Am I on the right path?

[HungerStrike]

I'll get into bed and first try to keep myself calm and focused. Whenever I get irritated by an itch or the urge to swallow or move slightly I perform the action to remove the irritation until I feel as though I will have no more distractions.

After I close my eyes and try to relax them, upon doing so after a while my body will feel heavy and numb and I'll sort of feel as though I need to move my feet and hands to check they're still there. I can feel myself moving my toes In my mind although physically I'm not and after I am able to get this feeling, I really concentrate on relaxing my eyes even further.

I focus on the blackness and try to imagine a dot making shapes without moving my actual eyes. It's hard to do at first but after a while I can draw and write things with this dot, sort of like holding a sparkler and writing your name, it dissapears fairly quickly and leaves a trail.

Once I've done that I partially drift off, I start visualising things as if I'm dreaming however I do get to choose what I visualise. Sometimes I will drift off completely and other times I'll sort of regain conciousness and start over again.

This is as far as I've gotten as of yet, I cannot induce vibrations or strange sensations, I can only do what has been described above.

However two times in the last week I have regained conciousness from a partial conciouss state and had intense vibrations and surges that would become more intense the more I relaxed and ignored them in a way.

The first time I thought to myself I need to roll over but thought that I was in fact in my physical body so I didn't bother.

The second time I could feel my body moving like floating in a way but I stopped ignoring it and focused on it and I regained full conciousness after a few moments. I did wake into sleep paralysis, I just knew that I was in the state cause I expirienced it a lot when I was younger. I moved my leg instantly and then once again and I could move again.

I have no idea how I had these sensations, both times I believe I sort of woke up after literally seconds of sleep.

Do I need to just keep doing what I'm doing and with time I'll get results or do I need to do something else?

Many thanks, HungerStrike.

[Lionheart]

 It sounds like you are doing great. The only thing I see that could be halting your progress is that you still have your focus way too much on your physical body and the signposts of the NPR (Non Physical Realms/Reality).

To be successful with AP on a regular basis, you need to RELAX, RELEASE and totally LET GO.

I have a feeling you are RELAXING, but not quite RELEASING. The itches, spasms, swallowing, deep breathe etc. are still there because you still haven't ALLOWED yourself yet to experience the NPR consciously aware. I had this problem at the beginning as well and still do periodically when I am not completely relaxed. You are doing the right thing by scratching them, swallowing, what ever it takes to remove the irritant and then return back to the task at hand.

Start using positive affirmations, not stating that you will AP, but that you are already there. Use a past tense statement.

It sounds like all you need is further practice. It does get easier with daily repetition! 

I also believe that you have already succeeded, you just "clicked out" and missed the show! 

Good Luck and Safe Travels! 

[HungerStrike]

Thanks for the reply

Yeah I see what your saying I also think I focus on my body too much, It sort of slows the process In a way I imagine? It's hard not too though because I sort of do a checklist each time I get into bed and until I've crossed some boxes I can't progress, I've just taught myself to do that probably not a good idea?

You speak also about releasing and letting go... Would listening to music and leaving my headphones on cause any sort of hinderance? I can completely shut off with music and have my mind go blank or become really focused on something, sounds strange but If I read a book I have to listen to music with headphones else I can't concentrate.

Another thing can you only have these expirences whilst laying on your front or back? I struggle a lot to sleep any posistion other than on my side, I have to be really tired to sleep on my back or be listening to music. Now I think
, the two vibration expiriences ive had one was on my front and the other on my back.

So yeah would I be able to listen to music to aid releasing and letting go, and do I have to be laying on my back?

Many thanks again, HungerStrike.

[Szaxx]

Have a read if you've not done so already, it may help you.

http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_astral_consciousness/the_astral_blueprint-t38729.0.html

[CFTraveler]

Thanks for the reply

Yeah I see what your saying I also think I focus on my body too much, It sort of slows the process In a way I imagine? It's hard not too though because I sort of do a checklist each time I get into bed and until I've crossed some boxes I can't progress, I've just taught myself to do that probably not a good idea?

There is no problem in doing a checklist in the early part of whatever your routine is.   It can help relaxation in many ways, even a 'zen' sort of way.  But when you get to the part of the trance where you're dissociating, you should not have any body awareness of any kind- don't think about it.  Just 'be' consciousness.

You speak also about releasing and letting go... Would listening to music and leaving my headphones on cause any sort of hinderance? I can completely shut off with music and have my mind go blank or become really focused on something, sounds strange but If I read a book I have to listen to music with headphones else I can't concentrate.

It's not a hindrance if you are comfortable enough to lose consciousness with them- then comfort is not an issue.  But music often brings emotional associations and memories, and that may be a problem.  Also, you don't want to become dependent on anything- we humans tend to ritualize everything, and some rituals are helpful while others can cause problems.

Another thing can you only have these expirences whilst laying on your front or back?

No.  Any position in which you're comfortable enough to dissociate from your body is comfortable enough, but not too comfortable, so you don't fall asleep.  I used to project reclined most of the time (the ritualization I used to talk about) but sometimes I project on my side, something extremely difficult for me.  Yet it happens sometimes.

I struggle a lot to sleep any posistion other than on my side, I have to be really tired to sleep on my back or be listening to music. Now I think
, the two vibration expiriences ive had one was on my front and the other on my back.

Experiment- try different things.

[Lionheart]

  Experiment- try different things.

This is the best advise anyone could give you. You only know what works and doesn't work for you. That's why a good up to date Journal is important, especially in the beginning.

I use Binaural Beats and soothing Music often when I consciously Phase/AP from an awakened state. I find anything from Paul Collier over at Youtube.com to do the trick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5ox2GzWnJw&list=SP48627FA5F1896833

My favorites by him are #85 Defrag your mind, #75 "2012" #41 Facing the Unknown, #42 Taken Up into the Sky and #101 The Deep

DJVishnu also has some excellent Isochronic Tones. You can find them through a simple Google search. He makes you register your email, but I think that's to keep Spammers away, like we do here.

Good Luck and Safe Travels! 

[Lionheart]

 Here is a very "visually" suggestive Binaural Beat video.

Just a couple of minutes and I found myself deep in the middle of the Rainstorm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNT_5aTOIYM

Just close your eyes, put your Headphones on and ALLOW it to take you away! 

[HungerStrike]

Sorry for the late reply, been xmas n all that.

I've been listening to those instrumentals, they are really really good for clearing the mind and relaxing. I now listen to them every night whilst laying in bed. Thankyou very much for pointing them out!

Thanks as well for the information and advice you have all given, I am now getting very close to being able to get out and today I think I even managed to. Since starting this topic, multiple times a night i will eventually experience the usual strange sensations everyone seems to be familiar with. I think I've said before It's at this point I'm unsure of how to progress and move forward.

Been a bit hectic the past few days and I haven't managed to get much sleep at all. I'd gotten home today early afternoon and thought It would be best to catch up on some sleep, so I got Into bed and laid there for a few moments and had a think to myself. I thought as I was so tired I'd try do the usual mind awake body asleep sort of routine, and within literally a few minutes of closing my eyes I began to get the vibrations and other sensations. I took pretty much no notice what so ever, I knew It was happening but just let them be. After about 30 seconds I started getting tunnel vision, there was a pin prick of light in the blackness, so I tried to focus on It and after a while It got bigger and bigger until I was able to see. I was fully concious the whole time, and sort of had shallow thoughts about what was happening, I never let It all overwhelm me too much.

So I was able to see and thought to myself well I know for sure I'm asleep, and here I am laying In the same position I was a few mins ago before closing my eyes. It felt so much like I was awake, but anyways I said to myself well I'll try rolling and If I end up on the floor then so be It. I rolled and felt myself float off of the bed. The whole time I was thinking really Is It this easy? Out of curiosity I looked to the side to see myself laying there asleep.

I woke up then, fairly amazed that only 3 or 4 mins ago had I gotten Into bed. I convinced myself that It must be really easy It Is just about letting yourself go which is obviously easier the more tired you are. So I closed my eyes again and began to watch the blackness, and again the tunnel vision developed. I could see again, and was back In the room I was asleep In, but for some reason I closed my eyes and thought of my own bedroom and there I appeared. I thought well I can go out now can't I and walked straight through the bedroom window and floated off outside. I still couldn't believe this was happening, anyways I tried to fly off but struggled to move so I closed my eyes In the hope I'd end up somewhere else once again, and upon opening I appeared In front of an outside door to a house.

I opened the door and went up the stairs directly In front, went left Into the room and saw a little girl playing In the room. This Is very relevant to me, as I worry constantly about big changes about to happen and It was almost as If as crazy as this sounds as me almost seeing Into the future just to reassure myself that everything would be alright, and to be honest It felt like I had just gotten In from a days work and was walking up the stairs with slightly achy legs, a very surreal experience, however at the same time as feeling like this I was still me.

I do not think I was dreaming, nor having those visions you sometimes do whilst still concious before sleeping. I do not remember certain points though, as If It were a dream, contradicting myself a bit there haha. It just all felt very very real and I knew all this was happening, but to where I appeared and how weird the feeling was when I walked up the stairs I thought It must have been more than a dream. I defiantly rolled out of my body and saw myself, and I was doing strange things that obviously aren't possible in life. The vibrations and all that were there before being able to see. I'm fairly confused because I didn't know what to expect, I do not know If I have had an OBE or have AP or have just lucid dreamed.

I don't know really but It was an amazing experience, do any of you think you know what might have happened? Even If I'm not quite there yet I'm fairly sure im whiskers away lol.

Thanks for all the help n that so far, and I look forward to hearing from anyone that chooses to reply. HungerStrike.

[Astralzombie]

What you just described, was a classic AP\OOBE\LD.

It's not classic in the sense that it blew your socks off like all the great ones that we have read...but in the sense that this is what most of it will be like. It was a NP experience that allowed you to question and reason with your full awareness. You became amazed that what you worked for was finally happening. I can remember floating and bobbing around like a cork but not quite being able to fly. I was just giddy. I really loved reading your account because it was just like many of my first intentional experiences.

Don't worry about labeling your experiences right now. I know it's important to everyone but give that some time.

I would recommend not changing anything right now in regards to your technique or method and would work on containing excitement (and fear). Do this early so that when the mind blowing stuff happens, you'll be ready. From my own personal experience, I have found that neither fear or excitement will "end" the really memorable ones but without control, they can ruin them.

Wow...you have no idea (I'm jealous ).

[Lionheart]

  This quote is from Edain McCoy from her book "Astral Projection for Beginners". She says "Astral Projection is defined as any state in which your consciousness is immersed in a different time or place from that of your physical body. By this definition the act of Dreaming is also a form of Astral Projection". She goes on to say that "It surprises many beginners to find that most regular Astral Travelers make little or no distinction between Dreaming and Astral Projection - rather, they have discovered that harnessing the "Power of Dreams" can become an excellent conduit for controlled Astral Travel".

Change your "mindset", change your "reality"! 

[Xanth]

  This quote is from Edain McCoy from her book "Astral Projection for Beginners". She says "Astral Projection is defined as any state in which your consciousness is immersed in a different time or place from that of your physical body. By this definition the act of Dreaming is also a form of Astral Projection". She goes on to say that "It surprises many beginners to find that most regular Astral Travelers make little or no distinction between Dreaming and Astral Projection - rather, they have discovered that harnessing the "Power of Dreams" can become an excellent conduit for controlled Astral Travel".

Change your "mindset", change your "reality"! 

"That can't be an astral projection because it was a dream!"  <-- I've heard this kind of statement too many times to count.
It never ceases to amaze me at how some people really love to limit themselves in this way.

This is why the first step to learning astral projection is to pretty much forget most of what you've read or believe on the subject.  You need to free yourself from the very narrow and limiting box one usually puts themselves into before they've even had their first experience.

[Machine1k]

"That can't be an astral projection because it was a dream!"  <-- I've heard this kind of statement too many times to count.
It never ceases to amaze me at how some people really love to limit themselves in this way.

This is why the first step to learning astral projection is to pretty much forget most of what you've read or believe on the subject.  You need to free yourself from the very narrow and limiting box one usually puts themselves into before they've even had their first experience.

I hear you on this point Xanth, but for those of us who are new how do we know what is what?  Seems all I do is read up on this subject matter and already I am seeing a division and the funny thing is it seems both are on the same topic..

What I mean is LD folks don't believe in AP and AP folks classify LD as another phenomenon all together.  I just finished reading William Buhlman's Adventure out of Body and even he mentions LD as it is related but not really to AP when according to your book, in which I agree with, says they are the same.

All these differing points of view gets confusing, like everyone gets vibrations on forum but another forum will say that's not the case, can drive one nuts

[Lionheart]

I hear you on this point Xanth, but for those of us who are new how do we know what is what?  Seems all I do is read up on this subject matter and already I am seeing a division and the funny thing is it seems both are on the same topic..

What I mean is LD folks don't believe in AP and AP folks classify LD as another phenomenon all together.  I just finished reading William Buhlman's Adventure out of Body and even he mentions LD as it is related but not really to AP when according to your book, in which I agree with, says they are the same.

All these differing points of view gets confusing, like everyone gets vibrations on forum but another forum will say that's not the case, can drive one nuts

Xanth, others here and I have come to these conclusions due to our own experimentation and experiences. I live by the saying "I believe half of what I hear, but everything I see".  

My conclusions have come from 2 years of Journaling my experiences. I periodically return to my older Journals to see what's what and how things have seemed to "evolved". When I started to become Lucid in my Dreams, I knew that I had full control over my own side of the experiences, just like I do when I AP. But, I have also had projections where I landed in the RTZ (Real Time Zone) as well.  Both ways showed me I was in a NP focus at the time. I knew where my sleeping/meditating body was and for me that's all I needed to know.

I don't take control over my LD's anymore. I ALLOW them to continue just as they are, but I am a "Conscious Player" in them, just as I am from Phasing. I stopped trying to control them once I could see that they had many lessons to be taught. I then became a good observer!  

The only time I intervene is when I "rescript" one of them. I don't even interfere with "loops" anymore.

[Szaxx]

Nice one Hungerstrike, you let go...
What you read is experienced by that one person. It's unfortunate that some accept everything they read as gospel and instantly believe it. For the author it was their interpretation from their personal mindset, although this is a commonality, each of us differ in reactions to things experienced.
A newbie could have some fantastic experiences within a few months and someone else experiencing the art for twenty years appears stuck at base level.
My experiences are immense as I was born with the art as a natural ability. Sounds great, anyone asking about vibrations, then a newbie will be better to ask. I have so little experience of this condition. Ask about the so labelled Hells within the astral and my knowledge is quite reasonable.
A newbie wouldn't experience these until ready and only then if another reason existed for the adventures within them.
Retrievals are another aspect of the art where many levels of experience and correct mindset are a requirement.
The most important thing is to gain your PERSONAL knowledge based upon your individual  experiences. Anything anyone else experiences is RELATED, it may be a precise replica, yet it could easily have been created around that persons mindset as an individualized experience designed for the retention of knowledge contained within it, (a personal learning experience).
What your capabilities are, will start to become apparent after a few trips out where it feels like school (you sense it). These are a challenge and will correct your understanding in life and more. These are where you become a better person from within and these change you. From seemingly pointless tasks at times, you will see errors of judgement or perhaps a way of being less forceful and not jumping in too soon making assumptions incorrectly.
You are through the first door and well on your way to far better places than the physical limited world you know well.
Go forth and experience the wider reality, there's more to life than you know.