Otherworld journey/meditation question...

[Tranquility]

Hey everyone, i have been meditating a lot lately, every night in fact for about 15-20 minutes. I have a few questions if you wouldn't mind..
1) For those of you who have visited the otherworld, and/or have high meditation skills.. what should i start with, should i do meditation exercises, like trying to visualize stuff in my head after seeing it, and then after a while meditating? Or should i just proceed with what i am doing, meditate each night.. when i do it each night, should i be trying to see somethign? OR should i let my mind picture whatever comes into it?
Thanks! this would reallllllyy help

THis is also in new pagans.. Thanks!

[Flar's Freyja]

I would just continue to do what you're doing, and don't stress about visualizing, etc. If you focus on visualizing and it doesn't happen, you're likely to feel frustrated. These things will naturally come when you've had some meditation practice. So, yes, just let whatever comes in, come in and the rest will take care of itself.

[Tranquility]

Alright, thanks freyja, i knew i was trying way too hard

[Tranquility]

I have realized one of the more blatant but important facts thats i have been missing, i am only slipping into a deeper state of consciouness sometimes, maybe for 30 secs-1 minute per meditation, sometimes not at all, this is when i drown out the "real world"... Will i just be able to slip into this state easier and quicker with just more practice relaxing and letting my mind be open to any thoughts like i am now practicing?
Thanks!

[Flar's Freyja]

Hmm, I can't answer that for you because I'm not sure. Those states seem to come for me spontaneously - I can make an effort to get there and sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't. There are times that if I'm not feeling well or too stressed I can't meditate at all. But when it does happen, it's always pretty powerful :)

I do find that I have more success when I ritualize the process; for instance, taking a ritual bath first and setting up an altar. These things help me focus and shift into the state necessary to open myself to deeper meditation.