Frustrated with visualizations,I need help

[JesusGonzalez]

So recently i have been trying to visualize or use visualizations as a way of astral projection.I tried to visualize my self either falling down an infinity tunnel.I also tried flying up an infinite tunnel.For some reason i couldnt keep the "picture" in my mind for long.they would last a couple of minutes and then they would start to fade away.So any tips on visualization are very much welcomed .

[Lionheart]

 Keep visualizing. This is perfectly natural when you first begin to visualize.

Hone you skill. At first 10 seconds is good. Then the time starts to get longer. The same thing applies with attempting to hold a NP focus/projection period. At first it is a "sneak peek". As you practice more you learn to ground and anchor yourself there.

Try to create an entire walkthrough, instead of a simple visual. Make sure it has a lot of "action/movement". I find shooting a basketball over and over again can lead to some interesting experiences. Don't look for the ball or the basket, because they are already there. Just shoot the ball at the basket.

[Xanth]

First, start with this:  http://www.unlimitedboundaries.ca/2010/12/08/what-is-visualization-and-how-do-i-do-it/

Second, stop worrying so much about it. 

[Astralsuzy]

I advise you not to worry how bad you visualise as it is not important.   It is not a requirement to be good at visualising.   I am extremely bad at visualising and I can still ap from visualising.    I just do the best I can and not to worry about it.   One time I was imagining I was swinging on a swing.   I could not see the swing as my visualising skills is terrible.    I still did it and it worked.   I found myself swinging on a swing as if it was real.   I was at a park and the scenery was great.   If you are meant to ap you will ap.

[JesusGonzalez]

So basically i dont really have to be that good at visualizing in order to astral project.I guess as long as i forget about my physical body and visualization will work?

[Astralsuzy]

That is right.

[Szaxx]

A couple of things that will help,
The word visualisations should be seen as more than simply seeing. It can apply to feeling too. In the art of projection, most things contradict the physical world and this is confusing.
To help with the images as they start to develop it's far better to keep your eyes still. This is hard to do at first, keep them looking into the distance and whatever patches of light and colour appear should be IGNORED. Don't look at them, just be aware that they are there and this not doing anything will help.
The other help is feeling things, the tactile sensations of swinging have already been mentioned. Imagine the swing and put yourself on it but imagine you have CLOSED your eyes. This does two things that help. The first is to switch off sight so nothing can be seen. The images you find difficult don't exist now because of simply closing your eyes. The second is that feeling of movements on the swing can be worked on with thought. You will be able to make the swinging feeling stronger this way and it works too. Eventually the feeling gets that strong it's like the swing is 100 feet long and you are really moving at speed.
You can use any feeling in this way. Swimming, parachuting and many more.
Is seeing images is difficult then don't try and see, feel the movements instead, this we all do and it works...

[Enigmatik]

Great post JesusGonzalez!  This is something that will definitely help me, so I'm glad you asked!  I love the idea of the swing.  I too have a problem visualizing, especially if I'm not very tired.  The eyes closed on a swing is what I'm going to try tonight.  You know, if your good at visualizing, can you just skip the part of putting your body to sleep?  And just like immerse yourself in visualization to get the AP?  Like I usually do energy work, tense up my body parts and release, then imagine them getting heavy.  Would your body naturally do this if you just started visualizing?   

[Lionheart]

 JesusGonzalez, check out this post by our fellow Moderator Contenteo. I think you will find it helpful. It's from his Sticky here named "
The Steps to Success in your First Projections".  http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_astral_consciousness/the_steps_to_success_in_your_first_projections-t33998.0.html;msg282362#msg282362

"Foremost, thank you everyone for your kind words. I am glad to be able to help everyone in their endeavors. This breakthrough was instrumental for my attempts and am overjoyed I can share it with you all.

When writing my above "dissertation" there is a lot I left out in order to maintain succinctness, one of many being a nice batch of examples.

I would love to be able to tell you I can have controlled metaphysical imagery, but in reality(can I say that  tongue) my visualizations are incredibly sporadic, downright crazy, and honestly my control is pretty limited. Most visualizations will last anywhere from seconds to maybe 30 seconds maximum before I lose focus and change topic. I will snap back and immediately just go onto the next one. For instance, in my first successful phasing attempt my first memorable visualization was that of laying bricks into a short brick wall. I have never laid bricks in my life. I can think of no reason why I had this visualization, but I went with it. Near the end of the visualization, I dropped a brick and actually heard a clanking of the brick hitting the ground. So, visualization will not always be controlled, but you will have to learn to roll with the punchs as they come, enjoy it and they will lead to milestones. 

Length of Visualizations
Now I said above, these things don't last long. Honestly, I believe the more I practice, the better I will become at extended visualization. It has been about a month, and I am already getting pretty proficient. Now the purpose of the visualization, don't forget, it to to achieve that disconnectedness, so live in your visualizations when they happen. Try to just enjoy them and act like you are doing what is happening. You WILL snap back. No one but masters can maintain a long visualization, so just move onto the next one. Stop and observe your state, and it may set you back from phase state a couple visulizations, but this is good because life is about the journey, and this is just another form of smelling the flowers. You will only then understand the staircase like path you are taking as you are falling deeper and become disconnected in a controlled manner.

Characteristics of Visualizations
Now when you first start your process, you will have more control over you visualizations. I found there are some patterns that help me get started easier. The first pattern is that of first person visualizations. Most of my visualizations are from my own POV. This is simpler to do and gets more results. Second and third, is to visualize something you do often, and to visualize something with an easy focal point. I have a number of examples of this I can share with you now. My favorite and usual starter is my car driving example. I am not in my car per say, but in my first person POV. I travel around the roads(ones I travel often) in my town, just visualizing everything that is around me as I continue down that stretch. I can go fast or slow. Make decisions to take turns on the fly. My upcoming next favorite is playing Frisbee. I am a competitive freestyle Frisbee player and can read discs very well. In this visualization I am just practicing different tosses, and focusing on the disc as it travels. I found the focal point of the disc is very effective as I can be intent on looking at the disc and not care at all about laying in bed.
So to answer you question, yes I have "scripts" that seem to work to get started, but usually near then end my subconscious takes control and throws in weird curve balls to the mix. Like the other night right before phasing state, I was visualizing a can like object with a large stick was sticking out the top that was spinning super fast in a small circle(making a invert cone shape with the stick out the top) and I was with a group of people juggling it like a soccer ball. Pretty weird, right? Partway through, I actually kicked my physical leg in bed, setting me back, but only shortly. This physical imagery with action seems to be the key with me. Frank helped me get this idea, because he always talked so much about metaphysical imagery, so props and credit to him here. The final pinnacle characteristic, that almost seems hidden, but is ever so important is most of my visualizations are things that are fun for me. I have the most success with the things I enjoy visualizing. So try to tailor them to your own interests. I can really get into looking at that Frisbee, or juggling that weird can thing. This makes nice logical sense too, because your favorite thoughts should be the most effective and diverting your focus away from the physical.

To come full circle, I want to reiterate again, I will be juggling the can, and all of a sudden remember I am laying in bed and can hardly focus on my body, I will freak out a little bit, realize I am not breathing, or even hear a noise and snap out of it. This will happen, from what I understand, no one is above this and it will happen to you. So don't get discouraged or feel like you are doing something wrong. This is natural. Skill comes into play when you learn to understand the interruptions you experience and roll off them into the next visualization, that will take you further down that staircase.

I have a lot more to say as addendum to my initial post, but that will have to come in time as I am very busy right now.

I hope this helps you blu and everyone else that may have been looking for a little more clarification.

Cheers,
Contenteo"

[JesusGonzalez]

JesusGonzalez, check out this post by our fellow Moderator Contenteo. I think you will find it helpful. It's from his Sticky here named "
The Steps to Success in your First Projections".  http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_astral_consciousness/the_steps_to_success_in_your_first_projections-t33998.0.html;msg282362#msg282362

"Foremost, thank you everyone for your kind words. I am glad to be able to help everyone in their endeavors. This breakthrough was instrumental for my attempts and am overjoyed I can share it with you all.

When writing my above "dissertation" there is a lot I left out in order to maintain succinctness, one of many being a nice batch of examples.

I would love to be able to tell you I can have controlled metaphysical imagery, but in reality(can I say that  tongue) my visualizations are incredibly sporadic, downright crazy, and honestly my control is pretty limited. Most visualizations will last anywhere from seconds to maybe 30 seconds maximum before I lose focus and change topic. I will snap back and immediately just go onto the next one. For instance, in my first successful phasing attempt my first memorable visualization was that of laying bricks into a short brick wall. I have never laid bricks in my life. I can think of no reason why I had this visualization, but I went with it. Near the end of the visualization, I dropped a brick and actually heard a clanking of the brick hitting the ground. So, visualization will not always be controlled, but you will have to learn to roll with the punchs as they come, enjoy it and they will lead to milestones. 

Length of Visualizations
Now I said above, these things don't last long. Honestly, I believe the more I practice, the better I will become at extended visualization. It has been about a month, and I am already getting pretty proficient. Now the purpose of the visualization, don't forget, it to to achieve that disconnectedness, so live in your visualizations when they happen. Try to just enjoy them and act like you are doing what is happening. You WILL snap back. No one but masters can maintain a long visualization, so just move onto the next one. Stop and observe your state, and it may set you back from phase state a couple visulizations, but this is good because life is about the journey, and this is just another form of smelling the flowers. You will only then understand the staircase like path you are taking as you are falling deeper and become disconnected in a controlled manner.

Characteristics of Visualizations
Now when you first start your process, you will have more control over you visualizations. I found there are some patterns that help me get started easier. The first pattern is that of first person visualizations. Most of my visualizations are from my own POV. This is simpler to do and gets more results. Second and third, is to visualize something you do often, and to visualize something with an easy focal point. I have a number of examples of this I can share with you now. My favorite and usual starter is my car driving example. I am not in my car per say, but in my first person POV. I travel around the roads(ones I travel often) in my town, just visualizing everything that is around me as I continue down that stretch. I can go fast or slow. Make decisions to take turns on the fly. My upcoming next favorite is playing Frisbee. I am a competitive freestyle Frisbee player and can read discs very well. In this visualization I am just practicing different tosses, and focusing on the disc as it travels. I found the focal point of the disc is very effective as I can be intent on looking at the disc and not care at all about laying in bed.
So to answer you question, yes I have "scripts" that seem to work to get started, but usually near then end my subconscious takes control and throws in weird curve balls to the mix. Like the other night right before phasing state, I was visualizing a can like object with a large stick was sticking out the top that was spinning super fast in a small circle(making a invert cone shape with the stick out the top) and I was with a group of people juggling it like a soccer ball. Pretty weird, right? Partway through, I actually kicked my physical leg in bed, setting me back, but only shortly. This physical imagery with action seems to be the key with me. Frank helped me get this idea, because he always talked so much about metaphysical imagery, so props and credit to him here. The final pinnacle characteristic, that almost seems hidden, but is ever so important is most of my visualizations are things that are fun for me. I have the most success with the things I enjoy visualizing. So try to tailor them to your own interests. I can really get into looking at that Frisbee, or juggling that weird can thing. This makes nice logical sense too, because your favorite thoughts should be the most effective and diverting your focus away from the physical.

To come full circle, I want to reiterate again, I will be juggling the can, and all of a sudden remember I am laying in bed and can hardly focus on my body, I will freak out a little bit, realize I am not breathing, or even hear a noise and snap out of it. This will happen, from what I understand, no one is above this and it will happen to you. So don't get discouraged or feel like you are doing something wrong. This is natural. Skill comes into play when you learn to understand the interruptions you experience and roll off them into the next visualization, that will take you further down that staircase.

I have a lot more to say as addendum to my initial post, but that will have to come in time as I am very busy right now.

I hope this helps you blu and everyone else that may have been looking for a little more clarification.

Cheers,
Contenteo"

Thanks LionHeart il deffinetly read this . Im surprised i havent found this yet.

[JesusGonzalez]

I just finished reading the post from Contenteo .His post felt so natural as if he was telling is that this is as natural as breathing and when we realise that is when we are meerly a thought away from astral projecting.

[JesusGonzalez]

But another question i had was, can i use visualizations that could get me excited? Does my heart rate affect my "trance"?

[Astralsuzy]

It is not a good idea to try to get excited as that can send you back into your body.   It does with me.   I have to stay calm.
The other morning I imagined that I was playing tennis.   My visualising skills is terrible but it did not matter.   I knew I was out of my body.   I was jumping high into the air hitting a ball.   

[JesusGonzalez]

Last night i tried the swinging on the swing visualization.After only five minutes i heard a voice.I got kinda freaked out.But i kept focused.Well not as focused as i should have been because i eventually fell asleep.

[Astralzombie]

I get frustrated when I read people say that they can't visualize. That's a bunch of bull. Ladies, please excuse me.

Jesus, remember when you were 13 and you saw some pretty girl in a tight dress. I bet you had great visualization skills later on when you were alone.

[Astralsuzy]

I am sorry I frustrated you.   There are people that find some things frustrating and other people do not find it frustrating.   I will not say I cannot visualise anymore.   I can visualise but everything is greyish and foggy.   I hope I did not frustrate you by saying that.

[Astralzombie]

I just used the word frustration to tie in with the title of the thread and not as an indicator of how I feel.

[Astralsuzy]

O.K.   That is one of my faults.   I take things literally.

[Enigmatik]

I tried the swing visualization last night.  My eyes were closed and I noticed as I was doing it my eyes were following with my visualized movements.  Is this something I should avoid?  This seems just natural to me.  Since my eyes feel like they are physically moving under my eye lids, I didn't know if this was something I needed to avoid. 

[Astralsuzy]

Try not to worry about it.   Let what happens happen.   If you start thinking I am not sure if this is correct, it probably will not work.   Just do it and forget about your body and eyes.   If you notice your eyes, ignore it.   After a while you probably will not notice it.   If you let it irritate you it probably will not work.   Just imagine that you are swinging on a swing and feel the movement.   If you do not feel the movement do not worry about it.

[JesusGonzalez]

I get frustrated when I read people say that they can't visualize. That's a bunch of bull. Ladies, please excuse me.

Jesus, remember when you were 13 and you saw some pretty girl in a tight dress. I bet you had great visualization skills later on when you were alone.

Well excuse me for being human and not being good at everything.

[JesusGonzalez]

So last night i tried visualizing /phasing and it kind of worked.10 minutes into the visualization i fell into a dream but again i completely lost control and fell asleep.I didnt even have a lucid dream. -_-