The position of the AP governs our perception totally. If we where to move our AP to the spot where some animal has it, we would actually become this animal.

Another odd thing about the position of the AP is that our memory is locked into a specific position of the AP. This means that it is somewhat difficult, and sometimes impossible to remember what took place when the AP was in another position. Trying to remember dreams help to practice this, since when dreaming the assemblage point actually is in another position.

Normally the AP is fairly fixed in its position, and this position is commonly called the habitual position. When we sleep, however, and dream, the AP moves rather freely and erratically. This is the reason why we often don't remember dreams at all. When we slowly awaken in the morning one can sense this, and also notice how the memory of the dream becomes more distant. One has to recapitulate the dream closely and several times for it to 'make a trace' (using terminology from psychology) in our common 'everyday' memory. Do you remember your dreams? If not, the psychologists say that you have a weak connection to your subconciousness.

In some persons the assemblage point is a bit 'unstable', it is not fixed in a specific position, but makes small shifts all the time, and even moves about. Those people are called 'insane'. Schizofrenia is an example of this, and this helps explain the different personalities some schizofrenic persons have.

Habitual is the word for the position of the AP. We may learn new positions, but usually it stays where it has been before. This is also the case for most mental patients, few mental patients show much new behaviour from time to time.

Drugs and food influence the position of the assemblage point. Some drugs makes the assemblage point move, others makes it stay put in one position. Drugs were used on Castaneda in his early apprenticeship [cc1][cc2] to shake his AP, and to help his teacher to influence him. Food often stabilizes the AP.

Also things that happens to us in our everyday world influences the position of the assemblage point. This is used by the sorcerers who practice Stalking. They shift both their own AP and the AP of the others who are there, by their actions. This is, I believe, also true for some public performers.

When we are tired the AP moves more easily. It also moves more easily when we are scared, or are in a position when we cannot perceive clearly, for instance in a dark room, or in the night.

The Aim of Mystical Practice

The goal for a practitioner is to be able to move the assemblage point at will. This takes energy, so once again the subject of practice comes back to Saving Energy.

Drug Use

Drugs cause shifting of the AP. They do not help at all with the control of it's movement, however, so even if one uses drugs one still need to have a certain degree of control and this again leads us back to energy. What I mean to say is that drugs are no short cut, and in my oppinion they should be avoided, at least for regular use.