Lehal Library

tension in those areas. Many people find themselves stuck to a part of their physical body during the exit. They also often experience pain and discomfort in these stuck areas if they continue trying to force themselves out of their body regardless. I would suggest here that a lack of whole-body deep physical relaxation is the major contributing factor to this common problem. Health, Fitness, and Projection While physical fitness is most definitely not a necessary precursor for conscious-exit projection, it can be a big help. A reasonable level of fitness makes it easier to attain and hold a deep level of physical relaxation and the trance state. A healthy physical body will generally have less discomfort caused by coughing, cramps, and circulation problems. Problems like sleep apnea can also be caused or made worse by a poor level of fitness, and anything like this can have a negative influence on projection ability. Poor health and fitness do not prohibit conscious-exit projection. Some illnesses may even make projection easier. Projection techniques may need to be modified, especially the resting position used, to compensate for an illness. For example, if coughing is a problem, a more upright projection position will help ease the trouble. If poor circulation is a problem, more attention will have to be paid to bed or chair padding. For muscular or spinal cramps, the position and padding used during projection attempts will need modifying to provide better support. If a health or disability problem is severe, it may be wise to consult a medical doctor, physical therapist, or chiropractor. You don't have to say why you are seeking increased comfort. You can merely cite the desire for deep physical relaxation. Position and Comfort for OBE The resting position of the physical body during projection attempts can have a great effect on what happens before, during, and after a projection. Lying prone on your own comfortable bed in your natural sleeping position is not the ideal scenario for conscious-exit projection. We are all conditioned to start falling asleep when we get into bed — which increases the likelihood of falling asleep and losing shadow memories if projection does occur. I recommend either using another room for projection, or changing the position of the bed being used. If change is not possible, relax with your head at the other end of the bed. It is also possible to condition yourself for projection by using a low-wattage colored light, with perhaps a favorite incense. If you use these only when a projection attempt is going to be made, you will soon become conditioned to them. I always recommend a sitting or semisitting position for projection, if at all possible. It is not only easier to project from a sitting position, but it is also easier to recall a projection after the event. Sitting helps overcome many shadow memory loss problems caused by falling into too deep a sleep too early during a projection. If you have ever fallen asleep in a chair, you will notice that you do not sleep as deeply or as soundly as you would in your own comfortable bed. It is also much easier to wake up from a sitting or semisitting position, just as it is easier to stay awake while holding the trance state in the sitting position. This also makes it easier, if you have accidentally fallen asleep, to notice and react to the energetic sensations that herald the return of the projected double during reentry and reintegration. There are several ways to adapt the sitting or semisitting position to your situation and needs. Keep in mind that you are preparing for a projection, not settling down for a comfortable night's sleep. While comfort is important, the ability to deeply relax the physical body while holding the mind awake is far more important. A little discomfort can be a good thing for projection. An armchair or recliner works well for projection, as long as it has good back and neck support and you put a pillow under your feet. If you use a plain armchair, I suggest putting a telephone book or brick under the front of the chair to angle it slightly backward. This stops your head from rocking forward onto your chest and helps avoid breathing problems. Use pillows or cushions to make sure your neck and lower back are correctly supported. You can also place pillows under your arms and hands to increase their comfort. If the back of the armchair is too low and provides no neck support, position it against a wall and place another pillow behind your head to support it. Wear loose and comfortable clothing and loose socks — depending 99