I keep hearing crackling/thunder noises?

[Dan4487]

For 3 nights now when I've been trying to astral project I start to hear a crackling noise that sounds exactly like thunder. I'm not sure if this is normal. The problem is that I just don't know what to do with it. Do I ignore it or focus my attention on it and try to increase it? Last night I started my usual routine of drifting off to near sleep, repeating a mantra, ignoring the hypnagogic imagery (i have to ignore it otherwise if I observe it or interact with it I fall asleep every time) staying aware as long as possible, and then I had a vivid image of me in my kitchen peeling onions. This image happened 3 times. It felt like something was directing me there. The image became so strong that for a moment I really couldn't figure out where I was, and that's when the thunder started. What do I do when I hear this thunder sound?

[Mark Alexander]

This, to me, sounds like typing signs of becoming attuned to the non-physical reality.  Many people have observed a kind of 'astral noise' featuring source-less sounds like your thunder. I'd say to keep on going with your practice.  You don't have to 'do anything' in reaction to that thunder sound.

That said, this post reminds me of something I read in the one of Bruce Goldberg's books, where he associates certain sounds with the different levels of existence.  The sound of thunder supposedly relates to the physical plane, so it might be an indication of your current level of focus.  His information does not always resonate with me, however, but I thought I'd mention it given the circumstances.

[Lionheart]

For 3 nights now when I've been trying to astral project I start to hear a crackling noise that sounds exactly like thunder. I'm not sure if this is normal. The problem is that I just don't know what to do with it. Do I ignore it or focus my attention on it and try to increase it? Last night I started my usual routine of drifting off to near sleep, repeating a mantra, ignoring the hypnagogic imagery (i have to ignore it otherwise if I observe it or interact with it I fall asleep every time) staying aware as long as possible, and then I had a vivid image of me in my kitchen peeling onions. This image happened 3 times. It felt like something was directing me there. The image became so strong that for a moment I really couldn't figure out where I was, and that's when the thunder started. What do I do when I hear this thunder sound?

You are doing great Dan!  Just ALLOW what's going to happen to happen and stay the course. Sometimes it gets pretty wild, but the strong willed/minded will always persevere! 

During the "shift" you can see odd things, hear odd things, smell odd things and feel odd things. I always observe them with an air of curiosity and log them in my Journal as soon as I return.

Good Luck and Safe Travels! 

[Szaxx]

Don't worry at all. These sounds can be made to order, after years of hearing them I experimented with them after noticing they followed a pattern of thought at times. They appear to be random mostly but you can control them.
They are around during the transition from physical to non physical. The louder they are the easier it is to generate a visualisation to exit into.
They don't appear in a fast exit, neither does anything else other than what you are creating. I'm still finding a repeatable exercise to exit on demand in less than 60 seconds. What worked in the 80's doesn't today.
Enjoy the thunder, I'm sure many of us do. It's apparently an audible hallucination. A byproduct of shifting your conciousness away from the physical.
You're moving in the right direction.

[Dan4487]

You are doing great Dan!  Just ALLOW what's going to happen to happen and stay the course. Sometimes it gets pretty wild, but the strong willed/minded will always persevere! 

During the "shift" you can see odd things, hear odd things, smell odd things and feel odd things. I always observe them with an air of curiosity and log them in my Journal as soon as I return.

Good Luck and Safe Travels! 

Thank you for the reply. I will definitely keep persevering. Something weird seems to happen every night. Last night I felt that someone opened my door and peeked into my room. My eyes were closed but it seemed like it came from my peripheral vision. It didn't seem like a hypnogogic image either. It startled me and made me slightly uncomfortable. I definitely won't stop trying to astral project, though. This is something I have to do.

Don't worry at all. These sounds can be made to order, after years of hearing them I experimented with them after noticing they followed a pattern of thought at times. They appear to be random mostly but you can control them.
They are around during the transition from physical to non physical. The louder they are the easier it is to generate a visualisation to exit into.
They don't appear in a fast exit, neither does anything else other than what you are creating. I'm still finding a repeatable exercise to exit on demand in less than 60 seconds. What worked in the 80's doesn't today.
Enjoy the thunder, I'm sure many of us do. It's apparently an audible hallucination. A byproduct of shifting your conciousness away from the physical.
You're moving in the right direction.

Thank you for explaining. I'll just enjoy the thunder like you said. When i becomes louder that's when I'll try an exit technique. I actually seem to be a lot better now at prolonging the hypnogogic state and being more passive. The more I let myself drift off the less I can feel my body. It's just a matter of keeping my mind alert and not falling asleep. The only thing I don't like is the heaviness on my chest and difficulty breathing.

[Lionheart]

Thank you for the reply. I will definitely keep persevering. Something weird seems to happen every night. Last night I felt that someone opened my door and peeked into my room. My eyes were closed but it seemed like it came from my peripheral vision. It didn't seem like a hypnogogic image either. It startled me and made me slightly uncomfortable. I definitely won't stop trying to astral project, though. This is something I have to do.

It sounds to me like you were "peeking" into the Astral as well. So, possibly you were the one that was the stranger here! 

It is startling and at first it's better just to keep your visits short. You have got a "glimpse" now, so your curiosity has been "peaked". ALLOW that curiosity to be your driving force! 

[Joe_Tracy]

Sounds like you were getting close. A lot of my early experiences I experienced a lot things that people would call scary. I now tend to think that they are fear tests.

For example, Tom Campbell mentions we will get tested at first to see if we are ready to explore the wider reality. I tend to agree with him because I rarely get those scary hallucinations anymore. I think it's because I faced the fears behind them. I would try my best to just stay present and focused on your mantras if you are using them.

[Lionheart]

Sounds like you were getting close. A lot of my early experiences I experienced a lot things that people would call scary. I now tend to think that they are fear tests.

For example, Tom Campbell mentions we will get tested at first to see if we are ready to explore the wider reality. I tend to agree with him because I rarely get those scary hallucinations anymore. I think it's because I faced the fears behind them. I would try my best to just stay present and focused on your mantras if you are using them.

Tom really knows what he is talking about. Once you get past the initial "Fear Tests", it's pretty well "smooth sailing". But, once in awhile,  when you least expect, you will be tested again, just to keep you on your toes!   

[Astralzombie]

When it sounds like someone has opened the door to your room and you know you were alone, it can be freaky.

But consider that you may not have been in your room anymore and startled yourself at the moment you shifted consciousness.

[CFTraveler]

Just to add the confirmation:  This happens all the time.  I sometimes will hear people walk in, slam the door, run around, when I know no one's here.  I think it's just to see if I'll open my eyes, get up and look.  Unfortunately, sometimes it works.

[Lionheart]

Just to add the confirmation:  This happens all the time.  I sometimes will hear people walk in, slam the door, run around, when I know no one's here.  I think it's just to see if I'll open my eyes, get up and look.  Unfortunately, sometimes it works.

I agree it really does make you "second guess everything. I had to start wearing earplugs and my Mindfold/Eye Pillow/Mask because of this. It happens visually as well, where you can't really tell if your "real" eyes are open or not and sometimes just as you are about to actually shift, you feel your real eyelids begin to open or flutter as well.

The earplugs stopped the doubt on the sounds and the Mindfold shut down the visual problem as well. It's too bad they didn't create a Helmet of some kind that you could just put on and have it shut out your physical senses totally. That would make it too easy though!  

[raditus]

It's happened to me a few times too; small children's feet steps running up and down the hall outside my room.

I even had an instance where when I was projecting, I would hear the part of the other person's conversation in my actual room with me, as loud as day.

And this is just to name a few.

[Lionheart]

 I just received the Gift Supplement 2013" magazine from Hammacher Schlemmer. The magazine has lots of unique gadgets, toys and accessories for people that have too much money, lol. I have never purchased anything from them, yet.  

Anyways I saw this Power Nap Head Pillow in the magazine and was curious if anyone has ever tried this for Meditation. Other than making you look literally like ET, lol, it has some very helpful elements that I think that people who wish to AP could utilize. That being, it cuts out sight, sound and looks like it could be very comfortable for relaxation, while awaiting the shift.

Here's the link to this item, see for yourself. Just remember though, like all other "tools" this won't get you there. It will just make the transition there a bit more comfortable and more importantly rid you of any doubt from outside sounds or lights. http://www.hammacher.com/Product/84391?promo=search

[raditus]

It seems it could be useful for me as I have the problem of that I can't get any sleep if there is one ounce of light on when I try to sleep.

And in that regards, it seems it would definitely help me on the way to shifting.

[Szaxx]

It appears more of you have unknowingly controlled the hypnogogic noises too I mentioned in reply 3.
I must say I'm impressed. These familiar noises and the wierd ones can be made to order. While passively observing them think of something you'd like to hear. Have the intent on high that you WILL hear them and slightly disturb yourself.
They can be heard around 2 seconds of you coming back to the physical. That's a wake up call the first time it occurs. 

[phaseshiftR1111]

I have heard thunder noises. Especially in paralysis.

Something that's very common with me is a gunshot going right off by my ear. Doctors call it "exploding head syndrome" 

It's not a "syndrome..." It's perfectly normal. I forgot what causes it but I think it has to do with one of the chakras. Sometimes it startles me but I have learned to blow it off now.

[raditus]

While passively observing them think of something you'd like to hear. Have the intent on high that you WILL hear them and slightly disturb yourself.
They can be heard around 2 seconds of you coming back to the physical. That's a wake up call the first time it occurs. 

A couple of years ago, I did this little trick to amuse myself. I would either be falling asleep or still half asleep from being woken up. I used to imagine UPS person walking to the front door. Sure enough, I would appear to hear the actual doorbell go off, or someone knocking!

The first couple of times was by accident but it scared the heck out of me! Then I realized I was making it happen, so I did this frequently, amusing myself with the number of sounds I could make appear to be real.

[CFTraveler]

I have heard thunder noises. Especially in paralysis.

Something that's very common with me is a gunshot going right off by my ear. Doctors call it "exploding head syndrome" 

It's not a "syndrome..." It's perfectly normal. I forgot what causes it but I think it has to do with one of the chakras. Sometimes it startles me but I have learned to blow it off now.

I get this all the time.  It doesn't startle me any more because I know what it is and it's not quite so loud anymore but it hasn't stopped happening because I 'know' what it is.  I'm convinced this is a physical brain thing that happens related to relaxation, though.  Not sure what- maybe a bunch of neurons firing all at once?  It would make sense as the brain lights up as sensory stimulation is diminished.
Got to give this more thought.