The Dirty City test.

[Szaxx]

I became aware of being in a city. The streets were cold and damp, they also stank of dead dog or something rotting away. It was daytime and dismal. The unnatural darkness of this place made things look far worse.
I once again had no idea of why I was here. I grabbed the thoughts of the locals and knew instantly I was in some low depressing level of existance. The mood of them all now entered my mind and it wouldn't budge, nothing would shake it. I knew it wasn't home and that's about all I had been given in memory of where I came from. No home memories were present at all. This bothered me. The 'knowing you don't know' once again presenting itself enigmatically. I was searching this miserable place for a reason for my presence. Again nothing to assess.
I heard voices, male voices and they were distressed.
"Were we seen man", from one.
"I fkn hope not, the bstrds", replied from a window that had been smashed to pieces long ago. I peered into the blackness within the room. I saw the edge of what looked like shelving, again this had been destroyed years previous. The rancid stench of mold hit my senses. It reeked foul. The dead whatever not so prominent now. Footsteps came from behind me, running and getting closer. A massive grasp met my shoulder and I was lifted off my feet. "NO!, ee's not one of 'em, leave 'im be" was shouted. The guy dropped me and said " ye ye man, iz not d guy". I turned but stayed looking down as a suggestion of being dominated. I saw a huge pair of legs in what looked like jeans. These were filthy and they stank foul too. The guy said " 'ey, ya seen two dudes lookin t' die?".
I looked up at a black skinned guy, he was humanoid but massive in every way. I responded, " Nah, a sin no one". His black eyes stared at me searching for lies, they found none, I made sure of that.
My thoughts at that moment, Looks like this place is in a bad way, everything about it began to irritate me. I hate filth, it was pure filth. It's stench overwhelming, those I've met were unaware of it and their odour, I wanted to puke. The guys ran off shouting death threats in the windows as they ran by.
What the hell am I doing here? I asked myself. This place was solid, it was another physical reality, this one is rotting away. Why?
I looked around. The brick buildings towered several stories high and were a match for our city backstreets. They were black with grime, windows? Ha, an empty hole crying for care before the whole place collapsed. The road was full of potholes, I expected this from the stench alone. Nothing was powered now, them days had long gone. A few wires high up that were left attached had rags dangling from them, even these were black. Grey clouds in the sky made the scene perfect for suicide. I had to stay and also knew there was only one way out. Abandon the experience, yeah right, the thought occured but no way was I going to pull out. Failiure isn't an option and I've been in far worse predicaments.
Walking through some dirty backstreets I decided to reduce the odds of my safety. I found a narrow slit between the high rise decay and entered it. The dead end was made and clambering over the mountain of crap lying here I went in through a window. It stank, no surprise. The darkness slowly gave way to a dismal scene of the back of a shop. Rags strewn everywhere, rotting away like everything else here. I managed to trip and put my hand in what was a slimy pile of filth. I sniffed it, I know what sht smells like and this was fresh. Water to clean it? Yeah, none anywhere. I did my best to remove this offensive muck. I scrambled over broken wood what once was  a false wall and saw outside again. I went to the window opening. Stepping outside, it was a little darker. The rain then fell. I enjoyed this iced demon of cold leaching my heat but the rewards of being clean were far greater. Staring up into the grey clouds in the slit formed from the impending desolation, I still no idea what to do. This place was creepy. An almost lifeless hole. I decided to shout, my mind still being clouded by the foolish idea of reading the thoughts of the locals, "What do you want me to do!" Echoing from wall to wall. "Shut the fk up" came the reply. A crash of glass a short distance away was enough. I turned and walked back hoping to meet the guys hiding. I was feeling anger starting to develop. I crushed this knowing my motto. Eventually I came to the street where I started out.
I walked slowly listening for signs of life. It reminded me of the oily experience I had last year. I was becoming aware of some memories. These didn't help me at all.
Noise at last, I wanted to fit in and find some heat. I didn't make any thought suggestion in this place. That had proved itself bad already so I went with the flow. Shivering, I entered a window. The doors were full of trash and totally blocked, all of them, wierd place.
"Yo, dudes, gimme some flame man, Am freezing." I shouted, hoping for some response.
"Yo man, keep it down, da guys release bak n we'll be dead meat ya know." responded from the distance.
A lad appeared to move as I did, he was around 19. He looked sorry for himself. As I got closer I realised it was a filth covered mirror. I was looking at myself.
Decades chopped off, wow, the only bonus. The character I was, had no strength. You can't win 'em all, I thought.
Two lads a little older, one was large, were sat besided a small fire that was burning well. The smoke escaping up a riser, the cables and pipes within, no use at all now. The idea was clever, the evidence escaping into the sky where no eyes could detect its presence.
"yo" one called, " not a grass then?, wise here, get sat, warm yourself".
He, a skinny, filthy excuse for life, looked like food was a rarity and he was nowhere near the top of the chain. His friend was far larger, another dark skinned humanoid. Not as large as the first one I encountered. He stood six foot four tall and looked as wide too. His hands were dinnerplates. Thick set and powerful. I got the impression these entities had braun but lacked in brains. He grinned. an array of teeth that would scare a dentist, brown but did appear a full set.
His words, like the other that grabbed me earlier, had the same constitution.
"Man, you good. Tiz bad place dis city. We runnin', da uverz got da word we not givin back stuff we took. You 'elp, we 'elp you man, ok?"
I now thought they were thieves of some kind, maybe not though, the story began to unfold at last.
"What did you take?" I asked, after a pause I asked "and why?".
"stuff we found, good stuff, we swap it for tings". The dark one answered. The lad was attempting to tell him to shut up with his expression. I said "Don't worry, you know I'm no grass. Can I aid you in any way?"
The lad laughed, he said " yep, against the mob rule we live now and food is becoming scarce. You find us some, lots and we're o.k. You could kill all of them before they find us too. That would really help. Yeah, impossible, you should really go away from 'ere. This is a bad place to be."
"Nah" I said, " there's something I gotta do, don't know what yet, but something needs doin' 'round 'ere".
The thick set lad said " We got uz sum more friends, dem 'ere, in dis city an be back later. You stay, meet dem, da mob not release 'ere wen it dark. Dems scared of sumin".
I smiled thinking the hospitality was acceptable, what choice did I have? Scared of the dark, childs play. Something more than the mob ruled this city at night I had no knowledge of, this could prove a problem if ignored. Those guys I met would slit any throat for a piece of bread. They had no care or compassion inside them, that's long gone.
I asked the lad " You got no names then?" his expresdion said more than his words when he replied.
"Hell no, got a lable, get known, get killed, its bad, man where you from?"
His friend said smiling "Dis city, where else?, it big like forever. Da boyz be bak soon, got eats for uz.
We get warm place an stuff ya know. Stuff make em gud"
I nodded, the stuff had a bad ring to it, drugs being the first thought.
Outside now getting darker as night came. The others returning one by one, looking with suspicion at me and talking amongst themselves.
I had to ground myself at this point and those suspicious eyes were watching. I lost some of the recall at this point and remember returning to the same room, toy fighting with some of the lads. I was up to the point of coming back in control being easily wasted by the lads.
I looked at the largest of the lads, not a humanoid, that would be stupidity and beckoned him over.
He asked, " Are you ready for defeat in a second?"
I grinned and said "If you are too", he jumped at me his arms flopping about like jelly. I  hit a point on his arm with a finger and it dropped. He turned back for more. I did the same on the other arm and tapped his legs too. He fell to the floor shouting, "What the hell did you just do?, teach me it". I helped him up and said "sorry for the inconvenience".
I winked at him and a group watched and learned as I took them through the basics.
The humanoid wanted a go and I so declined without a second thought.
The place was dimly lit with oil lamps or similar, I could see the makeshift couch placed a few feet away from the opening and the remnants of the original wall that would have been for boxing in the display. It was six feet inside from the opening and access was restricted to a three feet gap kicked out of it at one side. The wall was four or so feet high. The other direction went on forever, it was one big shop in its day. An open space made into covert living quarters of sorts. These well hidden and indistinguishable from the rot that prevailed everywhere.
Far from cosy in many ways but offering a sullen comfort in a way. I walked past the fire, centrally positioned as I'd expect. I went left after going forwards about seventy feet. This was lit up to a point, forwards sank into total darkness. I saw some lads watching a makeshift doorway. They indicated it's ok to go through it. One said " you dont want to go outside, stay away from outside". He looked serious. I acknowledged his wisdom and looked around. There was another entry here. It's fifteen feet up from the ground here and serves as an exit in reality. The wisdom became apparent once the drop was seen. Some more steps at the side went down into what could be a cellar. These looked used but I couldnt see that clearly. They started at street level.
I decided to return to the couch at the main entry. Once there I'd try to work out the purpose of this experience.
The street, pitch black at the entrance could be the reason no-one goes out at night. They all have that dismal look and the rotting dog was the only marker. This too depended upon the wind so I wasn't going to tempt fate. The activity started to quieten down inside and the noise level dropped as the lads slowly took rest. About three were left and two were the original ones I met earlier. We went over to the fire and the smaller lad asked " do you want to get some rest?"
I replied " No, Im not tired and I guess you two are watching over the place tonight."
The lad replied " yes, someone has to, the night crawlers are around and they kill then rob anyone they meet. It's not good finding your friends ripped apart in the morning. They just slice and slice and eat and yer know."
I responded " I get the picture, they don't sound like us, I mean they ate people? That comes over as a big cat."
He looked bemused, " what's a cat, they must be bad too, eat people at night, they do that? He said.
"Yep, the big ones would eat anything that moves. They are covered in fur and walk on four legs" I explained. I then did a drawing in the ashes of what they looked like. He looked at me in wonder.
I said " we keep em as pets, you know, care and feed them, they return the favour in many ways, if they feel like it."
He said " you can keep em, not much food around now and ... Keep em all".
The dark giant said " we not want dem catz 'ere. Monsterz dem cats, eat people, man you keep em".
The guys went tending the fire with more muck that burned. I went to the couch again. Still unsure of my purpose here in this hell.
I heard a noise outside in the dark. It clattered a few streets away. After a few moments it returned, Closer, much closer.
As I turned to look towards the window I saw a large, pitch black shadow next to me. I could feel a sharp tap on my shoulder and then nothing else. I had been spiked by something, a drug.
I tried to move, no chance. The room fell backwards and the sounds of rushing by was being twisted by the effects. It sounded like my head was under water. The swaying around hit my senses next as I slumped onto the couch. I could see around five or six people rushing around. The taste of the poisions in me were becoming apparent. I could smell the stuff too. I wasn't happy with the situation at all. Light's flashed everywhere. I closed my eyes to escape them. That didn't work, Then slowly my body responded. It was hard work getting out of its debilitating grip. I decided to use a thought to correct this insanity. Now fixed, I jumped up onto the back of one of the intruders. He was massive. Seven foot something tall and as before, as wide too. I was swatted away like a fly. I travelled fifteen feet before I landed in a slump. It was soft and dusty leaving me gagging for air. The intruders now had hold of the lads I first met.
The dark one shouting something I didn't understand to the massive one holding him rigidly with one hand. The lad, now being interrogated by someone I hadn't seen before. A human around six feet tall. He was well built and almost looked clean. His ways were anything but nice. As he pulled a blade out of his jacket type attire, the lad shouted "I'll get your stuff, I didn't know, its yours, when light comes. Get your fukn hands off me".
I attmpted to intervene by shouting " let him be, he didn't know, you heard him." pitiful I know, it had an effect.
He turned and looked at me, then said " you are not from this city". His eyes bright blue almost glowing like those of the Fremmen (Dune). He continued, " You are not from here at all, are you?"
I wanted to read his mind as he clearly had power over everyone. Their fear showed itself immediately.
His bulky minder started shrieking some unknown language. He feared me now for some unknown reason. His grip tightened immensely on the humanoid he held. He was restless. The humanoid he gripped shouted in his language then in ours, " Get im off me, hurts bad." He screamed as the mass holding him started to run towards the opening in the window. Not letting go of his captive an almighty shriek came with a crunch. The captive exploded, blood and guts went everywhere, we all got covered. The bulk tripped on something on the floor and reacted to break his fall, still holding onto his captive he moved quickly tearing whats left in two. He landed on the corpse and more guts sprayed us.  He shot up and grabbed the remains by the head. This popped under the pressure and more guts sprayed us. He turned then with wide glaring eyes and stared at me. Dropping the quarry now, he made a move straight in my direction.
My thoughts were to use my skills as they all had some idea I was more than that seen. The blue eyed one stood away from the lad. The lad ticked his pants and the bulk came my way fast. I had to make my move and quickly. I levitated him for a few seconds then dropped him. He possessed the most evil intent on my decimation. What stops something so massive? I turned him upside down and dropped him on his head. He just didn't respond to pain at all. An old world barbarian set on destruction, aimed at me, the predicament continued. Now fifteen feet between us and a second or two left I wasn't going to fail in this way. He pssed me off with not responding so I stuck 10000 volts through his mind. He dropped to the floor making a noise like nothing I've heard before. He screamed "No more". My ears hurt with the noise level. He scratched at his skin tearing off his garments until he almost ripped himself apart.
I stopped this torture. It's not my way but it served its purpose. He fixed himself to the spot trying to put his clothes in order. The blue eyed one looked at me smiling, he came over with his hands raised in order to stop his crew continuing the mayhem they unleashed in this place.
He spoke " Come work for me, I have control of this city. The mayor and anyone in authority do my bidding, thats how it is".
I thought for a second, this guy wants me to aid him. He's a criminal and probably responsible for the state of this place. A no-go zone.
I responded " I can't live your life, it's against my constitution. Where do we go from here?"
He pondered for a moment. I could feel an icy chill in my mind. Someone was trying to read it. It had that crushing cold burn feel to it. This was new for the city, my first thoughts were another transdimensional traveller was here.
My thoughts on detecting the culprit were a little extreme, considering what I did previously to the mad minder. I decided to do no more than create a false image of an open mind and imprint a fear scenario that's been a troublesome irritation in extreme circumstances.
The reading stopped hopefully to stay that way.
"There's work for you and if your mind changes you can find me", he replied.
I said no more. He looked at the lads disposition and said " Morning, I always get what I want and will get whats mine returned, put it back!".
The lad nodded. Blue eyes smirked as he looked the lad up and down and told his followers "we'll be back if needs be".
They left kicking things into the fire as the went by it.
A few of the others appeared out of nowhere a few minuits after the mob left. The carnage was removed by some of them.
I hated this place with a vengeance now and existing this way was almost pointless.
I thought of ways to remove the problem but kept hitting a wall for a resolution.
This was one massive dilemma and it couldn't be solved.
The lad seemed to have no emotion over the loss of his friend. He must have seen things like this many times. He looked at me and said " You are stupid or something, the giant one, he was going to kill you, but he didn't, something isn't right."
I looked at him and responded " At times things are not as you see them, you swap something and find later that its empty. Or find something lying there and its not yours to take. You take it anyway and later it causes trouble. Who is now stupid or something?
The one leaving it there, or you for taking it?"
He just looked at me in thought.
I said "Anyone, who is blue eyes?" a silence fell and no-one answered.
A delay occured then "one of the night crawlers?" was said from an unknown voice.
I didn't like the response and started an attempt to piece things together.
I worked out,
This city or part of it was either fenced off or a state declared no-go zone.
There is the possibility that civil unrest caused this segregation. Something along those lines occured.
The mob/nightcrawlers are one and the same. These are the instigators of the unrest.
The inhabitants cannot leave and have stayed far away from anyone they don't know. This hermetic lifestyle has kept them in segregation.
The finding things to eat is a deliberate act of compassion from outside of the city as I had experienced it. You simply can't find good food after 10 years (estimated) in a desolate city.
There is an outside authority and slowly this wreck of a place is being reclaimed.

At this point my awareness was fading. Sleep, a luxury I'm short of had taken its toll already. A girl screamed at some point around the intrusion but recall failed.
The next two nights had this same location as I returned. Recall is almost non existant and although my method of triggers works well, I can't recall anything to trigger.
I remember seeing the dirty city far smaller than it was. The insurgents had been captured and the head guy squealed like a pig, he grassed on everyone involved. The mayor and many in the security force were bought out by the mob. These people were arrested and out of service. The black humanoids and others that were rescued proved difficult to integrate in the outside society. My estimsted 10 years was wrong. It was 30+ years. The clue was in the age of my character. I didn't see this.
The main objective was another test. To see if I could intergrate and adapt to an existance far from what's acceptable and cooperate with the indigenous providing help while retaining anonymity.
My actions during the melee were accepted as they went unnoticed. 10000 volts is invisible, a nice touch.
I feel that the NP has more of this to throw at me in some  retrievals.
All I can say is "BRING IT ON".

[carrie.carnahan]

What a great story!!! I'm not sure I would be tempting the universe to bring it on lol... Do you always have to interact with some kind of being to figure out why you are there, or do you just know? Do you think there are training grounds for people?

Carrie

[Szaxx]

The experience had the typical retrieval feel to it when it started. The memories I had were limited and that's another signpost. The place was as real as the physical and I knew instinctively a job needed doing. This usually involves people or entities in whatever form they are in.
Training rooms or locations are a large part of most experiences.
Many people dreaming are unaware of the 'having to work something out' in them. Have a think on this. You'll be suprised at the results.
Imagine being totally aware and active in the NP for decades, what would your experiences have evolved into?
Its definately not wandering around area 51 or similar. Thats a total waste of time. You become aware of more than this physical world and interact with many others.
To be of use is not to be discarded.

[Achak]

Szaxx, I just stumbled upon this and went searching for some other accounts from you on AP. Cool stuff! I'm extremely curious about what you're experiencing so I have a few questions about these life events:

1. Since when have you been astral projecting and when was the first time you started these 'retrievals'? What is your age now?

2. When you return from a retrieval, do you immediately lose details until you begin a recall process?

3. Have you been debriefed by a guide and or being that described what you would be encountering or were you thrown into the thick of it? If so, how?

4. How can you distinguish the difference between a training area(a reality which is designed solely to test you) to an alternative "real" reality, if there is a difference at all.

5. If you've had the chance to understand some of your past lives, how have they played a role in these quests/tests and in this current life?

6. Ultimately, you have chosen to incarnate into earths frequency (Assuming you believe in incarnation). Thus, what is the purpose for which you've decided to live as a human and in parallel have these distinct abilities and encounters(As far as you understand in this moment)?

7. Other than astral projection, do you have encounters in physical reality? (Such as psychic traits-reading minds, seeing spirits etc.). If so, to what extent?

8. Lastly, what techniques do you use to start a projection and/or develop yourself mentally/spiritually if you use anything at all?

Thanks! Hope to read more posts soon.

[Loosh]

This is just..amazing. I'm hoping beginners aren't thrown into a scene like this?

[carrie.carnahan]

I can't even get out of my room lol... I don't think they would be. But who knows

Carrie

[Szaxx]

Firstly and importantly, No-one has ever been placed in an experience they were incapable of resolving. The NP (higher self) appears to know your limits better than you actually realise. It's understanding this that the best progress can be made.
The answers,
1, I've always projected since my first memories. At 4 years old I travelled close to home very often and saw many things that were verified later in the day. The first retrieval was possibly at 9 years of age. This is when I faced my fears, a guided tour followed and the astral fully opened up. I wanted to help and this was made so. 53...
2,  Sometimes the recall fades a little. It returns later naturally and I've used various methods to improve the details. The exhilaration at times is so great the recall doesn't fade at all. It's better than watching a movie and writing down the story just after watching it.
3, I've met a few entities who knew I was coming (strange feeling). Search on site for New Jericho, this is a typical example. Most times I gain awareness and instinctively know it's a retrieval. The ambience and above physical awareness is prominent. I've seen no guides as such since the 70's. There's no need.
4, see 3, it's instinct.
5, Absolutely nothing is known.
6, It feels like time out, a holiday of sorts. Gaining perspective and prioritising many aspects in life helps overall in the NP. Becoming aware of limitations and dealing with them.
7, Lots of things, read some of my posts. Itd take pages to list them.
8, I'm working on a new method that takes seconds. Its successful when set-up. I think it's possible for most to do once very familiar with the NP. Otherwise I do whats in the Astral Blueprint topic. Set it up and away we go.

[Loosh]

It's good to know we will only be given what we can handle. I am in a fear block. I am reading every post I can by all of you who are so experienced. The idea of being a retriever is extremely attractive to me. I have no belief systems, and I feel as though I'm a good detective and counselor. Most of all I really care about people who are so hooked into belief systems. I've seen every Tom Campbell video out there, read the Monroe books, a William Buhlman book, and I've had a couple of spontaneous obe's. I have seen a light being before I knew all of this, and it shocked me so bad I haven't tried since. It was fantastically beautiful though. Love coursed through me like liquid unlike anything I've ever felt.
The only 'bad' experience I've had was waking up out of body, and a being had me around the throat, flying me to the four corners of my room. I said 'will you just put me down' . and then I woke up in body. These were years ago. Now that I have knowledge I'd like to try again.
There will come a time when I can't read anymore and I will have to just do it. The fear is of creepy things, being touched, etc. But once I pass these initial perhaps creepy, scary tests will they cease?

[Szaxx]

As thoughts manifest you've already scared yourself. Creepy shadow people are an item most don't want to meet. They THINK about this and wonder why. In the early days the fear factor is an issue but it can be won.
I have many standard dreams where the grim reaper in all the attire is chasing me. They get irksome at times and he never wins. When things start to escalate out of my favour I gain awareness and the problem is solved. The worst character for most is called 'the Darkness', I've posted an experience on here with the same name.
A good read, don't be put off by some of the experiences I have, most are self generated in the void, I love the challenge. There's ALWAYS a way of winning,  it starts with determination and my motto, failiure is not an option. It keeps you on your toes and very much entertained.
Fear doesn't exist, it can run rampant and you then grab it by the horns.
You really are scareing yourself through doubt in most cases.
The retrievals are different, you become aware in some location and everything you are is pre-conditioned for the experience. Memories of home can be absent, the way you think is accelerated and your recall, once triggered is almost perfect.
A strange mix of emotions can also be added, its up to you to work them out. It then becomes a mental battle of wits and the clock is ticking.
The 'there time' can be days too. To wake after an hour or three is interesting in itself. You lose track of what day it is in the beginning. It's obvious as time is irrelevant when comparing how we percieve it here and there.
There's comments on site too, search out 'souly for retrievals'. It has some interesting comments ect.

[Achak]

Szaxx, thanks for responding to my questions! 

If you don't mind, I'm intrigued about the sensations you experience while in NP and on retrievals. Specifically, when reading "New Jerico", you described sleep, hunger, the passing of days, the risk of 'death'.

1. How does hunger and tiredness affect you in these dimensions? How does taking the time to sleep and eat "nourish" you (If it's not a way to fit into the setting you're in)?

2. Are you ever in any real personal danger? If so, how can you tell? What would this mean for your physical life as far as you understand?

3. When sleeping and experiencing the passing of time in another reality, do you feel a pull to return back to your body or a lack of focus?

4. As for "New Jerico", did you ever return there after helping?

I've learned a lot from reading about your experiences (And everyone else who posts frequently on AP)

Thank you to all for taking the time to keep this site functional and for providing a wonderful source of information!

Peace, Love, Light

[Loosh]

Thank you, very good advice. I will continue studying and give it a whirl!

[Szaxx]

No problems with the questions. If I can help anyone in their progress, the time is well spent.
1, sleep can recharge you. It's a strange concept but your energy can be restored with the rest. You can phase well too doing this, it simply happens without effort. The thought manifestation working its magic.
Generally you program yourself to wake after some time or be prepared for someone else to wake you. This is usually dreamless sleep. The time out means no extra energy is being used although you are actually OOB it does ground you well. You can feel refreshed too. The food issue is more the taste exercise. I can eat anything in the NP and some things look like giant green frogspawn. They tasted like marzipan, I ate well. It does help you fit in, in some places visited, if I said Im a multidimensional traveller with the power of a god, I'd screw up any chance of learning. The helpfulness of the indigenous would turn to a mob set on destruction. On occasion this power is useful, discreetly of course. It doesn't apply to every location though, that would ruin the fun. If you're told don't fly (you instinctively know) you don't. You can be booted out of the astral and it takes a while to open the door again.
2, In the experience, what you find yourself in, in some cases, is all thats ever been. Its your home and always has been. Memories are implanted in you too, you don't challenge these until you progress, your real or present existance in the physical bleeds through and your realisation of multidimensional existances then becomes apparent. By this time several hours of the experience have taken place and you have a feel of whats expected and acceptable. This can also twist the other way too. An anomaly in the NP is real too and should you fail it can take you to some really dark places. Search for 'the Castle' another posted experience for an example of this. Safety is total but you may not be aware of this. Being analytical really helps as a poor choice of direction can prevent success in your quest. My early days when learning the ropes that failed the tests resulted in me being electrocuted, burned in a straw man, thrown off many cliffs, drowned, torn into pieces, stabbed... You wake up feeling ticked off with yourself. You don't make the same mistake (most times). These failings remove the ego problem and develop a rational mindset that nothing physical can touch upon. It really changes you for the better.
3, see previous comment. As the body is asleep and you are not even aware of the physical during the experience, a massive emotional upset is about the only thing that can make you pull out of the experience. I've had many of these from clairvoyant dreams. It's mentioned in New Jericho. It's this ' I dont like it here' thought that wakes up the return possibility. You use it if you need to, it's also automatic as you are given the choice. Take too long and the experience collapses, you then wake feeling annoyed with yourself.
4, Yes a couple of times. Im due to return in about four more years. I don't know how I know, it was implanted thirty odd years ago and you don't forget. Time will tell.

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