While there may be a number of different astral projection techniques which people can use in order to help them achieve success, one should bear in mind that because everyone is different, what works for one may not necessarily work for another. Interestingly enough, many people encounter problems with certain methods although for the most part, this is not because of the method they choose to use, but rather because they are unable to relax.

One thing you need to bear in mind right from the very beginning, is that total relaxation is essential, irrespective of which technique you choose to use. Unfortunately, because there are still many misconceptions regarding astral projection, many newcomers experience a certain degree of fear and this in itself prevents them from being able to relax. Contrary to what you may have heard, one cannot be harmed and neither can you die from astral projection. In fact, the Canterbury institute even went as far as doing some research involving 2,000 people, in order to squash such fears.

With 2,000 participants, all of whom participated in astral projection, the Canterbury institute determined that not even one person suffered any harm. Furthermore, all participants were then monitored for a period of three years and during this time none of them came forward with any complaints or reports of problems.

So, now that we’ve managed to brush aside any fears related to astral projection, let’s take a look at some effective astral projection techniques which are relatively easy and which have helped scores of people. The first technique, known as the ‘Monroe Technique’ consists of seven basic steps.

* Relaxing your mind and body is essential. There are of course numerous relaxation techniques which one can use, but the easiest and the most popular one involves deep breathing and the relaxing of your muscles. This requires you to inhale and exhale deeply and also to tense and release your muscles one at a time starting at your toes.

* Reaching a hypnotic state. Essentially you need to reach a point where your mind and body is just on the verge of going to sleep, although of course you don’t want to actually fall asleep. This can be achieved by using the gazing method. Simply lie on your bed and begin staring at something until such time that your eyes close and yet you’re still able to see the object.

* You will then need to deepen the state of mind you’re in once you reach the point where you can see the object even when your eyes are closed. At this point it may be possible to see different light patterns and you may even notice that the room appears to be immersed in a purplish light. There is no need for you to pay any attention to the purplish light or the light patterns, but instead, you’ll know you’ve entered a deeper state once you stop seeing the lights. Furthermore, once you reach this point you’ll be so relaxed, you won’t even be aware of your physical body anymore.

* Likewise, this next step is also to vital according to Monroe. Here you will need to enter into what is known as,’the state of vibration’. Interestingly enough, most people who practice astral projection claim to feel the vibrations at an early stage of the projection. In fact, most of these people believe that these vibrations occur just as your astral body begins to separate from your physical body. Once again, this is perfectly normal so there is no reason to be alarmed when it happens.

* Controlling your state of vibration. You can control the vibrations in such a way that they move through your body. By using your mind you can direct these vibrations so that you can feel them all over as if there were waves washing over you. However, it will require a certain amount of practice before you are able to bring on these waves at will. Once you can create these ways at will, you’re ready to leave your body.

* One of the most vital components to astral projection is having sufficient control in order to ensure that it’s your mind that is in power. In order to strengthen your existing level of control, Monroe recommends that people practice partial separation. Here again, one should focus on leaving your physical body although in this case, you should only allow your hand or foot to go. Try to stretch your hand or foot out to towards an object which is nearby and then go ahead and push your hand or foot straight through the object. Once you manage to do that successfully, you can allow your hand or foot to return to your physical body and then you can go ahead and begin slowing down the vibrations in order to end your session.

* This last step is where you actually get to leave your physical body. Once again, you can follow all the previous steps but now, rather than only allowing a hand or foot to leave from the physical body, you’re going to allow complete separation. In order to do this, you need to focus on just how weightless your body really is. In fact you can even try to imagine that your body is made up of feathers which are being blown around by the wind. At this point, your astral body should be starting to leave your physical body and this will become apparent as you begin to feel as though you are floating.

Other popular methods include techniques such as the gazing method, the anchor method, and the rope technique. Ideally, one should spend some time experimenting with the different techniques in order to establish which technique suits you the most.

Irrespective of which technique or techniques you choose to use, you need to bear in mind that it’s not always possible to astral project instantly. As with so many other things in life, he does take practice.

For those who don’t necessarily have the luxury of time, modern sound technology has provided us with a rather impressive shortcut. This shortcut makes use of different sound frequencies known as binaural beats, in order to induce a meditative state of mind which is ideal for those wanting to practice astral projection. Essentially, when these beats are played into each ear, it results in the two hemispheres of the brain becoming synchronized, and a meditative state follows almost instantaneously.

Those looking for further assistance with regards to relaxation can also make use of hypnosis recordings which have been created specifically for the purpose of astral projection. These recordings work by targeting the subconscious mind in order to reinforce the idea that it’s perfectly acceptable for you to leave your physical body.

Irrespective of what anyone may have told you in the past, astral projection is without a doubt a life changing experience, and the good news is, anyone can do it simply by using the techniques mentioned in this article.

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