What am I doing wrong?

[darkdog302]

Hey all!

So just now I practiced my daily meditation/AP attempt after coming home from work. I run through my relaxation techniques and completely relax my body. I find this very easy to do after a long day of work. After doing my relaxation stuff, I begin to feel the "lead blanket" sensations as well as vibrations. Not long after I see a mix of shadows and colors through my closed eyes. So now I think to myself Alright, one of the guides/suggestions I read said to watch these things go by and let them happen. After doing that for a few minutes, the sensations faded and I was just back in my relaxed state.

I decided to wait a bit and see if the sensations would come back. And sure enough, they did a few minutes later. After they came back I thought to myself Well, why don't I try a method now like the rope method. And as I tried the rope method I began to actually feel myself rocking back and forth like I would as if I were actually climbing a rope. After doing this for about a minute, the vibrations intensified and then ultimately dissipated like my first attempt. I ended the relaxation/meditation and got up. I felt like I had just woken up, but I know I wasn't asleep. Hmm...

What am I doing wrong, or what could I be doing differently? Should I continue doing this every day as I have, because it seems to work better and better every day?

[Astralsuzy]

When you are feeling yourself rocking that is the time to move away from your body.   If you do nothing, you rock back and forward back into your body and the ap ends.   I found that out a long time ago.   Sometimes you have to make things happen otherwise the experience will end.   It is possible that you can keep rocking and rocking and get out of your body.   One time I was rocking and I got thrown out of bed onto the floor.  I did not do anything for that to happen. 

[darkdog302]

When you are feeling yourself rocking that is the time to move away from your body.   If you do nothing, you rock back and forward back into your body and the ap ends.   I found that out a long time ago.   Sometimes you have to make things happen otherwise the experience will end.   It is possible that you can keep rocking and rocking and get out of your body.   One time I was rocking and I got thrown out of bed onto the floor.  I did not do anything for that to happen. 

My question is though, what do you "do" once you are rocking? Also-- once you are out, how do you know? Do you open your eyes? Things were just a mush of black and colors for me. Thanks.

[Xanth]

My question is though, what do you "do" once you are rocking? Also-- once you are out, how do you know? Do you open your eyes? Things were just a mush of black and colors for me. Thanks.

A lot of people will tell you to start some kind of "exit" technique... I'm not one of those people.

I'd say continue rocking.  Continue using that sensation to take your awareness further and further, deeper and deeper away from the physical.  Put all your focus into the rocking... each set of rockings, allow it to rock your awareness away from everything physical. 

Eventually, you won't have to "open your eyes"... because you'll Phase and you'll just be "there".  "There" being anywhere from where ever your physical body is, to somewhere you've never seen before. 

[darkdog302]

A lot of people will tell you to start some kind of "exit" technique... I'm not one of those people.

I'd say continue rocking.  Continue using that sensation to take your awareness further and further, deeper and deeper away from the physical.  Put all your focus into the rocking... each set of rockings, allow it to rock your awareness away from everything physical. 

Eventually, you won't have to "open your eyes"... because you'll Phase and you'll just be "there".  "There" being anywhere from where ever your physical body is, to somewhere you've never seen before. 

Thanks! So why did I eventually stop rocking? Maybe I lost focus.

[Astralsuzy]

My question is though, what do you "do" once you are rocking? Also-- once you are out, how do you know? Do you open your eyes? Things were just a mush of black and colors for me. Thanks.

I told you, you spiritually move away from your body.   It is like your physical self moving but it is not.   If you cannot see anything, you say I can see.    You usually know when you are out of your body.   

[darkdog302]

I told you, you spiritually move away from your body.   It is like your physical self moving but it is not.   If you cannot see anything, you say I can see.    You usually know when you are out of your body.   

Right, well I just meant was there something that you have to do in order to spiritually move away. Do you just use your mind and have intent?

[Astralsuzy]

You can do what Xanth said, focus on the rocking movement.   Imagine you are rocking more and more until you are out of your body.   

[Astralsuzy]

Right, well I just meant was there something that you have to do in order to spiritually move away. Do you just use your mind and have intent?

Try moving your physical body.   Of course that will wreck it but you probably will not be doing that.   Instead you will be spiritually moving away.

[darkdog302]

You can do what Xanth said, focus on the rocking movement.   Imagine you are rocking more and more until you are out of your body.   

Okay! I'll try that next time.

[Lionheart]

 "What am I doing wrong?"

My guess is you are getting in the way of something that occurs naturally. You are over thinking it, over acting it and not showing any patience at all.

Just learn how to RELAX, RELEASE, LET GO and ALLOW it to occur.

I say just, even though I know it's much easier said than done. But that's the key to successfully project. 

[darkdog302]

Well, sadly today's attempt had no more fortune. I got two sets of vibrations, just allowed them to happen with intent in the back of my mind, and as they subsided I felt a falling sensation that jerked me awake. Oh well 

[Lionheart]

Well, sadly today's attempt had no more fortune. I got two sets of vibrations, just allowed them to happen with intent in the back of my mind, and as they subsided I felt a falling sensation that jerked me awake. Oh well 

That's another "signpost" known as a Hypnic jerk/Hypnogogic Jerk: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnic_jerk

How long have you been attempting conscious APs, Darkdog?

[darkdog302]

That's another "signpost" known as a Hypnic jerk/Hypnogogic Jerk: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnic_jerk

How long have you been attempting conscious APs, Darkdog?

Honestly, only for a bit more than a week. I know I'm expecting a lot more than I deserve in a short period of time. I learned about AP a year(possibly two, I can't remember) ago, and until the summer started I had put off really trying. Now I really, really, have a strong desire to have a conscious AP. I admit that I'm not a very patient person. What has been annoying me is that I have made it very easy for myself to reach a state where I encounter all of the signposts, yet I can't get out.

[Lionheart]

I admit that I'm not a very patient person. What has been annoying me is that I have made it very easy for myself to reach a state where I encounter all of the signposts, yet I can't get out.

This is what you need to work on here. You MUST be patient with this entire process.

Think of it like you are learning how to play piano or any other musical instrument. After the first week or two, how good would you be? I know I wouldn't be very good at all. I would have to listen, learn all I can and practice regularly to get better.

I'm sure you have read posts here from people, like Xanth, for instance, who say that it took them 10 years, yes that's right, 10 years to have their first conscious AP. That doesn't mean it's going to take you that long. But it goes to show you that he had the patience and perseverance to see it through and he is still here today teaching others how to do it.

You say you want to do this. But this practice takes mentally conditioning to achieve success with. You need to have an attitude that if I don't come back, then so be it. Are you ready to ALLOW that kind of sacrifice? Many aren't and so their fears still grip them. Some will catch a "sneak peek" and their excitement will shoot them back to a physical focus. Some people will just lie back and ALLOW what's going to happen to happen. These will be the ones that find quite a bit of success with conscious Aping.

[darkdog302]

This is what you need to work on here. You MUST be patient with this entire process.

Think of it like you are learning how to play piano or any other musical instrument. After the first week or two, how good would you be? I know I wouldn't be very good at all. I would have to listen, learn all I can and practice regularly to get better.

I'm sure you have read posts here from people, like Xanth, for instance, who say that it took them 10 years, yes that's right, 10 years to have their first conscious AP. That doesn't mean it's going to take you that long. But it goes to show you that he had the patience and perseverance to see it through and he is still here today teaching others how to do it.

You say you want to do this. But this practice takes mentally conditioning to achieve success with. You need to have an attitude that if I don't come back, then so be it. Are you ready to ALLOW that kind of sacrifice? Many aren't and so their fears still grip them. Some will catch a "sneak peek" and their excitement will shoot them back to a physical focus. Some people will just lie back and ALLOW what's going to happen to happen. These will be the ones that find quite a bit of success with conscious Aping.

That makes a lot of sense, and I had seen that it took Xanth ten years. What do you mean by "not coming back" by the way?

[Lionheart]

That makes a lot of sense, and I had seen that it took Xanth ten years. What do you mean by "not coming back" by the way?

Some authors of AP have stated that you need to have a "mindset" that if you don't return back to your body, then so be it.

That's pretty extreme, but I can see what they mean by it. Some of the signposts can get pretty extreme. Especially the "exploding head syndrome", where you feel like your head is being pressured. I had this a couple of times and it was very difficult to ignore and just stay the course.

But, this all got better with further practice! 

[darkdog302]

Some authors of AP have stated that you need to have a "mindset" that if you don't return back to your body, then so be it.

That's pretty extreme, but I can see what they mean by it. Some of the signposts can get pretty extreme. Especially the "exploding head syndrome", where you feel like your head is being pressured. I had this a couple of times and it was very difficult to ignore and just stay the course.

But, this all got better with further practice! 

Ah, I understand. I find the lead blanket feeling hard to deal with. I always find it hard to breathe. I'll continue practicing!

[Xanth]

That makes a lot of sense, and I had seen that it took Xanth ten years.

I'm essentially an idiot.  
So, if you're smarter than me... and let's face it, you probably are... then you'll do it waaaaay faster!  

What do you mean by "not coming back" by the way?

I kinda wanted to add an observation to that point Lionheart made.

It *IS* very important... (there's also a note here for spiritual growth and losing your attachments)
For example, I've read a lot of people on this very forum who have stopped their projection attempts because they felt intense fear when they found that they couldn't breath.  
Fear got the better of them.  Fear won.  

If you want to project, you have to be willing to give up your very life for it... you have to be willing to risk it all against ALL YOUR COMMON SENSE.
If those people I speak about above had TRULY wanted to project, they would have TRUSTED their bodies, and against all their common sense pushed on through.
EVERYONE who goes on to great things has had to learn to LET GO of everything in order to succeed.

In the end, you will always be safe... you'll always be fine... nothing will harm you... you won't physically die.  But you do need to venture forth as if your life is worth the risk.

You never know, you might make the discovery of your lifetime and learn that you're a HELL of a lot better at this than you even know.  
That's only a small part of what I've learned.

[darkdog302]

I'm essentially an idiot.  
So, if you're smarter than me... and let's face it, you probably are... then you'll do it waaaaay faster!  
I kinda wanted to add an observation to that point Lionheart made.

It *IS* very important... (there's also a note here for spiritual growth and losing your attachments)
For example, I've read a lot of people on this very forum who have stopped their projection attempts because they felt intense fear when they found that they couldn't breath.  
Fear got the better of them.  Fear won.  

If you want to project, you have to be willing to give up your very life for it... you have to be willing to risk it all against ALL YOUR COMMON SENSE.
If those people I speak about above had TRULY wanted to project, they would have TRUSTED their bodies, and against all their common sense pushed on through.
EVERYONE who goes on to great things has had to learn to LET GO of everything in order to succeed.

In the end, you will always be safe... you'll always be fine... nothing will harm you... you won't physically die.  But you do need to venture forth as if your life is worth the risk.

You never know, you might make the discovery of your lifetime and learn that you're a HELL of a lot better at this than you even know.  
That's only a small part of what I've learned.

Thank you for sharing. And while the thought of "risking it all" in a sense scares the crap out of me, I know that I am safe. I read somewhere before that the inability to breath well is in part because while we sleep our bodies are relaxed to the point of not requiring as much circulation. Anyway, I'd say my intent is where it should be, but practice is key.

[Xanth]

Thank you for sharing. And while the thought of "risking it all" in a sense scares the crap out of me, I know that I am safe. I read somewhere before that the inability to breath well is in part because while we sleep our bodies are relaxed to the point of not requiring as much circulation. Anyway, I'd say my intent is where it should be, but practice is key.

Well, I believe you have the relaxed part right.
I believe it's because you're consciously aware of your body being so completely relaxed... the "lead blanket" effect it causes is interpreted by you as something on your chest (this is the source of the old hag syndrome) and as such, you begin to hyperventilate.  Just stay relaxed and trust that your body knows what it's doing. 

Afterall, it has been automatically breathing for you every night of your life for as long as you have lived.  I think it knows how to breath better than you do. 
Hell, you probably still breath through your chest! 

[darkdog302]

Well, I believe you have the relaxed part right.
I believe it's because you're consciously aware of your body being so completely relaxed... the "lead blanket" effect it causes is interpreted by you as something on your chest (this is the source of the old hag syndrome) and as such, you begin to hyperventilate.  Just stay relaxed and trust that your body knows what it's doing. 

Afterall, it has been automatically breathing for you every night of your life for as long as you have lived.  I think it knows how to breath better than you do. 
Hell, you probably still breath through your chest! 

That makes a lot of sense when you think about it. Focusing too much on my breathing is probably part of what throws me off.

[EscapeVelocity]

One other thing I would suggest you be aware of is this:

Making the decision to AP is not just a conscious choice you make and that's the end of it; other aspects of your psyche may well have a say in this decision-making process. Your conscious self, your subconscious self, your ego, your higher self probably...you may need permission from one or more of these aspects.

This internal discussion may take an hour, a day, a week, maybe months. You can't see the discussion taking place; maybe the evidence of it is partly shown in your reaction to some of the exit sensations you are experiencing. Understand that this is an ongoing, unfolding process.

You can't see how the discussion is proceeding but you can give it some encouragement through affirmations.

Something like-

"I give myself permission to have an OBE. I know I am safe and protected. I want to go out of body."

Say it three times morning, noon and night for a week, then reword it for another week. This is a subtle yet effective form of programming/communicating with your inner selves that can come in handy at times.

[darkdog302]

One other thing I would suggest you be aware of is this:

Making the decision to AP is not just a conscious choice you make and that's the end of it; other aspects of your psyche may well have a say in this decision-making process. Your conscious self, your subconscious self, your ego, your higher self probably...you may need permission from one or more of these aspects.

This internal discussion may take an hour, a day, a week, maybe months. You can't see the discussion taking place; maybe the evidence of it is partly shown in your reaction to some of the exit sensations you are experiencing. Understand that this is an ongoing, unfolding process.

You can't see how the discussion is proceeding but you can give it some encouragement through affirmations.

Something like-

"I give myself permission to have an OBE. I know I am safe and protected. I want to go out of body."

Say it three times morning, noon and night for a week, then reword it for another week. This is a subtle yet effective form of programming/communicating with your inner selves that can come in handy at times.

I will try this and report back with results. Thanks!