A Dog, a False Alarm, and an Invisible Caress

Date: April 10, 2025

That night, I made three attempts. During the last one, I experienced several typical sensations: tingling, tiny electric shocks in my fingers, and the usual hypnagogic images. Nothing very clear, but present enough to let me know I was on the right track.

The standout moment was when I heard my dog bark. The sound was clear, real. But when I woke up, I asked my partner if she had heard it. She said no—the dog hadn’t barked.

That moment took me aback. Did I pick up on something in another plane? Was it a hypnagogic auditory hallucination? In any case, it shows that my consciousness was detached enough to produce a non-physical perception.

Another element: at one point, I imagined a caress on the lower left part of my beard. And I felt it very distinctly, as if it were truly there. Again, my physical body wasn’t moving, but the sensation was definitely there.

I believe that night, I don’t need to wonder if I managed to exit. I likely had a partial exit without realizing it. And I’m closer than ever.