I'll be able to A.P after I find a way around this breathing challenge

[lonewolf101]

Hey guys. I'm new here. I was originally planning on experimenting on this situation on my own, but decided to post here as well, just in case there are others who's encountered similar situations. Please read the whole background.

Anyways here's a bit information on my Astral projection endeavors: I started a little less than a month ago, and experienced a semi astral projection (more on that later) during my time practicing. From all of this, I would say that I am on the verge of being able to Astral project on demand. 

The only issue is that literally RIGHT before the vibrations start (in which I would be able to do an exit technique) I start to pant and breathe heavily. This only happens during the "transition" from my deep trance, to a deeper state which causes the vibrations. I seem to blow the whole session up from there onwards.
What I suspect it is is that at the time between my trance and the vibrational state, I can feel my breathing tryimg to put itself on auto-pilot. Whenever I have my focus on my breathing (which I usually do when I notice the shift in the trance) I cant help but to take control of my breathing, when my body has a different idea. As you can tell, this conflict causes unnatural breathing, and I'm guessing this clues my body in on the fact that Im not actually asleep (ending the whole process).

One thing I tried is to just let it happen, but it's pretty difficult whenever I focus on my nose, because letting it happen feel similar to  holding my breath. So after I inevitably begin to breathe conciously, I lose the trance and ultimately am better off starting over.

One thing I have in mind (and I read somewhere on this forum) was to draw your focus onto another part of your body (or, for my case, the technique I use for getting into my trance) and keep on focusing on it until you reach the vibrational state.
Another idea I have is to just keep on entering that "transition" state (and mess up) over and over again until my body gets used to the "transition"and I don't try to override  the automatic breathing. Honestly though, both options seems plausible to me. But there's a difference between theory and experience, and I'll go give them both a try to see which is best for me (same with the tips you guys offer).

The first idea I have in mind holds some value because of one of the experiences I had (the semi ap I briefly talked about earlier): I decided to astral project but fell asleep for a few moments during my trance exercise (For no more than a few minutes, if not a few seconds). When I woke up I was in the vibrational state. while I was not controlling the breathing (it was on auto) I did not have the sense of fighting against it like I do during the "transition" phase I keep talking about. I was able to briefly leave my body and decided to go to an area with a moving train (because I thought the sound would ground me to the astral body) I made it there but was pulled back to my body soon after because it seemed a part of my astral body was still stuck to it. I digress.

What I'm trying to get at is that if I can find a way to get past the breathing thing, I'll be able to move on to the Vibrational phase. Any ideas? have any of you guys been through similar situations? What did you do to get past it? Did you just move your attention from your breath and let your body enter the vibrational state?

P.S  I'm 100% sure this is not sleep apnea. It is just me trying to override my auto breathing mode. For one, I've never had any issues with sleeping, or with snoring.

With that being said all other advice is welcome! I'm glad I signed up to this forum. I will be posting my experiences and techniques after I get a foundation going and able to project on a constant basis.

[EscapeVelocity]

Welcome to the Pulse lonewolf101!

Many projectors, early on, get caught by the breathing issue; it's a very common thing. You have described it all very well: the issue, the likely causes and two of the most commonly reported solutions.

For me, the answer was repeated exposure to the sensation, then one day it seemed as if I just simply and easily moved past it, and it has never happened again. There are several energetic sensations that occur in the early separation stage that can hang people up: itching, chakra or energy centre activation, hypnogogia, etcetera. Repeated exposure usually allows people to progress. Certainly information and understanding go a long way in helping. Personally, I think some inner permission-giving might be occurring as well; a process of you asking and either or both your subconscious and higher self granting permission to do a conscious OBE, which up until now has been an unconscious act for you.

An aspect I would add to the idea of switching your focus when you notice the breathing transition is to switch your focus AWAY from your physical body and concentrate on taking yourself a little deeper into trance. This and a few more tries should move you forward. Also, you might try adding an affirmation beforehand such as "I ask permission and give myself permission to have an out of body experience." Speak it, mean it and feel it.

A final thought is- Don't be surprised or disappointed if your first 10 or 20 OBEs have you falling asleep, losing consciousness for a short period or "clicking out" briefly. The hardest thing to do is a fully conscious transition, especially early on. The semi-astral projection you described was actually a full-blown projection. There are several ways to make the transition and that one fully qualifies. Edge of sleep, Lucid Dreams, Phasing...it's all good! We takes 'em anyways we gets 'em! Lol

By the way, congratulations on your first OBE!

[lonewolf101]

Oh wow, thanks Velocity. haha ok I understand what you mean. The momentyou feel the vibrations, I'm technically "out" of my body right? got it. I'm going to try all of things you tipped me in on. Again thanks.