Blog Archive

Sunday, December 16, 2012

186) Abstract Forms; Deep Dive; Book Reader


For this experience, I was aware I driving my car but realized I was not sure of where I was going.  Lately, I have done many reality checks while driving (for real) to know that this time I was questioning my status while driving, which meant I was ready to get OOB! 

(I've had a difficult time lately getting my consciousness to move into the astral body as I would not pick up on many of my usual ‘signals to awareness’ and continue on in a dream state, so made a conscious effort to increase my reality checks to try to improve this.)

Taking advantage of this ‘questioning’, I let go of the wheel and moved sideways out of the car through the driver’s door.  I remember feeling that slight concern that MAYBE I’m not really OOB but knew I just had to be!  lol  

Once out of the car, I found myself floating gently above my physical body, so I could just roll off the bed and move on.  I rolled out, but landed heavily at the side of the bed on my hands and knees, feeling like such a novice with the ability to navigate OOB since it’d been so long since I've had the focus and intent to do so.
 
I moved quickly to my bedroom door, feeling the constant tug back to body, but then relieved as the tug dissipated while I moved down the stairs.  I’m affirming ‘Awareness now’ over and over, each time gaining more clarity. 

I was thrilled to be in my living room again relishing the OOB state and taking in all the minor changes in the appearance of the room.  There was a chandelier in place of the usual lights and various objects strewn about, but decided to check out a side door that isn’t actually there in ‘real’ life. 

At the door, I took the time to play with the ability to put my hands through it, pulling and pushing as if it was made of Jello and thinking that it was unusual that I could do this ‘squishing’ yet not be able to ‘see’ what lies on the other side of it once my hands were within in.

So I made a ‘porthole’ to climb through in the center of the door, wanting to explore what was on the other side.   I entered a tunnel-like entrance, and upon exit, saw many beautiful colors all around me! There was no ‘form’ to much of it, having an abstract type appearance and thinking it looked much like paintings by a famous artist (Salvatore Dali?).  I marveled at how beautiful it was, yet ‘knew’ what the objects were even if they had no ‘form’.

I moved on and started floating upward; now realizing I once again had the ability to fly fast and furious! I remember zooming down another street, only to remember that I had no need to be of any specific ‘form’ as I flew, and even remembered I didn't have to fly at all but just think of where I wanted to go and be there!

Unfortunately, because I had not made a specific intention of what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go once out of body, at that point I had no idea where to head for.  I remember thinking about some famous temple in China (?) to visit, but that thought was fleeting and so I continued to float higher and higher.

Looking down I could see the earth and its deep blue beauty, with the huge oceans covering much of it, and decided I’d just like to have some fun and do a DEEP headfirst dive directly into the ocean from this height!  I remember the joy of having such ability, and upon entering the water, feeling the tingling change in my surroundings.

It was at this point the scene transitioned to another area where there were a few people sitting around and chatting.  I felt this to be a sort of ‘beach party’ where a few women were talking to two men, trying to vie for their attention.  I didn't want any part of it, but was pleasantly surprised when one man came up to me and specifically pointed out one young girl as “the one who has the ‘(book)reader’(?)” that I needed.

I was taken aback and unsure of what this meant when I suddenly felt a start of a transition back to full awareness.  I disappointedly woke to full awareness, wishing I had remembered to try to prolong the experience with some affirmations or spinning that worked in the past. 

Regardless of the lack of specific intention for this OBE, I’m pleased to know that these experiences always do return, despite my lack of focus at times.  After having such a wonderful workshop with William Buhlman at The Monroe Institute (see previous post), I made the conscious intention to try to get back into learning more about myself with OOB travel.  William is right…practice, practice, practice…it always pays off!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

185) Overview of the OBE Intensive with William Buhlman

My friend Jaime and I had the wonderful opportunity to experience the OBE Intensive with William Buhlman at The Monroe Institute in Virginia this past November 24-30, 2012.  It was likely the most fun and informational workshop we’ve ever been too.  
As I prepared to arrive at The Monroe Institute (TMI), having driven the seven hours from New York to Virginia, I was excited to think I’d be able to use the actual CHEC (Controlled Holistic Environmental Chamber) units (see http://vimeo.com/5498074) that were used for the astral travels and described extensively by Robert Monroe in all of his books.  I was thrilled to know that my friend and fellow astral traveler, Jaime, would be meeting me there and together we would learn more about ourselves and discover the wonders of the inner world within us.

As I neared the grounds of TMI (The Monroe Institute),  I was elated to see a red-tailed hawk flying just in front of my car, a familiar ‘sign’ I get when I need some reassurance that all is going to be just fine! As I pull into the parking lot and got out of my car, Jaime was just getting off the shuttle from the airport!  This was truly an amazing ‘sychronicity’ for us, as his plane from the West Coast was delayed for hours earlier and he did not know exactly when he’d be arriving.  The fact that we both got there at the EXACT same time to me validated that we were both there where we needed to be!

As the rest of the participants arrived over the next few hours, we spent time introducing ourselves and getting to know them, amazed to see that some participants came from all over the world, including across the US, Australia, London, and Germany! 

The next few days included a general schedule of waking to music, the opportunity for early morning yoga, and then breakfast together.  A longer morning session with William Buhlman would include generally two techniques in the CHEC units and great discussions on a variety of topics relating to OBE’s.  Lunch was served about 1pm, and we had a few hours of ‘free time’ to spend as we wish. 

During the free time, we could visit the huge quartz crystal in the beautiful open area on the grounds, walk the meditation labyrinth, visit the nearby lake, or even sign up for a massage.  The bookstore was open for perusing and a few participants even took advantage of testing some new SAM (Spatial Angle Modulation) audio tracks being used for research purposes.   We were able to share our impressions of how effective two different SAM audio tracks were for achieving a meditative state of mind.

The OBE discussions resumed about 4pm where there were even more techniques to experience within the CHEC units.  A great advantage to our CHEC experiences with William Buhlman was the use of ‘live’ audio guidance for every session, as nothing was prerecorded.  He was even able to individualize some of the audio guidance to include aspects of the discussions we had just had in the prior session.  The ability to use a variety of Hemi-Sync and SAM audio patterns embedded within a live OBE induction and relaxation exercise was a highlight of these experiences at TMI. 

Dinner was served about 6pm and the final session each night began at 7:30pm.  More discussions and more techniques were reviewed and it was always fascinating to hear the profound experiences that some participants had with these techniques.  Snacks and drinks were always available and many people would stay up late just sharing their stories and life events.

During this OBE Intensive, another highlight was the fire ceremony Wednesday night that offered everyone the opportunity to release and let go of blocks, as well as the ability to bring into our lives that which we wish to manifest.  William shared with us his story of how this ceremony was a shamanic tool that can be very powerful, and we were even more blessed to have it occur on the night of the full moon!  Quietly everyone placed their individual requests into the fire and thanked the flames and Universe for bringing it into fruition.  (I had a quick response to my request when I received a much anticipated phone call the next morning! – more details will come with the next post when I write up my personal experiences there).

At the end of the sixth day of the Intensive, we all gathered together to celebrate the new ‘family’ of TMI graduates with presentation of certificates and the sharing of a heartfelt closing circle.  Everyone spoke of their deepest thoughts as to what this week meant to them and their gratitude for all we had experienced.  It was an honor to have shared this wonderful experience with our new friends and will always treasure the memories we made there.

Jaime and I made many new friends and learned much from those we met at TMI.  We are both VERY thankful for this opportunity to learn more about our ‘inner Higher Self’ and who we really are as individuals, yet also knowing we ALL are very much connected to each other spiritually.   Our gratitude extends deeply to the entire Monroe Institute staff (including our favorite assistant, Patty!), the amazing participants, and most importantly, our teacher, William Buhlman.

Learning about OBEs and our ‘inner worlds’ from William was a total pleasure every single day.  He is extremely personable, funny, and highly individualistic in his teaching style, with a unique way of showing us how we all are so much more than just a physical body and how we can grow spiritually just by learning more from that which is already within us.  As he discussed various topics and techniques in each session, there was never a time where we didn’t laugh and have tremendous fun together!  Jaime and I highly recommend that everyone who wishes to know more about OBE’s get to The Monroe Institute to see William Buhlman in his workshop!

Thank you everyone who made this past week one of the most memorable and remarkable weeks of our lives!  Our love to all of you!
-Karen and Jaime