Astral Suspension: The Rope Technique
One astral travel technique that is a bit different from the more commonly used ones is known as the ‘rope technique’. This method was developed by Robert Bruce and is rumored to be one of the more easily executed means of projecting. The minimal amount of time it takes to work, as well as the lack of a need for visualization skills, are the aspects that make the rope technique simple and perhaps a good choice of approach for the novice astral traveler. Below is an explanation of a mind exercise to be done prior to the actual travel attempt.
The first step in this tactic is to secure a piece of ribbon to the ceiling above the spot where you intend to initiate projection. Be sure the ribbon is long enough to be within the arms’ reach; this ribbon will only be serving as a momentary aide, so you won’t need to be concerned with leaving a ribbon indefinitely tacked to your ceiling. Reach up and touch the ribbon continuously, until you know exactly where it’s located in relation to your current position. Your mind will begin to depend on the space between you and the ribbon to locate it, rather than having your hand flailing about trying to find the strip of fabric.
When the idea of the ribbon’s location has become embedded in your thoughts, you will be able to rely on those thoughts to locate the ribbon. Once you’ve reached this point, however, you should remove the actual piece of ribbon and allow your thoughts to find the ribbon it thinks is still there. And you also will not be using your physical hands to touch the ribbon, but your astral hands. To explain more concisely, you are training yourself to reach the hands of your astral soul out to grasp at the [astral] essence of the ribbon.
Since you are relying on spatial awareness, there is no need to visualize the ribbon or your soul lifting from your corporeal embodiment…a facet of astral projection considered fairly common. By reaching out and grasping at the invisible ribbon (or rope), you are exercising your mind for what is to come.
Repeat the aforementioned reaching exercise until you are completely relaxed; it shouldn’t take very long to achieve a totally settled state of mind. As always, be sure there are no distractions that could break your focus on the exercise. This next part might be confusing, but you need to imagine yourself reaching out and climbing the rope, but without actually visualizing the rope itself.
While you are ‘pulling’ on the ‘rope’, you’ll begin to feel dizzy. This feeling of vertigo is the result of putting pressure and strain on your etheric body, which is a form sort of between the physical body and the astral body. Pay attention to what exactly is being done when you begin to feel the dizzy sensation, so you may be able to remember how it’s being done and then coach yourself to recreate the feeling in the future.
Once you get through the vertigo, you’ll begin to feel a profound pressure descend upon you as you make your mental self climb the rope. Do your best to ignore this strain and continue with the climbing. Then, if done properly, you will feel the tell-tale signs of imminent projection: vibrations. Don’t get distracted by these either – stay focused on the climbing and, eventually, your soul will lift from your earthly body.
