Do people ever treat you differently?

[Skippy]

If you ever tell anyone that you're interested in AP/spirituality/New Age stuff, and that you practice AP, do they ever treat you differently?

I was talking to some people online about it a few days ago, and most of them were completely closed to any of the ideas. Some of them told me that it was a lot of rubbish and that I was wasting my time on it, and in general, they seemed to be unable to comprehend why I would possibly be interested, and why I would want to learn how to AP (which they don't believe in anyway.)

They weren't exactly treating me like I was weird (although I'm sure that must happen a lot with people who talk about this stuff to others who don't believe in it) but there was a general...I'm not sure what it was. It was a kind of, "Why-are-you-into-this-stupid-nonsense" type attitude, and at times, they seemed almost annoyed that I'm interested in this.

Has anyone else ever found that?

[Vilkate]

I think I might be lucky with the people I meet, because I've never been treated as a weirdo because of what I believe in and practice - most of the people I've told it think it is very interesting, and many have now started practicing APing themselves. If anybody has ever thought I'm nuts, they haven't told or showed that.

[Skippy]

Lucky you! Several people have outrightly told me that what I believe in is a load of rubbish. I wish they'd keep it to themselves, really. I think it's quite rude to tell someone that what they believe in is a load of crap.

I just wish some people would tone down their attitudes a bit. It can be tiresome.

[DH]

Lucky you! Several people have outrightly told me that what I believe in is a load of rubbish. I wish they'd keep it to themselves, really. I think it's quite rude to tell someone that what they believe in is a load of crap.
I just wish some people would tone down their attitudes a bit. It can be tiresome.

Sounds like it's time to expand your circle of acquaintances and friends!  I too have had to deal with my share of skeptics.  When they pop up I just let them say their dribble and go on their merry way.  Life's too short to let the idiots get you down.  Be who you are and be happy.  You owe it to yourself.   

DH

[Stookie]

For me it's a personal thing. Outside of this forum, I rarely share anything about my experiences. How I act and my perception of life is directly affected by it, but I don't feel the need to share it with anyone else. Only those who I know would be genuinely interested (such as the good people here at the astral pulse). Life is too fun to bog it down with thoughts of AP all the time.

[Doringo]

Like Stookie I don't usually share any of my experiences with this sort of thing but I did mention meditation to my girlfriend once and she launched into a rant about 'how it's all bovine excrement' (I didn't quite see what she was getting at, but oh well) so I don't think I will continue telling her about that..

[Vilkate]

On the other hand, it is interesting to tell someone your beliefs, even if they are fanatic non-believers, sometimes it happens to convert them into believers.

[Doringo]

I'm happy to put up with it. She's fantastic in every other way (don't want to start babbling so I'll stop there) so it's not a big deal.

[MilitiaMan]

I have had mixed responses.
I'm in senior year at high school here in Northeast Kansas... pretty conservative place if you dont know.

My best bud who I will room with at college next year was the first one I told when I learned about this stuff, and he was shocked.
He is part of this Unity church and he claims to have told me about it a year or so ago (when i too was very conservative) and that I laughed it off. He got really interested in it again, but he is the lazy type of person who never actually gets enough dedication to start something big like meditation daily. He's really supportive of my beliefs obviously.

Another good friend of mine is very conservative and at first he laughed it off too. When I told him about my few experiences out of body, and read some of Robert Monroe's books to him he changed his mind and now thinks it is a definite possibility, but is not interested in practicing it.

About 10 people that I rarely talk to somehow found out about what I do, and were VERY interested, one of them also began practicing it, but he has recently fallen out of belief in AP. I have actually made friends because of how interesting people think I am now hahaha.

There's only one person that i have not told: my ex-girlfriend that I still talk to regularly. Our relationship ended only because she moved to Texas, so there's still feelings between us.

She is not the type of person who would believe in this, at least I don't think so... Maybe someday in the future I'll "accidentally" let her see one of my books and explain it from there.

Overall, maybe 2 or 3 people that know think less of me because of it, but they were not my friends anyhow.

[Clinton]

I was told that it's from the devil.

I only chat with like-minded people, I'm a 39 years of age, "non-white" person in South Africa... so there's only a few people as you guys can imagine.

Many people here know of AP and acknowledge some kind of experience, but discount it as negative.

[DH]

One very wise holy man said, "Don't cast your pearls before swine."

In other words, don't waste your time with those who don't understand, especially those who don't want to understand.  This is not being cruel.  It's just a fact of life that people are on different spiritual journeys.  Some are ready to hear and some aren't.  Don't be judgmental.  We have all been there. There will be a time when skeptics are open to truth.  In the meantime, just share with those whom you perceive to be ready NOW.  DH

[Petal]

I've had a very mixed response.  Sometimes I have been very surprised and people who I thought would be sceptics have been very interested.

My boss at work is very sceptic, however he does ocassionally ask questions and doesn't ridicule so I don't mind that at all.

[Skippy]

My boss at work is very sceptic, however he does ocassionally ask questions and doesn't ridicule so I don't mind that at all.

It would be nice if everyone was like that.

I have no problem with people not believing in it. I can understand why they don't - astral projection seems a pretty weird, freaky thing to many people. I think a lot of people can't conceive the notion.

But I don't think it's nice for people to ridicule those who believe, or make fun of them, or be sarcastic towards them, and insult them because of their beliefs.

[riddled_skies]

Yeah, like Doringo, I told my girlfriend about AP. Seemed like a good idea. She was pretty "weird" herself, and she seemed intersted. While I was telling the story, she even told me, "Usually stories don't get me this interested." and whenever I stopped in the story, she would tell me to keep going on. So, I thought it went pretty good... until she dumped me a few days later

Although she begged me back that very next day, soo 

hmm, need I go on?

[mon9999]

before I tell anyone about those stuff, I observe their personality first. If the person has an expressions like " weird!" or "that was strange" then I doubt the person will ever believe me.

[riddled_skies]

Yes, she has a strange, but compelling personality  . I got comfortable about saying AP stuff when she said that she saw the boy from the grudge sitting in her corner, and she yelled at it to go away, but it wouldn't. And she also messed with a ouiji board and it told her to ask me out. . Suffice to say, I thought there was a better chance of her believing me... and I'm still not sure if she does. And I can't take the chance of asking..

[Blackstream]

I've never had problems with people believing me... but then again, I've haven't really explored the world enough to really run into doubt. 

I was hit by a car a few years ago and I didn't even get bruised, whereas the car's windshield was cracked and I put a 3 inch dent in the side board. I've never ever had someone disbelieve that story, especially when I show them pictures of the car.  Maybe it's because they reason that somehow I was just extremely lucky and got hit just right.  It's also possible that they are right.

Lucid Dreaming... never had any problems with people believeing me.  Probably because a majority of people have at one point or another realized they were dreaming.

More esoteric things like Chi, Telekinesis, AP, and the such I haven't tried to get anyone to believe as I haven't experienced it for myself... however, a good deal of my friends do believe in Chi, so I'm sure it wouldn't be a stretch.

[CFTraveler]

before I tell anyone about those stuff, I observe their personality first. If the person has an expressions like " weird!" or "that was strange" then I doubt the person will ever believe me.

I only tell a story if I think it has any educational value, but I don't care if someone believes me, because convincing someone is not my main intention for telling it.  Of course, a story about 'the greater reality' is going to be lost on someone who is completely focused on the material, so what's the point?

[jason]

I'm VERY careful of who I talk to about OBE, etc.I've told people online about it, some just thought I was making up BS, others just said "what, you mean butt-troll projection?".

The conversation ended right then & there.

Cast not your pearls before swine

[Kraven Obscuria]

I have learned to rarely share my practices with others who may not understand. How do I judge who would or would not understand? Do I stereotype?

Well, usually I have found the ones who talk loudest and profess to be the most authoritative are the least knowledgeable and most closed minded. The quiet ones tend to have a more objective view or openness to conversations that are outside of their comfort zone , and can discuss things without getting personally upset.
Only if asked do I share, and I usually ask someone if they ever wake up in a "dream", as many people can relate to this as a starting point.  And also since the movie "The Secret" is fairly well know, that is a good "fluffy" way to allude to the famous Hermetic Axiom....

Many people would treat me differently if I blabbed out my views, but luckily I am fairly quiet and non talkative with most. Everyone should be and is entitled to their own views, therefore I would only present a counter viewpoint if asked, never jump into someone else's conversation to refute.

Many years ago before I understood/knew what the word occult meant- I assumed it was "bad" or "evil" because I hadn't taken the time to research, read, experience and understand. So its all about knowledge and perception.

I borrowed from Wiki...
"The word occult comes from the Latin occultus (clandestine, hidden, secret), referring to 'knowledge of the hidden'"

[Jelal67]

I had a girl-friend who broke up with because she thought I wass crazy. That kinda sucked... But most people that I've told are very receptive to it and congratulate me on various experinces I have had. Although I typically have very open minded friends...

[Paola]

I just wish my husband and children would experience just one! just one!
lol.
I have met them a few times in the astral, and they seem zombie like, they follow my orders, but its like they are on auto

I figure if one hasnt experienced an out of body experience, then it makes little sense for them to understand what you are talking about.

[DH]

I just wish my husband and children would experience just one! just one!
lol.
I have met them a few times in the astral, and they seem zombie like, they follow my orders, but its like they are on auto

Hi Paola,

I know it's especially frustrating when the family doesn't understand what's going on. 

I'm just curious about the experience you mentioned.  You saw them in the astral and they were "zombie like" and you were able to give them orders.  Was this a lucid dream or an OBE or what?  If I could figure out how to go into the astral and get my kids to follow my orders, I'd pay a small fortune!   DH

[Selski]

I have met them a few times in the astral, and they seem zombie like, they follow my orders, but its like they are on auto

Hi Paola

From experience, zombie like actions possibly means they are asleep and dreaming, without being lucid.  One thing to do is to look them directly in the eyes.  If the eyes are dull and lifeless, they are most likely dreaming and "unconscious" of the fact. 

Try and wake them up (within the dream).  Clap your hands, shout, slap them in the face (gently, but firmly).  If the eyes brighten and clear, and they react like "real" people, then there's a chance they may be lucid and you can verify it. 

Good luck to you!  I've had numerous experiences with my parents where I've said, "you WILL remember this won't you?" and they respond scornfully, "of course we will, don't be silly!".

Do they remember?  Not a hope!!

Sarah

[Paola]

Yes DH, i was having an out of body experience, and i agree with Sarah, i got the impression, that they were dreaming, it seemed all non chalont with them.

Thanks for the tip Sarah, im going to make a rukus next time ., see what happens.

Good luck with your children DH lol!

On the topic of do i get treated differently, well, i used to get that treatment, but i felt it was because of peoples' fear of the unknown. So i try not to scare people anymore

Put it this way, if someone told me the stuff i have experienced in the astral, i would probably freak out. lol

As it turns out though, its my passion.  Im high for a week after one.