Need some help

[rock122]

Ok so I started into these forums, reading about a week ago and litely trying some techniques, then I signed up and tried to get more info. I've looked at more techniques and like phasing but have one big problem with all of them, and it seems to start in this forum with stuff like 3d black. When I close my eyes I try to get all thoughts out of my head but the problem is I still have the thoughts of "am i seeing anything?" "Ok do this method" etc. stuff dealing with what I have to accomplish. I have to have this stuff in my head to remember to look at the blackness. Now I have layed completely still to the point I barely feel my body and just tried to stare at the blackness (or in my mind the back of my eyelids). The first problem was my eyes trying to open when looking down, I believe I've gotten over that, my next problem is no matter how hard I try to concentrate on one spot nothing seems to result, 20 min, 30 min, etc. just black but even then the whole time is hard to just focus on that one spot, my biggest problem being my mind is still thinking things like "Are there any shapes around?" Any help with the blackness? no images at all for me

[Awakened_Mind]

To begin with I think all these different stages of 'focus 10' etc and 3d blackness are probably better off for people who are already projecting. It's a shame we are blasting them at beginners because I think it confuses people or gives their mind yet another idea to entertain when they are trying to exit their body. "Oh no last night I only got to focus 5."

You sound very enthusiastic about projecting. For that alone you will succeed somewhere along the line, there's no doubt about it. If you were to ask my opinion on exiting intially the first step is belief in the subconscious, this means a lot of reading on what astral projection is. Really installing the idea that leaving the body is possible not so much how to do it.

How to do it really starts at trance. You have to be able to hold awareness while you are silencing your mind. Naturally most people begin to fall asleep when their minds stop, it's habitual. Once you can attain a trance you'll find your astral body will be a lot looser and closer to a successful exit.

Let me know if you have anymore questions.

-AM

[rock122]

Are there any good tutorials or information on the trance portion? That's the part I feel most unclear about, silencing the mind. I can't understand how to do this while still being aware, when I try I realize I'm still thinking.

[Novice]

Did you read Frank's post on phasing?

http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_the_astral_faq/what_is_phasing_and_how_can_i_do_it-t17413.0.html

This helps you with the basics and should get you started.

Good luck!

[Awakened_Mind]

Yes there is a lot of information on these forums for attaining trance. There are also a lot of books out there.

Silencing the mind in the beginning is not an easy task, there's always a thought that's running through. It's OK when first beginning to acknowledge the thought and then try silencing your mind again. Otherwise you'll end up frustrated which is counter-active to where you want to be.

In my opinion you should try the good old fashioned sitting down and trying to quiet your mind following your breath. Then we'll go from there. I must say though that this, like everything else, takes time. It may take you four or five 15 minute attempts to really develop some 'mind muscle'.

At first you will find this all confusing. You'll probably end up thinking to yourself "I need to quiet my mind... Shut up mind... great now i'm talking to myself." etc. With time the thoughts will really stop to come up if you WORK at it.

Look forward to hearing from you.

-AM

[rock122]

Ok I believe I understand this and I am actually relieved that it takes time to build "brain muscle" as you put it,  because well, I like working towards a skill. Anyways, how can I tell when I am finally in trance if I am to have no thoughts? There are times for example where I have trouble falling asleep so I try to quiet my mind, eventually I may get frustrated and think, this isn't working at all only to realize I don't remember any thoughts from the last 5 to 10 minutes, the problem is during this time though I'm not sleeping I am not thinking so I cannot possibly try to do any of the things like look for 3d blackness.

[Awakened_Mind]

Well that's the skill you're really developing, awareness. You'll understand it more once you reach a trance state, you'll know you're there.

When you go to sleep at night you would at some stage reach trance, your just not aware of it. I'd recommend trying to clear your mind during the day sometime when you are awake. It's more beneficial and you'll be more likely to stay aware which is really the main point of the exercise.

-AM

[SnakeDoctor]

i didn't read it all, its late and ADD hit...but anyway...


what seems to work for me, is to lay completely still in a comfortable posistion, close your eyes and repeat over and over, mind awake body asleep. and as you think mind awake, picture your brain glowing some color. the when you think body asleep...think of your body glowing some different color. do not move at all! not your eyes, tounge toes...anything...might take a few tries to get that level of discipline. and remember keep the color and mind awake body asleep thing going till you fall asleep.

and during your waking life, like the forums say, pick up an object look at it, and say "is this a dream? am i dreaming? no."(i find if you do it alot before you sleep you'll also remember to do it in your dream) then put the object down. eventually you will learn to do that whille your sleeping. once you get that lucid, say out loud(in your dream) "im going OBE/Astral Project, take care!" and if it worked right you will be back in the real world but still asleep and feel like your laying on a vibrating bed.

at this point try a couple ways to get out. my first one, i tried to sit up...it felt like my back was being pulled back down...i lefted my feet so i could slam them down and make my body sit up with the momentum. it worked...but i couldn't get out of bed...still attached at the waisted...so i layed back down and pictured myself laying in deep water with a boat infront of me, and i was wearing a life jacket and ski's. i seen a ski rope in the water in front of me. i grabbed on to it, and the boat started up and took off i felt a jerk and i was out.