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 3

6
16 19 27 37 47 60 68 78

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

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, g r a titu d e goes to th e a s tra l John p r o j e c t o r s A n d r e w F lo y d , and J u li a C h a r le s M e lg e s -

A n d rew

M usch,

B a rb

L a n ie r,

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 cant 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 th e p h y s ic a l. C o u ld th e re b e s o m e th in g

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 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 thousa 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 , 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 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? 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 . 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 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 'hal sort or" tunnel \ advance y awesome e # e0fl .'t r m reSo u r c e | ^ ]v it d o e s th a t * n < " f rad'c ' ,,cl th< n

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Tlie Rise o f a Book

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

aS

be

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

la f ride. to c

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

s,re

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lecting r e s o u r c e s t h a t y o u h a v e to

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anyw ay.

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 m en an d 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

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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.

ec ik "Is t 'a( th V y .w S i , \ \ 5r

The Rise o f a Book

ga ch 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 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

* *\ 0 I

s I c8 # le W '

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

1,1 <his Circle, *lral Projection is

r ryU ,0 f0 n )

e r e a d in b o o

xvi

C ir c l e 1

Preparingfor the Astral

Getyo u r m ind and body in shape for the big exit.
If you ask a good quantum physicist what the true nature of physical matter is, you will get the answer that it is nonphysical. Deepak Chopra, Body, Mind, and Soul1

I n t h i s C i r c l e , w e w ill d i s c u s s s o m e p r e c o n c e i v e d n o t i o n s o f w h a t a s t r a l p r o j e c t i o n is a n d , f r a n k l y , s h r e d t h e m t o b i t s . W e w ill p a v e t h e w ay fo r y o u t o f o r m y o u r o w n o p in io n o f t h e a s tr a l f ro m y o u r o w n a s tr a l e x p e r i e n c e s ( w h i c h w ill c o m e i n t h e n e x t C i r c l e ) , r a t h e r t h a n f r o m w h a t y o u h a v e r e a d in b o o k s .

What Is Astral Projection?

T h e r e a r e a s m a n y d e f i n i t i o n s o f w h a t a s t r a l p r o je c ti o n is a s t h e r e a r e a s tr a l p r o j e c t o r s . I t h i n k it is a g o o d i d e a t o g iv e m y d e f in itio n b e fo r e w e d e lv e i n to t h e t o p ic . P r o je c tio n , in t h i s c a s e , is t h e p r o c e s s b y w h ic h y o u s e le c t a p h y s ic a l o r n o n p h y s ic a l o b j e c t a n d t u r n ( o r s h if t ) y o u r a w a r e n e s s ( o r a tt e n ti o n ) to it. I t c a n a ls o b e v ie w e d a s t h e p r o c e s s o f d r a w in g a n o b je c t, o r t h e c o n c e p t o f a n o b j e c t , i n to y o u r a w a r e n e s s , b u t t h o s e a r e j u s t tw o d iffe r e n t w a y s o f l o o k in g a t t h e s a m e p r o c e s s . E v e r y t h o u g h t y o u h a v e is a p r o j e c tio n o f a w a r e n e s s . F o r e x a m p le , o n e s e c o n d y o u m a y b e p r o je c tin g y o u r a w a r e n e s s to a m e m o r y o f a n a r t i c l e o n s t r a w b e r r i e s t h a t y o u r e a d tw o w e e k s a g o . T h e n e x t s e c o n d y o u a r e p r o je c ti n g y o u r a w a r e n e s s to a m e m o r y o f th e s w e e t t a s t e o f a s tr a w b e r r y . A s a n o t h e r e x a m p le , i f I h a v e to s h a r p e n a p e n c il, d u r in g t h e s h a r p e n i n g p r o c e d u r e I p r o je c t m y a w a r e n e s s to th e p e n c il, t h e n to t h e s h a r p e n e r , a n d t h e n b a c k to m y u s u a l d a y d re a m . P r o je c tin g o n e s a w a r e n e s s to o t h e r r e a l it i e s t a k e s a b it m o r e e ff o r t, b u t it is t h e e x a c t s a m e p r o c e d u r e . A w a r e n e s s is t h e p o in t o f y o u r m e n ta l fo cu s. It is th e c le a r e s t p a r t

Astra! Projection anti the Nature o f Reality o f your conscious m ind. T he functions o f th e m ind can be divided into two m ajor pa rts: th e conscious and th e subconscious. T h e subconscious controls the autonom ic nervous system , beliefs, a n d m em o rie s. T h e two p a rts co o p erate to im plem ent c om p lete m ind functions. F or exam p le, if you decide to move your a rm , you a re consciously a w a re o f th e a rm m ov ing. but you have no idea how th e sub co n scio u s m an ip u late s th e m uscles. Likewise, you can consciously access m em o rie s b u t c a n t c o n tro l how they a re sto re d o r fetched. You have n o c o n scio u s c o n tro l o v er your m em ories w hen th e subconscious p re v e n ts you fro m r e m e m b e rin g th e n am es o f people you m eet. A w areness allows a c cess to th e c o n scio u s p a r ts o f y o u r m in d , b u t not all a t once. You can only tu rn y o u r a w a re n e s s to a sm all p o rtio n o f the conscious m ind a t o n e tim e . F o r e x a m p le , if you a r e lis te n in g to m usic a nd, o u t o f th e c o rn e r o f y o u r ey e, s e e s o m e th in g m oving, you tu rn yo u r a w a re n e s s to y o u r ey e sig h t to in v e s tig a te w h e t h e r th e m ove m e n t is a th re a t. F o r a few m illisec o n d s, th e h e a rin g fu n c tio n slip s ou t of y our a w a re n e s s a n d you c a n t h e a r t h e m u sic . A s tra l is tric k ie r to d e fin e , a n d e v e ry o n e s e e m s to h a v e his o r h e r own id ea o f w h a t it is. T h e A m e r ic a n C o lle g e D ic tio n a r y f ro m 1967, fo r exam ple, says th e a s tr a l is a s u p e rs e n s ib le s u b s ta n c e s u p p o s e d to p e r v ade all sp a ce a n d fo rm th e s u b s ta n c e o f a s e c o n d b o d y b e lo n g in g to e ach in d iv id u a l. T h a t is a g o o d d e fin itio n (a lth o u g h n o t n e c e s s a r ily co r re c t), b u t it still d o e s n o t tell u s w h a t t h a t s u p e rs e n s ib le s u b s ta n c e is, h ow it r e la te s to th e ph y sic a l, o r h o w to r e a c h it. P e r h a p s t h e co n fu sio n s te m s fro m a tte m p ts to d e fin e th e a s tr a l w ith w o r d s t h a t a r e c o m m o n ly u sed to d e s c rib e p hysical s p a c e . O r p e r h a p s t h e c o n fu s io n is c a u s e d by th e fac t th a t h u m a n ity h a s n o t e v e n d e fin e d th e p h y s ic a l, a n d w e c a n t tell w h a t th e a s tr a l is w ith o u t k n o w in g w h a t t h e p h y sic a l is. S om e say th e a s tr a l c o n ta in s all th e n o n p h y s ic a l r e a l m s . O t h e r s say th a t th e i e is a c o n tin u u m o f e n e rg y f r e q u e n c ie s r e a c h in g f ro m t h e phys ical to th e d ivine, a n d th e a s tr a l is o n e o f t h o s e f r e q u e n c ie s , n eatly u cked in b e tw e e n th e ph y sic a l a n d m e n ta l f r e q u e n c ie s . S in c e t h e r e a re to o m any u n k n o w n s, I will n o t a tt e m p t to sp e c ific a lly d e fin e th e a s tra l; 1 1 only say th a t th e a s tr a l is t h e r e a lm w h e r e t h o u g h ts c o m e to life,

tak in >& 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.

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 ls 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 fro m t h e ir b o dies: 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

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 seven h eavens. Sahih B ukhari, full n a m e A bu A b d u llah M u h a m m a d bin Ism ail bin Ibrahim bin al-M ughira al-Jafai, p u t th e sto ry in w ritin g so m e tim e during his lifetim e (a . m. 1 9 4 -2 5 6 o r A.D. 8 0 9 - 8 6 9 ), rou g h ly 200 y e a rs a fte r th e e v e n t o c c u rre d . W hile I w as at th e H ouse in a s ta te m id w ay b e tw e e n sleep a nd w akefulness, [an angel recognized m e] as th e m a n lying b etw een tw o m en . A g olden tra y full o f w isd o m a n d b e lie f w as b rought to m e a nd m y body w as c u t o p e n fro m th e th r o a t to th e low er p a rt o f th e a b d o m e n a n d th e n m y a b d o m e n w a s w a sh e d w ith Zam -zam w a te r a n d [m y h e a r t w as] filled w ith w isd o m a n d belief. Al-Buraq, a w h ite a n im a l, sm a lle r th a n a m u le a n d bigger th a n a donkey, w as b ro u g h t to m e a n d I s e t o u t w ith G ab riel. W h e n I re a c h e d th e n e a r e s t h e a v en , G a b rie l sa id to th e h e a v en g ate-keeper, O p e n th e g a te ." T h e g a te k e e p e r a s k e d , W h o is it? He said, G a b rie l. T h e g a te -k e ep e r, W h o is a c co m p a n y in g y o u ? G abriel said, M u h a m m a d . T h e g a te -k e e p e r sa id , H a s h e b e e n calle d ? G ab riel sa id , Y es. T h e n it w a s s a id , H e is w e lc o m e d . W h a t a w o nderful visit his is! T h e n I m e t A d a m a n d g r e e te d him a n d he said, You a r e w e lc o m e d 0 so n a n d a P r o p h e t. ( H adith o f the N ight J o u r n e y a n d A s c e n s io n A l-Is r a w a M iraj, vo lu m e 4, book ,54, N u m b e r 4 2 9 , a s n a r r a te d by M alik bin S a sa a ) In e ach of th e se v en h e a v e n s h e v isite d , M u h a m m a d c o n v e rs e d with w ell-known p e rs o n a litie s f ro m th e B ible. It is in te r e s tin g to n o te th a t his e x p e rie n ce to o k p lac e in th e b o r d e r s ta t e b e tw e e n s le e p a n d w akeful ness. I his is th e s ta te m o st b e n e fic ia l fo r a s tr a l p ro je c tio n . I h e h g y p tia n s a re n o t th e o nly o n e s w h o h a v e c o m p ile d a b o o k to e a se tra n s itio n into d e a th . T h e T ib e ta n B o o k o f th e D e a d o r Bardo

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The H istory o f Astral Projection

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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 is 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 b a rd o b o d y is c a p a b le o f tra v e lin g a n y w h e re

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 in 1 9 6 5 . T w itc h e ll p ro m o te d a m o v e m e n t k n o w n as

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

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Astral Projection a n d the Nature o f Reality

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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 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 th a t he d isc o v e re d th e E lix ir o f Life a n d th e

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P h ilo so p h e rs S to n e , th a t h e c o u ld e n la r g e d ia m o n d s a n d m a k e gold fro m lea d a n d silk fro m fla x . H e a ls o to ld o f e v e n ts t h a t c o u ld b e a ttr ib u te d to th e a s tra l p ro je c tio n e x p e rie n c e : F o r q u ite a lo n g tim e I ro lle d th ro u g h sp a ce . I saw g lo b e s rev o lv e a ro u n d m e a n d e a r t h s g r a v ita te at 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 p e o p le such a s th e S w ed ish p h ilo s o p h e r E m a n u e l S w e d e n b o r g ; th e F re n ch n o v elist H o n o r* d e B alzac, in h is s to r y L o u is L a m b e r t ; a n d the in c h m a n A llan K a rd e c , f o u n d e r o f S p iritis m . S w e d e n b o r g , especially, p ro d u ce d a w e a lth o f m a te ria l t h a t still d r a w s c ro w d s to d a y . , P|)rsed H S , , of d des Election

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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 ,
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1 exPeri-

ing b u t t h e i r w its a n d c o u ra g e . In 1 8 7 5 , M adam e H e le n a B la v a ts k y fo u n d ed th e T h e o s o p h ic a l

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 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,

'd e n r> p

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 ts 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 and o t h e r s - S y lv e s te r A. W e s t, H ugh G. Callow<iy, K arlis O sis, Ingo S w a n n , S u s a n B la c k m o re , C elia G re e n , tu a r t Tw em low , D e a n S h iels, S c o tt R o g o , W illia m B u h lm a n , R o b e rt 14

The H istory o f Astral Projection

B ruce, R o b e r t P e te r s o n , B ru c e M o e n , a n d m an y m o re u n m e n tio n e d public i n te r e s t in t h e a s tr a l p r o je c tio n p h e n o m e n o n g rew . A stra l p ro jec tion p r a c titio n e r s e m e r g e d f ro m o u t o f t h e i r h id in g p lac e s to s h a re in and p a r ta k e o f a s tr a l p r o je c tio n k n o w le d g e in th e p u b lic d o m ain . No m o re d id you n e e d a m a s t e r fro m w h o m to le a r n a s tr a l p ro je c tio n . T h e re w a s p le n ty o f in fo r m a tio n w id e ly a v a ila b le on h o w to d o it, m uch th a n k s to t h e I n te r n e t . C u r r e n tly , th o u s a n d s o f p e o p le a r e p rac tic in g a s tr a l p r o je c tio n all o v e r t h e w o rld in d e lib e r a te a tte m p ts to leav e th e ir b o d ies. m O n c e a g a in w e h a v e t h e o p p o r tu n ity to m a k e u se o f o u r skill to leave o u r b o d ie s a n d v isit w o r ld s b e y o n d th e p h y sic a l. If w e c h o o se to see t h ro u g h th e f e a r s u r r o u n d in g t h e s u b je c t a n d its im p lic a tio n s o n o u r p e r ce p tio n o f r e a lity , w e c a n g r o w lik e w e h a v e n e v e r b e fo re . W ith th e k n o w le d g e o f a s tr a l p r o je c tio n c o m e s a n u n d e rs ta n d in g o f a g r e a t e r re a l ity, s im ila r to s te p p in g o u t o f P la to s m e ta p h o ric a l cav e. In th e n e a r f u tu r e , if w e d e c id e to e m b r a c e a n d in v estig a te th e a stra l p ro je c tio n p h e n o m e n o n , t h e m e c h a n ic s o f th e out-of-body e x p e rie n ce will b e larg ely u n d e rs to o d , a n d a s tr a l p ro je c tio n will b e c o m e a skill th a t will s e rv e a ny p e r s o n w h o w is h e s to u s e it. A s tra l p r o je c tio n te c h n iq u e s will b e so highly d e v e lo p e d t h a t w ith j u s t a c o u p le o f d ay s o f p rac tic e , any o ne will b e a b le t o le a v e t h e i r b o d y . W e m ig h t e v e n in v en t to o ls th a t will a ssist u s w ith g e ttin g in to t h e n e c e s s a r y s ta t e o f m in d . A s tra l p ro jectio n could e v e n b e ta u g h t in p u b lic sc h o o ls a s p a r t o f th e c u rricu lu m . In a m o re d is ta n t f u tu r e , w e m ig h t u se a s tr a l p ro je c tio n to tra n s c e n d th e lim its w e have a llo w e d th e p h y sic a l to im p o se u p o n us. W e will com m u n ic a te w ith th o s e w h o h a v e p a s s e d o n a n d w ith th o s e w h o live far away, p e rh a p s e v e n in o t h e r g a la x ie s. N e v e r m in d co m m u n ica tin g w ith th e m w e will a c tu a lly b e m e e tin g th e m , a w a r e n e s s to a w a re n e s s . W ith a s tra l p ro je c tio n a s c o m m o n k n o w le d g e , in te r s te lla r co m m u n ica tio n will be a n a tu r a l th in g . In tim e , w e will u s e a s tr a l p ro je c tio n to g a th e r infor m atio n on w ho w e a r e a n d w h e r e w e c o m e fro m .

Prepare for Adventure

B efore you th ro w y o u rs e lf in to a d v e n tu r e s in o t h e r w o rld s , t h e r e a re a few th in g s you will n e e d : 1. Bed 2. Sm all pillow s 3. A stra l p ro je c tio n jo u rn a l 4. D re a m jo u rn a l 5. N o te p a d a n d p e n 6. T ape (o r digital) r e c o r d e r (o p tio n a l)

M any e x e rc ise s c a n b e e x e c u te d o n t h e fly. T h e y d o n o t r e q u i r e any sp ecial e q u ip m e n t o r p r e p a r a ti o n o t h e r t h a n a s lig h tly re la x e d s ta te o f m ind. \ o u can d o t h e s e w h e r e v e r you a r e (e x c e p t w h ile d riv in g ), p ro vided th a t you will b e u n d is tu r b e d fo r a c o u p le o f m in u te s . G oing th ro u g h p ie p a r a tio n s su ch a s a s e rie s o f r e la x a tio n t e c h n iq u e s is ju s t a w ast( of e n e rg y a n d will in tim e w e a r o u t y o u r m o tiv a tio n fo r d o in g the <x< i ises. Aim to d o th e e x e rc ise s o n t h e s p o t a n d d o n o t p u t to o m uch effo rt into th e m .

16

P re p are fo r A d v e n tu re W h e n w e g e t d e e p e r in to th e a s tr a l p ro je c tio n te c h n iq u e in C ircle 2, m o st e x e rc ise s m u s t b e c a r r ie d o u t b e fo r e , d u rin g , o r d ire c tly a fte r sleep (this is w h e r e t h e b e d c o m e s in h a n d y ). B e c a u se th e y m u st b e p e r fo rm e d a t p a r tic u la r tim e s , th is m ay slo w d o w n y o u r r e a d in g . I advise you n o t to r e a d p a s t a n e x e rc is e u n til y ou h a v e e x e c u te d it. It is b e tte r to r e a d slow ly a n d d o t h e e x e rc is e s t h a n to sk ip p a rts . E x c e p t f o r t h e s le e p e x e rc is e s , yo u d o n o t n e e d to u se any special te c h n iq u e s w h ile g o in g to s le e p . You d o n o t n e e d to p u t th e b o d y to r e s t n o r d o you n e e d to lie in a n y p a r t i c u l a r b o d y p o s itio n . J u s t d o w h a t you no rm a lly d o w h e n y o u g o to s le e p . S o m e tim e s I g e t a b u r n in g s e n s a tio n w h e r e m y b o d y w e ig h s a g a in st th e b e d , e s p e c ia lly in m y h e e ls a n d e lb o w s . If yo u e x p e rie n c e th e s a m e , you m ig h t f in d r e l i e f b y p la c in g a s e v e ra l sm a ll p illo w s u n d e r y o u r k n e e s, w rists , a n d a n k le s . T h is s h o u ld re lie v e t h e p r e s s u r e . You w ill n e e d a j o u r n a l . I k e e p tw o : o n e fo r a s tr a l e x p e rie n c e s , a n d o n e fo r r e g u la r d r e a m s (I a m n o t im p ly in g th a t d r e a m s a r e u n im p o r t a n t) . I k e e p b o th a s d ig ita l file s o n m y c o m p u te r. A d d itio n a lly , I k e e p a n o te b o o k a n d a d ig ita l s o u n d r e c o r d e r b y t h e b e d , so t h a t I c a n re c o rd I, th e r e are a n a s tr a l p r o je c tio n o r d r e a m im m e d ia te ly a f t e r w a k in g up. I c o n fe s s t h a t I h a v e a n e x c e p tio n a lly p o o r m e m o ry . But e v e n if you have a s tr o n g m e m o r y , k e e p in g a j o u r n a l is o f u tm o s t im p o r ta n c e ; in th is b o o k , w e will b e a c c e s s in g c e r t a in s ta t e s o f m in d t h a t w e a r e n o t u sed to . O u r lo n g -te rm m e m o r y is n o t t r a i n e d to fu n c tio n in th o s e s ta te s, th e r e fo r e w e h a v e a t e n d e n c y to fo rg e t o u r a s tr a l e x p e rie n c e s all to o quickly. To r e m e d y th is , t r y to w r ite e v e ry th in g d o w n a s s o o n as you can. A d r e a m jo u r n a l is p e r h a p s e v e n m o re i m p o r ta n t th a n a n a s tr a l p ro je c tio n j o u rn a l, n o t fo r its c o n te n ts , b u t fo r th e b e n e fic ia l e ffe c t it h as on y o u r su b c o n sc io u s . (T h e w o r d s u b c o n s c io u s h e r e r e f e r s to all p a r ts of y o u r m in d t h a t a r e n o t a c c e s s ib le to y o u r c o n scio u s a w a r e n e s s .) The act fe q uir.' L d s ta te of riv in g )- P''0" Goii'8 lUle is iust . a l eS the o f d o c u m e n tin g y o u r d r e a m s in s tr u c ts y o u r s u b c o n sc io u s th a t you a re in te r e s te d in y o u r d r e a m s a n d w a n t to im p ro v e y o u r ab ility to re m e m b e r th e m . T h e s u b c o n sc io u s t h e n d o e s its b e s t to m a k e re m e m b e rin g e a s ie r fo r you. A fte r a s little a s a w e e k o f d o c u m e n tin g y o u r d re a m s , you will n o tic e a g r e a t im p ro v e m e n t in d r e a m rec o lle c tio n . I e n c o u ra g e you to w rite e v e n w h e n you do n o t r e m e m b e r any d re a m s . E ven th e a c t o f try in g to w rite will im p ro v e y o u r ability to

A sm il Projection a n d the Nature o f Reality rem e m b e r. As yo u r m em ory im proves, you will also gel b e tte r a t re m e m bering a stra l p ro je c tio n s, b e c au se d re a m s go h an d in h a n d w ith a stra l p ro jections. T hey ta k e place in sim ilar rea lm s.

Exercise: Dream Recollection

I. Before yon go to bed. pur a notepad o r a recorder (digital recorders are great, b u t a sim ple cassette recorder will w ork fine, to o ) next to your bed. 2. Set your alarm dock to go off slightly earlier than you norm ally wake up. 3. W hen you wake up, do nor m ove an inch. Turn inw ard a n d sense th e feeling o f th e last d ream you had. G et in to th a t feeling. You will find th at w hen you are tu n ed in to the feeling o f th e dream , th e m em ory of the dream is easy to access. The trick is to rem e m b e r n o t to move w hen y o u wake up. Rem ain in this s ta te u n til th e d etails o f th e dream begin to surface. This could rake up to tw o m in u tes. 4. W rite dow n o r record any dream s y o u rem em b er. D raw w h a t yo u saw. Dreams can vanish from m em o ry in seconds, so b e quick. 5. G et o u t o f bed o r go back to sleep if y o u have tim e. 6. Later in the day, read your notes o r listen to y o u r recording. 7. If the dream s were im p o rta n t to y o u , file th e n o te s o r recording in y o u r jo u rn a l. O therw ise, th ro w th e m away. Your experiences will m o u n t u p quickly, so it is im p o r ta n t to keep a clean jo u rn a l by saving only the im p o rta n t notes. 8. Repeat the exercise every n ight un til you can easily rem e m b e r y o u r dream s. After that, co n tin u e the exercise, b u t skip se ttin g th e alarm clock.

N ot only will y o u r m e m o r y im p ro v e a s yo u d o c u m e n t y o u r d re a m s , b u t y o u r m in d will a lso b e c o m e m o r e a le r t d u r in g s le e p . T h is is a p r e re q u is ite fo r a s tr a l p r o je c tio n a n d lucid d r e a m in g . A s id e f ro m t h e benefits o f r e m e m b e rin g , you will fin d it v e ry s a tis fy in g to r e a d a b o u t y o u r pi o g re s s in r e tr o s p e c t. T h e r e is n o g r e a t e r jo y th a n r e a d in g a n d reliving all y o u r p re v io u s a s tr a l p r o je c tio n s .

Awareness

A w a r e n e s s is, a c c o r d i n g t o m y d e f in itio n , t h e p o in t o f yo u t h a t h a s th e h ig h e s t c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f c o n s c io u s n e s s . If y o u t h in k o f c o n s c io u s n e ss a s t h e th in g t h a t is, t h e n y o u r a w a r e n e s s is w h e r e y o u a r e th e m o st. A w a r e n e s s is v e r y f le x ib le . Y ou c a n m o v e it a r o u n d y o u r co n scio u s n e s s a n y w a y y o u w a n t , i n s id e a n d o u ts id e y o u r b o d y . F o r e x a m p le , in o n e m o m e n t, y o u c a n b e in o n e t h o u g h t, a n d t h e n e x t in a n o th e r . Both th o u g h ts e x is t in y o u r c o n s c io u s n e s s , b u t y o u m ay e le c t to tu r n y o u r a w a r e n e s s to o n ly o n e o f t h e m a t a tim e , s in c e t h a t is m o s t c o m fo rta b le . O r y o u m a y w a n t t o h o ld b o t h th o u g h ts in y o u r a w a r e n e s s s im u lta n e ously. T h is is a b i t tric k ie r , b u t still d o a b le .

The C enter o f Thought

T h e c e n te r o f t h o u g h t is t h e p h y sic a l a r e a (a c tu a lly it is a n o n p h y si cal a r e a , b u t it is e a s i e r to t h in k in p h y sic a l t e r m s ) fro m w h ich you tak e th e e n e rg y you n e e d in o r d e r to th in k . Y our a w a r e n e s s m o v es h e re a u to m atica lly w h e n you w a n t to e x p e rie n c e y o u r th o u g h ts . In ph ilo so p h ical t e r m s , th is is w h e r e t h e th in k e r r e s id e s .

19

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f Reality By sim ply m oving your c e n te r o f th o u g h t, you g et a new p e rc e p tio n o f the w orld because d iffe re n t body a re a s supply d iffe re n t ty p es of energy e nergy th a t we use to fo rm th o u g h ts. G enerally, th e h e a d su p plies analytical energy, th e h e a rt co m p a ssio n a te e n e rg y , th e c h e st im ag inative energy, a nd th e belly co u ra g e o u s e n erg y . E ach ty p e o f e n erg y affects o u r way o f th inking in d iffe re n t w ays. Since we a re beings o f h a b it, w e alw ays u se th e s a m e b o d y a re a fro m which to get thought energy, unless w e d e lib e ra te ly in s tr u c t th e th in k e r to tak e e nergy from e lse w h e re . F o r ex a m p le , I a m a v e ry an aly tical p e r so n , so my c e n te r o f thou g h t is, by h a b it, a ttr a c te d to m y h e a d . B u t w h e n e v e r I feel I analyze to o m uch, I p u sh th e c e n te r d o w n to m y c h e st. This gives m e a ric h e r p e rc e p tio n o f t h e w o rld . T h e r e I c a n p e rc e iv e feelings a n d c o n c ep ts u n to u ch a b le by logic. I a m n o t sa y in g t h a t b e in g analytical is b ad. It is n e ith e r good n o r b a d , it is j u s t a n o th e r w ay o f b ein g .

Exercise: Thought Center

1. Find y o u r center o f thought. W here in th e physical b o d y are you thinking right now ? You m ay feel it as den sen ess o r a slig h t aching. 2. Push th e c en ter o f th o u g h t to the c e n te r o f y o u r chest. 3. As you push it, fill the old space w ith g o o d energy, w h ich y o u suck in from the universe. 4. Keep the ce n te r o f th o u g h t in y o u r c h e st as y o u go a b o u t y o u r day, every day.

Observing Yourself
W h e n you sh ift ( p ro je c t) y o u r a w a r e n e s s a w a y fro m y o u r physical body, a sm all a m o u n t o f c o n s c io u s n e s s r e m a in s w ith it. T h a t conscious^ n ess m ay even b e so s tr o n g a s to m a k e u p a p a r t o f y o u r a w a r e n e s s . In m an y o f m y a s tr a l p r o je c tio n s , I h a v e e x p e r ie n c e d a s p lit a w a re n e s s , w h e re o n e p a r t is in th e a s tr a l a n d a n o th e r p a r t r e m a in s w ith th e body. cels like b e in g in tw o p la c e s s im u lta n e o u s ly a n d , w h e n y ou th in k a b o u t it, it a ctu ally is. C o n sid e rin g th a t t h e r e is a lw a y s c o n s c io u s n e s s r e m a in in g in y our

20

Awareness
body, th e b o d y will a lw a y s b e p e rf e c tly sa fe w h e n you a s tr a l p ro je c t. Also, th e c o n s c io u s n e s s t h a t r e m a in s w ith t h e b o d y is c a p a b le o f m an a g ing y o u r b o d y w ith o u t t h e h e lp o f a w a r e n e s s . Y our b o d y will n o t sud hes! >itiao. Pe f < dy a rea from 1 th e thinker n a |ytical per. >d-But wheny ch est. This eive feelings
ng

i>

lyPes of

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 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 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, 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 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 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 (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 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 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

analytical

reing.

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

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

in in K * ^

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. 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 you are playing on the field.

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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 rology p ro fe s s o r 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

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 lthan 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. 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 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.

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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 out o f any situation, because I was no longer a slave to obligations, emotional debts, or even consideration. The truth is that each person has the p ow er to manage any sit uation. You can hurt them, disappoint them, or even d u m p them on their wedding day. 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. i*# S i*
pe

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Awareness
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

me-

soul has no need for judgm ents. In fact, judgm ents are unhealthy. Judgments create 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 " i H / e ,s ,| > , d e c' you ar

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 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 cant sense it. Achieving love cant 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 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 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 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 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.
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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 sa 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 egos 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 egos 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 ella 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

,8v |b ""

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 this global decision to help each o ther. H ow w o u ld peo p le interact? How would hum an society change in 20 years?

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N eedless to say, p a s sio n s a r e th e to o ls o f t h e so u l. W ith o u r pas sions, as souls w e try to a ffe c t w h a t w e a s p ir e to in life, th e r e b y direct ing how o u r lives tu r n o u t a n d w h a t life s itu a tio n s w e g e t o u rse lv e s into. Fear, o n th e o th e r h a n d , is th e to o l o f t h e e g o . T h e e g o s jo b is to keep us physically safe, a n d t h e r e is n o m o re e ffe c tiv e w ay o f s ta y in g safe than b ein g afra id o f e v e ry th in g . T h e d o w n s id e is t h a t t h e f e a r in d u c e d by the ego o fte n b e c o m e s u n r e a s o n a b le . O f te n w e fee l m o r e f e a r th a n w hat is healthy. W e m ig h t g o a b o u t o u r d a y f e e lin g n a u s e a t e d b y fea r, worrying t h a t o u r p a s t will c a tc h u p w ith u s o r t h a t w e w ill n o t b e a b le to provide a fu tu re fo r o u rse lv e s a n d th o s e w e love.

The Beauty o f C hoice

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Between Ego and Soul

m o re w ays th a n o n e . T h e e g o fo rc e s u s to face o u r Tears so th a t we can u n d e rs ta n d o u rse lv e s. A s w e beg in to u n d e rs ta n d o u rselv es, we real ize th a t living in fe a r is n o t s o m e th in g t h a t is fo rc e d upon us. W e choose w h e th e r w e w a n t to b e s u b je c te d to fear, ju s t a s w e ch o o se w h e th e r to follow o u r p a s sio n s . T h e e g o is o u r o w n in v en tio n a n d , as such, w e can choose w h e n w e w a n t to u s e it a n d w h e n w e w a n t to give it a re s t. But before w e c a n c o n tr o l t h e e g o to t h a t e x te n t, w e hav e to g et to know our selves. W e h a v e to r e d is c o v e r o u r n a tu r e . T h e e go k e e p s m a n ife s tin g difficult situ a tio n s so th a t it can pro d u ce fear in us. T h a t fe a r, in tu r n , k e e p s us u n d e r c o n tro l a n d d e m o n s tra te s to us th e n e c e s s ity o f t h e eg o . H a r d s h ip is a w ay fo r th e ego to tell us: See, you d o n e e d m e in o r d e r to g e t o u t o f th is m e ss a n d stay c le a r o f it in th e f u tu r e . A t t h e s a m e tim e , t h a t f e a r re m in d s us to ack n o w led g e o u r tru e n a tu r e . F e a rs a r e s tr o n g o n ly u n til w e e m b r a c e th e m . H a rd sh ip is h a rd only a s lo n g a s w e f e a r it. By e m b ra c in g o u r fe a rs as p a rts o f our selves (w h ich th e y a r e ) , w e c a n a c c e p t th e m so t h a t w e c a n let th e m go. A t th e e n d o f th e day, w e k e e p o n ly w h a t p r o p e ls u s to e x p lo re fu rth er. W e k e e p only t h e c o r e o f o u r n a tu r e : o u r p a s sio n s a n d loves. A sid e effect of th e e gos re ig n o f c o n tr o l is t h a t it gives u s a c h a n c e to e m b ra c e it and discover o u r t r u e n a tu r e , w h ic h lies b e y o n d it. T h a t is th e e g o s gift, to us. O n e d ay s o o n , h u m a n so c ie ty will b e s h a k e n to its c o re . W e, th e E a rth lin g s, will t a k e t h e n e x t s te p o f e v o lu tio n , w h ic h is th e evolution o f m ind. W e will r e a liz e t h a t t h e r e is m o re to o u r w o rld th a n w h a t o u r egos allow u s to s e e . W e w ill n o lo n g e r b e c o n te n t w ith th e e g o s id ea o f su r vival. W e will w a n t to d o m o re th a n su rv iv e : W e will w a n t to live. W e will d isc o v e r t h a t w e , a s h u m a n b e in g s , h av e th e p o w e r to ch an g e ou r lives a n d p u r s u e o u r p a s sio n s . W e will tu r n o u r h o p e aw ay fro m th e le a d e r s w e have ele c ted to guide us, a n d in s te a d d ire c t it to w ith in us, w h e re re a l p o w e r lies d o r m a n t. W e will o n c e m o re fin d h o p e in a life o f b liss. W e will p o ssess th e kind o f e x p e c ta tio n t h a t c h ild re n h a v e b e fo re h a rs h physical society eats th e m up a n d t h e i r fa n ta s ie s a n d p a ssio n s a r e s to r e d in th e a ttic along w ith th e ir toys. W e will w a k e u p a n d ta k e co n tro l o f o u r lives becau se th e h u m a n ra c e is to o g o o d fo r a n y th in g less. A d o rm a n t life force will once again aw a k e n in th e h e a r t o f ea ch o f us, a n d it will p o u r over p lan et E a rth . H um an k in d will blo o m o n c e m o re .

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality This evolution will not only give us insight in to o u r tru e n a tu re , b u t it will lead h um ankind out o f its self-invented, th re e -d im en sio n a l cage. I look at th e h isto ry of hum an k in d , over h u n d re d s o f th o u sa n d s o f y e a rs, a n d 1 can sincerely say th a t we have s e e n n o th in g y e t. W e a re n o t even using o ne p e rc e n t of o u r c a p abilities as h u m a n b e in g s, a lth o u g h w e a re very cocky b ecau se w e have achieved th a t o n e p e rc e n t w h e n o th e r ani m als have n o t - a s if th ey w ould c a re . W e a r e se rio u sly u n d e re s tim a tin g o u r poten tial. T he waking o f c o n scio u sn e ss to th is e v o lu tio n a ry s te p m a n ife s ts in a cultural change. T h e egos th a t have m u ch to lo se (th o s e e g o s ow ning rich es a nd pow er) will re s is t th is d e v e lo p m e n t. T h e y will w a n t to k eep things as th ey a re , k e e p th e fe a r a n d th e e g o in ta c t b e c a u s e th e y have n o p ro b le m in p roviding a fu tu re in th e ph y sic a l fo r th e m s e lv e s . T h e y will fear th a t k now ledge o f o th e r-d im e n sio n a l w o rld s a n d o ff-p la n e t sp ecies will dim inish th e value o f t h e ir p o s s e s s io n s. In t r u t h it w ill, b u t th e y will also gain so m e th in g t h a t n o ric h e s c a n bu y : se lf-k n o w le d g e . T h is fe a r will delay th e d e v e lo p m e n t, b u t in th e e n d r e s is ta n c e is fu tile . E v o lu tio n c a n t be sto p p e d . T h e cha n g e is c o m in g a n d m a y b e it will b e g in w ith c h a n n el ing, telep ath y , te le k in e sis, a n d U F O s. In th is b o o k , it s t a r t s w ith a stra l p ro jection. Onte'1

* >

The Ego anil Astral P rojection

W h a t d oes th is have to d o w ith a s tr a l p r o je c tio n ? E v e ry th in g ! O ur q u e s t to p e rfe c t th e ability to lea v e a n d r e e n t e r o u r p h y sic a l b o d ies at will is p a r t o f o u r e x p lo ra tio n o f th e p h y sic a l a n d p a r t o f t h e ev o lu tio n of th e h um an m ind. T h o s e o f u s w h o ta k e u p th is q u e s t a n d w e a r e m any do it b ecau se w e have th e p a s sio n to d o it. A n o th e r w ay to p u t it is to say th a t we a re in clin ed by o u r so u ls to in v e s tig a te t h e b o u n d a rie s o f the physical. I his q u e s t is a n e ff o r t to u n d e r s t a n d w h a t t h e p h y sic a l is and w h a t w e as physical b e in g s a r e . W e a r e o n t h e b r in k o f d isc o v e rin g th o se tJ uths. In a few y e a rs , o u r view o f life o n E a r th will h a v e c h a n g e d . It will o f g r e a te r im p a c t th a n C o p e rn ic u s s c la im t h a t t h e E a r th revolves aro u n d th e Sun. s u r ' W( VU a s tr a * P ro je c tio n is a t o d d s w ith t h e e g o s id e a o f physical I irst, th e ego th in k s a s tr a l p r o je c tio n is a w a s te o f tim e , since ^he e"itions y" eg bl S .. "N ight,
* " 8 c o n ip c

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Between Ego and Soul

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i , does n o t d o m u c h to f u r t h e r o u r w e a lth o r in any o th e r way increas ou r physical se cu rity . S e c o n d , th e jo b o f th e ego is lim ite d to th e .

ca| re a lm , th e r e f o r e it d o e s n o t c a re a b o u t a n y th in g o u tsid e th e physical including th e a s tr a l. T h u s t h e e g o will o b je c t w h e n e v e r w e a tte m p t to shift o u r a w a r e n e s s a w a y f ro m th e p h y sic a l, a s w e do in a s tra l projec tion. It will e v e n t r y to tric k u s in to s h iftin g o u r a w a re n e s s b a rk to th e physical. Y our f ir s t a s tr a l p r o je c tio n will p r o b a b ly go w ith o u t a hitch, b u t it will allow t h e e g o to s e e t h a t a s tr a l p ro je c tio n is n o t in its b e s t in te re st. O nce it h a s d r a w n t h a t c o n c lu s io n , th e e g o will a tte m p t to sab o tag e your s u b s e q u e n t a tt e m p t s a t a s tr a l p r o je c tio n . T h is in clu d e s d iv ertin g your a tte n tio n a s you a t t e m p t to a s tr a l p r o je c t, s c a rin g you w h e n you success fully p r o je c t, s u p p r e s s in g y o u r m e m o r ie s o f th e p ro je c tio n a fte r you r e tu r n to y o u r b o d y , a n d a d v o c a tin g t h e th e o r y th a t it m u st have been ju s t a d r e a m . T h ird , s in c e p h y s ic a l s u rv iv a l is t h e e g o s m issio n , it will fre a k ou t w h e n e v e r it e x p e r ie n c e s s o m e th in g t h a t re s e m b le s p h ysical d e a th , such a s th e e x itin g o f t h e p h y sic a l b o d y t h a t p r e c e d e s a n a s tra l p ro jection . In o r d e r t o p r e v e n t t h e e g o fro m in te r fe r in g w ith o u r a s tr a l adven tu re s , w e h a v e to u n d e r s t a n d h o w th e ego w o rk s a n d w h a t its m otiva tion is. W e a lr e a d y k n o w its p r im a r y m o tiv a tio n : p hysical survival. But h ow d o e s it w o r k ? T h e e g o is n o t a n e x te r n a l e n tity , b u t an in te g ral p a rt o f e v e ry h u m a n . A s w ith m o s t e le m e n ts o f t h e p sy c h e , th e ego h a s a con scious c o m p o n e n t a n d a s u b c o n s c io u s c o m p o n e n t. W e u se th e conscious c o m p o n e n t w h e n w e r e a s o n . T h is o n e is e a sy to m a n ip u la te we do it e v e ry day. P e r d e fin itio n , w e c a n t d ire c tly a c c e s s th e su b co n scio u s com p o n e n t o f t h e e g o , b u t w e c a n feel its e ffe c ts in th e form o f m otivating e m o tio n s. You m ig h t s a y it w o r k s lik e a b lack bo x . W e know w h a t we put into it: s itu a tio n s , e x p e rie n c e s , a n d m e m o rie s . W e feel th e o u tco m e in th e fo rm o f g r e e d a n d fea r, b u t w e c a n t s e e w h a t h a p p e n s inside th e box. T h e e go r e s e m b le s a m a c h in e m o re th a n a living soul. As such, it d o e s n o t h a v e a c c e s s to e n e rg ie s in th e fo rm o f in sp ira tio n a n d c reativ ity, like th e soul h a s. T h is is to th e a d v a n ta g e o f th e soul, w hich is our t ru e n a tu r e . It d o e s n o t ta k e m u ch c re a tiv e th o u g h t to o u tsm a rt a m ac h in e like th e ego. H ow ever, w e w a n t to d o m o re th a n to circum vent

35

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality th e ego. W e w an t to m ak e it w ork f o r usth e soulin ste a d o f a g a in st us. A fter all, th a t w as th e e gos original p u rp o se , b e fo re its in te ra c tio n with o u r thought p ro ce sse s b e c am e so com plex, so how h a rd can it b e ?

Exercise: In the Absence o f Fear

1. W hen you wake up tom orrow , tie a sh o rt thread aro u n d o n e o f y o u r fingers like a ring. 2. Tellyourself: "Each tim e I look a t this ring, I will feel no fear o r w orry. 3. Go about y o u r day. 4. Every tim e you see the ring, rem em b er y o u r pledge. Release any fear or worries you may have a t the m om en t. 5. At the end o f the day, evaluate w h e th e r th e absence o f fear a n d w orry m ade y o u r day easier o r p u t y o u a t g rea te r risk o f h a rm . (W h a t y ou have been doing th ro u g h o u t the day is consciously in te rru p tin g a subconscious process: the e gos c ontro l m ech an ism by fear. In o th er words, you have nipped the e gos takeover in th e b u d ). 6. Ask yourself: "Did this absence o f fear a n d w o rry th re a te n my future security or endanger m e in any way?" M o s t likely, y o u will fin d th a t the absence o f fear gave y o u clarity o f th o u g h t, w h ich help ed y o u see more op p o rtu n ities a ro u n d y o u . Seeing th o se o p p o rtu n itie s increases y o u r chances for fu tu re security. N ow w e see th a t th e ego is defeating its own purpose by n o t allow ing y o u to tak e a d v a n ta g e o f th e o p p o r tunities. W ith th a t realization, the ego a u to m a tic a lly tra n sfo rm s to work for y o u instead o f against you.

The Belief System

Loss o f In form ation

AH o f u s h a v e a s e t o f b e lie f s t h a t a s s i s ts o u r r e a s o n in g . Let u s call th is s e t o f all b e lie fs t h e b e l i e f s y s t e m . W it h o u t t h e s e b e lie fs , re a s o n w ould n o t b e a b le t o e s t i m a t e t h e o u tc o m e o f a n e v e n t. C o n s e q u e n tly , w e w o u ld m a k e m is ta k e s t h a t w o u ld e n d a n g e r o u r p h y sic a l s u rv iv a l. T h e ego c a n t h a v e t h a t , a n d s o it fe r o c io u s ly d e f e n d s all o f its b e lie fs. In o r d e r to m a x im iz e o u r c h a n c e s o f p h y sic a l s u rv iv a l, w e in v en t b eliefs to k e e p u s f o c u s e d o n t h e p h y s ic a l. T h is lim its t h e in p u t fro m o u r s u r r o u n d in g s , e s p e c ia lly o u r n o n p h y s ic a l s u r r o u n d in g s . It is im p e ra tiv e to o u r s u rv iv a l to p e r c e iv e o n ly o b je c ts t h a t im m e d ia te ly a ffe c t us. N o n im m e d ia te in p u t is e li m in a te d s o it will n o t ta k e a tte n tio n a w a y fro m p o te n tia l t h r e a t s in o u r i m m e d ia te s u rr o u n d in g s . L e t u s lo o k a t a n e x a m p le . M a n y p r o je c to r s r e p o r t h e a rin g v o ices a n d n o is e s p r i o r t o t h e e x it f ro m t h e b o d y . S u c h s o u n d s s u r r o u n d us c o n s ta n tly a n d w e w o u ld h e a r t h e m all t h e tim e if w e w e r e n o t so i n te n t o n ig n o rin g th e m . O n o n e h a n d , t h e e g o c o n s id e r s th e m a n u i sance b ecause th e y ta k e a tt e n ti o n a w a y f ro m p o te n tia l p h y sic a l t h r e a t s in o u r im m e d ia te s u r r o u n d in g s ; o n th e o t h e r h a n d , w e a r e

Astral Projection a n d the Na ture o f Reality afra id to h e a r th e m b e c a u se is c u ltu rally u n a c c e p ta b le , to such a d e g re e th a t we lock up p e o p le w ho claim to h e a r voices. W e c a n only h e a r n oises in sle e p s ta te s a n d o th e r tra n c e s , b e c a u s e th e n th e ego is o ffline (asleep ) a n d w e n o lo n g e r c a re h o w w ell w e f it in to th e c u rr e n t c u ltu re . W h e n th e ego g o e s o fflin e , so d o th e b e lie fs t h a t m ak e us ig n o re th e n o ise s. T his a p p lie s n o t only to n o ise s, b u t a lso to m o s t th in g s u n s e e n . F o r h u n d re d s o f y e a rs , psychics have b e e n sa y in g t h a t s p ir it g u id es a n d o th e r no n p h y sic a l b e in g s s u rr o u n d u s a t all tim e s . W h y h av e w e n e v e r se en th e m ? O u r b e lie fs d o n o t allow u s to s e e . If w e w is h to s e e th e m , w e e ith e r have to s e e k o u t th e b e lie fs t h a t m a k e u s b lin d o r e s ta b lis h n ew b eliefs th a t m a k e us s e e . P e r h a p s w e s h o u ld s to p m e re ly r e g a r d ing sp irit g u id es as p o s s ib le a n d s t a r t b e lie v in g in th e m a s r e a l. B u t we a r e r e lu c ta n t to b e lie v e a n y th in g t h a t w e h a v e n o t e x p e rie n c e d . W e do n o t w a n t to b e m isle d . W e h a v e a C a tc h -2 2 h e r e : W e c a n t s e e t h e s p ir its un til w e b e lie v e in th e m , a n d w e c a n t b e lie v e in t h e m u n til w e se e th e m . A n o th e r e x a m p le is t h e p o p u la r sy n d ro m e (I s a y p o p u la r b e c a u s e n e a rly e v e ry o n e s e e m s t o h a v e it) k n o w n a s A tte n tio n D e fic it D is o rd e r, o r A D D . D o c to rs c a n 't u n d e r s t a n d w h y k id s t o d a y c a n t c o n c e n tr a te ( th a t is w h y th e y la b e l t h e p r o b le m in s u c h a n o b s c u r e w ay ). T h e c h ild s a tt e n ti o n g o e s in all d i r e c ti o n s . T h e c a u s e lie s in t h e b e lie f sy s te m . As m e n tio n e d , th e b e lie f s y s te m is a rr a n g e d to m ax im iz e p h ysical sur vival, w hich m e a n s t h a t o u r b eliefs m ax im iz e in p u t fro m o b jec ts th a t p o tentially th re a te n us a n d m in im iz es in p u t f ro m o b je c ts t h a t a r e likely to p o se no th re a t. T his w o rk s well in s tr a ig h tf o rw a r d in te r a c tio n s w ith o th e r beings a n d o b jec ts. B ut w e live in th e a g e o f in fo rm a tio n o u r lives a re p ack ed w ith in fo rm a tio n . W h e re v e r w e go, w e a r e b o m b a r d e d w ith infor m ation: billb o ard s, c o m m e rc ia ls o n T V a n d ra d io , w a r n in g lab els, lists of in g re d ien ts, In te r n e t p op-ups, a n d b u lk e-m ails. W ith P r o c te r & G am b les new p rin tin g tec hnology e v e n P rin g le s will h a v e su rfa c e -p rin te d tex t! Look a ro u n d th e ro o m you a r e in n o w . C a n yo u fin d a sin g le artifi cial item th a t d o e s n o t h a v e te x t o n it? You c a n t e v e n h a v e a d rin k of ju ic e w ith o u t b e in g in fo rm e d o f h o w m a n y c a lo r ie s y o u r b o d y receives. Lven w o rse , p ic tu re s a n d v o ice s in c o m m e rc ia l a d s a r e especially

The Belief System

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to c a tc h o u r a tt e n ti o n a n d d ir e c t it in to th e TV , ra d io , o r M a rk e tin g p e o p le w a n t o u r u n d iv id e d a tte n tio n so th ey can u s to b u y t h e i r p r o d u c ts .

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T he tim e o f s tr a ig h tf o r w a r d in te r a c tio n h a s p a s s e d a n d o u r b e lie f system s c a n t k e e p u p . K id s d o n t k n o w w h e r e to focus th e ir a tte n tio n because t h e i r b e lie f s y s te m s c a n n o lo n g e r tell w h ich o b je c ts p o se phys ical th r e a ts a n d w h ic h d o n o t; c o n s e q u e n tly t h e y c a n 't m a k e o u t w hich input to e lim in a te a n d w h ic h to k e e p . T h e y a r e d ro w n in g in in p u t fro m th eir s u rr o u n d in g s . T h e s e k id s h a v e d iffic u lty p a y in g a tte n tio n in class because t h e i r b e lie f s y s te m s in c o r r e c tly e lim in a te in fo rm a tio n com ing from th e ir te a c h e r s . C o m m e rc ia l a d s , on th e o t h e r h a n d , a r e n o t elim i n ated b e c a u s e th e y a r e d e s ig n e d to a tt r a c t a tte n tio n . Is t h e r e any w o n d e r kids a r e c o n fu s e d ? T h e r e a r e tw o c u r e s to A D D , a n d s tu ffin g o u r k id s w ith m inda lte rin g d r u g s is n o t o n e o f t h e m . E i th e r w e re m o v e all c o m m e rc ia l ad s (w ouldnt t h a t b e n ic e ? ) a n d c u t b a c k on th e a m o u n t o f in fo rm a tio n given fo r e v e ry little u n i m p o r ta n t th in g , o r w e e n c o u ra g e th e b e lie f sys tem to a d a p t to t h e h ig h e r in fo r m a tio n lo a d (w h ich will m e a n m o re p e r sonal lim its a n d s tr i c t e r h a b its ).

C ensored Inform ation

T h e b e lie f s y s te m n o t o n ly f ilte r s s e n s o r y in p u t, b u t also a d ju sts so m e in p u t to f it t h e b e lie fs . T h is c a u se s u s to g e t a c e n s o r e d , even p r o p a g a n d iz e d , v iew o f o u r s u rr o u n d in g s . W h y is o u r p e rc e p tio n tw iste d in th is w a y ? B e c a u s e o u r r e a s o n c a n t c o p e w ith id ea s a n d o b jec ts t h a t d o n o t c o n fo rm to w h a t w e e s tim a te re a lity to be. By h lte ring th e in p u t, t h e e g o d o e s n o t h a v e to w o rry a b o u t la n d s lid e s w ithin th e b e lie f s y s te m , w h ic h w o u ld n o d o u b t d is tu r b o u r fu n ctio n in g upon th e p hysical p la n e . T h e b e lie f s y s te m is fo rm e d by e x p e rie n c e . In o u r y o u n g e r y e a rs, ea ch e x p e rie n c e e s ta b lis h e d a b e lie f in o u r m in d s. F o r e x a m p le , if as to d d le rs w e p u t o u r h a n d s o n a h o t sto v e to p , w e e x p e rie n ce d pain a n d e sta b lis h e d th e b e lie f t h a t sto v e to p s a r e d a n g e ro u s. Sim ilarly, we e s ta b lished beliefs th a t g rav ity pulls us do w n , w in te r is cold, c e m e te rie s a re spooky, b ird s have th e ability to d ro p n a sty s tu ff from above, th e E a rth

>

39

Astral Projection and the Nature o f Reality is round, space is vast, and so on. T h ere is alm ost no e n d to how m any beliefs we have established for ourselves. Once a b elief is e stablished, it is rein fo rc e d w h en w e ex p erien ce events sim ilar to the o ne th a t e sta b lish e d th e belief. E very tim e w e rein force a belief, it gets ro o te d m o re firm ly in o u r b e lie f sy stem . Eventually, th e belief b ecom es in te g ral to how w e in te r a c t w ith reality, a t which p o int it s ta r ts filte rin g s e n so ry in p u t. In p u t th a t is c o n tra ry to a firm b e lie f is plainly r e je c te d so th a t it will n o t u p s e t o u r p e rc e p tio n o f reality. F o r exam ple, a w om an lev itate s w ith o u t s u p p o rt. T h r e e m e n w itn ess th e event. The firs t w itn ess, w ho believ es th a t h u m a n s c a n fly, h as no p roblem in seein g th e lev itatio n a n d so a c c e p ts t h e e v e n t. H e d o e s n o t even c o n sid e r th e levitation a n y th in g o u t o f th e o rd in a r y b e c a u s e it is o u r beliefs th a t d ic ta te w h a t is o rd in a r y a n d w h a t is n o t. T h e s e c o n d w itn ess believes th a t h u m an s c a n n o t fly. H e is c o n v in c e d t h a t th e le v itatio n is a trick, a hoax, b e c a u s e it is th e only r e a s o n a b le e x p la n a tio n . A s su ch , h e d oes n o t even feel th e n e e d to in v e s tig a te w h e t h e r h is a s su m p tio n is co r re c t. T his is th e e g o s b e s t d e fe n s e a g a in s t u p s e ttin g n o tio n s . (F o r exam ple, how m any p e o p le feel it is u n n e c e s s a r y to r e a d U F O lite ra tu re sim ply b e c au se , even th o u g h th e y h a v e n o t in v e s tig a te d it fo r th em se lv e s, th ey a re a lre a d y s u re th a t U F O s a r e u n r e a l o r e la b o r a te h o a x e s? ) T h e th ird w itn e s s h a s a d e e p ly r o o te d b e lie f t h a t h u m a n s c a n t fly. T he m an d o es n o t s e e th e Ie v ita to r a t all, e v e n th o u g h h e is s ta r in g rig h t a t her. T h e e v e n t is to ta lly f ilte r e d o u t by h is b e lie fs. A m ajo r d isa d v a n ta g e to th e d iffic u lty o f c h a n g in g a b e lie f s y s te m is th a t th e w orld a ro u n d us, h o w e v e r w e p e rc e iv e it, is c h a n g in g rapidly. E verything is ch an g in g , a n d all th e tim e . E v e n o u r o w n b e in g s a r e chang ing m o re quickly th a n th e e go, in its n e e d fo r sta b ility , w o u ld lik e to a d m it. But th e b eliefs t h a t w e h a v e r e in f o rc e d all o u r lives sim p ly c a n t c hange th a t quickly. O u r w h o le e x is te n c e c o u ld b e s h a k e n to t h e c o re a n d o u r beliefs sim ply w o u ld n t allo w u s to k n o w it. W h a t u s e d to b e our p o in ts of re fe re n c e , o u r b e lie fs, h a v e n o w b e c o m e o u r m in d veil.

>.... i

oft1

40

'M H o, vvp

Exercise:

Affecting Beliefs

I For o n e w h o le day, c o n sc io u sly d e c id e w h a t y o u believe in. b e li^ 2. W hen y o u rea d s o m e th in g , o r w h e n s o m e b o d y tells you s o m e t h in g w hatever it m ay bech eck y o u r w ristw a tc h . 3. If th e tim e sh o w s a n o d d - n u m b e r e d h o u r, th e n d e c id e t h a t y o u d o n t believe w h a te v e r y o u a re to ld . Tell y o u rse lf, "I d o n t believe th at." 4. If th e tim e sh o w s a n e v e n -n u m b e re d h o u r, d e c id e to believe in w h a t ever y o u are to ld . Tell y o u rse lf, T h a t s o u n d s rea so n a b le . I believe th a t. e m e n 'V'tness a n % .h a s no H e does noi 5. C onsider h o w th e s e s ta te m e n ts a f f e c ty o u r b e lie f a b o u t th e in fo rm a tion over tim e. 6. At th e e n d o f th e day, th in k a b o u t y o u r beliefs. A re th e y d iffe re n t from w h a t th e y w e re a t th e b e g in n in g o f th e day. D o y o u fin d y o u rself believing in th in g s t h a t u p u n til to d a y y o u w ere skeptical a b o u t? If so, th e n y o u k n o w t h a t th e b e lie f sy ste m is a m a c h in e th a t can b e c o n sciously p ro g ra m m e d . In o t h e r w o rd s, given tim e , yo u can tea c h y o u r self to believe in a n y th in g y o u w a n t.

cau se it js our 5c n d witness levitation is a

t. A s such, he

m p tion is cors . (For examPO literature

f themselves,
oaxes?) a n s cant flys ta rin g r'g1 '1 H o w d o o u r b e li e f s a f f e c t u s in t h e a s t r a l w o r l d ? L e t u s lo o k a t an e x a m p le . A n a s t r a l p r o j e c t o r p r o j e c t s i n to a n a s t r a l f o r e s t a n d f in d s it v e ry b e a u tif u l a n d s e r e n e . T h e p r o j e c t o r e n jo y s it tr e m e n d o u s l y . B ut w hy w o u ld t h e r e b e a f o r e s t in t h e a s t r a l ? F o r n o p a r t i c u l a r r e a s o n , i f system is gin g W 2 , a r e chanf vould like to o t h e r t h a n t h e p r o j e c t o r b e lie v e s t h a t t h e a s t r a l lo o k s lik e t h e p h y s i cal a n d f o r e s ts a r e v e r y c o m m o n in t h e p h y s ic a l. O u r b e lie fs d i c t a te o u r p e r c e p t i o n . W h a t w o u ld t h e p r o j e c t o r h a v e s e e n in t h e a s tr a l if h e b a d n o p r e c o n c e iv e d b e li e f a b o u t w h a t t h e a s t r a l i s ? H e w o u ld h a v e , to t h e b e s t o f h is a b ility , s e e n t h e t r u e n a t u r e o f t h e a s t r a l , w h ic h is a big p a r t o f o u r o w n n a t u r e a s m u ltid im e n s io n a l b e in g s . In o t h e r w o r d s , t h e p r o j e c t o r h a d a c h a n c e to d is c o v e r a p ie c e o f h is o w n n a tu r e , b u t h is b e lie fs i n t e r f e r e d . I lik e f o r e s ts a t l e a s t a s m u c h a s th e n e x t p e r s o n , b u t i s n t e x p lo r in g t h e n a tu r e o f o u r b e in g g r a n d e r th a n e x p lo rin g a f o r e s t? In th e m ed ic a l w o rld , a p la c e b o is a fa k e c u re , o fte n given as su g a r pills o r s ta g e d su rg e ry . In D r. H e n ry K. B e e c h e r s 1955 p a p e r T h e

sim p')'ran
t o th e cores e d to h e d veil-

41

Astral Projection anil the Nature o f Reality Pow erful P lacebo,"3 th e placebo effect w as f o u n d t o i m p r o v e t h e h e a l t h o f b etw een 21 a n d 58 p e rc e n t o f th e trial p a tie n ts . A p l a c e b o u s e s t h e p a tie n ts b e lie f in th e c u re to p ro m o te healin g . If th e p a tie n t h a s a b e l i e f th a t says m ed icine is a ble to heal h e r p a rtic u la r a ilm en t, sh e c a n be he a le d w ith o u t th e m edicine a s long as sh e b eliev es s h e is tak in g it. The placebo is an ex am p le o f h ow b eliefs g o v e rn o u r reality . So h e re is th e big q u e s tio n : A c c o rd in g to p h y sic s, th e c re a tu re called th e b e e h a s w ings to o sm a ll to allo w its la r g e b o d y to fly. Yet it s p ite s us by buzzing a ro u n d like a n a c ro b a t in t h e a ir. N ow , im agine th a t s a m e b e e flying to c o lle g e to s tu d y p h y sic s a n d a e ro d y n a m ic s b e c a u s e it w a n ts to a d v a n c e ith in t h e h iv e. A f te r g r a d u a tio n , it looks u p on its ow n b o d y , m e a s u r in g t h e w in g - b o d y r a t i o . W ill th e b e e still b e a b le to fly, o r will its new ly c r e a t e d b e lie fs in p h y s ic s k e e p it o n th e g ro u n d ?

y" O **
|dsH

Friday, Decem ber 6, 2 0 0 2 Levitation Teaching

This experience takes p la c e so m e w h e r e b e tw e e n the d r e a m w o rld a n d the astral. I dream I am sitting o n a b e n c h in the s q u a re o f m y h o m e t o w n w ith w hat se em s to be m y family. I d o not re co gn iz e these people, b u t they fee l lik e family. A m an who re m inds m e o f D o n Juan (from C arlo s C a s ta n e d a s b o o k s ) a p p ears. P e rh a p s the feeling o f this m an being a teacher m a k e s m y m in d d r a w the p a ra lle l to D o n Juan, w h o is also a teacher. Intuitively, I k n o w this m a n is d ea d , b u t I c a n se e h im anyw ay. H e seem s to be here o n ly in spirit. H e is levitating, floating a fe w feet a b o v e the g r o u n d . H e e x p la in s that h e h a s come to teach u s all the art o f levitation. H e e n c o u r a g e s m e to try. I try se v e ra l times, but each time the thought that it is i m p o ss ib le p o p s into m y m ind . C o nseque ntly, it is im possi ble; y o u c a n t d o so m e th in g if y o u b e lie v e that so m e t h in g c a n t b e done. The man en courage s m e o v e r a n d over. A y o u n g e r m a n next to m e starts levitating. H e seem s to have n o trouble learning, but I do. I fin a lly d e c id e that the b est w ay to sto p the limiting thought from p o p p in g into m y m in d is b y s t o p p in g m y intern al dialogue. I think this is what D o n Juan w o u ld h a v e d one. The s e c o n d I sto p m y in n e r d ia lo g u e there is a big blast! I s u sp e c t the blast is in the w aking p h y sica l w orld. Apparently, I n o w k n o w I a m n o t aw ake. I ca n see pieces of a firecracker flying in front o f m y d re a m in g eyes. I su sp e c t a fire cra cker h a s

'^olution

S f'H

,pieceofi' 1

been set o
he

tight next to m y left ear in the p hysical. W h o w o u ld d o s u c h a th in g? W h oev er it

The Belief System

',il1 S^e 0
S , i j

wo M "<hesl,ale lo h uli me' ' C M be *rea' phys'cal dan$er- 1M l to wake up. I " manage lo wake up purely as an act o f will. II lakes me ten seconds lo reach a fully au,ake state o f mind. I look over to m y left and see m y wife Barb sitting peacefully at the kitchen table. I conclude the cat m ust have caused the noise, perhaps dropping his can o f food off the counter onto the floor, b u t later when asked, Barb says there never was any racket.
In fact, the w h ole m o rn in g h a s b e e n u n u s u a lly calm.

e air.

' '
V nani|cs

I believe that during the night, I sp en t a g o o d am ount o f time at an astral learnmg center, where I took a class in how beliefs affect our reality. The people I perceji)e(j as my fam ily w ere m y fello w students. Perhaps they feel like family because we spend so much tim e together in the astral. We were all given a lesson in how beliefs govern our realities. In this case, the lesson could only be learned in a dream environment, where m ost o f the beliefs o f the physical world are intact. Therefore, the class m oved into the dream dim ension, at which time the dreaming me became aware o f the teaching. The teacher sh o w ed us how the b elief o f gravity could pre vent us from levitating. There was absolutely no reason why I could not levitate, since there is no gravity in the dream dim ension, except that I believed it could not be done. The blast signaled the end o f the lesson. Apparently, the whole lesson was designed to lead m e up to the realization that inner dialogue holds our beliefs in place. When toe stop the inner dialogue we are free to see without the filter o f our beliefs. When the lesson was learned, the teacher felt it unnecessary for me to stick around, so he tricked m e into waking up with a big blast.

! aerQ^ ,lllaglne

Mind Evolution
H ow ever m u ch o f o u r s e n so ry in p u t o u r beliefs filte r o ut, th e r e is o fte n a sm all piec e o f in d e fin a b le (ac c o rd in g to o u r b e lie f sy stem s) infor m ation th a t slips th ro u g h th e c ra c k s in o u r b eliefs a n d re a c h e s o u r m ind. W hen it flow s in to o u r c o n scio u sn e ss w e c a n t m ak e s e n se o f it because we have n o p r io r e x p e rie n c e o r b e lie f to w hich to re la te it. This is th e case d u rin g o u r firs t a s tr a l p ro je c tio n . W h e n w e leave o u r b o d ies fo r th e firs t tim e, n a tu ra lly w e ru n into new ex p e rie n ce s, b e c a u se w e a re in u n e x p lo re d te rrito rie s . W e d e s p e r ately try to m ake s e n se o f w h a t is h ap p en in g . D uring my first a stra l p ro jec tio n , I trie d to rea so n logically, b u t th a t did no t m ee t with much

1 oil

Astral Projection a n d the Nature o f Reality success in th e a stra l. In spite of o u r e ffo rts to u n d e rs ta n d , if th e belief system c a n t rela te , th e ex p erien ce will rem a in an u nknow n until our subconscious has had tim e to digest it. W h a t th e b elief sy stem can t g rasp, we c a n t g rasp . A fter a w hile, w e ju s t have to give up try in g to m ake sen se o f it; label it Cool e x p e rie n ce o f th e fir s t d e g re e , a n d sto re it in th e back of o u r m inds. T he rea so n w e c a n t m ak e s e n se o f o u r a s tr a l e x p e rie n c e is th a t th e beliefs we hold a b o u t th e n a tu re o f re a lity co n flict w ith it. In tim e , we subconsciously fin d a n e e d to m odify o u r b eliefs to in c o r p o r a te th e un d e niable a stra l e x p e rie n ce . T his is a n a tu ra l p ro c e s s in w h ich th e b e lie f sys te m lea rn s a n d a d a p ts to ch a n g in g life c o n d itio n s. T h e p ro ce ss is d esig ned to optim ize survival in th e physical b u t m ig h t j u s t as well be used to optim ize nonphysical e x p lo ra tio n . As th e b e lie f s y s te m is re s tru c tu re d to allow n ew ru le s fo r rea lity , w e fin d o u rse lv e s in a n u n co m fo rt ab le situ atio n , n o t know ing w h a t re a lity is o r w h a t p h y sical life is. In s h o rt, w e d o n t know w h a t w e b e lieve in a n y m o re . W h e n th e r e a rra n g in g is fin a lly c o m p le te , w e fin d t h a t w e suddenly believe th a t leaving th e b o d y is a s n a tu r a l a s d ay a n d n ig h t. A n e w belief, th a t a p e rs o n c a n leave his ph y sic a l body , h a s b e e n e s ta b lis h e d . A t the sa m e lim e , th e b e lie f th a t I a m a p h y sic a l b e in g h a s b e e n a lte re d to include a t le a s t th e p o ssib ility th a t t h e a w a r e n e s s o f t h a t b e in g can be focused o u tsid e th e physical, a n d th e b e lie f o f d e a th a s th e fin al gam e o v e r is dan g lin g by a th in t h r e a d (s e e f ig u re 1).

*j t
.ir"

find a food w ith a

5a Jo all tha t m
you have compl<
tw h y d id y o u haye

There is an air of

iW nka thought, anoth(

( s ta b le belief sy stern ) ^ Input: Experience

*' first thought. Eve p, ssy have done Vwtine!

W e sre M atures v

(E x p e rie n c e d o e s not m atch beliefs) /Subconscious restructuring^ \ of beliefs (i.e., learning) /

we do nt ofte
'Picture

"o r l, * 1 5 , o fth e lv, '""S'your

( C o n fu sio n )

____ I
(M em ory of experience s u o n re ^ g rT '

"lind

gure 1. The b elie f sy ste m s le a rn in g p r o c e s s in r e s p o n s e to a n astral projection

experience.

44

The Belief System

S o m e tim e s it f e e ls lik e e v o lv in g .

w e a r e s ta n d in g still, as if we have stopped

R e m e m b e r th e n t h a t m o st c h a n g e s ta k e place in th e subcon s c io u s . We a re n o t a w a re o f th e m .

C hanging Thought Patterns

Exercise: Thought Reactions

1. Go in to the bathroom . 2. W hile in th e ba th ro o m , b rin g to m in d w h a t yo u ate for breakfast. If you skipped breakfast, b rin g to m in d y o u r last meal. 3. Think o f w h a t food in th a t m eal was high in sugar content; for exam ple, cereal. 4. If you c a n 't find a n y th in g in th a t meal th a t qualifies, think ab o u t everything y o u have eaten d u rin g the last couple o f days until you find a food w ith a high sugar co n ten t. 5. Go d o all th a t now , th en retu rn to th is book. Do n o t read fu rth e r until you have com pleted steps I -4. 6. W hy did y o u have to d o all this, y o u ask. We shall see in a m inute.

T h e r e is a n a ir o f fam ilia rity to h o w y o u r m in d w o rk s. W h e n you th in k a th o u g h t, a n o th e r th o u g h t follow s im m e d ia te ly , a s if trig g e re d by th e fir s t th o u g h t. E v e ry th o u g h t h a s a th o u g h t re a ctio n . T his is a pro ce ss you h a v e d o n e so m a n y tim e s it h a s b e c o m e a r o u tin e a lim it ing ro u tin e ! W e a r e c re a tu r e s w h o like th e s e c u rity a n d re a s s u ra n c e th a t h ab its offer, so w e d o n o t o fte n w e lc o m e c h a n g e. H ow ever, in o r d e r to change ou r p ictu re o f th e w o rld , w e h av e to ch a n g e th e way w e th in k . As it is said: C hange y o u r m in d a n d y o u r b o d y will follow. W e will now s tre tc h our m ind m uscles o u tsid e o f o u r fam iliar th o u g h t p a tte rn s a n d o u r bod ies will follow.

Astral Projection a n d the Nature o f Reality

C hanging Thought Patterns

For one whole day, think outside the box. I. When you hear a sound (for example, the sound o f a motorcycle), do nor think, Yeah, that's a motorcycle," as you usually do. Instead think. Yeah, that's an antelope. Your thoughts will get slightly con fused and this will allow you to observe how y o u r m ind works. 2. W henever a thought pops into yo u r m ind, and y ou know exactly w hat thought will follow as a reaction because yo u have already done it so many times, cut o ff th at thou g h t and replace it with a wild th o u g h t of y our own invention. For example, w hen you p o u r your milk in the m orning, instead o f t h i n k i n g .. and I will use m y balancing skills so I w ont spill . . . think "This is a magical glass o f milk, forged in the fires of M o u n t Doom. It holds the milk in place w ith special magical powers." Keep feeding y o u r m ind such unexpected thoughts. 3. Notice how the feeling o f fam iliarity d isappears from y our m ind. You are changing your th inking ro u tin e and, consequently, y o u r thought patterns. This opens u p y o u r m ind so th a t you will see m ore possibil ities than you are used to.

Now, le t us go b a c k to th e T h o u g h t R e a c tio n s e x e rc is e , in w hich you w e n t into th e b a th r o o m . W h e n you th o u g h t o f s u g a r, d id you look at y our te e th in th e m ir r o r ? If so, th is is a live e x a m p le o f h o w th o u g h t reac tio n s w ork. D u rin g th e 1980s, I w a s b o m b a r d e d b y p r o p a g a n d a th a t said su g a r ru in s te e th . T h is fo rm e d a f e a r o f s u g a r in m e . If you w e re exposed to th e s a m e p r o p a g a n d a c a m p a ig n , t h e n you m ig h t h a v e th e sam e fear. In th e c a se o f th e e x e rc is e , w h e n yo u th o u g h t o f su g ar, th e fear kicked in a n d th e re a c tio n to t h a t f e a r w a s a th o u g h t to ch e ck your teeth to m ake s u re th e y h a d n o t b e e n r u in e d by t h e s u g a r you a te . This is the a u to m a te d s u b c o n sc io u s p r o c e s s o f th o u g h t r e a c tio n s . Now th a t you have e x p e rie n ce d th e w o rk in g s o f th o u g h t re a c tio n fo r y o u rse lf, you can le a rn to i n te r ru p t it a n d t u r n it in to a c o n s c io u s p ro c e s s .

Physical Realities

To r e a p t h e t r u e p o w e r o f t h e a s tr a l, y o u h a v e to u n d e rs ta n d w h a t th e a s tr a l is a n d h o w y o u , a s a c o n s c io u s b e in g , r e la te to it. But th e r e are m an y t r a p s a lo n g t h e p a th to th a t u n d e rs ta n d in g . I w r ite a b o u t th is h e re a n d in t h e n e x t c h a p te r b e c a u s e th e b ig g est m is ta k e I m a d e th e d e e p e s t t r a p I fell in to w h e n I f ir s t s ta r te d w ith a s tr a l p ro je c tio n w as to assu m e t h a t t h e a s tr a l is a n o th e r v e rs io n o f th e p h y sical. It is not. T h e t r u t h is th a t , o n a s u p e rfic ia l level, th e a s tr a l is w h a te v e r you m ake it in to , so if you w a n t to m a k e it look like th e p h ysical, you can (im agine th e co n fu sio n th is c a u se s in th e a s tr a l) . But th is is n o t w h a t we w a n t to d o . W e w a n t to p u sh th ro u g h to th e tr u e n a tu r e o f th e a s tra l a n d n o t get c a u g h t in a n o th e r p h ysical reality . It is v e ry likely th a t a n y p re c o n c e iv e d n o tio n you h av e o f w h a t th e astra l is will lim it y o u r a d v e n tu re s . E ven th e sm a lle st e x p e cta tio n will affect yo u r a s tra l e x p e rie n c e s , as th ey did m in e . It is th e re fo re im p o r ta n t th a t you have a co m p le te ly o p en m in d a b o u t how th e a stra l w orks. You m u st un tie all id ea s you have a b o u t w h a t th e a s tra l is. O p en y our m ind to new possibilities. Do n o t a c ce p t a n y lim its. F orget all you know a b o u t vision, h e arin g , to u ch , ta s te , sm ell, and

Astral Projection and the Na ture o f Reality everything else associated w ith th e physical. T hey a re no t th e tools of th e a stra l. If you w ant to find out w h a t th e a stra l is, first rem ove all lim iting notions of w h a t physical life a nd reality a re . If you a re having diffi culty accepting th a t th e a s tra l is a p a r t o f reality , you m u st rew rite your definition o f reality, p e rh a p s even your d efin itio n o f life. S ta rt from sc ra tch a nd let yo u r a s tra l e x p e rie n ce s s h a p e y o u r u n d e rs ta n d in g o f the a stra l.

Wednesday, March 13, 2002 The Recursive Creation

In meditation, in m y m in d s eye, I g o to Goldie, o n e o f m y current spirit guides. I a s k him to help m e re m o ve the m in d veil: I want to se e everyth ing a r o u n d m e, I tell Goldie. " I w ant to see the w hole of creation. O n e c a n n ot s e e it all," G o ld ie says, b e c a u s e it is infinitely recursive. Just like a proton is part o f a n atom, w h ich in turn is p art o f a m olecule, s o is the C reation struc tured. The u n iverse is part o f so m e th in g bigger, w h ich is part o f so m e th in g eve n bigger, a n d so o n into eternity. The p h y sic a l w o r ld is p art o f the spirit w orld. The spirit world is also infinitely recursive. This is a g ro u n d b re a k in g insight f o r me. The re is n o e n d to anything. There is n o final destination to o u r so u ls progress, f o r n o th in g ends. "T h en I w ant to se e a pretty big picture. A n o th e r spirit co m e s u p a n d g iv e s m e a thing that l o o k s lik e a lam p. I stare into the lam p a n d it b lin d s m e w ith y e llo w light. The light c h a n g e s color. The b a c k o f my ph y sical n e ck is tingling. The e n e rg y pattern in m y n e c k is o p e ning. I see, not in visions, but in feelings, h o w the spirit w o r ld is. It is built f rom fee lings that h a v e n o n am e s in hum an languages. They re m in d m e o f beauty, h op e, self-realization, op e n n e ss, a d v e n ture, a n d creativity.

In th is c h a p te r, I a tt e m p t to lo o se n y o u r b e lie fs a b o u t w h a t reality is. You d o n o t n e c e s s a rily h a v e to a g r e e w ith w h a t I w r ite . T h e im p o r ta n t th in g is th a t you a c c e p t t h e p o s s ib ility t h a t t h e r e m a y b e m o re to rea lity a n d life t h a n you h a v e b e e n ta u g h t. T h is p o in t o f v iew will help you m ak e th e b e s t o f y o u r a s tr a l e x p e rie n c e s . I will t r y to rem o v e any lim iting e x p e c ta tio n s o f t h e a s tr a l f r o m y o u r b e lie f s y s te m , to give you an e a s ie r tim e le a rn in g fro m y o u r a s tr a l tra v e ls . H o w e v e r, b e c a u s e chang-

Physical Realities
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Too m an y p e o p le v iew t h e p h y sic a l a s t h e o n ly re a lity . T h ey believe th at a n y th in g r e a l m u s t b e p h y s ic a l. T o th e m , t h e r e a r e tw o a lte rn a tiv e s : astral p r o je c tio n is a p h y s ic a l p h e n o m e n o n , o r it is a h a llu c in a tio n . It is inconceivable to m o s t o f u s t h a t a p e r s o n c a n e n t e r a n o th e r d im e n sio n , w hich is n o t p h y s ic a l, a n d still v iew t h e j o u r n e y a s re a l. S ta rtin g fro m th is n a rro w p o in t o f view , t h o s e w h o a tt e m p t to v a lid a te o r in v a lid a te th e re a l ity of a s tr a l p r o je c tio n (a n d I h a v e a tt e m p t e d it) a r e a c tu a lly u sin g th e physical to t r y to p ro v e t h a t a s tr a l p r o je c tio n is r e a l. T h is is im p o ssib le to show, o f c o u rs e , s in c e a s tr a l p r o je c tio n is n o t a p h y sic a l p h e n o m e n o n . As a b r a i n te a s e r , w h a t w o u ld h a p p e n if s o m e o n e m a n a g e d to p ro v e th a t an a s tr a l p r o je c tio n c a n m a n if e s t s o m e th in g , le ts say a cool b re e z e of air, in th e p h y s ic a l? W o u ld o n ly t h e p h y sic a l m a n ife s ta tio n b e view ed as re a l? W e c a n t p ro v e t h a t t h e r e s t o f th e a s tr a l p ro je c tio n is p h ysical, so t h a t m u s t m e a n t h a t t h a t p a r t is u n r e a l, r ig h t? T h e c a u se b e c o m e s unreal a n d t h e e ffe c t b e c o m e s re a l. T h a t w ay o f th in k in g is w id e s p re a d in m o d e r n sc ie n c e . It is th e lim it ing fac to r in m e d ic in e . F o r e x a m p le , it is a little-k n o w n fact th a t all dis ease o rig in a te s in th e m in d a re a lm th a t is v iew ed as u n re a l a n d th a t m any o f th e sy m p to m s a p p e a r in th e p h y sical. B lin d ed by o u r b e lie f in th e physical, w e try to h e a l t h e d ise a s e by w ip in g o u t th e physical sy m p to m s. W e pay no a tte n tio n to th e ir o rig in . As a re s u lt, th e d ise a se su rvives a n d a p p e ars in o th e r s y m p to m s, like a t r e e t h a t h a s b e e n c u t g ro w s a lte rn a te bran c h e s. W h a t w e m u st u n d e rs ta n d is th a t th e origin o f d ise a se is the key to h e a lth a n d sy m p to m s a r e c re a te d m erely to a ssist us, a le rtin g us of th e p re s e n c e o f th e d ise a se , so th a t w e m ay deal w ith its origin. S cientists re fu s e to e n te r re s e a r c h a re a s th a t a r e c o n sid e red im proper: a s tra l p ro je c tio n , in tu itio n , p rec o g n itio n , clairvoyance, tele p a thy, telekinesis, r e m o te view ing, UFOs, a n d d rea m s, to n a m e a few. Those w ho do jeo p a rd iz e th e ir c a re e rs a n d risk ridicule from th eir p e e rs. But. who decides w h a t is p ro p e r a n d im p ro p e r? T he ego. T he soul does not have th e lim itatio n s o f p ro p e r a n d im proper.

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Astral Projection a n d the Nature o f Reality Science has becom e institutionalized a n d has th ere b y lost th e flexi bility n e e d ed to investigate a ph e n o m e n o n like astra l pro jectio n . T h ere is no g r e a te r tragedy th an this. Som ehow , we have extinguished the flam e th a t drives science th e d e sire to know t ru th a n d in so doing we have p rev e n te d re s e a rc h th a t could lead us in to a b e tte r w o rld . W e could all b e com m unicating tele pathically by now , h a d w e given th e p h en o m e n o n th e p r o p e r scientific investigation it d e s e rv e d a few y e a rs back. Som ehow , th e d e sire to know th e tru th h a s b e e n re p la c e d w ith th e d e sire to d e fe n d w h a t w e previously a c c e p te d a s tr u th , for no reaso n o th e r th a n w e in v este d p rid e in th e m as tru th s . But. h u m an k in d can t evolve by clinging to y e s te r d a y s tru th s . T h e h u m a n m in d is evolving. W e a re e n ric h in g o u r re a lity to in clu d e d im e n s io n s o u tsid e th e phys ical. W ith th is, n ew tru th s will s u rfa c e . T h a t is u n a v o id a b le . T h a t is how evolution w o rk s a n d h a s w o rk e d s in c e t h e b ir th o f w h a te v e r w as th e b eg in ning, if t h e r e e v e r w a s o n e . S o m e n e w t r u t h s will m a k e u s q u estio n old tru th s (or, r a th e r , w h a t w e th o u g h t w e r e tr u t h s ) , b u t th is is only h ealth y. W h a t is u n h e a lth y , o n th e o t h e r h a n d , is to cling to o u td a te d tru th s , as if th e y w e re o u r lifeline. T h e r e is n o th in g w r o n g w ith th e sc ie n tific m o d e l. W h a t is w ro n g is th a t th e c u r r e n t s e t o f t r u t h s t r u t h s t h a t s u p p o s e d ly w e r e collected using th e sc ie n tific m o d e lis c o n ta m in a te d b y false a s s u m p tio n s ab o u t w h a t c o n s titu te s re a lity . O u r c a r e le s s a s s u m p tio n s a b o u t w h a t rea lity is hav e led us to a d e a d e n d . H e r e a r e s o m e e x a m p le s o f false assu m p tio n s: th e p h ysical d im e n s io n is e x te r n a l; a n y th in g n o t c o n n e c te d to th e physi cal is a n illusion; r e a lity is c o n s ta n t a n d , t h e r e f o r e , a flu id w o rld is less re a l th a n a slo w -c h a n g in g w o rld ; a n d a n y th in g w e c a n t g r a s p w ith our logical m in d s is u n r e a l. T h e s c ie n tific m o d e l h a s a m e c h a n is m fo r rep lac ing in v a lid a te d t r u t h s , b u t t h a t m e c h a n is m is b lo c k e d by t h e a s su m p tio n s o f th o u s a n d s o f s c ie n tis ts . T h e s e a s s u m p tio n s , in t u r n , a r e b a s e d on b eliefs h e ld by s c ie n tis ts . A s m u c h a s o n e tr i e s , it is d iffic u lt to b e an o b jec tiv e s c ie n tis t. W h e n p r e s e n t e d w ith t h e r e s u lts o f a n e x p e rim e n t, it is h u m a n n a tu r e to fall b a c k u p o n p re v io u s ly h e ld b e lie fs w h e n in te r p re t in g th e m . It is d iffic u lt to c o m e u p w ith th e o r i e s t h a t c o n flic t w ith th e c o re ol w h a t o n e h a s b e e n ta u g h t.

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P h ysica l Realities

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un k n ow n to me. It is cle ar n o w that I a m a soul. If I w ere the b od y, I w o u ld not b e able to haue astral projection s. O n e m ight a r g u e that the b o d y - b o u n d e d c o n s c io u s n e s s c o u ld project (perhaps with the h e lp o f the soul), b u t w h a t w o u l d b e the p u r p o s e o f s u c h a bility? It d o e s not make se n se that a b o d y - b o u n d e d c o n s c io u s n e s s ca n project, b e c a u s e it d ies with the body. If it d id n o t d ie w ith the b o d y, it w o u l d n o t b e b o u n d e d by the b o d y in the first place, a n d that m a k e s it a soul. It is m o re likely that it is the s o u l that projects, a n d sin c e I a m the o n e projecting, I am that soul. T he p r o je c tio n s p r o v e that I, the soul, am a b le to su rv iv e w ithout a body. Therefore, I w ill s u r v iv e p h y s ic a l death. P hew , w hat a relief.

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It is n o t to o d iffic u lt to c o n c e iv e t h a t o u r five s e n s e s c a n t p e rc e iv e all o f c re a tio n . If you s u b s c r ib e to t h e t h e o r y o f e v o lu tio n , th e n a physi cal s e n se is a to o l t h a t o u r a n c e s t o r s c r e a t e d , p o ssib ly by c o in c id e n ce , in o rd e r to im p ro v e t h e i r c h a n c e s o f s u rv iv a l. F o r e x a m p le , a n im a ls th a t live u n d e rg r o u n d h a v e n o u s e f o r p h y sic a l e y e s b e c a u s e it is to o d a rk for th e m to se e a n d , s o , th e y d o n o t d e v e lo p ey es. In o r d e r to c o m m u n ic a te w h a t th e y w e re se n sin g , o u r a n c e s to rs cam e up w ith th e a b s tr a c t id e a o f e v e ry th in g th a t co u ld b e s e n s e d and labeled it th e p h y sic a l. If b io lo g ical o rg a n is m s d o evolve, it is co nceivable th a t t h e r e a r e p le n ty o f th in g s a ro u n d u s t h a t w e c a n t p e rc e iv e, b e c au se w e have n o t y e t evolved s e n s e s c a p a b le o f p e rc e iv in g th e m . It w ould be a very lim iting m is ta k e to a s su m e t h a t o u r c u r r e n t s e t o f s e n se s is capa ble of p e rc e iv in g e v e ry th in g a ro u n d us. T h e re fo re , it w ould b e in co rrec t

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to a ssu m e th a t a n y th in g is u n re a l j u s t b e c a u s e w e c a n t s e n se it. You can b et t h e r e will be a n u p g ra d e d v e rsio n o f th e h u m an n e x t y e a r o n e with air-conditioninga n d a n o th e r th e y e a r a f te r t h a t, a n d so on a n d so forth. Little by little, w e c re a te s e n se s for w h a t w e c a n t y et p erceiv e. M any p eo p le view m in d as a n o b jec t th a t trav els th ro u g h th e physi cal a nd sees w h a t is th e re . B ut w h a t we e x p e rie n ce as physical is inside th e m ind. O ur se n se s feed th e m in d w ith in fo rm a tio n a n d th e m ind cre a te s th e ex p erie n ce of th e physical fro m th a t in fo rm atio n . The sam e goes

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Astral Projection a n d the Na ture o f Reality for the a stra l. W h a t inspires us to c re a te th e ex p erien ce o f th e physical o r the a stra l is som ething entirely diffe re n t a n d nobody seem s to have a good idea of w hat it is. T h e refo re , claim ing th a t a stra l p ro je c tio n is an illusion (and th e re fo re not real) b ecau se it only h a p p e n s in th e m in d is a b su rd . W h e re else w ould it tak e p lace? R eality, physical o r a s tra l, is so m ething we c re a te w ithin o u r m inds, n o t s o m e th in g t h a t is se rv e d to us by so m e th in g e x te rn a l.

T h e N a tu re o f th e P h y sica l
Too m any p eo p le have view ed th e p h y sical as th e only tr u e reality. T h a t opinion is c hanging now b e c a u s e o f r e s e a r c h in q u a n tu m physics. Q u a rk s a re well k now n a s th e p a rtic le s t h a t b u ild th e n e u tr o n s a n d p ro to n s th a t in tu rn m ak e up th e a to m , w h ic h w a s lo n g a s su m e d to b e th e indivisible building block o f physical m a tte r . P h y sicists a r e n ow looking fo r th e building b lo ck s fo r q u a rk s . T h e s e th e o r e tic a l b u ild in g b locks are n a m e d ris h o n s o r s tr a to n s by s o m e . W h e n a n d if th e y fin d th e s e p a rti cles, c h a n c e s a r e th e y will h a v e to s t a r t lo o k in g fo r t h e p a rtic le th a t m ak es up ris h o n s o r s tr a to n s . W h e n t h a t is fo u n d , th e h u n t b eg in s for so m e th in g even s m a lle r. T h e r e s e e m s to b e n o e n d to h o w m an y tim es w e can d ivide p a rtic le s in to s m a lle r d is c r e te c o m p o n e n ts . T h e se tiny p a rtic le s a r e s e p a r a te d by c o m p a ra tiv e ly v a s t d ista n c e s of em p ty s p a c e . T h e f a r t h e r d o w n w e look in to m a tte r , t h e m o re sp a ce we fin d . A n a to m is n o t a so lid p a rtic le b u t a n e m p ty s p a c e in h a b ite d by neu tro n s , p ro to n s , a n d e le c tro n s . N e u tr o n s a n d p r o to n s a r e e m p ty spaces in h a b ite d by q u a rk s . L ikew ise, a q u a r k is n o t a so lid p a rtic le , b u t an e m p ty s p a c e in h a b ite d by r is h o n s . R is h o n s a r e a ls o m o stly e m p ty space, a n d so fo rth . E v e ry tim e w e d isc o v e r a n e w p a rtic le , it tu r n s o u t to be th e e ffect o f a s m a lle r p a rtic le lu rk in g in a v a s t s p a c e . In fac t, t h e r e is no p a rtic le to b e fo u n d , o nly m o re e m p ty s p a c e w ith t h e p ro m is e o f an even sm a lle r p a rtic le . T h e n a tu r e o f m a t t e r is a n e lu siv e r id d le o f infinite e m p tin ess. W h e n ; w e orig in ally th o u g h t t h e r e w o u ld b e b u ild in g b lo ck s, th e re is n o th in g . H ow c a n th is b e ? W h a t is th is th in g w e call m a t t e r ? How can physical m a tte r b e b u ilt fro m n o th in g n e s s ? H ow c a n p h ysical m a tte r be so m e th in g th a t is n o t?

P h y sica l Realities

An analogy t h a t c o m e s e a sily to m e , p e r h a p s b e c a u s e I a m a so ft ware e n g in e e r, is v irtu a l re a lity . In s o ftw a r e , a v irtu a l re a lity is r e p r e sented by in fo rm a tio n a b o u t t h e w o rld . T h e s o ftw a r e d o e s n o t co n ta in W e a, 0r S i N SseX i the actual w o rld itse lf; h e n c e t h e w o r d v ir tu a l. O n e w ay o f lo o k in g a t it is th a t t h e r e is n o w o rld in t h e s o f tw a r e ( o r a n y w h e r e e ls e ), only a description o f t h e w o r ld . T h e d e s c r ip tio n is th e n u s e d to give th e im p r e s sion of an a c tu a l w o rld . O f c o u r s e , h o w w ell th is im p r e s s io n is rec e iv ed dep en d s o n t h e p e rc e iv e r , t h e h u m a n c o m p u t e r u s e r. P e r h a p s th is is how the physical w o rld w o r k s a s w e ll. M aybe t h e r e is n o p h y sic a l w o rld , o n ly a d e s c r ip tio n o f it. W h e re th is description o f t h e p h y sic a l w o rld c o m e s f ro m , I d o n o t k n o w . P e rh a p s we, as individuals o r g r o u p s , c r e a t e it c o n tin u o u s ly a s w e in te r a c t w ith o u r im pression o f th e w o rld . L ik e w ise , h o w w ell th is d e s c rip tio n gives th e im pression o f a n a c tu a l w o rld d e p e n d s on th e p e rc e iv e r s u sor, ra th e r, our beliefs a n d e x p e c ta tio n s . P e r h a p s in c a s e s w h e r e o u r im p re ss io n o f the w orld is fa lte rin g , w e s u b c o n sc io u s ly a d ju s t o u r d e s c rip tio n o f th e world to m a k e it m o r e c o n v in c in g . C o u ld t h e p h y sic a l u n iv e rs e b e a description, a n e v e r-c h a n g in g b lu e p r in t, r a t h e r th a n a n a c tu a l p lac e ? B e hind t h e s c e n e s lie s a n o n p h y s ic a l e n e rg y field w e call th e a s tra l. This field h a s n o f o rm , t a s t e , o r s o u n d . It d o e s n o t c o n fo rm to h o w w e believe a p r o p e r w o rld s h o u ld a c t. It is sim p ly n e u tr a l no n p h y sical energy. T h e r e is n o th in g in it, e x c e p t t h e ab ility to c r e a te an y th in g . W e d raw e n e rg y fro m th is fie ld in to o u r p e rc e p tio n . O n c e in o u r p e rc e p tio n , we m old th e e n e rg y in to s h a p e s t h a t fit o u r d e s c rip tio n o f th e w o rld . T he reality b e h in d o u r p hysical e x p e rie n c e is a s u b je c tiv e e n e rg y form sculpted by o u r ind iv id u a l m in d s. T h e re a r e a n in c o n c e iv a b le n u m b e r o f w ays to m old a s tr a l en erg y . If you h a p p e n to m e e t o t h e r b e in g s living in th e u n iv erse , you m ig h t find th a t th ey look a t t h e ir s u rro u n d in g s in rad ic a lly d iffe re n t w ays. T hey do not s h a re o u r b eliefs a b o u t h o w a w o rld sh o u ld look. T hey have th e ir own beliefs a n d so m old n o n p h y sical e n e rg y to fit th o se b eliefs. T he resu lt of t h a t m old is w h a t th e y p e rc e iv e as b e in g th e ir s u rro u n d in g s. For exam ple, UFO o c c u p an ts have b e e n r e p o r te d to w alk th ro u g h walls, blink in a n d o u t of view , a n d e n te r d re a m s . T h e ir view o f th e w orld evi dently does n o t co n tain w alls a n d d o o rs o r even a d istin ctio n betw een w aking consciousness a n d sleep in g co n scio u sn ess.

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Astral Projection and the N ature o f Reality M a tte r proves to be only one of m any ways of looking at. o r conceiv ing of nonphysical energy. The only th in g th a t m akes th is p ercep tio n of energy special is th a t we as physical beings (th e te rm we use) have devel oped sen ses eyes, e a rs, a nd so on to a ssist it. As w e have th e m ean s to p erceive e nergy in the p a rtic u la r way of th e physical, w e have m ad e th at p e rception o u r reality. H ad w e develop ed se n se s to m e a su re energy in som e o th e r way, th e n th a t way w ould b e th o u g h t o f as reality. R eality is in the eye o f th e beh o ld er. Give th e b e h o ld e r a n a s tr a l eye a n d h e will accep t th e a stra l as a rea lity too. W h e re v e r w e go, high o r low, thick o r d en se, we eventually develop se n se s th a t allow u s to g e t u sed to o u r su r ro undings enough to call it reality. T his is b e c a u s e w e a r e nonphysical beings, a n d we c a n a d a p t to a ny fo rm o f re a lity w e c h o o se to c re a te . This tim e a ro u n d , w e have e x te n d e d o u r s e n s e s in o r d e r to in te ra c t w ith e n e rg y in a physical way. W e have c h o s e n to m a k e th e physical our c u rre n t reality. Physical sp a ce h o ld s n o re a l b o u n d a rie s for us, except th e o n es w e c re a te fo r o u rse lv e s. If w e b e lie v e m a t t e r is th e only p ro p e r o r rea l w ay to p e rc e iv e e n e rg y , th e n w e will n o t b e a b le to s e n se energy in any o th e r way. It is o u r n a tu r e , how ever, to c o n s ta n tly c r e a te n e w e x p e rie n c e s , a n d th e b e s t w ay to d o t h a t is to e x te n d in to u n k n o w n te r r it o r i e s , including th e physical a n d th e a s tr a l. Y our w h o le c h ild h o o d w a s a long p e rio d of g ettin g u sed to y o u r e x te n d e d p h y sic a l s e n s e s . You a r e n o w e x ten d in g yo u r s e n se s to e x p e rie n c e e n e rg y in a n a s tr a l w ay. It w ill r e q u ir e tim e a n d e ffo rt b u t will b e w ell w o r th it. You will n o t s to p w ith th e a stra l, th o u g h . You will n e v e r c e a s e to e x p a n d y o u r s e lf in th is m a n n e r . You will n e v e r s to p e x p lo rin g n e w h o riz o n s . / f

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In 1927, W e r n e r H e is e n b e r g p r o v e d t h a t , b e c a u s e o f t h e i r n a tu r e , it is im possible to m e a s u r e th e m o m e n tu m o f s u b a to m ic p a rtic le s . For ex am p le, i{ w e w a n t to m e a s u r e t h e p o s itio n o f a n e le c tro n , w e have to ap p ly light o r w e will n o t b e a b le to s e e it. T h e lig h t ( p h o to n ) will e n e r gize th e e le c tro n , in c re a s in g its v e locity . In o t h e r w o r d s , w e c a n t m eas u re a q u a n tu m p a rtic le w ith o u t d is tu r b in g it. Luckily, in 1925, p h y sic ist E rw in S c h r o d in g e r d e v is e d a qu an tu m V ac V pfse
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waVe fu n ctio n to c a lc u la te h o w a n e le c t r o n is s p r e a d o u t th ro u g h o u t a 'e N h , ,na'pri tan subatom ic s p a c e . T h is w a v e fu n c tio n is a p p lic a b le to all tiny p a rtic le s th at b e h a v e a s w a v e s , in c lu d in g q u a r k s . In l a t e r e x p e rim e n ts , M ax B orn con firm ed t h a t a n e le c t r o n s ta y s in o n e p ie c e r a t h e r th a n s p re a d s o ut, rew riting th e m e a n in g o f t h e w a v e fu n c tio n . T o S c h r o d in g e r s dism ay, the wave f u n c tio n c a m e to r e p r e s e n t t h e p r o b a b ility o f fin d in g a su b atom ic p a rtic le a t a p a r t i c u l a r p o in t in s p a c e , r a t h e r t h a n its a c tu a l p o si tion. T h e w a v e f u n c tio n g iv e s s e v e r a l p o s itio n s in w 'hich th e p a rtic le is likely to b e . T h e p a r t i c l e is s a id to b e s u p e r- p o s itio n e d , m e a n in g it could be in a ny o f s e v e r a l p o s itio n s . T h e n o tio n o f s u p e r-p o s itio n in g h a s b e e n challenged by m a n y p h y s ic is ts , in c lu d in g E in s te in , b e c a u s e , a c c o rd in g to N ew to n ian p h y s ic s , a p a r t i c l e c a n b e in o n ly o n e p la c e a t a n y tim e so its pro b ab ility s h o u ld h a v e o n ly o n e p o s itio n . H o w e v e r, it is e v id e n t th a t c o n ventional p h y s ic s c a n t e x p la in t h e b e h a v io r o f q u a n tu m p a rtic le s . N iels B o h r r e a s o n e d t h a t t h e n a tu r e o f t h e q u a n tu m p a rtic le is p ro b a bilistic. T h e r e f o r e , it d o e s n o t e x is t in a n y p o sitio n b u t is sim ply p ro b ab le to exist in s e v e ra l. A pplyin g B o h r s th e o ry , n o w k n o w n a s th e C open h ag en in te rp re ta tio n o f q u a n tu m m e c h a n ic s , w e could say th a t m a tte r d o es no t exist, b u t th e p ro b a b ility o f m a t t e r ex ists. A n d if m a tte r d o e s n o t exist, space a n d tu n e d o n o t e x ist, a lth o u g h th e p ro b ab ility o f th e m exists. A p r o b le m a r is e s w h e n w e m e a s u r e th e p a rtic le . It th e n c e a s e s to be s u p e r-p o s itio n e d a n d a p p e a r s in o n ly o n e o f t h e p ro b a b le p o sitio n s. This tra n s itio n is k n o w n in q u a n tu m p h y sic s a s th e co lla p se o f th e wave fu n ctio n . T h e w a v e fu n c tio n in c o r r e c tly gives se v era l p ro b a b le p o sitio n s w h en w e k n o w th e p a rtic le t o b e in o n ly o n e . T h is ra is e s th e q u e stio n th a t is a t th e h e a r t o f th e q u a n tu m p ro b le m : H ow d o e s th e p a rtic le pick one p o sitio n o v e r o t h e r p o s itio n s o f e q u a l p ro b a b ility ? T h e c o lla p se fro m a p ro b a b le to a m e a s u re d s ta te is th eo rize d by som e n o t to b e d e te rm in is tic , b u t r a t h e r a r a n d o m tra n s itio n gov ern ed by th e law s o f p ro b ab ility . T h is w ould m e a n th a t th e U n iv erse is ran d o m and its fu tu re c a n t b e p re d ic te d by looking a t its c u rr e n t s ta te , unless you a re c o n te n t w ith a p ro b ab ilistic p red ic tio n . T h e n o n d e te rm in istic n a tu re of th e U niverse h as b e e n very h a rd for physicists to digest b ecau se, ac co rd in g to classical physics, th e U niverse is a m achine-like system th a t is playing ou t a n ex trem ely long e n erg y tra n sfo rm atio n e n d ing in a s ta te t h a t w as d e stin e d th e m o m en t th e U niverse began.

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Astral Projection a n d the Nature o f Reality To fu rth e r com plicate m a tte rs, e x p e rim e n ts have h in ted th a t a m eas ured p article picks th e position in a g re e m e n t w ith th e ex p ectatio n o r guess o f the o b serv er.4 E ith e r th e n a tu re o f physical m a tte r is subjective o r we do not have th e u n d e rs ta n d in g re q u ire d to c o n d u c t productive q u antum physics re s e a rc h . To co m b at subjectivity, Hugh E v e rett put forth a so-called m any-w orlds th e o ry , w hich h o ld s th a t w h en w e m eas u re a pa rticle , th e universe is sp lit in to se v era l p a ra lle l u n iv erse s, each holding the p a rticle in a d iffe re n t single p o sitio n a n d co n ta in in g o n e copy o f th e ob se rv e r.'1 A sim ila r th e o ry h a s b e e n p r e s e n te d involving consis te n t h isto rie s.6 I p o stu la te th a t as th e n a tu r e o f m a t t e r is to b e in se v era l p ro b ab le p laces sim ultaneously, th is is n o t th e n a tu r e o f h u m a n co n scio u sn ess. T h e hum an m in d c a n t h a n d le th e c o n c e p t o f a p ro b a b ility -b a s e d reality. It n e e d s a s ta b le rea lity in o r d e r to fu n c tio n . T h e h u m a n m in d th ere fo re tak es th e p a rtic le a n d fo rc e s it in to a sin g le p o s itio n . T h is w ould m ean th a t in every in sta n t, you d e c id e th e p o s itio n o f t h e p a rtic le s a ro u n d you. D oes th is s o u n d fa m ilia r? T h is is e x a ctly h o w a s tr a l m a tte r w orks. It m oves to y o u r th o u g h ts a n d e x p e c ta tio n s . W h a t is th e difference b e tw e en th e p hysical a n d th e a s tr a l? T h e lin e b e tw e e n t h e physical and th e n onphysical is g e ttin g b lu rr e d b e c a u s e t h e p h y sic a l a n d th e n onphys ical a r e b u ilt fro m th e s a m e stu ff, a s tu f f t h a t c a n b e fo u n d e v ery w h ere th ro u g h o u t e x is te n c e . O n e is n o t h ig h e r o r b e t t e r th a n th e o th e r. They a re d iffe re n t a s p e c ts o f th e s a m e th in g , o r d iff e re n t w a y s o f looking at th e s a m e th ing, o r d iff e re n t w ays to give d if f e r e n t im p re ss io n s o f the s a m e th in g h o w e v e r you w a n t to lo o k a t it. T h is th in g is w h a t w e call th e a s tr a l e n e rg y field fo r lack o f a b e t t e r w o rd . An in te re s tin g p a ra lle l is t h a t o f d ig ita l c lo c k s . H av e yo u e v e r looked a t y o u r b e d s id e clock to fin d it s a y in g 2 :2 2 , 3 :3 3 , o r 4 :4 4 ? T h is happens to m e a lm o st e v e ry n ig h t. It m ay s e e m lik e a c o in c id e n c e , b u t in light of th e C o p e n h a g e n in te r p r e ta tio n , it is n o t. A s tim e a n d m a t t e r a r e related , tim e is also s u p e r-p o s itio n e d . It tic k s f o r t h in e q u a l s e c o n d s only if you m e a su re th e m o v e m e n t o f th e c lo c k . O th e r w is e , fo r all yo u know , time co u ld slow clown o r s p e e d u p . W h e n you w a k e u p d u r in g th e night, the tim e could b e a n y th in g b e tw e e n m id n ig h t a n d m o rn in g . By looking a t the clock, y our m in d g e ts c o n fu s e d by fin d in g t h a t tim e h a s a w h o le range of p ossible sim u lta n e o u s v a lu e s. It q u ick ly d e c id e s t h a t tim e should be

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I am waiting at a b u s stop. I a m g r o w in g im patient. I re m e m b e r Art BelJ talking about tim e/space flu ctu a tio n s o n the C o a st to C oast A.M . ra d io show . I de c id e that w hen I put m y b a c k p a c k on, the b u s w ill com e. I p u t m y b a c k p a c k o n a n d the b u s sh ow s u p a r o u n d the co rn e r! This m e a n s that o n e ca n ch a n g e the w o rld (or create a parallel tim e/space co n tin u u m fo r o ne se lf) just b y d e c id in g that the c h a n g e will take place. Tho ughts create. W h o kn o w s, p e r h a p s in a n alternate sp ace/tim e c o ntinu um I am still sta ndin g there, waiting f o r the bus.

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Astral Projection and the Na tu re o f Reality fluctuation in th e jo u rn a l easy for m e to in te rp re t believe in such things, occurred, w hatever fits in e n try above, b u t since I believe in th em , it is the situation th a t way. O th e rs, who do not com e to d ifferen t u n d e rsta n d in g s of what, w ith th e ir beliefs. P e rh a p s th e b us showed up

by coincidence. T he a stra l realm is a n o th e r in te rp re ta tio n , o r way o f looking a t the C reation. J u s t like th e physical, th e a s tra l p e rc e p tio n o f C re a tio n also is c o n tam in ated by o u r beliefs. W h e n I v e n tu re in to th e a s tra l, 1 see, hear, touch, a nd even sm ell things. H ow is th is p o ssib le ? I did n o t bring my eyes, e a rs, fingers, o r n ose. W hy d o I in sist on u sing se n se s th a t are in ap p ro p ria te for m y c u rr e n t e n v iro n m e n t? M y b e lie fs a b o u t w h at is p ro p e r in te ra c tio n w ith m y e n v iro n m e n t fo rc e m e to u se m y habitual physical se n se s. I am b lin d e d by m y be lie fs o f w h a t re a lity is. In s im ila r w ays, w h a t w e b e lie v e b e c o m e s o u r re a lity . If I believed th e p hysical p ro v id e s n o visual in p u t, I w o u ld b e b lin d . F o rtu n ately , m o st o f us do n o t have th a t b e lie f. W h y n o t? W e ll, I th in k t h a t w e sub co n sciously p ick up b e lie fs fro m e a c h o th e r . W h e n w e a r e to d d le r s , we e x p e c t o u r p a r e n ts to s h o w u s h o w t h is r e a lity w o r k s . W e look a t th eir m o v e m e n ts a n d a c tio n s a n d a p p ly w h a t w e s e e to o u r o w n b e lie f sys te m s. It d o e s n o t s to p w ith o u r p a r e n t s , th o u g h . O u r b e lie f system s pick up s o m e th in g fro m e v e ry e n c o u n te r w ith a n o th e r b e in g . This ex p la in s w hy w e all h a v e m o r e o r le s s t h e s a m e b e lie fs a b o u t how the p h ysical w o rk s. W e s e e k to e s ta b lis h s o m e u se fu l b e lie fs , s o t h a t w e c a n fu nction in th e p h ysical, b u t in d o in g so w e a ls o c r e a te t h e p h y s ic a l. T h e physical is n o m o re th a n a n id e a o r th o u g h t-fo rm , a n d w e s h a p e t h a t id ea accord ing to w h a t w e b e lie v e is c o n ta in e d in t h a t id e a . E v e n t h e law s o f n ature a re n o t law s a t all, b u t id e a s th a t w e h a v e r e in f o r c e d so m an y tim e s th at th e y have b e c o m e h a b its o f n a tu r e ( s e e T h e G a th e r in g by W illiam G am m ill7). W e c o c r e a te p h y sic a l r e a lity a c c o r d in g to o u r s h a re d beliefs. O u r b e lie fs c r e a te o u r in d iv id u a l p h y s ic a l r e a l it i e s a n d a ffe c t th e way o th e r s re a litie s a r e c r e a t e d a r o u n d t h e g lo b e ( a n d p o s s ib ly ev en around th e u n iv e rs e ). In s p ite o f all th is , t h e r e is h o p e . W e c a n m a k e o u r ow n in te rp re ta tio n s o f th e C re a tio n a n d th e r e b y c h a n g e t h e w o rld sim p ly th ro u g h our w illingness to s e e th in g s d iffe re n tly . W h e n w e u s e o u r im ag in atio n , we

P h y sica l Realities

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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 t m 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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A stra l Realities

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 ats not h ow its 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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capable o f shifting y o u r a w a re n e s s fro m o n e d im en sio n o f ex isten ce to 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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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 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 d re a m d im e n sio n , a sc h o o lp 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 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
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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 cant 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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bols, a n d e m o tio n s . S h o u ld w e q u e s tio n t h e e v e n ts o f a d r e a m , th e sub conscious w o uld lo se n e a r ly all its p o w e r a n d th e d r e a m w ould tu r n lucid. We w ould t h e n b e a b le to c o n s c io u s ly a ffe c t t h e d r e a m m a tte r. W h e n w e s h if t o u r a w a r e n e s s to t h e p h y sic a l d im e n s io n , as w e do w hen w e a r e a w a k e , w e c a n m a n if e s t in c r e d ib le th in g s w ith o u r con scious m in d . It ta k e s a little lo n g e r to b u ild a b r id g e in th e physical th a n in th e d r e a m d im e n s io n , b u t w h e n it is d o n e , it will r e m a in th e r e until th o u g h ts o f w e a r c a u s e it t o c o lla p s e . C o m p a re th is to th e d re a m d im e n sion, w h e r e a b r id g e w o u ld d is a p p e a r t h e m o m e n t you s to p p e d th in k in g of it. H o w ev er, t h e s u b c o n s c io u s m in d a ls o a ffe c ts us in th e physical. H earing, sig h t, to u c h , s m e ll, a n d t a s t e all ta k e p la c e subconsciously. W h e n w e m o v e o u r b o d ie s a r o u n d , e a c h m u sc le is c o n tro lle d by th e su b conscious. E v e n o u r p e r c e p tio n o f o u r p h y sic a l s u rro u n d in g s is g a th e re d a nd c o m p ile d su b c o n sc io u s ly . If it w e r e n o t, w e w o u ld b e v e ry clum sy in our m o v e m e n ts , b u t w e w o u ld a ls o b e a b le to co n scio u sly d e c id e how we w ould p e rc e iv e t h e p h y sic a l w o rld .

Wednesday, Janu ary 1, 2 0 0 3 Earth-Close O B E

I a m d r iftin g o f f to s le e p . It ta k e s m e a n u n u s u a ll y lo n g tim e to e n te r t h e h y p n a g o g ic s t a t e . W h e n I f i n a l l y d o , a c o n s c i o u s p a r t o f m e is a w a k e a n d a b l e t o r e a s o n d e a r l y , w h i l e a n o t h e r p a r t o f m e is h a l f u n c o n s c i o u s , r a p i d l y f a l l i n g a s l e e p . I g e t t h e i d e a t h a t I s h o u l d g o t o t h e b a t h r o o m b e f o r e I f a l l a s l e e p , s o I d o n o t h a u e t o g e t u p in t h e m i d d l e o f t h e n ig h t. I tr y t o r o ll o u t o f b e d , b u t i n s t e a d I b r e a k f r e e f r o m t h e b o d y ! I a m f l o a t i n g t w o f e e t a b o v e it. I c a n t s e e a n y t h i n g , b u t I c a n h e a r . I h e a r B a r b s lig h t s n o r in g . I r o ll i n t h e a i r t o b r e a k f r e e f r o m a n y a t t a c h m e n t s t o t h e b o d y . t in c tly h e a r t h e s n o r i n g m o v e , t o o .

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s t a t i o n a r y s o u r c e B a r b . W h e n I r o ta t e , I p e r c e i v e t h e

s o u n d f r o m o t h e r a n g le s , j u s t a s i f I w e r e r o ta t in g m y p h y s i c a l b o d y . I c o n c l u d e t h a t I m u s t b e p r o je c t in g in t h e p h y s i c a l , b e c a u s e t h e s o u n d is o f p h y s i c a l o r ig in a n d I c a n

Astral Projection and the Nature o f Reality

p e r c e i v e it r e la tiv e t o t h e m o v e m e n t s o f m y a u ? a r e n e s s . T h e n t h e d r o w s in g p a r t o f m e w a k e s u p a n d I a m c a lle d b a c k to th e b o d y .

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The a stra l is a place w h e re your e n v iro n m e n t is c re a te d by your m ind. This is tru e also for th e physical d im en sio n , b u t it is e a sie r to see in th e a stra l, because th e effects th e r e a r e im m e d ia te . I s p e cu la te th a t th e rea so n for th e slow r a te o f change in th e physical is th e fact th a t it is in h abited by so m any beings, e a c h o f w h ic h h o ld s a s e t o f beliefs of w h at reality should look like. T h e ir m in d s a u to m a tic a lly apply th o se beliefs to th e physical, c re a tin g it in ev e ry in sta n c e . If one o f those m inds d ecides to c re a te s o m e th in g d ifferen t, say a g ree n sky, th en th a t m ind w ould be a t o d d s w ith ev ery o th e r m ind th at believes the sky is blue. Eventually, th e g re e n sky will ta k e form , because one m ind provides th e in te n t for it to ex ist (m o re o n in te n t la te r in this book), but you can im agine th e tim e it ta k e s th e in te n t to p e n e tr a te t h e con flicting beliefs of th e o th e r m in d s. T h e r e m ig h t also b e nonphysical beings su rrounding us, fully e ngaged in s u sta in in g th e s h a p e o f t h e physical. T he a s tra l, on th e o t h e r h a n d , is a hig h ly in d iv id u a lize d reality. A lthough t h e r e a r e p le n ty o f c o c r e a te d a s tr a l w o rld s, in m o st cases w h en w e p ro je c t, a t le a s t until w e le a r n to n a v ig a te p r o p e rly , w e e n d up in o u r own little a s tr a l w o rld . T h e r e is o n ly o n e m in d ( th e p r o je c to r s) inh ab iting th a t w o rld , so t h e r e a r e n o c o n flic tin g b e lie fs to slow down th e a c t o f c re a tio n . T h e d o w n s id e o f th is is t h a t w h e n t h a t m in d leaves th a t a s tra l w orld , it lo se s its c r e a to r . T h e r e will n o lo n g e r b e a n y beliefs to re c r e a te th a t a s tr a l w o rld in e v e ry i n s ta n c e to m a k e it p e rs is t. The a stra l w orld th e r e fo r e d isso lv e s in to n o th in g n e s s . Y et a c o c re a te d astral w orld, th a t is, a n a s tr a l w o rld in h a b ite d by s e v e ra l a s tr a l b ein g s, will change ju s t as slow ly a s th e p h y sic a l w o rld . T h is le a d s m e to th e idea th a t th e physical is j u s t a n o th e r a s tr a l w o rld .

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scious also th in k s u p th in g s , w h ic h , to o u r f ru s tr a tio n , p o p in to o u r a stra l environm ents. e n t is > but it is -diate. I b> )oa erH tiiai til olds i 9 s e t f belief the fact T he c o n te n ts o f t h e s u b c o n s c io u s w h a t is o n its m in d a r e old exp e riences. It is c o n s ta n tly try in g to d ig est th e m e m o rie s o f old tra u m a s a n d events o u tsid e its b e lie f s y s te m . M o s t t r a u m a s n e e d to b e d e a lt w ith con sciously th o u g h , so th is d ig e s tio n m ay le a d n o w h e r e . A s a re s u lt, th e sub conscious m a y b e c o n s ta n tly p a c k e d w ith o ld , o u td a te d , a n d painful thoughts. T h e s e th o u g h ts m a n if e s t a u to m a tic a lly in th e a s tr a l as w e p ro j ect into it. T h e re fo re , you g a in m o re c o n tr o l o v e r y o u r a s tr a l e n v iro n m e n t as you le a rn to ta m e y o u r su b c o n sc io u s . It is v ita l to p ro c e s s all tra u m a s and a d d ic tio n s, o r you will b e a slav e to y o u r su b c o n sc io u s a n d th e re b y to your a s tr a l e n v ir o n m e n t. Like a tt r a c t s like in th e a s tra l. If y o u r su b conscious is tr o u b le d , y o u r m in d will c r e a te o r a tt r a c t tro u b le in th e astral. As you m ig h t im a g in e, th e s u b c o n sc io u s c a n c re a te m an y ch allenges for you in t h e a s tr a l. To m a k e it w o rs e , s o m e tim e s in th e a stra l, re s tra in ts su ch a s m o ra ls a r e n o t fu n ctio n al. P e rh a p s th e re a s o n fo r this is th a t m o ra ls a r e t r a its o f t h e eg o , a n d th e ego is d esig n e d to w ork only >rlds, in n>stca* 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 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 defense a g a in st th is o n s la u g h t by th e su b co n scio u s. H ow ever h a rm less 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 to do in th e a s tra l. 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, w h cn y u ^ I r . rfsirC'

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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 cant 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 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 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 *Np,

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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 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 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 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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skilled to b e a b le to p ro je c t sim u lta n e o u sly in a c o n tro lle d en v iro n m en t. A s h a re d a s tr a l e n v iro n m e n t e x p e rim e n t closely re s e m b le s th e p a r t n e re d p ro je c tio n e x p e rim e n t, w ith th e ex cep tio n th a t th e p a rtic ip a n ts do not have to a s tra l p ro je c t sim u ltan eo u sly . W h e n th e y a s tra l p ro je c t, they a tte m p t to e n te r a previously a g re e d -u p o n w o rld . T hey p ro c e e d to m ake changes to th a t w orld. T hey m ay, fo r exam p le, e re c t buildings o r w rite on a wall. O ver a p e rio d o f c h an g es, if th e p a rtic ip a n ts p e rc e p tio n s o f th a t w orld m atch, th e e x p e rim e n t is a success.

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A s you will d isc o v e r d u r in g y o u r a s tr a l p r o je c tio n s , y o u r e n v iro n m e n t is a re fle c tio n o f y o u r s ta t e o f m in d . W h e n y o u le a v e y o u r b o d y , y o u e n d u p in s u rr o u n d in g s t h a t m a tc h y o u r th o u g h ts , a m o n g p e o p le w h o th in k like you d o . If y o u r m in d is lig h t a n d p o s itiv e , y o u w ill e n c o u n te r helpful p e o p le . If, o n th e o t h e r h a n d , y o u r m in d is h e a v y a n d f e a r f u l, y o u will ru n in to fe a rfu l p e o p le . F e a rfu l p e o p le h a v e t h e t e n d e n c y to h u r t o th e r s in o r d e r to p r e s e r v e t h e se lf. T h e r e f o r e , I c a n t u n d e r s c o r e e n o u g h th e im p o r ta n c e o f f re e in g y o u r m in d f r o m f e a r f u l t h o u g h ts . A s I s e e it, t h e m in d is a ll y o u h a v e , y o u r o n ly r e a l p o s s e s s io n . It is y o u r r e s p o n s ib ility to k e e p it in s h a p e b y r e g u l a r l y a n a ly z in g a n y f e a r h a r b o r e d w ith in it. In o r d e r to d o t h a t , y o u n e e d t o u n d e r s t a n d h o w fea r w o rk s , s p e c ific a lly h o w it m a n i p u l a t e s y o u . T h i s c h a p t e r p r o v id e s so m e in sig h t in to t h e d y n a m ic s o f f e a r . rostead pi

The W rong Kind o f Fear

F o r a n y h u m a n s h o r t o f B u d d h a h o o d , life is a c o n s ta n t b a ttle a g a in s t fe a r. W e d e s p is e t h e n a u s e a t in g f e e lin g o f f e a r , y e t w e a p p re c i

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ate it as it k e e p s u s s a fe fro m p h y sic a l d a n g e r. B u t w h a t is th a t d a n g e r and w h e re is it? In m o d e r n so c ie ty , h o w o f te n m u s t w e s tru g g le to e s c a p e physical th re a ts? W e a r e n o lo n g e r r u n n in g f ro m s a b e r - to o th e d tig e rs: w e p a sse d that stag e a lo n g tim e a g o . P h y s ic a l t h r e a t s a p p e a r a lm o s t exclusively in traffic, a c c id e n ts , c rim e , a n d w a r. F e a r in su c h s itu a tio n s d ram a tic a lly im proves o u r c h a n c e s o f s u rv iv a l. T h e p r o b le m is t h a t w e e x p e rie n ce fear in fa r m o re s itu a tio n s th a n th e s e . Society h a s b e e n e v o lv in g to w a r d t h e g o al o f p h y sical c o m fo rt for such a long tim e t h a t w e s e ld o m h a v e to re ly on o u r p hysical b o d ies to carry u s aw ay f ro m d a n g e r. U n le s s w e a r e in a w a r z o n e o r crim estricken a re a , t h e r e is little p r e s s u r e o n th e b o d y to e n s u re o u r survival. T he m ajo rity o f t o d a y s t h r e a t s a r e o f t h e m in d , n o t o f th e body. F or exam ple, a d e b t is n o t a d ir e c t t h r e a t to o u r p h y sic a l survival a n d so we cant u se o u r b o d y to e s c a p e it. It is a n in d ir e c t t h r e a t th a t c a n only b e avoided by a m e n ta l m a n e u v e r. If y o u r b o s s a s k s you to give a p r e s e n ta tio n o n y o u r c u r r e n t p ro je c t, you m ay b e th rille d a t f ir s t. H o w ev er, y o u m ay n o t g e t a n y s le e p th e night n s , your environm1 'e y our body, yu e l1 1 ^ n g people who ^ vill encounter help j fearful, before th e p r e s e n ta tio n b e c a u s e t h e b o d y is a lre a d y p re p a r in g fo r b a ttle. In th e m o rn in g , y o u r d ig e s tiv e s y s te m p r e p a r e s by c le a rin g a n d sh u ttin g dow n. Y our p a lm s s w e a t e x c essiv ely th ro u g h o u t th e d ay a n d y o u r m o u th is dry. As you s te p u p to th e p o d iu m , y o u r to n g u e is p a ra ly z e d a n d y our m ind g o es b lan k . You a r e u n a b le to r e m e m b e r y o u r p r e p a r e d sp e ec h . You a re in h ib ite d by n e rv o u s n e s s , w h ic h is a n o th e r face o f fear. This ne rv o u sn e ss c a u se s y o u r b o d y to p r e p a r e fo r b a ttle . A re you going to do battle w ith th e a u d ie n c e ? N o. In th is c o m m o n m o d e rn situ atio n , th e fea r is m isguided. It h e lp s n e ith e r you n o r th e a u d ie n c e . If th e fe a r had inste a d p r e p a r e d you fo r m e n ta l e x e rtio n , you w ould have given a bril rea i " - ss: s> J, d e r s ta " d i p te r p r ,t liant p re s e n ta tio n . E ven th o u g h to d a y s t h re a ts a re d istin ctly d iffe re n t from th o se o f o u r a n c esto rs, o u r e m o tio n al r e s p o n s e re m a in s th e s a m e . O u r rea c tio n to a stock m a rk e t c ra s h is fu n d am e n ta lly th e sam e as th a t o f o u r a n c esto r realizing he is a b o u t to b e c o m e b re a k fa s t. F e a r sp e ed s up o u r pulse, em pow ers o u r m uscles, a n d s h o rte n s o u r rea c tio n tim e. It also b lu rs the m ind, p reventing it fro m th inking clearly, b ecau se th e last thing you w an t to do d uring a fight is to p o n d e r a n d th eo rize. This does no t work

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Astral Projection a n d rhe N ature o f Reality 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. 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 .

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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 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 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 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 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 housAl|th, ,oug h ts i Sij, oi]S a f< me, "'Hitanv 'hoU l X 5 the Rarely d o v for y ears w ill p the fear becom es lng. o r s i _ _ _ im u j

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Basic Fears
ing, th e lack o f w h ic h , in o u r c u ltu r e , c a n p ro v e to b e j u s t a s leth a l as H , x ' Ur tigers te e th . Still, it is r e m a r k a b l e t h a t , d u rin g all t h a t tim e , w e n e v e r
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A dd to t h a t t h e p r o g ra m m in g o f o u r c u ltu r e . W e h av e c o m e a long way fro m t h e h u n t e r - g a t h e r e r trib a l s o c ie ty w h e r e th e village n ew s w as sp re a d a ro u n d t h e c a m p f ir e . F r o m b i r t h , w e a r e p r o g ra m m e d to c o n sid er th e d a n g e rs o f o u r s o c ie ty . T h e m a in s tr e a m m e d ia c o n sta n tly rem in d u s o f h o w m a n y k ille rs a r e o n t h e lo o se , w h e r e th e te r r o ris ts may s trik e n e x t, a n d h o w m a n y trillio n s o f d o lla rs o f d e b t th e co u n try owes. C o m m e rc ia ls t r y to s c a r e u s in to b u y in g t h e i r p r o d u c ts , tellin g us th a t only t h e i r pills w ill sa v e u s f ro m a m o s t g r u e s o m e d e a th , only th e ir deal c a n p r o te c t o u r f a m ilie s, a n d o n ly w ith t h e i r e x e rc ise e q u ip m e n t can w e o v e rc o m e o u r p h y s ic a l fa llib ilitie s t h a t w ill su re ly r e s u lt in reje c tion, a b a n d o n m e n t, a n d , u ltim a te ly , d e a th in a s o lita ry b e d . W e a r e b e in g c o n d itio n e d to b e w a r y in e v e ry a s p e c t o f o u r lives. This p r o g ra m m in g h a s i n c r e a s e d e x p o n e n tia lly d u rin g th e la s t d e c ad e s. Only 2 0 y e a rs a g o , p e o p le v e ry r a r e ly lo c k e d t h e i r d o o r s a t n ig h t. Today we p u t b a rs o n o u r w in d o w 's. A r e w e u n r e a s o n a b ly s c a re d o r h a s th e hu m an s p irit re a lly s to o p e d to lev els w h e r e th e a v e ra g e m a n th re a te n s to o b lite ra te his n e ig h b o r? T u rn o n t h e n e w s a n d yo u will h e a r o n ly th e w o r s t o f th e w o rst. R arely d o w e g e t g o o d n e w s . N a tu ra lly , h e a rin g th e w o rst-c a se sc en a rio for y e a rs will p r o g ra m u s in to b e lie v in g a n d e x p e c tin g it. In o u r th o u g h ts, th e fe a r h a s b e c o m e ju s tif ie d , a n d o n c e ju s tif ie d in o u r th o u g h ts, it b e c o m e s ju s tifie d in o u r a c tio n s . A t th e p ro s p e c t o f th e ft, injury, freez ing, o r s ta r v a tio n , o f c o u rs e w e w o rry . T h is w o rry is p o iso n to o u r sp ir its. It has b e e n r o o te d so d e e p ly th a t it is p a r t o f o u r e v e ry th o u g h t.

Emotional Responses
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All th o u g h ts ignite e m o tio n s to d iffe re n t d e g re e s . In o th e r w ords, em otions a re m ere ly th e e ffects o f o u r th o u g h ts. W h e n thinking a thought any thou g h ta n em o tio n al res p o n s e will im m ed iately follow to em phasize th e th o u g h t a n d to e n c o u ra g e us to actio n . If w e th in k o f ice c ream , th e em otion o f crav in g fills us, m otivating us to tak e a trip to th e freezer. A dditionally, as a c o n seq u e n c e o f o u r conditioning, w orried

Astral Projection a n d the Nature o f Reality ,e : R e 111 thoughts accom pany the first thought: If I pay fo r th is ice c re a m , will I still have m oney for th e bills? W ill I get fa t if I d ecid e to e a t th is ice c re a m ? W ill my a rte rie s be clogged? W ill I have a h e a rt a tta c k ? How will I pay for the visit to th e e m ergency ro o m ? W h o will ta k e c a re o f me w hen I am rele a se d from th e h o sp ita l? If I d ie fro m th is ice c re a m , who will pay for the fu n e ra l? T hese th o u g h ts p a ss th ro u g h o u r m in d s so o fte n th a t w e d o n o t even no tice th em . W e a re used to being a fra id o f th e c o n s e q u e n c e s o f our actions. As a n a tu ra l em o tio n al re s p o n s e to th e fea rfu l th o u g h ts, w orry fla res up. W e feel it a s a slight n a u s e a in o u r g u ts. M o st p e o p le a re so u sed to th e n a u sea th a t th e y do n o t q u e s tio n its validity. If we m an a g e to sh a k e th e n a u s e a o ff lo n g e n o u g h t o th in k , N ah, ice cre a m isn t th a t good a nyw ay, th e e m o tio n s o f c ra v in g a n d w o rry will b e rep la c ed w ith well-being. W e n o lo n g e r th in k ice c re a m is tasty , so th e re is no n e e d to feel a c raving. W h o w o u ld feel a c ra v in g fo r som e thing d ista s te fu l? T h e w o rry will a ls o b e n e u tr a liz e d b e c a u s e w e have o p ted to ta k e an a lte rn a tiv e r o u te t h a t d o e s n o t involve th e d a n g e rs of ice c ream . T h e re is a b e tte r w ay to n e u tra liz e th e e m o tio n o f w o rry : You can rem o v e th e w o rrie d th o u g h ts fro m th e in itia l th o u g h t (ice cream ). W ith o u t th e fearful th o u g h ts , n o n a u s e o u s e m o tio n will b e pro d u ced . W h en you th in k o f ice c re a m , a n d you feel t h e n a u s e a c o m in g on, sim ply th in k o f ice c re a m a g a in , b u t th is tim e , id e n tify t h e th o u g h ts o f worry a n d d e c id e n o t to th in k th e m . If you d o th is w ith y o u r e v e ry th o u g h t, you will feel tre m e n d o u s ly lib e r a te d . Y our th o u g h ts will n o lo n g e r b e held back by w o rry . You will b e a b le to s e e in c r e d ib le o p p o r tu n itie s in your life, o p p o rtu n itie s th a t p r e v io u s ly w e r e lo c k e d o u t by fea r. Fearful th o u g h ts h a v e t h e p o te n tia l o f c r e a tin g h a v o c w h e n w e leave th e body. W h e n you a w a k e a f t e r a n i g h tm a re a n d a r e c o n sid e rin g leav ing y o u r body, b u t you a r e c o n c e r n e d t h a t it m a y tu r n in to a sc ary expe rien ce, apply th e R em oving F e a rfu l T h o u g h ts te c h n iq u e to e lim in ate the fear c re a te d by th e n ig h tm a re . If y ou lea v e y o u r b o d y w ith fear, you will m o st likely have a n a u s e a tin g tr ip , b u t if y ou re m o v e t h e fe a r ju s t before leaving, yo u r o d d s fo r a w o n d e rfu l e x p e rie n c e in c r e a s e . ify continueJ i
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Basic Fears

Exercise: Removing Fearful Thoughts

1. F o r e ac h t h o u g h t y o u t h in k , e x a m i n e y o u r e m o t io n a l re sp o n se .

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cau se reaso n a b le ? Is th e e m o tio n a l resp o n se ju stifie d ? Are y ou really as th re a te n e d as th e th o u g h t w o u ld have y o u believe?

5. If th e resp o n se is n o t ju stifie d , d ecid e to rem o v e it. Sim ply d o n o t allow it to occur. T hink o n ly th e o rig in a l th o u g h t, free o f th e w o rried response. 6. If y o u c o n tin u e to feel bad , search fo r o th e r th o u g h ts th a t m ay be responsible. R em ove th e m in th e sa m e m an n er.

Fear o f the Unknow n

T h e f u n d a m e n ta l r e a s o n w e w o r r y to su c h e x tr e m e s is t h a t w e have a se v e re f e a r o f t h e u n k n o w n . In m y o p in io n , f e a r o f th e u n k n o w n is h u m a n k in d s g r e a t e s t o b s ta c le a n d h a s b e e n s in c e w e le a r n e d to th in k co h e re n tly . A ny tim e w e t r y to fin d n e w w a y s, o u r f e a r o f th e u n k n o w n is th e r e to d is c o u ra g e u s. H isto ry is full o f f e a r s o f t h e u n k n o w n . F o r e x a m p le , in a n c ie n t days, every s a ilo r k n e w you s h o u ld n o t sail to o c lo se to th e e d g e o f th e w o rld b ecau se you m ig h t fall o ff. L o o k in g b a c k a t t h a t tim e , w e fin d su ch fea rs am using; b u t a t t h e tim e , w e v iew ed th e m a s a p p ro p r ia te c o n c ern s. Surprisingly, in s p ite o f t h e c e n tu r ie s t h a t h av e p a s se d , w e still have n o t le a rn e d to u n d e r s ta n d t h e fe a r o f th e u n k n o w n . O u r fe a r o f sailing o ff the e d g e o f th e w o rld is g o n e , b u t fe a r o f th e u n k n o w n still ex ists. It has evolved a n d g ro w n alo n g sid e th e p r o g re s s o f o u r c u ltu re , a p p e arin g w h e re v e r o u r c u ltu re lack s e x p e rie n c e . A m o d e rn ex am p le is th a t o f financial security. M o st p e o p le seem to believe th a t you have to w o rk h a rd w h e n you a r e young to g a th e r w ealth because you n e v e r know h o w life will tr e a t you w hen you g et older. In believing th a t, w e a re lettin g th e fear o f th e u nknow n get in th e way o f living. W e p o stp o n e life until w e re tire o r even until th e m o m e n t o f d eath .

Astral Projection a n d th e Nature o f Reality M ost o f us succum b lo this loar w ith o u t even realizing it. W e a re so en tangled in fea r th a t wo c a n 't tell w hat is up a n d w h a t is dow n. But how ever wo rea so n it, wo c a n 't e scap e th e fac t th a t th is fe a r is b a s e d upon u ncertainty, not on actual th re a ts . As su ch , it h as no rea so n to exist u nless we give it a rea so n . T he n a tu re o f u n c e rta in ty is tw ofold. O n one h and, wo fear w h at d a n g e rs m ight lie w ith in it. O n th e o th e r h a n d , we a re intrigued by w h a t po ten tial d isco v eries a w ait us. By follow ing th e sec ond h a n d , w e can view th e fears as w a rn in g sig n s, r a t h e r th a n stop signs, on ou r p a th to discovery. A good way to s to p be in g a fra id o f a n u n k n o w n is to tu r n th e unknow n into a know n. By p ro b in g th e o b je c t o f th e f e a r a n d studying it, th e fea r dissolves a s w e rea liz e t h a t th e o b je c t p r e s e n ts n o t h r e a t, and th e re w as no th in g to fe a r in th e f ir s t p la c e . F o r e x a m p le , a s you r e a d th is book, you m ay feel slightly w o r r ie d a b o u t w h a t a w a its yo u in th e a stra l, b u t as you re a d on you a c q u a in t y o u rs e lf w ith t h e s u b je c t a n d , b e fo re you know it, you will have t u rn e d th e u n k n o w n o f th e a s tr a l in to th e know n o f th e a s tra l. T he w o rry will d issolve.

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Fear o f Change
F ro m fe a r o f th e u n k n o w n s p rin g s n o t o n ly w o rry , b u t a lso a fea r of ch an g e. W e a r e all m o re o r le s s a fr a id o f c h a n g e , b e c a u s e w e k n o w th a t bey o n d ch a n g e lie m an y u n k n o w n s . H o w o f te n d o y ou te ll yourself: W ell, it c a n t ge t a ny w o r s e . N o t v e ry o f te n , I h o p e , b e c a u s e it is not tru e , a n d w e k n o w it. It c a n a lw a y s g e t w o r s e . C o n s e q u e n tly , w e strive to ach ieve s ta b ility in o u r lives, a v o id in g c h a n g e a t e v e ry tu r n . B ut do you kn o w w h a t? S ta b ility is b o rin g ! Life is a n a d v e n tu r e , a n d t h e r e is n o t m u c h r o o m fo r s ta b ility in an ad v e n tu re . H ow m u ch fun w o u ld T o lk ie n s t a le s b e if t h e H o b b its s a t at ho m e in ste a d o f s e ttin g o u t o n a d v e n tu r e s in M id d le E a r t h ? C h a n g e s will co m e, p e rh a p s n o t involving m ag ic a l rin g s a n d h o r d e s o f O re s , b u t they will c o m e w h e th e r w e like it o r n o t. W e m a y r e s i s t, b u t th a t leads n o w h e re . It ta k e s m o re e n e rg y a n d e f f o r t to r e s i s t c h a n g e th a n to pre p a re for a n d e m b r a c e c h a n g e . T h e a s tr a l is all a ro u n d u s , all t h e t im e . W e c a n a c c e s s it a n d all ts p o te n tia l a n y tim e . A n y o n e o f u s c o u ld e n t e r t h e a s tr a l rig h t now if 74 ''K , . *><! H

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we w a n te d to , j u s t by th in k in g o f it. S o w hy d o n t w e ? T h e t r u t h is that, d e e p in sid e , w e d o n o t w a n t to . W e d o n o t w a n t to k n o w th a t the physical is e s c a p a b l e , t h a t t h e r e a r e b e t t e r w a y s a n d p la c e s in which to live. W e d o n o t w a n t to f in d o u t t h a t o u r w h o le h a rd w o rk in g |jves have b e e n a n illu sio n . W e f e a r k n o w in g t h a t o u r w o rld is co m pletely d iff e re n t, m o r e s u b je c tiv e a n d a t o u r c o m m a n d , fro m w h a t we have th o u g h t th r o u g h o u t o u r liv e s. C a n w e s ta n d t h e th o u g h t t h a t a t anytim e w e c o u ld h a v e le f t o u r liv e s o f h a r d s h i p b e h in d ? T h a t w e did not have to g o t h r o u g h a n y o f i t? W o u ld w e r a t h e r c lin g to th e b e lie f th at e a c h d iffic u lty w a s a b u ild in g b lo c k in o u r liv e s, a life t h a t will never c h a n g e ? But b e y o n d th is f e a r o f s e e in g lifes t r u e n a tu r e , w e fin d s o b e rin g thoughts: E v e ry th in g so f a r, e v e ry h a rd s h ip , in th is life h a s b e e n in p re p a ra tio n fo r th is m o m e n t. E v e ry s te p f o rw a rd a llo w s a s e c o n d s te p forw ard, w h ic h a llo w s a t h ir d s te p fo rw a rd , w h ich in tu rn le a d s to th e realization t h a t n o n e o f t h e s te p s w e r e n e c e s s a ry , a lth o u g h th e y w e re n ecessary in o r d e r fo r u s t o re a liz e t h a t th e y w e re u n n e c e s s a ry . T h e re is always a n e x t s te p , a n d t h e n e x t s te p n o w is to ta k e off, leav e th e m u n dane life, a n d e n te r t h e a s tr a l.

Nothing to Fear but Fear

Tuesday, M arch 19, 2 0 0 2 Lucid Dream
I d ream that I a m in m y p a r e n t s h ou se. S o m e strange eve nt o c cu rs in the dream. I think, This is im p o ssib le . I m ust b e dream ing. This is a dre a m . I ke ep repeating that it is a d ream a n d I b e c o m e in creasin g ly lucid. Sud denly, som e thing g ra b s m e from b e h in d a n d starts sp in n in g m e! I am frightened. I ca n feel m y ch est b u b b lin g with terror. I m a n a g e to o v e rc o m e the fear. I k n o w that in dream s, nothing ca n hurt me except fear. I sp in a r o u n d in circles, spiraling upwards. I stare d o w n at m y parents b e d in the living room, w here it w as ten ye ars ago. The sp in n in g stops a n d I am floating at the ceil ing a b o ve m y parents bed. I get m ore in touch with m y p hysical body. I ca n hear m y girlfriend snoring. I try to focus o n the lucid dream, but the snoring is v ery difficult to ignore. I w ake u p in m y bed. I g u e ss the affirmations for lucid dream ing with brain w ave so u n d s really w ork o nly it takes a w eek for them to take effect.

Astral Projection a n d the Nature o f Reality We as conscious beings coc re a te o u r realities. Specifically, you cre a te w hat happens to you in every m o m en t. You a re like a victim a n d p er p e tra to r r olled into one. If you a re afraid , th e n you will believe th a t the fear calls for a defense. You c re a te the defen se by building walls aro u n d you. W ith the walls com es isolation. T h e isolation sp aw n s u n c e rta in ty of w h at is outside. U n certain ty spaw ns fear. A nd a ro u n d it goes. Your ego always m akes su re it is c o rre c t. T h e ego h a te s to b e w rong. T h at is w h at being an ego is all a b o u t. A fte r a w hile o f w aitin g fo r the th re a t th a t is n o t th e re , it in vites th e th r e a t in o r d e r to p ro v e th a t being a fraid of it w as not a w a ste o f tim e . A n d th r e a ts c a n t show up a t your d o o rste p unless you invite th e m , b e c au se n o th in g h a p p e n s to you unless you allow it. In a m a n n e r o f sp e ak in g , you hav e m a n ife ste d a th r e a t out o f thin a ir ju s t b e c a u se you w e re a fra id o f su ch a th r e a t. If you in ste a d d e ta c h th e ego, you will live by a loving a ttitu d e . W ith th a t a ttitu d e , you will b e a b le to m a n ife s t a n y th in g w ith little e ffo rt, even cool trip s to th e a s tra l. You will also s e e t h e b e n e fit o f c re a tin g fe a r for th e p u rp o se o f ove rc o m in g it a n d g ro w in g fro m t h e e m o tio n s it p ro du ces, b u t d o n o t feel you have to feel fea r. You will k n o w t h a t th e r e is n o th ing to fe a r b u t fear.

Love Conquers Fear

Friday, January 12, 2001 Loue Conquers Fear
I am walking in the woods, something I enjoy tremendously. I come upon a cliff. In spite o f my fear o f heights, I decide to approach the ledge and look down. My legs turn into spaghetti as I crawl toward the rim, inch by inch. I look down. There is a 30foot drop straight down. I watch my reactions very carefully, so as not to be overcome with dizziness and fall to my death. I remember something I read: Fear can't exist where loue exists. To test this theory, I bring to mind the thing I loue the most. I think o f it and, especially, I think o f how much I love it. The fear dissipates. This is incredible! I stand up. My legs are perfectly normal, not the slightest shaky. I lean over the edge and look down. I can see the ground below the cliff and it does not frighten me at all. In fact, I think the cliff is a nice little feature o f nature, com pared to earlier, when I thought it was a deathtrap. I climb down the steep end o f the cliffIn my previous fearful state, this would have been impossible, but now I quite enjoy it.

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Basic Fears
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.

saw tC;> s 'P n s

* S

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 bodyis 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 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 f me ^ 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

would be e ible ti

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

80

A stra l Proje ction Fears

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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/ ,eey
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

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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 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 .

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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
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

,sponta

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 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 girlfriends 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.

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82

A stra l P roje ctio n Fears

ru, H / ft 0 1 ,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 nes 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 )a l< e }sc/n% %

Then I sp o n ta n e o u sly float d o w n w a rd again a n d fin d m yself b ack in the classroom. This time, I ca n partly feel m y ph y sical body. After a few seconds, I return to m y body. W hen I attempt to float out again, nothing hap pens. Ironically, it only seem s to w ork w hen I am not trying. I thank m y gu id in g spirits fo r helping m e h a v e this experience. Balls o f light m ove across the inside o f m y clo sed eyelids a long time after the experience has ended. A few h o u rs after the experience, I re ach so m e co n clu sio n s:

The re ason that the p h y sic a l w o r ld w a s m uffled w a s that m y a w a ren ess w as turned aw ay from the h earing fu n c t io n o f m y brain. The re ason that m y b rain felt c o ld w a s that it w a s n o longe r in m y aw areness. I have felt the b rain m y entire life. I o n ly m iss it w h e n it is n ot there. Energy exercises are e sse ntial fo rgettin g in touch with the spirit realm. / ne ver in ten d e d to leav e m y bod y. I ju st w an te d to get clo ser to the spirit realm. Unexpected things h a p p e n w h e n e n e rg y is in motion. I h ave n e v e r b e fo re h a d a "p a ra n o rm a l experience, n o r a m I gifted o r sensitive. I am co n vin ce d that a n y o n e ca n h a v e this sort o f experience.

Fear o f Physical Harm

i

/ am

T h e b iggest f e a rs in p h ysical life a r e th e fe a rs o f g e llin g in ju re d , to o cold, to o h o t, o r to o h u n g ry . It is only n a tu ra l to have th e sa m e co n c ern s d uring a s tra l p ro je c tio n , ju s t a s I e x p e rie n c e d th e fe a r of b rain d am ag e in th e jo u rn a l e n tr y a b o v e . T h e se d a n g e rs d o n o t ex ist in th e a stra l p e r se b e c au se th e y a r e physical c o n c e rn s , b u t w e m ay th in k th a t as we proj e c t aw ay fro m th e body, it m ig h t fo rg et to b r e a th e o r have an accident like rolling off th e b e d . In any c a se , th e s e fea rs a r e u n fo u n d ed . I have had a large n u m b e r of a s tra l p ro je c tio n s, a n d I can honestly say th a t I

e that'

lie n e e '-

T o C O P ^

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a very

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f Reality have never h ad a physical accident, e xcep t o n e tim e a d re a m c a tc h e r fell down a nd got tan g led up in m y ear.

P o sse ssiv e S p irits

I w an t to m ak e c le a r th a t I have n e v e r p e rs o n a lly e x p e rie n c e d a pos sessive sp irit a n d th e re fo re am n o t a n e x p e rt in th is a re a . I c a n t even say w h e th e r it is po ssib le to p o s s e s s th e b o d y o f a h u m a n . How ever, th e r e is such a large b o d y o f d o c u m e n te d a c c o u n ts , s tre tc h in g a s far b ack as to th e N ew T e s ta m e n t, th a t th e to p ic is d iffic u lt to ig n o re. T he fre q u e n c y o f p o s se ssio n s e e m e d to clim ax in th e la te seven te e n th a n d e a rly e ig h te e n th c e n tu r ie s , a t w h ich tim e C a th o lic exorcism w as extensively u se d . B ut th e n th e w itch h u n ts w ith t h e i r a cco m p an y in g p a ra n o ia w e re in full sw ing, so w e c a n t te ll h o w m an y o f t h e a lleg ed pos sessio n c a se s w e re a c tu a l p o s s e s s io n s . N o m a tte r , t h e r e a r e p len ty of c a se s o f s u s p e c te d p o s s e s s io n in m o d e r n tim e s a n d w e c a n o b s e rv e th em in o r d e r to le a rn m o re . 1 h a v e ta lk e d to s e v e ra l p e o p le w h o b e liev e they have e x p e rie n c e d p o s s e s s io n f ir s th a n d . W h a t c o n c e rn s us a s tr a l p r o je c to r s is t h a t t h e r e a r e p len ty of a c co u n ts th a t tell o f p r o je c to r s fin d in g d iff e re n t s o r t s o f c r e a tu r e s upon th e ir r e tu r n to th e body. T h e c r e a t u r e s s e e m to b e try in g to e n te r th e p r o je c to r s body, a lth o u g h I h a v e n e v e r h e a r d o f a c a s e in w h ic h they have b e e n su c ce ssfu l. I t h in k th a t t h e d e g r e e to w h ic h a b o d y c a n b e pos s e ss e d h a s m o re to d o w ith th e b e lie fs , a tt i tu d e s , a n d e m o tio n s h e ld by th e p e rs o n in h a b itin g t h e b o d y th a n t h e a v a ila b ility o f th e b o d y . Even if you leave y o u r b o d y u n a tte n d e d , it is still y o u r b o d y (e v e n if it is a loan) a n d , t h e r e fo r e , a p o s s e s s iv e s p ir it h a s to g o th ro u g h y o u b e fo re it can a c cess th e body. In o t h e r w o r d s , w h e t h e r y o u r b o d y g e ts p o s s e s s e d or n o t d e p e n d s o n w h a t g o e s o n in y o u r m in d a n d h a s little to d o w ith the fac t th a t you te m p o r a r ily le ft t h e b o d y u n g u a rd e d . O n e p r o je c to r, B ria n , s u s p e c te d t h a t h is y o u n g e r b r o th e r w a s being p o s s e s s e d fro m tim e to tim e . T h e boy, to h is p a r e n t s ' d e lig h t, show ed b rillian ce f a r b e y o n d his a g e , p r e s u m a b ly f ro m t h e s p irit. H ow th is situ a tio n i eso lv ed , I d o n o t k n o w , b u t th is d e m o n s t r a t e s to m e t h a t n o t all p o ssessive s p irits have m alicio u s i n te n ts . l.ven so, it se em s possessive sp irits hav e th e p o ten tial to m ess up >our

A st ra l P roje ctio n Fears

'V ,
life m ore th an anything else. T h ey c a n even kill you (your physical body, th at is) or w orse: m ake y our b o d y kill p eo p le a ro u n d you. T h e re a re a few
a c c o u n ts o f

o rd in ary m en a n d w o m en w h o have c o m m itted h o rrib le crim es.

They claim to have b e e n p o ssesse d d u rin g th e ir c rim es. Could they b e telling the tru th ? Could th e ir tale s b e th e tip o f an iceb erg full o f in stan ces o f pos sessed p e rp e tra to rs w ho a r e c o n fu sed as to w h a t h a p p e n e d ? How many innocents a re im p riso n ed b e c au se o f c rim es c o m m itted by possessive spirits? However b a d this m ay so u n d , it is c le a r th a t p ossessive sp irits a re not sent by th e Devil to ru in y o u r day. T h e c o n c ep ts o f a Devil a n d evil a re human-made. No beings a r e evil; th e y a r e ju s t stru g g lin g in th e situation they are in a nd using w h a te v e r th e y k n o w a b o u t th e w o rld in o r d e r to get to a better place. In fact, beings w h o a r e in te n tio n a lly o u t to h a rm o th e r beings are exceedingly r a r e . M o st p o ssessiv e sp irits ju st w an t th e sa m e luxury we have: to ex p e rie n ce physical life. H ard ly a n y a re o u t to m ake trouble. To us, a s b e in g s in h a b itin g t h e p h y sic a l, th e y m ay a p p e a r tw iste d in th eir m in d s, b u t w e m u s t r e m e m b e r t h a t w h e n th e y p o s s e s s a physical body, th e y h a v e n o n o tio n o f m o ra lity . T h e y a r e o v e rc o m e by th e ir own addictions, j u s t like w e a r e s o m e tim e s o v e rc o m e by o u r a d d ic tio n s in th e a stral o r in d r e a m s (m o re o n th is in C ircle 3 ). T h ey d o th in g s th e y w ould not n o rm ally d o . T h e y a r e n o t in te n tio n a lly evil; th e y j u s t c a n t co n tro l them selves. To th e m , p hy sical re a lity a p p e a r s th e w ay m o st p e o p le view dream s: a n ew p lac e o f e x is te n c e so rad ic a lly d iffe re n t fro m w h a t they a re u sed to th a t th e y c a n t a c c e p t it a s e ith e r re a l o r im p o rta n t. As it is
5 held

by

not rea l to th e m , th e y c a n t ta k e r e s p o n s ib ility for th e c o n s e q u e n c e s o f th eir ac tio n s. T h e ir b e h a v io r is n o t v e ry d iffe re n t fro m o u rs. How o ften do w e as physical b e in g s ta k e resp o n sib ility fo r w h a t w e do in d re a m s ? If you ge t involved w ith p o ssessiv e sp irits, you n e e d h elp from an ex p erien ced h e a le r o r e x o rc ist. T h e r e a r e p len ty o f th e m if you know w h ere to look. A s e a rc h on th e I n te r n e t sh o u ld rev eal so m e o f th em .

d r ,sse ssfl

p-

r was . J slio"E < l thi

Fear of Bad Spirits

M any p ro je c to rs r e p o r t seein g nasty c re a tu re s in th e a s tra l o r in th e h ypnopom pic sta te (th e groggy s ta te we e n te r as we aw aken from sleep o r deep tra n c e ). Som e look like tro lls o r m o n ste rs. N ote, however, th at ju st because we perceive a being as harm ful d oes no t n ecessarily m ean

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Astral Projection a n d the Nature o f Reality th at it is harm ful. A well-m eaning being m ay be p erceiv ed as harm ful if fear gets in th e way of o ur pe rc e p tio n . A slight change o f a ttitu d e, from fear to love, will change th e way we perceiv e a spirit.

Exercise: Anti-Fear
1. Close yo u r eyes. 2. Imagine a m onster running toward you w ith the inten tio n o f ripping you apart. 3. Imagine th a t it suddenly changes its m ind a n d runs tow ard you instead with the intention o f hugging you. 4. Evaluate the difference in how you perceived the m onster in the two cases. Did the m onster change appearance w hen yo u switched attitudes?

W h a t you se e in th e a s tr a l is c o m p le te ly u n d e r th e c o n tro l o f your m in d . T h e re fo re , by d e c id in g t h a t s o m e th in g is n o t t h e r e , it will disap p ear. In a way, you allow o b je c ts to b e p r e s e n t, a n d n o o b jec t can be p re s e n t w ith o u t y o u r c o n s e n t. If you fin d y o u rs e lf in a te rrify in g astral situ a tio n , you c a n consciously c h a n g e it.

Exercise: See It Not There

1. Close yo u r eyes. 2. Im agine again a m o n ste r r u n n in g to w ard y o u w ith th e in ten tio n of ripping yo u apart. 3. Im agine th a t th e m o n ste r is n o t there.

1 have only r a r e ly e n c o u n te r e d h a rm fu l b e in g s . I th in k m y fortune h as to d o w ith my a ttitu d e . E a c h tim e I a s tr a l p r o je c t, I e x p e ct-ev e n know th a t I will ru n in to fun e x p e rie n c e s . T h e re b y , I c r e a te enjoyable e x p e rie n ce s. If I in s te a d e x p e c te d s c a r y e x p e rie n c e s , m y subconscious m ight a rra n g e t h a t for m e by a ttr a c tin g h a rm fu l s p irits . I recom m end th a t you review y our e x p e c ta tio n s , e v e n in p h y sic a l life, b e c au se expec ta tio n s form th e s ta r tin g p o in t o f y o u r e x p e rie n c e .

A stra l P roje ctio n Fears

In th e a s tr a l, b e in g s c a n t h a rm yo u d ire c tly . T h e y c a n 't ca u se you any physical h a rm , sim p ly b e c a u s e yo u d id n o t b rin g y o u r physical body. W hat th e y c a n d o is h a rm yo u p sy c h ic a lly by h a n g in g a ro u n d you for a prolonged tim e . T h e ir m o o d a ffe c ts y o u rs. T h is w o rk s ju s t as in th e phys ical: If you h a n g a r o u n d a b a d c ro w d fo r a lo n g tim e , ev e n tu a lly you will s ta r t to a d o p t s o m e o f t h e i r d e s tr u c tiv e b e h a v io rs .

Protection
P re v e n tio n is a lw a y s t h e b e s t d e fe n s e . T h e follow ing e x ercise d e scrib es w h a t I d o t o p r o te c t m y s e lf fro m a n y b a d e x p e rie n c e s . P ra ctice it r e p e a te d ly o n d r y la n d , so to s p e a k , so y o u will k n o w it by h e a r t as you a s tr a l p r o je c t.

Exercise: Protection
1. Close y o u r eyes. 2. M ove y o u r aw aren ess to th e c e n te r o f y o u r chest. 3. F orm a sm all b u b b le o f foggy w h ite light in y o u r chest. 4. Let th e b u b b le c o n ta in y o u r love energy. 5. Expand th e b u b b le u n til it su rro u n d s y o u . 6. Reinforce th e b u b b le w ith m edieval k n ig h t shields, o r b ulletproof glass, o r w h a te v e r stro n g m aterial y o u prefer. 7. P u t a n o th e r shield ed b u b b le a ro u n d y o u r w h o le e n v iro n m e n t

N ow t h a t you k n o w h o w to d e a l w ith h a rm fu l b e in g s, th e r e is no n e e d to b e a fra id o f th e m . I m u st ag ain u n d e rlin e th a t th e r e a re m any m o re b e n ig n b e in g s th a n h a rm fu l o n e s. T h e n e x t jo u rn a l e n try d e sciib es a n e x p e rie n c e t h a t sh o w s h o w n ice th e y can be:

Monday, July 8, 2 00 2 UFO Dream a n d a Natural Society

As I lie in bed in the evening, I get an eerie feeling. It feels like the space o f the room is cut in half, as if an invisible metallic wall divides the room. I feel a presence.

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f Reality

The image o f a gray alien com es to mind. For the first time in ages, I am afraid o f the dark, but I get ove r it. Eventually, I fall asleep. I dream I am in a coastal town. O n e night, p e o p le see lights in the sky. I look up a n d see crosses o f white light all o ve r the sky. There m ust b e 5 0 o f them. They slowly d escend toward me. There is a kio sk n earby from w hich p e o p le m aintain the beach. I run there a n d see a v id e o camera. I a s k if I ca n b orro w it. A m a n is relaxing in a n arm chair, reading something. H e says, "Sure. I lo o k in the cam era a n d a s k them if they hav e an y tape. A w om an w alks o v e r to a v ideocassette re co rder a n d ejects a tape. You can tape o ve r this," sh e says a n d h a n d s m e the tape. I run outside a n d capture the cro sse s o f light o n tape. They a p p e a r to b e alien craft. Suddenly, I am b e a m e d u p into o n e o f them. I ru n film the w h o le time. I ca nt rem em ber w hat h a p p e n s in the craft. W h e n I return to the surface, I am thrilled to have captured it all o n tape. I re w in d the tape a n d p la y it. To m y am azem en t, the w h ole tape w as so m e h o w film ed o n the grou n d . There is n o t a sin gle fram e from a b o a rd the craft. Then it hits me: M y l ow er se lf sta ye d in the d re a m (ap p are n tly I k n o w I a m dreaming) on the surface, w hile m y h igh e r se lf v e n tu re d o n m o re im p o rta n t b u s in e ss in (or b e yond) the alien craft. In o the r w ords, m y a w a re n e ss w ent w ith m y h ig h e r se lf into the higher realm s w hile m y lo w e r s e lf sta y e d w ith the c a m e ra o n the b each.

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I think this is an interesting phenom enon. Perhaps this is the way alien abductions are performed, and that is why abductees have a hard tim e remembering what hap pens in the craft. I drift toward the waking state. I m ake som e notes on a notep a d so I won't forget my conclusions when I wake up. I realize that the n o tep a d is probably not physical, so the notes will not be there when I wake up. Nevertheless, I think it is a good reality check: If the notes are present when I wake up, then I am actually awake right now. I dont want to wake up, so I fall back into a slumber. In the dream, it is now the following night. The sam e lights appear a n d I film th em once more. The same events repeat. I almost wake up again, but then decide to fall back to sleep. For the third time, I enter the same dream. I conclude there m u st b e som ething about the camera, because each time I look through it, m y awareness projects to m y higher self. I decide to try that theory. I stare through the camera, waiting fo r som ething to happen. Suddenly, I find m yself on the driveway o f m y parents house. I sit down for a minute. I put my hands together like B uddhist m o n ks do. I focus on m y chest and medfora while, just like I do during OBEs to prolong th e projection. The surroundings change. The driveway and the buildings around m e are still the same, but they are ing with a magical transparent w hite energy. I am now in a place o f ecstasy

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88

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

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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 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
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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

'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, 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

i
!ooK likemllin

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. 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."

spirits <

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 someones and that someone ivas comforting me. I felt completely safe and serene.

ir c l e

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

tyhead.li
Wrtbyanei

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 * oith her keys. Them in waking reality. Ink [y, the case is alsoaid \before with con scio u s There you are! Y ou re?" gress, though lam^ ; m e to sleep > 1 ^ m jisbuzzinS*^ and I haue interviewed a group o f marine biologists that is going on an undersea expe dition. As they climb aboard a little boat, I consider coming along. Eueryone knows that the boat could fail and we could all die. Should I take the safe way out and go home or should I risk m y life on a wondrous aduenture? 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. 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.

is a nd how
L m is te r ^

,b a c k b o n e r diversion

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

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 through the m attress in sm a ll d r o p s a s I breathe out), the uibrations come. This is the 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"1 1

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 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. 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 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.
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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. H. Expect an a n s w e r a n d b e o p e n to re ce iving it. 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 om an 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. Mivim yani,juj

i l l surprises m

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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
At t

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

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sh i
W e of),,

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 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 gogic s ta te . If w e w a n t to go p ro je c tin g , w e c a n p ro g ra m th e tim e a n d 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. 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 .

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S0"e S m r s. totfie comp/e,. /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 thefourstep sto

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

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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 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

K)>lali01 jirrienS
K state

sleep states. W h en the b o d y fell asleep, I w as released from it, a s if I were released from an elastic rope to w hich I h a d preuiously bee n tied. I fell forward, which I inter preted as stum bling through a wall. M y b o d y fell asleep, but I w as still conscious. This

fin5' v stat*-

.-is

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,

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

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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 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.

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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.
%ti.

'V

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

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Sleep S tates

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.

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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 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 boo k Ram tha,1 0 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

1cnscioi ^.ousnessj,^
s tr o n g during 01r>J^
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 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. 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 forget once I p o p out, but, apparently, it is a lso a re q u e st to Ramtha. 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 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 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 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,

If w e m anage to stay,
a signal from the physrJ g o ! Then we are fre e tc y executing an astral pw re c an gain the abilitym

{lumber off. It is an im

[he astral projection

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 b od y m o ve s off the b e d a n d is d ragge d o n its b a c k ac ro ss the floor. Cool. Into the next room w e go. This is a d ream ro om with n o re se m blance to a n y ro om I k n o w in waking reality. I mistakenly think I am still awake. In a n y case, the fact that the experience is a dream

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does not m ake it less real. There are ab o u t fou r p eo ple in the room, but n o n e that I rec ognize. I am d ragged here a n d there. I think Ram tha w ants to give a speech, but n o b o d y wants to listen. W e return to the bedroom . Ramtha leaves m y b o d y a n d I wake up.

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T h e r e a s o n w e a r e d i s c u s s i n g t h e h y p n a g o g ic s t a t e in s u c h d e p t h is t h a t w e w ill b e u s i n g it t o e x it o u r b o d ie s . W e c o u ld j u s t g o in t o a t r a n c e f r o m a w a k in g s t a r t i n g p o i n t a n d e x it t h e b o d y t h e re , b u t it

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Astral Projection a n d the Na ture o f Reality

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 p e r i o d , a s I c a ll it. a fte r a p e rio d o f b e in g a w a ke , a dry

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T h e R e le a s e o f A w a r e n e ss
P rio r to a n d d u rin g th e hypnagogic s ta t e , m assiv e a m o u n ts o f the sleep h o rm o n e m ela to n in a r e re le a s e d in to th e body, ca u sin g th e body to 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 .

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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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Sleep States T h e m in d w ith d ra w s fro m t h e b o d y a n d tu rn s its focus to th e efie :pc, ""'alt, t

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
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 repeating p u ff o f wind. After tw o h o u rs o f sleep, I gain co n sc io u sn e ss. I am in a state that I haue not b efore experienced. A t first, I think I a m awake, but then I k n o w I am n ot in m y body. I can't tell w hether I a m h a v in g a lu c id d ream o r an astral projection. It is pro b ab ly som ething in betw een. M y aw a re n e ss is in a v e r y su btle astral body. A less subtle b o d y is dreaming. The d ream affects me, b u t I a m not participating in the dream. It is a s if a s e c o n d p e r so n is participating in the d re a m w hile I am o b se rvin g it from a distance. It is a n a w e so m e feeling.

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I am talking to a nonphysical being. How did I get here? I know intuitively that I have been talking to this person for a few hours. He is m y teacher an d guide. We have been going through the activities o f the past day an d have discussed what I could improve and how to encourage the physical m e to m ake those changes. A hidden part o f me must have had this discussion before I gained consciousness, because I do not remember any o f it. As far as I can figure, a h idden part o f m e talked to this person and, suddenly, the aware part o f me woke up in the m iddle o f the conversation. The part o f m e previously talking feels like an exact copy o f me, only it lives in a place o th er than the physical. It has its own awareness b ut is still me. This is revealing an d creepy at the sam e time. The person I am talking to, a man with dark hair, is d u m b fo u n d ed . He is com pletely taken offguard. He never expected this part o f m e to awaken while he was talk ing to another part o f me. In a few seconds, he regains composure. I have so many questions I want to ask him, but I can read from his m in d that h e is uncertain whether enlightening m e is in m y best interest. I can feel pressure building up in his mind. He regrets having been discovered by the aware me, b u t h e is also im pressed by my interdimensional capabilities. His jo b is easiest w hen h e is hidden. He quickly comes up with a plan to get out o f here before I fin d out too much. He introduces me to Sarah, a spirit helper. He says there are a vast number of beings like her. I look at her and see that she is a cricket. As I turn m y attention to her, my guide disappears. She seem s like a very jolly "person. I figure that while I am talk ing to her, I might as well present her w ith o ne o f m y problem s a n d get som e input. As I talk to her, I try uery hard to speak with m y physical m outh. Old habit, I guess. matter how hard I try to speak clearly, only m u ffled sounds com e ou t o f my physic^ mouth. She seems to get the message from m y thoughts anyway. kt H .d|e "iscrossi/,e fctaiu, 'v m ^ om lcl
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I h a v e a p rob lem . W h e n I a m in a crow d , I a lw a y s l o o k at the b o d ie s o f wom en. I can't help it. E ve n w h e n I a m w ith m y girlfriend, m y h e a d g o e s like a ra dar antenna. I

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love the aesthetics o f the f e m a le b o d y. But I d o n t w an t to d o this anym ore. C an y o u

give me s o m e a d v ic e ? "
You s h o u ld sto p d o in g it, b e c a u s e it w ill hurt y o u . " (Actually, the a n s w e r w as longer a n d m o re c o m p le x t h an that, b u t I d o n o t r e m e m b e r it all.) Not satisfied w ith the a nsw er, I say, The re m u st b e a better re a so n fo r not d oing it, other than the fea r o f the c o n s e q u e n c e s . Sh e g ive s m e a n o t h e r re aso n , w h ic h I c a n t re m em ber. I a m not satisfied w ith that answ er either.

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M y u psta irs n e ig h b o r ye lls: If y o u a re a s le e p d o w n there, then h o w co m e I can hear y o u t a lk in g ?" (A strange thing fo r a p e r s o n to say, b ut this is the astral, so anything can happen.) I a m w o r rie d that the m u m b lin g o f m y p h y sic a l m o u th will d raw e m b ar rassing attention f ro m m y girlfrie n d o r a neighb or, a n d the ye llin g is p r o b a b ly a m a n i festation o f that w orry. M y n e ig h b o r s vo ice c o m e s in th ro u gh the o p e n b a lc o n y door. I c o uld h a v e s w o r n I c lo s e d the d o o r b e fo re g o in g to sleep, but app are ntly I m ust b e mistaken. (The d o o r is c lo s e d in the ph y sical, b u t o p e n in the astral.)

^ t o c h e r an d $uide. We hat* i a v e discussed what I coi th o se changes. A hidden pin scio u sn ess, because I do not

tis p e rso n and, suddenly,thi

Sarah, w ill y o u e x c u se me, I h a v e to return to m y b o d y a n d g o clo se the b a lc o n y door. Sa rah n od s. I fin d m y s e lf b a c k in b e d , b u t n o t in m y p h y s ic a l b o d y. I roll ou t o f b e d a n d la n d on the floor. I a m in a d aze. M y v isio n is b lu r r e d a n d distorted. It se e m s m y e y e s are g lued to the ceiling. N o m atter h o w h a r d I try, I c a n t direct them a w a y from it. I think: I w ill h a v e to fee l m y w a y to the b a lc o n y door. This feeling o f m o v in g a r o u n d

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is sim ilar to m y o t h e r astral p ro je c tio n s, s o I re a s o n that I m ust b e projecting. I float up in the a ir a f e w tim es o n m y w ay to the door, ju st f o r fun. W o u ld it no t b e fu n to float o ut the d o o r ? I c h e c k that I a m n o t n ak ed , to a v o id e m b arra ssin g situations. I am w earing b ox ers a n d a sm a ll sheet. Hey, I w a s n t w earing that sh eet w hen I went to bed ! W h e r e d id it c o m e f r o m ? I th ro w the sh eet to the floor. The boxers feel so real against m y sk in ! I lo o k ou t the b a lc o n y door. It is a su n n y day. Sm all white clo uds are sailing a c ro ss the sky. I try to clo se the door, but fail. M y h a n d s ca n't w ork the handle.

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I in s ta n tly p o p b a c k to m y b e d , b u t I a m s till o u ts i d e m y p h y s ic a l b o d y . I c o n tin u e

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te x t. It is li k e I n t e r n e t c h a ttin g . I c a n t r e m e m b e r w h a t w e t a l k a b o u t . T h e w o r r y s till b o t h e r s m e , s o I d e c i d e t o tr y t o g o o v e r a n d s h u t t h e b a l c o n y d o o r a g a in . I r o ll o u t o f b e d . M y v i s i o n is d i s t o r t e d a s b e f o r e . N o t b e i n g a b l e t o s e e a n y t h i n g b u t t h e c e ilin g , I

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Astral Projection a n d the Nature o f Reality

c r a s h in t o t h e a r m c h a i r a n d a l a m p o n m y w a y a c r o s s t h e r o o m . I tr y to c lo s e t h e d o o r , b u t t w o p l a s t i c l a w n c h a ir s a r e in t h e w a y ( t h e y a r e n o t t h e r e in t h e p h y s ic a l ) . T w o y o u n g m e n a r e h a n g in g a r o u n d o u t s i d e m y b a l c o n y . T h e y a r e s i p p i n g b e e r a n d ta lk in g li k e p e o p l e t a l k w h e n a p a r t y is o v e r a n d t h i n g s h a v e c a l m e d d o w n . I r e c o g n i z e o n e o f t h e m . I c l o s e t h e d o o r a n d f l o a t b a c k t o w a r d t h e b e d . I s t o p in t h e c e n te r o f t h e r o o m a n d lie o n t h e f l o o r . P e r h a p s I w a n t t o r e s t , o r m a y b e I w a n t t o p r o je c t . I g e t a n i m p r e s s i o n t h a t m y g i r l f r i e n d a s k s m e , " W h y a r e y o u ly in g o n t h e f lo o r ? " E m b a r r a s s e d , I g e t u p , f l o a t o v e r t o t h e b e d , a n d li e d o w n .

A s I lie o n m y bed, I think it w o u ld b e c o o l to astral project. (Som etim es I mistak enly think I am in m y p h y sica l body, w hich is confusing.) I v isu alize m yself by the ceil ing, looking d o w n at the bed. In a se con d, I am floating b y the ceiling. I am not sure if I am projecting into a h igher astral b o d y o r if m y current astral b o d y is m o vin g there. My girlfriend p h ysically touches m y b o d y in h e r sleep. This c a u se s m e to p o p b a c k into the bed, b ut still ou tsid e m y p h y sica l b o d y (p e rh a p s b a c k into the astral b o d y I projected from). I visualize m yself being in a b ea utiful park. I m o v e there. M y girlfriend touches me again a n d I p o p b a c k into the bed. I visu a liz e m y s e lf be in g in a p la c e w h e re everybody is k in d to e ach other. N o th in g h a p p e n s ... Then I p o p o ut a n d fall into a void. A m an, w h o m I c a n t see, repeatedly calls out m y name, a s i f h e is trying to f in d a m issing child. I c a n tell fro m h is v oice that h e has be e n ye lling f o r q uite a while, y e a rs even. I a n s w e r in thought: I a m o v e r h ere!" M y girlfriend to u ch e s m y b o d y a third tim e a n d I a m b a c k in bed. I feel I h a v e to write e ve ry th in g d o w n , s o I w ill n o t forget it. Su d d en ly, I h a v e a pen a n d a n o te p a d in m y han d s. I write a s fast a s I can. T h e s o u n d o f p e n against paper s o u n d s extrem ely real. The n I think: Hey, w h e r e d i d I get this p e n a n d p a p e r ? I must be dreaming. W a k e u p! W a k e u p! I h a v e a false a w a kening. I get ou t o f bed . M y v isio n is still distorted, s o I reason that 1 m ust still b e asleep. I m o v e a r o u n d a fe w s e c o n d s in the room . Then I falsely a w a ke again. W h e n I re alize I a m still sle eping, I u n d e r s t a n d h o w difficult it is to know w hethe r y o u a re a w a k e o r asleep. W h a t i f I g o to the b a t h r o o m w h e n I a m asleep, but think that I a m a w a k e ? I s lu m b e r a bit. T h e n I w a k e u p f o r real. I p in c h m y arm to see if I am still asleep. I se e m to b e p h y sic a lly aw ake. This exp erien ce laste d a lm o st a n hour. It m a k e s m e re alize that lu c id dreaming a n d astral p rojection a re v e ry c lo se ly related. I a m t h a n k fu l fo r the o pp ortunity to con sclou sfy c o m m u n ica te w ith w h a t I th in k w e re astral beings. The m a n w h o repeatedly calle d o ut m y n a m e se e m s to b e v e r y ea ger to c o n ta ct me. I w o n d e r h o w long he has

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Sleep S tates been calling out for me, waiting for m e to listen. This experience also raises intriguing questions to whether it is possible to project from a lower astral body into a higher astral body.
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P e rh ap s th e h id d e n p a r t o f u s th a t is e n g a g e d in a s tr a l a c tiv ities is our tru e s t b e in g , re s id in g in t h e p la c e w e call h o m e , d o in g th in g s it thinks a re o rd in a r y b u t a r e in c o n c e iv a b le to o u r r e a s o n . F o r so m e re a 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.

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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 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 . 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 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

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 .

itH*

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 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 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 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 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

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108

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 parentshouse. 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 ays 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 * 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 caofm>room,itkihkK to" * hkinf p l a n i n g 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 r. I can t pass through it tity 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 slowchanging 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 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 action a nd a d v e n tu re ? It m ig h t b e th e re a lity o f th e physical th a t we should be q u e s tio n in g , r a t h e r th a n th a t o f d re a m w o rld s.

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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 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 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.

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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
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 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 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.

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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 w aking u p to o ab ru p tly . jjie 'rutl

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 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 from her in order to identify her, but I fail. I cant rem em ber having m et this woman in this lifetime.
. ^ * 8 a s tral n S d tl Je

V ar,alysis

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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 " th , ^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 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; 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.

1 avoid

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 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

r/ V ... (\ e ^

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f Reality

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. 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 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 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 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 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 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 . aK 1
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ymy

Tingling
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 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 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' 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 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 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 ? 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% 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.

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Friday, A ugust 16, 2 0 0 2 Longest Lucid Dream

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 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 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 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 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, 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

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

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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 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 nt 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.
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

(I'*

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

n n
w f t y /ft, y ^ n r

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

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

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.

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believes m e. /

w halisjoinjlohappennaLU linking s e n sa tio ninm y dream Sh eshakes her te i'x /s worse, th e reisnotinfl^
utldoi>'thM W < l1 1 1 * ^ n lp ro je d *

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isP oS .

Affirmations

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uio in thlS (Sireme a Jw#P0SS

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. y" observ

I It*

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: "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."

**k n 0" 'n a S t

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

a rid 1
th e ^ -

* -* *
epei

i*
B

"E v e r y t h in g is c o n n e c te d to y o u . " "T h e m in d ia M l is re m oved."

flic*

*****

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. 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.

I/v.

IheArt

of Visuializ

Exercise: I m a g in a l 1 Q o s e j o u r e y e s .T a k eafa 1 Wo ft h e w o r d

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, doesnt 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

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 ize s o m e t h in g in y o u r m in d , t h e f a r t h e r y o u w ill d e t a c h f r o m p h y sic a l re ality . A l s o , t h e m o r e o fte n y o u p r a c t ic e v is u a liz a t io n , t h e e a s ie r it w ill b e to d e t a c h fr o m p h y s ic a l r e a lit y a n d e n g a g e i n t h e im a g in a r y w o r ld t h a t y o u a r e c r e a t in g .

F
f<efl ' Vi#1 ,

V'

W ould it s u rp ris e you if I to ld you t h a t you h a v e j u s t ta k e n a trip th ro u g h th e a s tr a l? You have j u s t u se d y o u r a s tr a l s e n se s . W h a t you have s e e n , to u c h e d , a n d s m e lle d a c tu a lly e x ists in t h e a s tr a l. You c re a te d it. By tu rn in g in to y o u r im a g in a tio n , y ou p r o je c te d y o u r aw are n e ss to th e a s tr a l d im e n s io n a n d c r e a t e d a h o r s e . V isu a liz atio n is the e a sie s t w ay to e n te r th e a s tr a l. E asy a n d y e t v e ry p o w e rfu l. W h e n you co m b in e v isu a liz a tio n w ith a n a lt e r e d s ta t e o f m in d fo r ex am p le, a n a tu ra l s le e p s ta t e you a r e a b le to fully p r o je c t y o u r a w a r e n e s s into th e a s tr a l. N o lo n g e r will it b e a s if yo u a r e im a g in in g th in g s in your m in d s eye, b u t you w ill a c tu a lly b e t h e r e , a m o n g t h e o b je c ts you c re a te . T his is a n a w e s o m e p o w e r a n d y o u will h a v e a t a s t e o f it la te r in th is C ircle. V isualization c a n h a v e a ny d e p th you give it. You m ay play with ob jects in y o u r m in d s eye, o r you m ay b e a m o n g th e m . You can easily co n tro l th is level o f v isu a liz a tio n by a d ju s tin g its in te n s ity . T h e intensity is a m e a s u r e m e n t o f h o w d o m in a n t t h e im p r e s s io n o f y o u r visualization b e c o m e s, c o m p a re d to th e im p re s s io n o f y o u r p h y sic a l se n se s . You can easily in c re a s e th e in te n s ity by ta p p in g in to y o u r im a g in a tio n a n d creativ ity. To allow y o u r c re a tiv ity f re e r e in , I d e lib e ra te ly p ro v id e a minimal a m o u n t o f d etail in th e v isu a liz a tio n e x e rc is e s . E x a c t in s tru c tio n from me w ould only lim it y o u r c re a tiv ity a n d , c o n s e q u e n tly , h a m p e r y o u r visual izatio ns in ten sity . C o n tra ry to its n a m e , v isu a liz a tio n c a n b e a p p lie d to se n se s other th a n vision. F o r m o s t p e o p le , ta c tile (to u c h ) v isu a liz a tio n is b est for en g ro ssin g th e m in d . F o r th e s e p e o p le , a g o o d w ay to in c re a s e th e inten sity o f a visualization is to fo cu s o n im a g in a ry to u c h m o re th a n any other j ffin d im ag inary s e n se . Since th is v a rie s by in d iv id u a l, I e n c o u ra g e you to o u t w hich s e n se is m o s t e n g ro s s in g to y o u r m in d . hr , ? * * * ^Setu ^ w r t e n l j o i s A t o ,, Experiences: H ow to H i

the exercise above ^intensify your o ther ilf m ost powerful c a p a feday, February 12,2(

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lilisk ep w ith m y cloth t
^someastral projection acc

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120

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V is u a l i z a t i o n

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Exercise:

Blind Visualization

I c l o s e y o u r eyes. R e lax y o u r m in d . 2. V isualize y o u r s e l f w a l k i n g a r o u n d in y o u r ro o m . 3. C lo s e y o u r i m a g in a r y eyes. Y o u r v is io n g o e s black.

e"Ses- lt t al- V o , ,o su9&ati f

4 . Focus o n l y o n y o u r i m a g in a r y h a n d s . T o u c h rh e w all. Feel the texture

Really feel it. T o u c h t h e c a rp e t. T o u c h y o u r fu rn it u re . 5. N o w fo c u s o n y o u r im a g in a r y no se . S m e ll th e air. Take y o u r tim e. Sm e ll th e s c e n t o f a n y p a in t o r f u r n it u r e oil. 6. N o w fo c u s o n y o u r i m a g in a r y e ars. W h a t s o u n d s c a n y o u h e a r? 7. O p e n y o u r im a g in a r y eyes. 8. T o u ch th e w a ll aga in .

s ill

In th e e x e rc ise a b o v e , d id th e fa c t t h a t you c lo se d y o u r im ag in ary eyes in ten sify y o u r o t h e r s e n s e s ? W h ic h o f y o u r im a g in ary se n se s h ad the m o st p o w e rfu l c a p a c ity to e n g ro s s y o u r m in d ?

Tuesday, February 12, 2 0 0 2 Shaking the Sou l

I fall asleep with m y c lothes o n at 2 a . m . I w ake u p tw o h o u rs later a n d decid e to read so m e astral p rojection a c co u n ts in o rd e r to increase m y ch a n ce s for paranorm al experiences w h e n I g o b a c k to sleep. I stum ble u p o n R obert Peterson s first book, Outof-Body Experiences: H o w to H a ve T h e m a n d W h a t to Expect," a n d d o his exercise 22:

n p e r your v

B u z z in g This exercise is sim ilar to the m usical imagination exercise. Relax completely, then try to get to that passive, quiescent fram e o f mind. A s vividly a s y o u can, im agine there is a co arse b uzzing s o u n d in y o u r head.

...-

Pretend the b u z z in g is just a little bit too quiet to hear, but getting louder. Sim ultaneously listen intently fo r the b uzzing to b ecom e lo u d e n ough to hear. A s the b u z z in g b e c o m e s louder, im agine the s o u n d is causing y o u r soul to vibrate. Increase the volu m e o f the im aginary so u n d until y o u feel like y o u r so u l is being rattled a n d sh ake n to the core. M aintain the imaginary buzzing a n d vibrating fo r several minutes. Repeat the procedure several times if necessary.

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

I fall asleep again with the feeling o f being clo se to m y soul. I am s o o n aw a kene d by the disturbing so u n d s from ch a in sa w s a n d tractors a s the p a r k m aintenance people cut d o w n trees outside m y window . The n oise ke e p s m e from falling asleep. I rem ain in 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. 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.

eviu

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ality a lr e i

^ifriC 0't ' n sr'th T vi

, is coming flfl

Why Visualization W orks

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 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 im a g e o f o u r su r r o u n d in g s . The m o j

cares

about

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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 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 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 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.

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ch, smell, and taste). V id. representing the w o d d ly due to the lim itationst( the world outside is If t. This makes you w onte age is the reality wee.? L senses read? P *

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. 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. 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. 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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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 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 . 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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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 m e c h a n is m is s e t u p in t h e 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 .
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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
p ro v id e s

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

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

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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 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. 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. 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? 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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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 leer lOf*

Exercise: Creative Visualization

1. Close y o u r eyes. Relax y o u r m ind. 2. Spend a m inute in blackness. Imagine yo u are in a black void o u t in space somewhere. 3. M ove your center o f th o u g h t dow n to the cen ter o f your chest. 4. Visualize a horse, as y o u did in the previous exercise. 5. Do the sight, touch, a nd smell o f the horse contain details th a t sur prise you, things you did n o t intentionally p u t there? By focusing on the c en ter of your chest, y ou are stim ulating y our creativity. The creativity fills o u t th e m ind im age o f the h orse o n its own.

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Exercise: Personalized Areas o f Focus

Repeat the exercise above, b u t co n cen trate on o th e r places inside or ou tside y o u r body th a t benefit y o u r visualization. Each person has a dif ferent nonphysical energy configuration, so it is u p to y o u to find w hat body parts benefit y o u r visualization.

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W h a te v e r p a rtic u la r a s tr a l p r o je c tio n te c h n iq u e w e u se , it d o es not re q u ir e t h a t th e v isu a liz a tio n b e p r e c is e . T h e v isu a liz a tio n d o e s n o t even have to re s e m b le a ny o t h e r e n v ir o n m e n t. T h e i m p o r ta n t th in g is th a t it have a n in te n s ity t h a t k e e p s th e c o n s c io u s m in d riv e te d . A n y th in g goes, as long as it is c a p tiv a tin g a n d fu n . E a c h p e rs o n , o f c o u rs e , h a s p articu la r ta s te s so I c a n t r e c o m m e n d o n e e n v ir o n m e n t to visualize over a n o th e r. O n e p e rs o n m a y f in d p le a s u r e in v isu alizin g a b s tr a c t concepts, w hile a n o th e r m ay fin d it m o re e n jo y a b le to v isu alize physical-like o b jec ts.
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Practice, Practice, Practice!

E ach tim e you p r a c tic e , y o u r v isu a liz a tio n skill im p ro v es,. Y o u will s and also find it e a s ie r to d e ta c h fro m th e in p u t o f y o u r p h ysical sen ses and to tu n e in to y o u r a s tr a l s e n se s . E a c h tim e you p r a c tic e , y o u r visua ize o b jec ts will look c le a re r, have g r e a t e r d e ta il, feel m o re in te n se to the to u ch , a n d sm ell b e tte r.

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V isu alizatio n (Jse fun v is u a liz a tio n s to s ta y m o tiv a te d . I lik e p r e te n d in g th a t I

a m in v is ib le .

T h e n I v isu a liz e s n e a k in g in to t h e n e ig h b o r s h o u s e o r

the girls' lo c k e r r o o m . You h a v e t o k e e p t h e a s tr a l p r o je c tio n se ss io n s fun. T he e g o , w h ic h w a n ts to k e e p y o u r a w a r e n e s s f o c u s e d in th e m aterial r e a lm , w ill t r y t o p r e v e n t y o u f ro m a s tr a l p r o je c tin g by m a k ing you feel it is b o r in g a n d a lo t o f w o r k (w h ic h it is n o t, o f c o u rs e ). So keep it fu n .

Exercise: Practice Visualization

Each ev ening in b ed , b efo re y o u fall asleep, close y o u r eyes and visualize y o u rse lf in o n e o f th e places th a t occu p y y o u r m in d th e m ost d u rin g y o u r day. T hese are th e p laces th a t are im p o rta n t to y ou. By c o n necting to th e m , y o u can u se th e energy y o u have b o u n d to th em for y o u r v isualization p u rp o ses. In m y case, th e places th a t occupy m y m ind th e m o st are m y c h ild h o o d h o m e an d th e school I used to go to 15 years ago. I d o n o t k n o w w hy. Perhaps it w as th o se places th a t shaped m y view o f th e w o rld . O r p erh ap s I feel I have so m e th in g u n fin ished th ere. D o n t w o rry if y o u c a n t stay awake. Ify o u fall asleep in the m iddle o f visu alizatio n , th e visu alizatio n will affect, y o u r sleep, giving you ex trao rd in a ry d ream s, so m e tim es even lucid d ream s. Do th is exer cise every n ig h t fo r a week.

Visualizations Beneficial for Astral Projection

You c a n u se a ny v isu alizatio n to h av e a n a s tr a l p ro je c tio n o r a lucid d rea m . You c a n , as d e s c rib e d e a rlie r, visualize w alking a ro u n d in y our b e d ro o m , to u ch in g th e c a rp e t a n d fu rn itu re . How ever, so m e ty p es o f visualization a re m o re b en e fic ia l fo r a s tra l p ro je c tio n th a n o th e rs . I have s o rte d th e s e in to t h r e e ty p es. V isualization ty p e A m oves you em otionally. Type B m oves y our lo catio n . Type C p u ts you in situ a tio n s th a t you a re n o t u sed to in e v e ry d ay life. R ead th e jo u rn a l e n try a n d th e n try out the d iffe re n t ty p es of visualizations in th e ex ercises below . See how they affect your d rea m s.

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f Reality

Friday, M a y 31, 2 0 0 2 N a tiv e A m e r ic a n
A s I fall asleep, I visualize m yself a s a Native Am erican sitting in a sm all green meadoiv. Sud denly the visualization turns intense. I feel like I am there. I have long black hair. I a m hunting. M y bou? is ready, sh o u ld a n y d e e r cross the m eadow. In the distance, I ca n see a large d ark mountain. I sw e e p m y h a n d o v e r the tall grass. I think, Life is g o o d . M y entire being is content. I get the feeling that so m e o f the images are m em ories from a p ast life a s a Native Am erican.

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V isualizations in w hich you eng a g e e m o tio n s a r e b e n e fic ia l fo r astral p ro je c tio n b e c a u se th e e m o tio n s th e y invoke m a k e th e m m o re intriguing a n d this will k e e p y o u r a w a re n e s s fo cu se d in th e v isu alizatio n , even after falling asle e p .

Exercise: Happy Place Visualization

1. Go to bed. 2. Close y o u r eyes. 3. Visualize being in a place th a t m akes y o u to tally c o n te n t and happy. Perhaps it is a sunny m eadow , p e rhaps it is w ith a special person. Only you know w h at m akes you happy. The im p o rta n t th in g is th a t you invoke happy, bubbly em otions. 4. Explore y o u r surroundings. R em em ber to focus extra on imaginary touch. 5. C ontinue to visualize this as y o u fall asleep.

V isualizations th a t involve m o v e m e n t o f y o u r s e lf o r o f y o u r s u rro u n d ings a re ben e fic ia l for a s tr a l p r o je c tio n b e c a u s e th e y p u t y o u r m ind in m o tio n. T h e m o tio n will c o n flic t w ith t h e m o tio n in itia te d by your d re a m s . T h e c o n flict m ay th ro w you in to a g a p (o f m o tio n ) b e tw e en you* visualized w orld a n d th e d r e a m w o rld . You c a n u s e th is g a p as a gateway to th e a s tra l.

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Wednesday, Jan u ary 23, 2 0 0 2

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Motion a n d Astral Projection

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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.

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

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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^ 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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Exercise: Endless Hole Visualization

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: Barbs 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,

t 1 1 1 'c < !

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

V isu alizatio n the s u b c o n sc io u s will ta k e t h e v isu a liz a tio n to b e a n o th e r d re a m . Thinking t h a t you a r e s le e p in g , it will r e le a s e th e a w a r e n e s s fro m th e body, ju s t like it d o e s w h e n y ou fall a s le e p n a tu ra lly . To avoid lap sin g

V
as,

into u n c o n s c io u s n e s s , y o u m ay h a v e to in d u c e a p r e e m p tiv e r e le a s e of a w a re n e ss b y a p p ly in g a n e x it te c h n i q u e (su c h a s th e ro ll-o u t, dis cussed la te r ) (s e e f ig u r e 4 ). A ltern a tiv e ly , if you feel y o u r b o d y a n d m in d a r e n o t u n sy n c h ro n iz ed enough to ro ll o u t, you m ay allo w y o u r s e lf to fall a s le e p d u rin g yet a n o th e r v isu a liz a tio n . You m a y r e p e a t th is v isu alizatio n -sleep cycle any n u m b er o f tim e s u n til yo u w a k e u p in a n u n sy n c h ro n iz e d s ta te fit for rolling o u t o f y o u r b o d y . T h is is t h e c o r e o f o u r a s tr a l p ro je c tio n tec h nique a n d will b e e x p la in e d in a la t e r c h a p te r . As a s id e n o te , a n in te n s if ie d d r e a m follow ing v isu alizatio n m ay be so h e ig h te n e d t h a t you c a n m u s te r e n o u g h a w a r e n e s s to tu rn it lucid, m eaning y o u r c o n s c io u s m in d will b e a le r t a n d c o h e re n t en o u g h to tak e c ontrol o v e r th e d r e a m . T h is is a n ice e x p e rie n c e , a lth o u g h it is n o t o u r objective in th is b o o k . You m ay a lso sp a w n a n a s tr a l p ro je c tio n from w ithin th e lu cid d r e a m . H ow d o e s all t h is h a p p e n d u rin g a n ig h t o f s le e p ? W ell, it is n o t so stra n g e . It s e e m s w e h a v e all b e e n c o n d itio n e d to s ta y u n c o n scio u s w h en we s le e p . V isu a liz atio n tric k s th e p a r t o f o u rse lv e s th a t m an a g e s th e

)t referring^" or you ^ '

sleep p r o c e s s , w h ic h , in tu r n , s o m e h o w c irc u m v e n ts th e slip in to un co n s c io u sn e ss, so t h a t w e c a n a c c e s s m o re o f o u r n o n p h y sic a l functions.

.yOU

a**'*

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

S i n c e it is s o e a s y t o t r ic k t h e s le e p p r o c e s s w i t h v is u a liz a t io n , it is a w o n d e r e v e r y o n e d o e s n o t c o n s c i o u s ly a s t r a l p r o j e c t all t h e tim e .

Exercise: Repeated H ypn agogic Visualization

1. Set y o u r alarm clock to awaken you in th e m iddle o f th e n ig h t 2. Go to bed. 3. Close y o u r eyes. 4. As you hill asleep, visualize w hatever you like (so m e th in g fun) with you as a first-person participant. 5. Fall asleep in the m iddle o f the visualization. 6. W hen the alarm clock goes off. tu rn it off. 7. G et o u t of bed. Go to th e ba th ro o m . Avoid engaging in to o many thoughts. M a intain your dazed sta te o f m in d . Avoid looking a t y o u r self in the m irro r as this will invoke y o u r analytical m ind and will wake you up. 8. Go back to bed. 9. Close y o u r eyes. 10. As y ou fall back to sleep, visualize rh e sam e th in g y o u visualized in step 4. 11. The next tim e you wake up, observe y o u r s ta te o f m in d , b u t d o not analyze it. R em em ber h o w th a t sta te feels. 12. Repeat this exercise each night, b u t skip th e alarm clock after the first tim e. Ify o u wake u p n aturally d u rin g th e night, d o th e visuali zation as you fall back to sleep. O th erw ise, y o u can visualize and sleep a little extra in th e m o rn in g a fte r you awake.

Any tim e you w a k e u p in a h e ig h te n e d s ta t e , you m ig h t find your m ind buzzing o r v ib ra tin g ( a lth o u g h s u c h s e n s a tio n s a r e n o t necessary)Do n o t be a la rm e d . You will n o t d a m a g e y o u r b r a in o r c o m e to any other

Attitude

T h e r e a r e a few a ttitu d e s t h a t w e c a n u s e t o im p ro v e o u r c h a n c e s fo r a stra l p ro je c tio n . A s a n a n a lo g y , in o r d e r to b e a s f a s t a s h e c a n , a s p rin te r m ay th in k o f h im s e lf a s a g a z elle. T h e b o d y o f t h e s p r i n t e r d o e s n o t look like a gazelle, b u t h is m in d d o e s . In th e s a m e m a n n e r , w e c a n play little tricks o n o u r o w n m in d s , s u c h a s p r e te n d in g to b e a q u ie t o b se rv e r.

O b server
T h e m in d h a s little to d o w ith t h e b r a in . T h e r e is n o d ire c t m ap p in g b e tw e en b r a in fu n c tio n s a n d m in d fu n c tio n s. T h e m in d is a n o n p h y sical c o n c ep t a n d t h e b r a in is a p h y sic a l o rg a n . T h e m in d c a n e x ist w ith o u t th e b ra in a n d th e b r a in c a n e x is t w ith o u t th e m in d . T h e r e is n o d e p e n d ency b e tw e e n th e m o t h e r t h a n t h e e x c h an g e o f e m o tio n s, s e n so ry input, a n d m uscle m a n ip u la tio n in fo rm a tio n .
U n d e r s t a n d i n g h o w y o u r m in d ( n o t y o u r b r a in ) w o r k s is t h e k e y to w h a t e v e r y o u w a n t t o d o , i n c l u d i n g a s t r a l p ro je c t io n . A n d in o r d e r to u n d e r s t a n d a n y t h in g , y o u h a v e t o f i r s t o b s e r v e it. T h e re f o r e , a lw a y s o b s e r v e y o u r m in d , e s p e c ia lly y o u r s u b c o n s c io u s , f r o m a n e x t e r n a l p o in t o f view . B y

Astral Projection and the Na ture o f Reality

c o n sc io u s ly t a k in g t h e r o le o f a n e x t e rn a l o b s e rv e r, y o u g a in a s o r t o f re m o te c o n tro l o f y o u r m in d p r o c e ss e s. D is t a n c in g y o u r s e lf in t h is m a n n e r p ro v id e s s o m e c la rity o f t h o u g h t, w h ic h a llo w s y o u to c le a rly o b s e r v e y o u r th o u g h ts.

Exercise: Observing Yourself

1. Move your awareness (o r atte n tio n ) ou tsid e y o u r physical body, slightly up to the right o f y o u r forehead. 2. Observe each thou g h t th a t ru n s thro u g h y o u r m ind. U nderstand w hat caused it. 3. Observe w h at o th er thoughts the initial th o u g h ts lead to. 4. Observe w hat em otions are invoked a nd w h a t th o u g h ts invoked them. 5. Go a b o u ty o u r day w ith the sam e o b se rv a n t s ta te o f m ind. ... . rath er

iro je<

tti n

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hu it is a

than on

as previously s ta te d ,

Motivation
T h e s e c o n d you s e t out o n th e q u e s t o f leav in g y o u r physical body, y o u r will splits in tw o . O n o n e h a n d , you w a n t to b r e a k f re e o f physical lim its a n d e x p lo re o t h e r w o rld s. O n th e o th e r , y ou w a n t to pay atten tio n to m ate ria l th in g s, so th a t y o u r p h y sic a l b o d y m a y p r o s p e r in y o u r phys ical e x iste n ce . T h e tw o a r e n o t e a sily r e c o n c ile d a n d o n e alw ays suffers a t th e e x p e n se o f th e o th e r. T h e co n flictin g i n te r e s ts ( a s tra l p r o je c tio n v e rs u s m a te ria l survival) o ften r e s u lt in m in d fatig u e in w h ich you lo se m o tiv a tio n to d o o n e o f the tw o. T his is y o u r m in d s w ay o f fo rc in g yo u to c h o o s e o n e o v e r th e o ther in o r d e r to avoid a m e n ta l c o lla p s e . M o s t likely, t h e m a te ria l sid e o f you will b e victo rio u s. T h is is g o o d , b e c a u s e it allo w s yo u to focus on money a n d physical h e a lth a n d o t h e r n e c e s s itie s o f life. Y our in te r e s t in astral p ro jection will be p u t o n ice fo r a w h ile, b u t d o n o t f re tit will b e
aw ak

.oarmniplish so m e th in g andmav burn you o u t. D (

e n e d again in th e fu tu re . A p a s sio n alw a y s c o m e s b a c k to in sp ire you. O ne thing you can d o lo b rid g e th e g ap b e tw e e n a stra l projection and m aterial in te rests is to m ain tain a high m o tiv atio n in b o th a re a s . In o rd er to do anything, you m u st have th e will to do it a n d you m u st n u rtu re th at will so th a t it will last until you have c o m p le te d w h at you in te n d e d to do. 136
A s tra l

A ttitu d e

p ro je c tio n

r e q u ire s a p a rticu la rly s tro n g will, no t becau se it is difficult, hut

becau se

th e re a r e o fte n lim iting beliefs d o in g th e ir b e st to quell th e will.

Lets face it: E v e ry th in g w e h a v e b e e n ta u g h t a b o u t rea lity so fa r is obsolete, b u t o u r s tu b b o r n e g o r e f u s e s to a c k n o w le d g e th a t. T h e last thing th e ego w a n ts is to h a v e its b e lie fs p ro v e d in c o r r e c t b e c au se it

Vour '

knows th is w o uld m e a n t h a t all t h e tim e a n d e ff o r t s p e n t on building th e P hysical beliefs c o n c e rn in g t h e n a tu r e o f r e a lity a r e w a s te d , a n d all th e w ealth the ego h a s a c c u m u la te d m ig h t b e c o m e w o rth le s s . A stral p r o je c tio n will d is p ro v e o u r o b s o le te b e lie fs a b o u t rea lity in seconds. T h e e go, t h e r e f o r e , t r ie s to p r e v e n t us fro m a s tr a l p ro je c tin g by m a n ip u la tin g o u r m e m o r ie s in o r d e r to sp a w n e m o tio n s t h a t will w eaken o u r w ill. It s o u n d s like s o m e th in g D a r th V a d e r m ig h t have thought up, b u t it is a n a tu r a l p r o c e s s . You have to m a in ta in y o u r will in o r d e r to k e e p it s tro n g . K eep m oti vation high by fo cu sin g o n th e fu n a n d a d v e n tu r o u s sid e s o f a s tra l p ro jection, r a t h e r t h a n o n t h e e ff o r t a n d tim e it r e q u ir e s . As p re v io u sly s ta t e d , yo u n e e d will in o r d e r to d o an y th in g . Trying to ac co m p lish s o m e th in g w ith o u t h a v in g th e will to d o it can b e harm ful and m ay b u rn y o u o u t. D o n o t c o n tin u e p ra c tic in g y o u r a s tr a l p ro je c tio n skills if you d o n o t h a v e th e will. I n s te a d , focus on b u ild in g u p y o u r will for a co u p le o f d a y s . A s tra l p r o je c tio n re a lly is fun, b u t do n o t p rac tic e it a t th e e x p e n s e o f y o u r h e a lth .

Und, H

L doneaM ^

Exercise: Motivational Reading

r

tivatint.o v e r "
one *tefl yOu

,* < '

Look in books a nd In te rn et forum s for accounts o f astral projection. Read one o f th e accounts every day. This will keep y o u r m otivation for astral projection high.

Exercise: M o tiv a tio n al A ffirm atio n s

1. Record these lines on a rape recorder o r a com puter: "Astral projection is fun." "Visualization is fun." Life is an adventure."

reS . irtcl VoUr

fre

* b ftC

232

i/ y .str ' 1 / j

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

"You are an explorer." "Jumping from one reality to an o th er is fun." 2. Listen to the recording w henever you feel th a t astral projection is uninteresting. -you d<?rl she*

fu r 1c

Flow
If you have n o t achieved full c o n tro l o f y o u r p sy c h ic a b ilities yet, your conscious m ind will g et in th e w ay w h e n e v e r y ou a tte m p t to u se th em . If in ste a d you c o n c e n tra te o n s o m e th in g d iffe re n t, su c h as d ay d ream in g , y o u r analytical m in d will n o t g e t in th e w ay a s y o u r psy ch ic s e n se s move in to th e ir n a tu ra l s ta te th ro u g h w h ic h psy c h ic e n e rg y flo w s u n h in d ere d . F or e x am ple, s o m e tim e s I sit a t m y d e s k fo r h o u r s , try in g to solve a p rob lem . W h e n I go to th e b a th r o o m , m y m in d re la x e s a n d th e com plete solu tion p o p s in to m y h e a d , se em in g ly o n its o w n v o litio n . T h is h appens to m e all th e tim e . To ta k e a d v a n ta g e o f th is p h e n o m e n o n , f i r s t te ll y o u r s e lf w hat you w a n t to d o . F o r e x a m p le , if y o u w a n t t h e a n s w e r to a q u e s tio n , s ta te t h e q u e s tio n c le a r ly in y o u r m in d . T h e n o c c u p y y o u r m in d with s o m e th in g u n r e l a te d . T h e a n s w e r w ill c o m e w h e n t h e flo w is e s ta b lish e d . A nything is e a s ie r if you fin d t h e flow . T h e f l o w is a s ta te o f balance th a t a th le te s alw ays look fo r b e fo re a c o n te s t. It m a k e s t h e i r b o d ies seem like th ey m ove on air. It gives you luck, jo y , a n d in tu itiv e in fo rm a tio n . In o r d e r to find th e flow , you h a v e to s to p try in g t o d o w h a te v e r it is you w a n t to do a n d in s te a d j u s t allow it to h a p p e n to y o u . A lso, you can t ta k e y o u r e ffo rts to o se rio u sly . T a k in g th in g s s e rio u s ly p u ts p re ssu re on y our m ind, w hich b lo ck s th e flow. C r terP an o f, low ing

!ii take v

;>c>*
'oiu.j a bv.

138

A ttitude

Exercise; Flow Affirmations

1. Add th ese lines t o y o u r a ffirm a tio n ta p e o r c o m p u te r so u n d file: "You astral p ro je c t b ecau se it is fu n . "You d o n o r really care w h e th e r y o u successfully astral p ro ject o r not. The sh e er fu n o f ex p lo rin g it m akes it w o rth w h ile." Astral p ro jectio n is as n a tu ra l as d ream in g ."

0 1

2. Listen to th e reco rd in g ev ery day.

> * * .5
SKhicenergyf),,,^

W h ile b r ig h te n in g u p t h e a tm o s p h e r e , yo u h a v e to s ta y m o tiv a te d . This r e q u ir e s a d e lic a te b a la n c e : A n in c r e a s e in m o tiv a tio n sh o u ld no t spaw n a n i n c r e a s e in s e r io u s n e s s . R e m e m b e r to h a v e fun a n d you will a c c e le ra te y o u r le a r n in g . A s a n a n a lo g y , t h e s e c r e t o f b e c o m in g a g o o d c o m m u n ic a to r is to focus o n w h a t y o u w a n t to sa y a n d to w h o m y ou w a n t to say it, n o t on h ow you say it. D o n o t a tt e m p t to c o n tr o l y o u r m o u th a s you sp e a k y o u r s u b c o n sc io u s a lr e a d y d o e s th is fo r yo u . J u s t th in k o f th e m essa g e you

for hours. trjiosd,ip

mind relaxes and tber^ n its own volition. Tliisli^

enon. first tell f P * *

int (henserloa?* ^

w ant to c o m m u n ic a te a n d t h e m o u th will d o th e r e s t. A s tra l p ro je c tio n w o rk s th e s a m e w ay. D o n o t th in k o f h o w to a s tr a l p ro je c t, j u s t k e e p th e will to a s tr a l p r o je c t aliv e in y o u r m in d . S it b a c k a n d le t th e h id d en sid e of you ta k e you w h e r e y o u w a n t to go.

NTS >1 J&ZsO 1 Hr idi"1 0<

Knowing
T h e g r e a t e r p a r t o f c r e a t io n c a n t b e g r a s p e d w it h o u r a n a ly tic a l m in d . I n fact, a n a ly t ic a l t h i n k i n g is n o t n a t u r a l t o t h e n o n p h y s ic a l s p ir it s th a t w e a re . It is a p r o d u c t o f y e a r s o f t r a i n in g in s c h o o ls a n d a c a d e m ie s . D u r i n g o u r a t t e m p t s t o f in d o u t w h a t t h is t h i n g a r o u n d u s c a lle d e x is t e n c e is, w e h a v e b e e n b l in d e d b y t h e b e l ie f t h a t lo g ic is t h e o n l y t r u s t w o r t h y t o o l b y w h ic h t o u n d e r s t a n d it. R e l i g i o n s h a v e g o n e a s t r a y a n d m illio n s o f p e o p le h a v e b e e n m is le d b e c a u s e s o m e p e o p le , a lt h o u g h w it h g o o d in te n tio n s, h a v e a t t e m p te d t o e x p la in a n u n c o m p lic a t e d t r u t h w it h t h e ir h e a d s r a t h e r t h a n w it h t h e i r h e a r ts . R e p e a t e d ly , w e fail to u n d e r s t a n d w h o w e a r e a n d w h a t h u m a n c o n s c i o u s n e s s is b e c a u s e w e in s is t o n t h in k in g w it h o u r h e a d s.

S o h o w a r e w e s u p p o s e d to u n d e r s t a n d a n y t h in g w it h o u t t h i n k i n g ? It is n o t n e c e s s a r y t o u n d e r s t a n d . T h i n g s d o n o t h a v e t o m a k e se n se . M a n y re a litie s o u t s id e th e p h y s ic a l d o n o t a p p ly t o t h in k in g . T h i n g s j u s t a r e a n d w h e n w e a t t e m p t to u n d e r s t a n d w h y t h e y j u s t a re , w e c h a n g e t h e m f r o m j u s t b e in g in t o s o m e t h i n g t h a t w e c r e a t e d b y t h in k in g , s o m e t h in g t h a t t h e y a r e not. T h i s c o n c e p t a p p e a r s c o m p lic a t e d , b u t o n ly b e c a u s e w e t r y to g r a s p it b y t h in k in g . In t h is lig h t, R e n 6 D e s c a r t e s p h ilo s o p h ic a l a x io m , I t h in k , t h e r e f o r e I a m , s e e m s m is g u id e d . It is q u it e p o s s ib le t o e x is t w it h o u t t h i n k i n g . It is a c t u a lly e a s ie r t o tell

w h e t h e r y o u e x is t w h e n y o u a r e n o t t h in k in g .

A Native A m erican m edicine w o m a n o n c e to ld m e: You a re a very analytical p e rso n . You th in k up h e re (p o in tin g to m y h e a d ). But you have to re m e m b e r th a t this (pointing to my c h e st) is w h e re w e all live. Is it possible th a t logic has n o th in g to d o w ith w h o w e a re , w h e re we live? Could it b e th a t logic is an a rtific ia l in s tr u m e n t a n d , th e r e fo r e , is poorly eq u ip ped to investigate c e rta in s e ts o f p ro b le m s ? I th in k so. W h a t we m ust do, in o r d e r to find a n s w e rs to w h a t w e a r e a n d w h a t existen ce is, is to se n se w ith o u r h e a rts . N o t th e m u sc le , b u t th e u n iv ersa l energy gatew ay th a t lives in it. S om e p e o p le th in k w ith t h e i r h e a d s. S om e even th in k w ith th e ir fists. B ut all p e o p le live in th e c e n te r o f th e ch est. O ur s tro n g e s t tool fo r u n d e rs ta n d in g is feeling, b u t only w h en feeling is n o t litte re d by th o u g h ts. Feeling a n d e m o tio n a r e n o t th e sam e thing. Em otions o ften cloud feelings. F o r e x a m p le , a n g e r will su re ly p rev e n t you from feeling a sp irit p re s e n c e a ro u n d you. In o r d e r to u se th is feeling, you have to be well a c q u a in te d w ith y o u r fem a le e n e rg ie s, y o u r y in .

Saturday, January 26, 2 0 0 2 Firing Rationality

What I feel and what I think haue been conflicting lately, leaving me confused and frustrated. I hereby decide not to use the rational part o f me that analyzes and cat egorizes euerything. From now on, I will let only m y feelings guide me. T h e w o rst th in g you c a n d o in th e a s tr a l is to a tte m p t to analyze w h at is h appening. T h e a s tra l c h a n g e s a t y o u r c o m m a n d ; if you invoke analytical th o u g h ts, y our a s tr a l re a lity will m ir r o r th e m , undoubtedly p rev en ting you from se n sin g w h a t you c a m e t h e r e to e x p lo re.

X ,

A ttitude
W hen I fir s t a s tr a l p r o je c te d , I k n e w I s h o u ld n o t a tt e m p t to analyze the e x p e rie n ce . B ut I d id , e v e n th o u g h I d id m y b e s t n o t to . It is a h a b it analytical m in d s h a v e . W e c h o o s e to u n d e r s t a n d r a t h e r t h a n to e x p e ri ence. If w e w a n t to s to p a n a ly z in g in th e a s tr a l, w e hav e to q u it th e h a b it (or m aybe I s h o u ld u s e t h e w o rd a d d ic tio n ? ) o f a n a ly z in g e v e ry th in g th a t happens to us, b o th in t h e p h y sic a l a n d in th e a s tr a l. C onsciously a n a ly z in g th e a s tr a l p r o je c tio n e x p e rie n c e o fte n lea d s to false co n clu sio n s b e c a u s e o u r a n a ly tic a l m in d s c a n t g r a s p t h e w h o le e x p e rience. Plus, r e a s o n h a s a te n d e n c y to ex p la in n e w e x p e rie n c e s by d ra w ing pa ra lle ls to old e x p e rie n c e s . S in c e a s tr a l p r o je c tio n is a to ta lly n ew exp erience to m o s t o f u s a n d so u n lik e a n y th in g p rev io u sly e x p e rie n c e d , com paring it to w h a t w e a lr e a d y k n o w o n ly lim its it a n d th e r e b y lim its us. T h e re is a b e t t e r w a y to u n d e r s t a n d t h e a s tr a l. W h a t you e x p e rie n c e in th e a s tr a l, o r a n y w h e r e f o r t h a t m a t t e r , is s u c k e d u p by y o u r su b c o n scious. It is m u ch m o re c a p a b le o f h a n d lin g th in g s like th e a s tr a l th a n your ra tio n a l, a n a ly tic a l m in d . Y our s u b c o n sc io u s d o e s n o t fo rg e t. It will go over th e e x p e rie n c e u n til t h e r e is n o th in g m o re to go over. Slow ly a n d invisibly, th e k n o w le d g e will c ra w l u p f ro m t h e su b c o n sc io u s in to y o u r conscious m in d .

< * S t

Exercise: Turning to Feeling

1. Close y o u r eyes. Relax y o u r m in d . 2. M ove y o u r c e n te r o f th o u g h t to j u s t below th e c en ter o f y o u r chest. This is a good place to sense in tu itio n . 3. Put yo u r palm s tog eth er in fro n t o f y o u r chest w ith y o u r fingers up. 4. Look for a b u bbling sen satio n in y o u r chest. 5. N ote th a t because you focus on th e chest, th oughts seem less eager to pop into y o u r m ind. Your analytical m ind will have to process fewer thoughts th a n you are used to. 6. C ontinue y o u r day w ith th e cen ter o f th o u g h t focused in y o u r chest, w ith the analytical m ind a t rest and y o u r intuition active. 7. Be observant o f any feeling o f spirits m oving aro u n d you. 8. Practice keeping the center o f th o u g h t in y o u r chest every day, so th at you do it o u t o f h abit in the astral.

v O 1 1 J it

Astral Projection a n d the Nature o f Reality

P atien ce
O ne o f th e radical things I have n o tic e d a b o u t a s tr a l p ro je c tio n is th a t e ach tim e 1 p ro je c t, an e x p e rie n ce h a s a lre a d y b e e n p r e p a r e d for m e. It is as if I (o r possibly s o m e o n e e lse i n te r e s te d in my m ind evolu tion) have s e t up th e c o n d itio n s fo r th e p ro je c tio n , in clu d in g th e envi ro n m e n t a n d in te ra c tio n . It s e e m s as if o u r lives a r e u n d e r m eticulous m o n itoring, b u t by a h id d en p a r t o f o u rse lv e s. E a c h p ro je c tio n r e p re s e n ts a lesson, d esig n e d to f u r th e r m y u n d e rs ta n d in g o f m yself. Each lesson should b e d ig e ste d b e fo re th e n e x t p r o je c tio n c a n ta k e place. S o m e tim e s w e e k s p a ss w ith o u t a sin g le p ro je c tio n . T h e n I finally realize th e im p a c t o f th e p re v io u s p ro je c tio n . T h e n e x t day, I am p ro jec tin g again. It se em s n o th in g will c o m e un til w e a r e re a d y , a n d in o r d e r to be ready, w e have to r e fle c t on a n d le a r n fro m p re v io u s e x p e rie n ce s. Each ex p erien ce builds on to p o f a p re v io u s le s s o n , a n d h a v in g a n experience is m ean in g less un less w e le a r n e d th e le sso n u p o n w h ic h th e experience builds. R eflection c a n t ta k e p la c e in a n im p a tie n t m in d , so w e have to calm o u r m in d s a n d give o u rse lv e s tim e to g ro w fro m o u r experiences. Ironically, slow ing d o w n is th e f a s te s t w ay to a c c e le ra te th e freq u en cy of ex p e rie n ce s.

Love
I c a n t u n d e rlin e en o u g h th e im p o r ta n c e o f b e in g in a good mood w hen pro je c tin g . W h e n you e n te r th e a s tr a l, you d o n o t pick up a new set o f e m o tio n s; you ta k e w ith you w h a te v e r yo u a r e feeling. As Deepak C h o p ra m ight say, T h o u g h ts a r e tilin g s . W h a te v e r e m o tio n s you have s tir u p th o u g h ts , w h ich tu r n in to ta n g ib le th in g s in th e astral. U n d e rsta n d a b ly , y o u r a s tr a l p r o je c tio n co u ld g e t ugly if you h a rb o r neg ative e m o tio n s. It is n o fun fee lin g s c a r e d d u rin g a p ro je c tio n , as I have on several occasions. W h a t is w o rse , e m o tio n s a r e o fte n s u p p r e s s e d in th e physical realm, bu t th e r e is no such c o n tro l in th e a s tr a l. W h a te v e r s u p p re s s e d emotions you b ring in to th e a s tr a l will b e u n le a s h e d . You m u st th e re fo re create th e sta rtin g p o in t o f a g o o d m o o d b e fo re a tte m p tin g to e n te r th e astra^ As m en tio n ed in th e p re v io u s C ircle , love is t h e b e s t an tid o te to fe

and o th e r n e g a tiv e e m o tio n s. You r a n , at any tim e , c re a te a feeling of love sim ply by rela x in g y o u r m in d , fo cu sin g o n y o u r c h e st, a n d lettin g th e love ra d ia te fro m t h e r e . T h e love will d isp e l a n y n eg ativ e e m o tio n s. It 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 .

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The Energy o f Intent

Everything 3W
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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 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 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

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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 b o th a p a rtic le and a w av efo rm .1 2 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 .

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

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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 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

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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 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 . 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 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 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 .

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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.

truf7 1

,ergy n 1

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

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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 here1caU out for help. Two spirits, both male, come to my assistance

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. > -* O C j 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 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 e a rlie r H Q s m ay occur. If y o u example one o f 6 -ii h setaw l

and

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.

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. 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 fr 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.

T f

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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

J
iu n d I C j g f p t o ( r thebeeP ftothe S Un mooft5 '^

^0U ^ a v e b y h a b it , v i e w e d y o u r le g to bo. T h e y toll y o u t h a t t h is

m u lt id im e n s io n a l leg, u s e d f o r w a l k i n g n o t o n l y ' 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 . in t h e p h y s ic a l b u t

is a a ls o

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 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

^ h **" ddw

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 ^ o C e ,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

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150

V v '/
VoN " V ' 0 not 01 P W \ t'j H , 'n Patte,

Energy Exercises
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.

'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 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 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

"g-astrai
y pattern,

5UrWaki" ^ e lwd, l6J gro' v,veakandit

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 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 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 .

JS consciously increase

Exercise: Creating through Energy

a w h o le universe of

r feer. fy o u i-fa ta n d rtf1

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.

here it wi jintk
( j s . Be carefi1' " ot

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 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 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

throuS1 '

.flies'

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t u r 0 td " ofi*

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your

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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). V I

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 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 ?

cne:

y 0 U r

Sunday, June 10, 2001 Roll-Out

I ect. I open my mind to psychic comm unication. I slip in an d out o f Focus 10 (Robert Monroe's name for the bo d y asleep/m ind awake" state) a n d slum ber o ff a few times. After an hour and H Ominutes, I impulsively think, Enough o f this, lets get out!I try to 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. 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 realmI P ^ my physical eyes a bit and close them. I find m yself back in m y room. I roll out onto % i Weafe UP, p -

ofus, otir aw ai enesi

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

forexample. However, in o rd e i
"Mi, the p h y s ic a l b o c
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154

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, al- \ A , to create another astral projection.

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

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 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 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 usth 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 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 th e body is u s e d to r e lin q u is h in g a w a r e n e s s to th e s le e p m ec h a n ism d u r ing th a t p h a s e . W e a r e ex p lo itin g th e n a tu r a l p ro c e s s o f falling a sle e p for o u r a s tr a l p ro je c tio n p u r p o s e s . T h is m e a n s th a t w e f ir s t have to fall asleep, w ake u p , a n d t h e n a lm o s t fall a s le e p ag ain b e fo re w e c a n apply an exit te c h n iq u e . D o n o t w o rry , it is e a s ie r th a n it so u n d s. W h e n e v e r th e body falls a s le e p , th e a w a re n e s s is au to m atically re le a se d in to th e d re a m w o rld . W ith th e aid o f a n e x it te c h n iq u e , we can p e rfo rm a p re e m p tiv e r e le a s e o f a w a re n e s s . T h e only d ifferen ce b e tw e en th e tw o k in d s o f r e le a s e is th a t in a p re e m p tiv e re le a se , we re m a in conscious as th e a w a re n e s s is re le a se d from th e body a n d sh ifted

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Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality in to a nonphysical p a r t o f us. T his is called a co n scio u s exit. T h e re is a n o th e r, less reliab le , ty p e o f exit c alled u n c o n scio u s exit. To achieve an unco n scio u s exit, you f ir s t have to p r e p a r e fo r exit rig h t b e fo re you fall a sle e p . You can d o th is by visualizing o r affirm ing s o m e th in g , such as: W h e n I s e e m y h a n d s in a d r e a m , I will know th a t I am d re a m in g , or, T onight I will have a lucid d r e a m , or, Tonight I will realize I am d r e a m in g , or, M y m issio n to n ig h t is to in v estig ate my A k ashic r e c o r d s w hile I am a s le e p . T hen fall sleep. T h e p a rt o f you in c h a rg e w h ile you sleep tak es such co m m a n d s w ith o u t q u e stio n , b e c a u se th e ra tio n a l m in d is n o t th e r e to tell it w h at is im p o rta n t a n d w h a t is n o t. It will d o its b e s t to c a rry th e m out. Later, in th e m id st o f d re a m in g , you will su d d e n ly realize th a t you a re not in th e physical reality', b u t in a d r e a m reality . You will th e n ch o o se betw een letting th e d re a m play o u t o r b e c o m in g c o n scio u s en o u g h to ta k e co n tro l of y our en v iro n m en t. This can b e a difficult ch o ic e , sin ce re a s o n will b e too deep ly a sle e p to he lp you figure o u t w hich o n e is m o re im p o r ta n t to you. T ra d itio n a lly s p e a k in g , you will h a v e a lu cid d r e a m , a lth o u g h it is c o m m o n t h a t th e d r e a m e n v ir o n m e n t d is s ip a te s w h e n yo u b e c o m e con scious, m ak in g th e e x p e rie n c e s e e m m o r e lik e a n a s tr a l p ro je c tio n th an a lucid d r e a m . T h e d iff e re n c e b e tw e e n lu cid d r e a m in g a n d a s tra l p rojec tio n s e e m s in d is tin c t a t tim e s . H o w e v e r y o u d e fin e a s tr a l p ro je c tio n and lucid d re a m in g , th e y a r e s u re ly r e la te d . In th is b o o k , w e only c o n c e r n o u r s e lv e s w ith c o n s c io u s ex its, which w e will a p p ly in t h e n e x t c h a p te r . F o r n o w , w e will p r a c tic e so m e exit te c h n iq u e s on d r y la n d , t h a t is, in a w a k in g p h y sic a l s ta t e . W h e n w e get in to t h a t d a z e d h y p n a g o g ic s ta t e , w e will k n o w t h e ex it te c h n iq u e so w ell, even falling a s le e p will n o t m a k e u s lo se t h e t h r e a d .

Exercise: The Roll-Out

1. Place pillows next to th e bed, to c u sh io n y o u r fall in case yo u roll off th e bed. 2. Lie on the bed. 3. Close y o u r eyes. 4. Relax y o u r body and m ind w ith a few d eep breaths.

Exit Techniques

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y o u r sh o u ld e r fo rw a rd as if y o u w ere to roll o u t o f bed. Do n o t use the low er h alf o f y o u r body. Use o n ly y o u r sh o u ld e rs an d back to propel th e rolling m o v em en t. 6. Continue th e roll w ith o u t usin g y o u r legs until y o u alm o st fall o ff the bed.
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If you d o t h e la s t s te p in t h e e x e rc is e a b o v e w h ile you a re a lm o st falling a s le e p , y o u r a w a r e n e s s will b r e a k f re e fro m th e p h y sical b o d y a n d you will h a v e an a s tr a l p r o je c tio n , and a s m a s h in g good tim e . A dditionally, o n c e y o u h a v e e x ite d t h e b o d y , you m ay u se th e roll to repel any a ttr a c tio n f ro m t h e b o d y . Roll-out is t h e e a s ie s t e x it te c h n iq u e fo r m e , b u t e a c h a s tr a l p ro je c to r has h is o w n p r e f e r e n c e . S o m e m ig h t p r e f e r to kick up a leg (th a t would b e a s e m ip h y s ic a l leg, t h e n ) o r sim p ly sit u p . You m ig h t ev en m e e t success j u s t visu alizin g b e in g o u ts id e th e b o d y . T h e list o f ex it te c h n iq u e s is e n d le ss, b u t w e will lo o k a t o n ly o n e m o re . It u se s th e pow 'er o f th e m ind a n d is, t h e r e f o r e , q u ite d iff e re n t fro m te c h n iq u e s in w hich you a tte m p t to m ove y o u r body.

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Exercise: AP Now!
1. Lie on y o u r bed. 2 . Close y o u r eyes. 3. Relax y o u r body an d m ind.
4. Turn y o u r atte n tio n to th e base o f y o u r throat.

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5. Gather all y o u r pow er o f th o u g h t in th a t spot. 6. Hush all thoughts as y o u w ait expectantly for som ething im portant th a t will be declared by you in a few seconds. 7. Command: "AP Now! (AP, o f course, is sh o rt for astral projection.)

157

Asrral Projection a n d the N a tu re o f R eality Since th is e x e rc ise w as d o n e in w ak in g c o n scio u sn e ss, m o st likely nothing h a p p e n e d . How ever, in a hyp nagogic s ta te , t h a t is, w h e n you are alm o st a sle e p , y o u r c o m m a n d will hav e im m e d ia te e ffe c t. T h e sleep s ta te s a re c o n tro lle d in th e re a lm o f th e m in d , so a n y th in g you mindfully c o m m a n d in such a s ta te will have e ffe c t. T h e w a k in g p h ysical reality is also g o v e rn e d by th e m in d . S im ila r c o m m a n d s w o u ld h av e s a m e effect th e r e if it w e re n o t fo r b eliefs tellin g u s w h a t w e c a n a n d c a n t do with o u r m in d s.

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Putting It All Together

T o n ig h t y o u w ill s e t o u t o n a n e x t r a o r d i n a r y jo u r n e y o f e x p lo ra tio n . You h a v e p r e p a r e d f o r th is a lo n g tim e ( a t l e a s t fo r s e v e ra l c h a p te r s ) . You have all t h e k n o w le d g e a n d te c h n i q u e s y o u n e e d . S o m e o f it you p ick ed up in th is a n d o t h e r b o o k s , b u t y o u r a s tr a l s e lf a c q u ir e d m o s t o f th e kno w led g e w h ile y o u s le p t. F o r m a n y o f y o u , th is is y o u r f ir s t c o n scio u s a s tra l p r o je c tio n a n d , t h e r e f o r e , it is a n e x c itin g a n d jo y o u s o c c a s io n . L et us k e e p it jo y o u s, s o s e t a s id e all f e a r s . T h e y fulfill n o p u r p o s e , fo r th e r e is n o th in g t o b e a fr a id of. P le a s e r e a d t h e in s tr u c tio n s b e lo w c a re fu lly a n d m e m o riz e th e m , so t h a t yo u will h a v e n o p r o b le m e x e c u tin g th e m to n ig h t.

Exercise: Astral Projection

Setting Up the Intent
1. Tell y o u r fam ily n o t to w ake y o u in th e m o rn in g . If th ey are o p en m inded, tell th em th a ty o u will be leav in g y o u r body and m u st n o t be disturbed. If you suspect th ey m ig h t n o t u n d e rsta n d this, instead tell them you will be m editating.

Astra! Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality

2. Be sure ro turn off any alarm clockyou do n o t w an t to wake up too abruptly. 3. Before going to bed, w rite down all the things yo u have to do tom or row. Put rhe list dow n and forget a b o u t everything y o u w rote. The list will be there tom orrow , so it is unnecessary to keep all those things in y o u r m ind. 4. In your m ind s eye, im agine there is a deep well before you. Throw all your worldly w orries and problem s in to rhe well. They can w ait until tom orrow , too. You do nor need th em rig h t now. Also, throw all expectations and fears a b o u t the fu tu re in to th e well, as well as all painful m em ories o f the past. Right now, th ere is only th e present. The p resent is the only th in g you need rig h t now. The p ast a n d th e future can w ait until tom orrow . 5. Tell yourself: I have w orked hard for this. I deserve an astral projection." 6. Then state: "I will lie dow n to n ig h t a n d I will n o t g et u p until I have projected." No, no, no! Say it like y o u m e a n it. 7. Lie d ow n in y o u r bed as y o u usually do, in any po sitio n , preferably not sharing the bed w ith anyone. You d o n o t w a n t an y o n e to u ch in g your body w hile y o u are projected away from it, as th is m ig h t call y ou back. Do n o t ru in y o u r m arriage over it, th o u g h . 8. Close y o u r eyes. 9. Relax y o u r m ind. Let it sink. 10. Think clearly: "I in te n d to te m p o rarily leave m y body." Then visualize sta n d in g in an op en field. Let th e visualized p erso n spread his arms a nd yell a t the to p o f his voice: "1 in te n d to tem p o rarily leave my body!" In te n t decides w h a t h a p p e n s in nonphysical realm s. By declar ing y our intent, y o u in stru c t y o u r nonphysical p arts. Also, words may n o t m ean m uch in h u m a n society, b u t in m o s t nonphysical realities, including y o u r visualization, th e y are b in d in g verbal contracts. A nything y o u say in these nonphysical realm s will com e to pass.

Getting into a Good Mood

11. Take a few deep b reaths to relax y o u r b o d y a n d m ind. Think toyom self repeatedly: "W ith every b re a th I take, I g et m o re relaxed." 12. M ove y o u r ce n te r o f t h o u g h t to ju st b elow th e c e n te r o f y o u r chest. This will help th e flow o f im a g in atio n w h ile a t th e sam e tim e prevent thou g h t energy from flow ing to y o u r head, th e body p a rt associate

with reasoning a nd analytical th o u g h t. You will n o t need logic o r rea son d u rin g this first astral trip , a n d y o u will d efinitely no t need to analyze w h a t is h a p p e n in g to you. Invoking th e analytical m in d m ight bring you back to y o u r body, since it will get d readfully confused. The reasoning m ind is quick to assu m e, a n d incorrectly so, th a t y o u are in danger o f b e in g physically h a rm e d w hen y o u are released from y o u r body. This fear, o r p an ic rath er, will c u t s h o rt y o u r projection. So,you can see the im p o rta n c e o f n o t analyzing. It is n o t necessary to u n d e r stand w h a t is h a p p e n in g u n til y o u g et back to y o u r body. Until then, ju s t go w ith th e flow. 13. From a p o in t in y o u r chest, feel love fo r th e E arth a n d all its inhabi tants. Bring to m in d s o m e th in g th a t y o u love imm ensely. For exam ple, th in k o f h o w w o n d e rfu l it is to sit by a trickling creek a n d breathe the spring air. Take th e feeling o f love th is g en erates in y our chest and radiate th a t love in all directio n s. A feeling o f love will g u arantee a positive experience in e v ery th in g y o u do, including astral projection.

Visualization and Affirmation

14. Visualize th a t you are sta n d in g in an o p e n m ead o w in a forest. Visualize as intensely as y o u can. All sen so ry in p u t from th a t m eadow should be a t least as in te n se as sensory in p u t from th e physical body. 15. Visualize th e s u n s rays h ittin g y o u r feet. The w a rm th relaxes them . 16. Affirm to y o u rse lf repeatedly: "Tonight I will AP." It is th e person stan d in g o n th e m ead o w th a t a ffirm s this, n o t th e person lying in bed. C ontinue th e a ffirm a tio n th ro u g h o u t th e w hole visualization (th a t is, un til y o u fall asleep). 17. The w a rm th from th e su n spreads from y our feet up thro u g h your whole body, relaxing th e m uscles as it spreads. 18. The w ind gains speed over th e m eadow . A w arm breeze o f air caresses y o u r face. Feel the breeze. 19. You see th e green grass waving in the breeze. 20. You smell the d istinct scent o f the pine trees surrounding rhe meadow. 21. Visualize walking aro u n d in th a t m eadow. Touch the grass, the bark of the trees, and everything else yo u com e upon. 22. Continue visualizing walking aro u n d in th a t m eadow as yo u fall asleep. 23. You may wake up m any tim es d uring th e night. Each tim e yo u wake

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

up, continue visualizing walking around in th at m eadow as you fall back to sleep. Also repeatedly affirm : "Tonight 1 will AP."

The Exit
24. Close to dawn, you will wake up in a fuzzy, floating state o f m ind. It may feel as if your m ind is unsynchronized with th e body, as if the m ind cant gain com m and over the body. You may also experience several sim ultaneous buzzing sensations th ro u g h o u t y o u r m ind, each vibrating a t a different frequency. You will have difficulty merging them into the single vibration required for co herent thinking. 25. C ontinue to visualize a nd allow you rself to d ro p a little closerbut n o t all the wayto sleep. The floatin g sen satio n increases. 26. You will receive a d istinct signal from th e body th a t says it is ready to release you. 27. Apply an exit technique. For exam ple, push y o u r rig h t shoulder for ward to get m o m e n tu m to roll o u t o f y o u r body. Since th e physical body is already asleep, yo u r sem iphysical sh o u ld e r will move instead.. Your aw areness will roll inside th e b o d y fo r a second a n d then eject from the body o n th e left side. If t h a t d oes n o t w ork, push y o u r left shoulder forw ard instead a n d roll o u t to th e rig h t side. 28. Have a nice rim e in the astral.

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If you d id n o t s u c c e e d in le a v in g y o u r p h y s ic a l b o d y in t h e p re v io u s ex ercise, d o n o t d e s p a i r . D o n o t d o u b t y o u r a b ility to a s tr a l p ro je c t, b e c a u se e v e ry b e in g in t h e p h y s ic a l u n iv e r s e c a n d o it, in clu d in g you. S o m e tim e s y o u j u s t h a v e to w o r k o n it, a n d a s tr a l p r o je c tio n is w ell w o rth som e e ff o r t. D o n o t giv e u p . W e w ill h a v e y o u o u t o f y o u r b o d y in n o tim e . T h e f ir s t t h in g I w a n t y o u to d o is to e s tim a te h o w in te n s e ly yo u visu alized in t h e p r e v io u s e x e rc is e . T h e k ey to a s tr a l p r o je c tio n u sin g th is te c h niq u e is t h e in te n s ity o f t h e v isu a liz a tio n . (W ith th e w o rd in te n s ity , in th is case, I m e a n t h e ric h n e s s a n d d e ta il o f th e v isu a liz e d s e n s o r y in p u t. I am no t r e f e r rin g to t h e s p e e d a t w h ic h e v e n ts p lay e d o u t in th e v isu alizatio n .) In a n o p tim a l v is u a liz a tio n , y o u s h o u ld lo se all n o tio n o f th e p h y sical body lying in b e d . Y o u r w h o le a tt e n ti o n s h o u ld b e fo cu se d on th e im agi n a ry m e a d o w in w h ic h yo u a r e w a lk in g . T h e w ay to d o th is is to in te n sify th e s e n s o r y in p u t f ro m t h a t m e a d o w , so th a t e v e ry th in g you se e, to u ch , a n d sm e ll o n t h a t m e a d o w is o v e rw h e lm in g . It e v e n feels m o re d e ta ile d a n d in te n s e th a n w o u ld s im ila r in p u t fro m th e p h ysical w o rld . Now, you d o n o t h a v e to re m o v e all a tte n tio n fro m th e p h y sical b o d y in o r d e r to p ro je c t, b u t it h e lp s.

163

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f Reality

Exercise: Second Try

1. Tonighr in bed, w ith closed eyes, repeat the visualization o f the sunny m eadow from the previous exercise, b u t this tim e w ith extrem e inten sity (i.e.. richness o f vision, hearing, taste, sm ell, a n d touch). 2. Walk around in th a t m eadow for a few m inutes, touching this and that. 3. Repeatedly affirm : "Tonight I will AP." 4. Visualize a huge hole in the ground in th e c en ter o f th e m eadow. Its diam eter is large enough to fit ten cars. 5. Walk to rhe edge o f rhe hole a nd look dow n. The hole is so deep th at you c a n 't see th e b o tto m . It goes o n fo r th o u sa n d s o f miles. 6. Yell "G eronim o! a nd j u m p into th e hole. 7. The hole is so w ide th a t you never have to w o rry a b o u t hitting its walls. 8. Feel the resistance o f th e air as y o u accelerate in th e fall. The air flaps in y o u r face a nd w hole body as y o u te a r th ro u g h it. 9. Also feel th e sensation o f vacuum in y o u r belly. If it is n o t there, visu alize it. 10. C ontinue visualizing falling d o w n th e h ole as y o u fall asleep. 11. Each rime you wake u p d u rin g th e night, visualize falling down the hole again as y o u fall asleep. Also repeatedly affirm : "Tonight I will AP. 12. A fter a few ro u n d s o f aw akening, visualizing, a n d falling asleep, you will feel a floating sen satio n as y o u d r if t o ff to sleep w hile visualiz ing. You will th en be ready to exit th e body. 13. Roll o u t o f your body by rolling y o u r aw areness, as y o u w ould ifyou were rolling o u t o f bed a n d falling o n to th e floor.

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164

If a t F irst You D o n t S ucceed .

keep a t il a n d yOU w i" s u c c e e d ' 11 is o n |y a q u e s tio n o f tim e until you can . ,|1(. w o rld s o u tsid e th e p h y sic a l, enjoyu ,c . Again, for m an y p ro je c to rs , th e larg e st o b sta c le to achieving a good state for a stra l p ro je c tio n is th e lack o f in te n sity in th e ir visualization. No m atter how h a rd th e y try , th e y c a n t g et th e visualization im m ense enough. The visualization d o e s n o t give th e m a n y th in g back . It d o es n o t tak e on its own life as it sh o u ld . T h e visu alizatio n tu rn s in to h a rd w ork a n d , conse quently, th e w hole p ro je c tio n s e ssio n is view ed as w ork r a th e r th an as fun, as it should be. T h e p ro b le m h e r e is n o t th a t th e p ro je c to r lacks th e capa bility to visualize p ro p erly . E v e ry o n e c a n visualize, becau se everyone has imagination. T h e p ro b le m is th a t th e p ro je c to r trie s to o h ard . tOWOrr^ boU t ^
re i n A e fall, f o airfl 'o u g h it.

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V isualization is a g a m e . It s h o u ld n o t b e ta k e n seriously. If th e p ro jector ta k e s it s e rio u sly , s h e s h u ts o ff th e im a g in ary p a rt o f h e r m ind,

thereby block in g t h e m e c h a n is m o f v isu a liz a tio n . T h e c u re fo r th is is o f course to v isualize a p la c e o r e v en t th a t th e p r o je c to r feels is e n te rta in ing a nd e xciting. If you fo u n d y o u r p a s sio n s in th e e a rlie r e x ercises, you should have a g o o d p ic tu r e o f w h a t you th in k is fu n . J u s t pick o n e o f your passions a n d c o n s tr u c t a v isu a liz a tio n b a s e d u p o n th a t th e m e . F or exam ple, if you e n jo y s h o p p in g , th e n th is is y o u r c h a n c e to go to th e mall in your m in d a n d buy all th o s e th in g s yo u c a n t affo rd o th erw ise .

'ily. I f it is n o t there, *isu is y o u fall asleep. 'Sw ilize falling 'J'vVli ^

ffi'rrri: 'Tonight I wilMF.

, a n d falling asleep,f
to sleep S l e w s '* '

Exercise: Third Try

1. C ontinue doing the exercise for astral projection each night until you exit your body. 2. For diversity, a nd for th e sake o f fun, replace the m eadow w ith a visu alized e n v ironm ent th a ty o u find fun and exciting. For example, ifyou like subm arines, th en visualize walking around in a subm arine. Ifyou like big city life, then visualize walking around in a big city. Let your creativity flow. 3. Be sure to touch things. Let nothing escape y o u r imaginary finger tips. Imagine th a t th e sensitivity o f y o u r fingertips has increased ten fold. 4. Continue the visualization and the affirm ation until you fall asleep. Tonight I will AP

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

5. Each rime you wake up, repeat the visualization and affirm ation as you fall back to sleep. 6. W hen you wake up a t y o u r usual tim e, spend about two m inutes reading a b o u t astral projection. 7. Go back to bed and repeat the visualization as yo u fall asleep. 8. W hen y ou wake u p the next tim e, repeat th e visualization and affir m ation as you fall back to sleep. 9. As you fall asleep, you will e n te r a w eird floating state. 10. Roll o u t o f y o u r body.

Simp

In the nextjoun inthe previous chaptei m ore on-the-fly astral j ion. I think this is an e . Astral projectio " l"1 kept me from ^ 'o o much time an

Iec ,i n

Simplified AP Technique

In th e n e x t j o u r n a l e n tr y I u s e m y u s u a l t e c h n iq u e ( th e o n e ex p lain ed in th e p re v io u s c h a p te r ) m in u s t h e v isu a liz a tio n a n d a ffirm a tio n . It is a m ore on-the-fly a s tr a l p r o je c tio n t e c h n iq u e , a s it r e q u ir e s less p r e p a r a tion. I th in k th is is a n e x c e lle n t te c h n iq u e . It sa v es us th e e ffo rt o f visual ization. A s tra l p r o je c tio n d o e s n o t h a v e to ta k e h a lf a d ay o f p r e p a ra tio n . T hat h a s k e p t m e fro m p ro je c tin g o n c e in a w h ile: M y u su a l tec h n iq u e tak es to o m u c h tim e a n d its v isu a liz a tio n ta k e s to o m u c h energy.

Sunday, A u gu st 10, 2 0 0 3 Easy Astral Projection

I re ad Seth: D re a m s a n d Projection o f C o n s c io u s n e s s " b y Jane Roberts. Seth su g gests the fo llo w in g A P technique: 1. In d u c e a m e d iu m trance in w hate ver w ay y o u choose. 2. Find the in n e r self. 3. Im agin e this in n e r se lf rising upw ard. H. There will be a m om ent w h e n y o u feel y o u r identity a n d c o n sc io u sn e ss definitely w ithdraw ing from the ph y sical organism . 5. W ill yo u rs e lf ou t in a q u ic k motion. I think, "That w ill w ork, but it c o u ld take m e three h o u rs to enter the required m edium trance, so I am g o in g to d o w hat I a lw ays do: g o to sle ep tonight a n d w hen I w ake up, I will p u s h m yself out a s suggested b y Seth a s I fall b a c k to sle ep." After all, the hypnagogic is a trance state.

167

Astral Projection a n d rhe N ature o f Reality

Before going to bed, I w ond er w hy I hav e not had an astral projection for more than a month. I feel like I am not progressing. I haue h o p e d to develop m y intuition and other faculties, but I feel m y p sychic d evelopm ent is stagnating. Then I look over at Barb as sh e sleeps peacefully. Her serenity m akes m e realize that m y psychic abilities are evolving, but changing o n e s su b co n scio u s is a slow process, so it takes time. But I am progressing. I get so m e peace o f m in d from this conclusion. It is fu n n y h ow progress only co m e s w hen w e stop being impatient. I finally fall asleep at 1 a . m ., after staring at the ceiling for two hours. W hen I wake up in the m iddle o f the night, I rem em ber to push m y awareness out. I p u sh a n d I push, but noth ing happens. I think, "Bah, this is not working, a n d decide to give u p a n d g o back to sleep. I dream I am with a group o f people. The m o o d within the group is very pleasant. I like being with them. C ould this be a glim pse into m y life o n a so u l level? There is also a teacher w h o instructs us all. After so m e time, class is over. A s I leave fo r the outer dream world, the teacher tells me: Now, d o not forget to p u s h y o u r aw areness out. I reply, " I w ont. W hen I w ake u p at 6 a . m ., I re m e m b e r m y prom ise. I p r e ss m y aw a ren ess outwards while keeping m y attention by the ceiling, a s if I a m there, trying to lo o k d ow n at my b o d y in bed. A fter a few s e con ds, m y b o d y just falls away. Funny, it d o e s not feel like I am leaving the b o d y a s it u su ally feels. It feels m o re like the b o d y is leaving me. Maybe it is falling asleep. I think, I c a n t be lie ve h o w e a sy this is! M y aw a re n e ss is free from the body, but still attached to it. I h a v e that fam iliar o u t-o f-b o d y tingling all o ve r m y aware ness. I try to sit u p a fe w tim es but ca n't b r e a k the a ttachm ent to the body. I try rolling out but c a n t d o it that w ay either. Then I think, w h e n I roll out, I a lw a y s e n d u p in a self-created, illusory astral world. M a yb e if I just c o m m a n d m y w ay out, I w ill project clo se r to the physical, or so m e w h e re sim ilar to it. I c o m m a n d fo r a little while, b u t t hen I start recapping what I will d o o n c e I get out: M eet s o m e sp irits w h o c a n teach m e the w ays o f the astral, and see if I ca n get clo se r to the p h y sic a l plane . This re c a p is im portant, b e c a u se I know that w hen I com p letely leave the b od y, the m e m o r ie s o f d a ily life will b e inaccessible unless I recap them right b efore the exit. But w h e n I a m d o n e recapping, the astral projection state is g o n e a n d I am b a c k in the bod y. A lthough I d id not m a n a g e to fu lly le a v e the b o d y, I a m v e r y satisfied with thisses sion.

I h a v e be e n taught a q u ic k a n d e a sy p ro je c tio n technique, with the assistance

that teacher in m y dream .

I re c o m m e n d th is sim p lifie d te c h n iq u e to a n y p ro je c to r. It is leS ^ a b le t h a n th e te c h n iq u e d e s c r ib e d e a r l ie r b u t ta k e s a lot less e 168

'" S l

S im p lified AP T echnique S . V ' c||00Se is best for your purposes: do they ......- require - I - reliability Choose whichever or simplicity? H ow ever, in o r d e r to u se th is sim p lified tec h n iq u e , you
need experience in th e h y p n a g o g ic s ta te . As w e u se th e hypnagogic as
our

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H

exit tra n c e s ta te , w e n e e d to u n d e r s t a n d e x actly w h en to apply each

step in the te c h n iq u e . T h is e x p e rie n c e is e a sy to a c q u ire : Ju st b e o b se r vant to w hat h a p p e n s in y o u r m in d a s yo u fall a s le e p e a ch night.

V re n e *Z ^\
Exercise: Simplified Astral Projection Technique
1. Before going to bed, tell y ourself: "W hen I wake up d u rin g the night or

"*-55"
mise-lpressin)im m ^ am there,

in rhe m orning, I will rem e m b e r to try o u t th e sim plified projection technique." 2. Go to sleep as y o u usually do. There is no need for any special preparations. 3. When you wake u p d u rin g th e night, do n o t move an inch. Do no t open y o u r eyes. 4. Relax y o u r body. 5. Relax y o u r m ind. Let it sink. 6. Focus your awareness in y o u r chest. 7. Turn yo u r a tte n tio n to th e air below the ceiling. Try to detect any move m ent o r sound u p th ere (th is is j u s t a diversion for rhe m ind). S. Pretend a p a rt of y o u is already u p there, while a n o th e r part, the aware ness in y o u r chest, is close to th e body. 9. From the part of you up by the ceiling, turn and look a t the body below. 10. M ake the awareness in y our chest press outw ard and upward toward the p a rt o f you hanging o u t by th e ceiling. Imagine th a t the two w ant to unite. 11. Stay by the ceiling, looking dow n a t th e body and pressing up from the chest sim ultaneously. Allow your body to fall asleep any time, b u t do not pay the body m uch attention.
12. If y o u r little d iv e r s io n w a s i m m e r s in g e n o u g h , y o u w ill re m a in aw ake as y o u r b o d y falls asleep. Y o u w ill th e n be released fro m rhe body.

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13. If y o u are still attached to the sleeping body, app ly a n exit technique. Roll

/
y .i3lV tech"1 '

ill

" 1

inside the b o d y ( d o n o t roll o u ty e t) in orde r to break rhe attachments. T iy c om m a n d in g, "E x it N o w ! " If that doe s not get y o u out, try pressing y o u r self o u t through the to p o f y o u r head. A s a last resort, roll o u t o f y o u r body.

The Reality o f Astral Projection

A fter ones first astral projection, th e question every person raised and educated in W estern society would ask is: W as it real, or did the astral projection only take place in my m in d ? The answ er to th a t q u estio n is: Yes. It w as real and it only took place in your mind. W hen we ex p erien ce w aking physical reality, we are not experiencing it directly. Instead, w h at we experience is our perception of physical reality. T hat p ercep tio n only exists in o ur minds. We experi ence the perception o f astral realities in th e sam e m anner. Therefore, both the physical and th e astral ta k e place w ithin o u r minds. The question itself is faulty. It a ssu m es th a t w h at takes place within the mind is outside reality. The o p p o site is tru e : W h at takes place within the mind decides w hat reality is for th a t m ind. W h at happens in your mind is your reality. Reality is som ething you create with
tho u gh t

and

intent, not som ething th a t hap p en s to you. In fact, it is very likely that there is no such thing as an outside w orld. It could be th a t anything that ever existed was created inside each o n e o f us. Physical m atter could be product purely of the m ind. Future research in quantum physics ma) point to this upsetting notion.

The Reality o f Astral Projection

W hether you a c c e p t t h e a s tr a l a s re a l d e p e n d s o n y o u r beliefs.
Reality

is a s u b je c tiv e c o n c e p t. P le n ty o f p e o p le b e liev e th e a s tra l is

unreal- Plenty o f p e o p le b e lie v e it is r e a l. M an y b e liev e th e physical is

real

and som e b e lie v e t h e p h y sic a l is u n r e a l. All v iew s a r e c o rr e c t. W e

have such difficulty a g re e in g o n w h a t is r e a l a n d u n r e a l b e c a u s e w e try to push o u r b e lie fs u p o n e a c h o th e r . W e a r e a lm o s t d e s p e r a te to have someone e lse a c k n o w le d g e t h a t w e h a v e a s o u n d u n d e rs ta n d in g o f re a l ity. W hat w e d o n o t r e a liz e is th a t r e a lity is s u b je c tiv e e n o u g h to in co r porate all b eliefs o n t h e m a tte r . T here is n o offic ia l d e fin itio n o f t h e w o rd re a l. W e d o n o t k n o w how to tell a re a l o b je c t f ro m a n u n r e a l o b je c t, o t h e r th a n subjectively. Therefore, th e m e a s u r e o f r e a lity m u s t u n f o rtu n a te ly b e re d u c e d to beliefs. It is q u ite s im p le : I f y o u b e lie v e I h e a s tr a l is re a l, it is re a l. Ify o u believe it is u n r e a l, it is u n r e a l. You c a n m is le a d y o u rs e lf e ith e r way. Perhaps th e h e a lth ie s t a p p r o a c h is to r e ta in a n e u tr a l view w hile still seeking m o re a s tr a l e x p e rie n c e s . In tim e , y o u r e x p e rie n c e s in th e a s tra l will form y o u r b e lie f a s to w h e t h e r it is re a l. As th e p hysical a n d a s tr a l r e a litie s live w ith in y o u r m in d , th ey will
ion every person raised

P roi, mon

respond to y o u r level o f b e lie f in t h e m . If you b e liev e in th e m as rea l, they will b e c o m e i m p o r ta n t p a r t s o f y o u r life. I f y o u b eliev e th ey a re unreal, th e y will p lay s m a lle r p a r t s . Y our b e lie fs g o v e rn y o u r reality.

W as it real, or didth e

B l i / i t only tookplaff H r .,. price is 0 1 1 1 our n u n * L jnannei[otfT y jth ifl E t t a k e s P|ace" j(|,jc u * takes P ^ 6 ' n,ir wearell0i (,epi/o n ^

Quite possibly, if you s to p p e d b e lie v in g in th e p h ysical as rea l, it w ould break into s h a rd s a n d d is a p p e a r. W ithin y o u r m in d , a n y th in g is p o ssib le . You d o n o t n e e d to categorize your e x p e rie n c e s a s r e a l in' u n re a l. C a lc g o riz atio n ina> lie m o re obstructive t h a n help fu l, b e c a u s e you w ould c o n s ta n tly b e p o n d e rin g w h e th e r w h a t you a r e e x p e rie n c in g a p p lie s to reality . II you w a n t to crea^e a Physical e x p e rie n c e , j u s t d o it. If you w a n t to c re a te an a s tra l experience, ju s t d o it. It is u p to yo u w h e th e r you w an t to d istin g u ish th e two acco rd in g to how re a l you b e liev e t hey a re .

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Personal Challenges for the Projector

So, now you have seen th e a stra l. Your beliefs will change little by little, as your subconscious acknow ledges th e ex p erien ce. Your belief sys tem will open up to m ake room for th is new fro n tier. Som e old beliefs will die and som e will change. As th ey do, new d o o rs will open for you. New possibilities o f how to live yo u r life will p re s e n t them selves automat ically. Quite possibly, your life will n ev er be th e sam e. Let this subcon scious process take its co u rse. Do n o t analyze y our experience too much, but keep the m em ory o f w hat h ap p en e d alive.

Sharing Your E xp erien ces

You now possess a know ing th a t m any people do not. If you choose to share this knowing w ith o th e rs, you m ay find th a t th ey re a ct with diselief oi even with re sen tm en t. T h eir reactio n s d ep en d on the openness and flexibility of th e ir minds. You m ight be serving th em knowledge that n(> t comply with th e ir belief system s. In th e ir subconscious, the)

Personal Challenges for the Projector

realize th a t th e in fo rm a tio n yo u give th e m m ay u p s e t th e ir ow n view of reality, e v e n s h a k e t h e i r w h o le e x is te n c e . T h e y hav e w o rk e d for d ecad es t0 build a g o o d s e t o f b e lie fs a b o u t h o w re a lity w o rk s a n d now you
th re a te n

to u n d o all t h a t fo r th e m . T h e ir b e lie f sy ste m d e fe n se kicks in

and forces th e m to d e n y , d is r e g a r d , a n d fo rg e t w h a t you tell th e m . Out o f f e a r o f k n o w le d g e a n d t h e c h a n g e it r e p r e s e n ts , th e ir belief system d e fe n s e w a n ts to d is c r e d it a n d rid ic u le you so th a t th ey can b ru sh you off. It m ay e v e n f o rc e th e m to v iew you a s a lu n a tic w h o n e e d s psy chiatric h e lp . T h e y m ig h t d i s ta n c e th e m s e lv e s fro m you o r build a p ro tective w all to p r e v e n t f u r t h e r u p s e ttin g id e a s fro m re a c h in g th e m . This is a n a tu ra l r e a c tio n . T h e y a r e a fr a id t h a t yo u will u p s e t t h e ir lives th a t they have w o rk e d so h a r d to s ta b iliz e . S im p ly p u t, th e y c a n t h a n d le y our version o f t h e t r u t h . T h e ir r e a c tio n o f d is b e lie f is u n d e r s ta n d a b le . W h e n I firs t discov ered a s tr a l p r o je c tio n , I w a s v e ry p u z z le d . 1 h a d n e v e r h e a rd o f any th in g like it. C ould it b e p o s s ib le t h a t I h a d lived m y w h o le life ig n o ra n t o f so m ething so f u n d a m e n ta l t o o u r b e in g as th e ab ility to tra v e rs e reali ties? If leav in g o u r b o d ie s w e r e p o s s ib le , su re ly m y p a re n ts o r so m e o n e close to m e w o u ld h a v e ta u g h t m e h o w to d o it. O r w as it a s e c re t? A s h o r t w h ile la te r, I re a liz e d t h a t O B E w as a d e lic a te m a tte r. You d o n t b r a g to y o u r f rie n d s , H ey, g u e s s w h a t I d id th is m o rn in g ! I sh ed my p hysical b o d y a n d v isite d th e a lie n s o n E u ro p a , J u p ite r s fourthlarg e st m o o n . T h e y w e r e h a v in g a b a rb e q u e a v e g e ta ria n b a rb e q u e . If you d o , c h a n c e s a r e you will fin d y o u rs e lf w ith o u t frie n d s, a n d possibly in a ro o m w ith c u s h io n e d w a lls. T h is, I s u s p e c t, is th e fa c to r th a t p re vents p e o p le fro m ta lk in g a b o u t it a n d in h ib its th e s p re a d o f a s tra l p ro jec tio n k n o w le d g e . You sh o u ld k n o w t h a t yo u d o no t n e e d to con v in ce a n y o n e else of w h at you h a v e e x p e rie n c e d . It is n o t y o u r resp o n sib ility to convince o th e rs of yo u r o w n n e w -fo rm e d b eliefs (yes, y o u r in te r p re ta tio n o f y our e x p e rie n ce s is m e re ly b e lie fs th a t m ir r o r th e tr u th in varying d e g re e s). You m ay s e rv e o th e r s y o u r k n o w led g e, b u t it is up to th e m to e a t fio m th e p la te . Like th e sayin g g o es, you c a n b rin g a h o rse to w a te r, but you c a n t m ak e it d rin k . In fact, you s h o u ld no t in sist on th e m p a rta k in g ot th e know ledge. T h a t w ould b e a violation ol th e ir su p rem acy. T h ey a re pow erful b eings, c a p ab le o f tak in g c a re o f th e ir own lives.

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality T hey do n o t n e e d you to show th e m th e way, b e c au se y o u r way m ay no t be th e ir way. T hey do n o t w a n t your kno w led g e b e c au se , h o w ever unlivable th e ir lives m ay s e em on th e s u rfa c e , d e e p d o w n , th e y have every th in g u n d e r c o n tro l. T h ey a r e w h e re th e y a r e b e c a u s e th e y c h o o se to be th e r e a nd th ey c h o o se to b e t h e r e fo r a r e a s o n . W h o a r e w e to u n d o all th e h a rd w o rk th e y have u n d e rg o n e to g et w h e r e th e y w a n te d to go? U ltim ately, it d o e s not m a t t e r w h e th e r o r n o t th e y b e liev e you. They will c o m e to t h e ir ow n c o n c lu sio n s a t t h e ir o w n p a c e , w ith o r w ith o u t y o u r in te rv e n tio n . T h e ch o ic e o f a c c e p tin g o r d e n y in g is a rig h t all bein g s enjoy.

Sleep Habits
It is n o t only w h a t you c o m m u n ic a te t h a t g e ts o n p e o p le s n erves. T h e a s tr a l p ro je c tio n te c h n iq u e u s e d h e r e ta k e s a d v a n ta g e o f th e sleep p ro c e s s . By u sin g it, y o u g a in in v alu a b le k n o w le d g e o f w h a t goes on w h e n w e s le e p , a n d w ith th is k n o w le d g e c o m e s a d e s ir e to sp e n d m ore tim e in th e s le e p s ta t e . C o n s e q u e n tly , you will fin d t h a t y ou sp e n d unusu ally lo ng p e rio d s o f tim e s le e p in g , p ro je c tin g , o r sim p ly dream ing. B ecau se o f th is , o th e r s w ill th in k you a r e lazy a n d e v e n in c o n sid e ra te . Sleep h a s lo st its im p o r ta n c e in m o d e r n so ciety . M o s t p e o p le sleep only b e c a u s e t h e ir b o d ie s n e e d th e r e s t . B ey o n d th a t , th e y consider sleep a w a s te o f tim e . H o w e v e r, it is d u r in g s le e p t h a t w e d o o u r most im p o r ta n t w o rk . To say th e le a s t, s le e p is a g a te w a y to o t h e r dim ensions, w h e re w e g et in sp ir a tio n a n d c re a tiv e id e a s t h a t w e c a n u se in waking life. Society d o e s n o t re c o g n iz e th is b e n e f it o f s le e p . T h e only thing im p o r ta n t in m o d e r n so c ie ty is t h e e ffic ie n c y a n d p ro d u ctiv ity o f our w aking tim e . It w as n o t a lw a y s like th is , th o u g h . N a tiv e A m erican peo ple, fo r e x a m p le , b e lie v e d t h a t d r e a m in g is th e r e a l s ta t e o f being and th a t w aking life is a m e r e illu sio n o r a p a u s e fro m re a l life. T h e re is no g r e a te r tra g e d y t h a n th e e ra d ic a tio n o f th o s e c u ltu r e s a n d th e conse q u e n t p assing o f th e ir s le e p k n o w le d g e in to th e sh a d o w s. U n d e rs ta n d a b ly , to w a rd sle e p will p e o p le w ant to c o n d itio n e d s a v e y o u by th is f ro m b e littlin g attitude habits y o u r lazy

U n fo rtunately, t h e r e is little c h a n c e t h a t y ou c a n c o n v in ce th em o f hw m uch you a p p re c ia te s le e p . T h e y a r e n o t a b o u t to c h a n g e th e ir beliefs o

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

176

C o n q u e r in g Fear somethin! " u,anls 10 a u o ld C n *ecl e n <k " V subconscious inflicts pain to keep me awake This is unacceptable. I cant stay awake forever. I command my subconscious to eliminate the new rule. I explain that there is nothin! harmful a bout the experience. The p ro o f is that i came out unharmed. I also tell it, in a less than polite way. that I want m ore astral experiences and that whatever
it comes

up with will not stop me. I tell it that it is bringing not only m e down, but also its stupid rules. W hat d o y o u know: the pain instantly disappears.

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Exercise: Affirmations
To g et a h an d le o n th e fear, play rh e affirm a tio n s y o u recorded in th e A ffirm atio n s c h a p te r in th e b a ck g ro u n d th ro u g h o u t y o u r day: "You are an u n lim ite d b ein g . "You can d o a n y th in g y o u p u t y o u r m in d to . "You d eserve an in fin ite n u m b e r o f AP experiences." You o bserve ev ery th in g th a t h a p p e n s in y o u r m in d d u rin g sleep.
that is perfectly n o rm a! out of his mini I * 1 *

Tonightyou will AP." "You are c o nnected to everything." "Everything is con n e cte d to you." The m ind veil is rem oved." The universe takes good care o f y o u , w h e th e r y o u are w ith o r w ith o u t y our physical body. "Face the d irection o f th e universe a n d follow its flow. Trust t h a t the un i verse is going in th e rig h t direction."

s terrified during m yfis

If you e x p e rie n c e d f e a r d u rin g y o u r firs t p ro je c tio n , y o u r su b co n scious will p ro b a b ly build up a good d e fe n se a g a in st f u rth e r a tte m p ts to p ro ject. T h e d e fe n se is fo r y o u r p ro te c tio n , o r so y o u r su b co n scio u s believes. You m u st conscio u sly d e a l w ith th is d e fe n se . It m ay even p ro duce physical p a in if you a tte m p t to p ro je c t ag ain . In m y ca se , it p ro duced a p in ching s to m a c h a c h e . If th is h a p p e n s, j u s t rela x a nd
177

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

a c k n o w le d g e t h a t t h e p a in is c r e a t e d b y y o u r s u b c o n s c io u s a n d t h a t

t h e r e is n o t h i n g w r o n g w it h y o u r p h y s i c a l b o d y . I f y o u g iv e in t o t h e f e a r a n d s t o p p r a c t ic i n g a s t r a l p r o je c t io n , the fe a r w ill r o o t i t s e lf m o r e d e e p l y in y o u r s u b c o n s c i o u s a s t im e g o e s by. If y o u q u it a s t r a l p r o j e c t io n , y o u in v it e f e a r t o g o v e r n y o u r d e c is i o n s f o r t h e r e s t o f y o u r life. I n a fe w y e a r s , t h e f e a r o f t h e b o d y e x it w ill b e a su b st a n t ia l p a r t o f y o u r life. B y t h e n , it w ill b e v e r y d i f f i c u lt t o d is s o lv e . T h e r e f o r e , t h e b e s t t im e t o d e a l w i t h t h e f e a r is n o w , b e f o r e it g e t s ou t o f h a n d . G e t b a c k o n t h e h o r s e i m m e d i a t e l y t h a t is, c o n t in u e p r a c t ic in g a s t r a l p r o j e c t io n d e s p it e a ll f e a r s .

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Exercise: Dispelling Fear

Before your next astral projection session, d o th is fear-dispelling exercise again: 1. Close your eyes. 2. Relax y o u r m ind. 3. M ove your c e n te r o f th o u g h t to th e c e n te r o f y o u r chest. 4. Create a small pearl o f love in th e c e n te r o f y o u r chest. 5. Let love beam o u t from th e pearl in all directions. 6. Let the love b a th e e v erything a ro u n d you. How d o y o u feel? Have w orries a n d fears su b sid ed ? W a y ,/u n e a s y ^ m e fo r L u ,

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Psychic Side Effects

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S ince I s t a r t e d p r a c tic in g a s tr a l p r o je c tio n , w e ird th in g s hav e beg u n to h a p p e n . It s e e m s t h e m o r e I p r a c tic e , th e m o r e m y s u b tle se n se s develop, o p e n in g m e to in tu itio n a n d s im ila r a b ilitie s .

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Monday, June 25, 2001 Clairvoyance for Lunch

13m m aking lunch. I get a plate from the cu p b o a rd a n d a thought p o p s into m y head: "If I drop this plate, it will shatter o n the floor. " The thought feels like mine. The weird thing is that there is nothing leading u p to it: Suddenly, the thought is just there, uninvited. I put some fo o d o n the plate a n d heat it in the m icrow ave oven. W hen I reach for the plate in the m icrowave o ve n I think, / better h o ld the plate with both hands, o r I might accidentally drop it to the floor. I am w orried about dropping the plate a n d I can't understand why. Then 1 think, W hat is w rong with m e ? I am not going to d rop anything. I never drop anything!" O n m y w ay to the table, the plate b reak s in two (the heating p roce ss pro b ab ly ca u se d a crack in the ceramic), a n d the f o o d falls to the floor. I n o w h a v e a p iece o f plate in each h a n d a n d a d u m b fo u n d e d expression o n m y face. I am partly a m a z e d by m y thoughts p rio r to the accident, partly d isap p ointed that m y f o o d is spoiled, but m ostly I am angry b ecau se I d id not listen to m y intuition.

179

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

S o m e t i m e s , a w i n d o w to a n o t h e r w o r l d o p e n s u p . Y o u g e t a g lim p s e , a b r i e f t a st e , o f a w o r l d t h a t is b e y o n d t h e c o m p r e h e n s io n o f t h e ra t io n a l m in d . W h e t h e r t h i s is t h e h o m e o f o u r s o u ls , I d o n o t k n o w , b u t I k n o w it is a c c e s s ib le , a n d t h e o n l y t h i n g p r e v e n t i n g u s f r o m v e n t u r i n g in t o th a t w o r l d is o u r l im i t i n g b e l ie f s y s t e m . W h e n w e m a k e c o n t a c t w i t h th a t w o r ld , t h e r a t i o n a l m in d s t a r t s e x p l a i n i n g w h a t it s e e s in c o n v e n t io n a l t e r m s , a n d w h e n it c a n t e x p l a i n w h a t it s e e s , it d e n i e s t h e e x p e rie n c e a n d c lo s e s t h e w i n d o w t o t h a t w o r l d . I n t im e , a n d w i t h p r a c t ic e , su b tle r p a r t s o f o u r i n t e llig e n c e w ill r e p l a c e t h e r a t i o n a l m i n d i n t h i s in t e ra c t io n .

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day

Monday, November 12, 2001 Bright White Light in My Room

I w ake u p early in the m orning. The ro o m is dark. Still in b ed, I clear m y eyes o f the j u n k that h a s gath e re d d uring the night. S u d d e n ly, there is a fla s h o f bright, white light. It lasts fo r a se con d. It lo o k s lik e the b e a m s from a ca r headlight, but with a wider spread. The light so u rc e m u st b e in sid e the room , b e c a u s e the curtains are clo sed and there is n o s o u n d from a p a s sin g car. Afterward, I w o n d e r w hat the flash meant. P e rh a p s so m e entity wanted to show that I am not alone. O r m ayb e I sa w b e y o n d the p h y sica l w o rld for a n instant a n d m y ego closed it d o w n w hen it d isc o ve re d w hat I w as doing. O r m a yb e it is su p p o s e d to trigger a memory o f som ething I h a v e to do. O r m ayb e there is som e thing w ro ng w ith m y eyes o r brain.

low ing day-

Monday, November 12, 2001 Seeing through Closed Eyelids

A few d a y s ago, d u rin g a n attem pt to O BE, I c o u ld s e e t h ro u gh m y clo sed eyelids. I d id not reflect o v e r it at the time, b e c a u s e it felt natural. I c o u ld se e the ceiling through the darkne ss. W hether the p h y sica l e y es o r the a stral e y es w ere in u se re m ain s unknow n. It did not se em at the time that m y aw a re n e ss w a s r e m o v e d from the p hysical body, which m ake s m e think that either a n o n p h y s ic a l faculty o f visio n is a va ilab le from a waking state o f mind, o r o u r p h y sica l eyes are ca p a b le o f m u ch m o re than w e h a v e s o f a r discovered.

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Sunday, December 9, 2001 A Guide s Thought

I turn o n the c o m p u te r a n d g o to the b ath room . The n I re m em b er that I a^ w^ h a v e to turn o n the m o n ito r b e fore I turn o n the c o m p u te r o r the m onitor wi

180

Psychic Side Effects

u n s y n c h r o n iz e d . I think, " O h no, n o w I h a u e to re a c h o u e r a n d d eta ch the m onitor c o r d a n d then p lu g it b a c k in t o ge t the m o n it o r w o r k in g properly, w h a t a h assle ." Then

I hear a thought, It m a y b e le s s w o r k t h a n y o u think. I figu re that c o u ld b e o n e o f m y

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guides telling m e n o t to w orry, s o I d o n o t worry. W h e n I return a n d turn o n the m o n i tor, it w o r k s perfectly.

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O n e d a y w h ile a p a r t . B a rb a n d I d e c id e d th a t I sh o u ld a s tr a l p ro je c t over to h e r h o u s e . A lth o u g h 1 d id n o t h a \ c a s u c ce ssfu l d e p a r t u r e o f th e body. 1 d id s u c c e e d in p e r c e iv in g h e r b e d r o o m c o rr e c tly w h e n I visual ized f lo a tin g in s id e it. B e lo w is a n e x c e r p t fro m a n I n te r n e t c h a t t h e fol lowing day.

Thursday, January 17, 2002 Remote Perception

Barb: Y o u w e re s u p p o s e d to c o m e h e r e last night. M a gn u s: I iva s there, b u t I w a s still aw ake. B: R e a lly ? D o tell! M: Y o u w e re a w a k e too, I think. B: W h a t w a s I d o i n g ? M: Yo u w e re o n y o u r b a c k , n o t o n y o u r sid e ? B: I w a s o n m y b ack. I u su a lly sle e p o n m y tummy, though, b ut I w as su cking y o u in. M : T he c o v e r ioas u n d e r y o u r arm s, n o t all the w ay to y o u r c h in ? B: Yes! M: I first g o t the im p r e s sio n y o u h a d a n a r m y o f p illo w s u n d e r y o u r head. Then there w a s o n ly one. W hite. B: O h m y g o d , y e s ! T he re w a s a n a r m y o f pillow s, but I m o v e d them. Started to get a hea dache. W h a t e ls e ? W h a t d id y o u d o ? See, hear, a n d fee l? M : I floa te d a b o u e y o u f o r s o m e time, then re sted next to you. You turned a n d lo o k e d at m e at o n e time. B: I h a d m y arm s u p / p a lm s up, a n d I felt yo u , m ostly lo m y right ...or, strongest to right. D id y o u lie d o w n , to m y right? M: I lay d o w n first o n y o u r left side, then o n y o u r right side, b e c a u se it w as easier (to visualize) fo r so m e reason. B: Easier b e c a u se that is w here I w anted you, a n d at a d e e p level, y o u k n e w that. I felt y o u . . . s o m e o n e .. . b ru sh the h air aw a y from m y face. M: Hey, I d id y a n k y o u r hair. Hard! A n d I m ight h a v e b ru sh e d it, too.

tflb*

181

Astral Projection a n d the Na ture o f R eality B: It didn t hurt, but I felt it, very much. Why hard? M: Becauseyou werent responding to the brushing. Could you describe your haircut? B: Not much to describe, really. Long, almost to my bra strap. Almost one length, blonde, semicurly. M: I got the impression it was in a knot or something. B: It was actually, pulled back, clipped back in a comb. But later, I pulled out the comb. Too uncomfortable to sleep in. M: I thought your TV was at the foot o f the bed? B: It is. M: (Mounted) on the wall or on a table? B: Table. M: Good. A funny thing. I left y o u and came back a few times. Twice, I stepped into someone elses bedroom. It was embarrassing. B: Where they . . . i n a . . . compromising position? M: An old couple was lying in bed. They were reading, I think. Odober2002 p/ f s efls

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Saturday, June 1, 2002 Lucky Pennies

Barb and I are out walking. We fin d a pen n y on the street. Barb says, We found one p enny the other day, and one now. They are lucky pennies, but only ify o u find them with their tails up. Three is the magical number. Then w e walk on, turn a corner, and find a third penny on the street! This o ne also has its tail up.

May 2003 The Dime

Barb and I are broke again. All w e haue is a handful o f change. We go into a thrift bread store. They have a deal, five loaves fo r three-som ething dollars. W hen w e get to the register, we find that we are seven pennies short. How embarrassing. Barb goes out to the car to look for change under the seats, bu t there is no t m uch chance o f finding anything, since we have already cleaned out every p en n y from the car. For no apparent reason, I turn m y head down to look at the flo o r an d fin d a dim e ju st lying there, star ing up at me. That dime was not there before! H um bly grateful fo r this gift, I pick it U P and pay for our daily bread. W -u se

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C V S
S o m e tim e s you pick u p in fo r m a tio n a b o u t f u tu r e e v e n ts w ith your s u b tle psychic s e n s e s . O f te n you d o n o t k n o w h o w o r w h e r e you got the 182

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Psychic Side Effects inform ation. It s e e m s a s if th o u g h ts j u s t p o p in to y o u r m ind w ith

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cause. But o f c o u rs e , t h e r e is a c a u s e , a n d th a t c a u se is th e fact th a t we are cap ab le o f s e n s in g t h e w o rld a ro u n d u s in m an y m o re w ays th an we conventionally th in k .

Premonition

Friday, September 6, 2002

Barb, Jazz, a n d I walk in Lewisville Park, Vancouver. I smell berries. I stop and

search but fin d none. Darn it, I so w anted som e berries. We continue down the path and come upon berry bushes! Then, after stuffing m y m outh full, I get the urge to O few ti spread my arms a nd imitate a propeller airplane. Brrrrrruuuuaaaoooom!A few sec onds later, a propeller plane flies over our heads. As we drive home from the park, I i? I think. make a remark that the clouds look ju st like they do in The Simpsons cartoon. A sec ond later, som eone on the radio m entions Ralph from The Simpsons.

October 2002 Precognitive Dream

I dream I visit a gypsy-like fortuneteller. She tells me that I will go to another city he street terb y pennies, b u tcn l))^ where I will m eet a woman, w hom I will recognize by a tarot card that she will give me. The woman will also tell m e something that I will not believe, but which is true.... Four m onths later, Barb an d I have m oved to Tucson, Arizona. We had not planned the m ove at the tim e o f the dream. One day, we meet a homeless woman who has been kicked out o f her Native American reservation by the tribal leaders because she got a restraining order against her abusive Native American husband. Now she is begging at the intersection with her two kids for enough money to stay at a motel. Who would kick children out o f their home? The wom an, w hose nam e is Sue, tells m e about chem-trails in the sky.

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Supposedly, som e o f the people in charge are knowingly polluting the air with radioactive substances and other poisons. I am unsure what to believe. Why would they poison their own population? Who would do such a thins ? How do they sleep at night? I must admit though, that what I thought were jet contrails are suspiciously welt distributed across the sky, parallel and at right angles to each other. They linger for hours, whereas regular jet contrails are washed away by the wind in mere minutes. These trails are spread by what looks like military aircraft. I haue neuer seen a com mercial airliner do it. When the TV news discloses that Tucson kids are afflicted with cancer worse than

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

that f o u n d in the rest o f the country, I d o n t k n o w w hat to believe. C o u ld the c a u se of this ca nce r b e the radioactive chem -trails? S u e a n d I fin d a c o m m o n interest: C arlo s C astaneda. Befo re w e part, S u e giv e s me h is last book, T h e W h e e l o f Tim e.'" Im agin e m y su rp rise w h e n I d is c o v e r that its co ver lo o k s like a tarot card.

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M ind Your Step

Experience how your mind affects the astral and learn to harness its creative powers.
It is always strange to realize that physical reality has that little hold, comparatively speaking, that you can slip out of it so easily, that it is more like bright transparent cellophane than solid wood or rock. You can go in and out of it, through it and back, without leaving a tear. Yet the world is so smooth and unseamed when youre in the body and focused there. Jane Roberts, Seth: Dreams and Projection of Consciousness1 5

W e lc o m e l o C ir c le 3 o f A s t r a l P r o je c tio n a n d t h e N a tu r e o f R e a l it y 1 By n o w , y o u s h o u ld h a v e h a d a t l e a s t o n e a s tr a l p r o je c tio n , s o y ou will h a v e n o p r o b le m r e l a ti n g to t h e t o p ic s 1 w ill n o w d is c u s s . In th is C ircle , w e w ill e x p lo r e t h e n a t u r e o f t h e a s tr a l. U p u n til n o w , I h a v e d e lib e ra te ly a v o id e d d e s c r ib in g m y v iew o f h o w t h e a s tr a l lo o k s a n d w o rk s , b e c a u s e I d id n o t w a n t to c r e a t e a n y e x p e c ta tio n s o n y o u r b e h a lf. E x p e c ta tio n s s e v e re ly a ffe c t o n e s p e r c e p t io n a n d i n te r p r e t a t i o n o f a s tr a l e x p e rie n c e s .

However, it is now tim e to in v estig ate w h a t h a p p e n s d u rin g an a stra l projection. In o rd e r to b eco m e skillful a s tra l p ro je c to rs , w e n e ed th a t know ledge. R em em b er to form y o u r ow n u n d e rs ta n d in g o f th e a stral based on your ow n ex p erie n ce s. Take w h a t you c an fro m th e to p ics dis cussed in this C ircle, b u t only if fits in to y o u r p e rs o n a l ex p erie n ce .

Needs fo r Growth

O u r a s t r a l e n v i r o n m e n t s a r e e x t r e m e l y i n d iv id u a liz e d . S o m e a s tr a l p r o je c to r s r e p o r t s e e i n g w o r l d s s im il a r to o u r o w n , w h ile o t h e r s te ll o f w o rld s i n c o n c e i v a b l e t o o u r r a t i o n a l i ty . S o m e m e e t r e g u l a r ty p e s o f p e o p le , w h ile o t h e r s r u n i n t o a n g e ls a n d g o b lin s . T h e v a r ie ty o f e x p e r ie n c e s to b e h a d in t h e a s t r a l is b a f f lin g . A s h u m a n s , w e a r e t r a i n e d to t h in k in p h y sic a l t e r m s , s o w e p o n d e r t h i s a s t r a l v a s tn e s s . If w e a r e u n f o r tu n a te , w e a r r i v e a t t h e c o n c lu s io n t h a t t h e a s t r a l is n o t a r e a l p la c e , o n ly a fig m e n t o f o u r im a g i n a t io n ; if w e a r e f o r t u n a t e , w e c o n c lu d e t h a t t h e a s tr a l is n o t p h y s ic a l a n d t h e r e f o r e c a n t b e c o m p r e h e n d e d in p h y s ic a l te r m s . T h e r e f o r e , t h e w o r d s r e a l, p l a c e , a n d o n l y d o n o t a p p ly in t h e a s tr a l.

The Meta-World
C o n s id e rin g all t h e o b j e c t s a n d th o u g h ts t h a t a p p e a r in t h e a s tr a l, t h e a s tr a l m u s t b e a m e t a - w o r ld : a r e a lm in w h ic h w o rld s a r e c r e a t e d a n d d e s tr o y e d in t h e b lin k o f a n e y e o r s u s ta i n e d fo r a n e te r n ity , e a ch w o rld h a v in g its o w n u n iq u e o b je c ts a n d c r e a t u r e s . A s im p le th o u g h t, c o m in g f ro m a n y c o n s c io u s n e s s , c a u s e s a n e w w o rld to p o p in to th is

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f R ea lity m eta-w orld. T ho u g h ts also design c re a tu re s a n d o b jec ts th a t a p p e a r in th is new w orld. P e rh a p s even o u r physical u n iv e rs e h a s its ro o ts in th e a s tra l, c re a te d by an initial a s tr a l th o u g h t a n d m a in ta in e d b y th e th o u g h ts o f all e n titie s living in th e ph ysical. T h e re a s o n w hy a s tr a l p r o je c to r s r e p o r t d iff e re n t e n c o u n te r s is th a t w h a t th e y have s e e n is w h a t th e y th e m s e lv e s h av e c r e a te d . T h e a s tra l, b eing a m eta -w o rld , will c r e a te o r a tt r a c t a n y th in g a m in d in te n d s to see o r o th e rw is e e x p e rie n c e . F ro m th is th e o r y , w e c a n s e e o u r im p o rta n c e a s c re a to rs in th e ph y sic a l a n d th e a s tr a l. O u r s ta te o f m in d s h a p e s o u r th o u g h ts , w h ic h in tu r n fo rm o u r cur r e n t w orld. Follow ing th is id e a , w e c o m e to th is s im p le ru le : C h a n g e your self, a n d y o u r a s tr a l, d re a m in g , a n d p h y sic a l e n v ir o n m e n ts will change. T h e m ind o f an i n c a r n a te h u m a n is c o m p le x , c o n ta in in g se v e ra l lay ers of c o n scious a n d u n c o n s c io u s in te n tio n s . E a c h o f th e s e la y e rs h a s a differ e n t idea o f w h a t is in o u r b e s t in te r e s t; c o n s e q u e n tly , e a c h h a s d ifferen t id ea s o f w h a t it w a n ts to s e e in th e a s tr a l, o r a n y w h e r e , fo r th a t m atter.

r '- '
cre0t

T h e A ttr a c to r
F o r th e no v ice p r o je c to r , a p a r t o f t h e m in d t h a t r e s id e s in th e sub c o n scio u s o fte n b e c o m e s d o m in a n t a n d ta k e s o v e r th e ro le a s th e cre a to r. T h is h a p p e n s n a tu ra lly . W e a r e so u s e d to le ttin g th e subconscious gu ide us in t h e ph y sic a lit g u id e s u s w h e n w e w a lk , r u n , d riv e , o r do an y th in g w e c o n s id e r a u to m a tic t h a t w e d o n o t q u e s tio n th e fa c t th a t it also trie s to gu id e u s in t h e a s tr a l. O n e p a r t o f t h e su b c o n sc io u s knows v ery well how to h a n d le th e a s tr a l b e c a u s e it s p e n d s m o s t o f its tim e th e r e . U n fo rtu n a te ly , th is is n o t th e p a r t t h a t t a k e s c h a rg e . T h e p a r t o f th e s u b c o n sc io u s t h a t ta k e s c h a rg e is s o m e th in g I call the a ttra c to ra p a r t o f t h e m in d t h a t a tt r a c t s o r c r e a t e s t h e e x a c t situations you n e e d in o r d e r to f u r t h e r y o u r s e lf a s a s p ir it. Its m o tiv a tio n is divine in te n tio n , a d h e rin g to o u r p r im a ry g o a l a s a s p ir it to evolve through e x p e rie n ce . T h e r e f o r e , w h a t w e se e in th e a s tr a l is w h a t w e n e e d to see, as d e e m e d by th e a ttr a c to r. F o r e x a m p le , if th e a tt r a c t o r d e e m s it nec e s sa ry to p u t m e in a life -th re a te n in g s itu a tio n so t h a t I m ay realize that my tim e on p la n e t E a r th is to o p re c io u s to b e w a s te d o n a jo b th a t makes m e unhappy, th e n it will d o so w h e n it g e ts a n o p p o rtu n ity . T h e re a re

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p l^ lV o f o p p o r.u n ,t, .S fo r th a t in th e a s tr a l, b e c a u se any th in g can he created th e r e . P e rh ap s it will c r e a te a fire -sp e w in g d ra g o n o r a b a n a n a with a grudge. T h e p o ssib ilitie s a r e e n d le s s . W h a t il c h o o ses to c re a te for me enC0Unter d e Pe n d s o n w hal k in d ol' l,,' , son 1 a m a n d w hal I need to experience at lh a l given m o m e n t. Il will b e u n iq u e in Ih e se n se lh a t th e a ttra c to r in o t h e r p e o p le will c r e a t e s o m e th in g d iffe re n t, m o re in line ^ with th e ir p e rs o n a lity . O f c o u rse , th e a tt r a c to r d o e s n o t have to c re a te a life-threatening sit uation. Each p e rs o n h a s a p le th o ra o f o b sta c les to fre e d o m th a t sh e needs to recognize a n d u n d e rs ta n d , a n d th e possibilities to recognize th em in the astral a re a s e n d le s s as th e v a rie ty ol' o b jec ts th a t can b e c re a te d . T he a tt r a c t o r is a c tiv e a lso in th e p h y sical. You have no d oubt noticed t h a t s itu a tio n s a ris e a n d p e o p le a p p e a r j u s t w h e n you n e e d th em to. P e rh a p s o n c e , w h e n you w e re on y o u r last d im e , you h a p p e n e d upon a lo tte ry w in o r a p e r s o n o ffe re d to lo an you m oney. O r p e rh a p s this bully back in sc h o o l t o rm e n te d you, a n d now th a t you look back on it, you realize th a t th e t o r m e n t w a s e x actly w h a t you n e e d e d at th e tim e to grow as a p e rs o n . H ow ev er, tin*physical is a slow -changing w orld. The

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G row in g fr o m N o n p h y sic a l E x p e r ie n c e s
a s tra l, it o ffe rs o p p o rtu n itie s fo r sp iritu al g ro w th . W h a t is in te restin g about d re a m s , how ever, is n o t th e ent ities you e n c o u n te r o r th e specifics of th e s itu a tio n s, but h o w y o u rea ct to th o se situ a tio n s. T h e a ttr a c to r is into d re a m situ a tio n s th at show you w hat you need to w ork on in o r d e r to c o n q u e r y our n e x t sp iritu al ob stacle. How you re a c t to a situ a tio n in th e d re a m w orld is ap p ro x im ately how you would re a c t to a sim ilar situatio n in th e w aking physical. T hink o f th e d ream w orld as a la b o ra to ry w h e re b e h a v io r th at would no t do in th e physical ls to le ra te d . If you, a fte r w aking up, d eem you have behaved poorly in a d rea m , th e n you know w h at n eed s a tte n tio n w ithin you. (Do no t beat

nSCI r . linifT h e d re a m w o rld also m a n ife s ts o b jec ts very quickly. As d oes th e

Very luick to Put y u

A stral Projection a n d th e N a tu re o f R ea lity y o u rse lf u p o v e r it, th o u g h ; you c a n n e v e r h u r t a n y o n e in a d re a m .) And all th is is th a n k s to th e a ttr a c to r! A s w e gain m o re a s tr a l flight tim e , w e le a rn h o w o u r m in d s affect th e a s tra l, a n d ev e n tu a lly w e s to p re lin q u is h in g c o n tro l o f c re a tio n to the a ttr a c to r. A n o th e r w ay to p u t it is t h a t th e will to activ ely e x p lo re grows s tr o n g e r th a n th e will to p a ssiv e ly le a r n , w h ic h is t h e w ay o f th e a ttra c to r. T h e r e a r e p le n ty o f w o n d e r s to e x p e rie n c e in th e a s tr a l, a n d w e do n o t w a n t th e a tt r a c t o r g e ttin g in th e w ay a s w e go e x p lo rin g t h o s e things. T h e r e a r e a n u n fa th o m a b le n u m b e r o f w o rld s in th e a s tr a l. If w e cat eg o rize th e s e w o rld s a c c o rd in g to t h e i r life s p a n , w e c a n say th a t th e re a r e tw o ty p es: t r a n s ie n t a n d p e r s is te n t. T r a n s ie n t w o rld s a r e short-lived, te m p o r a r y w o rld s in w h ic h you c a n c r e a t e a n y th in g . O b je c ts a p p e a r and d is a p p e a r a t t h e w h im o f y o u r th o u g h ts . P e r s is te n t w o rld s ex ist before yo u p r o je c t to th e m a n d r e m a in a f t e r yo u le a v e th e m . T h e o b jec ts have a lo n g e r life s p a n . In a typ ic a l tr a n s ie n t w o rld , you a r e t h e o n ly in h a b itin g being. As su ch , th e w o rld will r e s p o n d to y o u r i n te n tio n s a lo n e . A p e rs is te n t world m ay b e in h a b ite d by m illio n s o f b e in g s . T h e a p p e a r a n c e o f th e persist e n t w o rld is h e ld in p la c e by th e in te n tio n s , b e lie fs , a n d th o u g h ts o f the in h abiting a s tr a l b e in g s. T h e s h e e r n u m b e r o f th o u g h ts s p e n t on th e world p e rp e tu a te s its e x is te n c e . If o n e b e in g s to p p e d th in k in g o f th e w orld, there w ould b e se v e ra l m illion m o re b e in g s to c o n tin u e th in k in g o f it. This is w hy it is p e r s is te n t. If all in h a b itin g b e in g s s to p p e d th in k in g o f th e world, it w ould b e c o m e tra n s ie n t . T h e tra n sie n t, a n d p e r s i s te n t w o rld s a r e s u p e rfic ia l in th a t th ey are c o n tro lle d by th o u g h ts . T h e o b je c ts w ith in th e m a r e m ere ly thoughtfo rm s. D e e p e r levels o f t h e a s tr a l a r e n o t so easily a ffe c te d . T h ese make th e fo u n d atio n u p o n w h ich th e s u p e rfic ia l w o rld s a r e c re a te d . It is very difficult to r e a c h th e d e e p e r levels u n le s s y o u u n d e rs ta n d exactly how su p e rfic ia l w o rld s r e s p o n d to y o u r th o u g h ts . W ith o u t t h a t u n d e rs ta n d in g , o u r e x p lo ra tio n will b e ham pered w e g et e n ta n g le d in th e s u p e rfic ia l o b je c ts o u r m in d c re a te s for us. ^ tim e, w e will gain c o n tro l o v e r o u r m in d , th e r e b y ce asin g th e creation s u perficial o b jec ts. T h e n w e will have n o p ro b le m sp o ttin g a n d r e a d th e d e e p e r levels o f t h e a s tra l.

190

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Taming the Mind

before ts have

A s m e n t i o n e d in t h e p r e v i o u s s e c t i o n , y o u r m in d is t h e d i r e c to r o f y o u r a s tr a l e n v i r o n m e n t . A n y th in g y o u c a n c o n c e iv e , y o u c a n c r e a t e . T h e b a d n e w s is, t h e s u b c o n s c i o u s m in d is a m a s t e r o f c o n c e iv in g e v e ry th in g fro m b r e a t h t a k i n g b e a u ty to h o r r i f i c n i g h tm a r e s , a n d it d o e s th is c o n tin u o u sly u n l e s s y o u t a m e it.

Exercise: Stopping the World

1. Close y o u r eyes. 2. S to p th in k in g fo r a m in u te . D o n o r try to silen ce rh e in d iv id u al th o u g h ts. In ste a d , s to p th e e n tire th o u g h r p rocess. 3. Sir in a c o m p le te v o id fo r o n e m in u te . 4. In y o u r c u rre n t s ta te , y o u hav e c o m p le te co n tro l o v er y o u r m in d . 5. R ep eat th is exercise ev ery day.

191

Astral Projection a n d rhe N a w re o f R eality

A stral R ep licas o f P h ysical S p a c e s

W hen we a re re le a se d into th e a s tra l, w e o fte n initially fin d o u r selves in unknow n w a te rs. W e m ay r e a c t in co n fu sio n . C onsciously, we q u e ry o u r usual physical se n se s fo r in fo rm a tio n , w h ich is th e s a m e th in g as asking th e sub conscious to tell us w h a t o u r s u rro u n d in g s lo o k like, since o u r se n se s a re m an a g e d by th e s u b c o n sc io u s. T h e su b co n scio u s th e n rea c h e s out in to th e s u rro u n d in g s a n d fin d s th a t th e e y e s, e a rs , and tactile se n se s a r e n o t w orking. T he subconscious c a n t m ak e s e n s e o f th e s itu a tio n , a n d it inform s us o f this. T he su b c o n sc io u s d e fin ite ly d o e s n o t lik e b e in g c o n fu se d , so it m ay e n c o u ra g e us to p a n ic . N ow w e c o n scio u sly h a v e a ch o ic e b e tw e en panicking, g e ttin g s c a r e d , try in g a g a in t o s e n s e t h e s u rr o u n d in g s , or keeping cool h e a d s a n d tru s tin g t h a t th in g s w ill w o rk o u t. W e will p ro b ab ly c h o o s e o n e o f t h e f ir s t tw o a lt e rn a tiv e s (p an ic o r fright) d u rin g th e f ir s t few p r o je c tio n s , b u t w h e n w e fin a lly m a n a g e to co n tro l o u r fe a rs , w e will b e m o re in c h a rg e o f t h e s itu a tio n . W e will th e n begin to s tu b b o rn ly in s is t t h a t t h e r e m u s t b e s o m e s o r t o f s u rro u n d ings to b e se n se d . S in c e w e h a v e b e c o m e u s e d to a c o n s ta n t in p u t from o u r bodily s e n se s , w e a u to m a tic a lly e x p e c t th is s e rv ic e e v e n w h e n w e a re traveling o u tsid e th e p hysical r e a lm . W e c a n t a c c e p t t h a t o u r physical se n se s have s to p p e d fe e d in g u s w ith in f o r m a tio n . W h a t h a p p e n s n e x t is key t o k n o w in g t h e w a y s o f t h e a s tr a l. In our hunt for clues a b o u t th e s u rr o u n d in g s , o u r im a g in a tio n will p ick up the slig h te st c o n scio u s o r s u b c o n sc io u s th o u g h t a n d se arc h v e ry hard 1in)***1* Hot)**
S not-

th ro u g h o u r m e m o rie s fo r a n y a s s o c ia te d m e m o r y t h a t d e s c r ib e s a phys ical sp a ce . W h e n it fin d s o n e a n d it a lw a y s d o e s , b e c a u s e o u r m in d s are p acked w ith m e m o rie s o f ph y sic a l lo c a tio n s t h e im a g in a tio n will create this sp a ce a s a n a s tr a l e n v ir o n m e n t fo r u s . F o r e x a m p le , w h e n project ing, if w e have a s u b c o n sc io u s th o u g h t o f t h e p h y sic a l r o o m fro m which w e p ro je c te d , th e n o u r s u b c o n sc io u s m in d will c r e a t e a n a s tr a l replica Ol th a t ro o m fo r us to e x p e rie n c e . A s a r e s u lt, o u r s u b c o n sc io u s m ind is no longei c o n fu se d , b e c a u s e I he c a u s e o f t h e c o n fu s io n , t h e lack o f sen so ry input, is e lim in a te d . " E x c e lle n t s o lu tio n ! " sa y s t h e subconscious. th is m ay n o t b e w h a t w e w a n t, s in c e o u r c o n s c io u s m ind vvill X 'B iy confused a s to w h e th e r t h e s u rr o u n d in g s p a c e is th e physics1 sp ace o r an a s tra l re p lic a o f th e s a m e . %

>ss j .

1 9 2

T he a s tra l o ffe rs n o re s is ta n c e in th is a c t o f c re a tio n . T h e astral replica will b e a m a z m g ly d e ta ile d a n d it will feel just like a physical space, w ith th e e x c e p tio n t h a t w e c a n flo a t in th e air, w alk th ro u g h furnitu re a n d w alls, a n d co n scio u sly c re a te any ad d itio n al objects we desire. In t h e a s tr a l re p lic a , it will s e e m like o u r physical eyes a n d e a rs are active, b u t th is is j u s t a w ay fo r th e su b c o n sc io u s m ind to fee] com fo rtable. T h e p h y sic a l s e n s e s a r e still in th e physical body, w h e re our a w a re n ess is n o t.

Saturday, November 30, 2002 A Noisy OBE

I regress in m e m o r y in se arch o f a n ythin g that m ight re se m ble an alien abduction o r a m in d scre en m e m o r y co ve rin g s u c h a n experience. I fin d nothing, but as I begin to slum ber m y s u b c o n s c io u s starts d ia lo g u in g with an other-dim ensional alien. I d o not reflect o n the o d d n e s s o f the event, b e c a u s e o n ly m y rational m ind, w hich is about to fall asleep, v ie w s it a s o dd . The d isc u ss io n c o ntinu es fo r h o u rs a n d I am n ever actually asleep, but d a n glin g in the h y p n a g o g ic state. I w ake u p briefly a n d d e c id e to h a v e a n out-o f-body experience. I d o something weird with m y m ind. I d o n o t k n o w h o w I ca m e u p with the idea, but it feels like the right thing to do. It feels like I a m p ullin g m y aw areness, a s if it w ere chew ing gum, out the b ack o f m y head, leaving m y h e a d tingling. M y aw a ren ess slings b ack into m y head. I ca n s e n se that there is a n o th e r p e r so n present. I assu m e it is Barb. I want to help her get out o f h e r bod y. I t hink to her, Lets get a h e a d o f time." I accelerate the flow of time through m y aw a re n e ss ( d o n t a s k m e h o w I d id that). Time n o w flow s faster than normal. It e ve n flo w s faster than m y b o d y ca n handle, w hich falls behind. I experience events that will h a p p e n to the p h y sica l b o d y several se co n d s in the future: A dust par ticle that h a s not ye t fallen l a n d s o n m y chest. I feel a m uscle sp asm I hav e not yet had. M y aw a reness is a sk e w from the body, this time a skew in time, a n d a slight roll m akes m e fall o ut o f m y b od y. I a m floating. I try to rem em ber w hat I p la n n e d to d o while out o f m y body. I e vo k e a recollection proce dure that is so m e how m anaged by a part o f m e still residing in the body. Consequently, I regain feeling o f the b o d y a n d begin bou n cin g betw een m y projected aw areness p oint a n d the body. I rem em ber I p la n n e d to visualize a so n g to see if it com es alive in the astral. I think a few tunes, but they d o not turn into anything self-sustained. They are just plain tunes. I float into the room but ca n t rem em ber that I projected from the cabin. I have no idea o f what the room is su p p o s e d to lo o k like. Therefore, I can't create an astral

Asrm l Projection a n d the Na ture o f Reality

replica o f the room like I usually do. I feel awkward. I am so u sed to being somewhere that being now here causes m e to feel lost a n d confused. This is not b a d news at all, although I d o not realize it at the time. I haue turned the s u b co n scio u s p rocedure of creating m y astral enuironm ent into a co n sc io u s effort. This is an extraordinary achieuement, for m e at least. The p o w e r o f creation is at m y c o n sc io u s disposal. This can only m ean that I am beginning to m aster m y mind. I ch oose to create the V ancouue r studio, b e c a u se I su spect I projected from there (which I d id not). I can't re m em ber w hat it lo o k s like. I liued in it for six m onths, but currently, I h aue n o recollection o f w hat it is like. This m e m o ry b lo c k m ust haue som e thing to d o with the projection m echanics. like a bar, a n d su re enough,

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w o o d e n bar. There is n o b a r in the physical. The sim p le act o f gu e ssing that there is a bar created the b a r in the astral.

I get the idea that if I make enough noise, Barb will hear it in the waking physical world. This will be a good experiment to see if astral sound trauels into the physical. I float into the kitchen and start opening and slamming shut the refrigerator doors. Obuiously, I do not remember the physical placement o f the fridge, because it has neuerbeen in the kitchen, but I do remember that is has a double door. This makes me wonder why some memories are accessible in the astral while others are not. I make terrible noise as I repeatedly slam the fridge doors. I make so much noise that the Barb sleeping in m y little astral world wakes up and yells, "Shut up! I come to in my physical body. My physical shoulders are mouing as if they are still slamming the doors. I realize that I am in the Arizona cabin, not in the Vancouuer stu dio. Barb wakes up shortly after and when I ask her, she tells me she has not heard any noises in the physical nor in the dream world. During this out-of-body experience, I had a nauseating fear. It is uery rare for me to be scared during a projection. The fear stems from my fear of, should it euer occur, finding an alien physically present in my bedroom at night. It is an euent I desire and fear at the same time. I returned from the projection on the brink o f terror, but man aged to dispel the fear with the aid o f loue. I still checked euery corner o f the cabin. W h e n w e have b e e n th ro u g h th e a u to m a tic p r o c e d u r e o f creating an a s tra l rep lica o f a ro o m a few tim e s , w e re a liz e t h a t th e a s tra l surround ings th a t im a g in atio n h a s c re a te d fo r u s, in s p ite o f t h e i r convincing l0^ a n d feel, a r e n o t a n a c tu a l p hysical s p a c e , b u t a n a s tr a l rep lica of tha physical sp a ce , c re a te d fro m o u r m e m o rie s o f t h a t sp a ce . W e m ight ca
194

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this astral rep lica a n illu sio n , b u t t h e n all a s tr a l w o rld s th a t a re c re a te d in the sam e m a n n e r m u s t a lso b e illu sio n s, including th e physical w orld. Then m o st o f w h a t w e k n o w o f C re a tio n is a n illusion. C o n sequently, th e word illusion lo se s its m e a n in g . W h a t r e m a in s is a s e t o f w o rld s th a t sim

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ply are. W e c a n n o lo n g e r classify th e m a s rea l n o r illusory. O nce w e re a liz e t h a t w h a t w e a r e tra v e lin g th ro u g h a re a s tra l w orlds created by o u r o w n s u b c o n sc io u s m in d w ith th e h e lp o f im agination, we can ta m e th e s u b c o n sc io u s a n d n ip th e a u to m a te d c re a tio n o f a s tra l envi ro n m e n ts in t h e b u d . W e c a n d o th is sim p ly by u n d e rs ta n d in g how th e subconscious w o rk s a n d will it to c e a s e c re a tin g a s tr a l rep licas. W h en this is a c c o m p lis h e d , w e will sim p ly p r o je c t in to an a s tra l void. This is the m eta-w o rld t h a t s u r r o u n d s th e a s tr a l w o rld s. F ro m th e r e , w e can freely e x p lo re a ny a s tr a l w o rld s t h a t o t h e r b e in g s have c re a te d o r inves tigate th e d e e p e r levels o f th e a s tra l. H ow ever, ta m in g th e su b c o n sc io u s m ay n o t b e so easy. T h e re a re ideas a n d th o u g h t p a tt e r n s th a t j u s t will n o t yield. T hey g et in th e way of rea c h in g th e a s tr a l void. If th is h a p p e n s, w e m u st re g re s s thro u g h m em ory a n d tim e to fin d th e c a u se ( o fte n a tra u m a ) o f th e o bstructive thou g h t p a tte r n s , so t h a t w e can h e a l th e m . In a m a n n e r o f speaking, we m u st cle a n o u r ow n a s tr a l h o m e b e fo re w e can visit th e a stra l h om es o f 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 ical lives, w hich b e c o m e c le a r e r a n d fre e r.

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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.

O ils

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 . 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 .

Beliefs

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 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 ).

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2. A stral Projection

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199

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 m o s t v ig o ro u s ], th e re c o u ld b e a t e n d e n c y fo r y o u n o t to re c o g n iz e y o u r o w n p h y s i c a l s i t u a t i o n [i.e., y o u c o m p le t e l y l o s e t o u c h w i t h y o u r b o d y a n d t h e p h y s i c a l r e a lit y ] . It w o u l d b e d i f f i c u lt t o c a r r y t h e m e m o r i e s o f the p re s e n t e g o p e r s o n a lity [ a n d it s m o r a l s ] w i t h y o u . 17 I d o n o t y e t

\T .

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 le a v in g our egos b e h in d is an in te g ra l p a rt o f p r o j e c t io n

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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 its 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 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. 1 0H en is to s W n li,

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200

Realities and Beliefs

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The th o u g h t is a p u r e in te n t . O n its w ay to y o u r co n scio u s m in d , it has to pass th ro u g h a n u m b e r o f b e lie fs in y o u r s u b c o n sc io u s . R arh b elief is like a filte r t h a t c o lo r s t h e th o u g h t a n d giv es it d ire c tio n . T h e filters a re 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 purity. (H o w ev er, you c a n still s e n s e t h e p u r ity by liste n in g to th e space betw een th o u g h ts .) It is n o w a r e p r e s e n ta ti o n o f y o u r b eliefs reg a rd in g its original in te n t . T h e th o u g h t w ill m o v e y o u r m in d in to a s ta te d e c id e d

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by y our b e lie f s y s te m u n le s s y o u c o n s c io u s ly a n d firm ly c o n tro l th e thought a n d c ritic a lly s c ru tin iz e it. W h e n y o u h a v e c o n s c io u s ly a c te d u p o n th e th o u g h t, th e th o u g h t

k free andI runamoki:

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D ep en d in g o n h o w y o u a c te d , y o u r s u b c o n sc io u s m in d re in fo rc e s th e beliefs to e it h e r e n c o u r a g e o r d is c o u ra g e fu tu re th o u g h ts o f sim ila r con text. T h e th o u g h t is a r e s u l t o f t h e b e lie f s y s te m b u t also se rv e s as feed back for it. I f y o u d id n o t c o n s c io u s ly q u e s tio n th e th o u g h t, o r a c t in an o pposed m a n n e r , t h e s u b c o n s c io u s w o u ld a s su m e th a t th e th o u g h t is a c ce p ta b le w ith in y o u r c u r r e n t re a lity . T h e r e a s o n in g o f t h e s u b c o n sc io u s m in d is t h a t if th e th o u g h t p a sse d th ro u g h th e b e lie f s y s te m a n d t h e c o n sc io u s m in d w ith o u t in cid e n t o r any o b je c tio n s, th e n th e b e lie f s y s te m is p ro v e d a c c u ra te a n d wella d ju ste d fo r fu n c tio n in g w ith in th e c u r r e n t reality . T h e re a s o n a b le thing to do t h e n is to s tr e n g th e n t h e b e lie f sy ste m , ro o tin g beliefs m o re deeply, in o r d e r to p r o m o te s im ila r co lo rin g o f th o u g h ts in th e fu tu re. If, on th e o th e r h a n d , t h e th o u g h t m e t w ith tro u b le for exam ple, if the m o v em e n t o f a h a n d g u id ed by th e th o u g h t c a u se d a vase to fall to th e flo o r a n d b r e a k th e n th e b e lie f sy ste m will be rein fo rc e d negatively,

!ben to .uink.

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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 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 parents living room, as it lo o ke d I t years ago, when they 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. D arkn ess falls o v e r the park. I floa t o v e r to the b u ild in g w h e re a b a n d plays. I float pa st the long q u e u e o f p e o p le w aiting to get in sid e b u t a m st o p p e d b y a d o o r man. H e is an o ld frie n d from m y yo uth, t h o u g h still alive. H e c h e c k s m y arm s fo r the club stamp. I try to create o n e w ith m y m ind, b u t it d o e s n o t turn o u t a n y th in g like the club stam p. H e sa y s that s in c e they w ill b e clo sin g in ten m inu te s, I c a n t enter w ithout the stam p. I say, F in e, a n d sim p ly flo a t th ro u g h the w all to w h e re the b a n d plays. So m e tim e s it is g o o d n o t to b e so lid . T he b a n d is d i v id e d o n t o two stages, with the a u d ie n c e in betw e en. The s e t u p is v e r y co o l. I w o n d e r h o w they m anage to p re ve n t fe e d b a c k in the m ic ro p h o n e s. A fte r a w hile, I se e the d o o rm a n a n d s o m e o the r g o rilla s m a k in g their w a y t h ro u g h th e p e o p l e o n the d a n c e floor. They are co m ing f o r me. N o t w a n tin g to get t h ro w n out, I d e c id e it is b e st to leave through the wall. I m eet the w o m a n outside. S h e h a s c h a n g e d in to a n e xtrem ely sh o rt skirt. M y god, sh e lo o k s g o o d ! I tell h e r that they w ill c lo se in fiv e m in u te s, s o w e m ight a s well sk ip the band. S h e agrees. W e g o to a s e c lu d e d are a in the p a rk , w h ic h co incid entally has a b e d next to a p oo l. W e h a v e sex. I a m q u ite s u re I c a n h a v e a p h y s ic a l orgasm, but I d o n ot w ant to, b e c a u s e m y girlfrie n d is lying n e xt to m e in the p h y sic a l bed. I figure it is better to m o v e m y p h y s ic a l b o d y o f f the b e d first. I m o v e b a c k to the b od y instantly. I try h a rd to m o v e m y b od y, b u t that d o e s n o t w o rk, sin c e it is asleep. But then, effortlessly, I m o v e o ff the bed. I th in k it is m y b o d y m o v in g o f f the b ed, but I am m istaken. I a m n o t in m y b od y. In all this c o n fu s io n , m y b o d y w a k e s u p a n d I am b ack in bed. I relax m y m in d a n d sit u p ou t o f m y b o d y. I flo a t d o w n to the f l o o r a n d sta n d up. I think, Clarity n o w ! M y visio n is crystal clear. I h a v e n e v e r s e e n this w ell in m y whole life. First, it l o o k s exactly like m y ro om , b u t then th ings start to ch ange. M y b e d is sud denly at the op p osite wall. There is o n ly a sm a ll w in d o w , in st e a d o f tw o large ones. I think, Hey, this is not a b a d w ay to arra nge the furniture. T h e re is a lot o f o p e n space, t then I notice that m y c o m p u te r a n d s o m e o t h e r things a r e m issing, s o m a yb e it is not er after all. I a m p u lle d b a c k into m y b od y. A n h o u r a n d 3 0 m in u te s h a s passed since I first exited the body.

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Astral Sex Urges *>h 'eir 0 T his p r o je c tio n le ft m e in a w e . T h e s e x u a l c lim ax w a s s o m e th in g o u t of a n o th e r w o rld . It w a s n o t m e r e ly tw o e n ti t ie s c o m in g to g e th e r. It w as

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two e n titie s s h a r in g t h e s a m e e n e rg y , m e ltin g t o g e t h e r to fo rm a b u b b le of e cstasy. B ack fro m t h e a s tr a l, m y m o ra l b e lie fs k ick b a c k in. Is th is c h e atin g ? Guilt w e ig h s h e a v ily o n m e . W h e n I w a s in th e a s tr a l, g u ilt n e v e r c ro s s e d my little m in d . It s e e m s t h e p a r t o f m y m in d in c h a rg e o f guilt a n d loy alty is o fflin e w h ile I a m in t h e a s tr a l. T h e a s tr a l w o m a n c o u ld h a v e b e e n a s e p a r a te a s tr a l e n tity o r sim ply a c re a tio n o f m y im a g in a tio n . I c a n t tell t h e d iff e re n c e . Is th e m in d ab le to c r e a te s u c h a n e x p e r i e n c e w ith o u t th e h e lp o f a n e x te r n a l e n tity ? I am am a z e d by it, b u t I a m e v e n m o r e a m a z e d a t m y u n c o n tro lla b le u rg e to have t h a t w o m a n . I c o u ld n o t r e s t r a i n m y se lf. I w a s like a w o lf t h a t h ad picked u p a b lo o d t r a c e , c o m p le te ly a t th e m e rc y o f m y p rim itiv e instincts. It c o u ld b e t h a t I, in t h e p h y s ic a l, h a v e th e s a m e s tr o n g u rg e to m a te but a m s u c c e ssfu l in s u p p re s s in g it w ith th e h e lp o f social a n d m o ral beliefs t h e s a m e b e lie fs t h a t s e e m to h a v e g o n e o u t th e w in d o w th e m o m e n t I e x ite d m y b o d y .

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Monday, November 12, 2001 OBE

I w ake u p in the m id d le o f the night, feeling alert. I am a n g ry b e c a u se o f som ething I haue dream ed, but I d o not r e m e m b e r what. There is som ething ab o u t m y state that tells m e

I ca n h a u e a n OBE, so I roll in sid e m y p h y sica l b o d y a n d am throw n out. I fall

fo the floor. I m o u e fa st b e c a u se I am angry, not kn o w in g why. I ca n tell by m y state that

I will not b e a b le to stay o ut m o re than a few seconds. I float through the door, across the corridor, a n d through m y n e ig h b o rs door.
There is a red light filling h e r room . H o w odd. The ro om is not sh a p e d a s in w aking real ity. I am beginning to feel draw n to m y phy sical body, s o I quickly roll to get free. M y sex drive takes o u e r again (sigh). M y n e igh b o r h as a friend in h e r room. sex w hen I am p ulled b ack to m y body. O n c e a g a in , m y s e x u a l u r g e t o o k o v e r. 1 a m b e g in n in g to re a liz e th a t t h is u r g e is a s e r i o u s o b s t a c le . A s t r a l s e x is g o o d in all r e sp e c t s, b u t th is is n o t a b o u t se x. T h i s is a b o u t th e a b ilit y to e x e rc is e se lf-c o n tro l in the

I am preparing for

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205

Astral Projection a n d th e N ature o f Reality

a s tr a l, o r in a n y u n k n o w n r e a l m f o r t h a t m a t te r. I n o r d e r t o t ra v e l fre e ly I m u s t b e in c h a r g e o f e v e r y p a r t o f m e . A f t e r all, I w a n t t o s p e n d m y t im e in t h e a s t r a l f i n d i n g a n s w e r s t o w h a t w e a r e a n d w h a t re a lity is a n d in t h a t r e g a r d , s e x u a l u r g e s a r e a n u is a n c e .

S u n d a y , A p r i l 1H, 2 0 0 2 O B E s a s Tests

I wake up in the morning after a night o f partying. I mean to drift back to sleep, but my body goes num b and my awareness shifts. After a few seconds, I am able to roll out o f my body. I have no sight, so I tune into the imagination in my heart chakra. I can hear my girlfriend tapping her keyboard under the b ed via my physical ears. I float down behind her. (In retrospect, it is silly that I still think the concept o f space applies out of body.) Commotion pulls m e back into m y body. I roll out three times. Suddenly, I can see. I am in a small room. A white and a black woman are lying on their sides on the floor, propping up their heads with their hands. They are naked; how nice. I get the impression that they have been waiting fo r me. My overactive sex drive makes m e float over to them and have sex with them . The white girl disappears, so I continue to have sex with the black girl. She smiles joyfully as w e get intimate. As I am pulled back into the body, I realize that this is a test. It is an exercise in selfcontrol, set up by m y guides. The girls are bait. The purpose o f this test is obvious: I must gain control over m y sex drive before I am allow ed to venture further into the astral. It is clear that I cant travel where I want until I can control my drives. In the future, whenever I feel the sex drive taking over, I will tell m yself that I can have sex later, but not now. As I realize this is a test, I a sk m y guides to give m e another chance to go out o f body, but I fail to get back in the right state. The tests during OBEs mirror m y w eaknesses in the physical world. It may be eas ier to deal with the problem s in the astral because they are m uch more obvious there, and guides h elp m e set up effective tests and learning aids.
S o m e t h i n g i s e f f e c t i v e ly p r e v e n t i n g m e f r o m t h e a s t r a l. I s u s p e c t t h a t I a m v e n t u r i n g f a r t h e r into

s u r r o u n d e d b y a s t r a l g u i d e s w h o know

m o r e a b o u t m y s e x u a l u r g e s t h a n I d o . T h e y e n c o u r a g e m y su b c o n sc io u t o s e t u p s i t u a t i o n s w h e r e I a m a b l e t o e x p e r i e n c e t h e s e u r g e s a s pu>e a s p o s s i b l e , w i t h o u t a n y m o r a l r e s t r a i n t s . T h e p u r p o s e is c le a r: to un sta n d h ow the u rg e s w o r k a n d h o w t h e y a f f e c t m y p h y s i c a l a n d as

liv e s . 1 h a v e b e e n g i v e n a g r e a t o p p o r t u n i t y f o r p e r s o n a l g r o w t h .

Astral Sex Urges T h e p a r t o f t h e a s t r a l in to w h ic h I h a v e v e n tu r e d is a lab o r ,to W here a n y b e h a v io r is a c c e p t a b le a n d th e c o n seq u en ces a r e T w

Similarly, p h y s ic a l r e a l it y is a l a b o r a to r y w h e r e w e c a n le a r n m o re ab o u t o urselves. It is a gam e s ta g e w h e r e w e t r y o u t n e w experiences

C o n s e q u e n c e s a r e m ild b e c a u s e p h y s ic a l life is s h o r t. In th e d e e p e r astral h o w e v e r, in t h e d o m a i n s o f o u r t r u e n a tu r e , a c tio n s really m atter. T h e re you n e e d s u p e r b c o n tr o l o v e r y o u r m in d b e c a u s e b ad behavior may h a v e g r a v e c o n s e q u e n c e s . I s t a r t to in v e n t w a y s to m a n i p u l a t e m y m in d in o r d e r to p re v e n t my sexual u r g e s f r o m b e in g t r i g g e r e d . A f t e r s o m e tria l a n d e rr o r , I fin d th a t p o s tp o n in g t h e u r g e w o r k s b e s t . T y p ically , a s so o n a s I ex it my body, 1 tell m yself, I d o n o t n e e d t o h a v e s e x r ig h t n o w b e c a u s e t h e r e a re plenty of o p p o r tu n itie s to h a v e s e x l a te r , a f t e r I h a v e f in is h e d w h a t I s e t ou t to d o .

Exercise: Playing w ith Fire

1. Close y o u r eyes.
n exercise'0

2. Relax y o u r m in d .
3. C o n su lt th e list o f a d d ic tio n s y o u com piled in th e exercise "Identifying

A d d ictio n s. F or each a d d ic tio n d o this:

a. Visualize y o u rse lf s u rro u n d e d by people o r objects (concrete or

*****

a b stra ct) th a t m atc h th e preference o f y o u r addictions. b. Visualize th e objects so intensely and in such detail th at they normi y w ould trigger the urge o f th e addiction. In m y case, since to sex, I w ould visualize persons o f the opposite sex con m g ^ b u t this o f course m ay n o t be the preference o f y our addcnon. c. Tell yourself I have m ore im p o rta n t things to l o J o n o n in to m y urge right now. I can d c n ta s m u c h . I w a n t ^ as fine, 1 will have ju s t as much fun, 4. D oyou feel you have an u p p er hand o n
your

,orld-

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li<i>ore

addictions now? Be proud ^ addictions ^ rejnforce |

ti"' fart1 irir'S

o f yourself for y o u r level o f self-contro . 5. Rem em ber w h a ty o u did m t ^ s e x ^ taking over anytim e in the astrai, y o u r self-control. yj

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Astral Projection a n d the Na ture o f R eality H ow ever, p o s tp o n e m e n t only p ro v id e s te m p o ra ry relief. W h a t I n e e d is a p e rm a n e n t so lu tio n t h a t p u ts m e b a c k in t h e d riv e rs s e a t o f m y a s tra l trav els. In my e ffo rts to fin d a p e rm a n e n t so lu tio n , I affirm to m y self th a t I d o n t n e e d a s tr a l s e x . T h e n a n o th e r p a r t o f m e replies, Yes, you do n e e d it. A th ird p a r t o f m e fin d s o u t t h a t I have b e e n lying to m y self a n d a fo u rth p a rt o f m e s ta r ts lau g h in g h ysterically. O bviously, I d o n e e d sex, but w h y ? M y u rg e in th e a s tr a l goes well b e y o n d a re a s o n a b le in stin c t to f u r t h e r m y g e n e s a n d p re s e rv e the sp ecies. T h e r e m u st be so m e th in g e ls e lu rk in g in m y su b co n scio u s.

Causes of Addiction

Tuesday, May 21, 2002 An OBE from a Dream

During the day, I hold two crystals in m y hands. As I inhale, I draw energy from the crystals into m y arms. Sometim es, I push the energy all the way out through m y feet. As I drift o ff to sleep later that day, I visualize I am in a forest. I touch trees and leaves. This is from Buhlm ans OBE technique. Simultaneously, I turn my eyes and attention to the area betw een m y eyes. I repeat, "I will OBE tonight," over an d over. It is difficult to d o all three things a t th e sam e time, b u t no t impossible. The visuali zation falls apart all the time. Each tim e I resum e visualization, I fin d m yself in a dif ferent forest. One time I find m yself in the place o f home, where I am totally content. It may be a place in another reality or in another life, perhaps on another planet. There is a green bush with great energy. The surroundings shine with fulfillment and joyful energy. My subconscious violently pulls m e back after a few seconds, as if I am not meant to see the place o f home. Perhaps my subconscious is afraid that the memories o f that place will empower me, the soul. Three hours later, at 5 a . m ., I dream I am in a group o f people driving a jeep through

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

a desert-like area. W e are hiding from Lucifer. W e d o not want him to judge us, because we kn ow that if he did, we w ould all g o to Hell. W e hide b e h in d a hill. W e see a m other with twin daughters. The daughters drive their feet into the g ro u n d a s if they were drilling for oil. They start breathing heavily. Their m other sighs; sh e d o e s not believe in what they are doing. They insist that breathing w ater is the best w ay to contact g o o d spirits. Somehow, their act o f breathing p u m p s water u p into their feet a n d out through their mouths. In ret rospect, I suspect the w ater is m ore a kin d o f water-like energy. I think this part o f the dream is meant to teach m e so m e things a bo ut energy control b y m ean s o f breathing. W e drive off. Sud denly, Lucifer sp o ts us. W e a re terrified a s the Earth su ck s u s into its bosom . W e fin d o u rse lv e s e sco rte d b y h e a v y g u a r d s th ro u gh a light green subter ra nean corridor. W e are g o in g to the p la c e o f judgm en t. T he c o rr id o r is w arm a n d com fortable. I think, Well, at least it is w arm d o w n h e re ." T h e n I think, Hey, I don't believe in the D e v il!" This b r e a k s the dream , a s if it c a n t su rv iv e w ith out m y beliefs. The co rrid o r b r e a k s into p ie c e s a n d I fall t h ro u g h the floor. I fin d m yse lf in a void. I h a v e that tingling s e n sa tio n o f fr e e d o m a n d adventure I alw ays get d uring a n O BE. I f in d m y s e lf floa ting o v e r m y b e d in a n astral duplicate of m y o ld bed roo m . M y m in d m u st a s s u m e ou t o f h a b it that I a m still in Sw e den, because in p h y sica l reality I a m in V ancou ve r. I flo a t d o w n to t he floor. I a m blind. I com m and, Clarity n o w ! a few times. I c a n s e e w ith e x tra o rd in a ry clarity. I r u n m y h a n d along the sid e o f the bed. It feels a s real a s in p h y sic a l reality. I t h in k o f w h a t I w ant to do. M y sex ual drive takes over. (In retrospect, I regret n o t h a v in g sta te d a clear g o a l for this travel.) I d e c id e to g o up sta irs into s o m e w o m e n 's r o o m a n d w atch them sleep. After all this training, I still b e lie v e I a m in p h y s ic a l reality, w h e n I a m really in a n astral arena of m y o w n m in d 's creation. I float thro ugh the door. The re is m o r e re sista n ce t h a n usual, b u t I p u s h through the w oo d. I expect to enter the c o rr id o r b u t e n d u p in a n o l d d u s t y e m e rg e n cy staircase instead. I feel I h a v e b e e n in that sta ircase b efore, p e r h a p s in a n o t h e r O B E o r dream. I float u p a n d enter the s e c o n d f lo o r corridor. I turn right a n d e n te r a room . People are resting in sle eping b a g s o n the floor. T h e y greet m e a s I e n te r the room . A c o p y o f m e is already there. M y b roth er m a ss a g e s that c o p y s feet, w h ic h is o d d . H e w o u ld never touch m e a n d e ve n m o re u n lik e ly g iv e m e p lea sure. N o b o d y reacts to the fact that there are two o f m e in the room . I sit d o w n next to the o t h e r c o p y o f me. I get bored fast. M y sex drive takes o v e r again. I s p o t a fam iliar girl in the room, some o ne I knew about 12ye ars ago. S h e w a s no to rio u s fo r h e r large breasts. I float over, grab her right breast, a n d kiss her. E ve ryo ne in the ro o m is su rp rise d a n d stares. Sh e h a s a surprised look on h er face. I ca n s e n se that sh e is offended. I g r a b h e r left breast a n d kiss her. Same

Causes o f Addiction

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reaction. This breast is smaller, so I decide to return to the preuious breast. I am pulled back
to m y physical body,

t uiake up in Vancouuer. I lost to my sex driue again. Damn it.

I went through the doo r with the intent o f looking at wom en sleeping in their beds. This is an old teenage fantasy. Uniiued childhood fantasies seem lo linger in the subconscious, in the shape o f com pulsiue addictions. How do I resoiue them? By regression. I should look into ch ild h o o d fantasies an d maybe Hue out a few. Then I will gain conscious control ouer them . They are only dangerous when they are hidden.

13S h i r

In a n e f f o r t to u n d e r s t a n d m y s e e m in g ly u n r e a s o n a b le e m o tio n s a n d a d d ic tio n s , I d e c id e to v e n tu r e in to m y c h ild h o o d . A s if by a c c id e n t, I h a p p e n u p o n a R a p id E y e T e c h n iq u e d e s ig n e d to r e le a s e old m e m o rie s , w hich I p e r f o r m a f t e r s o m e s m a ll a d ju s t m e n t s (s e e t h e n e x t e x e rc ise ).

Exercise: Rapid Eye Technique

1. Before d o in g th is exercise, m ake su re y o u do n o t have any a p p o in t m ents la te r in th e day, since in fo rm a tio n (in clu d in g suppressed painful m em o ries) will be flo w in g in to y o u r awareness from y o u r subcon scious. You sh o u ld also a rra n g e for a close friend to give y o u em otional s u p p o rt w h e n th e m em o rie s surface. All y o u r friend has to do is listen, preferably no n ju d g m e n tally , to y o u r story. The p u rp o se o f h av ingyour suppressed m em o rie s su rface is to process th em a n d release th e pain tied in to th e m . Som etim es j u s t talking a b o u t th em helps immensely. 2. M e n tally d e ta c h from y o u r c u rre n t life situ a tio n . Your c u rre n t situa tion is highly co n n e cte d to y o u r ad d ictio n s, because to som e extent, y o u r ad d ictio n s have led y o u to w here y o u are today. It is easier to w ork w ith ad d ictio n s w h en y o u are away from th eir playground. 3. Record the affirm ation: "You are free from all feelings o f disgust, dis honor, sham e, guilt, fear, and pain. You are free from all feelings o f aban donm ent, being unloved, oppression, sadness, and grief. You are free from all feelings o f n o t worthy, n o t good enough, no t having enough. You are free from all feelings o f escaping, forgetting, suppressing, and denial. If you can record it o n a com puter, then you can loop it when you play it back. Otherw ise, record the affirm ation ab o u t five times in a sequence. 4. G et a one-foot stick. 5. Turn y o u r eyes slightly upw ard to a sp o t between y o u r eyebrows. Ajrl'n

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

6. B lin k y o u r eyes v e ry rapidly.

7. Wave rhe srick in front o f y o u r eyes, very fast. Try to follow the end of rhe srick with y o u r eyes, bu r keep blinking. This step is designed to im itate the rapid eye m ovem ents o f a sleeping person. It opens a door ro your subconscious, m aking it easier to deprogram . Wave th e stick first from side to side, th en up a nd dow n a n d any o th er way y ou feel has an effect on the veil to y o u r subconscious. 8. W hile following the waving stick w ith y o u r eyes a n d blinking, listen ro the recorded a ffirm a tio n in th e background. You d o n o t have to lis ten actively. Your subconscious will get th e m essage even if your con scious does n o t pick it up.

9. In rhe rapid eye sta re ,y o u r su b co n scio u s accepts th e affirm atio n s w ith o u t question. M o s t o f us have beliefs telling us w e are sham eful, b u t as the affirm atio n You are free fro m all feelings o f sh am e" is accepted by y o u r subconscious, th a t belief is no lo n g er valid. The belief w as form ed a long tim e ago from situ atio n s t h a t "p rove y o u sh o u ld be asham ed. Because th e m em o ries are painful, they are sto red in a suppressed state in y o u r subconscious. These painful m em ories w o u ld interfere with y o u r daily life, so th e belief holds th e experience th ey represent, m in u s the pain. As the belief conflicts w ith th e affirm atio n , th e belief is p u t into question. From th e conflict, th e subconscious h as a need to rem old the belief. The belief has been proven incorrect; in o rd er to m ake it m ore cor rect, th e old painful m em ories m u st be b ro u g h t to th e surface an d once m ore be processed, to provide a base o f experience for th e im proved belief. The g o o d n ew s is, as th e m e m o rie s su rface, y o u have a chan ce to consciously p rocess th e m , th e re b y d e c id in g h o w th e b elief will be reform ed. You can. fo r ex am p le, view th e m e m o rie s fro m a positive p o in t o f view, e n co u rag in g th e fo rm in g o f th e b e lie f "I am sham eless." 10. S tarting a few h o u rs later, th ese p ain fu l m e m o rie s m ay c o n tin u e to surface for days. Do n o t a tte m p t to d e n y o r ig n o re th e m . Experience th em , describe th e m to a frien d , o r w rite th e m d o w n in y o u r jo u rn al. 11. W hen you are d o n e d e sc rib in g th e m e m o rie s, release th e ir im p o r tance. They have been su p p re sse d b ecau se th e y are im p o rta n t to you. N ow th a ty o u have w o rk ed th ro u g h th e m , y o u have p artak en o f their purpose, an d so th e y have o u tliv ed th e ir im p o rta n c e . In th e end, keep only th e m em o rie s o f g o o d tim e s a n d th e lau g h ter.

212

Causes of Addiction A fter th e e x e rc is e , 1 o f te n feel a n g ry , b u t w ith o u t a p p a re n t cause. Everything a n n o y s m e . L a te r t h a t n ig h t, th e d a m h o ld in g all my sup

p ressed

e m o tio n s c ru m b le s . I a m o v e rc o m e w ith s a d n e s s , p a in , a n d lots

of self-pity- I c ry m y e y e s o u t. Luckily, B a rb is t h e r e to s u p p o rt m e. W ith her help, I m a n a g e to v iew t h e e m o tio n a l d isc h a rg e a s a c le a n sin g r a th e r than a b re a k d o w n . T h e m e m o r ie s m y su b c o n sc io u s h a s fought so h a rd to s u p p re ss (in its a tt e m p t to p r o te c t m e fro m t h e ir n e g a tiv e effect) a re now in th e o p e n , e a sily a c c e s s ib le . T h e y flo o d in to m y a w a re n e s s . A t f ir s t, th e y m a k e m e t e r r ib l y d e p r e s s e d , b u t a f te r tellin g B arb about t h e ir e v e ry little d e ta il, it fe e ls lik e 1 h a v e fin ally p ro c e s s e d th em , and I a m g r e a tly r e lie v e d . A w e ig h t h a s b e e n lifte d o ff m y s h o u ld e rs , a weight th a t m y s u b c o n s c io u s h a d d e c id e d I m u s t c a rr y b e c a u s e it d e e m e d I w a s in c a p a b le o f h a n d lin g t h e m e m o r ie s . 1 feel fre e r, less con tro lle d by m y s u b c o n s c io u s . I a ls o feel m o re e n e rg iz e d , b e c a u s e th e e nergy u s e d to s u p p r e s s th e h a rm f u l m e m o r ie s is n o w f re e d u p a n d a t my d isposal. T h e n e x t day, p ro p e lle d by th e m o m e n tu m o f m e m o ry re le a se , I w rite down e v e ry th in g 1 r e m e m b e r fro m m y b irth to p r e s e n t d a te . E ven though I can only r e m e m b e r a b o u t five p e r c e n t o f m y life, I m an a g e to se e a p a t te r n in c e rta in re p e a tin g s itu a tio n s a n d h o w I r e a c t to th o se situ atio n s.

Exercise: Life Review

W hen y o u feel th e m em o ries being released by using the rapid eye technique, w rite d ow n everything th a ty o u rem em b er from this lifetime.

I fin d in m y life a r e p e a tin g p a tte r n o f s itu a tio n s in w hich I a tte m p t to g et a tte n tio n fro m o t h e r p e o p le , m ain ly o f th e o p p o site sex. My n e e d

in f 1
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to be n o tic e d a n d , above all, liked a n d a c c e p te d is s tr o n g e r th a n any thing. D u rin g m y te e n s , 1 felt disliked by p e o p le a n d dev ised w ays to get into s itu a tio n s th a t p r e s e n te d m o re o p p o rtu n itie s fo r b e in g liked. M y su b c o n sc io u s h a d , little by little, in c re a se d m y d e s ire for sex. It figured th a t w ith a m o re p o w erfu l sex d riv e, I w ould b e m o re likely to se ek such s itu a tio n s. An a c t o f sex w ould b e u n d e n ia b le p ro o f th a t I was

213

Astral Projection a n d the N a tu re o f R eality liked (a t least by m y p a rtn e r) a n d it w as th is p ro o f th a t m y subconscious d e s ire d . My n e e d to be liked w ould th e n b e fulfilled. T h e tra n sfo rm atio n fro m a young boy w ho felt p e o p le a ro u n d h im did n o t like him en o u g h to an a s tr a l sex m an ia c to o k p la c e in th e su b c o n sc io u s, a n d so su b tle was th e change th a t it h a d b e c o m e a s e lf-c re a te d s e c o n d n a tu re . E ach tim e m y sex d riv e w a s in fla te d , a n o th e r p a r t o f m e rein fo rc e d my m o ra l a n d social beliefs; a f t e r all, I h a d to fu n ctio n in so c ie ty in spite o f m y g ro w in g sex u rg e s . T h is b a ttle b e tw e e n m o ra l b e lie fs a n d prim itive d riv es w as fairly b a la n c e d un til o n e w a rm s p rin g day w h e n I left my body. I b ro u g h t th e se x u rg e in to th e a s tr a l w h ile, for so m e rea so n , w hich I s u s p e c t h a s to d o w ith t h e m e c h a n ic s o f a s tr a l p ro je c tio n , leav ing m y m o ra l b e lie fs b e h in d . M y n e e d fo r s e x b e c a m e a p p a re n t. T h e bal a n c e b e tw e e n th e sex d riv e a n d th e h o ld in g -b a ck m o ra l beliefs was | u p se t. T h e b u b b le b u r s t a n d t h e s u b c o n s c io u s s b luff, th e g a m e o f desire a n d m an ip u la tio n , w a s c a lle d .________________ _

Sun day, June 2, i C a u se sofSex Ac Ia s k e dfor help Medinth eformof m e -fah a sbecom ei '^itinych/ldh

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m ra l beliefs th e game of desire

Sunday, June 2, 2002 Causes o f Sex Addiction

I a s k e d f o r h e lp o n m y se x u a l u rges in the astral a w ee k ago, a n d the help just arrived in the fo rm o f a n insight. A s I l o o k b a c k o n m y c h ild h o o d , it su d d e n ly d a w n s on me: Se x h a s b e c o m e a w a y o f getting love, a p p rova l, a n d respect the v e ry things I felt I lacked in m y ch ild h o o d . Th in k a b o u t it it is o n ly logica l that the p e r so n w h o h a s se x w ith m e feels love, approval, a n d re sp e ct f o r me. The n e e d f o r these things is so strong that, w h e n they are not met, I g o after them aggressively. I d o this b y m ultiplying m y sexual urges until I am incap able o f resisting them. The y take over. I a m d efenseless against the se xual urges. All o f this h a p p e n s su b co n scio u sly. I will n e v e r b e able to satisfy these ne eds until I realize I already am loved, ap p ro ve d , a n d respected. Until then, m y se xual urges will rem ain u ncontrollable in the astral.

T h e M o tiv e s o f A d d ictio n
N o w I k n o w w h y I r e p e a t e d l y e n d u p in a s t r a l s it u a t io n s a n d e n v i r o n m e n t s c o n t a i n i n g s e x : M y s u b c o n s c io u s is b e n t o n g e t t in g s e x a s a

2 15

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

m e a n s t o fe e lin g lik e d a n d a p p r e c ia t e d . I d o n o t fu lly u n d e r s t a n d w h y t h e s u b c o n s c io u s w o u l d g o t o t h a t le n g t h j u s t t o b e lik e d , b u t 1 d o k n o w t h a t all h u m a n s h a v e t h e n e e d t o b e l ik e d . W e n e e d t o feel l ik e d in o r d e r t o b l o o m a s i n d iv id u a l s . It. is a f u n d a m e n t a l h u m a n n e e d .

Wednesday, June 12, 2002 Visualizing a Break-In

I dream I am in m y p a re n ts hou se. I a m s o m e so rt o f agent in a n u n d e rc o v e r ope r ation. M y co lle ague s are with me. W e are sp y in g o n a neighbor. W e su spect he is in v o lv e d in o rg a n iz e d crime. W e get in o u r car, in c a se w e h a v e to tail them. The driver is ab o u t to p a r k o n the street. I k n o w the n e ig h b o r w ill d is c o v e r u s if w e p a r k there, but the d rive r thinks it is safe. W e a rg u e fo r s o m e time. I e n d the a rgu m ent with You will not p a r k here. W e co ntinu e d o w n the street. W e p a r k in s o m e b o d y s drivew ay. W e think the p e o ple w h o live in the h o u se are o n vacation. T he su sp e c t s a r e d rivin g o u r way, so w e run into the garage to hide. U s e d p a c k a g in g m aterial is sc a tte re d a c ro s s the floor. W e sneak into the house. W e are m o v in g u p a sta irw ay w h e n w e h e a r s o m e o n e in the house. Barb m ake s s o m e n o ise in the p h y sic a l a n d I w a k e up. I visualize being b a c k in the d re a m h o u se . D u rin g m y c h ild h o o d , I alw ays w on d ered w hat that h o u s e l o o k e d like from the inside. It loas the m o st lu x u rio u s h o u se in the n e ig h b o rh o o d a n d I a s s u m e d rich p e o p le l iv e d there. I s n e a k u p the stairway. I am a lon e now ; m y fellow a gents are gon e. T he v isu a liz a t io n is e xtrem ely real. I a m n ot the least co n n e c te d to m y p h y sic a l b od y. I t o u c h things a n d the texture is real. I a m sneak ing a ro u n d in s o m e o n e s h o u s e a n d it is exciting. I re a c h the e n d o f the stairway. I want to explore all the ro om s. I start in the liv ing room . I l o o k at a wall. I c a n se e a n d touch the w allpaper. I m a ke the w all w o b b le like liq uid. It is a v e r y c o o l effect. I am a b o u t to enter a room . I th ink o f g o in g right t h ro u g h the door, but then I real ize that I m ight e n d u p a n y w h e r e m y m in d take s m e (so m e tim e s I e n d u p in weird places after m o vin g t h ro ugh w alls o r floo rs). I d e c id e to o p e n the d o o r instead. I enter the room. It b e lo n gs to a teenager. There is a lot o f s c h o o lw o r k a n d o the r projects on the desk. There is a lso a v e ry o ld com puter. A la b e l o n it sa y s C -kit o r som ething sim ilar. Lots o f red silk n igh tgo w n s h a n g o n a wall. I re alize a g irl liv e s in the room. I had a ssu m e d that a b o y lived there, b e c a u s e o f the c o m p u te r a n d o the r technical stuff n the desk. I am p ositively surprised. I leave the room a n d see a n o ld e r w o m a n in a n o th e r room . S h e m ust be the mother in the house. Sh e is wearing tight white p an ts a n d a re d d ish blouse. H er legs are rather fat

Healing Addictions

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a0(j te r IwrasB are /arje. Her body is not very attractive, but there is something about the energy she puls out. I can tell she is a very good-hearted person. She enters the liis room and somehow senses me. She asks m e something like, "w hat it is like to be discarate?" 1 reply something I can't remember. Then she asks if I had ever killed anyone when I was discarnate. I say, None that I know of." Then I try to scare her by roaring and charging. I am only joking and her giggle tells me she can sense that. I kiss her.

v *fe/n, "< W ,

I want to have sex with this woman. I think about it for a while. Is this yet another urge caused by my sex addiction ? 1d o not think so, because she is very different from all the other "temptations" I have encountered. I am attracted to her personality, not

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her body. Shortly thereafter, the visualization ends. I wanted to have sex with her, bu t I did not feel I had to. This must mean I am overcoming my sex addiction. The reason I could explore the house as freely as I did means that I am allowing m yself to explore more. The risk o f getting caught up in sex scenes is lower, which gives m e better opportunities to explore. Additionally, the fact that her body was not sexy means that my m ind does no longer feel it is necessary to create sexy wom en for me. This gives m e a more accurate perception o f the things I run into in the astral. B eing lik e d , a p p re c ia te d , a n d a c c e p te d a r e n a m e s fo r being loved. Ironically, d u rin g all th o s e y e a rs I w as lo o k in g fo r sex, 1 w as really look ing fo r love. In fa c t, all a d d ic tio n s a r e j u s t to o ls in v en te d by th e subcon scious to a tt r a c t love fro m o t h e r b e in g s. A y oung s tu d e n t w ho c a n t behave in c la ss is a d d ic te d to m isb e h a v in g o r a d d ic te d to alw ays getting into tro u b le w ith his p e e r s a n d te a c h e rs . T h is s tu d e n t is subconsciously setting u p th e s e s itu a tio n s b e c a u s e h e w a n ts a tte n tio n , a n d th e r e is no m o re effective w ay o f g e ttin g a tte n tio n th a n causing tro u b le in class o r p e s te rin g his c la s s m a te s a n d te a c h e rs . T h e s tu d e n t th in k s th a t h e can t get love un less he h a s a tte n tio n . In his su b co n scio u s, a tte n tio n is nothing o th e r th a n love, a n d t h a t is w h a t all p e o p le crav e. T h e re is nothing w rong w ith a tro u b le m a k e r, e x c e p t a p erc e iv ed lack o f love. A ddiction is n o t c a u se d by a chem ical im balance, but an em otional im balance. An e m o tio n al im b a lan c e m ay cause a chem ical b alance, no t th e o th e r w ay a ro u n d . T h e chem ical im b alan ce, in tu rn , gives rise to cravings. In o th e r w o rd s, all ad d icts, fro m th e caffeine gulper to the h ero in pincushion, have in com m on an unsatisfied n e e d for love. Satisfy th eir n e e d for love a n d th e ir ad d ictio n will dissolve.

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

External addictive behavior

Self-destructive behavior Figure 7. The inner cause of addiction.

U n iv e r sa l L ove
C oincidentally, d u rin g an a s tra l e x p lo ra tio n , I s e n s e d w ithout a doubt th a t th e r e is a living c o n scio u sn e ss I c a n o n ly d e s c rib e a s (b ecau se o f the inad e q uacy o f h u m an language) th e u n iv erse . It is b u ilt u p by all individual con sciousness in th e un iv erse, a lth o u g h n o t lim ite d to th e physical universe. W h a t s m o re , d uring th is a s tra l e x p lo ra tio n , I w a s show n th a t th e universe oves e a c h a nd every o n e ol us in a b u n d a n c e a n d ta k e s g o o d c a re o f us. I may sound like I have b e e n b ra in w a s h e d by in stitu tio n alized religion, but this is no t the case. I know th e universe; loves u s b e c a u s e I have se en it, not because o f w h at s o m e o n e e lse h as w ritte n , a n d I e n c o u ra g e you to se e th e same. T h e r e is n o n e e d to feel lonely, b e c a u s e n o n e o f us is ever alone. In t. wh( n you c o m e to u n d e rs ta n d th e u n iv e rs e , a s I a m s u re you will dui gyour dstia l p ro je c tio n s, it is im p o ssib le t o feel lo n eso m e . Likewise, there >1 1(< d to feel unloved. T h e w ay th in g s a r e a rra n g e d , all beings in the s< love you, w h e th e r th e y k n o w it o r n o t. If w e all did n o t love ea c ' i. the u n iv erse w ould fall a p a r t a n d c ru m b le in to nothingness. The unr

218

H ealing A ddictions verse lives a n d b r e a th e s by th e in te n tio n to c re a te , a n d th e only reaso n we create any th in g is t h a t w e love w h a t w e h av e c re a te d a n d will c re a te . P o n d e r th is: C u r r e n tly , h u m a n ity h a s th e w e a p o n s to blow up th e E arth a t le a s t 2 0 tim e s o v er. B u t e v e n th o u g h th e w a r s a r e ev id e n c e th a t we do not like e a c h o th e r . E a r th r e m a in s in ta c t a n d th e h u m a n ra c e su r vives. W hy have w e n o t b lo w n o u r s e lv e s to s m ith e r e e n s y e t? W ith a few exceptions, w e d o n o t w is h to d e s tr o y o n e a n o th e r . W h y n o t? A re we afraid o f r e p r is a ls ? N o , w e r e f r a in b e c a u s e w e love o n e a n o th e r. If w e did not love o n e a n o th e r , w e w o u ld h a v e w ip e d o u t o u rse lv e s a lo n g tim e ago. T h a t p e r s o n w h o h u r t y ou y e s te r d a y d id it b e c a u s e h e w as lo st in his own ig n o ra n c e , b u t t h a t d o e s n o t c h a n g e th e fa c t t h a t h e loves you. Likew ise, you to o love all o t h e r b e in g s in th e u n iv e rs e , ev en if you d o n o t a c k now ledge it. S o m e p e o p le feel t h a t c e r ta in b e in g s a r e n o t w o rth y o f love a n d , a lth o u g h it is c o m p le te ly o k ay to feel th is way, it d o e s n o t change th e fa c t t h a t love is t h e r e . If yo u lo o k d e e p e n o u g h , you will fin d th a t you h a v e love e v e n fo r y o u r w o r s t e n e m ie s . So, if t h e r e is so m u c h love in th e u n iv e rs e , w hy d o w e feel so unloved a n d lo n e ly ? W e ll, b e fo r e w e c a n feel loved, w e h av e to realize th a t w e a r e loved. A s a n an alo g y , w e c o u ld s ta r e a t a b ea u tifu l p ain tin g all day, b u t w h a t g o o d w o u ld t h a t d o if o u r ey es a r e c lo s e d ? By realizing th a t w e a r e a lr e a d y loved (by th e w h o le u n iv e rs e ), w e im m e d ia te ly sa t isfy o u r fu n d a m e n ta l n e e d fo r love a n d b e in g lik ed . T h e su b co n scio u s will th e n n o t have a ny n e e d t o in v e n t a n y s o r t o f a d d ic tio n , sin ce th e p u rp o se of a d d ic tio n is to a tt r a c t love. W e th e n b e c o m e f re e o f ad d ic tio n , which in tu rn m e a n s t h a t w e c a n tra v e l th ro u g h th e a s tr a l u n h in d e re d by u rges.

Exercise: Lovely Guidance

1. Close y o u r eyes. 2. Relax y o u r body and m ind. 3. In a crystal clear thought, nor necessarily directed to anyone in partic ular, ask for an experience th a t will help yo u discover to w hat extent you are loved by everything and everyone in rhe universe. 4. This experience m ight take up to a week to manifest, so don t hold your breath.

Astral Projection a n d the Nature o f Reality T he reality o f universal love also solves p e rso n a l tra u m as. A t one point o r a n o th e r in o u r lives, we all feel sh o ck ed , h u rt, o r violated. The dow nside o f being a p e rso n is th a t we tak e th in g s personally. W e are quick to assum e th e ro le o f th e victim . W e a re so im m e rse d in o u r role in events th a t we c a n t se e th e big p ictu re, th e ca u se a n d effect on a uni versal level. E very painful th in g th a t has e v e r h a p p e n e d to you w as d o n e o u t of love for y our gro w th . T h e goal o f th e g ro w th is to rea liz e th a t you are loved by eve ry th in g in th e u n iv e rs e . P a in h a s b e e n in flic te d on you by th o se w ho love you, b e c a u se th e y love yo u . S tra n g e rs inflict p a in , too, b e c au se th ey love you. In th is light, p a s t h u r ts a r e n o t h u rts , b u t loves. P ast em otional da m a g e is n o t d a m a g e , b u t h e a lin g . L ikew ise, w h a t you did in th e p a s t to w a rd o th e r s , in te n tio n a lly o r n o t, you did o u t o f love fo r t h e m - a love living in such a h id d e n p a r t o f y ou th a t you m ay n o t have b e e n a w a re o f it a t th e tim e . You m ay th in k you h u r t s o m e o n e , b u t w hat really h a p p e n e d w a s t h a t t h a t s o m e o n e a tt r a c t e d t h e e x p e rie n c e o f h u rt b e c au se he n e e d e d it in o r d e r to g row . B e c a u se o f y o u r love fo r th a t p er son a n d h e r g ro w th , you su p p lie d th e h u r t. T h e re fo re , d o n o t feel guilty o r a s h a m e d fo r a n y th in g you have done o r feel h u rt by o th e r p e o p le . W h y w ould y o u fee l b a d fo r g ro w in g ? This is th e im plication o f u n iv ersa l love. If you a c c e p t th is love, all y o u r past tra u m a s a n d h u r ts will b e h e a le d . (1 will b e p a s sin g th e d o n a tio n bin a ro u n d now .) T h e n you c a n d r o p y o u r o ld e m o tio n a l b a g g a g e, b e c au se it no lo n g er se rv e s a p u rp o s e . It d id s e rv e a p u r p o s e a t o n e tim e , a n d th at p u rp o se w as for you to re a liz e t h a t th e w h o le u n iv e rs e loves you.

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As m en tio n e d , th e b e s t w ay to p r e v e n t y o u rs e lf fro m g oing astray in th e a s tra l is by solving y o u r a d d ic tio n s . Iro n ically , th e going astray" itself is trying to a ssist you in d o in g j u s t th is , th a t is, solving y o u r addic tions. It show s exactly w h a t y o u r a d d ic tio n is so t h a t you c a n solve it. Your w aking re a lity is try in g to s h o w you t h e s a m e th in g b u t, a s menioned b e fo re , th in g s m a n ife st f a s te r in th e a s tr a l th a n in th e physical, au se a nd effect a re o fte n so fa r a p a r t in t h e p h y sic a l t h a t it is very dif,( u l t to hee w h a t c a u se s w h a t a n d why. B ut luckily, th a n k s to y our skill H a

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Saturday, June 22,2002

I take two kava-kauas fo r relaxation (this is the first time I take kaua) and put

some relaxing lotion on my wrists before I fall asleep at 11:30 p. m . Barb puts quartz crys tals around the bed. I dream that som e guy a n d I are lost in a dry forest area. Perhaps ive are hiding from som eone w ho is chasing us. We find a bird s nest. /\s we are starv ing, I decide to pick two eggs from the nest. The other guy thinks it is a shame to take the lives o f two birds. I think so, too, bu t I haue to in order to suruiue. Later in the dream, I am sitting by a railroad crossing with a group o f people. We are doing something important, bu t I cant rem em ber what. Perhaps w e are shooting a

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mouie, because the actor Dan Aykroyd is there. Or perhaps we are just directing cars safely across the railroad. There are a lot o f cars. Haue they come to get a glimpse o f the shoot? Suddenly, an electrical storm m oues in. Dark clouds form aboue our heads. We see a small jolt o f blue lightning in the clouds. Then it explodes and shoots down onto the railroad track as a big lightning flash. I can tell that this is no ordinary thunder storm. The flashes behaue almost intelligently. We decide we haue to get out o f there fast. Someone shouts, We haue to leaue, now!" I am just about to leaue, but then I think that it would be interesting to stay and see what happens. I know somewhere in the back o f my mind that this is just a dream. A second blue streak forms in the clouds. It shoots down right next to me! There is a big crackling sound as it demolishes the railroad car in which I am sitting. The light ning bolt diuides into branches and one hits me. I feel its blue energy penetrating my chest. Euerything pauses. Time slows down. I get flashbacks. I am in my mother s womb. I see a babys face and its black eyes. Is this my twin? Did my parents haue twins and never told me? Or is the face I am looking at mine? Am I dying? I know I am in a

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dream, but can you die in a dream? I dont want to die, so I decide to pull back to my dream avatar, the one lying motionless by the railroad track. The flashbacks stop.
The dream turns into an astral projection. I get entangled in sex games. I enjoy the freedom o f creating these sex situations. Then a spirit gu id e m oves in a n d tells m e to stop the sex pleasures because h e has to talk to me. In spite o f this, I continue for a bit. After a while, I realize I d o not ne ed the sex. I realize that I w ould benefit m ore from explo ration. I stop the sex games. I am pro u d o f having that sort o f control o ve r m y thoughts.

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

I fin d m yself in the garden o f an orphanage. There are app le trees a n d a green lawn. / see m a n y h a p p y children living in the orphanage. The g u id e is next to me. I ask him, If y o u are a spirit guide, w hat is m y next step in life? W hat sh o u ld I d o n e xt?" He laugh s a n d says, "Y o u r life is w hat y o u m a ke it. You create it a s y o u g o along. There is n o set next step. I am b lo w n aw ay by this realization. Life is n o t p r e p la n n e d ! I feel free, relieved from the co ncepts o f destiny a n d fate. W e talk fo r a while. Then I m o v e d o w n the street. At the corner, tw o girls from the o r p h a n a g e are p laying U N O , the ca rd gam e. I join. I h a v e to p ic k u p a lot o f ca rd s a n d realize I c a n t win. W itho ut a c h a n ce to win, there's little re ason to stay, s o I b id them farew e ll a n d m o v e d o w n the s e c o n d street. This street h a s a lo n g lin e o f sh o p s. I en te r o n e sh o p , w h ic h I fee l I h a v e bee n in before, p e r h a p s in a dream . I f in d the c o m p u t e r g a m e se ct io n a n d se arch for g a m e s I m ight like. The re is a b u c c a n e e r g a m e titled 1720. A s I flo a t a r o u n d in the store, a fe w p e o p le l o o k at m e a n d a s k m e if I a m ok ay. I k n o w that b e c a u s e I a m a visito r to their realm , I l o o k p a le a n d a bit t ra n sp a re n t to them . I tell them I a m fine. At o n e o ccasio n , I m a k e a n O o o o o o - o o o - o o o o o o s o u n d , lik e a s p o o k y gho st, a n d to m y surprise, s o m e o n e else r e p lie s w ith a n o t h e r o o o o o - o o o o ! I t h in k the
0 0 0 0 0 -0 0 0 0 m ust b e c o m in g fro m the p h y s ic a l re ality a r o u n d m y b o d y . (Later, after

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w aking u p a n d a sk in g Barb, s h e tells m e there w e r e n o s o u n d s fro m m y ph y sical b o d y o r hers.) I f in d a big re d p a p e r p a c k a g e co n ta in in g the Ejay h ip h o p kit f o r 3 9 0 Sw edish crow ns, w hich a p p are ntly h a s e ve ry th in g y o u n e e d from c o m p o s in g m u sic to b urning C D s a n d printing labels. I a m fam iliar w ith Ejay b u t h a v e n o t se e n s u c h a com p lete kit in p h y sica l reality. I lo o k o v e r m y s h o u l d e r to m a k e s u re n o s to re e m p lo y e e is a rou nd a n d then I o p e n it. It co n t a in s lots o f p a p e r C D ca se s. T h e y h a v e the text Lice M T printed o n them. That m ust b e the b r a n d nam e. A s I am co m ing out o f the projection , I h a v e a v isio n o f B a r b s c a r b e in g towed aw ay b y the police. The c ar h a s a n im a l d r o p p in g s in the fron t p a s s e n g e r seat. Then I m fully aw a ke in m y bed. The p rojection la ste d m o re t h an a n hour. Note a d d e d A u g u st 1, 2003: April, ten m o n t h s later a n d three states away, and Barb s c a r stalls in Tucson. S o m e O r o V alley p o lic e officers a r e n ice e n o u g h to sto p and try to help her (k u d o s to the c o p s in Tucson). W h e n they investigate the engine, they find a little m o u se nest built o n top o f the battery (w e k n e w t here w ere m ice in the car, but w e thought we h a d evicte d them all) a n d a c c o m p a n y in g m o u s e d r o p p in g s in the front passe nger seat. After the c o p s g iv e u p a n d leave, w e tow the ca r to the nearest auto shop.
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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 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 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 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. 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 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. In tim e , t h e su b c o n sc io u s fo rm s an a d d ic tio n fro m th e tra u m a tic m em o 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 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 m a y t a k e a g r e a t a m o u n t o f e f f o r t b u t is w e ll w o r t h it. A f t e r w e h a v e f o u n d t h e c a u se , t h e a d d ic t io n w ill p r o b a b l y d is a p p e a r b e c a u s e the

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m o m e n t w e u n d e r s t a n d t h e a d d ic t io n it lo s e s its p u r p o s e , w h ic h is to a le r t u s t o t h e p r e s e n c e o f t r a u m a , j u s t lik e u n d e r s t a n d i n g th e c a u s e s o f 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

we**'"

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 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. E a g e r to c o m p ly w ith t h a t c o m m a n d , t h e s u b c o n s c io u s r e a c h e s o u t and 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 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 . 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 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. Hide,
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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 cant 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 neighbors 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

.w o r k 1 , 1 3 n o n -

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 .

. e so fo b j e c t s and

Exercise: Extrasensory Perception

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

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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 . ,

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

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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 d im e n sio n s a n d p la c e s sim u lta n e o u s ly , a p a r t o f y o u r a w a r e n e s s may de c id e to s ta y in th e a s tr a l w h e n t h e r e s t is c a lle d b a c k to t h e body. It m ay feel like you a r e in s e v e ra l p la c e s a t o n c e , a n d yo u a r e a w a re o f all th o se plac e s; o r it m ay feel like y o u r a w a r e n e s s is flip p in g v e ry quickly b e tw e en th o s e p la c e s . A s a th ir d a lte rn a tiv e , t h e p a r t o f y o u r a w a re n ess still in th e a s tr a l m ay s ta y t h e r e u n n o tic e d b y y o u , b u t la t e r call u p o n your physically b a s e d a w a r e n e s s , a t w h ic h tim e you a r e o n c e a g a in su ck ed o u t in to th e a s tr a l to m e rg e w ith th e a lr e a d y p r o je c te d p a r t o f y o u r being. A stral p r o je c to r R o b e rt B ru c e c alls th is p h e n o m e n o n m in d s p lit.'9

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Wednesday, October 2H, 2001 Short Projection

As I fell asleep last night, I visualized m yself coming h om e from school like I did seven years ago. Now I have just awakened and am lying in b ed waiting to go back to

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Physical Attraction sleep. I relax. I sense a slight m ovem ent in m y astral body. Then I get it, I am ready to

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leave the body. I relax a nd steer m y consciousness out through the top o f my head. I float downward and e nd up som ew here in the astral. I know exactly what I have planned to do: learn to increase and decrease m y energy frequency and to create with thoughts. I can tell that the projection is unstable. I know I can be shot back into my body at any time. I think that I have to ground m yself by lowering m y frequency. I think, I am lowering my frequency. This was a mistake. I am shot back into my body, either because the frequency is too low or b ecause o f the racket my girlfriend makes. Only about five seconds have passed since I exited the body. What is interesting is that I was in a state that I did not recognize as pre-OBE. I was not paralyzed. I did not have any vibrations or tingling. The only difference from a waking physical state was that m y m ind was ou t o f sync with m y body. There was a light floating feeling around m y head. I thought it was ju st nausea from a hangover (even though I did not party last night). A bubble o f energy surrounded my head. What exactly triggers an OBE? Evidently, it is not the b o d y asleep/m ind awake state. I think I can obtain that state again w ithout too m uch work. Haifa minute later, I am suddenly in m y m in d s eye walking down the middle o f a street. My consciousness is projected to that street, but I am not out o f my body. I am totally engaged with this part o f m y consciousness. The other part that is still lying in bed, inside my body, is gone for the moment. Could it be that this part o f my conscious ness stayed out while the part that I was focusing on during the OBE was pulled back into the body? The street looks like a street on Earth, bu t there is such beauty that I think it must be somewhere on a slightly higher plane. There are big, beautiful buildings. On the physical plane, they would have been ugly. There are ordinary trees, but here they look fantastic. Everything has a strong color. I continue to walk down the street. There is not

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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

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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

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

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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 . > 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 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. 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 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

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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 < 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

are dream ing w hen you are drr

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 cant 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 cant 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 . ,

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P rolonging the Projection

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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 . 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, 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 BlheCrslplaA<ri^ tak e s you to a m o re jo y o u s a n d p e a c e fu l a s tr a l e n v iro n m e n t. In th e a stra l, th e s ta t e o f y o u r m in d a ffe c ts y o u r e n v iro n m e n t. M e d ita tio n is th e b e s t w ay I h a v e fo u n d to b rin g a b o u t a blissful s ta te o f m in d an d , WL u , on th e re fo re , is t h e b e s t w ay to p o sitiv e ly a ffe c t a n y a s tr a l e n v iro n m e n t. unsynchronized o r o ff b alance in any way in th e astral.

M in d Creation

Now th a t w e have a c q u ire d a g o o d d e g re e o f self-control th a t is, we can a stral p ro je c t w ith o u t g e ttin g s id e tra c k e d by o u r addictions we can enjoy an in c re d ib le fre e d o m o f c re ativ ity . H ave you e v er w a n ted to cre a te m usic w ith o u t th e h a ssle o f u sing m u sic al in s tru m e n ts ? In the astral, you can. Im agine th e tim e a n d e ffo rt it ta k e s to build a physical castle. In th e a stra l, you can do it in m e re s e c o n d s . B ut le t u s s ta r t small.

D ec o ra tin g th e A str a l E n v ir o n m e n t
By now, you sh o u ld b e fa m ilia r w ith h o w y o u r conscious and subcon scious m inds c re a te y o u r a s tra l e n v iro n m e n t, a t le a s t theoretically- To recap , this is w h a t h a p p e n s w h e n you p o p o u t o f y o u r body: 1. Your a w a re n e s s e n te rs a b la n k a s tra l s p a c e (th e concept of space does no t apply in th e a s tr a l), u n le ss you h ave an ap p o in tm en t with already existing a stra l o r physical w o rld . 2- I he sp ace is y o u rs to do w ith w h a te v e r you w a n t. The space
242

m orph to fit even y o u r s m a lle s t in te n tio n s . If you h av e (as have m ost of us) sp e n t to o m u ch tim e in th e p h y sic a l, you will e x p e ct to se e phys ical objects. Y our e x p e c ta tio n s q u ick ly tu rn in to in te n tio n s . If you expect to s e e y o u r p h y sical ro o m , th e a s tr a l s p a c e will m o rp h into how you e x p e c t y o u r r o o m to lo o k .
3 . H o w e v e r, if you e x p e c t n o t h in g - a n d you c a n d o th is sim ply by u n d e r

standing th a t th e a s tr a l is n o t th e p h y sical a n d d o e s n o t have to b ehave

%k

even re m o te ly s im ila r to ity o u r a s tr a l s p a c e will r e m a in b lan k . This is the d e g re e o f c o n tro l o v e r o u r m in d s w e s e e k . A chieving th e a stra l void m ay ta k e s o m e p r a c tic e ; so d o n o t w o rry if you have n o t com e across it y e t. In tim e , yo u w ill. E ith e r w ay, t h e e x e rc ise s in th is ch ap te r can be d o n e in a void o r in sid e a n a s tr a l w o rld full o f ob jects. 4. W hen y o u r a s tr a l s p a c e is b la n k , you will h a v e n o in p u t fro m y our usual s e n s e s , n o t e v e n v isio n . F r o m th is e m p ty s p a c e , yo u m ay c re a te an a s tr a l w o rld t h a t h a s v isu a l in p u t, if you so d e s ir e . You m ay ju s t as well c r e a te a w o rld w ith o u t v isu a l in p u t. V isual in p u t is in n o way indigenous to th e a s tr a l, n o r is it n e c e s s a ry . V isual in p u t only ex ists in

c i r a < l c d bv our

th e

a s tr a l b e c a u s e w e in te n d it to b e so.

guiiti

Hutmw "*"

Exercise: Creating an Astral Sofa

1. Exit y o u r body a n d p ro ject in to th e astral. , J r Ait Id f"* 2. M ed ita te o n y o u r ch est as you did in th e previous exercise. 3. Select a n area in fro n t o f you. 4. Think: I think there is a sofa here. Yes, there is a sofa here. It is white." 5. A sofa should a p p e ar before you. ................ "
6 . Float over to th e sofa.

7. Touch the sofa. Feel its texture w ith y our astral fingers.
8. Lie o n th e sofa. P u t y o u r feet up. E n j o y y o u r c re a tio n fo r a m in u te .

9. Relax y o u r m ind. 10. Sense how this sofa cam e into being, w ith o u t analyzing.
11. R e p e a t th e exercise, b u t in st e a d o f c re a tin g a sofa, y o u m ig h t w a n t t o t r y s o m e t h in g differen t. H o w a b o u t a h o t t u b ?

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

T esting th e Lim its

As you p ro b ab ly noticed, th e so fa gave you th e visual a n d tactile input you a re u sed to in th e physical, p e rh a p s even m o re in ten sely so. I am fre q u e n tly a m a z e d th a t te x tu re s in th e a s tr a l feel m o re physically tangible th a n a c tu a l physical te x tu r e s . P e r h a p s th e re a s o n fo r th is is th at th e physical is ju s t a n o th e r a s tra l w o rld , b u t o n e w ith slightly num bed s e n so ry input.

Monday, October 28, 2001 Raising Astral Vibrations

I turn my eyes upward and affirm I am OBEing as I fall asleep. The alarm wakes me up after six hours. I spend one hour awake, then I go back to bed. I turn my eyes upward again and repeat the affirmation as I fall asleep. I haue two dreams. When I wake up, my body is paralyzed. I relax my mind and sit my astral body up. I sit on the side o f the bed with my legs dangling ouer. I cant see it, but I hear a radio playing. In waking physical reality, there is no radio. I focus on my heart chakra to tune in on my communication faculties. I need to find out how things work in the astral, so I practice creating a couch with thought. It turns into a black leather couch. I lie on the couch and rest for a while. It feels real enough. I walk through the room. The feet feel real against the floor. I somehow know my girlfriend is in the kitchen. I walk through the b o o k sh elf and the wall, a funny feeling. I walk down the stairs, through the corridor an d into the kitchen. My girlfriend is lying on the sofa. In waking physical reality, she is now here near the kitchen. I throw myself in the air and float ouer to her. I kiss her an d she smiles. I am not sure if she can see me. She seem s a bit surprised as to w here the kiss cam e from. I blow softly at her neck to conuince her that she is not imagining it. Then I am suddenly back in my physical body. I relax and sit my astral body up. I am blind again, but the uision soon returns. I think o f going back to m y girlfriend, but suddenly I am standing in my parents kitchen. My girlfriend is sitting at the table, eating a cucum ber an d bell pepper sandwich. ^ familiar spirit or dream character is there, but I do not know who it is and I do ^ reflect much upon it. I think it would be fun to annoy m y girlfriend, now that s see me. I throw a piece o f cucum ber on the floor. W hen she leans down to pick ^ grab it and throw it to the other guy. We toss it to each other a few times, bored. ^

M in d Creation I ivant to find out what is in the higher dimensions, so I move away a bit. I repeat

\ \V \ sS

e d ly

command, My frequency is increasing." Suddenly, something grabs me, as if some

one pulls my t-shirtfrom behind. I am a little afraid, but I get ouer it. Whatever is grabbing me starts running around me in circles, still holding the back o f my t-shirt. I rotate with it. I am drilling m yself upwards. The scenery is changing. I stop rotating. Everything around me is blindingly bright. There are white and turquoise lights, arranged in vertical layers. I cant make out anything except bright lights. I think, This kind o f change in frequency usually pulls me back to my body," which immediately puts me back in my body. I relax again and roll out. I want to approach the denser planes, so I command, "My frequency is slowing a little. Not much happens. My girlfriend walks into the room and says she wants to have sex. I say, Sure," but we hardly get started before I am pulled back into m y body. She is not in the physical room. You m ay a lso u se o t h e r s e n s e s to in te r a c t w ith th e a s tra l, s e n se s we norm ally d o n o t u se in th e p h y sic a l. W e h a v e , a s o f y e t, n o n a m e s for

m t

I ( fa to to lung i i on
a r t A e M l /p fa c fe ( n A jis -

them . O fte n w e j u s t say : I s e n s e th is a n d th a t, b u t I c a n t ex p lain it. W e m ight call it th e six th s e n s e o r in tu itio n , b u t t h a t w o u ld b e g e n e ra l izing. T h e s e s e n s e s will b e c o m e u se fu l in la t e r e x p lo ra tio n , b u t fo r now we will j u s t u s e t h e s a m e old s e n s e s so w e c a n g e t a c q u a in te d w ith th e a stra l a n d u n d e r s ta n d h o w it d iffe rs fro m t h e p h y sical.

Exercise: Walking on Water

1. E xityour body a n d p ro ject in to th e astral. 2. M editate on y o u r chest for one m in u te. 3. Select an area in fro n t o f you. 4. Imagine there is a large body o f water, for example, a lake. Expect i t to be there. 5. Describe every detail o f th e lake to yourself.
6 . The lake should ap p ear before y ou. If not, increase the detail as you

imagine the lake again. 7. Walk on the surface o f rhe water.

8 . W hen you tire o f walking, you m ight w ant to submerge into the water.

'V

# #

9. If yo u r creation is consistent, yo u will find th a ty o u can breathe under

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

water (which of course comes as no surprise to you, since you know anything is possible in the astral).
10.Ify o u have n o t supplied any derails for th e e n v ironm ent beneath the

surface o f the lake, you may find yourself in a void o r in a totally dif ferent world when you do intersect th e surface o f the lake.

Now. be v e ry c a re fu l a b o u t w h o m you te ll a b o u t th is ex p erience. People can b e v e ry p a ra n o id , fea rfu l, a n d d e fe n siv e a n d you m ight end up being c ru c ifie d . (W ell, it h a s b e e n k n o w n to h a p p e n , anyw ay.) If the th e o ry o f th e p hysical be in g a n a s tr a l w o rld is c o r r e c t, th e n J e su s could v ery well have w a lk e d on w a te r. If g ra v ity is j u s t a n o th e r belief-induced ru le to gov ern o u r re a lity , t h e n t h e r e is n o r e a s o n w h y an y b o d y should n o t b e a b le to re m o v e t h a t b e lie f a n d w alk o n w a t e r in th e physical.

A stra l P e r s is te n c e
T he next th in g w e should d o is to c re a te a n a stra l h o m e w orld. Just as m ountain clim bers esta b lish a b a s e c a m p b e fo re th e y e x p lo re th e mountain, so will w e establish a fam ilia r sp a c e b e fo re w e v e n tu re f u rth e r into th e astral. H ere we will be safe, p ro te c te d , a n d a t p e a c e . It will also b e a place where o th er astral e ntities, p re fe ra b ly th o se in te r e s te d in o u r a s tra l progress, can reach us a nd p e rh a p s give us a few h in ts o n h o w th e a stra l w orld works.

Exercise: Creating an Astral Hom e

1. In the physical, relax y o u r m ind. 2. Think o f a place th a t rad ia te s tranquillity . I prefer green m eadows and flow er gardens, b u t y o u can choose any place im aginable. 3. Visualize w alking th ro u g h t h a t area. Touch a n d smell objects. Pay extra atte n tio n to h o w th e vibes o f th e place feel. They sh o u ld be uplifting* In o th er w ords, w alking th ro u g h th e place sh o u ld m ake yo u h appy4. After returning from y o u r visualization, w rite dow n a few notes w hat you have felt and seen so th a t y o u can refresh y o u r m em ory ronig 1

M in d Creation

5 . W hen ir is bedtim e, visualize walking thro u g h th a t sam e place again.

As you do so, affirm : "Tonight I will AP to this place." C ontinue the visualization and a ffirm atio n as you fall asleep. This is the astral pro jection technique d escribed earlier in this book.
6 . Ifyou wake up in th e night, visualize walking through th a t place again

and repeat the a ffirm atio n as y ou d rift o ff to sleep again.

7. W hen y ou find you rself in th e astral, w h eth er y o u gained conscious

ness d uring sleep o r first woke up a n d th en rolled o u t. imagine y o u r self being in the place y o u previously visualized.
8 . Starr describing th e place to yourself. Begin w ith the large objects

near you. They sh o u ld a p p e ar w hen you intend them to. NtYKjfc, , ^ 9. Next, look closer a t y our im m ed iate su rro u n d in g s, discovering m ore and m ore details a b o u t y o u r space. 10. Walk or flo at th ro u g h y o u r space. Expect to see things yo u previously visualized, and they will be created. 11. W hen y o u are hap p y w ith y o u r hom e, su rro u n d it w ith a bubble o f w hite light. The bu b b le will a ttra c t only positive beings. Reinforce the bubble w ith a shield o f y our ow n design (1 use m etal, b u t a futuris tic plasm a shield o r a n y th in g else sh o u ld w ork ju s t as well) to keep o u t unw an ted entities. 12. Define th e rules o f y o u r newly created world by m aking a final request by th o u g h t: "This is m y astral ho m e world. It is persistent and so will rem ain in existence w h e th e r I am here o r absent. I will return here a t the beginning o f every astral projection."

(r

le d *

, it

13. Enjoy your new hom e.

From now o n , e v e ry tim e you a s tra l p ro je c t, r e m e m b e r y o u r a stra l hom e, so th a t you visit it fre q u e n tly . T h e m o re o fte n you visit th is place, the m o re d etail you give it by p o w e r o f c re a tio n . Be carefu l, tho u g h , not to get so a c cu sto m e d to it th a t you view it a s y o u r only tru e place o f exis ten c e . T h en it will b e c o m e m o re like a p riso n th a n a ho m e. B ecause physical e x iste n ce feels so in te n s e a n d w e sp e n d so m u ch tim e in it, m any of u s (n o t a stra l p ro je c to rs, o f co u rse ) th in k o f it as th e only place of e x istence, which tu rn s it in to a s o rt o f p riso n . It w ould b e u n fo rtu n a te if we got caught in th e sam e self-invented cell in th e a stra l.

ym

A stral Projection a n d rhe N ature o f R eality

P h y sica l M a n ife s ta tio n

Now th a t you have e x e rc ise d th e p o w e r o f c re a tio n th a t is your b irth rig h t, w e will v e n tu r e o n o n e la s t e n te r p ris e . A ssum ing th a t the physical is an a s tr a l w o rld , it sh o u ld b e fairly e a sy to c re a te ob jects by th o u g h t in th e physical. T h e only th in g p re v e n tin g us is th e b elief th at th e fea t is im p o ssib le . If w e c a n c irc u m v e n t t h e b e lie f s y s te m som ehow we will m e e t m o re su c c e s s . O n e w ay to d o th is co u ld b e to c re a te an ob ject in th e a s tr a l a n d t h e n b r in g it b a c k in to th e p h ysical. T h e exercise below has b e e n successfully e x e c u te d o n se v e ra l o c c asio n s, although not by m e.

Exercise: Astral-Physical M anifestation

1. W hen you e x ity o u r body a nd e n te r th e astral, im agine th a t you have a red rose in y o u r hand. 2. Expect the rose to be in yo u r han d . 3. Look dow n a t th e rose a n d in sp e c t it thoroughly. 4. Touch the sm o o th petals.

5. Sm ell th e rose.
6 . Affirm: "I in tend this rose to be physical."

, |

r*Jcn_. ^

7. W ake u p to the physical a n d fin d th e rose in y o u r physical hand.

Requests

In t h e e x e r c is e c a lle d C la rity N o w ! y o u c o m m a n d e d y o u r s u b c o n scious to p r o v id e y o u r c o n s c io u s m in d w ith v isu a l in p u t. T h e s u b c o n scious g la d ly t a k e s o r d e r s f r o m t h e c o n s c io u s m in d in th is m a n n e r , as long a s t h e o r d e r d o e s n o t c o n flic t w ith a n y b e lie fs h e ld b y t h e s u b c o n scious. F o r e x a m p le , t h e c o m m a n d Ic e C r e a m N o w ! w ill p r o b a b ly w o rk in th e a s tr a l, b u t T a k e F lig h t N o w ! o n ly w o r k s if t h e s u b c o n sc io u s h a s r e m o v e d its b e lie f in g r a v ity o r e s ta b l is h e d a n e w b e lie f t h a t t h e a s tr a l d o e s n o t s u c c u m b to g ra v ity . You c a n th in k u p a n y s o r t o f c o m m a n d y o u w o u ld like to u se in th e a s tr a l. H e r e a r e a few e x a m p le s : C larity N ow ! S tabilize! Physical Body N ow ! Initia te s visual p e rc e p tio n o f a n a lre a d y existing a stral w o rld , o r e n fo rc e s th e c re a tio n o f a new a stra l world. S tab ilizes y o u r s ta te o f m ind so th a t you can stay lo n g er in y o u r c u r r e n t reality. T ak es you back to y o u r physical body, or, if th e body is to o d eep ly a sle e p , c re a te s an a s tra l w orld in Go to X N ow ! w hich you will have a false aw akening. T akes you to th e a s tra l w orld o r th e p e rs o n called X,

Astral Projection a n d the N ature o f R eality o r c reates a replica o f X for you, depending on the level of control you have over your m ind. Go to A stral Hom e Now!
Show

Takes you to th e a stra l hom e world you created in th e previous chap ter, o r c re a te s it anew (which is basically th e sam e thing). Shows you, w ith any m ean s available, th e mosl

m e the m o st

important aspect of XI im portant aspect o f p erso n o r place X, unless th at p e r son or place is unwilling to reveal th a t information. T h e last r e q u e s t is q u ite in te r e s tin g . L et u s t r y it.

Exercise: Sliow M e Request

1. W rite dow n a question th a t y o u have been tu rn in g over in y o u r m ind for a while w ith no results. 2. Project into an astral void. 3. M editate on the c e n te r o f y o u r c h e st fo r 15 seco n d s to stabilize the projection. 4. C om m and: 'Show m e rhe m o st im p o r ta n t a sp e c t o f th e Sphinx of Giza!" 5. Do nor m ove away to o quickly: w a it fo r th e resp o n se to arrive. The response m ay rake any form . It m ay c o m e in th e fo rm o f objects or people a p pearing o r sim ply in th e fo rm o f a know ing.
6 . W hen you have th e answ er, c o n tin u e th e in q u iry by com m anding:

"Show m e the m o st im p o r ta n t a sp ec t o f m e!" 7. W hen you get the response, ask th e q u e stio n you w ro te d ow n in step 1.

N o te t h a t t h e a n s w e r s you r e c e iv e d w e r e fe tc h e d fro m a subcon scious p la c e a n d m ay t h e r e f o r e b e c o lo r e d o r m is in te r p r e te d by yoU I su b c o n sc io u s. T h e a n s w e r s m a y n o t r e f l e c t t h e e x a c t t r u t h b u t, still* the) sh o u ld b e m o re a c c u r a te th a n t h e a n s w e r s t h e c o n s c io u s m in d can corn? up w ith. F o r e x a m p le , if t h e s u b c o n s c io u s r e c e iv e d in fo rm a tio n about t < n a tu r e o f life, th e s u b c o n s c io u s m ig h t r e p r e s e n t t h a t in fo rm atio n clo set. S uddenly, a c lo s e t a p p e a r s b e f o r e y o u in t h e a s tr a l. To th scious m in d , th e c lo s e t is j u s t a c lo s e t, b u t to t h e s u b c o n sc io u s m .n ^

R eq uests
c l o s e t is a r e p r e s e n ta tio n o f t h e n a tu r e o r life, a lth o u g h m u ch inform a,j n was lost in th e t r a n s la tio n fro m t r u t h to c lo set.

V Y

N ote a lso th a t a s th e a n s w e r s w e r e n o t c o n s tr u c te d by th e co n scio u s

\ \ v v ^ '

m ind, th e c o n scio u s m in d m ay n o t b e a b le t o g r a s p th e m . Ify o u receiv e an a n sw e r you d o n o t u n d e r s t a n d , d o n o t a tt e m p t to u n d e rs ta n d it by fu rth e r consciously a n a ly z in g it. T h is will o n ly fo rc e a m is in te r p re ta tio n , because th e a n a ly tic a l m in d fee ls t h a t a m is in te r p re ta tio n is still b e tte r th an confusion. O t h e r p a r t s o f y o u , u n b e k n o w n s t to y o u r c o n scio u s mind, u n d e rs ta n d e x a c tly w h a t is m e a n t by t h e a n s w e r. T h e y o p e ra te outside th e b o u n d s o f r e a s o n a n d logic.

Replenishing Energy

Monday, February 5, 2001 Fatigue

My energy re se m e s h a u e b e e n e x h a u s te d f o r a M e n o w . This has resulted In b a d m oods. Howeuer, I a m g ettin g better. I th in k th a t m y First Contact" drained my nonphysical energy. I w ill h a u e to b u ild m y e n e rg y ce n te rs fro m th e g ro u n d up lo make them stronger. Today, I d id m y first en e rg y exercises fo r s o m e tim e. I n o tic e d th a t m y left side is m ore sensitive than m y right. For e x a m p le, i f I tickle m y left p a lm o r sole, I will feel it for a bout h a lf a m inute. If I tickle m y right p a lm o r sole, th e se n sa tio n disappears after only a fe w seconds. This is p ro b a b ly b e c a u s e th e le ft s id e o f m y n o n p h ysica l energy is more Ue ^ an ri$ h t side. I io/7/ h a u e to d o m a n y exercises to a ctivate m y right side.

c b y

^ ^ o w *n a n a s t r a l p r o j e c t i o n , y o u w ill p r o b a b l y feel physi ec*o m > h o p e le s s n e s s , a n d p e r h a p s e v e n d e p r e s s i o n . T h is is caused ck o l m e n t a l e n e r g y . P r o j e c t i n g i n to t h e a s t r a l ta k e s a lot 0

y t ir e d . 1 h e s e c o n d d a y , y o u m ig h t f e e l m e n t a l l y e x h a u s t e d , leading

ky> a n d th is is w h e r e y o u s p e n t it. B u t d o n o t w o r r y , y ou will a u ta

Replenishing Energy

m aticaB re p le n ish y o u r e n e r g y a n d in a few d a y s y o u w in ()(,

rally re sto re d .
To avoid m e n ia l e x h a u s tio n , I r e c o m m e n d lh a l you d o not

project too o fte n . O n c e a w e e k is e x c e lle n t f o r b e g in n e rs . In tim e w adapt to th e a s tr a l a n d l e a r n n o t to w a s te s o m u c h e n e rg y w hile w e a re there. You m ig h t s a y w e a r e o p tim iz in g o u r a s tr a l e n e rg y u sa g e T his done. can Prject a b o u t tw ico w ' k - U n d e r n o c irc u m s ta n c e s w ould | reco m m en d p r o je c tin g m o r e o f te n t h a n t h r e e lim e s a w e e k . T h e s ir on th e m e n ta l e n e rg y r e s e r v e s w o u ld b e to o h ig h . In a n y e a se , t h e r e a re exercises w e c a n d o in o r d e r t o a c c e l e r a t e (lie re p le n is h in g o je n e r g y .

Exercise: Personal Im peccability

The fastest w ay to sto ck u p o n energy is by m aking decisions for yourself a nd follow ing th ro u g h o n th em . W h en th ere are no what-ifs and no m aybes, energy will go stra ig h t in to y o u r reservoir. For example, you m ay d ecide to g o o n a d i e t in w h ich y o u will o n ly e a t th re e rim es a day w ith n o in -b e tw e e n snacks. Or, if y o u are a smoker, yo u m ight decide to q uit. Ify o u s ta n d by th a t decision in spire o f y o u r sw eet toorh o r nicotine cravings, energy will au to m a tic a lly flow in to you. 1. M ake a decision y o u th in k will im prove y o u r daily life. 2. Stand by th a t decision, n o m a tte r h o w d ifficu lt it gets. Do n o t post his has resulted H ntact" drained W round up lo ^ pone.

Exercise: The Effect o f Beauty

I - Intentionally seek to see rh e u n iq u en ess a n d beau ty o f o rd in ary things in y o u r physical e n v iro n m en t. People, plants, anim als, objects, even freeways are incredibly beautiful, b u t o fte n we forget to appreciate th eir beauty. 2. Tie a strin g a ro u n d o n e o f y o u r fingers to rem ind yo u to focus on the b eau ty o f each th in g th a t com es y o u r way. rh e beau ty will p u ty o u in a sta te o f awe, which is beneficial for replenishing energy.

hat m y le fts** le, I w ill fe d p p e a r s after ^ a t e n e rg y i s P re it y right side-

blv feel Ph> 'si'

A stral Projection a n d th e N a tu re o f R e a lity

Exercise: A im in g H igher
1. In each person y o u m eet, see th e silver-blue lu m in o u s b u b b le th a t is her b eautiful higher self, instead o f seeing th e ego a n d its doings. Every person has a positive higher self. 2. C onnect w ith o th e r p eo p les high er selves. In d o in g so, y o u connect w ith your ow n higher self, w hich is a groovy feeling. 3. Your higher self will th e n a u to m a tic a lly a ttra c t energy from th e uni verse a nd replenish y o u r reserves.

Exercise: Energetic M ed itation

1. Close y o u r eyes. 2. Relax y o u r m ind a n d go in to a calm state. 3. G round y o u r m ind by s h o o tin g all u p s e ttin g e m o tio n s in to th e g round below you. 4. Think o f y o u r s p in e as a flexible o rg an ic tu b e, th ro u g h w hich energy flow s b etw een y o u r head a n d th e rest o f y o u r body. 5. M ake th a t tu b e e xpand, as if to let m o re e n erg y flo w th ro u g h it.
6 . Im agine th e tu b e lead in g all th e w ay u p to th e to p o f y o u r head. O pen

th a t e nd o f th e tu b e. 7. Im agine som e o f th e energy in th e a ib e flo w in g o u t o f rhe to p o f the tu b e a nd m ixing w ith th e rest o f th e e n erg y in th e universe.
8 . S tart absorbing energy from th e universe in th ro u g h th e to p o f the tube.

9. A fter a few m in u te s, close th e to p o f th e tu b e.

Exercise: R estoring M ed itation

1. Close y o u r eyes. 2. Visualize how y o u r body a n d m in d w o u ld look a n d feel if th ey were in perfect shape. Pay special a tte n tio n to th e e m o tio n s a p erfect body and m ind w ould give you. 3. Put th a t im age in th e c e n te r o f y o u r chest. 4. O pen th e spine tube, as y o u did in th e previous exercise. 5. Let energy from th e universe flo w in th ro u g h th e to p o f the tube, dow n your spine, a nd let it w ash over th e im age in y o u r chest, making the image becom e reality.
6 . After a few m inutes, close the to p o f th e tube.

C ir c l e 4

The Nature of Reality

Find the truth about life, the universe, and everything.
They say that dreams are only real as long as they last. Couldnt you say the same thing about life?

Waking Life (movie)2 0

W elcom e to C ircle 4, w h e re w e delve into th e m y steries o f o u r exis tence. By now, you h ave su rely e x p e rie n c e d how sim ple thoughts affect your p ercep tio n o f th e a stra l. T h e n e x t s te p is to a tte m p t to g rasp the enorm ity o f th e se abilities. Do th e y re p re s e n t o u r n atu ral capabilities? Are they p a rt o f w ho w e a re as nonphysical beings? Can we use them in a w aking physical s ta te o f m in d ? How do th ey affect o u r view o f reality?

The M eaning o f life

W h y a r e w e h e r e ? W h e r e d id w e c o m e f r o m ? A r e w e j u s t irr e le v a n t specks in a n i n c o m p r e h e n s i b ly la r g e u n iv e r s e o r is t h e r e s o m e p u r p o s e to o u r liv es? T h e s e q u e s ti o n s w ill f in d a n s w e r s in tim e . W e h a v e a s k e d th e m fo r a h u n d r e d t h o u s a n d y e a r s , b u t n o w I t h in k w e a r e c lo s e r to finding o u t t h e a n s w e r s t h a n w e e v e r w e r e . T h e p s y c h ic sk ills o f o u r species a r e a w a k e n in g , a n d w ith t h o s e s k ills w e c a n e x p lo r e m o re o f o u r n a tu re a n d t h e w o r ld a r o u n d u s. M o s t likely, t h e m e a n i n g o f life c a n t b e p u t in to w o r d s , a t le a s t n o t w ith o u r c u r r e n t v o c a b u la r y . F o r n o w , t h e m e a n in g will h a v e to b e c o m e a feeling in s id e e a c h o n e o f u s , a s u b je c tiv e im p r e s s io n t h a t w e c a n lea n b a c k o n w h e n tim e s g e t to u g h .

W hy In c a r n a te ?
S o m e E a s te r n t r a d i ti o n s s p e a k o f a u to m a tic r e in c a rn a tio n : W h e n you d ie , you in s ta n tly p o p in to a n o th e r h u m a n b o d y . (H in d u ism in clu d e s th e p o ssib ility o f in c a r n a tin g in to a n a n im a l b o d y .) T h is a u to m a tic b irth p ro c e s s s e e m s c o n tr a d ic to ry to o u r n a tu r e , a n d o u r lives a p p e a r f a r to o well p r e p a r e d to o c c u p y j u s t a n y b o d y . 257

Astral Projection a n d th e N ature o f R eality Il is m o re likely th a t w e have fre e will on a soul level, ju s t as w e have f re e will on E a rth . T h e re fo re , w e c h o o se w h e th e r w e w a n t to in ca rn a te . W e can sta y b e tw e en lives ind efin itely if w e so c h o o se. W e also choose w h e re , w h en , how , a n d w hy to live. T h e n w e s p e n d m o st o f o u r lives w o n d e rin g w h a t th a t w h y w as. C o n sid e rin g how h a rs h life c a n b e , it ta k e s a b ra v e soul to in ca rn a te . W e, th e in c a rn a te , a r e th e b ra v e o n e s . It co u ld a lso b e t h a t w e a re fools. I can im agine th a t it is d ifficult to fo re s e e j u s t h o w p h y sic a l life will feel w h en w e a r e n o t e n g u lfe d in it. It m ay lo o k e a sy in th e p lan n in g stage, b u t w h e n w e a r e s tu c k in it w ith n o re c o lle c tio n o f o u r so u l lives, it is v ery h a rd to c o p e . W e a r e all p r o b a b ly v e ry co ck y a b o u t o u r ab ilities on a soul level, b u t w h e n w e a r e s tr ip p e d f ro m th e m a t b ir th , life p rese n ts a n e n tire ly d iff e re n t c h a lle n g e . B ut th a t is a ls o t h e r e a s o n w e c a m e to b e : to e x p e rie n c e ourselves w ith o u t th e a id o f o u r soul a b ilitie s . W e w a n t to i n te r a c t as hum an b e in g s b e c a u s e th e y h a v e a lo t to te a c h u s a b o u t o u rs e lv e s . A s an anal ogy: I fy o u ta k e a c o u r s e in s u rv iv a l in t h e w ild e r n e s s , yo u c a n re a d all you w a n t a n d still n o t k n o w a n y th in g a b o u t h o w to fu n c tio n in th e wild. You m u s t g e t o u t t h e r e , e a t y o u r la s t b o lo g n a s a n d w ic h , g et lo st, and th e n t r y to s u rv iv e . .M l*

T h e P riv ile g e o f t h e L iving

By in c a r n a tin g , w e a r e w illin g to go th r o u g h all th e p a in t h a t life has to o ffe r: g rie f, d is e a s e , h o m e s ic k n e s s , N o t o n ly t h a t , o n c e w e have been th ro u g h it, w e c h o o s e to c o m e b a c k tim e a f t e r tim e , su b je c tin g ourselves to th e s a m e su ffe rin g a g a in . E ith e r w e j u s t d o n o t g e t t h e m essa g e o r we a r e looking fo r s o m e th in g so r e w a r d in g t h a t t h e s u ffe rin g is insignificant in c o m p a ris o n . W h a t co u ld t h e p h y s ic a l h o ld t h a t is s o v a lu a b le ? Could it b e th e th rill o f s im p ly b e in g h e r e ? C o u ld it b e t h a t w e lo o k o u r whole lives fo r th e a d v e n tu r e s in p r o je c tin g o r a s c e n d in g to a sp iritu a l plane, to o p e n th e w ay to t h e so u l, b u t w h e n w e g e t t h e r e , w e rea liz e th a t it is n o th in g t h a t p h y sic a l life w a s th e e x c ite m e n t, th e in trig u in g p a rt, and th e a d v e n tu r e ? A re w e , a s in c a r n a te s , in th e m o s t ex c itin g p lace eve c o n s tru c te d , b u t w e d o n o t h a v e t h e b r a in s to ta k e a d v a n ta g e o f 1 o p p o rtu n ity , to live life to its fu lle s t? fiievai., M easures;

V > N

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Monday, A u t u s l1Z- 2 0 0 2 Past-Life M other a n d B liss!

It is 2 P.M.

I am half awake. I dream I am in a car. My m other (from a past life?) is in

the car, too. I feel loue for her. She gets out an d leaves. Then there is a flashback. I see that as she leaves, she playfully shoots water at m e with a garden hose, which is next to the car. I am behind the car. I raise m y hand a n d catch the water. in bliss all the time.
As

the water hits

m e> i have an amazing feeling: Life is so beautiful! Life is bliss. Living is a chance to be
In

each second o f life, we have the choice to be in bliss. Bliss is only

a simple decision away. We decide how we want to feel. We can decide to remove the
c o n c e p ts

o f fear and anger. The them e from Forrest Gump is playing in the background.

Someone has recently d ied in the dream (could my past-life mother, leaving the car, represent dying?), but I k no w death is nothing. My sense o f respect and loyalty tells me to mourn, but I choose to be in bliss. In waking reality, Jazzs tail is thumping against the floor as she sleeps. I w onder if she can feel the bliss, too. I open my eyes to see if there is a spirit in the room but cant see anything out o f the ordinary.

T h e r e is so m u c h p l e a s u r e in E a r th life, b u t only se ld o m d o w e allow ourselves to feel it. I love t h e s m e lls , t h e e n e rg y o f tr e e s , th e feeling of a ir a g a in s t m y s k in , t h e b r e a t h in m y lu n g s, th e sm e ll o f my sk in , and the th ro b b in g o f b lo o d a s it r u s h e s th ro u g h m y vein s. I also love th e u n c e rta in ty : to n o t k n o w w h a t will h a p p e n n e x t. Life is a b lan k s to ry book w e fill w ith a d v e n tu r e s a s w e g o alo n g . T h e s e a r e th in g s w e c a n t e x p e rie n ce a n y w h e r e e ls e , a n d y e t th e y a r e th e sim p le s t th in g s in life. They a r e so s im p le t h a t w e d o n o t n o tic e th e m . A n d still, th ey a r e th e tre a s u re s fo r w h ic h w e c a m e , t h e r e a s o n s fo r o u r in c a rn a tio n .

T h e S ch o o l o f Life
In a d d itio n to t h e w o n d e rfu l s e n s a tio n s on th is p lan e , w e co m e h e re to evolve. T h e lim ita tio n s o f th e p h y sical p ro v id e a g o o d lea rn in g g ro u n d . W h ile w e a r e in th is sc h o o l, w e hav e n o id ea w h a t lies bey o n d g ra d u ation. P e r h a p s t h e r e is a n o th e r sc h o o l, a n d o n e a fte r th a t, a n d so on into infinity. O r p e rh a p s w e a r e re le a s e d in to re a l life u p o n g rad u a tio n . In th e m ovie D e fe n d in g Your L ife ,2 1 E a r th is d e s c rib e d as a school in w hich th e goal for th e s tu d e n ts is to lo se t h e ir fe a rs so th ey can b e c o m e citizens o f th e u n iv erse . P e rh a p s th a t is n o t to o f a r fro m th e tru th .

A stra! Projection a n d rhe N a tu re o f R e a lity W e a r e o u r ow n te a c h e r s , a n d th e th o u g h ts w e c o n ju re u p a r e o u r te a c h in g to o ls . W e a lso h a v e a s s is ta n ts r e s id in g o u tsid e th e p h ysical, con tin u o u sly e n g a g e d in h e lp in g u s p r e p a r e th e les s o n s .

W ednesday, O ctober 30, 2 0 0 2 D isco ve rin g Faith

A f e w d a y s ago, B a r b a n d I h a d a fe w d rin k s. I g o t a floating sensation . It w as a thrill. M y b o d y w ent n u m b . B a rb h a d to fe e d me, b e c a u s e I c o u ld n ot control m y arms e n o u g h to h o l d anything. I felt lik e I w a s r e a d y to astral project, but w h e n I attempted to exit m y b o d y b y ro lling out, the p h y sic a l b o d y ro lle d w ith me. Tonight w e a r e d r in k in g o n c e m ore. B a r b se e s the b ig b la c k s c a r a b from another w o r ld ru n a c r o s s the f l o o r again. S h e p o in t s o u t h e r o b s e r v a t io n to m e a n d I say, C o o l ! " T hings a re h a p p e n in g in m y h ea d . S u d d e n ly , there is a k n o c k o n the door. Barb o p e n s it a n d in ste p s S u s a n n e a n d h e r d o g Little Paw. S h e g o e s o n a n d o n a b o u t how Eric left a s u p p o s e d l y r u d e n o t e b y t h e d is h w a s h e r o r so m e thing. B a rb r u n s a ro u n d in the kitchen, trying to k e e p b u s y a n d n o t lo o k a t S u s a n n e . S h e d o e s n o t w ant Susanne to k n o w w e h a v e b e e n d rinkin g. S h e d r o p s th ings a n d w iggle s n o w a n d then. It looks like s h e is dire ctin g all h e r e n e rg y to trying to w a lk straight, o r it c o u ld just be that I interpret it that way. It lo o k s f u n n y a n d I g ig g le to m yself. Little P a w j u m p s u p o n the b e d a n d lic ks m y face. I d o n t w an t to talk b e c a u s e the w o r ld is getting s lu r re d a n d I c a n imagine my v o ice w ill s o u n d re ta rd e d a n d g iv e m e aw ay. S u s a n n e t u rn s a r o u n d a n d se es m e sitting in bed. O h, h i M a g ! I w a v e (a m istake, a s I m u st lo o k d r u n k a s hell) at h e r a n d say, H i." It feels like s o m e o n e else s a id that, s o m e o n e w h o w a s in a different reality. I am slip p in g away. I c a n t co n ce n tra te o n w a k in g reality. I w a n t to e s c a p e into a n alternate reality a n d e xp lo re it, b u t S u s a n n e ju st g o e s o n a n d o n a b o u t h o w ru d e Eric is, which is a lie, o f course, b e c a u s e w e k n o w Eric is a g o o d m an . W h y w o n t sh e le a v e ? It feels like I a m o n the v erge o f astral projecting, b u t h e r n e gativity k e e p s p u llin g m e b ack to ivak ing reality. Then it hits me. This a lte re d state a llo w s m e to se e w ith in cre d ib le clarity. Susanne is ad d icte d to pity! H e r s u b c o n s c i o u s is d e lib e ra te ly lo o k in g fo r things in other peop a ctio n s to feel hurt abo ut. Therefore, s h e interp rets m o st e ve n ts a s attacks o n h e rp son. S h e a lso sets u p h a rm fu l situ a tio n s in w h ic h s h e c a n feel e m otionally a n d cally hurt, so sh e c a n attract pity fro m h e r fe llo w beings. S h e w ants love, subconsc/ousJy, sh e th inks sh e ca n get it th ro u gh the pity from others. This ^ underlying c a u se o f h e r faltering p h y sic a l health. Right now , sh e is c o m p la in in g a 0 ^

The M e a n in g o f Life

t V

\ \

order to get pity from Barb. It d o e s not w o r k though, b e c a u se in Barb s intoxi-

d state, there is no such thing as pity. I have an urge to tell Susanne about my C a J b( but at the last moment, I manage to conceive that in an ordinary state o f mind, 0ch as Susanne's, this w ould be considered rude.
I am holding the cat in m y arm s. The next thing I know , the cat is ru nning o n the floor. How d id it get there? W h a t is g o in g o n ? I try to ste p b a c k in m y m em ory, but I have n o recollection o f w hat h a p p e n e d d u rin g the last se con ds. I c a n t fo cu s o n w a k

> < X ,\

ing reality anym ore. I get s h o rt g lim p s e s o f it, that is all. I take o ff m y gla sse s a n d p re tend to inspect them. I k e e p m y e y e s fixe d o n them. I c a n t lo o k at a living thing,

** ** e^ / .

because it ch ange s a ll the time. It d o e s things a n d I re pea te dly forget w hat it d id d u r ing the last s e c o n d I lo o k e d at it. L o o k in g at a n u n c h a n g in g object h e lp s m e retain m y sense o f reality. S u s a n n e se e s m e staring at the g la ss e s a n d I c a n feel sh e takes it a s hint that I am not interested in h a v in g h e r in the apartm ent. C o m e here, Little P aw ! She walks out. At last, s h e le a v e s u s to e n jo y o u r altered state o f co n sc io u sn e ss.

brun^ m *

The next thing I k n o w , I w a k e u p a n d B a rb is talking to me. I h a v e a vag ue m em ory o f telling B arb that I h a d a lm o st astral p ro je c te d w h e n S u s a n n e w a s there, but it feels like o u r c o n v e r sa t io n h a s take n p la c e in a d re a m f rom w h ich I h a v e just a w a k ened. Barb says, Really, y o u a lm o st p r o je c t e d ?" Jesus, w hat is g o in g o n ? H o w d id sh e know that? I thought I d re am t t hat? I d o not k n o w w hat to tell her. N o w I d o not k n o w w h a t w e talke d a bout, b e c a u s e the m e m o r y o f the dream is fading. I just stare at her, d u m b fo u n d e d . I a m getting a sh ort g lim p se o f w aking p h y si cal reality. It lasts ten m illisecon d s. The n I s p e n d the fo llo w in g HO m illiseconds in a dream world. Then I get a n o t h e r g lim p s e o f w ak in g reality, a n d s o it continues. I ca n t control it. I a m trying to figu re o u t w h e th e r w ak in g reality is the d ream a n d the d ream is real o r if it is s o m e o th e r way. It feels like I a m h a v in g a lu c id dream , but the dream is taking place in w ak in g reality. I am living o n ly in the m om ent. E a c h m om e n t I create a n e w all m y intentions a n d

e back 101 0 1

plans. From o n e m o m e n t to the next, I c a n t r e m e m b e r w hat I d i d o r w hat I p la n n e d to do. M y m in d is falling a sle e p a n d w ak in g u p 2 0 tim es p e r se con d. I a m ru shing betw een dream realities a n d w aking reality. I h ate it. I hate w aking u p in the m orning, a n d n o w I am w aking u p 2 0 tim es e ve ry se c o n d ! Each time I am co n fu s e d a n d ca n hardly rem em ber w hat I dream t about. I u nintentionally b la m e different n oise s for w aking m e up. I am getting irritated. B arb a n d I talk. S h e talks to m a ke su re I am all right a n d p e r h a p s ke ep m e fo c u se d in w aking reality. I think s h e talks s o m u ch b e c a u se the a lc o h o l m a ke s h e r talkative. Suddenly, I w ake u p a n d sh e asks, A r e y o u getting a n g r y ?" I c a n t re m em b er w hat we

A stra l P rojection a n d rlie N a tu re o f R e a lity Barb te befin'P1 * h e lp - '^ 1 "

talked about that might haue led her to thinking I am angry. I search any m em ory from a dream, knowing that w hat I find could actually haue h a p pened in waking reality. Then I start to suspect that I had an overdose o f alcohol or an allergic reaction although I have never heard o f the latter. Jesus, I have to d o something. I think it will help if I get up and walk around for a while; this w ould get m y b lood moving and my brain would get fresh oxygen. Can I control m y b ody enough to stand up? I cant feel my body. I get up. 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 floating outside m y body? A few steps later, I wake up to see Barb standing in m y way. She asks m e why I am walking around. Hell if I know. I can't rem em ber anything. The last thing I remember, I was sitting in the b ed, b u t that to o feels like it happened in a dream. I continue skipping back a n d forth into a dream world. Som etim es I have night 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 attack? Did the alcohol kill my brain? Am I going to turn into a drooling vegetable? Am I dying? I have to get help. 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 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 same time. I panic. I try to ask Barb to take m e to a hospital bu t cant form ulate the words, and from one m om ent to the next, I cant 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 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 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? ^ I I ^ is to /ri bco

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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 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

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 nt 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, shouldnt 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

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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? 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

J*

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believing m eedtofo1

The M e a n in g o f Life

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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

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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. 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 : It is to g e t m e in to tro u b le ! E v en so , it is all a c c o rd in g to m y will. I w a n te d t o e x p e rie n c e w h a t I h a v e j u s t d e s c r ib e d . I w a n te d to c o n fro n t my fe a r o f d e a th so 1 co u ld live m o re fully. I a lso w a n te d to k n o w w hat w as o u t t h e r e , b e y o n d t h e lim its o f th e p h y sic a l. I h a d n e v e r v erbally u tte r e d th e s e w ish e s, b u t th e y w e re t h e r e , in my c o n scio u sn e ss. A nd so my guides obliged. In th e s a m e way, th e e x p e rie n c e s w e d e s ire a r e s e t up in life. T he subconscious is a sp o n g e , full o f d e s ire s fro m o u r p a s t. Each th o u g h t we have, e n fo rc e d w ith e m o tio n , e n d s up in th e su b co n scio u s in th e form o f

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A stral Projection a n d rhe N a tu re o f R ea lity a d e s ire . If w e, fo r e x a m p le , fe a r s n a k e s , th e n t h a t fear, b e in g a stro n g e m o tio n , will e s ta b lis h a d e s ire to o v e rc o m e th e fe a r o f sn a k e s in our su b c o n sc io u s . T h e d e s ire w ill in tu r n a r r a n g e fo r an e x p e rie n c e in w hich w e h av e a c h a n c e to e x p e r ie n c e th e fe a r so th a t w e m ay u n d e rs ta n d and disso lv e it. It m ay ta k e y e a r s to m a n ife s t th e e x p e rie n c e . T h e tim e d e p e n d s on o u r re lu c ta n c e to h a v e it. W e c a n s e t u p th o s e ex p erien ces o u rse lv e s , o r w e ca n a s k o th e r s , fellow h u m a n s a n d d is c a rn a te guides to h elp us. T h e s tr o n g e m o tio n , o f c o u r s e , d o e s n o t h av e to b e a n eg ativ e em o tio n . W e c a n c r e a t e e q u a lly w ell w ith h a p p in e s s a n d b liss. If w e decide to e x p e r ie n c e b liss, th e n th a t s tr o n g e m o tio n w ill c r e a t e a su b co n scio u s d e s ire to e x p e r ie n c e m o r e b liss.

O ur Nature

D u s tin g O f f t h e S o u l
T h e r e a r e a m u l t i tu d e o f p a p e r s p r e s e n t i n g t h e o u t-o f-b o d y a n d n e a r d e a th p h e n o m e n a in a c a d e m i c w a y s , s u c h a s w ith w i t n e s s te s tim o n y , E E G c h a r t s , a n d e v e r y t h i n g e l s e r e p r e s e n t i n g s c ie n tif ic in v e s tig a tio n . T h e p a p e r s a r e w r i t t e n b y m e d i c a l a n d p s y c h o lo g ic a l p r o f e s s io n a ls sim ply b e c a u s e t h e y h a v e s t u m b l e d u p o n s o m e th i n g t h a t , in s p i t e o f th o r o u g h e d u c a t i o n a n d e x p e r i e n c e , t h e y c a n t e x p la in . O f te n , t h e a u t h o r h a s n o p e r s o n a l e x p e r i e n c e w ith t h e s e p h e n o m e n a b u t is in tr ig u e d b y th e a c c o u n ts o f p a t i e n t s a n d c o w o r k e r s .
U n f o r tu n a te ly , w i t h o u t p e r s o n a l e x p e r i e n c e , th e y in e s c a p a b ly give a d i s t o r te d p i c t u r e o f t h e p h e n o m e n a , w h ic h m is le a d s t h e m a s s e s . F o r e x a m p le , t h e a v e ra g e p e r s o n t h in k s o f t h e o u t-o f-b o d y e x p e r ie n c e a s a b r ie f t r i p in t h e p h y s ic a l r e a l m , b u t o u ts id e o f t h e b o d y . H e h a s n o id ea o f t h e a b u n d a n c e o f b e a u tifu l w o r ld s to b e fo u n d o u ts id e t h e p h y s ic a l a n d t h e im m e n s ity b e h in d t h e w o r ld s . U n in f o rm e d p a p e r s o n ly r e in f o rc e th is p ic tu re . T h e y d o little to e x p la in t h e a c tu a l n a tu r e o f t h e o u t-o f-b o d y e x p e rie n c e . 267

A stral Projection a n d th e N a tu r e o f R ea lity

S uch a u th o r s , usin g all th e la te s t te c h n o lo g y , c a n t ex p lain w h a t th e p h e n o m e n a a r e o r w h a t c a u se s th e m . T h e y c a n t, b e c a u s e th e p h en o m e n a d o n o t fit in to t h e ir w o rld v ie w . T h e ir u n d e rs ta n d in g o f th e w orld tells th e m to look to th e p hysical fo r e x p la n a tio n s . C o m m o n ly , th ey ex p e ct th e biological b r a in to p ro v id e th e m w ith a n s w e r s . T h e b ra in is su p p o s e d ly th e m o s t c o m p le x o b je c t in t h e k n o w n p h y sic a l u n iv erse , so if t h e r e is a n y th in g t h a t c a n t b e e x p la in e d ( te le p a th y , p rec o g n itio n , OBE, N D E ), th e y c a n e x p la in it a w a y a s s o m e y e t u n k n o w n b ra in functio n . But th e b r a in r e m a in s s ile n t. N o a n s w e r s c o m e . W e hav e all th ese cool c o lo r p r in to u ts o f b r a in ac tiv ity , b u t n o n e o f th e m say s: Hey, I am w h a t you have b e e n lo o k in g fo r all th e s e y e a rs ! I a m t h e o n e w h o se comp lic a te d e ffe c ts you h a v e a tt r ib u t e d to a so u l. H a h , h a h , c a n you imagine t h a t ? A s o u l! W h a t is m is s in g in th e s e a c c o u n ts ? W h y c a n t w e e x p la in OBE and N D E fro m o u r c u r r e n t s c ie n tific s t a n d p o i n t? W e ll, isn t it o b v io u s? Outof-body a n d n e a r - d e a th e x p e rie n c e s h a p p e n b e c a u s e w e , c o n tr a ry to conte m p o r a r y s c ie n tific b e lie fs , a r e not. p h y s ic a l b e in g s . W e a r e n o t m inds c re a te d by biological c irc u itry . W e a r e m in d s c re a tin g t h e biological cir c u itry a n d all o t h e r p h y s ic a l o b je c ts . O u r liv es d id n o t beg in w hen papa s p e rm m e t m a m a egg; th e y h a v e b e e n g o in g o n s in c e long b e fo re E arth w as e v e n th o u g h t u p . T h is fe e t is ig n o re d b y s c ie n c e , w h ic h is why scientis ts c a n t e x p la in th e OHM p h e n o m e n o n . O u t o f th e fe a r o f b ein g upset, sc ie n c e d o e s not d e lv e in to t h e m in d to e x p lo r e it. T h e u n fo rtu n a te fate o f s c ie n c e is to in v e s tig a te e v e ry th in g e x c e p t th e o n ly im p o rta n t thing: w ho w e a r e . F ro m t h e ir p e rs o n a l e x p e rie n c e w ith lea v in g t h e b o d y a n d entering th e a s tr a l, m o st a s tr a l p r o je c to r s c o n c lu d e t h a t th e y a r e m ostly nonphysical b e in g s. T h e r e s t o f h u m a n ity , o r a t le a s t W e s te rn society, still believes th e y a r e p hysical all th e w ay, p e r h a p s w ith a tw ist o f w eird ps> chic a b ilities (c o n tr ib u te d by th e b r a in , o f c o u rs e ) . To th e m , it is eas> t ....... i. . . . a p. ...........ii n e n d most m n ;,,/, th a t . ue c onceive th p hysical, is o u r n a tu r a l s ta t e . A f te r all, w e c spend most o f o u r tim e th e r e . To th o se w ho have not y e t h a d th e o p p o rtu n ity to a stra l p io jec try o u t o th e r im p re ssiv e h u m a n a b ilities, th e OBE p h e n o m e n o n a PPe > am azing, fa r o u t, even a b n o rm a l. T h ey p u sh it aw ay as if it w ere a e a se th re a te n in g th e ir v e ry e x is te n c e (rig h tly so ; it will indee u ^

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O u r Nature lives). But if th e y c h a n g e t h e i r p h y sic a l p o in t o f v iew to o n e from

hich they can s e e a ls o t h e i r n o n p h y s ic a l n a tu r e , O B E b e c o m e s com pletely n a tu ra l. j., VVe a re only ph y sic a l b e c a u s e w e h a v e c h o s e n to p r o je c t to th e phys ical for a w hile. W h e n w e h a v e h a d e n o u g h o f th a t , w e tu r n o u r a tte n tion e lse w h e re . C o n tr a r y to c o n v e n tio n a l b e lie fs , it w o u ld b e s tra n g e if we could n o t lea v e o u r p h y sic a l b o d ie s w h e n e v e r w e w a n te d in o r d e r to get back to t h a t la r g e r e x is te n c e w ith w h ic h w e a r e so fam ilia r. H u m a n s can leave th e ir p h y sic a l b o d ie s , so w h a t is t h e big d e a l? W e sh o u ld b e m ore s u rp rise d if w e c o u ld n o t, if w e w e r e s tu c k in t h e p h y sic a l, in th e s e

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W aking U p to O u r T r u e N a tu r e
If th is is all t r u e , if w e a r e n o n p h y s ic a l b e in g s h a v in g a d r e a m o f th e physical, w hy c a n t w e w a k e u p to t h e r e a l w o r ld ? W e a r e living th e d rea m fo r a r e a s o n : to g ro w in w a y s w e c a n t in t h e r e a l w o rld . W e a re having th is a w e s o m e d r e a m a n d , d e e p in sid e it, w e d o n o t w a n t to w ak e up. W e will w a k e u p w h e n w e a r e r e a d y , c o u n t o n th a t , b u t n o t b e fo re . No night la s ts fo re v e r. T h e c h a lle n g e is to f ig u re o u t h o w to g e t re a d y . H o w d o w e ta k e full a d v a n ta g e o f th is d r e a m a n d l e a r n a s m u ch a s w e c a n fro m it? H o w do we t r e a t o u r m in d s so t h a t th e y will b e r e a d y to w a k e u p ? W e e x p e ri ence life to th e fu lle st. W e sm e ll t h e f lo w e rs a n d lo o k a t th e sky u n til we a re s a tia te d w ith th e e x p e rie n c e o f life. W h a t w e d o n o t d o is ru n a ro u n d , s tr e s s e d o u t e v e ry s e c o n d o f t h e day, a lw ay s p lan n in g fo r to m o r row, c o n s ta n tly b u ild in g o u r p e rs o n a l e m p ir e s . W h e n w e h a v e s e e n th e sky w ith o u t th e lim its o f b e lie fs a n d e x p e c ta tio n s , w e k n o w t h e r e is n o th ing m o re fo r u s to s e e in th e p h y sic a l, a n d w e c h o o s e to w a k e up. T h e m o m e n t w e w a k e u p , w e s h a k e o ff th e lim ita tio n s o f o u r p hysi cal lives. W e re a liz e t h a t w e a r e v a s t b e in g s. W e s e e th a t w e a r e so huge th a t o u r galaxy, th e M ilky W ay, is b u t a tiny sp e c k in c o m p a riso n .
e c t 1 '

Ironically, it is t h a t s m a ll, insignificant., s e lf-c re a te d p ie c e o f o u r a tte n tio n t h a t w e have c o n s id e re d rea lity for so long, lifetim e a f te r lifetim e, on so m any d iffe re n t p la n e ts . W e re a liz e th a t th e tim e w e s p e n t in th e a s tra l w as a n e x te n sio n o f th e d re a m , b u t on th e b rin k o f w ak in g up to
2 69

pedrS

A stra l Projection a n d rhe N a tu r e o f R e a lity

th e re a l life. H ow c o u ld w e h a v e b e e n so b lin d ? H o w c o u ld w e have a v o id e d s e e in g w h a t w e a r e ? It s e e m s in c re d ib le h ow w e c re a te d th e d r e a m a n d s te p p e d in to it. A n d h o w it e n g u lfe d u s a n d m a d e us forget th e re a l life. T h e n it h its us: T h e r e a s o n w e c o u ld n o t fig u re o u t w h a t w e w ere, is t h a t w e a r e e v e r y th in g . W e a r e e v e n w h a te v e r w e th in k w e a re . W e a r e e v e ry w h e re a n d e v e ry th in g . W e t h in k o f a th in g a n d t h e n w e becom e it, j u s t like w e b e c a m e o u r p h y s ic a l b o d ie s . D u rin g o u r trip to th e phys ical, w e w e r e t h e w o r ld s a ro u n d a n d in s id e t h e p h y sic a l. T h is is a mindb low in g re a liz a tio n .

Exercise: O p en in g to Vastness
Record a n d listen to th e se affirm a tio n s: "You are u n lim ite d ." "Life is an u n lim ite d experience." "You live in an u n lim ite d p lace. "You are vast. "You are e v e ry th in g .

The Worlds Beyond

S o , y o u t h o u g h t life is a ll t h e r e is a n d , w h e n it is o v e r, y o u d o n o t have to w o r r y a b o u t a n y t h i n g a n y m o r e ? W e ll, to u g h lu c k ! It lo o k s lik e w e a r e all g o in g t o c o n t i n u e t o e x i s t f o r a v e r y lo n g t im e , p o s s ib ly fo r ev e r. B u t w h e r e a n d h o w ? S u r e ly w e c a n t s ta y in p h y s ic a l life all t h e tim e ?

The Physical Is a D rea m

I h a v e w r i t t e n a t g r e a t l e n g t h a b o u t o u r p h y s ic a l r e a l it y a n d th e b e lie fs t h a t g o v e r n i t. Y ou h a v e s e e n f o r y o u r s e l f h o w t h e b e lie fs a ffe c t t h e m in d a n d h o w t h e m in d in t u r n g o v e r n s t h e a s t r a l . C o n s i d e r a g a in t h e i d e a t h a t t h e p h y s ic a l is a n a s t r a l w o r ld , c o m p le te ly a t t h e m e r c y o f y o u r c r e a tiv e p o w e r s . T h e r e f o r e , w h a t y o u c r e a t e d in t h e a s tr a l, y o u c a n c r e a t e in t h e p h y s ic a l. J u s t a s in t h e a s t r a l , t h e p h y s ic a l r e l i e s s o m u c h o n o u r m in d to s u s ta in its e x is t e n c e t h a t it c a n t b e a n y th in g e ls e t h a n o u r o w n c r e a tio n . P h y sica l r e a lity s e e m s t o b e a p r a c t ic a l j o k e w e h a v e p la y e d o n o u rs e lv e s , b u t it is n o t a d i s t a s te f u l jo k e .

As m il Projection a n d rhe N a tu re o f R e a lity

Tuesday, Feb ru ary 11, 2 0 0 3 W aking U p

I wake up in the hypnopom pic state. Ramtha1 2 m ust have m ade a big impression on me, because the realization, The physical is a dream," seems natural to me as I open my eyes. I look around the room. My perception is exactly like it is in my lucid dreams: distinct and vibrating. I know I am looking at physical reality, bu t still I under stand that it is just another dream. Physical reality is as flexible a nd unimportant (or important, whichever way y ou prefer to look at it) as a dream. A floating and tingling sensation surrounds m y being. The walls seem to b e vibrating like static on a TV screen, but m ore smoothly. At my comm and, the room bends like a sh eet o f pa p er into an arc before my eyes. The room looks like it has been stuffed into a cylinder. I fin d nothing unusual about this. After all, since physical reality is a dream, anything is possible. I go back to sleep. O ram I just waking up from a lifelong dream?

If th e physical w o rld is a d r e a m w o rld , w h a t is a d r e a m w o rld ? Since w e c a n c re a te a n y o b je c t in a d r e a m j u s t a s w e c a n in a n a s tra l world, it is re a s o n a b le to a s su m e t h a t a d r e a m w o rld is a n a s tr a l w o rld . This means t h a t th e physical is in d e e d a n a s tr a l w o rld . T h e q u e s tio n n o w is: Do we w a n t to w a k e u p fro m th is d r e a m a n d , if so , h o w d o w e d o it? In th e jour nal e n try a bove, 1 s a w th ro u g h th e illu sio n o f p h y sical solidity. I was able to d o th is b e c a u s e 1 h a d th e b e lie f (s h a p e d b y R a m th a ) to su p p o rt it, and my re a s o n w a s still to o d e e p ly a s le e p to te ll m e it w a s im possible. A s w e know , a n a s tr a l w o rld is g o v e rn e d b y th e m in d a n d th a t mind is highly a ffe c te d by o u r b e lie fs. B eliefs a r e in tu r n a d ju s te d by thoughts. A ffirm a tio n s a r e j u s t th o u g h ts sp e cific a lly d e s ig n e d to a d ju st beliefs. So, in o r d e r to se e th ro u g h th e illusion o f th e p h y sic a l, w e have to turn the m ajo rity o f o u r th o u g h ts in th e d ire c tio n o f w h a t lies b ey o n d th e physic p re fe ra b ly a s if w e a lre a d y k n o w th e p h y sic a l is a n illusion. ^ u rt* iern^ aIlt w e have to g et to know r e a s o n , so t h a t w e c a n h a lt it. W e do not
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The W o r ld s Beyond

The Nature of the Astral

All w e have is a b u n c h o f a s t r a l w o r l d s , a m o n g th e m , t h e p h y sical
Un i v e r s e ( s )

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are all c o n n e c te d , a n d w e , t h e i r c r e a t o r s , a r e t h a t c o n n e c tio n . H av e you ever had a p re c o g n itiv e d r e a m t h a t c a m e t r u e ? If yo u h a v e , y ou p r o b a

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bly e m b ra c e t h e f a c t t h a t d r e a m s a r e r e a l . Y o u r p r e c o g n itio n h a p p e n e d in a n o th e r w o r l d - t h a t is a ll. An a ngel o r a g e n t o f s p e c ia l d iv in e i n te r v e n t i o n d id n o t c o m e d o w n and d ro p th e i n f o r m a tio n i n to y o u r d r e a m . T h e f u tu r e d id n o t fold b a c k into yo u r d r e a m in g m in d , n o r d id y o u r d r e a m in g m in d e x te n d in to th e

Unu*alalM

future. You s im p ly c r e a t e d t h e e v e n t in a w o r ld y o u w e r e v isitin g w h ile dream ing, a n d t h e n y o u c r e a t e d t h e s a m e e v e n t in t h e w o rld you w e re visiting w h ile y o u w e r e p h y s ic a lly a w a k e . You a r e t h e c r e a t o r o f a n y astral w o rld you h a p p e n to b e in , in c lu d in g t h e p h y s ic a l.

im world? S in ce

It m ay b e d iff ic u lt t o a c c e p t th is , e s p e c ia lly s in c e w e s o m e tim e s hav e precognitive d r e a m s o f c o m in g t r a g e d ie s . S u c h tra g e d ie s a r e o f te n c o c re ated, m e a n in g t h a t a g r o u p o f p e o p le p l a n n e d t h e e v e n t. F o r a tra g e d y to o c c u r in y o u r life, y o u a ls o m u s t c r e a t e it. A s w e p la n s u c h e v e n ts on a soul level, th e y a r e n o t t r a g e d ie s b u t e x p e r ie n c e s w e c a n le a r n fro m , or e x p e rie n c e s le a d in g to f u tu r e l e a r n in g e x p e rie n c e s . W e h a v e s p o k e n o f a s t r a l r e p l i c a s , a s t ra l w o r ld s t h a t r e s e m b le th e p hysical w o r ld , a n d , h o p e fu lly , y o u h a v e f lo a t e d t h r o u g h th e m . A re they a ny le s s r e a l t h a n t h e p h y s ic a l? N o , t h e y a r e t h e s a m e a s th e physical w o r ld , m a d e f r o m t h e s a m e s t u f f th o u g h ta n d c o n ju r e d up by th e s a m e b e in g y o u . T h e s o -c a lle d o r ig in a l o f t h e r e p lic a s is j u s t a n o th e r r e p lic a o f w h a t e v e r liv e s in y o u r m in d , w h a te v e r y ou d e s ir e to th in k of. T h e a s tr a l c a n h o ld a n in fin ite n u m b e r o f w o rld s, b e c a u s e it is not lim ited by s p a c e o r tim e . W e c h o o s e to c r e a te p h y sic a l, a s tra l, a n d d re a m w o rld s th e r e in . In so d o in g , w e d e c id e t h e i r p re f e r e n c e s : w h e th e r th ey sh o u ld h a v e s p a c e , tim e , g rav ity , m a tte r , a n d so o n . W e th in k up th e s e w o rld s, b e c a u s e th e c re a tiv e p ro c e s s th rills us, j u s t like d e c o ra tin g a ro o m o r a d o llh o u se o r b u ild in g a sn o w fo rtre s s th rills us. I h e n , of c o u rse , w h e n w e s p e n d to o m u c h tim e in sid e o u r c re a tio n s , we forget th a t w e m a d e th e m , a n d w e d e s p e ra te ly try to fig u re out w h a t th ey a re a n d how to g et o u t. T h e a s tr a l is in d e e d a w o n d ro u s place, th e p erfect
273

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A stra l Projection a n d th e N a tu re o f R ea lity p lay g round for th e o n e s b ra v e en o u g h to in c a r n a te in to o n e o f its w o rld s, a n d th e p e rfe c t e d u c a tio n a l facility fo r th e s a m e . If you a r e th e c re a to r, w h e r e d o you p u t th e c re a tio n ? H a rd ly in an e x te rn a l w orld , sin c e t h a t w o u ld b e o u ts id e o f yo u . You p u t y o u r c re a tio n w ith in you, in w h a t w e te r m p e rc e p tio n . Y our p e rc e p tio n is a self in v en te d p ic tu re o f th e w o rld , b u t it is a ls o y o u r e n tir e w o rld . T h e r e is no e x te rn a l w o rld . If you p r o je c t in to t h e a s tr a l a n d c r e a t e a n a stra l w o rld , you a r e p u ttin g t h e n e w w o rld in y o u r p e rc e p tio n . T h e a s tr a l is y o u r m in d a n d th e w o rld s you c r e a t e live in t h e p e r c e p tio n o f t h a t m ind. T h e p h ysical a ls o only lives in t h e p e r c e p tio n o f y o u r m in d . T h e r e is no e x te rn a l physical w o rld . W h e n p e o p le c o m e to g e t h e r in t h e s a m e s p a c e , a s w e a r e to g e th e r in th is u n iv e rs e , w e a r e s h a rin g n o t t h e s p a c e , b u t o u r in d iv id u a l p e rc e p tio n s. Y our p e rc e p tio n is p ic k e d u p b y p e o p le a ro u n d y o u a n d u sed to re in v e n t w h a t you s e e in to t h e i r o w n p e r c e p t io n . A s h a r e d world a p p e a r s s im ila r in all in h a b i t a n t s m in d s b e c a u s e o f m in d tra n s fe re n c e . O u r u n iv erse is j u s t a v irtu a l c o n c e p t d e s c r ib e d by t h e p e rc e p tio n o f all its in h a b ita n ts . T h e p e rc e p tio n in t u r n is c o n tin u o u s ly m o d ifie d by th e ir im ag in ation. T h e r e a s o n w hy w e d o n o t k n o w w h e t h e r t h e p h y sic a l u n iv e rs e is in fin ite o r e n d s s o m e w h e r e is t h a t n o b o d y h a s y e t d e c id e d to m ak e it o n e w ay o r a n o th e r . All t h e law s o f p h y s ic s w e r e in v e n te d in th e m inds o f o u r a n c e s to rs . B e c a u se o f r e i n c a r n a t io n , w e a r e o u r a n c e s to rs , of co u rse . E v e ry th in g h a p p e n e d n o w u n til o n e o f u s d e c id e d to in v e n t tim e. W e w e re fo rm le ss u n til s o m e o n e in v e n te d m a t t e r . W e w e r e floating a ro u n d in a n u n d e fin e d h a z e u n til s o m e o n e d e c id e d to in v e n t gravity. E v erything a ro u n d you is y o u r p e r c e p tio n . T h e r e is n o th in g underly ing it. You a re c re a tin g y o u r p e rc e p tio n , a n d p e o p le w h o s e e th e sam e a re c re a tin g th e s a m e p e rc e p tio n , in flu e n c e d b y y o u r p e rc e p tio n . This is a p p a re n t in d re a m s a n d a s tr a l p r o je c tio n s , w h e r e yo u c a n c h a n g e your en v iro n m en t. If a s e c o n d p e rs o n w e re to p r o je c t in to y o u r d r e a m world, h e w ould c re a te th e sam e d rea m w o rld w ith in h is p e rcep tio n A dditionally, he will tw e a k s o m e o b je c ts a n d a d d o th e r s in o r d e r to ft th e d re a m to his p e rso n a lity . tr ' *n 0 t^ e r worc*s > w h e n m a n ip u la tin g a d r e a m w o rld , a s you m ay ha' e riG m 8 lucid d r e a m , you a r e n o t c h a n g in g th e s u rro u n d in g dream 274

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The W o rld s Beyond

Id, because t h e r e is n o n e , b u t y ou a r e c h a n g in g y o u r p e rc e p tio n . The same applies to th e p h y sic a l. T h e r e is n o s p a c e , m ass, o r tim e . All th at exists is your p e rc e p tio n . You ta k e n o th in g n e s s a n d tu r n it in to a m adeup world o f s p a c e , m a s s , a n d tim e . i n h e r e is n o e x te r n a l w o rld , (h e n w h a t is r e a l '.1 W h a t ra n we rely upon not to b e fig m e n ts o f o u r im a g in a tio n ? T h e only c o n s ta n t o b jec t is our m ind. T h e m ind is t h e o n ly r e a l th in g . T h e p h ysical b rain , th e body, th e w h o le u n iv e rs e , a n d all th e ;istr;il w o rld s a r e m e re ly inventions of th a t m ind.

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The P u re M in d
If th e a s tr a l w o rld s a r e j u s t in v e n tio n s o f o u r m in d s, w e sh o u ld be able to c e a s e in v e n tin g lo n g e n o u g h to in v e s tig a te th e only re a l thing: th e ti ttd m ind us. E a rlie r in th is b o o k , I r e f e r r e d to th is a s th e m eta-w o rld , th e d e e p er a s tr a l, o r th e p u r e a s tr a l. T h e p u r e a s tr a l is th e m ind w ith an em pty p e rc e p tio n . If you lea v e y o u r b o d y a n d e n d u p in a d a rk void, y our percep tio n is b la n k . T h is c a n b e s c a ry in th e b eg in n in g , since w e a re used to p e rc e iv in g s o m e th in g a t all tim e s. From th e a s tr a l void , w e a r e a b le to fully d isa b le th e p e rc e p tio n m echanism . It is e a sy to m a n ip u la te th e p e rc e p tio n m e c h a n ism w h en we

Figu re 8. T h e m in d is c lo u d e d b y se lf-c re a te d astral w o r ld s.

A stra! Projection a n d rhe N a tu re o f R eality d o no t have a w o rld to c lu tte r u p o u r p e rc e p tio n . W e c a n t h e n s e n se th e m ind a s it is w ith o u t its in v e n tio n s. T h is c a n b e a p o w e rfu l e x p e rie n c e . It is a feeling o f know in g a n d p r e s e n c e . W h e n f ir s t I re a c h e d it, it w as like se n sin g so m e th in g re a l fo r th e f ir s t tim e . It w a s t h e o n ly s te a d y com p o n e n t o f e x is te n c e . F o r th e f ir s t tim e , I fo u n d s o m e th in g I w a s n o t p e r ceiving a n d c re a tin g s im u lta n e o u s ly ( se e fig u re 8 ). W e c a n a ls o r e a c h t h e p u r e m in d in t h e p h y sic a l. All w e h a v e to do is s to p th e ac tiv ity o f t h e p a r t o f u s t h a t c o n s ta n tly c r e a t e s o u r c u rr e n t a s tr a l w o rld (i.e ., t h e p h y s ic a l), n a m e ly , o u r in te r n a l d ia lo g u e . T h is is w h a t D o n J u a n r e f e r s to w h e n h e s p e a k s a b o u t s to p p in g t h e w o r ld .23 T h e only w ay to s to p th e w o rld is by s to p p in g o u r th o u g h ts , b e c a u s e this w o rld is n o th in g b u t o u r th o u g h ts . ver& e :S t

Saturday, O cto b er 12, 2 0 0 2 Illu sory Layer o f the Astral

I wake up in the hypnopom pic state. Barb turns on the second computer. As its CPU cooler fan winds up, my mind som ehow listens to it an d winds up with it. I am buzzing slightly. My awareness is floating an inch over m y body. It is a luxurious feel ing. I do not recognize the state o f m ind as anything I have felt before, bu t I suspect it is good for astral projection. I consider attem pting to roll out o f m y body, but some thing tells me to do nothing b ut observe. I sense a layer o f existence. It is the world I have called the astral during all my travels. It is an illusion. It feels like lum ps o f gray fog covering what is real. I move my center o f thought to m y chest. I do my best to cease thinking, bu t it is not easy. Small thoughts keep popping up. The lumps o f fog clear away to the sides an d I can sense the surface o f the pure astral. It is smooth, dense, a nd gray. I think o f extending m y senses into it, but in doing so, I invoke thoughts, which bring back the fog o f illusion. Learning not to think is going to take a lot o f practice. My body calls m e back as it wakes up. The floating sensation ceases.

fS|V

W h a t could b e h id in g b e h in d t h e s m o o th , g r a y s u rfa c e o f th e m indIs it sim ply a feelin g o f e x istin g , o r is t h e r e a n o th e r s e t o f w o rld s con ta in e d w ith in th e p e rc e p tio n o f a s u p e r- m in d ? A re th e y u n to u ch a b le b) o u r c re a tiv e p o w e rs, o r a t le a s t u n to u c h a b le by th o u g h t, a s w e know th o u g h t? I h e r e a re p le n ty o f u n k n o w n s to e x p lo re in th is a re a . T h e go 276

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Tlie W o r ld s Beyond thing is, w e d o n o l h a v e to s p e n d h a ir a d a y p r e p a r in g a s tr a l p ro je c tio n in o r d e r to d o it. All w e h a v e to d o is c e a s e th in k in g fo r a m in u te .

'O S . X
he Phv:sicai.,

Exercise: Stop th e W orld

1. Tonight, as y o u g o to b ed , relax y o u r m in d .

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2. Close y o u r eyes. 3. M ove y o u r a tte n tio n t o y o u r h e a d . D o n o t m o v e it to th e chest. The chest p ro d u c e s th o u g h ts in th e fo rm o f im ages. The head produces verbal" th o u g h ts . V erbal th o u g h ts a re easier to sto p th a n im ages, at least fo r m e. 4. C o m m an d : Rationality: Off! 5. C o m m an d : Internal dialogue: Off!
6 . Cross y o u r eyes a n d lo o k u p slightly. This is a d iv ersio n fo r th e m ind.

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7. Stop th e th in k in g p ro cess. S im p ly d ecid e n o t to use it. Do no r try to q u ie t th e th o u g h ts; in ste a d s to p y o u r w h o le th in k in g m ach in ery alto gether. T h o u g h ts d o n o t p o p in to y o u r head by so m e inexplicable m agic you cre a te th e m . You h av e created every th o u g h ty o u have ever h ad. A nd if y o u can cre a te th e m , y o u can refuse to create th em for a m in u te.
8 . Sit in a th o u g h tle ss vo id fo r several seco n d s. If th e th in k in g process

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resum es, s to p it again. 9. Do n o t lo o k fo r a n y th in g . J u s t en jo y th e peace. 10. A t so m e p o in t, y o u w ill fell asleep.

11- Ify o u w ake u p in th e n ig h t, co n tin u e sto p p in g th e th o u g h t process.

12. In th e m o rn in g w h e n y o u w ake up, before d o in g an y th in g (d o nor even try to fig u re o u t w h ere you are), sto p it again for several m in utes. There are alw ays few er th o u g h ts ju s t after w aking up. so this sh o u ld have so m e exciting results.

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y o u c o u l d b r e a k t h r o u g h t h e p h y s i c a l w o r l d a n d s e n s e w h a t is b e y o n d it ? H' y o u d id n o t , I h a v e a n e v e n b e t t e r id e a . E v e r y t h in g h a p p e n s fa st e r w h e n w e a r e o u t s id e t h i s p a r t i c u l a r p h y s ic a l w o r ld . F o r th a t re a s o n , it

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Astral Projection a n d rhe Nature o f Reality

m i g h t b e e a s i e r a n d m o r e e f f e c t i v e t o c e a s e t h e t h i n k i n g p r o c e s s w h ile p ro je c tin g in to a n o th e r a s tr a l w o rld , a s in th e n e x t e x e rc is e .

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Exercise: Stop the O ther W o rld

1. Project into the astral. 2. Relax y o u r m ind. 3. Sir down and m editate upon rhe c en ter o f y o u r chest for half a m inute, ro stabilize the projection. 4. Com m and: Rationality: Off! 5. Com m and: Internal dialogue: Off!
6 . C rossyour eyes.

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tosleep- >

7. Stop the thinking process. Sim ply d ecid e n o t to use it. D o n o t try to shush the thoughts; instead s to p y o u r w h o le th in k in g m achinery alto gether. S. Sit in a thoughtless void for several seconds. If th e th in k in g process resum es, stop it again. 9. Do n o t look for anything. J u s t enjoy th e peace. in $between d

A sce nsion
T h e buzz in N ew A ge c ir c le s f o r t h e l a s t 3 0 y e a r s h a s b e e n ascen sio n . In s h o rt, o n e b y o n e o r all a t o n c e , E a r t h a n d h e r in h a b ita n ts will ra is e t h e ir e n e rg y f r e q u e n c ie s f ro m t h e t h ir d d im e n s io n ( th e physical) to th e fo u rth ( o r fifth , d e p e n d in g o n w h e t h e r y o u c o u n t tim e as a dimen s io n ). I have n o t e x p lo r e d th is s u ffic ie n tly in n o n p h y s ic a l re a lm s , so I will re fra in fro m s p e c u la tin g o n it to o m u c h h e r e . In a n y c a s e , it se em s to me t h a t th e d e s tin a tio n is a little c lo s e r to o u r u n lim ite d p o te n tia l. The event will u n lock m u ch o f o u r m in d s a n d give u s o u r p o w e r b a c k , if we are r e a d y fo r it.

Tuesday, O ctober 15, 2 0 0 2 Seeing the Other W orld

I am convinced now that the hum ans are ascending from the third dimension to the fifth dimension. Don Juan from Carlos Castaneda's bo o ks seem s to spend his

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The W o rld s Beyond

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hallway there. eo en ^ he ca,ls 1 1by lher nam es 1am doinS what he laid Carlos Castaneda lo do: crossing my eyes in order lo slop the world and leaving it to the subco n sc io u s

to figure things out instead o f consciously analyzing. days, I can see things out o f the ordinary. I serve Barb ice cream and

After just two

the cat is desperately trying to get to Barb's bowl. He is unusually unruly tonight, it "ter 0f yoUr, seems. As I walk around the TV set to m y side o f the bed, I see the cat running toward me on the bed. I see him in full detail for two seconds. Suddenly, he disappears. I assume he has jum ped o ff the b ed or b ehind the TV. Then I see him sitting at the side of the bed, calmly watching Barb as she eats her ice cream. I ask Barb if he has moved within the last minute and she says no. W hat I saw was the cat, but not in this world. I go to sleep. The cat wakes m e up. H e is sitting next to my head in bed. I am in the 'norfouseitD oH ci^ w m nkiiijm acfci^^ hypnopompic state. I can feel the cat showing m e around in the fourth dimension, the destination o f our ascension, and telling m e what it is like to live there. I fall asleep and the cat wakes me up many times. Each time, I find m yself being shown around by the cat in the fifth dimension. I suspect the cat is a power animal that is capable o f travel ing between dimensions. He is here to show Barb and m e a few things that are in store for humankind. The next day, Barb sees a black scarab running across the floor. Then it disap pears. A few days later, I see the cat jumping at something on the wall. He is playing. I wonder what he is jumping at, because the wall is smooth and white. The next time I look over at him, I see a black speck on the wall. I cant believe my eyes. In that moment o f disbelief, the speck disappears. .h a st"" "! JO years j T he d e s tin a tio n o f a s c e n s io n co u ld , o f c o u rse , b e ju s t a n o th e r astral world, like th e physical b u t w ith few er lim itatio n s. P erh ap s we a re p on
I

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already u n d e rw a y c re a tin g th is n e x t w o rld th ro u g h o u r tho u g h ts, j u s t by w ondering w h a t it will b e like. By th e w ays o f th e a s tra l, ju s t th e expec tation of ascen d in g to a n o th e r w orld will actually c re a te th a t o th e r world and m ove us th e r e . M o st likely, w e a re copying so m e ch a ra c te ristic s o f the old w orld into it, b ecau se th a t is how we th in k a world should look. Hopefully, w e will avoid copying to o m any o f th e physical lim itations.
T h e d e s t in a t io n c o u ld a ls o b e t h e p u r e a s tra l, w h e r e t h e re a l w o rld is- T h i s w o u ld m e a n t h e e n d o f p h y s ic a l b e a u ty . N o m o r e b lu e s k ie s v ie w e d t h r o u g h lim it e d e y e s. T h i s b r i n g s u s to th e next q u e s t io n : W h y w o u ld w e w a n t t o a s c e n d ? A f t e r all, u n le s s w e w a s te life b y b e in g too b usy, life is q u it e nice . S o w h y le a v e i t ? W e n e e d to c h e c k o u r m o tiv e s

Astral Projection a n d rhe N ature o f R eality he re . If w e w ant to leave b ecau se life is to o h a rd , th e n w e have m issed th e point o f being alive, w hich is to enjoy life in its sim plicity, know ing th a t life, b o th h a rd a n d easy, is w h a te v e r w e m ak e o f it. W e c re a te d th e physical w orld for a re a s o n : to e x p e rie n c e th e b eau ty o f o u r c re a tio n fro m a firs t-p e rs o n p e rs p e c tiv e . Is t h a t re a s o n no longer valid? Have w e e x p e rie n c e d all th e b e a u ty w e c a m e to e x p eri e n c e? Have w e o u tg ro w n o u r c u r r e n t re a lity ? If so , th e n ascen sio n should be th e n e x t s te p . T h e r e is n o p o in t in sta y in g h e r e w h e n th e r e is so m uch b e a u ty to d isc o v e r e ls e w h e re . R am tha a s c e n d e d b e c a u s e h e w a n te d to b e f re e lik e th e w ind. R am tha disco v ered th a t h e w a s m o re th a n a p h y sic a l b e in g . W ith th at, h e w as n o lo n g er en g u lfed in th e physical a n d so th e p h y sic a l h e ld little in te re s t for him . I c a n im a g in e t h a t ph y sic a l life is q u ite b o rin g w h e n you know you can do so m u c h m o re . W h y live o n a tin y p la n e t w h e n you cre a te d th e w h o le g a la x y ? R a m th a le ft by ra is in g t h e e n e rg y fre q u e n c y of his body. A re w e t h e r e y e t? D o w e h a v e th e s a m e u n d e r s ta n d in g o f o urselves th a t R a m th a h a d ? D o w e a c c e p t th e id e a t h a t w e a r e v a s t n o n physical b eings? W ith th e e x c e p tio n o f a h a n d fu l o f e n lig h te n e d o n e s , n o t by a long sh ot. But slow ly w e will g e t t h e r e . P e r s o n b y p e r s o n , w e will wake up to o u r la rg e r se lv e s. T h e w a k e -u p c all h a s b e e n s p re a d in g across hu m anity for d e c a d e s . A s p a rt o f th e w a k e -u p call, a s tr a l p r o je c tio n gives us p e rso n a l p ro o f t h a t w e a r e m u c h la r g e r th a n w e th o u g h t w e w ere.

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The Nature o f Reality

--

N o th in g b u t O p in io n s
B e c a u se p h y s ic a l r e a l it y is a h ig h ly s u b je c tiv e e n v ir o n m e n t (w e c re ate it w ith in o u r s e lv e s ) , w e f in d it d iffic u lt to c o m m u n ic a te o u r p e rc e p tions to e a c h o th e r . In f a c t, n o o n e c a n te ll a n o th e r w h a t th e w o rld is e werelike, fo r t h e w o rld d iff e rs f r o m o n e in d iv id u a l to a n o th e r . All w e hav e a re our ow n c r e a tio n s , n o n e lik e t h o s e o f o t h e r s . In s p ite o f th is, m o re th a n a few a tt e m p t to f o rc e t h e i r w o rld v ie w u p o n o th e r s . P r e a c h e r s have b een d o in g it f o r m ille n n ia , p o litic ia n s h a v e b e e n d o in g it fo r d e c ad e s, a n d I h a v e b e e n d o in g it t h r o u g h o u t th is b o o k . R eligion, in te lle c t, s c ie n c e , lit e r a t u r e , e x p e rtis e , a u th o rity , th e jo b m ark e t, g ra v ity all o f t h e s e a r e m e r e ly o p in io n s . T h e y ris e a n d fall by th e id e a s o f p e o p le . T h e g o o d th in g about, o p in io n s is th a t w e do n o t have to e m b ra c e t h e m u n le s s w e w a n t to . W e h a v e th e c h o ic e to r e je c t th em . And w e sh o u ld r e je c t m an y o f th e m . W e sh o u ld b e v ery picky w h en it com es to o p in io n s , fo r th e m o m e n t w e a c c e p t th e m , th e y tu rn into beliefs, w hich in tu r n g o v e rn o u r reality . N o th in g is n a ile d d o w n , a b so lu te ly n o th in g . T h e re a r e no c o n s ta n t Qualities o f n a tu r e , n o a b s o lu te law s, n o fo re v e r fac ts. T h e r e is n o p a th

Astra! Projection a n d the N ature o f Reality

o f s c ie n t ific o r s p ir it u a l d is c o v e r y le a d in g u p t o t h e fin a l re v e la t io n o f n a t u re . T h e r e is o n l y t h e n e v e r - e n d in g p a t h t h a t w e c r e a t e a s w e go a lo n g . N o t r u t h r e m a i n s a t r u t h i n d e f in it e ly a n d n o h i g h e r t r u t h e x ist s th a t is n o t c o n s t r u c t e d b y u s . W e liv e in a flu id w o r l d t h a t c h a n g e s a t o u r o w n w h im . R e a lit y c h a n g e s a t y o u r c o m m a n d . Y o u c a n c h a n g e a n y t h in g y o u w a n t. A s q u i c k ly a s y o u t h i n k a t h o u g h t , y o u r r e a l i t y c h a n g e s . B y u s in g t h is u n d e r s t a n d i n g , y o u c a n m a k e r e a l i t y p r o g r e s s i n w h a t e v e r d ir e c t io n y o u w a n t . L if e is y o u r s t o d o w i t h w h a t y o u d e s ir e .

Exercise: M anifestation
1. Close y o u r eyes. 2. Picture in y o u r m ind s o m e th in g th a t y o u w a n t (m oney, a nice car or hom e, psychic abilities, un d e rsta n d in g , skills, happiness, etc.). 3. W rite dow n th a t th in g on a piece o f paper. 4. Visualize w h at it w ould be like to have it. Be as precise a n d detailed as possible. M o st im portantly, visualize th e e m o tio n s evoked by having it. 5. M ake a note o n y o u r calendar. In o n e y e a r s tim e, look a t th e note. You m ay ju s t find th a t y o u have th a t th in g y o u desired.

R eality Is W h a t You M a k e o f It
Tuesday, June 2H, 2 00 3 Sleep Paralysis
At about 10 a.m., I am reading Whitley Striebers Confirmation* when I start drifting back to sleep. Before I fully fall asleep, I haue a thought that startles me back to a waking state. I cant remember the contents o f the thought. However, I notice that my chest and arms are rendered immobile by sleep paralysis. I think Hey, I bet I can Reiki myself really well now. There will be no tension in the arms to obstruct the energy flow because o f the paralysis, and there will be no doubting thoughts because o f my dazed mind. After a few minutes o f Reiki, I fall back to sleep. I dream I am in a stadium. I am 12 years old. A group o f kids, m e included, are playing som e sport. There are aliens ""a*

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" " S i y nd % X

The Nature o f Reality

here, but we cant see them. Our minds perceive their presence as gray rats. The fear of what the rats could b e (aliens) m akes m e hysterical, as it does the other kids. In the locker room, we try to get rid o f the rats, bu t they are hiding. I am getting more hysteri cal, almost panicking. I decide I m ust ivake up. I seek the waking state o f consciousness

oil

the way an eel swims to the ocean surface. I come to in my bed. The sleep paralysis is now in full bloom. Suddenly, the door opens and someone walks into the room. It m ust b e Barb. At least, I think it is Barb. She must be home early from work. I have to check that it really is Barb, to make sure one of those aliens did not follow m e here from the dream. I try to turn my head but am prevented by the sleep paralysis. I hear footsteps, like wet plastic soles rubbing against linoleum. The person, whoever it is, walks up to the left side o f the bed and stops. It seems the person is standing next to the bed, staring at me, but my head is turned the other way, so I cant see it. The uncertainty gets to me. I have to know who is there! With extreme effort, I break free from the sleep paralysis and forcefully turn my head to the left. There is nobody there. The bed is perfectly normal, as is the wall, and there is not a person in sight. This is too weird. I decide to get out o f b ed and flee the room, preferably scream ing in terror. I try to roll out o f the bed on my right side but am shot back to a lying posi tion as if attached to a rubber band. Something is holding me to the bed. I try repeatedly to escape to no avail.
* *

1 desire,

w a n t (money, a nice c m lls. happiness, etc.).

e a s precise and detailedas m o r io n s evoked by H aving

time, look <

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I realize now that I am in a dazed kind o f state, one o f those states that are espe cially beneficial for astral projection. I get a weird idea: If I can't see the person with my physical eyes, maybe I can see her with my astral eyes. I roll again, but this time with the intention o f rolling out o f my body. Same results: I am shot back into the bed. Is there no escape from this person? Then I realize, as I did a few minutes ago, that I must wake up again. I struggle to arouse my awareness in the direction o f the physical. After some time, I successfully wake up in the bed.
A s m y m in d leaves the sle ep state, the invisible p e rso n puts a thought in m y head: Reality is what y o u m ake it, not w hat y o u perceive to b e true. I think that is a great point o f view. It holds a d o e r s attitude. I h a v e to rem em ber that. But the person is not

L "
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content with that: Put it in y o u r b ook! The thought echoes through m y mind. Put it in my b o o k ? Then, finally, I realize the im portance o f the thought. It is the conclusion o f the whole book. That sim ple statement describes the nature o f reality. R e a lit y is w h a t y o u m a k e it s a y s th a t life in g e n e r a l a n d th e e n v ir o n m e n t t h a t s u r r o u n d s y o u a r e o f y o u r o w n c re a tio n . T h i s is t ru e fo r all

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

d i m e n s i o n s . O n a p h y s i c a l le v e l, i f y o u m o v e t h e p e n o n y o u r d e s k f r o m o n e p la c e t o a n o t h e r , y o u h a v e c h a n g e d y o u r re a lity . O n a h i g h e r le ve l, y o u a r e n o t m o v i n g p e n s , b u t life s i t u a t i o n s a n d e v e n t h e l o o k a n d feel o f life. A l l s i t u a t i o n s w e g e t o u r s e l v e s i n t o a r e o f o u r o w n m a k i n g . T h i s c a n b e d if f ic u lt t o a c c e p t , a s w e s o m e t i m e s f i n d o u r s e l v e s i n h a r m f u l o r t r a u m a t ic s i t u a t i o n s . B u t o n a h i g h e r le v e l, w e m a y a p p r e c i a t e t h o s e sit u a t io n s a s t h e g r e a t t o o l s f o r g r o w t h t h e y a r e .

, o f e*

O f c o u rs e , w e d o n o t h a v e to c r e a t e su c h s itu a tio n s . T h e e n tity c re atin g th e m is still you, a lth o u g h it m a y b e in a c c e s sib le fro m y o u r w aking p hysical f ra m e o f m in d . But n o m a t t e r w h a t f ra m e o f m in d you a r e in, if you do n o t w a n t a s itu a tio n , you will n o t h a v e it. I th in k t h e b e s t lesso n h e re is th e u n d e rs ta n d in g t h a t y o u c a n d o a n y th in g if y o u p u t y o u r m ind to it a n d g e t y o u r e m o tio n s in v olved. W e a lso c h o o s e h o w w e w a n t to i n te r a c t w ith w h a t w e h a v e c re a te d . W e d o n o t n e c e s s a rily h a v e to u s e o u r a r m s , leg s, e y e s, e a r s , e tc . T hey a r e ju st s o m e th in g w e h a v e c r e a t e d fo r o u r s e lv e s . W e m ig h t w a n t to use o u r m in d to d ire c tly i n te r a c t w ith o u r c r e a t io n , o r p e r h a p s in v e n t a new to o l fo r in te r a c tio n . N o t w h a t y o u p e r c e iv e to b e t r u e m e a n s t h a t w h e t h e r w e p e rc e iv e s o m e th in g to b e t r u e o r fa ls e h a s n o b e a r i n g o n h o w r e a l it is. E v e ry th in g is p a r t o f re a lity , b e c a u s e you p u t it t h e r e . You c a n t c r e a t e s o m e th in g , claim it is false , a n d d e n y its p a r t in re a lity . N o th in g u n r e a l e x ists. The c o re o f th e s ta t e m e n t is t h a t r e a lity is n o t a n e x te r n a l a g e n t t h a t can e ith e r b e t r u e o r false . I n s te a d , r e a lity is a n i n te r n a l p a r t o f y o u , b ecau se it s p rin g s fro m y o u r o w n m in d . I k n o w fro m e x p e rie n c e t h a t m e s s a g e s lik e t h is n e v e r c o m e alone. T h ey a r e a lw ays a c c o m p a n ie d by p r a c t ic a l e x a m p le s . G o o d te a c h e rs k now th a t a t h e o r y will n o t b e a c c e p te d o r a p p r e c i a t e d u n le s s exem pli fie d by p e rs o n a l e x p e rie n c e (w e f ir s t c o u n t o r a n g e s a n d a p p le s in ste a d o f n u m b e rs in sc h o o l b e c a u s e w e h a v e p e r s o n a l e x p e r ie n c e w ith o ran g es a n d a p p le s ). S k ille d g u id e s , lik e w is e , o f fe r u s t h e p r a c tic a l exam ples f irs t, a n d th e n th e m e s s a g e is p r e s e n t e d a s a c o n c lu s io n so t h a t w e stu d e n ts c a n e x p e rie n c e th e e x a m p le s u n c o lo r e d by t h e c o n c lu s io n . This also allow s s tu d e n ts a n o p p o r tu n ity to d r a w t h e in te n d e d conclusion fro m th e e x a m p le s by th e m s e lv e s , w h ic h is a m u c h b e t t e r m e th o d for lea rn in g . U sually, I d o n t d r a w th e in te n d e d c o n c lu s io n s . T h e m ajo rity of 284 jii# '

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The Nature o f Reality % e

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dreams and a s tra l e x p e rie n c e s le a v e m e p u z z le d a s to w h a t t h e ir m ean might be. B ut th e m e a n in g is t h e r e , a w a itin g d eliv ery . In o rd e r to se e w h a t p r a c tic a l e x a m p le s h a v e b e e n p ro v id e d , I b ack track through w h a t h a p p e n e d d u r in g s le e p . F irs t. I w o k e u p , o r a t least I thought I w oke u p , to f in d t h a t I c o u ld n o t m o v e. T h a t e v e n t h as an intense feeling o f e x a m p le to it: I c r e a te d th e e v e n t o f p a ra ly sis. This rings a bell. T h e c o n c e p t o f s e lf-c re a te d p a ra ly s is r e m in d s m e o f so m e thing I re a d in W h itle y S t r i e b e r s B r e a k th r o u g h : T h e N e x t S te p . W h a t a

l n d - e lv e s : t ' " ^

CeSS'blef ) * , ;

synchronicity th a t I r e a d a n o th e r o f S t r i e b e r s b o o k s b e fo re I fell asleep . Or p erhaps S trie b e r is o n e o f th o s e a u th o r s w h o h a v e it all. In sh o rt, w h a t h a p p e n s in th is p a r t i c u l a r p art, o f B re a k th r o u g h is th a t Strieber is in v ite d by t h e V is ito rs (h is n a m e fo r th e g ray a lien s) to accompany th e m d u rin g a c la s s ic a l a lie n a b d u c tio n , fo r lack o f b e tte r word. The V isito rs a n d S tr ie b e r c ru is e d o w n to h is frie n d D o r a s ho u se, which is a b o u t se v en s ta t e s fro m w h e r e S trie b e r is p ick ed up. T h e trip takes m ere m in u te s. W h e th e r th e y tra v e l in p h y sical o r n o n p h y sical form rem ains un c le a r, b u t w h a t is c le a r is t h a t S trie b e r is in a n a lte re d s ta te of m ind. His jo b , a p p a re n tly , is to k e e p D o ra in h e r b e d w hile D o ra s daughters sp in e w a s b e in g s tiffe n e d , as if it w as b e in g a d ju s te d to p ro vide h e r w ith a s tr e n g th a n d d e te r m in a tio n s h e w ould n e e d all h e r life.2j W h a t h a p p e n s in D o r a s b e d ro o m re s e m b le s th e p rac tic a l exam ple that w as p ro v id e d to m e . D o ra w a k e s u p as h e r d a u g h te r, w ho is in

a m e o f imd y0m ili it -1 think the best Ikx, Ihing if you put yourmini ith what we have created, egs, eyes, ears, etc. H ie) es. We might want touse o r perhaps invent a ne ta t w h e t h e r we p a *

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another b e d ro o m , s c re a m s in h o r r o r fro m th e V isito r p re s e n c e . S trie b e r says: T h e n a s c re a m ca m e a h o rrib le sh rie k . It w e n t th ro u g h m e like a burning arrow . D o r a s ey es flew o p e n , s h e lu rc h e d up, sta rin g rig h t at b u t h e r eyes w e re s tra n g e a n d d a rk a n d I k new im m ed iately th a t they w ere seeing only in to th e w o rld o f n ig h tm a re . She struggled, but som ething p re v e n te d h e r fro m rising. Sh e w ould lunge fo rw ard , th en stop as if sh e w as slam m in g into a glass wall. It lo o ke d like she w as doing lhis to herself, in an o d d w a y holding h e r s e lf back [em phasis m ine]. But I also felt som ehow resp o n sib le. Very responsible. I w as holding h e r down som ehow .20

I never

th e ,,ril fi0 ti01" ' V s :0 j fd f

W a s S t r ie b e r h o l d in g h e r d o w n o r w a s D o r a h o ld in g h e r s e lf d o w n ? P e r h a p s t h e s u g g e s t io n t o b e h e ld d o w n w a s p r o v id e d b y S t rie b e r, b u t the u ltim a te d e c is io n to b e h e ld d o w n w a s D o r a s ? W h y w o u ld o n e m a k e a d e c is io n to b e h e ld d o w n ? O n e w o u ld s u r e ly n o t m a k e it in a w a k in g

Astral Projection a n d th e N ature o f Reality

p h y s ic a l st a t e o f m in d , b u t p e r h a p s it w o u ld s e e m lik e t h e c o r r e c t t h in g to d o in a m o r e i n f o r m e d st a t e o f m in d . S t r i e b e r e v e n m e n t io n s that D o r a s e y e s w e r e s e e in g o n l y in t o t h e w o r l d o f n i g h t m a r e , w h i c h c o u ld m e a n t h a t s h e w a s t u n e d in t o a n o n p h y s ic a l st a t e t h a t a llo w e d h e r to se e t h e b e n e f it o f n o t in t e r f e r in g w i t h t h e V i s i t o r s w o r k .

subi'01

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I have a feeling D o ra s d a u g h te r w as given a w o n d erfu l gift by the V isitors a nd, in an inform ed s ta te o f m in d , D o ra k n ew b e tte r th a n to take th a t gift away from h e r d a ughter. T h a t w ould b e a good a rg u m e n t for cre ating a paralysis th a t w ould re s tric t h e r physical b o d y to th e b ed . Likewise, I c re a te d a sleep pa ra ly sis to e n s u re I w ould pay a tte n tio n to th e m essage relayed to m e in th e previous jo u rn a l e x c e rp t. O f c o u rse , a fte r th e retu rn to a w aking physical s ta te o f m in d , D o ra w ould a ssu m e , a s w ould anyone o f us, th a t th e paralysis w as fo rc e d u p o n h e r by a n e x te rn a l agent. If th e s ta te m e n t R e a lity is w h a t y o u m a k e it is c o rr e c t, a conclusion m u st be th a t w e su b co n sc io u sly a c c e s s t h e in fo rm e d s ta te in o r d e r to co n tinuously c re a te o u r re a litie s . B ut if w e c r e a te o u r r e a litie s subcon sciously, w e c a n p ro b a b ly tu r n th is c re a tio n in to a co n scio u s actio n , or a t le a s t have so m e c o n scio u s say in th e su b c o n sc io u s p ro c e s s . However, b e fo re w e do, w e n e e d to a c h ie v e a n in fo rm e d s ta t e o f m in d , o r we w ould n o t know w h ich is th e o p tim a l r e a lity to c r e a te . B u t how d oes one access such an in fo rm e d s ta t e o f m in d ? T h e su b c o n sc io u s acce sse s it all th e tim e , so w hy sh o u ld w e n o t b e a b le to d o t h a t c o n scio u sly ? O ne way to do it could b e to s to p th e w o rld , a s in th e e x e rc ise s d e s c rib e d earlier. A stra l p ro je c tio n m ig h t p ro v id e a g o o d o p p o r tu n ity to r e a c h th a t state o f m ind by c o n scio u s in te n t, b u t I d o n o t d o u b t t h e r e a r e o th e r ways. All w e have to d o is to b e w illing to w o rk o n o u rse lv e s a n d , m o st impor tantly, to w o rk th ro u g h o u r m in d s. E ven if w e c a n t y e t c o n tro l a su b c o n sc io u s p r o c e s s su ch as th e cre atio n o f o u r re a litie s , w e c a n in flu e n c e it. T h e s u b c o n sc io u s is not a clearly s e p a r a te d p a r t o f us. It h a s m a n y c o n n e c tio n s to th e conscious m ind by w hich w e c a n co n scio u sly a ffe c t it. F o r e x a m p le , befo re the d re a m , I r e a d a b o u t V isito rs, o r a lie n s , if y o u w ill. T h is w as a conscious actio n. T h e su b c o n sc io u s w a s in flu e n c e d in a w ay t h a t m a d e it create a d re a m co n ta in in g a lie n s. T h is is j u s t o n e o f m a n y w ays w e can influence
t h e s u b c o n s c io u s in it s c r e a t io n o f r e a lit y , f o r t h e d r e a m b e c a m e m y al'

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ity, if only fo r an hour.

The Nature o f Reality 'he. The sub co n scio u s m ay a ls o b e in flu e n c e d th ro u g h h y p n o sis, visuali zation, a ffirm a tio n , a n d d a y d re a m in g . T h e r e m ig h t b e o th e r, m o re direct, a p p ro a c h e s to in flu e n c e it. P e r h a p s w e c a n ev en dev elo p tec h n i cal tools to a c c e s s o u r s u b c o n sc io u s . T h e V isito rs in S trie b e r s b ooks seem to possess t h a t k in d o f tec h n o lo g y . T h e y a c c e s s e d D o ra 's su b co n scious, so w hy c a n 't w e a c c e s s o u r s ?

d pay attention

s * c as
" them ,

Exercise: Reality IsA ffirm ations

1. Record th e affirm atio n : Reality is w h a ty o u m ake o f it. 2. Listen to th e a ffirm atio n in th e back g ro u n d for six days.

p i. o r

, C0Urs^ f , erltJ 0UM assume a, would u am *, llle as by an external agent.

5 * e j f IS correct, a condisi

5 informed state in ordern

1 create our realities sub

Before I c r e a te d t h e p a ra ly s is fo r m yself, I c re a te d th e e v e n t in which I w oke u p , a lth o u g h it w a s n o t to a w a k in g p h y sical s ta te o f m ind. W aking up b e c a m e m y re a lity . W h a t r e a s o n w ould t h e r e b e for m e to wake up o th e r th a n t h a t I c re a te d it? W a k in g up d o e s n o t ju s t hap p en ; it is c re a te d . N o t by th e p h y sic a l b o d y o r a fo rce o f n a tu r e , b u t by m e. And w h e n you w a k e u p in th e m o rn in g , t h a t w aking up is y o u r doing. W h e th e r you w a k e u p in y o u r p hysical b e d ro o m o r in an a stra l replica of the s a m e is irre le v a n t. T h e tw o b e d ro o m s a re b o th y o u r c re a tio n , and th a t c re a tio n b e c o m e s y o u r reality . T h en t h e r e w a s th e e v e n t o f au d ib le fo o tstep s. T h a t w as spooky, but

i into a conscious action, or conscious process. H ow ever. rm ed state of mind,or" to c re a te . But how*w subconscious access
hi

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educational. T h e r e is n o re a s o n th e r e w ould b e fo o tstep s in my bed room , o th e r th a n th a t I p u t th e m th e r e . Even if th e r e had b een a p erso n accom panying th e fo o tstep s, th a t p e rs o n w ould b e o f my creatio n . The person m ay o rig in a te fro m its ow n co n scio u sn ess, b u t th a t d oes no t m at

are o and,

= U d>"s

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

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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 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

E V 'S foty 1

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
B ody a c h e s

S o lu tio n
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. 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.

Bed shaking

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 ant fall asleep Let your m ind w ander. F o rg et th e body. C ant m aintain visualization Sex drive takes over In cre a se your m otivation by in creasin g th e desire to AP.

Visualize so m ething fun o r intriguing. Go explore. R em ove drive b efo re sessio n by m astu rb a tin g , Realize th a t th e w hole u n iv erse loves you, as th e tion for th e sex drive o fte n is a n e e d fo r love. motiva

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. C o m m a n d C larity N o w !

absent or blurred M e d ita te on your th ird eye d u rin g OBE.

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 . Cant 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 tts 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 Step (N e w Y o rk : H a rp e r

The reference ma that, I guarantee sterested in either a s trj

Castaneda, Carlos. 1993. 7

* ' Robert. 1994. Ulti

ild. James. 1993 "W Books.
jj

2%

:K

N *

^ Evidence of N a t Step (IfarUnH.

Additional Resources

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.

297

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 d isc ip lin e o f a s tr a l p ro je c tio n . T his e v en t 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. B e c a u se of the c o m m o n ly h a r d -t o -d ig e s t n atu re o f th e

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.

H
ving human sp'r fr the evoivingTii

a m

p t o n

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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
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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.

dynami cs

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 tts 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

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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

Eternal Life and How to Enjoy It

A First-Hand Account
Gordon Phinn Paperback 224 pages ISBN 1-57174-408-8 $13.95 K x < etg <

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A Manual fo r the Art o f Retrieval and Afterlife Exploration
Bruce M oen Paperback 328 pages ISBN 1-57174-450-9 $16.95

E xploring the A fterlife S eries (vols. 1-4)

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Voyages into the Unknown

Paperback 256 pages ISBN 1-57174-068-6 $12.95

Voyage Beyond Doubt H H

Paperback * 296 pages ISBN 1-57174-101-1 $13.95 H H

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i GO F A R T H E R T H A N E V E ~ R ~ ftp " ,Vp_UR J O U R N E Y S T O O T H E R

Astral Projection and th e N a tu re o f Reality preconceived notions ab o u t how to get o ut I then back in , as well as th e d im ensions to w h id T ffle ' body adventurer can travel. ,

Magnus starts w ith a brief history o f astral p ro je c ti n ,^ !^ S . then guides the reader th ro u g h a step-by-step coutsfc fe r I able projection.. H e explains how, once out^pf body, w e c re a te . our own astral w orld, a nd he offers techniques fo r understajt<t-.v ] I ing our m ind and the natu re o f reality. Magnus offers detailed exercises and p roven techniques fo r *1

I I

|_

_ _

reliably exiting y o ur body confronting the basic fears th a t can hold you back taking advantage o f psychic side effects I tam ing yo u r m in d I navigating a w o rld in which you have th e . , ultim ate pow er to create integrating the lessons you learn from OBEs into your everyday reality * replenishing y our energy
m o re.

Plus, incisive jo u rn a l en tries, o f h is m o r e th a n 1 0 0 o u t-o fb o d y ad v en tu res w ill c o n v in ce y o u th a t it c a n b e d o n e a n d give y o u the in sp ira tio n to g o fa r th e r th a n y o u e v e r th o u g h t possible.

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