Getting out

[Shin]

I have read the faq's, saying you need years using meditation... but well, I am so far already that I want to continue this, lying in my bed without moving, trying to induce an oobe. I have read the book "out of body" by William Buhlman and was practicing his technique for about a month, often getting into the vibrational state but then I usually stopped due to being scared.

Now, months later, I started again with the difference that I do it before sleeping with similar results. This time though I'm not scared anymore. First my body gets numb, then maybe I feel prickling, later vibrations. I believe I'm near leaving my body already, but I don't know how to get out. If I try really hard, I end up noticing that I'm using muscles (although it feels more like my astral body moving because I no longer feel my physical body). This night I tried something new, not trying to get out like before, but simply "feeling" my "new body". The result was that, with every breath, my body felt heavier. Then after a minute or 2, I felt very very heavy. I have no idea whether this is the right thing to do or not. My question is:
What do I have to do to leave my body?

a.) Really try to fly upwards?
b.) Not directly "try" but "feeling" my body, hoping that I'll end up leaving my body without doing much.
c.) In a my mind is very awake. I always KNOW about my physical body and sometimes I have to swallow. Should I not concentrate on anything but simply stay in this special state (vibrations, numbness, prickling ... this night I even felt soft "swings" to the left - right - left - right - left - right - stop. Few seconds later agian..".) so my mind possibly forgets what I'm doing or what's happening?
d.) Something else?

I know that you don't need a year to leave your body via meditation, I read about people who left their body this way after 1 or 2 months and I am sure I can also do this. I am really glad I found this website because, if I know what to do, I feel more like I'm doing the right thing without wasting a thought on "am I doing this wrong? Am I wasting my time?". I can imagine you get similar questions very often, but I started a new topic anyways because I wonder whether any of the options I can think of are right or whether I have to do something different. So, what do I have to do?

[Starvingpercussionist]

Try just focusing on the vibrations, go with the flow. Try to will the vibrations to get stronger, but don't force it. If you focus on your body at all, do it to relax your muscles. If you can make the vibrations strong enough, you should naturally slip out.

[OBEvanCHERNOBIL]

If you feel very strong vibes and you still can't get out you must use some technique, like climbing on a rope or something. I don't use them coz i just slip out when vibes are really strong. I suggest you to read a book Astral Dynamics - A NEW Approach to Out-of-Body Experiences.

[T.L.]

What I noticed in my experiences, is that the more I focus on the vibrations the weaker they get, the more  I don't pay attention to them the stronger they get. After a few minutes when the vibrations hit and apex where the frequency is closer and closer together I get more auditory noise (electric crackling, popping, and buzzing sounds) then an odd sort of transition occurs in a second or even a split second then I find myself about two feet away from my physical body. The seperation for me is automatic no real attempt is made to get out I just start to see from a new perspective a few feet away. One time I went to physically get up but realized when I got up I was a few feet away and my physical body was still on the couch.

  The series of events works like this for me  vibrations -> some auditory noise -> seeing through my eyelids in quick glimpses -> more auditory noise -> stronger vibrations -> out of body.  All this can occur as quickly as 5 - 10 minutes after laying down. I do my attempt during the afternoon usually around noon sometimes a little bit later, where Im tired but not tired enough to actually fall asleep. I sleep around 6 hours at night, wake up around 9 or 10 am then stay awake for about 2 -3 hours, then lay down to make the attempt. The vibrations hit quickly and after a few minutes of the vibration, Im out... simple as that, no real effort or thought is put into it at all.

   Its not even hard to stop myself from falling asleep because after 6 hours of rest Im too awake to actually lose consciousness or fall asleep. So just figure out how much sleep you need to be too awake to fall asleep again but tired enough to be able to lay down and relax. I used to always project from a lucid dream or, would just wake up consciously in NREM sleep with vibrations/paralyzed... just recently I realized how easy it was to go from completely physically awake to obe. So just try to get some sleep at night (and even attempt a project doesnt matter) then later on after you wake up do something for a few hours then lay down as if you are going to nap and give an attempt.

  If you fell asleep you didnt get enough sleep the night before, and if you cant sit still (obviously you had too much rest). If you do it right you should get the vibrations quickly enough, only after five to ten minutes of laying down, and sometimes quicker, youll be completely awake and not in danger of falling asleep. Anyway just give it a try just passively experience the vibrations, but dont focus too much on them, they should just naturally get stronger the less you focus on them and before you know it a host of strange things will take place and you will be out.

[Lighten]

Great post T.L. , very useful

[astral traveler]

What do I have to do to leave my body?

a.) Really try to fly upwards?

attempting to fly upwards typically won't do anything for you if you're not yet skilled with astral projection.  levitational movement is something that's typically developed well after a person accomplishes separation from the physical body.  this method typically only works for accomplished projectors who have alreadly mastered purposeful levitation while already previously separated from the body, except in very rare circumstances.

b.) Not directly "try" but "feeling" my body, hoping that I'll end up leaving my body without doing much.

relaxation is typically more effective, but this will generally only work in a context of sleep and/or food deprivation, namely fasting from food and/or sleep.

c.) In a my mind is very awake. I always KNOW about my physical body and sometimes I have to swallow. Should I not concentrate on anything but simply stay in this special state (vibrations, numbness, prickling ... this night I even felt soft "swings" to the left - right - left - right - left - right - stop. Few seconds later agian..".) so my mind possibly forgets what I'm doing or what's happening?

sleep deprivation coupled with sensory deprivation (of sight and sound) will help your mind get into a state of 'wake-dreaming'.  if you can induce the 'wake-dreaming' state while awake, you will likely consciously retain it for a short while after falling asleep.  then you will have opportunity to project.

d.) Something else?

food and/or sleep deprivation (namely fasting from food and/or sleep) will pre-dispose you to 'spontaneous' projections, wherein you project without even trying.  if you gradually train yourself to cut your meals down to 1/2 or 1/4 over three to four days and/or train yourself to cut your sleep hours down to 1/2 or 1/4 over three or four days, you'll be more pre-disposed to 'spontaneous' projection.

of course, common sense must be used, and you should cease the food/sleep deprivation if it makes you feel ill, because your body may not yet be used to it.  then cease from the training for about a week, so that your body can regenerate, and try it again, allowing close to a week inbetween training sessions.  don't start the training if you are already ill, and cease the training if you start feeling ill.

it's much like beginning a new gym routine.  these training sessions are the only true 'secret' to conscious astral projection.

[Shin]

Sleep/Food deprivation ... xP I really want to have an OBE, but I believe that this is too extreme, even if it works x)

[astral traveler]

Sleep/Food deprivation ... xP I really want to have an OBE, but I believe that this is too extreme, even if it works x)

that's pretty much what it takes, although one can start out less intensely with just a fraction of the routine.  i don't mean to disappoint, but it's not easy to astral project.  it's about as difficult as starting a new exercise routine, and that's assuming a person knows what they're doing if they want results.  maybe just cut food and/or sleep in half for a day or two instead, and repeat that once a week.  otherwise, you may not get very profound results.  this is also assuming that your health is reasonably good in the first place.  if the routine is ever too difficult, just cut the intensity in half each time, until it becomes more manageable.  it gets easier with frequent practice.

[IceCold_K82]

Astral traveler. 

Do you mean that even experienced projectors fast?  Or it is a great starting TOOL that can get your first OBE and get you started?

I dont mind fasting or depriving my sleep for a small amount of time.  But if this is for every OBE then I will not do it.  I also dont want my body to get into the habit of having to be hungry to AP.  I think it might hinder me in the future.  Again I am new so I am playing alot of this by ear.  But I am also a teacher, so when I teach, I have to make sure that bad habits dont show up and hinder someone later on.  Its just how I think

[astral traveler]

Astral traveler. 

Do you mean that even experienced projectors fast?

i believe that most experienced projectors have fervently fasted (either from food or from sleep) at some time during their lives, unless their capacities were otherwise triggered by bodily trauma or drug usage.  sadly, the latter two catalysts may be an all too common factor in many modern countries.  i'm probably going back to more ancient roots in my references.  those who have formerly fasted and thereafter ceased still commonly retain physiological brain enhancements which pre-dispose them to astral projections.

Or it is a great starting TOOL that can get your first OBE and get you started?

this too.

I dont mind fasting or depriving my sleep for a small amount of time.  But if this is for every OBE then I will not do it.

there are exceptions to the rule in the absence of bodily trauma and/or drug usage, but i suggest that such is extremely rare.  if you've found other effective methods that work for you, please, by all means use them.  i might suggest that proficiency for most with astral projection is only acheived when one approaches it with the tenacity of an athlete.

I also dont want my body to get into the habit of having to be hungry to AP.  I think it might hinder me in the future.  Again I am new so I am playing alot of this by ear.

the fasting gets much easier just like regular exercise or meditation, but is difficult in the beginning.  it's really not quite as difficult if it's approached gradually and correctly.  once the brain has experienced the physiological enhancements, the fasting (from food and/or sleep) needs only to be moderately practiced to retain the capacity to project.  much like muscle memory within an athlete who moderates training after a while.  the goal is to physiologically enhance the brain efficiency in re-conteuring the neural network.

But I am also a teacher, so when I teach, I have to make sure that bad habits dont show up and hinder someone later on.  Its just how I think

do you teach astral projection?  i was a corporate instructor, but i've not taught metaphysics.  i might not suggest teaching any methods without first experiencing them firsthand.

[IceCold_K82]

do you teach astral projection?  i was a corporate instructor, but i've not taught metaphysics.  i might not suggest teaching any methods without first experiencing them firsthand.

No....I am a student of astral projection (and really will always be a student of everything). 

I teach music.  Choir to be specific.  So I must teach them good technique so bad habits dont manifest and hinder them later.  I try to catch them before they start happening.  I just think that way.

This is why I wanted to know your reasoning behind fasting.  I think I will try it but I didnt want it to hinder me in the future.

[Shin]

Sensory deprivation sounds very logical - in fact, it might explain OBE in a boring, yet scientific way (I prefer the explanation that it's actually the soul that is leaving the body), but I don't see how food deprivation can have any effect on it.... in fact, I believe it might be a psychological one: If you firmly believe that it helps, then it might help you because you believe it's easier then. I know that inducing an out of body experience isn't easy, but I'm working on it. I never had an out of body experience before, but I already dare disagreeing with some things I'm reading on this forum: Food deprivation is one of them. I know that you can induce an OBE without being hungry. Maybe it really has an effect and does make things easier, though I doubt that. What I'm trying to do is inducing an OBE before going to sleep (without lucid dreams). It might be hard, but I will try it because I know that it will be easy once I have results. (:

[astral traveler]

I teach music.  Choir to be specific.  So I must teach them good technique so bad habits dont manifest and hinder them later.  I try to catch them before they start happening.  I just think that way.

i did a similar thing as a corporate trainer with employees.  positive prevention of bad habits.

This is why I wanted to know your reasoning behind fasting.  I think I will try it but I didnt want it to hinder me in the future.

fasting was commonly practiced in ancient times to induce metaphysical sensitivity.  it just seems foreign to our modern western society today.  i'm not certain why you might regard it as a hindrance.

[astral traveler]

Sensory deprivation sounds very logical - in fact, it might explain OBE in a boring, yet scientific way (I prefer the explanation that it's actually the soul that is leaving the body),

both perspectives are compatible.

but I don't see how food deprivation can have any effect on it....

this is because you're not experientially familiar with it.

in fact, I believe it might be a psychological one: If you firmly believe that it helps, then it might help you because you believe it's easier then.

i suggest that the method is more than just placebo.  fasting is a very ancient practice that was commonly used by ancient mystics.

I know that inducing an out of body experience isn't easy, but I'm working on it.

best wishes to you in your progress.

I never had an out of body experience before, but I already dare disagreeing with some things I'm reading on this forum: Food deprivation is one of them.

critical thinking is a good attribute, but rejecting things outright shouldn't necessarily be a viable alternative to it.  there is a difference between critical examination versus skeptical rejection.

I know that you can induce an OBE without being hungry.

if you read my posts closely, i mentioned at least three other catalysts of astral projection in the absence of fasting.

Maybe it really has an effect and does make things easier, though I doubt that.

on the contrary, fasting is much harder than the methods which you're not employing.  as far as effect is concerned, only experience will make this clear.  experience wins out over skepticism.

What I'm trying to do is inducing an OBE before going to sleep (without lucid dreams).

this will take more than effort.  it requires knowledge also.  you may be working against your own best interests.

It might be hard, but I will try it because I know that it will be easy once I have results. (:

if your progress slows considerably, please be aware that you have other options available.

[IceCold_K82]

If someone learns to breath a certain way while singing and it is wrong, it could take years of work to teach them to breath properly.
If I fast to have a OBE and I do that often, what is to make me become dependant on fasting to have a OBE?  Even if it is in moderation. Fasting in my opinion is not good for you.  It should be done for religious events only.  Done to much can be harmful.  So Yes, this could hinder me.  Fasting/Sensory deprivation sounds like a last minute desperate effort.  If AP was possible, I think it could and should be done without having to deprive the physical body of anything.  I would like to learn it this way first.  It makes perfect sense to me

[astral traveler]

If someone learns to breath a certain way while singing and it is wrong, it could take years of work to teach them to breath properly.

certainly.

If I fast to have a OBE and I do that often, what is to make me become dependant on fasting to have a OBE?

there are multiple approaches.  the fasting will create permanent physiological changes which will pre-dispose one to astral projection in the future.  your question would be similar to asking: 'why must i lift weights to get strong?'  or 'why must i read books to learn?'.  in other words, it's not a vast danger.  we just have a natural aversion to what we're not used to.

Even if it is in moderation. Fasting in my opinion is not good for you.

various doctors will disagree with you on this, although much hinges on exactly how it's done.

It should be done for religious events only.

that's a personal perspective, but perspectives vary from one person to another.

Done to much can be harmful.

as with anything, but this doesn't necessarily imply complete negation.

So Yes, this could hinder me.

if done excessively, then certainly.

Fasting/Sensory deprivation sounds like a last minute desperate effort.

this is due to lack of experience with these methods.  therefore, they sound strange to you.  your modern western mindset is probably your greatest obstacle regarding these ancient eastern disciplines as practiced by history's greatest mystics.

If AP was possible, I think it could and should be done without having to deprive the physical body of anything.

not necessarily so.

I would like to learn it this way first.  It makes perfect sense to me

by all means, use whatever works best for you.  but if you run into obstacles, it's best not to limit your options prematurely.  i've experienced about 2000 projections in the last 25 years, with projections now twice weekly.  i've tried both your methods and mine.  an understanding of human physiology is supremely beneficial in this context.

[IceCold_K82]

I will say I am new to this, but I have done research before starting.  I have read about fasting..etc many times and yes, my societ "hinders" me in that my upbringing might have blinded me.  But I cant reject everything just like that.  I will try fasting at one point but only as a last minute effort.  I would rather try sleep deprivation just because a two year old doesnt let you sleep anyway .

Trust me though, I keep all options on the table.  I have been very open minded my whole life.  Because of this, I have to question things I want to try so not to jump in (like I want to do) and do things wrong.  I will do more research on fasting itself (and not how it is related to OBE) I dont want to hurt my physical at all. 

Thanks for your information.  If I were in your shoes (knowing how to AP and different methods) I too would share my knowledge

[Shin]

I really want to experience an OBE, but food deprivation over a long time isn't good for me. I don't HAVE to have an OBE, I just WANT it. I don't need results immediately and even if it takes longer without food deprivation, then I don't care because I'm not living to have an OBE - it's a very interesting phenomenon but shouldn't weaken me in my everyday life. It's somewhat absurd not to sleep much and not to eat much for an out of body experience.

[astral traveler]

I will say I am new to this, but I have done research before starting.  I have read about fasting..etc many times and yes, my societ "hinders" me in that my upbringing might have blinded me.  But I cant reject everything just like that.  I will try fasting at one point but only as a last minute effort.  I would rather try sleep deprivation just because a two year old doesnt let you sleep anyway .

by all means, i wouldn't want anyone to jump into something before they're comfortable with it, and research can be a prime factor in comfort.

Trust me though, I keep all options on the table.  I have been very open minded my whole life.  Because of this, I have to question things I want to try so not to jump in (like I want to do) and do things wrong.  I will do more research on fasting itself (and not how it is related to OBE) I dont want to hurt my physical at all.

approaching things slowly and in moderation is typically the safest.  again, it's much like an exercise program where research and preparation is necessary for it to be effective and safe.  much of the trick is not subjecting the body to excessive pain.

Thanks for your information.  If I were in your shoes (knowing how to AP and different methods) I too would share my knowledge

no problem.  i just wanted to let people know that there's more out there.  not that they have to do it any particular way or not.  they're just suggestions.  nothing is forced by any means.

[astral traveler]

I really want to experience an OBE, but food deprivation over a long time isn't good for me. I don't HAVE to have an OBE, I just WANT it. I don't need results immediately and even if it takes longer without food deprivation, then I don't care because I'm not living to have an OBE - it's a very interesting phenomenon but shouldn't weaken me in my everyday life. It's somewhat absurd not to sleep much and not to eat much for an out of body experience.

no one is forced by any means.  we each have to do what's right for us individually, and travel forward at our own pace with what works best for us.  it's just good to have some additional information available sometimes to figure out what options are available to us, and to also realize that pursuing astral projection is a very concentrated effort.  it's a rather hard endeavor, similar to a person training as an athlete.  it takes knowledge and discipline, and is not something which is acheived lightly.

best wishes to you in your practice and finding whatever fits you the best.

[CFTraveler]

Regardless of everyone else's personal beliefs about health and what some recommend and not, I've been projecting since I was approx. 10 years old, (am 51 atm), eat meat, never fasted in my life, have sex often enough and wear jewelry.
The only thing that ever stopped me from projecting was:
Worrying about things that truly gave me grief
Fear, up to a point.  Even fear can get you to project if it's applied correctly.
I've never had the belief that I can't do it, so it hasn't happened to me, but I suspect that if I believed that I needed to do A or B or C to project, it would probably hinder my efforts.
One of the things that I've learned is that you can use belief to help project, or hinder.  You can use self hypnosis, or programming to do it.
So it follows, that if you truly believe you can only project by not eating something (or anything), or any number of prerequisites,  that is going to be true for you.

[astral traveler]

I've never had the belief that I can't do it, so it hasn't happened to me, but I suspect that if I believed that I needed to do A or B or C to project, it would probably hinder my efforts.
One of the things that I've learned is that you can use belief to help project, or hinder.  You can use self hypnosis, or programming to do it.
So it follows, that if you truly believe you can only project by not eating something (or anything), or any number of prerequisites,  that is going to be true for you.

it might ultimately be more accurate for us to suggest that all people astral project, but simply aren't conscious of it.  even the people who claim that they don't astral project, actually do it quite regularly (similar to dreaming at night), but aren't astrally sensitive enough to realize that it's happening.  either they forget their astral projections (like forgetting dreams at night) and/or they fail to recognize that they astral projected in the first place (as with many floating/flying dreams).

the deprivation methods (such as food, sleep, sight and sound deprivation) are merely tools to realign the neural network of the brain to become more consciously sensitive to finer frequency dimensions.  the deprivation methods are geared towards physically altering brain structure and efficiency in much the same way that bodily muscles can become physically more developed.  these methods exercise the brain in much the same way that a muscle can be exercised in the gym, and therefore these methods are practical for everyone in this context, although strategic knowledge is mandatory to make these methods be effective.

the deprivation methods which i espouse are not merely personal creations of mine which only work for me, but they are ancient eastern disciplines that were practiced by ancient eastern mystics in the context of supernatural manifestation and experience.  modern westerners have simply become blinded to the practice of these methods due to the modern western societal veil placed upon people's senses.

it's nice and all for everyone to offer their various opinions, but the ancient mystics knew best.  some of us have chosen to follow in their footsteps.