Physical Dangers Of Prolonged Ap? Options

I read an account in a book about a boy who astrally projected, in an outdoor scene. He stayed in for about 6 real hours, and when he had regained conciousness he had found out that his physical body had done things while he was gone! But even after that he was in a lot of pain, and heard a voice in his head warning him that AP can lead to physical breakdown.

Anyone heard an account similar to this?

Greetings,

No, I have not heard anything about someone's body walking off with out them. Too much time in the astral can leave one with a headache and general weakness, if they are not used to it. The first few time I astral willingly tried to projected, I was drained after a few minutes. Are you sure it was not an OBE I have heard of (and experienced) times when I watched from the third person what I was doing.

As for the voices, I would think that would be an entirely different issue.

In a deep state of mind that is similar to sleep the body has a natural machanism that keeps it from acting out what it dreams, or experiences. However through the complex processes of sleep and deep meditations the body does sometimes by pass this defense machanism. This can lead to a wide range of events such as sleep wlaking or talking or in extreme cases even murder.

The possible dangers of AP or there regardless of the time period one is working in. Though I have read that beginners should work up to spending long periods of time rather than going from a few minutes to several hours over night. The danger is in that when the astral body is away from the physical the concsiouness is essentially fragmented. Sorta like removing a piece of a puzzle. Typically the mind fits right back into its body with no problems. But sometimes the mind is disturbed from its trance state and forced back in the body more abruptly than it can handle. This can lead to astral bleeding where the body continues to leak out energy even though it is not in an astral state. This can be corrected through simple grounding techniques. Another hazzard to though who AP are astral "nasties". Basically the astral world is a plain of existance on to its own with things/ entities that live there. Some are predatorial. Astral beings can make for strange bed fellows. It is not wise to listen to beings one may encounter, even if they appear friendly. They may try to sap one of their energy or get them to do or believe in things that can be harmful. Other kinds of entites are parasites and they can attach themselves onto one's astrall body and sap one of their energy. Another thing to consider is the reason why one practices AP in the first place. As with many other things there are healthy reasons and unhealthy reasons to practice AP. It is not wise to over indulge in AP simply because it can feed into one's delusions or compulsive behavior. It is possible that AP can lead to psychosis in extreme cases. But because actual astral projection is so widely dis-missed by mainstream science we know little about it.

thanks for the info acid09. I do think astroprojection has consequences, but the only times when ive astroprojected were all on accident. I didnt even know i was doing it the first time...why werent those draining? Are there different states of astroprojection? Cuz ive been fully out of my body...but ive also been only slightly out of my body.
Anyway the last fully conscious time i did it i forced myself back into my body...i was rather rough cuz it caused bruising on my wrist...is it bad that until recently ive been easily detaching from my body? Im an earth element in more than just name...
i might add that i cant astroproject for more than a couple minutes because rather than time limit...i seem to be confined to a short distance just passed my door and im always trying to leave my room. What does it mean? Does distance have any physical dangers?

I didnt even know i was doing it the first time...why werent those draining?

Probably because you didn't strain yourself to use any extra energy. While it takes energy to astral project the body should [edit] NOT [/edit] extert a lot of over all effort. In my experience learning to AP was all about patients and persistance. Yet neither really require a lot of energy.

Are there different states of astroprojection? Cuz ive been fully out of my body...but ive also been only slightly out of my body.

I tend to think so. But there is no clear and cut way to just draw a line and say if one is on this side there are in thus and so state. I think of it in simlar regards as lucid dreaming. A lucid dream is when one is aware they are dreaming - thats it. It doesn't mean that one can exert control over themself or their dream. High lucidity is when one is not only aware of the fact they are dreaming but they can extert control over their dreams. I think astral project is similar. Most everybody has an OBE at some point in their life, just as they have lucid dreams, but few will ever work up to the level of being able to control what they experience.

Anyway the last fully conscious time i did it i forced myself back into my body...i was rather rough cuz it caused bruising on my wrist...is it bad that until recently ive been easily detaching from my body?

In psychological terms AP is a for of dissociation where one fragments a portion of their concsiousness for the greater whole. The body can generally heal itself from astral bleeding over a period of time so there is little danger about the physical damage. The real consern is that you have a dissociative disorder that causes you to AP at really bad times. Odds are you're fine and there is nothing to worry about but if you experience unintentional AP regularly and at times where its not desirable, like say while driving or have simple converstation, and it happens *frequently* that could be a sign of a dissociative dis-order. Other signs would include feelings of listlessness and agitation after each AP, feeling drained and unusually tired. The only proven way to cure a dissociative disorder is through counciling. The reason why is because the source of such a condition is the result of sub-conscious repression of memory - often times related to some underlying fear or anxiety. But don't freak out because really only a professional can tell you if you have a dissociative dis-order or not. You might just not be getting enough sleep or are lacking something in your diet.

Im an earth element in more than just name...
i might add that i cant astroproject for more than a couple minutes because rather than time limit...i seem to be confined to a short distance just passed my door and im always trying to leave my room. What does it mean?

Earthly people tend to be naturally grounded and stable. If you're not then it could be sign that another element is having an influence over you, which it might be natural people can have personalities from multiple elements. But what it could mean is that there are aspects in your life that are causing you any problems and really they might not be problems to you just things you're curious about.

Being able to only AP for short periods and short distances at a time most often means you either need to practice more or use a different technique. We can speculate all we want about theories on the affects and possible dangers of AP over great distances but really don't know. I tend to think the further one goes from their body the more likely they are to run into some kind astral predator. When people AP they flar their aura and thus become as becons of lights to other entities on the astral. So like wise the probability of running in something bad increase the further one gets from their body. Also it would make sense that people can only go so far in accordance to their ability. But beyond that I don't really see any danger.

This post has been edited by Acid09: Mar 14 2007, 05:13 PM

thanks acid! did it last night...but I'm starting to recognize the feeling a couple hours before i go to sleep...perhaps its the flaring you described. Anyhow...i think i can tell when im going to do it. I think im getting better, now that I know a little more and im not so afraid. anyhow, i can see where different elements might be influencing me...but i dont think i have any dissociative disorders...it only happens at night the first hour into sleep. Since I started doing it without a deliberate reason...i think i should approach it cautiously...and i'll make sure i dont go too far. Thanks for the advice acid. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I just have one other question...astral predators? That doesnt sound to good! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fie.gif)

I just have one other question...astral predators? That doesnt sound to good!

Elephants have their size, Gazzels have their speed, Cheetas have stealth, certain snakes have venom, monkies find protection in trees - humans have intelligence and are protected by their numbers in settlements, well that and guns. All animals have their evolutionairy ways for self defense and survival. For every animal that has a survival technique there is another that strives to overcome it to maintain its own existance - these are predators and parasites. On the astral plains it is no different than say a jungle or urban sprawl there are things and entites that go bump in the night. Generally speaking, from what I know about astral parasites, they work by attacking the weak spots of a person's aura. Most are no more dangerous than say head lice and many many people are affected by astral parasites and never know it - most people have worms of some kind or another too.

The differences I associate between astral parasites and predators is that parasites feed off a person over a prolonged period of time and are relatively harmless if not a mere annoyance. Predators, on the other hand, are like carnivors they work to consume a person and indeed it does happen, provided one subscribes to this philosophy - again remember we really don't *know* anything at all about the astral plains we can only speculate. But it is a generally widely accepted belief that there are bad things on the astral plains.

Common names for astral parasites are leeches - simple entites that attach itself to a person's weakened energy centers. The other is astral lice. They are tiny and annoying little bugs that attatch to the outer layer of one's aura and suck minnute quantities of energy. But in large numbers they can be a problem.

Common names I associate for astral predators are daimons - They come in two forms Cacodaimons, the kind you watch out for and avoid like the plague, and Eudaimons who can actually be beneficial guides and bringers of knowledge. They do tend to follow their own agenda though and that might not include your safetly. Then you have demons not to be confused with daimons, I consider these guys to be lesser beings but they are just as malevolent. All these can manifest in many forms. They generally feed off of fear, anger, saddness and paranoia. Finally the next catagory of astral predators, are shadow people. They are lesser beings than people but maintain a certain degree of intelligence. They also exist in dark places and generally where negative -more dense, not bad- energy gathers. While they pose little threat to people they can catalize and feed off our own negative energy. Astral nasties can manifest in many forms.

Again understand these are only my beliefs you may come to your own as you gain further experience. Do not take these descriptions as gossple these are only my ideas and I think they are acceptable for this site because nobody has bood me out of here yet. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) But realize somebody may disagree with me and have their own ideas.

The key factor to understand here is that the astral plains can be described in layers. That is that certain entities exist in different levels according to the make up of their energy. Thus most of those bad things exist in places that are on lower levels than where most people are. These bad things cannot enter into our realm without assistance and therefore there is very little real danger one should expect unless if for some reason you journy their world. Even then it is not difficult to protect yourself.

I divide the astral world into there levels (I also believe in sub-levels but I don't want to get overly complicated here) The first and highest I simply call the high astral. This is mostly accessible to people but it takes an at least intermediate practioner to be good at traveling this realm. This is where one would go to seek adepts, other experienced astral travelers, and greater entites like say angels or fairies. The middle level is commonly known as the etherial plains - or ghost world. This place co-exists with our mundane (Earthly) existance. When one astral projects this is the place they most commonly traverse. It is similar in appearance to the real world only that one is not attatched to their body. Some also believe that people's dreams intersect with this level. It is also a common belief that this is where earth bound spirits linger when they pass from their mortal lives. It's where I think shadow people dwell. The low levels of the astral plains compose the sub-lunarary realm. This is where the majority of astral predators dwell. The only reason why you would encounter one is if your personal energy is unhealthy, like you're near death, you're very sick or psychotic.

All of this might seem a bit out there and over the top but let me just say you still have nothing to fear. Even though there are things that can hurt you on astral realm you pose more danger to yourself practicing improper techniques than you do from astral predators. People have natural defenses as well. You know when you see something or experience something spooky you get that tingly sensation and your hair stands on end? Well this is actually your aura spiking like a porky pine. It happens naturally and when it does it should assure you that you are protected. And this acts as a barrier against most astral predators. Also you can learn other techniques off this site and others to increase your psychic defense.

This post has been edited by Acid09: Mar 14 2007, 06:14 PM

Thankyou ! from what little experience i have, and from the info you gave me i feel reassured that i am not in fact pyschotic. i heard APs can contribute to mental illness and delusions. however, I am familiar with my sanity and my insanities, so im not too worried about it. As for predators, I dont intend to go looking for them but you better believe that id put up a fight if i encountered one! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/medieval.gif) Ill check out the different techniques here...i could do with one or two astral boxing lessons! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sport_boxing.gif)

Greetings,

Spending a lot of time in the astral is not dangerous in itself. However it is possible to take spiritual damage in the astral. There are many worlds in the astral which can be traveled to. Some worlds are more dangerous than others. The worlds which we can experience in the astral are limited to both the positive and negative depth of our minds.

A Holy Man may find it impossible to travel to the farthest reaches of hell. An Unholy man could not enter a heaven realm unless such a place can be imagined in his mind.

The coolest places to explore are the worlds which are the most random. Where things may happen unexpectedly things are much more entertaining. In such places it is possible to be attacked by any unfriendly spirit which happens by. Of course on some level your mind brought that spirit into your astral experience even though that spirit is a living being separate from our consciousness.

If attacked the best thing to do is subdue the spirit if possible thereby increasing ones power in the astral. If it is not possible to defeat such an entity then it is best to immediately exit the astral. Such an attack can harm mentally and occasionally physically to reflect the spiritual / astral damage.

The length of time spent on any given astral trip I think has no bearing on the matter whatsoever. I have found that in the astral I can have a brief experience and wake up to find that a long period of time has passed. Or I can have a very lengthy astral experience and wake up to learn that only a short period of time has passed. The astral is timeless. The astral exist in all worlds past and future at the same time. In the astral all times are happening simultaneously. Reflecting the astrals ever changing manner the future and in rarer incidents even the past can change as well.

It is not a bad idea to ground ones self if a long period of time or a difficult event has occurred in the astral. Otherwise it is possible to be halfway in both the astral and physical worlds simultaneously. Which could result in events like this guy who you say spent six hours in the astral and did not realize what his body was doing.

However being halfway in the astral consciously can be a great thing if you can evaluate what is happening in both worlds simultaneously. About six years ago after endless study of dream yoga I entered the dream world / astral completely conscious of everything around me in the physical. It was an epiphany for me. Since then I have been able to enter the astral mentally while being conscious in the physical. This is one of the most difficult mind states to attain.

One danger I have found from spending so much time in the astral is that it is easy to slip into the astral by accident. I have had occasions where I passed out physically and had an unwanted astral experience. Not exactly a good thing to happen in the subway on the way to work etc. Through random unexpected astral experiences I have realized many things. From these losses of consciousness I have had gained much. Not only worldly knowledge do I gain. More importantly realization of what I should be doing currently to affect the outcome of my future.

These experiences have been sporadic and I have learned to tell when the astral is calling for me. I believe that these experiences occur due to the subconscious’s desire to reveal things to the conscious mind.

Driving a car such an experience could be fatal. I have learned to be able to tell when the astral is calling me and prevent such losses of consciousness by purposely entering the astral before it builds to that point.

Spending a lot of time in the astral can give anyone such experiences. Many people with psychic gifts sometimes pass out like this. Edgar Cayce was a great medium who recorded such experiences. Interestingly he found that he could not spend much time in the astral and have accurate visions unless he was living near a large body of water. I am not psychic in the way of Cayce but I usually know what is going to happen and what I should do to control that possibility. Intuition?

One of my closest friends sometimes has seizures and comes back to Earth after vivid astral experience. Somehow it is all connected.

The astral can be full of danger. It would not be so much fun for me if it were completely safe.

One long experience in the astral will not produce the same side effects as many short astral experiences every night for a few weeks.

Sometimes I find myself feeling a little dumb to your surroundings if too much time is being spent in the astral. The waking mind begins to wander and you pay less attention to what is happening around you. This blissful ignorance often occurs with me.

Last but not least an Out of Body experience has nothing to do with the astral. OBE is when the Ka or body double leaves the flesh and can travel in the physical world. In Astral travel the Ka or body double leaves the physical completely. These two type experiences are connected and often the terminology is confused by the initiate.


Peace!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ac42.gif) thanks ed and acid. now i have another question! ok so maybe i'm dissociating but i need some help understanding what exactly is going on. Ive noticed over the span of only a couple recent APs that sometimes, i embody different aspect of my personality when i project. i act and think differently, and i tend to do things that i wouldnt normally do (nothing negative, just different)(actually...all my actions are beneficial to myself and follow the higher order). I have various perspectives which is the scary part. What the heck is going on??? Can multiple episodes of sloppy astral projection over a length of time, or prolonged APs lead to fragmenting your whole personality? I should probably give you an example, last night i had several APs almost simulataneously. Thats never happened before, and one of my personalities was a sleeping child floating in the air in a fetal position searching for a kill through slitted eyes. Its disturbing to me, because im not familiar with that aspect of myself, and here it is... a seperate me in full form, projecting. The weirdest thing is, i govern them all from a seemingly higher formless presence. Im not aware of it at the time, because when i am in a certain state i see through that specific pair of eyes, but then i follow a greater will, that is...er, me. COULD it be a dissociative illness? Is there a way i can reassemble myself DURING my projection? I dont normally project more than once at a time...think of the me i send out as a scout, i guess...And...if it IS healthy, than should i further develop those elements of my personality? in any case, no worries, i dont have this problem (if its a problem) in my waking state, just when i project. a little background information...the first half of the year is when i started to astroproject...but i never did it on purpose. I wouldnt call it natural, cuz acid, you said a number of things could be the cause. hmmmm.... Maybe if i just astrally slap myself...hehe (IMG:style_emoticons/default/doh.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ac42.gif) thanks ed and acid. now i have another question! ok so maybe i'm dissociating but i need some help understanding what exactly is going on. Ive noticed over the span of only a couple recent APs that sometimes, i embody different aspect of my personality when i project. i act and think differently, and i tend to do things that i wouldnt normally do (nothing negative, just different)(actually...all my actions are beneficial to myself and follow the higher order). I have various perspectives which is the scary part. What the heck is going on???

In terms of dissociation when you astral project you are separating your concsiousness from your body. You are turning off your motor skills, and major cognative skills to enter a semi-conscious state of mind seperated from the body but able to percieve reality. Understand you are not actually going somewhere different. The astral plains co-exists with our mundane reality. So when you astral project the only thing that changes is your perception of reality. I describe it as a mental perception, where as our normal perspection is physical. That also means that humans are limmited in how they can traverse the astral plains. We are thinking, emotional, sensing beings and these three factors control how we travel.

When you learn how to AP, really all you've done is learned how to access the astral plains. Once you have mastered the technique then you got to learn how to navigate the astral plains. Since the human mind on the primevael level is equal to an overly emotional lizzard, your default control is emotion because in yyour semi-conscious state your higher self is unable to dominate. Thus whatever you are feeling the strongest at the time generally dictates where you go and what you do. This also means that different portions of your personallity may dominate according to your emotional state. This is why people who are psychotic, near death, or completely miserable AP to the lower regions of the astral plains - the place where all that bad stuff is. So in order to master actually traveling the astral plains and not just going there you have to gain more self control, learn how to allow your rational, thinking self to show through.

To do this you need self-awareness. This is gained simply through the repeated practice of astral projection. The more regularly you do it the more your higher mental self will adjust and change. But simply going to the astral plains alone will not give you total control over what you do. When there you need to also observe, feel and experience the astral. These are what will enable you to truely gain awareness. The easiest way to start off is to use a journal, much like you would for lucid dreaming, this will create a log for you to look back and reflect upon. For sure write down what you saw, felt, thought, and sensed write for all five senses, even if you can't remember you using. It'll create a log by which you can monitor your progress and you'll be alble to look at and saw oh so this is when this or that did or did not happen. Make sure you put down enteries regularly. Try your best to not miss attempts at astral projection. Especially if you fail to access the plains. Writting down what happened can shed light on why you attempt failed.

Self-awareness gives you self control. The more aware you are in your journies the more you should practice exerting self-control. To start this will simply like going right instead of left or looking a certain direction. But again with practice you should get better and able to do more complex things.

Can multiple episodes of sloppy astral projection over a length of time, or prolonged APs lead to fragmenting your whole personality?

Theoretically the answer is yes but only because we know so little about astral projection. The reason its unlikely is because once you've returned to your body you return to your normal state of mind. It sort of resets you back to your regular self.

I should probably give you an example, last night i had several APs almost simulataneously. Thats never happened before, and one of my personalities was a sleeping child floating in the air in a fetal position searching for a kill through slitted eyes. Its disturbing to me, because im not familiar with that aspect of myself, and here it is... a seperate me in full form, projecting. The weirdest thing is, i govern them all from a seemingly higher formless presence. Im not aware of it at the time, because when i am in a certain state i see through that specific pair of eyes, but then i follow a greater will, that is...er, me.

To me this just means you're still learning to control yourself. Indeed if you practice astral projections for 10,000 times doing nothing special you could become very adept. But to gain skill at a faster pace work on finding that self awareness and control. Anothering you can try is write a dialogue before you AP write something like this and actually say to yourself "tonight I will do thus and so", don't set the bar too high though. Only do what you think you can. So start off simple and work your way up. Yet another thing you can do is role play. Actually act out your astral journey before you do it. While its good to work yourself to become better also understand that advancement requires time. Theoretically taking your time, as much as you need, allows the mind to adjust and prevents you from doing any real harm to yourself. It also allows your mind to develope a sort of "astral maturity" that will enable you deal new situations.

COULD it be a dissociative illness?

No because you induced it. A dissociative disorder occurs without your personal control. Now on the other hand if you're obsessed with astral projection and compulsive project many times a day then its a compulsive, habitual behavior that may impact your over all life and mental health. But you don't sound like you're just enamoured by astral projection. It sounds like you are genuinely trying to learn a new skill. So at least in regards to AP I don't think you have any mental problems.

Is there a way i can reassemble myself DURING my projection?

Journal, dialogue, roleplay and practice.

I dont normally project more than once at a time...think of the me i send out as a scout, i guess...And...if it IS healthy, than should i further develop those elements of my personality?

Scouting a pretty redamentary technique for gaining information off the astral plains with out actually going there. Its sort of like bi-location. Its a good skill to learn it serves to teach the mind how to retrieve knowledge, send messages and sets the foundation for conscious AP. If you need a technique for scouting I can share mine.

in any case, no worries, i dont have this problem (if its a problem) in my waking state, just when i project. a little background information...the first half of the year is when i started to astroproject...but i never did it on purpose. I wouldnt call it natural, cuz acid, you said a number of things could be the cause. hmmmm.... Maybe if i just astrally slap myself...hehe (IMG:style_emoticons/default/doh.gif)

In all honesty it sounds like you jumped the guns on the skills necessary to affectively astral project and went straight for the technique. Most reliable litterature I've read on AP have you build up to astral projection by learning redamentary skills such as visualization, meditation, contemplation, developing an astral body and scouting. These basic skillIs develope the mind to be able to utilize projection techniques as well handle the experience. If you have not worked on these skills you should as they would greatly improve your self control while you astral project.

This post has been edited by Acid09: Mar 28 2007, 06:22 PM

Acid, once again you've saved the day. I like how you call it a "skill". I guess, it wasnt necessarily an accident as much as a discovery. I will take that into consideration and start building up my skill for the next time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) So projecting more than once at the same time is normal? ER...I'll probably have lots more questions. He he, i sort of tripped into this topic. Just preparing you guys.

This post has been edited by valkyrie: Mar 29 2007, 01:18 PM

Greetings'valkyrie',


What you are describing lets me know that you are really connecting with the astral well. Becoming adapt. You have to control the mind when you are in the astral because the mind is what is creating what you see. Your minds interpretation of the force. The mind must be controlled. Before entering the astral we forget our body and worldy affairs and only concentrate on the place we want to go. If the astral is entered randomly then the subconscious and current mind state is going to really effect the experience.

A great exercise is to enter the astral and create your own little universe. You create a world that you can travel to in the future. A place of power. You create everything there and it will be the same when you return. You can also create spirits which will be like servants or protectors for you. These spirits are really just extensions of yourself. Because nothing can not exist in the mind which does not exist in reality your astral world in some universe becomes a real one.

Another great exercise is to enter the astral and then see exactly what you want to happen in your waking life. For example you could see someone becoming healed from sickness or yourself getting a new and better job.

What you have created in the astral will reflect in your physical and mental worlds.

The astral is great self psychiatry. It can change your outlook on life completely. In the physical life you now go after your goal because mentally you are ready from what happened in the astral.

I can tell that you are becoming adept with the astral. You need to gain control of what happens in the astral as if you do not have control it can effect your life negatively.

When you exit the astral you have to shake those cobwebs off and not let the experience effect the waking mind. I think that the people who do go crazy from astral workings failed to realize the need to consciously take control. If not guarded our own subconscious could be our destroyer.

Experiment further and tell us what you find.

Best of Luck!

thanks much.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) he, i wouldnt call myself adept...ive never once been able to do it purposefully. I dont say "tonight im gonna AP!" It just happens. How can i find out what im doing to leave my body? If my higher self "induced" it, and ive successfully left my body multiple times...how can i find out a similar technique? It seems like what i have is working for me...ive heard varying the techniques can drain one's energy, yes? Should i start out from scratch and build up? The good thing is everytime i leave im fully aware and i make my own decisions, and im a VERY VERY fast learner. Anything i read or talk about in the physical world i apply with a suprising alacrity. Another thing...i definately know more than i think. its weird. i have a concern...there is always a door that my higher self tells me not to open...because there is something melevolent behind it. How can i banish the door? when im out of my body its there, as if someone who wishes me harm is trying to tempt my natural curiosity and get me to open it. Did i construct it? what should i do? Will the image remain there or become more prevalent with time? Should i ignore it?

Acid: i would love if you shared with me your technique. you sound like you know what you're talking about, and i value your wisdom.

Ed. i like your idea...its sounds safe enough. if its my own world...i control it right? id like to make or find some sort of guardian. Im like a lost lamb (IMG:style_emoticons/default/innocent.gif) without some decent, informed advisor (also need some kickass protection! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bruce_h4h.gif) ). um...any advice?

ok, heres a weird experience i had while AP-ing. i got a note from someone i dont know, outside my door. "(my name), we welcome you to Thurist. we invite you to ask help, herein you rely too much on feeling XXXXXXX...." dont know what the rest said... um yeah.
you guys know of any Thurist?

So projecting more than once at the same time is normal? ER...I'll probably have lots more questions.

Yes because you are only semi-concsious and your emotions with each try to dictate what you do on the astral plains. Think of what Ed said about spirits.

You can also create spirits which will be like servants or protectors for you. These spirits are really just extensions of yourself. Because nothing can not exist in the mind which does not exist in reality your astral world in some universe becomes a real one.

Thse split copies of yourself are creations of your emotional state of mind. Rather than create spirits you create images of yourself. It might be better to say that you are not astral projecting more than once, but instead are randomly creating different versions of you. Again over time as you learn more you'll be able to do more and control more of what goes while you AP.

ive never once been able to do it purposefully. I dont say "tonight im gonna AP!" It just happens. How can i find out what im doing to leave my body?

Deffinately create a journal and record things like what you were doing prior to the experience plus, date and time. Then write down what you experienced; what you tought, felt, saw, touched, smelled, tasted and heard while you were out of your body. If you're not sure you did or didn't sense something then write down "I was unable to tell if I heard something" or something to that extent. Finally write down what you're thinking and feeling after each experience is over.

Keep an eye out for patterns. Maybe there is a certain time table that is typically when you have these OBEs. Maybe its certain days. Certain things you do during the day may induce it. Especially monitor the amount of stress you're feeling. Keep in mind stress is actually both positive and negative and too much of either can induce OBEs. Positive stress is things going on in your life that make you feel good or add to you general feeling of well being. Negative stress is stuff that makes you upset or hurts your over all well being. It is crittical that you do not associate positive with good or negative with bad - they are both good in moderation and both bad if they are not balanced, balance is the key. Too much or too little of either is not good. And having to much or little of either can induce OBEs.

Examples:
Positive stress - getting complimented, eating food, feeling loved, doing something constructive, feeling happy or at least content.

Negative stress - conflict, self exertion (mental and physical, school work, labor, sex, excersice), sadness, anger, guilt, fear.

Positive stress adds to your being while negative takes away. Again a balance between the two is essential for health.

It seems like what i have is working for me...ive heard varying the techniques can drain one's energy, yes?

No not in my opinion at least. What drains the body of energy is negative stress. Which is actually a good thing in moderation. Negative stress like, hard labor or a good work out, can actually promote good circulation of your energy. Changing your technique will only change the method unless it requires you to something extra that exerts more, physically or mentally. Realize that your body is an energy machine. You are constantly generating energy and you are constaintly using it up to.

The good thing is everytime i leave im fully aware and i make my own decisions, and im a VERY VERY fast learner.

That is good it means tht exerting self control over your astral experience should be easy.

Another thing...i definately know more than i think.

Maybe you're more of a natural adept than you realize.

i have a concern...there is always a door that my higher self tells me not to open...because there is something melevolent behind it.

Whatever is behind that door is probably why you have random OBEs in the first place. Its actually your higher self trying to get you to face it - your lower self wants you to avoid it. Just beware that what ever is behind that door it probably going to be something big with the potential to either hurt or help you depending on how you handle it. Good and bad, beneficent vs malevolent are just perceptions, a matter of opinion. If you open the door with the attitude that what ever is behind there will hurt you then you are opening yourself to get hurt. If you go in with the attitude that whats behind the door is something you can handle you reduce the odds of being hurt. If it is some super-natural entity the only way it can hurt you is if you let it. The power of the mind is a staggering and fickle thing. Do not fall for the power of suggestion. If something is menacing you on the astral plains execpt it as frightening or menacing and let it go it cannot hurt you unless you believe it can.

How can i banish the door? when im out of my body its there, as if someone who wishes me harm is trying to tempt my natural curiosity and get me to open it. Did i construct it? what should i do? Will the image remain there or become more prevalent with time? Should i ignore it?

If you have the will power and control you say you do while you AP then nothing in the astral plains can prevent you from opening that door except yourself. If you cannot open the door then that means some part of you is not ready to see or accept whats behind it. And what ever it is may down right be unplesant. There is no sense in trying to tell you otherwise. But it can only hurt you if you let it.

Don't ignore it either. An unopenable door can mean that your psyche built a barrier around something upsetting that if left alone will only fester and get worse or cause you more problems later on. It usually means that you have something to deal with that never properly got dealt with. It could be as simple as sibling rivalry, or dis-approval from a parent. It could be devistating such as abuse or rape - just as some examples. More likely its somewhere inbetween these extremes. Possibilities would include confussed sexuallity or repressed sexual tendencies. It could be a conflict within your spiritual self. It might even just be the fear of growing up and not knowing what to do next.

Time is what you need. Time matures the soul and a more mature soul can over come those obstecals and barriers
a younger soul can't. I'd try to open the door and if you can't then that might mean you are not ready and all you need is time. Don't rush it and do not stress or obssess over it. You're still very young and have all the time in the world, well some 70 years or so anyways.

Acid: i would love if you shared with me your technique. you sound like you know what you're talking about, and i value your wisdom.

In order to use scouting you need to be able to meditate for at least 20 minutes and visualize vividly. If you can already successfully do these then I will go ahead and send you my technique.