I recently read a forum on astral projection and I attempted to do this myself multiple times. I failed every single time. Is there anyway to master astral projection in a short amount of time? Also, from what I understand, you can do anything while doing astral projection? Very confused. Please help!
Astral projection is not always instant, as you must first achieve a state of deep relaxation. Many people initially fail this, so you are not alone in this experience. A good indicator of your progress is feeling for a vibrating sensation. This typically marks a shift in consciousness, but it can be easily disrupted. If you have yet to reach this, I would suggest attempting to use a quartz crystal. The astral plane is essentially a place of creation and energy, so theoretically you should be able to do just about anything there.
Some people find that working with lucid dreaming is a good step towards AP. Maybe trying some strategies for this and incorporating it into your practice could help?
From what I have researched and gathered from many people, there is no quick way to master this ability. My first experience happened many years ago and at the time I wasn't aware of what it was or what was happening. I was extremely lucky to have it happen without consciously trying. Since then I have only been able to fully complete it once more and I couldn't get as far as I wanted to, or I should say I wasn't as satisfied with my second experience as I was with my first.
Someone suggested starting with lucid dreaming and I second this thought. My experience (which isn't like everyone) I felt like I was in a dream-like trance. It was as if I had started to fall asleep but I was still consciously aware of everything. Some studies on dreaming use flashing lights to help give that subtle alert that you are falling asleep but still allowing your brain to acknowledge this. It allows you to then take control of your dreams or in my belief, it can allow AP to manifest. At the time I was successful the biggest thing I had going for me was how homesick I was at the time. It allowed me to cross over several states to "visit" my loved ones.
Keep researching different methods and try them out. It may take a while but you should start to feel a pull, like your soul is leaving your body and for me at least, I was able to see myself as I left my body and rose up through the roof of my house. From there on I was able to go where ever I wanted. Again, this is just my experience, everyone is different and there is no right or wrong way to establish the AP connection.
I notice a lot when people want to have an out of body experience (OBE), they have a certain expectation of what they're supposed to experience rather than letting the experience happen to them naturally. If your goal is to do something extraordinary or make contact with something otherworldly while in the astral realm, you can't force yourself to do what you are not ready to do without thinking too hard about it and throwing yourself out of an altered state of consciousness. This comes with a lot of practice in sensory focus and mental conditioning, like meditating and other forms of self hypnosis.
I know some mentalists and a few frauds out there who claim to have had contact with God or other spirits, or were able to see the answers to test on the teachers desk and that's how they passed. And I don't think it's fair to compare yourself to these individuals and their experiences. Whether these experiences were actual OBE's, hallucinations, or just mere coincidences, is up to personal interpretation. No two experiences are going to be the same unless you truly want them to be.
Stay patient with yourself and don't have such high expectations. Let yourself have the experience and take it for what it is. And don't try too hard! Relax! You're doing just fine!
For me while in AP state traveling is managed by concentrating on where I want to be. After I have entered the astral plain I make sure that all is well with my coporeal self. Then I get where I wish to go centered in my astral mind & go there making sure to be only concentrating on the whole travel time on the location I am going to.
Hope this helps.
