Balance between tension and relaxation?

[dentrakas]

well it seems you are a man of integrity
let loose of that base chakra man and trip into the human plane
in other words and in case of extreme act get those books away from your belly button (in case i am talking to budha.................... that's 20 periods)
books are fraud
in other words books is a disquise for budha who can see through the book  right at this point (the belly button).
this was and advice very much like throwing dice...
you can always throw the dice it's nice by means other than your belly button...
books block death from coming in through your belly... result?
DEATH GETS STRONGER
just obe man




dentro yparxei anthropos xoris dentranthropous

[Rob]

Um, don't really understand Dentrakas' post, but this is how I see it:
Exerting mental strain with no physical tension is something which is learned - the more you practise the easier it will become. So I would say push it as hard as you can until the tension appears and then lay off a bit. With practise you will be able to dissociate the two elements to the point of OBE (and beyond!). But hey what do I know??!!!
Frustrating stuff.

[n/a]

Hello Veo,

   I'm sure everyone has a different process. I start
by relaxing but focus on the breathing and heart rate mostly.
I have a habit of tensing my stomach muscles slightly and also
my neck, but I put that "out-of-mind". And that is what you need
to do. Keep your focus on your breathing and heart rate. No matter
what your body is doing, that is secondary. I hope this helps...

             Happy Traveling

[Veo]

So, how long, for example, do you lay there relaxing and listening to your heart beat? Do you find that that by itself is enough to bring on exit sensations?
Thanks,
Veo

[n/a]

Well, in my case, I use "visuals". I imagine I'm in an elevator.
The walls of the elevator have been removed, so I can watch the elevator shaft moving down while I'm moving up. When I inhale, the elevator moves up 4 or 5 floors, when I exhale it pauses at the floor until I inhale, then it starts moving up again. This really works for me to loosen the astral. Sometimes I can't visualize the elevator, so I'll use a rollercoaster, or whatever your mind creates for you. I'll get results usually in the first 15 minutes. Sometimes 30 minutes. If nothing happens after that I'll get up. It doesn't help to strain yourself trying to project, it'll tire you out and you'll just fall asleep anyway. This is what works for me, there could be better ways for you, keep searching...

[Veo]

Hello,
I am delighted to find a group of people with so much experience and determination to help people learn astral projection. I suspect that you may be hearing from me a great deal, as I am very determined to explore my spiritual potential through learning this art. It has been nearly 20 years since I devoured every book I could find on the subject of OOBE's after reading Robert Monroe's Journey's out of the Body in my teens. I have recently reset my intention to devote myself to this practice.

I am wondering if anyone has any advice about how to react to the tension that I feel when I begin to experience exit sensations. I feel as though every muscle in my body begins straining - completely flexed. I am not completely sure if the experience is coming from my physical body but it feels as if I am straining with all of my mite to break free. Then I think - I should completely relax my muscles. But, when I do this, the racing heart chakra and falling sensations quickly begin to fade away. My mind seems to focus on the tension so much that I loose track of the 'rope' that I am feeling-sensing.

I have read that relaxation is considered the single most important element in a successful projection but I feel like I could just lie there all night long in a relaxed state and nothing would really happen. It seems to be when I really summons my intent to make it happen now that the sensations get moving - but that is also when the tension (muscle strain) builds up in my body.

So, I guess I am wondering where the balance is. Should I emphasize relaxation or intensity of purpose over the other?

I appreciate any responses
Thanks,
Veo