[Raj_Copi_Jin]

"So I'm not sure what you mean when you say that dreams can overtake OBEs, unless you're talking about the kind of process where there's a second or two of actual, conscious OBE and immediately the mind starts losing consciousness and lucidity, allowing dream elements to bleed into the OBE experience and, in that area between conscious OBE and dreams, those dream aspects can seem very vivid and real -- followed, of course, by either a startling awakening, or a further slip of the mind into passive dream mode. "

Pretty much.

"Either way -- using the rhythm napping method roughly two-thirds of the mornings since I discovered it last week, I've had less than impressive results, and I'm trying to figure out why."

I think you could try asking Matt what he recommends. I believe that you can get results from this method in the period of days or even weeks following an attempt, even if you didn't get the desired experience at the time of the attempt . The results aren't always an OBE. I had a pretty great lucid dream experience and some interesting experiences with what I perceived as invisible hands after I had a go at rhythm napping. OBEs are cool (and mine haven't typically been very prolonged high energy experiences) but I'm happy as long as life maintains some degree of freakiness. That's just me.

"I've read a little bit about energy storage requirements, and the building up and usage of energy reserves, but as much as I'd love to fill my sub-navel center, I'm not sure if I even have any idea how to properly perform the full-body circuit (or, to take it a step further, how energy requirements play into the conscious projection process)."

I suggest you read a bit more. Post in the other sections as you go. Experiment for yourself if you're curious. You've already had enough experience to know this stuff isn't made up.

"... the only results I've ever gotten from any of these are even more crazy, elaborately orchestrated dream sequences. "

so, you're dreaming more vividly or just recalling more. Is that so bad? Perhaps a lucid dream will be the way out of body for you. In any case, judging by the creativity and expressiveness of this post, you're probably an imaginative type and should be used to vivid dreams.

I suggest you follow your intuition on whether to take a rest or continue. I don't always work towards OBEs but I raise energy daily because it makes me feel good in lots of way and it helps my dream recall, which gives me pleasure and insight. When I feel movements in my etheric limbs, it reminds me of other possibilities that may or may not happen again anytime soon. When I find life's demands abate, then I return to serious OB work.

Cheers