How am I getting on?

[TCooper90]

Hello, first post on the Astral Pulse 
Just wondering what sort of stage I'm at, and if I'm getting close to OBE based on my current experience.
Firstly I go to bed, I lie on my back and close my eyes, at first my eyeslids seem to flutter, but this stops as I relax, next I do some breathing exercises, this works quite well, I feel more relaxed.
After some time I get the colours and shapes in my vision behind my eyelids, when this happens I repeat some affirmations in my head, "I am now out of body" etc..
A little while after that a get the feeling of slight vibrations and it feels like my body is spinning, slowly at first but as I'm more relaxed it accelerates.
This continues till something breaks my concentration, like a stray thought.
Any tips on how I can further this into an OBE? I've been trying on and off for the past month or so.

Regards, Tristan

[Xanth]

Welcome TCooper. 

Sounds like you're doing well.
Just need to break that "stray thought" thing.

Also, a note on 'relaxing'... when you think you've relaxed enough, you're probably not.

[Psan]

How to keep the stray thoughts out ?

Thoughts like 'oh its happening' or 'why nothing is happening' or 'i m feeling tired now' or any other thought or internal dialog usually occurs while attempting a projection. This usually ruins the projection process.
The solution is to develop a skill to stop the mental chatter at will. This comes with the practice of self introspection, being aware of one's internal dialog. You will see that as soon as you observe the chatter, it will vanish. It comes back again, but you must keep your guard and see it, let it be for a while, then gently terminate it without any reaction.

This is basic meditation actually and helps a lot if done 24x7 (both in astral and physical). This should be practice while attempting a projection. As soon as a thought occurs which is not merely a noting and starts to turn into a story, you must observe it as if it is not your thought. It will vanish. Do this again and again, till its totally peaceful.

[TCooper90]

Thanks for your input, Xanth and Psan!
Just an update, I've been able to get to the stage where I feel completely relaxed, I feel heavy vibrations and most of my body is numb, but now it seems I've hit a sort of road block.
Basically when I'm in the aforementioned state, lying on my back, hands at my sides etc. after a while I'll become quite uncomfortable, to the point I get the overwhelming urge to just roll onto my side (how I normally sleep) and give up.
What is this a sign of? I've heard that it's your subconscious trying to make you move to make sure your awake, or something to that effect.
Does this sort of thing go away after a while?
Any feedback would be great!

Thanks, Tristan

[Psan]

IMO, if you find yourself wide awake past the vibration stage, it mostly means that the attempt has failed. You stay there for a while and then the habitual pattern of going to sleep kicks in.

You can surely resist the urge to turn over, but it is usually very strong and the body will punish you with all kinds of pains, if you resist this for too long. Nature works in strange ways. With practice and with time you can overcome it. Honestly, I usually surrender to this force and find myself helpless.

A better way would be to get up after the failed attempt and do something for a few minutes. Then go back to it. A matter of chance, obviously. Another way is to practice AP in early morning, when the body has already completed the sleep process and will not interfere. This is the golden "Get up early" technique.

[jan019]

Just an update, I've been able to get to the stage where I feel completely relaxed, I feel heavy vibrations and most of my body is numb, but now it seems I've hit a sort of road block.
Basically when I'm in the aforementioned state, lying on my back, hands at my sides etc. after a while I'll become quite uncomfortable, to the point I get the overwhelming urge to just roll onto my side (how I normally sleep) and give up.

Hi, i know i am going to be no help too you, but this is exactly my problem too! When i try astral projecting. I usually lay for about 20-30 minutes and then my hands kind of start floating, and it feels very comfortable, but then i start trying to release my body and i have no succese and my hands come back in and i get very uncomfotable and have to do some movement because it's a terrible feeling if i don't move . It's really a road block as you called it!