69 of 72 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A note from the author, September 14, 2005
This review is from: Out-of-Body Exploring: A Beginner’s Approach (Paperback)
Hi, I am the author of Out of Body Exploring. I want to respond to Jonathon Livingston's review. While everybody's entitled to their opinion, I would like to correct some errors. First, the book is 178 pgs, not 150. Second, while I do present some lucid dreams, the majority are genuine OBEs. I was able to get proof that I was out of body more than once. Finally, the methods I present are my own, and not taken from any other book. This book is the true story of how I learned to go out of body. It was hard at first, but after practice, I learned to maintain the out of body state. While out of body, I was able to visit deceased loved ones, learn about my past lives, explore the physical world and the astral planes, visit the Akashic Library and more. It was no dream when I visited my deceased mother and she took me on a tour of the heavenly realms. The best proof is to go out of body yourself. Nothing is more convincing (and a little scary) than looking at your body while you're standing outside of it! One time while out of body, I stood in front of the mirror and there was nothing there! Now that's a weird feeling. Anyway, my main reason for writing the book was not to get fame -- most people look at your like your crazy when you talk about this! I just think that going out of body is great fun and a spiritually transformational experience. I think it has the possibility to improve your lives both spiritually, physically and emotionally. There's an excerpt on my website if you'd like to learn more. I'll end this note with a wish and a blessing that you too will partake of the infinite joy, power and knowledge of the out of body experience!!!
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thorough Account of Stages of Astral Mastery, April 29, 2006
This review is from: Out-of-Body Exploring: A Beginner’s Approach (Paperback)
I wish to differ strongly with Jonathan Livingston also. It is plainly obvious to me that Mr. Dennett's experiences are authentic, having done much development along these lines, over time, myself.
This is notably an intimate account of what one experiences during the stops and starts, lulls, and incredible accelerations, particular nuances and gradual transformations that occur when one takes on this type of development, as well as the methods for encouraging them.
His account is not sensationalistic. Even when describing his encounters with the wild inclinations of the "desire body", he makes note that he eventually transcends this stage, once he arrives at a point where much of this activity runs it's course and is replaced by more useful persuits that contribute to his spiritual growth.
Some of the most useful aspects of reading the book was to learn the author's means of not only differentiating between varying, and difficult to define, states of reality and consciousness one might encounter, but also how to use triggers and mechanisms to shift from one to the other, and to do so with skill and consciousness.
i would not say that the book is truly a beginner's book because it is written from the perspective of one who knows, instead of taking into account what the beginner's mind is really like when approaching this work. But not much would be required, through a bit of basic experience and research, to get to know what Mr. Dennett is describing.
suggested:
"Journeys Out of the Body" by Monroe
"Creative Dreaming" by Patricia Garfield
Carrington and Muldoon books
Laberge's lucid dreaming books
....and use of an accelerant breathing pattern. One takes the yogic "Corpse Pose", then begins the inhalation (mouth closed) for 4 counts, holding for 4 counts (throat open inside), then exhalation for 8 counts....done without strain in a state of relaxation, slowly and naturally, 21 times...the yogic breath pattern should be employed: fill lower belly first, pull belly in (without exhale), fill chest with breath, and then the shoulder space, letting shoulders rise upward (away from the lower body, not toward the ceiling). this is held four counts, then exhaled in the opposite progression for eight counts of the same length. "Spinning" sensations may occur, followed possibly by a quick loss of conciousness, then hopefully finding oneself out of the body!
Gnostic meditation (Samael Aun Weor school) and/or Zen meditation practice.
So far, i have only read two-thirds of Dennett's book, but am very anxious to see where he goes from here. Having been a dancer for 45 years, i know that the subconcious can take on incredibly intricate skills concerned with style, and the coordination of motor skills and reflex, just by passive observation of other dancers in motion. Reading a book like this, seems to do the same, when it comes to re-enlivening neurons, neccessary subtle and profound connections, and the inspiration that are so necessary to proficiency in the astral art.
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