Am I almost there?

[dmmskater09]

I go to sleep at night and set my alarm for around 7:30. It wakes me up and I go back to sleep. I have been close before so I fully expect it to happen everytime I try this. It seems everytime I fall asleep the second time, the next thing I know I wake up and my whole body is vibrating and I'm almost ready to leave my body. I try to move my arm and it feels like I'm waving it around in the air, it feels so real, but my arm is just laying under the covers, not moving at all. I always know I'm really close, but in the middle of this I always fall asleep before I can leave my body. I lie there and close my eyes and try to use the rope method, and I guess when my eyes are closed I just fall back asleep. Then again, I can't even tell if it's my actual eyes that are open or my astral body's eyes. Is there something that I should be doing differently? I'm pretty new to everything, and I practiced it for a few weeks about a month ago, but then because of school and stuff I've had no time to practice. This morning I felt the vibrations after just one try after all of that time, and I'm totally expecing to leave any day now. I'm on Thanksgiving break right now so I thought I'd start practicing astral projection again. Thanks for the help.

[nickspry]

Once the vibrations have subsided, attempt to "roll out" of your body. Just roll over onto your front and then get up. I think this is easier than the rope method (which I've never been successful with). If you're unsure whether you're awake or not do this reality check : pinch your nose and try to breathe through it. If you can breathe through your pinched nose you're out already. Often people don't realise that they have already projected once the vibrations subside. They assume they're still awake and then continue into normal sleep (I was fooled many times by this). The reality check will let you know one way or the other. I think you're projecting already...

[dmmskater09]

Wow, thank you, I never expected I could actually already be doing it. Can't wait to try it out.

[Gbob]

Ok stupid question but I may as well ask it. When you say 'roll out' of the body do you actually mean physically rolling off the bed lol?? Or do you mean using your awareness to roll out of the physical body? I've always thought it was the latter (because it makes more sense) and I do the same for the rope technique too. It's just that the way some people describe the method it seems that we should literally be rolling off the bed. I really hope I haven't been doing this wrong the whole time!..

[nickspry]

Once you're sure you are out, you roll just as you would if awake - not just mentally. Of course you will only be rolling your astral body, but it should feel exactly the same (and require the same or more effort) as rolling in the physical. If you know you have projected already (reality check) there's no danger of actually rolling your physical body, it will be completely paralyzed. But it will feel exactly as if you are really rolling your physical body.

[radman32]

So if you feal like ur really rolling your physical body, does that mean u feal like ur sheats will move? I'll start plugging me nose =D

[Gbob]

The reality check is pinching your nose and seeing if you could breathe. If you move whilst trying to astral project does that not affect it? As in, doesn't moving actually hinder you from projecting?

[nickspry]

Only use the reality check after the vibrations have come and gone. The vibrations are caused by the separation of the energy/astral body and once they have subsided, one of two things will have happened:
a) You have projected (you may or may not realise that you have)
b) The separation has been aborted at the last moment for some reason (fear, overexcitement etc) and you've returned to the waking state.
Either way it's ok to use the reality check at this point because:
a) If your projection attempt has failed, it's ok to move your arms because you'll need to start over and refocus anyhow.
b) If you have really projected you cannot move your physical body, and you'll be pinching your astral nose(lol) with your astral hand (which of course is why you're still able to breathe).
So it's the timing of the reality check which is crucial. Always allow the vibrations to run their course first. Hope this answers your question.

[Gbob]

Only use the reality check after the vibrations have come and gone. The vibrations are caused by the separation of the energy/astral body and once they have subsided, one of two things will have happened:
a) You have projected (you may or may not realise that you have)
b) The separation has been aborted at the last moment for some reason (fear, overexcitement etc) and you've returned to the waking state.
Either way it's ok to use the reality check at this point because:
a) If your projection attempt has failed, it's ok to move your arms because you'll need to start over and refocus anyhow.
b) If you have really projected you cannot move your physical body, and you'll be pinching your astral nose(lol) with your astral hand (which of course is why you're still able to breathe).
So it's the timing of the reality check which is crucial. Always allow the vibrations to run their course first. Hope this answers your question.

What normally happens to me is that I only get vibrations in a certain area, say arms for example and nowhere else. I can sort of feel my arms floating about in the air. Other times, the vibrations can be very mild and will last for only a few seconds. So even if the vibrations are mild, does this matter at all or do I have to intensify them first?

How long do vibrations normally last for?

[nickspry]

Some people only ever feel mild or localized vibrations as they project, so it doesn't necessarily mean you're not separating. It never hurts to try to mentally intensify or spread the vibrations throughout the body as you said.  Whether you succeed in itensifying the vibrations or not, they will still subside in a short time and you should then do the check just to be sure.
I would also say that if your arms are out it's pretty likely that the rest of you is as well. If you lie on your back while awake it's easy to wave your arms about, but it takes more effort to sit up or roll over. The same is true when you have projected and it can take quite an effort to struggle out fully (this is probably just a psychological effect which is carried over from the physical).