A troubled practitioner

[Tom]

The two postures I read about most are on the back and on the right side. I have tried both with no success and other positions as well. Crossing limbs is supposed to be bad, but I can tell you from an accidental experience many years ago that the full lotus with hands crossed and no back support can be made to work. Lots of people have accidental successes going out of body in meditative postures.

When you say that you cannot get close to sleep is that the opposite of my problem? I cannot seem to stay awake when practicing.

[terrance]

Hello K2sixx

I fully sympathise with you sleep position problem.  I'm only really comfortable going to sleep belly-down - sort of the classic first-aid Recovery position.  So EVERY night I begin by laying on my back, palms at my side and with my legs strait down but a little apart (oh! and my head a little to one side as this is more comfy).  Every night my GOAL is to get into a trance state which I love being in.  Some night's I'm either too tired or maybe have too much on my mind so I'll turn onto my front and yonk out.  Other nights I reach my GOAL and either play about or just let myself fall asleep.  On the nights I play about I tend to have some success with OBEs and when I feel I'm close to these I will change my intent to explore the Astral etc.

I'll never force myself to stay awake for hours (which I did in my early days) as this just drains me mentally and physically.  Also I try not to make OBE my main goal because when I did (once again in my early days) I would often become frustrated, which has a downward spiral effect because as soon as i did get somewhere cool I'd get over excited and blow it.

Hope this is of help - my main point is that I find it helps to separate needed sleep and comfort from exploration.

[k2sixx]

Thank you Tom and Terrance for your replies.

What I mean by not getting close to sleep is when my mind is too aware of my body after time (back position isn't so bad to begin with; but 30 minutes or so into laying down...) and it is difficult to focus when I am physically uncomfortable.

Rare nights it is the case that I've raised energy to the point that even though I may have been lethargic coming into bed, I will be struggling to let go and fall asleep.

I hope those two circumstances address your inquiry, Tom.

Terrance: The seperation you speak of, at the end of your reply, is a uniqe way to think of it.  Because, typically, the mind can't focus on exploration when the body screams for comfort.  Is what you are saying to do is seperate them by ignoring physical demands and giving in to the nonphysical ones?  Because, I will give that a go.

Thank you.

[terrance]

K2sixx
My last sentance meant to say:
If you are not comfortable then maybe don't attempt OBE
And don't sacrifice too much sleep either

I don't think I'd advise ignoring comfort and sleep in the pursuit of
getting OBEs.

regards
t

[Tom]

When you go to sleep, you withdraw your senses from their objects. This includes causing the mind to withdraw from its objects. Just watch your thoughts and perceptions if you have to, but don't react to them. Instead, focus on your heart chakra. The energy tends to go there on falling asleep.

[k2sixx]

BRIEF BACKGROUND:
Haven't been here in a while... so hello again.  Ever since my first (and only) LD and OBE, I unfortunately slacked off a great deal.  My only ability that I retain from this all is extremely profound dream recall.  (I may take up fulltime LD practice in the mere future due to success in the dream-worlds.)

WHAT HAS THORNED MY PRACTICE:
My trouble resides in bodily positions.  Back or belly is the major issue with me.  If I am exhausted, then sleep on my back is attainable, otherwise it is a task.  It is simple enough for me to sleep on my stomach, and yet, I seem to lose all awareness of surroundings, and it feels like my focus is being absorbed into the pillow and held captive.

The other issue deals with hands/arms.  Folded on chest or at the side? (When on back.)


TYPICAL ATTEMPT (these were performed practically every night up until mid. September):
Now I am troubled because practice is very... displeasing... when comfort is at stake because I feel way too aware.  And though I have those exciting moments (reproductable) where my awareness is spaced out; they are only temporary.  Soon consciousness is limited merely to the confines of my immediate environment and I can't get anywhere close to sleep while remaining on my back.

FEEDBACK?:
Now if anyone can chime in with their personal experience in this area (their positions, what they find works/fails, what they know to be "proper" for attaining maximum proficiency, etc.) I would be most grateful.