It sounds like you are getting close. Remember, the physical body sensations must be absent for a sucessful OBE to take place. Some people SWEAR they are physically awake until they look back at a very familiar body laying in bed or sitting in a chair. But if you are positive your real physical limbs are moving, you are not relaxed enough and need to focus on more relaxation techniques before you begin exit procedures. Relaxation is absolute key!
It's very difficult to say what (you in particular) should be doing to succeed. We must remind ourselves that it is different for everybody and only you can find the answers for yourself. But in answer to your question, it is very common for many people to use falling techniques to enter a deep trance state. Although this sounds contradictory or counter-productive, they are two different pieces of the puzzle. You first must enter a trance state with ultimate relaxation. Again, entering this trance state is different for everybody. Some use intense visualization, falling techniques, or the complete absence of thought. If using falling visualizations are working for you, then continue using it. (But remember, it never hurts to try other techniques! Experimentation is key in order to find your ultimate procedure!) Also, it is very important at this point to be completely relaxed as you enter trance. Failure to relax the physical body is VERY counter-productive to your goals.
Now after "falling" in to a trance. It then sounds weird climbing a ROPE after you spent all that time falling "somewhere". Remember, we are talking about a totally different technique. One in which is a very different visualization focusing energy in a different way than attempting to enter a trance. A technique such as ROPE is exerting pressure on your astral double. You are focusing on being somewhere you really aren't. This applies a very large amount of pressure on your astral body. If your physical body isn't relaxed, (or even only certain parts) you will have a very difficult time with this. When you are unable to feel your physical body, you may get sensations of "lifting", "floating" or even complete "spinning". A spinning sensation is a clear indication that you entered a deep trance (or Focus 10 state) with complete physical relaxation as your etheric body opens and raises where the mind-split and astral body can be projected. If you can feel this, you know you are doing very well. It's important not to get excited at this point. This is a very real sensation and you can't mistake it. You simply feel like you aren't in bed or sitting in a chair anymore. (Especially if you feel spinning sensations. This can be quite a ride!!)
If "falling" in to a trance state and then "climbing" to exert pressure on your Astral Double doesn't "make sense" as you put it, then your own mind could be counter-productive to this particular process. If you find it to be "silly" or "not make sense" you have a belief which can and probably will give you many difficulties when you attempt to use it. You need to find a technique which works for you, and makes sense. Too much thought, wastes energy and interupts the projection process. If you believe something doesn't work or make sense, this will ultimately lead to failure. Perhaps, my explanation will help these concepts make sense and fix that problem. However, if not, then it is extremely important for you to continue experimenting and finding a path which works for you.
Also, keep in mind, while the ROPE technique is a very popular technique, it isn't the ONLY technique, and (like me) some people find it useless or ineffective. Don't be afraid to try other things. From beginners to even, very experienced projectors.. many continue to find new techniques and "tricks" to help them through this process. It's an ongoing process. Always continue to strive for success.
I hope this information helps and I wish you the best of luck! Oh, and if you are wondering what my techniques are.. who knows. I may change them again. But right now, I am getting wonderful results using the Triangle Method and the absence of thought.. concentration in Focus 10. I just go for the ride. [8D]
It's very difficult to say what (you in particular) should be doing to succeed. We must remind ourselves that it is different for everybody and only you can find the answers for yourself. But in answer to your question, it is very common for many people to use falling techniques to enter a deep trance state. Although this sounds contradictory or counter-productive, they are two different pieces of the puzzle. You first must enter a trance state with ultimate relaxation. Again, entering this trance state is different for everybody. Some use intense visualization, falling techniques, or the complete absence of thought. If using falling visualizations are working for you, then continue using it. (But remember, it never hurts to try other techniques! Experimentation is key in order to find your ultimate procedure!) Also, it is very important at this point to be completely relaxed as you enter trance. Failure to relax the physical body is VERY counter-productive to your goals.
Now after "falling" in to a trance. It then sounds weird climbing a ROPE after you spent all that time falling "somewhere". Remember, we are talking about a totally different technique. One in which is a very different visualization focusing energy in a different way than attempting to enter a trance. A technique such as ROPE is exerting pressure on your astral double. You are focusing on being somewhere you really aren't. This applies a very large amount of pressure on your astral body. If your physical body isn't relaxed, (or even only certain parts) you will have a very difficult time with this. When you are unable to feel your physical body, you may get sensations of "lifting", "floating" or even complete "spinning". A spinning sensation is a clear indication that you entered a deep trance (or Focus 10 state) with complete physical relaxation as your etheric body opens and raises where the mind-split and astral body can be projected. If you can feel this, you know you are doing very well. It's important not to get excited at this point. This is a very real sensation and you can't mistake it. You simply feel like you aren't in bed or sitting in a chair anymore. (Especially if you feel spinning sensations. This can be quite a ride!!)
If "falling" in to a trance state and then "climbing" to exert pressure on your Astral Double doesn't "make sense" as you put it, then your own mind could be counter-productive to this particular process. If you find it to be "silly" or "not make sense" you have a belief which can and probably will give you many difficulties when you attempt to use it. You need to find a technique which works for you, and makes sense. Too much thought, wastes energy and interupts the projection process. If you believe something doesn't work or make sense, this will ultimately lead to failure. Perhaps, my explanation will help these concepts make sense and fix that problem. However, if not, then it is extremely important for you to continue experimenting and finding a path which works for you.
Also, keep in mind, while the ROPE technique is a very popular technique, it isn't the ONLY technique, and (like me) some people find it useless or ineffective. Don't be afraid to try other things. From beginners to even, very experienced projectors.. many continue to find new techniques and "tricks" to help them through this process. It's an ongoing process. Always continue to strive for success.
I hope this information helps and I wish you the best of luck! Oh, and if you are wondering what my techniques are.. who knows. I may change them again. But right now, I am getting wonderful results using the Triangle Method and the absence of thought.. concentration in Focus 10. I just go for the ride. [8D]