Ive been meditating for a while now and whilst i always find it totally relaxing ive had a couple of instances recently that make me wonder if im progressing to some sort of medative state. The first instance was during a visulisation during meditation all of a sudden i felt as if i was travelling rather quickly down a dark tunnel, whilst experiancing this i was aware of stars all around me, like looking at a star leaden sky and being transported rapidly, never having experianced anything out of the ordinary during meditation i found this quite spooky and opened my eyes for a second, the feeling left me, even though it was spooky it was a great experiance but one ive not managed to recreate again. On other occasions after meditating for between 30-40mins and completing my visualisation i end the session without any sort of experiance except a feeling of relaxation. Then afterwards i get a strong feeling of tingling a sensation that seems to run down from my neck to the bottom of my spine, i just get a strong feeling sometimes certain family members that have passed are close by, the last couple of times ive had the urge to look around but have been afraid as im convinced im actually going to see something like a vision of one of my parents, this hasnt happened but the tingling sensation can be strong and last for up to 5 mins. Ive never thought im getting anything out of meditation except relaxation, am i starting to get a bit more than im realising? If so is there a next step or do i just carry on my normal meditations? Sometimes i can go weeks with nothing at all then start to think theres maybe nothing going on after all. Any opinions would be most welcome, thanks.

                                            Best Wishes
                                                  Big C.

The tingling sensation from the bottom of the spine upward is also common in people who take the drug DMT. DMT is produced by the pineal gland. Many believe the pineal gland is the third eye. Sounds like progress to me.

Also, DMT takes people to other worlds. The experience on DMT is pretty much always positive. I haven't taken enough to enter another world, but I did hear a voice that kept telling me to relax and not to worry or something like that. It kept repeating it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKOO-VB_yts

I also get that tingling.  I don't need to meditate to get it, but can have it happen then...i have had it since I can remember.  It is usually how I know I am connected to a higher level of "spirit".   when it does  happen I pay attention cuz something important is usually happening.    I am not on hallucenigenics {okay, you spell it!, LOL} You are more likely feeling your spirit guide{s}, who will feel like family to you cuz they have been with you more and love you  unconditionally.  

I also understand that fear.  Let's look at the worse case scenario.  You are meditating, surrounded with white light, you are clearing your mind and trying to raise your consciousness..so you can be a better and happier human being.  You feel spirits around you...they feel good...full of love...you open your eyes and see them...they look back at you with love...they communicate that love to you.  Not so scary, huh?  I know it's easy for me to tell you this than it is to do it...but trust yourself...you are definately making progress.  
Nothing worthwhile is achieved  in a day and there is no set formula for achieving spiritual enlightenment.  you are your own rule in this...what is happening  for you is exactly right...for you.  
There are exercises you can do to help you along with the  meditation.  Honestly I haven't checked out  all the classes on this site, but I am sure there is one to help you.  Someone more experienced with  the site will be sure to help you.

The star episode sounds to me like an out of body experience...It is all overwhelming and scary at times, but once you get past the fear, amazingly beautiful.  

Bless you on your journey!