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diminishes immediately after complete separation is achieved. The way we respond to these initial vibrations will often determine how effectively we separate from the physical body. The following are some basic guidelines for responding to the vibrational state. 1. Remain calm. The vibrations, sounds, numbness, and catalepsy are a normal experience. 2. Allow and encourage the vibrations to spread through your entire body. Remember not to move or think about your physical body; any physical movement will shut down the vibrational process. 3. As you allow the vibrations to expand, visualize yourself moving away from your physical body toward another area in your home. This visualization can be enhanced by mentally directing yourself with a repeated thought: “Now I move to the door [or any other location away from your body].” 4. After complete separation is obtained, the vibrations will immediately diminish. At this point, it’s important to focus and maintain your complete attention away from your physical body. I have found that being knowledgeable about the vibrational state, recognizing it and responding positively to it, is one of the keys to controlling out-of-body exploration. During the first year of my out-of-body experiences, I was often startled and sometimes even scared by the intensity of the vibrational state. As I look back, I realize that I learned the hard way. In the seventies little information was available on this subject, and what was written scarcely mentioned the topic of vibrations and sounds. After repeatedly experiencing vibrations and buzzing sounds while sleeping, dreaming, and doing out-of-body techniques, I began to realize that these strange vibrations were a natural prelude to the out-of-body experience. These unusual vibrations and sounds were one of the best early indications that I was ready to separate from my body. After several experiences, I started to enjoy the vibrations and even began looking forward to them. In retrospect, I realize that my attitude toward the vibrational state had a major impact on my ability to initiate and control my out-of-body experiences. As my anxiety concerning the vibrations and sounds slowly turned to anticipation, my personal abilities increased substantially. Eventually, I got to the point where the vibrational state was a welcome friend that heralded the beginning of an exciting adventure. After more than a year of struggle, I finally felt comfortable with the entire process. From that moment, whenever I felt or heard internal sounds, vibrations, voices, or any form of energy sensation out of the norm, I would immediately encourage the vibrations or sounds to expand. Then I would visualize myself moving away from my physical body and toward the bedroom door. This combination was remarkably successful. I began to recognize vibrations and sounds during sleep, in dreams, and during meditation. The intensity of the vibrations and sounds varied; sometimes they were subtle, at other times overpowering. I also found that if I experienced mild vibrations, I could focus on them and encourage them to expand and spread throughout my body. For example, on one occasion I woke in the middle of the night with a slight vibration at the back of my neck. I closed my eyes, completely relaxed, and focused on the vibration, encouraging the sensations to grow and move from the back of my neck to my entire body. Slowly, the vibrations seemed to travel down my spine and then outward, enveloping my trunk and limbs. After what seemed to be several minutes, the vibrations hit their peak and I simply willed myself out-of-body by picturing myself moving to my bedroom door. Within seconds I was standing at the bedroom door and ready to explore. This process is completely natural and extremely enjoyable when you become accustomed to it. In addition, your newfound control and understanding of the vibrational state give you an expanded ability to take advantage of every possible opportunity to explore out-of-body. Always remember, the sensations and sounds of the vibrational state are an important reference point that can go a long way toward enhancing your abilities to have controlled out-of-body experiences. The Hypnagogic State Every day we experience a state of consciousness similar to a twilight between sleep and full waking awareness. This transition is often referred to as the hypnagogic state. As we drift off to sleep, we normally experience this as a brief but conscious dreamlike state. Similar to hypnosis, the hypnagogic state is a highly creative state of awareness in which our mental imagery is clear and present, much like a changing movie in our mind. While in this state, we have the ability to exert a degree of conscious control and can actually use our internal imagery for specific purposes. For many people, this state is an excellent springboard for out-of-body experiences. Creative artists and inventors have used the hypnagogic state to further their work. For example, Thomas Edison was well known for his daily catnaps. He developed a technique for maintaining his hypnogogic state while working on his many inventions. Sitting in a favorite chair, he would use a form of meditation and relaxation to enter the hypnagogic state. To control this delicate state between sleep and wakefulness, Edison would hold some ball bearings in his closed hand, palm down, as his hand rested on the arm of the chair. Directly beneath his hand he placed a metal bowl. If he drifted off to sleep, his hand would open and the ball bearings would fall into the metal bowl and awaken him. It’s reported that he would repeat this technique over and over until he received the inspiration or information he sought. Since the hypnagogic state is very similar to deep hypnosis, it can be used effectively to program ourselves for an immediate or future out-of-body experience. From now on, as you fall asleep and awaken, begin to notice the transitional state you pass through every night. For many people, this is especially evident in the last minutes of waking awareness as they drift into sleep. The following technique can be used both when going to sleep and when just awakening. Consciously begin to recognize the hypnagogic state immediately before drifting off to sleep. To increase your awareness of the state, it may help to make a verbal or written request or goal: “I remain aware as I drift to sleep.” As you drift into sleep, focus your complete attention on the mental imagery that seems to flow in your mind. As much as possible, begin to consciously arrange and control the changing mental images and scenes that appear. Picture yourself floating up and out of your body. This could be visualized as a hot-air balloon, an airplane, or an elevator moving up, or you could picture yourself as a floating cloud. 40