c e o u tsid e th e physical,

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c o n c lu d e d

th a t it is r e a s o n a b le to a s s u m e th a t t h e r e is n o th in g m o re to

the w orld th a n t h e p h y s ic a l. W ith t h a t , w e h a d p u t th e fin ish in g touches on o u r n e w r e a lity : W e d e n ie d o u r t r u e n a tu r e a n d th e ex is­ tence o f o u r s p ir it h o m e w o rld .

The Reign o f the Ego T h e ego ta k e s its j o b o f e n s u rin g p h y sic a l su rv iv al v e ry seriously; th ere fo re it g o e s to e x tr e m e s to s e c u r e fo o d , w a te r, a n d sh e lte r. In m o d ­ e rn society, w e n e e d m o n e y to t r a d e fo r e v e ry th in g , in clu d in g food, w ater, a n d s h e lte r, s o n a tu r a lly t h e e g o w o rk s v e ry h a rd to c o lle c t m oney in a b u n d a n c e . It r e a s o n s t h a t t h e m o re m o n e y w e h a v e , th e la r g e r o u r chance o f f u tu re s u rv iv a l. T h o s e eg o s a lr e a d y in p o s se ssio n o f food, w ater, a n d s h e lte r k n o w th e v a lu e o f th o s e p o s s e s s io n s a n d so d o th e ir b est to t r a d e th e m fo r a s m u c h m o n e y a s p o s s ib le in o r d e r to se c u re th eir ow n fu tu re s. T his is th e b a s is o f th e e c o n o m y o f W e s te rn society. F ood, w a te r, a nd s h e lte r a r e th e n e e d s o f o u r p h y sic a l b o d ie s , a n d th e e c o n o m ic sys­ tem o f t r a d e is w h a t t h e e g o in v e n te d to s e c u r e th e m fo r th e fu tu re . This system , o f c o u rs e , only w o rk s fo r th e eg o s t h a t h av e so m e th in g o f value to tra d e fo r m o n e y o r fo o d , w a te r, a n d s h e lte r. T h e e g o s t h a t lack th e s e m ean s o f t r a d e —t h a t is, p o o r eg o s—a r e p a in fu lly a w a re o f th is fact. Ironically, w h e n w e in v e n te d m o n ey in o r d e r to in c re a s e o u r secu rity , we invented pov e rty , th e o p p o s ite o f secu rity . A s so u ls, w e re c o g n iz e t h a t all b e in g s a r e e q u a l a n d th a t we d e p e n d u p o n e a c h o t h e r to s u rv iv e . T h e w ay o f th e soul w ould b e to s h a re a n d m a k e s u re n o b o d y la c k s th e fu n d a m e n ta l p h ysical n e e d s . But th e ego c h o o se s to go t h e o p p o s ite way. F e a rfu l o f a c tu a lly b e c o m in g one o f th o s e p o o r e g o s, it in v e n ts e v e r m o re w ays to s ta y w ealth y . T he ego’s fav o rite w e a p o n in th is fig h t is g r e e d , w h ich s e e m s , for so m e inexplicable r e a s o n , to g ro w as o u r w e a lth g ro w s. W h e n w e give in to th e fe a r of b e c o m in g p o o r, w e allow th e ego to in c re a se its in flu en ce on o u r lives. T his subconscious p ro ce ss in flu en ces o u r physical lives to such a d eg ree th a t in m any cases th e e g o ’s n e e d for w e a lth b eco m es th e only

Astral Projection a n d the Nature o f Reality m otivating factor in ou r physical lives. O ur original m otivation, th e explo­ ration of the physical, has been pushed asid e. O n only a few occasions do w e allow ou r desire for exploration to guide us, a n d th a t is w h en we go on vacation. And we only allow th a t to h a p p e n if th a t vacation does not u nderm ine th e ego’s m ean s o f collecting w e alth . In W e ste rn society, we call it a paid vacation.

Passions T h e a c t o f physical ex p lo ra tio n is m o tiv a te d by p a ssio n s, su b jects th a t highly in te re s t us. E very p e rs o n has a s e t o f p a s sio n s , w h ich guide us to th e physical situ a tio n s w e w ish to e x p lo re . F o r e x a m p le , if I, as a soul, have a p assion for e x ploring th e ph ysical c o sm o s, I m ig h t w a n t to in c a rn a te into a physical fam ily w ith tie s to N A SA. O r p e rh a p s I w ould select a fa th e r o r m o th e r w ho is a pilot. M y p a ssio n fo r co sm ic explo­ ratio n w ould th e n f u rth e r a s sis t m e by m o tiv a tin g m e to b e c o m in g an as tro n a u t. As an a s tro n a u t, I w ould b e in a n o p tim a l situ a tio n fo r ex p lo r­ ing th e physical cosm os. T hese p a ssio n s a re e x tre m e ly i m p o r ta n t to w h o w e a r e a n d to o u r physical a n d m en ta l well-being. If w e allow th e e g o to s u p p re s s o u r p as­ sions, w e lose touch w ith o u r initial in te n tio n to e x p lo re a n d fin d o u r­ selves w o n d e rin g w h a t o n E a r th w e a r e d o in g o n E a r th . W h e n w e com e to a p o in t w h e re w e fo rg e t w hy w e a r e in th e p h y sic a l, t h e physical b eco m es a n ig h tm a re —w e feel d e p re s s e d a n d lo st, lik e a le a f b e in g cast ab o u t in th e w ind. D uring child h o o d , w e a r e w ell a w a re o f o u r p a s s io n s . W e k n o w w h at o u r sp e cia lties a re . O u r sp e c ia ltie s —w h a t w e d o w ell—a r e sim p ly w h a t we think is fun, any th in g w e a r e p a s s io n a te a b o u t. W e w a n t to c o n trib u te to society w ith th e s e sp e cia lties; u n fo rtu n a te ly , a s w e a r e sc h o o le d , w e re a l­ ize th a t W e ste rn society is a v e ry h a rs h a n d c o m p e titiv e p la c e in which to live. W e le a rn th a t w e have to b e s tr e a m lin e d in o r d e r to su rv iv e in W e ste rn society. L ittle by little, w e le a r n t h a t o u r c h ild h o o d p assio n s c a n ’t help us a c q u ire food, w a te r, a n d s h e lte r. To survive, w e have to s u p p re s s th o s e p a s s io n s , m a y b e b ru s h th em oil as childhood fa n ta s ie s a n d fo cu s o n a tta in in g t h e m e a n s (ed u c a tio n , p ractical e x p e rie n c e ) to s e c u r e food, w a te r, a n d s h e lte r. In th e end,

Between Ego an d Soul society n e v e r b e n e f i ts f r o m o u r s p e c ia ltie s b e c a u s e w e c h o o s e to a b a n ­ don th e m . T h is is a s t r o u b l in g a s it is u n f o r t u n a te . O u r tra n s fo rm a tio n from in d iv id u a ls w h o a r e m o ti v a te d by p a s s io n s to in d iv id u a ls w h o a re m o tiv a te d b y t h e n e e d to p h y s ic a lly s u rv iv e is, o f c o u r s e , b r o u g h t a b o u t by th e e g o . W ith o u r p a s s i o n s c o m f o r ta b l y b u r i e d in t h e c e lla r o f o u r m in d s, o u r e g o s c a n g e t a f ir m g r ip o n u s . F r o m n o w o n , o u r liv es will b e a c o n s ta n t n o n p a s s i o n a t e s tr u g g l e f o r s e c u r ity : a j o b , m o n e y , a c a r, a s p o u s e , a h o u s e , a n d a r e t i r e m e n t . I c a u g h t m y s e lf t h e o t h e r d ay th in k ­ ing, “I a m s o p o o r , h o w w ill I a ff o r d g r a v e c a r e w h e n I d i e ? ” A nd 1 am only 2 5 y e a r s o ld ! T h e e g o n e v e r c e a s e s in s is tin g t h a t w e s e c u r e o u r f u tu r e , s o m u c h s o t h a t w e a c tu a lly liv e m o r e f o r t h e f u tu r e t h a n for th e p r e s e n t . S o m e ti m e s o u r p a s s i o n s r i s e u p to t h e s u r f a c e a n d g r a b o u r a tt e n ­ tio n , b u t t h e y a r e q u ic k ly d e n i e d a s t h e e g o k ic k s in a n d te lls u s t h a t th o s e p a s s i o n s d o n o t h a v e b e a r i n g in th is s o c ie ty . D u rin g c e rta in tim e s o f c h a n g e , p a s s i o n s r e g u l a r l y p o p u p in o r d e r t o w a k e u s up fro m o u r e g o - in d u c e d s lu m b e r . T h is r e s u l ts in a c o n flic t b e tw e e n p a s ­ sio n a n d t h e e g o . T h is c o n f l i c t f r u s t r a t e s a n d c o n fu s e s u s, so s o m e o f u s t a k e to a lc o h o l o r o t h e r d r u g s in o r d e r to e s c a p e t h e e g o o r fo rg e t th e p a s s i o n s . In t h e m id s t o f t h i s , w e a s k o u r s e lv e s : “Is th is life ? ” Is it? N o . L iv in g w i t h o u t p u r s u i n g o u r p a s s io n s is a w a s te o f life. If w e d e n y o u r p a s s i o n s , w e d e n y t h e r e a s o n fo r w h ic h w e c a m e to E a r th , w h ic h is to e x te n d o u r s e l v e s b y e x p lo r a ti o n . It is a s u s p e n d e d e x is­ t e n c e , in w h ic h w e a r e n e v e r s a ti s f i e d . T h e e g o c a n n e v e r b e s a tis fie d , b e c a u s e w e c a n n e v e r g u a r a n t e e t h a t w e will a lw a y s h a v e a c c e s s to fo o d , w a t e r , a n d s h e lt e r , a n d o t h e r th in g s o f v a lu e in th e p h y sical w o rld . A b s o lu te p e r s o n a l s e c u r i ty is u n o b ta in a b le . S a tis fa c tio n c a n only b e w o n by fu lfillin g o u r p a s s io n s .

Astral Projection and the Nature o f Reality

Exercise: Reclaiming Passions Imagine th at suddenly, as if by some incredible quickening of com­ passion, all hum ans on Earth decide to work for each other, making sure everyone has food, water, shelter, and other things th a t make physical life comfortable. It is not so farfetched: we already have the technology to feed every person on this planet. Imagine th a t all dull jobs are a u to m ated . All food and other resources are grown and harvested by m achines, which are ru n by a never-ending supply o f solar and ocean wave energy. In th a t scenario, you would never have to pay ren t o r buy food, b u t y o u w ould have everything you need anyway. Consequently, yo u w ould never have to take a jo b unless you really liked th a t jo b . W h a t w ould y o u be doing in this m om ent? W hat w o u ld y o u dedicate y o u r life to doing? Anything you com e u p w ith is a passion. W rite th em dow n in y our jo urnal. Then ask y ourself how h u m an society w ould change because of

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b ecau se p r o je c tio n a llo w s u s to t r a v e r s e t h e p h y sic a l so t h a t w e m ay explore o t h e r p a r t s o f t h e C r e a ti o n a n d f in d o u t h o w th e p h ysical rela te s to th e m .

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create an a lte rn a tiv e w o rld f o r o u r s e lv e s . T h is a lte rn a tiv e w o rld b le e d s int0 o u r s h a re d re a lity , e n c o u ra g in g it to b e c o m e m o re like w e im ag in e. Some call th e a lte r n a tiv e w o rld a fa n ta s y o r a n illu sio n ; still it is h ard ly any diffe re n t fro m o u r s h a r e d p h y sic a l re a lity . B o th a r e c re a te d from thought a n d b o th e x is t o n ly in o u r m in d s . Im agination is o u r b e s t to o l fo r c re a tio n . In fac t, o u r im ag in ation decides how th e ph y sic a l w o rld p la y s o u t. Im a g in atio n is also a tool we can use in o r d e r to s e n s e p a r t s o f th e C r e a tio n th a t w e c a n ’t p e rc e iv e w ith

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our physical s e n s e s . W e c a n r e a c h o u r in tu itio n , c re a tiv ity , a n d p assio n s. We can ta lk to s p ir it g u id e s , frie n d s w h o h a v e p a s s e d o n , a n d o th e r p a rts of ourselves. B ut o u r se lf-in v e n te d b e lie fs m a k e u s look d o w n on im agina­ tion as s o m e th in g u n i m p o r ta n t, w h e n in fa c t it m ay b e th e m o st im p o r­ ta n t se n se w e c a n e v e r h o p e to d e v e lo p . A m a n can lo se his physical eyes and get by, b u t w h e r e w o u ld h e b e w ith o u t im a g in a tio n ? H e w ould b e cut off from th e n o n p h y s ic a l r e a lm s a n d b e f o rc e d to w a n d e r u tte rly lost, w ithout a ny p a s sio n to gu id e h im to w h e r e h e w a n ts to go.

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Astral Realities

Sunday, Decem ber 22, 2002 A ttem p t a t a C lose-to-P hysical OBE I feeI a n e e d to a c h ie v e a n O B E d o s e to the p h y sica l, that is, to interact o n the p h y sical p la n e o u tsid e m y b od y, in o r d e r to u n d e r s t a n d h o w the p h y s ic a l relates to the astral. H o w are the tw o s e e m in g ly d ifferent r e a lm s c o n n e c t e d ? W h a t n atu ral p h e n o m ­ e n o n h o ld s them togeth er? In the evening, I d e c id e n o t to g o fo r a n O B E. I h a v e s o m e fe e lin g s o f disap p oin tm ent that there m ight n o t b e m u c h o f a C h rist m a s this year, a n d t h o s e fe e lin g s might m ake the O B E a n u n p le a sa n t experience. I w a k e u p at a p p ro x im a t e ly 10 p.m . After a sh ort b ath room visit, I g o b a c k to b e d a n d — in sp it e o f m y d e c is io n — drift into a weird state o f m ind. I just re lax m y m in d a n d sit m y a stral b o d y up. M y p h y s ic a l b o d y resists a n d I am p u lle d b a c k d o w n a s if I a m a t t a c h e d b y r u b b e r b a n d s. I sit u p aga in a n d add a little twist/rotation to the m o ve m e n t. I exit a n d g lid e d o w n to the right. I sta bilize the projection b y sitting d o w n a n d m ed itatin g o n the c e n t e r o f m y c h e st f o r a fe w seconds. Then I get stressed out. I w ant to d o a s m u c h a s p o s sib le , a n d I n e v e r k n o w h o w long I am able to stay o ut here. I k n o w B arb is still a w a k e next to m e in b e d . I flo a t o v e r t o w h a t I su sp e c t is her P ysicaI b ody. I grab h e r a rm s a n d s h a k e h e r v io le n tly w h ile I y e ll h e r n a m e o v e r and

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over. I think this is a g o o d experim ent. If B a rb notice s a n y m o ve m e n t o r s o und, then that is eviden ce that I a m affecting p h y sic a l m atter from

a n o n p h y s ic a l origin. The astral

Barb I see w ants to b e left alone. S h e g r o a n s " n o . . . n o ... n o . " I leave h e r alone. There is a n in v is ib le p r e s e n c e b e h in d me. At the time, I d o not reflect o n it. The presence feels natural, like it is s u p p o s e d to b e there. The p r e se n ce sa ys to me, "Th at’s not h ow it’s d o n e [projecting to the p h y s i c a l ] " I just k n o w that is w hat the prese nce wants m e to know . H e feels lik e a m a le m e n t o r w h o is co rrecting a fu m b lin g student (me) w hile sh a k ­ ing his he a d in d isb e lie f o f m y clu m sin e ss. I k n o w h e th inks p rojecting to the p hysical is com m on k n o w le d g e an d , therefore, I s h o u ld alre a d y k n o w h o w to d o it, b ut he d o e s not m ind instructing me. B ut w h e n all this is h ap p en in g, I still h a v e not a c kn o w le d ge d his presence. I a m t o o b u s y ca rryin g o u t m y exp erim ents to notice him. I w ant to return to m y b o d y to s e e if B a r b n o tice d m y attem pt to contact her. In a few se con ds, I return slightly groggy. S h e is p e a ce fu lly re a d in g in bed. It is app are nt that sh e h a s noticed nothing a n d s h e tells m e s o w h e n I ask. I slu m b e r o ff a n d slip into the astral. M y astral projection is p la g u e d b y nightm are­ like beings a n d eve n ts a n d I re pea te dly w ak e u p w ith m y heart beating too fast a n d m y mind blu rred with p a n ic k y fear. In the last sh o rt astral slum ber, I clearly hea r footsteps walking ra pidly a n d d ete rm in ed ly o n gravel. I s n a p b a c k to w aking reality. I a m terri­ fied. Is there so m e o n e a p p ro a c h in g the h o u s e at this late h o u r ? W e live in the m iddle o f a desert. P eo p le se ld o m c o m e here, a n d n o b o d y e ve r c o m e s after dark. I d o n ’t hear

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anything. W a s it a w arning that s o m e o n e will c o m e in the n ear future? Finally, I calm do w n . I re m e m b e r other o c c a s io n s o f astral noises. Nothing h a p ­ pened then, s o I s h o u ld b e safe n o w a s well. P erh ap s it w as that prese nce w anting m e to kn ow he is co m ing clo se r? I realize there h a d be e n a presence. I am very disap­

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pointed. The p re se n ce c o u ld h a v e taught m e valuable inform ation (as a re sp o nse to m y request?), exactly the inform ation I h a d p la n n e d to obtain, if I h a d o nly noticed him. I ask the prese nce in m y m ind: " I f that is not h o w it is done, then h o w is it d o n e ?" N o reply.

You a re a m u ltid im e n sio n al b ein g . W h a t th a t m ea n s is th a t you a re

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another. B ut th a t is n o t all. You a r e also cap ab le o f existing in all those dim ensions a n d , w ith so m e tra in in g , m ain tain in g y our aw a re n ess in all those d im ensions sim ultaneously. Take, for exam p le, d aydream ing. In a d aydream , you have a w a re n ess in b o th th e w aking physical reality and in a d re a m reality.

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f Reality Being a m ultidim ensional being also m ea n s th a t all d im ensions live w ithin you. T ogether th ey m ake you in to you. A t th e sam e tim e, you are you in all th o se dim ensions. You do n o t ch a n g e fro m d im en sio n to dim ension. You a re one indivisible packag e.

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with t h e ’

Dimensions So w h a t a re th o se d im e n sio n s in w h ic h you c a n e x ist? T h e th re e m o st a p p a re n t d im e n sio n s a r e th e ph y sic a l, t h e d r e a m , a n d th e a stra l. Your th o u g h ts a n d a c tio n s in o n e o f th o s e d im e n s io n s a ffe c t y o u r actions

« are '

in th e o th e rs. F o r e x a m p le , if, con scio u sly o r n o t, yo u a tt e n d a le a r n in g c e n te r in th e a s tra l, th is w ould in flu e n c e a n y d r e a m yo u m ig h t b e h av in g . In th e

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d re a m d im e n sio n , a sc h o o l—p e rh a p s y o u r o ld h ig h sc h o o l o r c o lle g e w ould be c re a te d a n d in c o r p o r a te d in to y o u r c u r r e n t d r e a m . W h e n you

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w ak e up (i.e ., sh ift y o u r a w a r e n e s s to t h e p h y s ic a l d im e n s io n ) , yo u will s e n se th a t s o m e h o w you h a v e g a in e d k n o w le d g e , e v e n if yo u c a n ’t define th a t p a rtic u la r k n o w le d g e . You g a in e d t h e k n o w le d g e in t h e a s tr a l le a rn ­ ing c e n te r, b u t t h a t is n o t e a s y to r e m e m b e r w h e n y o u r a tt e n tio n w as in th e d r e a m d im e n s io n d u rin g t h e e d u c a tio n . H e re is a n o th e r e x a m p le , s o m e th in g t h a t h a p p e n s to m e freq u en tly : W h e n you p ro je c t y o u r a w a r e n e s s to th e a s tr a l, y o u c a n s e n s e an o th er, s e p a ra te p a r t o f yo u e n g a g e d in d r e a m in g . It fe e ls a s if t h e d r e a m is going on b elow th e s u rfa c e o f a n a b s tr a c t la y e r b e lo w y o u , lik e a sw im m in g pool, a n d y o u r p ro je c te d a w a r e n e s s is t h e o n ly p o in t o f y o u t h a t h a s th e head above its s u rfa c e . It is t h e n c le a r t h a t t h e d r e a m is o f y o u r o w n m aking. You also s e e t h a t th e d r e a m in g p a r t o f y o u is u n a w a r e o f th e fa c t th a t it is e n ta n g le d in its o w n d r e a m w o rld . You c a n a ls o n o tic e h o w y o u r actions in th e a s tr a l in flu e n c e th e d r e a m , ta k in g p la c e in t h e d r e a m in g you. T h e s e t h r e e d im e n s io n s a r e g o v e rn e d b y t h o u g h t. T o m a k e things c o m p lic a te d , w e c o u ld s a y t h a t w h a t h a p p e n s in t h e r e a lm o f th o u g h t a ffects w h a t h a p p e n s in t h o s e o t h e r t h r e e d im e n s io n s . Subconscious th o u g h ts a r e v e ry in flu e n tia l in t h e t h r e e dim en sio n s. In th e a stra l, th e su b c o n sc io u s m in d h a s a d ire c t e ffe c t o n th e a s tra l “m atter. W h a te v e r lurks in th e su b c o n sc io u s is m ir r o r e d in t h e a s tr a l p e o p le w e meet a n d th e a stra l o b jec ts th a t s u rr o u n d u s. It is p o ssib le to a ffe c t a s tra l m atter 62

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with conscious th o u g h ts, b u t th e s u b c o n sc io u s in m o st c a se s h as th e u p p e r hand, sim ply b e c a u s e w e c a n ’t d ire c tly c o n tro l w h a t g oes on inside it. In th e d r e a m d im e n s io n , t h e s u b c o n sc io u s h a s e v e n m o re p ow er. T his has to d o w ith t h e fa c t t h a t t h e c o n s c io u s m in d is “offlin e " a n d th e re fo re can’t q u e s tio n t h e e v e n ts in a d r e a m . W h a te v e r th e su b c o n sc io u s co m es up w ith is m a n if e s te d in t h e d r e a m d im e n s io n a s d r e a m situ a tio n s , sym ­

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in th e physical. T h is m ay c a u se y o u r a d d ic tio n s , for ex am p le, to ru n unchecked. F o r e x a m p le , if a p r o je c to r is a d d ic te d to coffee, th e n h e will

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subconsciously c r e a te a n a s tr a l w o rld o f coffee. T h e p ro je c to r h as no

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coffee a d d ic tio n m ay b e , it g e ts in th e w ay o f w h a t th a t p ro je c to r w ants L a te r in th is book, you will e x p e rie n ce firs th a n d how easily you can affect your m ind a n d how m u ch th is affects y o u r en v iro n m en t. Each thought affects a n o th e r th o u g h t, a n d all th o u g h ts a c cu m u late to a resu lt­ ing a stra l e n v iro n m en t. T h is is g r e a t as long as w e have co n tro l over o u r thoughts. T he p ro b le m is w e c a n ’t d irectly co n tro l subconscious thoughts. W e will a d d re s s th is in Circle 3. As m en tio n ed earlier, to le a rn th e way o f th e a stra l, we have to put aside all ou r beliefs con cern in g th e physical. It is a cosily m istake to assum e th a t th e astral looks a n d feels like th e physical. Unfortunately,

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Astral Projection and the Nature o f Reality o ur beliefs about the physical a re rooted deeply in o u r subconscious, and we can’t just step into the subconscious and rea rran g e anything we w ant. T he beliefs of the subconscious a re form ed by ex perience and so by experience m ust be loosened. Subconscious beliefs kick in autom atically w hen we a re conscious, in the physical o r a stra l. Actually, th ey kick in w hen we a re unconscious in d rea m s, too. Have you ev er bro k en a physical law in a d re a m ? You p robably have. You have pro b ab ly gone flying a t o n e tim e o r a n o th e r in a d re a m and m arveled at th e e x p e rie n ce . W h y is t h a t such a special e v ent? It is special only b e c au se you e x p e c te d n o t to b e ab le to fly. W hy

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did you e xpect n o t to be a ble to fly? You a s su m e d th a t th e d re a m world h ad gravity, so you did n o t th in k you co u ld fly. Y our su b co n scio u s cre­ a te d gravity for you, a n d th a t is e x actly h ow th e a s tr a l w o rk s (it is even how th e physical w o rk s). You will b e s u b je c te d only to th e th in g s you c re a te . W h a t will h a p p e n if you m a n a g e to o v e rc o m e th is au to m atic app lication o f su b c o n sc io u s physical b e lie fs ? You will b e fre e o f any physical lim ita tio n s. You will b e f re e to d o a n y th in g . T h a t is th e p o ten ­ tial o f th e a s tr a l—to be a b le to c r e a te a n y th in g . T h e o n ly th in g lim iting you is you.

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A Call for Astral Research O u r sc ie n c e s a r e h o p e le ssly c h a in e d to t h e p h y sic a l d im e n sio n . The g en eral opinion is t h a t a n y th in g t h a t is n o t p h y sic a lly m e a s u ra b le is not rea l. T his d a n g e ro u s a s su m p tio n is a g r e a t lim itin g f a c to r t o th e p ro g ress o f th e hum an m in d . W e c a n a d v a n c e o u r p h y sic a l te c h n o lo g y all w e w ant an d still be novices c o m p a re d to o t h e r c iv iliz a tio n s, b o th a n c ie n t E arth civilizations a n d o th e r-d im e n s io n a l c iv iliz a tio n s. T h a t is, u n le s s w e sta rt developing o u r n o n p h y sic a l te c h n o lo g ie s . W h e n w e fin ally do, w e can

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only ho p e th a t th e b e a u ty o f th is n e w n o n p h y s ic a l f r o n tie r will in sp ire us as a ra c e to a b a n d o n o u r d e s tr u c tiv e b e h a v io r. So far, th e r e s e a r c h o n th e a s tr a l h a s b e e n b a s e d o n physical real­ ity. A typical e x p e rim e n t involves a s u b je c t p r o je c tin g fro m o n e physical ro o m th ro u g h a lo ck e d p h y sic a l d o o r a n d in to a n o th e r ro o m , w h e re he re a d s an in te g e r c o rre c tly . T h is d o e s n o t e v e n a p p r o a c h th e tr u e power o f a s tra l p ro je c tio n . R e s e a rc h e r s a r e t ry in g to p ro v e w h e th e r o r not

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things t h a t a r e n o t r e a l, a n d th e y m a k e a n o th e r in a s su m in g th a t all rea l things r e la te t o t h e p h y s ic a l. E x p e r im e n ta tio n w ith t h e n a tu r e o f t h e a s tr a l s h o u ld n o t ta k e p lace in a physical e n v ir o n m e n t. T h a t w o u ld b e lik e te s tin g y o u r d riv in g skills

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by ta k in g a m a t h t e s t . A s tr a l e x p e r im e n ts m u s t in v e s tig a te th e n a tu r e o f the a s tra l, n o t t h e n a tu r e o f t h e p h y s ic a l. W e m u s t r e m e m b e r t h a t th e a stra l is th e r e a lm o f t h e m in d ; it d o e s n o t follow p h y sic a l law s u n less

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the m in d e n fo r c e s p h y s ic a l law s u p o n itse lf. W h a t p o s s ib le b e n e fit could

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we r e a p b y fo rc in g p h y s ic a l law s u p o n th e m in d d u rin g e x p lo ra tio n o f a

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realm u n c h a in e d b y t h o s e s a m e la w s ? I s u g g e st m o re r e s e a r c h on p a r t­ n e re d p r o je c tio n a n d s h a r e d a s tr a l e n v ir o n m e n ts . A p a r t n e r e d p r o je c tio n e x p e r im e n t in v o lv es a p r o je c tio n w ith tw o o r m o re a s tr a l p r o je c to r s . U p o n re a c h in g a n o n p h y sic a J s ta te , th e p a rtic i­ p a n ts a tt e m p t to c o m m u n ic a te a c c o rd in g to a p r e d e f in e d p ro to c o l, for exam ple, s p e e c h , w ritin g , sig n la n g u a g e , o r m in d -to -m in d . T h e m essa g e s c o m m u n ic a te d a r e k e p t fro m th e r e c ip ie n ts u n til th e a s tr a l c o m m u n ica ­ tion. If t h e p a rtic ip a n ts r e p o r t t h e a c tu a l m e s s a g e a f t e r r e tu r n in g to th e physical, th e e x p e rim e n t is a su c c e s s . By n o m e a n s d o e s th is p ro v e a n y th in g d e fin ite , a s su ch co m m u n ica ­ tion c a n b e a ttr ib u te d to a n y th in g fro m su b lim in a l s u g g e stio n to te le p a ­ thy, b u t it d o e s te a c h us v a lu a b le p o in ts a b o u t th e p ro je c tio n m ec h a n ism , allow ing u s to d e sig n m o re e ffectiv e a s tra l p ro je c tio n te c h n iq u e s a n d m ore p re c is e e x p e rim e n ts . T h e ob v io u s p ro b le m w ith th is ty p e o f e x p e r­ im ent is having to fin d tw o o r m o re p ro je c to r s w h o a re sufficiently

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well with the th re a ts of th e m ind. F u rth er, w e n e e d o u r m ind to ho sh arp and clear, so th a t we can co n sid er o u r op tio n s. T h e re fo re , th e r e should be two kinds of fear: o ne th a t p re p a re s us fo r physical b a ttle , a n d one th at p re p a re s us for m en tal e x e rtio n . U n fo rtu n a tely , o u r em otional m akeup has not yet evolved to provide th e s e c o n d k in d o r fear. Any Tear asso ciated w ith a s tra l p ro je c tio n is a fe a r o r th e m in d . For exam ple, if we get confused a n d d iso rie n te d in th e a s tr a l, fea r m ay kick in. W e p re p a re for b a ttle. T h e p ro b le m is th a t w e d id n o t b rin g o u r phys­ ical body, so w e have no th in g to c a rr y in to b a ttle . E ven if w e did bring th e physical body, any a s tra l th r e a t w ould m o st likely n o t ta k e physical form , a nd so th e physical b o d y w ould hav e n o p o w e r o v e r it.

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A fear o r th e m ind w ould h e lp us h e r e . S u c h a f e a r w o u ld m ak e our m inds c le a rer, th e re b y h e lp in g u s to u n d e r s t a n d o u r su rro u n d in g s. U n fortunately, th is d o e s not h a p p e n . By h a b it, w e r e a c t to a s tr a l th re a ts by p re p a rin g for physical b a ttle .

N o W o r r ie s W o rry is a c o m m o n ty p e o f fe a r. L iving in m o d e r n so c ie ty , you are p ro b ab ly fam ilia r w ith w o rry . A s m o d e r n p e o p le , w e w o r r y a b o u t every­ th in g : D o w e have e n o u g h m o n e y to p a y n e x t m o n th ’s b ills? A re o u r chil­ d re n safe a t s c h o o l? W h a t p o is o n s a r e in o u r fo o d s ? H o w m u c h sunlight

Rarely d o v

can o u r skin ta k e b e fo re it d e v e lo p s c a n c e r ? H o w lo n g c a n w e k eep up

for y ears w ill p

paying th e m o rtg a g e ? T h e lis t is e n d le s s . W e all k n o w w h a t h a p p e n s to

the fear

p e o p le w ho a r e u n a b le to p a y t h e i r b ills. W e s e e t h e m o u ts id e th e mall ev e ry day, fo rc e d to live in h u m ilia tio n a n d s ta r v a ti o n , e v e n th o u g h the co u n try th e y live in e n jo y s o n e o f t h e h ig h e s t s t a n d a r d s o f living in the w o rld . lo d a y ’s W e s te rn s o c ie ty d is p la y s a g ia n t p la q u e sa y in g : “Produce o r P e ris h .” T he c a u se o f o u r c h ro n ic w o r r y is t h a t it is p r o g r a m m e d in to our

becomes lng. o r s i _ _ _ im u j

lts- h has been r

Enin

g en es a s a su rv iv a l in s u r a n c e . A s o u r f o r e f a th e r s r o a m e d th e woods, w o n y in g a b o u t p r e d a t o r s a n d lo n g c o ld w i n t e r s w a s t h e b e s t w ay to sur­ vive th e m . E ven to d ay , t e n s o f t h o u s a n d s o f y e a r s l a te r , th e m o st effec­ tive, w ay to s ta y alive is to w o r r y . T h a t is w h y , e v e n th o u g h we have vo lv td in to h igh-tech p e o p le , w o r r y is a b ig p a r t o f o u r d aily lives. We m ay n o t w o rry a b o u t p r e d a t o r s , b u t w e w o r r y a b o u t m o n ey a n d hous-

70

Al|th, Sij,«oi]S,oug h ts i a f * S„

O ne o f th e u n iv e rs a l law s is th a t fe a r c a n 't e x ist w h e re love exists Love dispels fear. Love is o u r n a tu r a l s ta te o f m in d ; th e re fo re , we can always feel love, in s p ite o f a n y p a in in o u r life. If w e m an a g e to b rea k through th e e m o tio n s o f fea r, g rie f, p a in , a n d a n g e r, w e can a c cess love, and th e n love will a u to m a tic a lly d isp e l a n y v e stig e s o r th o s e negative em otions.

Exercise: Dispelling Fear 1. C lo se y o u r eyes. 2. Relax y o u r m in d . Le t it sin k . 3. M o v e y o u r c e n t e r o f t h o u g h t t o th e c e n t e r o f y o u r chest. 4. C reate a s m a ll p e a rl o f lo ve in th e c e n t e r o f y o u r chest. 5. Let lo ve b e a m o u t f r o m th e p e a rl in all d ire c tio n s . 6. Let t h e lo v e b a t h e e v e r y t h in g a r o u n d y o u . 7. H o w d o y o u fe e l? H a v e a n y w o r r i e s a n d fe a rs s u b s id e d ? 8. R e p e a t th e exe rc ise a s o f t e n a s p o s s ib le s o t h a t it w ill be a n a u t o m a t ic r e sp o n s e t o fe a r in th e astral.

Astral Projection Fears

Each person is u n ique and th e re fo re re a c ts d ifferently to his first astral projection ex perience. Som e fin d it tre m e n d o u sly joyous while others panic. It is a joyous o ccasion, b u t it is h u m an n a tu re to let fear get in the way of anything fun. My first p ro je c tio n s c a re d m e out of my shorts, and I have talked to m any o th e r p ro je c to rs w ho have re a cted in similar ways. It is th e kind o f fear th a t m a k e s you w a n t to tu rn and run as fast as your legs can c a rry you, w hile s c rea m in g a t th e top of your voice. This is com pletely n a tu ra l. O ur subconscious has no clue as to w h a t is h ap p en in g w hen physical reality falls away from o u r se n se s, a n d th a t is en o u g h to sca re even the bravest soul. Even if we have re a d e v ery th in g th e r e is to know about astral projection, fear is a possibility, ev en a pro b ab ility , until we get used to the actual ex p erien ce. Fear not only keeps p eople fro m a tte m p tin g a stra l p ro jectio n , but it also keeps them from p racticing a stra l p ro je c tin g a fte r succeeding the first tim e. Such fear fills no p u rp o se b e ca u se th e re is n o th in g to fear dur­ ing a projection. If you fear a n y th in g a b o u t th e p ro je c tio n experience, do not fret. 1 he fear will sub sid e as you g et m o re u sed to it. I prom ise you

A stra l P roje ctio n Fears

that th e fe a r will d is s ip a te if y o u m a in ta in a loving a n d a d v e n tu ro u s a tti­ tude to w a rd a s tr a l p r o je c tio n , in s p ite o f th e fear. A n d o n c e you get p ast the initial fear, you will love e v e ry m o m e n t o f y o u r tim e in th e a stra l! T h e re a r e m an y f e a r s to c o n q u e r w h e n a tte m p tin g to leave th e body, so to p r e p a r e fo r th e f ir s t a s tr a l p r o je c tio n , w e will look a t so m e o f th e most co m m o n .

Fear o f Not Being A ble to Return W ill you b e a b le to t u r n y o u r a w a r e n e s s b a c k to y o u r b o d y o n c e you have t u rn e d it in to t h e a s tr a l? Y es. It is y o u r b o d y a n d you h av e b e e n a sso ciated w ith it d u r in g y o u r w h o le p h y sic a l lifetim e. You tu rn y our aw a re n ess b a c k to y o u r b o d y e v e ry tim e yo u w a k e u p . F o r a 30-year-old, th a t is a b o u t 1 1 ,0 0 0 tim e s , so you h a v e h a d a lo t o f p ra c tic e . You know the p r o c e d u r e like you k n o w t h e b a c k o f y o u r h a n d . You h av e m a d e it into an a u to m a tic h a b it to s u c h a d e g r e e t h a t y ou n o lo n g e r r e m e m b e r how to c o n scio u sly d o it. If y ou e v e r w a n t to g e t b a c k to y o u r b o d y w h ile in th e a s tra l, all you have to d o is th in k t h e w o r d b o d y a n d th e m e m o ry o f y o u r b o d y will pop into y o u r a w a r e n e s s . Y our m in d will a s s o c ia te th e m e m o ry w ith y o u r actual b o d y a n d t h e n y o u r a w a r e n e s s will b e t u rn e d to y o u r body. You will p ro b a b ly f in d t h a t th e o p p o s ite —re m a in in g p r o je c te d aw ay fro m the body—is a lo t tric k ie r , a t le a s t in th e b e g in n in g . H ow ever, if a s tr a l p ro je c tio n tu r n s in to a co m p u lsio n , th e r e m ig h t be a physical d a n g e r. E v e ry th in g you in te n s e ly d e s ir e will c o m e tru e . If you d e sire to c o n s ta n tly b e in th e a s tr a l, th e n it shall b e so. If you have to a b a n d o n th e b o d y to fulfill y o u r w ish , th e n th a t is th e w ay it h a s to be. Be c a re fu l w h a t you w ish for, fo r you m ig h t g e t it. L et m e re p h r a s e th at: Be c a re fu l w h a t you w ish for, fo r you w ill g et it. Life is a b e a u tifu l gift th a t w e have b e s to w e d u p o n o u rse lv e s, a n d it is difficult to d e s ir e a n y th in g b e tt e r th a n b ein g alive. But so m e tim e s com ­ pulsion g e ts th e b e s t o f us a n d c re a te s d e s ire s so s tro n g th a t we can t avoid allow ing th e m to co m e tru e . In T he D ivine B lu e p rin t,* R o b e rt P e rala p re s e n ts a d istu rb in g case. P e ra la ’s frie n d D evon w as a f re q u e n t a s tra l p ro je c to r. Sh e rep o rted ly d e p a rte d fro m th is life d u rin g an a stra l p ro je c tio n in 1992. H e r body had

Astra! Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality a seizure a nd she failed to r e tu rn to it. W e know m uch to o little ab o u t th e m echanics o f th e soul-body c onnectio n to d e te rm in e a m o re ex a ct cause of h e r d eath. Upon h e r d e a th , A rt. P e ra la ’s frie n d , w e n t in to tra n c e to fin d out w h at h a p p e n ed . He c o n ta c te d so m e s p irits w h o h a d b e e n a ro u n d h e r a t th e tim e. R eportedly, sh e w as in th e h a b it o f a s tr a l p ro je c tin g so fre ­ quently a nd for such long d u ra tio n s th a t h e r c o n n e c tio n (so m e call it th e silver c o rd , but I th in k th a t te r m is m isle a d in g s in c e it m ig h t m a k e us think o f a physical c o rd , w h e re a s th e c o n n e c tio n is n o n p h y sic a l o r sem i­ physical) to h e r body w o re o u t. In s p ite o f p e rs is te n t a tte m p ts , s h e could not get back into h e r body. U n d e rs ta n d a b ly , s h e f re a k e d o u t a n d trie d fo r h o u rs to g et th e a tte n tio n o f th e living. W h e n s h e fin ally ack n o w l­ edged th e d e a th of h e r body, sh e r e g r e tt e d h a v in g h a d s u c h a s tro n g d e sire to sp e n d tim e w ith a s tr a l b e in g s. This is in d ee d a tra g e d y , but. D evon d id n o t d ie in v a in , b e c a u s e she tau g h t us s o m e th in g v alu ab le a b o u t o u rse lv e s. W e a r e h e r e b e c a u s e we love th e e x p e rie n ce o f physical life. In o r d e r to s u s ta in t h a t e x p e rie n c e , w e have to ta k e good c a re o f o u r b o d ie s . T h e m o m e n t w e s to p a p p re c i­ a tin g it, p e rh a p s by d e s irin g to e s c a p e life m o r e th a n d e s ir in g to sta y , th e body fa lte rs a n d o u r d e s ir e is fu lfilled . L ike D e v o n , m a n y o f u s hav e a

would be e ible ti

stro n g d e s ire to e x p lo re th e w o rld s b e y o n d . W e w a n t to k n o w w h a t is b eh ind th e physical. W e have to b a la n c e th is d e s ir e w ith t h e d e s ir e to ex p e rie n ce life, o r a s tr a l p r o je c tio n will t u r n in to a c o m p u ls io n . P erala tells m e he still th in k s a s tr a l p r o je c tio n is r e la tiv e ly sa fe , and I a g re e . As long as w e leave o u r b o d ie s w ith m o d e r a te fre q u e n c y a n d d u ratio n , th e r e is no d a n g e r in v o lv e d . I th in k o n c e p e r w e e k is a n opti­ m al frequency. If you p r o je c t m o re f r e q u e n tly t h a n t h a t , I re c o m m e n d you check yo u r m otives: D o e s life still in trig u e y o u o r a r e yo u try in g to escap e it? How o fte n do p e o p le d ie d u rin g a s tr a l p r o je c tio n s ? F o r u n d e rs ta n d able rea s o n s , t h e r e a r e n o s ta tis tic s . If t h e p r o je c to r ’s b o d y d ie s d uring an a stra l p ro je c tio n , his kin will a s s u m e t h e b o d y d ie d d u rin g sleep, De i von s case is th e only o n e I have c o m e a c ro s s , b u t p e r h a p s t h e r e are m o re. W e sh o u ld se ek to le a r n fro m th e s e . th

80

f ° m e ^ t *18 s'*v e r c o r d is t h e p r o je c te d a w a r e n e s s ’s c o n n e c tio n to Jody. Ih< notio n of a c o rd m ay s p rin g f ro m a th re e -d im e n s io n a l way

ISpurely speculat a * ' the connec . * " ay, she cho

A stra l Proje ction Fears

"O

of looking a t t h e a stra l-p h y s ic a l c o n n e c tio n . S p a c e d o e s n o t ap p ly jn th e astral, a n d so th e id e a o f a c o rd th a t lim its th e d is ta n c e you can travel from yo u r b o d y s e e m s a w k w a rd . T h e a stra l-p h y sic a l c o n n e c tio n is n o n ­ physical o r s e m ip h y s ic a l. It c a n ta k e a n y n u m b e r o f visual form s. D e p e n d in g

o n t h e p e rc e iv e r, it m a y lo o k like a silv e r c o rd , a m ag n etic

field, o r a r u b b e r b a n d . I t d o e s n o t h a v e to b e v isib le a t all. I have seen the silver c o rd o n o n e o c c a s io n , b u t t h a t m ay w ell b e b e c a u s e 1 in te n tio n ­ ally s e a rc h e d fo r it. T h e c o rd I s a w c o u ld h a v e b e e n c r e a te d by m y wish to se e it. U n d e n ia b ly , t h e r e is a n a tt r a c t io n b e tw e e n th e p ro je c te d a w a re n ess a n d t h e p h y sic a l b o d y , b u t to c o n fin e it to a silv e r c o rd w ould be to d isc o u n t th e d iv e rs e n a tu r e o f th e a s tr a l. M any p r o je c to r s w o r r y t h a t s e v e rin g th e a stra l-p h y sic a l c o n n e c tio n — for e x a m p le , a silv e r c o r d —w o u ld c u t o ff t h e ir r e tu r n to th e physical body, leaving t h e p h y sic a l b o d y to its d e m is e . B ut h ow d o you se v er so m e th in g n o n p h y s ic a l? H o w d o yo u s e v e r a c o lo r? H ow d o yo u cut hope, b e a u ty , o r tra n q u illity ? T h e r e is n o p o ssib ility o f sev erin g th e sil­ ver c o rd b y a v io le n t m o v e m e n t. It c a n ’t g e t e n ta n g le d o r w ra p p e d a ro u n d a n y th in g , j u s t a s yo u c a n ’t w r a p a c o lo r a ro u n d an y th in g . It w ould b e e x tr e m e ly d iffic u lt t o s e v e r th e astra l-p h y sic a l c o n n e ctio n in a tangible m a n n e r. Like a n y th in g n o n p h y sic a l, th e a stra l-p h y sic a l c o n n e c tio n is u n d e r th e c o n tro l o f t h e m in d . W e c a n ’t ta k e a saw a n d c u t th e c o n n e ctio n , b u t we can p ro b a b ly will th e c o n n e c tio n aw ay. By in te n d in g to p e rm a n e n tly dro p th e c o n n e c tio n to th e p h y sic a l, th e p r o je c to r c a n kill his body. This is pu rely s p e cu la tiv e o f c o u rs e , a s I w ould n o t w a n t to try it. In th e Devon case, th e c o n n e c tio n b ro k e b e c a u s e o f h e r will to re m a in in th e a s tra l. In a way, sh e c h o se th e a s tr a l o v e r th e physical. T h e d e m ise o f h e r phys­ ical body w a s a n a c t o f will a n d in te n t. In re tro s p e c t, sh e felt it w as a m isguided in te n t.

Wednesday, January 2 H, 2001 First Contact t >ou/

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***£> jerhap*tn ■ n ecVoil '* c° a \^ ,» n sio0

First, I want to say that u p to this point, I hau e neuer h a d a n OBE. I fo u n d astral projection a n d the like only tw o m onths ago. I haue b een meditating irregularly since then. Two w eeks ago, I started doing so m e energy exercises. During the day, I d o energy-raising exercises. In the euening a s I g o to bed, I decide

81

Astral Projection and the Nature o f Reality to m e d i t a t e b e f o r e fa ll in g a s l e e p . I s ta r t w i t h r e la x a t io n e x e r c is e s : A s I b r e a t h e o u t, I



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s e q u e n t i a l l y r e la x e v e r y m u s c l e f r o m m y f e e t t o m y h e a d . A f t e r a f e w r o u n d s , I f e e l r e s is ta n c e i n m y th ig h s , s o m e t h i n g I h a v e n e v e r f e l t b e f o r e . U p o n in s p e c t i o n , I n o tic e th a t t h e r e s is ta n c e s t e m s f r o m a n e n e r g y f l o w f r o m m y b e l l y t o m y f e e t , th a t is, th e o p p o s i t e w a y . I h a v e n e v e r b e f o r e f e l t s u c h a s t r o n g e n e r g y f l o w . O b v i o u s l y , m y le g s w a n t t o d o t h e e x e r c is e i n t h e o p p o s i t e d i r e c t i o n , s o I s w i t c h .

I imagine— no, not imagine— there is a circle o f energy, com ing in from the air, entering m y heart chakra, flow ing d o w n m y legs, a n d exiting through m y feet. I radiate

,sponta

l o v e to m y su rroundings fo r a while, a n d then I c a n ’t h elp but fall asleep. W h e n I awake

a few hou rs later, I am still in the sa m e m editative state o f m ind. That is fascinating. M y exercises continue, uninterrupted by s le e p .... M y b o d y is overheated. The heat m ust h a v e b e e n c a u se d b y the strong energy flow. I exit m y m editative state, throw o ff the b lank et a n d let the air c o o l m e dow n. I

fite/thours a.

am still tired, so I d e c id e to g o b a c k to sleep. I notice h o w d elicate m y se n se s are. My pillow feels incredibly soft, a n d I am v e ry thankful f o r that. I d o not th ank m y pillow very often, so this is a sp ecial occasio n. I roll o v e r o n m y right sid e a n d wait to fall asleep. Three s e c o n d s later so m e th in g h e a v y c o m e s o v e r me. S w o o s h ! It feels like I am being c o m p re sse d a n d s u c k e d th ro u gh a tiny p ip e. T h e n I a m falling d o w n w a rd s and to m y left, fast. No, fa llin g is n o t the right w ord. T h e re d o e s n o t se e m to b e a n y accel­ eration in volved , w h ich m a k e s m e th in k I a m n o t su b je ct to gravity. It is m ore like floating d o w n w a rd at a co n sta n t s p e e d o f thre e m eters p e r se c o n d . This se nsation is real. I ca n't d o u b t that I a m m oving. A fter s ix m eters, I s t o p floating. I feel like I am being co m p re sse d . It d o e s n o t hurt, b u t I a m c o n f u s e d a n d w o rrie d a b o u t what is happening. The p h y sica l w o r ld is m uffled. I ca n o n ly v a g u e ly h e a r m y girlfriend’s heavy breathing a s sh e sle e p s b e s id e me. I c a n ’t see, th ou g h . M y bra in feels like co ld steel, m uch like the se n sa tio n y o u get w h e n it is lo w o n b l o o d o r oxygen. Suddenly, I am extremely scared, so m e w h a t b y the u n fa m ilia r situation, b u t m o stly b e c a u s e I think my brain is out o f air a n d I a m losing brain c e lls fast. I a m terrified to su c h a degree that— h a d I a n y c o n n e c tio n to m y p h y sic a l re ar— I w o u l d h a u e s o ile d m y pants. I instinctively k n o w w hat this is. I a m h a v in g a n o u t -o f-b o d y experience! To cope with m y fear, I d o w hat I h a v e told m y s e lf to d o in sc a r y situations: I radiate love in all directions. Then I feel a lot better, but I a m still afraid. I h a u e told m yself a thousand times not to b e a fra id if I j o t free o f m y p h y s ic a l b od y, b u t I g u e s s fear is a very sironi em otion that is difficult to control.

82

,0(l hot, o ♦nit, !* M p | '"He

j°Ur«al e

A stra l P roje ctio n Fears

r°u, H / ft 01,0 H u , ty/e*

as/ra/ en viron m en t fo rm s in m y aw aren ess. I fin d m yself sitting in a huge class­ room. There m ust b e a t h o u s a n d o th e r stude nts sitting a r o u n d me. E ve ryo ne’s atten­ tion is turned to a p r o fe sso r w h o is givin g a lecture, but the inform ation flow from him is too fast for m e to co m p re h e n d . I try to take notes, but m y fingers are clumsy. They can hardly h o ld the pen. It is a s i f I a m using m y h a n d fo r the first time in years. Then I d e c id e to take the ultim ate test: to o p e n m y eyes. For so m e reason, I expect to see m y o w n p h y sic a l b o d y from a th ird -p e rson p erspective. Unfortunately, the eyes I open are m y p h y sic a l eyes. T his instantly b ring s m e b a c k to m y body.

enl*U)al i fit

A st ra l P roje ctio n Fears

Strange, I am in the sa m e place, a n d at the sa m e time it is different. W ith a sim ple act o f

Sx> *an<

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focusing in the chest, I turn a n o r d in a ry p la c e into a paradise. I stand u p a n d w alk d o w n the street. It is winter (it is su m m e r in w aking reality). Snow covers everything. S o m e b u ild in gs there in w aking reality are not there now. Instead, there is a valley c o v e r e d in snow . The s n o w h a s that m agical glow. It is incredi­ bly beautiful! I sm ile s o m u c h I a m su re m y p h y sica l face is beaming, too. If so m e o n e were

'rsnde^ Sjy i">

to see m y ph y sical face now , sh e w o u ld b e p u z z le d a s to w hat is g o in g o n inside me. I w alk d o w n a n o th e r street. It ends, b ut I w alk straight into w hat appears to be a park. The season ch ange s to fall the m o m e n t I step onto the lawn. There are d ark green trees

ft! e T rl° b ,ik

that glim m er with life force. T here are beings here, b ut they are not hum ans. They are short and wide. They are very frie ndly a n d jolly. They se em to b e enjoying life. N o b o d y is

Ce' 1d r ille d ,o k *

'e v e n t, the whnic^.

stressed. N o b o d y feels they h a v e to d o anything. Life here is o n e o f leisure, just like I think life on Earth sh o u ld a n d c o u ld be. The se fo lk s re m in d m e o f the h o b b its in Tolkien’s tales. I sp o t so m e sm a ll h o u se s. I intuitively u n d e rs ta n d that they are in en ergy sy m b io ­ sis with the d a rk green trees. The y d o n ot st a n d ou t like h u m a n d w ellings do. They look like a n integrated a n d natural p art o f the park. Eve rything is in h a r m o n y with nature here. It is a relaxing sight. I e n te r o n e o f the h o u se s. S o m e o f the little c h u b b y m en are baking som ething. C oincidentally, I h a v e so m e p astry with me. I a s k them if they w o u ld like to trade o n e o f m in e f o r o n e o f theirs. T he y sm ile a n d tell m e I m ay taste theirs a n d I can ke ep m ine. The y are givin g m e f o o d w ith out expecting anythin g in return. This is indeed a g lo r io u s society. I p ick a co o k ie from a b ak in g sheet. It tastes incredible! M y m outh is watering a s I chew it. I think that m y p h y sica l m ou th m ust b e chewing, too. I reflect o n h o w incredibly real the taste is. I k n o w I a m not using m y p h y sica l taste senses. Is m y m in d m aking this perfect taste u p o r is it u n d e r the influence o f a n actual n o n p h ysic a l co o k ie ? I take another pastry from a n o th e r bak in g sheet. I take a bite. Y u m ... b a n a n a bread! Am azing! This is the best b a n a n a b re a d I h a v e e ve r had. If o n ly p hysical f o o d c o u ld taste this good. I

w alk o ut o n the b a lc o n y a n d fin d that I am o n the s e c o n d floor. There are two

tennis courts b elo w me. I clim b d o w n to the tennis courts a n d enter the first floor. The m om ent I enter the door, I lose lucidity a n d m o v e into a dream.

S p irit G u a r d ia n s B e fo re you go in to th e a s tr a l, you m ig h t feel m o re r e a s s u r e d if you have a s p ir it frie n d w h o w a tc h e s o v e r yo u . T h e r e a r e s p irits (they a r e c a lle d s p ir it g u id es o r g u a rd ia n s p ir its ) w h o d e d ic a te th em se lv e s

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality to helping p ro je c to rs . If you a re u n fa m ilia r w ith th e psy ch ic p ro c e s s o f d ire c tly a d d re s s in g s p irits , p r a y e r will su ffice . W h e th e r you p ray to J e su s , B uddha, M o h a m m e d , y o u r a n c e s to rs , o r a n o th e r sp irit a c q u a in ta n c e , p r a y e r w o rk s w ell. A p r a y e r is a c le a r th o u g h t s e n t th ro u g h th e a s tr a l, a n d a r e q u e s t to a s p ir it m u s t b e c le a r in o r d e r fo r it to be d istin g u ish e d fro m th e m u m b le o f all y o u r o t h e r th o u g h ts . If you know a s p ir it g u id e, you m ay a s k it to fin d a g u a rd f o r you, or,

i !ooKlikemllin

if y ou, as I, talk to y o u rse lf, a s k y o u r s e lf t o f in d a g u a rd . Do n o t feel e m b a r ra s s e d o r u n w o rth y to a sk fo r p r o te c tio n . It is n e v e r w ro n g to ask fo r h e lp . i/e'1

Then I

Exercise: Requesting a Spirit Guide 1. C lo se y o u r eyes. 2. Relax y o u r m in d . Let it sink.

spirits <

3. Im a g in e t h a t all c u r r e n t t h o u g h t s ge t c a u g h t in s o a p b u b b le s a n d d r ift o f f in the w in d . 4. P u t y o u r h a n d s in f r o n t o f y o u r chest, t h e fin g e r t ip s o f t h e three m id ­ dle f in g e rs t o g e th e r a t a 4 5 -d e g r e e ang le, f o r m i n g a n u p s id e - d o w n " V " w ith y o u r fin g e r s p o i n t i n g up . Y o u r i n n e r se n se s a re v e ry focused u s in g t h is h a n d p o s itio n . 5. In y o u r m i n d 's eye, f o r m th e im a g e o f th e s p ir i t g u id e l is t e n in g to y o u r request. 6. T h in k cle arly to th e l is t e n in g sp ir it : " I re q u e s t a g o o d s p ir i t t o protect m y aw a re n e ss w h e n I a stra l p roje ct." 7. If y o u w o r r y a b o u t y o u r b o d y, re q u e s t a n o t h e r g u a rd : " I request a n o th e r g o o d s p ir it t o w a t c h o v e r m y p h y sic a l b o d y w h ile I a m astral p roje ctin g."

II

you ru n into tro u b le in s p ite o f y o u r s p ir it g u id e, r e m e m b e r the

b ubble of w hite light a n d love, a n d p r e t e n d th e o b je c t is n o t th ere , as you p racticed in th e e a rlie r e x e rc ise s . P r e te n d yo u a r e in th e a stra l and go through the s te p s in yo u r m in d , so t h a t you a r e well p re p a r e d should you get into trouble.

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A stra l Proje ction Fears

Monday, D ecem ber 18, 2 0 0 0 Queue

o f Sou ls

I am v e ry tired. I k n o w I s h o u l d n o t d o a n y spirit exercises, b e c a u se I am very likely to fall asleep. Still, m y curiosity m a k e s m e attem pt a n o th e r astral journey. I want to talk to m y g u a rd ia n a ngels. To initiate contact w ith a spirit, y o u m ust p ic­ ture y o u rse lf in its p rese n ce . The p r o b le m is, I d o n o t k n o w their n am e s n o r what they look like. It is v e ry h a r d to start p re te n d in g that a p e r so n a p p ears w h e n y o u d o n ’t have a m em ory o f the p e r so n a n d y o u m u st p r e t e n d in o rd e r to initiate contact a n d get the com m unication rolling. I re la x a n d p ictu re m y s e lf in a m eadow . Focusing o n m y chest, I call out, “A re there a n y sp irits a r o u n d ? ” I c a n ’t fin d the w o r d “g u a rd ia n ." I try again: “Are there a n y . . . d a m n , w h a t is it c a lle d ?" Then I h e a r giggle s fro m the right a n d u p from me. At least I p reten d I hear it. O r am I ? The giggle is n o t d ire cte d at me, but at the iro n y o f the situation. I sm ile a n d think, “Good, at least o n e o f them h a s a s e n s e o f h u m o r .” The n I notice tw o m ore gua rdian spirits a r o u n d me. I a s k their n a m e s b u t fail to h e a r their re spo nse . I re m e m b e r th inking I s h o u l d n o t h a v e j o u r n e y e d w h e n I w as s o tired. Shortly after, I fall asleep. I start to d ream . S urprisingly, m y g u a rd ia n spirits are still there, along with a b u n c h o f o t h e r spirits. T h e n a lo n g lin e o f tro u b le d so u ls c o m e to se ek m y advice. They are c o m in g fro m m y righ t-h a n d side. Ea c h o f them p re se n ts m e with two o r three choices that they c a n do, a n d I a m to p ic k o n e o f the c h o ic e s fo r them. Each s o u l car­ ries a y e llo w m enu, m u c h like a W in d o w s a p p lica tio n m enu. W h e n I select a choice from the m enu, that c h o ic e turn s gray. The n the so u l m o v e s alon g a n d the next o n e a sk s m y advice. I c a n feel that e v e ry s o u l in the e n d le ss q u e u e is v e ry troubled, but a s so o n as I give them m y advice, they are r e lie v e d a n d happy. This w o rrie s me, b e c a u s e a fe w d a y s earlier, I d e c id e d to cut d o w n o n the am oun t o f a d v ic e I give. This is b e c a u s e I rece ntly g a v e a d v ic e that le a d to the b re a k ­ ing o f a n o t h e r p e r s o n ’s heart. P e o p le are v e r y m u ch ca p a b le o f m aking their o w n decisions, s o I d e c id e d to g iv e e n co u ra g e m e n t rather than advice. Still, here I am, giving advice. S o m e racket in the p h y sica l w o rld w ak es m e up. I a m awake, but m y eyes are d o s e d a n d I a m still w ith the q u e u e o f so u ls a n d m y gu a rd ia n spirits. I am in the sam e state a s just before the dream . This is strange, w h y d id I n ot just w ake u p to the p h y si­ cal w orld a s I alw ays d o after sle e p in g ? I say g o o d b y e to m y gu a rd ian spirits a n d so m e other spirits a r o u n d me. I then return to the ph y sical world. The clo ck tells m e I have been with the q u e u e o f so u ls fo r three hours. I fall b a c k to sleep.

Astral Projection a n d th e N a tu re o f R eality

Wednesday, January 02, 2002 Comforting Lap Last night at 5 a.m ., as I ivas lying in bed, it felt like I ivas lying on someone’s and that someone ivas comforting me. I felt completely safe and serene.

C

ir c l e

2

Getting Out There Achieving your fir st astral projection. To boldly go where no one has gone before.

— Star Trek: The Next Generation

E a c h c h a p t e r in t h i s C i r c l e b u i ld s t o w a r d y o u a c h ie v in g y o u r f ir s t a s tr a l e x p e r i e n c e ; t h e r e f o r e , t h e e x e r c i s e s a r e o f p a r t i c u l a r im p o r ta n c e . A s tra l p r o je c ti o n is a s k ill t h a t w e l e a r n b y d o in g , n o t m e r e ly b y r e a d in g , so fe e l f r e e t o d o e a c h e x e r c i s e w i t h all t h e e n th u s i a s m y o u h a v e . G o o d lu ck o n y o u r a s t r a l p r o je c ti o n p u r s u i t , a n d d o n o t f o r g e t to h a v e fu n .

Sleep States

S le e p is a n a t u r a l p r o c e s s t h a t w e n e e d in o r d e r to s ta y h e a lth y . To tak e full b e n e f i t o f t h e s le e p p r o c e s s , w e s h o u ld le t it ta k e its n a tu r a l c o u rs e w ith o u t t h e i n t e r f e r e n c e o f a la r m c lo c k s . U n f o r tu n a te ly , o u r h e c ­ tic life sty le s e ld o m a llo w s t h a t . T h ere a re

n u m e r o u s s t a t e s o f m in d f r o m

w h ic h w e c a n a s tr a l

p ro je c t. M a n y o f t h e m a r e n a tu r a l s le e p s t a t e s w ith a to u c h o f a lte r e d a w a r e n e s s , w h ic h is t o s a y t h e r e is n o th in g a rtific ia l o r u n n a tu r a l a b o u t th e m . O r d i n a r y s t a t e s o f m in d , s u c h a s a w a k in g p h y sic a l s ta t e , k e e p th e a w a r e n e s s fo c u s e d in t h e p h y s ic a l s e n s e s a n d th o u g h ts , b u t w h e n w e a tta in a s ta t e o f m in d b e n e fic ia l f o r a s tr a l p r o je c tio n , t h e fo cu s is u n lo ck e d a n d w e a r e a b le to s h if t o u r a w a r e n e s s a w a y fro m th e p h y sic a l. T h e n a tu r a l s le e p p r o c e s s s o m e tim e s j u m p s in to o n e o f th o s e s ta t e s a n d w e fin d o u r s e lv e s c o n s c io u s in a d r e a m w o rld . C e r ta in re la x in g o r p sy­ c h e d e lic d r u g s c a n a ls o b e h e lp fu l to a c h ie v e th o s e s ta te s , a lth o u g h th e y a r e n o t n e c e s s a ry . L e t u s look a t w h a t h a p p e n s w h e n a p e r s o n s le e p s (se e fig u re 2 ).

95

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality

Friday, July 19, 2 0 0 2 The Astral Briefcase Before going to sleep I think, “It is my birthday, so I am entitled to a cool experi­ ence.” The next morning, Barb is outside the door fumbling with her keys. The noise wakes me up into a fu zzy state. I am h alf in the astral and h a lf in waking reality. In the astral, I see a case resembling a briefcase or suitcase. Strangely, the case is also a red ball o f energy. I recognize it immediately. I haue never seen it before with conscious eyes, but I know it has been next to m e for years. I think, “Aha! There you are! You are

tyhead.li

that thing that controls m y sleep. W hy have I not seen y o u before?"

Wrtbyanei

The case is magical. It has something to do with the sleep process, though I am not sure exactly what function it has. Perhaps it is the thing that p u ts m e to sleep at night? I float closer to the case. A buzzing feeling com es o ver me. My mind is buzzing and my physical body is tingling. I am trying to figure ou t what the case is and how it works. This could be the control panel to sleep. If I m aster the case, I will master all sleep states and, consequently, all projections. Unfortunately, I am becoming increasingly awake. The case disappears. I try to visualize it in order to attract it back, but that does not work. Still in a fuzzy state, I make som e notes: “The case is used for diversion, but it,s also the goal. When you approach the case, y o u fall asleep. ” The purpose o f the case seems perfectly comprehensible in my current state o f mind. In retrospect though, can't understand what the diversion or the goal is. I hope the knowledge will com* back to me.

Sleep States

The H y p n a g o g ic S t a t e As we d rift o ff to s le e p , w e e n t e r th e h y p n ag o g ic s ta te (from th e G re e k

w o rd s h y p n o s , m e a n in g “s le e p ,” a n d ng o g o s, m e a n in g “c o n d u it”).

This is e x p e rie n c e d a s t h e b e g in n in g o f s lu m b e r. In th is s ta te , th e a w a re ­ ness w ith d ra w s fro m t h e in p u t o f p h y sic a l s e n s e s a n d o p e n s up to th e world aw ay fro m t h e p h y sic a l. W e m a y h e a r v o ices o r s o u n d s in th is state. T hey m ay e v e n s t a r t l e u s . T h e y s o u n d v e ry physical-like, although often lack th e r e v e r b e r a t io n t h a t fo llo w s a p h y sical so u n d .

Tuesday, February 6, 2001 Shocking S o u n d I raise energy as I lie in bed. I try to get my nonphysical energy in motion. My palms and soles, and som etim es m y thighs, are tingling more than ever. After a few hours, I decide to go to sleep. I haue a short daydream. I do not know what to call it. I am only half asleep, but I am dreaming. I dream I am a reporter or something similar entitled to a coolexp*

and I haue interviewed a group o f marine biologists that is going on an undersea expe­

oith her keys. Them

dition. As they climb aboard a little boat, I consider coming along. Eueryone knows that

in waking reality. Ink

the boat could fail and we could all die. Should I take the safe way out and go home or

[y, the case is alsoaid

should I risk m y life on a wondrous aduenture?

\before with conscious There you are! You re?" gress, though lam^

I jum p onto the boat. The instant I land on its deck, I hear a uery sharp sound in my head. It strikes as quick as lightning. It sounds as if an inch-thick steel cable is torn apart by an enormous power. I hope it is not m y brain getting torn to pieces. Once I get past the initial shock, I realize that the sound is only in my head. I am sure it is not coming in through my ears. It is kind o f m uffled and there is no reuerb.

; m e to sleep > 1 ^ m jisbuzzinS*^®

is a nd how

Could the sound be related to m y decision to choose aduenture ouer safety? I haue adopted the “no big deal” attitude in order to keep me calm, so I force myself not to analyze it too much. The next thing I know, I wake up in the morning.

L m is te r ^

,b a c k b o n e

Monday, February 19, 2001 Vibrations a n d Lu cid Dream

r diversion

through the m attress in sm a ll d r o p s a s I breathe out), the uibrations come. This is the

After do in g the d ro p p in g tech niq u e fo r so m e time (imagining m yself falling

first time I feel the uibrations. It feels like an electric current ru nning through m y chest. I app roach the sle ep state a few times. O n e time there are three pow e rful knocks:

out/edge"”11

“Knock, knock, k n o ck !” I think: “W h o is kn ocking at m y d o o r in the m iddle o f the night?” Then I realize the k n o ck s are o nly in m y head. They s o u n d like the real thing,

97

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality only they are muffled. I am frightened, but I fight it o ff by rem em bering loue. I figure it co uld be so m e one kn ocking o n m y astral door. I try to visualize opening a d o o r in my

* * i" / ,h - na

mind. There is n o o ne on the doorstep. A few m inutes later, there is a tum bling n oise from ab o u e me. At first, I think it is m y upstairs neighb or d ropping som ething o n the floor. Then I realize again that the noise is in m y head.

8l'(

inf1

W hen I h au e d o n e the d rop p ing techniq ue fo r a co u p le o f hours, I d ecid e to go with the flo w a n d not fight the sleep. I m o u e into a lu c id dream . It is o n a gangster theme. It inuolues two w ild teenagers, o n e m afia don, a n d s o m e gangsters. I am a hit man. M y m ission is to eliminate the don. I b lu ff m y w ay into the co m p le x a n d app roach

As*1 H ..H

the don. Then I get the idea: "Hey, if this is a lu cid dream , I c a n m a k e the d o n float." I m ake the d o n float in h is ch a ir a co u p le o f feet a b o u e the grou n d . Then I float myself. I ca n ’t fight sle ep anym ore, so the lu c id d ream ends.

Sunday, July 15, 2001 Spiritual Q&As At night, I re ad in Bruce M o e n ’s V o y a g e s into the U n k n o w n 9 that the f o u r steps to contacting g u id a n c e are: 1. Cet com fortable a n d relax. 2. A s k a q u e stio n once. 3. Let g o o f it.

Mivimyani,juj

H. Expect an a n s w e r a n d b e o p e n to re ce iving it.

i l l surprises m

I try this a few times. So m e tim es, I g et im a g in a ry p ictu re s a s replies. O n e time a w o m a n ’s uoice p o p s into m y h e a d a n d s a y s w ith a bright b u t a n g ry uoice: “That’s no way to b e h au e !” It is k in d o f uague. I w o u ld ca te go riz e it a s so m e th in g betw een a thought a n d an a u d io input. I d o not re co g n iz e the voice. I d o not k n o w w here it com es from, but o bviou sly, it is n ot o f this w orld. In a n y case, w hat I h e a r is not re lated to the q u e st io n I a sked . S o u n d s a n d voices like this o n e seem quite ra ndom , just lik e sitting o n a ra ilro ad station ben ch, listening to the co n ve rsatio n s o f p a ssin g travelers; y o u c a n ’t c o n tro l o r anticipate w hat y o u will hear. P erh ap s the s o u n d s originate in b e in g s liv ing in o th e r d im e n sio n s, a n d w e can o nly h ear them w hen w e o p e n up, a s w e d o in the h y p n a g o g ic state.

M ost p e o p le d o n o t r e m e m b e r b e in g in th e h y p n ag o g ic s ta te . 1 his is b e c au se it is o fte n b r ie f a n d d ire c tly follo w ed by u n c o n scio u sn e ss. This is a sh a m e , b e c a u se th e s ta te p ro v id e s th e m e a n s to a c c e s s h id d en p a rts o f

*■%

Sleep States

S x

us a n d

n o n o rd in a ry re a litie s t h a t live in sid e us. It is a gatew ay to o u r

minds. In it, w e c a n d ire c t h e a lin g to o u r p h ysical b o d ies, c o m m u n icate At t

' Th'°lr.y% , ,r « > e sh i

with o th e r p a r ts o f o u rse lv e s, a n d c r e a te o u r f u tu re th ro u g h visualization. In th e hy p n a g o g ic s ta t e , w e d e c id e w h a t w e w a n t to do d u rin g sleep and w h e th e r w e w a n t to a s tr a l p r o je c t, d r e a m , o r g a th e r o th erw o rld ly

’ W e of),,

0

inform ation. O u r s u b c o n sc io u s is v e ry e a sily a ffe c te d d u rin g th e hy p n a­

l l" s ,l a

destination in to o u r s u b c o n sc io u s , sim p ly by p ic tu rin g it in o u r m in ds.

S0"’e S m r s. totfie comp/e,.

As th e hy p n a g o g ic s ta t e d e e p e n s , w e lo se c o n s c io u s n e ss little by lit­ tle. T he h y p nagogic s ta t e c lim a x e s w ith t h e r e le a s e o f th e a w a re n e s s .

/can

Tuesday, February 13, 2001 The Border betw een A w a k e a n d Sle ep States I lie stretched ou t in m y bed, feeling co ntent a n d happy. I raise energy. I d o not care w hether I w ill h a u e a su cce ssfu l se ss io n o r not. I a m co ntent either way. After so m e time, I am drifting betw e en a w a k e a n d a sle e p states. I h a u e a sem idream . I am half

lown9that thefourstepsto

dreaming a n d h a lf pretending. I im a gin e I a m w alking a r o u n d in m y room . I k n o w I am lying in m y bed, so I k n o w I a m not h au in g a n OBE. Suddenly, I w a lk into a n in visib le wall. I trip a n d fall thro ugh it. I instantly lose touch with m y body. M y brain, o r w hat I think is m y brain, h a s that w eird out-of-air se n ­ sation again, just a s it d id d u rin g m y first OBE. I try to fin d m y balance, but the inuisible wall surprises m e to s u c h a degree that I stu m b le a n d fall thro ugh the wall. I la n d on the street outside m y hou se. I a m em barra ssed, b e c a u se I k n o w I a m wearing nothing but m y underwear. P eo ple are w alking b y a n d a m a n sto p s to h elp m e to m y feet. In waking reality, there are n o p e o p le ou tsid e m y house, b e c a u se it is

H a.m . The m an is

wearing late nineteenth-century Sw e d ish clothing. Interestingly, the h o u se w as built in

*ssom

L t ® 1*'

, n o t W wW

1898. Unfortunately, I start thinking. I try to ana lyze a n d control the experience, a n d this ruins it. I feel increasingly in touch with m y b o d y a n d s o o n the se nsation o f being

4**

out of m y b o d y disappears. I fall asleep. In retrospect, I think the inuisible w all w as the bo rd e r betw een the aw ake a n d the sleep states. W h en the b o d y fell asleep, I w as released from it, a s if I were released

K)>lali01

from an elastic rope to w hich I h a d preuiously bee n tied. I fell forward, which I inter­

jirrienS K state

preted as stum bling through a wall. M y b o d y fell asleep, but I w as still conscious. This .-is

fin5' v stat*-

s Ss s # h‘(l

was a sh ock to m y c o nscio u s mind, a n d I su b con sciou sly translated the sh ock to the event o f losing m y balance. During the hypnagogic state, m y aw areness h a d been half turned away from the body. W hen I fell asleep, m y aw areness left m y b o d y completely,

r ‘hr" ,

Astral Projection a n d the Nature o f Reality which explains w hy I lost touch with m y body. I am not sure whether m y awareness actually fell out o f the h ou se or if it w as a dream house. It seems I need to be in a contented state in order to have an experience. I must not

A * * * 1* *

6,

care whether the session will be successful o r not. The secret to success is to keep m y con­ sciousness alert but passive (i.e., not analyzing), while tricking the b o d y to think that I am asleep. W hen the b o d y thinks I am asleep, the aw areness will be released from the body.

✓ V 1"

The problem is that this is very difficult to accom plish w ithout losing consciousness.

•'

jhySW

W hen th e sub co n scio u s th in k s w e have lo st c o n scio u sn e ss, it unlocks th e a tta c h m e n t to th e physical body th a t is so s tr o n g d u rin g o u r w aking

y

,330 ^

g

s r

m

h o u rs. T he physical body g o es in to a s ta t e o f r e s t a n d th e a w a re n e ss, now s e t fre e , p ro je c ts in to th e d r e a m w o rld . If w e m a n a g e t o sta y con­ scious d uring th is re le a s e , w e will n o tic e it as a sig n al fro m th e physical body. T he signal says, “Ping, you a r e r e a d y to g o !” T h e n w e a r e fre e to p ro je c t o u r a w a re n e s s to a ny re a lity w e w ish by e x e c u tin g a n a s tr a l p ro ­ je c tio n e x it te c h n iq u e . W ith s o m e p r a c tic e , w e c a n g a in th e ability to re m a in conscious a n d s e n se th is sig n a l as w e s lu m b e r off. It is a n in te r­ estin g e x p e rie n c e , a lth o u g h n o t n e c e s s a r y fo r th e a s tr a l p ro je c tio n tech ­ n iq u e w e will b e using.

Exercise: Probing the Hypnagogic State 1. Tonight, as y o u are falling asleep, d o s e y o u r eyes an d rap y o u r index finger on th e m attress o n ce p er second. 2. If you d rift o ff to sleep an d w ake u p again, resu m e th e finger-tapping. 3. How long can you keep ta p p in g y o u r fin g er b efo re you lose conscious­ ness? 4. O bserve y o u r m in d very closely. W h a t ch an g es d o es y o u r sta te of m ind go th ro u g h as y o u lose co n scio u s co n tro l ov er y o u r finger? 5. Practice this each n ig h t u n til you k n o w th e ins an d o u ts o f th e hypn­ agogic state.

The hypnagogic s ta te is e x c e lle n t n o t only fo r a s tr a l p ro je c tio n , bm fo r any o th e r psychic activity: te le p a th y , c h a n n e lin g , c lairv o y an ce, and

%ti.

S

'V

. 's *

,

Sleep S tates

C

x

m ore. W e all h a v e t h e s e a b ilitie s , b u t th e y a r e b lo ck e d by so m e th in g close rea so n . In th e h y p n a g o g ic s ta t e , o u r c ritic a l m in d a n d re a s o n go to sleep. T his r e m o v e s th e b lo ck a n d allo w s o u r psy ch ic a b ilities to su rface.

m iU tow/,*;,

Saturday, A u gu st 1 6 ,2 0 0 3 Channeling R am th a in the H y p n a g o g ic State

%

I w ake u p in the m orning. I m ight a s w ell astral project, sin ce I c a n feel I a m about

1c»nscioi ■■^.ousnessj,^

to fall b ack to sleep. But w h a t d o I w an t to d o o n c e I leav e m y b o d y ? H m m m . “I want to sp eak with R a m th a !” R a m th a is a sp irit c h a n n e le d b y J Z Knight. O n page 16 o f the

s tr o n g during 01r>J^

boo k Ram tha,10 e d ite d b y S te v e n Lee W einberg, R a m th a d e scr ib e s h o w he, in a p h y si­

rest and t h e a m ^

cal life a r o u n d 3 3,0 00 B.C., h a d a n o u t -o f-b o d y e xperience. H e later a s c e n d e d from the

If w e m anage to stay™,

physical w o rld a n d d e c id e d to co n ta ct J Z Knight to sp r e a d the k n o w le d g e o f ascension.

a signal from the physrJ

I affirm “I w ant to s p e a k w ith R a m t h a ” m o stly fo r m y o w n sake, to e n su re that I d o not

g o ! ” Then we are freetc

forget once I p o p out, but, apparently, it is a lso a re q u e st to Ramtha.

»y executing an astral pw

Not a s e c o n d later, m y n e c k a n d b a c k o f h e a d a re tingling like m ad. I am falling

re c an gain the abilitym

asleep now, b ut I d o n o t re alize that. T he tingling m ust b e Ra m tha co m ing in. A s he

{lumber off. It is an im«

m oves in, I p h a se o u t from m y b od y. I a m lo sin g feeling o f m y bod y. I ca n take control

[he astral projection

of the body, but I s e n se that w o u ld m e ss u p the se ssio n. I a m a little w orried that it might be so m e o the r m a lic io u s spirit, but I get o v e r it. I a m quite su re it is Ramtha, since I invited him. H e is u s e d to ch anne ling, s o the p r o ce ss is sm ooth. I d id not h a v e ch a n ­ neling in m in d th ou g h ; I w ante d to project to h im to h a v e a talk. M y h a n d w ants to m ove, s o I assist it. O n e b y one, other b o d y parts want to move,

me State

too. I assist them. I t h ink this is R a m th a 's w ay to get u s e d to m y body. Then they d o not need m y help anym ore. They m o v e o n their o w n accord, o r Ram tha is m ovin g them. M y

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m in d o n t h e w a y . It is a lo t e a s ie r t o u s e t h e n a t u r a l s le e p p r o c e s s . L a t e r i n t h i s b o o k , w e w ill le a v e t h e b o d y in a h y p n a g o g ic s t a t e a f te r w a k in g u p f r o m a p e r i o d o f sle e p . T h i s is m u c h m o r e e ff e c t iv e t h a n a t t e m p t in g a s t r a l p r o j e c t io n

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fall asle e p . T h e m ind is u se d to follow ing th e b o d y ’s im p u lse s. F or exam ­ ple, w e th in k o f food w h e n th e s to m a c h g ro w ls a n d w e th in k o f going to th e b a th ro o m w h e n n a tu r e calls. In th e s a m e m a n n e r , w e th in k o f falling asle e p w h e n th e b o d y n e e d s r e s t. T h o u g h ts o f s le e p c a u se th e m ind to lap se in to u n c o n scio u sn e ss. W e h a v e m a d e th is a n a u to m a tic res p o n s e to th e b o d y ’s d e s ire s, b u t it d o e s n o t h a v e to b e t h a t w ay. W e c a n stay con­ scious w hile th e b o d y falls a s le e p by r e p r o g r a m m in g t h e m in d ’s resp o n se to th e b o d y 's d e s ire s .

In o r d e r to r e p r o g r a m o u r s le e p p a t t e r n , w e n e e d to u n d e r s ta n d th e b o d y -m in d re la tio n s h ip a n d th e m e c h a n ic s o f t h e h y p n a g o g ic s ta te . T he h y p n ag o g ic s ta te w o r k s lik e th is : 1. T h e b o d y is t i r e d a n d r e l e a s e s t h e s le e p h o r m o n e m e la to n in . 2 . T h e h o r m o n e c a u s e s b o d y o r g a n s to slo w d o w n . 3 . T h e m in d b e c o m e s g ro g g y a s a r e s p o n s e to b o d y c h a n g e s . D aze d , we c a n ’t r e a s o n c le a rly , b u t o u r in tu itio n is w o rk in g . 4 . T h e n e r v o u s s y s te m r e d u c e s its t h r o u g h p u t, in h ib itin g s e n s o r y input. 5 . I h e b o d y c e lls p r o d u c e m o r e w a r m th fo r a w h ile to c o m p e n s a te for lack in g s e n s o r y in p u t. 6. T he body go es n um b. 7. The m in d w ith d r a w s f ro m t h e b o d ily s e n s e s . 8 . T h e m in d la p s e s in to u n c o n s c io u s n e s s . W e c a n c h a n g e th is. It is u n c le a r w h e t h e r th e m in d n e e d s r e s t , s in c e it is a n o n p h y sic a l object. 9 . By now , th e b o d y is s h u t d o w n , e x c e p t f o r a u to n o m ic n e rv o u s system fu n c tio n s su c h a s b r e a t h i n g , h e a r t p u ls e , d ig e s tio n , a n d cell w a ste dis p o sa l. T h e b o d y is in a s t a t e o f p a r a ly s is . 102

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T h e b o d y is h e a le d . H e a lth y cells d u p lic a te to rep la c e d a m ag ed ceUs' N e u ro n s i n c r e a s e o r r e d u c e t h e i r co n d u c tiv ity to a d ja c e n t n e u ro n s in o r d e r to o p tim iz e t h e b o d y ’s r e s p o n s e to o r d e r s fro m th e m ind. This a lso o p tim iz e s a u to n o m ic f u n c tio n s. 12. T h e m in d c r e a t e s a s tr a l w o rld s a n d p lay s o u t d re a m s in th e m . T he m in d is s till s u b d u e d f ro m t h e la p s e in to u n c o n scio u sn e ss a n d so is u n a b le to b e c o m e a w a r e o f t h e fa c t th a t it is d rea m in g . 13. D u rin g d r e a m s , t h e m in d a tt e m p t s to m ove t h e b o d y a s it usually d o e s w h e n it is p r o je c te d in to it. T h e b ra in re c e iv e s th e o rd e rs to m o v e. S o m e b r a i n a c tiv ity is s p a w n e d a s t h e b ra in trig g e rs n e rv e s to m o v e m u s c le s . B e c a u s e o f t h e p a ra ly s is , h o w ev er, th e n e rv o u s sys­ te m d o e s n o t c a r r y t h e n e r v e sig n a ls. O n ly th e ey es m ove as th e m in d a c c e s s e s im a g in a tio n in o r d e r to c r e a te im a g in ary w orlds.

A s y o u c a n s e e , if t h e m in d m a n a g e s to s u s ta in its c o n scio u sn e ss a few m o r e s e c o n d s , it w ill r e m a in a w a r e w h e n th e b o d y falls asle e p a n d th e m in d e n t e r s t h e a s tr a l. T h is is q u ite a n e x p e rie n c e . To accom plish th is , y o u o n ly h a v e t o fo cu s o n s o m e th in g th a t k e e p s y o u r m in d riv eted e n o u g h , a v isu a liz e d o b je c t o r s o u n d , fo r e x a m p le , to ig n o re th e p ro ­ g r a m m in g a n d s ta y a w a k e .

The P lan nin g P hase P r io r t o t h e r e l e a s e fro m t h e b o d y , m o s t p e o p le j u s t lose conscious­ n e s s a n d e x p e r ie n c e ( o r r a t h e r , d o n o t e x p e rie n c e ) th e ir n o c tu rn a l tu n e in t h e a s tr a l a s d e e p s le e p . B u t a h id d e n p a r t o f o u rse lv e s p ro je c ts m to th e a s tr a l to m e e t n o n p h y s ic a l g u id e s a n d frie n d s. This p a t I o f us m ally in a c c e s s ib le f ro m o u r d r e a m in g o r u n c o n scio u s m in d s. It m eets up w ith g u id e s to d is c u s s t h e e v e n ts o f t h e p a s t d ay a n d p lan f o rto m o .r o w 1, is a s if w a k in g r e a lity is a g a m e a n d w e a r e se cre tly p lan n m g o u r move a s w e s le e p . T h e p e r s o n in sid e t h e g a m e , th e rea so n m g , a - ., p a r t o f u s, h a s n o id e a w a k in g life is a k e e p t h e g a m e s e rio u s , w e k e e p o u r n in g b e h in d o u r ow n b a c k .

s e c n t ^ P'an-

Asrral Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality Su n d a y , J u ly 1, 2001 A s t r a l C o m m u n ic a t io n

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I hav e a h ard time falling asleep. M y belly a c h e s after too m u ch c h ew a n d beer. I notice a s o u n d in m y brain, close to m y right temple. It s o u n d s like a m echanically

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son, we d o n o t allow o u rse lv e s a g lim p se in to w h a t it is d oing. B ecause of this se cre c y , s le e p r e m a in s a m y s te ry fo r m o s t p e o p le , b u t n o t for long. W e a r e fin a lly d e v e lo p in g to o ls to in v e s tig a te it.

a , b ° d y is m o v i n g ise s m e to pop back inloik the astral body I projected

The Dream P hase A bu ild u p o f t h e v ita liz in g h o r m o n e D H E A (d eh y d ro e p ia n d ro s terone) a ro u s e s t h e m in d e n o u g h to c r e a te d r e a m s , b u t n o rm a lly n o t

re. M y girlfriend touchest n a place where ewryboii

enough to re a liz e it is d r e a m in g . T r u e to its c re a tiv e n a tu r e , th e m ind im m ediately c r e a te s w o rld s in w h ic h to im m e rs e itself. Sin ce th o u g h ts create in th e a s tr a l, t h e r e is n o lim it to h o w physical-like a n d convincing a d rea m c a n b e .

n't see, r 'from his v o i c e d * '

A d re a m m ay o c c u r d ire c tly a fte r th e hypnagogic sta te o r a fte r a

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period of d e e p sle e p . A d re a m is o fte n followed by d e e p sleep, then an o th er d re a m , a n d so on until th e b o d y w akes up a n d calls th e m ind back. W e c a n tell w h e th e r a p e rs o n is d re a m in g by looking a t his body.

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H er eyes a r e o fte n ro llin g (ca lle d R ap id Eye M o v em en t, o r REM) and o th er p a r ts o f h e r face a r e r e a c tin g to d r e a m e v e n ts. T h e se signs m ay o r may n o t b e p r e s e n t, d e p e n d in g o n how closely th e d re a m in g m in d and the body a re c o n n e c te d a t th e tim e o f d re a m in g . If a b o d y is very deeply asleep, it m ay n o t b e in flu e n ce d a t all by th e d rea m in g m ind.

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Saturday, August 11, 2001 Astral Projection with Sight I g o to b e d a t 6

a .m .

a n d a w a k e a t n o o n . I a m w e a r in g e a r p lu g s . I fig u r e I c a n

d o a n a s tr a l p r o je c t io n s e s s io n , a s I k n o w it w o r k s b e s t w h e n o n e h a s j u s t a w o k e n . I a s k m y g u id e s to h e l p m e b e c o m e p s y c h ic . I a s k m y s e l f to h a u e th e e n e r g y a n d w i ll t o tr a i n m y p s y c h i c s k i l l s . I a s k m y g u i d e s t o h e l p m e h a u e a n a s t r a l p r o j e c t i o n in t e n m i n u t e s .

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107

Astral Projection a n d th e N ature o f R eality

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M y b o d y fa ll s a s l e e p r e m a r k a b ly fa s t. M y m i n d r e m a i n s a w a k e . A fte r 15 m in u te s , m y b o d y is c o m p l e t e l y d e t a c h e d f r o m m y a w a r e n e s s . I f a l l a s l e e p f o r a s h o r t p e r i o d . W h e n I a w a k e , I a m r e a d y t o e x i t t h e p h y s i c a l b o d y . I t r y r o ll in g t o m y r ig h t, b u t t h e r e is t o o m u c h r e s is ta n c e . I r o ll t o m y l e f t a n d f a l l o u t o f m y b o d y .

M y v ision is black. I float a c ro ss the room . The r o o m is full o f furnishings I haue

s tl''"

ne ver b ee n aw are o f before. I p lace m y astral h a n d o n them a n d they feel extremely real. I float through the clo se d d o o r a n d out into the corridor. The b la c k n e ss disap­ pears. I ca n see. M y astral eyes are w orking fo r the first time! I a m co nstan tly afraid that

to'

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I might try too h ard to se e a n d that I w ill start u sin g m y p h y sica l e y es instead, which w o u ld e n d the projection. I h a v e m ad e it to the co rrid o r w ith out falling into s o m e b la c k void. Usually, when I p a s s through a d o o r o r wall, I e n d u p in a totally different e n v ir o n m e n t o r in a black, em pty space. I think, “A ll right, m y first Earth-close p ro je c tio n !” I a m c o n v in c e d that my o ther projection s h a v e taken p la c e in a n astral re p lica o f m y r o om , w h ich is the only

th in g 111

illum inated thing in a vast void. I th ink this p ro je c tio n is taking p la c e in a replica, too, b ut it is clo se r to the p h y sica l Earth. I think I sh o u ld visit m y c o rr id o r neighb or. I h a v e this p e r v e r t e d urge to sn oop

nature w * minds, we c:

a r o u n d in o the r p e o p le ’s room s. I flo a t to h e r door. I c a n ’t p a s s th ro u gh it. Strange. D o o rs h a v e n e v e r st o p p e d m e before. P e r h a p s m y c o n s c ie n c e is st o p p in g me, because m y intentions are n o t the best. I floa t d o w n the corridor, thinking o f w h a t I want to do. I get the idea to g o to m y girlfrie nd instead. I h a v e r e a d that a ll y o u h a v e to d o to go to a p e r so n is th ink a b o u t that pe rso n . I t h in k o f her, b u t n o t h in g h a p p e n s. I m ust b e getting m o re i n v o lv e d w ith a d r e a m n ow , b e c a u s e s u d d e n ly I am stand­ ing o n the street o u tsid e m y p a r e n t s’ h o u se . Fo r s o m e r e a so n , I a m c o n v in c e d that my co rrid o r n e ig h b o r liv e s o n the s e c o n d f l o o r o f the h o u se . I try to flo a t th ro u gh the win­ dow , but that d o e s n o t w o r k either. A n o l d w o m a n w ith a s m a ll d o g w a lk s p ast on the sidewalk. I h a v e re a d a b o u t h o w a n im a ls react to p r o je c te d p e o p le , s o I float near the dog. At first, the d o g is scared, b u t then it ge ts exc ite d a n d hap py. I try to float u p to the w in d o w again. I s h o o t u p like a b a llo o n , b ut I ke ep falling d o w n like a rock, sm a s h in g m y b e h in d into the g r o u n d . It d o e s n o t hurt, but it is an uncom forta ble la n d in g p ro ce d u re . I pra ctice levitation. I f in d a w o rkin g m ethod to keep m e afloat: w h e n e v e r I start falling d o w n , I u s e the sa m e m e t h o d I use when I sh oot o ff from the grou n d , o n ly w ith less p ow e r. M y astral eyes are lo sin g strength a n d I b e g in to a w a k e n in m y p h y sica l body. I arn h a p p y a bo ut m y experience, but a lso exh au ste d , s o I J o b a c k to sleep. W h e n I awake. I a m not s u re if il u;as all a d re a m o r a n astral projection . I d o n o t th ink a dream c

108

s ir*

Sleep States jtate the sensation o f the exit, so I say it was an astral projection, but the last ten min­ utes were influenced by a dream production. The dream was about my parents’house. T h ere a re m an y o p in io n s o f w h a t d r e a m s a r e . T h o s e w h o have no experience in n o n p h y sic a l r e a lm s say d r e a m s a re

m ere ly p ictu res

spawned by d isc h a rg in g n e u ra l c ells, c r e a t e d a s th e b ra in w in d s down after a d ay’s th in k in g o r c r e a te d a s t h e n e u ro n s r e a r r a n g e th e ir co n n ec­ tions to e a ch o t h e r in o r d e r to im p ro v e t h e ir fu n ctio n in g (i.e ., learn in g ). S *

">tosom, rf(fen w .

I am c e rta in th is is n o t t h e c a se . D r e a m s a r e n o t p ro d u c ts o f th e b rain , but ra th e r o f th e m in d , a n d th e m in d is n o t d e p e n d e n t u p o n th e b rain . T h e re a re w o rld s u p o n w o rld s, a n d th e p h ysical u n iv erse a n d d rea m worlds a re j u s t s o m e o f th e m . S o m e w o rld s a r e c re a te d in an in s ta n t and blink o u t ju s t a s fa s t, w h ile o th e r s hav e e x is te d fo r billio n s o f y e a rs. The

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thing th a t m a k e s u s q u e s tio n th e re a lity o f d r e a m w o rld s is th a t th ey a re short-lived a n d ev e r-c h a n g in g c o m p a r e d to th e p h ysical w o rld . But o u r n ature m a tc h e s t h a t o f d r e a m s b e tte r th a n th a t o f th e physical. In o u r

laue this perverted urftiom

m inds, w e c r e a te a n d d e s tro y w o rld s a t th e s p e e d o f th o u g h t. T h e slow-

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changing a n d m u n d a n e n a tu r e o f t h e p h y sical is so d iffe re n t from o u r

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nature t h a t w e g e t b o r e d w ith it. H o w o fte n d o w e n o t long for som e

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The Hypnoponipie Slate En r o u te to w aking p hysical reality , w e e n te r th e hy p n o p o m p ic sta te (from th e G re e k w o rd s h y p n o s, m ea n in g “s le e p ,” a n d p o m p e , m eaning ‘a se nding aw ay”). W e a r e th e n h a lf aw ak e. T h e a w a re n e ss is split

people.so

betw een th e nonphysical rea lm a n d th e in p u t fro m th e physical sen ses. This is, like th e hypnagogic s ta te , a very beneficial s ta te fo r psychic activ­

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ities. W e have ju s t r e tu r n e d fro m th e nonphysical rea lm a n d can th e re ­ fore recall w h a t w e did th e r e , alth o u g h it tak e s a lot o f tra in in g to s ta r t th e recollection p ro ce ss. In m o st cases, we a re groggy and c a n ’t think clearly enough to s ta r t digging in m em o ries. The good new s is th a t we can linger in th a t s ta te sim ply by telling ourselves to do so befo re we go to sleep. Having a hangover also seem s to help.

Astra! Projection a n d the N a tu re o f R eality S u n d a y , D e c e m b e r 23, 2001 T he W a tch M y s t e r y

9,vti*al < td I" 1'

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I w ake u p a n d lo o k at the b ed side clock. It sa ys 11:30 a.m. I l o o k at my wristwatch a n d it says 11.1 trust m y wristwatch, s o I co n clu d e the b e d sid e clo ck m ust be fast. Since

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the time is o n ly 11,1g o b a c k to sleep. I w ake u p later a n d the b e d sid e clo ck sh o w s 1 p.m. Then I realize that I c o u ld n e v e r h a v e c h e ck e d m y w ristwatch, b e c a u se it is not o n my

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wrist n o r within reach. A n d yet, I c o u ld not h a v e d ream t the w h o le thing, b e c a u se the bed side clock w as accurate. It c o u ld h a v e be e n a sem i-dream , w here the b e d sid e clock w as real a n d the w ristwatch w a s part o f the dream . It all se e m e d v e ry real.

To m ak e th e m o st o f th e h y p n o p o m p ic s ta t e , av o id u sin g alarm clocks. You do n o t w a n t to ex it th e h y p n o p o m p ic s ta t e p r e m a tu r e ly by

jjie 'rutl

w aking u p to o ab ru p tly .

Thursday, July 27, 2001 M orning C om pany As I begin to awake, I suddenly becom e aware that a wom an is lying next to me in bed. This is not a dream. My first reaction is that o f familiarity, as if I think, “Ah, it isyou.” It feels like w e have lived together fo ra very long time, bu t w e h ave not seen each other for a while. She touches m y face an d it feels a lm ost like a physical touch. I suck her finger and run m y hand dow n along her belly. It feels very physical and exciting. I am becoming more awake now a nd she is fading away b ecause I n eed to stay in the hypnopompic state in order to sense her. I try hard to focus on her and she is there once more. We hug each other for h alf an hour or so. I suspect she is visiting m e from a nonphysical world. I realize this does not happen very often, because I am physi­

V ar,alysis

cally incarnated and she is not. It is like w e are very close friends. Then I become so awake that I lose contact with her. She disappears. I try to place the impression I got

. ^ * 8 a s tral n • S d tl °Je «

from her in order to identify her, but I fail. I can’t rem em ber having m et this woman in this lifetime.

X

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N d c °ftheh W h e n th e a n a ly tic a l m in d is “o f f lin e ,” a s it is in t h e hy p n o p o m p ic s ta te , th e in tu itiv e you is in c h a r g e o f t h e e x p e r i e n c e . T h is p a r t o f you h a s e x c e p tio n a l p o w e r a n d k n o w in g . T h e r e f o r e , y o u m ay d e p e n d on w h a te v e^r you e x p e rie n c e in t h e h y p n o p o m p ic s t a t e b e in g th e tru " th , howe^vei irr a tio n a l a n d i n c o m p r e h e n s iv e t h e e x p e r ie n c e is d e e m e d by 110

Sleep S tates the an a ly tic a l m in d a f t e r w a r d s . It is n o t t h e t r u t h a s y o u r r a tio n a l m in d would i n te r p r e t it. b u t t h e ra w , u n s p o ile d t r u t h u n d e r s to o d by yo u r subconscious. T he s a m e c a n b e a c c o m p lis h e d w ith h allu c in o g e n ic d ru g s (though I think th e w ord " h a llu c in o g e n ic ,’' im p ly in g th a t Ih e d ru g s c re a te hallucina­ tions, is p o o rly c h o s e n ). S o m e d r u g s p u t t h e an a ly tic a l m in d a t re s t, so th a t

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we m ay e x p e rie n c e tr u th s th a t in n o r m a l c irc u m s ta n c e s w ould h e d e e m e d irrational a n d in c o m p r e h e n s ib le . U n fo rtu n a te ly , th e e ffects o r d ru g s are unpredictable. In o r d e r to u s e d r u g s yo u m u st k n o w y o u rse lf thoroughly;

1 avoid

the effects o f su ch d r u g s d e p e n d o n y o u r s ta te o f m in d a n d w h a t goes on in yo u r s u b c o n sc io u s. It is d iffic u lt t o m a in ta in e n o u g h c o n tro l to m ak e use of the tru th s

p re s e n te d

to

you

if your- su b c o n sc io u s is in turm oil.

Additionally, d ru g s c a n b e d e tr im e n ta l to y o u r bo d y . But, o f c o u rse , you do not have to la k e d r u g s to fin d tr u t h s . Ju sl u s e th e h y p n o p o m p ic s ta te .

Exercise: Exploring the Hypnopompic State 1. Before y o u fall asleep to n ig h t, tell y o u rself to linger in th e h y p n o p o m ­ pic sta te b efo re y o u aw ake co m p letely in th e m o rn in g . 2. W h en y o u w ake u p . d o n o t o p e n y o u r eyes a n d d o n o t move. 3. Do n o t in itia te an y th o u g h ts. Ju s t go w ith th e flow o f y o u r m ind.

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Sleep Paralysis D u rin g a s tr a l p ro je c tio n , j u s t as d u rin g n o rm a l sle e p , th e b o d y is p a ra ly z ed . T h e p a ra ly s is is little u n d e rs to o d , b u t it is p o ssib le th a t it is caused by a lack o f th e h o r m o n e D H EA , w hich is m a n u fa c tu re d in th e a d re n a l g la n d . R e s e a rc h e r s h a v e n o t fo u n d a sp ecific p u rp o se fo r this h o rm o n e . It s e e m s to have a m o re g e n e ra l function in th a t it p ro m o te s

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vitality a n d a w a r e n e s s b y b o o stin g th e n e rv o u s sy ste m . M elato n in is th e h o rm o n e th a t re g u la te s th e s le e p cycle. It is m ad e m th e pin ea l g lan d fro m s e ro to n in . M elato n in p ro d u ctio n in cre a se s as th e b o d y gets w o rn o u t d u rin g th e day. M elato n in in h ib its DHEA p ro d u c­ tion. As th e DHEA c o n c e n tra tio n d e c re a s e s, y o u r n erv o u s sy stem slows

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f Reality

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d o w n , y o u b e c o m e i n c r e a s in g l y t ir e d , a n d y o u r m o v e m e n t s t u r n c lu m sy . E v e n tu a lly , y o u lo s e c o n t r o l o f y o u r b o d y a n d it fa lls a s le e p . D u r i n g sle e p , o n l y e n o u g h D H E A is p r o d u c e d t o m a i n t a in t h e a u t o n o m ic n e r v ­ o u s s y s t e m fu n c t io n s.

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T h e m e la t o n in w e a r s o ff w h ile y o u sle e p , a l lo w in g D H E A p r o d u c t io n to p i c k u p . W h e n t h e D H E A c o n c e n t r a t i o n h a s r e a c h e d a s u f f ic ie n t level, y o u r n e r v o u s s y s t e m is a c t iv e e n o u g h t o a l lo w y o u t o w a k e u p a n d take c o n tro l o v e r y o u r bod y.

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If you w ake up b e fo re th e m e la to n in h a s w o rn o ff a n d D H EA produc­ tion h as in c re a se d , y o u r n e rv o u s sy ste m will b e in h ib ite d ; th e re fo re you

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will n o t b e a b le to m ove y o u r body. You a r e c o n scio u s, b u t y o u r body is

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asle e p . T his is k n o w n as A w a re n e s s d u rin g S le ep P araly sis (Sylvan M uldoon a ttr ib u te d th is p hysical s ta t e to a rig id ity o f th e a s tr a l body he te rm e d A stra l C a ta le p s y ). S leep p a ra ly sis is c o m p le te ly n a tu r a l. If it w e r e n o t fo r th e sleep

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p a ra ly sis, w e w ould all a c t o u t o u r d r e a m s . S o m e p e o p le could then m ak e a lu cra tiv e b u s in e s s o u t o f r e tu r n in g s le e p w a lk e rs to t h e ir hom es. P eople o fte n g et s c a r e d w h e n th e y w a k e u p a n d fin d th em se lv e s par­ alyzed. T his is u n d e rs ta n d a b le , s in c e o u r b o d ie s a r e d e fe n s e le s s in that

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s ta te . If th is h a p p e n s to you, r e m e m b e r t h a t it is o n ly te m p o ra ry . Then

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relax yo u r m in d a n d e x e c u te a n e x it t e c h n iq u e , lik e r o llin g o u t (explained la te r). T h e sle e p p a ra ly sis s ta te is e x c e lle n t fo r a s tr a l p ro je c tio n .

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Tingling

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T ingling is th e p h y sic a l b o d y ’s w a y to c all b a c k t h e a w a re n e s s . When you a r e going o u t in to th e a s tr a l, o n m a n y o c c a s io n s yo u will also feel a

sX i r00dose- I,, |

tingling in y o u r a w a r e n e s s . I s u s p e c t t h a t t h e tin g lin g k ick s in because th e b ody d o e s n o t w a n t th e a w a r e n e s s to lea v e . T h e b o d y trie s to get y our a tte n tio n . B ut, s in c e w e a r e b o ld a d v e n tu r e r s , w e will n o t let that p re v e n t u s fro m p r o je c tin g a w a y f ro m t h e p h y sic a l p la n e a n d th e body

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th a t h e lp s us th e r e . W h e n you p r o je c t a n d t h e r e is n o tin g lin g , yo u c a n b e s u re th at the body is fast a sle e p a n d d o e s n o t n e e d th e a w a r e n e s s a t th e m o m en t. This m ak es th e p ro je c tio n m o re s ta b le . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , if you feel l'n'

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ghng, you will k n o w th a t th e p r o je c tio n is u n s ta b le . You sh o u ld then

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sorne tec h n iq u e s to p r o lo n g t h e p ro je c tio n . T h e s e a r e d isc u sse d in th e

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next Circle. The tingling is v e ry s tr o n g in th e h y p n o p o m p ic s ta te b e c au se th e

a'gh f t s

■

to a

body is w aking up a n d is ca llin g b a c k th e a w a r e n e s s . W h e n th e a w a re ­ ness a n sw e rs th e call by r e tu r n in g to th e b o d y , you w a k e u p. It is in te r­ esting to s p e c u la te a b o u t w h a t w o u ld h a p p e n if t h e a w a re n e s s c h o se no t to retu rn to th e body. W o u ld a la rg e e n o u g h p a r t o f th e c o n scio u sn e ss anim ate th e b o d y so t h a t it m ay , u n a w a re , p e rh a p s by a u to m a tis m , go about its day, o r w ould th e b o d y j u s t s le e p u n til th e a w a re n e s s re tu r n s ?

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The h y p n o p o m p ic tin g lin g g o e s u n n o tic e d if you follow th e d efau lt )%t%

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sleep p ro c e s s (i.e ., you a r e a s le e p a n d p e r h a p s d re a m in g ), b u t th e tin ­ gling is n o tic e a b le if you a r e c o n s c io u s , a s you a r e d u rin g a s tra l p ro je c ­ tion or lucid d r e a m in g , a t t h e tim e th e b o d y g o e s in to th e h y p n o p o m p ic state.

d re a m s . S o m e people mH)

Friday, A ugust 16, 2 0 0 2

ning sleepwalkers to theirks

Longest Lucid Dream

and find thwi®!

Naptime. I d re a m I a m p e rfo rm in g w ith a b a n d in a tail w o o d e n sh ack. I am hit­

H i r bodies are defenseless*:

ting m y h e a d a n d b u m p in g into things all the time. I am a n g ry b e c a u s e I d o n ’t want

w a k e up

to be there a n d w h e n I try to d o a nything, I get hurt. Su d d en ly, I g iv e u p a n d throw

ir that it is only tenp01^

m yself o n the floor. W e get w o r d that a forest fire is a p p roa ch ing, so the b a n d starts

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packing. There is a forest fire n e a r V ancouve r, w h e re I a m in w ak in g p h y sica l reality,

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so m y d ream m ust b e a ffected b y m y t h o u g h ts a b o u t that. A frie nd ly fellow notices me lying there, defeated, a n d d ra gs m e to the car. H e a n d h is c o m p a n io n s drive m e to a place safe from the fire. The n I re alize that the g u itars I h a v e b o r ro w e d fo r the gig are still in the sh ack , too c lo se to the fire. I feel r e sp o n sib le fo r them, so I set out

p a c kI,tthe n av' rarene. y

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to rescue them. I start walking tow ard that place. There is an air show , just like there is on e in w a k­

ing life in Portland. The sk y is d a r k a n d the planes, h u n d re d s o f them, are m aking

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m aneuvers with lights so that they lo o k like a h u ge flower. They ca n d o am azing things with those planes. There are lots o f p e o p le in the streets. There are so m any people

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that I ca n’t get anyw here. Everyw h ere I turn, I b u m p into people. I throw m yself to the ground a n d giue u p again.

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A l it tle g ir l c o m e s u p a n d te lls m e I c a n ’t l i e th e r e . I g e t u p a n d w a l k a c r o s s a p a r k ­ in g lo t. I h e a r a u o ic e in t h e l o u d s p e a k e r s y s t e m sa y , “I f y o u a r e h e r e a n d n o t in o n e o f o u r c a r s , y o u m u s t b e w a t c h in g t h e a ir s h o w , ” o r s o m e t h i n g sim ila r. It m a d e s e n s e a t th e

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Astral Projection a n d th e N ature o f R eality time. Then I hear the roar o f a ca r from a tent. P ro bably a recording, but it frightens me. A dark blue car without a driver runs into the tent. It is o n autom atic pilot. “G o o d idea," I think, "but very dangerous. A n d noisy.” Som ehow , I get into a sm all house. J (a form er girlfriend) is there a n d we talk. I think, “I like it w hen J co m e s over. It d o e sn ’t h a p p e n very often, since w e live so far apart.” Then a m an m o ve s in a n d starts cu d d ling with J. I think it is g o o d that sh e has fo u n d a n e w love, but I d o n ’t like him. A t a glance, m y intuition tells m e h e is narrow ­ m ind ed a n d therefore, in so m e sense, dan gerous. The n I se e flam es outside the win­ d ow ! A m an w h o is s u p p o s e d ly a fire m a n is throw ing teacups o f w ater at the fire in a futile act to preven t its spreading. I tell J w e h a v e to get o u t o f here b e c a u se there is a fire outside. S h e d o e s not m ove. I d o n ’t th ink sh e b e lie ve s me. I start collecting my things. Then it hits me. H o w ca n J b e h e r e ? S h e w a s h a lf a w o rld a w a y ye sterday a n d now sh e is su d d e n ly here. I k n o w I am dream ing. I k n o w w hat is g o in g to h a p p e n next. I will a n n o u n c e that I am dream ing a n d then I will get a tingling se n sa tio n in m y belly and b e c o m e lucid. I w alk o v e r to J a n d say, "T h is is a d re a m .” S h e sh a k e s h e r head. She d o e s not understand. I tell h e r o v e r a n d over. W h a t is w orse, there is n o tingling sensa­ tion. I am in co m p le te control o f m y en viro n m e n t, b u t I d o n ’t h a v e a n y o f the bubbling feelings I usually h a v e d u rin g lu c id d r e a m s a n d astral p rojection s. I think this is odd. M a yb e I am a w a k e after a ll? In retrospect, it is a g o o d sign that the s e n sa tio n s a re m issing. I think the physical b o d y c a u se s the b u b b lin g feelings. That is its m e c h a n ism to s t o p the a w a re n e ss from leaving the b o d y fo r t oo lo n g a pe rio d . Tingling is the p h y sic a l b o d y ’s w ay to call back the aw areness. It d o e s the tingling w h e n it is w a k in g up. In this view, it is g o o d that the tingling is absent. It m e a n s I a m far fro m w a k in g up. That, in turn, m e a n s the projection is stable. "Th is is a d ream .” D o e s m y p h y sic a l m o u t h s p e a k th ese w o r d s ? I d o n ’t know, but I better b e careful. I d o n ’t w an t B a rb to th in k I a m h a v in g a b a d d ream , b ecau se then sh e m ight try to sa v e m e b y w ak in g m e up. I w a lk a r o u n d a n d e n jo y the freedom. I m ake m yself float a n d then I m a k e J float. I w an t to turn this into a n astral projection but I d o n t k n o w exactly h o w to d o that. I try so m e t h in g that I ca n 't rem em ber. It has no effect. Then I try so m e th in g new. I say, "S h o w m e the m o st im po rtant aspect about Barb." A w in d o w a p p ears in the a ir in front o f me. B arb, in a w hite sp o rts car, speeds by from right to left. S h e is w earing a w hite kn it sweater, a scarf, a n d sunglasses. Interesting. I w o n d e r w hat all the w hite c o lo rs m e a n a n d w hat the sp o rts car means. I say, S h o w m e the m o st im p o rtan t a sp e c t o f J.” I c a n ’t r e m e m b e r w hat happens

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Sleep S tates

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n n

.

next-1 think I $et sidetracked. I haue plenty o f lime,

d

I do lots o f things, but for some

reason I am unable to rem em ber any o f them. Forty minutes pass. Then the tingling sets in. I w f t y /ft, y ^ n r

I awakening. One second I am walking around in m y own lucid dream and the a

„ext I am staring at the ceiling from the bed. The shift is instant. I try to je t back into the lucidity, but fail.

Z***^ • believes me. /

whalisjoinjlohappennaLU linking sensationinm y dream’ Sheshakes her te i'x /s worse, thereisnotinfl^ utldoi>'thM W •* ' / V i

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Positive Reinforcem ent T h e r e a r e b a sic a lly tw o k in d s o f b e lie fs : th o s e t h a t te ll you w h at you can d o , a n d th o s e t h a t te ll y o u w h a t y o u c a n ’t d o . T h e f ir s t k in d o f belief can be p r o g ra m m e d w ith p o s itiv e r e i n f o r c e m e n t , a ls o k n o w n as affirm a­ tio n. T h is is t h e p r o c e s s in w h ic h you ( o r s o m e o n e e ls e ) te ll y o u rse lf that you c a n d o th in g s you u s e d to v iew a s d iffic u lt. T h e r e s u l t is a n increase in c o n fid e n c e a n d m o tiv a tio n . T h e s e c o n d k in d o f b e lie f c a n be pro­ g r a m m e d w ith n e g a tiv e r e in f o r c e m e n t , a ls o k n o w n a s n a g g in g . This is w h e re you (o r s o m e o n e e ls e , o f te n y o u r p a r e n t s ) te ll ( o r h in t to ) your­ se lf t h a t you a r e in c a p a b le o f s u c c e e d in g . Every tim e you think a th o u g h t like, “I d o n ’t th in k I c a n ,” you send a mes­ sage to th e belief system . T h e b elief sy ste m d o e s n o t have th e ability to criticize, so it accepts th e thou g h t a s a tr u th w ith o u t q u e s tio n . It d e p e n d s upon you to h e critical. If you rein fo rc e a th o u g h t by th in k in g it re p e a te d ly , th e belief sys­ te m eventually tu rn s th a t th o u g h t in lo a n e s ta b lis h e d belief. T h e set of nil eliefs in your b elief sy ste m s h a p e s y o u r view o f h o w th e w o rld w orks. If y011 constantly d o u b t your abilities, y o u r view o f th e w o rld will b e sh ap ed accord­ ing y, m aking you believe thin ih e w o rld is difficult to d e a l w ith.

I It*

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A ffirm a tio n s A ffirm atio n s a r e m e s s a g e s s e n t to y o u r b e lie f s y s te m . T h ey a re p o s­ itive th o u g h ts th a t a ffe c t y o u in a p o sitiv e way. Il is a g o o d way for you to accept th e p o s s ib ility t h a t a s tr a l p r o je c tio n is p o s s ib le . By telling your­ self re p e a te d ly t h a t y o u c a n a s tr a l p r o je c t, e v e n tu a lly you will believe that you c a n ; th e n you w ill p ro v e y o u r s e lf r ig h t, b e c a u s e it is in o u r in te r­ est to p ro v e to o u r s e lv e s ( a n d s o m e tim e s to o t h e r s ) th a t o u r b eliefs a re correct. You m ay w o n d e r if it is a g o o d id e a to e s ta b lis h a b e lie f th a t a stra l projection is p o s s ib le w h e n y o u h a v e n o e v id e n c e to b a c k it u p . D o no t

ns

w orry a b o u t t h a t . It a c tu a lly w o rk s th e o t h e r w ay, to o : T h e ev id en ce first a p p e ars a f te r you b e lie v e in it. You c h a n g e y o u r e n v iro n m e n t by chang­ ing y o u r b e lie fs . Y our r e a lity is a r e s u lt o f y o u r b eliefs. E v e ry th in g is doable in th is w o rld . If y o u c a n e n v is io n so m e th in g , th e n you can do it. Only lim iting b e lie fs c a n p r e v e n t yo u fro m d o in g so m e th in g . B esid es, if you w a n t to la n d o n t h e m o o n , you h a v e to s h o o t for th e s ta r s . Use e x tre m e a ff irm a tio n s . Tell y o u r s e lf yo u a r e a b le to do th in g s you nev er thought p o s s ib le . T h e h ig h e r y ou a im , th e h ig h e r you will lan d .

Exercise: Affirmations ■ that tell y o " * 1® . T h e first kindofl>*

A ffirm ations can keep you m otivated. The sim ple affirm ation, “Astral projection is fun," will keep y o u practicing even w hen o th er obli­ gations co m p ete for yo u r tim e. 1. Record th e follow ing affirm atio n s on tape o r on a com puter:

* * kn0"'naSt

"You are un lim ite d .” "You can d o a n y thin g y o u p u t y our m ind to."

I tell (°r

hin'

to i^

"You deserve a n in fin ite n u m b e r o f astral experiences." "You observe everything th a t h appens in y o u r m ind d u rin g sleep.

arid1

"Tonight you will astral project." “You are connected to everything.”

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flic*

*****

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"E v e r y t h in g is c o n n e c te d to y o u . " B

"T h e m in d ia M l is re m oved."

Asrral Projection a n d the Nanire o f Reality

"The tim e to doubryourself has passed." The universe takes good care o f you, w hether you are w ith o r witho u ty o u r physical body.” "Face the direction of the universe and follow its flow. Trust th at the universe is going in the right direction." 2. Add a few affirm ations o f yo u r own design. M ake sure they are in the second person: use "you" instead o f "I,” since y ou will be listening to them , nor speaking them . For som e reason, perhaps low self-esteem, subconsciously we find it easier to believe w h a t o th ers tell us than w hat we ourselves say.

I/v.

3. Actively listen to the recording until you know th e words by heart. After that, play the recording, in your c o m p u te r headphones or Walkman, in the background while you go a b o u t y o u r business. Do not listen to it actively. Your subconscious knows w h at th e message contains.

IheArt

of Visuializ

Exercise: I m a g in a l 1Qosejoureyes.Takeafa 1Woftheword

Visualization

The Art o f Visualization

Exercise: Imagination 1. Close y o u r eyes. Take a few deep breaths. Relax y o u r m ind. 2. Think o f the w ord horse. 3. The w ord will trigger w h atev er m em ories y o u associate w ith it, prob­ ably a horse you have met. 4. The vision o f a horse from a m em ory will be displayed o n to y our m ind's screen. You do n o t see it w ith y o u r physical eyes. 5. Reach o u t and touch th e horse w ith im aginary hands. 6. Feel the texture of th e fur. It feels rem arkably real, doesn’t it? 7. Lean forw ard and smell th e horse with y o u r imaginary nose. The horse needs a bath, d o esn 't it?

T h a t is h o w s i m p le v is u a liz a t io n is. Y o u p r e t e n d to w a lk a r o u n d j u s t lik e y o u d o in t h e p h y s ic a l— s e e in g , t o u c h in g , s m e llin g , a n d h e a r in g t h in g s fro m

a f ir s t - p e r s o n p e r s p e c t iv e . Y o u t u r n y o u r a w a r e n e s s a w a y fro m

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Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f Reality p h y s ic a l w a k in g r e a lity a n d in t o y o u r im a g in a t io n . T h e l o n g e r y o u v isu a l­

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■alreiality

the state between a w a ke a n d asleep fo r six hours. During that time, I a m very close to m y soul, w hich m akes m e happy. I h a v e little control o v e r w hat is h appening, though.

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I get a lot o f co m m unication from m y guides. Suddenly, fo u r o f them sh o u t at me: "S h a ke !" This jolts m e into a n a w a ke state. Sim ultaneously, the w h o le h o u se trembles as a tree crashes to the g r o u n d outside.

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Why Visualization W orks

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W h a t w e e x p e rie n c e a s th e ph y sic a l r e a lity is n o t o u tsid e o f us. The rea lity is w ith in us, b e c a u s e th e re a lity is o u r i n te r p r e t a t i o n o f t h e input fro m o u r physical s e n s e s (h e a rin g , sig h t, to u c h , s m e ll, a n d ta s te ). You m ig h t say th a t re a lity is a n im a g e in y o u r m in d , r e p r e s e n tin g th e world o u tsid e , a w orld th a t w e c a n o n ly p r o b e slig h tly d u e to t h e lim ita tio n s of o u r physical s e n se s . W e c a n ’t g r a s p w h a t t h e w o rld o u tsid e is like b e c au se w e c a n o nly s e n s e b its a n d p ie c e s o f it. T h is m a k e s you w onder w h a t th e w orld o u tsid e is, d o e s n ’t it? If t h e im a g e is t h e r e a lity w e expe­ rie n c e , th e n w h a t is th is fie ld o f e n e rg y t h a t o u r s e n s e s r e a d ? P erhaps it d o e s n o t even e x is t a n d th e im a g e is all t h e r e is. O r p e rh a p s th e world o u tsid e is o f o u r o w n c r e a tio n . T he s u b c o n sc io u s fills in th e b la n k s in t h e m in d im a g e w h en infor­ m atio n is lacking. F o r e x a m p le , I c a n s e e in f r o n t o f m e , b u t n o t behind m e, so th e su b c o n sc io u s c r e a t e s th e im a g e th is w ay: 1. T h e f ro n t p a rt of th e im age o f m y s u rr o u n d in g s is c o n s tr u c te d f ro m p h y sical sensory in p u t, m ainly fro m m y e y e s. 2 . T h e h a c k p a r t o f t h e im ag e is created from m e m o rie s a n d e x p e rie n c e . T h is p a r t o f t h e im a g e is m ere ly a best guess a t how th e s u rr o u n d in g s b e h in d m e lo o k . This im ag e b e c o m e s m y p e r c e p t io n o f t h e e x te r n a l re a lity , if there is su ch a th in g . S in c e t h e im a g e a lw a y s c o n ta in s a n e le m e n t o f oui b e s t g u e ss, w e c a n n e v e r b e c e r t a in t h a t o u r p e r c e p t io n o f th e world is a c c u ra te . V i s u a l i z a t i o n is a w a y t o r e p l a c e o u r im a g e o f t h e w o r l d w i t h a n o th e r

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im a g e o f o u r o w n d e s ig n . I n v i s u a li z a t io n , w e u s e o u r im a g in a t io n t0 a ffe c t o r r e p l a c e o u r c u r r e n t

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V isualization intensely w e v isualize, t h e le s s d o m in a n t th e in p u t fro m physical sen ses b eco m es.

S o m e tim e s w h e n y ou v isu a liz e , you will fin d th a t you forget the

physical w orld, a s if it n e v e r e x is te d , a n d th e visu alizatio n b eco m es your entire reality. T h e n yo u will h a v e p r o je c te d y o u r m in d away fro m th e physical re a lity a n d in to a n e w r e a lity o f y o u r o w n c re a tio n . T h is is not difficult to a c c o m p lis h a n d it is a lo t o f fu n . T h e m o re you visualize, the m ore in te n s e t h e v isu a liz e d r e a lity b e c o m e s . Your s u b c o n sc io u s is in c a p a b le o f d istin g u ish in g w h e th e r sen so ry input is c om ing f ro m a p h y sic a l s e n s e o r f ro m y o u r im ag in atio n , th e re ­ fore, it n e v e r p a y s a ny a tte n tio n to w h e r e th e p h y sical b o d y is. It only

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cares a b o u t w h e r e y o u r a w a r e n e s s is. If you a r e visualizing walking through t h e c o r r id o r s in t h e p y r a m id s o f E g y p t, y o u r su b co n scio u s will assum e t h a t you re a lly a r e . It c a n n o t d istin g u ish b e tw e e n im agination

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and reality. O nly t h e r a tio n a l y o u c a n k n o w th e d iffe re n c e b e tw e en the

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two. In fa c t, only t h e r a tio n a l m in d fee ls th e d iffe re n c e is im p o rta n t.

ly due to the limitationst( the world outside is If t. This makes you wonte age is the reality wee.?

Exercise: Elements Visualization 1. Close y o u r eyes. Relax y o u r m ind. Take a few deep breaths. 2. Focus on th e c e n te r o f y o u r chest.

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3. Visualize you rself in y o u r room . 4. Imagine step p in g o u tsid e to find a tree. 5. Touch the bark o f th e tree w ith y o u r im aginary hands. Examine the texture for a long tim e. Rem em ber the sensation.

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6. Pick up a handful o f d irt and feel its texture.

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7. Visualize th e w ind getting stronger. 8. Raise y o u r h an d s in th e air. Feel the wind rush through them.

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Rem em ber the sensation. 9. Light an im aginary m atch and feel the fire. 10. Find a pool of water. It. Touch the w ater with y o u r imaginary hands. Sense the texture. Rem ember the sensation.

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In o r d e r t o p r o p e r ly n a v i g a t e y o u r p h y s i c a l b o d y , t h e s u b c o n s c i o u s n e e d s t o m o k e s e n s e o f i t s e n v i r o n m e n t . It n e e d s t o h a v e a c o h e r e n t

A srm l Projection a n d rhe N ature o f R eality im a g e o f th e s u r r o u n d i n g s , ff s u c h a c o h e r e n t im a g e is l a c k in g in y o u r v isu a liz a t io n , y o u r s u b c o n s c io u s w ill f o r c e a c o m p le t i o n o f t h e im a g e . It

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w ill fo rc e o b je c t s (I h a t y o u a r e n o t d e l ib e r a t e ly v i s u a li z in g ) t o p o p u p in y o u r fie ld o f vie w . T h i s is a v e r y c o o l e x p e r ie n c e . S u d d e n l y , y o u b u m p in t o o b je c t s y o u d id n o t e x p e r t t o f i n d in y o u r v is u a liz a t io n . It is lik e w a lk in g t h r o u g h a n e w

w o r ld .

A c t u a lly , it i s w a l k i n g t h r o u g h a n e w

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w o r ld .

T h e w o rld re a lly e x is ts in th e a s tr a l, b e c a u s e yo u m a k e it exist. T h e s u b c o n sc io u s will m o s t likely c r e a t e a n e n v ir o n m e n t t h a t re s e m ­ b les a p hysical e n v ir o n m e n t b e c a u s e t h a t is w h e r e it h a s th e m o st e x p e rie n c e , b u t it c a n a ls o g et in s p ir a tio n f ro m e n e r g ie s t h a t a r e not o f p h ysical o rig in . As y o u r c o n s c io u s m in d b e c o m e s in c r e a s in g ly e n g r o s s e d in visual­ iza tio n , th e p r o je c tio n

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b a c k g ro u n d .

P ro je c tio n is a n a tu r a l p r o c e s s t h a t k ic k s in e a c h n ig h t, b u t o n ly if your co n scio u s m in d d o e s n o t i n te r f e r e . T h e c o n s c io u s m in d w a n ts to be co n scio u s o f all p r o c e s s e s . In o t h e r w o r d s , it w a n t s c o n tr o l o v e r every­ th in g . It is a b it o f a c o n tr o l f r e a k . T h e o n ly p r o b le m is t h a t it does no t k n o w h o w to m a n a g e s o m e p r o c e s s e s , s u c h a s i n tu itio n a n d a stra l p ro je c tio n . If you have e x p e rie n c e d in tu itio n , yo u m a y h a v e n o tic e d th a t it is at its s h a rp e s t w h e n you a r e a b s e n tm in d e d . W it h o u t e v e n try in g to have th em , in tuitive th o u g h ts p o p in to y o u r c o n s c io u s m in d ; a n d w h en you s ta r t try in g to have th e m , th e y s to p c o m in g . T h is is b e c a u s e th e con­ scious m in d in te r fe r e s w ith t h e in tu itiv e p r o c e s s . T h e s a m e is tru e for a s tra l p ro je c tio n . To a v o id th is p r o b le m , w e will u s e v isu a liz a tio n as a d ecoy for th e c o n scio u s m in d . W h e n t h e c o n s c io u s m in d is b u sy walking a ro u n d in o u r visu a liz e d e n v ir o n m e n t, t h e s u b c o n s c io u s m in d is free to a rra n g e th e p ro je c tio n . > f o

Visiiiili/iiiion and th e C en ter o f Thought You c a n in te n sify y o u r v isu a liz a tio n

by m o v in g y o u r c e n te r of

th o u g h t. As e x p la in e d in th e c h a p te r o n a w a r e n e s s , t h e h e a d

p ro v id e s

en e rg y th a t b o o s ts th e a n a ly tic a l p a r t o f y o u r m in d . T h e h e a d h as many su b a rt as fro m w h ic h w e c a n g e t d iff e re n t ty p e s o f p ro a n a ly tic a l energy

V isualization The a re a b e tw e e n th e e y e s a n d th e s p a c e in th e a ir in fro n t o f th a t a rea

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(also know n as t h e m in d s c re e n o r th e th ird -e y e a re a ) p ro v id e energy for accessing m em o ry . T h e s e a r e a s a r e p a rtic u la rly b e n eficial fo r visualiza­ tion b ecau se th e y p ro v id e a c c e s s to m e m o r ie s fro m w h ich we can b o r­ row d e s c rip tio n s fo r t h e o b je c ts w e a r e visualizing. W h e n focusing in

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these a re a s , th e v isu a liz e d o b je c ts g e n e ra lly a p p e a r m o re like physical objects.

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Exercise: M emory Visualization 1. Close y o u r eyes. Relax y o u r m in d . 2. S pend a m in u te in blackness. Im ag in e y o u are in a black void o u t in space so m ew h ere.

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3. Turn y o u r eyes slightly u p w ard . M o v e y o u r atte n tio n to th e space betw een y o u r eyes, w h ere th e b ro w begins.

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4. Visualize a ho rse, as y o u d id in a previous exercise. 5. Are th e sight, to u ch , a n d sm ell o f th e h o rse m o re detailed?

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as intuition and®

By fo cu sin g o n th e th ird -ey e area, m em o rie s b eco m e m ore easily accessible. W ith m o re m em o rie s fro m w hich to g et visualization infor­ m ation, th e h o rse sh o u ld be m o re d etailed .

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th o u t even trying10** p u s mind;

F o cu sin g o n t h e m in d s c r e e n is a ls o a g o o d m e th o d for s to rin g things in y our m e m o ry . W h e n w e fo cu s o n t h e m in d s c re e n , th e visualization m ay b e play in g o u t t o o slow ly. It m ay e v e n tu r n dull, a n d since dullness is s o m e th in g w e w a n t to av o id —t h e r e is n o p o in t in visualizing u n less th e visualization is fu n —w e will h a v e to fo cu s on a n a r e a t h a t p ro v id es m o re c re a tiv ity a n d e n te r ta i n m e n t . I like th e c e n te r o f th e c h e s t b ecau se it holds p le n ty o f c re a tiv e e n e rg y . W h e n w e focus on th e c h e st, w e do no t feel a n e e d for t h e v isualized o b je c ts to h av e d etail o r to re s e m b le phys­ ical o b je c ts. J u s t like a n a b s tr a c t p a in te r, w e c a re m o re a b o u t th e feel­ ing a nd m e a n in g o f th e p a in tin g th a n its se m b la n c e to re a l ob jects.

Astral Projection a n d the Na ture o f R eality

1. Close y o u r eyes. Relax y o u r m ind.

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Exercise: Creative Visualization

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/Is I fall asleep, I use a visualization technique someone s u ^e s te d on an online astral projection discussion forum. I visualize falling down a bottomless hole in the ground.

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A while later I am dreaming that I am in a large unfamiliar city, in a subway station. I haue lost sight o f my friends and am bored, so I decide to go home. I haue no idea which station I should go to. I get on the first escalator going up. I read a sign on the way up. I am not sure w here I am supposed to go, but I am sure this escalator is going

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in the wrong direction. I struggle to get o ff the escalator. I notice a constant motion going on in the back­ ground, initiated by falling through that endless hole in my visualization. The escalator represents another motion. I feel the two motions are in conflict. This struggle makes me unsynchronized with the m ovem ent o f the escalator. The dream loses its synchro­ nization and breaks u p into shards and falls away into a void.

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I fall into a dark space and keep falling. My vision is not working. I recognize the feeling: I am astral projecting! I am very glad because it has been a long time since I last astral projected. I am falling downward. I analyze too much, which breaks my state of

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scious sleep state. I relax m y mind and get back into the astral projection state. I am still falling t h ro ugh a d a r k space. It is fun! I am v ery happy. I expect the mate­

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rial o f the w orlds I a m p assin g through to hit m y b o d y a s I g o through them. Sud denly

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mind, and I lose the astral projection state. I think I am awake, but it is probably a con­

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it does, a s if I h a v e o rd e re d it (w hich I h a v e b y expecting it). It feels like gusts o f wind, but intuitively I k n o w these are entire astral worlds. It feels like I am falling from a great height, at a great speed, a n d the w in d is pressin g against m y b o d y a n d face. This must be what parachuting is like. It is extrem ely joyous. I k n o w I will ne ver hit the ground, because there is n o n e — n o n e that ca n hurt m y astral body, anyway. I try out so m e p o s ­

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tures I h a v e seen sk yd ivers do. This is m ore fun than I hav e h a d in years.

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I w ake up, o r so I think. I m ake s o m e q u ick notes, so I will not forget w hat h a p ­ pened. W hen I w ake u p in the morning, I ca n ’t fin d the notes. Apparently, I h a d not been in w aking p hysical reality w hen I m ad e them.

T ropical N a tiv e D r e a m

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Som e time later, I am dreaming, with a bit o f that magical astral projection or lucid sfafe o f mind. I am a yo u n g native on a sm all tropical island. I am sitting on a beautiful sa ndy beach. There are sparkles in the ocean waves. The dream is extremely detailed

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality a n d colorful. I lean d o w n a n d drink from a sm all stream. This is perfect. Life is simple a n d I am perfectly happy. / w alk toward the jungle. I lo o k d o w n a n d see a beautiful re d ant. A ray o f su n glit­ ters on its back. Then I hear, o r feel rather, the jungle getting worried. I turn a ro u n d and see three large sailing sh ip s a pp roa ching the island. O n e o f the sh ip s is close e n ough to la n d a n y second. I lo o k at flags. They are black. Pirates! I h au e to w arn the village. I run a s fast a s I can, but s o m e h o w I k n o w it is too late. The w ay I identify with the yo ung native m akes m e think this is a m e m o ry from a p ast life.

Do o n e o f th e following tw o e x e rc ise s . D o th e o n e th a t you feel is e a sie st. If you like tr e e s , d o th e f ir s t o n e . If y ou lik e rela x in g o n the p o rch , d o th e s e co n d .

Exercise: Swaying Trees Visualization 1. Go to bed. 2. Close y o u r eyes. 3. Visualize sta n d in g in a sm all m ead o w in a forest. 4. Feel the clear energy from the trees a ro u n d you. The presence o f trees o p ens y o u to receive energy fro m n a tu re . 5. Visualize the trees sw aying in th e w ind. 6. Sway w ith them , as if y o u w ere o n e o f th e trees. 7. C ontinue as y o u fall asleep.

Exercise: Angie's Hammock Visualization 1. Go to bed. 2. Close y o u r eyes. 3. Visualize lying in a h am m ock o n a porch. 4. Swing the ham m ock back a nd forth, as y o u fall asleep. 5. C ontinue visualizing this as y o u fall asleep.

isualizatioris o f falling o r flying a r e g o o d fo r a s tr a l p ro je c tio n because cal m in^

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n 0 t USeC* to c*°‘n 8 th o s e th in g s, a t le a s t n o t in a w aking physiI h e m ind s e x p e cta tio n s a n d y o u r w o rld in itia ted by visualization

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be u n s y n c h ro n iz ed . T h is will ag ain c re a te a gap b e tw e en th e visualized a nd th e d r e a m w o rld .

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Exercise: Endless Hole Visualization

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1. Go to bed.

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2. Close y o u r eyes. 3. Jusr b efo re y o u fall asleep, visualize s ta n d in g next to a w ide hole in the ground. You look d o w n th e hole a n d c a n 't see rh e b o tto m , because there is no n e. It is an en d less hole.

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4. Throw y o u rse lf in to th e hole. 5. Feel y o u rse lf falling. Feel th e sucking sen satio n in y o u r belly. If the sensation is no r there, create it. 6. C ontinue visualizing th is as y o u fall asleep.

lization T h e n e x t v isu a liz a tio n ta k e s a d v a n ta g e o f t h e fac t th a t w e a r e co n d i­

a te r .

tioned to s e e o u rs e lv e s fro m a f ir s t- p e rs o n p e rs p e c tiv e rela tiv e to o u r b odies. T h e id e a o f b e in g o u ts id e o f o u r b o d ie s is f a r fro m m u n d an e , w hich is w hy it w o r k s w ell fo r a s tr a l p ro je c tio n .

Exercise: Barb’s Zoom-Out Visualization 1. Go to bed. 2. Close y o u r eyes. 3. Visualize looking a t y o u rse lf from the ceiling. 4. Then, a t your own speed, zoom o u t until y our body is ju st a tiny speck. 5. Zoom back in until y o u are facin g y o u r body. 6. Then zoom o u t again. 7. C ontinue zoom ing in and o u t, as you fall asleep.

V isu a liz a tio n a n d S le e p S ta te s A s y o u m a y h a v e n o t ic e d in t h e s e e x e r c is e s , w h e n y o u (all a s le e p d u r ­ in g v is u a liz a t io n y o u r s le e p is h ig h l y a ffe c te d b y it. S o m e t i m e s y o u e n d

Astra! Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality up in a w eird sta te o f m ind. T hey a re n o t really w eird, becau se they are p a rt of the n atu ral sleep process, b u t they seem w e ird b e c au se we rarely consciously ex p erien ce th em . V isualization help s us b eco m e conscious in such sleep s ta te s so th a t w e m ay use th e s e e x p e rie n ce s in d iffe re n t ways from how the subconscious can. O ne o f th e u ses o f such a sleep sta te is th e astra l p rojection ex p e rie n ce . To induce an a s tra l p ro je c tio n e x p e rie n c e , w e will apply a tech n iq u e I d escribe only b riefly h e re , b u t 1 will delv e in to fully la te r in th is Circle. F irst, you have to visualize in th e hypnagogic s ta te a n d fall a sle e p during th e visualization. T h e visualization k e e p s th e c o n scio u s m in d so m ew h at a le rt, even a fte r th e physical body falls a s le e p . You c a n tra in y o u rself to rem ain conscious in v isualization, long a f te r you n o rm a lly w ould becom e unconscious in d e e p s le e p . S o m e tim e s , I v isu alize fo r h o u rs a fte r my physical body h a s fallen a s le e p . H ow ever, th is is n o t n e c e s s a ry fo r the a stra l p ro je c tio n technicpie w e will u s e . W e will le t th e subconscious ( ra th e r th a n th e co n scio u s) m in d gu id e u s in to t h e a s tr a l re a lm . This a p p ro a c h re q u ir e s less e ffo rt on th e p a r t o f o u r co n scio u s m in d . If you fall a sle e p w h ile visualizing, th e v isu a liz a tio n will continue w ith o u t yo u r c o n scio u s in te r a c tio n . T h e v isu alizatio n h e ig h te n s the d rea m in g you, ca u sin g an in te n s ifie d d r e a m . (By th e w o rd in te n s e , 1 m ea n a h e ig h te n e d a le r tn e s s o f th e m in d . I a m n o t r e f e r rin g to th e con­ te n ts of th e d re a m .) You m ay b e a w a r e o f th is in flu e n c e o r you m ay not n o tice it a t all. It d o e s n o t m a t t e r (s e e fig u re 3 ). If you w a k e u p a n d t h e n v isu a liz e a g a in a s yo u fall b a c k to sleep,

Level o f A w a re n e ss N o np hy sica l Aw are n e ss Body Aw are n e ss

Figure 3. H ypn agogic v isu a liz a tio n le a d s to in te n sifie d dream s. 132

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previous experimai,

lesson, and havingamp. ?sson upon which the e p ? ] impatient m in d.so w »to grow from our expend iv to acceleraie iliefwf*'1

only tak e s a few s e c o n d s to a c co m p lish b u t will allow for h o u rs o f fun in the a stra l. U se th is te c h n iq u e b e fo re a n y a s tr a l p ro je c tio n .

The Energy o f Intent Everything 3™W ijuihesame energy.

Monday, N o v e m b e r 11, 2 0 0 2 O ne Type o f Energy The cat wakes m e up in the m iddle o f the night. He is running around like mad, staring out each window in turn. Barb is w orried that there might b e som eone or some­ thing outside the cabin. I feel I haue been taught som ething during sleep, perhaps in an astral learning center. One part o f m e was educated while another part o f me dreamed about going to a uniuersity. Perhaps the dream was a consequence o f the fact that I u;as in an astral learning center; one part o f m e affects another part o f me. What I was taught was a lesson in energy. I wake up a n d know that there is only

0r noi

one type o f energy in the uniuerse. It is everyw here a nd I can sense it. We all can. It feels like pockets o f energy, spread about in the air an d in matter. The higher concen­ tration o f pockets in a place, the m ore energetic that place is. I look at Barb and sense she consists o f pockets o f energy. Euerything does. My subtle parts are in charge. My ational mind has yet to awaken, or I choose not to use it. Is that one type o f energy e - N o. . . n /ee/s more like the energy o f intent. In any case, I choose not to analyze

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it, because I know that my subconscious already know s exactly what the energy is and "V analytical mind would therefore only get in the way. pect from the commotion that there may b e aliens about, so I get out o f the

144

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T he Energy o f I n te n t bed, which is m ad e out o f p o c ke ts o f energy, a n d p e e r out the w indow. I am scared o f the idea that aliens, o r eve n w orse— h u m a n s— c o u ld barge in here a n d take us away to perform painful experiments. I am afraid o f the potential pain, nothing more. The prospect o f cultural exchange excites me. The d a rk n e ss a n d the w obb ling light from the fire-stove put m e in a s p o o k e d m ood. Then I realize that if aliens co m e around, with their interdim ensional co m m u n ica tio n devices, there w o u ld surely b e a d isturbance in the pockets o f en ergy outside, a n d I w o u ld feel this like ripples u p o n a pond. Reassured, the fear dissipates.

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The next m orning, Barb tells m e sh e h a d a h y p n ago gic image o f a tall, steel-gray alien looking at u s through the w in d o w s a s w e slept. P erh ap s h e w as gazing at u s from another d im e nsion a n d c o u ld o n ly b e se en in the h y p n ago gic state, w h en reason is asleep.

E v e rything you s e e , th in k , h e a r, feel, e m o te , a n d sm ell is c re a te d from th e s a m e en e rg y . T h e r e is only o n e ty p e o f e n e rg y in th e u n iv erse. From all my a s tr a l e x p lo ra tio n , th e c lo sest I c a n co m e to d e scrib in g th a t energy is th a t it is th e e n e rg y o f in te n t. N o th in g in th e u n iv erse would exist unless t h e r e w e re th e in te n t fo r it to be. All m atte r, feelings, and thoughts exist b e c a u s e s o m e o n e in te n d e d to e x p e rie n c e th e m . This also m eans th a t if you e x p e rie n c e th e m , you in te n d e d to e x p e rie n c e th em . The in te n t o f h aving th e m a ttr a c ts in te n t en e rg y fro m th e u n iv erse, which h as e n e rg y in a b u n d a n c e , a n d fo rm s th e en e rg y into th e in te n d e d m anifestation. T h e re a r e tw o p o in ts to re m e m b e r w h en it c o m es to this energy: 1. T h e re is an a lm o st n ev e r-e n d in g su p p ly o f e nergy. T he supply

******

is as large as o u r in te n tio n to exist. 2. By sim ply in ten d in g so m eth in g , w h e th e r physical o r no n p h y sical, you can c re a te it fro m raw in ten t energy. T he e nergy o f in te n t c a n b e tu n e d to v ib ra te a t c e rta in freq u en cies. How do you m ak e th a t h a p p e n ? By in ten d in g it o f co u rse! Your m ind consists of several d im en sio n s, as you a re a m ultidim ensional being. Each dim ension of your m ind h as an e n erg y m old. A m old is a m ind func­ tion th a t m an ip u lates e n erg y acco rd in g to y our in te n tio n s. Each mold is tu n ed according to w h a t e n erg y freq u en cies th a t m old w orks with. The physical energy m old is tu n ed to p ro cess a low -frequency energy th a t we call physical m atter. This m old sucks in raw in te n t energy from th e uni­ verse a nd adjusts its freq u en cy so th a t it can be sh ap ed a n d held in place 145

Astral Projection a n d rite N ature o f R eality a s subatom ic pa rticle s. T h e se a re n o t solid p a rticle s a t all, o f course; they a re just e n e rg y o f in te n t v ib rating a t c e rta in fre q u e n c ie s. T h e re is no such th in g as a solid pa rticle . T h e physical e n e rg y m old in te n d s for en ergy to in te ra c t in a c e rta in w ay fo r it to fo rm m o lecu les. T h e m ole­ cules a re in tu rn in te n d e d to form cells in y o u r body. T h e s e m olecules a n d cells a re not solid p a rtic le s a t all, o f c o u rs e ; th e y a r e j u s t e n erg y of in te n t vibrating a t c e rta in fre q u e n c ie s. E verything is th e s a m e e n e rg y (se e fig u re 5 ). Sin ce E in stein pub­ lished On a H e u ristic V iew p o in t co n c ern in g th e P ro d u ctio n a n d Transfor­ m ation o f Light in 1905, sc ie n c e h a s k n o w n t h a t light c a n b e d escrib ed as b oth a p a rticle a n d a w av e fo rm . In 1924, Louis d e B ro g lie discovered th a t

m a tte r a lso b e h a v e s

as

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a

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and

a

w av efo rm .12

A pparently, w e a r e living in th e m id d le o f a big w av e. P e rh a p s em otions a n d th o u g h ts will a lso be fo u n d to have w av e p r o p e r tie s . T h e em o tio n al a n d m e n ta l e n e rg y m o ld s w o rk in th e s a m e way as th e physical e n e rg y m old, e x c e p t th e y a r e tu n e d to p ro c e s s e n e rg ie s with fre q u e n c ie s re p r e s e n tin g e m o tio n s a n d th o u g h ts , re sp e c tiv e ly . T h e re are m any m o re e n e rg y m o ld s in o u r m in d s , b u t fo r t h e s a k e o f sim plicity, we will stick to only th e s e t h r e e . T h e th re e e n e rg y m o ld s a ffect e a c h o th e r . F o r e x a m p le , if th e men­ tal m old m an ifests (from y o u r in te n t) a th o u g h t o f in ad e q u a c y , th e emo­ tional m old will m a n ifest, p e rh a p s w ith a few d a y s ’ d elay, th e anxiety of

M ental (T h o u gh t) E n e rg y Em otional E n e rg y Astral M a s s Ene rgy Visible Light a n d C o lo r Spe ctrum Energy So u n d Energy Physical M a ss Energy figure 5. Energy frequency.

The Energy of Intent in a d e q u a c y .

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T h e p h y sic a l m o ld will t h e n d e lib e ra te ly fu m b le in its m an i­

festation o f fre s h c ells, th e r e b y fo rm in g th e c o n d itio n s fo r d ise a se to enter, c re a tin g th e ph y sic a l m e a n in g o f in a d e q u a c y . L ikew ise, th e e n e rg y molds also a ffe c t e a c h o t h e r in p o sitiv e w ay s. A s im p le p o sitiv e th o u g h t can tu rn th e tid e o n a n e x te n d e d d e p re s s io n o r d ise a s e . T h e m o ld s th e m s e lv e s a r e s e r v a n ts to y o u r in te n t. A n y th in g you

S>- Si,

intend to h a p p e n , t h e m o ld s will m a n ife s t, g iv en s o m e tim e . S e e , you can have a n y th in g y o u w a n t s im p ly by in te n d in g to h av e it. T h e p ro b le m is

th a t '

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th a t w e a s h u m a n b e in g s a lm o s t a lw a y s h a v e d o u b ts (b o rn fro m beliefs) that tell us s o m e th in g s a r e u n a tta in a b le o r t h a t w e a r e n o t w o rth y o f

!icle8nda»»% |W * " * * • * , Properties.

exp e rie n cin g t h e m . T h is is all w ro n g , b e c a u s e e v e ry th in g is a tta in a b le and w e a r e w o r th y o f e v e ry th in g . H o w e v e r, as lo n g a s w e h av e th o se beliefs a n d d o u b ts , o u r in te n t will b e s a b o ta g e d a n d w e will fail to m a n ­ ifest th e th in g s w e d e s ir e .

v o r ^ ln th e same waya

Now, r e m e m b e r th e a n s w e r s to th e s e q u e s tio n s : Is it p o ssib le fo r you

1to process energies u i

to leave y o u r p h y sic a l b o d y ? Yes, b e c a u s e a n y th in g is p o ssib le . A re you

i respectively. There a?; he sake of simplicity,«

w orthy o f an out-of-body e x p e rie n c e ? Yes, you a r e w o rth y o f e v ery th in g .

or example, ifthe-n# ■ ta d e q m n *® ’ ,■ d e l a y . * * ® *

Exercise: No Doubts M ake these s ta te m e n ts y o u r m o tto s w henever y o u m ake a decision: "Anything is possible." "1 am w orthy o f everything."

Manifesting through Intent 1. Tonight as you lie in bed, w ith y o u r eyes closed, create y o u r future astral projection by visualizing e x itin g y o u r body and floating around. This is a direct in stru ctio n to y o u r energy m olds to ad ju st the way they process energy in o rd er to m ake th e projection happen. 2. Visualize o th e r things yo u w a n t in y our life. Anything y o u visualize w ith sufficient intensity and perseverance will happen.

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3. Visualize how y o u r next day will be. For each thing yo u have to do tom orrow , visualize the best outcom e for you.

147

i#

Energy Exercises

W h e n th e e n e rg y t h r o u g h p u t in t h e e n e r g y m o ld s d e s c r ib e d e a rlie r is c o n scio u sly a d ju s te d , o d d a n d u n e x p e c te d th in g s m a y o c c u r. If you in te n tio n a lly in c r e a s e th e flo w o f e n e r g y th r o u g h , f o r e x a m p le , o n e of y o u r leg s, th e n t h e m u n d a n e e n e r g y p a t t e r n s in t h a t le g w ill b e u p s e t an d yo u w ill g e t p h y sic a l-lik e s e n s a tio n s t h a t s e e m t o b e lo n g to a n o th e r d im e n s io n - w h ic h th e y d o . Tuesday, Ja n u ary 2, 2001 Astral Touch I wake up at Ha .m . and decide to h a v e an OBE. I relax m y b o d y an d clear m y mind. Thoughts keep coming, so I decide to try to listen fo r a sound. I convince myself that my computer will soon produce a beep. W hen a n d i f I hear the beep, I am to get out of bed immediately. Therefore, it is very im portant that I react to th e sound as quickly as possible. This is silly, because m y com puter is no t ev en turned on. Anyway, it works. My mind silences all thoughts in order to b e able to hear th e beep. or a while, I feel a current run from the top o f m y h ead dow n to my chest. I t feels lust ike the times I have touched electrical fences, only it does not hurt. I do not know W ^ 148

f° *° from here■1caU out for help. Two spirits, both male, come to my assistance

ron„

Energy Exercises (this could b e pretending). I a s k them w hat to d o to get out o f m y body. O n e o f them (the tall one) says, "Y o u s h o u ld g o p e e ." I n e e d to d o that, but I think it w ould require too much effort to get b a c k to m y current state a n d I tell them so. H e repeats: "You should go pee." I say, “Ok, I will b e b a c k in five. W ill y o u b e w aiting?" They reply, "Yes.” I regain control o f m y b o d y a n d g o to the bathroom . I get b ack into bed, clear m y m in d b y listening for the beep, a n d so o n I am near them again. I try to talk to them, but they are in so m e k in d o f trance. They are sitting with their legs crossed, a s s o m e p e o p le d o w h e n meditating. I call out for them again. > -*

This time they re sp o n d . I a s k them w h y they w ere in trance just now. They reply that

“• O C j

they were trying to co n n e c t to me. Then I realize that these g u y s are alive a n d engaged in meditation, just like I am. I a sk them aga in h o w to get o ut o f m y b ody. They sa y I s h o u ld “relax a n d g o with the flow ." I notice that m y fo re h e a d is n o t relaxed e n ough; it w a s strained w hen I lis­ tened for the beep. I relax it a n d follow the flow. I just p a ssive ly float along anything that co m e s into m y m ind. I drift clo se r to sleep. A visio n co m e s along: I am sitting at the kitchen table. I stroke the sid e o f the table w ith m y right hand, a n d it feels real! I can feel the w o o d against m y fingers. I a m alerted b y this sensation, a n d it ke eps m e from falling asleep. Sim ilar things h a p p e n tw o m o re tim es in the bed. I drift closer to sleep

V m o ld s described earlier

and

H Q

However, I a m s u re that m y p h y sica l foo t d o e s not m o v e an inch.

s m ay occur. If you

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feel m y right foo t kick, like a sp asm . I feel it m o v e a n d I feel it hit the sheets.

Som e time later, I drift clo ser to sle ep again a n d feel m y right h a n d caress the sheets f°r 15 seconds, but m y p hysical h a n d d o e s not m ove. Additionally, I feel those sensations In Sp/fe 0fth e fact that m y b o d y is relaxed to the extreme that I ca n ’t feel it. Then I have to g o to the bathroom again. I feel a c o o l breeze o n m y right ch eek a s I get up. The two fol­ lowing attempts fail; I fall asleep in m y third attempt a n d nothing h ap p ens in m y fourth. I b elieve that the z o n e betw een extrem e relaxation a n d sle ep is the key to having an OBE. I n e e d to explore that zone.

R

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T h e s e n s a t i o n s te ll y o u t h a t y o u r lo g c a n h o s o m u c h m o r e t h a n w h a t

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' n t h e w h o l e o f c r e a t io n , in all d i m e n s i o n s .

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in t h e p h y s ic a l b u t

W h e n e n e r g y is se t in m o t io n , n o n p h y s ic a l e n e r g y c h a n n e l s in th e leg a r e e n e r g iz e d . T h e s e e n e r g y c h a n n e l s c o m p a r e to n a d is , e n e r g y c h a n n e ls l° n g k n o w n in H i n d u is m . W h e n

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e n e r g y f l o w s t h r o u g h c e r t a in e n e r g y

c h a n n e ls, y o u c a n feel it a s a s e n s a t io n s i m il a r t o a m e d iu m - s t re n g t h ^ a ldOn° ^

oCe ,4 9

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality ele c tric al c u rre n t ru n n in g th ro u g h yo u r leg. T h o se e n e rg y c h a n n els are n o t physical c h a n n els, th u s th e se n sa tio n is n o t physical. A stra l projec­ to rs know this se n sa tio n as v ib ra tio n s. N o te t h a t you d o n o t n e e d to achieve th is s e n sa tio n in o r d e r to a s tr a l p ro je c t. You d o n o t even have to do e n e rg y e x e rc ise s, b u t th e y m ay help . N onphysical e n e rg y c h a n n e ls m o stly ta k e o n p a tt e r n s o f h a b it. They fin d o n e w ay to c h a n n e l e n e rg y in to y o u r b e in g t h a t w o rk s a n d th ey stick to th a t. In o r d e r to e x p lo re n e w w ay s o f b e in g —a s tr a l p ro je c tio n for e x a m p le —w e n e e d to u p s e t th o s e h a b itu a l e n e rg y p a tt e r n s . E n erg y exer­ c ise s a re o n e w ay w e c a n d o th a t. E n e rg y c h a n n e ls t h a t w e d o n o t u s e d u r in g o u r w a k in g tim e te n d to slu m b e r. J u s t like a m u sc le th a t is n e v e r u s e d , th e y g ro w w e a k a n d inef­ fic ien t. To u p s e t t h e ir s lu m b e r, all w e h a v e to d o is c o n scio u sly increase th e e n e rg y flow th ro u g h th e m .

Exercise: Circle o f Energy 1. In bed a t nig h t, close y o u r eyes a n d im ag in e a w h o le universe of energy. 2. Suck in rh e en ergy th ro u g h y o u r chest. 3. From there, it will travel all th e w ay d o w n to y o u r feet. 4. The energy will e x ity o u r b o d y th ro u g h th e soles o f y o u r feet and then m ake an arc u p th ro u g h th e a ir to y o u r ch est, w h ere it will jo in the energy from th e u n iv erse as it e n te rs y o u r chest. 5. Keep th is circle o f en erg y flo w in g fo r a b o u t 2 0 m in u te s. Be careful not to ov erh eat y o u rself. 6 . R epeat this exercise ev ery evening.

A fte r 2 0 m in u te s o f d ire c tin g th e e n e rg y flo w in g th ro u g h your bod), you m ight feel tingly, buzzing, lig h t, a n d m a y b e ev en a little high. a re sy m p to m s o f in ac tiv e e n e rg y c h a n n e ls s u d d e n ly tu rn e d active,

--- --------------

^

have c h a n g ed th e n o n p h y s ic a l e n e rg y p a tt e r n s in y o u r body, so natw ) — ......... • pattern s, evei you e x p e rie n c e n e w s e n s a tio n s . T h is c h a n g e in t h e e n e rg y p — il it only lasts for a few h o u r s , a llo w s you to th in k in n e w p a tte rn s . I for a m o re dy n a m ic , fluid, a n d o p e n w ay o f m an a g in g y o u r thoug

150

V

Energy Exercises

v '/

Why do people clim b m o u n ta in s? It is d a n g e ro u s, cold, a n d a lot o f w ork.

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'They do it b e c au se th e a c t o f c lim b in g a n d c o n q u e rin g is o u tsid e o f th eir habits of life- In te r m s o f e n e rg y , m o u n ta in c lim b in g p ro v id e s a w ay to u p set their energy p a tte rn s , b o th p hysical a n d n o n p h y sical, allowing e n erg y to flow in unused c h a n n e ls . T h e n ew flow o f e n e rg y m ak e s m o u n ta in clim bers feel m ore alive. N ow , w e d o n o t hav e to risk o u r lives clim b in g m o u n ta in s in

"g-astrai

order to e x p e rie n ce su ch a n e w e n e rg y flow . All w e h av e to d o is d ire c t th e

y pattern,

energy flow w ith o u r m in d to ach ie v e a sim ila r ex c ite d s ta te o f being. W h e n p e o p le c lim b m o u n ta in s , t h e i r p h y sic a l a n d m e n ta l e n e rg y flows c h a n g e o u t o f n e c e s s ity . T h e y m u s t c h a n g e in o r d e r to k e e p fro m

5UrWaki" ^ e lwd,

falling off th e m o u n ta in w a ll. In t h e c a s e o f a s tr a l p ro je c tio n , it is n o t

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n ecessary fo r t h e flo w s to c h a n g e . W e s im p ly m u s t p u t m o re e ffo rt in to

JS consciously increase

visualizing n o n p h y s ic a l e n e rg y flo w in g th ro u g h o u r b o d y .

Exercise: Creating through Energy a w h o le universe of

r feer.

1. Close y o u r eyes. 2. Intend y o u r bo d y to be m o re fluid, d ynam ic, o p en , an d conducive. 3. Suck in energy fro m th e u n iv erse th ro u g h an y p o in t o f y o u r body. 4. Visualize th e en ergy w ash in g over y o u r in te n t o f fluidity, m ak in g y o u r in te n t b eco m e reality.

fy o u i-fa ta n d rtf1

here it wi« j»intk

If you w a n t, you c a n u s e to o ls to h e lp you d ire c t en e rg y . C ry sta ls a re especially usefu l. A ny ty p e o f q u a r tz c ry s ta l is g o o d fo r su ck in g in e n e rg y

( j « s . Be carefi1' " ot

of in te n t. If you h a v e a c o u p le o f c ry s ta ls , t h a t is g r e a t, b u t you do no t have to buy any n e w c ry s ta ls if you d o n o t h av e any. You can u se an o rd i­ n ary ro ck , a p la n t, o r ev en d irt. R e m e m b e r, th e p o w e r to d ire c t e n e rg y of in te n t lies w ith in y o u r m in d , n o t in a p h ysical o b jec t. T h e m in d , how­ ever, o ften believes m o re in e x te r n a l p h y sical o b jec ts th a n in its own abil­

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ities. I t m ight, th e r e fo r e , b e helpful to p r e te n d th a t th e o b jec ts c h an n el th e energy, r a t h e r th a n th e m in d itself. To optim ize th e energy flow, you have to find p o in ts on y our body that a re especially open to e n erg y input. T h ese po in ts m ay coincide with chakras, as th ese have high co n cen tratio n s o f nonphysical energy channels. Chakra is a S a n sk rit w o rd th a t m e a n s “w h e e l.” A c h a k ra is th o u g h t to be

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality an e n e rg y no d e chan n elin g vitality into th e physical body. T h e seven m ain c h a k ra s a r e aligned along th e spine.

Exercise: Finding Energy Points 1. Close y o u r eyes. 2. Say o u t loud: "I." 3. Scan y o u r body for areas th a t light up, tingle, o r feel especially alive w hen u ttering "I." These areas have stro n g energy flows. 4. M ake a no te o f w here those areas are.

O nce you have a c o u p le o f e n e rg y o b je c ts (ro c k s will suffice) and kn o w y o u r b o d y ’s s tr o n g e n e rg y s p o ts , yo u c a n o p tim iz e t h e e n e rg y flow th ro u g h y o u r body. D o th e follow ing e x e rc is e o n c e a f t e r w a k in g u p, once in th e a fte rn o o n , a n d o n c e b e fo r e g o in g to s le e p , fo r t h r e e d ays. This sh o u ld g e t y o u r e n e rg y flow ing.

Exercise: Individualized Energy Flow I. Lie dow n. 2. Place one energy ob jec t (crystal, rock, p lan t, etc.) on o n e o f y o u r areas o f strong energy flow. 3. Place a n o th e r energy o b jec t o n a n o th e r area o f y o u r body th a t has strong energy flow, preferably n o t to o close to th e first area. 4. Close y o u r eyes. 5. As you inhale, visualize energy flow ing from th e first energy object, through y o u r body, a nd o u t in to the seco n d energy object. 6. Rest d u rin g y o u r exhale. 7. Continue steps 4 through 6 for ten m inutes. You d o n o t have to concen­ trate. Let yo u r thoughts w ander. The energy flow will take care of itself. 8. W hen done, j u s t for fun, hold y o u r palm s an inch ap a rt. Do you feel a warm , slightly tingling, presence o f energy? 9. Also, p u ty o u r right palm h alf an inch b e h in d y o u r head. Do y ou feel

Most astral pj body. This is n o t a physical body to o r Projection literatu r to human trad itio (which it is n o t). VI

Exit Techniques

M o st a s tr a l p r o je c ti o n s a r e p r e c e d e d b y t h e e x it f ro m t h e p h y sic a l body. T h is is n o t a n a c tu a l e x it, a s m u c h a s a s h if t o f a tt e n ti o n fro m y o u r physical b o d y to o n e o f y o u r n o n p h y s ic a l b o d ie s . T h e f a c t t h a t o ld e r a s tr a l p ro je c tio n l it e r a t u r e r e f e r s to t h e s h if t o f a tt e n ti o n a s a n e x it is c a u s e d by th e h u m a n t r a d itio n a l b e lie f t h a t t h e p h y s ic a l is o u r n a tu r a l s ta t e o f b e in g (w hich it is n o t) . W h e n r e s e a r c h e r s t r i e d to e x p la in t h e a s tr a l p ro je c tio n p h e n o m e n o n in t h e o ld d a y s , th e y n a tu r a lly a s s u m e d t h a t s o m e p a r t o f us e x ite d w h a t th e y th o u g h t w a s t h e c e n t e r o f o u r b e in g , o u r b o d ie s . W h a t if t h e r e a r e p a r t s o f u s t h a t a r e n e v e r a c tu a lly in o u r b o d ie s , b u t flying f re e in n o n p h y s ic a l r e a l m s ? F o r e x a m p le , d o yo u c o n s id e r y o u r d re a m in g s e lf t o b e in s id e y o u r b o d y ? T h a t p a r t o f yo u n e v e r c o n c e r n s yo u r p h y sic a l b o d y . You n e v e r b r in g y o u r p h y sic a l b o d y in to a d r e a m (w hich is n o t to say t h a t th is is a n im p o s s ib le f e a t). T h e r e f o r e , d r e a m s do n o t ta k e p la c e in th e p h y sic a l r e a lm , w h ic h is th e s a m e a s sa y in g th a t d re a m s a r e n o n p h y s ic a l. T h e r e is n o n e e d fo r y o u r d r e a m in g s e lf to e v e r dip in to th e p h y sic a l. It w o u ld m a k e s e n s e t h a t y o u r d re a m in g s e lf is pu rely n o n p h y sic a l, w h ic h is to say th a t it n e v e r ex its y o u r p h y sical body. T h e s a m e a p p lie s to y o u r a s tr a l self.

A stral Projection a n d the N a tu re o f R eality W h e n you a s tr a l p ro je c t, you shift y o u r a w a re n e s s fro m th e physical body to a p a r t o f y o u rse lf a lre a d y resid in g in th e a s tr a l re a lm . T h e shift w ould b e so quick th a t you w ould in te r p r e t it as a n a ctu al physical move­ m en t. A fte r all, y o u r a w a re n e s s is c u rre n tly tu n e d in to th e physical. A se co n d la te r, you w ould find y o u rse lf in th e a s tr a l. T h e im p re ssio n of ph ysical m o v e m e n t a n d th e res u ltin g n ew e n v ir o n m e n t m ay tric k you

cn«e:

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in to believing you e x ite d y o u r body, w h e n in fa c t it w a s a sim p le sh ift of a w a re n e s s fro m o n e p a r t o f y o u r b e in g to a n o th e r . T h e ex it is a diffic u lt s u b je c t m a d e e v e n m o re c o m p lic a te d by a p h y sic a l-c e n te re d lan g u a g e , b u t still, it is w o r th s p e n d in g so m e tim e th in k in g about.. K no w in g th e m e c h a n ic s o f a w a r e n e s s is fu n d a m e n ta l to fin d ing o u r t ru e n a tu r e : A re w e p h y sic a l b e in g s a b le to tem p o rarily e s c a p e th e lim its o f t h a t ph y sic a l body, o r a r e w e n o n p h y sic a l b ein g s able to tu n e in to a ph y sic a l b o d y ?

Sunday, June 10, 2001 ofus, otir aw ai enesi

Roll-Out I

am very tired in the afternoon, so I go to b ed at 5 p. m . I do not plan to astral proj­ noi stop there bu t ci

ect. I open my mind to psychic comm unication. I slip in an d out o f Focus 10 (Robert

forexample.

Monroe's name for the “bo d y asleep/m ind awake" state) a n d slum ber o ff a few times.

However, in o rd e i

After an hour and HOminutes, I impulsively think, “Enough o f this, let’s get out!”I try to

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sit up, but there is massive resistance in m y chest. I only manage to sit up at a H5-degree angle from my still-lying body. I think that it might b e better to roll out. I have never used rolling as a technique to get out before, so something beyond must be inspiring me. I roll inside m y physical body. At first, I think my physical bo d y is moving along in the roll, but then my astral body breaks free. I fall through the bed, through the floor, a nd out into a dark space.

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This is a disappointment, because I want to project inside m y room. Far o ff in the dis­ tance, I see a planet or som e kind o f blurry light, a nd I figure that going there is the only fun thing to do. My awareness is becoming a bit stiff an d attached to m y physical body (although I am nowhere near it), so / roll a few m ore times and am free once again. I raise my right arm like Superman and swoosh o ff at an amazing speed toward the planet. I am overw helm ed by massive tingling an d vibrations! Halfway to the planet, I get bored. I still want to project inside m y room. I know that visual input from my physical eyes will take m e back to the physical realm■I ° P ^ my physical eyes a bit and close them. I find m yself back in m y room. I roll out onto

154

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Exit Techniques //oof and float around for a few seconds. Then the experience ends and I am not able

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to create another astral projection. An e x it te c h n iq u e is a s e q u e n c e o f a c tio n s t h a t p r e p a r e s a n d exe­ cutes th e sh ift o f y o u r a w a r e n e s s f ro m t h e p h y sic a l b o d y to th e p a r t o f

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you resid in g in t h e a s tr a l. M o s t e x it te c h n i q u e s a r e d e s ig n e d to m o v e, as

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if by a c c id e n t, a s e m ip h y s ic a l (s o m e c all it e th e r e a l ) p a r t o f yo u . W h e n th a t p a r t o f you is s e t in m o tio n , it c a lls u p o n y o u r a w a r e n e s s fo r y o u r conscious a s s is ta n c e . Y ou will n o tic e th is a s a d is tin c t b u t a b s tr a c t signal th at tells you t h a t y o u a r e r e a d y to le a v e y o u r bo d y .

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You will t h e n g a in m o r e c o n tr o l o v e r t h a t s e m ip h y s ic a l p a r t as you move it f u rth e r. You m o v e it s im p ly b y in te n d in g to m o v e it. A n o th e r w ay to m ove it is by a tt e m p t in g t o m o v e y o u r p h y sic a l b o d y , w h ic h will by th e n b e a s le e p . B e c a u s e t h e b o d y is a s le e p , y o u r a tt e m p t to m ove inste a d m o v es th e s e m ip h y s ic a l p a r t . W h e n w e in te n tio n a lly o r a c c id e n ta lly m o v e t h a t s e m ip h y s ic a l p a r t of us, o u r a w a r e n e s s is s h if te d i n to it. In m o s t c a s e s , th e a w a r e n e s s d o e s not sto p t h e r e b u t c o n tin u e s in to fully n o n p h y s ic a l p a r t s o f us—th e a s tra l, for e x a m p le . H ow ever, in o r d e r to b e a b le to m o v e t h a t s e m ip h y sic a l p a r t to begin w ith, th e p h y sic a l b o d y h a s to b e d e e p ly a s le e p o r w e will e n d u p m ov­ ing it in s te a d . W e fin d th e “b o d y d e e p a s le e p ” s ta t e in all s le e p s ta te s , b u t for u s to b e a w a r e e n o u g h to c o n tr o l th e e x it, w e hav e to lim it o u r

Im/H ,nd 0 i lbt

exits to th e h y p n a g o g ic (fallin g a s le e p ) a n d h y p n o p o m p ic (w a k in g up) s ta te s. In m y e x p e rie n c e , t h e h y p n a g o g ic s ta t e , a f t e r a p e rio d o f sleep , is th e m o s t b e n e fic ia l s ta t e fo r e x its. P e r h a p s th e r e a s o n for th a t is th a t

a " “ * h « b e lie f, ab o u ,

Conquering Fear

Did your projection sc a re you? If it d id , th a t is p erfectly norm al. I have yet to m eet a p e rso n w ho is n o t sc a re d out o f his m ind w hen his sense of reality is to ssed inside out. I, to o , w as te rrifie d during my first short projection. In fact, I panicked. Now, I m ust tell you th a t th e fe a r you e x p erie n ce d can do much harm . As it is said, we have nothing to fe a r but fe a r itself. Projections are not harm ful in any way. T h e e v id en ce is th a t you p ro je c te d and you are still alive and well. T he only w ay you can g e t h u r t is by allowing the fear to control your life. B esides, it d o es n o t m ak e sen se to be afraid of the astral projection ex p erien ce. W hy w ould you fe a r y our capabilities, your own n a tu re -y o u r tru e self?

Thursday, January 25, 2001 Blocked by Fear As I go to b e d the night follow ing m y first astral p ro je c tio n , a p in ch in g pain arises m y stomach. It takes m e s o m e tim e to figure o u t iuh a t c a u ses it. It s e em s that m y sub' ^

ous has associated the scary astral e x p erie n ce last night w ith th e act o f $oin$ 1° P

176

thinks that i f l begin to fa ll asleep, I m ight h a v e th e s a m e experience, which is

C o n q u e r in g Fear somethin! " u,anls 10 a u o ld C° n *ecl “e n * l!

o th e rs . T h is h e a lin g fre e s us n o t only in th e a s tra l, but also in o u r phys­

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ical lives, w hich b e c o m e c le a r e r a n d fre e r.

Addictions

W h e n I h e a r t h e w o r d a d d ic tio n , m y m in d d is p la y s im a g e s o f p e o p le s m o k in g a p a c k o f c ig a r e tt e s p e r d a y o r a n u n f o r t u n a t e p e r s o n f o rc e d to live in t h e s t r e e t b e c a u s e h e h a s t o s p e n d a ll h is r e s o u r c e s to s a tis fy his c ra v in g fo r n a r c o t ic s . B u t a d d ic t io n d o e s n o t h a v e t o b e t h a t s e v e r e . A n a d d ic tio n is s im p ly a n u r g e o r c r a v in g t h a t o u r c o n s c io u s m in d is u n a b le to r e s i s t, le t a lo n e c o n tr o l . A s s u c h , w e h a v e t o b u ild a c o m p le x s y s te m o f b e lie fs s u r r o u n d i n g t h a t a d d ic t io n . T h e s e b e lie f s h e lp u s p r e v e n t th e a d d ic tiv e b e h a v io r f r o m i n te r f e r in g w ith o u r liv e s , w h ile a t t h e s a m e tim e w e d o n o t h a v e to d e a l w ith t h e a d d ic t io n . T h e t r o u b l e w ith th is so lu tio n is t h a t t h e s e b e lie fs c o m p l i c a t e o u r liv e s a n d p r e v e n t u s f r o m b e in g w h o w e t ru ly a r e . A d d ic tio n s c o m e in m a n y s h a p e s a n d s iz e s . T h e y m a y b e a c ra v in g fo r c h o c o la te o r a f ix e d id e a o f h o w w e a r e s u p p o s e d t o i n te r a c t w ith o t h e r p e o p le . O n ly o u r c r e a t iv i ty lim its t h e f o rm a n d s e v e r ity o f a n a d d ic ­ tio n . In a n y c a s e , n o m a t t e r h o w s m a ll a n a d d ic t io n is , it c a n g ive u s tro u ­ b le in t h e a s tr a l. T h e a s t r a l is v e r y s e n s i t iv e to w h a t g o e s o n in s id e o u r m in d . I f a n y th in g is o u t o f c o n tr o l in o u r m in d , t h e n o u r a s t r a l s u r r o u n d ­ in g s a n d o u r a s tr a l b e h a v io r w ill b e o u t o f c o n tr o l . H o w e v e r h a rm le s s an

A d d ic tio n s addiction may seem in the physical, il cun cause us serious problems in the astral. We aspire to travel with as few obstructions as possible, but addic­ tions represent obstructions. W hen traveling in the physical, we use moral and social beliefs to suppress addictive cravings, but in the astral, we do not have that luxury. In the astral, we are like open books, unable to suppress any part of ourselves. Therefore, we need to deal with our addictions before we can venture unhindered in the astral.

Oils

Exercise: Identifying Addictions 1. To d ete rm in e w h e th e r y o u have an ad d ictio n , list all th e possessions and acco m p lish m en ts y o u feel are im p o rta n t in y o u r life. 2. For each o f th e ite m s in th e list, ask yourself: a. "Do I feel I m u s t h a v e /d o th is? ” b. "D o I feel th a t if I d o n o t succeed in th is venture, I will n o t be able to sta n d th e o u tc o m e ? ” c. "Do 1 feel th a t w h e th e r o r n o t I have it/succeed, I will still be as good, happy, valuable, an d precious as I am now ?” (In d icato rs reco m m en d ed by Ken Keyes'0) Ify o u answ ered yes to q u estio n s a o r b, an d no to question c, then you have an ad d ictio n . In th a t case, m ark rh at irem in rhe list as an addiction. Do n o t fret. You are d o in g great. You are taking rhe first step to becom ing a freer you.

197

Realities and Beliefs

It m ight b e helpful to th in k o f a s tr a l p ro je c tio n in te r m s o f a realityfilter m odel, a s d e s c rib e d below . I d e v is e d it in o r d e r t o u n d e rs ta n d w hat h ap p en s in o u r m in d d u rin g p ro je c tio n s . It is m e re ly a m o d el a n d so d o es not necessarily m ir ro r th e e x a c t t r u t h (if t h e r e is su ch a th in g ) o f w h a t happens.

T h e F u n c tio n o f B e li e f s A s w e p ro je c t o u r a w a r e n e s s to a p la c e in C r e a tio n , t h a t p la c e becom es o u r reality. T h e r e a r e a v ast n u m b e r o f p la c e s t h a t c a n s e rv e a s realities. T h e ir n a tu r e s c a n b e c a te g o riz e d a s p h y sic a l, a s tr a l, m e n ta l, a n d other w ays o f b eing, m o s t o f w h ic h w e h a v e y e t t o d isc o v e r. W h e n o n e h as pro­ je c te d to a rea lity fo r a long tim e , o n e b e g in s to u n d e r s t a n d h o w th a t real­ ity w orks. T h e su b c o n sc io u s th e n b e g in s to d r a f t r u le s o n h o w to interact with th a t reality. T h e s e r u le s a r e n o th in g o t h e r t h a n b e lie fs a n d a r e p a rt of a p e rs o n s b e lie f s y s te m , w h ich d ic ta te s ( a n d lim its) h o w o n e behaves in th a t reality. A b e lie f h e lp s u s in te r a c t w ith a re a lity , y e t it lim its us by pre" n ting us fto m se ein g o t h e r p o ssib le w a y s o f i n te r a c tin g in t h a t reality* m oving a b e lie f h a s s o m e s tr a n g e e ff e c ts . F o r e x a m p le , since we

198

Realities and Beliefs have p ro je c te d to th e p h y sic a l fo r a s lo n g a s w e h a v e , o u r su b c o n sc io u s has built a s e t o f r u le s t h a t te lls u s h o w to i n te r a c t w ith g rav ity . T h e se rules can g e t c o m p lic a te d . If a n e n tity u n fa m ilia r w ith th e s e ru le s w e re to p ro ject in to a p h y sic a l re a lity , it w o u ld p ro b a b ly b e s u rp r is e d w h en the plan et trie s to s u c k it to t h e g ro u n d ; b y s ta n d e r s w o u ld h av e a good laugh a t its fu m b lin g m o v e m e n ts . T he su b c o n sc io u s a ls o m a k e s u p r u le s a b o u t h o w to a c t to w a rd o th e r beings. W e call th e s e m o ra l a n d so cial r u le s . If th a t s a m e no v ice e n tity were to p ro je c t to p h y sic a l E a r th , it w o u ld n o t u n d e r s ta n d h o w to in te r ­ act w ith p e o p le a n d m ig h t e v e n , w ith o u t u n d e rs ta n d in g it, h u r t th e m .

Beliefs

This is why s o m e p o s s e s s iv e s p ir its a p p e a r to b e so in c o n s id e ra te in th e ir acts to w a rd o t h e r p e o p le .

C ircu m v en tin g B e lie f s As w e p r o je c t a w a y fro m a re a lity , w e m ay c irc u m v e n t so m e o f o u r beliefs belo n g in g to t h a t re a lity . F o r e x a m p le , if you p r o je c t to a n a s tra l reality, you m ig h t d o th in g s t h e r e t h a t a r e c o n s id e r e d h a rm fu l in a p h y s­ ical reality. You m ig h t e n g a g e in se x u al o r v io le n t a c ts a n d n o t feel b ad o r guilty a b o u t it u n til yo u r e t u r n to th e p h y sic a l. T h is is b e c a u s e you

fc -rss

have c irc u m v e n te d y o u r m o ra l b e lie fs. You left y o u r m o ra ls in y o u r p h y s­ ical reality (se e figure 6 ).

1. Physical Projection

2. A stral Projection

A w a re n e ss

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Physical W o rld

„«r Figu re 6. A p ro je c tio n in to a n o t h e r w o r ld m a y c ir c u m v e n t o u r b e lie f s a b o u t that w o rld .

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A stral Projection a n d th e N ature o f R eality I n J a n e R o b e r t s ’s S e t h : D r e a m s a n d P r o j e c t i o n o f C o n s c i o u s n e s s , S e t h , a c h a n n e l e d s p ir it , s a y s : “ U s i n g t h e t h i r d f o r m [ a c c o r d i n g t o S e t h , a p r o j e c t io n c a n t a k e o n e o f t h r e e f o r m s , w h e r e t h e t h i r d f o r m is t h e

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k n o w w h y w e c a n ’t b r i n g t h e e g o w i t h u s d u r i n g t h e p r o j e c t io n . U n t i l w e h a v e e x p l o r e d m o r e o f o u r n a t u r e , w e w ill h a v e t o b e c o n t e n t w i t h t h e fa c t t h a t

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B ec a u se o f th is s p lit f ro m th e e g o , u r g e s t h a t p re v io u s ly w e r e su p ­ p re s s e d by m o ra l b e lie fs in th e p h y sic a l c a n b r e a k f r e e a n d r u n a m o k in th e a s tra l. T h is m ay h in d e r you in y o u r t ra v e ls , b e c a u s e t h e r e is n o th in g w o rse th a n b e in g a v ictim to y o u r o w n u r g e s . L ik e w ise , a p o ssessiv e s p ir it’s u rg es c a n r u n r a m p a n t in t h e p h y s ic a l. A p o s s e s s iv e s p ir it c irc u m ­ v e n ts its m o ra l b e lie fs w h e n it p o s s e s s e s ( p r o je c ts in to ) a h u m a n body. It c a n ’t r e s is t h a rm fu l a c ts if su c h u r g e s a r e p r e s e n t , a n d it d o e s n o t feel b a d a b o u t th e m , b e c a u s e it is t h e b e lie f t h a t t h e a c ts a r e b a d t h a t m ak es th e sp irit feel b a d , b u t in s p ir its t h a t b e lie f is a b s e n t . A s w e p r o je c t b a c k to t h e p h y s ic a l r e a lity , t h e c ir c u m v e n te d m o ral b eliefs kick b a c k in a n d w e feel r e m o r s e f o r o u r a s tr a l a c ts a n d p e rh a p s even s h a m e fo r o u r u rg e s . T h e b e lie f t h a t t h o s e a c ts a r e b a d m a k e s us feel b a d a b o u t h a v in g d o n e t h e m . T h e c u r e is t h e n to r e m o v e t h e urge by fin d in g its c a u se a n d u n d e r s t a n d in g its m e c h a n ic s . T h e c u r e is n o t to re in fo rc e o u r m o ra l b e lie fs , a s s o m e re lig io n s s e e m to th in k . T h a t w ould only c a u se th e u rg e s to g r o w s tr o n g e r , w h ic h w o u ld m a k e o u r astral

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b e h a v io r e v e n m o re u n p r e d ic ta b le . All o u r u r g e s a r e sim p ly sig n s point­ ing a t s o m e th in g w ith in u s t h a t n e e d s a tt e n ti o n , a n d th e y will grow s tro n g e r until th e y h a v e c a u g h t o u r a tt e n ti o n . U r g e s a r e t h e r e to h e lp us h elp o u rse lv e s. T h e y a r e n o t t h e w o r k o f t h e D ev il.

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adjusting th e th o u g h t s o t h a t it will a p p ly to y o u r c u r r e n t reality . W h en the th o u g h t fin a lly r e a c h e s y o u r c o n s c io u s m in d , it h a s lo st its original

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causing su ch th o u g h ts to a p p e a r m o re se ld o m in th e fu tu re. You can see now th e value o f b e in g a b le to criticize y o u r ow n th o u g h ts a n d beliefs.

Astral Sex Urges

I will n o w s h a r e s o m e in ti m a t e d e ta ils a b o u t t h e c o n te n ts o f m y sub­ c o n scio u s m in d . I d o th is n o t f o r e n jo y m e n t, b u t t o illu s tr a te how se v ere ly a d d ic tio n s c a n c rip p le o u r a s t r a l e x p lo r a tio n s a n d g e t in th e w ay o f th e th in g s w e w a n t to d o . I k n o w th is c h a p t e r will h e lp many in te r d im e n s io n a l t r a v e le r s . E v e n if y o u r a d d ic tio n is n o t o f th e sam e n a tu r e a s m in e , s u r e ly t h e r e a r e s im ila r itie s : s o m e t h in g t h a t all addic­ tio n s h a v e in c o m m o n . I a m c o n v in c e d t h a t t h e r e is a c o m m o n c u re for all a d d ic tio n s .

Wednesday, October 10, 2001 Astral Sex I am reading William Buhlman's A dventures beyond th e Body/'* He uses the fol­

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lowing OBE technique: As y ou fall asleep, visualize being in a rem ote but familiar place. To try it, I pretend I am in m y parent’s living room, as it lo o ke d I t years ago, when they ul her

used It as a bedroom. Before I fall asleep, I tell myself, "I want to haue an OBE tonight," and. to my delight, another part o f m e replies, "Okay." 1fal1 asleeP and m akeup an hour and a ha lf later. My b o d y is numb. I immediately g ize the state as perfect fo r OBE. I let m y m ind sink quickly into a relaxed state 202

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think, “O B E now!” and am surprised to see it work when I sit up in my bed a n d sense my physical body is still lying down. I do not roll out as I usually do, maybe because Buhlman says to sit up in his book, or maybe because the technique does not require rolling. The Buhlman technique is much easier than what I usually do, which is putting my body to sleep, letting my mind drift toward sleep, and hoping I will pop out before I fall asleep. I float in the ro o m fo r a fe w se co n d s. I c a n ’t se e a n d I think I h a u e to op e n m y physical eyes in o r d e r to see. I o p e n m y p h y sic a l eyes, b u t I o n ly se e the ceiling o v e r m y bed, w here m y b o d y is. A t the s a m e time, the projecte d part o f m y aw a ren ess is by the bookshelf, a lt h o u g h I c a n ’t s e e it. I c lo se m y eyes. I think, “Clarity n o w !” a n d m y astral vision is w orking. T h e n I think, " I w an t to m eet R ic h a rd !" (Rich ard is o n e o f m y spirit guides, a n d a v e r y g o o d o n e at that.) N o th in g h a p p e n s. In retrospect, I su spect that I was at too lo w a n e n e rg y f r e q u e n c y to se e him. M y b o d y aw a re n e ss increases a n d I find m yself in b e d again. I relax m y m in d a g a in a n d sit up. I floa t ou t into the ro o m a n d through the wall. A little o ld la d y is in sp e ctin g a y o u n g tree (w h ich is not there in p h y sica l reality) on the lawn outside. I fly p a st h e r a n d notice that the p a r k ou tsid e is full o f people. M a n y are having picnics. S o m e c a n s e e m e a s I fly o v e r their heads. They turn their heads to look at me. O th ers c a n ’t se e me. I h a v e the feeling that so m e o f these p e o p le sh o u ld not see me flying, b e c a u s e then they m ight d is c o v e r too ab ru p tly that they are not living on Earth anym ore. Is it just m y im a gin atio n o r are these p e o p le d e a d ? If they are, they d on 't se em v e r y u p se t a b o u t it. In fact, e v e ry o n e se e m s to b e h av in g a w onderful time. I think I a m h o ld in g a g o o d altitude, b ut su d d e n ly I crash into a w om an having a picnic. I think, “That m u st h a v e h urt like h e ll!" M y m in d starts racing to co m e u p with so m e way to a p o lo g iz e that w ill b e a ccep table to these people, but sh e d o e s n ot even seem to h a v e notice d the impact. N o r d o e s sh e notice me. I a m en joying this. After all, I a m do in g som ething that n o n e o f the o ther peo ple can. It is getting to m y head. I am fast a n d I am invisible. At so m e point, m y rational m ind g o e s to sle e p a n d m y prim itive d rive s take over. I fly o ve r to so m e cam pers. I crash into their tent. This flying busine ss is tricky. Then I notice a yo u n g w o m a n leaving the cam pers. There is som ething special about her. Som ething ab o u t her intrigues me. I fly o ve r a n d see sh e is disappointed a n d angry. She has been in an argum ent with o n e o f the campers, w h o I sense is her previous boyfriend. By now, m y prim itive m in d is in charge. There is n o guilt o r sh am e in what I do, b ecause those parts o f m y su b co n scio u s m ind are asleep. M y sex drive takes over. She h as a great body. I sq ueeze h er breast a n d it is softer than air. I say without

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality hesitation, " I want to h ave sex with you. N o w ." S h e sa ys n o at first, but then sh e says, -O kay, but I have to g o h om e a n d ch ange first. Then w e ca n g o listen to the b a n d a n d then w e can h ave sex. ’’ I agree. Sh e leaves for hom e. In retrospect, I h o p e sh e a n d the other people are just dream characters, be c a u se m y m ora l beliefs m ake m e think I am m aking a complete a ss out o f myself.

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Healing Addictions

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F u rth er H e a lin g To re c a p , ( h e r e a r e tw o r e a s o n s th e m in d c re a te s o b jec ts o f addic­ tion (for e x a m p le , a se x o b je c t) in th e a s tra l: 1. T h e ad d ic tio n object gives th e m ind t e m p o r a r y s a tis fa c tio n , a n d 2 . T h e o b je c t a le r ts you to the a d d iction so t h a t you m ay so lv e it (if you c h o o se to ). T h e m in d w ants

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to be fre e o f a d d ic tio n . T his a n d t h e p re v io u s c h a p te r s d e m o n s tra te th e im p o rta n c e o f w orking to w a rd a n o p e n a n d f re e m in d . T h e p e rc e p tio n o f a lack o f love c re a te s tra u m a . T h e tra u m a m a y b e so m e th in g q u ick like a c a r accid en t, or it m ay b e a c o m p lic a te d fam ily issu e re m a in in g u nsolved fo r several years. N a tu ra lly , if y o u r f a t h e r s m a c k s you on th e h e a d ev ery w eekend, then you will th in k t h a t h e d o e s n o t love you. T h e p e rc e iv ed lack o f love

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c re a te s a tr a u m a . In s p ite o f th e a b u s e , y o u r f a th e r m ay love you very

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m uch, b u t th is d o e s n o t m a tte r : It is w h a t w e p e rce iv e th a t causes

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tra u m a , h o w e v e r c lo se o r f a r t h a t m ay b e fro m w h a t actually h ap p en s.

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T ra u m a tic m e m o rie s a r e , fo r th e s a k e o f y o u r sanity, h id d en in your

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subconscious. T h a t is w h y it is so tric k y to fin d th e cau se o f addictions.

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ries. T h e a d d ic tio n is sp ecifically d e sig n e d to g et b ack th e love you feel you lost d u rin g th e tra u m a . W h e n you rea liz e you a lre a d y have th a t love, th e a d d ic tio n m ay disso lv e. H ow ever, in se v e re c a se s, th e ad d ictio n m ay p e rsist, although dimin­

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ished, for a d d ic tio n s a r e as h a rd h e a d e d as h u m an s a re . As long as the m em ories o f tra u m a rem a in in place, th e r e will b e a fire to keep th e addic­ tion going. T h e re fo re , m em o rie s o f tra u m a s re p re s e n t obstacles. These c re a te lim its to o u r a s tra l trav els a n d o u r lives; th a t is, until we consciously take charge o f th e healing p ro ce ss a n d b rin g th e m em ories to light. I n o r d e r t o h e a l a n a d d ic t io n , w e n e e d to e x p l o r e t h e m e m o r ie s o f

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a t r a u m a a n d u n d e r s t a n d h o w t h e y r e la t e to o u r c u r r e n t a d d ic tio n . T h is

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w a r s b r i n g s p e a c e . T h e a d d ic t io n o n ly h a s p o w e r o v e r u s a s lo n g a s it is in t h e s u b c o n s c io u s . O n c e w e c o n s c io u s ly o b s e r v e th e a d d ic tio n a n d its c a u se , it c e a s e s to fu n c t io n .

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Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality W hen we solve an ad d ic tio n , w e h av e n o t only solved an inconven­ ien ce but also gro w n su b sta n tia lly . F ind in g a n d solving o u r a d d ic tio n s is th e f a s te st way to a c c e le ra te d le a rn in g a n d s p iritu a l g ro w th . S o m etim es, solving a n a d d ic tio n is even e s se n tia l to c o n tin u in g life. A d d ictio n s may even be e sse n tia l fo r th e survival o f th e h u m a n sp e c ie s . As long a s we d e n y th a t w e a s a sp e cie s have issu e s to r e s o lv e , w e will c o n tin u e to d e stro y th e p la n e t th a t s u s ta in s u s, th e r e b y d ig g in g o u r o w n g rav e s. As I m e n tio n e d a t th e o u ts e t o f th is d isc u s s io n , 1 d o n o t in clu d e th e s e c h a p te rs m e re ly fo r e n jo y m e n t. T h is s o r t o f se lf-h e a lin g is o f im m en se im p o rta n c e to all o f us. A d d ic tio n s p lay a b ig r o le n o t o n ly in th e a s tra l, b u t a lso fo r o u r w h o le p e r s o n a l g r o w th . T h e y a r e like a la r m s , sho u tin g : “Hey, w e have a p r o b le m h e r e th a t n e e d s fix in g A S A P !” If a d d ic tio n s w e re n e v e r f o rm e d , w e w o u ld n e v e r s u s p e c t t h a t w e c a r r y tra u m a tic s c a rs t h a t n e e d h e a lin g . O f c o u r s e , t h e s a m e e ffe c t c a n b e a c h ie v e d by d e n y in g th e e x is te n c e o f t h e a d d ic tio n s a n d p r e t e n d in g t h a t all is w ell. A m in d c a n ’t ev o lv e a s lo n g a s it d e n ie s t h e e x is te n c e o f p a in fu l m em ­ o rie s . W e c a n ’t evolve s p iritu a lly u n le s s w e d a r e to fa c e e v e ry p a r t of o u rse lv e s. In t h e d a r k s id e o f o u r n a tu r e a s h u m a n b e in g s , w h e r e pain a n d s o rr o w h id e , in t h e v e ry p la c e w e d r e a d to lo o k , lie s t h e k ey to bliss a n d b e a u ty . W h e n w e d a r e to fa c e th a t d a r k s id e a n d b r in g it in to light, w e a r e r e a d y fo r a b e t t e r life. B ut to ta k e t h a t f ir s t s t e p —to c o n fr o n t th e v e ry th in g s th a t a r e h i d d e n b e c a u s e th e y a r e to o p a in fu l to c o n fr o n t—is a m o n g th e m o s t d iffic u lt th in g s a p e r s o n c a n d o . It is t h e u ltim a te test o f will. U ltim a te ly , th e c h o ic e c o m e s d o w n to liv in g to a v o id t h e p a in o r liv­ ing to re s o lv e t h e p a in . W e c a n c h o o s e o u r a tt i tu d e . If w e s e e k to avoid p a in , w e m ay h a v e g o o d lives, b u t w e w ill n o t b e a b le to g ro w . W e would b e living in d e n ia l, p r e t e n d in g t h a t t h e t r a u m a t i c m e m o r ie s a r e not th e r e , a n d w e w o u ld a c c o m p lis h n o th in g in t e r m s o f s p ir itu a l g ro w th . In th e s e c o n d c a s e , c a n you im a g in e liv in g w ith o u t p a in f ro m t h e p a s t, w ith­ o u t s o rro w in th e now , a n d w ith o u t w o r r y f o r t h e f u tu r e ? T h in k o f it this w ay: W h e n you h a v e c o n q u e r e d y o u r f e a r s a n d p a in s , t h e f e a rs and p a in s will be n o m o re . You will b e f r e e a t la s t.

224

H ealing A ddictions

Exercise: An Invitation to Your Subconscious 1. Tonight, as y o u lie in bed, in v ite th e m em o rie s o f old pains to surface. A nything y o u fear to ex p erien ce again, a n y th in g y o u feel bad ab o u t having do n e, a n d a n y th in g y o u w ish w o u ld never h a p p en again.

2. W hen rh e p ain fu l m e m o rie s surface, ex p erien ce th em . Let th em play o ut. Do n o t su p p re ss th e m . Do n o t a tte m p t to keep th em back. 3. Experience only. Be an o b serv er. Do n o r in terfere as they play our. Do n o t try to fig u re o u t w h y th e y are still w ith y o u , h o w badly you per­ fo rm ed, w h a t y o u sh o u ld have d o n e in stea d , o r h o w you are going to prevent sim ila r situ a tio n s fro m o c c u rrin g in th e fu tu re. 4. W hen th ey hav e p lay ed o u t, w h ich m ay tak e h o u rs, sit back an d enjoy th e peace. You d id well. 5. Try to in tu it w h a t th e m e m o rie s j u s t played o u t w ere ab o u t. W h a t are they try in g to tell y o u ? They are still in y o u r su bconscious for a rea­ son. They are th e re to tell y o u so m e th in g a b o u t yourself. 6 . W h a t th ey are try in g to tell y o u d o es n o t necessarily have to be any­

th in g b ad . In fact, th e n a tu re o f th ese m em o rie s is th a t they seek to p o in t o u t g o o d th in g s ra th e r th a n bad. They o n ly reference bad things to get y o u r a tte n tio n . 7. Do n o t o v eru se y o u r analytical m in d , as it has n o idea w hy th e su b ­ conscious acts th e w ay it does. In stead , u se y o u r in tu itio n . 8 . Intuitively feel h o w th e m em o rie s relate to y o u r list o f addictions. Is th ere an y a d d ictio n th a t is d esig n ed to p rev en t acts such as those co m m itted b y you o r so m e o n e else in th e m em ories? If so, those m em o ries m ay be th e cau se o f t h a t addiction. 9. U n d erstan d in g w h a t th e old p ain s are a b o u t m ay take several weeks. Do th is exercise as o fte n as y o u can h an d le it w ith o u t getting depressed. Each tim e y o u p erfo rm th is exercise, yo u u n d erstan d a lit­ tle b it b e tte r w h a t goes on inside yo u ; each tim e y o u d o it, you becom e a little freer an d feel a b it better.

T h e re is no q u e s tio n th a t sp iritu a l evolution is th e m o st rew ard in g p u rsu it in life. T h e evolution o f th e m ind sh o u ld b e o u r n u m b e r one p ri­ ority. All th e p ro p h e ts have sa id it, a n d th e e sta b lish e d religions a re sup­ posedly c re a te d solely for th a t p u rp o se . But you do not; n e e d religions o r

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality gu rus w hen you have ad d ictio n s, for ad d ic tio n s a re te a c h e rs in th e m ­ selves. Believe it o r not, y our ad d ic tio n s a r e th e r e to h elp you. T hey a re s te ppingstones, p inpointing exactly w h a t y o u r n e x t s te p sh o u ld be. W ith o u t th e ir help, you w ould n o t have e x p e rie n c e d th e sp iritu a l g ro w th th e previous e x ercise above can he lp you achieve. The nex t th in g you sh o u ld do, a s a g e s tu re o f ty in g lo o se en d s to g ether, is to ge t a t w h a te v e r c a u se d th e tra u m a in th e f ir s t place. If a lack o f love c re a te d th e tra u m a , th e n re a liz e t h a t yo u a r e a lre a d y loved by all con scio u sn ess a n d t h a t you n e e d n o t s e e k to b e loved. If th e addic­ tion w as c re a te d b e c a u s e y o u r m e a n big b r o th e r s to le c a n d y fro m you w hen you w e re young, th e n fo r G o d ’s s a k e , go g e t lo ts o f c a n d y j u s t fo r yourself.

226

Clarity Now!

I f y o u h a p p e n to p r o je c t i n to a n a s tr a l a r e a in w h ic h yo u c a n ’t s e e ( i.e ., n o v isu a l i n p u t) , y o u c a n u s e c o m m a n d s like “C la r ity N o w ! ” o r “C le a r e r ; c le a r e r , c l e a r e r ! ” V is u a l i n p u t w ill c o m m e n c e im m e d ia te ly . It will s e e m lik e y o u r e y e s s u d d e n ly s t a r t w o rk in g a f t e r a tim e o f b lin d n e s s . S u d d e n ly , y o u a r e a b le t o s e e w h a t lie s a ro u n d you.

Exercise: "Clarity Now!' 1- Project in to th e astral u sin g o n e o f rh e tech n iq u es d escribed in the previous Circle. 2. Ify o u already have visual input, go som ew here where y ou have none. Floating dow n through a floor o r a wall som etim es causes m e ro lose vision. 3. Ify o u fin d y o u have n o visual in p u t, co m m a n d Clarity Now! 4. A fter y o u r c o m m a n d , y o u sh o u ld have plenty o f visual inpur. If not, co m m a n d Clearer. . . c le a r e r .. . clearer!

A sm il Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality

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Your C rea tiv e P o w e rs If you p ro je c t in to an a lre a d y existin g a s tr a l w o rld , th a t w orld is w h at you will se e. But if you p ro je c t in to a n a s tr a l void, b e fo re you com ­

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m a n d clarity, th e r e is n o th in g to s e e . T h a t is w h a t gives th e im p ressio n o f b lin d n e ss. W h e n you have n o visual in p u t, it is sa fe to a ssu m e th e re a re no ob jec ts o f a ny k in d to se e. Y our c o m m a n d for c la rity th e n c a u s e s a w o rld to s p rin g in to exis­ te n c e o u t o f n o th in g n e s s . T h e c o m m a n d C la r ity N o w ! is n o t a com ­ m a n d fo r y o u r a s tr a l e y e s to c le a r u p , a lth o u g h it w a s originally d e sig n e d fo r th a t p u r p o s e . I n s te a d , t h e c o m m a n d is a d ire c t o r d e r to y o u r s u b c o n sc io u s to in fo rm y o u r c o n s c io u s m in d o f y o u r su rro u n d in g s.

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s e n s e s n o th in g , b e c a u s e , a f t e r a ll, y o u a r e in a v o id . C o n fu s e d by this s itu a tio n , th e s u b c o n s c io u s t r ie s to m a k e s e n s e o f w h a t s u r r o u n d s you. F o r u s p h y sic a l b e in g s , t h e c o n c e p t o f v o id is i n h e r e n tly d iffic u lt to

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g r a s p . W e a r e so u s e d to h a v in g o b je c ts a r o u n d u s to lo o k a t a n d touch a t all tim e s , w e d o n o t know ' w h a t to d o w ith o u r s e lv e s w h e n w e find th e y a r e n o t t h e r e . T h e su b c o n sc io u s th in k s to itse lf: “I k n o w I e x ite d t h e b o d y a n d all th a t, b u t th is is still m ig h ty s tr a n g e . I c a n 't u n d e r s t a n d w h e r e 1 a m . Hey, m y la s t w h e r e a b o u ts w a s m y b e d r o o m , so m a y b e I a m still t h e r e ? ” That b r ie f th o u g h t is all it t a k e s to a c tu a lly c r e a t e a n a s tr a l w o rld th a t resem ­ b les y o u r b e d ro o m d o w n to t h e t in i e s t d e ta il. T h e s u b c o n sc io u s runs th ro u g h all its m e m o r ie s o f y o u r b e d r o o m , in o r d e r to d e c id e w hether you re a lly a r e t h e r e . It tr i e s to c o m p a r e t h e m e m o r ie s ’ e x p e c ta tio n s of w h a t y o u r r o o m lo o k s like to y o u r a c tu a l s u rr o u n d in g s .

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Iro nically, in d o in g so , t h e s u b c o n s c io u s a ls o c r e a t e s a n a s tra l coun­ t e r p a r t o f e v e ry th in g in t h e b e d r o o m . T h is p r o c e s s o n ly ta k e s a few mil­

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lise c o n d s. S u d d e n ly , you c a n s e e y o u r b e d r o o m , b u t o n ly b e c au se you ju s t c re a te d it o u t o f n o th in g n e s s , n o t b e c a u s e y o u r a s tr a l eyes started



w o rk in g. T h e r e w a s n e v e r a n y th in g w r o n g w ith y o u r e y e s.

Wednesday, March 21 , 2001 An Attempt to Verify an OBE I $o to bed at 3 a.m. The alarm dock ivakes m e up at 7:15 a.m. I relax for 30 minu so until my body is asleep. My mind drifts toward sleep. W hen I am close to sleep, Iatterrp

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an out-of-body experience and succeed. I p o p in a nd out o f my body aboul ten limes. The attraction to my body is so strong that I can only slay out ten seconds at any time. Everything looks ju st like it d oes in u>aking reality, except everythin} is vibrating slightly. The colors are sharper a nd the textures o f the furniture are more intense than in making reality, but that is to b e expected since I am not using my dull physical senses.

I haue prepared a little lest that mill verify that I am really floating oufside my physical body in physical space. I haue placed an unread brochure on my desk, uiith the text facing the wall. If I can read the text w hile ou t o f body, I will be convinced that the OBE is real. (Note: This took place back in the “old days," when I still believed the physical was the only true reality.) I float to m y desk. W hen I get to the brochure, it has fallen over, an d I can’t read the text. I figure someone passing by m ust h aue b lo w n the brochure o ff the desk. I am angry that such a simple event has ruined the experiment. My efforts to go out o f bo d y seem to have been wasted. (After I w ake up, I check on the brochure. The brochure is standing up, as I left it. Apparently, I had n o t b een OBEing in m y room. Either I had been OBEing in a dreamlike astral d uplicate o f m y room, where m y m ind had m ade the brochure fall over, or I had d ream ed the w hole thing. It did not feel like a dream, though.) In one “outing,” I float downstairs into the basement. A neighbor is doing laundry. The only problem is that in waking reality, there is no basement in the house. In another episode, I float through the ceiling to the upstairs neighbor’s room. In a cou­ ple o f others, I turn around a n d look at m y body. I see m y body lying in bed, rolled up into fetal position. In waking reality, I kn o w the b ody is stretched out on its back, because that is the bo d y position I m ost com m only use before going out o f body. W h e n w e r e a liz e t h a t by w a n tin g to s e e a p la c e in th e a s tr a l, w e c re ­ a te a r e p lic a o f t h a t p la c e in s te a d o f m o v in g t h e r e , w e gain c o n tro l o v er o u r m in d s a n d c o n s e q u e n tly o v e r o u r a s tr a l tra v e ls . By consciously u n d e rs ta n d in g t h e p r o c e s s o f c re a tio n in t h e a s tr a l, th e su b co n scio u s re a liz e s t h a t w h a t it is d o in g (c r e a tin g re p lic a s ) is n o t w h a t w e w ant. W a lk in g a ro u n d in a w o rld o f y o u r o w n c re a tio n c a n b e n ice, b u t in m o st in sta n c e s , it o n ly d iv e r ts u s fro m w h a t w e w a n t to d o . The su b co n sciou s t h e n c h a n g e s its w ay o f fu n ctio n in g . C o n se q u e n tly , C la rity N o w ! sto p s w o rk in g . A fte r t h a t h a p p e n s , a s tr a l re p lic a s will n o t tric k us in to m ista k ­ ing th e m fo r t h e re a l p la c e s (if t h e r e a r e su c h th in g s as re a l p laces). T he w ay th e subconscio u s c h an g es its p e rfo rm a n c e also affects our physical lives, even thoug h m o st peo p le do not c o m m an d Clarity N o w ! in

Astral Projection a n d rhe N ature o f R eality th e physical. W e a re th e n a ble to see things w e could n o t before see. T he physical is very sim ilar to an a stra l w orld in m any w ays. W e c re a te o u r sur­ roundings with (lie help o f th e subconscio u s m ind in b o th th e physical and th e a stra l. W hen we change th e w ay w e c re a te in th e a s tra l, w e change th e way w e c re a te in th e physical. If w e m an a g e to su sp e n d th e a c t o f c reatio n in th e physical, if only for a few s e co n d s, w e allow o th e r th in g s to a p p e a r in its place, things w e know in m o d e r n so ciety as p a ra n o rm a l effects.

A stra l S e n s e s You m ig h t w o n d e r w h y e y e s, b e in g p h y s ic a l s e n s e s , w o rk in a n o n ­ p h ysical e n v ir o n m e n t s u c h a s t h e a s tr a l. V isu a l in p u t c a n b e p ro v id e d by a p le th o r a o f s e n s e s , a m o n g t h e m o u r p h y s ic a l e y e s a n d w h a t w e call im a g in a tio n , fo r lac k o f a b e t t e r w o r d . A p a r t f r o m f a b r ic a tin g o b jec ts, im a g in atio n is c a p a b le o f s e e in g th in g s t h e p h y s ic a l e y e s c a n ’t a n d m ak­ ing th e v isual in p u t c o m e to life. T h e p h y s ic a l e y e s , o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , a r e c ru d e e q u ip m e n t, s u p p ly in g u s w ith o n ly r a w v isu a l in fo rm a tio n . W e h ave to u se o u r im a g in a tio n t o fill o u t t h e m is s in g in fo rm a tio n . W h e n w e i n te r a c t w ith t h e a s tr a l, w e fully e n g a g e t h e v isu a l m e c h a n ism in th e im a g in a tio n b e c a u s e w e d id n o t b r in g o u r p h y s ic a l e y e s. All o t h e r p h y sic a l s e n s e s c a n b e r e p l a c e d b y im a g in a tio n . F o r e x a m ­ p le, a p re v io u s ly s ig h te d b lin d p e r s o n still s e e s p i c t u r e s o f o b je c ts and e m o tio n s in h is m in d . A p r e v io u s ly h e a lt h y d i s a b le d p e r s o n still e x p e ri­ e n c e s th e feelin g o f w a lk in g a r o u n d in h is m in d . A c o lo r b lin d p e rs o n still s e n se s th e d iff e re n c e b e tw e e n c o lo r s . T h e r e s u lt is t h a t w h e n w e p r o je c t a w a y f r o m o u r p h y s ic a l se n se s, as w e d o in t h e a s tr a l, t h e s e n s o r y i n p u t p r o v id e d b y t h e im a g in atio n b e c o m e s so in te n s e a n d full t h a t w e a r e a m a z e d b y w h at, w e e x p e rie n c e . In m y a s tr a l p ro je c tio n j o u r n a l , I o f te n d e s c r i b e t h e t e x t u r e o f a n astra l o b jec t a s b e in g e x tr e m e ly r e a l. W h a t I m e a n b y t h is is t h a t t h e te x tu re , a s to u c h e d by m y im a g in a tio n , fe e ls so i n te n s e t h a t it e a sily s u p e rs e d e s a n y th in g m y ph y sic a l ta c tile s e n s e s c a n p r o v id e m e . This s e e m s to b e t r u e n o t o n ly f o r to u c h , but. a ls o f o r t h e r e s t o f the s e n se s. I r e m e m b e r e a tin g a s tr a l b a n a n a b r e a d a few m o n th s ago. A lthough it m ay n o t h a v e fille d m y p h y s ic a l b e lly (it is t h e u ltim ate w eight-loss d ie t) , its p e rf e c t fla v o r, m o is tu r e , a n d t e x t u r e w e r e b e tte r th a n could h a v e b e e n e x p e r ie n c e d in a n y p h y s ic a l r e s t a u r a n t . 230

Clarity Now ! Still, t a s te in p u t is n o t m a n d a to ry in th e a s tr a l. If you do n o t c a re m uch fo r b a n a n a b r e a d , y o u r im a g in a tio n d o e s n o t h av e to supply you with th e t a s te o f it. A d d itio n a lly , t h e r e is n o ru le t h a t say s b a n a n a b rea d has to ta s te like b a n a n a b r e a d in th e a s tr a l, s in c e y o u r a s tr a l s u rro u n d ­ ings a re highly s u b je c tiv e ( o r p e rs o n a liz e d , ify o u w ill). I alw ays say: “T he taste o f b a n a n a b r e a d is in t h e to n g u e o f th e b e h o ld e r .” L ikew ise, t h e r e is n o n e e d to h a v e visual in p u t in th e a s tra l, u nless you d e s ire a v isual e x p e rie n c e . N e v e r th e le s s , u sin g s e n so ry in p u t th a t m im ics p hysical s e n s e s will m a k e you fee l m o re c o m fo rta b le trav elin g

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th ro u g h th e a s tr a l, a n d th is is w h y th e s u b c o n sc io u s em p lo y s th e m .

E x tr a o r d in a r y A s tr a l S e n s e s T h e re a r e m a n y s e n s e s n o t y e t a w a k e n e d in th e p h y sical, s e n se s o f know ing a n d in tu itio n t h a t a llo w u s to s e n s e a c ro s s tim e , s p a c e , a n d o th e r d im e n s io n s . T h e y c a n b e d e v e lo p e d in th e p h y sic a l, b u t it is e a sie r a nd f a s te r to a c c e s s th e m in th e a s tr a l. T h e y m ig h t p ro v id e m o re in p u t th a n th e c o m m o n s e n s e s . U se th e m in th e a s tr a l o n c e you feel c o m fo rt­ able su s p e n d in g y o u r u su a l s e n s e s .

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Exercise: Extrasensory Perception

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2. Find th a t visual void again, as yo u did in the previous exercise.

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1. Project in to the astral. 3. Relax y o u r m ind. 4. Focus on th e center o f y o u r astral being (or astral chest). 5. Silence any thoughts.

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6. Silence any internal dialogues: a. Com m and: “Rationality: O ff!” b. Com m and: "Internal dialogue: Off!” 7. Await in put from altern ate senses in silence. 8. W hen you return to the physical, w h at you have perceived will proba­ bly be difficult to describe in a h um an language, ju s t like dreams may be indescribable. You do n o t have to describe o r analyze it in any way, simply rem em ber the feeling o f the inform ation you received.

Astral Projection a n d the N a tu re o f R eality In tru th , s e n se s such as sight, h e a rin g , a n d to u c h a r e o f little value in th e a s tra l. W h a t m a tte r s in an out-of-body s ta te is n o t h o w well you p erceiv e an object. W h a t m a tte r s is how c ris p y o u r m in d is, its level of p re s e n c e a n d lucidity. W h e n r e q u e s tin g clarity , yo u sh o u ld n o t d o it for yo u r eyes, but for y o u r m in d .

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Monday, M an Morninf O BE

Physical Attraction

Monday, March 19, 2001 Morning OBE I have to stay u p all night to write a report, s o I o n ly get three h o u rs o f sleep, from 5:00 to 8:00 a . m . After w aking up, I g o to the university a n d deliver the report. W h e n I return, I lie dow n, turn m y attention to m y third eye, a n d wait to get into the b o d y a sleep/m ind aw ake state. This is m y first m orn ing session. It takes a bo ut HO minutes. I am beginning to slumber. W h e n I w ake u p from o n e o f several brie f dream s, I feel that m y b o d y is asleep. I d o a few ro u n d s o f the d r o p p in g te c h n iq u e (sinking ra pidly a s I breathe out). Vibrations start. I think, “Hey, this is e a sy!” I d o a fe w m ore ro u n d s a n d su d d e n ly it feels like I am actually floating d o w n w ard . I float d o w n a n d out. I ca n see. M y ro om d o e s not lo o k a s it d o e s in p h y sica l life, but all the things I feel are im portant are there. I am standin g w ith m y b a c k to m y body. I ca n briefly se e the silver cord. (In retro­ spect, I think m y im agination fab ricated a c o rd that ap p e a re d to b e attached to m y aw areness be c a u se I intentionally se a rch e d fo r the silver cord. I w anted to se e it, so m y imagination obliged.) I a m b eing attracted b a c k to m y body. I will m yself to m y desk. I try to h old onto m y desk, but m y h a n d s d o not w ork. I d e c id e to escap e the suction by leaving the room. I will m yself to the door, w hich is in the w rong place. It is closer to m y d e sk than it is in the p hysical world.

Astral Projection a n d rhe Nature o f Reality W h e n I f l o a t t h r o u g h t h e d o o r , I l o s e m y v is io n . I h a v e p r o b a b l y e n t e r e d a v o i d . I f l o a t b l i n d l y d o w n w h a t I t h i n k is t h e c o r r id o r . M y g ir l fr ie n d , w h o is n e x t t o m e in b e d , m a k e s a t i n y m o v e m e n t a n d t h e a tt r a c t i o n t o m y b o d y in c r e a s e s . I w i s h t o g o t o t h e u n i ­ v e r s i t y a n d s o b e g in f l o a t i n g in t h a t d i r e c t i o n , b u t t h e a t t r a c ti o n t o m y b o d y is

too

s tr o n g . I w a k e u p in m y b o d y a n d o p e n m y l e f t e y e . M y b o d y is p a r a l y z e d a n d m y le ft a n k l e b u r n s li k e fi r e . I a t t e m p t a s e c o n d O B E , b u t m y b o d y is n o t in t h e r ig h t m o d e . I e s tim a te th a t th e e n tir e e x p e r ie n c e la s te d a b o u t 2 5 s e c o n d s .

O ne o f th e th in g s you will no tic e d u rin g y o u r f ir s t a s tr a l p ro je c tio n s is th e force w ith w hich y o u r physical b o d y pulls you b a c k . T h e physical body is n o t pu llin g you, p e r se , b u t c a llin g you. Y our su b c o n sc io u s m ind is n o t u sed to you b e in g co n scio u s a n d a b s e n t fro m th e p h ysical b o d y at th e sa m e tim e . By old h a b it, it b e lie v e s t h a t w h e n you a r e c o n scio u s, th e p r o p e r plac e to b e is in y o u r body. C o n s e q u e n tly , t h e su b co n scio u s in stru c ts y o u r b o d y to call you b a c k . You p ic k u p o n th e b o d y ’s signal and im m e d ia te ly sh ift y o u r a w a r e n e s s to t h e p h y sic a l b o d y , w h e r e yo u “w ake u p ." T his m ay feel like th e p h y sic a l b o d y is su c k in g yo u b a c k a c ro s s phys­ ical s p a c e , b u t it is a c tu a lly o n ly a s h ift in a w a r e n e s s .

, „ c i i y # 's a n 0 C T o M Ms/n">J ,s ,a ,e a S a

Ha)/a minufe /afer, jirKi. My consciousness

milmjijedwithIhH

M in d S p lit Since w e a r e m u ltid im e n s io n a l b e in g s c a p a b le o f e x istin g in m ultiple

bed, inside my body,

4

leave the body. I relax a nd steer m y consciousness out through the top o f my head. I

X

./S » *

”

a person in sight. I enter a harbor area where the projection ends.

R e a so n s fo r C a llin g You B a ck B eing p re m a tu r e ly c alled b a c k to th e p h ysical b o d y c a n b e very fru s­ tra tin g w h e n you w a n t to r e m a in in th e a s tra l. It r e p e a te d ly h a p p e n e d to m e until 1 s ta r te d q u e stio n in g w hy it h a p p e n e d . H e re a re a few good rea so n s for your physical b o d y to call you back:

Astral Projection a n d rhe N ature o f R eality

ar r * «

r °r ^ • Y o u r s u b c o n s c io u s m in d is c o n f u s e d b y t h e e x p e r ie n c e o f b e i n g in a n o n p h y s ic a l e n v i r o n m e n t a n d d e c id e s t o g o b a c k t o f a m ilia r g r o u n d ,

«ihCV ,!« *

'K**

y o u r p h y s ic a l b o d y .

• S o m e o n e e n t e rs y o u r p h y sic a l ro o m . E v e n if th a t p e r s o n m a k e s no

tlu"8 . ([(.fioeO

s o u n d , y o u r s u b c o n s c io u s p i c k s u p o n h i s p r e s e n c e a n d a le r t s y o u r aw a re n e ss.

• S o m eone o r so m e th in g to u c h e s y o u r p h y sical bo d y . F lies a n d m osqui­ to e s can drive you crazy, even in y o u r a b s e n c e . • Your physical e a rs p ick u p a d is tu rb in g n o ise .

p ^ ofcxisl difficulty l,e Your physical body w akes u p na tu ra lly like it d o e s a fte r n o rm a l sleep. As far as th e physical body is c o n c e rn e d , an a s tra l p ro je c tio n is nothing but a period of n orm al sleep. 'This w ake-up will b e th e u ltim a te lim iting factor to y our astral travels a fte r all o th e r d istu rb a n c e s hav e b e e n d e a lt with. You have a c o n sc io u s o r s u b c o n sc io u s th o u g h t r e la tin g to y o u r physi­ cal body. Y our a s tr a l p r o je c tio n is d i r e c te d by y o u r th o u g h ts , so any­ th in g th a t p a s se s th ro u g h y o u r th o u g h ts w ill h a p p e n . T h e m in d is alw ays in c h a rg e o f t h e b o d y . T h e b o d y a lw a y s follow s m e n ta l in stru c­ tio n s. If you have e v e n th e b r ie f e s t th o u g h t a b o u t t h e b o d y , th e body will com ply by a le r tin g y o u r a w a r e n e s s to its e x is te n c e . O n c e th e con­

is the £

c e p t o f y our b o d y e n te r s y o u r a w a r e n e s s in th is m a n n e r , t h e r e is little you can do to p re v e n t th e b o d y f ro m in c r e a s in g its p u ll. • You a tte m p t to analyze y o u r p ro je c tio n e x p e rie n c e . W h e n you analyze, you inescapably c o m p a re th e c u r r e n t situ a tio n to beliefs fo rm ed by old ex p eriences. T h e bulk o f y o u r beliefs d e a l w ith th e p h ysical w o rld (unless you have v ast a s tra l e x p e rie n c e ), so analy zin g n a tu ra lly lea d s to subcon­

: ; >

scious thoughts ab o u t yo u r physical body, w h ich in c re a se s its pull.

Spe,

C ! icaofai

• You p ro je c t into a n a re a in w h ic h you d o n o t y e t k n o w h o w to sustain y our a w a re n ess. F o r e x a m p le , se v era l relig io u s te a c h in g s sp e ak o f nwJ

diff- r e P«c

tiple planes o f e x iste n c e , o n e o n "to p " (fo r lack o f b e tte r w o rd ) o f the

23G

you

Physical Attraction other, or a rra n g e d like lay ers o f an o nion. T h eosophy suggests seven planes of e x istence, B u d d h ism 3 2 p lan es, H induism a th ro n g o f realm s known as “lo k as,” a n d Islam sev en h eav en s. A ccording to th e teachings, the planes ran g e fro m th e p hysical p lan e to th e god-realm , w h ere everytliing is one: in se p a ra b le a n d s e p a ra b le at th e s a m e tim e. T h e astral plane is d e fined to b e s o m e w h e re in b e tw e e n . B ear in m ind th a t this system o f p lan es is only a m o d el a n d th e re fo re m ay o r m ay not illustrate the tru th (if t h e r e is su c h a th in g ). Now , if w e w e re to p ro je c t from one plane of ex iste n ce to a n o th e r , it w ould b e re a s o n a b le to assu m e th a t th e difficulty in s u sta in in g o u r a w a r e n e s s is p ro p o rtio n a l to th e difference between th e n a tu r e o f th e p h y sical p lan e (since w e autom atically use the experience g a th e re d in th e p h ysical w h e n trav elin g in o th e r planes) and the n ature o f th e p la n e in to w h ich w e a r e p ro jectin g . • An astral guide d e c id e s it is tim e fo r you to r e tu r n to y our physical body. He m ay d o th is if h e d e e m s th a t you a re g e ttin g in to a situation you a re n o t tra in e d to h a n d le . A s tra l g u id es m ay also d elib e ra te ly set up small a s tra l le s s o n s to f u r t h e r y o u r k n o w led g e o f th e a s tra l in p rep a ­ ration for fu tu re a s tr a l c h a lle n g e s . T h e lesso n s a r e m o stly given in th e form of d istra c tio n s o r p ra c tic a l o b s ta c le s p rev e n tin g you fro m getting around in y o u r a s tr a l w o rld . T h e g u id e m ay se n d you b ack w h en he deems you have le a r n e d e n o u g h . N o te th a t it is co m p letely irrelev an t w hether you successfully c o n q u e re d th e o b s ta c le . T h e im p o rta n t point is the a m o u n t o f e x p e rie n c e y ou g a in e d fro m th e o b stacle.

False A w akenings Often, follow ing a pull fro m t h e p h y sic a l body, w h en it a p p e a rs you have w a k e n e d in y o u r p h y sic a l bo d y , you a re still p ro je c te d in to th e aStral- M ore specifically, yo u a r e in a n a s tr a l rep lica o f y o u r b e d ro o m , r a replica of a b e d ro o m f ro m a n e a rlie r p e rio d o f y o u r life, w hichever m ost n a tu ra lly to y o u r su b c o n sc io u s m in d . This is a fa ls e awaken'"«• h is very difficult to tell w h e th e r you a r e in y o u r physical ro o m o r n astral replica. You m u s t u se in tu itio n to figure it o u t. This is <

are dreaming when you are drr

difficuit ih a n k " ° ™ s y™ suPP0se you could alw ay s try to c re a te n ew fu rn itu re by thoug t u 237

Astral Projection a n d the N a tu re o f R eality th e ro o m . If you s u c ce e d in c re a tin g t h a t fu rn itu r e , you k n o w you a re still in th e a s tra l. H ow ever, th a t fe a t o f c re a tio n m ay a lso b e p o ssib le in th e physical. All it ta k e s is a n u n lim ite d m in d . Saturday, M a rc h 17, 2 0 0 1 F o u r F a lse A w a k e n in g s I wake up beside my girlfriend. I am d izzy and can’t see clearly. W hen I m ove my arms, it is as if my astral arms are making the sam e m ovem ents, only half a second later. I think, "Wouj, I can see my astral body!” I am in m y parents’ house. I walk downstairs to look in the hall mirror. I make som e fast m oves with m y arms. The astral arms are still outside my physical arms. Cool! Then I see another face in the mirror. It is a wom an in her late twenties with a sweet round face and red hair. She is grabbing fo r me, as if I have something she just must have. Her arms go right through me. I know sh e d oes no t have a physical body. I stare at her and try to get her attention. She does not realize I can see her. I grab her hands. She is surprised that I can see and touch her. She introduces herself as some sort o f human relations employee at the high school I u sed to attend. That is strange, because I do not recall any such position. Anyway, sh e seem s like a sw eet person. We walk out into the garden. It is night. She says goo d b ye a n d crawls under what appears to be a fallen garden tent. There is another sm aller tent in the garden. This one is made o f sackcloth. It, too, has fallen a nd a pair o f legs wearing army boots sticks out. I figure that my brother must have had one o f his wild parties. Then I wake up. I think, “W hat a sham e that the astral arms thing was only a dream.” I am surprised, because the dream I ju st w oke up from seem ed very real. I try the same arm movem ents in another mirror (I am not in m y parents’ house anymore, I am at home). Nothing happens. There is something I h a ve to do, bu t I can’t remember what it is. I try to get out o f bed, but my girlfriend holds me. She drives her finger into my back in a playful way. It hurts! I bark at her to stop. Then I wake up. I think, “Enough with the false awakenings!” Then I wake up. My girlfriend is already awake. She tries to get out o f bed. I hold her and drive my finger into her in a playful way. It hurts, so she barks at m e to stop. I explain to her that I just had three amazing false awakenings. Suddenly, m y mouth is paralyzed and I can only make grunting noises. I sound like a monster. I playfully attack my girlfriendThen I awake for real (?) to the physical world.

238

Prolonging the Projection

P ic tu re y o u r s e lf in t h e a s tr a l, d o in g y o u r fa v o r ite a s tr a l activ ity . Suddenly, you fee l t h e p h y s ic a l b o d y s u c k in g y o u b a c k . W h a t d o yo u d o ? T h e re a r e te c h n iq u e s y o u c a n a p p ly to s ta y p r o je c te d , s u c h a s rela x in g , c e n te rin g , a n d r e m a in in g fo c u s e d . H o w e v e r, it is d iffic u lt to s ta y c a lm e nough to d o t h e s e th in g s w h e n y o u a r e b e in g p u lle d a c r o s s d im e n s io n s ; in ste a d I su g g e st a t e c h n iq u e u s in g a c tiv e f o rc e . F o r s o m e r e a s o n , s o m e m o v em en ts h e lp b r e a k o f f t h e p u ll. T h e r o ll is p a rtic u la rly e ffe c tiv e in this. T h e roll is s im ila r to t h e e x it te c h n iq u e d e s c r ib e d e a r lie r in th is book. In b o th c a s e s , t h e ro ll is a p p lie d to b r e a k o ff a n y a tta c h m e n ts to th e physical body.

239

A stra l Projection a n d th e N a tu re o f R eality

Exercise: P rolo n gin g Roll 1. Project in to the astral. 2. Float aro u n d for a few seconds to acq u ain t yourself w ith y o u r state of m ind. 3. Roll as fast as you can. That is, spin around as ify o u were doing pirouettes. 4. A fter a b o u t ten revolutions, y o u sh o u ld clearly sense any attachm ents to y o u r physical body breaking off. Your awareness becom es more in d ep e n d e n t from y o u r body. 5. The a tta c h m e n ts sneak back on y o u . so y o u sh o u ld get in to th e habit o f rolling every five m in u te s o r so.

U n fo rtu n a tely , th e p e rio d b e tw e e n t h e tim e t h e a tta c h m e n ts a p p e ar a n d th e tim e you a r e p u lle d b a c k in to y o u r b o d y is o fte n so b rie f th at, by th e tim e you feel t h e m , it is to o la te to a p p ly t h e ro ll. T h e pull from th e b o d y ra p id ly in c r e a s e s u n til you s h if t y o u r a w a r e n e s s in to it against y o u r will. It m ay ta k e o n ly a few s e c o n d s fo r t h e b o d y to m a k e th e pull irre sis tib le . O bviously, a b e t t e r t e c h n iq u e w o u ld b e o n e t h a t prevents th o s e a tta c h m e n ts fro m a p p e a r in g in t h e f i r s t p la c e . A s tra l m ed itatio n is a g o o d p re v e n tiv e te c h n iq u e . M e d ita tio n g e n e ra lly c a lm s u n r u ly t h o u g h ts so w e c a n co n c en trate o n o n e s e t o f th o u g h ts . H o w e v e r, m e d ita tio n is alw a y s d ifficu lt in the ph ysical b e c a u s e p h y sic a l s e n s e s d i s t r a c t u s . H o w m a n y tim e s have you trie d to m e d ita te only t o b e i r r it a te d by s o m e th in g like a n ach in g back? A dd itio n ally, w e h a v e to p u t e ff o r t in to q u ie tin g o u r b e lie f sy stem as it c o n tin u o u sly trie s to c o n v in c e u s t h a t w e h a v e m o re i m p o r ta n t things to do th a n d o in g n o th in g (w h ich m e d ita tio n is). W h e n w e e x it o u r bodies, w e leave th e ph y sic a l s e n s e s b e h in d . T h e r e a r e n o a c h in g b ack s in the a s tra l. W e a lso lea v e m o s t o f o u r b e lie f s y s te m s b e h in d . You m ight say th a t th e a s tr a l p ro v id e s a n u n d i s t r a c t e d c h a n n e l to o u r m in d s, which allow s us to o p tim iz e o u r m e d ita tio n p r a c tic e . If you th in k m editation is effective in th e ph y sic a l, t r y it in th e a s tr a l.

. ,

D o th e e x e rc ise b e lo w f ir s t o n “d r y l a n d ” (in w a k in g physical rea a lew tim e s , so you will r e m e m b e r it w h e n yo u a s tr a l p ro je c t. W hen ^ know it by h e a rt, ap p ly th e te c h n iq u e e v e ry tim e you go in to th e astr

240

P rolonging the Projection

sS “S X

Exercise: P ro lo n g in g M e d ita tio n 1. T h e m o m e n t y o u e x i t y o u r b o d y , f l o a t d o w n t o t h e f l o o r o r i n t o a v o i d . 2. C r o s s y o u r a s t r a l l e g s ( i f y o u d e c i d e t o h a v e a s t r a l l e g s ) i n l o t u s p o s i ­

tio n . 3. P u t y o u r p a lm s to g e th e r ( if y o u d e c id e ro h a v e h a n d s ) in f r o n t o f y o u r c h e st. 4 . C l o s e y o u r a s t r a l e y e s ( i f y o u d e c i d e to h a v e e y e s ) . 5. Take a deep (astral) b reath .

r*

6 . R e la x y o u r m i n d . 7. Q uiet all th o u g h ts a n d in te rn al dialogues. 8 . Move the center o f th o u g h t to y o u r astral chest. Focus on y o u r chest.

9. Stay in this relaxed s ta te o f m in d fo r o n e m in u te. 10. Go do w h atev er y o u set o u t to d o in th e astral. 11. Repeat th e m e d ita tio n every tim e yo u feel y o u r m in d becom ing llaretoapphihfrol.Ujjji,

unsynchronized o r o ff b alance in any way in th e astral.

u sh if t y o u r awareness in to iip p c o n d s fo r th e body to raalei^s M e d ita tin g in t h e a s tr a l n o t o n ly p ro lo n g s th e p ro je c tio n , b u t also k ^ q u f w o u ld b e o n e to p 5 BlheCrslpla«Ad °, r e r r

I**

brain would get fresh oxygen. Can I control m y b ody enough to stand up? I can’t feel my

Itick I t r y '° h

body. I get up.

out o f m y h M

I am moving purely by will. By wanting to walk, I walk. I think that my subcon­ scious is controlling the body, and I am instructing it via m y will. Or m aybe I am just

wick”But I on

floating outside m y body? A few steps later, I wake up to see Barb standing in m y way.

uake up, lean

She asks m e why I am walking around. Hell if I know. I can't rem em ber anything. The

I can’t feel

last thing I remember, I was sitting in the b ed, b u t that to o feels like it happened in a

shouldn't I? I g(

dream.

rayperception o

I continue skipping back a n d forth into a dream world. Som etim es I have night­

headinto the sh

mares. W hen I wake up from them , which I d o 20 tim es p er second, I am panicked and m y heart is racing. My ego takes charge. I am fear-struck. Am I going to have a heart

» 'l feel the colo

attack? Did the alcohol kill my brain? Am I going to turn into a drooling vegetable? Am "xhortMyst

I dying? I have to get help.

'Mbickim,

I want to beg Barb to take m e to a hospital w here they can give me a shot of adrenaline or som ething that will restore m e to waking physical reality. I so miss the

bco

clarity o f thought in a sober mind. I hate being in th e dream world. I love the smell, taste, and feel o f waking reality. I love breathing the air, b u t in the dream world, there is no way to experience those things. But m ost o f all, I hate being in two realities at the

Sot wo X ,'ittell H it

same time. I panic. I try to ask Barb to take m e to a hospital bu t can’t form ulate the words, and from one m om ent to the next, I can’t rem em ber w hat it is I want to say. Then I remem b er

only to forget as I fall into another dream. I reach ou t with the intention o f touch

II ^ is to/ri

jf t,

ing Barb. If this is a dream, then I can alter it. I try to do that, bu t it does not work. I mus

N 9> . V ltou

still be in waking reality. Dreams are popping in and out betw een m y glimpses o f being awake, and they confusing me. I put my hands ouer my face, desperately trying to create a beaco waking reality that will hold m y focus there. Barb is getting freaked out. She fears f health. I do, too. Am I going insane? Is the brain damaged and now I am destine spend the rest o f my life flipping between waking reality and dreaming real' y ^ being able to tell them apart and not remembering what happened just a few before?

Pe ^

\V N w

,

The M e a n in g of Life '" ■ 4

I Or*

N /,

N r J S

Barb t o * m e ba(*

b e d 1 S ° a h n S : a h e r all‘ 1 c a n '< rem em ber w hy I jo t u p in

the firs, place. I w o rk v e ry h a rd d u rin g m a n y ivake -slee p cycles lo form ulate a cry for

^

/ X

help. I ask her. " W h a l d o y o u d o w h e n y o u ’ue h a d lo o m u c h r S h e says. "Y ou h ad beller eat something. W ant m e to get y o u a s a n d w ic h a n d m ilk ?" "Yes. A n d a ban ana."

* - * < s

How do I rem em ber that w e just b o u j h l b a n a n a s ? T he b a n a n a s feel like a spectacular memory, sticking out from the b lu r in w h ich I floal. S h e returns with a cheese sa n d ­ wich. I try to h o l d i l ln m y h a n d , b u t I h a u e n o feeling in m y palm . The sa ndw ich slides

ty b e i am. amm vyioty

*'anythiH

Hi,

out o f m y h a n d a n d the cat eats from it. I w ant to say, "Jesus. I c a n ’t euen hold a sa n d ­ wich."But I o n ly get a s far a s “J e s u s " T h e n I forget w h a l I w a s go in g l o say. Each lime I wake up, I ca n se e the s a n d w ic h h a s s lid farther in m y h and. I ca n’t feel m y sto m a ch, b u t I s u sp e c t that I a m v e ry clo se to puking. I s h o u ld be, shouldn’t I ? I get u p a n d w ill m y s e lf to the bathroom . I sit on the toilet, trying to hold m y perception o f w ak in g reality together. I w ant to get b a c k to w aking reality. I stick m y

head into the show er, d r e n c h in g it w ith c o ld w ater fo r s e veral m inutes. After a while, my b od y is freezing, s o I h a v e to g iv e it up. M y se n so r y perce ptio n is s o n u m b e d that I can't feel the cold, b u t I k n o w from h o w the sk in reacts (go o se b u m p s) that it can't take much more. M y state h a s im p r o v e d o n ly slightly. I get b a c k into b e d a n d try to get w arm. In spite o f several layers o f blankets, I can't raise m y b o d y tem perature. N o w I h a v e d o n e it. I h a v e a ccelerated the d ying p rocess by cooling m y bod y. I a m getting increasing ly c o n v in c e d that I a m dying. This is p ro b a ­ bly going to get worse. I w ill b e flip p in g betw e en w aking reality a n d the dream realm until I ca n ’t tell w h ich is w hich. A t so m e point, I w ill be com pletely in the dream world, leaving m y b o d y b e h in d to rot. Is this h o w death is, a co nfu sing h a z e ? It su re is not how I en visio n ed it. This is n ot fair! I h a v e s o m a n y things ye t to complete. I am writing a b ook. N o w I will ne ver se e it finished. I h a v e b e e n ch eated out o f the rest o f m y life. N o b o d y ever told m e su ch a sm a ll a m o u n t o f eth a nol c o u ld kill you. I h a d n o warning. It is not fair. This m ake s m e angry. Then som ething p e c u lia r hap pens. The next time I w ake u p from a micro-slumber, Barb’s face is very clo se to mine. It h a s a layer o f shim m ering tranquillity. H er eyes calmly lo o k into mine. A m om ent ago, sh e w as freaking out, but n o w sh e is completely serene. W hat brought a b o u t this ch a n g e ? Sh e d o e s not feel like Barb anymore. Is it Barb or is so m e w ise spirit b orrow ing h e r b o d y to relay a m essage to m e ? O r is Barb per­ hap s inspire d by su ch a spirit? O r p e rh a p s Barb is su ch a wise spirit, but o nly lets its true nature surface w h en it is n e e d e d ? W h o am I looking at? W h e n sh e speaks, that d o e s not matter anym ore: “You are very close to y o u r soul

Astral Projection a n d rhe N a tu re o f R e a lity right now. G o with it a n d I will w atch o v e r y o u r b o d y w hile y o u are go n e .” That is exactly w hat I n e e d to hear. A w a v e o f re lie f w a s h e s o v e r m y being. But h o w d id Barb k n o w to sa y that? The n ext m om ent, the layer o f tranquillity d isa p p e a r s from h e r face, a s i f the spirit w h o a d d re s se d m e left h e r bod y. W a s B a rb a w a re o f w hat s h e told m e?

J*

S h e se em s to be, but s h e a lso se e m s su rp r is e d to h a v e s a id it. R e a ssu re d o f m y safety, I finally sto p trying to h o l d o n t o w a k in g reality. I s lip into a n o th e r c o n s c io u s state. It is dark. W ait a m om ent; there is so m e th in g ou t here. I can s e n se it. It is h uge ! It is getting closer. I c a n ’t f in d a n a m e f o r it. T h e clo sest I ca n com e to d escrib in g it is a s the u niverse. It is a g igan tic sw irl o f b la c k a n d d a r k red. Oh, wow! It is alive. It w ants m e to k n o w that w h e th e r w e are in p h y s ic a l b o d ie s o r w ith out them (i.e., dead), the u n ive rse takes ca re o f us. In a ll p o s s ib l e o u t c o m e s o f a ll o u r actions, the uni­ verse is there to take ca re o f us. W e a re a lw a y s safe. S u d d e n ly , w o rrie s o f the future w ash away. It d o e s n o t m atter w h e t h e r I a m d y in g o r not. I u n d e r s t a n d that either way, I am a n d will a lw a y s b e co m p le t e ly safe. Jesus, this is s o u n lik e m e ! W h e r e d id this serenity c o m e fr o m ? It is a n im p rove m e n t. The u n iv e rse s e n d s th o u g h ts to me. In o r d e r to fe e l this care, all w e h a v e to d o is face the dire ctio n the u n iv e r se is g o in g in a n d w e w ill f lo w w ith its m ovem en t. There are n o o bstacle s in life w h e n y o u a re fa c in g the d ire ct io n o f the u niverse . I think I have just fo u n d faith, so m e th in g I n e v e r h a d in life. T h e re w a s n e v e r a n y r e a so n to believe there w a s so m e th in g that t o o k ca re o f me, b u t h e r e it is, sw irlin g a b o u t to m y upper right. I think I c a n d r o p m y c h r o n ic w o r ry a b o u t m y p r o b le m s in life now . A life without worry, w hat bliss. W hat is m ore, I feel this in c r e d ib le l o v e b e t w e e n a ll b e in g s in the universe. There is a un iversal lo v e that w ill n e v e r d im in ish o r g o aw ay. W e all l o v e e a ch other, even though we m ay n o t k n o w it. I a ls o get a f ee ling that o u r p h y sic a l b o d ie s are not ours. W e are just b o rro w in g them. There is a n o th e r p r e se n c e here. The u n iv e r se f a d e s a w a y a s I turn m y attention to the ne w presence. It is a sm all, red, m etallic crea ture sitting ju st b y m y right ear, telling m e things. I k n o w he is m y ego. I d o n o t reflect o n h is p u rp o se . It feels like he has always bee n sitting there next to me, telling m e things. H a s h e b e e n there all m y life an^ o nly n o w d o I notice h im ? I k n o w w ith out a d o u b t that h e is telling m e lies. I tell hiw n o in m y mind, o v e r a n d over. I w ave m y h a n d s b efore h im a s a sign o f rejection. I d e n y the lies h e is telling I reject his advice. I am rebelling aga in st this creature f o r the first tim e in m y life- * he o nly wants to control me. H e inve n ts u gly lies to trick m e into 264

believing m eedtofo1

W oo a.

The M e a n in g o f Life

C V S ' V

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/0u> Ws advice- Funny nOU)’ 'n retrospect' hou} the creature fUs the description o f the Devil I do not believe in the existence o f a Devil, though. At the same time, I notice lots o f little p eo p le running around. They are dressed in the colors o f the woods, green a n d brown. Is their skin green, too? What the hell— g n o m e s ? They

seem awfully busy, running here a n d there. I know what they are doing

without asking. They are working intensely to arrange the experience I am having. They control every event by so m e invisible machinery. And sitting on a platform overlooking the working gnom es are my spirit guides. There are three or fo u r o f them . I sen se they have in vested great effort in preparing the experience for m e and now they relax a n d o b serve the gnom es carrying it out. They are the masterminds b ehind this w hole experience. I am im pressed by the time and effort I sense it took to p u t this experience together. I sense that the guides have spent over six months planning the experience in detail. I now see the reason fo r the experience. The guides saw an opportunity to run me through a large num ber o f lessons w hen m y brain state was altered by alcohol. The goal o f the lessons was to s h e d parts o f the ego a n d strengthen m y faith. The best way to do this was to m ake m e confront the thought o f death, bu t also to show m e the truth about the universe. The lessons could no t have been learned in an ordinary state o f mind. The rational m ind h ad to b e p u t aside.

»/oM*

As if on a signal, all the gnom es stop working. The gnomes and spirit guides applaud. They applaud them selves fo r a jo b well done, an d they applaud me for m ak­ ing the best o f their efforts by learning what they intended m e to learn. This marks the end o f a project they have b een working on for a long time.

add

W h e n I w a s y o u n g , I w a s ta u g h t t h a t a n g e ls a r e w a tc h in g o v e r ea ch one o f us. I th o u g h t t h e a n g e ls w e r e t h e r e to h e lp m e if I g o t in to to o m uch tro u b le . N o w it t u r n s o u t t h a t th e j o b o f t h e an g e ls is th e o p p o site :

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til n«'

ter. W h e th e r h e is a co n scio u s p e rs o n o r a figm ent o f my im agination, in o rd e r for him to ex ist in my reality, I have to c re a te him inside my own m ind. W i t h t h e s im p le s t a t e m e n t , R e a l it y i s w h a t y o u m a k e it, c o m e s free­

r : ; ; ...^ f -This*'8 acf"1 1

d o m o f c h o ic e : I f I c h o o s e to h a v e s o m e t h in g in m y w o rld , I c re a te it. I f 1 c h o o s e n o t to h a v e it, I r e f r a in fr o m c r e a t in g it. W e all hav e th is free­ d o m . R e a lit y c a n b e w h a t e v e r w e w a n t it to be. A ll th a t is r e q u ir e d is

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t h a t w e k n o w w h a t k i n d o f re a lity w e w is h to c re a te . In th a t fre e d o m ,

287

we have th e p o w e r to change o u r w orlds. It is up to us w h a t w e w an t to do w ith th is pow er. This could be th e e n d to suffering, s o m e th in g th at has been o u r com panion for fa r too m any m illen n ia. W e only have suf­ fering be c au se we ch o o se to c re a te it. N ow it is tim e to ch o o se to fill our realities in ste a d w ith beautiful things, b re a th ta k in g co lo rs, a n d rad ia n t feelings. Let us h e re a n d now d e c id e to have only th e b e s t in o u r lives. Let us tu rn th e w a rm th o f o u r th o u g h ts in to th e b r ig h tn e ss o f o u r w orld Let us com m it to th e la u g h te r a n d frie n d sh ip o f th e fu tu re .

Further Exploration

The goal o f th is b o o k w a s to p r o v id e y o u w ith t h e to o ls ( a s tra l p r o ­ jection te c h n iq u e s ) n e e d e d to e x p lo r e o t h e r d im e n s io n s . T h is b o o k w as never in te n d e d to p r e s e n t p a c k a g e d d is c o v e r ie s r e a d y fo r d ig estio n , although it w a s n e c e s s a r y a t tim e s to p r e s e n t s o m e o f m y o w n e x p e ri­ ences in o r d e r to w id e n y o u r n o tio n o f p o s s ib ilitie s . I w o u ld b e a fool to a ttem pt to c o n v e rt a n y o n e to m y b e lie f s y s te m . I n s te a d , I c h o o s e to p ro ­ vide th e to o ls f o r e x p lo r a tio n a n d e n c o u ra g e yo u to fo rm y o u r o w n view ° f the w orld. In th e la te n i n e t e e n th c e n tu r y , m a n y s c ie n tis ts w e re d e p re s s e d because o f th e “fa c t” t h a t t h e c u r r e n t s c ie n tific c o m m u n ity h a d a lre a d y discovered all t h e r e w a s to d isc o v e r. N ow , m o re th a n o n e c e n tu ry a n d a few th o u sa n d d isc o v e rie s la te r, w e c h u c k le a t h o w n aiv e w e w e re b ack th e n . B ut still w e h o ld t h e s a m e belief: W e th in k w'e hav e a g o o d g rip on how m o st th in g s w o rk . W e d o n o t. W e a r e j u s t a fra id o f h o w sm all we w ould feel if w e w e re to a d m it h o w little w e rea lly know . C reation is p a c k ed w ith un k n o w n s. A discovery is n o t ju s t th e revela­ tion of a ha b it o f o u r n a tu re , b u t also th e revelation o f a h u n d red o th er questions aw aiting answ ers. W e should nev er assu m e th a t th e re is nothing

Astral Projection and the N ature o f Reality left to d isc o v e r. W h e n w e h a v e d is c o v e r e d t h e m e a n in g o f life, w e w ill h a v e y e t t o d is c o v e r t h e m e a n i n g o f t h e m e a n i n g o f life. O u r j o u r n e y o f e x p lo r a t io n is n e v e r - e n d in g .

H orizons to E x p lo re I w ould like to give a few last h in ts on w h a t to e x p lo re. T h e se are q u e stio n s I have b e e n a sk in g m yself fo r a long tim e b u t have n o t h ad the tim e to e x p lo re m yself. If you find th e s e q u e s tio n s in trig u in g , then e m b a rk upon y o u r ow n e x p e d itio n to fin d y o u r o w n a n sw e rs. • E xplore y o u r be in g o u tsid e physical life. • E x plore th e p u re a s tr a l by c e a s in g all th o u g h ts . • Visit a s tra l w o rld s c r e a te d by o t h e r b e in g s. • V isit frie n d s c u rr e n tly n o t in c a r n a te d . • V isit o th e r n o n p h y sic a l c ivilizations. • V isit physical b e in g s on d is t a n t p la n e ts . • V isit y o u rse lf in a p re v io u s life tim e . • In v estig ate th e r e i n c a rn a tio n p ro c e s s .

E x p lo ra tio n P r o c e d u r e It alw ays h e lp s if th e e x p lo r a tio n p r o c e s s is s o m e w h a t s tru c tu re d . T h e following s e t o f s te p s is a g o o d f ra m e w o r k f ro m w h ic h you can form y our p e rs o n a liz e d e x p lo ra tio n p r o c e s s .

Exercise: Exploration 1. W rite dow n a question you w a n t answ ered. Your nonphysical friends will oblige you by p reparing an astral experience for y o u . W ith their help, you will set u p astral energies, objects, a n d people to interact w ith. 2. The evening before y o u r next astral projection, read th e note, so that you will rem em ber y o u r m ission. 3. W hen y ou astral project, enjoy th e experience.

Furthe r Exploration

8 o f life

X !

4 When you re tu rn to th e body, p o n d e r h o w th e astral experience relates

to y o u r q u estio n .

5. Also, p o n d er h o w you a n d y o u r n o n p h y sical frien d s se t u p th e expe­ rience. In m y case, th ey usu ally p ro v id e a series o f lessons. Each lesson comprises a series o f practical exam ples. A t th e en d o f each lesson, I tie together th e ex am p les by d ra w in g a co n clu sio n o r having an insight. O nce a co n clu sio n h as been m ad e, th e next lesson begins. Taken together, th e lessons p ro v id e th e an sw er to m y qu estio n .

R em em ber, a s tr a l p r o je c tio n is o n ly a to o l. It is n o t th e goal. You can use this tool in y o u r q u e s t f o r w h a t is i m p o r ta n t to yo u . A n d o n ly you can decide w h a t t h a t is.

valfri •

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A p p en d ix

Astral Troubleshooter

This c h a rt is p r o v id e d a s a q u ic k r e f e r e n c e fo r o v e rc o m in g o b s ta c le s commonly e n c o u n te r e d b y a s tr a l p r o je c to r s b e fo r e t h e e x it, d u r in g th e exit, and in th e a s tr a l r e a lm . F o r e a c h o b s ta c le , s e v e ra l p o s s ib le so lu ­ tions a re su g g e ste d . F o r e x a m p le , if y o u a r e lo sin g t h e o u t-of-body s ta t e , to regain it you m ay ro ll, m e d i t a t e , o r m o v e y o u r c e n te r o f th o u g h t. Problem

S o lu tio n

B ody a c h e s

S t r e t c h m u s c le s . B e n d e lb o w s b y p u t t in g h a n d s o n h ip s. R e lie v e p r e s s u r e a g a in s t m a t t r e s s b y e le v a t in g feet w it h a p illow . T r y a d iffe re n t b o d y p o s itio n .

N oise

U se earplugs.

Bed shaking

Use the m otion to intensify your visualization. Visualize being in a shaking location, e.g., on a ship o r a volcano, o r inside a giant m ilkshake.

293

Astral Projection a n d the Nature o f Reality Itch

O b s e r v e the start, m id d le , a n d e n d o f the itch. A s yo u o b s e r v e the end, the itch w ill g o away. S c ra t c h . It ta k e s m o r e e ffo rt to ig n o r e t h a n to sc ra t c h and get b a c k in t o the s a m e state.

C a n 't re la x

V is u a liz e flo a t in g d o w n w a rd . F o c u s o n y o u r b re a t h in g . T a k e lo n g e xh a le s. L e t y o u r m in d w a n d e r.

M ind in turm oil Postpone the astral pro jectio n session a n d welcome the turm oil. E xperience it. Heal it once a n d for all. Decide to deal w ith all p ro b lem s to m o rro w . They can wait until you wake up in th e m orning. C an’t fall asleep Let your m ind w ander. F o rg et th e body. C an’t m aintain

In cre a se your m otivation by in creasin g th e

visualization

Visualize so m ething fun o r intriguing. Go explore.

desire to AP.

Sex drive

R em ove drive b efo re sessio n by m astu rb a tin g ,

takes over

Realize th a t th e w hole u n iv erse loves you, as th e

motiva­

tion for th e sex drive o fte n is a n e e d fo r love. OBE vision is

C re a te an ob ject w ith y o u r m in d a n d place it before you.

absent or blurred M e d ita te on your th ird eye d u rin g OBE. C o m m a n d C larity N o w ! Losing OBE state Roll. Sit dow n a n d m e d ita te on th ir d eye o r c e n te r o f chest dur­ ing OBE. Move c e n te r of th o u g h t to c h e st, as th e h e a d often desta­ bilizes th e s ta te . Can’t r

E xpect to be th e re .

Endnotes

1. D ee p a k C h o p ra , B ody, M in d , a n d S o u l: T h e M y s te r y a n d th e M agic, video (A lex a n d ria , V a.: PB S H o m e V id e o , 1 9 9 5 ). 2. S teven L ee W e in b e rg , R a m th a (E a sts o u n d , W a sh .: Sovereignty, 1986.) 3. H enry K . B e e c h e r, “T h e P o w erfu l P la c e b o ,” J o u rn a l o f th e A m erica n M ed ica l A s s o c ia tio n 159: 1602, 1955. 4. J. H all, C. K im , B. M cE lro y , a n d A . S h im o n i, “W ave-Packet R eduction as a M ed iu m o f C o m m u n ic a tio n ,” F o u n d a tio n s o f P h ysics 7: 7 5 9 -7 6 7 , 1977. 5. Hugh E v e re tt, “R elative S ta te F o rm u la tio n o f Q u an tu m M echanics," Review s o f M o d e rn P h y sic s 29: 4 5 4 - 4 6 2 ( E v e re tt’s P rin c e to n Ph.D . thesis, 1957). 6 . R. O m n e s, U n d e rsta n d in g Q u a n tu m M ec h a n ic s (P rin ceto n , N .J.: Princeton U niversity P r e s s , 1999). C h a p te r 13 d e s c rib e s c o n sisten t histories. 7. W illiam G am m ill, T h e G a th erin g : M e e tin g s in H ig h er S pace (Charlottesville, Va.: H a m p to n R oads, 2 0 0 1 ), p. 72. 8 . R o b e rt P e ra la , w ith Tony S tu b b s, T h e D ivin e B lu ep rin t (Cam pbell, Calif.: U nited Light Publishing, 1998), p. 73. 9- B ruce M o en , Voyages in to th e U n kn o w n (C harlottesville, Va.: H am pton R oads, 1997), p. 155. 10. W e in b e rg , R a m th a , p. 16. 11- Robert Peterson, O ut-of-Body E xp erien ces: H ow to Have T h em an d W hat to E xpect (Charlottesville, Va.: Hampton Roads, 1997), p. 216. 12. Louis d e Broglie, R e s e a r c h e s o n t h e Q u a n t u m T h e o r y (Paris, France: Faculty of Sciences a t P a ris U niversity, 1924). 13. Ja n e R oberts, S eth: D r e a m s a n d P r o je c t io n o f C o n s c i o u s n e s s (M anhasset, N.Y.: New A w areness N etw ork, 1998), p. 335.

Astral Projection and the Nature o f Reality 14. C a rlo s Castaneda, The W h e e l o f Tim e (N e w Yo rk: W a sh in g to n Squ are Press. 2001), from front cover. 15. Roberts. Seth, p. 333. 16. K e n K eys, H o w to E n jo y Your Life in Spite o f It A l l (St. M a ry , Ky.: L iving Love Publications, 1980), p. 5. 17. Roberts, Seth. p. 327. 18. W illia m Buhlm an, A d ve n tu re s b e y o n d the B ody: H o w to E x p e rie n c e Out-ofB o d y Travel (N e w Y o rk: H a rp e rS a n F ra n c isc o , 199 6), p. 172. 19. R o b e rt B ru c e , A s t r a l D y n a m ic s : A N e w A p p r o a c h to O ut-of-Body E xp e rie n c e s (Charlottesville, Va.: H a m p to n R o ad s, 1999), p. 44. 20. W aking Life, m ovie (B eve rly H ills, Calif.: Fo x H o m e E n te rta in m e n t, 2001). 21. D e fending Your Life, m ovie (B u rb a n k . C alif.: W a r n e r S tu d io s, 1991). 22. W e in be rg, Ram tha, p. 19. 23. C a rlo s C asta neda, T a le s o f P o w e r (N e w Y o rk : S im o n & Sc h u ste r, 1974), n

22. 24. W h itle y Strieber, C o n firm a tio n : T h e H a r d E v id e n c e o f A l ie n s a m o n g U s ? ( N e w Y o rk : St. M a r t in ’s P re ss, 1998). 25. W h itle y Strie be r, B re a k t h r o u g h : P ap e rb ac ks, 1995), p. 47. 26. Ibid., p. 45.

The

Next

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Additional Resources

^ Evidence of N a t Step (IfarUnH.

T h e re f e r e n c e m a te ria l p re v io u sly lis te d is well w o rth a re a d . O n top of th a t, I g u a r a n te e t h a t th e follow ing m a te ria l is riv etin g fo r anyone in te re s te d in e it h e r a s tr a l p ro je c tio n o r th e n a tu r e o f reality. C asta neda, C a r lo s. 1993. T h e A r t o f D r e a m in g . N e w Yo rk: H a rp e rC o llin s. M o n ro e , R o b e rt. 1 9 9 4 . U ltim a te J ou rn ey . N e w Y o rk : Dou bled ay. Redfield, J a m e s. 199 3. T h e C e le s t in e P ro p h e c y : A n A d ve nture. N e w York: W a r n e r B o o k s. Strieber, W h itle y . 1987. C o m m u n io n : A True Story. N e w Yo rk: A v o n Boo ks. '

■ 1988. T ra n sfo rm a tio n : T h e B re a kth ro u gh . N e w York: A v o n B oo ks.

Talbot, M ic h a e l. 1991. T h e H o lo g r a p h ic Un ive rse . N e w Yo rk: H arp e rC o llin s.

I a ls o h i g h l y r e c o m m e n d e d t h e fo llo w in g film s . C o m m unio n. 1989. L o s A n ge le s: N e w Lin e H o m e Entertainm ent. L u c k y P e o p le C e n t e r International. 1997. Stockho lm , Sw eden: L u ck y People Center. Out on a L im b. 1986. Troy, M ich.: A n c h o r B a y Entertainm ent. W hat D r e a m s M a y C om e. 1998. Beverly H ills, Calif.: Polygram Film s.

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About the Author

J o h n M a g n u s is a te c h n ic al w rite r, s o ftw a re engi­ n e e r, in te rd im e n sio n a l tra v e le r, a n d m usician. Since his b irth in H a lm s ta d , S w ed en , in 1977, Jo h n had lived a q u ie t a n d dull life until o n e day ho discovered th e

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a ro u s e d a fie rc e d e sire to u n d e rs ta n d th e out-ofb o d y p h e n o m e n o n a n d , in co n ju n ctio n , to u n d e r­ s ta n d p h ysical reality. T o w a r d t h i s g o a l, J o h n h a s u n d e r t a k e n c o u n t le s s in v e st ig a t iv e e x p e d it i o n s in t o t h e a s t r a l. H i s f i n d i n g s a r e p r e s e n t e d in t h is

book.

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u n k n o w n , t h e b o o k is d e s ig n e d t o g e n t ly g u id e r e a d e r s t o w a r d t h e ir o w n a s tra l d is c o v e r ie s , r a t h e r t h a n m e r e ly t o d is c lo s e h is o w n o p in io n s . In o r d e r to s p r e a d th e k n o w le d g e o f a s tra l pro je ctio n , J o h n giv e s w o rk ­ s h o p s o n r e la te d su bjects. T o m a k e re s e rv a t io n s o r to re q u e s t m o re infoi'm atio n, p le a se v isit J o h n M a g n u s ’s w e b site a t w w w .jo h n m a g n u s.c o m . J o h n ’s p h y s ic a l b o d y c u r r e n t ly r e s id e s in B o is e , Id a h o , w ith h is w ife B a r b a r a (a c r y s t a l p r a c t it io n e r ), J a z z th e D a lm a t ia n , a n d se v e ra l cats.

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P UB L I S H I N G COMPANY, INC

Thank you for rea d in g A s tr a l P r o je c tio n a n d th e N a tu re o f Reality Roads is p ro u d to b e a le a d e r in th e field o f o u t-o f-b o d y expert' ences and the e xp lo ra tio n o f o th e r d im e n s io n s , a n d m ore. P lease take a look j, die following se le c tio n o r v isit u s a n y tim e o n th e w eb: w w w .hrpub com Hampton

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Astral Dynamics A NEW Approach to Out-of-Body Experience R o b e rt B ruce T h is e n c y c lo p e d ic o u t-o f-b o d y m asterp iece g iv e s y o u e v e ry th in g y o u need to understand the p ra c tic e a n d g o o u t ex p lo rin g on y o u r ow n. Astral D y n a m ic s in c lu d e s a p rac tic a l “h o w -to ” guide, trou­ b le s h o o tin g a d v ic e , a n d a fascin atin g theoretical p er­ sp e ctiv e o n a s tra l travel.

Pap e rb a c k • 56 0 p a g e s • ISBN 1-57174-143-7- $18.95

Out-of-Body Exploring A Beginner's Approach P re sto n D e n n e tt N o v ice, in term ed iate, o r expert— anyone inter­ e ste d in th e spiritual art o f astral travel will benefit fro m D e n n e tt’s 2 0 y ears o f out-of-body traveling. In clu d in g h is initial forays into expanded conscious­ n ess, he shares the m any techniques he experim ented w ith ’, and discusses the people and sights he encoun,ered. Plus, he offers tips on how to go reliably out o f body and maintain ’h's enhanced aw areness. P aperback • 200 p ag es • ISBN 1-57174-409-6 • 513.95

www.brpob.com • 1-800-766-8009

Out-of-Body Experiences How to Have Them and What to Expect R o b e rt P e te rs o n P e te rs o n g iv e s y o u th e s tra ig h t sco o p on getting in a n d o u t o f th e p h y s ic a l b o d y , h o w to deal with fcar o f th e u n k n o w n th a t c a n h o ld y o u back , how to navi­ g a te , w h e re y o u c a n v e n tu re , a n d w h a t— o r whom— y o u m ig h t e n c o u n te r in th e a s tra l lan d scap e. P a p e rb a c k • 2 8 0 p a g e s • ISBN 1 -5 7 1 7 4 -0 5 7 -0 - $ 11.95

Lessons Out o f the Body A Journal o f Spiritual Growth and Out-ofBody Travel R o b e rt P e te rs o n

Robert Peterson

In th is fo llo w -u p to h is p o p u la r first book, P e te rs o n n o t o n ly g iv e s y o u m o re tip s a n d tricks for g e ttin g o u t o f b o d y , b u t a ls o o ffe rs experiential a d v ic e o n u s in g th e O B E p h e n o m e n o n fo r spiritual e x p lo ra tio n a n d g ro w th . P a p e rb a c k • 27 2 p a g e s • ISBN 1-57174-251 -4 • $13.95

Otherwhere A Field Guide to Nonphysical Reality fo r the Out-of-Body Traveler Kurt Leland P aperback • 28 8 p a g e s • ISBN 1-57174-241-7 • $18.95

Soul Journeys My Guided Tours through the Afterlife Rosalind A.McKnight P aperback • 272 p a g e s • ISBN 1-57174-413-4 • $15.95

Cosmic Journeys My Out-of-Body Explorations with Robert A. Monroe Rosalind A.McKnight • Foreword by Laurie Monroe Paperback • 296 pages • ISBN 1-57174-123-2 • $13.95 Khmal I,ill' I

Eternal Life and How to Enjoy It A First-Hand Account Gordon Phinn Paperback • 224 pages • ISBN 1-57174-408-8 • $13.95 Kx»