A Curious Case of Tinnitus

[BabyLion]

Hello, dear ones! I am new here, and would really like to thank you all for keeping this wonderful forum alive - the way I see it, it's a total gem for people embarking on the AP odyssey.

Now, before somebody suggests, I DID use a search bar and DID find quite a few threads regarding tinnitus. Though it seems to me like usually people are concerned whether or not tinnitus makes it harder to astral project. I'd like to start a "reverse" discussion about whether or not tinnitus may actually be very helpful! Or... Perhaps it even has something to do with astral body itself?

These questions popped up  for me due to my own experience - even though I have never had a successful AP yet.
The first instance I found tinnitus being very helpful was about a couple of months ago. Usually it takes me a loong time of conscious attention and relaxation to get to the "vertigo state". But then, I thought about concentrating my attention to tinnitus - and as quickly as I closed my eyes, my body instantly started "spinning around", which caught me totally off-guard! It only has been THIS effective once, therefore I wouldn't discount my open mindset playing a major role in that moment.

About a week ago I had an unintentional wake-induced lucid dream, and while exploring it, I suddenly started hearing this super loud metallic noise and feeling as if the whole warmth of my body would be trying to escape and ascend. I somewhat realized that this might be an initial stage of AP, but my body instinctively panicked due to the surprising experience and sudden loss of control - and I woke up a couple of seconds later. After this incident, I had surprisingly loud tinnitus for 3 days. Usually my tinnitus is only being heard in silence, while resting, but now I could hear it throughout the day! As far as I can tell it has never happened to me before. It is indeed possible and likely that it was due to sudden stress and possibly raised blood pressure, though.

Now, speaking about the noise itself, I realize that there are people who never hear any "ringing" in their ears when they leave their body. And yet, it seems to be a pretty common trait. And, at least to me, after reaching that "noisy phase" for 3 times, a "ringing" noise appears to me like the same tinnitus noise - only intensified a few times.
Therefore my question would be - do you think there may exist some link between tinnitus and this noise which may happen when leaving the body?

Thank you! 

[EscapeVelocity]

Welcome to the Pulse BabyLion!

This is a great question you are asking. And the possible linkage to the 'astral' body function or exit symptoms is worthy of exploring. Having suffered? with tinnitus for 10 plus years now, I have wondered about the same questions. Sadly, I haven't found much in the way of answers.

The times that I have attempted to utilize this as either a focusing-target or as a non-focusing white noise have not yielded results for me; perhaps your post will prompt me to try again. After all, the noise is there, it's free and it's apparently not going away anytime soon...

I hoped for a time that it was somehow 'frequency-related', maybe indicating a positive condition...not so sure about that now. But I do agree with you that it does seem to harmonize with some of the exit noises such as ear-ringing.

With that aside, congratulations on experiencing the exit symptoms that you did. These are some of the first signs that you are making progress. My advice is to not get too hung up on making a fully conscious exit. Try different times during the day or night with naps, WBTB or early morning wake-ups. It's okay if you fall asleep or 'click out' and find yourself within a WILD such as you did...perfectly valid. The way you get there isn't so much as important as what you do with it when you get there. And this will start with small steps and get better over time. You're doing great! Have fun!

Make sure you acquaint yourself with the 'blue sticky' on  Exit Signs/Symptoms.

[SleepyHollow]

I can hear a light ringing sound during physical life if it's quiet and I listen for it. l've tried focusing on it, but it doesn't seem to help me.

[Xanth]

I can hear a light ringing sound during physical life if it's quiet and I listen for it. l've tried focusing on it, but it doesn't seem to help me.

That's normal operation for your hearing.
It's the sound of "no sound"... if that makes sense.

Realize that your five physical senses are ALWAYS on and ALWAYS processing "something".
That sound you hear when everything is quiet is that "no sound".
The same holds true for your sight, touch, taste and smell.  They're ALWAYS processing some sensation.

To project, your goal is to reduce the amount of processing YOU experience. 
This allows a different stream of sensations (usually from within you) to kick in... essentially, experiencing something else.

[soki]

I used to be on a forum about LD's and some of its members were discussing about that sound. Some had successful AP's by concentrating on it so I tried myself by following their instructions. If you manage to fully concentrate on the sound, it will grow stronger which will make it louder. As it gets louder it will draw more and more of your attention until you forget you are in your room. It's the same as watching the light flashes in your inner vision like Frank Kepple talks about. You are actively drawing your attention towards yourself (or inside). I never had a successful AP this way, I rely on the scenes that appear in my head in order to have one. But I know it's possible to do it!

[Xanth]

I used to be on a forum about LD's and some of its members were discussing about that sound. Some had successful AP's by concentrating on it so I tried myself by following their instructions. If you manage to fully concentrate on the sound, it will grow stronger which will make it louder. As it gets louder it will draw more and more of your attention until you forget you are in your room. It's the same as watching the light flashes in your inner vision like Frank Kepple talks about. You are actively drawing your attention towards yourself (or inside). I never had a successful AP this way, I rely on the scenes that appear in my head in order to have one. But I know it's possible to do it!

Exactly!  And that describes exactly how to project using anything as your focus. 

[astralm]

Going back to the link between ear noise and exit symptoms I believe it was Frederick Aardema who stated his hypothesis is all exit symptoms are body sensations that are super amplified.  Not sure I agree with it.  A llittle too materialistic for me but the theory is out there.

[Xanth]

Going back to the link between ear noise and exit symptoms I believe it was Frederick Aardema who stated his hypothesis is all exit symptoms are body sensations that are super amplified.  Not sure I agree with it.  A llittle too materialistic for me but the theory is out there.

Is it anymore believable to think that when you're in sleep paralysis that there's this being sitting on your chest? 

I think he might be onto something.

[astralm]

Is it anymore believable to think that when you're in sleep paralysis that there's this being sitting on your chest? 

I think he might be onto something.

Oh you mean Bob, yeah that guy needs to go on a diet or quit sitting on people.

I agree he might be on to something it does make good sense, I just haven't fully bought in yet so to speak.  Honestly hasn't been a topic I have given much though to since reading his book until this thread.