Grass, Gravel and an Old Friend

[EscapeVelocity]

Sunday July 13, 2014

6am I woke and propped myself up in bed and spent about fifteen minutes with eyes shut just 'noticing' the colors behind my eyelids, looking for a portal to appear. My intent was already decided as I wanted to visit a friend I had met online last year. A few times it looked as if some rudimentary portal was forming but each time I lost it. Then, in an instant, a round mirror-like shape formed and I realized that I was looking at green grass on the other side of the portal and that this would do just as well as any scene. In an instant, I realized I had already phased and was now standing in a new environment, a different dimension looking at a stretch of grass in front of me, closely mowed like that of a golf course fairway; looking around, it was a peaceful country scene with otherwise nothing of interest to keep me focused there. I chuckled to myself knowing that this would serve just fine as a second portal and I just stood and fell face-first into the ground as I declared my intent mentally.

I passed through the ground and was instantly in darkness and rushing forward at tremendous speed for what seemed like a minute. My speed began slowing and I sensed I was nearing my destination but for some reason I had the thought to stop right at that moment and have a look around.

I materialized about 500 feet up in the sky, a beautiful day, blue sky, dotted with some clouds and I was over some lovely rolling hills with green fields and small copses of trees. In the distance, about a half mile away, I saw a most remarkable sight: it was the standing skeleton of a mastodon, 300 feet tall and beautifully silouhetted against the sky in a macabre sort of way. As I flew around it, I spotted another mastodon about a mile away but this one was still whole as if alive. I flew towards it and taking a closer look, I realized that it wasn't moving, it was like a statue. Looking farther around, I spotted two more super-sized prehistoric creatures: a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a Triceratops. Everything was incredibly life-like yet there was also a sense of stylization to the place, like a sense of a little Salvador Dali to both the countryside and the statues.

As I flew circles admiring these behemoths, I kept getting an increasing tug, pulling me in a specific direction. I finally relented and angled off to wherever I was supposed to go and in about a mile I flew in low over a very simple house, like a cottage. As I touched down, a man came out to greet me. I recognized him as JS, one of my best friends from high school, whom I hadn't seen in 25 years. JS had been studying art back then, mostly painting and sculpture. I realized this was all his work, a giant 3D canvas, his astral art studio. I congratulated him on the impressive sculptures and he offered to show me around.

At this point, something a bit confusing happened. Up to this point my lucidity had been very good, nearly, if not 100%. Our reunion should have been all laughter and smiles but it instead became very subdued and my lucidity fell pretty dramatically. It was as if he was clouded and depressed in a way and this cloud quickly overcame me, as well. Our conversation was polite but well short of the many things I wanted to tell him. He showed me around his house, a very simple set-up with few rooms. He showed me down one narrow corridor which led to a small room that was empty, with what seemed like brown cardboard lining the floor, walls and ceiling. I took this to be some kind of studio but it quickly gave me a disturbing feeling of being literally 'boxed in'. I don't remember much of our conversation, but I did ask him if he was alright and if there was anything I could do for him. But he indicated he was satisfied with his present surroundings and so I said goodbye.

As I walked away from him, my lucidity began returning slightly, enough to notice I was walking on a gravel drive. I thought that should serve just as well as the grass had, for a portal. Unfortunately, I hadn't regained enough lucidity to remember that I also needed an intent for a destination (I had forgotten my original intent to visit my friend)...I stopped walking and with blind confidence, fell face first into the gravel...indenting it to a depth of maybe two inches with a noisy crunch. With my face still scrunched into the drive, I laughed at myself and woke up.

Upon reflection, I wondered if my friend had passed, but I have been unable to confirm this. I guess it's also possible I was visiting him in his personal, astral dreamspace and maybe that explains his listlessness and apparent apathy. Or maybe all I contacted was an aspect of his greater Self. If it was a retrieval, then I'm going to have to have a talk with my Guide and ask that he/she tell me that fact sometime prior.

[LightBeam]

Great experience, EV! It would be curious to find out if your friend had passed away, but I have APs with many people who are still alive. Some of them remember our experiences together as dreams and some don't. But I believe that I encounter their astral selves, which of course if the brain does not translate their existence in the spiritual realm, no one has any idea that they exist in multi levels.
I love your description of the rolling hills scenery.

[EscapeVelocity]

Thanks LightBeam! Yes, it could have just been his astral or dream self, without more complete awareness. I'm still in the early stages of figuring these things out. It's not just understanding my state but that of others, as well. It's exciting how complex and wide-ranging the experiences are! It just never ends!

Also, along the idea that our Guides/higher selves actually assist in and provide these experiences, the initial phasing visual of fresh, bright, green grass strikes me with this humorous metaphor...

Can anyone guess what it is?

[LightBeam]

Also, along the idea that our Guides/higher selves actually assist in and provide these experiences, the initial phasing visual of fresh, bright, green grass strikes me with this humorous metaphor...

Can anyone guess what it is?

The grass is greener on the other side? LOL

[EscapeVelocity]

Perfect!

[LightBeam]

One more thing, if you are leaning towards retrievals, and naturally want to help others, then often during APs, you will be taken by some "force" to places where you are needed, and in some instances the others may perceive you as a guide, which in that instance you really are.

[EscapeVelocity]

I look forward to and would enjoy the challenge of retrievals. I think I could be very good at it. But either something is holding me back, some necessary realization or it's just simply these 'baby steps' that need to occur. Maybe it's just a more natural thing for others, but it is quite frustrating for me!

As far as Guide interaction, I would love that, but I don't get hardly any. No direct appearances, just once noticing another figure in the area, a few times sensing their invisible presence nearby, and the once, really good telepathic contact in my Fieldtrip experience. It's basically 'figure it out on your own, dude!'...wonderfully frustrating, to coin an oxymoron (which I feel like)...lol

Damn, I'd like a few clear statements besides the hints and comical metaphors like ' the grass is greener'...but I gotta admit, that was a good one!

Thanks so much for your insights LightBeam!

[Szaxx]

With a lack of a guide in form the experiential tests follow. These vary and some will pass by without any realisation you were being tested. Other experiences will show you strange things you've not encountered before to see how you deal with them. You've had a few of these already.
This one with the lack of clarity is similar. Strangely you can still perform tasks and the limits imposed like a lack of physical world memories or a reduced awareness give rise to your natural way of solving issues.
The distractions in this were the overly large statues and the Dali inspired landscape, the pull would have been ignored or even lost if your mind was 'over occupied' by these works of art. You passed that test lol.

Your ability to use intent shows itself clearly by using a chunk of turf as a portal. Nice move. Anything will serve as a portal if your intent is strong enough and no doubts arise.
A destination helps as you found out at the end. With none, you stay where you are, with a thump in your case.lol.

JS in the experience wasn't quite as you expected, another distraction. The lack of clarity opens your mindset for distractions which you didn't fail on. Good work.
When the boxed in feeling came about, you were put in an uncomfortable surrounding, this can lead to 'get me out of here' thoughts, another distraction.
You seem to have kept on track in this experience.
Although you were not able to say what you wanted, nothing was altered or forced by you to make this occur. You left the environment as is and stayed the course.
You are well on the way to have a retrieval. If you keep this in mind, the request may be granted.
I've often wondered why my guides don't show up in form. It looks like they have no need to. You may be in this same position.
Perhaps one of your next experiences will be a retrieval.
I'd say you are ready for some.
Lets hope I'm correct in this assumption.
Perhaps you'll bump into some info on your friend, or maybe find him. The world isn't that big.
Nice experience.

[EscapeVelocity]

Your analysis clarifies the experience overall and introduces fresh perspectives for me on some of the details. I can now see evidence of my NP mindset developing in several ways: I have stronger awareness, confidence, cognitive ability, and am less prone to distraction...

Before, I would have missed the pull/tug or dismissed it. This time, I responded the second time I felt it, a pretty subtle thing.

The 'reduced awareness' as you call it, is a better description of what happened. I initially thought it was some force affecting or emanating from my friend but maybe you are closer to the truth. It wasn't so much a negative or depressing effect as it was 'subdued' or 'reduced', as you say. This effect, followed by my feeling disturbed in the boxed-in room made me initially think the room somehow was a reflection of his inner disturbance and it felt like the longer I stayed, it might overtake me.  The 'get me out of here' thought is exactly what I thought (Lol), but I did not panic; I kept my emotional control and just walked out of there continuing our limited conversation. I guess that I passed this test; I'm not sure what else was to be done.

Part of my NP mindset that I still think needs work is my attitude of non-interference when in the NPR and just being an observer. That seems like good advice early on, but at some point I need to consciously make decisions to take action in some circumstances. This, apparently for me, is not an automatic 'instinct' and needs to be learned still. But I'm okay with that, I can now see progress being made and I know it will come.

Thanks for the excellent advice, Szaxx!

[soarin12]

Neat experience, EV!  So did it hurt when you hit the gravel? lol.

The first part of this one is so similar to one I had about a month ago.  I was high up in a beautiful blue sky.  I was over land, but in mine I was looking out over a body of water.  Then I glanced down below me and saw two baby dinosaurs on a ledge.  I flew down for a closer look, but when I got there the dinosaurs were actually small highly stylized statues.  I think they shape shifted, though.  They hadn't looked like that from a distance.  Not knowing what else to do, I picked up the statues and examined them thoroughly.  They were so artistic.

If I am reading what you guys said above correctly, do you mean you shouldn't interact with the environment unless you feel a 'pull' to do so?  Sometimes I feel a pull to do certain things in my experiences and other times I just choose to interact with something or someone because it looks interesting.

[Szaxx]

If you need to interact by changing things or feel a pull/directive to do so there's no problem I can relate to. If you start generating 1 foot wasps and quicksand then you do get removed. This is from a few experiences. The only manipulation that didn't cause any removal was in a retrieval where one character was an butt and being non confirmative to my commands. He needed to be quiet or I would fail. So after looking around and seeing/feeling noone but those chasing, I phased him through a wall. He went very quiet and I succeeded in removing him to safety. He did wet himself though to my amusement. At the drop off point the collectors' thoughts were also amusing.
Any deliberate unnecessary changes to a peaceful environment are more difficult but should be avoided out of courtesy I find.

[Lionheart]

If you need to interact by changing things or feel a pull/directive to do so there's no problem I can relate to. If you start generating 1 foot wasps and quicksand then you do get removed. This is from a few experiences. The only manipulation that didn't cause any removal was in a retrieval where one character was an butt and being non confirmative to my commands. He needed to be quiet or I would fail. So after looking around and seeing/feeling noone but those chasing, I phased him through a wall. He went very quiet and I succeeded in removing him to safety. He did wet himself though to my amusement. At the drop off point the collectors' thoughts were also amusing.
Any deliberate unnecessary changes to a peaceful environment are more difficult but should be avoided out of courtesy I find.

That was a awesome experience EV. Thanks for sharing that. 

Lately I have been searching to the causes of things that occur when I am in the NPR. One of those things being the "kicked out" of the Astral scenarios that I had a long time ago.

I came across this article here and it seemed to have some very answers to my questions. It actually seemed to have a lot of good answers to other questions I had as well. It's Kurt Leland's article of "Recognizing Simulations".
http://www.kurtleland.com/astral-projection-log/2006/99-recognizing-simulations-astral-plane

He does a fantastic job in the article of breaking Dream Scenarios down into sub sections/types as well.

[soarin12]

Szaxx, from what you said, and also from Lionheart's article, I think my mindset in the NP could use an adjustment.  In some experiences it's easy to see where the test lies, but in others where it isn't obvious, I always think that I'd better quick choose something to do or interact with so I don't waste the time I have.  I think of it as my choice instead of -what am I being led to do?  Seems like I should slow down a little more, observe, and be on the look out for a pull towards something.

[Szaxx]

This guy is truly brilliant. I will back up 100% of that links contents.
The simulator is another way of what I've referred to as another test.
EV your in the more advanced stages it appears

Now you know the recent PM's goal.
The next level so to speak.
Soarin, the early tests/simulations are so obvious and you instinctively know what to do etc. As you gain experience, this becomes more technical, you get less of an indication and what you need to do isn't always known. You basically go with the flow and something appears that you need to solve. I often wonder if the guides/mentors are actually being tested themselves. Some experiences you are wherever and only know you have a job to do. In these ones you have no idea what to do and most often some of your physical world memories are 'removed' so you believe the environment you're in is 100% the true reality. Its as if the guide has learned enough to predict your reactions and reverse engineer a scenario then put you within a reality to solve the problem. These are quite complex too, you believe you are home and can't quite recall the memories of the physical world proper. They sit on the tip of your tongue and only appear in steps when the experience is almost over. In these finding something to do is the correct thing to do. If you know your NP and then do nothing, it fades into the void or you wake up.
I think your experiences are at the point where you're thrown in at the deep end. You can swim by simply being yourself with whatever memories you have at that time.

A posted experience of mine is 'Oily' that retrieval with the kids, it fits the above quite well.

I like Kurts explanations. What he speaks of is from EXPERIENCES and not by regurgitation from reading books.

[soarin12]

Soarin, the early tests/simulations are so obvious and you instinctively know what to do etc. As you gain experience, this becomes more technical, you get less of an indication and what you need to do isn't always known. You basically go with the flow and something appears that you need to solve. I often wonder if the guides/mentors are actually being tested themselves. Some experiences you are wherever and only know you have a job to do. In these ones you have no idea what to do and most often some of your physical world memories are 'removed' so you believe the environment you're in is 100% the true reality. Its as if the guide has learned enough to predict your reactions and reverse engineer a scenario then put you within a reality to solve the problem. These are quite complex too, you believe you are home and can't quite recall the memories of the physical world proper. They sit on the tip of your tongue and only appear in steps when the experience is almost over. In these finding something to do is the correct thing to do. If you know your NP and then do nothing, it fades into the void or you wake up.
I think your experiences are at the point where you're thrown in at the deep end. You can swim by simply being yourself with whatever memories you have at that time.

A posted experience of mine is 'Oily' that retrieval with the kids, it fits the above quite well.

Thanks!  I contemplate these things often because often I'm in an elaborate scene which is very fascinating -but sometimes when I choose something to do or interact with, the experience will end within a few seconds of me making that choice, or else the scene will shift, or the subject of focus will shape shift or something.  It leaves me feeling ..aaaah... did I do something wrong?

[Lionheart]

This guy is truly brilliant. I will back up 100% of that links contents.

Kurt's article reaffirms my beliefs in Astral structure, boundaries and limitations. If there is all those things, then there must be a commanding post that implements them as well.

[Szaxx]

That's my observations too. When you are closer to the source the initial limitations are your methods of communication.
A likeness,
We understand that an ant can't speak, we humans don't possess the ability to fully intergrate with the whole. You feel insignificant by the infinite oneness of everything.
Much like the ant, that's assuming it can feel the vibrations inherent in speech.
It accepts the presence but cannot comprehend its contents or meaning.

As we progress in the NP, the increase in purely mental activities like the way communication changes from speech to imprinted data packets complete with their associated feelings, must bear some reflection on the real 'you within'.
As the 'real you' is pure conciousness, these progressive changes with others  will  affect your physical world interactions.
It does explain that label of being enlightened in some respects, it also doesn't too.
Xanth has been aware and telling everyone this. It may appear to fall on deaf ears but it IS the truth.
An organised and structured hierarchical system does appear to operate for us. The highest achievement obtainable is pure love and infinite knowledge combined. That's my take on the simulations/tests purpose. It also describes the source that most projectors seem to be heading towards with a few thousands of experiences.
A perfect loop in a sense.
Thoughts...

[Lionheart]

Thoughts...

We are just "Pawns" in this game called "Life". 

[EscapeVelocity]

Great article Lion; you have a special gift for unearthing the right link at just the right time!

The blue sky, dinosaurs similarities between my and soarin's experience fits us both in the same 'biodome simulation' almost to a T (Rex) (couldn't avoid the pun!). But it appears she got caught by the fascination of the artistic critters and went to hold one wherein they shapeshifted. According to Leland's logic, the shapeshifting was a signal to focus elsewhere, into the bigger picture of the simulation to keep looking for the purpose.

Now, observing the shapeshifting would normally draw my attention even closer to the objects in hand, rather than away; that would be my natural instinct. So, according to Leland, I have to re-wire my thinking somewhat so that when I focus on a small part of a NP scene and it immediately changes, then that is likely a signal that I am focusing on the wrong thing and should broaden my view. In my simulation, I was curious about the monstrous dinosaurs but did not become overly fascinated by them and was then able to detect the pull/directive.

I guess for now, my overriding thought has to be that whenever I am NP, I am in a simulation and need to be looking for the purpose and not caught out by the details...subtle stuff.

The Leland article is a 'must read' for practically everybody; print it off and memorize it!

Szaxx, I think your last post summarizes it; the only thing I might add is that I can see the ongoing development and divergence of the secondary NP personality and how it has natural advantages over the physical personality to communicate on these levels and tune in closer to source.

[Lionheart]

So, according to Leland, I have to re-wire my thinking somewhat so that when I focus on a small part of a NP scene and it immediately changes, then that is likely a signal that I am focusing on the wrong thing and should broaden my view. In my simulation, I was curious about the monstrous dinosaurs but did not become overly fascinated by them and was then able to detect the pull/directive.

I guess for now, my overriding thought has to be that whenever I am NP, I am in a simulation and need to be looking for the purpose and not caught out by the details...subtle stuff.

The Leland article is a 'must read' for practically everybody; print it off and memorize it!

EV, this is where learning to "passively observe", instead of instantly reacting to the scenario really comes into play.

This is a very hard lesson/thing to learn. When I first made it to the NPR consciously aware, my guide/mentor (MJ's deceased Brother-in), taught me the importance of "observing first". I was to take the whole scene in, then let my instinct take over and act upon that. If my instinct was incorrect, the "simulation" would either end then and there or would reboot/rescript either when I clicked back in or at another time altogether. Needless to say I had many failures before I saw the "light"!

That's why Kurt's article meant so much to me. It explained what I have been "experiencing" for years now.

We should begin a whole new "Stickied" conversation on this alone. Instead of hijacking your original post here!  

[Szaxx]

This Kurt just gets better. Quite a few of my recent posts have been based on distractions. This is EXACTLY what Kurt puts so well in his writing.
You do need to observe more and stick to the original agenda (if you had one that is) in these simulations. The more advanced projectors seem to have this ability worked out and it's successfully intergrated to instinctively be their initial reaction in their NP personality. I can bet Kurt has a more appropriate word for this 'second personality' too lol.
He'd be very interesting to converse with, thats definate.

Lion, A dedicated topic would be a good thing too.

Soarin, 'hijack',  , wait for the reaction based on the recent PM.
 

[Lionheart]

I can bet Kurt has a more appropriate word for this 'second personality' too lol.

I would say the second personality could also be known as our own personal "Avatar". 

There is many times that I am witnessing my "Avatar" from a 3rd person view in the NPR though. So, I guess someone else has taken over control at that point, lol.

I agree, if we do get a indepth conversation on this going, I would email Kurt and see if he wishes to reply to it.

Maybe we could put a conversation like this in that "Experienced only sub-forum" that we have talked about in the past here! 

[Nameless]

Holy Toledo People,
This is exactly what I've been looking for. If you guys started a conversation on this in another thread I would love to have the link.

EV - That was an amazing experience and I am so glad you shared it here and started this whole ball rolling. I love that you and Soarin seemed to have visited the same simulation.

I read Kurt's article and felt such a sense of relief I can't even explain it. I've seen those domes but it so long ago (when I was a kid) I had forgotten them. I just couldn't grasp the idea back then so stored that one away along with many others I'm sure. Kurt's article and everyone's conversation has really cleared up some of my personal muck. And now I know why in one experience I kept getting tied into a chair and returned to this one spot. (Facepalm, head slap) I was getting it all wrong.

Thank you Lion for pointing out that article. I remember writing a series on dreams a number of years ago and at that time I thought I did a pretty firm job but seeing Kurt's I realize I didn't go near far enough.

Szaxx, you said, "
I often wonder if the guides/mentors are actually being tested themselves. Some experiences you are wherever and only know you have a job to do. In these ones you have no idea what to do and most often some of your physical world memories are 'removed' so you believe the environment you're in is 100% the true reality. Its as if the guide has learned enough to predict your reactions and reverse engineer a scenario then put you within a reality to solve the problem"

You are so right about that! Your insight is truly inspiring.

For years I had so many experiences in the NP I consciously just said enough. I really just felt worn out and frazzled by both P and NP life. I taught myself how to ignore all such data just so I could get a good nights sleep - or so I thought. But I feel like I have been reactivated, lol. Okay, I'm good with that but now I'm actually going through some of these simulations that I've already passed apparently a long time ago. Believe me, I was a lot better then. The lessons are much harder now and come with little to no instructions.

I would have never thought that old expression 'back to the drawing board' would apply in the NP quite like this.

Love you guys and thank you all so much. You see, you never know how what you say today will help someone tomorrow.

[EscapeVelocity]

Glad you liked that Nameless! Please add any questions or interpretations...

This is part of the 'unlocking process'...please do some free association and add to the process...

EV 

[Lumaza]

Holy Toledo People,
This is exactly what I've been looking for. If you guys started a conversation on this in another thread I would love to have the link.

EV's "fantastical" thread and threads of the same nature here on the Astral Pulse are what spawned my "Tests, Quests and Challenges" and my "The Download, aka the Forbidden Dream"  threads found here:
http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_out_of_body_experiences/tests_quests_and_challenges-t46546.0.html
http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_dreams/the_download_aka_the_forbidden_dream-t44872.0.html
It also spawned another thread created by EV that is found here.
http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_dreams/how_to_avoid_a_ld_despite_9_easy_dream_triggers-t44860.0.html;msg364372#msg364372

I was attempting to deepen the conversation further. But just like all the other threads here, it soon disappeared into the "Astral Pulse abyss". Conversations of this nature are what I have been yearning to see here for a while now.   So feel free to elaborate more Nameless. You have my attention once again.