Robert Monroe's Method
In his book Journeys out of the Body [Mon71] Monroe describes a complicated-sounding
technique for inducing OBEs. In part it is similar to other imagination methods,
but it starts with induction of the 'vibrational state.' Many spontaneous
OBEs start with a feeling of shaking or vibrating, and Monroe deliberately
induces this state first. He suggests you do the following. First lie down
in a darkened room in any comfortable position, but with your head pointing
to magnetic north. Loosen clothing and remove any jewellery or metal objects,
but be sure to stay warm. Ensure that you will not be disturbed and are not
under any limitation of time. Begin by relaxing and then repeat to yourself
five times, 'I will consciously perceive and remember all that I encounter
during this relaxation procedure. I will recall in detail when I am completely
awake only those matters which will be beneficial to my physical and mental
being.' Then begin breathing through your half-open mouth.
The
next step involves entering the state bordering sleep
(the hypnagogic state). Monroe does not recommend any
particular method of achieving this state. One method
you might try is to hold your forearm up, while keeping
your upper arm on the bed, or ground. As you start to
fall asleep, your arm will fall, and you will awaken
again. With practice you can learn to control the hypnagogic
state without using your arm. Another method is to concentrate
on an object. When other images start to enter your thoughts,
you have entered the hypnagogic state. Passively watch
these images. This will also help you maintain this state
of near-sleep. Monroe calls this Condition A.
After
first achieving this state Monroe recommends to deepen
it. Begin to clear your mind and observe your field of
vision through your closed eyes. Do nothing more for
a while. Simply look through your closed eyelids at the
blackness in front of you. After a while, you may notice
light patterns. These are simply neural discharges and
they have no specific effect. Ignore them. When they
cease, one has entered what Monroe calls Condition B.
From here, one must enter an even deeper state of relaxation
which Monroe calls Condition C -- a state of such relaxation
that you lose all awareness of the body and sensory stimulation.
You are almost in a void in which your only source of
stimulation will be your own thoughts. The ideal state
for leaving your body is Condition D. This is Condition
C when it is voluntarily induced from a rested and refreshed
condition and is not the effect of normal fatigue. To
achieve Condition D, Monroe suggests that you practice
entering it in the morning or after a short nap.
With
eyes closed look into the blackness at a spot about a
foot from your forehead, concentrating your consciousness
on that point. Move it gradually to three feet away,
then six, and then turn it 90 degrees upward, reaching
above your head. Monroe orders you to reach for the vibrations
at that spot and then mentally pull them into your head.
He explains how to recognize them when they occur. 'It
is as if a surging, hissing, rhythmically pulsating wave
of fiery sparks comes roaring into your head. From there
it seems to sweep throughout your body, making it rigid
and immobile.' This method is easier than it sounds.
Once
you have achieved the vibrational state you have to learn
to control it, to smooth out the vibrations by 'pulsing'
them. At this point, Monroe warns it is impossible to
turn back. He suggests reaching out an arm to grasp some
object which you know is out of normal reach. Feel the
object and then let your hand pass through it, before
bringing it back, stopping the vibrations and checking
the details and location of the object. This exercise
will prepare you for full separation.
To
leave the body Monroe advocates the 'lift-out' method.
To employ this method think of getting lighter and of
how nice it would be to float upwards. An alternative
is the 'rotation' technique in which you turn over in
bed, twisting first the top of the body, head and shoulders
until you turn right over and float upwards. Later you
can explore further. With sufficient practice Monroe
claims that a wide variety of experiences are yours for
the taking.
Ritual Magic
Methods Most magical methods are also based on imagery or visualization and
use concentration and relaxation. All these methods require good mental control
and a sound knowledge of the system being used, with its tools and symbols.
Charles Tart, in introducing the concept of 'state specific sciences' [Tar72b]
also considered state specific technologies, that is, means of achieving,
controlling and using altered states of consciousness. Many magical rituals
are really just such technologies. In a typical exercise the magician will
perform an opening ritual, a cleansing or purifying ritual and then one to
pass from one state to another. Once in the state required he operates using
the rules of that state and then returns, closes the door that was opened
and ends the ritual.
This
technology varies almost as much as the theory, for there
are a multitude of ways of reaching the astral. One can
use elemental doorways, treat the cards of the tarot
as stepping stones, perform cabbalistic path- workings
or use mantras. The techniques are very similar to all
others we have been considering, so we can see the complexities
of ritual magic as just another related way achieving
the same ends.
Meditation and Chakra Meditation
Meditation has two basic functions -- achieving relaxation and improving
concentration. Therefore the ideal state for OBE is familiar to meditators
and indeed OBEs have occasionally been reported during meditation and yoga.
The two main types of meditation are concentration meditation (focusing)
and insight meditation (mindfullness). Most kinds of meditation are the concentrative
type. One simply focuses his attention upon a single physical object, such
as a candle flame; upon a sensation, such as that felt while walking or breathing;
upon an emotion, such as reverence or love; upon a mantra spoken aloud or
even silently; or upon a visualization as in chakra meditation. Concentration
meditation is, simply put, a form of self-hypnosis.
The
other main type of meditation, insight meditation, is
the analysis of thoughts and feelings in such a way as
to cause realization of the subjectivity and illusion
of experience. Such meditation is done in an effort to
attain transcendental awareness.
Chakra
meditation is a special type of concentrative meditation
which is basically kundalini yoga -- the practice of
causing psychic energy (kundalini) to flow up sushumna,
energizing the various chakras along the way. A chakra
is 'a sense organ of the ethereal body, visible only
to a clairvoyant' [Gay74]. As each chakra is energized
by this practice, it is believed to add occult powers
(sidhis), until at last the crown chakra is reached,
and with it, full enlightenment is attained.
According
to East Indian philosophy, man possesses seven major
chakras or psychic centers on his body. In theosophical
scheme there are ten chakras, which permit those trained
in their use to gain knowledge of the astral world (three
of the ten are used in black magic only). Each of the
chakras forms a bridge, link, or energy transformer;
changing pure (higher) energy into various forms, and
connecting different bodies together. The chakras are
located along the nadies (a network of psychic nerves
or channels) and follow the autonomic nervous system
along the spinal cord.
The
first chakra, located at the base of the spine at the
perineum is the root chakra, muladhara. The second chakra,
known as the sacral center, svadhisthana, is located
above and behind the genitals. Third of the chakras is
the solar plexus, manipura, located at the navel and
it is said to correspond with the emotions and also with
psychic sight (clairvoyance). The heart chakra, anahata,
is the fourth chakra, located over the heart and corresponding
with the psychic touch. The fifth chakra is the throat
chakra, vishuddha, located at the base of the throat
(thyroid) and corresponding with psychic hearing (clairaudience).
The
remaining two chakras are believed to relate mostly to
elevated states of consciousness. The frontal chakra,
(or 'third eye') ajna, the sixth chakra, is located between,
and slightly above, the eyebrows. Ajna is the center
of psychic powers and it is believed to be able to produce
many psychic effects. Finally, the crown chakra, sahasrara,
located atop the head, (pineal gland) is the seventh
chakra. It is referred to as the thousand-petaled lotus
and corresponds with astral projection and enlightenment.
To
practice this chakra meditation, you simply concentrate
on the chakras, beginning with the root chakra, and moving
progressively up, as you visualize psychic energy from
the root chakra traveling up shushumna and vivifying
each higher chakra. As mentioned above the chakras have
certain properties associated with them, so that this
type of visualization may 'raise consciousness,' promote
astral projection, and other things -- once you have
reached ajna and eventually the crown chakra.
Hypnosis
In the early days of psychical research hypnosis was used a great deal more
than now to bring about 'traveling clairvoyance,' but it can still be used.
All that is required is skilled hypnotist with some understanding of the
state into which he wants to put the subject, and a willing subject. The
subject must be put into a fairly deep hypnotic state and then the hypnotist
can suggest to him that he leaves his body. The subject can be asked to lift
up out of his body, to create a double and step into it, to roll off his
bed or chair, or leave through the top of his head. He can then be asked
to travel to any place desired, but hypnotist must be sure to specify very
clearly where he is to go, and to bring him safely back to his body when
expedition is over. If this is not done the subject may have difficulty reorientating
himself afterwards.
Drugs
There are some drugs which can undoubtedly help initiate an OBE. Hallucinogens
have long been used in various cultures to induce states like OBEs, and in
our own culture OBEs are sometimes an accidental product of a drug experience.
In absence of any further information we might already be able to guess which
are the sorts of drugs likely to have this effect. They might be those which
physically relax the subject while leaving his consciousness clear and alert.
Drugs which distort sensory input and disrupt the subject's sense of where
and what shape his body is ought to help, and so may anything which induces
a sense of shaking or vibration. Imagery must be intensified without control
being lost and finally there must be some reason, or wish, for leaving the
body.
Considering
these points hallucinogens might be expected to be more
effective than stimulants, tranquillizers or sedatives.
The latter may aid relaxation but help with none of the
other features just mentioned. Few other types of drug
have any relevant effect. This fact fits with what is
known about the effectiveness of drugs for inducing OBEs.
Monroe states that barbiturates and alcohol are harmful
to the ability, and this makes sense since they would
tend to reduce control over imagery even though they
are relaxing. Eastman [Eas62] states that barbiturates
do not lead OBEs whereas morphine, ether, chloroform,
major hallucinogens and hashish can.
Relatively
little research has carried out in this area, partly
because most of the relevant drugs are illegal in the
countries where that research might be carried out. It
seems that certain drugs can facilitate an OBE but what
is not clear is why drug experience should take that
form rather than any other. Part of the answer is that
usually it does not. There is no specific OBE-creating
drug, and OBEs are relatively rarely a part of a psychedelic
drug experience. Drugs may help in inducing the OBE but
they are not recommended as a route to the instant projection,
they are no alternative to learning the skills of relaxation,
concentration, and imagery control.
Dream Development
Many OBEs start from dreams and since, by definition, one has to be conscious
to have an OBE, they tend to start from lucid dreams. The dreamer may become
aware that he is dreaming and then find himself in some place other than
his bed and able to move about at will. He may have another body and may
even attempt to see his physical body lying asleep. This topic is covered
separately in the later section on lucid dreams.
Palmer's
Experimental Method
In the search for a simple and effective method of inducing an OBE Palmer
and his colleagues [PL75a, 75b, 76, PV74a, 74b] use relaxation and audio-
visual stimulation. Subjects went through a progressive muscular relaxation
session and the heard oscillating tones and watched a rotating spiral. One
of the interesting findings was that many of the subjects claimed that they
had been 'literally out of' their bodies, and there were indications that
their experiences were very different in some ways from other those encountered
in OBEs.
