Did I project? (And some other questions)

[myyst]

I had gotten close to Astral Projection (or at least I think I did.. did I?) a while back, while meditating.. During the meditation, eventually, I saw myself flying into the sky at a very high speed and felt myself becoming floaty - but I stopped myself.
And in some meditations before it, usually at some point my astral body had the tendency to start leaving my physical body and I had to stop it.
The reason I stopped myself during this period is because I still had a few worries about Astral Projection.

But the worries are gone now.

So, today, I tried Astral Projection consciously.
I was in the shower, sitting down - I started with a meditation to shift into a state better suited for projection. Eventually I focused my attention on the astral body and tried to become aware of it. I tried seeing my environment with my eyes closed, which worked pretty well and I could look around. I moved around the house a bit and tried to view things. While this happened, though, I was still very much aware of my physical body - yet I felt like I was out of my body, at least partly. I felt my body less than usual, it felt somewhat numb. Was I projecting or not? Is it only truly Astral Projection once you are completely unaware of your physical body?

So, not satisfied and thinking that I was not truly projecting, I started trying to push my astral body out, by force. Which was extremely unpleasant, got me a pretty bad headache, got to the point of me feeling like I was tumbling over backwards, and felt basically like I was damaging myself. But I did feel my astral body shifting a bit. So what happened there?

Now, somewhere inbetween these steps - I don't know exactly where - I started seeing white flashes (which happens to me often while in meditation or a trance, I think they're an indication of going into a deeper brain wave state - can anyone confirm this?). But at a certain point, whenever I would move my PHYSICAL body, I would see such a white flash. It felt like I was interrupting the projection, but it was very easy to shift back into the projection state. Simply by focussing on my astral body and not moving my physical body.

[Bedeekin]

If you are worrying... this will inhibit your success.

Do you think you had more than what you would consider a normal 'dream' or experience?

[myyst]

If you are worrying... this will inhibit your success.

Do you think you had more than what you would consider a normal 'dream' or experience?

The worries are gone now, it was before I had learnt a few things. I was mostly worried about possession (which won't happen because the astral body is tied to the physical body and you are the only one that "holds the key" - there's also this theory about the Silver Cord). I do still worry a bit about the Silver Cord getting severed, though. Or, rather, the connection that the Silver Cord stands for. Can the Self sever the silver cord, and can another astral being do so? Or does it only break when your physical body dies?

And yes. A lot, as a child. I have visited specific places multiple times in multiple dreams. Most of those dreams were very vivid and I still remember them quite clearly. I have also had a lot of dreams where I was flying. Again, mostly when I was a child.

I also had a lucid dream a while back. Not sure how far back it was, but I did have one. I realised, in the midst of my dream, that I was dreaming - and got complete control over my dream world. I think I had more lucid dreams in the past, but I don't remember them well.

But please let's not get sidetracked too much - I also asked a lot of other questions in the original post.

[Bedeekin]

Then you projected... or rather you are on the right track. I doubt anyone would disagree.

Just practice and relearn what you have forgotten and unlearn what you think you have learned since. Have a good read around the forum... there is so much here that can answer your questions... but at the end of the day only YOU can do that.

[Szaxx]

As a child, did any of the places dreamed of get physically visited by you?
If so were they a perfect representation?
If so then welcome to the wider reality.
Its how I started, taking a friend along too after pulling him out of his body. I WAS 5 still remember it from nearly 50 years ago.
Its nothing strange though I realised no one else could do it back then.

[Bedeekin]

Sorry Myyst.. I've been dealing with a doom on another post... 

"Was I projecting or not?"

It sounds like it.

"Is it only truly Astral Projection once you are completely unaware of your physical body?"

That's not so black and white to answer... some can turn their attention as a dime.. I have to become completely unaware by entering a state called Sleep Paralysis..

http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_out_of_body_experiences/sleep_paralysis_the_whats_whys_and_wherefores-t38734.0.html

"So, not satisfied and thinking that I was not truly projecting, I started trying to push my astral body out, by force. Which was extremely unpleasant, got me a pretty bad headache, got to the point of me feeling like I was tumbling over backwards, and felt basically like I was damaging myself. But I did feel my astral body shifting a bit. So what happened there?"

The sensations experienced while actively projecting can be overwhelming... and quite inhibiting. Try turning your focus inwards. During SP I tend to rub my hands together and blow on them... my nonphysical hands. Although this is not an analysed thing it is just done.

[myyst]

Sorry Myyst.. I've been dealing with a doom on another post... 

No problem

"Is it only truly Astral Projection once you are completely unaware of your physical body?"
That's not so black and white to answer... some can turn their attention as a dime.. I have to become completely unaware by entering a state called Sleep Paralysis..

It did feel quite real to me, and my astral body (or rather, I myself) felt detached from my physical body. I could "look through my astral eyes" and it was very vivid - yet I was still aware of my physical body and my physical presence. I still felt like I was in place in the physical world, yet I felt detached. And when I moved my physical body, as I said, it seemed to disrupt things. Also, at the very end of the session, I still felt detached a bit even after having opened my (physical) eyes, but that was gone in about a minute.
Was I truly projecting?

[Bedeekin]

'Seeing' is sometimes an issue amongst beginners. Well done.

It sounds like dual consciousness... you were still aware of your physical body and experiencing nonphysical 'vision' and sensation.

So you were projecting but not at a deep level. This is an artefact of projecting from SP... Phasing is another method that requires you to practice becoming unaware of your physical body.

So you were projecting.

Practice is all it takes. Try lying down next time maybe.

[Bedeekin]

Actually... I find that sitting up while experiencing nonphysical via SP won't result in a deep experience. however, this is only my experience.

While in SP and sitting in my faithful 'man' chair... I sometimes wish I hadn't wasted it by sitting up. 

[Xanth]

As usual, Bedeekin has said everything I was going to and more! 

[myyst]

So you were projecting but not at a deep level. This is an artefact of projecting from SP... Phasing is another method that requires you to practice becoming unaware of your physical body.

I don't quite understand this sentence. Do you mean that I was phasing, and that contrary to projecting from SP, it takes effort to become unaware of your physical body - or, do you mean that I was projecting from SP but that I was doing it wrong? Or what did you mean?
I doubt you mean I was projecting from SP, because this partial numbness of my body felt very different from Sleep Paralysis.

About Sleep Paralysis, by the way.. I had Sleep Paralysis once, as a child.. I don't want to go through that again. I would prefer other methods.

So you were projecting.

Woo! Then this is my first success with Astrally Projecting on purpose!

[Lionheart]

I don't quite understand this sentence. Do you mean that I was phasing, and that contrary to projecting from SP, it takes effort to become unaware of your physical body - or, do you mean that I was projecting from SP but that I was doing it wrong? Or what did you mean?
I doubt you mean I was projecting from SP, because this partial numbness of my body felt very different from Sleep Paralysis.

Here is an easier way to understand what he was saying. You had a successful visit Consciously Aware to the Non Physical Reality, Congratulations! 

[myyst]

Here is an easier way to understand what he was saying. You had a successful visit Consciously Aware to the Non Physical Reality, Congratulations!  

Thanks! So should I continue projecting in this way? Or should I aim for a state where I am only aware of the Non-Physical Reality/Astral Plane and not of my physical body?

And in the case of the latter: I am currently reading a book by Xanth (whom I notice just posted something on this thread . Hi Xanth!) on Phasing and the Noticing technique seems good. Will it cause Sleep Paralysis though? I don't really want to go into Sleep Paralysis, or at least I don't want to be aware of it.

[Lionheart]

 If it's working for you "stay the course". Otherwise experimenting this early will only confuse you. After you get used to one way and can AP with little problem, then you can try other techniques. Unless you feel you would be more comfortable Phasing/Noticing. With Phasing we don't "climb" out of the body. We just create an intent and join that scenario.
Good Luck and Safe Travels! 

[AstralCody]

Solid advice given above Myyst, keep up the good work.