New guy here, can anyone offer some advice?

[Nailrabbit]

Hey everybody,

I've been lurking on this forum for a couple of days now and have been researching and practicing AP'ing for a while now but still consider myself a beginner.  So far the closest I've come to an AP is losing most of my connection to my body and feeling like I'm falling or sinking into my bed.   I also have trouble keeping my mind focused; I'll often slip in and out of strange dreamlike states or will be too concentrated on what I'm feeling, for example if I start to feel like I'm making progress I'll get a little excited and throw everything off.  I've tried the Rope technique quite a few times but it hasn't worked as my heart rate increases to very uncomfortable speeds  (I know its my heartbeat because I'll snap out of my trance, sit up and feel my heartbeat). 

I know this sort of thing takes time, practice and patience but I feel like I'm doing something wrong.  I've never felt the vibrations everyones talking about but I do have REM, closed-eye visuals and I think I've seen through my eyelids at one point.  If anyone can offer some advice it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks and glad to meet you all! 

[garyskadoo]

Have you read all of these topics?
http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_the_astral_faq-b46.0/
I found a lot of really useful information there.

[Novice]

In addition to the Astral FAQ section, the Permanent Astral Topics has a lot of tips/techniques as well. I would recommend reading through posts in both of those forums.

[Nailrabbit]

Hahah yes I've read a lot here and I'm actually starting to run out of material!

Were any of you in this situation when you were beginners?

[Novice]

Reading is great, but practicing is even better. Have you tried any method beyond rope yet? If so, which one and what has been your progress?

Reading about 'side effects' can be good, but it does have its drawbacks. For example, the famed vibrations. I have never experienced them myself. I know many do, but there are a few others here who are experienced OBE'ers and either have never experienced them, or only have them occur rarely. So don't get stuck on looking for specific sensations as a guide. That can get you stuck.

Seeing through your eyes is good. The hypnogogic stage (seeing images behind close eyes) is also a sign of a light trance state. At this point, you can try proceeding with phasing or you can continue to remain calm and work on an OBE. Personally, I prefer phasing, but that's just me.

As for excitement, yep that will end the experience every time. Any type of strong emotion -- fear is another common one. Something to practice while waking and going about daily life is what the  buddhists call mindfulness. Meaning, keep your mind focused on what you are doing at the time you are doing. So if you are tying your shoes, think only of tying your shoes, not where you are going afterwards. If you are driving your car, focus on driving and observing where you are and what is around you. Don't let your mind wander to other things. If you make this a habit during waking time, OBE's and phasing becomes much easier, as does lucid dreaming. It also helps you control your thoughts and observe your emotions before they overwhelm you, thus helping you maintain a neutral state instead of getting excited and ending an experience.

[Nailrabbit]

Thanks for the great advice Novice! I'll definitely try that out.

Have you tried any of the brainwave tapes or do you ever listen to music to try to keep yourself focused?
The other night I listened to one of my favorite bands while trying to project (Ratatat, synth like music with no vocals) and it actually worked quite well.  Every once in a while I'll try listening to the brainwave tapes and it doesn't really work because I end up thinking too much.

I'll start reading up about phasing as I don't really know what that is.


EDIT - Whats all this about lying North to South?

[Stookie]

EDIT - Whats all this about lying North to South?

I doubt there's much truth in that. If there is, it's too minute to worry about. Concentration,awareness, and intent are the real keys to astral projection.

[Novice]

Below is a link by Frank on phasing. This is one of the best posts on it you'll find on our site (and in my opinion, probably anywhere else as well).

http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_the_astral_faq/what_is_phasing_and_how_can_i_do_it-t17413.0.html

Have you tried any of the brainwave tapes or do you ever listen to music to try to keep yourself focused?

I used some of the brainwave tapes a few years ago, but just to play with it. I did find it helped induce a light trance state, but I didn't stick with it to go beyond that. Probably because I can do it without, so I didn't see a need for it myself. But I know it has helped quite a few others. If I'm trying to phase or OBE, I find music a distraction. it tends to keep me focused on the physical instead of allowing my mind to go inside.

EDIT - Whats all this about lying North to South?

I've also ready a number of times where people reference north/south. But as Stookie said, I would ignore it if I were you. I've successfully been OBE in a bunch of different directions. I've never noticed any impediment due to geography. But the one point to remember in this, and anything related to OBE or phasing -- whatever you believe will effect you. So if you believe this is true, then it is for you. That's one of the reasons I think reading is good, to a point. But if you read too much, I think it tends to cause problems until you are able to gain your own personal experiences. Just a thought!

[Nailrabbit]

Yeah, I figured the whole North to South thing was a little over the top. 

Today I was reading about a bunch of really interesting things, December 21st, 2012 in particular which is a really interesting topic but I'll leave it alone for now.   In my browsing the forums I found the API section which is pretty abandoned at the moment, I'm going to try to get there eventually.  Have any of you been there and/or met someone from the forum?  I'm dying to hear about people meeting in the Astral and then confirming it with each other in real life, those stories give me goosebumps.

Sorry for being all over the place with topics but this is the first time I've spoken with experienced projectors! 

[Novice]

At the top of this forum is a sticky called Validation thread. This is for people to post experiences in which they've verified their experiences.

http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_obe_discussions/validation_thread-t25607.0.html

Yes, I have met several people while out, although none from the forum. And I have been able to confirm the experiences.

Don't apologize for being excited -- its perfectly understandable. Enjoy and let us know if you have any other questions!

(sheesh...got a new keyboard and I keep making typos!     )

[CFTraveler]

Nailrabbit wrote: 

Whats all this about lying North to South?

That's something R. Monroe observed when he projected- he adopted it as part of his ritual, and speculated that being parallel to the van Allen belts in the earth's geomagnetic poles could possibly facilitate AP.  However, I don't think that it makes a difference.  After reading his books I realized that I usually AP with my head South to North ('cause that's how my room is oriented) and occasionally E to W when taking naps, and I have to report that other than the comfort of the couch vs. recliner, direction never seemed to make a diff.

[David Warner]

Nailrabbit,

Personally for me, orientation means nothing. I've been out so many times and I thought at first was important to achieve this awareness. The only thing that might make a difference is energy and the polarization of the exit into the plane.

Please remember everyone is different and there are a lot of variables behind it. You'll just have to work on finding a technique that clicks with you. Most of the time when you practices techniques, none of them will work but you find
the one by accident...

Good Luck!

Tvos