I'm at a stage where I just want to be able to competently enter the trance stage, or the "mind awake, body asleep" phase. I know that the popular method is getting up early, such as in the wake back to bed method. Anybody think it would be beneficial to try at night as well? Has anybody had better results trying at night or other times during the day?
I don't know what works best for "trance" states, but for body paralysis the best time for me is about midday, however only if I've woken up early and am still tired by that point.
In case you haven't seen this, it makes great reviewing reference material.
Robert Peterson's notes on brain chemistry cycle theory is simplified enough for me to relate to.
http://robertpeterson.org/OBEClassNotes.html
Just before the middle of the page, the chart graphs explain the cycles. "The Dance of DHEA/Melatonin."
Based on this theory, I try to get up around 4:00-4:30, then have a very weak cup of coffee, then sit in a comfortable chair to relax and practice mind awake, body asleep.
At the very least, I usually recall dreams from the night that I would not remember otherwise, and during this time early in the morning, I seem to have more success in having more interesting phasing experiences.
On the weekends, beginning with in a trance, I dose off, wake, dose off wake, and each time, I become more rested, and according to the theory, replenishing DHEA, and then staying in trance longer each time, and then have better chances for a memorable phasing experience. I don't know the proper scientific method to test this, but I'm guessing that this chemical cycle can be managed to your advantage.