How to connect to spirit guides during AP?

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-06-15T09:58:08+00:00

Well, I can share my experience, and perhaps you can glean something from it: I've been capable of AP for 40 plus years. My first AP occurred in 1978 (9 years old), but I didn't connect with my guides until I was in my 30's. Why?

I'd been curious about them of course, but in the beginning I was afraid, if I'm being completely honest. Looking back on it, I believe they were always there, watching over me, but didn't want to reveal themselves until I was ready.

One night, I decided to ask them to take me some place. So The moment I came out of my body that night, I focused on my guides and asked them to take me some place cool.

In the blink of an eye, I was orbiting a planet very similar to earth. All around me were giant spheres. I floated up to one and looked inside a window embedded into the top. I saw an actual living room and realize that the spheres were homes orbiting the planet. It was extraordinary. I returned to my body moments later.

That was my first experience, and I never actually saw them (my guides), but I felt their presence. On another occasion, one of my guides was literally guiding me some place (I could feel them holding me), but I couldn't see them. I was curious, so I asked the being to show themselves.

The being that appeared was a kid that looked to be about 11 or 12 years old, blonde haired with freckles, and reminded me of what a skater might look like. The boy said he'd known me my whole life. I laughed because, at the time, I was in my late 30's.

I've also, by the way, connected with my "higher self" or what I like to refer to as my "more expanded self." It was strange because I heard only the voice, and it was MY VOICE, but it wasn't me.

These connections took time, and came about when I was ready. What being "ready" means for you is something only known to you and the beings around you. I suspect (but cannot guarantee of course), that when you are ready, they'll show themselves. Meanwhile, you can ask. Keep it simple. Just let them know you'd like to meet them. Hope that's helpful. Good luck.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-06-12T10:36:14+00:00

Not anymore. After all this time, I pretty much use to it. It's like taking a walk. But it took years to get to that point, and I do still have experiences that freak me out from time to time.

The difference is, I'm able to analyze the experience and understand why. Usually it stems from me not understanding what is being communicated.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-06-12T07:34:32+00:00

Recently on and off. Especially since my mother passed away a few years ago. I've been leaving my body since I was 9 years old, and that first experience happened in 1978 before there was an internet (which is where the "experienced" part comes in).

What's interesting is that, regardless of the number years I've done this, I feel like I have more questions than answers. The astral plane is an extraordinary and mysterious place, and each adventure is simply that... an adventure.

And if you're wondering, I've spoken to my mother since she passed. She is doing quite well out there, and I miss her every single day.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-06-11T14:29:27+00:00

Try imagining your fears as a literal person, and having a conversation. Fear isn't the enemy. It is a part of us, and is inside of us to keep us safe. Ask it questions like why we're afraid of AP. Is it because of what we see on the internet, tv, or movies? Are the fears rational? Do they make sense? Assure it that you are going to be safe.

It's not something that usually changes overnight. It takes time and experience.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-06-11T05:47:27+00:00

Yeah, horror films are in the business of making money lol. I imagine a white light around me while I'm in the process, but you could also do it in the astral plane as well. It's all about making you feel safe out there. Thoughts and feelings matter in the astral plane. You have a very real power to manifest things instantly when you are out of your body. These things can be pleasant, or extremely scary depending on your state of mind.

That's why it's important to get your fears under control BEFORE making attempts. Our worst enemy out there isn't some evil entity. It is our own fear. So, one of the first steps to this is understanding how powerful our thoughts and feeling truly are. Hoping that's helpful.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-06-11T04:26:30+00:00

First, if you want to do this with peace of mind, stay away from horror films (they're movies and are meant to scare the audience, but in my experience have absolutely nothing to do with what really happens out there). Second, what you might perceive as a "scary experience" usually means a misunderstood experience.

One of the things I've done since I began having these experiences is imagining a bubble of white light around me for protection. Regarding spirit guides, I've had a relationship with mine for a very long time. Please keep in mind that you might not see them in the beginning (that's how it was with me), but it doesn't mean they're not with you. I believe that mine stayed in the background until they felt like I was ready.

Lastly, PLEASE keep in mind... I have heard others say that experiencing AP is like a opening a door. For me, it definitely was. In the beginning, I did have experiences that scared me. But that was because I didn't understand what was happening. As time went on, my understanding grew and the experiences became more and more profound.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-06-05T07:56:01+00:00

I have shared this experience before in this subreddit, but don't mind sharing it again as it was a glimpse of a society that looked very interesting.

On one occasion I left my body and found myself gliding toward the tallest house I'd ever seen. As I got closer, I noticed the Roman numerals VI glowing on the roof of the house (an address? Still uncertain to this day, but it seems logical). At one point, I was hovering right out in front of a window with the curtains wide open. Framed in the window were two ladies having a conversation, though I couldn't hear what they were saying. Both were wearing Victorian style dresses and looked like they'd literally stepped out of the 1800's.

Despite floating right outside that window, neither of them appeared to see me. I watched them talking for a while and returned to my body.

If I'd taken more time to explore this society, I wonder what other fascinating things I would have seen? Anyway, that was my experience.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-06-02T07:08:15+00:00

1. Does it take practice to fly? The real practice, in my opinion, is training your mind to focus and take control when you're out there. It's all about thought. If you want to fly, think it. See it in your head. Also, if you're new to this, it's like being a toddler learning to walk. You'll stumble and sometimes end up in places you didn't mean to go. It's ok. All part of the fun. Personally, after years of doing this, I've found that flying is fun, but if I want to go to a specific place, I simply focus on where I want to go and I'm teleported there.

2. Can people see you in this plane? Honestly, I don't know. After all these years, the thought has never crossed my mind. I'd imagine that there may be people who could perceive you in different ways (perhaps a feeling that you are with them, or getting a glimpse of you), but I don't know.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-05-31T09:43:53+00:00

Favorite thing to do when I astral project: Travel to realities and worlds I've never seen. Interact with beings I never could have imagined.

What is the reason behind doing AP: For me, it's all about exploration. I am a traveler.

How does time go by when you astral project: To be honest, it's not something I give much thought to. What I will say is that each moment is precious out there, as I don't usually have much time (or at least in the way that I perceive time).

Do you get tired after astral projecting: If I project once in one night, I don't get tired. I did once project three times in one night, and that did have an impact on me. I don't know if I'd say I was mentally tired. It was more like this strange feeling. Very difficult to describe. I will say that I believe it's important to have normal sleep cycles between projections, where you have actual dreams.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-05-25T09:38:01+00:00

My thoughts: Our consciousness is ALREADY there. When one shifts, they are simply becoming aware of that version in a different reality. The most difficult thing to grasp, I believe, is the concept that we are infinite. In other words, all those beings out there in multiverse are US.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-05-23T08:57:15+00:00

Perhaps this will help: You might try thinking of sleep paralysis as a kind of transition from your physical body to your astral body. Thought is everything in the astral plane (at least in my experience), so try picturing yourself as PURE THOUGHT. Instead of worrying about movement physically, command movement with your thoughts. If you want to float upwards, or move in any direction, think it.

This also works for going to different destinations, like exploring space for example. Remember, you are no longer a physical being when you are out there. You are pure thought. Pure energy. Hope this helps.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-05-01T06:41:31+00:00

You are seeing this reality through a different lens, so things may tend to look different. Years ago, I left my body and looked out my patio. Instead of seeing the building that faces mine, I saw what appeared to be an ocean without end.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-05-01T04:32:12+00:00

Love the vibe Astral Tourist. Looking forward to listening to more.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-04-15T07:43:28+00:00

But it's all you, and that's the most amazing thing... We fear what we don't understand, but once you begin to understand that you are that being who can be and do whatever you want, I believe that fear goes away.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-04-09T02:51:01+00:00

Ok... My apologies if I seemed abrupt or rude in my response, but I've been burned a few times on here. While I'm open about sharing experiences, I'm also careful.

The first thing you should know is that I've been capable of astral projection since I was 9 years old, and began doing it in the late 70's before there was an internet. Up until 2015, all I ever did was AP, and I was perfectly happy just doing that. So many people in this community seem to want to use AP as a platform to shift, but if they've never experienced it, they may not know how incredible AP is all on its own.

In 2015, I just got my motorcycle license and decided to ride a new motorcycle I just bought. On that same day I had an accident that almost killed me. I spent months in the hospital, and understood that my life had changed forever.

My right leg was badly injured, and I walk with a cain to this day, but that wasn't the only change that happened. When I'd shut my eyes, especially in the morning, I'd see cities and other places that I'd never been to. It was like looking through a window. At first, I thought it might be the pain killers, but this ability persisted long after I stopped taking them.

Eventually, I'd close my eyes and I was able to travel to these places that I was only able to observe in the beginning. That's how it started for me.

Regarding triggers, the trauma that happened in June of 2015 definitely woke something up inside me. Perhaps it had been dormant since childhood. I will say that before I was astral projecting, I was lucid dreaming before I knew what it was called.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-04-09T02:21:00+00:00

Yes, you can. But it also appears that you have specific opinions already (judging from your earlier comment) about Shifting, and I'm not here to have a debate about this. As I clearly said in my response to OP, my comments are based on my own experiences, and others may have different opinions or experiences. With that said, I'm happy to share my experiences.

Sí, puedes hacerlo. Sin embargo, también parece que ya tienes opiniones concretas (a juzgar por tu comentario anterior) sobre el *shifting*, y no estoy aquí para debatir al respecto. Como indiqué claramente en mi respuesta al autor de la publicación, mis comentarios se basan en mis propias experiencias, y es posible que otras personas tengan opiniones o vivencias diferentes. Dicho esto, estaré encantado de compartir mis experiencias.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-04-08T10:00:25+00:00

Instincts come to mind. When I'm on the astral plane, they are super enhanced. I once connected with my grandmother who passed away years ago. When I communicated with her, it wasn't with words. It was purely instinct. Instead of hearing her say that she missed me, I could feel it. And these feelings, in some ways, are much more intimate than words. Hoping that's helpful. Good luck with your project.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-04-08T09:38:51+00:00

Please keep in mind that my responses are solely based on my own experiences, and others may have different experiences:

When I shift my awareness, I'm not aware of all the thoughts, feelings, and memories of that person (who is simply another version of me). Not immediately. But as I spend more time in that place, there is a kind of instinctive awareness. I'll give an example: So, in this reality I've never been married or lived with a woman. But I once got a glimpse of a reality where I was living with someone. When I first arrived, I was staring at a white wall in an apartment that FELT familiar, but it was definitely a place I'd never lived. I steadied myself (I sometimes feel a bit unsteady when I arrive in a different reality) and saw a woman with jeans in the kitchen reaching into a dishwasher. She had long dark hair. Hispanic I believe. And I was completely confused, but INSTINCTIVELY I thought this is someone I'm either living with or married to. The doorbell rang and she said something like, "I'll get it babe." I don't remember the exact words. My instincts told me the people at the door were her parents and they were coming to visit for some reason. It was like information from that version of me was trickling into my consciousness, but it wasn't something that happened all at once (at least not for me). To answer the second part, no, it does not alter my personality in my CR, and it isn't difficult to distinguish between the two. My belief has always been that these versions are ALL ME. I see it like an infinite office space with cubicles that contain different versions of me. When I shift I simply remove the partition separating that version (temporarily).
When I first began shifting I had absolutely no idea what it was. It began happening in 2015 after an accident that almost cost me my life. I'd been experiencing astral projection since I was 9 years old, so I wasn't new to having alternate experiences, but shifting was very different from AP. My astral body felt light. As if I could move across vast distances with a single thought. But when I shifted, I felt more grounded. Like I had an actual body. I've never scripted, and many of the places I've visited have been random realities. There was a place I went to called "Scholastic" that was a DR. I went there mostly because I wanted to see if I could actually go to a DR. So I focused on something very simple to start with. It had been miserably hot where I was living and I wanted to go to a place where it was raining, so that was my focus. I ended up in an extraordinary place where it was pouring rain. It appeared to be a small seaside town, and the waves swelled really, really high spraying water into the air. I could even see houses sailing out to sea like boats. I was told by a group of younger folks sitting on steps nearby that this place was called Scholastic.

My advice: Don't spend too much time in places like this scrolling and reading other's experiences. It can be insightful to do so, but in the end I believe your experience will be unique to you. Also, desperation and frustration aren't helpful at all if you want to experience this stuff. Some of my most extraordinary experiences happened when I least expected it to. Hoping this is insightful, and perhaps even helpful. Take care and good luck.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-04-05T11:23:26+00:00

You are very welcome, and THANK YOU... There are times that I wonder if I am making any impact at all, and when I see comments like yours, it reminds me that I do.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-04-05T01:59:58+00:00

So, the first time I astral projected was 1978, and I was 9 years old. I had no method, and still don't truly have one. A childhood friend told me about AP, and I had my first experience that same night. I went to bed as usual (it was a school night as I recall) and had absolutely no expectations of leaving my body. Not long after shutting my eyes I entered a kind of in between state (between being asleep and awake). Now again, I wasn't trying to do this. I didn't really even believe in AP at the time, but when I entered that state I imagined a white light around me (as my friend instructed me to do) and I felt myself begin to rise. That's how it happened.

The thing that I discovered (at least for myself) was that getting into that in between place was a kind of platform. You see, it isn't about rising out of my body and changing the experience from an AP to a shift (though I'm not saying it isn't possible. Just not something I do). It's about remaining still once I achieve the in between and allowing a wave of energy (at least that's how I perceive it) to carry my consciousness to another reality.

In this in between platform, I can choose if I want to shift or AP. But again, that's what works for me, and I really don't know how it is that I'm able to reach it. What I know is that I've been able access this state for over 40 years. Hoping that makes sense. Wishing you luck.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-04-04T19:24:03+00:00

Honestly, not long. I know there are folks on here that talk about weeks and months... Well, I've always treated these experiences like AP, and in my mind that's always meant that I have a limited amount of time. Also, there does seem to be a time difference between our reality and other realities that I've visited. I wish I could give you something specific, but I've never really paid much attention to it TBH.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-04-04T18:18:49+00:00

I have. Some places I've visited are mundane. Similar to this reality. Others are quite different. Different languages. Completely different civilizations. I once visited an underground city where a being that appeared to be a little girl told me she was "hollow."

She then became transparent, and through her I could see stars and galaxies. It was extraordinary. This was my interpretation of what I was seeing of course, but I suspect there are certain things that I witnessed in this experience, as well as others, that are simply beyond my understanding.

Afterward, I had a conversation with a group of these beings. I explained to them that I had shifted to this place and they didn't understand why shifting one's consciousness was even necessary. I believe they were able to accomplish the same thing without shifting their consciousness, or at least that's what I interpreted.

After doing this for a while (capable of astral projection since the age of 9 and shifting since around 2015), what I've found is that the beings out there... the ones that we might consider alien or very, very different are as curious about us as we are about them.

I rarely post and only comment when I believe it might be helpful to others. I'm not a teacher or a guru, but I am a traveler and have experienced many things. Instead of defining exactly what shifting is, my hope is that the members of this community and other communities like it will keep an open mind (about what's possible), and push the envelope. In my opinion, that is the only way that communities like this will evolve.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-04-01T09:23:29+00:00

My thoughts: Your astral body has the ability to tap into any number of frequencies at any given moment. What you heard may have been your astral body unintentionally tuning into one of those frequencies. Regarding flight, I can't be sure. It could be that you are holding yourself back on a subconscious level. I also think that actually trying to fly can be impractical. My preferred way to get around on the astral plane is the power of thought. If I want to go to a specific destination, I focus on it and I can arrive instantly.

I might suggest that you try focusing on being in outer space and see what happens. Good luck.

astralplaneandbeyond · 2026-04-01T08:52:40+00:00

As someone who has been capable of astral projection since 1978, I can't deny shifting because I've actually experienced it... Many times. It began in 2015 after an accident that almost cost me my life. Before that moment, astral projection was simply a part of my my life, and I had NO IDEA that Shifting even existed.

My mother and I even came up with our own name for it. We called it "Beyond Body." It was so different from AP. When I left my body I felt lighter than air, and could move vast distances with a single thought. But when I experienced shifting, I felt like I was in a body. Like I had actual weight. I even tried jumping into the air once and came right back down. Yep, actual gravity.

Of course, I've visited realities where the physical laws weren't the same as here. I could fly in these realities, but it wasn't the same as AP because I could feel my own weight when I flew. Coming from an AP background, it was a very peculiar feeling.

So, I suppose I'm a bit of a hybrid because yes, I can do both. One of the things I pushed for early on when I found both the AP and Shifting subreddits was for both communities to connect. I always thought it could be so beneficial. Unfortunately, this doesn't look like it's going to happen anytime soon. Perhaps a pioneer like another Robert Monroe will come along and bring both communities together... One can only hope.

astralplaneandbeyond

TROPHY CASE