P.S. If you'd prefer not to be quoted in Readers Write, just tell me in your e-mail. Thank you.
A Reader Writes:
Last night, I tried to consciously astral project, but to my dismay, couldn't induce any state of relaxation so gave up and immediately fell asleep. Later on into the night, I suddenly awoke within a dream and found myself marching around a cabin in a dark forest, and it was dark outside. I was stamping around making lights come on, things appear and disappear, and the sky lighting up and darkening again. Then I shouted that I could do anything I wanted, and something just "snapped". This is when I really had control of myself. I said to myself, if I can do anything I want, why not have an OOBE? So I turned to my right, and then ran into the wall I flew off through it, but as I realized later, had sunk back into a state of whatever-happens-happens and I was just watching and not controlling. I have forgotten what happened from then to another experience I had. I was flying gently up against the side of my bed and got right in my face, and I could feel my physical body's breath against my astral face. I don't know how, I just remember that. Then I sunk back into sleep. I can only say that it was fun but I would have rather been conscious the whole trip.
I Respond:
You sound as if you're well on your way to becoming an expert at traveling! Please allow me to shed some light regarding your experience.
First part:
You recognized a dream as a dream and took control. Congratulations. You have accomplished what escapes so many. It is this awareness and desire to step beyond the limits of normal perception that triggers your success. This is exactly how I began to learn 28 (jeepers, long time back) years ago. I adopted a desire to understand and accept possibilities. I yearned to stay aware during the night; to be focused.
Second part:
You took your lucid dream a step beyond by triggering a localized travel from the physical. You went right through the wall!!! (Incredible, isn't it?) Following the wall, you lost some of your conscious control. This is a very common occurrence. There are a couple of reasons that this may happen.
A. It is simply very hard to maintain a constant awareness level. It takes practice. It takes an agenda. It takes time to learn. It happens. Unconsciousness is our norm at night. However, you are having exceptional success and I expect that you will have many great travels before long.
B. Localized travels are often difficult because of the close proximity to the physical. (and to explain...) The physical and the nonphysical are linked. In order to travel, the physical must be prepared. It requires deep relaxation (perhaps, actual physical sleep), and most importantly, a bit of brain power. It is the physical brain that "stores" and "regulates" our consciousness while we are physical. We set the direction for the brain to take while we are physical and it "influences" our consciousness level. (There is also consciousness levels while nonphysical that are unaffected by brain activity at all but that's another can of worms). Once we travel however, the brain continues it activity without direction. Very simplified, it runs its program. And that's the reason that localized travel can produce varying degrees of consciousness. When you are preparing to travel (or awakening from an "in the physical" lucid dream), you are instructing your brain to behave a certain way to achieve this. But, once you leave, your brain runs it shutdown program completely. It goes to sleep. When you return to the physical (following whatever travel you've accomplished), you are in such close proximity that you may be easily "influenced" by the current and normal status of your brain doing what it does. That is why it's so important to immediately rouse yourself from the bed upon a return to physical. Get up and write down your travel before it becomes muddled with any "in the physical" dreaming kicked up by the brain. Now, the contrary to this rule is that with a strong desire to remain separate (less bonded) from the physical, you may successfully conquer the close proximity difficulty. This brings us to the final section of your fine e-mail.
Third part:
It's a wonderful affirmation of your travel to watch your sleeping physical upon the bed and to feel your own breath upon your nonphysical is really something! I've had that same experience many times upon return from a travel. Again, regarding your quick slip into sleep following your return, I must state the importance of forcing yourself from the bed to write down your experience before it slips away or gets confused.
Bravo! You are a very promising traveler. It's wonderful to hear of your success! You are as I am, searching, learning and experiencing.
A Reader Writes:
I have tons and tons of books and printouts to do with Astral Projection, other dimensions and so on and so on. And out of all of them yours is the most informative.
I'm 18 and started exploring all of this stuff about three years ago, and have had several conscious projections since(and before, I just didn't know it.) I have one SMALL problem, I can get up to the vibrations stage and even start to lift-out at will every time I try it,(which is as often as i can) but once up to that stage I "start thinking about what i'm doing", i.e...change my thoughts to my body vibrating and get really excited that i'm going out, and nine times out of ten I'll end up slamming back into my physical body and not going out at all.
So i guess it's just a lack of concentration, it's really got me grounded (literally).
Do you have any suggestions or exercises that i can do to improve?
I Respond:
Excitement can be a large difficulty to overcome. May I suggest the following?
Prior to the start of vibrations, choose and plan your destination. Go over it many times in your thoughts.
I perceive my routes almost as a game plan.
(example: I will go through the window, down the path, over the trees and into the park...etc...)(visualize each step from start to return to your physical) Attach emotions of happiness and fulfillment at reaching your destination.
Next...when the vibrations begin...skip to high gear...visualize yourself at the destination...bypass the directions on getting there. You are at the destination (preferably, pick a destination with positive emotional attachment), you are already there...ignore the body on the bed...push beyond and allow yourself to "go now" to where you want to be.
This type of instantaneous quick-travel will often bypass the concern upon remaining strictly physical and once done, it is easier to overcome!
A Reader Writes:
I find the whole experience exciting and am disappointed that I'm unable to generate it as often as other folks....like yourself. Consider yourself very blessed!
I Respond:
Regarding blessed. Yes, I feel very blessed with this talent. You know, I was thinking about this last night (because you brought it up)....
How many times have we seen a t.v show or read an article about an individual who experiences an incredible occurrence just once and it changes their life forever? History is packed with "traveling" and yet, to most, it is just a one time event that forever alters the mindset of the individual...and here's my point....
We are both blessed. Perhaps you do not travel as much as I but certainly your experiences far outweigh even some very famous incidents! We are both graced with an ability to look beyond the norm of perception. That knowledge alone should be enough BUT we also get to live it! I would say, my friend, that you are as blessed as I.
A Reader Writes:
I am still working on an effective way to initiate my own travels. My wife is a restless sleeper, and I am constantly being jostled, rolled, or snored at when I attempt to initiate vibrations. I have had better luck with waking during dreams and even some luck with initiating OBES in the early am after waking.
On the lighter side, I mentioned to my mate how many OBES that you had experienced, and she claimed that it wasn't any big deal. "After all" she said, "We've had sex at least 2600 times since our relationship began". I tried to explain that it wasn't the same, but she said that she sometimes had OBEs at the height of sex, and anyway nothing she knew of was better than sex. I'm not sure if I agree with her !
I Respond:
How funny that you should mention the difficulty of sharing a bed. (and funnier still was your mates (I'm using the term you did, of course) comparison to sex. Incredible how that figure adds up, isn't it??? I think of my travel count in much the same way. It sounds huge until you consider that it is spread over 30 something years and then well...hmmm...still sounds big, forget all that (and your mate's total sounds as if you have a very happy life indeed!). But I digress. My point was this. I also had the difficulty of sharing a bed with a jumpy (and occasional noisy) sleeper. Do you want to hear my solution (well perhaps you do but your other may not. grin)? Two twin beds side by side with about an inch of separation (except during umm...how shall I put this (?), special times).
Your mate could shake rattle and roll but your bed will remain still. And you still get to "share" a bed. Anyway that's how I did it. Perhaps this explains why your "sex" count is so much higher than mine and my "travel count is so much higher than yours (grinning but sighing too...maybe this is why she and I parted ways).
A Reader Writes:
Many of the things that you describe have happened to me, although not as frequently. I tend to have months where I don't travel, then all of a sudden, I do it about every two weeks or so.
A Reader Writes:
I have a question. When I want others to see me while I travel, is it possible to affect the way look like for them, I mean, can I change the outlooks of my astral body. If this is possible, how do I do it? Do I just mentally command my mind, visualize, or should I try affecting the minds of other people (scary), or what? I'd really, really be very grateful if you could answer me.
I Respond:
I am assuming that you mean to be seen by the physical environment...but I shall answer both ways.
Being seen by the physical environment while nonphysical...
It is very difficult to be seen by those currently conscious in a physical environment. Yes, you may change your appearance (desire oriented) but the change will primarily, only be observed as different in a nonphysical environment. You will usually (despite your best efforts, under the best of lighting (primarily low-level, non-electric) and with a willing and open individual) appear to a physical observer as little more than a shimmer (almost like a heat-shimmer off the road that affects the general appearance of the surroundings).
The affecting of another's mind (as you mention) is really quite a difficult endeavor. I would suggest that if you desire to be seen...focus on being as loud and as large as possible. Target all thought into being noticed. Shout (nonphysically of course) if you must. Get right in front of the individual and wave your arms. "I am here...HELLO!!!" Sometimes, under the correct conditions, as I've mentioned above, you will succeed in making your presence known.
Being seen in the nonphysical environment...
Yes, it is certainly possible to affect one's appearance while nonphysical. It is all simply a matter of desire and control. The irony to changing your appearance is that your intent still shines through. You will remain the same individual that you truly are. Inner beauty or to the contrary. The best approach is to allow your true-self to manifest itself as it will (since appearance means little). Focus instead on a defensive posture that shields other "travelers" from your thoughts until you have evaluated the situation and are prepared to meet or retreat.
A Reader Writes:
I have lots of other partial travels, at least I remember the beginning parts. Many times I feel a rocking (sometimes very strong) and different parts of my body will move, sort of like waking up suddenly and kicking your feet or something. Once, my legs rose into the air very fast and then back down. I first thought it was my physical legs that moved, but my blankets were on tight and there's no way that my real legs could be at that 90 degree angle since the blankets were on them.
I Respond:
Regarding the "rocking" you experience...this is a very common aspect of "close to physical" nonphysical activity. Next time it happens, may I suggest that you try remaining calm and focusing your attention on rolling over in bed. Don't actually rouse your physical, simply desire to move from your present position. Often, this minor stimulus will cause your "localized" nonphysical movement to go "full body."
A Reader Writes:
I would like to tell you that your site was exactly what i've searched for. Thanks a lot! Only one little things i dislike... Why did you write your text in "H6" header?? I use Netscape 2.0b4 now and the text is so tiny!! I should have a magnifying glass.
I Respond: Oops. Sorry about that. A microscope is enroute to you through the internet. I will enlarge the text ASAP (And I have).