Messages

[intentionally]

To Phase like Frank teaches and is what I generally practice, you must learn not to be so "body-centric" (if that's even a word, lol). I think body centered sounds better. You still seem to have a strong focus on your physical vessel, aka your physical body. Release that as soon as you can. Allow your rundown to lead you to the place of your intent or what normally occurs with me, the place/destination you "need" to see at that  time, the experience you "need" to have. Become a simple point of consciousness with no "limitations" and you will see that your experiences intensify greatly. Other than that, you are doing great! Keep it up!  

Thanks for pointing out that I am a bit body-centric. I know Frank's method doesn't really rely on the body much too.

I guess I've been struggling a bit with what to do after the pre-planned portion of the rundown is complete. If you read some examples of Frank's rundown, he usually follows a series of events that correspond to the Wave 1 of the Gateway Experience. I have crafted my rundown based on that.

However, the audio, as well as the rundown itself kind of has a "conclusion" of sorts. It's like a story that has a beginning and end. I know that I don't need to the rundown to end, but I'm not sure what to do after the planned portion of the rundown has completed. Should I stare into the darkness? Let my mind free roam? If I continue to intentionally visualize scenarios for too long, I think it pulls me back to the physical.

I'm also not sure when you end a practice session. Typically, I just practice until I feel that the experience is no longer deepening and I've begun to lose the "feeling" of the practice. I sort of get an indication from my subconscious/intuition that today's session is complete.

Updated comment: I think I may understand my solution to my question above. You mention, "Allow your rundown to lead you to the place of your intent or what normally occurs with me..." That is kind of what I did in the last session. I got to a certain point where my mind was ready to shift and I let it happen and gave up the pre-planned rundown. If my rundown has come to a conclusion and my my hasn't shifted yet, perhaps that is an indication that that session is complete for the day. (My mind usually performs some sort of shift before the end of the rundown.)

[Practice Session - 6-24-2020 @ 7:00PM:]

Practice Session - 6-24-2020 @ 7:00PM:

I followed the same general pattern for my mental rundown. This time I used a location that was familiar and important to me. Summary below:

• When my rundown nears its end, I'm often very close to entering an altered state of consciousness. My rundown consists of traveling to a far off location, and eventually traveling through a door that leads back to where my body is located. I see my body and look at it. I then lay next to it in the bed and begin to feel my physical body merging with this "phantom" image (for lack of better words).
• After practicing this merger for a few minutes, I began to feel waves of relaxation flow over my body. Afterwards, my body was fluctuating between extremely heavy and relaxed and me not being able to sense my limbs at all.
• My mind began to calm down even further. I began to enter the "void" as I call it. The void, to me, is where my physical body is no longer in the forefront of my mind. It simply has faded away and I just "exist."
• At first, when I reached this state, I continually tried to continue my merging of the phantom body. However, after about a minute, I realized that I need to let go of that imaginative scenario and just my body and mind go deeper.
• Once I let go, I began to see flashes of random things. I saw strange metallic claw-like contraptions, beautiful scenery, and other abstract images. The images were not vivid in the sense that I was "there," but more so like an extremely vivid mental picture. Much more vivid than if I intentionally tried to conjure up an image, but also less vivid than daily life.
• I can't fully remember exactly what I saw afterwards, but I remember thinking that I was encountering unbridled imagination. I've heard of famous inventors (Tesla, Edison, etc.) entering a similar state when exploring new ideas. I can imagine that a person could "come up with," or be "given" extremely unique ideas in this state.
• The state was very relaxing and felt far more natural than it has in the past. I didn't experience any sort of anxieties. This is progress.
• In addition, I had minutes of small vibrations, a few moments of various buzzing sounds, and what sounded like a voice for brief moment.

Overall, the session was good. I can see myself making progress, especially from where I started. I'm trying not to focus so much on "leaving the body," but instead entering the non-physical in the way that Frank Keppler described it. Which to me, is more like allowing the non-physical to come to the forefront of your consciousness to the point where you merge with it.

Also, as a note, I've been practicing daily even though I may not post daily. I will post when something substantially new occurs, every few days as a general check in, or if questions arrive. I appreciate all of you who follow me on this journey.

I should add another reason to why I post often here right now. I am afraid that inactivity will be the death of this Forum here. It is a valuable treasure trove of information. If the Administrator (Xanth) or any of the Moderators can confirm that inactivity won't close us up, I will gladly post only sporadically for now on. I already know how to do this. I am here solely to help others however I can!  

This forum is an amazing trove of information, indispensable for those on their Astral Projection and non-physical journeys.

Lumaza, I urge you to continue writing here. While at times it may seem fruitless, I promise you many people, like myself, are extremely grateful for your help.

Astral Projection isn't something that is very common among people, and this is one of the only places I've found that helps with people's inner journeys. Astral Projection can be an extremely lonely journey since it is by its nature a solo journey. It's places like this and people like you that are responsible for people continuing their efforts and not feeling helpless and along their way.

Thank you for your work!

[Practice Session - 6-14-2020 @ 6:00PM:]

Practice Session - 6-14-2020 @ 6:00PM:

I followed my typical rundown. Once the rundown completed, I just focused on noticing non-physical things like sound and 3D vision.

• I was able to relax pretty fast. Before the rundown was over, I had experienced small vibrations a few times and an inward shift of consciousness that fluctuated between inner focus and outer focus.
• Once the rundown was complete, I began to look into the 3D darkness and just observe. I went through a period of seeing visual imagery that lasted for 15 minutes or more. The imagery would come and go quickly, but some of them were quite vivid.
• At some point, my consciousness completely shifted inward. Although I knew I had  a body and I could still "feel" it, it was no longer relevant or a distraction. I felt like I was simple existing free from all attachments to body and thoughts. (My mind was also nearly completely empty.)
• I continued to just notice and relaxing body parts if they became tense. (Certain parts of my body, like the face, neck, and jaw tend to tense up automatically. I slowly relaxed them without breaking focus.)
• Eventually, I started hearing a "popping" sound in my ear every 5-10 seconds. It was quite and rhythmic. This lasted for several minutes as well.
• Towards the end, I knew like the session was over for that day. I wasn't upset though; I experienced a very deep conscious awareness that lasted a long time. The session lasted around 1 hour and 15 minutes, whereas my normal session are anywhere from 30-45 minutes.
• Another interesting note: even after awaking and writing this summary now, I still feel slightly in a "daze." I am completely aware, but some of me still feels hazy, almost like I'm dreaming. It's a different, but comfortable sensation.

Overall, the session felt very good. I experienced a lot of new sensations (audio for example) and was also better able to maintain my focus. I was much more successful at maintaining a detached awareness than in the past, which I am proud of since that was once of my goals. Also, the detached awareness seemed to further the exploration into the non-physical, which is what I thought it might do from previous experiments.

I can tell I am making progress. Things feel different and they feel different for longer. I'm going to stay the course and keep practicing.

Do what comes natural to you. You say you finish your rundown and now you are in a relaxed state with "signposts/vibrations", etc. occurring. So, now is the time to make your intent and "stick to it". If you want to focus on a motion based exercise, keep focusing on it. Years ago I had that problem as well. I would "flit/jump" all around wondering what I should do next. What I should do next is take what is given to me. If a visual appeared, allow my curiosity to take me deeper in. If a sound occurred, focus on my hearing and listen. All kinds of things can occur. I compared it to the saying "hold on loosely but don't let go". Which is a great song by the band 38 Special as well. In the past I have even posted a link to the video of that band!   Go with the flow!  

That's great advice! I generally try something and then my mind tells me it isn't working. Then I change it, then I change it again, and before you know it, the "signposts" are gone.

Right now I can see that you are too focused on the signposts. Is it your goal to have vibrations or is your goal to shift your consciousness? If it's your goal to have vibrations, you have succeeded. Now, it's time to let that focus pass and move onto the shift. Unless, of course you are working towards a full "OBE" in every sense of the term.   I think you might be getting caught up in a middle ground between Phasing and a actual OBE. With Phasing you are consciously shifting your attention from "here" to "there". No "bells or whistles".  You aren't aware of any signposts, like vibrations etc. because your attention/awareness is focused completely away from your physical self.

I am definitely still a bit confused between Phasing and classic OBEs. Most of the books I have read seem to lean more towards classic OBEs, so that could be influencing my attempts. I feel like I've asked this before, but is there a different between classic OBEs versus Phasing? Do you end up in the same location? Could one mistaken phasing into the astral for just elaborate daydreaming?

I've also noticed that I rely heavily on visualizations to determine if I've phased. I have an expectation that at some point, I'll actual be able to "see" fully with my eyes closed, much like you can in the physical. Is that the case?

In my opinion, the problem I see you having is you want to "control" the process. You are still over analyzing it instead of "allowing" it the freedom to commence. Believe it or not, this is because somewhere inside of you, you still "fear" it. This fear is showing up as a block of sorts. Just as the going gets good, you tend to destroy what you have achieved, That's the way a block works.

I'm definitely an over analyzer, and that is something I am trying to overcome in general. Over analyzing and non-physical things don't seem to work well together.

And I could be afraid, but I'm not exactly sure what I'd be afraid of. I wonder if the fear is something that will resolve itself. I have noticed that I am getting more comfortable with the various sensations that come with practicing. Perhaps time is needed.

The problem I see is you have a one step forward two steps back thing going on here. You are initiating the process, but just as something does begin to happen, you change it up. You stated your focus on motion which is great, but then went back to "leaving the body". If you would have stayed with the focus on motion you would have seen that a shift was already occurring. Thus, you wouldn't have to "leave the body" because you already had! 

Yeah changing it up is a common problem I'm running into. I perform my rundown, but as that comes to an end, I'm not always sure what to do. And by come to an end, my planned events are over or I've performed them to a certain point where isn't much left to explore. Typically, I'll start entering other states of consciousness or vibrations before this occurs.

I guess my question is, once the vibrations start, what should I do? Is it appropriate to shift to focusing on the motion? Or should the rundown still continue?

I see you doing constructive things, then all of a sudden ruining all your progress. When in a motion based "Phase", if you turn your focus back to what your physical sensations are you will lose that focus target that got you to where you were in the first place. Even a "sneak peek" is detrimental to the process. I know it's hard to do, but you are getting there! Stay the course! 

Could you explain in more detail which of my actions is ruining the progress? I'm trying to understand how to continue forward, and a lot of these events I'm experiencing are new, so I'm often not sure how to.

Thank you for the feedback Lumaza 

[Practice Session - 6-1-2020 @ 6:00PM:]

Practice Session - 6-1-2020 @ 6:00PM:

Today I performed a slight alteration of the rundown. It was still a visualization oriented routine in which I visualized 3 objects in my house.

• After about 20 minutes of visualizing, I got into an extremely relaxed state. My consciousness began to shift in and out of its ordinary state.
• I noticed that if I visualized with slightly less focus and intention to use my five senses, I would drift deeper into relaxation. It seems that if I try to over visualize detail or tactile sensations that my mind is stuck in more of analyzing mindset. This does not seem advantageous for OBEs.
• At around the 20-30 minute mark I was experienced slightly increasing body vibrations. At its peak, it felt like my bed was vibrating fairly intensely alongside with my body. This is the most intense vibrations I've felt so far.
• Vibrations seem to increase of if I can maintain a relaxed awareness. I would describe this awareness as being conscious with no particular focus. It's almost like your mind could fall asleep at any moment, even though you're awake. It reminds me of the empty mind state you get right before you sleep.  
• If I focused on trying to enhance my bodies vibrations, the intensity would lower. However, I noticed that if I visualized myself driving in a truck down a bumpy dirt road that the vibrations would pick back up again. I used the truck visualization since the vibrations reminded me of that motion. It appears that you can enhance your vibrations, but it is preferable for me to do so by visualizing something that produces the motion automatically without focusing on the actual body or sensations.
• Much like above, the vibrations seemed to increase the most when I visualized driving the truck very abstractly. I didn't focus too much on the surrounding, the vehicle, or the road. Instead I just held an abstract idea of driving in the truck where all details were held simultaneously with very little detail or specificity.

For a few moments at the peak of the vibrations, I got the feeling I was very close to leaving my body. Like it was moments away. I knew that if I could let go both physically and mentally a little bit more that I  could have left. I'm going to continue working on holding this awareness that is beneficial for deepening my consciousness. I believe it is key to my progress.

Another note to myself: this awareness is almost like focus without focus.

Overall, the session felt very beneficial.

[Practice Session - 5-29-2020 @ 6:30 PM:]

Practice Session - 5-29-2020 @ 6:30 PM:

I performed my normal session. Here are today's notes:

• I've been struggling a bit with staying focused during the rundown. It seems like if my routine is exactly the same each time, my consciousness gets bored and loses focus. I've been experimenting with performing the same sequence of events, but in different landscapes. One time it might be a meadow, then a forest, then mountains etc. When I'm able to visualize new material my focus is much higher. I'm not sure whether small modifications will impact my results.
• I reached a somewhat relaxed state. Once my rundown ended, I chose to stare into the 3D darkness. I saw some minor visualizations and blue colored gem for a few moments.
• I'm still not sure what do after the rundown is over. Staring into the darkness seems to work okay, but not great. I guess, as a whole, I don't know know what to do and/or focus on when the rundown is over.
• I got some vibrations again during today's session. Instead of trying to focus my mind on breathing, I tried to enhance them. And once I try to enhance or feel them more, they faded away. It seems like I need to let them develop on their own. However, I don't know what to do with my consciousness while they are occurring. Too much focus, and they disappear. It could be a relaxed awareness as I've seen mentioned before, which I'm still working on.

Overall, the session was okay. Ever since I had the possible OBE from my last post, I've had difficulties getting into the same, deep level on consciousness I would during my practice periods. I'm not sure whether that experience set "standards" that my mind is attached to? Or maybe this is just part of the ebb and flow of experience.

Well done! 

There are things I read above in your current post that I could have helped you with and commented on. But I would rather you find out them for yourself and it looks like you are doing just that. Much of what we say here on the Astral Pulse really has to be experienced before it makes sense and finally sinks in.

I find that the "exit" occurs after the vibrations have came to a apex and now everything is just silent and still. That's when the show begins for me!  I normally don't experience any vibrations when I Phase. My vibrational state comes when I awaken "spontaneously" in SP (Sleep Paralysis) and experience a full body OBE. If I wanted to I could initiate the vibrations while Phasing. That would mean I would have to keep a semblance of awareness on my physical body while Phasing. I have that occur a few times during more of a "dual awareness" shift.

I'm definitely okay learning myself and appreciate any guidance you can provide (it appropriate). I can also see how difficult it is to explain non-physical concepts. It's drastically different than what we are used to.

I thought that phasing might not involve vibrations. When I get into a relaxed state, they just begin to happen. Naturally, it feels right to increase their intensity and use them. And that is a good point about the vibrations and some awareness of the body! It does feel that the it is still somewhat removed from true focus on the physical body since the vibrations feel kore like a non-physical energy symptom rather than a purely physical sensation.

I believe is may have experienced an OBE last night. Descriptions below:

Sometime in the night, I became aware that I was dreaming. In the dream, I stated my intention - out of body now. In that moment I recall being back in physical body. I decided to exit my body and tried to roll my astral body out of my physical body. Next thing I know I had a sensation of feeling my face against carpet. My eyes were still closed, so I opened them. I was low towards the ground and had the desire to see my body in bed since I've heard about it so much. However, I remembered that seeing your body can end the experience. Instead, I was satisfied with just seeing the ruffled comforter where my leg was.

Next, I decided to do something  I mad the intention to float out of this room, but I noticed my vision was still blurry. I again set an intention "clarity now" and my vision sharpened.

Controlling my astral body was difficult. I recall making it through my wall and then floating up into the attic above my house. At this moment, I thought how beautiful and realistic astral projection was. I also got a bit scarred since everything was so dark and I wondered if I'd encounter any non-physical being. However, I decided to keep going.

Around this time I started to fall back through the attic. I lacked control of the astral body and continued to fall through my ground floor of my house, and then into the earth. Around this time my memory of the experience ended - I believe I returned to the physical and woke up, but not to a fully conscious state since I didn't recall the experience until sometime later when my wife woke me up to feed the baby.

Since I didn't wake up immediately after the experience, it's hard to fully decide if was an OBE, a dream, or a lucid dream. However, I just can't shake the idea that it was a full OBE. Once I woke up, the entire experience came back to me. And what came back to me didn't feel like it dream; the clarity of imagery, the sensations, and my conscious thoughts during the experience are all recalled and quite vivid. The experience, from start to finish, is etched in my mind.

[Practice Session - 5-24-2020 @ 7:00PM]

Practice Session - 5-24-2020 @ 7:00PM

I did my typical rundown again today. Today's notes:

• Today I decided to let my experience guide me, even if the rundown was not complete.
• I got about half way through my rundown and fairly strong vibrations started. I began experimenting on what I should focus on when this occurs. If I focus on my breath they stop - if I focus on the vibrations, they intensify to some degree. During this session, I mainly focused on the sensation of vibrating. I also wondered what would happen if I focused on nothingness when this was occurring - but I found that extremely difficult to do.
• Today, it felt right to make my intentions clear in a direct way. I stated my intentions similar to the following, "I am ready to astral project. My mind and body are prepared and I'm ready for experiences beyond the physical." I made my intentions with pure confidence and it felt right.
• Once the vibrations began getting stronger, I placed another intention, "stronger vibrations now!" As soon as I placed the intention, my body was overtaken my an intense sensation. For a few moments my body felt like it was distorting and I couldn't hold my conscious awareness. After a few moments I regained consciousness. My body had a strong wave of relaxation go down my spine and throughout my body. Nearly instantly, I was perfectly relaxed.
• Part of me feels I could projected at that exact moment if I was mentally and physically prepared. It felt like it was part of the training; like my body exposing me to the sensations that I will take advantage of in the future.
• After this event, I wasn't entirely sure what I should do. I tried various things like: attempting to detach from my body via floating, looking into the 3D blackness, and just letting go to see what happened. I had various other minor sensations, but my normal waking consciousness slowly returned.
• While I was a little disappointed that the sensations faded, it felt like that initial event was the purpose of this training. After the exposure was over, I could sense that my body felt that was enough for today.

Overall, another good sensation. It feels like I'm getting closer. Each day I experience some new consciousness alteration, which is exciting. Until next time!

[Practice Session - 5-23-2020 @ 6:00PM:]

Practice Session - 5-23-2020 @ 6:00PM:

Today I'm at my mother and father in laws with the family. I decided to settle down and do some practice here. This is the first time I've practiced in a recliner; I quite like it! The general process is the same: I did a rundown and eventually looked at the 3D darkness once the rundown concluded.

• The initial visualizations went well. I'm able to drop into a fairly deep trance quickly now.
• Near the end of my rundown, there was a moment where my brain started relaxing and my imagery went on another path. Immediately, I snapped it back to my rundown since I wasn't "done." Only after this happened did I realize it would have been more fruitful to stay aware but let my mind go into the dream-like state. I'm still learning  
• While my trance was deepening, I again noticed I was resisting the feeling of going deeper. When I realized that, I let myself relax into the feeling. I was able to both realize I was resisting and to relax the resistiance better than before. It still needs more practice though.
• At the peak of my trance, I could hear someone speaking, although I'm not sure who. It sounded like typical chatter that your brain is always performing, but instead it had an actual auditory sensation to it and it echoed a bit. Definitely different than normal. I can't recall what the voice said.

Overall, it was another good session. I'm noticing each session is bit different than the others. I'll notice different details and different events happen, even if they are small. Although I've only been at it for a while, I can see that practice is deepening the experience.

A few additions notes. I notice that if I do the exact same rundown each time, my mind wanders more. It seems beneficial to let my mind change up some of the smaller details. As a plus too, my mind gets more involved when there are small differences and a freedom of imagination during the rundown. Being too strict on replicating experiences seems to harm the overall experience. Perhaps it is overthinking, which is more a characteristic of the physical? I'm not sure.

Also, two nights ago during my practice, I noticed two "lights" in my 3D blackness behind my eyes. I'm used to the normal flashing discharge you see when your eyes are closed, but this time I saw a vivid blue and green light, much like Christmas lights. This was the first time I'd seen true color while practicing.

I enjoy reading your "evolution" here!  Keep it coming!

What I really like though is how you are aware not only of the positives here, but also why your experience came to a halt. At first, it is very difficult to just ignore everything and observe. You are now finding the benefits behind it though!

That imagery that fades, will begin to be prolonged. When it does, you won't need to join anything, you will already be in the reality that you are witnessing!

I really appreciate the feedback and following my thread! It makes the experience feel deeper.

[Practice Session 5-19-2020 ~7:00 pm]

Practice Session 5-19-2020 ~7:00 pm

I've made a few minor modifications to the rundown, but in general, it is the same as before. I no longer listen to the audio as I feel it was holding back my pacing and imagination. Some notes from today's session:

• Around 10 minutes into the rundown, I got an extremely relaxed sensation. It felt like my body was starting to spiral into itself. For example, my head and upper torso were rotating to the right and inwards. The feeling became so prominent that for a moment, it felt like my body had altogether disappeared and at that center of the spiral was only my consciousness. When my brain made the realization and wanted to remember to document it here, the sensation ceased. This is again a testament of being relaxed and to let things happen as they should.
• At the end of my rundown, I know consistently get a "relaxed" wave that comes over me. At this moment, my vision alters and looks into the "3D" void. I experience intensifying hypnagogic visuals. (Usually they start out as flashes, and for moments, I see brief images that almost look like shapes or objects. They are not yet clear enough to make out though.)
• After a few minutes into the relaxed state, I notice the classic OBE vibrations course through my body. They tend to get pretty intense pretty fast, and I found the need to "ground" myself (which was me focusing on my breath). When I focused on my breath, I become grounded, but the vibrations also ceased. This is likely because I am bringing my attention back to the physical body.
• Next time I experience the vibrations, I will try to let go and focus on them instead of distracting myself. Since they are somewhat uncomfortable, due to the sensation being unique and unfamiliar, I'm going to need to experience them more before I'll be able to fully relax into them.

Overall, this was another great session. The spiral sensation was very unique and mind bending. Also, I'm able to sustain the vibrations for longer than before. My goal is to continue letting go and observe things with a relaxed awareness. I believe this relaxed awareness will allow these non-physical sensations to continue to grow.

There are several ways of entering the Non-Physical Realms: ie- the Dream World, the Etheric, the Astral, Mental, etcetera and in certain ways these Realms/Areas of Consciousness overlap each other...

... I know that the out of body experience is safe and natural.
I give myself permission/I ask my Higher Self permission to have an out of body experience
I know that I am safe and protected
I ask for the next best and highest lesson to benefit my spiritual progress

Only one, two or three at a time, mix and match as you see fit. Keep it short, simple and positive, no acronyms like OBE (our subconscious doesn't process language that way apparently)

Setting a proper Intent and utilizing affirmations are two of the most powerful tools you will always have at your disposal.

Wow, that's a lot to think about. Much like Lumaza's informative posts, I need to spend a few days contemplating both of your posts. I especially like the idea of setting an intent. That seems to be a common theme among many APers. And I've been getting into affirmations too, I really like your recommended one.

Listen to that feeling. It knows what's best for you. Relaxing, releasing and letting go comes as the result of "passively observing" without question, anticipation, expectation or excitement. Which as you are finding out first hand now is easier said than done! You are doing great though. Keep it up! 

You said it perfectly Lumaza. Learning to passively observe will be my next focus (but not too much of a focus ). Also, I very much appreciate your comment above. I usually have to spend a few days mulling it over and reading them a few times. Your time is much appreciated.

[Early Morning 5-17-2020 ~5:00 am]

Early Morning 5-17-2020 ~5:00 am

Recently, before bed and any time I wake up in the night, I repeat an affirmation before falling asleep, "I will leave my body, return safely, and remember."

I can't remember the beginning of the experience, only a brief moment or two. Essentially, I was looking at a beautiful valley that appeared as real as waking consciousness. At this moment, I realized my eyes were closed (physical body), yet I was still seeing things. As soon as my i made that connection, I woke up.

Upon waking up, I became flooded with a few memories of this exact event occurring in the past. (Eyes closed, but being able to see. Each time, when I made the connection, I woke up.)

I'm not sure whether this I am tapping into and remembering a portion of an astral projection, or whether it is lucid dream. Regardless of the label, the experience is very unique and far different than an ordinary dream.

As a note too: I'm beginning to feel a common theme or lesson in my experiences - let go. I get a feeling that if I could learn to let go of the need to control and analyze things, my experiences would be more frequent and longer in duration. I'll be working on this during my practice sessions.

[Practice Session - 5-15-2020 @ 6 PM:]

Practice Session - 5-15-2020 @ 6 PM:

For today's practice session, I performed my same rundown. However, this time, I was not listening to the Wave 2 audio. I find that the audio sometimes paces differently than I am prefer: I.e. too fast or too slow.

Here are my notes:

• I really enjoyed moving through visualization at my own pace. I was able to slow down and appreciate certain moments and sensations more.
• After the rundown is over; I'm a bit unsure what I should do. If I just stay there and relax, my mind tends to return to my physical body. I've tried staring into the blackness as people have recommended, but the low amount of stimulus usually leaves my mind to wander.
• After the rundown completed, I decided to swing in a hammock. I imagined the surroundings, the sound of the rope against trees, the breeze, and the sensation of swinging. While this worked for a while, my mind began to wander again. I suspect it got "bored" due to the repetitious nature of the activity.

Take always: I believe I prefer the rundown without sound now. I'm still unsure what to do after the rundown. Also, if you haven't astral projected after a certain duration, do you just wait until another day?

Overall the session was good, but I've come out with more questions than answers.

[Practice Session - 5-10-2020 @ 6 PM:]

Practice Session - 5-10-2020 @ 6 PM:

Another session using Wave 2:

• I slipped into the "void" a few times during the session. I also noticed that I got a falling sensation each time it occurred.
• I ended up be quite relaxed by the end of session. Today, it was relatively easy to get relaxed.
• I had a lot of day to day thoughts pop in to my head while performing my rundown. Some days I have almost no extra thoughts.

The session felt so so. I've had better and I've had worse.

Pulse3, in a Dream, you are already experiencing a non local/non physical state of consciousness. You should explore the place you find yourself in. There is a reason you are there. Lessons and teachings can be found in those scenarios/simulations.

It looks like you are learning how to ground yourself to the scene at hand. That's great. That will take you far in this practice. Grounding = lengthening/prolonging, being able to hold a strong NP focus.

An ordinary Dream only differs from a Lucid Dream, by the level of conscious awareness you have in/during it.

Thank you for the feedback! Over the past month or so, I've become far more aware of dreams and I usually remember more than one per night. It's definyinteresting!

But what I also learned at TMI is that I can still achieve everything, even from much lower F10 states...so my point to you is that when you notice the physical relaxation and the mental relaxation, you are in a sufficiently deep F10 state, so be confident with that. State your Intention, do a Rundown, try Noticing for awhile...success can require multiple attempts and what I read here tells me you are making good progress; it may not necessarily feel like it for you at the moment, but I definitely see it.

That is a very interesting reflection EscapeVelocity, I appreciate the comments. I've never really considered the various depths of F10, but then again, what you say makes sense. What type of a Rundown do you usually perform once you reach this state? From what I can gather, Frank used a Rundown lasting over 30 minutes that matched up with Wave 2 of the first Gateway Experience CD. Although, from what I've read so far, I'm not entirely sure what I should do once the narrated CD comes to an end. Perhaps I need to read more. (I try to read as little as possible so that I don't overwhelm myself. I have the tendency to over analyze stuff, so if I restrict the information coming in, it helps solve the problem.)

You mentioned 'forcefully' stating your Intent. That doesn't work for me but it seems to have gotten a result for you; so work with that if it feels right.

It felt right at the moment during that day. I haven't felt that way since though.

...and what we should be doing is continuing to relax until we fall asleep. For years and years, listening to the Hemi-Sync I fought that impulse...and now I realize that I was likely completely wrong; I should have let it happen. You have to be willing to set your Intent and then let it go...and maybe the first couple times you do fall asleep.

That's interesting! I've always tried to keep my brain active enough not to fall asleep. It seems like if I let myself fall asleep, it would be no different than a nap, you know? Like, why would I astral project if I let myself sleep (because I've slept 1,000's of times and haven't astral projected by luck)? Could you explain this a bit more, I'm intrigued!

What you soon realize is that you didn't just fall asleep, you actually experienced a 'click-out'. You just drop into sleep in an instant...and then awaken as the session is ending. And you have to trust that you did receive 'Learning' but that it had to be taken in on a subconscious level... So trust and let go and fall asleep a few times, and I think you may be surprised at the results.

What kind of 'Learning' or results can occur during a 'click out?'

I really appreciate your feedback!

[Middle of the night experience (5-5 to 5-6 sleeping):]

Middle of the night experience (5-5 to 5-6 sleeping):

I have a very interesting experience last night, and I wanted to note it here before I forget. I'm not entirely sure what the experience was; whether it was a lucid dream, an astral projection, or something in between.

My experience:

Note:  While reading about phasing, I remember reading that you can slowly fade into a visualization.

While I was dreaming, the landscape in front of me morphed into a familiar out door area where I used to play as a child.When this happened in the dream, it reminded me of the phasing, which made me conscious of the whole experience. I then declared my intention to have an astral projection. At that moment, I slowly lifted up into the air and was floating. The visualizations were extremely vivid, nearly as vivid as waking life. I then flew through the air and dipped towards the ground. While I was close to the ground I brushed my hand against the grass. I could actually feel the grass in my palm as realistically as if I did so outside at this moment. After performing this swoop, my vision faded dark and I woke up conscious of the whole experience.

The experience was extremely realistic. The vividness of the images, the sensations of touch etc., led to me to believe the experience was something greater than just an ordinary dream. I'm not sure what to label it, or whether labeling is even necessary. I thought it was interesting nonetheless, so I wanted to share it!

[Practice Session - 5-5-2020 @ 12:30 PM:]

Practice Session - 5-5-2020 @ 12:30 PM:

Observations:

• During the deepest portion of the trance, the visual images seem to becoming more prominent the more I practice.
• I seem to be reaching a deeper state of consciousness at a quicker pace.

The session was good, but there really isn't much else to note this time.

It comes on like a urge to move my eyes. I have trained myself not to move or even use my physical eyes while noticing. The urge/prompt will then become really powerful, along with a sensation that my head is going blow up, hence my saying overload. Then, everything goes quiet and I am just "there". There is no urge to use my eyes period. I can't feel anything except for a "vastness".

That is a great way of explaining it too!

If you give into the prompt and do readjust your eyes, you aren't ready for the shift and either need to relax more into it or deepen your focus into the darkness in front of you. Don't strain your vision. Just "passively observe" it and "notice", without question, anticipation, expectation or excitement. Again easier to say than it is to do. But that's why we continue to practice, until the day it comes naturally to you.

Great advice Lumaza! Thanks for the reflections!

Sometimes my shift in consciousness occurs shortly after I close my eyes and begin to just notice the darkness there. I will then get a "prompt" to readjust my vision.

That is nearly exactly what happens to me!

If I do readjust my vision it shows I wasn't ready for the shift to occur. If I don't refocus my vision, I get a strong surge of energy in my head that makes it feel like it is going into 'overload'... After that, the depth of the darkness has changed considerably and I now in the Void.

Can you explain this a bit more? I've been getting that surge many times in one session. Is that a prompt that I should be doing something?

Today I experienced a shift like you describe, but instead of it being visual focused, it was if I disappeared altogether. "I" as I know myself wasn't there. There was only observation of the audio I was listening to. A sort of emptiness, but a very comfortable one.