ASTRAL PROJECTION
Astral projection (OOBE, out of the body experience)
is a popular area of occult literature; for traveling to see
other worlds and places while the physical body sleeps or is
entranced is an exciting notion. Astral projection is not
dangerous. It is as safe as sleeping. Most dreams are probably
unconscious astral projections, anyway. Although there has
been quite a bit written on the subject, astral projection
is difficult for many people. The main difficulty is the
tendency to forget dream consciousness upon awakening.
Accordingly, the successful practice of astral projection
requires work.
Modern psychology discounts the idea of actual OOBE
(that the spirit temporarily vacates the physical body).
However, the idea is very ancient. The Tibetans have an
entire system of yoga (dream yoga) based upon astral
projection. And here we have an important assumption: you are
involved in an OOBE (at least to a degree) whenever you
dream. What sets it apart from a full OOBE is your hazy
consciousness during the experience and poor recall
afterwards. Many people forget most of their dreams
completely. Learning astral projection requires a kind of
inner mental clarity and alertness.
Dreams are a door to the subconscious which can be
used for psychological and spiritual insight, and sometimes
for precognition. Dream content is influenced by external
sounds and sensations. For example, a loud external noise
(such as a train) will likely appear in your dream (if it
doesn’t wake you up!). Dreams are also influenced by events
of the previous day, by your moods, and by suggestion.
Everyone normally dreams 4 or 5 times a night (about every 2
hours). The longest dreams occur in the morning. Everyone
dreams. You are more likely to remember the details of your
dream when you first wake up. By keeping a dream diary you
will improve dream recall. Have writing equipment or a tape
recorder at your bedside for this purpose; also a light
which isn’t too bright. Suggest to yourself several times
before you go to sleep, “I will awaken with the knowledge of
a dream.” Then when you do awaken, move quietly (sometimes
just turning over drives the idea away). Remember first,
then write the dream down, and then add as many details as
possible. The next day check for objective facts and expand
if you can (by remembering ‘what happened before that’). Once
you start remembering your dreams in this way, it will
become easier to do so. (If you are unsuccessful at this,
and *really* want to remember your dreams, you could
arrange for someone to sit by your bedside all night long
with a dim light on. Then when he sees your eyes moving back
and forth — rapid eye movements, a sign you are dreaming —
he can wake you and ask for a dream report.)
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