Help a Newbie out? :-)

[SereneMelody]

I just joined recently, and I'm wondering if any of you could give advice on projecting (OBE). I've only been at it for 2 days, and I haven't felt any tingling sensations, etc. Not that I really expect to get all that far in a few days of trying. Any of you have any advice while projecting that I should know... ? Also, if you guys could answer these questions, much appreciated  :

1) (This is probably a stupid one  ) When projecting, should I keep my eyes closed or open?
2) Should I practice phasing first, or projecting? Which one is easier?
4) Anybody up for explaining what the "inner", or third, eye is?
3) Any advice? 

Not sure I even believe in all of this, but I suppose I'll never know unless I try; keeping an open mind. Thanks in advance.

[Chris J.]

1) (This is probably a stupid one  ) When projecting, should I keep my eyes closed or open?
2) Should I practice phasing first, or projecting? Which one is easier?
4) Anybody up for explaining what the "inner", or third, eye is?
3) Any advice? 

1. Closed.
2. They all end in the same result, but they are different methods. Go with whatever makes the most sense to you. Do some reading and decide for yourself.
3. The third eye is an energy center located in the center of the forehead. Some people say it enables astral vision. I don't personally believe in energy centers anymore, though.
4. Do a lot of reading and decide on what approach sounds better to you. My advice would be to read http://www.astralpulse.com/frankkepple.html and the some of Frank's posts. Another thing to consider reading would be  http://www.astraldynamics.com/home/obe-home.html . Also, you might want to read some of Bruce Moen's stuff. You can find some here: http://www.afterlife-knowledge.com/

[Yin]

3. The third eye is an energy center located in the center of the forehead. Some people say it enables astral vision. I don't personally believe in energy centers, though.

You don't need to believe in energy centers so long as you direct concentrated thought along the path of your third eye chakra to stimulate it which is generally associated with a feeling of drifting upwards. I became aware of these chakras through meditation, so, it is not a matter of belief to me. Instead of just closed, your eyes and the muscles that control them need to be asleep.

[Chris J.]

Instead of just closed, your eyes and the muscles that control them need to be asleep.

Well, not so much asleep as relaxed.

[Yin]

Well, not so much asleep as relaxed.

Now we are getting into semantics, but yes, it's obvious they need to be not so much relaxed as deeply relaxed mayne.

[Chris J.]

Now we are getting into semantics, but yes, it's obvious they need to be not so much relaxed as deeply relaxed mayne.

I agree with you. Just "asleep" can come off as a bit weird compared to "relaxed" or "deeply relaxed," in my opinion.

[SereneMelody]

You don't need to believe in energy centers so long as you direct concentrated thought along the path of your third eye chakra to stimulate it which is generally associated with a feeling of drifting upwards.

Thanks for posting. I thought your eyes must be open though to see yourself as floating. With your eyes closed, are you able to sense a floating-like feeling?

[Yin]

I agree with you. Just "asleep" can come off as a bit weird compared to "relaxed" or "deeply relaxed," in my opinion.

I am only using asleep mostly due to the fact it seems to have more of an effect on me in suggestion rather than relaxation as though my subconscious understands that terminology more in regards to the actual actions taking place. Relaxed does seem to have a more accurate definition though. It's all in accordance to the individual's tastes.

Thanks for posting. I thought your eyes must be open though to see yourself as floating. With your eyes closed, are you able to sense a floating-like feeling?

why would your eyes need to be open?

[Chris J.]

Thanks for posting. I thought your eyes must be open though to see yourself as floating. With your eyes closed, are you able to sense a floating-like feeling?

When you see things like that, you aren't using your physical eyes. If you see something even though your physical eyes are closed, that means you have shifted your awareness away from the physical body and into another region of consciousness.

[Yin]

When you see things like that, you aren't using your physical eyes. If you see something even though your physical eyes are closed, that means you have shifted your awareness away from the physical body and into another region of consciousness.

or he/she could actually be in an overlay and be seeing with their astral eye after stimulating the chakra while yet having stimulated their crown chakra enough to totally phase into the other area of consciousness. I wouldn't always say just shifted away as it creates the notion that overlays aren't possible.

[Chris J.]

or he/she could actually be in an overlay and be seeing with their astral eye after stimulating the chakra while yet having stimulated their crown chakra enough to totally phase into the other area of consciousness. I wouldn't always say just shifted away as it creates the notion that overlays aren't possible.

Alright, fair enough. It probably would be better to say "stretched" rather than "shifted." Saying "stretched" actually makes more sense to me, because most times even in Focus 12 I still have awareness of my body if I feel for it. So stretching more awareness in one region and away from another would weaken awareness of the other, and strengthen the awareness of another. That terminology would probably make more sense for allowing overlays.

[Yin]

Alright, fair enough. It probably would be better to say "stretched" rather than "shifted." Saying "stretched" actually makes more sense to me, because most times even in Focus 12 I still have awareness of my body if I feel for it. So stretching more awareness in one region and away from another would weaken awareness of the other, and strengthen the awareness of another. That terminology would probably make more sense for allowing overlays.

I don't think stretching is the right word for it either, in nonphysical "stretch" as an action doesn't really exist so much as the actual thought in imagination of doing so. So you're not actually stretching but imagining you are, however the action is only the same as the thought due to how you have imprinted that x action = stretching in your mind. You can in all reality imaging "stretching" which can be a completely different action than how stretching would be in the physical as it is more widely used such as, "stretching a rubber band". It's more so that you are placing your awareness in a different area of consciousness thus you become consciously aware of it, this would be your "focal point of awareness" that you are placing.

[Chris J.]

It's more so that you are placing your awareness in a different area of consciousness thus you become consciously aware of it, this would be your "focal point of awareness" that you are placing.

I agree with you. It's just that "stretching" was the best single word I could come up with as an alternative to "shifting."

I would like to change something I said earlier, though.

So stretching focusing more awareness into one region and away from another would weaken awareness of the other, and strengthens the awareness in another.

Gah, I had a better way of saying it thought out, then I got distracted. >_<

[Yin]

I agree with you. It's just that "stretching" was the best single word I could come up with as an alternative to "shifting."

I would like to change something I said earlier, though.

Gah, I had a better way of saying it thought out, then I got distracted. >_<

I've got it, why don't we call it phasing?

[Chris J.]

I've got it, why don't we call it phasing?

Yes, that sounds great! 

[Yin]

Yes, that sounds great! 

Very well, then phasing it shall be.

[SereneMelody]

Yes, that sounds great! 

shifted, stretching, no... phasing

That pretty much sums up your whole conversation. 

[Chris J.]

shifted, stretching, no... phasing

That pretty much sums up your whole conversation. 

That pretty much sums up all conversations with me.

So...to get things back on topic, is there anything else we can help you with?

[Naykid]

   Well, now that they have molded you into their concept of a nice newbie package....get out there and phase!

Sorry couldn't resist.  The semantics is crazy around here now.  It tickles me is all.  

[Yin]

the joys of posting while being on IRC also

[SereneMelody]

So...to get things back on topic, is there anything else we can help you with?

Yeah, when I practiced projecting earlier today, I felt a strong tingling/thumping sensation in my right foot. Am I getting anywhere near close...? Another question; (sorry for all of them) how exactly do we "open", or use, our third (inner) eye? I don't really understand how to use it. Sorry if how I phrase the questions aren't very good.

Thanks again. 

[Chris J.]

Yeah, when I practiced projecting earlier today, I felt a strong tingling/thumping sensation in my right foot. Am I getting anywhere near close...? Another question; (sorry for all of them) how exactly do we "open", or use, our third (inner) eye? I don't really understand how to use it. Sorry if how I phrase the questions aren't very good.

Thanks again.  

I'd say the thumping sensation in your foot was because you were relaxed, so you began noticing something that you don't normally notice. Or your leg was in a bad position and you were cutting off circulation. To be honest, right now you are just beginning, so I don't think you should be worried about how close you are. Right now, I think you should focus on learning how to reliably reach Focus 10 (also called trance), then work your way into Focus 12 (hypnagogia) from there.

I don't do any energy work or anything like that, and I don't think it is necessary. But one way I have read to open it is to focus your awareness at the center of your forehead. If you want to look into energy work, here is something a lot of people recommend: http://www.astraldynamics.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=63&Itemid=72

By the way, don't worry about asking too many questions. That is part of what this website is for.

[Yin]

Yeah, when I practiced projecting earlier today, I felt a strong tingling/thumping sensation in my right foot. Am I getting anywhere near close...? Another question; (sorry for all of them) how exactly do we "open", or use, our third (inner) eye? I don't really understand how to use it. Sorry if how I phrase the questions aren't very good.

Thanks again.  

Frank would always say that thought is a primary energy, I never really actually understood this until a little while ago, basically, hold concentrated thought at the point where the chakra resides and it will be stimulated, this is going to be difficult at first, but, it basically is what made me consciously aware of it. Except for me the thought was charged senses that had as much energy into the imagination as I possibly could.

I don't do any energy work or anything like that, and I don't think it is necessary. But one way I have read to open it is to focus your awareness at the center of your forehead. If you want to look into energy work, here is something a lot of people recommend: http://www.astraldynamics.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=63&Itemid=72

I would like to add that I don't do any real energy work either besides the occasional psiball building. I happened to come across this chakra purely due to the conditions I set for myself, and never even tried to mess with chakras before.

[SereneMelody]

Frank would always say that thought is a primary energy, I never really actually understood this until a little while ago, basically, hold concentrated thought at the point where the chakra resides and it will be stimulated, this is going to be difficult at first, but, it basically is what made me consciously aware of it. Except for me the thought was charged senses that had as much energy into the imagination as I possibly could.

Is there a way to describe the feeling you get when you use the third, "inner", eye, or is it different for everyone? Still a bit puzzled. 
Thank you.

[personalreality]

feels like you're in your head watching.

depending on your level of trance it may seem like you're using your physical eyes.