Hi all.
I was wondering if there were any ideas out there regarding the times that we should be making attempts.
Heres my questions:
1. Are there any times that could aid success? i.e weekends when we dont have to get up for work.
2. I pretty much try techniques every night as failure results in falling asleep anyway. Would it help to leave gaps inbetween attempts or should I choose certain days and stick to them? i.e. every Tuesdays and Thursdays.
I only seem to get vibrations, spacial blackness or other tell-tale signs every 3 -5 days.
Many thanks
Great question Paul; this answer is not just for you but it speaks to any new member trying to figure out what's going on. The simple answer is no, there is no best time.
There certainly are better times but really it's whenever you find or create the opportunity. That's different for everybody; maybe it can be narrowed down to 3,4 or 5 groups. Then there are those little details unique to the individual that facilitate the mind getting into the proper Non-Physical (NP) focus.
Most of us approach the practice of AP thinking Ok, I'm going to learn how to lay down or sit at any time I choose and in a few minutes enter a trance state that allows me to exit my body with no break in conscious continuity, and I will have total control and awareness of my environment and my actions, and go exploring vastly divergent realms.
Yeah, well...get in line with the rest of us. It's just not that simple, not that straightforward.
Except for a few 'naturals', this is the hardest technique to master.
For the rest of us, the best times and techniques to look for involve entering the NP through our dreams or through momentary 'click-outs' or loss of consciousness, or engaging our awareness incrementally during the moments before falling asleep or waking up.
This involves giving up conscious control to varying degrees which we initially resist. It just doesn't fit with what we think is our goal---conscious projection. The problem is...most of us can't get there from here. At least initially. You may learn how to later.
So the point I'm trying to make and then expand from to help you find what may clarify the situation for you is this: you have to first understand the mental state you should be looking for, then figure out what time will best suit you for that state. You are looking for a 'dissociative state' where your awareness is somewhat disconnected from your physical body.
And to do that, simply start with your own past. Are you one of a relatively small group that can fall asleep somewhat quickly, can you stay aware right up to that borderline? Can you observe the hypnogogia that occurs? Or do you just nod off instantly? Does it take an hour or more until the inner chatter dies down on its own and you're not even aware of when you fall asleep? (that's me!) Do you wake up in the middle of the night? Do you awake in the morning instantly and jump out of bed or can you stay immobile, keep your eyes closed and just observe your awareness gradually 'physicalizing'? Do you take naps? When you dream are you ever aware of the entrance to your dream or the exit? Do you ever get Sleep Paralysis? When you fall back asleep in the morning do you get hypnopompia or morning hallucinations? There's a lot to consider...
A study of your history of these various states will indicate which way you might go; ultimately we want to develop our response within nearly all of them.
Keep in mind one thing: you are looking for times where your physical body is not SO tired that it drags your mind into unconscious sleep, like having a hundred pound weight tied to your leg and being thrown overboard, dragging down your awareness along with it, no matter how hard you resist.
There is a state that you would like to eventually develop: MABA- Mind Awake, Body Asleep. And it IS literally that. I was stunned the first time I stumbled into this state.
So naps can be excellent times, early morning or middle of the night wake-ups as well. Look for the naturally -occurring opportunities and be ready. Be ready by communicating with your inner self, tell it what you want to do in clear, simple terms. These are affirmations. (if you want more on that, ask)
When the opportunity arises, and it will, go with the flow, stay in control of any fear or excitement; the proper attitude is detached, mild curiosity...just barely enough interest to keep the experience moving forward. Always know you are totally safe.
I hope that helps tie the two concepts together.
There are no wrong times. The best times are when you do not have to get up early whenever that is. You have plenty of time to relax so your mind is not stressed by thinking I have to get up out of bed. The weekends are a good time. For me the easiest time to ap is after a few hours or more of sleep. Not when I feel tired. If I feel tired I usually fall asleep. The more times you try, the more chances you are likely to succeed. You said you get vibrations. That is a very good. You are ready to get out of your body. You just have to learn and practice to do it. We do not always get vibrations to ap. It is great to get a vibration because you know you can ap.
Thanks both, that helps. I think I have a lot more reading to do. I didnt realise there was so much methodology involved.
In terms of sleep patterns I tend to take a while to fall asleep and mostly wake up in the early hours and drop off again. I guess I should make more attempts in these early hours.
Cheers.
There is great territory to explore in the early morning wake-up and slipping back into sleep. Give yourself the affirmation the night before, to explore and be aware, then reinforce that when you awaken briefly the next morning and observe yourself as you slide back into sleep. Experiences will follow. Have fun!
Write it all down the next day and the experiences will increase over time.
Thanks EV I will do my best. I've made some progress in the last year and I think I'm nearly there to have a significant experience. It wasnt until I started affirmations that things started to feel similar to the 'Monroe' stages. At least I feel more confident now in attempting ap as often as I want.