OBEs

[Deb]

This topic is actually what prompted me to add the Sleep, Dreams etc. board, although I hesitated to write anything at the time. I didn't want to look like a complete nut job.

Six months ago I befriended a person in a most unorthodox way--on Amazon. I get everything on Amazon, even my friends. She was the only rater/commenter on a Seth book I was interested in. I questioned her one star rating and lengthy comment and after messaging back and forth we ended up Skyping weekly for months. She is a Seth pro and said she was brought into my life to mentor me.

At one time we talked about OBEs. I've never had one, the way they are generally defined. She told me that we all, on a spirit level, attend classes during sleep (sounds like I've read that before) and my teachers would assist me with an OBE. I'm not a very suggestible person, but son of a gun, that same night I popped into a near-lucid dream. In the dream, I was lying on a cot of some sort, my arms at my sides. There was one person standing to my left and one to my right. I started to feel my hands vibrating very strongly, an odd but not frightening sensation. The feeling made its way up my arms, to my shoulders. I remember thinking, "I remember this, I've done this before." It felt so familiar. It seemed to be a precursor to a full OBE. I was told by the person standing over me, to my right, that I needed to wake up right then so I could remember the experience. I was disappointed to have to do so, but did as I was told. My arms were still tingling when I woke up, and they did so for 10-15 minutes more.

Fast forward to last week (that sounds like an oxymoron). It was morning, I was lying flat on my back in bed and awake. I closed my eyes for a moment and when I opened them I found I was slowly floating up to the ceiling. I could see every little orange-peel detail on the ceiling, in front of my eyes. When my nose almost touched it, I dropped back down to my body. I thought I was going to slam into myself, but just before I landed I slowed down, like those great no-slam cabinet drawers at Ikea.

Since I can't prove that I didn't doze off for a moment and dream up episode #2, I have to say I have still not had an OBE. But I'm hopeful. So there, I've said it.

Anyone else have these experiences?

[Bumblebee]

Wow! I envy you! I must admit I haven't really worked on that, but I hope I will be able to remember them one day. You must be so excited!!! 

[SumariDeb]

Yes Deb, I have had many OOBs over the years, and what you describe is certainly the real deal. Mine came spontaneously, i.e., I didn't ask for them. I would be drifting off to sleep and would hear this "roaring" sound, which in other people have described as a vibration. Then I would find myself floating around the bedroom. Before I read Seth, these experiences frightened me, and made me feel vulnerable--as if "something" could get me while I was no longer in the safety of my physical body. After I started reading Seth, I was able to relax and enjoy the ride.

[Deb]

I do envy you, I haven't had a lucid dream or OBE for at least six months. I'm always hopeful though, but also realize it's another one of those things I can't force myself to do. I just need to set the intention and let go, I suppose.

[SumariDeb]

I do envy you, I haven't had a lucid dream or OBE for at least six months. I'm always hopeful though, but also realize it's another one of those things I can't force myself to do. I just need to set the intention and let go, I suppose.

Well, I do get long dry spells on this, and can easily go six months without so much a s a nudge. Setting the intention and letting go, like everything else, is always the best way. Also, I've observed over the years that when I am actively and consistently meditating--and when I've really been diving into Seth concepts, they can be much more frequent.

[Seeker]

(...)
Since I can't prove that I didn't doze off for a moment and dream up episode #2, I have to say I have still not had an OBE. But I'm hopeful. So there, I've said it.
(...)

Dear Deb, OoBE is a subjective experience which is improvable within "objective", physical terms / categories. Only You can determine if your experience is convincing to your-Self. Subjectivity is a Valid source of experience/knowledge and It does not require "proving". Only Experiencing

This is truly Fascinating topic. Since I do not have any, conscious experience of this kind, I would like to quote three exercises offered by Seth

Exercise 1

These are my instructions. You may consider this your first lesson. We will go by easy stages, for we do
not want you betwixt and between. You may induce a medium trance in whatever way you choose. On
occasion this will be spontaneous, as you know. For best results in the beginning it is good to make a
projection attempt when you already feel physically drowsy, but pleasantly so. When you have induced
the trance state, then begin to examine your own subjective feelings until you find recognition of the
inner self.

This involves a recognition of yourself as distinct from the fleshy fibers in which you reside. Then begin
to imagine this inner self rising upward. You should experience even at this point an internal sense of
motion. This motion may be from side to side, as you gently shake yourself loose, so to speak.

It may be a rushing upward. Whichever motion you experience there will be a moment where you feel
yourself, your identity and consciousness, definitely withdrawing from the physical organism. Before you
attempt the projection, however, the suggestion should be given that the physical organism will be well
protected and comfortable. Now when you feel the consciousness withdrawing, there are two things
you may do. I suggest the first step I shall give you in preference to the second.

The first step is this. Forget the physical body, or what you are to do with it. Will yourself out in a quick
motion. There is no need to experience the voice hallucinations mentioned by the author, Fox. If the
projection is a success you'll instantly lose contact consciously with the physical body. You simply will
not be in it.

Now your consciousness will not be in it, but it is hardly lifeless. Its maintenance is being controlled by
the consciousness of the individual cells and organs of which we have spoken. I will give you alternate
methods of projecting, but I will be concerned now with what you can expect the few moments after
You have left the physical body.

Session 265, Page 210

Exercise 2

Your waking consciousness only participates in projections as a rule when you are in a period of high
vitality, and exceptional health.

On occasion the waking consciousness does participate during other usually very depressed periods. But
generally speaking high energy is needed in order to maintain overall stability, and in order that the ego
is not overstrained. Such conscious projections are automatically spaced out. In this way there is little
danger that problems will arise.

It is the same with the conscious retention of dreams in general. You are indeed exercising what
amounts to an added ability. You are learning to manipulate within other dimensions of consciousness.
Automatic controls are therefore used. You proceed as your abilities and control develop.
Suggestion given before sleep will greatly add to your chances of conscious projections from the dream
state. It is not necessary, basically speaking, that you notice some small incongruous detail in order to
realize while dreaming that you are dreaming. There is however one good method to use. The
suggestion 'I will realize while dreaming that I am dreaming' can also be used, as another method, or
both of these may be utilized together.

At your stage it is of course easier if the actual separation of consciousness from the physical body
occurs without your awareness. However the experience itself is excellent training. I have told you that
these projections may carry you to different systems. In the beginning you are safer perhaps in those
projections that involve your own reality.

There is not any great matter of danger, only that you could fall into blunders. The north‐south position
is most beneficial. It might be of benefit if you concentrate before sleep upon a simple projection that
involves leaving the body, walking out into this room, for example, (the living room) or perhaps strolling
around the block.

When falling off to sleep for example, imagine that you are in your yard, in another room of your
apartment, or in front of the house. When this method is effective you will not be consciously aware of
the actual separation however. I do not suggest at this point that you or Ruburt attempt to contact me
during any projection. Later, when you have more training.

If by chance you blunder (smile, eyes open) into my territory, then I will know it, and seek you out.
Whenever you find yourself in any potentially dangerous dream situation during a projection,
immediately terminate the dream. You will then return to an ordinary state of consciousness.
Now. Mr. Fox is quite correct. When you know you are in a projection do not be tempted to tamper.
There are forces that you do not yet understand. You will find that these projections become more vivid.
I must repeat that these are quite valid. They are not hallucinations. Conscious projections do not occur
with any frequency as far as a large percentage of humanity is concerned. Note that I speak only now of
projections in which you are self‐consciously aware.

The reasons are somewhat obvious. Conscious projections are dependent upon abilities and control.
Also this ability and control presupposes a fairly disciplined personality. Otherwise we would have
explosive outbursts of suddenly released aggressions in systems where they do not belong.
It is quite possible to meet survival personalities, incidentally, during such projections. This does not
happen often, because so many other issues are necessary. It is also possible of course to move into
your own future. ‐ This occurs regularly, though not always with awareness. Projections into the past are
also frequent.

Because of some matters we have not yet discussed, at any rate deeply, it is possible to meet your own
projection. You are accountable for acts committed during projections, of course, and these alter the
personality as any acts do. If you have your wits about you, you can gain information concerning the
future by studying your projection environment, if for any reason you suppose it to be ahead of You in
time.

Some of this is extremely complicated. You may for example request before sleep that you project into
your own future, to see what occurs there. This is legitimate enough, if you are willing to accept the
results of your projections. For what you see will influence what you do in the present. You will be
projecting of course into the probable future as it exists for you at this point.

The very act of projecting will alter these probabilities. I am not saying that this future environment is
not real, however. It is as real as your present.

Session 277, Page 305

Exercise 3

...he did so, and I highly recommend this method to you both. When you awaken, or seem to in the
middle of the night, try simply to get out of the physical body. Simply try to get out of bed, you see, and
to walk into another room white the physical body stays where it is.

If you keep this in mind, generally speaking, then you will find yourself able to do so within a brief time.
It is a pleasant and easy way to achieve a projection, and with some experience you will discover that
you can maintain good control, walk out of your apartment, and outside. You may then attempt normal
locomotion, or levitation.

There is little strain with this method, and it has benefits from several viewpoints. Simply keep the
method in mind so that you are alert to the initial favorable circumstances. You may be half awake. You
may be in a false awakening. The method will work in either case. It offers good possibilities in another
direction: you can, if you want to do so, look back at your own body.

You must want to do this however. Often you do not want to see the body by itself, so to speak, and so
you choose methods that make this more difficult. just this one exercise will sharpen your control
greatly. It is an ABC you see.

The experience will be must less startling to the ego than an abrupt projection, and the ordinary nature
of the activities, walking into the next room for example, Will be reassuring. You are more calm, and in
your own surroundings. Of course Ruburt was out of his body when he saw Miss Callahan, who was in
the same condition.

Session 298, Page 143

I would be very Grateful if You could Share your experiences with achieving OoBE in conscious way. How do You tune Self at the side of your Consciousness? What are your steps in achieving such phenomenal Experience?

[Deb]

I would be very Grateful if You could Share your experiences with achieving OoBE in conscious way. How do You tune Self at the side of your Consciousness? What are your steps in achieving such phenomenal Experience?

OMG you are SUCH a resource! Thank you for those quotes, I just copied them into a separate document as a reference for myself.

For me, the OBEs were only a wish and I can't say I had any conscious direction in achieving them myself. I tell myself when I'm trying to fall asleep "have an OBE or lucid dream" and it doesn't work. They just happen on their own.

Rick Stack did write a book on OBEs, it can be bought on Amazon or his web site. It didn't help me, but it was interesting to read. The movie Inception (2010) was definitely an inspiration. I also found, after my first experience with lucid dreaming, a web site that is devoted to lucid dreams with a PDF version of their book for download. I will look for that tomorrow and either link to that download or add it to SOS.

[SumariDeb]

Deb, did you read any of Robert Monroe's books? He started having OOBEs during the fifties, or so--and was the first to write books on the subject. He knew Jane and Rob, and attended a few Seth sessions. He went on to start the Monroe Institute. William Buhlman and Robert Peterson are more recent, and their books are good reads too.

Great quotes, Seeker. I need to find a north-south place for myself in my house.

[Deb]

Deb, did you read any of Robert Monroe's books?

Hey Deb, yes I've read a couple of his books. I have some of his HemiSync audio and even use one of his quotes as a signature on my emails: "Man's greatest illusion is that he has limitations."

Actually, early last fall I won a trip to Virginia and realized when I was out there that I was not far from his compound, so went for a visit. I've been just DYING to take one of his Gateway Voyages. I was going to do that for my birthday gift to myself next year, but decided I need to go riding in England instead.

And I love the idea that he knew Jane and Rob, saw that in one of the books somewhere.

[SumariDeb]

Actually, early last fall I won a trip to Virginia and realized when I was out there that I was not far from his compound, so went for a visit. I've been just DYING to take one of his Gateway Voyages. I was going to do that for my birthday gift to myself next year, but decided I need to go riding in England instead.

Hmmm. You won a trip to Virginia, and the realized you were close enough to visit his compound. How serendipitous is that?    I'd also say that riding in England instead of Gateway Voyages was a good choice. You can always just pre-program your mind that you WILL have an OOB, and still have your equestrian adventure. That's the fun part about conscious creation--we can have our cake and eat it too.   

[Deb]

I would be very Grateful if You could Share your experiences with achieving OoBE

a web site that is devoted to lucid dreams with a PDF version of their book for download. I will look for that tomorrow and either link to that download or add it to SOS.

Seeker, if you see this post, I've uploaded the Lucid Dreaming book PDF to my dropbox account rather than taking up more space on my web server. You can download the PDF here if you're curious about the book:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/75fwhlr0bly0wza/lucid_dreaming.pdf?dl=0
It also has exercises in it. I haven't read the entire book myself so I can't vouch for whether it's any good or not. But I've been told that lucid dreaming is the precursor to OBEs.

Hmmm. You won a trip to Virginia, and the realized you were close enough to visit his compound. How serendipitous is that?

Yes, my thoughts exactly.  The contest was to win a trip out to the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund yearly meeting, with a side-trip to Joel Salatin's farm. I'd never heard of the Fund before, entered the contest and won ONE DAY later! It was a beautiful drive out to the Monroe Institute, what an idyllic setting they have.  It was a *magical* weekend, in many ways. I killed a lot of birds with just one stone on that trip.

[John Sorensen]

Luicid dreaming and OBE's don't interest me a whole lot. But I had good results with Rick Stack's book +audio program

If I only got one thing, it would be the audio, as it is a guided meditation type of thing, and really good. I had lucid dreams, obes and experiences of other life times repeatedly a couple years back when I was doing the program every day for a couple of months.

And last year I went to a regression hyno-therapist who uses the Dolores Cannon method, and recalled some experiences from 3 different lives, and that was quite fun, but also very emotional.

http://sethcenter.com/collections/out-of-body-experiences-rick-stack

[Deb]

If I only got one thing, it would be the audio, as it is a guided meditation type of thing, and really good.

I read the book but had NO idea that he had a guided meditation as well. I'm always looking for new "good" ones, thanks for the heads up. I'll add that to my wish list.

[Jackaranda]

I really want to have an OBE some day. I've been on the edge of having one several times in meditation, but never quite got there. I want to explore other dimensions and realities. The Seth material I've recently got into has peaked my interest in OBE's again. Who knows, maybe if I work on it more...

[jbseth]

Hi All,

The closest I've ever come to having an OOBE is on 2 separate occasions while meditating.

During both of these 2 meditations, I was in a very deep meditation and then, when I terminated it, it felt like my spirit or energy form was being poured back into my physical body.  On both occasions, when I came out of the meditation I felt a little bit dizzy and almost but not quite nauseated.

Has anyone else every had a similar experience???