I've been reading this section and it seems filled with, "how do I do this in the first place?" So I'm going to go out and post my favored techniques and if any of you have questions feel free to ask. If any of the other more experienced practitioners have anything to add, subtract, or anything inbetween please do so.

To astrially travel it's best you have a clean space to work in, meaning somewhere comfortable and (if you're somewhat of an experienced practitioner) shielding on the space your in, and on oneself. Your body needs to be in the SAFEST place you can think of, for obvious reasons. Next you'll have to comfort yourself, getting into the mind-frame of abstract thought because you'll need it in that other realm. I usually look at some art previously, to grease the mental filters.

We got the basic prep work out of the way, now for the meat of the conquest. I find it easiest (and most comfortable) to lie down somewhere dark, some find it best if they're in the Lotus position, or their general meditation stance; whatever works for you. Now remember to keep your eyes closed, using your mental acuity and abstract thought to "project" your body into your immediate surroundings. Some say it's easiest to do some deep breathing and count down from Ten to Zero very slowly, with each number your energetic body starts moving outside the physical one, at Zero you should be fully outside of the body. This may take a few tries. The most common thing I hear from people traveling astrially is that they see their energetic body from the third person, this is normal. If the steps have worked you should be looking at your physical body meditating in your vicinity, some people freak out at this stage and jump back in their bodies realizing "I can do it!"

IMPORTANT
Patients is the key, not everyone gets this on their first try. If one does succeed there are some warnings and things you should know in the field. You can ALWAYS find your body, think of a silver cord stretching from your physical body and your energetic body. If you should feel the need to come home simply pluck that chord like a guitar string and you'll find yourself back in your body with a jolt. Always remember not to eat or drink anything on your journeys, that would be a very bad thing. If you need an example think Pan's Labyrinth...


This post has been edited by Dancing Coyote: Jan 16 2009, 02:46 AM