Hey thanks Lumaza! This is a really cool thread. I'm definitely going to practice this!!
Thank you for not saying you were going to "try" this. In my mind, you either do it or you don't. In the past, I created a thread here on the Astral Pulse based solely on the word "try" and why it's counterproductive.
I also like the affirmation mentioned that you do every night. I am going to implement this. I too feel like the word "dream" feels like its a separate "fake" experience or something. I feel more comfortable calling it an experience. I've been changing my affirmations here and there though which I don't think is working for me. I will use yours if thats okay. It looks like a very complete affirmation.
As with everything else in this practice, my affirmation too has evolved. I begin with the same "By my act of will, I release my focus over my physical body". I then say "I am consciously aware in my sleep, KNOWING my physical body lies here safely and soundly in my bed". Not only has the word "Dream" been totally emitted. I state that I "know" I am still physically in bed. I find that that added part of the affirmation really help. At least it does with my own success. I become lucid in my nocturnal experiences almost nightly now.
The only input I would have for you is to do what works. I utilize myself and teach the importance of color/geometric shape and motion because I find it kind of tricks the mind into gear. Each aspect almost immediately creates a mental association.
On your battle to keep your mind clear. I don't find that a problem. I utilize the "monkey mind" to my advantage as well. The "monkey mind" will create mental associations as well. I especially like it when "memories" kick in. I find that "memories" seem to come from the "mind's eye" as it is. The trick though is to lock onto whatever presents itself. Allow that to become your new reality, at least for your session that is.
Do what works for you. You know yourself much better than I do, lol. I only present things that have been studied for years, like "mental associations" for instance. Think of a ink blot test. What do you see in it? What form appears in the puffy cloud that you watch?
I also like to utilize "mental imprints" to my advantage. It's a great way to "jump start" an NPR adventure. What's that? Tonight, turn all you lights in your TV or computer room off. All you want to see is the TV screen/computer screen at this point. After about 20 minutes of just staring at your screen, turn your TV off, or your computer screen. Immediately close your eyes. What's left over there? For a brief moment you will see the outline of your TV screen. That rectangular imprint will still be there. It will quickly fade away. The trick is, keep it there. When it fades out, will it back. Keep up this little mental tug-o-war for a few minutes and you may begin to feel the initial signposts of a shift in your consciousness. Ignore those exit symptoms and stay the course on your mental target. Now the target will begin to morph anew. Don't fight it. Stay with the new occurrence. To me, that Astral Projection 101. That Art of Phasing. Your goal being to shift your reality, while consciously aware of it. Now, I know many people are going to say that they can't hold the image or that some other thought(s) invade that space. If and when they do, utilize them to your advantage. As long as those thoughts are not on what your physical body is doing right now, they themselves will tend to create their own visuals. When they do, lock on and explore them further. Astral Travel or non-ordinary shifts in consciousness is all about losing your focus on your physical body while the shift in consciousness "naturally" occurs. How you do that is up to you. I know you realize that Perspective. I am just saying that for other people's benefit that may be reading this post right now.
Not only has my ability to experience to have a shift in consciousness while totally aware evolve, the wire work that I "channel" has as well. Here is few photos of a wire Pegasus Sculpture I was commissioned to create. This one was a first. I have never attempted a Horse before. It was definitely a learning experience.
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