For centuries, human beings have experienced a state in which their spiritual body is freed from their physical body, and thus, able to explore the outermost regions of space and time. This is called the out of body experience, or, OBE for short.
Some of the characteristics of this experience, sometimes called astral projection, include feelings of weightlessness, a sense of being free from physical limitations, and being able to look at one’s own physical body from a multi-dimensional, external point of view.
Individuals who discuss their out of body experiences typically indicate that these occasions occur immediately after a traumatic event (physical, emotional, mental or a combination of the three), after having an experience with drugs, or after self-inducing the state through meditation followed by undertaking a series of specific steps in the proper sequence.
Out of body experiences are not dreams; these experiences are conscious states of awareness that unfold in real time and often are very vivid. Dreams are merely manifestations created by the subconscious mind and may or may not seem real to the person experiencing them. People who have had out of body experiences often report that they have heightened senses as well as other levels of awareness in addition to the physical senses they normally possess.
Those who report having out of body experiences say they feel as though their spirits or souls assume a form that is separate from their physical bodies. This separate spirit or soul, sometimes called the astral body, is then able to travel to different dimensions, including different regions and different times. Sometimes they even encounter the spirits of loved ones who have passed away and are now on the other side.
This makes it easy to see why many men and women actively strive for an out of body experience. These people may be looking for answers to overarching questions like ‘what happens when we die?’ or ‘how large is the universe?’ Others may simply want to reconnect with friends or relatives whom they miss or with whom they have business that is as yet unfinished.
People from all stations in life, from all cultures and of all ages, have out of body experiences. It is important to note this, because some people hesitate for religious reasons to say they have had an OBE. Their fears of religious repercussions are unfounded: tales of these experiences exist throughout history and are are included in various religious scriptures, from old Native American oral traditions to and including the Bible.
Although most people who actively try to have an out of body experience are new age thinkers, the practice actually is an ancient way to strive for personal enlightenment and betterment.
It is somewhat surprising to learn just how frequently people report having out of body experiences: approximately one out of every 15 individuals experiences some type of OBE. People have out of body experiences under almost any circumstances, from something as relaxing as sleeping to being in the middle of stressful or violent situations such as accidents or imminent accidents. The explanation for this wide range of situations is simply that people are different and respond differently under various circumstances.
Common to many reports of out of body experience is the feeling of vibration, or the physical self suddenly becoming very heavy. Many believe this feeling is actually the separation of the spiritual self from the physical self in order for the former to then pursue its travels along the astral plane.
Some who are new to the concept of out of body experience may fear that if the spiritual self separates in this way, it then runs the risk of not being able to reenter. Experts suggest that the physical and the spiritual selves are permanently linked, however, and that this is especially the case for those self-aware enough to purposefully induce a state of separation in the first place. For this reason, it is not believed that one can become trapped outside his or her physical body, and therefore there is no reason to fear exploring.
Having an out of body experience is more common that one might think, and has been a part of human life across the cultural spectrum for centuries. It has long been considered a method for gaining personal understanding and enlightenment for the world and universe that surrounds us.
Opportunities for growth not only in personal insight, but technological advancement lie beyond our physical consciousness as well if only we will quiet our minds long enough to allow our true inner selves the freedom they so fundamentally crave. Through personal study and practice, one can begin the process of unlocking his or her own personal potential and spiritual awakening — the path is there, and we have only to take the first step.
Tags: astral projection, astral travel, out of body, out of body experience, out of body experiences