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In the 70s, at around age 14 or 15, I became absorbed with various occult topics, and subsequently began experimenting with astral projection. I'd obtained about a dozen books on the subject, and my combined collection offered a variety of techniques to try.
I don't recall which exact book or author provided the effective method, and my collection was lost. If I were to venture a guess, the technique may be found somewhere in Robert Crookall's work.

The basic instructions were to lie on your back, close your eyes and focus intently on the center of your mind / brain (pineal region) and continue this focus until the physical body is put to sleep. Then the consciousness, or spirit begins to emerge. There is no break in consciousness, as is involved with other techniques wherein the mind first enters a dream state.

My intial attempts were unsuccessful because I'd simply doze off. But I was persistent, and eventually attained quite startling results. First my feet and lower legs would begin to numb, and gradually that numbness would climb upward consuming my body. When my body had fallen into a sleep or trance state, I found myself able to forcibly push my consciousness at least partially out of alignment with, or attachent to, my physical brain and body. It was then I began to perceive the astral realm, and entities within.

It was an incredibly intense sensation. I felt as though I were pouring out of myself. As if my consciousness were shooting outward in all directions at light speed, and as though I were literally becoming beams of light. The more I continued to focus on the center of my mind, the more intense the feeling became, until it felt as if I were hurling across the galaxy on a wild roller coaster ride, yet also lying still, fixed in place on my bed. And in this state, my physical body would become completely paralyzed.

The first few times it happened, the sensation was so overwhelming and scary, I quickly ended the experiment by consciously willing myself back to a full waking state. This often required considerable effort.
But despite my worries I continued, and after several determined attempts, I finally experienced some pretty amazing things, which I'll describe in the articles below.

Unfortunately I've never been able to completely free my soul, such as to the extent I could see my physical body from outside, or travel the spirit world. Had I persisted with AP, perhaps I'd have eventually succeeded.

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There are widely varying beliefs and folklore associated with sleep paralysis (SP) in many cultures throughout the world.
Japanese refer to SP as Kanashibari, meaning bound or fastened in metal. Germans call it Hexendrücken. (Witch pressing).
Some might say the 'Old Hag', or evil elves and fairies, an Incubus or Succubus or space aliens are to blame.

Medical science attributes SP visions to Hypnagogic or Hypnopompic hallucinations, which are different from nightmares because the mind is awake, not in a dream state. That may hold true in many cases, but in my opinion not all. I'm not placing my faith in medical researchers or physicians who likely rule out the possibility a spiritual dimension exists or can be perceived.

I should also mention I've been in this condition numerous times over the years, and not once did I feel any sort of unearthly presence sitting on me, or pressing down. Nor have I ever experienced any difficulty breathing, so I don't know what the "Night Hag" thing is about.

Is it possible SP occurs because a person's spirit is slightly out of alignment, or partially detached from their body and brain? If the two aren't firmly connected, the result may be loss of motor control.

Something to consider about my partial OBEs, is that whenever I wake from a dream, I invariably know I was dreaming, no matter how vivid or realistic the dream. I've also ingested hallucinogens, and I always knew what I was experiencing were hallucinations, not reality. However in all my SP/OBE experiences, there was no break in consciousness, no sense of waking up and feeling like what I'd seen, felt, heard, was only a dream or my imagination.

I compare my SP disorder to a genie bottle slightly ajar.
It's possible by forcibly pushing my consciousness out of my brain, I somehow ruptured a seal of some sort. A mechanism designed to keep our spirits contained within our bodies while we're conscious in the physical realm. If I'd damaged that seal, it might be akin to popping a bottle cork or cap, and consequently it never properly fit back into place, resulting in my soul uncontrollably emerging while I was at least partially awake.

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I've only seen the astral cord once, way back in 1979.
A friend and I were traveling together and we'd stopped at a hotel to rest. My friend was exhausted and fell asleep on the bed.
I remained awake and sat in a chair watching TV.

A short time after my friend dozed off, something odd caught my eye. I noticed a silvery streak on the wall mirror across the room.
At first I dismissed it as simply being some kind of smudge or smear on the mirror's surface, but it was so bright it kept catching my attention. The longer I looked at it, the stranger it seemed, and eventually I moved back and forth to change my visual perspective. That's when I noticed the streak didn't move in in sync with the mirror as I changed my position. Finally I got up and walked over to the mirror for a close inspection of the unusual mark.

When I got within inches of the mirror, and tried to rub the streak, I realized it wasn't actually a mark on the mirror's surface, but rather a reflection of something behind me. I turned, and to my amazement I saw a silver strand of light emanating from my sleeping friend's forehead!

I had to rub my eyes a few times, but it quickly became apparent I was not imagining things. A thin silvery strand of light, energy, was rising up from my friend's third eye region, and vanishing into the ceiling. I stood there quietly observing this for quite some time, from only a few feet away. The cord was maybe a half inch in diameter, and it wavered slightly, and was undeniably glowing. At one point I was tempted to move my hand through it, but feared that might somehow harm my friend, or at the very least disturb his rest, so I resisted the urge.

After maybe an hour of gazing in wonder, I just sat back in my chair and said to myself; Well there it is. The astral cord. Bold and bright, and irrefutably real.

When my friend woke, I told him what I'd seen. He was skeptical but intrigued. What matters most, is for me this was more proof positive we are indeed immortal souls!

For the record, I was 100% sober and very alert. Not drowsy and no substances in my system.

I'd read about this cord in AP books, but there's nothing quite like seeing such things for ourselves, while wide awake.

Unfortunately I did not have a camera, or a cell phone (in 1979). I've always wondered if the cord would have been visible on film.
It's ultra high frequency astral energy, not photon particles, and as such the cord might only be visible to those who possess some psychic ability. Yet the cord was bright and tangible enough to cast a reflection in the mirror — so who really knows?
If ever I see this cord again, I really hope I can take a good picture.

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As translated from the original Hebrew in The Complete Tanakh :
"Before the silver cord snaps, and the golden fountain is shattered, and the pitcher breaks at the fountain, and the wheel falls shattered into the pit. And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God, Who gave it."

Wikipedia

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In my first semi-successful AP experiment, my soul began to emerge and I was fully conscious, fully aware, and as always, I felt as if I were rushing outward at light speed. It was then I suddenly began hearing the sound of flapping wings, just above my head.
My eyelids were probably closed, and I was unable to see anything.

Naturally this sound made me nervous, but I was a determined young man, and I continued to push myself onward, rather than freak out and jump off the bed.
The wings continued to flap, louder and stronger, but not furiously so. These were robust yet graceful wings, and as they flapped more vigorously, I felt light wisps of air brushing my face with their every beat.

It certainly seemed some sort of spirit bird had lighted on my pillow just above my head, and that this bird was manifesting enough metaphysical presence and force to not only generate sound, but also stir the air.

I can't say which air exactly the bird's wings were stirring though, ie; oxygen molecules or ethereal air, because I don't know whether it was my physical or my spiritual face feeling the breeze. Or for that matter, whether my spirit or earthly ears were hearing the flapping.

Whatever the case, the experience was truly intriguing, and I was able to maintain my composure for about a minute or so. But the increasingly louder flapping sound, combined with the air wisps brushing my face, along with being completely immobilized and blind, was all I could endure. Despite my fascination, fear overcame me, so I willfully regained control of my body and rose from the bed. The flapping sound ceased and the unknown avian entity disappeared.

I've read a good bit about astral projection, and there are many others who've heard these same flapping wings. No one can say for sure what this phenomenon is, but I recall hearing an interesting theory.
Suppose these wings aren't really those of a spirit bird, or some other alien entity, but rather they are in fact our very own spirit wings we are perceiving.

However peculiar that notion may seem, it does sound plausible to me. Let's say our consciousness (soul) is centrally located in our physical brains, and that our spirits are in fact winged creatures. In that case it seems quite likely our outstretched spirit wings would be found at the top of our heads.
So if we're lying on our back, emerging from our bodies, but still connected to our brain's sensory system via the astral cord, and we're stretching our wings, it's entirely possible we'd perceive our own spirit wings as a bird, perched upon our pillow or head. And when you think about it, why would so many people hear the same sound, if it wasn't somehow related to our innate spiritual construct? But who really knows. Maybe spirit birds or tiny angels and tooth fairies visit us all while we're sleeping, and they sit on our pillows or heads.
People may imagine their soul to be a carbon copy of their human body, but for all we know our true or natural spiritual form might be that of a bird.

Lastly, the physicality of my experience begs the question; Do the astral realms embody properties or qualities similar to the physical universe? In that other-worldly dimension, will we maintain a degree of physical sensation?
Will we be able to feel a soft summer breeze on our spirit skin, or the cold crashing ocean waves, falling raindrops, or the touch of our loved ones? I certainly hope so. Those things are beautiful to me.

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About 1978, shortly after the wing flapping experience, I had a frightful encounter while practicing AP.
I'd reached the same relative state I was in when the wings began flapping, but this time I felt as if I was finally about to achieve my ultimate objective — complete separation. To see my body from the outside, and to freely travel the astral realms...

Unfortunately that would not be the case, because suddenly something grabbed me by both wrists, shook me violently, and growled ferociously right in my face. It was a loud animal-like growl, with some human snarling quality.
The creature's grip didn't feel like demonic claws. Felt more like strong human hands, but without any skin texture.

Needless to say, it scared the daylights out of me and I almost peed my pajamas. The fact I was paralyzed made it all the more terrifying.
Of course I immediately tried to shake free of its grasp, but I was unable to do so for at least 10 seconds or more. But thankfully a sudden adrenaline surge enabled me to break my paralysis and leap out of bed, and the nightmarish assault came to an end.

Although I sustained no physical injuries, this sort of attack does pose a distinct threat. Such a terrifying encounter could cause a heart attack, or neurogenic shock, which could be fatal. That is why I caution others from experimenting with astral projection, especially if they are of an older age, or have a weak physical or mental constitution. The dangers are real.

Nothing further happened following that unpleasant event, but I must admit I didn't sleep well in the nights to come. For a long time I worried there was an evil presence in my home, waiting like Freddy Krueger for me to fall asleep or emerge from my body.

I may never know who or what that horrid creature was, or why it chose to accost me. It's not like I was in an old haunted mansion. Perhaps some lesser evolved spirit was wandering or trapped in the lower realms, roaming around looking for someone to scare. And maybe it could see my spirit emerging my body and becoming consciously aware of the astral environment in which it resides.

It was once suggested I burn a white candle to ward off mean spirits like these, but I'm skeptical candles provide any true protection. Again I must warn you, if you're experimenting with AP, please do be careful. You're entering uncharted waters, and like myself, you may lack the knowledge, strength and skills required to journey safely.

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In summer of 1980, I was 17 years of age. I'd run away from home, and traveled from New York to Atlanta.
There, I met the most beautiful girl in the world, and fell madly in love.

We shared a town home, and one hot summer night I'd fallen asleep next to her in an upstairs bedroom. In the twilight hours just before dawn, I woke to find myself in a state of sleep paralysis, and once again I felt as if I were pouring out of myself, rushing outward to the stars, becoming beams of light. I was fully aware of my surroundings and location. I knew it was the wee hours of the morning, and that I was lying in bed.

But this time something was different. For the very first time in all the times I'd found myself in this peculiar state, I was finally able to see. Possibly because in all my previous experiences, my eyelids remained tightly shut. Now my eyes were slightly open, and I could clearly see our bedroom.

The room appeared to be aglow with a pale blue hue, which may have been ethereal illumination, or simply the soft blueish light of early dawn.

I was just about to doze back to sleep, when suddenly I began hearing sounds coming from below. Footsteps, in the lower level of the apartment. Immediately I became alarmed, worried there may be an intruder, and I was compelled to get out of bed to investigate, but I couldn't regain control of my body. So there I lay, on my side, wide awake and paralyzed, listening intently, my gaze fixed upon the open bedroom door.

At first the footsteps were fairly soft and light, like those of a child. But they became noticeably louder, and I realized that whoever or whatever was making the sound, was hopping on the steps at the foot of the stairs. As the footsteps grew louder, it became apparent this entity was gradually hopping up the steps, directly toward our room. Now I was growing a bit panicky and struggling to stand up, but still I couldn't budge. All I could do was lie there motionless, listening and looking, as the footsteps bounced its way upstairs and into the hall. I felt a flash of terror because I knew whoever, or whatever, was out there... was about to come straight through our open door.

I didn't know what to expect. Would this intruder be a hideous monster, or an axe wielding maniac?
Thankfully that isn't what happened.

What suddenly appeared in the doorway, was a glowing ball of light. A ghostly orb of some kind. The orb then began to shimmer with dazzling colors. It looked almost like a luminous opal, pulsating and sparkling in the dark.

In truth it was more beautiful than scary, but I wasn't exactly accustomed to seeing such things, and I was still paralyzed and feeling very vulnerable. Also the memory of that malevolent entity who'd assaulted me a year or so ago, was still fresh in my mind. And by now the orb was no more than 8 feet from the bed and slowly floating closer. Once again an adrenaline surge enabled me to break free and get up off the bed. And then it quickly vanished. Or more likely, I could no longer perceive its presence.

Looking back on that experience, my first visual spirit sighting, I have chuckle because it sounds like a scene from the movie Poltergeist. But I definitely wasn't laughing in that moment.

I'm left wondering what the heck that was all about.

Was this an actual poltergeist? Or perhaps the harmless playful spirit of a child, having fun hopping their way up the steps? Why was it drawn to our room? Was it lost, or just randomly wandering about? Was it simply curious, or deliberately trying to scare me?
Do spirits know when the living are able to percieve the astral realm?

Perhaps it was trying to tell me something, but I was unable to hear or otherwise communicate.
Now here's an odd possibility. Suppose the orb was in fact my girlfriend's spirit, out of body and romping around our apartment as she slept?

Whatever the answer, what's most important for me is it's another reminder of who and what we all truly are at the end of the day.
Ghosts. BOO!!

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The night my uncle was savagely murdered in a carjacking, I visited my grandmother's condo where the crime took place, in the parking lot just outside her front door. I'd gone there to comfort my elderly mother and her sister, who were deeply distressed.
We three stood on the very same spot where my poor uncle died.

We talked for awhile, and my aunt was clearly traumatized, still reeling in shock. She was with my uncle, her husband, when the killers attacked. The two were quietly sitting in their parked car, discussing plans for a second honeymoon trip to Hawaii. He died defending his beloved wife when one of the robbers pistol-whipped her. I was at a loss for words, and in shock myself. I'd just come home from work, turned on the 6 o'clock news, and to my disbelief saw my aunt and mother crying on camera.

As the night went on, we moved over to the condo entrance. For a moment silence fell, and I looked over at my aunt, who was sort of huddled in a dark corner of the doorway nook. She was a fairly short woman, but in that moment she looked tiny to me, almost as if she were shrinking into a child and disappearing in the shadows. Through the darkness our gaze met, and I saw an imploring look in her eyes. Suddenly I felt something pretty bizarre.

It felt like thousands of tiny static electricity tentacles, reaching out and tugging on me. I could literally feel her aura touching my body and pulling me toward her, and I felt goosebumps and raised hairs on my skin. This strange sensation was quite unlike anything I've ever felt before or after. I've felt static charges, but this was a very different form of energy. This was definitely a metaphysical force, coming directly from her.

Not knowing how else to react, I walked over and hugged my aunt tightly, letting her draw upon my soul's energy. Then I sat on the stoop and softly strummed a guitar, hoping to soothe my shaken family.

That's really all to this story, other than to say, thankfully the killers were caught and sent to prison. And I'll add if there is good to come from evil, good may be found in my subsequent surrender to god, which incurred an incredible epiphany... in the swan temple.

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In my swan temple experience, I felt an immaculate love flowing through my soul, which was contained within white light radiating from the swan's hearts, wings, souls. Only one other time in my life have I felt this kind of powerful love, and seen the same light.

Our souls travel when we sleep, and long ago I may have journeyed straight into heaven. There I saw Jesus standing on a white stone platform, giving a sermon or teaching souls who were sitting on the steps below. Christ was wearing a white robe, and he appeared as Jesus is often depicted. Fair skin, long hair. I don't recall seeing a halo, but his whole being was definitely glowing with a bright aura.

White light was radiating from his soul, shining like starlight beams in all directions, and divine love was pouring from his heart and permeating the air. I could literally feel love everywhere in the air, and in and through me. And I recall a distinct aroma filling the room.

The scent was unearthly. It wasn't like a perfume, or perhaps freshly cleaned linen, or spring morning air in the country. The only way I can describe it is; immaculate spiritual purity.

I stood off to one side watching, kind of in the shadows. I was in such awe I was afraid to approach. I felt unworthy to move any closer, and I didn't feel as though I belonged on the steps with the other souls Christ was teaching. I didn't or couldn't hear Jesus speak. Not one single word. Maybe that was deliberate. Maybe I wasn't meant to know what was being discussed. Or maybe the communication channel was only open to souls of the deceased, residing in heaven, not to dream travelers like me.

That is all I remember prior to waking. When I think back, it occurs to me I have remembered many thousands of dreams, but I can't recall a single one wherein I could smell. In my dreams I can see, hear, and sometimes feel touch, but to my best recollection, I never smell or taste anything. But that night I certainly smelled Christ's cleanliness, and I'll never forget the distinctly unique and holy aroma, nor the immaculate love shining from his heart.

I'm now in my sixties, and I've had only two experiences in which I felt god's love and light. First this Jesus dream, and years later in the sacred temple of swan. I may never feel such divine love again in my life, but I feel blessed to know how it feels, and to know what waits beyond.

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*Pending Articles:
- Falling feeling when waking
- Flying dreams
- My 70s Deja Vu experiences
- OBE on LSD

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I dedicate this page to my dear old friend Gina Clare, the sleeping beauty beside me in those strange twilight hours.
Gina called toast "ghost" for some silly reason, and before the orb appeared. I'm not sure she said why.
Right after I'd gotten a good scare from that orb, I went downstairs to the kitchen and fixed myself a slice of buttery cinnamon ghost to calm myself. She woke and came into the kitchen, where I told her what I'd just witnessed.

Sadly Gina passed away in 2018. She was only 54. She suffered greatly in life, but she never lost her faith or devotion.
I do miss her dearly, but I take comfort knowing her pain ended and she's home safe in god's gentle arms. We'll meet once again ... somewhere in the twilight zone.

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