Seem to be hitting major problems when trying to project (coherent post within)

[adg]

Normally, I would never join a forum, then proceed to ask a question that has probably been answered countless times, but looking at the previous threads, I didn't see anything like this, so I thought I'd go ahead and ask.

I've been fascinated by the whole idea of AP since I was ~13, but as far as I know, I have never consciously projected.  After making more of an effort to try recently (sometimes using BrainWave Generator, other times just lying in my bed and seeing what happens), I still have had no luck, but I'm starting to realize what may be holding me back.  It doesn't happen as often as I'd like it to, but sometimes I get to a point where I can feel vibrations (assuming I'm not mistaken as to what they feel like: energy pulsing along the length of my body, and me being able to feel them running from my toes to the top of my head), and when that happens, I usually stay that way for a good 5 minutes at least.  Then, though, one of two things happens.  One is that I make a conscious effort to get out of my body- usually using the rope technique to try and pull myself out.  Only problem with that is that I seem to have some sort of mental block that is stopping me from being able to separate my astral body from my physical one.  I seem to be physically (and probably mentally, as well) unable to come to terms with the fact that in order to project, I have to move something that is not part of my "real body".  Sometimes, at the point where I feel the most "ready", I go so far as trying to move my astral hand, then opening my eyes to see what had really moved.  I think the block is understandable, as things like this are the only time in our waking life that we have to figure out how to move one separately from the other.  So, that's one thing.

The other thing is that the rest of the time, I just let the vibrations play out, but I then get to a point where it just feels like I'm lying in bed (which I am), and like whatever just happened had completely run its course.  And, as you might imagine, my efforts for that night stop after it "doesn't work".  So, as a community who seems to have a lot of knowledge and experience on AP, I thought I'd ask you if you had any ideas, comments, or suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

[kiwibonga]

You need to be asleep but conscious. Your problem is that you are wide awake when you try to project.

[adg]

So, that entails just lying there, doing lots of thinking (or would that be no thinking, since I'm trying to let my body fall asleep), until... it's silly to ask, but what does that feel like?

[shadow.pulsar]

You need to be asleep but conscious. Your problem is that you are wide awake when you try to project.

So, that entails just lying there, doing lots of thinking (or would that be no thinking, since I'm trying to let my body fall asleep), until... it's silly to ask, but what does that feel like?

Kiwi is talking about the mind awake body asleep technique, more commonly know as a trance. We enter trances all the time so it is kind of hard to describe what it feels like.  Some examples of when we are in trances are when driving, watching tv, reading, focusing on work is a light trance.  Day dreaming and meditation is a little bit deeper than a light trance and for a deep trance, that would be sleep or just the cusp of sleep is probably more appropriate.

The trick though is to learn how to get into a deep trance with out falling asleep. It's more tricky than it sounds and is still something that I am working on. I've found that to get familiar with what it feels like is best at first.  What I've done is when I'm really sleepy, my eyes closing on me and my head nodding and jerking me awake, I lean forward so my body is uncomfortable and allow myself to fall asleep while concentrating on my discomfort. It works every time. My mind is awake and my body asleep. The problem I have is in maintaining lucidity and keeping my thoughts from flying away from my control which ends up pulling me out of the trance. 

But to try and answer your question. I think the closest I can get to what it feels like is it is like being submerged in thick and warm honey. Also getting to the vibration stage is good and may indicate that you are in some sort of trance.  There are many other techniques for you to try. It seems that the rope technique probably is not the best for you as you are having problems conceptualizing the astral body movements which is okay.  Next time you get the vibrations, instead of trying to pull yourself out of your body, try imaging what you would see if you were in the same position that you are in, but a few feet higher. Bring the vibrations with you and really will your self to feel and believe you are a few feet above your bed. Sometimes we just need to shift our mental point of view just a little to achieve an astral projection.

I wrote an article for a friend of mine a while back and she posted it on her blog.  It's more of an intro to astral projection from the perspective of a tech junkie (Yes I'm a NERD!) and may be helpful as it presents astral projection from a rather odd (and rather cheeky) point a view. It may make something click for you. Here is the permalink for the article. http://thedivineself.com/blog/2006/12/10/approaching-astral-work/

Let me know if this was helpful for you and if it makes sense. I'm a bit new at helping people out and feedback is really encouraged as it will help me refine my rather odd way of presenting things.
~Shadow~

[kiwibonga]

Usually when you relax you'll start feeling pre-trance sensations, weightlessness, the impression that you're falling, the impression that your bed is made out of cotton, you'll feel blood circulation in your legs and arms which feels very similar to the vibrations, a rush of excitement and fear... These indicate that you're on the right track, but it'll probably be about 5-10 more minutes before you've gone deep enough.. And usually, there is no indication that you've reached the proper state. The way your body will feel won't change, and it's very likely that you'll fall asleep in the process.

What shadow.pulsar suggests is good. The best way to practice not losing consciousness in the trance state is to force yourself awake so that you keep inching between awake and asleep states many times in a row. Try going to sleep when you're very tired, and make an alarm ring every 5 minutes. Every time it rings, force yourself to write down any dreams or visions you've had, and go back to sleep. Repeat that many times in a row... That builds up every possible aspect of your ability to project ; all you have to add to it is strong determination to have a projection.

Instead of losing consciousness, you'll start to experience the side effects of trance -- hypnogogics (images and sounds, short dreams), vibrations, "astral sight," increased sensitivity to light and sound, etc... As those intensify, you'll be able to gauge how "far along" you are, and a visualization technique like the rope can help you get out fairly easily.