I have just read Robert Monroe's first book -- Journeys Out of The Body. While I find that the book is fascinating and believable, I have a hard time with his categorical rejection of his experiences as dreams. In his view, dreams are not existentially real or concrete enough to account for his experiences, especially in "Locale II." Having had limited experiences with lucid dreaming, I feel that on the contrary, they are extremely real and indistinguishable from reality and sound very much like what he describes as Locale II or III. That being the case, clearly something is going on in his description of out of body journeys in our every day reality (Locale I) that defies current understanding, and in my mind, clearly represents clairavoiance (sic). Any experienced astral projectors or lucid dreamers out there care to comment?
Hello Wolfboy, I have not read that book in some time, but I recall that I took his experiences as unique to him. I consider this book as a good rescource, as following the chapters 16 and 17 did enable the separation process. Regarding your question, Robert spent a great amount of time out of his body and showed many how to break out. But OBE and lucid dreaming are not the same. Do not take my word for it. Since you have been able to maintain focus in your dreamworld Wolfboy follow the directions in chapter 17 and you will see for yourself. Insanely Elite
While I don't doubt the reality of the OBE experience itself (if for no other reason than for lack of personal experience), I do wonder whether his journeys to other "planes" and "dimensions" could have been taking place within the confines of his own lucid dreaming consciousness rather than in an external objective reality.
Do you contend then that the dreamworld and the astral are the only other states of consciousness? As only experinces may be shared, I hear your question as an attempt to understand someone elses reality in the astral through your own understanding of L.D. Have you attempted the chapter 17 exersises? I recall now a boogeyman feel to his early chapters, perhaps this is what you're addressing? For myself, I dismissed his entire book save for chapter 16 and 17. Not out of disrespect but I didn't want his experience, I wanted my own. Following the steps he outlines, you will eventually find the truth of the Out of Body Experience for yourself. I just dusted off my old copy since I am endorsing this method. I must say that he fails to mention(for the lack of a better word) psychic protection. Perhaps this was why some of his travels had a somewhat sinister aspect.
I would love to experience OOBE first hand but unfortunately the pressures of a busy job and the constraints of having 3 young children and a disbelieving wife make it somewhat difficult for me to make the consistent commitment to attain this state via his methods outlined in Chapter 17. Perhaps some day I will find the time and money to attend the Gateway Program at the Monroe Institute using the Hemi Sync technology to fascilitate this experience. It seems to me that the descriptions of people taking DMT and other potent hallucinogens mirrow closely Mr. Monroe's experience (see DMT: The Spirit Molecule by Strassman). This would seem to offer another "cheap ticket" to this realm though I surely lack the courage to attempt this outside of the appropriate spiritual context.
Yeah, I didn't go for the family thing(sigh) Thought I'd attain enlightenment by now. Or be dead from reckless living. It is still possible to do the steps, but I admit outside constraints affect the inside experience. Good luck to you, Wolfboy
