My first experiences in the astral world
First astral projection experiences
After my first conscious astral projection, as detailed in the previous chapter, where I floated near the ceiling and observed my sleeping physical body on the bed below, I continued practicing the astral projection mantra. Soon, I achieved the astral experience consistently every night I attempted. This time, I didn't slip into a regular dream state; my consciousness remained alert while my body rested. This phenomenon, which I later understood as direct astral transition or astral projection, marked a significant shift in my explorations.
During these experiences, I began to perceive sleep paralysis from a fresh perspective. As I recited the mantras—first aloud and then mentally—I would sense a tingling sensation enveloping my body. This tingling would intensify as I repeated the mantras, while my physical body lying on the bed became increasingly inactive. Eventually, I'd reach a point where I couldn't move, yet my surroundings were vivid, as if my physical eyes were open. Interestingly, this observation only occurred to me upon reflection after waking up. It's intriguing because, when engaging in astral projection practice or intending to sleep, the natural tendency is to close our eyes, yet I found myself able to perceive my room.
During my initial forays beyond my physical body, my astral form resembled a field of vision or an orb. My awareness shifted as I looked around, but control was challenging, and there was a hint of vertigo and apprehension.
Night after night, I ventured farther from my physical form. I explored my surroundings within this orb-like perception, extending my reach even to the bathroom.
Over time, around a month perhaps, the experience became more comfortable and familiar. My astral body now felt akin to my dream body, capable of walking, possessing limbs, and moving in various directions just like my physical self. Additionally, the perk of intentional floating or flying was an exciting possibility, influenced by the numerous dreams of flight I had experienced. This familiarity with sensations aided astral navigation considerably. The astral realm was inherently intuitive, and my learning curve was steep. I recognized that the mind played a pivotal role in astral navigation—a principle aligned with the concept of "The Law of Attraction," where thoughts manifest reality. In the astral plane, I not only found this principle to be true, but its manifestation was instant.
My journey into astral projection involved a deliberate training of my mind to aid astral navigation. When I successfully transitioned from my physical body, I visualized my astral form as a translucent, ghost-like version of myself. My hands felt tangible and responsive, appearing transparent yet functional. Even my choice of clothing mirrored my bedtime attire, although I discovered that I could manifest outfits with a mere thought in the astral realm.
Perceiving my astral self as akin to my physical body streamlined the astral projection process. Early on, I learned that leaving my physical body required me to rise from bed in the same manner using my astral body. However, my initial experiences were challenging to control because I visualized my astral form as an orb, complicating the process. Aligning my astral body's appearance with my physical form made the transition smoother, involving familiar movements.
Initially, complete detachment from my physical body eluded me; often, I'd shift my field of vision away from the starting point (where my head rested), only to feel a force pulling me back—a sensation akin to a stretched rubber band rebounding. To counter this, I attempted various techniques. Imagining a rope hanging from the ceiling allowed me to pull myself upwards, and rolling to the side in my astral form was another approach. These tactics yielded mixed results.
During my initial astral projection attempts, anxiety set in as I believed swift separation from my physical body was crucial to staying in the astral plane. These experiences lasted mere seconds or a minute at most. Gradually, I learned that calmness and relaxation were pivotal; resisting and struggling proved counterproductive. Even if I felt a magnetic pull towards my physical body, remaining composed, continuing the mantras, and moving serenely proved effective. Paradoxically, the frantic urgency to distance myself from my physical body seemed to anchor me to it.
This phenomenon mirrors the Law of Attraction: it focuses on the emphasized aspect, be it negative or positive. Fixating on the thought "I need to get away from my physical body" triggered a response tied to the concept of the "physical body." Essentially, the intense focus on the physical aspect inadvertently hindered my progress.
Once I grasped these intricacies, I ventured beyond my astral room to explore astral streets. Mastery over these dynamics took nearly a year to develop.
But how does the astral plane truly manifest?
The astral plane unfolds across multiple layers, akin to the multifaceted nature of the tridimensional world. Just as an Amazon rainforest contrasts starkly with a bustling urban district in the USA, these layers within the astral realm are defined by density. As we'll delve into within this book, greater density corresponds to an abundance of dimensional laws, yielding reduced freedom and an increase in suffering.
My initial astral encounters occurred within a layer closely intertwined with the physical world, possibly existing at around 24 laws, if not more (a detailed exploration of these laws is forthcoming). The astral counterpart of my surroundings, the cityscape, mirrored its physical counterpart. Yet, my astral existence was graced with the ability to bound onto rooftops or soar through the skies, restricted only by the limits of my concentration. Doors, seemingly identical to their physical counterparts, would yield to my touch, revealing interiors I could enter. If locked, I could effortlessly pass through doors, and the same applied to windows. While passing through walls posed a slight challenge, experience gradually revealed its nuances.
My curiosity drove me to peer into the lives of others, exploring their homes unnoticed. However, to my surprise, the astral neighborhoods appeared devoid of animals and people. Subsequently, I discovered the underlying reason: during slumber, individuals' astral bodies ascend to higher astral layers, drawing closer to the mental plane governed by 12 laws, albeit unconsciously. This realm constitutes the realm of dreams, abundant with symbolism and mental constructs, including the likes of flying elephants. Despite the symbolism, these subtler regions beckon exploration, albeit unconsciously.
Within the astral plane, intriguing interactions unfold, revealing the complexities of conscious astral experiences. While many individuals relive their daily occurrences during astral ventures, recreating scenes from their waking lives, unique dynamics come into play. At certain junctures of the night, these individuals manifest their work routines, household chores, and familiar arguments, often donning their work attire. As I wandered through the astral streets and peered into homes, I encountered these individuals replaying their lives.
Occasionally, our paths crossed, and I perceived their awareness of me. Yet, their perception seemed akin to encountering an element of their dream, as though I were woven into their subconscious narrative. Convincing them of their astral state remained a fruitless endeavor, unless guided by an experienced mentor or master. Nevertheless, interactions with such individuals imprint their subconscious minds, influencing their journey. The seeds of thought and action sown in the astral domain persist within their subconscious, wielded by the powerful force of the mind.
Notably, the phenomenon of inception bears relevance. Just as Christopher Nolan's film explored the concept, the practice involves planting an idea within a person's mind, an idea that matures organically, leading them to believe it as their own. However, wielding such influence carries karmic consequences unless executed under noble intentions and masterful guidance.
Strikingly, astral experiences reflect the mind's thoughts and beliefs. Clothing remains consistent with earthly habits, echoing the realm of dreams, where moments of vulnerability also find their way into the astral realm.
Despite these complexities, the astral landscape offers exhilarating freedom. The ability to traverse cities, enter dwellings, and soar without the constraints of a physical body unfolds as a delightful adventure. This newfound liberation offers boundless excitement, regardless of the absence of bustling crowds.
Within this astral tapestry, a distinct form of interaction emerges, different from mere observation or exploration. One fateful night, as I soared above a roundabout, a voice called out to me, drawing me closer. I descended to meet a girl my age who beckoned me. Cautiously, I engaged in conversation, cautious of the possibility that she might be a product of my imagination, a character conjured by my mind.
She shared her loneliness and the challenges of being single, a sentiment that resonated with my own experiences at the time. Our conversation unfolded within her house adjacent to the roundabout, a scene etched into my memory. Despite my uncertainty, I listened intently, unsure if she were real or a dreamlike manifestation. Our exchange extended, an hour's worth of dialogue encompassing her solitude. The experience faded, a curious encounter that I eventually relegated to memory.
Months later, my life intertwined with hers in an unforeseen manner. As a co-worker in a snacks factory, she revealed her familiarity with astral projection, sparking my intrigue. In disbelief, I recounted the roundabout, the house, and our conversation, prompting her response: "Yes. That was my house. That was me." The revelation astounded me, as our astral interaction seamlessly transcended into the physical realm.
Subsequently, she welcomed me to her home, a space identical to the astral house I had explored. This connection defied conventional scientific explanations, challenging the notion of mere imagination.
This meeting marked the beginning of encounters with conscious astral travelers. She was the first among many, individuals who traversed both the astral and physical realms, defying conventional understanding. Through these encounters, I realized that the astral plane held the potential for connections that transcend dimensions.
