The Astral Pulse

Astral Projection & Out of Body Experiences => Welcome to Astral Consciousness! => Topic started by: Contenteo on May 15, 2011, 23:10:20

Title: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Contenteo on May 15, 2011, 23:10:20
I am proud to announce that this morning I had my first conscious exit astral projections(I had three). I foremost want to thank the community for being there and lending advice to help me achieve this. I appreciate all who helped me the last few weeks.

I don't need the typical congratulatory posts, or feel the need to explain my experience(super long story posts are annoying to me) for self satisfaction.

What I do want to discuss is the vast difference between what I thought I was doing right, and what actually were factors in my success in projection. I started my journey about a month ago and did a tremendous amount of research, so I feel I am a good newcomer-to-success story and have a couple of major insights to lend to the community. What worries me most is although the information I got was accurate; there is a way to go about interpreting this information that can lead you down a near dead end path in your projection attempts. I can't tell you how many posts I scanned through that contained people experiencing the same frustrations I was, and in retrospect, it was because we were all misinterpreting the fundamentals.

1. State of mind is very important to a first projections
When I started, I was attempting to go about projection before I went to sleep, in the evening or in the late night. Unknowingly, this was my first critical mistake. I read that night attempts were more difficult, however, I thought I could manage harder training. Who wants to get up in the morning to project, that sounds like a complete suck fest and , plus, I want to learn to project at night. I was wrong. I got extremely proficient at entering a strong F12, to the point where I could force immense vibrations. But it was always the same things that got in my way. My breathing. A really annoying itch. Thinking I heard something. In essence, BEING AWARE. I was shooting myself in the foot.
When you go about phasing its not that you are shutting off your psychical awareness, but rather completely diverting your focus; on visualization, or being really good at a mantra. This is extremely difficult. I will repeat that, this is extremely difficult. In the old world, people would train a lifetime to master this. And you want to pump this thing out?
You need help if you want to do this quickly. The helping crutch is choosing the right frame-of-mind. You will use this to get through the exit the first time. Once you know that feeling, I can assure you will understand the basic way to get there. So what is this crutch of a state? We have all had it. It is the "screw it, I am going back to bed to catch another hour of sleep" feeling. It is that quintessential, identifiable drowsiness that is actually rather rewarding and pleasant. So I highly recommend, not attempting to project at night, but instead sleeping for like 4 hours, waking up and forcing yourself out of bed. Take a shower, eat breakfast, and start you day, really do whatever you want, until that, screw-it-I-am-going-back-to-bed-for-another-hour feeling creeps up. That's when you lay down on your non-usual sleeping comfy place and attempt your projection. Again, this is to learn the way to get there. Then you can really start your training once you know the initial path.

2. Practice meditation
There is not an agreed upon nomenclature in this field, so for this purpose, I will refer to meditation as a deliberate mental expedition to find the "exit" into the astral. I was meditating, when I thought I was on the path to phasing. This was my second critical mistake. When meditating, you can get very deep into your consciousness(a deep F12), you can even stand at the foot of the "exit", but you will not know HOW to use the exit unless you have experienced it once before. When I started I was so full of vigor to find it enter it, and failed repeatedly. I can't tell you how frustrating this is; you will time and time again wake up sweating, trying to analyze what you did wrong. I am sure most newcomers will experience exactly what I am talking about. So, when beginning, you are in a conundrum of sorts, you need to get somewhere you don't know how to get to, and all you have is a myriad of mixed approaches people have suggested to explore your surrounding when you close your eyes in a relaxed state.
Now although these repeated attempts at meditation are frustrating, especially when they appear fruitless, please do not discount them. They will teach you how to get to the exit, even if you can't go through it. So when you finally give the morning technique a shot, you will identify and understand all the basic feelings you encounter. You need to understand and be comfortable with all these feelings and learn what the milestones are so they don't freak you out, when you experience them and can discount them without a worry.
So contrary to what I said in 1, practice before bed. Do it and do it often, but understand that a deep F12 state is your goal. This I did right. Hell, try to find the exit, but please don't get frustrated if you can't, just simply understand you are going to need that state of mind tip in 1 to understand the way. Then when you understand how to apply the way to find that exit in a deep F12. Practice, Practice, Practice.

Intermission - I so wish I had these tips when I started.

3. Don't search for the milestones
Vibrations. Random Noises. Mind Awake Body Asleep. A feeling of being pulled upward. I know all these sensations very well after all my practice, but when you are actually phasing, experiencing any of them doesn't matter, ignoring them is what matters. That is so vital. I would stay up night searching for the path, exploring colors, reaching chest pounding and hyperventilation dead ends, thinking I just need to get past those points. Thinking that finding the vibrations is the secret to astral projection and I am just failing at finding them. This is NOT the case. Phasing is natural, there is no searching for milestones. There is no getting past anything. I could never believe that it just happens so easily, but it does. I feel so foolish after all my attempts, but am grateful I understand how to reach different levels of consciousness so quickly now. So how do you get there if milestones aren't the solution?

4. Visualization

Visualization is the key. Honestly a mantra does not work for me because I get to bored with it after a while, and start thinking about other things. I think very few of us are that mastered at focus. Again, that's a lifetime of training. So what exactly is visualization?
The best example is daydreaming. You know when you are daydreaming, and you snap back into reality. That action, that disconnectedness, is exactly what we are trying to achieve. That is what we want to attempt to recreate. Lay there in a relaxed state taking deep breaths and start thinking out stories. Really anything you could daydream about. Ironically, this is how I get to sleep at night. The differences, is that because you have been practicing, you know all the cues of falling asleep. You will visualize a story, and then snap back to thinking that you lost focus of your story. You'll be like, "Crap!" But, actually what you just did was perfect. You are more disconnected and still maintaining awareness. So, then visualize another story, try to bring it as far as you can. And again you will lose focus and snap back. Be persistent and stay focused on you stories. Really they can be any physical manifestation daydream, just keep 'em coming. Eventually, the milestones will start to kick in. For instance a noise in one of your visualizations will actually happen, but because you have been practicing you will not be startled. Just think, "good" and enjoy the added effects to you thoughts. Keep up your visualization attempts and deeper, passing the vibration milestones, far past where you realized you are actually laying there. It will just happen, because you will be so engrossed in your visualization. You will feel vibrations and a rush/whoosh. From this point, you have entered the natural process. It will feel natural, just maintain composure and keep focus on you visualizations. From this launching pad, you can go all sorts of places depending on your proficiency.

5. Remember your training

Because you have been practicing and reading so much about the astral, remember the tenets will be easy when you get to the training ground or wherever the launch takes you. Thought = Action, Emotions will Manifest. Intent is King.

You will feel light and soft and everything will be beautiful. The astral is absolutely gorgeous. It is more astounding and comforting then anything I could have ever imagined it to be.

To recap. Don't force yourself into a state. You have to know the path. Stay up late, wake up a couple hours early, but use those hours to go back to rest/attempt when your body tells you too. Practice before going to bed on normal nights. Understand the milestones, but don't search for them, the process is natural. Searching will interfere with the steadfast visualization that is truly required to achieve success.

I wish you all the best in your journeys and would like to thank everyone here at the board again for helping me out so much. I sincerely hope this helps newcomers. It is exactly the information I needed when I started.


Sincerely,
Contenteo




Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: personalreality on May 15, 2011, 23:57:59
this sounds like my post after i started conscious exit AP.

i came to a lot of the same conclusions, especially the miles stones bit.

we must be on to something.

this is great advice, succinct and well thought out.

good job!
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Contenteo on May 16, 2011, 00:16:51
Re-reading my post, I just came to another profound conclusion of why this may work.

QuoteWhen you go about phasing its not that you are shutting off your psychical awareness, but rather completely diverting your focus; on visualization, or being really good at a mantra.

Taking an active approach through meditation, it is logically impossible to shut off you physical awareness, because the brain cannot process a negative. Simply thinking about shutting off something, will engender the act of thinking about that thing. For instance, thinking about getting your breathing right, will never work because, you are paying attention to the physical. When the solution, in fact, is a passive approach. Visualizing takes you mind off of all these physical techniques and allows the process to happen. Ha. Maybe Taoism was on to something with their approach of "softness."

Where daydreaming seems too simple of a solution to such a epic undertaking, it actually is quite an advanced technique upon further inspection. Consider how complex a vivid captivating visualization is to create. Not a endeavor for the weak of mind.

Cheers,
Contenteo

Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Dan C4551DY on May 16, 2011, 10:42:46
This is a gold mine for beginners. *applauds*
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Xanth on May 16, 2011, 11:16:04
Quote from: Dan C4551DY on May 16, 2011, 10:42:46
This is a gold mine for beginners. *applauds*
I will whole fully second that.  :)

And I believe I'll sticky this for now too!  Good job Contenteo.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: manwesulimo2004 on May 16, 2011, 19:01:54
Good post. Maybe this will help me with my endeavours.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: teawitch on May 17, 2011, 00:19:26
Thank you for this Contenteo!
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: luthienlv on May 17, 2011, 01:54:43
Thank you so much for getting all of this together! You addressed just about every single point that I struggle with. I will definitely read through this a few more times and hopefully be on the other side of trying soon!  :-)
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Skywalker on May 20, 2011, 10:54:30
This is great. I've had 5 OBEs - I had been trying for a year before going to sleep in the evening - had lots of bodily sensations but could never get out...

a year later i was trying to get lucid dreams, took the "meditate" after 4-5 hours of sleep approach - a passive approach - expecting to fall asleep into a LD and VOILA! i had my first OBE. The other 4 came using the same passive meditation approach. what I discovered was that being too focused on having a silent mind - didn't work for me - I was being kept too awake. Only when my thougts would drift a bit I coud make it into the OBE it came naturally, when i stopped making so much of an effort. So I can testify to your great post - you wrote it sublimely. Thanks.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: faxman on May 20, 2011, 11:23:02
Thank you Contenteo, those are really the major keypoints.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: teewanna on May 23, 2011, 16:28:25
I had my first natural OBE feeling this way a few days ago, but it was a short one.  After that, I still practice at night, but I missing the big piece "just focus on the visualization and forget everything else" I was always looking for something, waiting for something all this lead to frustration and nothing more.

Great post!!!
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Pharoah on May 24, 2011, 12:10:36
Amazing post.  *buys you a beer*

I just had my first conscious exit AP (actually my first AP ever) just this morning, and if I had read this post before that, I would have been like "Wait, what?"  but I totally and fully understand, support and agree with everything written here and would strongly advise any beginners to AP to read this first.

I totally know what you mean about experiencing the milestones and how breaking that barrier the first time makes subsequent times so much easier.  With my experience from this morning still so fresh in my mind, I feel like I could project right out of my computer chair lol.

Also
Quote from: teewanna on May 23, 2011, 16:28:25
I was always looking for something, waiting for something all this lead to frustration and nothing more.

That was my exact problem as well.  Always looking for something, waiting for something, expecting something.  Sniffing around like a drug dog when I should have just been letting go.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: interception on May 24, 2011, 16:48:21
Solid, no-nonsense, succinct advice. Thank you Contenteo.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: tomcat941 on May 26, 2011, 16:00:23
WOW!! Sounds great, i'm trying tonight (this morning even), by going to bed at 10 and waking up at 1, and staying awake doing whatever i want till i want to go to sleep agaiin. Then i'm going to bed and i'm going to daydream. Though, thats usually what i do when i go to bed anyway so i've got the practice.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: bluremi on June 03, 2011, 14:58:30
Contenteo: When you said "visualize some stories," could you elaborate?

Are you literally daydreaming whatever comes to mind, or do you have a script and location? How specific are your scripts beforehand?

Some examples would be nice!
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Contenteo on June 04, 2011, 12:38:08
Foremost, thank you everyone for your kind words. I am glad to be able to help everyone in their endeavors. This breakthrough was instrumental for my attempts and am overjoyed I can share it with you all.

When writing my above "dissertation" there is a lot I left out in order to maintain succinctness, one of many being a nice batch of examples.

I would love to be able to tell you I can have controlled metaphysical imagery, but in reality(can I say that  :-P) my visualizations are incredibly sporadic, downright crazy, and honestly my control is pretty limited. Most visualizations will last anywhere from seconds to maybe 30 seconds maximum before I lose focus and change topic. I will snap back and immediately just go onto the next one. For instance, in my first successful phasing attempt my first memorable visualization was that of laying bricks into a short brick wall. I have never laid bricks in my life. I can think of no reason why I had this visualization, but I went with it. Near the end of the visualization, I dropped a brick and actually heard a clanking of the brick hitting the ground. So, visualization will not always be controlled, but you will have to learn to roll with the punchs as they come, enjoy it and they will lead to milestones. 

Length of Visualizations
Now I said above, these things don't last long. Honestly, I believe the more I practice, the better I will become at extended visualization. It has been about a month, and I am already getting pretty proficient. Now the purpose of the visualization, don't forget, it to to achieve that disconnectedness, so live in your visualizations when they happen. Try to just enjoy them and act like you are doing what is happening. You WILL snap back. No one but masters can maintain a long visualization, so just move onto the next one. Stop and observe your state, and it may set you back from phase state a couple visulizations, but this is good because life is about the journey, and this is just another form of smelling the flowers. You will only then understand the staircase like path you are taking as you are falling deeper and become disconnected in a controlled manner.

Characteristics of Visualizations
Now when you first start your process, you will have more control over you visualizations. I found there are some patterns that help me get started easier. The first pattern is that of first person visualizations. Most of my visualizations are from my own POV. This is simpler to do and gets more results. Second and third, is to visualize something you do often, and to visualize something with an easy focal point. I have a number of examples of this I can share with you now. My favorite and usual starter is my car driving example. I am not in my car per say, but in my first person POV. I travel around the roads(ones I travel often) in my town, just visualizing everything that is around me as I continue down that stretch. I can go fast or slow. Make decisions to take turns on the fly. My upcoming next favorite is playing Frisbee. I am a competitive freestyle Frisbee player and can read discs very well. In this visualization I am just practicing different tosses, and focusing on the disc as it travels. I found the focal point of the disc is very effective as I can be intent on looking at the disc and not care at all about laying in bed.
So to answer you question, yes I have "scripts" that seem to work to get started, but usually near then end my subconscious takes control and throws in weird curve balls to the mix. Like the other night right before phasing state, I was visualizing a can like object with a large stick was sticking out the top that was spinning super fast in a small circle(making a invert cone shape with the stick out the top) and I was with a group of people juggling it like a soccer ball. Pretty weird, right? Partway through, I actually kicked my physical leg in bed, setting me back, but only shortly. This physical imagery with action seems to be the key with me. Frank helped me get this idea, because he always talked so much about metaphysical imagery, so props and credit to him here. The final pinnacle characteristic, that almost seems hidden, but is ever so important is most of my visualizations are things that are fun for me. I have the most success with the things I enjoy visualizing. So try to tailor them to your own interests. I can really get into looking at that Frisbee, or juggling that weird can thing. This makes nice logical sense too, because your favorite thoughts should be the most effective and diverting your focus away from the physical.

To come full circle, I want to reiterate again, I will be juggling the can, and all of a sudden remember I am laying in bed and can hardly focus on my body, I will freak out a little bit, realize I am not breathing, or even hear a noise and snap out of it. This will happen, from what I understand, no one is above this and it will happen to you. So don't get discouraged or feel like you are doing something wrong. This is natural. Skill comes into play when you learn to understand the interruptions you experience and roll off them into the next visualization, that will take you further down that staircase.

I have a lot more to say as addendum to my initial post, but that will have to come in time as I am very busy right now.

I hope this helps you blu and everyone else that may have been looking for a little more clarification.

Cheers,
Contenteo



Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: bluremi on June 06, 2011, 10:56:27
Thanks, that's very helpful. I was spending a lot of frustrating time and effort trying to come up with long, scripted visualizations that would invariably be impossible to maintain or to remain interesting.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: pondini on June 07, 2011, 14:32:06
besides a few times at night, all my visualizations, of the type you describe, happen in the afternoon hours when i am suddenly very tired and desire a nap. perhaps my mix of mental alertness to physical exhaustion is at a perfect ratio during those times -so too may be your 'wake early then back to bed' method.

also, other than finding interest in how vivid and uncharacteristic to my imagination they were, i have not paid these visual clips much attention. i might have to try milking your method for some results:)

great sticky! and Btw, i know this is an exciting time for you contenteo, so ride this wave of exhilaration as long as you can... just as your first guide-point was the importance of 'state of mind', i too, believe it to be the most important ingredient in any spiritual pursuit.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Contenteo on June 08, 2011, 01:32:37
Right you are Pondini, there is something to be said about momentum. It is built over time and lasts over time. But we live in a world of friction, so, as it won't last forever, should be given focus to reach a maximum state.

Here is another gem while I still have momentum.

Before I do, I wish to clarify. It seems you might be mixing up my definition of visualization with the uninitiated images that occur when your body snaps into REM, for instance those crazy semi-dream scenarios one encounters when commonly taking a 20-40 minute power-nap. My suggestion at visualization is much more simple. It is akin to daydreaming. Just create an active metaphysical image in your head.

So here's the gem. Let's break this down into to really super-simple segmented steps so you all can have something to remember and think about while laying there.

STEP 1 - Standard Starting Criteria for Easiest Results

Go get into a comfy, quiet, place that is usually not your sleeping space. Lay down on your back. Projection on your side is difficult.

STEP 2 - Disconnect physical sensing system

Stay conscious. Don't move. Let you teeth come together. Focus on breathing through your nose. Focus on hearing things in the physical. Anything to pass the time until you body falls asleep. Can take anywhere between 2 and 20 minutes depending on proficiency. Move to the next step when your mouth starts to feel like it just got Novocained. I dub this the Novocaine milestone.

STEP 3 - Disconnect your hearing and visual senses

Now that you are "in yourself", we have to work on disconnecting those other senses. Since we can't do it actively without thinking about our senses, we must proceed in a passive manner; visualize like I describe previously in my initial post. Just picture yourself doing something. Right now you still are in waking state, so it is pretty much the same concept as day-dreaming. Continue persistent visualization as you will continually keep losing focus. Visualize. Accidentally lose focus. Start visualizing again. Accidentally lose focus. Start visualizing again. Accidentally lose focus. Start visualizing again. Accidentally lose focus. Start visualizing again. Accidentally lose focus. Start visualizing again. Accidentally lose focus. Start visualizing again. Accidentally lose focus. Start visualizing again. Accidentally lose focus. Start visualizing again. Accidentally lose focus. Start visualizing again. Unless its a good night, that it usually around many it takes to achieve success. No matter what you sense, ignore the physical and KEEP VISUALIZING. You will pass all the milestones, but if you focus on them, you will mess with the process and may, in worse (and for me, most) case scenarios, need to shake it off and start from the beginning. A little willpower to keep persistent visualization goes a long way here.

STEP 4 - Phase

Successful execution leads to a number of sensations. Most commonly a feeling of drifting downwards/into yourself/bed/ground/melting. This state is vast blackness F121. Go with it. Keep visualizing. Noises and all the other fun distractions will occur. Ignore all the noises, or better yet incorporate them into a sensical daydream like visualization. Keep visualizing. When you least expect it, since you will be engrossed in a visualization, you will just phase. You will now be in the state to launch into various parts of the astral.

My initial post is an explanation of this process more tailored towards "why". This is more about simple memorable facts. This process is also easy to remember when attempting. It is the logic track I keep in my mind. I have found a large factor of success for myself is the Novocaine mouth state. That milestone is easier to achieve with teeth in a touching relaxed position from the get go. I is a phenomenal marker to switch from laying their bored, using noticing to coax your body asleep, to the beginning of the visualization phase, a process that needs the correct prerequisite state to be efficiently successful.

1 - It is important to note I have found focusing into a deep trance can lend you into an F12, vast blackness state, is possible without hitting the Novocaine milestone. However, the slight falling feeling will not be present and breathing and other physical distractions are hard to ignore. This is the state I described I always got stuck in and woke up annoyed and sweaty.


Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: tomcat941 on June 10, 2011, 12:47:55
Sounds good!! BTW what time are you doing this is? LIke when are you going to bed and when are you waking up? Also i know it does help to AP in a place you don't sleep but i don't understand why?
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Xanth on June 10, 2011, 13:29:01
Contenteo,

If you keep posting awesome stuff, you're gonna fill my website.

Keep it coming dude.  :)

Tomcat,

Because it is probably easier for beginners to drift between awake and sleep first thing in the morning... MY OPINION is that your aim should be to be able to practice at any time during the day.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: bluremi on June 14, 2011, 12:34:48
I've had promising results so far, here's what I'm doing right now and what my current roadblock is:

Wake up early
I have to get up for work at 8 so I set my alarm for 6. I brush my teeth and take a shower, which seems like enough time for me to wake up mentally yet still feel tired.

Lie down and relax
Since I've been doing daily breathing meditation this part is pretty easy. I count my breaths (relaxed, natural breaths) up to 20 and back down to 1. Then I relax just my face and head. This takes about 4-5 minutes and I reach the "Novocaine State" (great name btw).

Visualize
I can visualize pretty easily, and I can feel them getting more and more realistic, but then 90 minutes later I wake up from a vivid dream. I can remember my dreams pretty well so I'm just falling asleep as the visualizations become more engrossing.

At this point I'm just going to keep doing the exact same thing and hopefully I'll just get better, but any tips to prevent falling asleep would be appreciated!
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Contenteo on June 16, 2011, 03:43:23
Awesome!

Thanks for the props on the name. I got that lazy mouth feel the first time I ever projected, which was accidental. That's what I called it then and that's what I call it now.

Well if you know how to get to the Novocaine state your battle is mostly over. You just need to keep visualizing. Remember to switch up the visualizations. It is tougher than it sounds. Eventually your body should kinda take over. It will feed you the initial imagery thoughts and you continue them. You should be disconnecting and experiencing pretty random and crazy metaphysical imagery. Like last night, a notable image was a lady dancing in a hot dog suit. I mean wtf?, right? lol, but I love it. You need to focus on keeping conscious. And yes, you get better over time. Actually you will accelerate pretty fast if you practice regularly. The more you practice, the more your body gets used to the process. I get the Novocaine state in like 4 minutes now, and am performing this before bed, what I said not to do.

Anyways, what you are looking for after the radical metaphysical imagery is that falling/melting sensation everyone is talking about. When you get that, latch on to it. Full focus on staying conscious and the slight falling. Once you are relatively stable, continue your visualizations. When you do that at this stage, it will push you deeper into the disconnectedness. At this point you will enter a stage of Euphoria/begining of phasing. I mean it it feels great. Plus you have all those vibrations giving you the tinglies. :lol: Awesome. Just sit back and enjoy and focus on melting. At this point you can still get up at will, so try to stay disconnected and plunge forward. A full WILD actually takes a while to complete the actual phasing process. I was surprised how long it actually took. I wish I could just give you the patience it takes, but alas, that comes from within.

Cheers,
Contenteo

Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: manwesulimo2004 on June 19, 2011, 08:23:25
Quote from: Contenteo on June 16, 2011, 03:43:23
Like last night, a notable image was a lady dancing in a hot dog suit.

I MUST try this method of yours!
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Selea on June 23, 2011, 06:53:59
I can add that "visualization" can also not be visualizing (the word is usually associated with visual imagination, but that's not so). There are many people that are more proficient at creating "visualizations" with other senses. The trick is more to work with your nature at first, then after you begin working with other things, depending on what you want to do.

For example there was a person I know that since she was an artist thought that she was very good at visualizing. She tried to become engrossed in visualizations but it was more difficult than she expected. She asked me what she was doing wrong.

I remembered one time we were in a car toghter, listening to a song. After it was finished I saw her simply "lapse out" for a couple of minutes and I asked her what did she do. She told me that for her it was natural if she liked a song to start earing it again in her head, and the outside world totally vanished for the duration. "Do you *think* the words of the song in your mind?"- I asked - "No, I listen to it in my mind as if I was hearing it at the radio".

I smiled and told her that she did "visualization" that time, and she was perfect at it. She watched me not really getting what I was saying. So I just told her to just forget about "visualizing" in the literal term altogheter and instead start hearing songs in her head. She had no problems thereafter. It was natural to her.

The morale is: "visualization" is a term that can encompass everything, not only visual stimuli. Everyone of us is better at some things at beginning in confront to others, depending on our nature. The trick is to work with those natural predilections at first. Everything that can make you lose in another "reality" is fine, not only visualizing (in the literal term) a scenario. There are people I know that are much better at "visualizing" sounds, some others that are much better at "visualizing" kinesthetic sensations. Very little people I know are really good at "visualizing" in the literal term and to do so effectively they must be in a certain frame of mind.

Also if people are used believing the visual sense the most developed because they are attentive to it the most of the time, in reality in many cases it is not so.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: manwesulimo2004 on June 25, 2011, 07:57:10
What you said reminded me of Robert Bruce's method of NO Visualisation which is based more on feeling than seeing: http://www.astraldynamics.com/home/new-energy-ways/using-new-full-tutorial/73-part-2-no-visualization.html

I never considered hearing-based visualisation though. Sounds like a great idea. I'll definitely be trying this out soon.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Nardz Belen on July 10, 2011, 21:30:49
I have just logged in as a new member, and the first item I read is the Centeno piece. As a beginner, I found it very enlightening. I am quite sure that I will be learning a lot not only from the above subject but also from other postings by other experienced members on astral projection or astral travel. Thanks a lot! Nardz Belen
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: TravelingBull on July 11, 2011, 18:24:25
What a great post!!!!! Wish I would have found this sooner! THIS IS WHAT I DID to get an exit! funny... still perfecting my exit.... but heard no sounds, no vibrations! I guess some do and some dont... A LOT OF VISUAL and melting yes! and just knew i could leave... it was just like you said... snapping back after a vision, i just kept going back to that state of vision to see what I would see next! hahahaha! then pop! now this post helps me perfect what i did... really didnt know! hahahaha! THANKS!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: rangestormer on July 13, 2011, 09:21:05
Contenteo, thanks for your input, it is quite helpful. I just have two questions for you. How often do you manage to project? And second, how much time does it take you to visualize in order to "get out"? I am just looking for some estimate here. The reason I ask is because I am getting way better with visualizing everyday, I can actually "see" and hold my focus on the image for longer than 30 seconds. But I still have not had an OBE in this way and I am wondering if I am "throwing the tower" too early.
Today I woke up after 6 hours of sleep, stayed up for 30 minutes and then layed down for an attempt. I listened to hemi-sync for 20 minutes in order to relax better, and then started visualizing. I thought I was doing very good, but nothing really happened and I decided to quit. I looked at the clock and I have been actively visualizing for 20 minutes - not enough?
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Contenteo on July 15, 2011, 18:26:13
Awesome question, thank you, I wanted to add somethings and this is a great opportunity to do that as your question fits right along.

The Philosophy of Opportunity
Over the past months, I have come to adopt a philosophy of "opportunity" pertaining to astral projection. When I started, it was all so new and amazing I was obsessed with achieving the astral state. Getting there was my goal. However, once you get there; the softness, the awe that you feel, and the comfort allows you to be a peace with yourself and your existence. The easiest way to explain it is that once you get there(and you have to get there first, or else I sound loony right now), you immediately realize that this phenomenon of projection is pretty much that 'secret' journey that will help you understand the meaning of existance. And as the scope of this journey will extend beyond your life, there is no reason to rush is, but to rather try to understand it to its fullest. The beauty that we seemed to have dubbed PUL (Pure Unconditional Love) is a life-changer. Why do you think so many people go 'crazy' when they have one of these experiences. (on a side not: Your social life depends on you not losing your wits, so please, be scientific and stay sane. :wink: I can't stress that enough.) When you feel PUL, you will understand what you have just discovered is a journey in which you should not rush or force. This is why I have contently assumed with a life of opportunity, a life where you project when the opportunity presents itself. My best projections to date, have all been from simply going with the flow. Not one forced attempt has had the same effectiveness, although I am getting closer, but that is the beauty of a journey that truly takes a physical lifetime.

The Gossip
Since I am pretty sure you are really asking me about the juicies, I'll take an intermission to tell you. To date, I have projected about 3-full times since day after I wrote this post. Remember though, my practice regiment has changed though. As I said my goal was to project before going to bed every night, prime opportunity time. That is when I practice. Two of the three of my successful attempts however were similar attempts when I got the "screw it I am going back to bed" feeling and just took a nap. The other one was a really fuzzy yet unmistakable WILD to projection through sleep. However, my dream-life (if i can call it that) has been incredible, I dream long vivid dreams every night, no exceptions. In fact, most of the time I don't even want to get up. Lucid dreams and sections of lucidity(control) have been scattered throughout these experiences.

In summery, it is not how many times you project, but your enjoyment of the process. So relax and stop "forcing." It is being at peace with the nature of this system which will make you most successful in the end.

How Long Does Visualizing Take?
I could not give you an exact measure. Really. They call F15 the no-time zone for a reason. You know when you start, but when you finish you are in the astral. You can't really measure a length when you only got one point. When I screw up, I realize that anywhere from 20-60 minutes have passed, but then you have to subtract time entering F10 from that, which can vary greatly too.

The importance of the putting your physical body to sleep
Let's talk about those first annoying 10-30 minutes or so. Honestly, it takes an annoying long while to get to a proper F10/F12. Putting your body asleep may be so new for you, that your definition of asleep is not a adept's definition. Personally, Waiting for F12 to set it (that is when your body goes numb and you hit the Novocaine state so you can focus(well, not focus) on other senses if my least favorite part. As much as I would love to act like a selfless guru on the subject, I have to tell you that waiting that first 20 minutes has become painstakingly mundane. At shortest, I would say I have achieved a solid matureNovocaine state is around 10 minutes, but there has been times when it has been 30 minutes or longer. To be effective with you visualizations, you really have to let your body completely fall asleep.

Tips on getting to Novocaine quicker
Usually I'll be taking deep breaths, at this time, I have found recalling the memories of being hypnotized back in high school is really effective. I will "notice" and think about life to pass the time. You really just got to sit in your consciousness for a long while. During this time, visualizing may help get there quicker (remember visualizing is just a way to passively disconnect yourself, there are other way to passively disconnect yourself, like focusing on an 'OHM' or phrase) but you are jumping' the gun on you F15 transition. Although it could work, save the 'big guns' (visualizing) until you teeth really fall asleep. Then visualize. Keep disconnecting until you feel that melting, then just keep riding the that wave into the astral and try not to freak out(which is easier then it sounds).

For rangestormer

I have 3 comments for you.
1st
QuoteToday I woke up after 6 hours of sleep, stayed up for 30 minutes and then layed down for an attempt.
When you are new, you don't get to choose when you lay down for an attempt. You have to wait until your body says, "Yo dude, we really should go back and take a nap, I don't wanna be awake." That's when you lay down to project. I think that's just the hard knocks.

2nd
QuoteI listened to hemi-sync for 20 minutes in order to relax better
Don't use hemi-sync when you attempt this methodology. I have tried it and it screws me up every time.

3rd
QuoteI have been actively visualizing for 20 minutes
Active visualization is a create way to start, but your goal is to let you body take over and passively visualize. Let your thoughts flit and flutter and when random thoughts start messing with your 'visuals', just let them and keep going, eventually they will completely take over. And its the case in which you don't realize that they have taken over when you will be successful.

All and all

What is important though is that you do the first step correctly. If you reach a nice strong Novocaine state, the visualizing should be a breeze. Don't forget, when you start visualizing over and over, you are going to go into kinda of a drowsy stupor; where you really couldn't place a finger on what is going on. It is akin to those power naps with crazy dreams that seem like an hour but only 20 minutes passes. I think your problem range is in your achievement of a nice strong F10-F12 state. If you can maintain 30 second visualizations to start, you should be a powerhouse at the next step, just remember to let your body eventually take over.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: stellina757 on July 20, 2011, 00:13:33
Contenteo what an awesome post! :-D  Thanks for seriously taking the time to share all of that!! You're very articulate and break it down perfectly. I am new to this and have yet to project but last night I started actually seeing images. I was completely relaxed and felt my body start to have these sensations they felt good cant explain it really and then I remember seeing my niece and my dog knock over some juice in the kitchen. I ended up getting frustrated with this attempt however despite feeling great I started sweating I felt so hot and it was freezing in my room and my eyes were twitching too much like they wanted to open. Thanks again for sharing. I will be looking forward to your future posts :)
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: bluremi on July 20, 2011, 13:46:25
Thanks again for another great post, Cententeo. Your advice is spot on. The other day I got very relaxed and tried to just let my mind run with whatever random images that came to mind (like you were watching a rapid montage of unrelated television scenes).

I had results very quickly: felt my body fade away as the visuals became more immersive. Unfortunately I had a bad cold and it kept me from progressing.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Contenteo on July 21, 2011, 13:09:59
Thank you both for your kind words.

Stellina - Welcome to projection. Yeah, it feels good. There have been some attempts where I have just sat on the "edge" bathed in those sensations. For a lack of a better english word, it is orgasmic. But I guess that is to be expected from intense brain stimulation.
Your senses are going to do that to you as you get deeper. What I like to think about in those scenarios of noises and distractions is simply what our nervous system is, simply a system of perceiving information. This helps me logically disconnect from those sensory feelings, as I then realize they are simply dragging me back to the physical. They are still really annoying though.

Blu- Spot on, I like the analogy. I have found that rather then knowingly perceive I am experiencing random television scenes, attempt to live one in one. By this I mean, lock onto what is happening in one of them and start using metaphysical imagery. For instance, right now, close you eye's and imagine you are juggling a hacky-sack or soccer ball. Do you see how you created the arcs the object takes in your brain. You might even feel like you are getting pulled "into the back of your brain" slightly when you try this. That is the feeling we are shooting for. Just lock onto one of those television images and use that tactic. Sorry bout the cold, hope you feel better.

Cheers,
Contenteo
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: etheRick on July 29, 2011, 09:16:06
I still burst out laughing everytime I think of "a lady dancing in a hotdog suit".  :-D
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: blackbumper on July 30, 2011, 05:15:05
Contenteo,

thanks dude for the instructions and it's similar to what i'm currently doing - with varying levels of mild success. (never fully projected into the astral, only real time zone) I've had the numb lips and mouth sensation many times, but never known what to do about it and now i've got a clear instruction on what to do next.

Thanks again. 
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: ShaMagus on November 26, 2011, 06:18:01
Big ups from a newb! This is a treasure house of information and knowledge put neatly into words so even I can understand :-D i was just posting in another thread that i dont have it in me to maintain an image in my consciousness for long and that i would rather just focus on my breath, but after reading this post i must say im convinced otherwise. Im very good with daydreaming having practices shamanic drum journeying for several years and i see now i can use my experience in this work!

So just to be sure i get your approach:
1. Get out of bed after 4-6 hours of sleep and wait for the 'thats it, im going to bed' feeling.
2. Lay down in projection spot, not bed, and relax. Dont move!
3. Wait for novacaine milestone(amazing!)
4. Visualize or daydream. Keep visualizing no matter what i feel or experience.
5. Projection will occur naturally.

Hope thats it, if not i need to edit this post :wink:
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Chris Ditfort on December 29, 2011, 23:05:16
Awesome Advice, I'm too just learning how to Astral Project.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: vasspilka on December 30, 2011, 08:59:12
To Contenteo

  You said two times about WILD's, are not WILD's and AP's a different thing?
  I myself have had many time Lucid Dreams (in the middle of my sleep) not a WILD's and from what I have read WILD's are just Lucid Dreams in which you enter from a conscious state...In other words WILD's are dream in which you don't lose consciousness am I not right? Is not Astral Projection a different state of consciousness or is it same as in WILD's and LD's?

Quote from: Contenteo on June 16, 2011, 03:43:23
A full WILD actually takes a while to complete the actual phasing process.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Contenteo on December 30, 2011, 14:37:47
ShaMagus - Excellent reduction into concise terms. I just can't stress enough  how important a full fledged Novocaine is to success and alongside that how much I understand it is remarkably annoying to get there. Astronauts must feel the same way. Strapping in to launch off into space, but having to sit in their seats for hours and hours and hours before they get their chance. Some nights I don't attempt just because I don't feel like waiting, but the times I do, I am always met with success.

Chris Ditfort - Congrats. I like to think of Astral Projection is a lifestyle. It is not something you can achieve once and forget about. It's like what Leonardo Davinci said about flight. "When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return."

Vasspika-
In my personal opinion, I have found there to be one universe duality separate from our physical reality. Some call it the dreamland, others heaven, others consciousness, etc. There is a definitive set of rules that are equal and opposite of this realm's laws of physics. For example, intent instantly manifests itself. One defines life itself is the ability to possess consciousness on this physical plane, and a "centralized point of being" on the other(one part of each).
Our attempts in meditation, APing, WILDS, NDEs, and the like are all different ways we can experience this other duality. It is much like the blind men and elephant parable.  So think of Astral Projection as a nice umbrella term for "phasing" over to this other duality. WILDs and LD's are just different paths in exploring the same phenomenon. You can get there all sorts of ways. Here, I will post one of my old models of the Astral that helped me earlier this year in another thread. Happy New Year.

Cheers,
Contenteo
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Elektro on January 25, 2012, 01:55:41
This sounds like what happens to me i started like a week ago, and ive been doing them at night before going to bed- now i get to the point im not sure but i think F12? ( i feel like mind blowned), and i automatacally daydream or visualize it does it naturalally that i dont even have to try but i feeel like my body is shrinking or the world (some wierd forest place) growing heaps big like im an ant. But then it fades out and i lose the feeling, and if try keep focusing on that but sometimes i feel it again or it just stops and im back to my body and hearing my heart beat and breathing and im kinda sweaty aswell.
It also happened once in the early morning 4 or 5? stayed for like 40mins reading about what i should do next. THen head to bed and got that err F12..state, and then same thing i cant keep that daydream or visualization long. !
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: ZiggyMike on February 04, 2012, 07:47:42
This is really helpful, I will do that the next time I get the chance.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Darksierra on February 05, 2012, 11:24:18
I love this! I always start think about breathing then get fusterated when i cant stop, so after readimg this i csn now understand what to do! Thank You so much for this! By the way i dont realy understand what F15 and the other F's are could you explain them the best you can? Thanks again!
:-D
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Contenteo on February 06, 2012, 00:47:24
No Problem Dark, I am glad I could help.

This guide was meant to cover the early stages, but I guess going over the next couple couldn't hurt. F3/F10/F12/F15/F18, etc. are non consecutive placeholders to understand repeatable mental states as you disconnect yourself from the physical. All language has context and all context has bias, so to reduce bias, this non-descriptive placeholder system works best. These were proposed by the pioneer in the field, Robert Monroe. To respect the bold adventurer and his hard work, I use his system of describing a phase. For the earlier stages of the astral, this sequence works rather brilliantly.

Once you get to F12(understanding these stages well is a must, so go do it now if you haven't already), you should have a nice Novocaine state going, your body should be distant, and you should be experiencing what I can only describe as black "Vastness." A very mature F12 state will have you past the breathing problems(the worst of it :|, it even plagues me now, so don't expect it to magically go away when you get better, you getting better makes it easier to cope with) and if you did repeated visualizations correctly you will have progressed into F15 without even being aware you did so. This is because I found F15 sets in when you are really engrossed in a metaphysical visualization.

F15
Known as the "No Time Zone", F15 was the most elusive for me to understand as a young projector. You know you hit the early stages of F15 when you start getting those sinking into the bed feelings. These are the exact same feelings you get when coming out of a falling dream. If you ever stop to analyze an F15 feeling from the inside, you will realize you have no idea what time it is, nor how long you have been attempting visualization. In the moment, this falling/sinking/melting can seem to go on forever, but on waking, you will find very little time has passed, nor sure how long you were exactly in that falling state for. Hence, this where I believe the name arises.

At this point, it is weird in a way, because you know where you are, you are falling into your consciousness in your bed/couch/wherever. You can talk to yourself while in there kind of focus on other things(although not recommended for achieving a phase, understanding this stage is more important than you might think). If you start thinking of breathing again you may realign yourself with the physical by accident in this phase. You WILL realize you are not breathing and for the first time (Congrats!) in a state which your body also seems cool with the notion.  So rather, if you recognize this stage, do what hypnotist's do, keep saying, "Deeper, and deeper, and deeper..." over and over again in your head and focus on the falling.

Now, a state having such attributes, as you would expect, feels like a transition stage. In many ways it is. The next Focus of mind is much more stable.

F18
AKA 3-D blackness (which is confusing because people confuse it with the vastness in F12, I did when I started), AKA The White Room/Light (which is confusing because it is both black and white, I would say more white :wink:) is the last limbo state we can define concisely before you project. There is no next verifiable step except projection. So congratulations when you first get here  :-D. I have a gut feeling this is the stage people are talking about when they have a near death experience and they are saying "Walk towards the light," etc. I have read a lot about people calling this the 'transition zone'

You will know when you get here, because it feels great. It feels like there is a gentle breeze all around you. I like to say you are at PUL(Pure Unconditional Love)'s Doorstep. It is bathing you in vibrations and feelings of ecstasy. No wonder Monks train to come and hang out in this state, because given you can get back there on a regular basis, it could very well become addictive. From this state, you then focus on your "Crown Chakra" to project. I think this is what people are talking about when the say they are getting pulled upwards. Its not gravity's up, it's the top of your head's UP.
It is my opinion that many people try to pull the trigger prematurely in the early F12 stages. It's like the gun's chamber still has gas in it, or not enough gunpowder and the whole mechanism gets jammed and stalls. So this is where you are going to want to get before you start doing all that energy focusing stuff so many "pros" talk about. Don't worry, it will be like you are sitting in this room, and you can feel how "energy" works much better. Given you can weather the intense sensations that happen during the actual "phase," and I have to reiterate, they are damn intense, you have made it. Home Run. So when the phase occurs, the breeze will become more violent, you will start to hear a loud buzz, and you will feel like you are getting pulled out the top of your head. Frank called this the "cannonball" exit. Quite appropriate. You are the one focusing all your energy there and making it happen so simply hang on to this self created force, and try not to analyze it too much. Just let it happen.

From here, the F12,F15,F18 sequential path changes in a way, because there is a lot of places you can end up depending on how you exactly exited in the process, But these are all conversations for another day.

Note: Anything above F15, but below, F21, as far as I have read, is pretty scattered in definition and consensus. I mean it is beyond the place with no time(F15), but before, a composed esoteric subjective adventure(F21). Put that way, I think one can understand why widespread concensus is difficult.  :-P

A Final Metaphor

Think of entire Phase like attempting to pop a balloon by pushing down on it against the floor. If you deviate and attempt to control the push, it wobbles all over. You have to keep starting over. However, if you attempt this with a sharp intent and directed energy and simply gain well placed momentum from a well placed understanding of the dynamics of this particular balloon, your task will feel like a cinch. When you phase for the first time, it will be like this. You will be confused why you thought it was ever so hard to begin with. A good understanding of what is going on, gained through practice with true intents, with good timing for your initial projections and, yes, a little luck, will give you everything you need to achieve your goal.

I wish you the best on your travels, as one day you will realize it is the traveling, not the destination, that matters most in adding projection to your lifestyle.


Cheers,
Contenteo


Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: literider61 on June 26, 2012, 16:46:16
Excellent message. I hope that others can use it to experience what I believe it going to be a quantum shift in all our consciousness and a leap in evolutionl. The sooner the better!
literider61
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: ParaNoiZ on August 10, 2012, 10:52:04
WoW I am sooooo greatful for that post,I was getting realy frustrated at the fact that I wasn't doing it right but its just what I need thank you thank you soooo much
With best regards
The only two projectors in zambia
Mike and JP :)
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: gadfly on September 30, 2012, 17:02:57
great thread Contenteo, nicely thought out and explained. Very helpful stuff  :-)
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: darkraigne on October 05, 2012, 13:01:00
veeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyy helpful.............tried it today didn't successfully project but............i completely lost track of time and meditated for about an hour for the first time in my life!!!!!!!!!! :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D...............thing is when the ringing and vibrations start i find it hard to keep visualizing and i am drawn to my breathing and my body which i immediately remember that i wasnt in charge of my breathing since my visualization process and i have to start over again .is there something im missing with the vibrations and ringing what do i have to d to keep this going naturally and successfully project .........i am aware of not looking for IT and letting the natural process occur but i want to be sure if i am doing every thing right .
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: 13thrisingtruths on December 28, 2012, 21:48:48
((((((((((vibing))))))))) reading this right now. a few weeks back i was trying to ap and my mind started to wonder and i started to play out little stories i was like stop it and relax guess i was relaxing. dont know how many times i have had this happen and i have bee like what are you doing but guess i was being a drug dog like someone said. going to try this for the next few days hopefully il make it out.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Paulie on January 05, 2013, 14:54:40
I tried this early this morning, got up went back to bed, went to f12, created a falling sensation, and the vibrations came,I
kept calm and tried the visual thing, but they faded , I'll keep trying this though very excited at this progress,
Thanks
Paul.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: sorbmal on January 07, 2013, 17:28:01
Very good  :wink: thanks a bunch
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Lookedynamixhales on February 21, 2013, 08:45:38
This forum is truly the best place for knowledge i have come across on the entire web for astral projecting :)
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: meeshatech on March 23, 2013, 12:19:20
Wow I needed that! Thank you Contendo. I have one question for you...or anyone for that matter, once you are in np world, is it right there in your visualization that you appear? Also, do you have to open your eyes at that point or are they automatically opened?
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: mdiacon on April 02, 2013, 10:40:31
Hi i am a new person to the world of astral projection ( found out about it like a week ago). Tried to do it but still no success, now that i am reading more about it, i understand more and hopefully will be able to do it soon enough. Most of all the webs have answered my questions but i still have some left that i hope someone on this forum can help me with.
1. Does astral projection always occur after sleep paralysis? i mean do you have to pass sleep paralysis to get to astral or not?
2. me and my sister sleep in the same room and we are both trying to do it, if i do it first then i read somewhere that there is a way to help someone thats sleeping to astral project. Now my question is: what if we both astral project, and since no one can go in your body without you letting them, what if we both go i each others body, what can happen, will i be able to go back?
3. I also saw some astral projection mantras that people use. Am i supposed to say them in my mind or out loud? Do i say them after sleep paralysis, in help to astral project?
4. I am seriously having problems getting to sleep paralysis. I stay put not moving, breathing normally but i only get as far as tingling and thats it. Is there easier ways to get there? Also i read on this forum the " 66 techniques of astral projection", do i do them after sleep paralysis or when?
5. If i am astral projection, and someone in the morning wakes me up, will i be able to get up or not? I mean would my soul automatically go into my body or not?
6. Do i control how long my astral projection lasts? Can i do it for hours?
7. If i move something while astral projecting, would it move in real life? Like if i go into my living room and move some papers, would they remain moved in real life? or is that something one has to work on, like a ghost and try to really move something, because i read somewhere that a way to do that is to try to move your body while you are astral projecting.
8. i understand all the things you can do while in astral projection, but what is the next level ( mental plane), how do you get to that? and what is different between the two? i mean what can you do in mental one that you can't in astral one?
9. what exactly are the steps to astral project after you are just in sleep paralysis and are just laying there not able to move but hearing everything? do all the vibrations and humming and all those that lead to astral projection, happen after sleep paralysis?
10. i am completely confused about the body chakras and their connection to be able to astral project?

Thanks so much, and i really appreciate all your answers
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Contenteo on April 02, 2013, 11:43:14
1. Let's just say, as a beginner, you first projection is going to occur well after you reach that mind awake/body asleep state.

2. Won't happen. There is some solid arguments that you are never in your body to begin with. You are a intangible being having a tangible experience. Not other way around. Probably same room attempts is a bad idea. You need to not focus on the physical to phase.

3. There are a number of plateaus as you put your body alseep, (F10, F12, etc.) I use, different strategies for different levels on different nights. Only mantra you need is a strong imagination.

4. The majority of what is written in this thread already outlines that you need to take a passive approach, not wield an arsenal of techniques. That will never get you there. Sleep paralysis can take up to 15-20 minutes some nights. Just take deep breaths and relax. It sounds like you are pretty up tight about this stuff. You need to be really relaxed for projection to occur. I have never heard of anyone forcing a projection.

5. Soul? Again, it never left you body. If you have ever had one of those 20 minute naps that seems like hours in the dream world, the experience we be very much like that. It's nothing too radically different then anything you have experienced yet. Just a lucid dream.

6. Do i control how long my astral projection lasts? Can i do it for hours?
There have been a number of threads on this in the past. The overwhelming consensus is that the average 'full-control' projection experience lasts about 3 minutes. I have had experiences that have last seemingly hours.

7. When you project, it is to my belief and understanding that you are not in the 'this' reality, but a 'lower level' of you imagination. So it a reflection of what you imagine your surroundings to be before you pass out. I have had countless projections now, and none of this stuff has ever occurred. Nor have I heard about it occurring to anyone else.

8. Let's just get mind awake body asleep first, then you can worry about reaching the alleged upper stages enlightenment.

9. Yes, laying there + vibrations + forgetting who and where you are = projection. You need to practice and get to mind awake body asleep. That's like asking how to do a derivative before you even know how to multiply.

10.IMO, Body chakras are a conceptual framework of understanding. They are much like 7 notes of a musical scale.

Cheers,
Contenteo


P.S. meeshatech - you have to relieve yourself of you last perspective, in this case, the physical, and then you'll just seemingly slip into a world that appears like reality, but is not. You will believe it to be reality, but there will be strange differences and you will think nothing of them. Like a dream, you will not realize what has happened until you are engrossed.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: desert-rat on April 03, 2013, 11:48:34
On methods , I guess you go with what works for you .  I sent you Erin"s link in p.m.  she has some blogs on a.p.  and will post it hear also http://www.erinpavlina.com/   and one on the chakras they are energy centers .  http://www.aznewage.com/chakras.htm   There are methods like the middler pillar    or circulation of white light to build there energy .To quote DickSutphen , "no two people experence past life regression , or astral projection in the same way "  He also said " knowledge erasses karma" .
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: M4RT1N on May 05, 2013, 13:40:48
What do you mean by "Let you teeth come together" if I completely relax my jaw then it will drop, biting my teeth together would be the opposite of relaxing.

"Focus on hearing things in the physical. Anything to pass the time until you body falls asleep." So with this method I need to first get sleep paralysis and then after I'm in SP visualize? I always thought if you're in sleep paralysis you can just get up and you're out.

If I just listen to things and focus on myself breathing then I always fall asleep or at least become extremely close to falling asleep and completely lose focus, then my body will do something and I'll realize that I almost fell asleep and then I'll give up. :-(
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Contenteo on May 13, 2013, 17:15:44
Yeah I can't say that first 10 minutes is the most exciting thing in the world. Its actually so boring that some nights I will simply not project because I don't feel like waiting the time to get into the mature state necessary.
Sleep paralysis is a messy term because there are so many states of depth once you have hit body asleep mind awake. Even then, there are many depths until you have hit a truly mature body asleep, mind awake state.

By teeth together, I simply mean your jaw isn't hanging ajar. It is much easier to get into a F10 state by simply allowing your two sets of teether to meet. If you are laying down without a pillow, this usually means your bottom jaw falling upward to meet your top one, but if you have 1-2 pillow, it means allowing your top jaw to rest gently on your bottom.

Cheers,
Contenteo
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Luis Castillo on October 01, 2013, 21:29:58
Amazing source of info in this thread. Thank you so much for sharing Contenteo. Please let me ask you some questions:

The novocaine state is like a MUST in order to project, or you can just jump to the visualization part?
I ask you this, because I didn't think about that relaxation level (when my jaw and physical eyes fall asleep) like a essential thing. And for that reason I have reached that state only 2 times, because I didn't look for that. I reached it using the "noticing method" from Frank.

But usually I got deeply relaxed, and I feel my arms and legs really heavy, but I always have full control of my physical body, I mean I can just stand up at any moment, so I dont know the "body asleep" thing. Then, the novocaine state is exactly like mind-awake/body-asleep, so when you get that state you just can't move your body? Or you have full control over the physical?

I generally just jump to the "good" part (visualizating or using some mantra) from the begining. So, if novocaine milestone is really important what is the best aproach to reach it?

For last, I always have what I call "little-dreams" but I'm not sure if this is what you call visualizations non scripted (like the lady dancing). I wrote a post two weeks ago. Can you give me your thoughts about it please???

http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_astral_consciousness/what_about_quotlittle_dreamquot-t43373.0.html

Thank you so much for all this information!
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Contenteo on October 03, 2013, 03:22:16
No problem. I am glad you are enjoying this thread and the projection experience.
Okay first you're doing great. Cultivating those tiny 'shorts' is key.

Is the Novocaine state mandatory?
No, I believe everybody engages somewhat in the Novocaine state(ones teeth/jaw feeling asleep- read above)after their awareness has left this physical reality. It's a natural part of sleep paralysis. I have found expecting this, and treating it as a first milestone speeds the whole process up excellently.  My efficacy for leaving body/deep meditation has been hieghtened as well. I should note in all my conscious exit OBE's, it has been instrumental.

Getting to F10 is a breeze for me now. Takes bout 10-12 minutes. Lay there and visualize('shorts' is a great way to explain it) or just be lazy and don't move or think all to much. First your feet feel numb, then your legs, then your midsection, and then your mouth, that is if you allow your teeth to rest. It's much easier to perceive yourself(your own conscious experirnce)slipping into F12 or F15(no time zone) states once Novacaine had been reached.

Nowadays, I find it relativly boring getting to F10 I save all my good techniques for after it's reached. I just find it way easier.

When you get to that state when your body is asleep, should you have control over your physical body to jump up, etc?

Yes, you will. That kill switch, to end projection attempt will always there with you. This is, until youvare actually projecting or in such a deep state, you dont realize anymore. I wouldn't be afraid of it not being there. It will always be there and the thought of that will always be meddling up your process. The trick is to just, not care... Which is very difficult. Remember, any thought of the physical during the transition process will chain you back to the physical.

I hope this all helps. Best on your journies.   :wink:

Cheers,
Contenteo
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Astralzombie on October 03, 2013, 04:37:13
I would also note that Contenteo's advice about allowing your upper and lower teeth to just touch will also help alleviate the need to swallow because you will naturally produce much less saliva when your teeth are touching.

Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: M4RT1N on October 03, 2013, 17:53:36
So if I'm lying on my back (without a pillow) I should bite my teeth together? If I would completely relax my jaw then my mouth would open, why would I bite my teeth together? Wouldn't that be the opposite of relaxing?
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Astralzombie on October 03, 2013, 21:09:39
Quote from: M4RT1N on October 03, 2013, 17:53:36
So if I'm lying on my back (without a pillow) I should bite my teeth together? If I would completely relax my jaw then my mouth would open, why would I bite my teeth together? Wouldn't that be the opposite of relaxing?

Keyword: allow

If you choose to go without a pillow then you would have a hard time allowing this to happen. You must choose your own position and deal with whatever comes with it. You never want to force anything.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: SaneSir on October 25, 2013, 17:33:56
Hey!

I want to suggest an alternative method as opposed to: "Go to sleep late, (midnight or later), wake up early, (7am or earlier), go eat breakfast, use the bathroom, whatever you have to do.. THEN go lay down."

That method works for some people, but everyone is different, so here's my alternative suggestion for those, such as myself, who this method isn't ideal for.

I have managed 3 projections, (I'm new, don't hate, appreciate), and I find WHEN you try to project most defiantly has an impact on your success rate (as found by personal experience). Here is what is successful for me, and if you are also a beginner, this method to begin with may work for you too. :)

MY SUGGESTED METHOD:
((On the weekend when you don't have school/work, this method will eat up your afternoon.))

1) Go to sleep late, around midnight or later, at least late enough you can sleep in past lunch. (The idea is to rather then be LACKING sleep, as suggested in the other method, is to have, TOO MUCH sleep, which will make you physically and mentally drained enough that it is easier to relax and daydream, needed to induce OBE) *MAKE SURE TO FALL ASLEEP ON YOUR BACK* (if you're lucky, you'll wake up in sleep paralysis.

2)For me I usually sleep in past lunch, I'm so tired and exhausted from so much sleep all I have to do is close my eyes and drift back into a "sleep-like" state. So sleep in as late as you can, if you happen to wake up before lunch, just go right back to sleep. Continue to sleep until you wake up feeling totally drained.

3)After waking up, only get out of bed if you MUST (To use the bathroom), otherwise, right after awakening, without moving, stretching, or anything, close your eyes. This is because if you start moving, it will wake up your body, so hey, if you're TRYING to put your body to sleep, and it already is, why ruin it?

4)After awakening and closing your eyes, begin your preferred practice of inducing AP. For me what works in simply letting my mind wonder, I don't even think about AP, I start having weird wacky hallucination/visuals ((Example: I had one about dinosaurs holding hands and dancing.. They're fun.)) and I just watch them until I feel totally disconnected. Then, I simply Sit up, or roll out, of my body, and walk out of the room before opening my astral eyes.

~Good Luck~



Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Lionheart on October 25, 2013, 17:42:25
 Hello and Welcome to the Astral Pulse, SaneSir!

We don't hate here, we always appreciate, lol!  :-) Especially when a member (new or not) is sharing a technique that helped them find personal success with AP.

I find that you hit a key factor here. Too much sleep or not enough sleep both leave you in the "groggy state" which is great for AP.

Thank You for sharing!  :-)
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Xanth on October 26, 2013, 15:12:33
I can certainly attest to the "too much" sleep.
That's how I end up having the most spontaneous projections with... after I've slept in really late.  :)
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Skyes on August 20, 2014, 02:16:08
I notice this is a pretty solid text. The amount of information is really helpful. I will try to keep all this in mind during my practices. Thank you for sharing! :)
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: vstachu on August 28, 2014, 14:33:00
Hi,
Did anyone experienced muscle twitch/jerk during this method  ?
sometimes instead of me snap back during visualization, for example my thigh or some finger will slightly twitch and this will bring me back form visualization, obviously then im focusing on my body 
I dont have problem with muscle twitching during day

Thanks
Stan
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Astralsuzy on August 28, 2014, 21:14:09
Quote from: Lionheart on October 25, 2013, 17:42:25
I find that you hit a key factor here. Too much sleep or not enough sleep both leave you in the "groggy state" which is great for AP.
There is no wrong or right so my way may not work for you.    I find I do not like being groggy.   When I am groggy I wake myself up.   I like to be alert.   That helps me to ap.   
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: soarin12 on August 29, 2014, 04:51:08
Quote from: vstachu on August 28, 2014, 14:33:00
Hi,
Did anyone experienced muscle twitch/jerk during this method  ?
sometimes instead of me snap back during visualization, for example my thigh or some finger will slightly twitch and this will bring me back form visualization, obviously then im focusing on my body 
I dont have problem with muscle twitching during day

Thanks
Stan

I used to get 2 or 3 muscle twitches during the process.  It's not a big deal as long as you don't get frustrated by it and think ' now it's ruined ' or ' this is really going to set me back'. 

I found the twitches or jerks are a necessary part of my body relaxing, and each time it happened, I would relax more deeply and be able to move more deeply along in the process.

So what seems like a minor setback is really just a part of the process.  Just take it in stride and keep going!  :)
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: TheWolfofDreams on August 29, 2014, 07:28:05
Quote from: soarin12 on August 29, 2014, 04:51:08
I used to get 2 or 3 muscle twitches during the process.  It's not a big deal as long as you don't get frustrated by it and think ' now it's ruined ' or ' this is really going to set me back'. 

I found the twitches or jerks are a necessary part of my body relaxing, and each time it happened, I would relax more deeply and be able to move more deeply along in the process.

So what seems like a minor setback is really just a part of the process.  Just take it in stride and keep going!  :)
Thanks! I've been experiencing this myself a little and was worried it might be setting me back! I suppose it's all just in the response, or the lack thereof.
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: soarin12 on August 29, 2014, 15:31:47
Yes!   :-) :-)
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: FuzzyQuills on April 26, 2015, 07:52:09
Thank you so much for this! I knew something wasn't right with what I was doing. Will combine this with personalreality's method and see how it goes... :D
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: SCHMUSTIN on January 25, 2017, 18:42:57
Just came across this post; I have been struggling for about 3 months not to have another OBE since my last partial separation.

This hit the nail on the head as to what you explain, not to do. I am excited to try this out tonight and tomorrow morning.

Hope all works out and I can get out!!
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: SCHMUSTIN on March 08, 2017, 12:49:46
I read this post months, back but didn't really see any value :-( in it as i was just starting to explore this amazing ability.

After reading it "again" now after having a little more experience and going through the sensations, but never actually achieving a full separation.

I feel, I better comprehend what your are explaining; and will be trying what you are mentioning in this post in greater detail.

Interesting how you read something once; come back to it, you get allot more of what is being explained!

Tank You!
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: trainingpartner on June 30, 2023, 06:05:00
I did the original visualisation method accidentally, I visualised something funny then I entered the vibration state at the same time. Then I laughed and I snapped out of it :cry:
Title: Re: The Steps to Success in your First Projections
Post by: Lumaza on July 03, 2023, 17:14:35
Quote from: trainingpartner on June 30, 2023, 06:05:00
I did the original visualisation method accidentally, I visualised something funny then I entered the vibration state at the same time. Then I laughed and I snapped out of it :cry:
Nice!  :-) Now do it again and again and again. Practice daily and you will find you are duly rewarded for your effort!  8-)

I wish Contenteo was still an active member here. His presence is dearly missed!  :-(