Sceptical... help!

[Hephaestus]

when you wake up on a morning dont force yourself fully awake, practice until you are able to realise when you wake up that you've just woke up - at this point whilst still very sleepy try your projection techniques.

[Nick]

Hi Toros Dead,

You certainly should not give up. Perhaps a different approach is in order. For example, I also came very close to obe with a lot of classic pre-obe sensations. While I never had a conscious exit projection (that I can remember), I continued with my efforts.

Then, after reading a number of posts here by people like Frank and Adrian, for example, I learned about astral phasing. I switched my approach to astral phasing which has brought me results. I would suggest you take a look at the Astral Consciouness forum as there are a number of "sticky" topics there that should help you if you read them. I post my approach in a topic called Phasing Methods. There are also several other threads in that forum that have a great deal of good information.

Also, there is a slight variation (a twin almost to astral phasing) called Focused Attention. This is a method taught by Bruce Moen. There is a member here named Ginny whom you may know, that does this focused attention method. From what I have read from Ginny, it is really the same thing as phasing, with a definite "placing of intent" to be at a place in the astral. I would invite you to also take a look at Ginny's wonderful posts as they are both interesting and informative.

Very best,

[beavis]

TorosDead, try starting from a dream. If you're dreaming, even if its not lucid, you are already in astral. If you can become more aware in the dream, it is a lucid dream. More aware than that is OBE. Then you are aware enough to get proof you are in a real place. Go to your bed on earth, while in this dream/OBE, and read something that you have set up in your room. You dont know what it says before you go to bed. If you know after, you have proof you have astral projected and come back to earth from there. I have done this but I didnt go to a dream first. I went straight from laying on my bed to reading, but conscious exit hasnt worked for you for 5 years. When you realize astral and physical exist in the same space, it will be easier.

[clandestino]

Hi TorosDead, you are in a common predicament, I reckon.

For months, I go without any type of OBE experience. I begin to doubt their reality, and as the memories of them become more distant, I am less inclined to practise.

Then one day, I'll have another experience, and I'm quickly reminded of how real and fascinating it is. It inspires me to practise regularly again...(99% of the time, with little joy !)

Re. application. after reading Frank's posts a year ago, I realised that this is an area that everyone can improve on ! Although he admitted to having no natural talent, he worked hard at it (practising EVERY morning at about 4am for an hour or so I believe). So, there is always room for more application !

Which, of course, is useless if you don't do it correctly. Keep trying various techniques.

It sounds like you're after an OBE experience to re-affirm your belief in the phenomena. Paradoxically, our doubts about OBE actually hold us back. Our ability to OBE is a function of our willingness to believe.

If you want to experience it, to get some fresh inspiration for more practise sessions, try sleep deprivation and interrupting your sleep patterns... E.g. for 4 or 5 days, don't sleep for more than 4hrs each evening. Sleep during the day. Exercise hard too. Practise techniques when you are on the brink of exhaustion.

By doing this as a one-off exercise, you might have an OBE that will give you inspiration to practise in a more comfortable, less tiring manner !
Mark

[TorosDead]

I have known about astral projection for years now.  I am 21 and read my first book by Monroe when I was 16.  Since that time I have experimented with many different techniques at many different times, and quite often got advice from Robert Bruce himself.  And now, years later... nothing.  No strange sensations, no vibrations.  I've had a couple lucid dreams in the past years, but that's all.  So after all my studying and all my practice with no results, I've come to wonder if it's true that astral projection is for everyone.  Or further more, if it's even real or just an elaborate state of the imagination.  I've read MANY forums about individuals who claim "after a month of trying I finally got out" and wonder how valid they are.  Note, I can attempt to project for hours, and still, nothing happens, so it's not that I'm not applying myself.  Can anyone help... and does anything think I should give up?