Focus 10 onset symptoms

[Tisha]

Graupel, what position are you in when you do your work?  I recommend doing your work in a reclining chair, or a chair with a footrest, or on your back in bed (pillow under your knees to avoid back strain). . . but not when you're going to sleep, because you'll just . . . go to sleep!

I've projected on my side, but I find it very uncomfortable.  There is always that little part of me that's trying to hold myself up, so as not to smash/pinch my bottom shoulder.  I wouldn't recommend working on your side.

regards,

[Grigori]

A bit off topic ... sorry ... but where do these "Focus" numbers come from like "Focus 10" etc. They seem to be used frequently here but it seems like everyone knows what they mean but me []

[Nick]

The "focus levels" refer to a term by Robert Monroe. He described the physical as C-1 for example. Beyond that, Focus 10 as the "mind-awake/body-asleep" state. Focus 12 as a state of expanded awareness where one begins to perceive the non-physical, usually swirling patterns, shapes and colors. Also, it is not uncommon to hear occassional sounds, pops, or bangs.

Further on, there is Focus 15, and Focus 21 where a scene may appear. There are also the lower astral "belief system territories" of Focus 23, 24, 25 and 26. Beyond that there is Focus 27, which is the place where Monroe described as "the park". It is the place where decent people would go to after the physical body expires.

Take a look at Robert Monroe's books: Journeys Out of the Body, Far Journeys and Ultimate Journey. You should read all three, however it is the last two where he moves from the traditional obe to talking of "phasing into the astral". This is where the term "phasing" comes from. There is a glossary in the back of Far Journeys, I believe, which gives more detail on the focus levels. Also, take a look at some of the other threads here. Particularly, Gateway Wave 1 pointers by Frank, and Achieving Consciousness State for Astral Phasing by Adrian. Both of these topics are located in the Astral Consciouness forum as "stickies". There is a wealth of information in those threads.

One final note, obe is generally a projection of an etheric double into the real time zone whereas astral phasing involves the projection of one's consciouness into the astral proper.

Very best,

[Grigori]

Thanxz Nick! [] That was a big help!!!

I guess I should just go through and read all of the stickies anyhow ... it was just searching for these terms resulted in hundreds of hits and no explanations. Thanxz again!!! []

G

[Graupel]

I have been practicing entering the borderline sleep state, and I am unsure if I am doing it right or not.. but here are the symptoms:

After tensing and relaxing the muscles (I usually just do the entire body all at once, try to drift off to sleep for a bit before catching myself, and then at that point I notice tension in some areas and relax them) I get cobweb-like sensations on my nose or face, like someone was touching it with a very fine pinpoint needle.

I then get tingling and numbing sensations in my arms, which I sometimes oftenly mistake as a "bad sleeping position" because it feels like oxygen flow is being cut off, and I usually cease the experiment at this point (although this tends to be the state where I can do energy or chi raising up my body, and see neural discharge of simple white lights but no hypnagogic imagery).  Is this feeling of a "bad sleeping strain" perfectly normal, and a sign that my body is starting to go to sleep?