For hundreds of years, individuals have experienced a state in which their spiritual self, or soul, is freed from their physical body, allowing their spirit to then explore regions of time and space that differ from the plane their physical body is inhabiting. This state is called the out of body experience, sometimes abbreviated as OBE.

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.

People who report having an out of body experience usually have their experience immediately after living through one of three situations: a physically, mentally and/or emotionally traumatic event, an interaction with drugs, or an intentionally-induced state achieved through meditation and a sequence of specific steps.

Out of body experiences are distinctly not dream events; they differ in that they are conscious states of awareness, often quite vivid, that unfold in real time. Dreams are the concoctions of the subconscious mind and may or may not appear to be real. Individuals who have had out of body experiences typically say that during the state, their senses are heightened and they possess additional levels of awareness beyond their usual physical senses.

People who report out of body experiences feel as if their spirits or souls take on another form in addition to their physical bodies, and that this spirit – also called the astral body – is then free to visit different dimensions, different times, and to even encounter loved ones who have passed on to the other side.

It is easy to understand why so many people actively seek out an OBE. They may be searching for otherwise unknowable answers to questions such as ‘what will happen after I die?’ or ‘what is the size of the universe?’ Alternatively, they may simply want to reconnect with family or friends with whom they have unfinished business.

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.

Though mostly practiced by those open to new age thinking, seeking an out of body experience is in fact a very old tradition 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.

Many people report a feeling of vibration, or the physical body suddenly feeling very heavy, during an out of body experience. Many believe that these feelings are signals that the spiritual self is separating from the physical body, after which the spirit or astral body is free to travel in the astral plane.

Some people who are not familiar with the concept of the out of body experience fear that if their spiritual self separates from their physical body, it may not be able to re-unite. Experts suggest, however, that a permanent link exists between the spiritual and physical selves, and that this is particularly the case with people who are sufficiently self-aware to induce the state on purpose. Because it is not believed that the spirit can somehow become trapped outside the physical body, there is very little reason to fear having an out of body experience.

An OBE is more common than one might think. Out of body experiences have been a part of mankind’s life across a wide array of cultures for hundreds of years. Out of body experiences have long been thought of as being a means to increase self-understanding and to achieve greater enlightenment for the universe surrounding us.

If only we can calm our minds long enough to give our inner selves the freedom they strive for, we can enjoy opportunities for increased personal insight and advances in technology that otherwise lie beyond our physical consciousness. Through study and practice, anyone can begin to unlock his or her personal potential by starting down the path that leads to spiritual awakening. The path is before us, we have only to take the first step.

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