I have been experimenting with meditation (trying to AP as well) for a few months now, ever since a spontaneous projection scared the *** out of me because I had no idea what was going on. Anyways, Im glad that I found this site because I really needed some kind of explanation for my experience.
So far I have been unsuccessful in consciously projecting except for one time a few weeks ago. I was laying in bed in meditation and then I got tired so I rolled over on my stomach to fall asleep. Then I started thinking of this person that I knew was hurting and how much I wished that I could astrally project to his location. I don't know what exactly I wanted to do or what I even could possibly do but I wanted to maybe help comfort his soul if that makes sense. My astral body started to separate and started spinning around my head. I could see everything spinning around me so clearly even though the eyes of my physical body were closed. I then got a bit frightened at this and was almost immediately brought back into my physical body.
Since then I have not been able to get back to that point. I have been having great relaxing meditations and Lucid dreams but I can not AP consciously.....yet anyways. Ive been focusing on just trying to separate and then return so that I can learn how to AP on command and explore the universe and discover how I can use this skill to assist the forces of "good" in the world.
Any advice? Maybe I need to try to focus on something that I'm more emotionally invested in instead of just trying to AP for the sake of learning the skill?? Any help would be greatly appreciated?
I'm no expert as I've only had 1 successful AP but I have read alot on these forums and books/internet resources. From everything I've been learning its all about patience and practice. You are basically training your subconscious to function and react a certain way so it usually takes quite a while to be able to have full control over this process. It's a learned skill just like anything else. The best advice I could give you is to not put too much pressure on yourself or you'll ruin it. Just lay down and relax/meditate, and imagine yourself projecting, walking around your house. Feel the carpet, pick up objects, etc. Don't imagine seeing yourself doing it, imagine actually doing it. Hold a familiar object in your hands until you can literally feel it. This is how you get accustomed to your astral body and make your intention to project. You might even repeat in your mind for a few minutes "I am going to leave my body". After that, just let go and doze off. There is a good chance you will slip into sleep paralysis from that point and if you do, then you can use an exit technique to leave your body. It's a simple process, it's just difficult to execute, which is why it takes practice. Best of luck to you!