I need some advice

[ldeeeep]

I've been interested in this stuff for about a year now, but I'm off to a slow start due to other things in my life distracting me.  I don't like sleeping on my back, and whenever I try my hemisync audio files, I find it hard to get comfortable lying any other way.  I also seem to have a fear of becoming fearful....especially regarding sleep paralysis...that is something I don't want to experience, but from what I have read, it seems inevitable that I will experience it at some point.

I use the concentration hemi-sync when I'm studying for school, and I think that seems to help me focus.  Also, there was one time where I was just seeing what the audio cues were for a new OBE inducing hemisync production that I acquired, and I felt a tingling/vibration in my left foot that I couldn't explain.....it startled me....I wonder what would happen if I would have just went with it.  I know I should just queue up gateway, wave 1 and give it my best shot, but I think I need some encouragement or something.  Yes, I am fearful and I know it is not the best attitude to have when attempting this sort of thing.  I know I should just try to forget my fear and go for it, but I thought that perhaps someone could help me get in the right mindframe to attempt an OBE/AP again...suggestions

[bhmastermind]

I had a lot of fear when I first tried to learn, their are many strategies out there that work.

Its best to find the one that works for you.

I have had success with Lucid Dreaming.

Since in a lucid dream you can turn it into a Astral Projection and most people are comfortable dreaming it is a good starting point. Fun and a new skill to master

[VagusEques]

I second the idea of using lucid dreaming as a stepping stone into projection, on the same grounds. It will be much more familiar than a direct exit, thus allowing you to get the hang of it faster (in theory).

One excellent resource I'd suggest for you if you want to take the LD approach is www.LD4All.com. It seems very thorough.

[atraveler]

I third the lucid dreaming route!  I use the OBE timer from saltcube.com and the "wake back to bed" method.  Keep trying different approaches to WBTB until you find the one which works best for you.  Also, you don't have to be on your back.  All my LDs/OBEs have been on my side (either side) with both wife and baby in bed.  Also, to listen to the CD, I only use one ear bud from my CD player; you don't need both - just one is good enough to hear the beeps on the CD.  This really works and has taken me to the next level in my practice.  Don't give up, I know you can do it!

[ldeeeep]

Excellent, thanks for all of your help.  I started keeping a dream journal, but I've been so busy with school that when I wake up, I usually have to rush to get out the door.  Also, the hemisync option is very interesting to me, so I have been focusing on that as it seems to take less time....it can supposedly induce OBE which fits my schedule better.  However, whenever I think about lucid dreaming and I put my notebook next to the bed, I seem to have more vivid dreams.  But it seems strange to think "okay, I'm going to give this my best shot" and then lay down and go to sleep...

I guess it seems more difficult to go from a dream state to a more focused OBE/AP state....going from an awake state and then OBE/AP using hemisync seems more practical, although I'd be more aware, and that is where the fear would come in...of course fear can be experienced in dreams as well, but that cannot be controlled (but perhaps it can during an LD?)

So, now I have a new (old) direction to try....hopefully I'll be back sometime to report something interesting...