194) A Gift of Love

I want to share a wonderful (unexpected!) experience I had this morning.  As most of you know, I do not actively seek OOB experiences on a regular basis anymore due to a need to focus on physical life ‘memories’ and experiences with the time I have left.

However, I have learned SO much with my prior astral travels. The most valuable knowledge I have gained is a deep-rooted ‘knowing’ that life DOES go on after one passes to the other side.  This physical existence we are all in now is not our ‘natural’ state, but a time spent separated from our ‘spiritual’ side in order to gain new understandings and experiences. 

Part of what we are learning here is how our ‘inner guidance’ is the best compass for what we experience during our lives.  Traveling in the astral teaches you that what you ‘think’, you experience, but on a more immediate basis.  Same holds true in physical life but on a slower pace….what you put forth, will return to you.  Expect the best, and you WILL get it!

The other two important points I have learned with my OBE travels is 1) if you feel vibrations, go with it! And 2) always ‘let go’ when you don’t feel in control, never fear, have faith, and trust in the Higher Self to take you where you need to go!

All of these lessons I have learned led to me a wonderful reunion with my father who passed just over a year ago.  I did not actively seek a connection with him after he passed over, somehow knowing that when the time was right (for him and me), that we would see each other again.

I awoke early this morning and was settling back into sleep.  I did not feel like I was close to falling asleep when I started feeling my usual vibrations, gently but persistent.  I could hear all sorts of ‘noises’ in the room – cars passing my house, the furnace humming – so did not think I was deep enough to take advantage of the vibrations.

But as I mentioned, you don’t make decisions based on what you ‘hear’ when getting OOB, many times it is a false awakening sensation.  I took advantage of even gentle vibrations and willed them to become stronger.

After a short time, they were stronger and I could feel a gentle ‘sway’ of my body, signaling it was time to ‘roll out’!  I rolled off the bed, ecstatic to see I was OOB again!  The window to outdoors was right next to me, so I took a big leap right through the window, knowing I couldn’t stay close to my body for too long. (I will admit, because I hadn’t been OOB in a while, there was a very slight concern that I was going to physically hit the window! – but that is where you push on, knowing that fear will stop any further exploration)

Immediately through the window, I could see the outdoors as it appears in real life, and flew to my right around the corner of the house and up to the treetops nearby.  I remember thinking, “Wow! I forgot how much FUN this is to fly!”  (Now thinking I need to continue to get OOB just a wee bit more often!)

Almost as soon as I said that, I felt I was losing control.  I couldn’t ‘zoom’ and move as I wished, feeling a sensation that something was pulling me backward.  Again, I learned you must just ‘let go’ and see what happens, without overanalyzing any experience while OOB.

I was pulled backward, enjoying the passing scenery in this backward facing position. As I moved skyward, I remembered that I had no plan for where I wanted to go and perhaps this was why I wasn’t in control. However, at that point was when I heard Dad’s voice – clearly and distinctly – saying (of all things!), “Ho Ho Ho”!!

Immediately, I said, “Dad! Are you here? I’d like to see you!” and with that thought I was gently placed on the front lawn of my house, but oddly during a beautiful snowfall with snow all around.  I didn’t think twice about the weather, as I again heard his voice saying “Ho Ho Ho!” and with the snow, thinking of Christmas. 

Then I saw him walking toward me from the trees by my house (from the direction of his own home next door). He was wearing his usual winter coat (that I remember him working outdoors in during the winter) and with a HUGE smirky smile that was his classic look! 

The emotions flowed as I moved to him and hugged him tight! I don’t remember exact ‘words’ but the sense of deep love and a need to let my Mom know that he was alright was conveyed to me.  I was SO happy to see him!

The entire experience didn’t last long, and as I hugged him I could feel the loss of connection as I pulled back to full wakefulness. The lingering sense of love and happiness enveloped me as I lay there crying out of sheer joy, giving thanks to the Universe for giving me this opportunity to connect with Dad once again.

In hindsight, the whole ‘ho ho ho’ and Christmas theme was perfect…I was receiving a ‘gift’ of love and reconnection, and a reinforcement that life truly goes on and we will see all of our loved ones again when the time is right!

ADDENDUM:

I went to my mother's house this same morning to let her know of my experience and was SHOCKED to hear her response!  My mom doesn't truly understand what I 'do' when I say I travel, so I have to describe it as a 'dream' and she can relate.

After telling her of my wonderful reunion with Dad, she told me that she also had a dream with Dad just last night!  For some background information, there is a great true story that my Mom and Dad share about how he 'saved her' from being utterly lost one time when visiting him in NYC when they were both teenagers.  Had my father not seen her get off the train at the station and watch her walk in what he knew to be the wrong direction, who knows where she would have ended up!  She has had a fear of getting 'lost' ever since!

So, in this dream Mom had, she remembers skipping along a dirt road, barefoot, and staying a short distance ahead of whomever she was with.  She knew this road, and was familiar that it would end with an option to go right or left, but she was confident she knew where to go when she to to the end.

When she got to the T in the road, she was surprised to find a large building there.  Entering it and walking around,  it felt oddly unfamiliar and uncomfortable ("cold" "church-like" she described it as) so she left the building as quickly as possible.  Upon exiting, she found herself afraid, in unfamiliar territory, unsure of where to turn, and fear began to set in.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, she said she felt loving arms around her from behind, and a quick nuzzling on her neck. Shocked at this sensation, she turned her head to look directly into my father's smiling face!  She was so surprised to see him, yet thrilled! In a blink of an eye, he was gone....and she reluctantly woke up.  She told me she tried in vain to get back to sleep as she wanted to see him again.

She wasn't going to tell anyone about this quick experience, thinking it 'just a dream', however after hearing my encounter with Dad during this same night, she is thrilled to know that he was able to get through to both of us!  To me, this is true validation....Dad is doing just fine, and letting us know all is well!

193) Reunion with Dad

I can’t believe it’s been nearly a year since I posted anything on my blog! I so apologize to those who do check my blog for the lack of updates, but I do want to also thank you for your continued patronage. 

There is so much I have learned over these years regarding who we truly are and how the Universe will always take care of us, giving us EXACTLY what we need (despite outward appearances) if we only trust that whatever is happening, is happening ALWAYS in our best interest.

My focus lately has been on living THIS physical life to the maximum, and I have been blessed with recently finding my true ‘soul mate’ to share wonderful life adventures with! Hence the reason I have put aside (for now) the intense focus on out of body experiences.  I will say that I KNOW I am still ‘getting out’ and enjoy the memories that I retain just before waking, knowing I am still learning both here and astrally.

I will share one exciting short OBE that I had just recently as it involved seeing my father again after his passing this past March 2014.  I knew at some point I’d see him again, when he and I were both ‘ready’. 

I have learned that physical emotions have a huge impact in the astral and traveling, and when out of body, one cannot allow strong ‘human emotions’ to control you and your actions.  There is only one strong ‘emotion’ that can exist in the astral, and that is LOVE…. not sadness, regret or other overwhelming emotion, as that will not allow you to stay in control of your experience.  Hence, I believe, there was a need for some ‘time’ here in physical for me to adjust to seeing him again, so as to allow a less emotional (sadness, longing) response upon seeing him.

As it was, when I first became aware, I could hear his voice speaking to someone, a strong, clear voice that I so missed hearing during his later years. He was speaking to someone off to his side and I remember thinking how wonderful it was to hear his voice again.

With that thought, my vision cleared and I became aware of my mother on my right (who is still in physical) and was speaking with her, asking if she could hear Dad’s voice as well.  She kept talking to me about how it ‘can’t be him’ as he’s no longer with us.

Looking to my left, I saw him.  There was Dad, in all his youthful vigor, sitting in a chair chatting with what felt to be a ‘patient’ (Dad was also a nurse) that I couldn’t see.  He was engrossed with discussing his life’s events, how he became a nurse, was drafted in the Army to become a Captain, built houses and on and on with his accomplishments.  It felt good to hear him so strong and so proud, and I excitedly yelled to my mother, “Look, look! It’s Dad” and all I could get from her was ‘no, no, it can’t be him, he’s gone’. 

I knew I was out of body, asleep as it were, and visiting my Dad but I could not get my mother (who I will assume was with me astrally as well) to believe that Dad was with us. 

I spoke to Dad but cannot recall exact words, but it felt like it was difficult to convince him as well that he could see me because I was out of body or ‘dreaming’.  He told me  “what do you mean you are dreaming? I’m right here!” 

I also knew that this was my chance to move on and travel a bit more with this awareness, however, my emotional attachment with Dad and seeing him for the first time since his death was so strong that I didn’t want to leave him.

This was a short visit, without too much activity within; however the intense emotional satisfaction I received is beyond words.  I realize that it takes time for some who don’t fully understand we are more than our physical bodies to become adjusted to a spiritual existence, but ultimately they will; as that is our ‘true’ nature we will all return to.

I’m pleased to know Dad is doing well and enjoying his new ‘life’.  This experience, although short, hopefully will help those who have had losses in their life to realize that ultimately, our loved ones are happy and safe and will once again be a part of our ‘lives’, whether with a short visit while in physical or with a long awaited spiritual reunion upon our own deaths.

192) Life is But a Dream

Just wanted to share an interesting short dream I had this morning, where I found myself swimming in a very, very deep ocean, marveling at the construction of a most beautiful underwater city! I could see all sort of equipment building beautiful towers and buildings and for a few fleeting thoughts, I worried about swimming SO deep that perhaps I might not be able to get back ‘out’ to breathe.

At that same moment I thought about this concern, I also realized that I was SO VERY deep within this water and am ‘breathing’ just fine, that I MUST be dreaming! Excited to know that I gained lucidity within this dream, I continued on exploring all the most exquisite construction of a marvelous city going on below me. 

After a time, I became concerned that I was slowing losing ‘air’ from the ‘safety device’ I had encircling to my waist and again for a very brief thought, worried about being able to ‘come up for air’ but in that same instant, I was immediately content to know that should anything happen, I was going to awaken at ‘home’ where I was safe and secure. 

What is interesting is that my next ‘awakening’ at my safe ‘home’ was not in my bed, in physical reality, but within a classroom with many other classmates, discussing the marvelous experience we had just had!  I cannot remember many details, but knew that we were all working on something quite impressive and were excited to soon be returning to this ‘dreamworld’ to continue working on our projects. 

After this class reunion, I was told it was time to return to our ‘dream’….and thereupon found myself NOT back in the beautiful underwater city, but waking in my bed to full physical reality! 

I have always known and now this experience gives me more validation of what I know is truth. THIS physical life is ‘but a dream’ that gives us lessons to learn and is NOT our true home.  It is these ‘dreams within a dream’ that we all experience where we are able to use creative ‘imaging’ (imagining) to allow us to construct our own ‘inner worlds under the sea (subsconscious/superconscious level)’ and with 'conscious effort' supporting it's creation, it can be as beautiful as one can ever imagine. 

By doing this regularly, it also teaches us how to bring our true ‘awareness’ into the different realities/dimensions to help us ‘re-member’ who we really are to enhance the level of learning that one can do while ‘living the dream’!

Time to Take a Different Perspective on Life

I thought I'd add a post here on my blog to let those who follow it know that I have not been posting regularly as previously done because of a different 'focus' in my life.

I have learned much with these travels over the past years, and one of the MOST important lessons from my travels is that I now KNOW, without any question or uncertainty, that I will ABSOLUTELY continue on after my physical 'death' to return to my true astral 'form' with ALL conscious memories and experiences intact from the life I have had in this particular physical body.  I have absolutely NO fear of dying, but also I am not seeking to die anytime soon either! lol

I wish I could share this conviction with others, however, another lesson I have learned is that everyone will learn at their own pace and in their own way. All I can do is help those who take the time to question what is 'real'....and seek the 'hidden' truths that are all around us, but kept 'hidden' from us due to our own fear, societal values, faith, etc.

My views are just that, MY views on life....yet I remain open to all new information that comes my way, as I also know I don't know, nor can I possibly comprehend with this 'meager' physical brain, all that our Universe truly offers us.

So, along with my conviction of eternal 'life', I also know that I have had many physical bodies with which I have learned lessons.  I KNOW now, at this time, that it is to be my life focus to gather more memories and experiences to take with me while in this physical body and hence my retreat from active out of body travel temporarily. Getting OOB takes constant focus, determination, and practice....and I'm having SO much fun in my physical life that I feel this is where I should put my efforts.

My life has suddenly opened wide, and I understand completely that what I get out of life is what I expect to get...and I'll let you all in on my 'secret' test of this conviction.  For the past two years, I have affirmed and EXPECTED to have the BEST in life!!!!  Every day, without fail, I affirm "I deserve and expect the BEST in life!" at least 20-25 times while driving to work each morning....and you know what?!?  It is working!!! :)

If only everyone could understand this simple truth in our lives...what you put forth comes back twofold.  The Golden Rule has it right...the Law of Attraction is absolutely on target...I just can't impress it more.  If you are reading this post and it resonates with you, try it.  I guarantee your life will improve....even if you feel it's at its best now!

So I thank you all for continuing to read this blog, as it has been a labor of love.  Starting with the first posts, you can see how over the years I developed my abilities and learned to navigate this tenuous astral realm while having some wonderful experiences.  Be sure to at least read the 'highlights' listed at the top of the page if you don't have time for every post.

I don't doubt that I shall return to posting new adventures in the future, but for now, a little hiatus is in order to fill up my memory banks while my physical body is still able to gather the experiences!!  I wish everyone much love, success, and awesome memories of their own to take with them on their journey through life after life!

191) Remembering the Ability to OBE

My first recollection was that I was driving my car to work, and I suddenly realized I was in a river and it was now starting to take me a different unfamiliar direction.  I can see I’m no longer in my car driving, but bobbing down a roaring rapids river to the left, where I know the road is really located off to the right.

With this realization, I was at first a little concerned that I was going somewhere unfamiliar and out of control, but once I understood that there is NO WAY I could really be in this river and out of my car, I became aware that I was likely ‘dreaming’ and able to separate from my body.

It took a bit of effort since I haven’t been consciously doing this OBE separation much lately  and remember trying to roll out as usual.  It was difficult to move, but I finally rolled out like I was going to fall off the bed, and happily found myself standing next to my body in bed.

I moved quickly to the outside porch off my bedroom, feeling the change in the environment as I passed through the door.  I wanted to feel the freedom of flying again, but this time, I thought I’d take a hold of one of the tree branches nearby and use it like a vine swing. Gently and smoothly, I made myself rock back and forth, high and low, using the tree branches as a swing.  I just LOVED the freedom!  Because I have not had the ‘focus’ of getting OOB as often as I used to, this was just heaven to feel again!

I could hear beautiful music playing, soothing, gentle soft music that seems to cradle and envelope me into blissfulness!  I was just enraptured with the moment!

I then looked up into the sky and saw the most awesome universal ‘opening’…clouds and deep blue horizons beckoning me to come!  I flew up to see what was there for me and in looking down, saw the magnificent countryside below me. 

I realized I was flying ‘Superman’ style, with my arms outstretched, and just knew inherently that I didn’t have to do that to move!  So I pulled in my arms and just moved ‘headfirst’ into the open sky.  I then thought I could even ‘dive’ straight down headfirst into the Earth if I wanted and so started to do so.

Getting close to the Earth, I knew I was in complete control, could stop at any point, but for the fun of it, decided to dive headfirst into the Earth! It was amazing to feel the change in texture, to the darkness enveloping me (as I’m sure that what I ‘expected’ to find so I did!).  I do remember seeing some sort of geometric shape while below ground, but with the thought of being ‘closed in’, I immediately popped back up to surface.

It was at this point I found myself with two children, an older girl of about 8 and a boy of abut 4-5.  They were bouncing around on a bed waiting for their dad to come.  I remember just have a grand old time bouncing around with them!

Just as I was going to ask more about who and what was going on, a sudden noise in the room woke me fully.  The music that I realized was still playing in the background throughout the entire time suddenly stopped and I was fully awake, disappointed that I had no chance to investigate further. 

Although this wasn’t too much of an experience in the sense that I did too much, I somehow feel it DID give me the validation that I am where I should be at this time in my life.  The stressors and significant changes I am going through are what I need to have to continue to grow and learn.  I am so happy that when I most need validation that the Universe is always with me, it always responds!!! 

If there is anything I could impress upon those who seek the Truth, it is to KNOW without exception, that all is happening as it should, and that YOU are the one who is deciding what you need in life.  If you EXPECT the best, you WILL receive the BEST! I’m finding that is the ultimate truth to life!  You are what you think!! the Law of Attraction is Universal...and YOU are the creator of your experiences!

190) First Visit

Hi everyone!  Just a quick blog post to share an experience I had last night, quite unexpectedly!

7/2/13    Last night I had a hard time falling back to sleep when I was awakened at 2 am.   By 3am, I'm still tossing but then was surprised to find myself in a light vibrational state, a buzzing sensation, but fully alert and feeling wide awake.  I could feel my hands clasped on my chest, although I didn't remember being in that position.

Became aware of someone at the foot of my bed, and immediately felt a 'fear' rising in me.  However, I was quickly able to control it and not allow it to take over my curiosity.

The 'person' at the foot of the bed was speaking, and I strained to hear what was being said.  It sounded younger and female, and I mentally asked her to come closer because I couldn't hear her.  She moved to the side of the bed next to where I was lying and the words 'first visit' came to my mind.

I could tell she was excited about something, and I remember asking, "Oh, is this your first visit?" whereupon she seemed to express yes it was and she was so excited how easy it was! All she had to do was 'wave her hands' out and then ? ....and her voice drifted away as she disappeared as quickly as she came!

The vibrations stopped, and I quickly tried to get back into the buzzing state, which I did for a few seconds, but there was no further connection with this female.  I felt it was her excitement and lack of 'control' that may have led to her quick disconnect with me, but I still remember her joy and happiness at being able to 'visit' me!

189) Change in Life Focus

I want to write a post about what has been happening in my life to keep everyone informed as to why the drop off in blog posts and communication. I have continued to have great dreams and travels, only to a lesser extent than previous, as my focus in life has changed over the past six months.


Over the past seven years, I have learned SO much about myself and this wonderful world we live in through my astral travels as you have read on my blog. My online blog (www.karen659.com) is a written account of my amazing journey that shows how I have progressed in my abilities and understanding, and I wish to encourage those who seek more information to start at the beginning and read through it.

In addition to my writings, I have made so many good friends, both online and in person, and have had great discussions about all things, most of which revolves around how little we DO know about this great Universe we live in. I wish to personally thank William Buhlman, author of Adventures Beyond the Body and Secrets of the Soul, for his mentorship that started me on my travels. (see http://www.astralinfo.org/)

My time spent in astral projection and out of body experiences have revealed to me how truly powerful we are, and that it is up to each of us individually to master control over our lives. My biggest lesson that I have now completely internalized, is knowing I am immortal, and that I will never experience ‘death’ as many believe it to be. I know it is merely a simple transition back into our true selves, with continued learning and experiencing as we move along in our spiritual development. We truly are a spiritual being having a physical experience in order to learn our limitless lessons.

Another powerful learning I have gained from these experiences is that I truly AM the master of my life, and it is up to me to focus on my end results, always KNOWING completely and without doubt, that my goal is coming to me in the manner and way that is best for my learning while in a physical body. It may not always appear that something is working out ‘right’, however, it is almost always in hindsight, that I can see how an apparent ‘negative’ event actually was necessary to attain my desired goals.

Part of my ability to keep focused on the end result goal I desire, and not the means or the way, is to state many times daily, “I deserve and expect the best in life!”, as well as visibly post my ‘dream board’ in an area where I can visually see that which I desire in life. As I view it, I internally KNOW that these things are arriving in my life in the way that the Universe best sees fit. I highly recommend this to anyone who desires to improve their position in life.

I believe that it is because I have this ‘knowing’, that I have now moved onto another path in life, one which is now complete with a loving partner who shares my focus and goals. I also now know that this physical life I am living is to be my focus, as the astral travels and experiences will continue, but in a way that guides my physical life so that it may be the best experience I can have.

I understand that I will only have this physical body for a limited number of years more, and it is important to me now that I truly enjoy and appreciate having these wonderful physical experiences before transitioning back to my spiritual home.

I will, of course, continue to share any significant astral travels I may encounter over my life so my posts here will continue on an intermittent basis.

I wish to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as I move into this new life focus. I wish that all who read this gain a better understanding of their personal power and true spiritual self, and that everyone will achieve all they desire in this physical life they are now experiencing!

“The more we learn, the more limitless the Universe becomes”!

188) Horse and Boar; Self Image Issues

2013_02_23  

I’m thrilled to report that I once again, upon finally finding time and focus to attempt to get OOB, did so!!  It’s been a very, very busy few months, with much change and need to focus on ‘real’ life, so my efforts to get OOB have been significantly limited.

However, in seeing that it’s been well over a month since my last experience, I wanted to try once more to be sure I still could.  I’m amazed how easily the exit OOB was this time!

I remember lying in bed listening to my guided meditation and Jurgen Ziewe’s binaural tones (since it was so successful last time too!) and becoming aware of soft vibrations.  I don’t usually get these, and figured since I’m rather ‘out of practice’ with OBEs that this is why they were around this time. 

I attempted to will the vibrations stronger, and it took a few times of vibrations coming and going before I became aware of a bright light in front of my eyes.  I was a little annoyed since I figured my eye mask had slipped and light from outdoors was coming in and I didn’t want to move to chance losing the vibrations. (However, in hindsight, I realize that it wasn’t light outside at 3am!)

What I think this ‘light’ did do was to make me just that little more ‘aware’ of my state of mind and felt that this might be a great time to try to roll out of body.  Instead of my usual roll out, I was surprised I could just pop up straight out of bed (body) and move to the bedroom door.  It was an easy exit, almost as if I climbed out of bed as I do each morning!

Realizing I was definitely OOB, I glided down the stairs and again was thankful and thrilled to see and feel the clarity I had!! Standing in my living room, I remembered I had intended if I did get out that I wanted to affirm, “to my Higher Self!” 

As I passed through the front door, I felt a change in the energies and it because totally dark. I affirmed ‘Clarity now!’ a few times, but without avail.  Again I intended, “to my Higher Self” and then not wanting to lose the chance for flying, I took off zooming into the darkness. 

It was so much fun to fly and at one point, I remember thinking that despite flying through the pitch blackness, I was not afraid at all of ‘hitting’ anything, that I was able to ‘feel’ the texture changes as I passed through various ‘worlds’ (?), one after the other.

The next recollection was being in what felt to be my front yard, yet I knew it was different, with more of a ‘farmyard’ feeling.    I then became aware of a horse with saddle and a wild boar racing wildly toward me from my right out of the back field. 

I was not afraid, as things happen very quickly so you don’t think of being fearful.  In front of me were two of my boyfriend’s dogs, one very small and one elderly, running toward the horse and boar as if to protect me.  I called out to them to stop, as I was fearful that the wild boar could easily harm both of them.

They stopped, as did the boar and the horse, separated by only a few feet, staring at each other.  Finding a discarded bottle near my feet, I pick up the bottle and threw it at the boar to try to scare it away, knowing likely it wouldn’t help but I had to do something to try to protect the dogs.

(After I threw the bottle, it was odd how I remember thinking that I could easily go look for this bottle in the field in my yard once I was ‘really’ awake again – as I knew I was out of body – to verify that this did happen!)

That action perhaps gave me enough time to stop and hear a faint cry for help.  I was confused as to where I ‘heard’ it from, as the animals were still in a face off in front of me. 

What I discovered was the wild boar was ‘speaking’ to me without words, in a cry for help, and he was trying to convey the message that he was not a ‘bad’ animal, that he wanted someone to ‘see’ beneath his wild exterior and understand that he was just another animal that needed love. 

At the same time, I realized that my perception of him as dangerous was only due to the fact that the dogs had already ‘set my belief’ as dangerous and I just followed their lead.

I remember discussing with him how his own expectations that others would find him ‘dangerous, mean, ugly, and wild’ was creating this ‘rebound’ type of presentation from everyone else.  What he put forth caused it to be true, and that all he needed to do was to change how he felt about himself and that would also change how others perceived and treated him.   By improving his own self-image, he would realize that others also would improve their perception of him.  (In hindsight, I realize this was definitely a personal message from my Higher Self, just as I had asked for!)

I found myself back in bed, but now with warm loving arms reaching out and hugging me tightly!  I ‘felt’ it to be my new boyfriend, and asked, “is this you?” and knew without a doubt that it was.  I could see behind him a man and a woman looking at me and smiling, but I have no idea who they were or what they were doing.  

I do know the comfort and happiness I gained from this experience gave me such a sense of joy upon waking that I’m still smiling now!

187) Return to OBEs; Family gathering; Meeting Buddy; Daughter's Dream

Well, it’s been a LONG time since I’ve posted here, and I thank everyone who is still around to read this post!  

Ever since my awesome experiences with the OBE research in North Carolina in September 2012, and then a fantastic week at the Monroe Institute with William Buhlman in November 2012, I've had some not-so-great experiences in my personal and professional physical life that took me away from my focus on OBEs and astral travel.

I always knew that I still traveled nightly, but I was not having the dream recall or the ability to ‘intend’ these experiences when one’s consciousness is so busy with more mundane physical issues.

Things are settling once again in my physical life, and with the support of some GREAT friends in the Astral Projectors Facebook group, I’m beginning to get back what I once had. 

Last night (well, actually, this morning) I was able to really focus and intend to get OOB, using my MP3’s from various recordings, including author Jurgen Ziewe (http://www.multidimensionalman.com).

I was brought to awareness with his meditative recording that offered binaural tones, which at one point the tones actually became a bit ‘irritating’ to my ears, but that was also the trigger to lucidity that I needed to get out! (http://www.multidimensionalman.com/Multidimensional-Man/Free_Deep_Meditation_Sounds_-_Binaural_Beats.html)

l found myself rolling off the bed, affirming, “To the door!”  I felt sluggish, almost like pulling taffy to get my ‘body’ to respond but with determined affirmations, I floated out the bedroom door and down the stairs.

Once in the living room, I stopped to try to get more lucidity with “Clarity now!” affirmations which worked, and then also remembered how Jaime would clap/rub hands to confirm and improve awareness.  I saw my hands in front of me, tried to ‘clap’ and knew by the feel of the energy that I was totally and completely out!

I moved to the front door and passed through easily, now in the front yard and drifting upward.  I flew next door to my parents’ house (my childhood home) and from above, saw a number of familiar people standing around below.  (I knew who they were at the time, but now have no idea.) 

I sensed they were there for some sort of ‘gathering’ for someone ‘going away’…and it had a military or funeral connection to it.  No one was too upset, and I recall noticing one person’s hair color as a beautiful reddish auburn and confirming to myself that it was nice to see the color was unchanged from last time I saw them (?).

Looking down at them, I did not join them, but rather wanted to just enjoy my sense of freedom of being out of body again!  I recall flying and stretching my energies, maneuvering through trees and feeling the ‘touch’ of nature and all its beauty.

After a short time of pure enjoyment, I had the thought that I should take advantage of being out of body for other reasons, instead of doing it just for my pure enjoyment.  With that thought, I found myself back in bed!

However, there was ‘something different’ about the feel of being in bed, and I remember affirming that I did NOT want to return yet, and despite sensing I was awake but knew to keep trying.  I could feel my legs kicking at the bed covers, tangled up in the sheets, and trying desperately to move myself out of the bed.

Immediately I found myself standing at the glass door to the outdoors in my bedroom and totally unsure of my status!  (I really should have realized it was my usual signal that ANY time I am ‘unsure of my status’ that it IS true that I’m OOB!!  Lol)

So to check what reality I’m in, I try to put my hand through the glass sliding door…and it goes through easily!  Ecstatic that I’m still OOB, I slowly move through the glass, feeling the wonderful change of texture as I pass through and into the cooler ‘air’ outdoors.

I stopped to look back at the glass door, and see my daughter’s cat there looking out at me!  However, instead of the beautiful Russian blue cat he is, I watch as he changes into this white/brown/black calico cat!  I think to myself how cute it is that even the cat has his ‘dream colors’ he wants to be!

Moving on, the next memories are quite limited, as I know I did a lot more than what I can fully recall.  All I remember at this point is sitting at the bottom of a long flight of stairs, watching some sort of activity in front of me.

My ‘sense’ of what I was watching was something to do with a type of National Geographic documentary (?) on hunting or similar, with these HUGE wild boars (pigs) that were the size of cows!  People were there I was conversing with, but have no idea what the topic of conversation was.

While sitting there, though, I was immensely pleased to see that my black lab, Buddy (who died a few years ago), once again came to sit next to me to be hugged and kissed.  I can still feel his happy tail wag and comforting body next to me.

At that point, I became aware that my daughter was coming down the stairs behind me.  (My daughter is just now starting to realize that she also travels in dreams, although she is not fully ready to accept it as a process of learning). 

I’m so happy to tell her about Buddy being there with me, and then go to tell her that she too is now dreaming and astrally traveling!  However, at that point where I am to say something, I get an AWFUL taste in my mouth and have to turn away from her to spit whatever it is out, over the railing at the side of the steps I was on.

As I turn to go back to talk to her, (concerned that she was going to think I was rather disgusting for spitting…lol), she’s gone and I find myself immediate fully awake and back in bed.  

I hurry to record all that I could remember, and while writing this, just talked with my daughter to see if she remembered any dreams from this morning.  She mentioned that although there was no specific dream recall, she awoke with a sense of ‘longing and missing’ our longtime pet, Buddy! 

To me, this was enough of a validation to know that she was there, and with time, may wish to learn more about this wonderful world we all live in, as well as the multitude of ‘worlds’ that we are all multi-dimensionally part of!!!

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!

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