Is it our responsibility to spread OBE?

[silentjohn]

I feel that, the people who "need" it, always seem to find it. It's a self-journey so I feel too, that the best help we can give, is to spread the energy, and exist where we know we should.  We should avoid preaching, and only answer the questions asked... I've started this sort of lifestyle after about a good month of actively bringing it up, and its been much more effective.  It stops the ego from creating a defensive standpoint, and fighting it off as a something foreign, and lets the true self of the individual grow and seek out what is needed to progress.

[Zarklon]

my 2 cents ---

I say , if you feel like your gonna be doing any good by telling other about it and are interested in doing so.. then at least mention the topic .. those who seem to have an interest in it  will stand out.. they will at least ask a question or two..

I'll mention the term Astral projection and people will go WHAT? Then I'll tell them , it deals with out of body experiences.. that gets most of the people either interested or uninterested.  I usually just answer any newbie questions they may have and give them the link to this site and let them read stuff on their own. I dont push it on people anymore.

I think everyone who tries this stuff should get others interested at least in the way that I'm doing but hey , thats my 2 cents =P

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I believe I can do anything. I believe I just have to learn more before I can make it happen. http://www.mutedfaith.com/images/spirit.jpg">

[freespirit]

Hi Sly

Even though I haven't fully experienced an OBE as of yet, I am intensely (and that is putting it mildly) interested in the subject and have been reading as much as I can. Just the interest alone makes me want to go out and talk to others about it, but I've only told a selected few. I haven't even told my husband, who's used to my nutty behavior and ideas.

In the book I'm reading, "Adventures Beyond the Body," William Buhlman describes the ability to go to your "nonphysical body" as the next step in human evolution, a very heavy subject. I believe that people will embrace the subject when they are ready to, just as many of us have felt an intense need to explore the nonphysical side of ourselves at a certain period in our lives. We need to use common sense about who to tell. I think some people will always think it's crazy, some will be curious, and some will experience OBEs on a regular basis. Sad to say, but I don't think most humans are ready to embrace OBEs, no matter how well they're described. But maybe it is up to the "enlightened ones" to spread the word at a later date, when the world is more ready.

Just my thoughts........
-free

[PeacefulWarrior]

I usually look at it this way: Talk to someone about OBE and other metaphysical ideas when you come to know that the person is open minded and/or has had an experience that has made him or her more prone to listen to ideas about things they haven't really thought about.  Deep down in the heart of hearts, everyone knows the truth...it's all about then they are ready to look at it.

fides quaerens intellectum

[wisp]

This is an intersting topic. I think the obe experience is evolution in the works. All the points made here are so true. Although my experiences are more mental (no pun http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/images/icon_Smile.gif" border=0>)  than obe, I think the idea is the same. We're going into a new age of enlightenment, no doubt. I see obe'ers as people approaching a new frontier, it's exciting. http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/images/icon_Smile.gif" border=0>

[slydeni]

wisp-- yeah i tend to agree with you here. I mean its a grand statement-- but it sure does feel like evolution in the works.

Freespirit-- that book you are reading by William Buhlman is awesome. And he seems to write with the motivation that I am speaking of: this inner sort of compassion to let others know about the next step in spiritual evolution.

Lets face it...we're not gonna go knocking on doors (at least I am not), and become obnoxiously evangelistic...but it almost seems to sit in the basement and write about it in my journal seems tofall short a bit.

I truly believe this is where humanity is heading. There is a global-spiritual sort of awakening that is slowly happening quickly It won't be tomorrow...but we are seeing/ remembering things as they are. And as we are all here on this site being called to our minds by our minds...we know within us something else exists (and if you have OBE'd...you know damn well it does). There is a fine amount of "responsibility" that is generated when we obtain knowledge and insight like this. Something inside me almost feels it is imperative that it is communicated to as many as we can...of course in our own individual ways; at our own individual comfort levels...but nonethelss, it does feel like it cant be kept secret.

This type of living...and these types of experiences are what will unite everyone in the end. Is that a bold statement - sure...but when we thrash through our own lines, and venture into other areas of ourselves and realize the implications, it becomes apparent how important this stuff is.

Personally, I have all kinds of work to do on myself...i am no spiritual giant, and hope i am not coming across like one. I just know my whole outlook on life evolved when I sat up and walked away from my body. And with that experience came a great deal of responsibility I think - to myself, and to everyone else.

how to manifest that responsibility, and what to do with it is my confusion and challenge --  

lotsa love
slydeni

[freespirit]

It is a great responsibility, I agree. You kind of want to scream out to the world, "This does exist, and we all can use it to further ourselves and to help others." But I do believe that if you have been able to experience this gift, that you will innately know when to share it. Personally, I seem to come across people at different times in my life who I know are open to metaphysical discussions. It's with those people that we should share our views, and perhaps eventually more of humanity will become open-minded, as people tell others, and so on.

-free

[ralphm]

Even though I live in a place that is a new age oasis I have not really heard much talk of obe's over the years, most people have little experience about the subject. The most interesting thing was driving my 14 year old daughter and her friends around and listening to them talk about their dreams of flying and stuff-maybe we are evolving as a species!

[slydeni]

yeah...and i think its very important that we recognize the evolution taking place.I mean the world of science monitors the physical, ecological, bio-social, forms of evolution. I really think the "powers that be" need to alerted to the reality of this thermo-spiritual/ energetic evolution that is taking place. And young kids could be trained early to act on natural abilities, or trained to nurture dormant energies. Who know where it would go? But...the whole field of "meta-physics",etc...is way too alternative for any formal agency to invest money and time into its research/ development.

How do we overcome this? Where can we go from here? How do we break down the "alternative" walls?

Lotsa love
sly

[manfred]

You dont have start about it immediately but talk to the persons about little paranormal things....then while u listen pay attention to how they see the topic. If open enough then u can take it a step further.

That is how I usually do it...and it works.

Regards,

Manfred

Manfred
http://www.astraltravellers.com/

[kmd242]

Ok. Great topic.
There are those who not only think we are F.O.S., but think that we are sacreligous and associated with the devil. Living in the deep South of the US, i come across folks like that a lot. They dont understand, so they condemn.
There are those who really dont care about ANY matters spirtiual. They just want to go to work, come home, crack a beer and turn on the tube.
There are those are intersted int the topic as something Occult and dont really understand the true love and respect for our world that one has to hold dear for OBE to come to its highest.
And then there are those who are dispostioned for spiritual awaking. They dont really have a choice in the matter, and it falls in their lap. These are the lucky ones IMHO.

I think after the Industrial Revolution, humanity lost its focus on spiritually and how it can affect us everyday. With less and less opportunity to live off the land and finding it harder to pay the bills, we focused on the earthly realm as that was what was immediately at hand. Jump forward almost 200 hundred years into today where we live in an overpopulated planet that is plauged with hunger, poverty, misunderstanding, war, and disease. In a effort to figure out just what is exactly going on, we look to our spiritual selves to understand where we are in the great scheme of things. And, IMHO, unfourtunely we have organized religion as a quick fix to satisfy that spiritual urge, so we can back to work and focus on material again yet again. We have churches and mosques and temples that will tell you what to belive and what is wrong and right, instead of doing some inner searching and finding out what is right for you. Spirituallity is as individual as the individual, if you dig

[freespirit]

Very well put!!!!

I am sure that many of us here were taught to believe in certain "spritual truths," only to later realize they aren't worth a cr*p. We all need to find our way in our own individual ways (does this make sense?) Some people, tho, just don't have the inclination to do so.

-free http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/images/icon_Smile_wink.gif" border=0>

[michael]

there is a point of view..esoterically..that talking about astral projection or any spiritual skill often puts a damper on ones ability to do it..for the very sensible reason that..if you don't talk about it..it creates a stress in the subconscious which enables one to do it..personally I write articles etc but rarely talk about it to strangers...becuase we have to be honest..as many threads on this site have already mentioned..astral projection and any other psychic skill has yet to be proven scientifically..so all we are doing is spouting about what we know is real..but we cannot prove it....for all sorts of legitimate reasons...

[jilola]

I don't know. Sounds awful lot like proselytising.

Imho, the thing with spiritual issues,  OBE or other, is that it's intensely individual. Thos who are on the  path to discover will do so, those who aren't won't even if we tell them about it.

Answering questions is good, but my experience is that the great majority are won't hold with being told about thins beyond the ordinary.

Your mileage may and will vary of course.
Just the usual...

2cent & L&L
jilola

[Patty]

My gut response was a resounding 'No!'  After reading the thread, I am less sure, but still leaning towards no.

1. I am not convinced that 'good' comes out of it - i.e. in any measurable way I am not more loving or patient as a result of my projections. My thoughts on what I "am" have changed as a result, and my self identity, but I do not believe I lead a better life now than I did before.

The Bible passage of Jesus talking to Thomas comes to mind:

"You believe because you have seen. Blessed is he who has not seen and still believes."

2. The post about the deep south, how OBEs are occult or devil work - Really, we are all so very diverse. the best testament to a greater understanding  of your spiritual nautre, in my opinion, is to live by the values you learn. Love others, if that is how you have grown. this does not necessitate telling them about OBE's. It means only love them! Help them, cherish them, be available, that sort of thing.

After all, the most spiritual and transformative people I have known have NEVER said that their practices were what made them what they are. Moreover, what makes them so inspirational is the universal goodness that radiates from them - not that they are some belief or other, or practice this or that. Many paths to the mountaintop sort of thing.

3. There are definitely ways to share. Over time you meet like-minded folk and can share in that way. Putting out feelers, that sort of thing. Flying dreams are universal, and mentioning that you had a flying dream might get a funny look, but it might not - and it is an acceptable thing to mention when testing the waters for interest.

My opinion, worth less than 2c, is that we don't need to 'spread' the news. It makes my husband physically ill to talk about it - indicating a real resistance to the idea. Probably many have that reaction. Talk about it with people that are already thinking along those lines - and hey, then it's a two way street and you can benefit from their experience, too.

Patty

[kmd242]

Patty,

Yes, the deep south has some seriously passionate individuals when it comes to religion/spirituality, and if you think me pointing that out meant i tried to tell someone like that about OBE's and such, what i meant was that these people would probably start in with their hellfire and brimstone IF i were to even bring the topic up, which I never have.
Im lucky enuff to be someone who is blessed in the art of conversation, and part of this is the using discression, esc. when it comes to spiritual matters. In Ireland, they say you dont talk about two things, Politics or religion, and i follow this rule staunchly. IF on the rare chance somebody solicits my opinion and i feel like they are open minded enuff, i will tell them a lil bit about my OBE history and some metaphysical theory.
I agree with the idea if you are the type that goes around bringing up the fact that you meditiate to a trance so you can float out of your body, some folks might see you as a lil weird. heheh
just a clarification.!

[SPASTRAL]

Hi all.  

Been away for a while.  Hope everyone is as well as can be at this time of year (xmas depresses me!!!)

Anyway, I have skimmed through some of this thread and something I pick up is that projection is something we are evolving into.  I think the opposite, I think we have evolved out of it....It's no longer neccessary to us....Think about it, if you are a caveman and you want to check it's safe outside the cave, you would float out in your etheric body before you would even think about walking out and getting munched up by a t-rex!!!!!  Now we don't need this skill to get around and check the outside is safe, so we cast it aside

Or do we...I have read that new born babies have the ability to project because of the desire to be close to mum.  It is as we grow older  that we find out that everything is done for us, so we don't need to use it anymore.  

I don't know if this reads well but I think you should get my drift

Spencer

[slydeni]

Kodemaster started a topic that had to do with how we feel about talking about OBE's with others. Some felt shy...some were more open with their friends, families..etc. In my responding to that topic...I became very curious as to others feelings on a similar question:

OBE (and related experiences) are very beautiful, spiritual, freeing opportunities to explore an end of this world that we did not know was possible (before we OBE'd). Some may say its proof of sorts as to the potentials of the mind, the spirit, death, etc. I think we all agree it has its benefits spiritually. It almost seems like everyone should at least know about this potential phenomena. There are lotsa people out there, especially in America who would write this off as fantasy. Is it our responsibility (since we are the ones having, discussing, and learning about these) to communicate this to...well...everyone we can? I do not mean to suggest we begin going door to door, or become obnoxious in our plight, but it seems we should try to overcome potential stigma and try and let our friends...families...communities... world know about the beauty that is in fact very real. Creative, effective, tactful, UP TO DATE communication would obviously be imperative. Even Mr. Bruce in his books tends to try and not be very esoteric in his writing, and tries to be modern...perhaps so it is received better, and more clearly.

I guess I just feel that the ability to have these experiences is profound and a gift from our higher selves (whatever you choose to call it). And in spite of the flack we may encounter in communicating these type subjects to others...I feel it is incumbent on us to spread the love, and energy to others. What they do with a well communicated, thought out presentation of OBE's, etc...is up to them...but it is our job to at least  inject the energy of possibility into them, and let it float around a bit.

Does anyone agree/ disagree with this?

lotsa love
sly