After much fussing and experimenting and doubting and "struggling," the answer was, of course, here all along.
GVG with copper mesh pad, 28mg.
My first few attempts, sandwich method. Got a GVG but didn't read the thread clearly enough, wasn't directing the flame directly downwards with the torch.
I finally figured it out. It really, really works.
I was always trying to "breakthrough." This got me into trouble. Since my first extraction on New Years Eve, I tried and I tried. A variety of experiences, but I'm realizing most were just too much, could barely remember a flash.
Took three weeks off, attempted to launch multiple times but kept coming back here, reading the "Why you should NOT take DMT" thread (invaluable really), and deciding it wasn't the time. I knew it would feel right when it was right, and it did.
I asked for as gentle an experience as possible. I repeated "let go" as many times as I could muster before being taken away. After one smooth vapor hit, I held my breath and counted to 15. As I couldn't feel my exhale, I knew clearly the launch had begun.
Went back to the orange caramel cathedral. I'd been there before, but last time the left half of my vision was consumed by the famed hypercube, flashing with a feline-like face intermixed with a meta question mark, a symbol impossible yet universal.
It was slow, it was gentle. The cube was decipherable to the point I could SEE it and remember it enough without being completely shocked at it's existence. I kept saying thank you. A feminine presence confronted me as I traveled through a short cosmic hallway to the right, the cube staying in my left side vision. She communicated without words that she was pleased to see me back, and even happier I had "figured things out a bit."
I couldn't help but think "this is amazing, I will be able to actually remember and tell a close friend about this."
The territory got more treacherous when I questioned if I could be a "liason" between this world and "theirs." As I saw a figure reminiscent of the Sistine Chapel stretching out to the left above me, a visual representation of what I was asking, I was hit with a slight shock.
"No, you know that isn't possible. Don't worry, I know you know that already, it was well intentioned. But, no.
At that, I was back. I said a few more quick thank yous. You can't force the experience, you can't ever know what to expect. However, I knew in my gut the time was right, when it hadn't been every night the three weeks prior.
Thank you so much to everyone in this community that helped me get to this point. Proper technique with the GVG, torch lighter, and a 25-30 mg dose (FOR ME) gave me the "breakthrough" I had been hoping for all along.
Much love to everyone you beautiful voyagers!