need advice from someone who's been there

[shokan]

The situation was: totally relaxed, between sleep and awake - with the intention to leave the body. At this point, I experienced a strong feeling of vertigo or maybe tugging from outside. Also, a definite sense that something was about to happen.

To cut to the chase, next time this happens, what is your suggestion to get out?

[justin35ll]

Hi, did you actually feel a sensation when you say you felt a pulling from the outside?
Sometimes during my meditation sessions I get a strong feeling of someone or something pulling at my feet. It almost feels like someone is trying to pull me out of my body, but I don't actually think that's the case for me. I think it's just a strong energy flow or something

When this happens again I would say just keep going with it and try to totally let go of your physical body awareness.

[Fwewyu Tìomumä]

Well, I've been in the same place, and I've tried a few things. I've tried feeling myself lift from my body, I've tried imagining myself at a distant point in the room, and I've also tried just being passive about it. I have found that for me, it is best to just be passive. I've gotten closest to phasing consciously by just "noticing" stuff in the blackness before my eyes. I have had the least success with "trying" to actively leave my body, because I tend to tense up and that throws me out of whatever state I'm in.

I would give this a read, it's pretty helpful. It's where the noticing technique comes from: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/39504726/Phasing_Primer.pdf
-Fwewyu

[shokan]

Thanks. I'll look at that.

Any others with  experience have ideas?

[justin35ll]

Yeah, I agree with him. That's what I meant when I said let go of physical body awareness, but keep noticing in the blackness before your eyes.
I have also had the most success this way rather than trying to force myself out

[shokan]

Hi, did you actually feel a sensation when you say you felt a pulling from the outside?

When this happens again I would say just keep going with it and try to totally let go of your physical body awareness.

No, not a sensation of grabbing, just a Kind of overall pressure as if Im in and out at the same time and the place between is under pressure. Weird sensation. Felt more a bit in the face and forehead. I've been practicing nightly for almost a year totally relaxing before sleep and expanding at the Third Eye, experiencing 3D blackness behind  my closed eyes. Wondering if maybe there's something third eye related I can do to facilitate OBE at the time like in the OBE situation I described in first post.

[Astralzombie]

You are really close. I know it sux to be told that you just need to relax and go with the flow. But trust everyone when they say that is it. I never really had a problem projecting out because  I never doubted that I could.

The first time I intentionally projected (took me about two-three weeks) I reached a point that I just knew this was it and there was no turning back for better or worse, but of course it was for the better. The --Holy excrement, this is it, I hope I know what I'm doing because there's no stopping it now--feeling was so overwhelming (at least for me), that I couldn't have ruined it by panicking if I tried.  Well I did panic and I did try to stop it. I didn't know better and I tried turning over to stop the feeling and I threw my astral body onto the wall. I was upside down. That was how I perceived it anyhow.

My point is that you should know when it's really time but I do understand that some people get to that point and still can't project.

So my only two cents really is this: Just Know that you can and I know that you will. It's that simple and don't cuss me for saying it again. Good luck.

[Astralsuzy]

When you are totally relaxed, between sleep and awake - with the intention to leave the body, you can spiritually get out of your body.  You can go out, walk out, fly out, or anyway you want to get out.

[Xanth]

To cut to the chase, next time this happens, what is your suggestion to get out?

To cut to the chase?
Stop TRYING to get "out" and just place the Intent to go do something somewhere. 

There's never any need to "get out", you need to get into your consciousness!  You do that by simply allowing yourself to experience somewhere that isn't this physical reality.

[Astralsuzy]

Xanth is correct.  If you think it is easier you can imagine something to get out, such as a place or swimming, catching a ball or anything else.  Anything will work when you are in that relaxed state.

[shokan]

To cut to the chase?
Stop TRYING to get "out" and just place the Intent to go do something somewhere. 

There's never any need to "get out", you need to get into your consciousness!  You do that by simply allowing yourself to experience somewhere that isn't this physical reality.

Well, there's a nugget. This will be my approach. 'Allow' is a good Keyword to keep in mind, too. Thanks.

[publicking94]

The situation was: totally relaxed, between sleep and awake - with the intention to leave the body. At this point, I experienced a strong feeling of vertigo or maybe tugging from outside. Also, a definite sense that something was about to happen.

To cut to the chase, next time this happens, what is your suggestion to get out?

This happens when your body is asleep and mind is awake, ur consciousness is shifting to ur astral body.
I get that sensation it is like my legs floating as if they were in a cradle or something.
next time keep going with it and just let it happen. eventually you will feel the astral body and then u can just come out

hope that helps.

[shokan]

Are there things I can do during the day to increase my chances of success?

[Lionheart]

Are there things I can do during the day to increase my chances of success?

Yes, learn to Meditate and practice it daily! 

[Xanth]

Are there things I can do during the day to increase my chances of success?

And become a better person!

Honestly.

[Astralsuzy]

Yes, learn to Meditate and practice it daily! 

Lionheart said it.  The more you practice meditating, the quicker you will succeed.  Even if you think you are not getting anywhere.  Do not give up.  I made the mistake of giving up.  I did not realise that it was helping me a lot.

And become a better person!
Honestly.

I think it is important to keep trying to improve yourself but I do not think it would increase your chances.  I just realise as I am typing this, I could be wrong.  I am not dwelling on the past anymore.  I thought to myself what do I need to do to improve myself.  When bad things enter my mind, I push them away.  By doing that it is making my mind more at peace and calmer.  It will be easier to ap.  Also I feel a lot better.

[shokan]

And become a better person!

Honestly.

I get the meditation suggestion. You mean become a better person through meditation or just in general? In that case, how does that help with astral projection?

[Astralzombie]

I get the meditation suggestion. You mean become a better person through meditation or just in general? In that case, how does that help with astral projection?

Being a better person won't necessarily help you to meditate. It will allow you to reap the benefits faster. One feeds the other, in my limited opinion.

[illprotocol]

I've had family pull me out of body before, and it was by the feet. Maybe you should just relax a bit more and let them help you.

[shokan]

Getting confused here, my family help me? Well, anyway, three days ago I was able to peel head and shoulders out just as I began to wake up. But, then, I woke up more and it was over in 5 seconds. It happened spontaneously with at least a week of doing nothing related to AP or even thinking much about it. But, in general, my desire to do this for the past month has been large. I noted a couple of other things I did (or, didn't do) during the day preceeding that semi-success night  and plan to try and repeat the conditions.

So, all in all, there's been progress.

That sure was a new experience for me... odd sensation. I was already in the act of separating when I became aware it was happening.

[soarin12]

Two things that work for me.  #1  When you get to the point of feeling like something big is happening, picture yourself leaving your body mentally and at the same time, wriggle in your physical body with about 1/3 of the energy that it would take you to actually stand up physically.  You should be in sleep paralysis so your physical body won't actually move but you'll feel yourself tugging at it.  It's a joint effort of your mental and physical self resulting in FULL intention to leave.  As you are doing it, say to yourself " I'm getting out of here!" and mean it!  I'm pretty sure I use this method when the vibrations are present, but if you don't have vibrations you could try it without.  #2  When you get to the point of feeling like something big is happening,  Throw your arms over your head like you're superman and launch yourself into the sky.  Expect to fly faster than a speeding bullet!  You won't be able to throw your physical arms up because of sleep paralysis.  They will be your astral arms, but don't think about which arms you're using, just throw them up!  Do you see what's behind these 2 methods?  You have decided to project with mind, body and soul.  That's what it takes!  Good luck!

[Xanth]

I get the meditation suggestion. You mean become a better person through meditation or just in general? In that case, how does that help with astral projection?

It increases the quality of your consciousness.   The more you increase the quality of your consciousness, the more these other things become a natural byproduct of that act. 

This is why I say that astral projection in itself is meaningless... The real goal is to become a better person.   Projection is a side effect of that.