I've been trying for over a year, and never had vibrations.

[Embodied Words]

Like, ever. I can get into a trance state very easily, I can put my body to sleep in under 10 minutes, but it seems like no matter how long I wait, I never have ANY exit symptoms.

If anyone can give me some advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

[Psan]

May be you should try phasing.
It directly puts you into a dreamlike scenario without traditional exit process. The scene then takes a life of its own and you can go forward from there.

Or you can try energy raising exercises, and try to loosen the grip on your double.

These links should help:
http://www.saltcube.com/out-of-body/chat-forum/viewTopic.jsp?t=exit-paths
http://www.saltcube.com/out-of-body/chat-forum/viewTopic.jsp?t=how-close

[CFTraveler]

If you don't get vibrations, (I don't either) there are cues to know you're ready to exit.  Becoming clairvoyant or getting hypnagogic hallucinations is the best indicator for me.  You can start an exit technique (whichever one you prefer) when your hypnagogics get slower and more stable.

[Embodied Words]

::nod:: Thanks to both of you.

I guess I'm just not in a deep enough trance. I'll keep trying.



^.^

[Vitruvian]

Embodied,
A question, have you been attempting the same techniques for that long, or have you tried different things?
Vitruvian

[Embodied Words]

I've tried different things. I tried traditional OBE methods for a long time (trying exit techniques and such), I've tried phasing, I've tried waking up freakishly early, I've tried taking random naps...

I own 5-6 books on the subject.

The entire Robert Monroe trilogy,

Astral Dynamics,

Astral Travel,

Astral Voyages,

and Mastering Astral Projection in 90 Days.

Really, the only thing I can think of is that I'm not going into as deep of a trance as I think I am.

So I'm going to try relaxing and just seeing how deep I can go.

[mjm]

Here's a suggestion that might help. Next time try and visualize an out of body experience from start to completion.... imagine that it's really happening to you. imagine leaving your body a short distance and try and perceive what you would see from that location... try and stay cognizant of your spacial relationship to your physical body (in your imagined scenario, that is). Imagine moving farther away... then try and percieve your location again... visualize your surroundings as best as you can. Treat the exercise as a daydream of sorts if you like.

With practice, the exercise could induce a full blown OBE... at some point your perceptions during the exercise might become more visual than simply imagined... you may suddenly begin to *see* what you had previously been trying to visualize or imagine (perhaps for brief moments at first). At some point you may suddenly realize you're not imagining the scenario any longer, but that you're actually wherever it is that you had imagined yourself to be. Sometimes the switch is very subtle, but when it happens, you'll know.   

Some people here seem to refer to this sort of experience as "phasing"... personally I think it's just another term for the same old experience though (astral projection, that is).

Anyways, try it a few times and see if you have any experiences with it.

-Michael

[CFTraveler]

It's all astral projection- 'phasing' and 'traditional' are just ways to get out.  Even though some phasers say you don't really get out, there is a feeling of 'stepping into' or 'being sucked into' the environment- another way of saying 'separation'.

[Embodied Words]

::nod:: When I found about phasing, I got all excited cuz I was like, positive it would be easy for me. I'm a big daydreamer and the thought of just phasing into a daydream sounded simple. I'll keep trying though. Once I've done it ONCE, the other times should be much easier.

[mjm]

It's all astral projection- 'phasing' and 'traditional' are just ways to get out.  Even though some phasers say you don't really get out, there is a feeling of 'stepping into' or 'being sucked into' the environment- another way of saying 'separation'.

Agreed. The method of exit is different, but the end result seems to be the same... at least in my somewhat limited experience. 

[Psan]

The separation implies that you have stopped using your body or physical senses and switched to a totally mental experience with full consciousness.
So IMO all such activities can be called AP.

Obviously, there are a garden variety of ways to get separated with their own peculiar symptoms and stuff.
In essence, AP is an activity where you observe the reality through the 'higher' senses. For most of us, it all results in confusion initially (just like an infant watching his environment) and our earthly mind provides most of the scenery.

Perhaps with years of practice (or of many lifetimes, I guess), one becomes evolved enough to see it all.
Patience ....

[RemoteTouch]

Embodied words,

I understand what you are going through. 

What I learned is that astral projection (phasing) cannot be forced at all.  You have to reach the right state of consciousness.  Once you have, the transition is probably the easiest, most natural thing you will ever do.  Its as simple as moving.  But to be honest, I have never in my life achieved an out of body experience through meditation or trances.  The only way it works for me (quite well) is when I basically go to sleep knowing that I want to phase.  At some point I become conscious in a near sleep state, and I know that I can slip out of my body.  I start moving slowly at first and then I just take off.  Its a lot easier to do than it is to explain. 

I would not waste my time with the literature because it has not helped me at all.  Tomorrow morning when you wake from a dream, don't move.  Just go back to sleep with the idea that everything will work out.  Don't try to stay conscious, don't do energy work, don't think just know what you want and try to fall asleep.  You'll know when the moment is right because you have probably done it before, you just don't remember.  The only way to get anywhere is to just try, reading can distort your beliefs and limit your ability.  Feel your way to your goal.

The most important think is to not force it.  If its not going to happen, its not.  Sometime you will reach a point that just feels 100% right and you will know what to do and when.  Trust me, I've tried all these methods.  I've read so much material.  I've wasted so much time.

If you spent just a little more time trying to find the right state of consciousness, or to allow that state to find you, you would move towards success.  Once you know what to look for, it does become easier.  I had an idea of what astral projection was from reading stuff, and I was searching for that instead of using my instinct, my intention, and patience to allow myself to openly receive an experience without the distorted expectation.  That is when I left my body, and now, I can allow it happen whenever I please.  No rush, no thought, just will.

The best thing you can do is forget everything you've read, and rediscover what you already now.  Forget about astral projection and search for an experience.  It will come to you if you ask for it.  But you have to receive it when it comes, so be open to anything that happens and trust your intuition.  The instructions to a successful out of body experience can only be found in yourself, written in feeling.  Intellectual concepts and language are too mechanical to explain these feelings, so they won't do you service.  I promise the answer is so simple that you will look back at these painful trials and laugh when you experience it.  Its so simple that words are to complex to describe it.

Knowledge can be confusing, and distracting.  Step back to the simplest thing that you know, intention, and remember how to astral project.

All that is required is will. 

Remotetouch

[Embodied Words]

Honestly, remotetouch, that makes more sense than ANYTHING else I've read here. Thank you so much, and I will most definitely take your advice to heart.

[SHSS]

Read Frank Kepple's work above, best thing I have come across.  You don't need to have symptoms so don't worry about that.  Just read the article mentioned above and I think you'll be on your way.  Phasing may be the best for you.  I do it this way myself unless I take off from a Lucid Dream.  I will wake-up in a dream, a window or door will appear, and I will fly through.  But, phasing has been the usual way and I love it.

[liam123]

Remote, did write a superb piece on getting over that huge issue of actually getting it done. I started with such a FIRE, I consumed books, it was endless. I meditated 6 hours at a time. I would keep going into relaxation, breathing, hypnosis, etc... until I was ill with it

It took several months and some experiences came through, I wasn't ever satisfied. What was on the very edge of OOBE to me was never as good as what I read the other guy or girl could do!

Ultimately I found I had stumbled upon something that I think my own Mind/Soul didn't really appreciate. I have a feeling subconsciously that I had an altered ego, and personally... it didn't like me interfering with it's nightly ritual of OOBE. That or I developed one ROFL

Also, when I stopped trying so hard I performed many lucid-unconscious OOBEs, hundreds perhaps... However we all hunger for the conscious, perfect, textbook OOBE that we can share, and say Thank heavens..

Just the other night I was feeling weak, and went over, woke up with the signs up of projection, heightened awareness/senses... I fed from the otherside 2 hours, popped back in and, viola. It's a bit hard these days focusing, and getting the kind of OOBE you read about. Religious and UberPatient practice should get you that.

I think the mind busts as does the spirit with enough focusing, and most can achieve OOBE......After 17 years of experience, I have found a calm and patient spirit willing to go the longhaul will get there faster than attempting to steal the experience in a few months. You will know with the early signs that you are getting close to your goals. Every Single Achievement is 1 step closer. I sort of gave up going for the perfect OOBE, my mind/body is a little too frail for the type of rigorous will/strength it requires these days

Harmony of Mind, is a KEY element... I was a troubled practitioner never helps. Relaxation, Happiness, Successful souls get there faster usually I note, could be me, but I am none of these things and even managed it partially

[Alan McDougall]

Hi

Maybe if you would stop trying and relax it will happen spontaneously

Alan

[loppoppy]

I think it's easier to have a partner who practices it aswell. You have someone close you can talk to and it stops u from getting frustrated and keeps you calm, focused and determined. I'm not a very patient person, but after talking with my friend i had an extremely positive attitude and strived for a "perfect" projection =). and eventually i got one!
Don't give in and face up to the enjoyable challenge i say! =)

[alchemist]

Really good advice!

Only thing I'd like to add is 'stop trying so hard'. This was my problem initially, I'd plan every step into a detailed plan. I got so caught up in doing every step right that I lost sight of the bigger picture. Projection/phasing/OBE whatever you want to call it is an inbuilt natural ability everyone has. Nowadays I just relax and 'enjoy the show', for me-the less I try, the more I succeed.

Embodied words,

I understand what you are going through. 

What I learned is that astral projection (phasing) cannot be forced at all.  You have to reach the right state of consciousness.  Once you have, the transition is probably the easiest, most natural thing you will ever do.  Its as simple as moving.  But to be honest, I have never in my life achieved an out of body experience through meditation or trances.  The only way it works for me (quite well) is when I basically go to sleep knowing that I want to phase.  At some point I become conscious in a near sleep state, and I know that I can slip out of my body.  I start moving slowly at first and then I just take off.  Its a lot easier to do than it is to explain. 

I would not waste my time with the literature because it has not helped me at all.  Tomorrow morning when you wake from a dream, don't move.  Just go back to sleep with the idea that everything will work out.  Don't try to stay conscious, don't do energy work, don't think just know what you want and try to fall asleep.  You'll know when the moment is right because you have probably done it before, you just don't remember.  The only way to get anywhere is to just try, reading can distort your beliefs and limit your ability.  Feel your way to your goal.

The most important think is to not force it.  If its not going to happen, its not.  Sometime you will reach a point that just feels 100% right and you will know what to do and when.  Trust me, I've tried all these methods.  I've read so much material.  I've wasted so much time.

If you spent just a little more time trying to find the right state of consciousness, or to allow that state to find you, you would move towards success.  Once you know what to look for, it does become easier.  I had an idea of what astral projection was from reading stuff, and I was searching for that instead of using my instinct, my intention, and patience to allow myself to openly receive an experience without the distorted expectation.  That is when I left my body, and now, I can allow it happen whenever I please.  No rush, no thought, just will.

The best thing you can do is forget everything you've read, and rediscover what you already now.  Forget about astral projection and search for an experience.  It will come to you if you ask for it.  But you have to receive it when it comes, so be open to anything that happens and trust your intuition.  The instructions to a successful out of body experience can only be found in yourself, written in feeling.  Intellectual concepts and language are too mechanical to explain these feelings, so they won't do you service.  I promise the answer is so simple that you will look back at these painful trials and laugh when you experience it.  Its so simple that words are to complex to describe it.

Knowledge can be confusing, and distracting.  Step back to the simplest thing that you know, intention, and remember how to astral project.

All that is required is will. 

Remotetouch

[zipppy2006]

liam123, that sounds identical to my experiences, except I have never had a lucid dream OBE (I have many lucid dreams and have been very close, but I got scared the one time it was there)  How to you usually go about entering the astral from a dream?

[Philip]

Remote, did write a superb piece on getting over that huge issue of actually getting it done. I started with such a FIRE, I consumed books, it was endless. I meditated 6 hours at a time. I would keep going into relaxation, breathing, hypnosis, etc... until I was ill with it

Twice I've been over this exact scenario; becoming totally immersed in the subject, reading everything, being so intrigued and trying so hard... without success. I've never had an OBE, but since a couple of weeks when my third period of OBE-amazement began I decided to take on the same approach as RemoteTouch so neetly described. I'm glad I reached the same conclusion as you and I'm sure (I have to be!) that I'll have my OBE soon!