Robert Monroe and the Gateway Process

[scotslad]

AQUICK SHORT VIDEO INTRO -

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=z6DE4W0PGbQ

Robert Monroe was a pioneering figure in the field of consciousness exploration, most famous for his work with the Monroe Institute and the development of the Gateway Project. Born in 1915, Monroe was a broadcasting executive who began experiencing spontaneous out-of-body experiences (OBEs) in the late 1950s. These experiences led him to research altered states of consciousness, ultimately founding the Monroe Institute in 1971, which focused on the study and expansion of human consciousness.

The Gateway Project

The Gateway Project is a comprehensive program developed by Monroe at the Monroe Institute. It employs a series of audio-guided exercises designed to help individuals achieve altered states of consciousness. These exercises are rooted in Hemi-Sync® technology, which uses binaural beats to synchronize the brain's hemispheres, leading to deep relaxation, meditation, and the potential for out-of-body experiences.

Techniques and Research
The Gateway Experience involves several key techniques and stages, including:

Focus Levels

Focus 10: A state of "mind awake, body asleep."
Focus 12: An expanded state of awareness.
Focus 15: A state beyond time, often associated with the sensation of timelessness.
These levels are designed to progressively deepen the participant’s consciousness and open up experiences such as remote viewing, energy balancing, and, eventually, out-of-body experiences.

Hemi-Sync® Technology

The core of Monroe's method, this technology facilitates altered states by playing slightly different frequencies in each ear, which the brain attempts to reconcile, leading to hemispheric synchronization.

Guided Meditation and Visualization: The Gateway process includes extensive use of guided meditation to help participants explore their subconscious and achieve various states of consciousness.

CIA Involvement and Declassified Documents

The U.S. Army showed interest in the Gateway techniques for their potential applications in intelligence gathering, particularly in the context of remote viewing. A notable document, "Analysis and Assessment of Gateway Process," prepared by the Army in 1983, offers a detailed examination of the scientific underpinnings and potential applications of the Gateway techniques. This report, which was declassified by the CIA in 2003, discusses how the Gateway Experience could theoretically allow individuals to transcend the physical boundaries of time and space​ (CIA)​ (Internet Archive).

https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs...00210016-5.pdf

Practical Applications and Personal Growth

Participants in the Gateway Program often report transformative personal growth, including enhanced creativity, deeper states of meditation, and greater emotional and spiritual awareness. Monroe's techniques have been used not only for OBEs but also for stress reduction, problem-solving, and expanding human potential​ (Monroe Institute UK).

For further exploration, the Monroe Institute continues to offer programs and courses based on Monroe’s work, enabling participants to delve deeper into consciousness exploration.

The interview (1hr+)

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=h6WRVr55H3A

[Open Minded Dude]

As 'coincidence' has it, just few days ago I resumed the Gateway Experience program after almost 15 years (have the original recordings with Robert Monroe's voice on it). Back then around the start of 2010 I preferred other indirect methods of OBE induction, that is why I stopped it, maybe also a lack of patience. You need to put in some work, it really is a 'training' program that pays off if you do it regularly, so I was told. I do not expect a (fast) success with this though but it helps with meditation too. At the moment it is difficult for me to navigate between Focus 10 and from there to 12 and back, but on some sessions I thought I made some progress.

I know some folks (online only) who attended the seminar at the TMI in Virginia and had amazing experiences with it.

There's also two books I can recommend from two Gateway Program 'graduates' who also did other courses and seminars there and give some fascinating accounts. They also did retrievals (from the "Lifeline" program) which I am also into right now.

And I'm just reading the first one from a fellow German:

Oliver Tappe - (In)Visible (he's a trainer for the Monroe method)
https://www.monroeinstitute.org/page...r-oliver-tappe

Paul Elder - Eyes Of An Angel (He also had NDEs and lots of different spiritual experiences)
https://www.paul-elder.com/book.html

Of course I also recommend the three seminal works by Robert Monroe himself:
https://www.monroeinstitute.org/search?q=Robert+Monroe

[ExomatrixTV]

• CIA Didn’t Find The Spiritual Realm, They Found Something MUCH WORSE:
  
  Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=juyFBo_8cos
  

The spiritual realm is around us constantly. People who are spiritually gifted know exactly what I'm talking about.

• William Buhlman on OBEs at Monroe Institute Professional Seminar
  
• The Gathering - Robert Monroe - Far Journeys
• Guided Brain Hemisphere Synchronization
• Out of Body Experience : Inducing the Altered State
• Here's an interesting page for Gateway Experience, Monroe Institute things, including source material.
• 2 minutes 12 seconds Forum Borealis - Howard Mickoski - Bob Monroe met with beings who harvest 'Loosh'

cheers,
John 🦜🦋🌳

• I Tried The CIA Gateway Process...And Unlocked A New Reality

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=LFxyw0RD1mk

[Bill Ryan]

Copying this very interesting new post by Helvetic on his thread:

~~~

Rare Dr. Robert Monroe speaking about the formerly classified Gateway process

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=RRnS6kpEehQ

Description:

Robert Monroe's work on human consciousness, particularly through the development of the Gateway Process, has left a significant mark on both esoteric and scientific communities. His journey began with personal experiences of out-of-body states, which led him to investigate how sound could influence consciousness. The cornerstone of Monroe's methodology is Hemi-Sync, a patented audio technology where two slightly different sound frequencies are delivered to each ear, creating a third "beat" frequency that the brain perceives. This binaural beat phenomenon is believed to synchronize the brain's hemispheres, potentially facilitating deep meditation, healing, and expanded states of consciousness.

The Gateway Process involves a series of structured exercises designed to help individuals achieve these states. These exercises range from basic relaxation techniques to more complex practices that aim for out-of-body experiences (OBEs), remote viewing, and even time-space transcendence. The process is divided into "Focus" levels, each representing a different state of consciousness:

Focus 10 Known as the "Mind Awake/Body Asleep" state, where the physical body is deeply relaxed, but the mind remains alert.

Focus 12 An expanded awareness state where one can access intuitive knowledge and explore beyond the physical senses.

Focus 15 The "No Time" state, where perception of time is altered, allowing for deeper introspection.

Focus 21 A state aimed at interacting with other energy systems outside of our normal reality.

In 1983, the U.S. Army commissioned a report through the CIA titled "Analysis and Assessment of the Gateway Process," conducted by Lieutenant Colonel Wayne M. McDonnell. This document, declassified in 2003, provides a detailed examination of how the Gateway Process could be applied from a military and intelligence perspective. It theorizes on the physics and biology of consciousness, suggesting that through Hemi-Sync and the Gateway exercises, one might transcend traditional limits of space and time:

CIA Document This report can be accessed via the CIA's FOIA Electronic Reading Room under the document number CIA-RDP96-00788R001700210050-7. It discusses the potential for practical applications like remote viewing, which was part of broader psychic research efforts like Project Stargate.

The CIA's involvement was driven by the strategic interest in psychic phenomena during the Cold War, with fears that the Soviet Union was exploring similar techniques for psychological warfare or espionage. The document outlines:

Frequency Following Response (FFR) How the brain can be induced to follow external sound frequencies, leading to synchronization.

Hemispheric Synchronization (Hemi-Sync) The process of balancing the electrical activity between the brain's hemispheres to achieve altered states.
Biomedical and Quantum Mechanical Theories These are used to explain the mechanisms behind the Gateway Process, suggesting that consciousness might interact with the universe as a holographic projection.

Monroe's work was further institutionalized through the Monroe Institute, which he founded in 1974. This institute continues to offer programs based on his research, including the Gateway Voyage, which remains a popular course for those seeking to explore consciousness. The Institute's approach is experiential, focusing on direct personal engagement with these altered states rather than purely theoretical study.

The technical details of Monroe's process, particularly in the CIA's report, blend scientific method with speculative theory, aiming to harness consciousness for extraordinary human capabilities.

[NancyV]

Most people don't know or realize that lower astral planes can have many negative beings. Since they feel so good there and there are some so called "heavens" on that level, they think everything is perfect. Just as we have free will here there is also free will on the lower astral and there are also beings who like control over others. I never let anyone control me in the lower astral so they came after me even harder, often sending demon-like beings after me. However I wasn't scared of anything they did or sent and it definitely irritated some of them when I laughed at them. LOL As much as I like Monroe I don't believe he ever went very far above the astral planes, at least I don't remember him ever saying anything about merging with God/Source himself, but it's been many decades since I was reading all his writings.

[Helvetic]

Tom Campbell | What Are Other Virtual Realities Like? | Dec. 28, 2024

Source: my-big-toe.com

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=7cXsIvW7Gn0

Description:

Michael dives deep into Tom's experiences in other realities, and gets some detailed information within the context of Tom's definition of virtual realities.
-----------
Michael Ashley is a former Disney screenwriter and professional speaker and author of over twenty-five books on numerous subjects, including four bestsellers.

Michael serves as a columnist with Forbes, Entrepreneur and Green Entrepreneur. Prior to starting his own creative content agency, he began his career as a playwright and a newspaper reporter.

A former screenwriting professor at Chapman University, he has been featured in KTLA, Entertainment Weekly, The National Examiner, the United Nations’ ITU News, The Orange County Business Journal, Fox Sports Radio, and The Orange County Register.

The co-host of Changing the Story Podcast and United Nations’ Artistic Intelligence series, Michael serves as a story consultant for companies on how to best convey their messaging.

[Open Minded Dude]

Posted by NancyV (here)
As much as I like Monroe I don't believe he ever went very far above the astral planes, at least I don't remember him ever saying anything about merging with God/Source himself, but it's been many decades since I was reading all his writings.

I remember (and saw videos) that he talked/wrote a lot about meeing his Higher Self (which he called Total Self or I-There at times). So this might be as high as he got. Of course it depends on how/where you see your soul essence / higher self located (I see it close to Source actually).
But you are right, I do not remember him writing about any mystic unity (Source) experience.
He certainly mapped out well the lower, middle and higher astral planes as I see it. This includes lower and middle BSTs (Belief System Territories) where people/souls can be 'trapped' in a way.
The Focus Levels can be re-experienced by many projetors (if trained and skilled enough) and seem mostly accurate to me, but they are all more or less the Earth-bound astral plane. So most of it would take place be within the (astral) Matrix indeed. Even the highest level "Sea of I-There clusters" (see link below) is imv not God/Source yet.

For reference:

https://www.monroeinstituteuk.org/focus-levels/

Focus Levels Overview

Focus 1 – Normal, everyday waking consciousness. Completely in phase with physical matter reality. Also referred to as “C1 Consciousness”.

Focus 10 – The physical body is deeply relaxed while the mind remains conscious, awake and alert. “Mind awake, body asleep.” This is the first state of consciousness explored in our Gateway Voyage program.

Focus 11 – The Access Channel – the ultimate communication channel to all levels of awareness -mental, physical, and emotional. Opened during each Human Plus® exercise.

Focus 12 – A state of expanded awareness while the body remains deeply relaxed and asleep.

Focus 15 – A state of No-Time. Consciousness is now far removed from physical body signals. Linear time is no longer relevant to experience. Sometimes referred to as the Void or Pure Potential.

Focus 18 – Through Focus 18, individuals can cultivate a state of unconditional love and acceptance, leading to profound personal growth.

Focus 21 – On the very edge of perception of the time/space continuum. Mind remains fully conscious and active. The Bridge to other realities.

Focus 22 – On the border between time/space and non-physical states of being. Comatose.

Focus 23 – The condition in which an individual may find him or herself immediately following physical death. The territory of the ‘new arrivals’.

Focus 24 – The site of non-physical activity generated by simple or primitive religious or cultural beliefs.

Focus 25 – The expression of the major organized religious beliefs in recent human history.

Focus 26 – Here are identified certain areas, few in number, containing the structures and knowledge of various highly individual religious and other beliefs based on direct experience of self.
(Focus Levels 24 to 26 are referred to as the Belief System Territories; thought-responsive environments that are explored extensively during the Lifeline and Exploration 27 programs)

Focus 27 – The edge of human thought capacity. The site of a way-station (not a terminus) for rest and recovery from the trauma of physical death, for reviewing life events and for planning the next phase of life.

Focus 34/35 – The area of the Gathering. Beings from many other locations within the physical universe are gathered here to witness the upcoming Earth Changes. First mentioned in Bob Monroe’s second book, Far Journeys.

Focus 42 – I-There cluster consciousness.

Focus 49 – Sea of I-There clusters.

[HopSan]

Posted by Open Minded Dude (here)

Posted by NancyV (here)
As much as I like Monroe I don't believe he ever went very far above the astral planes, at least I don't remember him ever saying anything about merging with God/Source himself, but it's been many decades since I was reading all his writings.

I remember (and saw videos) that he talked/wrote a lot about meeing his Higher Self (which he called Total Self or I-There at times). So this might be as high as he got. Of course it depends on how/where you see your soul essence / higher self located (I see it close to Source actually).
But you are right, I do not remember him writing about any mystic unity (Source) experience.

I read all of his books many years ago, and seem to remember him describing going nearer the Source as something too bright and intense for him to endure.

But he mentioned the Source (choose your word) and seemed to well understand his lowish place in the 'order' of beings.

In my opinion he was very humble and felt amused warmth to most beings he met.

[Abondance]

Here you will find all the tapes for the gateway experience. Wave I to VII.
It's a big sum of money if you want to buy it.
Some are also on youtube but they have sometimes advertising...



I suggest that it would be a good idea to add that at the Avalon library if possible.

https://archive.org/details/gateway-...S+(NO+ADS).mp3

[Open Minded Dude]

I also like his original introductory talk at a TMI 1990 seminar a lot where he also talks about the Higher Self a lot and about some different 'reasons' or backgrounds why as souls come here to experience the Earth school:

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=GSBM7Qeo5bg

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=nEMzONZupCA

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZO2m6jj2-jk

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=CcujWUy3JGQ

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=oF6Ri_6QKjo

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=EJ0QQ9612yg

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZXK343CzOzk

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=DyjIuFS1CPE

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=V96Ty5L2jMM

[Abondance]

Posted by Open Minded Dude (here)
I also like his original introductory talk at a TMI 1990 seminar a lot where he also talks about the Higher Self a lot and about some different 'reasons' or backgrounds why as souls come here to experience the Earth school:

Very interesting talk, thank you !

[Tarazeda]

It depends on how you would define the astral realm. For me, the astral realm has a vibrational energy very close to our physical world but is less dense. Bob visited various places on Earth that had the same energetic signature as the physical objects we are familiar with; he talked about this in his first book.

Regarding his journeys beyond physical-like realities, he wrote about them in his last two books, Far Journeys and Ultimate Journey. He developed the focus levels system to explain how to navigate from the physical to the non-physical state of consciousness and further conceptualized non-physical realities in a more comprehensible way.

In his third book, he traveled far beyond the astral realm and even beyond the place he referred to as his original home. He described being able to perceive the source of the energy that creates the physical universe and sensing the power of its radiation. He called this source the "Emitter." He traveled that far using a method of shifting his consciousness, which he termed the "phasing model."

The phasing concept refers to shifting your awareness, much like tuning a radio to different frequencies. Instead of "leaving" the body, as in traditional out-of-body experiences, Monroe suggested that your focus simply shifts to non-physical aspects of reality.

[QueenRia]

I haven't looked through all the videos and links here yet, do some of them mention the darker side of the Monroe Institute?
I just found an account of a MKUltra survivor who was put through this Gateway Process:

His opinion on the Hemi Sync programs:

[Bill Ryan]

Copying this post by Helvetic on his thread:

~~~

Tom Campbell | Remembering Robert Monroe and Journeys Out of the Body | May 2, 2025

Source: New Thinking Allowed with Jeffrey Mishlove youtube, my-big-toe.com

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=IFiEobvvA7A

Description:

Tom Campbell, a physicst, is author of the three volume set, My Big TOE, describing a meta-theory that offers an account of the paranormal, as well as other scientific mysteries. He is also the founder of the Center for Unification of Science and Consciousness.

Here he describes a six-year period in his life as a young scientist when he worked intensely with Robert Monroe, author of Journeys Out of the Body. During his period, Tom helped to develop Monroe's trademarked Hemi-Sync process. Additionally, his own psychic abilities were greatly accelerated. This period initiated Tom Campbell's work on his "Big TOE" theory of everything. In addition to a serious reflection on the work of Monroe, this interview is an introduction to Tom Campbell's theory.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Introduction
00:14:43 Out-of-body experiences
00:30:48 Researching consciousness
00:43:22 Out-of-body schooling and tests
00:59:04 Psychic acceleration
01:18:13 The goal of lowering entropy
01:31:42 The limitations of Monroe's approach
01:44:17 Tom Campbell's theory
02:04:51 The impact of Bob Monroe
02:07:32 Conclusion