Who here knows anyone who could use a bit more of an open mind? Alternatively, how about people who need to be a bit more closed minded?

So very true. In the search for truth, it's easy to get wrapped around concepts that don't apply. Look at all the New Age books out there. Someone a bit too open-minded could really get pulled into some crap. And a closed minded person would be limited on what they learn. It's hard to find a balance in life. I guess that why times of peace are interrupted by times of war.

Still, confusing, you mean there is a specific level of relaxation that is enough, you don't need to go overboard? right?

When I started, relaxation was probably the most important thing for me. I had to put much of my attention (or lack of attention) into being able to relax.

Now, the more that I get into focus 10, the more my body does the relaxation itself. I don't have to worry about it as much, and instead put my attention towards focus 10 and away from my body. I had an OBE where I was very aware out of body, but could still sense my physical body. I remember moving my tongue around a little and realizing I still had a little control over my physical body. I don't think I was totally asleep, which confused me with the "mind awake, body asleep" phrase.

I was reading something recently by Bruce Moen, where he said he's nearly always aware of his physical body during an OBE. He said that's just the way it's always been for him.

When I started, I got all kinds of pains. It took about 2 - 3 weeks to go away.

I think it could be new energy that opens up, and it takes a little while for your body to become accustom to it and balance it. If it gets to be too much, take a break for a few days and try again.

If it is a "construct", doesn't that make the RTZ nomore than a lucid dream based on what you percieve to be reality?

If that's the case, then you can also consider the physical to be a lucid dream. In the consciousness continuum, the RTZ would be considered as close to physical consciousness as you can get without being physical. I think when it starts to get all dream-like, you're consciousness is moving away from the physical world where other influences (your imagination)can start to enter your consciousness. It's what some call an over-lay experience.

I'm not an expert, but I believe the etheric realm is real in the sense that it's a double of the physical world. When it's not an exact double, it's an over-lay, or like Stevo says, totally astral.

I've experienced this a lot.  As strange as this sounds, I experience it best when I go to the movies. Before the previews start and people are still coming in, I can kind of "de-focus" my eyes, and the entire theater fills up with a fog. If I keep my mind clear and stop internal dialog, it will get so thick I can't see anything but the fog. It's very easy to lose concentration on it.

About 2 weeks ago, I was meditating and was in a good focus 10, when there was a loud sound from outside that jolted me and made me immediately open my eyes. For about 2 seconds, all I could see was a multi-colored "fog" in the room.

I don't know what to make of it. Maybe it's similar to seeing auras?

I've also experienced music as a "living entity" pulsating in the room and had to turn it down, it was so dominating (even though it wasn't loud in the first place). Music is a big change for me. Music itself becomes totally encompassing. Time slows down and each note is enhanced beautifully.

I've also had very psychadelic experiences with music. On one such occaision, I couldn't distinguish a difference between myself and the music, where I stopped and it started. I was totally one with each note and tone. It seemed to happen outside of time.

I've always felt music to be a very spiritual thing in my life.

Or should I say I don't need to know what things are called to enjoy/experience them. I like to experience - I love to enjoy - regardless. That might be seen as shallow to some people, but I don't care really.

I don't see it shallow at all. Getting out-of-body is good enough for me, right now. Who cares if I can see my body or not? The experience alone proves that "you" aren't your body.

Monroe says in "Ultimate Journey" that at TMI they've traveled all around space - in the context that they haven't found any other phsyical intelligences.

..i felt that most folks were buls***ting about their alleged experiences..

Nobody can prove their OBE experiences. I've had success with the Gateway Hemi-sync, so I'm sure the program has got to have it's benefits for some. However, if nothing happened after spending that much money, I could see how someone would be inclined to lie about it.

I wonder what percentage of people continue to OBE after going to TMI?

"One cannot be peaceful without being suffered first."

That reminds me of a man named Jesus... according to some, he "suffered" so we don't have to.

"Can peace be defined without understanding of the dark side?"

I guess that's why he decended into hell first.

I'm not trying to preach Christianity to anyone. It's just what popped into my mind when I read it.

You can find the NEW exercises here:

http://www.astraldynamics.com

Go to NEW energy ways for beginners. I can't speak for others, but I started benefiting almost immediately, with a few side-effects I had to work through. I found it fairly easy to concentrate on the exercises, which in turn means I focus AWAY from all those things you talk about. You can do them separate or with your other meditations, as well as at work or school.

You're going to have to fill me in on this one.
2012?
Myans?
Merkaba?
Bi-location?

I didn't get that memo.

I have been in your situation and know exactly what you're talking about. The good thing is, you're close. What I did was just kept at it. Kept getting to the vibrations, followed by nervousness which would kill it. Then one night the same vibes came, I got nervous, but they continued to get more intense anyways. Next thing you know I'm out-of-body. After that single experience, I've never gotten nervous when the vibes hit. I look forward to it and stay confident through it.

So stick with it, (it sounds like you're really,really close) and when the vibes hit, do your best to lay there and clear your mind - let them come to you. Something that TVOS suggested to me was to try rolling around in your body, like a log, and roll out. After an experience, the fear will subside.

Good Luck!

I constantly get these super-loud cracking sounds, similar to a gunshot, accompanied by a jolt that goes from head to toe. I believe it's fairly common. But my etheric body dosen't leave through my head - at least not when I've been aware.

I'm a side sleeper, and have never been able to sleep on my back. But when I meditate or use my Gateway CD's, I always lay on my back - with headphones on you have to. I've been doing this long enough to where it's programmed in my brain, like said:

"lying on the back = meditation/exploration, lying face down = sleep"

It's funny this came up because I had a strange experience last night. I've never had a lucid dream before, but in a dream last night I made a terrible decision and thought, "hey, this has GOT to be a dream. What around me can verify this". Immediately I noticed the environment was all wrong as to where I was supposed to be. Next thing I know, I woke up in bed, and I was lying on my back! Like I said, I've been a side sleeper my whole life, and I thought it was strange, with the dream and all.

Anyways, I'm sure the environment in those CHEC units are designed specifically for what your worried about. You're not supposed to fall asleep in them. That's what the Gateway program is about - helping you get around these obstacles. I'm sure they've run into these questions several times before, and can tell you exactly how to fix it.

I'm envious - If I had the cash...