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Two points I would like to add about Rundowns:

1  Complete relaxation is key. And for me that means I can't just lay down and twenty minutes later, be disassociated enough for it to work. So, it's an 'opportunity technique' for me. When I wake up in the middle of the night or early morning or during a nap; that's when this can work brilliantly for me. I think it may also have to do with the subconscious dreaming mechanism being somewhat engaged and ready to go. That's how the Rundown takes over and starts to run itself.

2  Rhythm and movement. For me, the walk in the park or on the beach just doesn't do it. What I have found helpful is to visualize an activity that has vigorous, rhythmic movement, especially up and down: Snow skiing a mogul field, snowboarding, sledding, dancing, horse jumping, motocross, mountain biking...you get the idea.
(and a tip of the hat to Selski for her famous Trampoline Rundown!)

The first time for me was quite by accident: Middle of the night gastro distress had me propped-up in bed. As I slowly sank back towards sleep some slight hypnogogia began and I somehow visualized sledding down a hill and over some bumps. Very quickly the visual took over by itself and I felt myself get turned around so that now I was sledding backwards. I didn't fight the contradiction and let it continue. The next instant I phased and was dumped on my back from like four feet in the air onto a gravel road out in the country on a dark wintry night. The reality of it was stunning and I laughed and stood, dusted myself off and took off from there.

stuartduke-

What everyone is telling you is correct and suggesting that you need to re-define and broaden your idea of what astral projection is. RV, AP, RTZ, LD and D are all contained within the continuum that BFP described and that I personally just refer to as Non-Physical Reality. That encompasses much of my personal experience and even so, I remain open to broadening and altering my understanding of it as my experiences and knowledge improve; and I know it will! 

It is what Leland refers to as a 'provisional belief'. I carry a bunch of those in my pockets!

And to answer your question, yes you can move from a Lucid Dream into an Astral Projection; and in more than one way. You can dissolve the Dream with the Intent of appearing where you want to be, or you can look for a suitable portal and enter it, again expressing the proper Intent. What often happens for me is to let the dream fade and I find myself in the Void; then I can go from there (a bit more stable that way).

The question then follows- Are all areas of the Astral open to us? And the answer to that may be a provisional "No."

At least according to two of the most experienced, published explorers Monroe and Leland...and it's been my experience.

You are somewhat restricted in your travels until certain rules are understood and certain skills are developed and demonstrated. Emotional control is a big one, critical thinking skills are another. There are lessons to be learned, starting with your earliest experiences (I wish somebody could have emphasized the importance of that to me several decades ago! Lol)

That may be a general rule, so of course, there are likely to be exceptions. Everybody is different and unique in their abilities and certain conditions may exist where you are allowed a brief visit somewhere.

So finally, try some different things, go for it! Just don't forget that the Lucid Dream you are trying to step 'out' of...it's there for a reason.

I have felt the same tension between those chakras; I think it is simply an indication that they are active and the source for powering up your projection, as opposed to many early projectors experiencing root/sacral excitation; so I think this is a good thing. More than that I don't know because, like you, when I've noticed it and tried to make use of it, I haven't been able to.

Maybe one of the others with more knowledge in this area can chime in and educate us both!

The 'pull' I was describing doesn't relate to the chakras, at least for me. This pull is more of an overall gravity kind of pull that occurs when a visualized scene has become so solid that it starts pulling me into the scene. I've gone too early and mentally stepped into the scene only to get bounced back. If I then wait half a minute longer for the scene to strengthen, I can usually pop right in.

Everything you are reading and the techniques you are describing sound good. It takes time and often comes in somewhat frustratingly small baby steps; that's okay, it just means you get the lesson that much stronger.

However you get to that stage where you are just "noticing", that is the key attitude; no emotion, no involvement, just noticing. You may get landscapes or peopled scenes...just keep noticing until you begin to feel a "pull" into the scene. Slightly resist that pull initially until it builds and finally you can make a complete transition into the presented scene. You may bounce back at first, if so, let the pressure build until you feel the release point.

One method to get you into these visualizations is to perform a Rundown. Visualize yourself doing a ryhthmic activity such as dancing, skiing, surfing, snowboarding, trampoline, biking, etc...the idea is ryhthmic movement which eventually takes on a life of its own until you literally get dumped into a scene.

These early exits are somewhat haphazard and accidental, until our inner selves begin to understand just what we are looking for.

Hope that gives some ideas.

EV

Fourth-

Like you, I had years of RTZ type projections and I was left wondering about the "greater Astral Worlds" and why I wasn't automatically getting there. None of the books available at the time could tell me; it really wasn't until I discovered the Pulse back in 2006 that I started to pick up hints as to why my experiences hadn't progressed much. Things began moving at that point.

We can discuss for hours the definition of "real" or the "map" of the NP (Non-Physical): the Physical world in relation to the so-called RTZ to the personal Dreamspace to the Focus Levels to the personal Astral to the Astral Proper to the Mental plane...we can and will disagree about some of the terms or how they are defined or even how useful or limiting they may be as labels to what we are currently experiencing...until we even get to the truth Xanth is continually pointing out to anyone who is ready to listen -that labels and demands of proof are relative terms and they should eventually be transcended. The truth is within the experience regardless of how it came about.

With that said, in the early stages it is helpful to have some kind of roadmap; but having a roadmap is one thing; knowing how to read it is another. Knowing how to read your personal roadmap means looking for, recognizing and acting upon the information and clues given in your current experiences. Every experience you have in the NP is a test/challenge/lesson; it is trying to teach you something and until you learn you go no further.

Your current experiences seem to show that you are poised to move into the next stage but that there are one or more key realizations you need to achieve.

Does that help to jump-start your thinking?

From the way you describe your experience, I would say that you are not just close, but actually arrived at your goal: an OBE. You described it correctly: these early situations are often experienced with semi-lucid awareness and they will be somewhat confusing and a little frustrating. Semi-lucid will eventually increase to full lucidity; it takes Intent and determination.

With time and practice, you will begin to see the desirability of developing and expanding your NP awareness/mindset.

The old man you encountered may have been a form of guide or may have been a self-generated thought form from your subconscious. Hard to say in these early stages.

Good experience!

People define this energy/exit sensation in different ways. I am not entirely certain, but it does feel like rapid heartbeat and heart chakra energization, at least for me. This sensation will begin to diminish pretty quickly over time, so don't become too concerned with it.

When you notice it, just tell yourself to remain calm and continue with the experience. It's just another sensation to notice, register and file away as you move through the experience.

EV

I will throw in a few more ideas to consider-

1 -I like the Wake, Back To Bed technique that you have described, but I prefer to get up and perform some minor activity for 20 to 40 minutes before returning to bed and going into Trance. This way, I'm mentally awake but my body is still tired enough to slip back into sleep without dragging my awareness along with it.

2 -Also, besides the rope tech, you might try something called a Rundown. This is a visualization that involves any kind of rhythmic movement like skating, skiing, snowboarding, surfing, trampoline, etc...you get the idea. At some point in the visualization, the action takes over by itself and you find yourself transitioning into a different environment.

3 -don't get frustrated with yourself, you are doing all the right things to set the conditions for success. I am also a fan of Affirmations, so make use of them and keep them positive. Understand that the decision to AP is not just a simple 'I think I'll AP today' kind of decision. There is probably an inner discussion taking place within you between you, your inner self and your higher self. You are seeking permission within. This may take awhile so direct some affirmations towards that goal as well.

4 -The sensations you are getting: tunnels, energy body movement, detachment feelings....these are all good and normal signs that you are getting closer.

Rinse, wash, repeat...

To clarify a little-

The Void is not 'showing you the borders of your Dreamspace'. I proposed that your dream about bumping your head into the ceiling above the clouds was possibly showing you a boundary of your Dreamspace.

The Void is a separate 'place' altogether. And actually it's not a place but rather a state of consciousness/awareness or a point of focus. It may be a purely personal space or it might be a common area located between various Astral areas. As you have correctly described, most explorers enter the Void when leaving a scene, not on the way to it, rather upon exiting an experience.

The spheres you encountered helped you to recall a NP memory that was normally unavailable to your Physical self. This is an event that shows you that you have another set of memories and critical awareness available to you in the Astral. Think about that for awhile...

Confusion upon your waking is normal; confusion, frustration, bafflement occurs from time to time; just go with the flow as best you can. This is where the humor helps...

Go to the Astral Consciousness Forum and read the sticky by Contenteo- Conceptual Framework of the Astral. It's a helpful reference and the whole thread has excellent information, I was especially helped by CFT's comments.

Good recall!

Newoldsoul -That is the moment (and memorize the feel of it) when you went blank. It is a natural, instinctive moment where your thoughts end...and you are left with ______ this is where the shift can occur and if you keep your emotions under control and your attention open, then the shift can occur and you may notice the transition and you find yourself in a new environment.

Well done!

I just caught up with this thread. You have been given much good advice from very experienced travelers.

If you haven't tried it before, then I especially like the affirmation suggestions; this is a very practical form of re-programming; also, I would add the idea of requesting permission to do AP from your inner/higher self. Ask for awareness in your dreams -is a good start.

A second idea is to alternate the timing of your attempts: try waking up 2 hours early and then trancing. Try the WBTB-Wake, Back To Bed technique. As a sub-technique, research Rundowns: a specific visualization format to follow as your physical body slips back into sleep. Movement and rhythm are the keys to this...we are all somewhat unique in what works for us initially and then it even changes over time; quite the challenge!

Third -take a complete break for two weeks and forget about the whole AP thing...sometimes we plateau and need recovery/assimilation time...the rule seems to be that if nothing is working, it may be a message to quit for awhile...why? Your guess is as good as mine. Lol

Many of our early experiences happen almost by accident, so a variety of techniques and attempts is what is necessary until we stumble into a few experiences and our inner self starts to understand what we want.

A big part of it is simply being open to whatever experience presents itself.

Superb question soarin12!

How do we each define 'deeper'?

I think of it as my level of awareness/lucidity + my depth/complexity of experience + or not, my understanding of the message coming through/if I even get the message!

It takes me/pushes me to go beyond, in order to understand it...

Another topic deserving a Sticky!

Nice, EV.

I haven't checked the link out yet, but I have to say this:

I have been projecting for nearly forty years and had nothing more than what I later learned are hypnagogic distractions. Don't get me wrong, these can be horrendous when they spin out of control! They can scare the crap out of you, but they can't hurt you; although it doesn't feel that way in the moment.

Monroe and Bruce, describing various 'negs' that attack and attach...haven't had any that I've recognized. Maybe I haven't spent enough time in the RTZ/Etheric areas, maybe not been deep enough into the Astral Proper as opposed to the Personal; for me, it's still inconclusive.

Maybe I don't carry the personal baggage that attracts them; but I seriously doubt I am that 'clean'...I know that I have plenty of issues that might cause me problems out there! Lol

This is such a good post no amount of money can pay for...

Thank you Szaxx.

I like what both LightBeam and BFP have suggested for you to consider. The 'click' is a great indicator a shift has happened.

I would also suggest these ideas:

1 -You are caught slightly between methods of exit (and that is normal): Phasing directly and the traditional thinking of a semi-physical, etheric exit. My thought is that you should add some affirmations along either path to reinforce your confidence of achieving an exit. These are simple, positive statements that indicate your desire to transition (however) into the next dimension. That might give you the final push you need, because you are very close.

LB and BFP are telling you the same thing in slightly differing ways: your consciousness needs to accept that your focus is always accessible from different perspectives. The trick is keeping up with the shift! I'm just trying to explain it in slightly different words.

Affirmations may help this, but the key is being open and aware enough to adjusting your perception as the shift occurs.

Jeez, I even need to think about that for awhile...lol

You are very welcome and I am glad that gave you some ideas to consider!

The 3D Blackness/The Void -your description indicates that this is where you are ending up at times. That's a good thing; you just need to realize where you are. The Void is where many experienced projectors transition to for various reasons. Sometimes it is because we haven't expressed an Intent strongly enough or clearly enough; sometimes it is because we have transitioned without a clear destination in mind; sometimes it is a hint that our Guides/Higher Self put us there to be ready to transition into a Lesson.

Either way, the Void is an excellent place to launch into any scene/dimension we desire...it is totally open and simply waiting for us to express a proper Intent. It is also a great place to hang out and relax within...but don't be surprised if someone doesn't telepathically tap you on the shoulder like someone did for me in my Fieldtrip Experience.Lol

Your parallel universe dream is quite interesting and strikes me two possible ways: 1 -This was a symbolic representation of your relationship that 'bumped into' its eventual limits and thus the relationship was ending; 2 -It could also be an astral dream space experience that showed you to the limits of your personal Dreamspace, symbolically bumping your head against the ceiling, Lol. Maybe it serves both translations?! Either way, a cool experience!

That's great Sagar! Well done and congrats!!!

In many of our early obes, we miss the initial transition and have brief experiences. Just know that you will spend a little more time NP each time you make the transition. Be ready to 'ground' yourself by maintaining your lucidity and staying calm and observant. Grounding can include asking for 'clarity', touching and holding any object in your local vicinity, even spinning in place or looking at your hands...you're looking to stabilize your consciousness in this new dimension. Also, having a clear Intent is important: to go somewhere or to visit someone or to have a lesson; I know that's not easy when an OBE just happens unplanned, but it's something to be aware of. There are many 'options' you will become aware of and add to your mental repertoire. 

Also, be sure to take a good meditative minute to thank all those NP personalities that probably helped you with this: any Guides and your Higher Self. Reinforce the idea that this is what you want to experience and learn from. This can be an important communication to maintain.

Nicely done!

This may be your personal interpretation of what many of us experience as the 3 Dimensional Void/Blackness.

Most explorers experience an infinite flat blackness that has some kind of indescribable depth to it (hence the 3D). A smaller percentage get the multitude of pinpoint lights as you describe.

When expressing an Intent or request to shift to a new perspective, most experience a shift in the 2 dimensional quality which attracts their attention. This may be represented by your swirling black/inkblot smoke experience.

It's very good that you notice the 'feeling' associated with the experience. Getting familiar with and learning from this 'feeling' in all Astral experiences is beneficial and necessary to your progress.

It's your personal launch-point, maybe...enjoy! Get to know it, make it your best friend! Express your Intent and GO!!!

Have fun!

You have touched on several important issues that can be explored.

Interaction is obviously a huge part of this; but you need to realize a few things going in.

1 -Many, if not most of the people you run into in your early NP experiences will be manifestations from your subconscious dreaming side. That seems disappointing to realize but understand that many things are occurring in these experiences. This is a form of initial training to prepare you for deeper Astral journeys; it's also a method for your Higher Self to communicate to you and work through some personal issues; it's also a set of experiences to help you develop your NP personality and an entirely new set of NP senses. Think long and hard about these senses, you've already had a taste of them: communication, intent, movement, recognition, distance...etc.

You will get goofy, confusing metaphors like the people underwater, talking about you. Lol

2 -Your plans can change when you are NP. This can be confusing but may indicate that your Higher Self or a Guide is pushing you towards a learning experience. Be open to this and go with the flow. It's actually a great opportunity! Over time, you begin to realize that you can't just sneak into the Astral unnoticed...you are always being watched and tested. This is also an indicator of your NP personality being developed; it's different from your Physical personality in subtle ways; notice this.

3 -The Void or the room of nothing...can you describe this a little more? How or when do you end up there?

4 -Intent. This is a very important concept and ability to understand and develop. Every action in the NP must first involve a very clear application of Intent.

5 -When your Intent fails, when your requests fail...it's time to look elsewhere. If nothing is shouting for your attention, then put out an open request such as 'Show me the most important lesson I need to learn!'

Again, good experiences and good analysis!

IMO the answer is that no one online can or will obtain the information you seek, to any quality, at least no one you can really trust, other than to take your money.

It's better to try a local psychic talent who has a good reputation; you need an in-person meeting with this person; it's a must. And then you should be circumspect, at a minimum. Forget the local psychic house that has a sign out front, these are 99% frauds...get some referrals before asking and paying.

What information are you seeking?

Whether it's from our Higher Selves or Guides, yes there is plenty of humor! From my experience, it's a humor of the more subtle variety.

In one of my recent experiences -Grass, Gravel and an Old Friend-, I was relaxing and trying to form a portal through which to phase; wasn't having success with it and then a circle of green appeared in the darkness. As I focused in on it, I realized that it was a patch of grass. That's an odd thing for a portal I thought. Then I laughed inwardly as I realized ANY image would be useful as a portal so Why not this one? And at that point I had already phased and was standing in a field staring down at the grass.

Afterward, while wondering about why the image of grass had appeared, the humor of the message came through to me. I was being shown that 'Indeed, the grass IS greener on the Other Side!'

I like Sagar's read on this experience. At some point, relatively early on, you get a huge fear test to see what your response will be. It's okay to blow the first one or two, but at some point, when a fear scene just suddenly bursts on you...you have to have the instinctive knowing that you are Non-Physical and that nothing can hurt you. That should eliminate the fear response...how you then react is part of the next test.

And it won't be just the once. They check you from time to time, but your instincts get better over time. Welcome to the NPR!

Nice, gutsy response Sagar.

FA's are a good example of an early projection with low/incorrect awareness; but it's still a good start, your Intention to have an OBE worked, it got through to your subconscious, so it gave you one. Now the trick is to carry some more awareness into the experience. FA's can happen anytime, even for more experienced projectors. Ignore the confusion of local scene differences. These are distractions you must move beyond. Just go with the flow.

Whether it was your mom's dreaming self, your expectation of her, or some combination of the two is very difficult to determine. But it is an interaction and good, nonetheless. Good experience, good analysis.

The times I have had telepathic communication, Downloads and a few Imprints, were simply transcendent experiences. I start to try to describe them in words but realize later that I have been staring at the keyboard for ten minutes, Lol.

Personally, I don't have a problem with labels, at least for a time or up to a certain point within a discussion. There eventually comes a point where we have to necessarily drill down or narrow the definition of a term or phrase to properly share a meaning or drop it completely and move on to a new definition. Can labels be traps? Sure, but I think OBE discussion keeps things pretty fluid, at least nowadays; this isn't the 1800's... Without a common agreement on certain words and their general definitions, we would never get anywhere in our discussions. We could argue indefinitely about what the meaning of 'is' is...

With that said, we have to first accept certain labels' limitations, but then be ready to expand them or move beyond them. That goes for phrases, descriptors, idioms, even syntax at times, lol...discussing NPR experiences really pushes the boundaries of common language. That's why certain NPR experiences absolutely defy translation into language that we share: words just don't convey the full meaning or sense of the event. What's the word? Ineffable. Maybe some language other than English might better convey the meaning of a particular concept, but for our convenience, most of us here use English.

Labels provide a certain convenience of common, although temporary and transient, agreement amongst many of us. Somebody new to this site will be very confused and put off initially by terms and acronyms like OBE or RTZ or NPR (what's that? National Public Radio? No...Non-Physical Reality) Physical and Rotes and data packets and Downloads and Negs and Imprints, Badlands Experiences, Retrievals, Training Zone, Dream Zone, Astral Proper, Intent, Invisible Helpers...etcetera...good grief! Just think if English isn't your first language!

So all these labels define our experiences, at least for a time, but for those who have experienced them firsthand, it is plainly apparent that they only do a partial job of defining the experience; they are incomplete.

So we have to remain open to their eventual re-definition or throwing out the old and the acceptance of a completely new conceptual description.

As to the magical power of language and words and metaphorical representations, yes the power is there. That's what is so good when an experience is transcribed into such a powerful metaphor that it stands the test of time and translates so effectively across multiple cultures.
EV