Astral/Mental Projection*

Astral and mental projection are things which, though not necessary for psi's, can be
accomodating in a lot of situations. The main difference between the two is the numbers
of people involved, and the convience.
Astral: This form of projection requires more control of your empathic abilities and much
more patience. First timers will need to be well meditated, with little or no outside noise
at all. Be in a position that is comfortable to you. It is suggested that your arms and legs
are not crossed, but rather at your sides (I'll normally sit in a large recliner or something
along those lines). Once in a state of deep meditation, you must project yourself, your
energy and sense of being, out of your body. It helps to picture this as a twin body, though
any form can be used (animal, vegetable, mineral... you get the
idea). You can project yourself in many ways. I personally find
picturing my entity above me, and then try to focus on what being up there would
feel like, look like, etc. Soon enough, I find myself actually up there. If you can do this,
congratulations, you're projected. You can WILL yourself to go wherever you want, see
whomever you want, etc. Don't be surprised if your senses aren't like they are in normal
living. You may not see well, or not see at all. Many things in the empathic field is done
through feel. It should be noted that astrally projecting is dangerous for psi-vamps. There
are many entities out in the astral world that love our "taste", and would quickly feed off
of you or worse at the drop of a hat.
Mental: Mental projection can be referred to as the "private chat" of projections. It is
easier, because you are not projecting your entire self, merely your energy and thought.
You and the person you wish to see/interact with focus on a dense fog (this is one of the
ways, works best for me) and then see the other coming through the fog to you. When
both do this effectively, you can eventually get a clearer and clearer image of the other.
From here, you are free to exchange energy, or simply get a feel for the other. This
requires less effort, and can be done in a relatively aware state with little meditation
(when compared to astral projection).

Astral Projection

Astral Projection is a tedious but worthwhile task. In the act of astral projection, one
relaxes themselves into a deep state of meditation, and wills their spirit, their astral body,
out of their physical one and roam the copy-cat world known as the astral plane. The
benefits of astral projection are many. Since others are able to project, you can meet
them, though physically they are miles apart. The meditation you achieve is good for
your mind as well as your body. When meditating on a regular basis, you can lower
blood pressure, increase vitality and possibly longevity.
But, with every postitive, there is always a negative to factor in. The number one
negative of astral projection for a psychic vampire is that it's not safe, not in the least bit
safe. When astrally projecting, you are basically taking on the form of your natural
energy (also known as pranic energy). While in this state, you are VERY vunerable to
others. It is important to realize that not only psi-vamps are on the astral plane. There
are entities that you've probably never even heard of out there that live only on the astral
plane. They think that psi-vamps are delicious and nutrious energy sources, so be
warned. Astral projection is not promoted at this site, but it is still taught and explained
so that you may understand and use it to your liking.
With that out of the way, allow me to explain in more detail the act of astral projection
with step-by-step instructions.

1. Get into an atmosphere where you can relax and be by yourself. The less noise
the better. Lighting should be comfortable on the eyes. Lie down or sit down in a
position you can remain comfortable in, making sure as to not cross your hands or
legs. I normally find myself in an arm chair with a foot stool.
2. Once relaxed, begin to meditate. To help you, focus on something that you're
doing, such as breathing. With your eyes closed, imagine the breath you're taking
in through your mouth as clean, pure, healthy air. Then, as you exhale through
your nose, imagine the dark, gloomy, awful air that you're expelling. Picture it
with your mind. Soon enough, you will fall farther and farther into a deeper state
of meditation.
3. Once in this deep state of meditation, you must embark on one of the harder parts:
projecting. There are many different ways to go about projecting. The key thing
in each, though, is to will yourself to project. Here's two of the more popular
ways;

i. While in meditation, picture yourself above you. See with your mind. There
above your head is another you. Now begin to imagine what it would look like to
be up there in that body; imagine what it would feel like, what you would hear.
Soon enough you take on those thoughts and pictures to the point where your
spirit, your astral self, is projecting into that body above you.

ii. Again, while in your deep state of meditation, imagine your body vibrating.
This shouldn't be too hard, because when entering the deeper realms of
meditation, your body will naturally begin to tingle throughout. Let this tingling
become stronger, feel your body vibrating. Now feel this vibration becoming in
tune with yourself. You vibrate along with your tingling sensation. Let this
feeling build, and let the vibrations become so strong that you feel as if you are
moving slowly from where you actually are. Do this enough, and you soon find
yourself a good foot or so away. Wa la! You're projected.

Once projected, you may do whatever you please. Roam about or look for a friend, it's
all up to you! But again, and we can't stress this enough here at Psi-Vamp, BE
CAREFUL!!! Astral projection is NOT the safest place of psi-vamps!
OVERVIEW

(forthcoming) Book title: Astral Signposts: The Stages Of Out-of-Body Experiences

by Charles C. Goodin
The following article is part of materials being prepared for a book
on the subject of astral projection. It is a work-in-progress.

OOBEs Are Something You "Do" -- And Can Get Better At. While OOBEs just seem to
happen (spontaneously or miraculously) to some people, most sucessful projectors have
the attitude that OOBEs are something we "do." Results are produced by the right
knowledge and attitude, diligent practice, and long term effort. Can everyone have a
"conscious" OOBE? Probably not. Can you? Perhaps. It may sound like a cliché but the
mere fact that you're reading this article means that you are interested in this subject and
that suggests that you have to some degree an astral ability. Let your interest take root
and grow. Are you willing to work at it with no guarantees? Good!

Projectors Are Drawn To It. Like moths to flame, many of us are drawn to OOBEs. We
can't really help it. It's not that OOBEs are cool, neat, fantastic, or the "in" thing to do --
at a deep level something tugs at us. Remember that time, long ago when you were a
child and found yourself "out"? You can't forget it, can you? The memory and feeling is
always right there... tugging at you.

Successful Long-Term Projectors Are Physically Grounded. There is an unfortunate

tendency for some people to become physically weak and mentally disoriented as a result
of OOBE training. Some say that it is easier to project when the body is physically weak.
This may be true but it is at best, a short-term, narrow-sighted strategy. Successful
projection requires an abundance of internal energy, much of which can only be derived
from a healthy physical body (think of it as your generator). A relaxed, balanced, healthy
physical body is far superior to a weak, sickly one. In addition, a weak body negatively
affects the mind. You should engage in regular exercise to ensure that you will remain
properly grounded. Why do you think the yoga masters and Zen priests also practice a
physical discipline -- not just meditation? If you feel yourself becoming "flighty" or
disoriented, take a break from your OOBE training and go for a walk at the park or
beach, play with your children, participate in a sport, etc. Give yourself time to recharge
your battery.

Physical Limitations Do Not Result In Astral Limitations. Having said that it is important
to take the steps necessary to maintain a healthy body, I should add that physical
limitations do not necessarily affect your ability to have OOBEs. I wear glasses and am
pretty much nearsighted. Nevertheless, my OOBE vision is perfect. What about people
with missing limbs? Many will find that they are whole when they are "out." I believe
that you can learn to project despite disease, physical limitation, injury, etc. Also, you can
project despite the fact that you have metal pins or other foreign objects in your body.
Keep in mind that shape is a very flexible thing in the astral. Sometimes people project as
a mere point of consciousness, a geometric form or as nothing at all discernible.
Therefore, you should not feel too attached to your physical form -- that attachment will
make it more difficult for your to project. I believe that the pure astral form is always in
its prime, so to speak. It is neither young nor old, and at higher levels it is neither male
nor female. The astral body feels the same as the soul between lives.

Astral Diet. There is no magic diet which assures OOBE success. Rather, the proper diet
during OOBE training is one which makes you feel healthy, energetic and comfortable.
Heavy (especially meats), oily or spicy foods might make it difficult to train. I was in a
class learning to sit zazen many years ago and the teacher mentioned that we should not
eat pizza before training. There is nothing wrong with pizza -- he simply did not want us
to burp (because it would disrupt the sitting and our composure)! In addition, eating or
drinking too much will make you have to use the restroom more often, which could
disrupt your OOBE training session. It is better to feel a little hungry while engaged in
OOBE training rather than feeling too full.
Several people have mentioned to me that being a little thirsty is useful. Place a glass of
water down the hall or in another room and will yourself to leave your body and go get a
drink.

I do not think it is necessary to be vegetarian but I can appreciate the value of it. Also, I
do not personally recommend fasting but recognize that it is a part of many traditions.
Use common sense and take good care of your body.

Reading About OOBEs Only Helps So Much. I never met anyone who simply read books
about guitars and magically developed the ability to play! OOBEs are like playing a
musical instrument, practicing a martial art, meditating, etc. You should read books and
articles to familiarize yourself with the subject but success requires practice (and often
years of trial and error). Also keep in mind that as described below, you will need to learn
to function with non-verbal awareness and this is the antithesis of conventional forms of
study such as reading or attending lectures.
I went to a writer's conference once and talked to one of the speakers. He mentioned that
many of the same people turned out year after year but never wrote anything at all! Don't
become a "fan" of OOBEs. They are something to do. I also know a Zen priest who likes
to say that reading an entire library of books on the subject of Zen adds up to less than a
pimple on your butt! The same could be said about OOBEs.

An Encompassing Belief System. Successful astral projectors have a belief system in

which OOBEs are accepted. Suppose you define life as spirit animating the flesh. Well,
having the spirit leave the body seems to violate this definition. Unless OOBEs fit within
your belief system, your conscious mind -- and more importantly your Unconscious Mind
-- will create all kinds of roadblocks to your success.

Keep It In Perspective. Take at look at the tip of the fingernail on the little finger of your
right hand. That's how important OOBEs are in the grand scheme of things. OOBEs don't
make you enlightened, give you a free pass to heaven, etc. Some people read about saints
or holy people who could leave their bodies and foolishly think that developing the same
ability will make them saintly or holy. Hey, they did a lot more than that! You have to
work on your life!

A Fearless, Daring Attitude. Who You? Yes you! You might have heard or read about all
sorts of dangers associated with OOBEs. I have written an article entitled Understanding
Out-of-Body Fears, which lists many of the fears people report based on the number of
times they have left their bodies. As you would expect, people who have had many
experiences tend to be less fearful. But fear is something which must be managed,
especially for beginners.
I believe that there is a "fear barrier" which is designed to keep out curiosity seekers and
the timid. OOBE success comes to those who fully understand the risks but are willing to
train despite it all. Hey, most of us can't help it anyway -- we are drawn to it. In addition,
many seemingly irrational fears are created by the Unconscious Mind because it is
uncomfortable with the astral process. Have you asked for its permission and
cooperation?
Many OOBE fears are based on the wrongful assumption that the astral world is a direct
(but less dense) counterpart of the physical world. If you went on a journey to a strange
place in "this" world, you might rightfully worry about getting lost. Not surprisingly, the
most commonly reported OOBE fear is that of getting lost. Falling is another very
common fear. Don't let your 3D assumptions get in the way of your OOBE training.

OOBE Affirmations. Some people find it useful to write and repeat OOBE affirmations --
positive statements about what you will do (can already do). Merely repeating things does
nothing but stating meaningful words and phrases with 100% conviction should produce
some results. To some extent, you are giving instructions to your Unconscious Mind. Be
very careful about what you ask for -- you just might get it!

Training Place. It should be clean, quiet, secure, uncluttered and to the extent possible,
reserved for OOBE training. You will pick up on the vibrations of the area when you get
"out" -- you might even see them -- so plan ahead. Also, clutter tends to make novices
disoriented. I would avoid heavy duty electrical appliances in the immediate area. Turn
off the television and radio, switch off the alarm, unplug the telephone -- prevent
disruptions. Also, make sure the door is locked so that you won't have to worry about
"phantom" intruders later.
When you have a "special" place for OOBE training, your Unconscious Mind will learn
that it is time to go "out" when you are there. Simply entering the space with the
objective of leaving your body will trigger your Unconscious Mind's OOBE autoexec
file. If you practice a martial art, think of your training place as your OOBE dojo. You
could also think of it as your OOBE temple. It is a special, holy place where you come
face to face with your True Self. You should treat it with reverence.

Spouse. If you share a bed with a spouse or lover, you might consider moving to another
room for a few hours for OOBE training. Restless movements or noises can be very
disturbing. In addition, a sleeping person might tend to make you sleepy as well -- sleep
is infectious. Naturally, if your spouse or lover also projects, OOBE training in the same
bed/location might be ideal.

Position. You are lying flat on your back. Perhaps you are seated in a comfortable chair or
in a lotus/half-lotus position on the floor. In any case, you are resting comfortably in a
stable position. Plan ahead so that the jerking motion of "nodding off" will not terminate
your OOBE. For the most part, OOBEs while walking or otherwise in movement are an
exception.

Magnetic Orientation. Don't worry about it. Some swear by aligning the head towards
magnetic North. I think it is just a mental crutch. You are about to step out of
conventional time/space so you might as well start thinking in an unlimited way. Don't
create unnecessary barriers to projecting.

Some Form Of Invocation Of Protection. Most skilled projectors protect their physical
space and various bodies (physical and astral) by prayer, energy formations, etc. One of
my teachers warned me to ensure that I always, always do this (and I do!).

Clear Purpose -- Definite Target. Have a very clear idea about what you are going to do.
Don't just think, "I am going to leave my body." That's too general for now. Plan a
specific course -- where you will go, who you will visit (with permission), what you will
discuss, when you will return, etc. Have a DEFINITE TARGET! Go there in the physical
ahead of time and set an energy marker (a homing beacon so to speak). Then desire to go
to it with all your being. Half-hearted efforts get no results. Most people fail at OOBEs
because they lack the discipline and patience to train correctly. It's not something to do
because it's cool or to be able to say, "been there, done that." It is a very serious
undertaking. Astral keys can open a Pandora's Box or the Hall of Records!

Noble Aim Or Goal. There is a saying in Japanese: "bachi ga ataru." In English we say,
"What goes around comes around." Bad deeds come back multiplied and in the astral, the
return is very quick. Act at all times in a noble manner and with a good intent.

Some Form Of Progressive Relaxation. You will probably find that a systematic method
of progressively relaxing the body produces far better results than just lying there. It will
also help you to avoid falling asleep involuntarily. Many people visualize the various
parts of their body switching off from toes to head. Feel your body (the inside as well as
the outside) and watch it as it slows down and goes to sleep (into trance).

Some Form Of Deep Or Rhythmic Breathing. Breathing exercises are an important part
of progressive relaxation. The breaths are gradually lengthened so that the number of
inhales and exhales per minute is reduced. Sometimes it might even feel like you are not
breathing at all or that the air is coming in through your skin. Your internal energy is
largely generated by your breath so proper breathing is extremely important. By the time
you've finished your routine of progressive relaxation combined with deep or rhythmic
breathing, you will likely find yourself in the next stage.

Catalepsy Or Sleep Paralysis. Your physical body will "go to sleep." It will be heavy and
you will not be able to move it, except with great effort. Attempting to move at this point
will likely terminate the experience and result in discomfort. Some people panic the first
few times they experience this paralysis. Relax, soon you will learn to enjoy it. And it is
an excellent sign of your progress.

Mind Awake. You might get the distinct feeling that while your body is completely asleep
(paralyzed), your mind is fully awake -- in fact, it feels incredibly clear. The initial
novelty of this experience should help you to focus on what's going on and minimize any
stray thoughts. Gradually let your thoughts settle. Do not initiate new lines of thought.
Simply relax mentally until you are pure awareness.

The Buzzing Sound. Energy takes many forms. You will likely hear a sound that may be
as gentle as leaves rustling, could be more like the buzzing of insects, or might even be as
loud as a roaring train or howling hurricane. You might even hear music. But you will
probably hear something -- and it might be quite pronounced. Relax, it's normal. If the
sound is annoying, try to raise the pitch an octave or two.

The Light. Although described less often, the energy could result in flashing lights, waves
of pulsating colors, etc. I find that at a certain pitch and intensity of sound, the light kicks
in. I tend to think that light is a higher form of energy. Your eyes might flicker (rapid eye
movements). Rather than trying to look around (with your eyes shut because you can't
move) focus your attention on your third eye (the spot between your eyebrows).

The "Itchy Skin" Feeling. Depending on the form(s) your energy has taken, you might
feel electric, itchy, like insects are crawling all over your skin, hot, etc. Again, relax. If it
is uncomfortable, try to raise your pitch (energy frequency). The physical sensations
follow the pitch. With practice the process becomes pleasant. I sometimes get the feeling
of being sunburned on the "inside."
A Hard Tongue. This does not happen very often but if the light and sound become very
strong and your gaze is set on your third eye, you might find your tongue pressing against
the roof of your mouth and becoming rigid. Your breathing will probably have become
very rapid as well. This is described in the Kundalini literature. At such a time, remain
calm and watch -- this is a pretty rare and fantastic show! You can leave your body later.

Sudden Stillness. The sound is roaring, the light is flashing, your skin is electric... then
suddenly it all stops. The silence is deafening. For a split second you can't even think.
You are still inside your body but you feel like a tiny point of awareness in a huge
expanse. It's almost like being in a dark cavern. Just wait. Don't let your mind run off in a
million directions. Something wonderful is about to happen.

A Switch-Over To Non-Verbal Awareness. You won't be able to think in the way to which
you are accustomed. One of my teachers described this by saying: "You can't think 1, 2
3." To some extent, you become a witness to what is happening to you. But your
awareness is not passive. You are still in control, it is just that there is no internal
verbalization or dialogue. There is no separation between thought and action. Later, after
you return to your body, you will have to translate the experience into words. This will
feel somewhat like remembering a dream. In fact, the Watcher of the dream and the
Watcher of OOBEs is the same.
This phase is of critical importance. Practicing "non-verbal awareness" during normal
consciousness is an important part of OOBE training. Reading without verbalizing (the
words just stream in without being spoken or translated... like an ultra-highspeed modem
connection), typing without verbalizing, performing dance or martial arts without
thought... these are all helpful. You will find that "wordless awareness" is not the same as
"not thinking." Without formulating the question you will find that the answer is right
there -- there is no gap.

The Watcher. I am not using this term with reference to a particular belief system. Some
religions or groups might also use the term. I am using it in an experiential sense. When I
project, I feel the presence of my own "Watcher" which is a part of "me" but not part of
my ordinary thinking mind. It is there when I project, dream, sleep, think, daydream,
work... always. This may have been my own "Higher Self"... I don't know. After this
article was first posted, someone suggested that the term "Monitor" was more
appropriate. I think that in truth that no term is sufficient. You could call it "the part of
you that can't be named but you know its there at all times and is incredibly wise and
powerful and ageless...."

Your Self-Concept Is Limiting -- Pack Light For Your Trip! Who you think you are will
limit the perceptions which will be acceptable to you. Inconsistent perceptions will either
seem dreamlike or will be ignored or deleted. Imagine yourself purified to the bare
essence -- to the part of you that truly makes you, you. Imagine a large mass of coal
which over the ages becomes a tiny diamond. Much of what you consider to be "you"
(height, weight, skin color, gender, age, race, religion, economic status, education level,
etc.) does not pass from life to life. They are just variables. It is the core you, the essence,
which is the real you and which is active during OOBEs. Leave the unnecessary
"trapping" of your personality behind. Get ready... there's a bigger YOU waiting.
You are going on a divine trip. Pack lightly.

Movement. You are moving. Direction is irrelevant... up, sideways, down. There is no
"good" or "bad" direction. Go with the flow. Rise, float, spin, sink, climb, soar.... Go with
it -- don't fight it. You might feel air rushing over your body, your hair flowing back, all
this indicates movement. You might hear the rushing of wind. Good.
If you do not experience a sense of movement, you may be able to initiate it by
visualization. Don't limit yourself to images of rising up. Also try using the image and
feeling of being pulled out. Be creative.
Expanding Boundaries -- Physical Triggers. You might feel like your body is growing in
all directions -- like the boundaries are expanding. You may feel it localized around your
head, feet or even near your stomach. Relax and go with it. Extend the feeling. Bring it
back and extend it again, this time farther. This might be a good time to imagine floating
like a cloud.

Dual Awareness. You might feel like you are simultaneously inside your body and outside
of it. Sometimes your awareness will bounce back and forth! This is usually a transition
stage which will pass fairly quickly. Remain aware at such times. Leaving the body is
really about learning to shift your attention from one place (the physical body) to another
(the astral body). The astral body does not merely sleep within the body during your
waking hours -- it is very active. Right now it might be outside of your physical body and
you don't even know it! Can you shift your attention to it?

The Tunnel. Some people (especially in near-death-experiences) find themselves moving

down a dark tunnel with a point of light at the end. Some do not. It doesn't matter. You're
not out of your body yet... but you're almost there.

Click! That's it. You might hear a click, a switching sound, a crack. It's not your skull
breaking... it's just a sound. Maybe it's the sound of an astral form of static electricity as
you pass through the physical barrier. Congratulations... you're out!

Black Out. Maybe you've lost consciousness. Remember, you've already lost your normal
thinking mind and switched to the nonverbal. But for a few minutes you might be
completely "blacked out." That's alright. Just be diligent about seizing your awareness at
the earliest opportunity.

Awakening In A Dream. You might have to regain awareness by awakening in a dream. A

lucid dream can be an entry point to OOBEs. Identify any anomalies in the dream. Seize
control by doing something tactile -- touch something. Skilled astral projectors are
usually also skilled dreamers.

Sheer Terror. Some people, after weeks, months or even years of training, finally achieve
an OOBE only to find themselves frightened to the bone, gripped by absolute terror,
scared almost to death, etc. Panic sets in and the immediate result is a quick and
sometimes unpleasant return to the body. Why the fright? Imagine standing near the edge
of a cliff. Intellectually you might feel perfectly safe but your "gut" makes you feel
scared. Your body reacts to situations that it perceives as dangerous. During your first
OOBE, you will still be very close to your physical body -- barely separated from it --
and it will still exert a strong influence on you. Trust me, with experience the fear
disappears.
Oh, another reason for the fear is that you think you are dead... really dead. If you are
reading this, that obviously was not true.

If the fear persists, go back and reassess your belief system. Also, respectfully ask your
Unconscious Mind what's troubling it.

You're Home. You feel that you have returned to a familiar place, somewhere you've been
many times before. You have! You're home, safe. Cherish the feeling. You'll probably not
want to leave.

Your Normal State. Are you a physical being which can project into the astral, or an astral
being which descends into the flesh? Think about it for a moment. Right now you are
physical (I assume) and later today you might have an OOBE. When that happens, are
you going "out" or waking up? Is it a journey or a return? You can see that it all depends
on your perspective.
For some people (probably a very small group), OOBEs are the natural state. Can you
imagine how slow and limiting the physical world must be for an astral being? They
might naturally feel disinterested in it and even in some of the people who inhabit it.

You Can't See. It takes a while for your astral senses to switch on. You're probably not
used to using them except when completely unaware. What I mean by this is your
nonverbal Watcher has to get the knack of using the astral sight, hearing and sense of
touch. Sorry Bud but you're working at a preschool level right now and your Watcher has
a Ph.D. It doesn't really like diddling around in the near physical level and it has to
relearn the ropes!
Many novices report seeing a black or gray mist. Just give your astral eyes some time.
Don't "blindly" interpret the vision (or lack thereof) to mean that you're in a dark, evil
realm. If you are uncomfortable where you are, raise your pitch/vibration.

Seeing Your Physical Body. There's no rule that says you have to examine your physical
body. But if you do you'll probably find that it seems very foreign and practically
lifeless... inanimate. You might even feel indifferent to it -- as if it is merely a convenient
vehicle, like a car. Can you see the energy you set up around your body for protection? If
not, do it now.

Everything Shines! More correctly, everything is illuminated by its own light. There is no
sense of dark once your astral eyes being to function. There is ambient light even in an
absolute vacuum.

Are Your Feet Touching The Ground? Probably not! Do you even have feet? Hmmmm.
The physical body is a vehicle --like a car. Whether you call it a temple of enlightenment
or a prison, it is a vehicle. You are not limited by your physical characteristics. At the
highest level you are pure light.

The Silver Cord. You might see it. You might not. Your attachment to your physical body
is normally invisible (sort of like gravity) -- no need to clutter up the astralscape. Don't be
too iteral about it. Even if you don't see a cord, you will probably have occasion to feel it.
The cord (visible or invisible) may be attached to your astral body in various places.
Don't worry about it.

Eight Corners -- Spherical View. You can see in all directions at the same time. Some
describe this as seeing the 8 corners of the room. Try it. It is difficult to see 6 while
physical. Some also describe this as having an eye in the back of the head. Your astral
vision is not limited by direction. It takes a while to get used to this.

Directional Confusion. Right, left, up, down? It gets confusing. We are accustomed to
moving in only two directions. Now you are moving in three... actually more. Some
people begin to get confused between left and right even while physical! OOBE vision is
often reversed, inverted or inside-out -- but not always.

No Time Or An Altered Sense Of It. Sometimes an OOBE seems very brief, and yet it
lasts many minutes or even hours. The opposite is also true -- what seems like an
extremely long OOBE may only take seconds. You are in a different time/space.

Time Travel. Some OOBErs report that they can travel backward and forward in time. I
can't offer any personal guidance on this. For some reason, when I project I have no
interest in the subject.
Limitations Are Mental. The walls cannot hold you, the ceilings cannot keep you in,
gravity cannot weigh you down...unless you let them. The more you act like you are
physical, the more limited you will be.

Astral Motion. Novices tend to act like they are swimming or flying. You create your own
limitations. Some people go from Point A to Point B by travelling through space. Others
just jump straight to Point B. Tunnels, vortexes, mists... there are many modes of travel.

Light Is Intelligent. Oh my, the light is alive. Yes it is. The higher you go, the more alive
-- and intelligent -- it gets. This may sound mystic. Quite the opposite is true. Imagine a
giant hologram containing scans of every page of every book of the Library of Congress.
If that hologram were shattered, every little piece would continue to contain the entire
contents (only smaller and perhaps at a different angle). I think that light is very like that
-- small pieces of the Whole. At the higher astral levels, light can be read, so to speak.
But by that time, you are normally acting beyond the capability of words. Sounds mystic
again, I know.

Joy, Joy, Joy! Unbridled ecstasy, joy, bliss, rapture, clarity, happiness beyond words,
indescribable freedom.... Hey, being out-of-the-body is not so bad!

Enhanced Understanding. You will just "know" certain things. This is not the first time
you have been "out," perhaps just the first time your were consciously "out." Your
Watcher knows infinitely more than your ordinary consciousness. As you gain more
experience, insights will begin to stream in. The answer is in there! Be respectful enough
to pay attention to the whispers.

Telepathic Communication. You can "hear" what someone is thinking. Actually, since
neither of you are thinking (you are functioning non-verbally) you know each other's
thoughts directly. In any event, you will probably not be speaking in the usual sense.

Astral Etiquette. You are not a visitor here (this is where you belong in a sense), but for
the time being you are a novice. Act with courtesy and respect toward the beings (that
sounds better than people to me) you meet. This is not like the internet where "flaming"
has relatively no consequence. Negative emotions or outbursts here can have serious
repercussions. Initially, treat everyone you meet as a potential teacher.

Like Attracts Like. You attract and are attracted to like energy. If you don't like your
surroundings ask yourself why you have been drawn to them. Rise out of areas that make
you feel ill at ease. By rising out I am referring to frequency rather than direction.

Secondary Black Out. You might have "blacked out" (lost consciousness) when you first
left your body. It might happen again when you're out but for a different reason. You will
black out whenever you exceed your ability to perceive or remember. You (the Watcher)
can perceive a great deal. You (consciousness) can only remember a little. The more you
become accustomed to non-verbal awareness, the more you will be able to remember.
Also, you will not be able to remember correctly if you become confused or
overwhelmed by too many sensations.
Let's pretend that you are a television set with 36 channels. Your Watcher is an expert at
all of them. In fact, it has a remote control with its favourite channels pre-programmed. It
likes to jump around. Your conscious mind is only good at Channels 1 and 2 (maybe).
Everything else comes in as static or scrambled images. So your OOBE might be going
along fine while you are on Channels 1 and 2 but black out -- or become dreamlike --
when your Watcher hits the remote and jumps to its favourite channel. This is overly
simplistic but you get the idea.
Hey Bud... you're not just that little conscious mind! Your conscious mind will have to
learn to cooperate (non-verbally) with the Watcher. Remember, the conscious mind
translates your OOBE -- after the fact usually -- into words, sentences and "normal" daily
thoughts. It will only be able to do so if it remains focused non-verbally during the
OOBE.

Let's return to the television example. Imagine that each channel is twice as strong as the
one below it. Channel 2 is twice as strong as Channel 1, Channel 36 is twice as strong as
Channel 35.... The "strength" of the channel strikes against "verbal thinking." The force
will be minimal at the first couple of levels but pretty soon, even the slightest verbal
thought will result in a blackout (sensory overload). But if the mind is kept perfectly
nonverbal, there will be no resistance no matter how strong the force (even 1,000,00
times 0 = 0).

There was on old Star Trek episode (I only like the old ones). Captain Kirk, Spock and
Bones were trapped in a force field. Finally, Spock realized that the way to get out was to
clear the mind of thoughts. The force field was powered by thoughts and resistance! How
profound!

Back to the television... there are really an infinite number of channels. And the Watcher
can actually function on many at the same time. Just wanted to make that clear.

Snap Back. If the body is disturbed, you become afraid, if any number of things happen,
you might feel yourself snapping back to your body. You might sense movement at great
speed or you might just feel a jerk as you enter your body. This is typical in early
experiences and rare with more experience (unless someone touches your body -- which
you should have planned for/against). With a snap back, you might suddenly find your
heart and respiration racing. Calm down and don't move. In fact, don't move for a few
minutes. Let your astral body properly realign itself to the physical.

Catalepsy Or Waking-Up Paralysis. Well, it often happens again! This is the reverse of
what happens when you leave your body. When you return, there is a transition time
when you cannot move. Don't try to move for few minutes. Just rest comfortably. Your
recollection is greatest right now! This is the time to translate what happened during your
OOBE into words and thoughts. This may sound hard but with practice it is sort of like
clicking on a file and unzipping it! Really.

Going "Out" Again -- And Again. The attachment between your physical and astral
bodies is very weak when you first return. It is often easier to leave the body again during
the return paralysis. Sometimes you might be able to go back and forth several times. It
feels a little like bouncing or being in two places at the same time. This is a good time to
practice your exit and entry techniques. The more times you do it the more you will be
able to do it! I hear from many people who have left their bodies more than 100 times --
sometimes many times in a single session.

The Intruders. Hey, who are those three guys (or women) behind me, watching me,
inching closer. I want to stand up and run away! Don't get excited. This is normal. Maybe
they are your guides, maybe they are your Watcher. Maybe it's just that you feel very
vulnerable because you can't move yet. If you have taken the proper precautions before
you left your body (secured the room, among other things), you should feel perfectly
safe. If the entities persist, non-verbally thank them for their help and ask them to identify
themselves.
Record Your Experiences. After you regain complete physical control, promptly write
down or tape record the highlights of your OOBE. At least in the beginning, this will help
you with the remembering and with the translation process. It is a process. People project
without knowing it! Leaving the body is really not about separation mechanics as much
as it is about training yourself to function non-verbally and remember what happens.

The Failure Of Words. Try to write down the highlights of your experience. But don't be
surprised if words fail you. Who says that words can express EVERYTHING?
Sometimes when I try to describe my experiences I reach a point where I get tongue tied
-- so overwhelmed by the enormity of it all that I become nonsensical. Sometimes, to
define is to defile. Also, one of my teachers often advised that I not dilute the experience
by talking about it. He was a very wise man.

Physical Disorientation. You might feel physically disoriented after your first few
experiences. You might feel dizzy or just not "right." Once in a while I had difficulty
walking correctly -- and I probably could not walk and chew gum at the same time! The
best remedy for me was a quick nap. Your astral body naturally realigns itself after a nap.
The best way to avoid disorientation all together is to take the time to properly align
yourself when you return to your body. Don't just jump up!

Close The Chakras. If you've opened them, close them now. I don't think about this much
but people are always warning me to do it so I've included it here.

Automation -- Autoexec File. After a while most of the steps described here become
automated, so to speak. Instead of going through each step consciously, you might just set
the mood and go. A similar thing happens when you switch on your computer. Your
autoexec file saves you time and trouble by loading the required files, running diagnostics
and getting to the correct initial directory. But remember -- if you cannot consciously
OOBE (or remember it afterwards), one of the main problems may be that you've already
unconsciously automated the process and your consciousness was left "out of the loop."
Learning to have OOBEs is more a matter of learning to consciously tag along and to do
this you might have to edit your autoexec codes.

Heightened Awareness in "Ordinary" Consciousness. You have opened the door. Don't be
surprised when you just "know" things. Your view of Channel 0 (the physical plane) may
begin to be accented by scenes from the higher channels. Don't be surprised, either, if the
Watcher starts to be more active... after all, you've begun to enter his/her realm. Take care
that your OOBE activities do not make you lose your common sense or neglect your
family, work and other responsibilities.

Intuition Of Impending OOBEs. Once you get the knack of it, you will generally know
when you're primed and ready to go astral. Sometimes you will just know that it will not
happen or should not happen. Go with your intuition. At other times, you will feel the
need to go "out" without knowing why. The reason will usually present itself at the right
time.

Hey, I Sense That You Can Do It Too! When you get that feeling you might stop and say,
"Hmmmm." People who do this tend to recognize each other pretty quickly. They seem
like old friends (sometimes lovers). This is hard to explain but perhaps you know what I
mean. But you certainly should be discreet about it. Don't run up to people and say, "Hey,
can you leave your body?" They will probably think you are nuts. And maybe they are
not consciously aware of their own abilities. Perhaps you met before on Channel 36. Can
they remember that? Can you?

A Reluctance To Talk About It. You might consider your gift to be a secret to be carefully
guarded. Depending on your social and personal environment, you might be right. I think
99% of the people who do this are reluctant to speak about it -- unless they get involved
with an understanding circle of friends who share the gift. Those of us who write about
the experience tend to have a weird split personality -- mega-nonverbal and mega-verbal
at the same time (or able to switch back and forth easily).

A Changed Attitude About Death. You've been out of your physical body. It wasn't so
bad, was it? In fact, it felt like returning home. Your views about death might need to be
revised. It's not that you are looking forward to death -- but you are not running away
from it either.

What Is Your Astral Body Doing Right Now? Now this question can be asked. If I asked
it earlier it might not have made as much sense. Your astral body does not simply lie
dormant in your physical body waiting for you to activate it. No way! It is always active.
Sometimes you can shift your focus to it and we call that an OOBE. But at other times it
is fully active while you are awake. Back to the Watcher. It can "watch" or network the
various aspects of your "self" quite nicely.
You can use your astral while you are physical. Try giving it a task and then be sensitive
to the signals it will give you when the mission is completed. Listen for the "tiny" voice.
If you ignore it, it won't be as cooperative the next time you ask.

Highest And Best Use -- Your "Calling." Why do you think you can do this? For
amusement? Certainly not! Find the reason... seek it during OOBEs if you like. Find what
it is you are to do and try your best to do it. I think we all have the duty to try to raise the
consciousness of the planet (maybe more than that) just a little. And remember, you are
physical for a reason. That reason is not to always leave your body! You wanted to be
here. Astral projection is just a small part of the plate you have set for yourself.

I Can't Do It Again No Matter How Hard I Try -- That Free Pass. I've added this category
because so many people complain to me about it. If your first OOBE was spontaneous --
I think of such OOBEs as a "free pass" -- you might have difficulty repeating it unless
you engage in a disciplined, long-term course of OOBE training. What I mean by this is a
free pass gets you "out" despite your hectic work schedule, poor health, unfocused mind,
lack of effort, etc. But to do it again you're going to have to work at it. You don't get
many free passes in life! The above also applies if you began to experience OOBEs
during your childhood or teenage years and then lost the ability.