Astral projection is often thought of as "mystical", but in fact just about everyone has the ability. In fact, lots of people experience astral projection unaware. So the trick sit is to have control over it and do with it what you want to do.

Let's assume that you are already familiar with the astral plane and you know what astral projection is. The purpose of what follows is to tell you about a few different ways of how to astral project. If you know which methods work best for you, you can know the powerful experience that is astral projection.

The primary method of understanding how to astral project, is a straightforward process consisting of five basic steps which can be done while lying down on your bed.

*While lying there, completely relax your body so that you enter a deep state of relaxation. Lie on your back and start tensing then relaxing every muscle in your toes and feet. Work your way upward through your body from your toes to your head. You might feel discomfort or heaviness the first times you try this; but this is normal because you just aren't used to feeling so relaxed.

*Second � Focus on your breathing. Take deep, slow breaths and concentrate on the feeling of the air filling your lungs. Exhale slowly, visualizing your tension and stress leaving your body each time you exhale.

*Third � Focus on the relaxed, heavy way your physical body feels. It probably feels like a heavy lump of clay or a slab of stone. Now turn your focus to the way that your astral body feels weightless and able to float free of your physical body. Imagine your astral body drifting upwards from the bed.

*Fourth � Now you may have the experience of being able to see perfectly well in your darkened room which should now be illuminated by a purple light � even though your eyes are closed! Turn your attention to the light which is coming from your ceiling.

*Envision yourself pulling the drawing imagine that you are pulling the ceiling light into you. As you're doing this you might well get the sensation that you're floating. If you feel this, you can likely look "down" at your own physical body lying still on the bed.

At this point you are now astral projecting and your astral body is free to begin traveling the astral plane. If you aren't able to successfully astral project using this technique, you can try the following method.

You can do this one, known as the Gazing Method, when you're hitting the hay for night as well. You'll need an object to focus on: the moon through your window or skylight, a lava lamp, even just a nightlight; whatever can hold your attention.

Simply begin focusing all your attention on the object you�ve chosen for the occasion while you are lying down on your bed. Inevitably your eyes will soon start to feel increasingly heavy and irrespective of how hard you try, your eyes will eventually close. This is a perfectly normal part of the process so don�t feel disheartened but instead, you must make sure that you continue staring at the object through your closed eyes. Providing you do this, you will soon start to sense an irresistible urge to sit up or to stand up. Don�t fight this urge as the feeling is coming from your astral body rather than your physical body. You�ll soon realize this though as because when you turn around, you�ll be able to see your physical body lying on the bed.

If you aren't immediately successful with these techniques, don't give up. There are other ways to astral project, though any technique can take some practice. Be persistent and you will learn how to astral project before too long.

You see, no matter what methodologies you attempt with astral projection or any new spiritual discipline, it's your own subconscious mind which is the main obstacle. Your subconscious mind must feel like it's perfectly alright for the astral body to temporarily depart from the physical body. To this end you can do some affirmations for several minutes every day to re-program the subconscious mind. Remember that all affirmations must be stated in the positive and they cannot be lies. (I.E. do not talk as if you have already astral projected; talk as if you have made the decision to astral project and you know it's perfectly natural to do so).

Plenty of techniques can help you learn how to astral travel; you'll find the right one for you with a little practice and possibly some trial and error.

Hypnosis is perhaps the most powerful tool available as it gets you into an ideal state relaxation. Additionally, a really good session will also enable you to grasp and accept the principles of astral projection when you experience it.

Recent advancements in sound technology have brought to light, a concept known as 'binaural beats'which are also proving to be very useful in helping people achieve a state of deep relaxation which is essential for successful astral projection.

Once again, astral projection is actually not difficult–it's a natural capability born into you. You just need to use the right tools to get it done, and then you can astrally travel the cosmos!