One can consider the beginning of continuous Astral existence as commencing from the point of physical death.

        Continuous Astral existence probably begins with a comprehensive reality structure unlike life's slowly formed structure. The most prevalent aspect of one's Astral life beginnings are one's waking world memories. The first Astral scene will probably be visually similar to the last scene of the physical world at death.

        The earliest moments of Astral existence can be considered one's first Astral projections. I see no reason to believe that time spent in controlled Astral projection is any different in reality of Astral environment than in the Astral world experienced after physical death.

        I have no idea of specifically what type of environment I will start out in as my full time Astral life begins yet it will be recognizable as an environment quite similar in visual likeness to the universe of my waking life. The "laws of physics" in the Astral may take some time to understand and, like my waking world, there may be things which seem mysteriously unknowable at first. A basic working understanding of the Astral (which I am now acquiring) will allow me to move about and get a good start on understanding the wonders and mysteries of the Astral universe.

        One effect of time spent in waking world life projections is modification of the basic concept of time by which Astral projections and physical world happenings are measured. As my waking world understanding of the universe about me grows so does the early universe of my Astral life.

        To help control physical materialism from dominating human passions a saying has arisen -

        It is true that the Astral mind packs no physical bag yet if a man enjoyed stacking golden ingots in the waking world there is little doubt that very early in that man's Astral life there will be some gigantic stacks of golden ingots to play with.

        It seems quite obvious that the early Astral life begins just about where the waking world ended.

        There has been one aspect of early Astral life of some people I have known that concerns me. Those people who suffer from severe mental and (or) physical disturbances might possibly be disturbed by them in early Astral life. I suspect that those early Astral disturbances could become unbelievably extreme until some understanding and control occurs.

        I feel that early Astral is so much like a film strip that when the film "burns in two" at 'death' the splice takes up fairly close to the burn except that the clarity is greatly improved.

        I suspect that Astral projections while alive are often short because of some mechanism, perhaps the "silver cord" so often mentioned by others, associated with the physical body. After death the link is gone and as soon as the initial realization of change occurs I suspect that control of consciousness continues forever.

        A creative mind might ask what would limit human fantasy from keeping a vision "on the back of one's eyelids" just in case one might suddenly die? I say go ahead and fantasize but I recommend extrapolative fantasy. You might create a fantasy of a beautiful future planet with unpolluted ecologies created by human technology rather than a pristine world that rains ambrosia and is light by a sun made of burning wood.

        If there is a quantitative level of understanding which must be achieved before a mind can actually be aware of the change from the physical to the Astral I would imagine that humanity as a whole passed the level sometime after fire was controlled but before farming was started.

        The greater the control one has over an environment implies a greater awareness of environmental controls and the greater the level of self as part of the universe.

        Paradoxically, it would seem that the greater the understanding of the Astral's similarities to the physical the less Astral time one might spend in manipulating the familiar physical world aspects of the Astral and the more quickly one would start to utilize aspects of the Astral that are truly non physical.

        Again, it seems like preparing for death is wise. Multitudes of religious and philosophical lifestyles are proported to be correct ways to prepare for death or maintain life. As long as the doctrine does not contain internal incongruities or does not cause undue distress I imagine that following any of a number of doctrines would be a propitious life course. Most ideologies relate to life's actions influencing afterlife experiences. Most ideologies strive to make the followers blend into the inevitable as easy as possible even if the physical disciplines are severe.

        For those who have a weakness for delusions of grandeur I offer speculation as to Astral development. You are wise to be cautious about Astral speculation because a paradox occurs. Astral speculation is strictly an exercise of the physically based mind and enters the physical memory. Since every physical memory shapes early Astral life then any speculations may warp the physically similar early Astral life and may postpone or deter positive Astral understanding. I feel safe in some speculation even though it does approach extreme limits. This speculation involves approaching such an understanding and control of the physically similar Astral that at one stage after continued Astral begins one approximates or perhaps achieves an equality with the physical "god" or "Brahma" and one enters "Valhalla" or "the land of good karma".

        Allow me to apologize for bits of light humor I have attempted to inject yet the positive aspects of humor seem to fit with the overall positive totality of Astral experience and Astral speculation. I feel that many souls will enjoy the goodness and positiveness.

        As I take steps in physical life and incorporate all my experiences into a "total view" I am writing this essay in hopes of expanding my Astral control and allowing others to absorb my thoughts. I am fortunate to be enriched in many ways for involving my energies in such a positive fashion. This is my first attempt to communicate to the masses through the printed medium. Usually the words of my physical mouth fall upon ears not quite ready to comprehend. I hope that these printed words are available to all the eyes who are ready "TO SEE".

        It would be presumptuous of me to believe that this essay could significantly alter human society. Astral awareness has been offered for a "long time" but there seems to be quite an increase in interest in eternity in this period of history. Perhaps in some distant future on some physical plane planet there might evolve a world dominated by Astral understanding. To me it is not hard to imagine the peace which would pervade such a society.

        Can you imagine a life free from the scramble for fleeting pleasures or the freedom from toiling in pain for social acceptance? Many aspects of present day planet earth would not exist in a society of Astral travelers but the pure concepts obtained by the childlike curiosity would span from galactic creation to subatomic tinker toys.

I believe in the reality of the Astral plane.
I believe that humanity can experience Astral awareness.
I offer the Astral -

The Inevitable Eternity

THE ASTRAL PLANE My continued experiences in the Astral have brought on a deep and ever growing impact on my waking world existence. I see the next phase of existence and am increasingly becoming aware of how to live my waking life so as to prepare for the Astral life beginning. It is a great comfort in times of distress to remember what is to be.