I can certainly see this event from different points of view, thanks to all.
It is clear to me now that I have to keep an open mind, and not come to too many grand conclusions regarding this experience. It could have been anything.

1) When it first happened, it felt like a 'karmic' tie. I felt some familiarity to the place that I was taken, and the assailants seemed to laugh at the fact that I was 'phasing' back to my body. Almost like they knew that there would be another time.

2) I then settled in to the idea that they were possesing negs, as described in PPSD.

3) I suppose it could be a psychic attack of another kind. Some other outside influence. It was very brutal.

4) A direct lesson from higher self. This makes the most sense.

5) A fear/panic reaction that ruined what would have been a completely different scenerio, if I would not have engaged a fear based creative event.

I should know better than to panic. It is a very 'fluid' situation in the astral, and these things can take on a life of their own. I will surely endeavor to be more prepared and balanced.