Studying OOBEs and Altered States of Consciousness

[Summerlander]

CARRY OUT YOUR OWN STUDY ON OOBES AND ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS

About two and a half years ago I came across Robert A Monroe and a method to bring about out-of-body experiences (OOBEs/OBEs) in a book called "Mind Games" by Michael Powell. I was curious and decided to try it to see what it was all about and placed great emphasis on having a nap or sleep prior to induction attempts as I found that they helped me to become physiologically 'primed' for the experience.

Soon, I found that I was able to be consciously aware during hypnagogic and sleep paralysis states and at times was able to experience what Monroe termed as the "vibrational state". During this state I was seemingly able to separate from my physical body by rolling over and out or by floating out. Most of the time I entered hallucinatory versions of reality and perceived them through an illusory body, like entering a hyper-vivid dreamworld. On rare occasions, I'd separate into what looked like my bedroom and the rest of the world and no anomalies were spotted - when this happened, there was no illusory body and I was nothing but a floating point of consciousness. This type of experience usually happened after intense vibrations or the vibrations were absent but the sleep paralysis state was extremely deep and often prolonged.

I also began to practice on having lucid dreams by getting used to the idea of being a 'dream detective'. I also found that I was able to access more abstract states of consciousness, once I even seemed to have lost all human logic and that's as best as I can describe it. I had managed to have strange and interesting experiences without even using psychedelics or binaural beats.

Soon, my experiences led me to dig deeper and look for answers so I turned to science rather than religion (I've always been that way inclined anyway - although I'm a bit partial to Tibetan Buddhism). I began to research the different types of brain waves, the sleep cycles, the pineal gland and DMT. Looking at the info on the pineal and the latest discoveries such as the piezoelectric calcite crystals inside struck a cord with me because, a few times during sleep paralysis, I heard voices. These voices seemed to be engaged in dialogues, and almost made me feel like a spy. Sometimes I could understand them, but most of the time they were incoherent.

This made me think. Was I listening to sound frequencies beyond the human range of hearing via the auditory system? Or perhaps I was listening to thoughts (mine or other people's) if one considers the possibility that the metaphysical is existent as a frequency beyond the ultrasonic and yet to be detected and officially recognised by science. Or a more far-fetched note, perhaps I detected sound waves from parallel universes...

I am currently writing a book about OOBEs and altered states of consciousness. So far it documents my experiences and records interesting observations I've made. It is my journey and study. It also includes some speculation on the phenomena. My aim is to have a book that tells it like it is...no bull! I've seen a lot of astral projection books that make wild claims but such claims are not substantiated and are usually deliberately included to make an impression on the reader. I sift through the bull straight away and only take what I deem to be valuable info.

There is, of course, more to consciousness and the mind than meets the eye and that is so obvious that it is the very thing that keeps me motivated in continuing my study. I think the OOBE is a very powerful tool we have for this. The book is still in progress by the way. I'd also encourage others to make their own studies/observations on this phenomenon from a fresh perspective and perhaps we can also learn something valuable and possibly unravel answers to questions that remain unanswered.

Regards,

Summerlander

[Pauli2]

Looking at the info on the pineal and the latest discoveries such as the piezoelectric calcite crystals inside struck a cord with me because, a few times during sleep paralysis, I heard voices. These voices seemed to be engaged in dialogues, and almost made me feel like a spy. Sometimes I could understand them, but most of the time they were incoherent.

It almost sounds as if you could detect what Monroe called the M-band (or at at some places the H-band). I think the 'M' might stand for 'mind'. Moen has written that the M-band is placed somewhere between C 1 and F 10. The M-band is the mess of all human thoughts going on on Earth.

I have no idea if the M-band is less pronounced farther out in physical space.

[Summerlander]

Interesting stuff, Pauli2! In fact I owe it to Monroe for the fact that I project today. I've read the first book and I'm currently reading the second one. I am yet to read Ultimate Journeys.