Breathing faster... what's that all about?

[Flashing Colors]

Hey again,

I haven't made it back over to this site much in a while, but I decided to come on tonight mainly because I have a quick question I would be interested in explanations or insights on.  

A few nights ago I decided to try to maintain awareness as I fell asleep.  I was somewhat successful for a while too.  I've been practicing this idea for a while and getting some interesting results so far.  That night though, I became of aware of a feeling of sudden awareness while still being nearly asleep.  This had happened a few times before and I'm getting used to that one.  This time though, on top of the feelings of sudden almost hyper awareness, I was aware of breathing faster.  This was certainly new.  I've never experienced such a thing before and I can't say I understand why it happened.  It was the short of quick and slightly straining breathing that one might use if frightened, winded or otherwise having slight issues catching their breath.  This is though I wasn't anxious at all.  It didn't even concern me really, because of course i knew a body will always either get enough air while sleeping or will wake itself up to find a solution to a very pressing problem.  Still though it got me wondering later.

I've read before, that breathing, if someone should happened to even become aware of it and pay attention, might seem very slow or always not happening at all.  Of course this makes sense.  But breathing faster like that is not something i could find any info on at all.  That's just weird.  Anyone here even experienced such a thing under such circumstances?  Is it a bad thing?                  

[delfi]

I had that thing when i was first time trying to obe, my heart went crazy, the breading was really fast and loud. but i think this happened becouse of nervous, scare that something will happen.

[CFTraveler]

When you're deeply asleep your autonomic system goes into shallow fast breathing- I think it has to do with levels of CO2 in your body (but I can't be sure).  It's a symptom of deep sleep and if you have kids you can see the change in breathing tells you they're deeply asleep and you can sneak out of the room.   
When you are in a deep meditative state (as in body asleep mind awake) and become hyperaware you may become conscious of what your body is doing, and be alarmed at this type of breathing, because it's so different than normal waking breathing.

[Contenteo]

That was a boss answer CF. Props.


No, no, This is not a bad thing.

Think about it. You are slowly, consciously shutting down all your sensory inputs while maintaining constant awareness. What is there not to breath fast about? That is some traumatic stuff for your poor body. 

As soon as you think about breathing, the jig is up. You won't win. You need to foster a mentality going forward when you enjoy the experience and don't think about it.

I consider myself pretty well versed at the whole discipline of projection and I still have all sorts of breathing problems when I attempt to do conscious exits. They are really tough. Don't kid yourself. This ain't childsplay.

So remember (or better yet, don't remember) The time you will be successful is the time that you didn't even realize you were not breathing.

I know that is a tall order. I understand your struggle. Don't think.    Intend.   Do.

Best of luck on your travels.


Cheers,
Contenteo

[AstralBlogger]

You gave props to CF and i give props to you Contenteo

very good answer! For me when I start getting awareness of my body my breathing is always really slow. Breathing faster is interesting I have never heard of it before does this happen a lot or was this the first time?

[Flashing Colors]

Thanks everyone.  Your answers do make a lot of sense.

Breathing faster is interesting I have never heard of it before does this happen a lot or was this the first time?

This was the first time this has ever happened that I know of.  but then I can't see I've ever really become aware of breathing at all before, unless I happen to consciously think of noticing it.