Vibrations and tree branches

[Danielsama]

Hi, I've been practicing/learning about astral projection for a little less than a month now and all my experiences seem to end the same way. I start off by repeating the mantra "Mind awake, Body asleep" in rhythm with my breathing and eventually my mind gets lost somewhere else where i cant recall but when I snap back to focusing I naturally start saying the mantra again and immediately get the vibrations. But also when Im in the vibrational stage I can see what looks to me like tree branches with leaves. I keep focusing on the mantra but I also always get an extreme need to swallow. After I swallow the vibrations usually last for a few more seconds and then they're gone. Should I just keep repeating the mantra when I see the trees and try not to swallow or what?

[Xanth]

Approach your practice time like you would falling asleep at night.
When falling asleep normally, if you had an itch you'd scratch it... if you had to swallow, you'd do that.
Just do it calmly and remain relaxed, then go right back to what you were focusing upon... eventually, you'll get to the point where you can do that stuff and still retain your focus on what you're doing. 

[APVirgin]

Interesting, because I get the same urge throughout my practice, where I need to swallow.  I also noticed tonight after getting the floating sensation during vibrations that I am short of breath and just had to take a deep breath which brought my awareness totally back to the physical and ruined my attempt.  Is this breathing issue something that others have also encountered?

[Xanth]

Oh also... I found in the past that drinking lots of soda/pop/carbonated drinks increases saliva production which results in the requirement of swallowing.
Try drinking just water leading up to your practice sessions.

[Landshark]

I agree with Xanth. but also, you shouldn't get short of breath or need to swallow. No offense, but I believe y'all are doing something wrong. As far as my experience goes, everytime I'm lying down and try to keep focusing on "mind awake, body asleep" and the images in my head, they seem to fade away. Let your mind go wild. I usually have crazy random thoughts and dreams for a couple of hours before I come to in my bed, ready for separation. Anytime I stop breathing and really focus, I feel like something cool is happening (interesting things appear behind my eyelids.) but you will need to breathe again.

BASICALLY: with most people I've talked to, including myself, your first astral projection will come by having full intention of projecting after you fall asleep. Stay up and meditate for a while to get your subconscious focused. Your brain is brilliant, it will not forget your intentions after falling asleep. You will probably reach your first astral projection after a little sleep.

[APVirgin]

Hi Landshark,

I was thinking about this and I wonder if, because of the vibrations/floating, I started to hold my breath in anticipation, due to excitement and that is why I needed to take a deep breath.  Next time I get to that stage I must try not to get overly excited and just go with the flow.  It was probably because it has been about two weeks since I managed to get this far.

Interestingly, when I went to bed last night, after my earlier practice, I followed my normal going to bed routine after about 5 minutes I started to get very strong vibrations even though I wasn't even intending or trying to project.  Thought this was odd.  Decided to come out of the Vibrations though because I didn't want to do it because it was dark. Thinking about it now it doesn't really matter if its dark or not. There isn't anything to fear, I suppose.

[Landshark]

I understand how dark is more "freaky". I've only had 2 projections during dark. They were actually both some of my best experiences. My first AP that I went to the vibrational state first I got excited as bonk. It was so thrilling. I heard a child's voice say "tell me what happens when you fall asleep" immediately before hearing a cannon like boom and crazy noises that sounded like a bassdrop in a dubstep song. haha. Its super thrilling when you get your first AP, unfortunately, they usually don't last too long. Keep going

[APVirgin]

I'm really excited for it Landshark and I seriously appreciate your encouraging comments. Practice, practice and practice.

[Danielsama]

I agree with Xanth. but also, you shouldn't get short of breath or need to swallow. No offense, but I believe y'all are doing something wrong. As far as my experience goes, everytime I'm lying down and try to keep focusing on "mind awake, body asleep" and the images in my head, they seem to fade away. Let your mind go wild. I usually have crazy random thoughts and dreams for a couple of hours before I come to in my bed, ready for separation. Anytime I stop breathing and really focus, I feel like something cool is happening (interesting things appear behind my eyelids.) but you will need to breathe again.

BASICALLY: with most people I've talked to, including myself, your first astral projection will come by having full intention of projecting after you fall asleep. Stay up and meditate for a while to get your subconscious focused. Your brain is brilliant, it will not forget your intentions after falling asleep. You will probably reach your first astral projection after a little sleep.

I usually doze off or lose my mind somewhere else too and then wake up to the vibrational state but I dont get farther than that... I guess I just have to focus and practice more but thanks for all the feedback!

[Landshark]

your best bet is to let yourself fade out of consciousness with full intent of astral projection. Set an alarm clock for 4am. get up, take a tinkle, get a drink of water, telling yourself the whole time "i will astral project". By waking up, you'll know you have purpose for getting up. Lay in your bed thinking that. You have now put pressure on your subconscious to obey you.

[Danielsama]

After waking up after a dream this morning I decided to try it and I got much better results than when I usually try to do it before sleeping. I got to the vibrational stage and instead of seeing tree branches like I usually do I was able to see myself laying down and the ceiling with my eyes close. It was only for a second before I snapped out of it and I didnt actually leave my body but its a start. But I think I'll try the alarm clock method tonight, seems like it will work better than my techniques.

[CFTraveler]

Why do you consider "seeing tree branches" as a problem?  Seeing branches can be two or three things- you're momentarily remote viewing, you are seeing something as part of your meditative trip (I often see drops of water falling on water) which tell you you're getting there, or they can be your clairvoyance clearing up.  All of these are positive.

[APVirgin]

I usually doze off or lose my mind somewhere else too and then wake up to the vibrational state but I dont get farther than that... I guess I just have to focus and practice more but thanks for all the feedback!

Hi Danielsama, that exact same thing happens to me.  I fade out and then become very alert/awake to the vibrations.  Lately at this stage I have been trying the rope method and seem to have been getting better results this way.  I actually feel my whole body rise up about 6 inches.  I think I then get too excited and lose it.  I need to learn better control but how can I not get excited when my entire body floats up!! Even that is an amzing thing.  When I actually manage to Astral Project it trully will be amazing.

[Landshark]

yeah. I agree with Traveler. Seeing the branches shouldn't be a problem at all. Probably a good sign actually. I usually see all sorts of crazy things.