1. As of now, no progress on a meditation induced OOBE. Some theories on why this may be:
(1) Duration. It simply requires a very long session in order to induce. The theory here would state session length must be increased to reach the OOBE. Even with this young body, it is hard to sit upright for more than 1 hour. Even lying down in bed motionless for over 90 minutes is difficult.
(2) Vibrational state. Monroe writes that through relaxing deeply, he induces what he calls a "vibrational state" in which he can feel oscillating waves spreading throughout the body. I have not experienced this. Though I have experienced a "tingling" or other sensations I would be just as willing to attribute these to imagination. The theory here would state that persistent practice would eventually result in the "vibrational state" leading to further progress.
(3) Need for a "first" OOBE. Many of the accounts I read of these OOB writers describe an initial first experience which was not anticipated; in many cases it came as a total accident or surprise. After this, OOBEs occurred at regular intervals whether desired or not. If this is the case the theory would follow that a first OOB experience must be provoked in some way through much effort and trial and error, and that the experience would naturally follow in further attempts from there.
(4) The "phase 2" of sleep theory. I mentioned this one earlier. As of now this is the one I am leaning furthest towards. This is mostly a product of my many long hours of meditation with no extraordinary experiences. It just seems there is some nuance about consciousness or the like that I am missing. But, further investigation is required.
(5) Attention level. One of the OOB writers I read mentioned there is a "happy medium" required for the attention to induce the OOBE. He said it is neither a state of complete focus nor one of daydreaming sleepiness. There is a state in between these that, when maintained, results in the OOBE. If there is anything to this this theory would likely state I am too attentive, and the concentration should wander for it to work. Not sure about this one and it contradicts all the traditional experience I have had with meditation.
2. Only two entries worth recounting from the dream log.
4/29 Dreamed about standing up, walking out of bed, and writing an entry in the dream log. A "false awakening."
5/2 An interesting one here. Happened to drink quite a lot of fluid before sleeping. Usually go to the bathroom before trying to sleep to avoid having to wake up in the middle of the night. I did so, however my bladder awoke me around 2 or 3 AM to use the bathroom anyway. Went back to sleep; used it as an opportunity for what OOB writers call a "wake back to bed." However, I was unable to stay motionless on my back. I was extremely agitated and restless trying to maintain a straight position on my back. I recall rolling onto my side, the body slightly curved in this posture that way. This was easier to maintain.
From here I have a memory of me raising my hand up and away from my physical hand. I then have a brief memory of moving slightly forward into the room. The reason I recount this as perhaps not being a dream was the sense of doing this in my normal consciousness. Perception and understanding were present in what I remember (these two factors are absent in dreams). At this point (it was only a very brief few moments) I paused and attempted to comprehend what was happening. This invoked thinking. Upon this the experience ended.
The experience above may entirely have been a dream; I do not know. I made a note of it in the log either way.
