[refdhbgtd]

I think I have done something horrible with my attempts to project, or even to simply meditate. When I began to meditate and attempt to project I never set apart a special time in my day to do so. I simply ended up doing it in bed before I went to sleep.
So now I "meditate" every time before I go to sleep. I put quotes around meditate because it is far from true meditation where one keeps their focus and a clear mind. Now it is simply a ritual for me to fall asleep. Disaster for projection. So let this be a warning for new projectors not to do as I have done.
But it was interesting, because at first when I was really motivated, I was able to remain awake and almost project... but then I wasn't able to sleep because I had managed to remain alert. However good that might have been for projection, I did not get the rest I needed for the next day, and could not keep it up for very long. Very soon the pattern of simply going through the motions of meditation before sleep set in.
Now, after a spell of not really thinking about projection, or trying to project, I wish to break this pattern and get back into it. Any advice would be welcome.

[tilmprarnerit]

...

[Loxaeed]

I think for this reason AP, just like meditation, should be separate and distinct from one's daily routines - including the winding down of the day and going to bed. I suffered from insomnia for many years in my teens, so I'm keenly aware of the triggers and habits that can cause the inability to fall asleep.

My suggestion - as an AP newbie but as an experience meditator and former insomniac - is that one makes AP sessions a separate part of one's day, at least so that it doesn't blend in with going to sleep. Otherwise it can be like reading an exciting book or playing an intense computer game only minutes before switching off your bedstand light.

How you integrate that into your own routine is left an exercise for the reader...

[Loxaeed]

Shinobi raises a good point. Posture does seem to make a huge difference, and I think whichever posture you use will depend on what you are trying to achieve. Or what works for you.

I meditate seated on a cushion and cushioned mat (zafu and zabuton if you're up with the lingo ) with my legs crossed in a room with the curtains drawn and lights switched off, usually with my mobile phone in the room with its countdown timer set (I usually limit myself to 15-20 minutes per session). There's next to no chance of falling asleep in that pose. It's important to keep the back straight and not have (or use) a backrest, otherwise you end up slouching into it and may as well lay down.

However, I'm not sure that this is the best posture for AP. This would probably be laying down or reclined in a comfortable chair with the head and feet/ankles supported and cushioned. My successes in AP have been while laying down, but not at bedtime - as it leads to sleep too quickly. Personally I prefer around 19:00-20:00 in the evening, as I'm not inclined to fall asleep at that time - even when I try.

My suggestion is try a range of positions, times and situations - remembering you need to use as little effort to maintain the position as possible, and enough cushioning to maintain comfort even in a "rag doll" physical state. Keep notes, too - written notes are far more reliable than jumbled memories.

[refdhbgtd]

Thanks for the advice.... Yeah, I know how it can wind you up and never get to sleep... but I'm past that, and when I try and meditate simply am so used to just falling asleep

I will do my best to set apart a set time other than when I'm going to bed to do my meditation. I think I will also try sitting up without head support instead of lying down. That should help me from falling asleep if I can muster up the will to stay seated.

[refdhbgtd]

Yeah, I've tried meditating in a half-lotus position, trying to work up to being able to sit full lotus sometime in the future. I wasn't able to sit like that for very long and my knees hurt from doing it, so I didn't keep that up.

I have just recently started the 90-day program (I'm on day three hehehe). I did my relaxation, breath-awareness, and simple energy work sitting up, and I went into a good light trance. It felt as if my whole upper body became longer and stretched out. It happened after I had let my head drop (I would have fallen asleep if I was lying down) but the head dropping kept waking me up just enough. So I'm going to try this for a while. I will have to work at setting up a more strict time to do it, because right now I just do it whenever I feel like it.

On the point of being careful of mixing relaxation and meditation I understand your concern. But I think obe practice is simply a different kind of meditation. Especially if you are practicing trance, I consider that a form of meditation on its own. Breath awareness as well. Perhaps shinobi and yoda, you may be more experienced mediatators and know different techniques. Meditation for me is basically just following your breathing, trying to quiet the mind. If you have any interesting meditation suggestions as far as what the mind is doing I would love to hear them. Also, I am not familiar with the 7 Point Posture of Vairochana, seiza, and other postures with special names. If you could clarify this for me that would be great. Maybe theres a site on the internet with images of the postures?