Trouble getting out

[raprd]

For the past month and a half I have been extensively researching and attempting Out of Body Experiences. Although I have had some interesting experiences, I have yet to actually "get out" of my body. The first time it happened quite by accident, just after reading someone's post about how to get out, I took a nap and was able to get myself into the vibrational stage. I managed to lift my nonphysical arm out of my body, but somehow it just ended there and I fell asleep.

Ever since then it's been incredibly difficult to get anywhere. The second time, which occurred about 2 weeks ago, I was asleep and dreaming and a little girl in my dream told me that I was dreaming. I was outside in my dream, and as I looked around, I saw that there was a very strong wind and I could actually feel it. Then vibrations started to creep up the back of my neck. I started to think about floating and being out of my body, but was unable to get anywhere and the vibrations just stopped.

The third time I think I dreamt that I had an OBE, however, the memory is still quite vivid. I was standing outside my body in front of my bookcase in my room, however, the bookcase was illuminated as though it was daytime but it wasn't. During the experience, I was convinced that it was a real OBE, but when I woke up I was not quite sure.

I spend around 30 minutes a night trying to induce an OBE through relaxation and affirmations, but I usually end up falling asleep. Would people recommend lying on their backs/sides/fronts? Any suggestions about how to get out would be greatly appreciated. Or even how to avoid falling asleep!! -- I think that is my biggest problem.

Thanks!

Rachel

[CFTraveler]

Whatever position in which you are relaxed enough to be in trance but not so relaxed you fall asleep.
I prefer a recliner, and I don't recommend your bed, because it is where you habitually sleep.
But if it's all you got, then just try to be on a different position than sleeping, so that you don't train yourself to not sleep.  I sometimes prop up pillows when I don't feel like getting up to sit on my recliner.

[phxsun]

Falling asleep has always been my problem as well, way to much work and always to tired. The easiest time for me is after I've been asleep and wake up about an hour or two before I need to get up. And always on my back, on my side is when I fall asleep.

daniel

[raprd]

Thanks for the posts! My biggest problem is that I can fall asleep pretty much anywhere anytime in any position. I'm not sure if perhaps a different method would be better (such as waking from sleep or lucid dreaming), but I want to stick this one out because people appear to have the most success from it. I will try propping myself up with pillows, maybe then I'll have better luck.

Any idea about getting out while lucid dreaming?

[CFTraveler]

You can try doing the practice with your arm up- if it starts to come down you'll know and become more aware.  This works for some people, I never really have tried it (I'm not a 'quick' sleeper.)

As to projecting from a lucid dream it's doable, but you have to become lucid.
If you can, then just think of your body, and you will 'find' yourself there, and will most probably feel vibes.  Then immediately start working on an exit technique.
If you want to go from a LD to the collective astral, just fly away from wherever you're dreaming until you can discern a barrier or demarcation of some sort, and you will be out of the 'personal' section of the astral, which is the dreaming environment.

[raprd]

Thanks for the tips! I will give them a try and let you know if there's any improvement.

I used to lucid dream all the time, but it's been more difficult over the years. Also, I was never really able to "fully" lucid dream. I was often aware of the fact that I was dreaming, and would attempt to change the surroundings, but the changes would never stick or they would be slightly warped. This most recent lucid dream (with the girl and the wind) felt very real and the memory is etched in my mind.

I just want to get out so badly. I guess that could be what is hindering my success - too much effort and thought...

[CFTraveler]

Lucid dreaming is about knowing you are dreaming- if you can do that, you've got the issue dealt with, and other things can be investigated.  Altering the dream is a different type of skill, that usually needs lucidity to begin with, but to AP you don't have to mess with the dream environment- just recognize it.
For some reason some people believe that full lucidity means control- it does not.