I've been trying most of my life and have never been able to reach these states

Hi there Dennis and happy new year. I think this is a great discussion to start, as many may be feeling the same way. Reaching deep trance states that allow the astral body to simply float out can be challenging. If I may, do you exercise your imaginative abilities often? Are you able to create working and realistic environments in your minds eye? I think this is the most important part of attaining trance, as you can place yourself virtually anywhere and begin a downward journey via stairs, softly falling, of anything way you like to move downward. This will intensely relax the body while bringing your awareness completely into your your third eye vision.

Continue to move downward with great focus until you are virtually unaware of your physical vessel. This is where the magic happens!
Happy trance Dennis. Please keep us all posted on your achievements here.

Im sharing a laugh here with myself having not seen the initial post!! lol To Katfish, yes, indeed your control over your brain wave states is all of thee above. If I may ask you to define any current life events that may be keeping the mind a bit more occupied than usual? Are you noticing a difference in your ability to focus in your yoga practice and meditations?

I also want to commend you for exercising your astral body via yoga and pranayama breathing. These are both excellent ways to energize your spiritual organs and astral being.

I would also like to recommend the "Week Four- Chakra Work" meditation to you, as a means of clearing out any disturbances in your being that may be hindering your focus and brainwave states.

Keep us posted here, and thanks for asking what many are also thinking.
Have a blessed new year.

-Joseph