An Entity Blocks Me From Astral Projecting

[CEO929]

   Like with my fascination with outer space, I've always been captivated by the concept of the afterlife. Like space, it seems far too vast for the mind to comprehend. Though unlike space, some do not thing it is real. Its existence cannot be as easily proven. However, because of my encounters with ghosts, I always thought I had enough proof of its presence. So, I tried dabbling in astral projection when I was younger, but it backfired. Not only did I fail to leave my body; I may have also accidentally allowed unwanted spirits to enter my home. When I moved, they never followed me, though perhaps they are still there in that house, or perhaps they left.  It actually felt like they left even before I moved away, but before that, they may have caused very bad luck for my family (financial troubles, broken appliances, etc...)

   Because of that incident, for a while I had decided to quit my 'hobby' of astral projection. It was quite a harsh lesson for me to learn indeed, but the spirits that were attracted to my meditation were not that physically harmful (aside from the bad luck). Even still, it was creepy to see the occasional shadow pass by during the day or when the moonlight was strong. My aversion to an out of body experience (OBE) remained for years as I thought of myself as lucky for avoiding the persistence of the spirits, so I did not want to push that luck ever again. Even the bad luck wore off after some time passed and especially after I moved. My family does not seem to be effected by them at home anymore either.

   However, my mind was changed when I saw death effect a family member directly for the first time in my life. It was a harrowing and deeply distressing experience. When this relative passed, I couldn't help but feel completely helpless and wanted them back more than anything. I am certain they still exist somewhere. I mean, I have seen ghost shadows and have experienced paranormal things even before I tried astral projecting for the first time. After another close relative passed away, (shortly after the first to add insult to injury) I was tired of not being able to do anything. I wanted to say so much to them, but they were taken from me before I could do anything meaningful for them.

   On top of this, a good friend of mine took his life. I had not seen him in a while ever since I moved, so when I heard the news, I was extremely upset. Their deaths were my tipping point. I am aware of the potential dangers of astral projection, but I long for the opportunity to speak to them again. I've done my research and have come to the conclusion that it is next to impossible, or at least really hard, to astral project while awake. I've tried meditating for a while now, but to no avail. Every time I look up a how-to guide on how to accomplish an OBE, they never give me examples on how to do it when I'm awake. It's actually kind of disheartening, because it tells me that perhaps an OBE is just a form of lucid dreaming. In other words, there's a chance it's not real. Some people think that an astral experience and a lucid dream are the same thing. But if it doesn't feel real enough, then it may as well not be authentic. I may need to specifically look up how to do this when awake, but I haven't gotten around to doing something this challenging. For now, I will focus on trying to do it while asleep. If it feels real enough and if it's incredibly vivid, I may have all the proof I need. I should be able to tell if it's a dream or not. I have a theory, actually.

   There are different stages of sleep. REM sleep and stages 1, 2 and 3 respectively. During the deeper stages of sleep, it is next to impossible to perform an OBE, similar to when you're completely awake. But as you enter the 'lighter' realms of sleep, the brain becomes more receptive to your awareness and the subconscious mind is no longer the one that's dominantly in control. During this state, a skilled sleeper can preform lucid dreaming. I've done this myself before. For most people, it is very difficult to get past this point. Many would simply mistake a lucid dream for a legitimate astral experience, but there are many ways for one to tell if their experiences are real or not. In a dream, doing things like running, pulling your skin, flying, or even looking at your reflection will seem very off as the brain can hardly comprehend how to create such an accurate simulated portrayal. But there's no better proof than simply looking up at the sky. If it looks like a painting, then you're most definitely in a dream.
 
  This has happened to me many times and has led me to wake up with a bittersweet feeling of disappointment. Sleep is a strange thing indeed, so most people would probably have a very difficult time training for a true experience. I mean, it's obvious when something feels real, because when something is real, the brain collects data rather than relying on itself to create it. That is why we can comprehend the sky when we see it in real life. Even the very detailed night-time sky is easy to see in its entirety (or at least as much as we can see it). If astral projection is real, then in theory it should be possible to transport my consciousness to other realms in both the physical and non-physical dimensions, thus allowing my brain to gather external data rather than create things with the data I have already accrued.

   There's a strange thing about myself I haven't told you yet, so I may as well just tell you about it now. I suffer from a sleep disorder known as narcolepsy; however, I am fortunate enough to have a mild form of it. When I hit puberty, its symptoms started to take form. One of the most well-known symptoms that comes with this disorder is sleep paralysis. Because of my mild affliction, this paralysis does not carry over in the waking world when I experience strong emotions.

   When sleep paralysis happened to me the first time, I was petrified. I had heard about it before, but during the heat of the moment I had completely forgotten about that fact. To me, it was unlike anything I had experienced before. I panicked for a while, but then realized this was something I knew about beforehand. Sure, it hadn't happened to me up until this point, but I still knew about its existence. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it could happen to me. Now, instead of panicking, I knew that it would be better to stay calm. I could only control my eyes, so I opened them. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I quickly closed them, realising this was an unwise thing to do. I wiggled my toes and hands and eventually broke free. The episode didn't seem to last long, but it felt like quite some time had passed.

   I eventually learned how to handle my narcolepsy once I was diagnosed and tested for it (brainwaves and everything). I had developed a strict sleeping schedule, which has caused me to wake up early more frequently. It has done wonders for me and prevents a sleep paralysis attack. The condition runs in my family, so I am not the only one who has had to deal with this cumbersome disorder. But annoying as it may be, I realised how useful sleep paralysis is for astral projection. You see, ordinarily people have an exceedingly difficult time making it past the lucid dream state. In order to induce an episode of astral projection, your brain needs to emit alpha waves even while currently 'asleep.' These are the same waves your mind emits when it is awake. This disorder prevents the brain from entering the deepest stages of sleep on a regular basis, which is why I can lucid dream more easily than most.

   Maybe an OBE comes more naturally to some than others. Even if you don't have narcolepsy, it may be very easy for you to 'slip' out of your physical body when you fall asleep. I've heard some people can even do it at will (though I haven't heard about anyone being able to do this while awake). So, you may be thinking that I have managed to accomplish what many would love to achieve in a much shorter span of time because of my disorder. But you'd be wrong. I am not like those gifted individuals. Well, maybe I am or maybe I'm not. Let me explain.

   During my third episode of sleep paralysis, I had discovered another interesting thing called waking hallucinations (hypnopompic hallucinations). These are also caused by my brain not entering a deeper state of sleep more frequently. Once I got over my inevitable shock upon seeing them when I opened my eyes accidentally (more like automatically, actually) I got used to these hallucinations. The visual ones were pretty cool to look at, to be honest. There was a blue wisp that floated around my room, a red flame that scooted across the floor, and a mini black hole that sucked up some of the light coming from my blinds. When my eyes were closed, tactile hallucinations were more likely to occur for some reason. I could feel hands stroking me and touching me in very uncomfortable places. My mind was playing tricks on me and was dreaming while awake.

   That's the reason why I can't astral travel during an attack. I am too preoccupied by my hallucinations. It's been quite some time since I've had an attack that is merely a state of paralysis and nothing more. But lately something even more unnerving has been happening to me. Ever since my second close relative passed away, a strange man has been visiting me during my paralysis episodes. As of today, I have only ever seen him once. My eyes opened on their own accord, since that's what happens all the time when I first wake up. That's when I saw him. He was a ghoul like creature and had sharp pointy teeth. He breathed heavily like his lungs were full of something. His skin was rotting away and brown. Despite this, he had no smell. I've never smelled anything in any of my hallucinations. His presence and 'rules' so to speak seemed to be consistent and in line with all of my other hallucinations (like me not being able to smell him), but he was still the most realistic thing my mind had ever concocted. I swear, it was like he was really there. He crept closer and closer to me as I was trapped in a state between wakefulness and sleep. I broke free from my sleep paralysis just before he got to me. I'll never forget those yellowish sunken eyes. He seemed so angry and spiteful.

   And here's the crazy part. He hasn't stopped visiting me. He's continued to torment me time and time again. If I had known this would be such a problem, I would've attempted an OBE ages ago. By comparison, the other hallucinations I've had would've been much easier to handle and shouldn't have been able to stop me from having an experience. This man, or whatever he's really supposed to be, is a deeply alarming and worrying experience. He seems more dynamic and intelligent than my other visual creations. It got to the point where I felt like he wasn't even my conception. It was almost like he had a mind of his own. An existence of his own. What's even stranger is he never came to me until enough of my loved ones passed away. Perhaps I'm thinking too much into this. Maybe it's just my brain playing tricks on me because of my past trauma with death. But I don't know anymore. My hallucinations now almost entirely consist of him, and during the rare moments he isn't there, things like wasps, and usually small or giant tarantula-like spiders, take his place. Sometimes he's there with these insects. It's almost like they're attracted to him.

   Some people think I'm a bit silly for believing in ghosts. But in the waking world, I have had some bizarre experiences. I've heard ghosts before. Never their voices, but I've seen them move things that made a lot of sounds. I've also seen someone stroke my shower curtains or completely unravel a large roll of toilet paper. It just started spinning on its own (this was back when I was living in the US in my old home). And as I said earlier, I have seen shadow people scoot across the floor mostly during the day. My brother has also had his fair share of experiences. Unlike me, he's both seen and heard spirits in their entirety. They have called his name before. We've both seen shadow people, but he's seen ghosts in much more detail than just their shadows alone. Perhaps he is just more sensitive to these things than I am. Scientists say that these are just hallucinations created by some sort of specific vibrational frequency, but I don't know. I mean, maybe that's how it is for some people, but that doesn't explain the toilet paper. Plus, my brother and I saw shadow people in the exact same spot at the exact same time. This happened on more than one occasion.

   I am at a loss. I don't know what to do next. How can I protect myself from negative spirits (and preferably just avoid them to begin with)? How do I get this creature to leave me alone (hopefully in a peaceful manner)? How do I astral project if I can solve this issue? If I do astral project, how do I avoid bad luck from negative spirits and how do I stop them from even entering my home?

[Nameless]

HI and welcome to the forum. Fascinating post.

First off let me say that it is not only or just positive beings that have knowledge to impart. We most often learn far more from negative experiences and that includes negative energies whatever their origins. So I suggest you ask yourself what is it this negative creature is trying to get you to acknowledge and why do you associate this creature with these deaths.

You're not silly for believing in ghosts. All of us come to our beliefs and our thinks based upon the experiences we each have. I too have seen ghosts and many other beings while in a fully conscious, awake state so many times it's become just a part of who I am now. Maybe this is just me justifying myself but to me it is no different than the fact there are caboodles of tiny living micro-organisms occupying our bodies as we speak. We can't see them but we know they are there. Once upon a time there was no scientific data to back that up. There are 'things' occupying every square inch of our reality, whether they are terrestrial, inter terrestrial, extraterrestrial or unknowns and some of them occupy our space right along with us.

I do know sometimes people are plagued by poltergeist and 'evil' things that go bump in the night. I also know those things feed off fear and MOST of those things are harmless not having a very physical foothold in our environment. What I am saying is most often people wake up from their dreams or projections or what-have-you perfectly fine with nothing more than a scare. Now for some practical help;
1 Stand your ground (regardless of fear)
2 Call on whatever positive power you associate with (God, Higher Self, Mama Earth, etc) for protection and guidance.
3 Simply ask, what is my lesson here or what is it you wish to  show me?
Never stop learning and growing and keep all things in balance. A battery would not work if it only accessed positive energy.

[CEO929]

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep you posted on what happens.

-CEO929-

[Lumaza]

  
   I am at a loss. I don't know what to do next. How can I protect myself from negative spirits (and preferably just avoid them to begin with)? How do I get this creature to leave me alone (hopefully in a peaceful manner)? How do I astral project if I can solve this issue? If I do astral project, how do I avoid bad luck from negative spirits and how do I stop them from even entering my home?

Try giving them a cookie. That always worked for me and others I have helped with problems akin to yours. A peace offering will open up positive dialogue. It's obvious that "it" is trying desperately to get your attention. Now it's time for "you" to find out why!

[CEO929]

A cookie? What do you mean? I don't know if that would work. Any other ideas (besides facing him head on with no violence)? I would prefer if there was no violence involved with any other idea.

[Lumaza]

A cookie? What do you mean? I don't know if that would work. Any other ideas (besides facing him head on with no violence)? I would prefer if there was no violence involved with any other idea.

The "Otherwhere" or NPR (non physical realms), as it has been called is a "thought responsive" zone. Meaning, thought = action immediately. So give this being the actual cookie that is already in your hand. That's about as "non violent' as you can get! 
This is why when people awaken in sleep paralysis they experience/see "Demons" and the like. When you awaken in SP you are unable to move. That inability to move kicks in your fear, so "what's holding me down" is your first thought. Enter "Freddy" from Nightmare of Elm Street or any other scary creature your mind can muster up. To bypass that, you need to confront that fear and "understand" why it is occurring. Once you do, you will find the Otherwhere a extraordinary place to be. You MUST learn to control your fear and emotions to be able to move on in this practice.

Another thing you could do is to immediately go to your "Happy Place". This is a place that you created that is your "Safe zone". Just close your eyes anytime and imagine it, visualize it, build it. It is place of ultimate beauty, where you "know" no harm could ever come to you. It's a place that makes you "happy". Hence the title "Happy Place". Mine is a beautiful tropical Island paradise. Many times I use it as my "launch pad".

[CEO929]

Is see. Interesting... Now, when you say give him a cookie, do you mean an actual physical cookie?  If so, how would that work? What else could I give him? If it's non-physical, then how would I give it to him/form it? I will attempt to induce an episode. I have studying to do at the moment. When I am done, I will have time to do it. Will keep you posted. Have you already had a breakthrough? Did you already make it to the astral realm? What's it like?

[T-Man]

CEO929,

First of all, Welcome to the Pulse. 

Lumaza and Nameless have given great advice.   Two very experienced people on this forum.  All experiences are learning experiences whether they are positive or negative in nature.  We learn from both.  Nameless gives a list of great points.  Find out what the negative thing wants from you or what you can learn from it or what is it trying to show you?  How do you do that?...Well as Lumaza states...give it a cookie.  It's that simple.  You are in non-physical reality so once again, THOUGHT = ACTION.  If you THINK, IMAGINE, BELIEVE or have a strong INTENT that a non-physical cookie is in your hand than a cookie will manifest in your hand.  Offering this cookie to the negative being is a way of opening a dialogue with it.  Find out what it wants or ask it what it represents?  You may be surprised at the answer.

I had a similar experience in a dream where I was being attacked by a dream character.  It was on top of me and I was trying to kick it off and this was not working.  I than became Lucid and realized I had other options.  I sent it Love and it immediately stopped and the dream character disappeared.  It was that simple.  I would have asked what it represented but it just vanished on me and did not ever return so it was something that I just needed to face and it was resolved with non-violence. 

Try opening a dialogue with yours if you can and if that doesn't work than send it Love and just believe that this WILL work.

Lumaza,

I am definitely going to remember to add cookies to my arsenal! 

[CEO929]

It seems almost too good to be true. However, I will give this a shot. I am finished with some of my studies. I have more to do, but even still I should have less on my mind. This should help get things started. I keep saying I'm going to do something, but the truth is I'm just a little apprehensive because I don't know what's going to happen. I'm quite inexperienced when it comes to these sort of experiences compared to others here. Thanks for your help so far though!

[CEO929]

By the way, I just realized that Lumaza already described what the astral (or Otherwhere) realm is like. I was in a rush. Silly me! If it's really real and if it's as extraordinary as people claim it is, then I have become even more curious.

[Nameless]

Good to see you have a little more time on your hands. Yes Otherwhere is a fascinating place but no one can really tell you what you will experience there. But once you do get there then we can compare notes.

T-Man is absolutely correct. Believe it will work, it will.

[Lumaza]

Lumaza,

I am definitely going to remember to add cookies to my arsenal!  

I hear they prefer Chocolate Chip!  

[MarsZM]

I hear they prefer Chocolate Chip!  

Peanut butter chocolate chip astral cookies for everyone

[Lumaza]

Peanut butter chocolate chip astral cookies for everyone

I'll be there. That's my favorite! 

[CEO929]

Hi. I posted something new. If you want, check it out here: http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_astral_chat/vision_of_a_dog_comes_to_me_during_sleep_paralysis-t47827.0.html

I am not making much progress. I am still a little nervous about trying to make peace with the hostile entity. I have tried a couple of times, but he gives me no time to respond and continues acting hostile. What should I do? And as for my other post, feel free to give me advice there to. I'm not so sure a simple cookie will do the trick for this entity... 

[Lumaza]

I'm not so sure a simple cookie will do the trick for this entity... 

You are still missing the point here. The "Cookie" itself means nothing. It's the fact that you are "consciously giving" the Cookie that makes all the difference!  Think about that for a bit! 

[CEO929]

I posted a new story. I think I finally know more about the entity: http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_astral_chat/i_am_dealing_with_an_astral_parasite-t47835.0.html