The specific methods of astral projection vary, but one thing always stays the same. No matter what astral projection methods you use, the first step is always getting focused and relaxed. You have to have a quiet mind and a mind set that will let you reach beyond your physical boundaries. Once you do this you are ready to explore the endless universe.
Focused relaxation is not easy. One must simultaneously relax every muscle and still every thought all while maintaining the presence of mind to stay conscious. The most common reason an astral projection attempt fails, in fact, is because the candidate does not maintain his or who focus through the relaxation phase of the process, and thus, simply falls asleep.
How to start with the astral projection methods. Begin the focused relaxation phase by first dressing in comfortable clothing, then sitting in a chair where it is unlikely one will be disturbed. Lying down is not recommended for beginners, as it is too easy to lose one's grasp on his or her concentration and give in to the pulls of sleep.
Once seated comfortably, imagine that tension is a fabric bandage that has been wrapped over every inch of the body -- much like a mummy - that tightly constricts even the smallest of toes. Next, imagine those small toes being unwrapped. Warm blood flow returns, as does the feeling of cool air to the skin's surface. Imagine the same process for each individual toe until all ten toes have been "freed."
Now the balls of your feet through the arches and heels, up to the ankles are unwrapping. Keep moving up the body, unwrapping each body part until you everything is free up to the top of your head.
Now with you body relaxed and your mind still alert you are ready. You can move on to trying one of the methods of astral projection.
The principle method for astral projection is the rope method. Before beginning the relaxation phase, and individual should tack a section of twine to the ceiling just beyond reach if in a sitting position. One should then sit beneath the "rope" and reach up while closing his or her eyes in order to get a mental impression of the rope's proximity.
With the rope in place your astral fingers can find it easily. You will float up to the rope and be able to use it during your astral projection. You may not find it too easy to use the rope at first, but eventually you will be able to do it easily. Keep focused.
After finding the rope, concentrate on pulling the astral self up and out of the physical body as if climbing up the length of rope. Imagine the process without regard for weight, as the astral body is weightless and can climb effortlessly. A sense of dizziness may occur at this point, but it's important to ignore this feeling, otherwise one may jeopardize the projection attempt.
Continue "climbing" the rope until liberated from the physical body, all the while ignoring any sensations of vertigo, nausea, humming, warming, heaviness and/or tingling that may accompany the process. Any and all of these sensations are normal to a successful astral projection experience.
You may also hear of slight variations of the rope method. Some of these include the lift method of lifting the astral body out and hovering above the physical body. There is the roll out method of rolling out of the body to end up beside the body, mostly done when lying down. The fixed and moving anchor methods are two other methods.
The fixed method and anchor method involved picturing an object. In the fixed method you are pulling your astral body to the object and in the anchor method the object is pulling your astral body to it. Once you are free your astral body can then roam and explore.
It is important to know that astral projection methods are not immediate. You must learn and practice the process. You may fail in your first attempts, but always keep your attitude positive. Make sure that you understand why you fail if you do. You can often be too tired, not focused enough or distracted.
The more dedicated the individual, however, the sooner he or she will be able to troubleshoot these issues, master the methods of astral projection, and ultimately, transcend the limitations of the physical body.
