(Excerpts)
AGE EIGHT
It was predawn when I awoke to find myself on the floor of my pitch-darkened room. I was concerned that I couldn't recall the apparent fall from my bed and began to flail at the dark for signs of the familiar. The short, unsuccessful search elevated my childish concern to panic. In desperation, I screamed for my mother. Immediately, I was shot back into my bed like a rocket. I was still screaming, but there wasn't any voice. My fear was locked behind frozen lips. My body beneath the covers was paralyzed. An electric roar rumbled though my head and torso. It shook me with a violent grip. And then it subsided. The roar and my catatonic state simply eased off. Movement returned to my body. I was back.
EIGHT TO TWELVE
Following my initially terrifying introduction to "traveling" were more events of a similar nature. It became a routine of the unknown. I was never sure where I'd "wake up" while "out-of-body." I "woke up" in the basement. I woke up in the neighbor's house. I woke up at my elementary school. I woke up everywhere a child's world consists of. Going to bed became a contradiction in terms. During the travels, my "return" to bed was especially frightening. The roar in my head coupled with complete paralysis isolated my mind and body from any outside perceptions. If the phone rang or lightning rocked the house, I'd have never known nor been capable of reacting. It took some effort to cope with this paralyzing return. After having experienced the stifling wave of "electricity" many times, I knew that it eventually slacked off. I knew that I'd be all right when it left. I became determined to discover what I could while the electricity was present. It was a matter of forcing myself to remain as calm as possible. It was happening whether I wanted it to or not, so really, my only choice was an inquisitive attitude. The two years from eight to ten were packed with travels. Although I didn't yet grasp what they were, I quickly learned what to expect.
SIGNALS PRIOR TO DIRECT LIFT-OUT (Vibration)
During vibration, your physical may seem to be immobile and unresponsive to your intent to move it. The reason for this is simple. Your conscious control has switched from commanding your physical body to commanding your nonphysical. You can, if you desire, switch your control back to the physical with the force of a decision to do so. The vibration will then subside (you may feel a slight vibration for a few minutes following), and you'll be able to move your physical as always. I found vibration unpleasant as a child until I realized that it wasn't harmful. It's just unsettling until you become accustomed to it.