I'm just too damned nervous to project

[Forw4rd]

Almost any night that I am really sleepy and I crash I will have some sort of beginnings of an astral projection. I let myself relax and I let my mind be at ease, the next thing ill notice is my body is vibrating and my eye lids become paralyzed. Once this happens I know whats going on and I tell myself that I just have to go with it... but within seconds it gets even more intense: I feel like there are hands touching me all over my body and my entire body is almost completely paralyzed.. At this point I will also start hearing noises and feeling much much less connected to the real world...

How do I really harness this projection? I don't know what to do with myself once it happens.. I always just get scared of the unknown, of whats going to happen..

I'm sure there are many people with this problem but can someone throw me a tip or two?

[Stookie]

I have been in your situation and know exactly what you're talking about. The good thing is, you're close. What I did was just kept at it. Kept getting to the vibrations, followed by nervousness which would kill it. Then one night the same vibes came, I got nervous, but they continued to get more intense anyways. Next thing you know I'm out-of-body. After that single experience, I've never gotten nervous when the vibes hit. I look forward to it and stay confident through it.

So stick with it, (it sounds like you're really,really close) and when the vibes hit, do your best to lay there and clear your mind - let them come to you. Something that TVOS suggested to me was to try rolling around in your body, like a log, and roll out. After an experience, the fear will subside.

Good Luck!

[Forw4rd]

What i'm hoping will happen is I will eventually find myself in a situation where I am too paralyzed to stop regardless of how afraid I am

[Ain_Elohim]

first things first, you have to get over the fear.  if you manage to project while your in a state of fear, you will definately regret it.  my first time was actually an OBE, not fully astral, but its similar enough.  i was meditating in full lotus, and it just happened, i had thought i died and was snapped back. it scared the crap out of me.  but i got over the fear (you need to find your own meathods, no miracle cure) i personally did it philosophically, but thats just me.  any who, as i started exploring, the fear has just left, and this has been for i dont know how many years now.  so just remember, your getting there and your fears the only thing holding you back, and that is not very uncommon when starting out.  but under no circumstances whatsoever force a projection in a fear state...unless it could help you break it, but remember also that if successful it will not be a pleasant experience, as long as you know it will be as such and wont deter you further, go for it.  But personally, i would avoid that at all costs.  break yourself of the fear and you'll do fine.  theres nothing to be afraid of, i understand you cant hold any validity to that statement untill you gain first hand knowlege, but when you do you'll understand completely.

[D]

You can trake a break or keep at it.  I've found myself over-whelmed before and I usually take some time to soak in my life in normal reality to get back to a better base to start from.

Be calm.  There is no need to be afraid.  Sometimes you just have to let go; lose yourself to find yourself.

[Stevo]

Ok, the one big thing I want you to know is DON'T find out what's happening. Don't ask questions, don't go looking for answers. Not yet.

Right now you are on the verge of making a personal descovery that will stick with you a lot stronger than anything people can tell you. If you go and taint the purity of the situation, then things come in the way which will make things harder.

Expectancies. For everyone they create their own boundaries and rules. When you adopt someone elses' rules, it's like playing chess by basketball rules. "How can I win if there is no hoop to score with?" Between two people, it can be just as different. You make expectancies, and when they don't appear, you doubt. Doubt is the dampener of intention, and intention is your fuel.

So for right now, just work on getting over the fear. It'll be for the best in the end. Over and over and over and over, just keep going through the feelings, let things happen by themselves. Do not expect or try to make anything happen. After that you will have something many other people don't.