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enough for her to mention it, that R.W. meets the characteristics I had listed previously—these are hard to label coincidence. If there has been any undercurrent of sexual desire for J.F. and R.W. on my part, I was not aware of it. There is some comfort in knowing these two are still among the "living." Many of the experiments in the notes are also "too personal" for me to relate. What has been presented thus far will, I trust, give enough indication. Suffice it to say that there have been experiences of all types, as there are evidently all types in the Second State both in Locale one and Locale two . The followers of the "astral planes" concept would say that the "quality" of those met would determine the "level" of the plane visited—"quality" meaning intensity and/ or degradation or elimination of the sexual experience. This would depend upon interpretation. Those who have not begun to understand the conditions of the Second State ("alive" or "dead") might well still relate the pattern to that of the physical, only without the inhibitions and limitations of the "civilized" physical society. We continue to evaluate sexuality as good or bad strictly in terms of such inhibitions, restrictions, and social structure. The fallacy of this viewpoint is shown in that in our own space-time continuum, we cannot reconcile sexual practice with social rules, nor agree on this subject among the various social orders now in existence. The sexual drive in itself can be a catalyst to the vibrational condition which is the doorway to the Second State. However, it is a tricky matter; it is like an exuberant child, constantly testing the authority directing it, and threatening to take over and run in another direction. But in no way is it evil in the Second State.
16. PRELIMINARY EXERCISES Throughout this writing, I have made many references to one evident fact; the only possible way for an individual to appreciate the reality of this Second Body and existence within it is to experience it himself. Obviously, if this were an easy task, it would now be commonplace. I suspect that only an innate curiosity will enable people to overcome the obstacles in the path of this achievement. Although there are many cases of existence experienced apart from the physical body, they have for the most part—at least in the Western world—been of a spontaneous, onetime nature, occurring during moments of stress or physical disability.