I heard about The Monroe Institute (TMI) through my involvement with the Wyrd lab and the Centre for Liminal Studies. Based in America but with a branch here in the UK, TMI’s mission is “Helping people create more meaningful and joyful lives through the guided exploration of expanded consciousness.” They are a non-profit organisation who offer programmes, events and meditations both online, via apps, in-person through social community gatherings and in-person retreats. They also actively participate in research with academics, scientists and doctors.

I have no vested interest in TMI so am simply sharing my own experience.

Using patented sound science which you listen to through headphones alongside meditation using guided imagery, TMI uses what they term Focus Levels to enter elevated states of awareness and consciousness. There is a disclaimer on their website that anyone suffering from neurological disease takes part at their own risk and because of that I was really apprehensive about trying my first sound science mediation as I have both a brain injury and am living with a brain tumour, however despite having had reactions to sounds previously I am absolutely fine with TMI meditations.

Everyone starts at Focus 10, which TMI call the Gateway to Consciousness. This is a lovely, relaxing meditation which is a grounding and introduction to altered states of consciousness. You can then choose whichever Focus level to progress to next which can include:

• Focus 12: shifting your timeline
• Focus 18: the heart space
• Focus 21: the bridge between worlds
• Focus 27: the afterlife
• Focus 34: inter-dimensional home
• to up Focus 49: return to wholeness

I’ve only done a few TMI guided meditations, but so far have found them hugely relaxing and really interesting. However, like everything else I do I am proof based, so despite the fact that my mind conjures up all sorts of weird and wonderful imagery I dismiss 90% of it as imagination and am only convinced I have reached a state of expanded consciousness if I can bring back something tangible with me, as detailed in this post which happened during a TMI meditation.

I can’t afford to go on any in-person retreats, but everyone I’ve spoken to who has attended has found them profound. If you’d like to learn more about the Gateway programme watch the video below, which includes a totally free Focus 10 guided meditation so you can get a feel – listen through headphones with the volume at a comfortable level (louder does not mean you will expand your consciousness further!).

I also can’t afford most of the online programmes, so am currently only taking part in free ones. Several of the Focus meditations are available on Gaia – you have to sign up to Gaia, entering your credit card details but choosing to opt for their 7 day free trial. You can then listen to the meditations then cancel your free trial and not be charged. Each course section has 2 videos: the first is an introduction to the Focus level and the second is the Focus level meditation. If you’d like to watch the introductory video to the Focus 12 & 15 meditation before deciding to sign up for your free trial click here.

The Monroe Institute also has their own YouTube channel which has various free meditations.

There are Monroe social groups around the country which meet for general chat, and through my membership of my local northern group I was given free access to TMI’s Expand App free for 6 months, so am just about to delve in to that and will report back. The community groups are a fabulous opportunity to meet other people who share my passion for consciousness, energy work, Psi and Soul growth.

There are people who belong to TMI who have the most amazing psychic abilities and also those whose ideas are bizarre to say the least, so I tend to focus on those experiences for which there is concrete proof and lay aside those for which there isn’t, which protects my brain from being overwhelmed and burnt out.

I’m right at the start of TMI journey, but so far am finding it fascinating. It is non-religious, scientific and fits well with my personal ethos of energy (Soul/consciousness/Spirit) which never dies.