Actually, I don't think I ever tried to shift. It was always spontaneous. I don't really know how to say what it felt like. Partial shifts felt like I was two people (regardless of having multiple side, I don't think there was ever more than two "out" at any one time). We could think to each other. Full shifts felt normal. One side experienced a discontinuity in their time, but whatever side was dominant experienced life normally.

I haven't shifted since 1978, though. I don't shift in my dreams and I don't shift in Dreamtime. I begin with the same form I have throughout. I guess I could shift during traveling but I've never tried.

SherlawkDragon wrote:

The most common term is "Mental Shift".  It's really hard to explain how it feels when I do it, it's like theres a part of me that's been chained down and I'm letting it out to exercise. Other than that, I can't give a better description.  Usually while I'm shifted I run around a bit (sometimes on all fours XD), it's like I experience my interaction with the world in a totally warped manner.  I'm not sure about afterwards, because I always end by curling up into a little ball and sleeping, but I recall it being very refreshing and relieving of alot of stress the times that I've gone back out of one without sleep. (I wake up refreshed though too)
Now, I'm a bit of a Contherian (a term which refers to a therian who doesn't shift) in that, while I have the occasional urge to shift (which is sometimes more like my skin is about to explode), I don't shift automatically, I have to do it at will which I'm pretty good at, which is good, because it means I can shift when I want but don't need to (for fun), and I can hold off a shift for a long period of time.
This is a pretty good topic, I hope VanZandt and Ghost Dog reply, I'm curious as to what they say... (I don't remember them saying anything about this before)

dude, i feel the same way, it is very hard to describe, and i'v doen nothing but confuse myself...

That's a very respectable (and respected) theory. The reason it isn't 'proven" is that it's impossible at this point to track what words and ideas are doing in our heads. But a person can observe the very thing happening in their own head if they're paying attention.

ShadyHowl wrote:

I wondered if people would be willing to share their method and experiences for undergoing psychological/mental shifts (whichever you call it) - how you go about it, what you feel, what you do during, how it feels after? I'm just really interested in seeing whether there are common trends or anything which corresponds with my own.

Personally, I don't plan shifts and if I try, they won't come. My shifts come without warning, during different activities, and over a period of about 5-10 minutes I just slip into the wolf mind, my senses sharpen, I get the urge to run, to hunt, everything just feels like the inner wolf has taken over. Then, as quickly as it comes, it will go, though afterwards I'll probably stay in a vaguely animalistic mood for a few hours. It does feel good.

Anybody else care to share their experiences? I realise it's quite a personal thing, but I'm interested.

Mine come at random, however, it is more mood based for myself. When i'm ticked off, it can happen, not that I get all crazy and movie like, I just feel the wolf slipping in to take charge, my personality will usually then shifts from cool to aggitated. It can also happen when i'm outside, my human thoughts just seem to get brushed a side and I think simply and softly, just wolfish things such as using my senses, watching for prey and walking through the woods.