Other Worldly

The room was silent except for the faint hum of the air conditioner. He lay there, eyes closed, in a state of deep meditation. His mind was focused on a singular thought – the idea of astral projection. It was a concept that had fascinated him for years, one that had captivated his imagination and left him pondering the mysteries of the universe.

The notion of astral projection was not a new one. For centuries, people had believed in the existence of a non-physical realm, a world beyond our own. The idea was that through the process of astral projection, one could separate their consciousness from their physical body and travel through this otherworldly plane.

There were many hypotheses surrounding the mechanics of astral projection. Some believed that it was a form of lucid dreaming, where the mind was able to enter a heightened state of consciousness and explore a different reality. Others speculated that it was a form of telekinesis, where the mind was able to move objects or manipulate the environment around it.

But for him, the most compelling hypothesis was that astral projection was a form of spiritual enlightenment. The idea that the mind could transcend the limitations of the physical world and enter a realm of pure consciousness was a tantalizing prospect. It was a concept that spoke to his deepest desires and left him yearning for a deeper understanding of the universe.

As he lay there, his mind focused on the idea of astral projection, he felt a strange sensation wash over him. It was as if his consciousness was lifting from his body, separating from the physical plane and entering a realm beyond. He felt weightless, free from the constraints of the physical world, and a sense of awe washed over him.

For a moment, he floated there, exploring this otherworldly realm, and marveling at the vastness of the universe. It was a moment that would stay with him forever, a glimpse into the mysteries of the cosmos and a reminder of the power of the human mind.

And as he opened his eyes, returning to the physical plane, he knew that he would spend the rest of his life exploring the mysteries of astral projection, searching for a deeper understanding of the universe and the secrets it held.

The tribe upstream

There once lived a girl in a hamlet. She was quick to learn new things and had a keen eye. However, she had no friends. The children in the hamlet bored her to bits. They were simpletons with simple desires.

“Why don’t you play with your neighbours?” her mother would ask. To which she would shrug her shoulders, “They are so plain ma, with their sad little marbles and unimaginative toys.”

“Why don’t you come out and play with us?” her young neighbours would beckon in all innocence. She would give a shrug and go back to daydreaming about all the things she’d do when she left the wretched hamlet and all the annoying people who wouldn’t leave her alone.

One day, she went to the market to buy bread. The shop next door had a sign put up: “Apprentice wanted.”

She knew she would get the job if she tried, because she had taught herself to read and write. That wasn’t where her learning ended either. You see, she was smarter than the other kids in the hamlet who didn’t try to learn what they weren’t taught.

She ran home from excitement that day. She had got the job, of course, and would earn enough coin to feed her family and the cat. By and by, she became familiar with the marketplace and the route thereto. The buyers and sellers, the vendors and shoppers.

Among them was a group of kids, who did magic tricks and stunts for kicks. They would talk of travels to lands afar, of shamans and potions, ancient science and mandalas. They lived upstream where there was no struggle, to eke a living out of rubble. The rich upstream had time to kill, complicated pastimes to chill.

The girl was intrigued, she wanted to know it all. She joined their gathering and listened rapt, to their stories till nightfall. It became a ritual to go upstream after a day’s work, listen to their stories and romanticize their every quirk.

Her mother was intrigued. This was unusual for her child, to stay out so late especially since on the route ran animals wild. “Who are these folks upstream, you’re ignoring us for? It’s not just your family; your work, your pets are taken granted for.”

“Stop pestering me,” said the girl. “I’ve found my tribe. The tribe upstream gets me like you never will. You won’t understand it.” Her hamlet gathered around her to weep, she was leaving them for good. Yet they were happy since adventures have, she would.

She went upstream again to join the tribe for a feast. They were having a celebration, you see, for foreign guests from exotic sites. However, she was stopped at the door. “Sorry girl,” said a tribesman she knew, “No riff-raff allowed here tonight.”