7 Beginner's Tips for Intentional OBEs

Several techniques can be used for intentional out of body experiences (OBEs) also known as astral travel.  The rope technique is one of the most common and popular methods. Consider these 7 Tips for intentional OBEs:

1. Prepare the Mind

Make sure you are comfortable in a place you will not be disturbed and try to leave enough time so that you don’t have to think about time at all.

2. Feel Yourself Relax

It is best to be in a relaxed state of mind for astral travel, so you may like to meditate for ten minutes so that your Consciousness is open and receptive.

3. Allow Yourself to Almost Fall Asleep

It is best to practice astral travel when you are not too tired, otherwise, you may fall asleep! The goal is to feel as physically relaxed as possible while maintaining a wakeful mind.

If you do fall asleep, consciousness is shifting along a scale of dimensions.  Your physical eyes are closed, yet the dream mind sees.  As you grow more alert and aware of the out-of-body experience (OBE), you begin to sense the physical mind continues thinking and being while the projected double is split into an independent aspect. You can shift focus or point of consciousness out in front of the body, even above and beyond it.  More than one aspect of you is expanding on experience.

4. Notice Your Senses Sharpening

At this stage, you may notice mysterious visuals or sounds as well as sensations such as floating or falling. You may also feel slightly numb, which is exactly where you want to be.

It comes to your attention that the mind is recording more than one set of dream memories. In fact, you discover you can have two or more sets of memories for a single time period, that of the participant and the observer, and possibly other perspectives.  More than one set of dream memories co-exist.  As the projected double re-joins or re-integrates with the physical body, the strongest set of memories stand out.  Other, shadow memories also exist, but are often lost. 

Even now, you gain insight into a range of experiences from non-physical sight to projection. Mind's eye vision is revealing itself. The depth and complexity of dream recall sharpens as you practice, strengthen awareness, learn to keep OBEs short and train the mind so physical and projected aspects are aware and focused on each other. You see what you are ready to accept.

5. Visualize a Silver Cord

Now imagine a silver rope dangling from the ceiling, just within your reach. Spend some time visualizing this rope in detail, to the point where you can imagine what it will feel like.

6. Attempt to Grab the Rope with Your Astral Hand

Instead of diving right in and trying to astral project your whole body immediately, simply begin with one limb. Focus on reaching out to the rope and grabbing it with your astral hand.

7. Allow the Rest of Your Body to Follow

After you have successfully gripped the cord with your astral hand, feel the rest of your astral body rise from your physical form, and begin to climb the rope. It may seem heavier or lighter than usual to lift yourself.

Ultimately, it can take practice to master OBEs at will, but with persistence and discipline, travel anywhere is possible. If you don’t succeed the first time, or have lapses in your progress, encourage yourself to keep it up.  Conscious visits through astral realms are closer than you imagine.

"Men are the dreams of a shadow." - Pindar (Ancient Greek lyrical poet)

What does success feel like?

The external world invites us to adopt different visions of success and fulfillment.  Ever notice what drives or motivates you at different stages and seasons of your life? You might respond by describing a particular object you dream of, an envisioned experience, a set of conditions or outcome. But does success always have to be out of reach? What is the deeper message?

Consider the analogy of a young person who just gets a driver's license.  This person is eager and often has a heavy foot, as if always speeding to get somewhere.  You may encounter drivers who appear impatient, are always looking ahead, but never at you, never here, in this moment.  You may begin to see this as a mirror of yourself.  Why chase after success in the future?

Observe what happens as you notice the slower drivers that are no longer in a rush. What happens to stress, anxiety and intense emotions? What are you willing to notice and outgrow? How do you view slower driving behaviour in light of your sense of success? Does speed matter?

Notice what happens as you accept yourself fully. Any pursuit loses significance.  Notice how it feels to savour every moment, and to be aware of why you view success in different ways. Watch the impact of a simple shift of attention. Thoughts and emotions point to what mind does not want you to see. Recognize what you fear/ cling to, what you run from and who you truly are.

"You have reached the pinnacle of success as soon as you become uninterested in money, compliments, or publicity." -Thomas Wolfe

Notice versions of the dream

Mind orients "you" toward visions of success and suggests at all costs you should strive to avoid defeat. Consider you have never been here without dreaming.  The only thing you know about 'here and now' is heresay.  You have thoughts and opinions about it.  You have heard other people's views on what it must or must not be.  This is a version of the dream. The most direct way to see through the dream is to be aware.  Being awareness is not being aware of something. Mind invites you to ask how. Heart invites feeling. Be aware of the feeling before it arises. Notice the energy behind it all.

You are more

You are more than any physical perception or situation.  You do not have to try to be more positive, to try to feel better, to try to change what seems to be your current state.  Personality and ego are not you.  They are conditioned patterns, grounded in illusions of time that are irrelevant. 

Notice whether you hear a voice telling you that you are anything less than unlimited, successful, confident and expanding into more.  Be aware of the mechanism at work within the mind without allowing it to control you.  At your centre, the authentic you feels another perspective.  Be that.

So far, so good

Your role is to make the most of where you are.  You are invited to create life experience and to explore things that evoke different emotions within.  Your willingness to participate in this leading-edge, transformational process reveals how courageous, successful and truly elastic you are.  Rest assured, the unlimited being within always expands and bounces back. 

Consider as you engage in situations that prompt you to believe you are less than you are, you feel out of balance, uneasy, and know temporary amnesia.  Yet, insight you gain into resilience, unconditional love and what you are becoming, make the roller coaster of emotion worth it.  You come so far and choose to remember why being who you are feels so good.  Its up to you to awaken.  Catch up to what you imagine.  It already exists.  Open your mind.  Open your heart.  Raise your energy.  Know your power.