Astral
projection and out-of-body experiences (OBEs) can be as exciting as
riding a roller coaster
Techniques for Learning Astral Travel
Astral
Difficulties
by jonpeeoh
I've been out
of the astral loop for a couple years, but I had a large amount of
success over the course of about four years before this. Since then
my focus has shifted and I haven't come back around to OBE efforts.
However, my successes are notable, as I had the most trouble of
anyone I've ever known in getting out of body.
First, here's
some things to understand/expect:
1) Fear/Panic
- It's entirely possible that the first time you actually succeed,
you will panic. It's completely natural and many people do. It's a
very bizarre feeling (especially if you use a fully conscious
projection) and can cause you that split second of panic that causes
you to lose it. Solution: Reaffirm your desire to yourself and keep
trying. After a time or three, this panic reflex goes away...
2) Other Fears
- A lot of people have a lot of different beliefs, and these beliefs
form the way that they experience their astral travel. The basic
fact of the matter is that everything in the universe is one thing,
one energy, and all division is merely illusion. When you project,
you are not "leaving your body" really because in fact physical
reality (space as well as time) do not exist - they only appear to.
So not understanding the fact that you are merely altering your
consciousness, many of not most people perceive of astral travel as
"going somewhere". For this purpose, most people feel the need to
create some form of "protection". They may have guides, angels,
their higher self, astral friends, whatever you want, who help them.
Many also perceive a silver cord, because it causes them to
intrinsically realize that they are safe and still connected to
themselves, when in fact it is impossible to be otherwise. (There is
no real cord, as there is no real separation, just a shift in
consciousness... actually, this is kinda hard to write in words) -
take any view on it that makes you comfortable, but the bottom line
is you are safe when projecting, there is no need to fear that
anything can "get you", "take over your body", or that you can "get
lost and not find your way back". Anyone who has vehemently argued
to that effect has basically believed it into existence for
themselves astrally. It was them that caused it, not something
malevolent.
3) Now let's
get to actually "getting out". There are three basic steps that are
absolutely necessary, and the points after that will basically take
care of themselves. For the best information you can find in
existence (as far as I know), buy Robert Bruce's book Astral
Dynamics - that's the IT book of astral ability (but also will cause
enhancements in all psychic/spiritual development). Here are the
most important steps, which took me sooooo long to master:
Step 1 You
must must must must must must MUST be able to meditate for an
extended period of time without the bother of mental chatter (ie
verbal thoughts) - you can practice this any time you want, just
begin to monitor your mind and place your awareness on something
such as your breath. Whenever you catch yourself blabbing away again
mentally, take note, release the mental chatter, and focus on your
focus point again. Do this a few times each day until you have
developed the ability to silence your mind. This seems daunting, but
in all honesty doesn't take very long to master. Another tip that
someone gave me once is a kind of shortcut to experiencing what this
state feels like. Pretend as though someone has told you to "listen
up, this is very important." In that split second that you stop and
give your attention to someone, but before they say anything, that
mental chatter has stopped. So practice "listening", in order to
learn to quiet the mind.
Step 2 You
absolutely must must must must MUST be able to relax your body
completely. This is the step that caused me the most grief. I did
not realize for the longest time that I was still slightly tense in
certain areas. You must practice relaxation ad nauseum, which sucks
because it is a very boring practice. It won't take long before you
automate the process, so don't worry too much. At first, you will
have to spend 5 minutes relaxing feet, then relaxing legs, then
relaxing stomach, then chest, then arms, then neck, then face,
tensing muscles, etc etc etc. It's a huge pain and can cause anxiety
at first, becoming difficult to finish. This is a subconscious
resistance - push past it. When you really get the hang of it
(Bruce's sponging technique* seemed to work best for me, as well as
a golden warm ball moving through my body), you no longer need the
tedium. You will be able to lie down, tense your entire body for 4
seconds, and relax completely, immediately. Man, is THAT a happy
day!
Step 3 You
should, non-verbally/mentally, create some imaginary action that is
in motion.** The reason is twofold - motion seems to trigger further
relaxation and put the body to sleep. The other reason is that
motion allows your attention to remain focused which keeps the mind
awake. You will most likely know you have achieved this goal, not
when you think you have, but about 20 minutes later, when you
suddenly blink out of consciousness and back. You will feel your
entire being expand and a deep deep warmth, at which point you will
be able to remain happily in this state for hours. I used to remain
in this state for hours, as a matter of fact, with absolutely no
sweat off my back. Because IT FEELS AWESOME! Now, stay this way for
long enough and continue an imaginary motion, and you will sweep out
of your body. However, if you can keep your mind awake and focused
without in any way straining your physical being, you will
eventually pop out of your body anyway. That's why I listed step 3
as a "should", instead of a "must". It's just easier to do it this
way - when you get good at it you won't need a "technique" so much.
* The sponging
technique in a nutshell: Imagine a hand with a sponge dipping the
sponge in a big bucket of water, then imagine that hand pulling the
sponge up through your feet, slowly, to about your ankles. Feel your
feet fill with the water. The sponge goes back in the bucket, and
pulls through your feet up to your knees, again feeling the water
inside your body. Continue repeating this until you have sponged all
the way up your body - I find this one in particular to be highly
relaxing and generate a large amount of buzzing feelings.
** My favorite
and most useful, oddly enough, is imaging that my mattress is on a
rollercoaster rail, going backwards. I have trouble imagining going
forward on this rollercoaster, but I can easily imagine going
backwards, and can imagine the scenery in front of me rushing away
from me as I shoot up, down, and loop-dee-loo. I think the going
backwards helps me to melt into the mattress also - surrendering
yourself to gravity entirely is a very cool feeling, which accounts
for the "sinking" feeling people experience. Also note that I did
95% of my meditation and astral work lying down in bed on my back,
which is generally not recommended (lying in bed stimulates sleep
habit), but just seems to work better for me.
Good luck and
happy travels!
About the
author: jonpeeoh
is a new website devoted to raising consciousness, magick, and
teaching others to take control of their powers as creators of their
own reality.
Our Ultimate
Reality. Highly acclaimed reference for wealth, health,
meditation, Astral projection, Spiritual evolution and much more.
Over 600 pages!
Protect Your Identity
LifeLock
Stops Identity Theft
Click for a
Free Trial.
Meditate
Deeper Than
a Zen Monk.
You Just Press
a
Button. FREE Holosync CD.
Spirit Guides Candle
From
Psychic Tori Hartman. Hand
Poured by a Reiki Practitioner.
Control Your Dreams
Lucid Dreaming Kit
Gives You
Results in 7-Days Guaranteed.
|
|
