Then in the fall of 1993 I bought the first book by Robert Monroe (Journeys Out of the Body). Besides containing his very interesting experiences, it also had a practical section, with exercises you could try. This I did. For about six months I practiced these meditation exercises almost daily. With no result. Since it didn't seem to work, I gradually began to abandon it.
Then, about 2-3 months after my quitting, on the 24th of May 1994, it happened to me. While trying to fall asleep again in the morning, a great, noisy vibration took hold of me. At the same time I noticed I was paralyzed. Of course I got very afraid, but the vibrations wore off after a minute or so (seemed like hours however). Then just a few minutes later I realized what had happened, and my mood shifted from frightened to excited. At last I had entered the vibrational state, of which I had read so much! My experience suited the descriptions perfectly.
About an hour later I once again was in the misty state between sleep and wakefulness. Then I just thought about the vibes, tried to recall exactly what they had felt like -- and they returned. This time I wasn't scared in the least, but tried to observe as much as possible, while trying to figure out how I would actually "exit" my body. In the end I tried "willing" myself out, trying to visualize myself floating beneath the ceiling. After some 15 seconds I still hadn't felt anything special, so I tried opening my eyes. And there it was. For just a second. The door to my bedroom, but in an angle I hadn't seen it from before. Then I was back, and the vibes were gone. Later I checked the angle, and to have seen it I must have been about 3 meters to the side and 2 meters above my prone body.
Since then, I have been "out there" many times (about 200 by now). I have OBEs irregularly, but on the average once a week. About 50% are very short though. My OBEs have lasted from just a second to about half an hour. (In fact, one of my biggest problems is to stay out.) I have been in many very different places, some that exist in the physical universe (or resemble some that do, as the case may be): cities, forests, mountains, the bottom of the sea, outer space. I have been in huge hell-like caverns, heavenly cities, and dark and brilliant voids as well. The people I have met and interacted with out there seem to fall into several different categories: dreamers, more or less lucid; discarnates (deceased); thoughtforms; and others. Generally, discarnates are the most interesting people.
Sometimes I can fly fast and high, but on other occasions hardly at all. Likewise, the resistance encountered during phazing (moving thru solid objects) is variable. I have not, for some reason, succeeded in "willing" myself to places. Another of the main problems I face is controlling myself, and keeping my intent among random stray thoughts.
Generally, I see OBE as an exceedingly positive experience. When "out" I am most often filled with a mixture of curiosity, daredevilry, an almost childish delight, and pure JOY. I have a sense of invulnerability, and so far I haven't been proved wrong. In those very few hostile or threatening situations I have encountered the opponent(s) have proved to be no match for me. ;-) These experiences have certainly changed my life, and for the better I think. I see myself as a spiritual person, but not religious in any sense. I would not want to belong to any organized religion. I am myself. It is enough.
See you out there ...
/Gunnar