What are binaural beats? They're sounds you can listen to through headphones to alter your mood. I know people who have used them, for example, to fall asleep more easily or focus on homework.
The idea is that your ears are introduced to two pitches that are almost the same but are off by just enough that your brain makes up the difference somehow. Supposedly the difference is a vibration of low frequency that causes you to enter certain states of mind (thus you become more focused, or drowsy, or meditative, or whatever).
Two good programs for exploring this phenomenon are the "Brainwave Generator" and Gnaural. The Brainwave Generator is a little more user-friendly, but it's not really customizable unless you buy the program for 40 bucks.
My favorite program at the moment is Gnaural. You can change all the aspects of the sound and even program and track a session of over an hour. For example, if you wanted to start focused and drift into a meditative state, you could program it all in assuming you know what frequencies do what.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Jan 18, 2008
Wow. I was pretty tired, but it was mostly physical. Went to bed at 9, so I had all kinds of time to project. I started feeling the "rippling" sensation. I drifted in and out of that for a bit.
Then at some time probably around 9:45 I realized the "ripple" had strengthened. I was definitely vibrating, and it was a strong one. I almost felt like I left, so I reached (with my astral hand, a projection of my idea that I should have a hand) for the handle of the door to pull myself out.
Unfortunately I was too awake. I noticed that if I stopped trying, I could keep the vibration at the same intensity. However, if I strained to try to put more energy into the vibration, it died down. Eventually I stopped shaking and was just lying awake on my bed again.
This has been the farthest I've come so far with the exception of the first time, which was so surprising anyway that it's very possible I didn't get as far as it felt I did.
P.S. Also, important note: I went to bed very consciously deciding not to expect any particular phenomenon. I kept an open mind about what projection might seem like.
Then at some time probably around 9:45 I realized the "ripple" had strengthened. I was definitely vibrating, and it was a strong one. I almost felt like I left, so I reached (with my astral hand, a projection of my idea that I should have a hand) for the handle of the door to pull myself out.
Unfortunately I was too awake. I noticed that if I stopped trying, I could keep the vibration at the same intensity. However, if I strained to try to put more energy into the vibration, it died down. Eventually I stopped shaking and was just lying awake on my bed again.
This has been the farthest I've come so far with the exception of the first time, which was so surprising anyway that it's very possible I didn't get as far as it felt I did.
P.S. Also, important note: I went to bed very consciously deciding not to expect any particular phenomenon. I kept an open mind about what projection might seem like.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Jan 13, 2008
I managed to get the rippling sensation again last night despite getting to bed at 10 or so. However, I believe I actually managed a partial escape, too...
As I was relaxing and settling in to a good state for astral projection, I suddenly became aware that my hands were not where I remembered they were. In fact, I was lying flat on my back with my hands at my sides. But my astral hands had apparently floated free while I wasn't paying attention.
This was about as far as I got before waking myself up and going to sleep. As I woke myself from my trance I sensed that my astral hands returned to my physical hands before I became aware of feeling my physical hands again.
Constant progress. However I'm beginning to wonder how much value there really is in this once I actually master it.
As I was relaxing and settling in to a good state for astral projection, I suddenly became aware that my hands were not where I remembered they were. In fact, I was lying flat on my back with my hands at my sides. But my astral hands had apparently floated free while I wasn't paying attention.
This was about as far as I got before waking myself up and going to sleep. As I woke myself from my trance I sensed that my astral hands returned to my physical hands before I became aware of feeling my physical hands again.
Constant progress. However I'm beginning to wonder how much value there really is in this once I actually master it.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Jan 12, 2008
Well, I did pretty well last night. I lay down and lifted my right forearm so that when I fell asleep and let it fall it would be a sign that I was entering sleep. Using this I managed to maintain consciousness for a while.
I also tensed my body and relaxed it so that I was more relaxed in general.
After a short while I started imagining that I couldn't feel my arms. I managed to lose my left arm and my legs, but around that time I started feeling like drifting off so I'd wake myself up a bit, stretch, and settle back down to do it again.
I managed numerous times to induce the vibrations, which was exciting. Basically, it felt like my whole body was a pond and something had just disturbed the surface and made little ripples. Very pleasant.
I also sensed that my "left arm" might actually be insubstantial enough to pass through the bed, but I didn't notice this with any of my other limbs, so I'm not sure if it was real or my imagination.
Lastly, I started visualizing objects floating just above me, then imagined that they were bouncing up and down above me. This helped bring on vibrations, but then I'd lose focus and return to a solid.
That's it for now. It's always nice to see some progress, and although I didn't get very far, I made a ton of progress last night.
Onward and upward (literally!)
I also tensed my body and relaxed it so that I was more relaxed in general.
After a short while I started imagining that I couldn't feel my arms. I managed to lose my left arm and my legs, but around that time I started feeling like drifting off so I'd wake myself up a bit, stretch, and settle back down to do it again.
I managed numerous times to induce the vibrations, which was exciting. Basically, it felt like my whole body was a pond and something had just disturbed the surface and made little ripples. Very pleasant.
I also sensed that my "left arm" might actually be insubstantial enough to pass through the bed, but I didn't notice this with any of my other limbs, so I'm not sure if it was real or my imagination.
Lastly, I started visualizing objects floating just above me, then imagined that they were bouncing up and down above me. This helped bring on vibrations, but then I'd lose focus and return to a solid.
That's it for now. It's always nice to see some progress, and although I didn't get very far, I made a ton of progress last night.
Onward and upward (literally!)
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Jan 11, 2008
I was up way too late last night performing at a rock concert to even think about projection. Obviously nothing happened.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Jan 10, 2008
I lay down and cleared my mind. I paid attention as my body began to slow down in preparation for sleep, noticing my lowered breathing and heart rate, the settling of my limbs. I cleared my mind of all preconceptions but one: I was going to keep my mind alert as I slept.
Well, naturally I fell into a bit of a doze. But when I woke up, my head was wagging side to side without any conscious effort of my own. In fact, it weirded me out so I woke up just enough to stop it.
This may be nothing more than some kind of neurological phenomenon. I don't claim to know the reasons.
However, I do know God is the ruler of the universe and I am His child and that therefore my salvation cannot be taken away. But it's still unnerving completely and consciously surrendering control of your body and, theoretically, your soul to whatever it is that makes this possible, even if it is as simple as letting your subconscious mind take your conscious mind along for a ride.
Every time something like this happens it gives me pause to think, do I really want to take this the next step? It becomes more evident that I really am surrendering. But then I realize, I am protected and sealed for eternity. What do I have to lose?
Well, naturally I fell into a bit of a doze. But when I woke up, my head was wagging side to side without any conscious effort of my own. In fact, it weirded me out so I woke up just enough to stop it.
This may be nothing more than some kind of neurological phenomenon. I don't claim to know the reasons.
However, I do know God is the ruler of the universe and I am His child and that therefore my salvation cannot be taken away. But it's still unnerving completely and consciously surrendering control of your body and, theoretically, your soul to whatever it is that makes this possible, even if it is as simple as letting your subconscious mind take your conscious mind along for a ride.
Every time something like this happens it gives me pause to think, do I really want to take this the next step? It becomes more evident that I really am surrendering. But then I realize, I am protected and sealed for eternity. What do I have to lose?
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The Third Eye
Here's a fun experiment I found for you guys who aren't so sure about this whole projection thing.
First, close your eyes.
Second, imagine you're looking at something. It can be a cube, beach ball, pressure cooker, or whatever. The closer it seems to you, the better.
Third, keeping your eyes closed, point to where the object would be if it was really floating there where you see it.
Now open your eyes and see where your finger is pointing.
Did you notice that where you see the object seemed to be from slightly above your physical eye level? This phenomenon is tied to the concept of the "third eye."
What is the "third eye"? Mystics say it is the eye of the spirit. I'm more inclined to think it's some sort of neurological phenomenon which is nevertheless interesting. Whatever the explanation, it seems to be at least a near-universal phenomenon.
First, close your eyes.
Second, imagine you're looking at something. It can be a cube, beach ball, pressure cooker, or whatever. The closer it seems to you, the better.
Third, keeping your eyes closed, point to where the object would be if it was really floating there where you see it.
Now open your eyes and see where your finger is pointing.
Did you notice that where you see the object seemed to be from slightly above your physical eye level? This phenomenon is tied to the concept of the "third eye."
What is the "third eye"? Mystics say it is the eye of the spirit. I'm more inclined to think it's some sort of neurological phenomenon which is nevertheless interesting. Whatever the explanation, it seems to be at least a near-universal phenomenon.
Jan 9, 2008
Missed it again last night, but I got to bed at 10:30 and when I woke up early in the morning I couldn't settle my mind enough to drift back to sleep. I'm not going to say it was a waste, though, because I have decided to set two goals:
1. Practice achieving the first step, "body asleep/mind awake" consistently, without any other expectations.
2. Download binaural sounds (sounds used to directly alter your brainwaves/state of consciousness) to my iPod to help anchor my brainwaves.
I think that's it for now. This is frustrating but it gives me something to do for those hours when there's not really anything else to do.
1. Practice achieving the first step, "body asleep/mind awake" consistently, without any other expectations.
2. Download binaural sounds (sounds used to directly alter your brainwaves/state of consciousness) to my iPod to help anchor my brainwaves.
I think that's it for now. This is frustrating but it gives me something to do for those hours when there's not really anything else to do.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Jan 8, 2008
Completely uneventful. I went to bed too tired and with too much on my mind to really focus. Dreamless sleep and then a new day. Better luck next time.
What is Astral Projection?
Few of my friends know Astral Projection even exists, much less what it is. So here's my shot at it. You can of course find other explanations, but I will try to stick to the verifiable facts as much as possible.
When people astrally project themselves, they have the sensation of projecting their consciousness outside of their physical body. There's still a lot of debate whether they're actually leaving or whether it's all a sort of a neural short-circuit.
Regardless, people in this state maintain awareness and can function consciously. Some believe they can see remote objects by "traveling" in this form, while others are simply content to do some sight-seeing in this bizarre form while their body rests.
When people astrally project themselves, they have the sensation of projecting their consciousness outside of their physical body. There's still a lot of debate whether they're actually leaving or whether it's all a sort of a neural short-circuit.
Regardless, people in this state maintain awareness and can function consciously. Some believe they can see remote objects by "traveling" in this form, while others are simply content to do some sight-seeing in this bizarre form while their body rests.
Jan 7, 2008
I've been experimenting with astral projection and I need to keep a journal to track my progress, so what better place than a blog, right? So I can get feedback and such to keep me on the right track.
I'm going to be labeling each night by the day in which I feel asleep, just to keep things straight in my head. So my first attempt was between Jan 7 and Jan 8 of 2008. Here's what happened:
I fell asleep with a lot of thoughts in my head, but I just let them float about and then left them. I was focusing on that little ringing in your ear when everything's silent. That was my lifeline for exploring into the dreamworld.
Why? The first step of expanding your consciousness outside of your body is to shut down your five physical senses so you can focus on your "astral senses." You can't be aware of your physical body and hope to leave it.
At the same time, you can't drift off to thoughtless sleep because then you lose control and while you -may- leave your body, you really have no say over whether you do or don't, because you're passively letting things happen.
Anyway, I was finally aware of losing my body. It felt like I was exclusively in my head, as though I was in a dark room.
Then I heard a pulsing bass sound. The frequency was about 1 or 2 Hz. I focused on it, but I think it must have been my own brainwaves or something, because it immediately became louder and faster and I felt my whole body shaking uncontrollably.
I began to experience a rising sensation, but as I did, there was an incredible rushing sound and I was still shaking like crazy, so I finally couldn't maintain my calm any more and snapped into my body, waking up immediately.
I hope to have better luck next time. I'm interested to see how long it takes to actually fully separate.
Oh yeah, and I'll write a post for those of you who know nothing of astral projection, to give you an idea of what I'm trying to do here.
Thanks for reading!
I'm going to be labeling each night by the day in which I feel asleep, just to keep things straight in my head. So my first attempt was between Jan 7 and Jan 8 of 2008. Here's what happened:
I fell asleep with a lot of thoughts in my head, but I just let them float about and then left them. I was focusing on that little ringing in your ear when everything's silent. That was my lifeline for exploring into the dreamworld.
Why? The first step of expanding your consciousness outside of your body is to shut down your five physical senses so you can focus on your "astral senses." You can't be aware of your physical body and hope to leave it.
At the same time, you can't drift off to thoughtless sleep because then you lose control and while you -may- leave your body, you really have no say over whether you do or don't, because you're passively letting things happen.
Anyway, I was finally aware of losing my body. It felt like I was exclusively in my head, as though I was in a dark room.
Then I heard a pulsing bass sound. The frequency was about 1 or 2 Hz. I focused on it, but I think it must have been my own brainwaves or something, because it immediately became louder and faster and I felt my whole body shaking uncontrollably.
I began to experience a rising sensation, but as I did, there was an incredible rushing sound and I was still shaking like crazy, so I finally couldn't maintain my calm any more and snapped into my body, waking up immediately.
I hope to have better luck next time. I'm interested to see how long it takes to actually fully separate.
Oh yeah, and I'll write a post for those of you who know nothing of astral projection, to give you an idea of what I'm trying to do here.
Thanks for reading!
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