More forum sections?

[atomheart]

Since we all come from an astral projection background and since this site is called Astral Focus, I think we should have an astral projection/OBE centered section in the forum... a psychic protection section would also be relevant I suppose.. a dream section? We need more sections!

[Alex]

Lets throw this one open to debate. I've thought about keeping it small at the moment to reflect our specialised nature, I wouldn't want to drag people away from discussing these things at Astral Dynamics, but if popular demand requests more sections, I'm happy to go either way.

That's an important point, alex. We want to keep to our focus, too, which is positive, right? I've noticed the AD forums have a lot of trouble with negativity getting involved and creating a vibe that's rough at times. I wouldn't want that to happen to our site. I'd personally like to attract people that are committed to a dominantly positive focus so we are naturally shielded to some degree. Although if a few of us (Rob, Alex, Pilar) are going to do the MAP book--it might be nice to have a section in here for us to interact and each have a log. To help us truly keep on track and do it together the whole way through. I could sure use the structure and support. LOL I would like to be able to talk about dream and obe things with the folks on this site, as atom is saying...

[Alex]

I can set up a journals section

Should I make it private to members of the meditation circle, so regular guests and regular members can't see it, or would you like to share your experiences with anyone who drops on by?

Perhaps something like an "explorers" section dedicated to using and finding techniques and also to teaching/sharing those techniques to others of the forums. Journals sounds like a good idea, though I can only see myself posting every once in a blue moon. Also dont forget about the blogs, that seems pretty interesting, everyone seems to be doing that these days. As far as the negativity is concerned, we just need to keep it high quality I think, like maybe eventually restricting certain access to new comers and so on, and perhaps even eventually making it more difficult to join the forum in the first place so we dont get any bots or trolls or just plain dabblers.

[Rob]

Originally Posted by Alex

I can set up a journals section

Should I make it private to members of the meditation circle, so regular guests and regular members can't see it, or would you like to share your experiences with anyone who drops on by?

Right I have to but in here.
From my experience when you start working in groups, the whole group will start learning things together and developing together.
As a group we will also get inspiration to do various things/exercises. Basically we will have lessons/exercises from higher beings to help us grow. Theses lessons insight etc. will only be for the group as it will be tailored to the groups development state.
In esoteric studies you have to know when to keep silent. If you do, you find that you are given more as you can be trusted. If we share practices insights with all and sundry, some people will not be ready for this and can in fact harm themselves by following our directions. In a way that’s why we have the secret orders and mystery traditions.

So my feelings are: that anything we do in the group, should be for group members only.

I had a very interesting dream last night.
Basically we were all around a table and we were having a lesson on dimensional theory and how angles play an important role. I remember seeing these really complex diagrams with astrological symbols and angles and how it interrelates with dimensions and energies. This lesson was given to us, because it is only for us and there was a great deal of secrecy with all this.

A lot more happened in this dream that I will not, can not discuss as this forum is open to everyone.

PLL
Rob

[Alex]

Originally Posted by oath

Perhaps something like an "explorers" section dedicated to using and finding techniques and also to teaching/sharing those techniques to others of the forums. Journals sounds like a good idea, though I can only see myself posting every once in a blue moon. Also dont forget about the blogs, that seems pretty interesting, everyone seems to be doing that these days. As far as the negativity is concerned, we just need to keep it high quality I think, like maybe eventually restricting certain access to new comers and so on, and perhaps even eventually making it more difficult to join the forum in the first place so we dont get any bots or trolls or just plain dabblers.

Good ideas Oath, we can keep this in mind as the forum progresses. The explorers section sounds interesting, I like the idea of people sharing their discoveries with others... Maybe call it Discovery or something like that?

Rob, I like your thinking, what does everyone else have to say?

Originally Posted by Rob

I had a very interesting dream last night.
Basically we were all around a table and we were having a lesson on dimensional theory and how angles play an important role. I remember seeing these really complex diagrams with astrological symbols and angles and how it interrelates with dimensions and energies. This lesson was given to us, because it is only for us and there was a great deal of secrecy with all this.

A lot more happened in this dream that I will not, can not discuss as this forum is open to everyone.

PLL
Rob

Inner discussion area needed. Rob, please post more in the moderator area, so we can benefit from what you have to share here.

Oath's "Explorer" section is an excellent idea. Great title.

I think what's coming up over and over on various threads on this site is that people are requesting that this site have somewhat restricted access, or at least an area that is more private so that not all discussions are posted on the web for all viewers. Let's just go ahead and set up a private discussion area for sensitive topics, to meet people's needs on occasion for greater privacy.

In my discussion with Atomheart today, the idea was raised that 'neg talk' should be banned on this forum. It seems members are also requesting that this site be positive and focussed on energy and meditation methodologies, rather than the neg conversations that go on at AD. I think this is a good idea. It will give the site and its members some shielding, and if we want to discuss neg issues we can do so on the forums already provided on the AD site.

Interestingly, this site seems to be forming a life on its own, which is quite philosophical, and more like a mystery school, or training site. It doesn't seem to be about Astral Projection as much as it is about advancing our understanding of consciousness and developing practices for shielding from negativity.

I think this is why "Explorations" as a section resonates with me. although I'm not sure if that would crossover with the 'techniques' area that is already in place? Perhaps "Techniques" should simply be renamed as "Explorers: Advancing & Sharing Techniques for Meditation and Energy Work" or something like that.

Pilar

[Alex]

I agree totally with your sentiments. Astral Dynamics is a great place to discuss things like negs and MAP and so on, I see no need to reinvent the wheel here.

I think being fascist about totally banning references to negs would take it too far, a bit of leeway is needed but we should always strive to aim for the positive aspects of our spiritual journey. I find that even thinking about negs for more than a few minutes is enough to let one in if I am not shielding as I do so, so we should keep off the topic as much as possible.

Its the monkey and banana thing again. Don't think about negs people. I told you not to think about them! Stop thinking about negs already!

Anyone want an icecream (subtle change of subject). What I think is we need to find positive ways to steer discussion away from negs and towards healing if negs are a factor, find a path of discussion that leads away from that.

We're not a psychic hospital, although the idea of a psychic hospital is great, I wonder if there are any forums on the net offering such a service so we can redirect people with neg issues who need a lot of care.

Anyway...

So what are the new sections?

Explorer : Public?
Inner Journey Circle : Private to group focus circle members?

I've been thinking more about the sections, and about what the site is forming up to be, so give me your thoughts on some of my brainstorming here for sections, k?

The AD site belongs to Robert Bruce, and is specifically about Robert Bruce's work, his method of energy work (NEW), and his techniques for fighting negs in the astral. We do not have RB's approval on this site, so we shouldn't claim to be affiliated with his work and his site directly. What is this site? Is it the AD meditation room, or is it a site of its own? Are we correctly naming ourselves as "Astral Focus?" It seems like this site is departing from the AD site in alot of ways, which we might take some time to consider. This site isn't just about astral projection and NEW; it appears to be about exploring ways of expanding consciousness through meditation and energy work, with ap and NEW being only one of many options. So maybe AD needs to be a link, a reference for more info about NEW and Robert Bruce, but not necessarily a continuation of his site, which he may not even be comfortable with.

so first give me your thoughts on those statements--

Next, here's some ideas for the sections

Explorer Section (Public)
"Techniques for Advancing Consciousness through...

* Meditation (eg: sitting, breathing, mantras)
* Energy Work (eg: microcosmic orbit, inner smile, NEW)
* Body Work (eg: Yoga, Chi Gung, Martial Arts)
* Lucid Dreaming & Astral Projection (Tibetan Dream Yoga, Conscious Exit, MAP)
* Diet (Vegetarianism, Veganism, Yogic Diet, Raw Food Nutrition)

Now I don't know how you all feel about the last one. It is something I would like to add because it is a technique I am exploring. I am getting ready to go away and study at a healing centre (Tree of Life) in Arizona in order to study with this group of folks who are including a raw vegan diet as a major tool for burning off karma and accelerating energy and meditation work. I am going to be living there for a few months, and so if you are open to it, I would like to post some of the things I learn in this section, if the community here thinks is belongs along with the rest.

Let me know your thoughts on all these things...
love and light
Pilar