Messages

Haha yeah I know, the superhero costume comment was tongue in cheek I know that this is no "feel good" field trip or ego fodder event. It just so happens that I like getting my hands dirty In physical life I've sucessfully worked with delusional, intractable, and even hostile individuals, those "hopeless cases" who most have given up on, so I know that these interpersonal experiences can at least in part form a foundation of training for the work to come. Plus, you never know whose belief system entails them being picked up by a grown man in camel toe tights (fingers crossed) Ok, now let me stop yaking about it and go practice

It sounds like you are primed for the "duty" Now it's on to the next step!  

You already have the intent, now comes the practice.

 Your Welcome Szaxx, Bran and Whirlwind! 

If there is any questions or anything you wish to add to this, feel free to ask or do it. This is my personal perception of what is happening. But I have a open mind and will entertain any other theories as well.

Through my "disassociation" daily exercise I have found that I can shift my awareness quite easily now. But I still seem to hold a bit of a "dual" awareness as well. I am already there, but I can still feel some of the symptoms/signposts of a exit. I guess it's akin to the "38 Special" song, "Hold on Loosely, but don't let go".

Great thread Lumaza! I want to do this so bad. I feel like I was made for this. I feel like there is nothing at all in the Cosmos that I would better at than this. And I could swear, now that I'm begining to learn some basics about what's going on, I realize that I've been being prepared for this my entire life, conditoned for the endurance, quick wit, creativity, patience, and fearlessness that this job requires. Would, um, the Big Ulitmate Reality Upstairs mind if I manifest a superhero costume? Or maybe I'll go totally old school and show up in angel wings. *sigh* decisions, decisions lol

Thank You Whirlwind! 

Just remember your intent creates your reality.

But I have to give a "lol" to the superhero/angelic wing comment. You manifest into what they need to see. Many times you are delving into their own personal hell. They don't even know or realize why they are stuck. It's your job to find a way to help them "choose" for themselves that they need to move on. You can't do that for them. They aren't looking for a Angel or superhero. You can morph into any form you wish, but normally that form is something that was pertinent to their physical life in this reality here.

I am glad to hear from you that a physical trance step is not a requirement for AP. I was hoping it would  indeed not be necessary. But I was also wondering whether by considering lucid  dreams  as  OBEs I was not missing the big picture. I will follow your hints. Lumaza, I found useful the reference to your thread on vibrations.

On the subject, last night I revisited John Magnus Astral Projection (exit techniques), which by the way, at my level appears as one of the best books on the subject if not the best. On page 155 John makes the case that astral projection is  a shift in awareness. Body asleep+ mind awake willing itself out of the body. To me John's suggestion that the hypnagogic state is a favourable time to "will oneself" into the astral world resonate particularly well since my only success in AP occured at that conjecture.

A trance step helps you create a deeper focus.

You can consider OBEs and LDs any way you want. Just because those here say LDs and OBEs are the same thing, doesn't mean you need to. This is why it is so important to find out for yourself. Tom Campbell said that often. He gives his theory of everything, but it's up to you to create own and "prove" it to yourself.  Even though I agree that they are all "non local states of consciousness", I see them as leading to completely different perceptions and even areas or platforms of "otherwhere". Kurt Leland explains this very well. Just do a Google search on his name. He seems to see to experience things the way I do.

The "mind awake/body asleep" phrase is preached and quoted by many AP authors. I read John Magnus's book as well and see he has a very simple take on this. Go with it. Like I said, find someone that you agree with.

This entire practice has to deal with one thing, one goal and that is learning how to achieve a on non physical focus while consciously aware. How you do that is up to you. That's why there are so many different techniques be found here on the Astral Pulse.

Sorry folks,
I am pretty sure that this question had been beaten to death, but I would still hope to get an opinion from the most experienced projectors. I am in the process of reading Robert Peterson's book on OBEs and he follows Robert Monroes' prescriptions to the letter, which is to seek and achieve a state of vibrations, roaring sounds, etc. My question is this: I think that I have astral projected a few times in early morning lucid dreams. My experience was that I could fly on demand to places that I had never seen in my waking life. I met people who looked like my presence there was not out of the ordinary. I noted that in the astral I was remembering people, places and events that I had been part of in my dreams. Am I astral projecting or am I lucid dreaming? How does one know the difference.

I have read Robert Peterson's book as well. One thing about him is he does not regard Lucid Dreams, OBEs and Phasing to be the same thing. He is still using the "old school" OBE format to teach. There's nothing wrong with that though.

Many people seem to confuse the onset of vibrations which are the prickly skin and light tingling with the actual "earthquake" like vibrations one "MAY" experience during a actual shift. I see this time and time again. I put "MAY" in large letters because some people don't experience any vibrations at all and even if you did the first time, you might not the second, third, fourth, etc.

Here is a thread to help you see many of the exit symptoms and signposts that "could" or "might" occur.
http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_out_of_body_experiences/exit_symptomssignposts-t46206.0.html

I like Robert Peterson's take on imagination and having a "imaginary day". I have used that section as reference here on the Astral Pulse in the past.
My "Doorway" technique is built on that premise as well and works very good for "some" people. You will see the words may, could, some, being used quite a bit here because not all people experience the same thing. Sure there are commonalities, but in the threads you read here on the Astral Pulse you will find differences as well.
http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_astral_consciousness/the_doorway-t46013.0.html

The one thing all of these techniques have in common is they all try to help you to create a strong "non physical" focus and hold it. Tom Campbell told me via email a couple of years ago that the "other realms" are just a simple shift away. We just have to get out of the way and "allow" it to happen". Getting out of the way sounds simple, but in practice can be very difficult. All our lives we have been "all in" on this physical reality. We have had control over our body and it's functions. To successfully AP, we need to relinquish control and just trust.

Tom's videos and lectures are very long. But they are excellent and I feel they are a must see for new members. They help you see and understand a new mindset.  But in the end, you "must" prove it all true for yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0FuXKHzE2c

I use and have been using daily "etheric exercises to disassociate myself at will from my physical body. It took a few years of daily work, but now it is paying off. You get back from this practice what you put into it. People that put a weekend or a couple of weeks into this will get a "taste" of what's yet to come, but that's about it. If you are "serious", then the "other realms" will teach and help you learn more.

[BOLD BLUE]

 Hello and Welcome Serge!  

I thoroughly enjoyed your post here. It was like a trip down memory road. I am looking forward to many more like it in the future here!  

Many of here first had our experiences very young. Then as we got older, we kind of strayed off from them. In other words, life happened and we became fully involved in this physical realm. After awhile though, the "non physical" fought back and we were receptive to it again. I always look for "commonalities" that we here share in general, instead of differences. There are many to be found. That's if we know where to look for them.

I myself had many nocturnal interruptions. For some reason, my feet and legs were always being touched. When that occurred I immediately pulled my blankets over my head and shook with fear. But, I never told a soul about that. People then didn't talk about that stuff anyways. I figured it was one of those things that happened to everyone, but for some reason nobody ever talked about. My feet and legs still get touched today. But when that happens I see it through and it normally will lead to a full blown OBE.

Then there was the time I talked to my dead dog as it was lying on the carpet in my room. Mom and Dad said it had "gone to the farm". But we all know what that means now, lol. Then there was my mean neighbor lady that passed away and I talked to her as well. So yes, we all here have shared some kind of experience with the paranormal.

What I didn't know until about 2011 was that it had been written about in depth and that my nightly experiences were actually "shifts" of consciousness while I was consciously aware. APs, OBEs and LDs fit nicely into a class all known as "non local states of consciousness". If you search that title on the Google, you will find some interesting research on it. The term was coined by Stanislav Graf.

You have come to a Forum where there is plethora of helpful information to be found. Every question that could possibly be asked on this topic has likely been discussed here, sometimes many times over. It is best to do a bit of perusing around. I would start with the basics, like simple terminology and FAQ's. Each Sub-forum also has some great "stickies". They are the threads in BOLD BLUE letters. They are extremely helpful as well.
http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_the_astral_faq-b46.0/

You could also PM (Private Message) anyone that you seem to agree with or bond to, for further help on a one to one basis. I enjoy helping people that are "serious" about learning this Art in general and there are other experienced members here that do the same.

[Don't practice in your bed]

 The #1 way to stop going to sleep practicing AP is: Don't practice in your bed!
#2 way is "keep practicing". It will get easier to hold your focus longer amounts of time.

Practice, Patience and Perseverance will lead you to the achievement of your goals in any meaningful endeavor in your life!  

Hmm, for some reason there isn't an option right now to edit my above post.

I found a much better version of Disturbed doing the Sounds of Silence. This time it was on the Conan Obrien Show and was very "tame". It's such a powerful rendition. You can feel his passion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk7RVw3I8eg&nohtml5=False

Since I first heard this song I have been mesmerized. It's hard to get the song out of my head. But I see I am not alone in this. I think I have just found my new favorite Mp3 to "shift" to. I can normally get exit symptoms and great visuals very quickly while listening to the 4 minute plus version. But now it looks like I have an hour to play with, lol. It's like it creates a kind of visual walkthrough of sorts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7F19ugbpA8&nohtml5=False

I read through the entire forum (the one called "I got out for the first time") and I wanted to ask should I ask my question here? Or there?

I didn't read every post, but some of the posts might have been talking about doing ap/obe without going to sleep or from awakening.

I think I might ask on that forum instead of this one.

Thanks for any replies.

That's not necessarily a forum per say. That's a thread in a subforum. The Astral Pulse entire site is known as a forum.

But besides that, there isn't that many posts there. You should read all the posts in a thread. One of the questions you have might just be answered there already. Actually that's more likely than not. 

[If you can experience it, it is "real".]

Thanks. I still do that every once in a while but I've never really known anyone else who could do it or any way to really explain it. Its a good way to relieve stress and it is usually interesting to explore and interact with the worlds I visit whether it is real or not.

If you can experience it, it is "real". 

Thank you for the reply, although I'm not sure what you mean. Was it a kind of OBE? Was it not? Something else entirely?

You could simply call it a "non local state of consciousness". That title/label or should I say what Eckhart Tolle calls "pointer" pretty well bundles all the terms, Dreaming/OBEs/Astral Projection, etc. together as one.

 Hmm, for some reason there isn't an option right now to edit my above post.

I found a much better version of Disturbed doing the Sounds of Silence. This time it was on the Conan Obrien Show and was very "tame". It's such a powerful rendition. You can feel his passion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk7RVw3I8eg&nohtml5=False

I'm also going to read that whole forum when I have a chance.

That's a great place to start! All of the "stickies" here on the Astral Pulse Forum have valuable information for learning and understanding this Art in general.

therefore, the answer is that it takes as long as it takes.

Sometimes the easiest answers are the hardest to swallow, per say!

Simple and right to the point. Another great answer brought to you by EV! 

[BEFORE]

 I can see that we need to discuss a bit deeper why each of these occurs. The simple reason, because it's part of a learning process. But I see many people are getting too hung up in them. So, we will split these into categories of BEFORE, DURING and AFTER.

                                                                              BEFORE
This seems to be the extreme test and challenge of being able to overcome EXIT SYMPTOMS and SIGNPOSTS. This is where many new people find their first hurdle. This could also be known as your first taste of a fear test.

How far will you go to experience a "non ordinary state of consciousness" totally consciously aware? This is the first question everyone new to this practice should ask themselves. Tom Campbell says you need to have the mindset that "if I don't come back from this, so be it". That sounds pretty extreme. But if your subconscious finds a block, it will continue to use it constantly until you overcome it. How do you overcome it. You talk to your higher self and explain your reasons for wanting to learn this Art in the first place. "Well that sounds stupid. What a silly answer!" I read this all the time here on this Forum when a more experienced member here is trying to help someone consciously project for the first time. Case in point/Example: Every time I get to the point of exiting and then my eyes open. I had this problem before as well. How did I fix it? I broke down the problem further and found that I could wear a "Blindfold", thus finally proving to myself whether or not it was physical or etheric eyes that were opening. I didn't get frustrated, I just handled it and moved on.

I did find that once a "block" was successful, that that block would be used repeatedly until I overcame it. Another example of this, the exploding head syndrome. This one was always occurring with me just before a exit and stopped me dead in my tracks. I would be relaxed, I did my Mantras or counting then vibrations kicked in. But all of a sudden a rush of energy built in my head and I felt like it was literally going to explode. How did I overcome this extreme situation. I learned to passively observe it and move on. We use those two words often here. But it's true, "passively observing a exit symptom or Astral signpost is the best way possible to overcome it.
Here is a link to a "Sticky" that explains what a Astral signpost is and possible exit symptoms a person "may" experience. Don't expect them, just passively observe them with "air of curiosity" when and if they do occur.
http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_out_of_body_experiences/exit_symptomssignposts-t46206.0.html
 
I hope by making this thread we can help people that create threads here saying "I can't get past the vibrations, or my eyes are always opening, or .................................. You can fill in those blanks.

Lastly just remember this, (I think it was Xanth here that says this), "If you are experiencing something in this practice, chances are that others have experienced it as well". This Forum has some great Stickies (threads in BOLD BLUE LETTERS) that have been created by experienced members here to help you. Use them! They are incredibly helpful. We also have a fantastic search engine found at the top right hand of the page here.

                                                                      DURING
This category goes into tests, quests and challenges that may or may not occur during a shift. Simple meaning, what challenges may lie ahead in a actual shift. Examples, during a shift from Sleep Paralysis. You awaken in SP, your first thought, what's holding me down. Oh look it's the Demon from that movie I saw last week or it's my worst nightmare. What has occurred here is you have entered a "dimension" or realm whereas thought = action immediately. So "what's holding me down" has now triggered the memory of that last horror flick. How to handle it. Realize what is occurring and why. Understanding a situation helps you overcome it.

Other tests, quests and challenges will come in your actual adventures in these realms. They are also used to help you learn how to "navigate" these areas. I have found there are no simple yes or no answers. Your teacher, whether you think of this as "higher self" or "other" will teach you through experience. Examples of this. During one of me first APS, my deceased brother in law appeared spontaneously on stage at some kind of giant Amphitheater. He then reached down and picked up a bow and arrow that I guess was lying on the stage and shot a arrow in my direction. This taught me "depth perception". He then taught me how important that I learned to just "observe" everything for now. I was very anxious and had many questions. That seemed to be a problem early on, but as everything else there, I had to overcome that. Once I learned how to just sit back and observe, I became like a open book, just sucking in knowledge. The more open I was, the more I was taught and still am being taught today.

Through this I was taught Retrievals, how to "Re script" a Dream and all kinds of unique things. But all of this came through numerous and sometimes very challenging and tedious tests, quests and challenges.

                                                                    AFTER
Now lastly to "AFTER". Hmm, what kind of tests, quests and challenges could lie after a shift or when you become more experienced with accessing non local states of consciousness in general. Well in my opinion this is where the two realms collide. What are you going to do with this new found knowledge? How has this changed you? ...and lastly the most important question, "How are you using this info to better yourself today in this realm?".

Non local states of consciousness will challenge your belief systems in all different ways. I myself have seen this first hand on a incredible level. My common law wife was diagnosed with two independent forms of Cancer back in December 2105. It's now April 2016. One was Endometrial Stage 4 B, the other Colon Stage 3. The Doctors basically said Chemo could be used to prolong her life another 6 months, (they had given her 8-12 months of life as it was), but the Chemo would not rid her of it.

My belief system on what is and why we are here in this realm, what I was "taught", was tested to the max. I knew what was happening and why, but it doesn't mean I had to like it or that it had no effect on me. I told her that she was the Author of this book and that she and she alone could write the "finale" to this story. I told her she needed to go deep inside herself and do some serious soul searching. This Cancer took years to get to this level or stage. But signs of why it happened were showing itself for years as well. Her anger at life in general had turned inwards and it had manifested into the "disease" itself.

During that entire time all the way up to the middle of March I did not have one LD, AP, OBE or anything of that nature. It wasn't for not trying. I was blocked. I was blocked from helping her on a higher level. This was her decision and only she along could choose how this all ended. During that time, I turned to some very good friends I have here on the Astral Pulse. Szaxx, EscapeVelocity and Skeptic helped her and I immensely and I am ever so grateful for their support.

The only way to monitor her Cancer was by "markers'. In this case her Stage 4 was a marker known as Antigen 125. Before surgery her marker was 337, which is quite high. They cut out all they could, but still the diagnosis of 8-12 months left of life remained.

While healing from her surgeries, she found some books on Spiritual Healing that we had purchased about 8 years ago, but she had never had the time to read. So she began to read and learned how to "allow" healing energies into her. This is where Skeptic was quite helpful. We had many Doctor appointments as well dung this time and all of them concluded with the same thing, Chemo was a must. But she would have none of that. She would not entertain the thought of Chemo.

Now the Miracle. In late March, I was on the road picking up some supply for our company and she called me after the results of her new blood/marker test.  She was elated. Her Cancer markers went down to 13. Below 30 is the safe/all clear zone. I guess according to the medical community, she had a "spontaneous remission". We call it a "Miracle". She chose to live and I was very grateful she chose that way. I was prepared for either.

She did quit smoking. She had smoked for over 30 years. We also changed our diet, limiting sugars, eating more green, etc. But the main change was in her attitude towards life in general. She became a Grandmother for the second time, with a new beautiful healthy Granddaughter. So, she had enough reasons to stay around this realm again.

Lessons you learn in "non local states of consciousness" come through tests, quests and challenges. But don't forget, those test, quests and challenges are found in this realm as well and just like the "other realm" ones, we must learn how to jump the hurdles and overcome those ones as well.

From this practice you will become more "aware" of everything around you. It's kind of like "seeing" for the first time. You will see we are much more than you first thought we were. You will also find many "gifts" along the way. I feel that the reason we become "blocked", even the most experienced APers, is because we stop using what is being shown to us, what we are taught and we begin to revert back to our old ways. Also, it's because "life happens" and the deeper we get into the physical, the further we move away from the other.  A sense of balance is very important here.

I wrote this under another name I once used here on the Astral Pulse Forum and I still hold it true today:
" Learning these things has it's positives. But it has it's negatives as well. The more I learn and "know", the farther I grow away from the woman I love. I don't feel like I am growing away, but I can see it in her reactions and attitude towards me now. It tends to desensitize you to things that in life that we should be sensitive to. Just knowing that you are more then your physical body changes your outlook/mindset on life quite a bit. This is why there are many people that start down this road, but can't continue. The physical life fights back and ground them."

To this a good friend of mine and former member/Moderator here replied:
"This! This right here would be my only "warning" to people. It's a hard concept to explain how you grow to be more loving  and compassionate yet you are also less affected by tragedy and sensitive issues. I know longer care about concepts like justice or revenge. I would have no problem with the Hitler's of the world dying and then immediately going to their own heavens without a second of punishment. Why? Because my experiences have taught me to be accepting and nonjudgmental. I've learned lessons in the NP that ten lifetimes of reading religious books couldn't teach me."

So, yes, it is important to understand and be aware of the benefits, but also the implications of this practice before you delve down this road.

        Thank You!

question put the wrong way, turn it around and it makes at least some sense

will religion ever "evolve" into spirituality?

Hey welcome back Volgerle. Long time no see! 

I see you have returned with your "words of wisdom" as usual. 

So given these possibilities what is the preferred route to take? Or is there another route that is better than any of these?

Yes there is another option. Think for yourself. That's the reason you came to this reality in the first place. Your "true" lessons come from experiencing not from what others say. Your lessons come from your achievements, but also your failures. The good, bad and the ugly all have something important to teach.
I am sorry I was the person that said what was on other people's mind here. But it's true. What would this woman you are or aren't going to marry think about this thread if she was to read it? Do you think she loves you for just a spiritual "reward" or does she loves you because that's what "love" is and does.

When you love and marry a person, whoever she has in her Family, kids, crazy Uncle etc. becomes your Family. For better or worse till death do you part.

So too my question could spirituality ever evolve into something like a religion

It already has. Just look around the internet. You will find many websites that "preach" just as strong as Religion does.

...and they claim that their way is the only way. Hmm, where have we seen that before! 

 Here are 2 fantastic informative videos by Kurt Leland. I have watched the first one many times because there is no much good information to be found in it that you really can't "digest" it all at once. Also, I found that some of didn't make sense to me, until I developed further myself.

The second one is very good as well and I guess I will be watching that a few more times too, lol.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA12Xd3Zq0I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYkjaqfOvvo

Here is Kurt's website for anyone who wishes to learn more about him and his research.
http://www.kurtleland.com/

 The indirect technique still involves a direct intent or goal. The intent being to experience a AP/LD.

It's not a problem. You are still achieving your goal. So don't worry abut it. Take what is given to you for now. You can experiment more with other techniques later. There is no race, no need to rush, or is there?

 I have used a Throat Breathing Meditation (also known as Ujjayi breathing in yoga), in the past. It began with a focus on the 3rd eye. Then went down to the throat and soon created a Pyramid between the 3rd eye and 2 outstretched hands. It was very interesting.

It created a very strong "color" display, especially noticed was the color purple. It also kind of created a spinning kaleidoscope of color.

It was very easy to attain a strong focus on the task at hand.

In the end though, it's just another one of the many ways there are to achieve a strong NP focus.

[FORCED TO OPEN UP]

This is really ridiculous, almost every attempt to AP I get to the point where I feel everything lightning up, even flashes of light, feeling that I am floating up, but as it gets deeper I snap out of it because my eyes are just FORCED TO OPEN UP

It sounds to me like your "higher self/sub conscious has created a "hurdle" for you to leap. It could be known as a "self initiated block". Now you have to do some inner soul searching and find the reason why this occurring.

We are tested in all different ways before, during and even after a successful conscious shift. Just as we are constantly tested in this reality as well. You can never avoid experiences and experiencing.

 Take your pick on what version of this song like you. I always enjoyed Simon and Garfunkel's original version, especially this live version at their Reunion at Madison Square Gardens in New York City.

But I found this other version by a band you would never expect to hear the Sound of Silence from incredibly well done. It is more of a "haunting" version. But it also tends to show exactly what I feel and think as the 3d darkness before my eyes approaches.

The song's meaning to me is the struggle man has with himself. Man's inability to speak with man. But people the phrase "people talking without speaking" and "people hearing without listening" can define the "telepathy" that we find so much in the "other realms".

I enjoy the sound of silence that can be experienced in a AP. The peace and tranquility is just what the Doctor ordered.

Without further ado, I give you the 2 versions. Just sit back, close your eyes and feel these passionate renditions.
Simon and Garfunkel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-JQ1q-13Ek
Disturbed's live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o1p83UjJFA
 ..and a even more "haunting" version. Disturbed's Official Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Dg-g7t2l4

 Then again it's hard to beat the ultimate "Lucid Dream" song here. He actually tells a funny story at the beginning of this Live video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd0AK5Vov0o
Not a bad rendition. I prefer this one though. I did enjoy his story though and songs do have different meanings to different people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhat-xUQ6dw

This song represents a projection where you are challenged to face your ultimate fears. Silent Lucidty. Finding peace in any "reality" you may find yourself in.

Will justice ever lead too peace or is there too much desire for power and selfishness in this universe that every time justice has succeeded a new war or some sort of conflict occurs each time

No, because "Justice" for one side or faction, means "War" to the other.

Gruff, sorry to hear you're having trouble with this as well, due to anxiety. Yes, it does seem the more we want it, the higher the expectations become and this in itself can make it harder to achieve.

You can't "force" this. You have to learn how to "allow" it. What does that mean. It means you have to set the stage and now sit back and be a spectator. You will be challenged by your fears. That's a given. Whether your fear is suffocating, ghosts, boogeyman, whatever. You will have to confront it. Your anxiety will work against you. You need to learn complete "self control".

I have actually given up trying at this point. I realized that 7 hours a week of concentrated effort on something I continuously failed at was not just frustrating but also a waste of time. I thought, what else could I spend 7 hours a week on? There are so many things. My failed attempts at AP started to feel like I was trying to learn to play a musical instrument by just reading a book every day for an hour. Yet I could never play the instrument. I could memorize all the theory, all the notation, whole songs by spending hours studying it on paper, but without picking up and playing the instrument, there was no mastery and true understanding of the instrument.

Sometimes a break is a good thing. Your comparison to learning a Musical Instrument is what I use often when I attempt to explain to a new member the "commitment" that is needed  here. But not only the commitment, but the practice, patience and perseverance that is needed in the learning stages of any form of Art in general. How good is a Musician after only 7 months of playing? I think you are too hard on yourself.
Some people state that it took them 10 years to earn AP. One of them is the Administrator on this very Forum, Xanth. Ask yourself, how much determination does it take to put 10 years into something and never give up. I applaud that kind of perseverance!

It's frustrating, because it felt like I had developed a new hobby (due to the time I spent hopelessly attempting it/reading about it) but it was a hobby I couldn't practice. I'd rather, at this point, do something with my time that works, like actually learn an instrument, actually learn to rock climb in real life, etc.

I agree that meditation can be the key out of the anxiety and mental blocks to astral projection. For me, personally, I'm just going to continue with my meditation practice, because that is what truly helps my life, it's something I can actually do/achieve, and it helps my anxiety (as opposed to my attempts to AP that just made my anxiety worse). If I ever spontaneously AP during a meditation, then great, but in the meantime, I've given up all expectations and plans to do it.

It is like a new hobby. You mean to say that you had absolutely no progress at all? No signposts, no visions, no 3d darkness, nothing?

Meditation leads to AP. Pure and simple. What do you expect from Astral Projection? What are your goals? Why are you doing it? You don't have to answer those questions here. But you do need to answer them to yourself. Take some time and converse with your "higher self". Ask why you are being "blocked" and listen to what is being said.

I have created a number of daily exercises that are easy to do and only take a few moments of your day, but they get you used to being "non physical" and many times they lead to a shift, unbeknownst to you. Here is a link to get you started. There are other helpful links that will help you further on down the thread. You get from this practice/Art what you put into it. If you think it's a waste of time, then your time shall be wasted!
http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_astral_consciousness/the_doorway-t46013.0.html
 







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