Which brings me to January 2003. I was in the Boston Public Library, reading something on astral projection, when I became hot and felt myself starting to shake. It was warm in there, but not so warm that I should have been sweating the way I now was, my heart pumping rapidly. It felt like one of the panic attacks I had been experiencing lately, but far stronger. Strangely, I didn't feel the least concern, and in fact was rather enjoying the experience.

I became aware of a vibration in my head, more ticklish than painful, and it seemed to me that my self was expanding, spreading out across the room, under tables, around chairs and people, over bookcases and down to the lobby. I decided I needed some air and made my way outside, floating dreamlike through the chilly early evening towards the Public Garden. I was still hot, but no longer sweating; my heart had settled. The vibration in my head, however, was getting stronger, and was starting to hurt. For the first time, I was scared, and increasingly so as the vibrations strengthened. I decided to make my way to nearby Mass General Hospital, but found myself heading in the opposite direction, to a bridge which spanned the lake in the centre of the park. I stopped at the middle and looked out across the water, closing my eyes and starting to calm, despite the pain now searing through my brain.

With a sudden crack, the black flashed to white, a powerful jolt slamming my head as a shape suddenly appeared to my inner vision, a black rectangle splitting and twisting through what I quickly recognised as a repeating 12-stage sequence. There was something very familiar about it.

There was another jolt, this time to my entire body, and I felt myself flung powerfully forward, over the bridge and into the water. Or at least, it should have been water. Instead, I hit solid ground, something padded. A deep, male voice said "Welcome".

My eyes were still closed, the whiteness and vision of the rectangle still there, but quickly fading back to black. There was no pain, no buzzing; in fact, I felt wonderful, light and empty.

"Open your eyes," the voice said. It sounded kind and very wise.

And so, slowly, I opened my eyes. I was on my hands and knees, staring down at the ground, which was white. I pushed and it gave a little. Raising my head, I saw a wall, which was also white, with a tall silver panel. The room was brightly lit and I squinted as my eyes accustomed themselves.

"Where am I?" I heard myself say.

"In a meeting room," the voice said, and I realised now that it came from behind me. "We are on a starship orbiting the planet Yenaa. Would you stand, please?"

And so, slowly, I stood, becoming aware of a presence behind me, a physical presence which moved slowly around me, around my left side, and then came into view.

"My name is Kodahr," he said. "I am the Prophet."

I will never forget how I laughed at that moment, how I cried with joy as this being held me.

Visit Marc Fiszman's website: marcfiszman.com.

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