Thats not the vibe I get from astral travelers. We all do indeed have the capability to astral project, but just like lucid dreaming, you need a certain mindset to go beyond lucid dreaming and into the astral world that you have much less control in. Also, if you were right about them wanting to be special and different then I dont think astral projection would work for them. Wanting to feel special is all ego, shallow shit, you're stripped of ego in the astral world, much like DMT trips I've heard. Do you not feel special when you express your opinion about self honesty regarding gods and the afterlife? I remember you praising Pad like you two were kings among peasants. I've read that somethings not right at all in your dreams recently and you feel helpless. Perhaps you gotta re-evaluate what you think is wrong and what you think is right.
I think, it only works because they think it does. It only works because they want it to work... which results in pretending it does in order to feel special, or unique. Everyone wants to be special, to be accepted, for some people in spiritual or supernatural sects this is one of the scape goats, as well as a common denominator in their way of thinking.
DMT trips? Have you met the machine elves (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_elf)... have you felt what it feels like to be a bubble inside of yourself? Have you felt what it feels like to attempt to give meaning to something that you will never be able to understand no matter how hard you try, no matter what your desires are? Have you ever had an awakening, or enlightenment that you experienced... afterword you attempted to define it, only to realize that whatever you define the experience as, will be your own personal interpretation of it, rather than what it really was... an unknowable and unexplainable experience? As you finally realize it is a futile attempt to define the experience, the only way to be honest is to accept the experience as it is; unknowable, undefinable... and unexplainable.
You can define whatever experiences you have as whatever the hell you want them to be... but the reality of the situation is, that just because you subjectively give meaning to an experience... does not make your idea the right one, because your idea may be wrong. Most people don't understand this, most others refuse to. Most people give their own definition and subjective interpretation to their spiritual experiences their own merit, rather than give them the credit they deserve.
Say you know what the fuck reality is? Say you know what happens when you die? You are a liar, regardless of what you may think, you know no more than anyone else in this world... and that is one of the most terrifying aspects of reality anyone can ever accept... most do not.
I am one of the most humble people in existence, for i understand that i do not have the privilege of certainty in this existence. I am no more special than any other human on this planet, than any other animal, or plant. I applaud those who can face their fears, and still find the courage to live life happily without the support of comforting fairy tales and pretend certainties. Pad, among a few others on the SSP forums i can empathize with on a certain level, and yes i do praise their courage in the face of the absurd (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absurdism). But that doesn't make anyone of us more special than any other.
We are all different, and we all give meaning and purpose to our lives the best way we can. We all want to be happy, and we all do our best to live life in a way where we experience the least amount of suffering and pain. Some need pretend ideas, some stick to the reality of uncertainty... which is hard, but no better or worse than those who stick to fantasy. I am no judge, but i do encourage people to face the absurdity of existence with courage, and a do applaud those who do and can still find and create happiness in their lives.
There is this uncanny and unstoppable feeling of freedom in doing so... it's like, our destiny is ours to mold and create, and we must take responsibility for each decision we make, no matter how small or inconsequential they may appear...
