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Have You Had An Out Of Body Experience?
By Chief Procrastinator | March 4, 2010
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.
Sometimes known as astral projection; feelings of weightlessness, freedom from physical limitations and a sense of being able to see one’s own physical body from a multi-dimensional, external perspective are typical of these experiences.
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 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.
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.
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.
Surprisingly, individuals report traveling outside of their physical bodies with some degree of frequency: about one out of every 15 people has experienced some sort of out of body experience. Such experiences happen to people in almost any situation as well, from sleeping or relaxing to being in the midst of a violent situation such as an accident or a pending accident. The rationale for such a wide spectrum of causality is simply, people are different, and thus respond differently to various situations.
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 people who are unfamiliar with the OBE concept may be afraid that if the spiritual self separates from the physical body in this way, it may not be able to re-enter the physical body. Experts on the subject suggest, however, that there is a permanent link between a person’s spiritual and physical selves, and that this is especially true for individuals who are sufficiently self-aware to purposefully induce a state of separation. It is not believed that one’s spiritual self can be be trapped outside the physical body, so there is no reason to be afraid to explore the possibilities.
Out of body experiences are more common than you might think. They have been a part of the human experience for hundreds of years and in a variety of different cultures. Having an out of body experience has long been thought to be a way to achieve self-understanding and a means of achieving greater enlightenment for the world around us.
Opportunities for growth are before us. If only we can quiet our minds long enough to permit our spiritual selves the freedom they crave, we can grow in personal insight and advance technology in areas that are far beyond our physical consciousness. Personal study and practice is the path that leads us through the process of unlocking our personal potential and spiritual awakening. That path is before us. We need only take the first step.
Topics: Positive Attitude |
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