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.

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 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.

Individuals who report their out of body experiences also say that their spirits or souls seem to take on another form, a form that is in addition to, and separate from, their physical bodies. This separate spirit, sometimes called the astral body, is then free to travel to different dimensions of space and time, and free even to encounter the spirits of deceased loved ones inhabiting 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.

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.

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.