The Herb sandwich method, you say. And you've never really broken through? But this current experience mentions contact with an entity--sounds very close to a break through, at least.
I'd suggest the herb sandwich may not be the best method (well, I don't know you and certainly can't say what may or may not suit you best). But you are mixing spice with something else--something which does not potentiate effects. I knew a couple who claimed they loved spice, smoked it all the time. Their method involved rolling a bit of it up in a spliff...I asked them about effects. These nice kids had no idea, they spoke of a mildly psychedelic good time, nothing mind blowing at all.
A small bed of herbs may work better, or even ashes, but the sandwich method just seems like you are burning to much herb with that spice. Only a theory.
Oh and try and use paragraph breaks.
"Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods." Albert Einstein
I appreciate your perspective.