how much does natural talent play into this?

[thenoob]

for someone like me who has no natural talent in astral projecting, or lucid dreaming.... never had any OBE's as a kid or anything like that. No history of OBE's in my family.

am I pretty much screwed?

seems some people have an easier time doing it because they have the talent.

[Nay]

I wouldn't call it talent...natural inclination perhaps.. which everyone has, they are just not aware of it.

I have my father trying now because of our discussions on it.  It sounds like he was doing some kind of projecting or remote viewing when he was younger.  I know my daughter and youngest son are spontaneously projecting, but I know that because of the symptoms they describe.

I bet we would be surprised at how many of our family members...waaaay back, I'm talking grandparents and all.. I bet they projected but had no idea what was happening so, did not share it with anyone.

So, you're not screwed.  your family members just haven't a memory of it, or just aren't talking about it.  You have just as much natural inclination as the rest of us.

[Stookie]

Nothing to worry about. My background from both parents are strictly christian/religious with no known accounts of anything "paranormal". No one in my family believes in anything that can't be proven.

But somehow, I managed to break the mold. If you have the desire, you can do it. I think that some people may have a natural talent, but I sure don't. With experience it becomes easier.

[MisterJingo]

I agree with the above. I'd been having OBE experiences since childhood, but it was something completely out of my control. I'd either become aware in the experience, or wake in a paralysis state. Having a familiarity with the state didn't make it any easier to have my first conscious projection – it took time and dedication.
I do know that if you stick with it, you will eventually have an OBE. It's just a case of not getting too frustrated with it all and practicing regularly.

[Nostic]

It wasn't until I was 24 that I had my first OBE. I have 0 "natural" talent. But I've made a lot of head-way in the past few years because I'm as stubborn as they come and I refuse to quit.