The Phase = out-of-body experience(OOBE) + lucid dreaming + “astral projection”
The term phase state (or simply phase) encompasses a number of widely known dissociative phenomena, many of which are referred to by various terms, such as astral or out-of-body travel. This concept also includes the more pragmatic term lucid dreaming, but does not always exist in the sense and form implied by that expression. Hence, the term phase has been introduced to ease the study of phenomena that exist beyond habitual - and often unfair – associations and stereotypes. The term out-of-body travel is accurate to the extent that it describes the sensation felt by a person experiencing the phase phenomenon.
A phase has two primary attributes:
1) practitioners possess full, conscious awareness during the experience
2) practitioners recognize a genuine separation from the physical body
Simultaneously, the degree to which practitioners perceive the phase environment affects the level of sensory experiences therein, which often occur in a higher form than the sensory experiences of wakefulness. This concept is difficult to imagine without firsthand experience of the phase. And so, it is not without reason that this practice is considered to be a higher state of self-hypnosis or meditation, and is often referred to under different names as the highest possible human achievement in various religious and mystical movements (yoga, Buddhism, etc.).
In essence, the phase is an unexplored state of mind where one is unable to control and feel his physical body. Instead, his space perception is filled with realistic phantom experiences.
It is believed that up to one quarter of the human population has encountered this phenomenon. However, if variations and different degrees of intensity of the state are taken into consideration, it may be safely assumed that everyone has encountered the phase. Since the phase is a rare subject of study, many who inadvertently enter it do not realize what has taken place once they return to wakefulness. Many do not assign any significance to the occurrence of a phase environment that is not fully formed because shallow phases don’t leave the same jolting impression as deep states. Elusive as the phase may seem, this is an extremely common phenomenon, accessible to anyone willing to consciously learn and apply the correct methods of achieving and maintaining the phase(lucid dreaming and out-of-body phenomenon)
Application of the Phase
- Influencing the physiology of one’s own body.
- Seeing people that one wants to meet with, but who are otherwise inaccessible or difficult to reach (simulated).
- Meeting with famous people from any time period, living or deceased (simulated).
- Meeting the deceased, including relatives, in order to help cope with their loss (simulated).
- Supplemental rehabilitation for those disabled in any way and new possibilities for them.
- Additional opportunities for athletes to master their skills.
- An alternative to the computer as a means of entertainment.
- Simulating various situations from an area of life.
- Studying all possible subject-matters and learning skills, including foreign languages.
- Discovering unusual capabilities in oneself.
- Detailed recollection in minute detail of any life event from birth on.
- Obtaining information about life, oneself, one’s surroundings, and other people.
- Experiencing any type of pleasure (including sexual).
- Making it easier to stick to a diet thanks to the unlimited amount of food available in the phase.
- Visiting any place in the universe (simulated).
- Fulfilling dreams and desires, including secret desires.
- Performing complex mental calculations and solving various problems.
- Improving one’s psychology: ridding oneself of complexes, phobias, lack of self-confidence, etc.
- Creative development: creating and working on musical, sculptural, and architectural projects, as well as other creative works.
The Terms “Phase” and “Phase State”
Friend, so that you do get confused later and angry with me for introducing a new word, I’d like to bring your attention to several factors that have brought me to introduce it:
An Umbrella Term
“The phase” is not yet another name for a long-known phenomenon, as many mistakenly believe. The issue at hand is that the phenomenon itself has too many names, each of which implies different things – e.g. astral travel, out-of-body experiences, lucid dreaming, and still a number of less well-known terms. In my opinion, these phenomena all have much in common, and their division into different categories has become more and more contested into the 21st century, as the propagation of the practice reaches a global scale. Earlier, it was still possible to divide these phenomena into different things, as everything was only theoretical. But now, anyone with personal experience can easily confirm that the properties of the space entered during all of these experiences are identical.
As the above statement may strike some as controversial (especially as the personal experiences referred to were not introduced), we will not pause to treat the issue in detail. Either way, any state in which you are completely self-aware, but at the same time conscious that you are outside of your physical body is the phase. Meanwhile, you don’t feel your real body, but the perceived body finds itself in a world as palpably real as that of waking life. As we can see, this definition fits all of the hitherto known terms.
Of course, I could have chosen one of the existing terms, colored its definition with my views, and moved on in that fashion. But what would have been the result, given that all of the known terms have long been occupied by esoteric circles who have ascribed them far from simple or positive connotations? Mention “astral projection” to a passerby on the street, and he’ll tell you to seek help. Mention “out-of-body experiences”, and he’ll say you’ve been reading too much science-fiction. Mention a “lucid dream”, and he’ll say, “well, yeah, a dream – what’s lucid about one and why would you want it to be?” But the phenomenon has not the slightest relationship to dreaming, neither in substance nor in quality.
Mention “the phase”, and he’ll ask, “What’s that?” And this is where you tell him in clear and pragmatic terms what exactly the phenomenon’s about. People don’t have preconceived notions or stereotypes regarding this term. This term has not been corrupted by strange people with strange views on life. And since we’re already talking about the mass propagation of the practice of the phase, such an untainted term is needed. Experience shows that if the phenomenon is presented, for example, as “astral projection”, then less than 10% of the population will show interest. It’s a similar situation with the other terms. Yet if the phenomenon is presented as “the phase”, then up to 80% of people start to become interested. And so, this is the approach that will enable humanity transition to another level of development, after having made this practice an everyday event. This would not have been possible using the old terminology.
The Ambiguity of Older Terms
Not only are the older terms saddled with stereotypes in the public imagination, but one and the same older term can be understood by different people to mean different things. For example, if we are speaking about a phenomenon where you experience hyper-realistic sensations when traveling through an incredibly vivid world, then the term “astral projection” does not nearly always convey what we mean! In most cases, “astral projection” means simply an imagined journey made while in a relaxed state, something like visualization or mental imagery. How is just this one term to cover two things that don’t even begin to converge? One needs to studied hard and learnt how to be done. As for simple visualization or guided imagery, one just need lie down and take off…
The Character of the Experience
I’ve spoken more than once about the complete realism of the experience, and repeatedly emphasized that aspect because it’s the most important characteristic of the phase experience. It’s worth paying especially close attention to this, as most people mistakenly assume that sensations in the phase are not vivid, and often assume it to be something like a normal dream. Such assumptions are evidently wrong and fertile ground for erroneous beliefs, which in turn influence how the general public perceives the whole topic. In this section of the book, I will describe all the minute details of how might one might feel while in the phase.
All misconceptions about the nature of the phenomenon arising among people who unexpectedly experience a separation of the mind from the body are mainly due to the complete realism of the experience, down to the minutest detail. If you unexpectedly start suddenly levitating into the air and find yourself hovering under the ceiling, and it’s the first time that it has happened to you, then you are bound to be convinced that it’s your real body that is flying, and not all some phantom experience. And once you look down to see for yourself the undisturbed position of your physical body, you will be in no doubt that your mind has really separated from your body, and it may seem to you that death is coming for you at that very moment, causing you to become morbidly afraid.
And so, the most important feature here is the complete lack of a connection to the real body and all of its sensations. While in the phase, you can only conjecture as to the existence of a physical body lying somewhere on the bed. You don’t feel which side it’s lying on, how the arms and legs are positioned, or whether the lights are on or off. Moreover, you don’t have any feel for your body’s spatial orientation. However, there’s no need to worry about the possibility of any harm coming to your body when in such a state. That would be impossible.
It is also mistaken to believe that the realism of the experience consists only in the realism of the visual imagery – even though sight is the most important of the senses.
During everyday life, we obtain 80 to 90 percent of information about the world around us through the eyes. Even during conversation, we use our eyes to decode the real meaning being put across, taking in the nonverbal gestures that contain 40% of the information being conveyed. We often do this at the subconscious level without realizing it, which is why many are surprised by the statistics. The sense of sight plays an equally significant role in the phase. It’s the most important and vivid part of the experience. The visual imagery is so realistic that it’s impossible to grow accustomed to, and it initially leads to extraordinary rapture, and even to frenzy or shock. I’ve had thousands of experiences, but still often just visually take in what’s going on around me, often unable to believe my eyes.
It’s worth mentioning up front that all of the sensations of the phase experience are not only like those in the physical world, but are to a certain degree even more realistic in terms of sensory perception. At any rate, this is what is to be expected if we consider the phenomenon from a scientific point of view, as it turns out that all of the phase sensations are generated directly in the brain cortex, without having to travel the relatively long path along the nerves from the sensory receptors, a process that somewhat distorts reality during our day-to-day lives. It can be said that sensations in the phase are even more vivid than their waking life counterparts. They are more distinct and more intense, and can thus deliver extraordinary satisfaction, and this makes it possible to experience some events quite vividly – especially when it comes to pleasure, or even real pain. This applies equally to all of the five senses.
Considering the above, the sense of sight alone can bring complete satisfaction in the phase. The importance of this for the blind cannot be overemphasized. Not only is the vividness of the imagery striking, but so is its fine detail. This is not some computer game in which objects become boxy upon close inspection, and literally pixelated. There you can take any object, bring it up to your eyes, and see every detail, even those impossible to bring into focus in the real world. It may seem fantastic, but it’s possible to go up to any bookshelf, pick up any book, and start reading it, or, for that matter, take a look at the skin cells of your own hand. It’s wonderful to experience the fabulous range of visible colors, including hues we can’t even dream of during waking life. There’s no limit to the focal range of vision there – this is confirmed each and every time. And you, my friend, will experience this many times over.
The sensation of movement is very important for those who want to practice the phase, as it is one of the most effective aspects of what can be accomplished there. Indeed, where else can you get ready to jump from a thirty-story building without a parachute and in doing so experience real unexpected fear – and then overcome that fear and do it anyway? That’s how real the experience is. Each time you walk in the phase, fly in it, or fall in it, everything is exactly as it would be in the physical world… As is customarily said, man would like to learn to fly almost more than anything else in the world. None of us are immune to this age-old desire, and are always delighted when we are able to fly in our dreams. And in the phase, this experience is many times more realistic… So there’s no reason to be surprised that simply moving through the air brings satisfaction, especially as the laws of gravity impose no limitation there. You can fly at the speed of light, switch directions in the blink of an eye, and experience the G-force – all of which are practically impossible in real life.
We shouldn’t overlook the sense of taste in our discussion of the realism of sensations in the phase. For people keeping bland diets due to financial or health reasons, this part of the chapter will be of great importance. I can speak to this from my own experience: I have experienced hunger due to both of the above-mentioned reasons. I know quite well from childhood what the difference is between tasty and tasteless food, as well as a complete lack of either. That’s why the ability to satisfy food cravings in the phase is still a big deal for me. Of course, it’s more of a psychological craving. How wonderful it is to enjoy tasty food at least once in a while when on a diet! With experience, you can learn to make up a menu with any ingredients that your heart desires.
In the phase, all sensations are both possible and realistically experienced, even those that cannot be had in reality. The sensation of pain is no exception. However, pain is an undesirable experience for most. It arises only upon a practitioner’s carelessness or inexperience, as all sensations are controllable in the phase.
Tactile sensations and feelings of pleasure deserve special mention. For some, they may be the most important aspects of the phase experience. As a case in point, if you decide to touch a tree in the phase, you will feel all of the texture of its bark, its temperature, and its solidity. The sensation another person’s touch is also quite convincing … Even more, you can indulge in any pleasure with all of its accompanying sensations, which will in turn lead to their logical end. Moreover, such sensations can be even more powerful than in real life, often many times more so. Moreover, the choice of partners is yours, and limited only by your desire…
My intention is only to show you that all sensations in the phase are just the same as their real-life counterparts, and even more intense. And that only concerns sensations that you’re used to experiencing in the real world. Meanwhile, a vast number of other sensations are possible. For example, have you ever thought of how a dragonfly feels its own wings and controls them?