Setting Internal Alarm Clock

The most effective time to AP is early morning. Although AP's are possible any time of the day, mornings are the most effective because most of the conditions required for AP's come naturally at this time. If you wake up at 4 or 5am or have had at least 5 hours of sleep your body will be naturally relaxed therefore making it easier to reach the 'mind awake, body asleep' state with the added bonus that external noise is at a minimum.

All of my AP experiences have so far occurred in this way. I never use an external alarm clock simply because it is annoying to be alarmed in that way. It's quite natural for me to think of exactly what time I wish to wake up before going to sleep and wake up almost exactly the time intended. I have a regular internal alarm setting for 7:30am and have changed this on a few occasions for the purpose of practicing AP.

There is no need to intend every night the time you are wanting to wake up if your intention is to wake up at the same time every morning. After several intentions or at least once you find yourself waking up when required suffice it to say that your internal alarm clock is set and working. It would be wise to practice this in conjunction with an external alarm clock at first to avoid waking up late.

This technique works well as a precursor for the Wake Back to Bed technique.

Click here to read an interesting article on internal alarm clock.

Tricking The Body To Fall Asleep

I recall once in my early days of meditation I struggled a lot trying to keep my body still, due to itches I would often give up.

So one night before falling asleep, I decided to remain absolutely still and not give in to any urges to itch or shift my sleeping position and focus on my breathing. I used this thinking it would help me get deeper into my meditation. It did and took an agonising 45 minutes. I was unable to percieve my body - I felt like a tiny dot in this vast universe.

I've since not practiced this due to the effort required. After some quick research online I've found out it's a technique used to trick your body to fall asleep while you keep your mind awake.

Here's a link to a forum post I found at dreamviews that discusses this technique further: How to trick your body to fall asleep while keeping your mind awake.

I will attempt this soon at night time before going to sleep.

Astral Projection, Technique 3 From A Seth Book

'...he did so, and I highly recommend this method to you both. When you awaken, or seem to in the middle of the night, try simply to get out of the physical body. Simply try to get out of bed, you see, and to walk into another room white the physical body stays where it is.

If you keep this in mind, generally speaking, then you will find yourself able to do so within a brief time. It is a pleasant and easy way to achieve a projection, and with some experience you will discover that you can maintain good control, walk out of your apartment, and outside. You may then attempt normal locomotion, or levitation.

There is little strain with this method, and it has benefits from several viewpoints. Simply keep the method in mind so that you are alert to the initial favorable circumstances. You may be half awake. You may be in a false awakening. The method will work in either case. It offers good possibilities in another direction: you can, if you want to do so, look back at your own body.

You must want to do this however. Often you do not want to see the body by itself, so to speak, and so you choose methods that make this more difficult. just this one exercise will sharpen your control greatly. It is an ABC you see.

The experience will be much less startling to the ego than an abrupt projection, and the ordinary nature of the activities, walking into the next room for example, Will be reassuring. You are more calm, and in your own surroundings. Of course Ruburt was out of his body when he saw Miss Callahan, who was in the same condition.'

~ A Seth Book, The Early Sessions, Book 7, Session 298, Page 143

Astral Projection, Technique 2 from A Seth Book

'Your waking consciousness only participates in projections as a rule when you are in a period of high vitality, and exceptional health.

On occasion the waking consciousness does participate during other usually very depressed periods. But generally speaking high energy is needed in order to maintain overall stability, and in order that the ego is not overstrained. Such conscious projections are automatically spaced out. In this way there is little danger that problems will arise.

It is the same with the conscious retention of dreams in general. You are indeed exercising what amounts to an added ability. You are learning to manipulate within other dimensions of consciousness. Automatic controls are therefore used. You proceed as your abilities and control develop.

Suggestion given before sleep will greatly add to your chances of conscious projections from the dream state. It is not necessary, basically speaking, that you notice some small incongruous detail in order to realize while dreaming that you are dreaming. There is however one good method to use. The suggestion 'I will realize while dreaming that I am dreaming' can also be used, as another method, or both of these may be utilized together.

At your stage it is of course easier if the actual separation of consciousness from the physical body occurs without your awareness. However the experience itself is excellent training. I have told you that these projections may carry you to different systems. In the beginning you are safer perhaps in those projections that involve your own reality.

There is not any great matter of danger, only that you could fall into blunders. The north-south position is most beneficial. It might be of benefit if you concentrate before sleep upon a simple projection that involves leaving the body, walking out into this room, for example, (the living room) or perhaps strolling around the block.

When falling off to sleep for example, imagine that you are in your yard, in another room of your apartment, or in front of the house. When this method is effective you will not be consciously aware of the actual separation however. I do not suggest at this point that you or Ruburt attempt to contact me during any projection. Later, when you have more training.

If by chance you blunder (smile, eyes open) into my territory, then I will know it, and seek you out. Whenever you find yourself in any potentially dangerous dream situation during a projection, immediately terminate the dream. You will then return to an ordinary state of consciousness.

Now. Mr. Fox is quite correct. When you know you are in a projection do not be tempted to tamper. There are forces that you do not yet understand. You will find that these projections become more vivid. I must repeat that these are quite valid. They are not hallucinations. Conscious projections do not occur with any frequency as far as a large percentage of humanity is concerned. Note that I speak only now of projections in which you are self-consciously aware.

The reasons are somewhat obvious. Conscious projections are dependent upon abilities and control. Also this ability and control presupposes a fairly disciplined personality. Otherwise we would have explosive outbursts of suddenly released aggressions in systems where they do not belong.

It is quite possible to meet survival personalities, incidentally, during such projections. This does not happen often, because so many other issues are necessary. It is also possible of course to move into your own future. - This occurs regularly, though not always with awareness. Projections into the past are also frequent.

Because of some matters we have not yet discussed, at any rate deeply, it is possible to meet your own projection. You are accountable for acts committed during projections, of course, and these alter the personality as any acts do. If you have your wits about you, you can gain information concerning the future by studying your projection environment, if for any reason you suppose it to be ahead of You in time.

Some of this is extremely complicated. You may for example request before sleep that you project into your own future, to see what occurs there. This is legitimate enough, if you are willing to accept the results of your projections. For what you see will influence what you do in the present. You will be projecting of course into the probable future as it exists for you at this point.

The very act of projecting will alter these probabilities. I am not saying that this future environment is not real, however. It is as real as your present.'

~ A Seth Book, The Early Sessions, Book 6, Session 277, Page 305

Astral Projection, Technique 1 From A Seth Book

'These are my instructions. You may consider this your first lesson. We will go by easy stages, for we do not want you betwixt and between. You may induce a medium trance in whatever way you choose. On occasion this will be spontaneous, as you know. For best results in the beginning it is good to make a projection attempt when you already feel physically drowsy, but pleasantly so. When you have induced the trance state, then begin to examine your own subjective feelings until you find recognition of the inner self.

This involves a recognition of yourself as distinct from the fleshy fibers in which you reside. Then begin to imagine this inner self rising upward. You should experience even at this point an internal sense of motion. This motion may be from side to side, as you gently shake yourself loose, so to speak.

It may be a rushing upward. Whichever motion you experience there will be a moment where you feel yourself, your identity and consciousness, definitely withdrawing from the physical organism. Before you attempt the projection, however, the suggestion should be given that the physical organism will be well protected and comfortable. Now when you feel the consciousness withdrawing, there are two things you may do. I suggest the first step I shall give you in preference to the second.

The first step is this. Forget the physical body, or what you are to do with it. Will yourself out in a quick motion. There is no need to experience the voice hallucinations mentioned by the author, Fox. If the projection is a success you’ll instantly lose contact consciously with the physical body. You simply will not be in it.

Now your consciousness will not be in it, but it is hardly lifeless. Its maintenance is being controlled by the consciousness of the individual cells and organs of which we have spoken. I will give you alternate methods of projecting, but I will be concerned now with what you can expect the few moments after You have left the physical body.'

~ A Seth Book, The Early Sessions, Book 6, Session 265, Page 210

Wake Back to Bed - Sleep early + Wake early + AP Intention = An Astral Projection

Sleeping early say around 8-9pm and waking up around 3-4am then staying awake for about an hour increases the chances of achieving an astral projection.

You can intend or affirm the night before that you will wake up at a certain time, then upon waking up think of any dreams you can remember, you might even want to write it down in your dream journal. Also get up and walk a bit so you're somewhat awake. Then, just before going back to sleep set an intention to astral project.

This technique is known as the Wake Back To Bed Technique.

Astral Phasing

Astral Phasing is a very simple technique, at least it seems that way. All you do is lie down on your back, remember comfort is important here so if you prefer lying on your side or any other sleeping positions go ahead. Make sure you are wearing loose clothing and if using a blanket use a light blanket. Once you get comfortable breathe deeply, click here for a great exercise on breathing deeply with visual aid.

Once fully relaxed with eyes closed notice the darkness behind your closed eyelids. You won't notice much other than this darkness but eventually you might notice a spark or a flash of light or images. Don't try to analyse everything that you see or feel, try to remain as passive as you can. I guess if you are a beginner it can be difficult to not get excited when something like a random vivid images pop up, but with practice it will be easier to release it.

Eventually what happens is several scenes will begin to flash before you, these can look cinematic. In my experience they looked like moving pictures with a glow of light around them. Soon the speed of these random scenes should slow down - I don't know if this can be controlled, I need to experiment more. Once slowed down you can begin stepping into one of the scenes - I have no experience yet with the stepping into the scene but I expect to do so with more practice.

I think the best time to practice this is anytime that's good for you. By this I mean it can be anytime under the following conditions:

1. A strong desire to astral project
2. You can dim the light in the room you are using - the darker the room the better
3. Make sure there is some peace and quiet and that you will be undisturbed
4. An empty bladder

Deep Breathing

I've been practicing deep breathing recently and I've noticed since incorporating deep breathing I relax much faster. I now meditate almost daily and have noticed a significant difference between my usual breathing and deep breathing. Prior to practicing deep breathing when in meditation it would take me between 20 to 40 minutes to relax fully. Now that I'm breathing deeply and slowly I can fully relax withing 5 minutes. I'm more motivated now to meditate because it's so much easier to relax.

Find out how you normally breathe by placing your palms on your lower abdomen and blow out all the air. Then take in a deep breath slowly. If your abdomen expands when you inhale you're breathing properly. However, if your chest and shoulders should rise and your abdomen sucks in rather than stick out you really should consider practicing deep breathing the healthier way. Click here for a wonderful site explaining, with some visual aide on how to breathe properly.

I think it would be best practicing deep breathing at least once everyday. It would also be beneficial to do this at times of stress and anxiety due to it's relaxing effects.

Keep A Dream Journal

Keep a dream journal beside you (somewhere easy to reach). Before going to sleep affirm that you will have a restful sleep and remember your dreams in the morning. Upon waking up keep your eyes closed and try to remember some impression of your dream. This could be a certain way you felt, a person or an object from your dream. By doing this other fragments should come naturally. Write a brief summary of the dream. The shorter the better.

A dream journal is incredibly helpful in achieving an astral projection. It expands your awareness of the altered conscious states. The more dreams you can recall and write down the more aware you will become of your altered state during sleep.