For countless centuries, an untold number of men and women have experienced a condition during which their spiritual selves are separated from their physical bodies, allowing them to then travel through different time and space dimensions. This remarkable phenomenon is known as the out of body experience, often abbreviated as OBE.
Characteristic of this experience are feelings of weightlessness and freedom from all physical limitations, as well as being able to see one’s physical body from a multi-dimensional outside point of view. This is also known as astral projection.
Those who report having out of body experiences usually do so immediately after going through a traumatic event (either physical, mental, emotional, or a combination of the three), an interaction with drugs, or after intentionally-inducing one through meditation and then a series of specific sequential steps.
Out of body experiences are different than dreams in that they are conscious states of awareness, often very vivid and unfolding in real time, whereas dreams are simply manifestations of the subconscious mind that may or may not seem real. Those who have had out of body experiences report feeling their senses heightened, and often that they possess other depths of awareness in addition to their physical senses.
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.
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.
It’s important to also note out of body experiences happen to people from all walks of life, all cultures, and all ages. Some are hesitant to say that they’ve had an out of body experience for fear of religious repercussions, but evidence of such experiences has been documented in religious scriptures throughout history, from various ancient Native American oral traditions to the Christian Bible.
Although most people who actively seek an OBE are at least somewhat open to new age thinking, the practice is actually a very old method used to find personal enlightenment and enrichment.
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.
Reports indicate that a vibrating feeling is common in out of body experiences, as is the feeling that the physical body suddenly becomes extremely heavy. Many think that these feelings indicate the separation of the soul or spiritual self from the physical body, thereby enabling the spirit to travel throughout 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.
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.
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.
