As someone that has had quite a few astral projections, here's a few of my tips that I always give out to people starting this:
For those that are starting out.
1. Sleep paralysis (or the vibrational state, depending on what you read), really isn't a true requirement for projection. It's useful, because
usually it indicates that you are close to projecting, but you can also project without this.
2. Do some research on yourself - For example, I was able to get positive results by falling asleep to music, focusing on my breathing, and attempting
projection when I wake up at night. For you, it might be that you need to project while taking a bath, or it could be that you need to read 1 hour
before bed to get in the right frame of mind.
Hint: What is the right frame of mind? When your body is relaxed & tired, but you still have just enough brainpower to think about something without
falling asleep. Think of the last time you pulled something close to an "all-nighter".
3. If you experience "vibrations", don't be afraid of the sensations. All "vibrations" are is the sensory experiences that you may experience
when close to a projection, or in sleep paralysis. For example, I have experienced the following before:
-Rushing/Tingling sensation (feels like electricity flowing through my body).
-Throbbing, the sound of rushing water/high wind.
-Increased heartbeat (felt like heart was pounding out of chest).
-Voices/entities (NOTE: usually, these are not real entities, just hallucinations.).
Usually, when you get these, you have three choices:
-Attempt a projection
-Go with the flow, and see where they lead
-Fight it by focusing on a body part, and willing it to move (breaks the trance). You should then be able to move your body.
4. When you first get out, try to get some distance from the physical body - When you first get out, you are extremely close to the physical world (in
essence, someone might mistake you for a ghost, if they can sense spirits). The problem is that when new projectors do this, and they see their body,
the first thing that comes to mind is "Oh no, I'm dead!!! I need to get back in there!". Lo and behold, the first experience is over with before it
even started. To remedy this, try to put focus on something other than your physical body.
5. Educate yourself - this should have been number 1, as education plays an important role in reducing fear. Part of the reason that it's so
difficult for some people to project is that their subconscious assumes astral projection is a "bad" thing - so it makes it harder. If you can
convince the subconscious that this is actually a good thing, then projection attempts become easier.
6. If you're having a tough time "focusing" on something during an attempt, try to project with your favorite music on, as this should calm you
down.
7. If you would rather not project into some dark, gloomy space, try attempting a projection in the daytime. Helps to reduce fear.
8. Don't associate your bed with astral projection - set up a "projection space", so that your mind associates the space with projection, and not
sleep. Make it personal (my space is my bed ironically enough, but I only attempt to project while in bed anyway). I have crystals lining the room, so
I always feel protected.
For those that have already projected:
1. What you see in the astral does not reflect what you see in the real world, unless you are lucky. There is a special type of astral projection
called an "etheric projection". When one of these occur, you are projecting into a dimension or plane that is extremely close to the physical (where
you are now if reading this material). This "plane" acts as a duplicate of what the "real world" is around us, although there may be small
differences.
2. Yes, there are negative entities out there, as well as positive ones as well. Here's the thing: Unlike in the real world, the negative entities in
the astral are more of bullies - They cannot do any "spiritual damage", nor can they really do anything except scare you. They also are not dumb -
if they see that you are going to be a challenge, then they won't waste their time with you; they'll move onto someone else who does fear them.
Hint: To make them leave you alone, laugh at them - give them a hug. To them, love is a poison.
3. Most literature will mention something called a "Silver cord", an item that keeps you "tethered" to your body. In all of my projections, I have
never seen this. One theory that makes sense is that because you're in an unknown environment, and you want to find a way back home, the cord is
"created" for that purpose.
Hint: To return to your physical body, just think of your body - it really is that easy
I've got more information (it's top secret...kidding), but if there's any questions - feel free to send me a message (if the OP doesn't mind
public questions, then I can answer them here as well - Don't want to hijack the OP's post).
-fossilera