Why am I having such a hard time projecting???

[Serene247]

Hi guys, I'm new to the site. I've been trying to astral project completely consciously, but fail every time. I get soo close each time and then nothing. I've astral projected numerous times before by accident, not fully conscious. Later in the journey is when I usually become conscious of the fact that I'm astral not dreaming. I've been a fully lucid dreamer for as long as I can remember, it used to freak me out when I was in pre-school, now I'm 19. I am also very intuitive, I can always tell when another being is around me. I can feel when souls I recognize are around me, and when bad entities are there, while awake or asleep. The other day I was taking a nap and my mind woke up because I felt something I didn't like next to my bed. I didn't realize only my mind was awake until I realized that my body was paralyzed, which is what happens on the rare occasion I have a night terror. I was trying to wake my self up and roll over to face it and, I guess to will it away, but I wound up rolling right out of my body and off the bed, lying through my night stand and looking up at my bed next to me. Once that happened whatever was there had gone and I thought back bed and went to sleep, not thinking straight.

During my astral projections while sleeping I have visited a dead family member, walked through an old friend's dream, met other souls, and have briefly seen my room. All somewhat by chance.

What I can't seem to understand is why I can't ever get out of my body when consciously trying to project. I wish had a friend who could so they could just pull me out of my body. lol.

Every time I try to project I get to the point where I barely feel my body, everything starts tingling/vibrating, and I hear a weird hum. I sometimes hear noises around me that I usually wouldn't, and then, with my eyes closed, instead of seeing the light through my eyelids I start to see dark and an ongoing pattern of swirling color. Does anyone else see that? I feel like I'm just about there, but then once I start trying to get out of my body I just can't. I've tried multiple techniques and each time I feel myself get partly out and then I go back in, I see light through my eyelids again, the hum & vibration leaves, I feel my body more, and I have to start over with what will be yet another failed attempt.

Does anyone else deal with this? After having that astral moment I spoke of earlier I've even tried rolling out, that is the only experience where I remember how I left my body. It still doesn't work.

Things I think may affect it;
I have been an insomniac since birth (idiopathic insomnia), I have acute stress disorder, I'm ADD, melatonin has ADVERSE affects on me, caffeine either has no effect or puts me to sleep, things to put one to sleep either have no effect or wake me up more, and I have an easier time sleeping during the early morning and taking naps in the evening.

Can anyone relate? How have you done it? Does anyone live in the barnegat NJ area? - Just curious bout that last one.

[SaneSir]

Welcome to Astral Pulse. ^^

Listening to your post is like listening to myself,
I too have "accidently" astral projected from sleep paralysis as you have, for the exact same reason. It's common for people to feel a "negative" entity when in sleep paralysis, but mostly it's just fear from not being able to move the body, and actually these 'accidental" projections is what encourgaged me to start trying to do it conciously And I can promise you that sinse you have already projected, (councious or not) This may be easier for you, I know it was for me so it makes sense it would be for you aswell!

After doing some concious exits I started having "trouble" getting "out of my body" as well, I posted a question here pertaining it and so I'll just reword the advice that worked for me, and I don't see why it wouldn't do the trick for you, so here it is:

"Can't is a self-handicapping term that may be restraining you from success, what one believes to be true is what becomes their reality, more so in the astral that is very thought intuative. Rather,  know that sinse you have projected before, know you CAN do it, and your lucky it should come easier for you. Think of it less as a projection, and more of a natural accourance, the trick to projecting is to NOT feel your body, when your laying down and meditating, try to ignore the vibrations, numbness or sensations, and focus on what you want to do after you exit, or anything else you would like to think about, being sure to ingnore your body because that may be what is making it difficult, and let projection come naturally."

I too has insomia, the medication I was takin was supose to surpressed the "REM" state, but I still was able to have out of body expiriences. belive it or not, after I took up regluar meditation, healthy eating, etc, I was able to cure my insonia -nudge nudge wink wink-

I feel you can still project,  because any physical ailments are effectless against your astral body (insomia, ADD etc, btw I'm ADHD Lol), because that is what they are, simply physical, not spiritual.

I have successfully projected laying in bed and meditiating, but it's very time consuming and frankly I'm impatience Lol. SO, sinse you too are able to become lucid in dreams, when you become luic from within your dreams, try this little trick that nearly never fails:

Onne in your dream you realize "Oh hey, I'm dreaming! I must be asleep. AWESOME. Dude, I can totes like project, right now. K let's do this" Imagine rolling out of your body, allowing your dreamscape to remain, as you do this it should simply turn black. You should feel yourself tumble off the bed, feel the floor under your feet, and YES, everything WILL BE BLACK, usually I have to walk alittle away from my body before I can open my eyes, so walk alittle away from your body in darkness, (usually I walk when projecting, but floating is fine too) after you left the room (in darkness) open your eyes. TADA. You're projecting, don't worry about returning cause you should snap back into your body, so go explore!

-Note: If you are paranoid about projecting, sleep with a talsman under your pillow-

Any other questions, feel free to ask
Good Luck.

[Astralsuzy]

I was trying to wake my self up and roll over to face it and, I guess to will it away, but I wound up rolling right out of my body and off the bed, lying through my night stand and looking up at my bed next to me. Once that happened whatever was there had gone and I thought back bed and went to sleep, not thinking straight.

I've tried multiple techniques and each time I feel myself get partly out and then I go back in, I see light through my eyelids again, the hum & vibration leaves, I feel my body more, and I have to start over with what will be yet another failed attempt.

Things I think may affect it;
I have been an insomniac since birth (idiopathic insomnia), I have acute stress disorder, I'm ADD, melatonin has ADVERSE affects on me, caffeine either has no effect or puts me to sleep, things to put one to sleep either have no effect or wake me up more, and I have an easier time sleeping during the early morning and taking naps in the evening.

You may not think so, but you are doing well.   Be patient and keep practicing and you will get there.   Try not to think of it as a failed attempt.   Think of it as a learning experience and you will keep getting better.   You know the saying practice makes perfect.

Paragraph one: you said that you rolled out of your body off the bed.   You succeeded.   You did ap.

Paragraph two: you said you were partly out of your body.   That used to happen to me.   I kept practicing until I got it right.   You are doing well, you just need more practice. 

Paragraph three:   People will disagree with me but in my opinion you have a big advantage of being an insomniac.   You will not have the problem of falling asleep.   Provided you keep your mind calm and relaxed, not tossing and turning, you should be able to ap.   I practice meditating but I have to put my mind to wanting to make the effort otherwise it will not work.   If you do not meditate, I would advise to practice meditating.   It is a great skill to have.

[Lionheart]

Onne in your dream you realize "Oh hey, I'm dreaming! I must be asleep. AWESOME. Dude, I can totes like project, right now. K let's do this" Imagine rolling out of your body, allowing your dreamscape to remain, as you do this it should simply turn black. You should feel yourself tumble off the bed, feel the floor under your feet, and YES, everything WILL BE BLACK, usually I have to walk alittle away from my body before I can open my eyes, so walk alittle away from your body in darkness, (usually I walk when projecting, but floating is fine too) after you left the room (in darkness) open your eyes. TADA. You're projecting, don't worry about returning cause you should snap back into your body, so go explore!

Once you realize you are Dreaming (AKA in the NPR already), all you need to create  is an intended destination and be off. You don't need to return so you can "roll out", you are already out, just create a intent and you will be there.

As long as you are consciously aware, you will find that your thought does instantly create an action, in this case your intended destination. 

[Serene247]

You may not think so, but you are doing well.   Be patient and keep practicing and you will get there.   Try not to think of it as a failed attempt.   Think of it as a learning experience and you will keep getting better.   You know the saying practice makes perfect.

Paragraph one: you said that you rolled out of your body off the bed.   You succeeded.   You did ap.

Paragraph two: you said you were partly out of your body.   That used to happen to me.   I kept practicing until I got it right.   You are doing well, you just need more practice. 

Paragraph three:   People will disagree with me but in my opinion you have a big advantage of being an insomniac.   You will not have the problem of falling asleep.   Provided you keep your mind calm and relaxed, not tossing and turning, you should be able to ap.   I practice meditating but I have to put my mind to wanting to make the effort otherwise it will not work.   If you do not meditate, I would advise to practice meditating.   It is a great skill to have.

Wow, thank you so much. That was very encouraging, def. made me feel better. I guess maybe I'm just trying to rush. :/ Need to slow it down. lol

[Serene247]

Once you realize you are Dreaming (AKA in the NPR already), all you need to create  is an intended destination and be off. You don't need to return so you can "roll out", you are already out, just create a intent and you will be there.

As long as you are consciously aware, you will find that your thought does instantly create an action, in this case your intended destination. 

Thanks I'm just trying to learn to do it on command like I hear so many other do, but like Astralsuzy said I guess I do just need more practice. I'm relieved to hear that other people started off the same way.

[Szaxx]

[quote...
Thanks I'm just trying to learn to do it on command like I hear so many other do, but like Astralsuzy said I guess I do just need more practice. I'm relieved to hear that other people started off the same way.
[/quote]

If you want to try a simple method that works when I don't fall asleep, 
All you do is stay awake just enough to keep concious.
Drop all the book stuff, drop absolutely, any form of trying. Just ignore everything. You will find it works as long as it's just you inside your mind. There's no doing any rope tricks or phasing of any kind.
The mindset required is similar to that of a person being hypnotised. You are going into a deep sleep with only your concious self aware.
It's not easy as your mind will throw a paddy at being totally passive.
The feel is like repeating a mantra without any sound. The waiting for the thunder after the flash of lighting without the counting.
Get this mastered with no outside noises or interruptions and simply melt into a mindful concious oneness with yourself.
Then nature will take its course. By allowing no actions you'll get to a point of total isolation. No body, or physical senses at all will be observed. At this point think of appearing around 20 feet away from your sleeping meatsack. Know you can see whats there.
The rest is automatic. You'll see if successful.

[Astralsuzy]

 Thanks for that Szaxx.   That is great advice.   That is what I am doing.   I was practicing tonight.    I was feeling very relaxed but not extremely relaxed.   I think if I kept meditating a bit longer I could have ap.   I did not want to meditate any longer.   When you feel like that there is no point in trying anymore as it is a waste of time.   It will not work if you force yourself.    I will try again tonight.   It is getting late.   I do not feel tired so it will be a good time to try.    If I go to bed I know I will not succeed as it is getting late and I will want to sleep.   I will try in another room.   It will be an incentive for me.   I will let everyone know how it goes tomorrow.   

[Astralsuzy]

Hi all, I said I would let you know how I went.   I did not ap.   I fell asleep.   I started to practice at approximately 10.30 pm and I woke up at approximately 12.30 am.   After that I went to bed.  You might think that was a bad time to practice.   You are probably right but I was not feeling tired.   No harm in trying.    I think I lost concentration.   When I get my concentration better then I should be able to ap a lot more.   I am not disappointed.   I have progressed.   Before I would lie there and nothing would happen.   I would not put my mind to it.   I would not be relaxed.    Now I can put my mind to it and get myself feeling relaxed. 
I woke up about 4.00 am.   I was wanting to try to ap again but my husband got out of bed to go to the bathroom.   I did not want him to see me going into another room so that was the end of that.   He would not mind me going into another room but it is a bit off putting.

[Astralsuzy]

I will try to ap again tonight.   If I am successful I will let you know how it went.

[Astralsuzy]

This is good letting you know how I went.   It made me realise that when my eyes were closed after a while I was seeing light.   The room was dark.   That was probably an indication that I was going to ap.   Next time I will be more prepared so I will not fall asleep.

[Lionheart]

This is good letting you know how I went.   It made me realise that when my eyes were closed after a while I was seeing light.   The room was dark.   That was probably an indication that I was going to ap.   Next time I will be more prepared so I will not fall asleep.

I usually see the "white screen or light" just before I shift. It's like the final challenge or hurdle to jump and can be a "doozy" sometimes! 

[Astralsuzy]

Thanks Lionheart.   I will have to be better prepared to make it work.   It is great to hear of your experience.

[Serene247]

If you want to try a simple method that works when I don't fall asleep, 
All you do is stay awake just enough to keep concious.
Drop all the book stuff, drop absolutely, any form of trying. Just ignore everything. You will find it works as long as it's just you inside your mind. There's no doing any rope tricks or phasing of any kind.
The mindset required is similar to that of a person being hypnotised. You are going into a deep sleep with only your concious self aware.
It's not easy as your mind will throw a paddy at being totally passive.
The feel is like repeating a mantra without any sound. The waiting for the thunder after the flash of lighting without the counting.
Get this mastered with no outside noises or interruptions and simply melt into a mindful concious oneness with yourself.
Then nature will take its course. By allowing no actions you'll get to a point of total isolation. No body, or physical senses at all will be observed. At this point think of appearing around 20 feet away from your sleeping meatsack. Know you can see whats there.
The rest is automatic. You'll see if successful.

Thanks!! That's an awesome idea, I'll try it!

[Serene247]

Welcome to Astral Pulse. ^^

Listening to your post is like listening to myself,

-Note: If you are paranoid about projecting, sleep with a talsman under your pillow-

Any other questions, feel free to ask
Good Luck.

Wow! Thanks! I'm sorry I didn't respond sooner, I wasn't ignoring you or anything, but as weird as it sounds I never saw your post before SaneSir. Thanks for sharing that. I'm glad to know there's someone so like me on here I can talk to if I need it.

There actually was one night I can remember when I knew I was dreaming and I wanted to wander the dream world. Usually I'm having a fun lucid dream, enjoying the moment, and I don't worry about much else. This particular dream wasn't so endearing... I escaped passed a boundary, symbolized by fences, and found myself traveling through other places. I actually entered an old friend's dream and then carried on. When I entered his dream I knew that was where I was, somehow I always seem to know what's going on, and I knew he was oblivious to me and I shouldn't bother him, but as I passed I saw him turn, snap out of it, and notice me as I left. Within 36 hours of me waking he friended me on facebook. lol. I knew he had seen me, because he was thinking about me. So, I have entered ap through lucid dreaming, but I'm always just wandering, I've never truly taken control, more subconscious amusement than anything else, if that makes sense. No matter what it's fun, I guess I just have more direct goals I want to accomplish which are making me want to rush. There're passed people I desperately want to visit in ap, then there are just things I want to do, specific places to explore, people to meet, things to learn. I'm just eager I guess. I always want to learn, and always quickly, I'm always moving to the next step of anything fast in life, a quick learner, ready for the 3rd step before finishing the first so, I'm just not used to this slow stuff. Hope I don't sound arrogant, I'm not. lol

Well, I'm gonna try astral from dream world more often now. You know what I realized tonight? When I read or write or do anything requiring intense, sophisticated, creative brain power I have more lucid dreams and remember perfectly. Past few days I have a lucid dream I remember each night. Last night's lucid dream was soo real I actually thought it was real, for once I didn't recognize it as a dream. It wasn't ap tho... I'm almost positive.