Hi Amy,

That definitely sounds like you astral projected - certainly not sleepwalking given what you described – appearing at the foot of your bed, immediately waking up in bed after previously being far away from your bed, etc.

In the astral sometimes, due to various factors (one being the influence of our subconscious), it can be harder to move - hence that feeling of walking through wet cement. As we gain more experiences and especially as we practice being more aware – being in the moment, free of thoughts, etc. – we gain more control in the astral.

There are no risks in astral projecting. We astral project every night, except we usually spend the time in dreams. With conscious astral projection we are simply aware of where we are without the dream images.

Those shadowy figures are sometimes called "negative entities". There's no reason to be afraid of them, though. I used to have many encounters with them in sleep paralysis but since learning more about sleep and astral projection (especially through the courses offered here) I've seen that they can't in any way, shape, or form physically harm me. Often the damage they do is in scaring us, which can spoil the real magic of being out of the body. No reason to be afraid. No risk of possession.

Hope this helps.

Good luck in your astral travels!

Mike

Hi Mike

Thanks so much for taking the time to read through my post. Your insight was very helpful, especially the idea that one travels within the astral plane during dreamstate. It's very reassuring. I think I've had some negative entity (s) latch onto me during my time in that flat, which caused me anxiety for a long time. I hope that by becoming more experienced with AP, I might be able to understand them and whatever obstacle they have become to me. I have noticed that I seem to LD far more frequently when I'm in environments such as Group Homes, where there is often a lot of negativity and sadness. I believe that sometimes emotional events can imprint themselves on a location, but I am unsure whether my LD in these environments is more likely because of this imprinting, or because I'm not completely relaxed while I sleep due to being at work.

Thanks so much for your insight and answers,

much love,

Amy

Hi Amy,

Indeed I think you'll find this all makes more sense with experience. I just wanted to clarify that as far as I understand (and what I have experienced myself), these negative entities can't latch onto us in any permanent sense, which is good news :-) They're just sort of in the astral and we sometimes encounter them.

But you're very right about the imprints. In environments like you describe, there are things called "astral larvae" that arise from there being so many negative emotions at the location. These can latch onto us for a short time - you may find that for some time you can still feel a negative energy on you, even when you get outside into the beautiful sunshine after being in a place with a negative vibe, for example.

Over time, all locations have these larvae of one type or another. That's partly why funeral homes have different vibes to them than clothing stores - because of the sorts of emotions and energies typically present.

It's interesting what you're finding when at those locations. I can't say I've found that myself. I often find places with less pleasant energies tend to make my dreams more obscure and decrease my chances of becoming lucid in my dreams or even remembering them.

But the frequent sleep disturbances sounds like a common trend among many. Most of my lucid dream experiences occur around 4 am - usually on nights I've been sleeping lighter, or around 4 am after I had to get up to use the washroom or close the window or something.

All the best!

Mike

Thanks Mike I have enjoyed reading your inspirational sharing of your understanding.

I was wondering if there was anything that was good to say either out loud or in your head before bed to help deal with negative entities and the fear they may bring. Perhaps to even welcome and ask for positive entities?

Thanks

Jeff 

Hi Jeff,

There are special mantras / phrases called "recitations" that can dispel negativity and we can do these at bed time. They are taught in the Gnostic Wisdom course as well as in the book "A Course in Astral Travel and Dreams".

But if you don't know these recitations and you are concerned, it never hurts to pray. You can pray to your own Being (your Divine Mother or Divine Father) or to the Masters of the White Lodge (awakened Beings who watch over us) for protection and they can help us a lot.

In one of my sleep paralysis experiences (long before I found the recitations) when I encountered a negative entity, a simple prayer did wonders and the negativity was dispelled immediately.

Also remember that the more you worry about them, the more they could scare you if in fact you do encounter them. They're really nothing to be afraid of.

Take care,

Mike

I thnk that method of praying will be helpful until I learn the recitations.

The last two nights I have fallen asleep while doing my preparations. This of course is not the end of the world as I often have trouble getting to sleep.

I will set it as a goal to ask for assistance before starting my relaxation work.

For a while I wondered why I don't see negative forces but usually just feel them. I think this is because that is all they need to do. Why make themselves visible if the thought of them being visible scares me enough. 

Thanks for your help Mike. 

Hi Jeff,

It may help to sit up while you are doing your preparations so you don't fall asleep. I find on nights where I'm really sleepy it's a struggle to stay awake for more than a second or two after my head hits the pillow.

Once you are ready to begin (after your prayers, etc.), or after you are a little ways into the practice you could gently (gently is important here) slide down to a sleeping position.

Yeah, it would be good to ask for assistance. Not only for peace of mind in regards to protection, but also for help to do a good practice (to concentrate well, be able to resist an itch, etc.).

In terms of seeing negative forces, I think it is more common just to sense them if we are in the physical. Though, if we could see into the higher dimensions as some do from time to time, we could probably see them, too.

Good luck in your practices!

Mike

Thanks for the advise mike,

I will start doing that.

Namaste