heart pounding while attempting projection.

[asus-4]

Today I had my first attempt at projection.I lay on the couch,closed my eyes and started breathing exercises.After about 10 Min's I started feeling a slight numbness then a warm tingling all over.I had a sensation of bright whiteness behind my eyelids.Then my heart started pounding for no apparent reason.I wasn't scared or panicing but it wouldn't stop so I felt I had to wake up.After a few minutes my heart rate became normal.Can anyone tell me what this was and am I on the right track for projection.

[Stookie]

It's a very, very, very common thing during early projection attempts - It happened to myself quite a bit, but slowly went away over a few weeks. If you search for "heart pounding" or something similar, you'll find quite a few threads from people experiencing the exact same thing. Many say it's the heart chakra, not your actual heart. While it can be freaky, it's nothing to fear.

[mjm]

Not only does it appear to be fairly common, but it's probably a good sign you're making progress. I've experienced the same thing on two different occasions, and  both instances resulted in OBE'S only a few moments after the symptoms began. Stay calm, focused, and as detached as you can from the body sensations you experience... instead, focus your thoughts on moving away from your body, floating out of it, being sucked or pulled out of it... whatever works for you. You could also try the rope technique at this point if you like.

-Michael

[Venus_Goddess_of_Love]

I had the same experience. I thought it was very strange too, as I was not frightened at all.  Guess it's "normal"!  Keep on trying!

[Psan]

Yes, its normal. Its mostly not your heart, just a sensation in the heart region (just above it actually, if you pay attention)
If it bothers you, just abort the attempt and try later. Or you can relax even more, go deeper till you stop feeling any sensations from the body and then try to project.

Keep it up

[Clarky]

I've experienced this many times.  I believe that if your not fully paralysed and your aware of your breathing, then when you try to get out, it causes this feeling.  Usually I'll let myself go a bit more and then attempt to project again and then there's no pressure around my chest.

[Blazewind]

I've had the experience of my heart pounding a couple of times as well.  Too me, it feels almost like it would if I was having a panic attack.  The first time it ever happened, my heart began to feel like it was racing, while some very strong energy seemed to flow though my body.  I, quite understandably, felt like I must have been freaking out, and getting panicked.  Strangely though, I thought about it quickly, and realized that I didn't feel afraid.  It seemed as though my mind was quite perfectly calm and collected, but for some reason my body was in panic mode.  The heart pounding very soon ceased on it's own, and I was completely fine.  It was not until at least a month later, that I finally learned what that was likely all about.

[Vibra]

Happens to me every time. I actually havent made it out conciousally yet. So so close but not full AP. The first time It happened was roughly 6 months ago scared the crap out of me. I researched it and it led me to begin AP. Now 4 months later I get the heart feeling every time I try to project. I finaly learned not to pay attention to it. Its tough but I believe thats the key. Disasociate yourself from body sensations. 2 nights ago was my first attempt to "not pay any attention to it". I induced full exit sensations twice first time Heart center was active at least 2-3 minutes 2nd time short. I hope this is progress because before they would last very short 30 seconds to 1 minute because I believe I would focus on them too much. I must say the feelings do seem to be lessening quite a bit. 
Good Luck

[Eternal_Soulmate]

I've experienced this many times.  I believe that if your not fully paralysed and your aware of your breathing, then when you try to get out, it causes this feeling.  Usually I'll let myself go a bit more and then attempt to project again and then there's no pressure around my chest.

I must agree with Clarky on this one...

It happened to me loads, its like your body fighting somehow to fall asleep as if it knew your mind is trying to "trick" it.  Also might be a result of maybe adrenaline rising when you think you are getting there and you are getting emotional? When you meditate you focus on your breathing and the trick is to get to a state where you don't feel anything at all, this is what they call the paralysis.
It is not so easy as we might think to cross the bridge from awake to asleep with our mind still awake... keep on trying