BALENN

Chapter 11 : The Astral Plane

It's time for the astral trip, said Bishop. Everyone was feeling a little jittery about this one. Beem re-assured everyone that there would be nothing different than transposing, except you will have to get used to seeing your body, lying asleep, without you in it. Your first reaction is a protective one usually. Your body will look so vulnerable laying there sound asleep, but it is in less danger than when you are asleep at night. If you are all ready, we can start anytime, said Beenan. I think we are ready, said Allen. He looked for that nod of approval, which he got. We're ready, said Allen, with a little hesitancy in his voice. We can do this best by having everyone sit side by side, in a circle, with the chairs in their most comfortable position, as if to sleep.

Everyone brought their chairs up closer to tighten the circle. We should join hands to close the circle, said Beenan. Now that our hands are joined, let your bodies rest as comfortably as possible, without loosing contact with your hands. Take deep breaths to help yourselves relax. Now remember the power of Region Six, with its homing device. If you fi nd yourself in an unfamiliar situation, that you don't like, just the slightest wish will take you out of there and bring you directly back to Balenn. Bo, Beem and I, will be here with you at all times, to deal with anything that might frighten you. Imagine a large doorway that you are trying to get through. Concentrate on getting through that door. We will help you open it. We're opening the door now. Help us push. "Bingo", were out.

Now take a look around. Don't be frightened at your bodies resting, they are safe and sound. Now speak to me. Hello, said Sarah. Marie speak to me, he said calmly. Hello Beenan, I made it. Indeed you did, he replied smiling. Cliff, Kirby, Kelly, Allen, are you all with us? I'm here, said Kelly, I think. I'm okay, said Kirby. Me too, said Cliff and me, said Allen. I don't know what's happening, said Allen, but I don't see any of you. We don't see you either, said Beem. To be visible first you have to will yourself visible. You can choose any shape you want, but you have to use your will power to make yourself visible. The natural state of your astral-self is invisible. After you have been out for a while, you might want to try different shapes or faces, to see which suits you best. I'll start first, said Beenan. Remember the display of faces on blue smoke from Region Six? Try to see me that way again. We see you, they replied. Good, now try to see yourselves that way too.

With that, they all appeared in full view of one another. Look at my body, said Cliff. I'm snoring. That's funny, said Kelly. I can hear you all and see you all, but I have no ears or eyes. You will have to get used to that, said Beenan. In your astral body, you have all the senses you had physically, plus more. You have the ability to enter other life forms at will. You have the ability to split into as many of you as you like and each part can occupy a different life form. You have freedom of time. You can move freely in all of time's parameters, including those not yet understood by your generation. You can communicate with anyone else in the astral plane, just by calling their name. Last, but not least, you are invulnerable in your astral form. Your motions will now be controlled by your will. If you wish to make yourself look physical, just think about it and you will take on a wispy human form, either your own or another. Kelly tried it. It works just like you said Sarah. Let me try it. You look just like Princess Diana, Kelly laughed. She made herself look like Princess Diana too. How's that for confusion, she said. Okay, said Beenan, take a few minutes and familiarize yourselves with your astral bodies right here in the room for a while. After which, we will travel about a bit.

Kelly practiced her flying. It sure doesn't take much effort to move, she noted. There is no weight to overcome, said Bo, so you are in a sense, always flying in the astral plane. Kirby tried zipping around the room, like a bumble bee. He even willed himself to look like a large bumble bee. Sarah and Marie laughed at his antics, let's try it, said Marie. They started out by flying slowly and gently, like a feather. They tried going faster and faster. There is no limit to how fast you can fl y, interrupted Bo, and you'll never crash, no matter how fast you go. Allen tried staying where he was and moving at the same time. It worked. His astral form stretched out to where he projected it, while remaining in the same place. I'm going to have a hard time putting this into words, he said. No kidding, replied Kirby. There aren't any words for this. "Hello", said a melodious voice which they all recognized. It's me Bishop. We meet at last, said Cliff. I would shake your hand, but I don't have one. Neither do it, but I'll make one if you will. They both took on the shape of a hand and vigorously shook each other.