Here's how I put myself to sleep.  I learned to do this way back when I was little and wanted to go to sleep on Christmas Eve.  I relaxed in a position that I knew I could sleep in, closed my eyes, and watched the back of my eyelids without trying to think about anything particular.  Eventually I would start to daydream, then I would allow it to fade into a deep dream and that was it.  I would surrender and be asleep.  These days I use the same method to fall asleep almost every night.  I have been ignoring it as a method for inducing altered state of consciousness, until just recently.  I thought, maybe I could use this method to induce things other than sleep.  So I set about doing it. 

I started with just paying attention to what I was doing exactly.  After establishing the above related method, I decided to try to become more aware of what I was 'sensing' as I went into the sleep state; or at least try.  So I go through the motions one night after getting this far and right as I start to daydream I realize what’s happening and snap out of it, but not before getting 'the feel' of it.  After a few more nights of this, (two or three times a night) I feel comfortable with it and can slide to the next, 'deeper,' phase of the process.  Here I found something exciting and potentially mind blowing to me. 

I got past day dreaming to where I saw something I assume my mind has randomly made up.  I also identify this with the hypnogogic stage of a natural sleep cycle.  In other words, I waited to see/experience something that I did not consciously invent.  As soon as this happened I was suddenly forced to focus on it HARD.  My attention hit it and it obliterated everything else.  Like looking at a 2D image that suddenly jumps into 4D.  I felt the slipping feeling of falling unconscious, but my intention was to stay aware throughout.  So I tried not to give in. 

But I couldn't stay with it.  Instead of falling asleep or being completely drawn in by the 4D image my focus radiated out like a pinpoint light opening up to a much larger diameter spotlight.  As this happened I felt a slamming vibration throughout my physical body and my physical sensation quickly faded and I felt motion.  I felt my awareness moving both forward and down (subjective to my perspective when lying down.)

Too excited, I 'woke up' and it was all gone.  What is awesome about this is the vibration feeling I got.  It’s the same as when I would spontaneously have an OBE before.  I think this is how I was doing it by accident, only now I am paying attention to how it’s happening!

What was really amazing was Bruce Moen’s technique of using your imagination.  I basically used my imagination to start randomly daydreaming.  I think I might want to shift gears and imagine some thing/place specifically and see what happens.

What do you think about all this?

I find it interesting that various people say looking at the back of their eyelids. When I see with my eyes closed, I figure the back of my eyelids don't have anything to do with it. I wonder if it can be limiting to believe that what one is seeing appears on the back of one's eyelids.

Hi Sulla,

That IS amazing.  What you describe sounds very familiar with my own techniques that have induced OBEs, lucid dreams, and clairvoyant visions.  I too suggest you get excited about something you are interested in trying and then set your intent for that while you are working your technique.  It's neat that you already know your technique well enough that you are now able to pay attention to the process and think consciously during it.  I'm sure you'll be having more experiences with it once you set an intention for something and then it begin to happen.  Remember to write down any and all thoughts and experiences so that you can see your progress.

Sulla,

Don't be pessimistic now...   

Those obsticals can work in your favor and just make you that much more anxious and willing to accomplish what you set your mind to!  Sometimes the anticipation gets built up so much that finally when the timing is right, you get an amazing experience you weren't expecting!  That's why they seem to happen when we aren't really trying or aren't expecting it.  I think experience takes whatever opportunity it can to find a way into our lives. 

I found a good quote that I keep thinking about..."Luck is just preparedness meeting opportunity". 

Vicky

Ah, well, what do you know? I figured it out after looking around a little more. Thanks for the posts.

Hi Vicky, I have several friends who report that vibrational state being something they have never been able to control. As if they opened the door and now it just won't close again. They are very nervous people to begin with so it must be incredibly exhausting for them. I think if I could get past that initial fear I could really make some progress, but it's like my body really wants me to believe I'm dying and it really weirds me out. I've read about some other techniques that don't rely on the vibrational state, but OBEs aren't so important to me these days as they were in my youth, but the retrievals and exploration sounds like something I could handle if I can reach that state on a regular basis. I'll keep working at it. I have a dog and it's hard to predict when the quiet time is going to be. Thanks for your posts.

Beau