New to astral projection

[JeffreyM]

Hey there everyone.
My name is Jeffrey.

I've just recently become interested in astral projection.
So tonight I attempted to achieve this..
But going in, I didn't really feel informed enough..
Still here's what happened.

I laid down in my bed, closed my eyes, and started breathing nice and slow.
I kept my thoughts focused.
I got my whole body to relax, except for my head really, because I found myself having to swallow from time to time.
Eventually it felt like it would be tough to move my limbs if I tried, but I was obviously fully awake.
Anyway, I continued.
I proceeded to repeat a combination of words in my head over and over.
I found myself decently relaxed.
And I felt a faint vibration on the surface of my skin.
I started to envision a golden spirit, and myself floating up to it.
And when I did that, I got the sensation that I was getting lighter, and very slowly floating up.
But then it was gone...
I repeated these steps a few more times, and nothing.

The whole time I was laying down was just over an hour.

Now I have a question.
Are you supposed to astral project from a relaxed, yet awake state? Or sleep paralysis?
Or is it something entirely different?

Any pointers would of course be great.

Cheers guys!

[Stookie]

For the beginner, the best state to experience an OBE would be "MABA" or "Mind Awake, Body Asleep". It's kind of a difficult teeter-totter task to learn, but well worth it. Here's a great read:

http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_permanent_astral_topics/focus_10_mind_awakebody_asleep-t24783.0.html

[JeffreyM]

Thanks very much for that link.

What I got from it was that MABA is just a deep form of meditation, right?
And in theory, it can be practiced from a wide awake state, correct?

Now, I don't want to jump the gun and try and seek out more knowledge before the time comes.
But I like to be prepared.

What is a common... segway I suppose... from that state into Astral Projection?

[Stookie]

MABA is like your launchpad for other states of awareness. From there you can attempt an exit technique. It seems different things work for different people. "Rope Climbing" is a fairly easy one to start with. I don't have a link for it, but it's one of the most common methods and should be easy to find. Also, our Astral FAQ's and Permanent Astral Topics have loads of tips. Good Luck!

[JeffreyM]

Thanks very much for the assistance.
I will keep trying!

Cheers!

[JeffreyM]

Actually, one more question.
As I seem to find conflicting information in different areas..

Reaching Focus 10 and beyond is just as simple (yet seemingly difficult) as putting physical presence out of mind, along with the dialog, right?

And also, when I have tried meditating, and can get all the dialog out of my head for a moment, I feel this odd sensation in my legs.
Tingling almost. Kind of the feeling that they're expanding as well.
And it's nothing I've ever felt out of meditation.
But I do feel it each time.

Does this mean I'm doing something correctly?