William Buhlman interview with Phase Evolution Youtube

[astralm]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O14VL82duh4&t=986s

Interesting interview done recently, about 4 weeks ago with William Buhlman.  I think my favorite part is the interviewer does a good job of asking practical OBE questions and keeping the interview on topic.  It was interesting to hear William say in the first 10 minutes he usually has an OBE only about once every 10 days.  It is also interesting at the end William says he doesn't really know anyone that has success with direct methods and he doesn't even "waste people's time with direct techniques".  Do you all agree direct techniques are a waste of time?

[Lumaza]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O14VL82duh4&t=986s

Interesting interview done recently, about 4 weeks ago with William Buhlman.  I think my favorite part is the interviewer does a good job of asking practical OBE questions and keeping the interview on topic.  It was interesting to hear William say in the first 10 minutes he usually has an OBE only about once every 10 days.  It is also interesting at the end William says he doesn't really know anyone that has success with direct methods and he doesn't even "waste people's time with direct techniques".  Do you all agree direct techniques are a waste of time?

Hmm, William said that. That surprises me. That would be like saying the Monroe Institute and it's programs are a waste of time as well.

I don't agree it's a waste of time. I enjoy being fully conscious while Phasing. LDs can be difficult because you need to become consciously aware in them. Many times you will find yourself in situations/Simulations akin to what we have here in this physical realm. You will be involved in whatever scenario you are in, thinking it's "this" physical realm and you are reacting  accordingly to it, then you abruptly wake up and lose it all or at some point in the experience you realize, through various DTs (Dream Triggers), that you are indeed in another place, while your physical body is sleeping.

My goal is to be able to shift my consciousness at will. I spoke to Tom Campbell about this years ago and he said that goal is attainable and that the NP is only simple shift away. The problem is, we need to learn to get out of the way and allow that shift to take place. This comes from the result of practice, patience and perseverance.

[octave]

My goal is to be able to shift my consciousness at will. I spoke to Tom Campbell about this years ago and he said that goal is attainable and that the NP is only simple shift away. The problem is, we need to learn to get out of the way and allow that shift to take place. This comes from the result of practice, patience and perseverance.

I scanned through the pdf of Frank's posts recently and I believe at some points he mentioned being able to hold some level of NP awareness whilst also being awake in the physical. I think he mentions doing so in the presence of some other Astral Pulse forum members, if I'm not mistaken. I'm sure with strong belief and correct attention, all manner of wonderful things can be achieved with our consciousness.

[Lumaza]

I scanned through the pdf of Frank's posts recently and I believe at some points he mentioned being able to hold some level of NP awareness whilst also being awake in the physical. I think he mentions doing so in the presence of some other Astral Pulse forum members, if I'm not mistaken. I'm sure with strong belief and correct attention, all manner of wonderful things can be achieved with our consciousness.

Dual awareness. Hard to maintain, but definitely achievable! 

[Xanth]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O14VL82duh4&t=986s

Interesting interview done recently, about 4 weeks ago with William Buhlman.  I think my favorite part is the interviewer does a good job of asking practical OBE questions and keeping the interview on topic.  It was interesting to hear William say in the first 10 minutes he usually has an OBE only about once every 10 days.  It is also interesting at the end William says he doesn't really know anyone that has success with direct methods and he doesn't even "waste people's time with direct techniques".  Do you all agree direct techniques are a waste of time?

I'm with Lumaza, it's not really a waste of time... *HOWEVER* with that said, it's also highly unlikely "most" people will have a grand amount of success with direct projection techniques.  Why?  Because most people can't seem to a hold a focus for longer than a split second these days.  LoL

Once every 10 days, or a couple weeks, sounds about right for me as well.  Although mine are almost entirely spontaneous these days.

Very few people have the patience to figure out the "whats" and "hows" of projection, let alone get past their preconceived notions and failure inducing beliefs on what projecting is.  hehe

[Volgerle]

Without having seen the video, what does he mean with (no) direct technique?

Indirect = getting lucid in dream state?

Does WB2B method count as direct or indirect then?

Sure, very few people can do it from waking state by meditation or focus shifting alone.

[Xanth]

Indirect = getting lucid in dream state?

I'd say yes.

Does WB2B method count as direct or indirect then?

I'd call that a direct method.

Sure, very few people can do it from waking state by meditation or focus shifting alone.

Totally agree with that. 

[astralm]

Thanks everyone for the replies, there are some great insights in there.  I can't say for sure what William means by direct vs indirect as they don't go into it but I would define as if you are conscious in PMR and end up in NPMR without a break in that consciousness that is direct.  If you lose consciousness and regain it in NPMR that would be indirect.  I have William's audible OBE course and read his first book.  His teaching style seems to be to do some sort of imagination of having an OBE (walking around your house looking and feeling objects of high importance to you for example) then holding this as you fall asleep which will eventually cause you to wake up in that location or your room "out of body".  So that I would say is clearly an indirect technique style.

Also I would like to just say I feel there is a difference between the statements many people can't do something and many people CAN'T do something.  What I mean is there is difference between saying not many people can play the piano or solve a calculus problem, and saying not many people can jump as high as Michael Jordan or even dunk a basketball.  Both are true statements with the difference being if you work hard and stay dedicated most people can learn to play the piano or do calculus.  No matter how hard you train most of us will never jump as high as Michael Jordan can.  Learning Direct techniques are something that many people can't do but that doesn't mean it is something that is outside of their ability to learn if they work at it and stay dedicated.

[baro-san]

... What I mean is there is difference between saying not many people can play the piano or solve a calculus problem, and saying not many people can jump as high as Michael Jordan or even dunk a basketball.  Both are true statements with the difference being if you work hard and stay dedicated most people can learn to play the piano or do calculus.  No matter how hard you train most of us will never jump as high as Michael Jordan can.  ...

I strongly disagree! People have widely different intellectual, artistic, emotional, psychic capabilities, in the same measure as physical capabilities are different.

[baro-san]

I like listening and reading Buhlman. I had my first obe after I just finished reading his first book. Although somehow he doesn't seem to say something particularly different than others, he gives you confidence and comfort that it's doable. I also like his no-nonsense attitude. Even the fact that he doesn't shy from acknowledging that he can't have more than 1 obe per 10 days on average, and has longer no-obe spells, shows he's a great guy.

[baro-san]

Direct / indirect classification might have its origins in Raduga's classification of phasing methods. Direct is phasing from the waking state, while indirect is phasing immediately after you woke, but haven't moved yet.

Lucid dreaming is a completely different approach.

[Lumaza]

I like listening and reading Buhlman. I had my first obe after I just finished reading his first book. Although somehow he doesn't seem to say something particularly different than others, he gives you confidence and comfort that it's doable. I also like his no-nonsense attitude. Even the fact that he doesn't shy from acknowledging that he can't have more than 1 obe per 10 days on average, and has longer no-obe spells, shows he's a great guy.

I like listening to and reading William as well. He really does have "no nonsense" approach and he shows his passion in his words.

The only guy I found that showed more passion towards his practice, is Dr. Albert Taylor. Not a well known name in most Astral Travel circles. I listened to him on Coast to Coast AM. George Noory was starting in with some of his "fear porn", I call it, stating the evils and dangers of Astral Projection. Albert said "no, just no". He said, he has never experienced anything even close to what George was saying. George than spoke about good and evil or there. Once again, Albert said "no", not that he has seen and he has had thousands of NP experiences.
Albert worked for NASA in the past as well. So he really had to watch his "p's and q's" when talking to his peers about his experiences.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6Xl9a7qMAY

[Lumaza]

Direct / indirect classification might have its origins in Raduga's classification of phasing methods. Direct is phasing from the waking state, while indirect is phasing immediately after you woke, but haven't moved yet.

Lucid dreaming is a completely different approach.

I call any process that you are completely consciously aware during the process, direct. Lucid Dreaming would be the "indirect" way, because you are waking up to it, becoming aware after the fact.

If you do the WBTB and lose your consciousness, click out and click back in, that's considered LDing in my books. If you attempt the WBTB and stay conscious all the way, experiencing the exit symptoms, signposts, etc., then that's a direct approach. It's pretty simple to classify.

Although, either way, direct or indirect still leads to a "non physical/non local" state of consciousness.

...and yes, I definitely agree that not every "can" do it. Some people just can't let go of the physical. They can't jump the "fear test" hurdle. I have mentored many people and that was always their biggest hurdle, even though on the outside, they wanted it so badly.

[astralm]

I agree William is a great guy and good obe  teacher.  I like that he doesn't shy away from mystical terms like many do these days.

If you are saying the average person is not capable of learning piano or calculus I completely disagree.  Some will learn quicker and can have a higher ceiling based on natural talent but neither is beyond what an average person can achieve with dedication and practice.  Same goes for direct techniques in my opinion which of course is just my opinion.  The problem isn't with direct techniques being a waste of time or not achievable.  Like Xanth said problem is with people not having developed the skills and not willing to develop the necessary skills.