1. First, conducting reality checks throughout the day. Asking "am I
dreaming?" then consciously answering "yes" or "no."
The hope being if this practice is habituated it will be repeated during an
actual dream, and produce lucidity.
I
am still subscribing here to the idea that dreams-lucid dreams-OOBEs exist on a
spectrum, with dreams being the lowest level of the spiritual plane and OOBEs
the highest.
Dreams
---------> Lucid dream ---------> OOBE
Keep
in mind I am still contemplating the eccentricity of this as a practice.
Lucidity in the sleep state is a very particular skill to develop; it is far
removed from the spiritual practices of asceticism and renunciation. It remains
for me to discern if this skill is required for "conscious dying" (if
so, few ever acquire this skill).
2. Second, to continue attempting the Michael Raduga "indirect method."
To set the alarm clock each night, then attempt to use each "deferred
awakening" as an opportunity to separate. If separation fails, I will try
to cycle separation techniques.
So
far this has proved difficult to remember and put into practice. Many times I
awaken and do not remember to make an attempt. Other times I will try to
separate but then not cycle separation techniques. And still other times I do
not have any deferred awakenings.
That
said, this Raduga method is the most recommended for those without OOB
experience to habituate you to separation (the idea being direct techniques
then become easier after this).
*Should
separation succeed, I am also interested in practicing the "deepening
techniques" (using the five senses to amplify clarity) recommended by
Raduga. I am very interested in this. As I mentioned earlier, my dreams have
always been low in reality (about 5% of daily sense experience), so the idea
the OOBE can be hyperreal is fascinating to me.
3. Third, failing at the other methods, to simultaneously attempt the direct
method recommended by Robert Monroe, Jeff Brooks, and the mystics of history.
My
Inner Director has not been recommending this to me; however, without success
with the other approaches, I will return to this approach and cultivate its
practice.
A
couple weeks ago I was able to induce the experience of vibrations, though
they were modest and concentrated mostly in the hands and feet. The work week
reduced the opportunity to sit and meditate, and the vibrations went away.
I
am aware of others who say these vibrations can become an overwhelming
sensation (I have not experienced this). While experimenting a couple weeks
ago, longer meditation times and various other experiments did not seem to
amplify the vibrations (though they did seem to correlate with motionlessness,
relaxation, and closing the eyes).
