In OBEs we need to focus our attention otherwise thoughts will enter our minds and cause all sorts of things to happen to distract us. In the astral your thoughts loom up in front of you as quickly as you have them. This is why it is important to stay focused on your purpose.
So how do we train our ourselves to be more focused on our purpose?
There is one exercise that is described in many books about dreams and astral experiences. This exercise involves looking at your hands and it is one I used when first learning to improve my ability to focus. I still find myself doing it occasionally in dreams and OBEs. The reason for choosing hands I believe is because they are something you always have with you. Of course you could choose another object for it is the ACT of FOCUSING that is important. The object however, should be one that you take with you wherever you go and can easily be brought to your attention. This exercise should be done at various intervals during the day, every so often look at your hands and ask ‘Am I dreaming?’ The more you do it during the day, the more you are programming yourself to do it during a dream.
The practice of focusing is essential to successful OBEs. Before I had my first conscious OBE I was doing this exercise during the day. I remember vividly the first time I automatically looked at my hands in a dream. My consciousness suddenly zoomed in at lightning speed almost as if it had been there quietly waiting for an opportunity. The fuzziness of the dream disappeared, colours became more vibrant and I felt so tuned in. However, the suddeness of it all was such a shock to me that I woke up. Felt so good even though I woke up immediately. It is a simple exercise but it does work if you are consistent and diligent in your practice.
This focusing on your hands is a simplified version of what I call the ‘Dream Focus Technique’.