New here, just looking for advice and assistance

[Traveler_2649]

I found the forum a few months ago, but decided to join to maybe ask for advice.

I've been doing the Gateway Tapes, hatha yoga, chakra meditation, and yoga nidra with some results, but I want to refine my techniques. The information here is great and looks promising. I'm glad this forum seems to cover all the bases in a constructive way.

I feel like I've stagnated in my progress lately, but I'm trying to not get discouraged. I try to avoid trying the same techniques over and over, so as to not "burn out" from lack of progress.

[Lumaza]

 Hello and Traveler and welcome to the Astral Pulse!   

 All the techniques, the Binaural/Isochronic Tones, the Hemi-Sync the Yoga, basically everything has one thing in common and that is, to teach you how to "release" your physical focus on this physical reality here. Once you find a way that works for you to do this, you will see that all that is left is, the non-physical realities.

 Tom Campbell once said "The NPRS (non-physical realities) are just a simple shift in focus away. It is we, that get in the way of that natural process".

 I wrote a thread called the "Doorway" that has some ideas for you. My tech uses a simple focus on geometric shapes and "mental motion". Practice and patience will lead you to finally one day "persevere"!
https://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome-to-astral-consciousness!/the-doorway/

 Every single one of the "Stickies" in the "Welcome to Astral Consciousness" subforum are tried and true!
https://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome-to-astral-consciousness!/
 

[LightBeam]

Welcome to the Pulse, Traveler! Lumaza gave you some great suggestions. Please explore the past content of this forum. Remember that perseverance will bring you results. Give each technique you pick enough time to see if it works for you and practice it daily consistently.
If nothing that others suggest work, perhaps you can read William Buhlman's books and try his techniques. The only technique that works for me is his visualization/motion technique. Give it a try, but practice it EVERY night AS you fall asleep for 10-15 min for at least 4 weeks.

[omcasey]

I found the forum a few months ago, but decided to join to maybe ask for advice.

I've been doing the Gateway Tapes, hatha yoga, chakra meditation, and yoga nidra with some results, but I want to refine my techniques. The information here is great and looks promising. I'm glad this forum seems to cover all the bases in a constructive way.

I feel like I've stagnated in my progress lately, but I'm trying to not get discouraged. I try to avoid trying the same techniques over and over, so as to not "burn out" from lack of progress.

Hello, Traveler_2649

I come to where I am now ( a seasoned OBEr ) through practice disciplines also.

My only focus the first few decades was to know the self -not to astral travel / go out of body or even anything else. The reason I am saying this is because I wish to say to you that IF, or so long as you are doing your practice(s) then there is never any stagnation. You are going deeper into those disciplines and they are preparing you inevitable climax moments. Do you keep a log of your practices / meditations? I would suggest it, it will keep you observing more than you might otherwise, and also serve as a record you can look back on to remind yourself of how much actually is taking place. It is so interesting how when we are not making the logs we can have the tendency to think to ourselves that nothing is really happening, when that thought could actually not be any further away from the truth. I have blown my mind with this observation so many times it now just makes me laugh. I like your array of practices, these are very good, notably meditation ( and more notably silent sitting meditation ) and the yoga nidra. You might think of adding an energy practice, such as pranayama, yogic breathing, and bring a few patterns into your array. Tratak ( conscious gazing, candle flame gazing, etc. ) could be very helpful to you as well.

I look forward to seeing you around the board.


Casey

[Xanth]

Heya!  Welcome to the Pulse.
We'll get you all situated nicely and projecting in no time.

[Traveler_2649]

Hello, Traveler_2649

I come to where I am now ( a seasoned OBEr ) through practice disciplines also.

My only focus the first few decades was to know the self -not to astral travel / go out of body or even anything else. The reason I am saying this is because I wish to say to you that IF, or so long as you are doing your practice(s) then there is never any stagnation. You are going deeper into those disciplines and they are preparing you inevitable climax moments. Do you keep a log of your practices / meditations? I would suggest it, it will keep you observing more than you might otherwise, and also serve as a record you can look back on to remind yourself of how much actually is taking place. It is so interesting how when we are not making the logs we can have the tendency to think to ourselves that nothing is really happening, when that thought could actually not be any further away from the truth. I have blown my mind with this observation so many times it now just makes me laugh. I like your array of practices, these are very good, notably meditation ( and more notably silent sitting meditation ) and the yoga nidra. You might think of adding an energy practice, such as pranayama, yogic breathing, and bring a few patterns into your array. Tratak ( conscious gazing, candle flame gazing, etc. ) could be very helpful to you as well.

I look forward to seeing you around the board.


Casey

I have a journal that I keep for AP meditations, and a separate dream journal.

Where would you suggest I look door learning more about pranayama and yogic breathing?

[omcasey]

Where would you suggest I look door learning more about pranayama and yogic breathing?

I can help you if you like. I have taught and practiced for decades.

A good way to begin is with a simple puraka ( in-breath ) and recheka ( out-breath ). Bringing awareness into the full length of the inhale and full length of the exhale. After a few breaths, as you follow the inhale, begin to bring more awareness into the very end/top of the breath -- feel the sensation there. Repeat this process with the exhale. Do 3 rounds of 8 breaths. This is a passive exercise. You are just bringing awareness into inhale, exhale and ends of the breath.

After you finish the 3 rounds, if you would like to keep going, the next step is to actively extend the ends of the breath, by feeling the sensation right there at the very tips and deliberately inhaling/exhaling a little more. The idea is to extend ( not by pushing but ) by relaxing.

Note: an additional element -of breathing in general- is opening into both the front and back body. So when you breathe, let the torso be like a balloon *a balloon that expands equally to the front and back with each inhale, and contracts in toward the spine with each exhale.

This is a very good way to begin.

It will acquaint you with your breath and rest as a most excellent foundation for more complex breathing patterns.

Anytime you would like instruction on how to build your practice, I am here. We could even pop onto a Zoom.

___________________________


These are 3 breaths that I both teach and practice regularly >>

[Adrian]

I found the forum a few months ago, but decided to join to maybe ask for advice.

I've been doing the Gateway Tapes, hatha yoga, chakra meditation, and yoga nidra with some results, but I want to refine my techniques. The information here is great and looks promising. I'm glad this forum seems to cover all the bases in a constructive way.

I feel like I've stagnated in my progress lately, but I'm trying to not get discouraged. I try to avoid trying the same techniques over and over, so as to not "burn out" from lack of progress.

Welcome to the Astral Pulse forums. Here you will find a wealth of information going back 22 years on these subjects. Everyone here is very committed to inner exploration and very happy to help with any questions etc.

I cannot add much to the excellent advice already given, but I highly recommend you take a look at the Frank Kepple resources page:

Frank Kepple Phasing Resources