Contents: ========= I) The Spectrum of Consciousness II) How to Induce Lucid Dreams III) How to Convert a Lucid Dream into an OOBE IV) Bibliography I) The Spectrum of Consciousness: ================================= There is a strong connection between dreams and OOBEs. In the type of dreams we can catch ourselves creating quickly just before awakening we attempt to translate knowledge gained in nonphysical reality into physical terms. Sometimes we may find ourselves in dreamscapes with many imaginarylike elements. In other dreams we travel to other dimensions. A lucid dream is something like an upgrade of a typical dream. In a lucid dream, which is often very intense and vivid, the dreamer realizes that he/she is dreaming. It's interesting that the dream landscape seems less dreamlike as soon as the dreamer achieves lucidity. Then there are the OOBEs, which can be divided into OOBEs which take place in the physical world and OOBEs that take place in nonphysical worlds. These can be thought as upgrades of lucid dreams. The difference between OOBEs in nonphysical worlds and lucid dreams seems to lie in the individual's subjective perception. The lucid dreamer thinks to be in a dream and that everything is imaginary. The individual having an OOBE is extremely cognizant that he/she is outside of his/her physical body and knows that everything he/she experiences is real. I believe that the lucid dreamer is already based outside of his/her body and doesn't realize it. So most lucid dreams are a form of OOBEs. So the lucid dream is an effective pathway to astral travel, and many, who have learned how to leave their bodies, started by learning how to induce lucid dreams and how to convert a lucid dream into an OOBE. Some people claim that the OOBE is simply a form of lucid dreams, which they hold for a dream having no objective reality. This is a way to stay within the bounds of the materialistic assumptions that still hold sway in our culture. II) How to Induce Lucid Dreams: =============================== This ability needs the creation of a conductive climate of belief, the attention to your dreams, and your desire and persistence. One obvious method for inducing lucid dreams is to give yourself the suggestion before going to sleep that you are going to wake up within a dream and realize that you are dreaming. Many become alert to the fact that they are in the dream state by noticing that something strange is going on. When you are already in bed, tell yourself to recognize something strange in your dream and realize that you are dreaming. Then proceed to visualize a sample scenario, imagine saying loud in your dream, "I'm dreaming| I'm in a dream| I'm outside of my body|". Say it several times. Then allow yourself to sleep. Paul Tholey describes a very effective technique called the "Reflection Technique". There the individual developes a critical-reflective attitude about his/her current state of consciousness. Tholey recomends asking yourself "Am I dreaming or not?" at least five to ten times a day. In addition you should ask yourself the question several times just before falling asleep. He suggests that when asking the question you consciously reflect on what has been happening in your immediate past. Tholey mentiones another technique, too. Concentrate on the visual pictures that come to your mind during the hypnagogicalstate and try to retain lucidity. In another of his techniques, you simply focus on your body as you are falling asleep. When your body feels immobile, imagine that you have another, movable body you can separate from your immobile physical body. He acknowledges that this technique can produce OOBEs. Stephen Laberge developed an interesting technique called the "Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams". Wakeup in the morning, memorizing a dream you have just had, and give yourself the suggestion, "Next time I'm dreaming, I want to remember to recognize I'm dreaming|". Then visualize yourself back in the same dream but imagine that this time you know it's a dream. Then you repeat the suggestion, and imagining, until you are clear about what you are trying to accomplish or until you drop of to sleep. III) How to Convert a Lucid Dream into an OOBE: =============================================== To convert a lucid dream you must realize that you are out of body. Once you have upgraded a lucid dream, proceed to tell yourself that you are out-of-body several times in order to intensify the focus and avoid falling back into a lucid or normal dream state. Now you are in a nonphysical world. To have an OOBE in the physical world, tell yourself to return to your physical body. If you want, you can visualize your physical body as you give yourself the suggestion. Once you succeed in geting back to your body without awakening, you may be back in the vicinity of your body, although you may feel no connection to the physical. You may feel as if you're floating around inside your body.If you want to lift out, however, this is a very good moment. IV) Bibliography: ================= (1) Brennan, James: The Astral Projection Workbook (2) Faraday, Ann: Dream Power (3) Garfield, Patricia: Creative Dreaming (4) Laberge, Stephen: Lucid Dreaming (5) Monroe, Robert: Journeys Out of the Body (6) Stack, Rick: Out-of-Body Adventures (7)Tholey, Paul: Technique for Inducing and Maintaining Lucid Dreams Christian D.