OBE: Out of Body Experience (beliefs, recall, advent, Article)

[YmirGF]

This is a subject that has fascinated me for many years. Good ol’ Wiki outlines OBE’s in the following article. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out_of_body_experience

As indicated, there are other terms for this: Astral Projection, Remove Viewing, etc.

I have had a tiny bit of experience in this area. Strangely, upon my very first experience I immediately labelled it as an “Astral Projection”. I had heard of the term prior to that first time “out”, but I certainly did not understand what the term actually meant. That experience had an unusual cartoon-ish aspect, visually and from a sensory standpoint.

The first time I encountered an OBE in meditation, I was quite startled. I didn’t expect it in the slightest and was quite thrilled at the accomplishment. Consciously leaving ones body is perhaps the most radical thing one can do, imho. (And no, I cannot do this at will, as it were. In fact, I have not even figured out why some meditations extend into this area and the vast majority do not.

My second encounter with the OBE phenomena was during what I now understand to be Lucid Dreaming. This is dreaming where one comes to full consciousness while WITHIN the dream environs. I became aware of what I loosely refer to as a dream “double”. What I mean is this is an optimized version of my physical body that is not constrained by physical reality. A dream body or dream self, if you like.

It will come as no shock that I found the writing of Carlos Casteneda to be immensely helpful to my young mind. Don Juan often spoke to Carlos about using his “double” to try to conceive the Tonal and Nagual. (A difficult concept to grasp, at least, for me.)

In any event, I am essentially a curious being, by nature and so I ask:

Have any of you experienced this phenomenon?
Would any of you be inclined to share your adventures?

I might discuss some of my own if there is interest in the thread; otherwise I will keep my cards close to my chest. Any thoughts?

[Nehustan]

I think that a good departure point for this thread might be the subject of ASC (Altered States of Consciousness) whether by 'drum, dance, drink, or drug', maybe delving into the realm of more wholesome meditative activity for attaining ASC also. There is a term coined by Mircea Eliade i think which is quite interesting; 'magical flight'. I think if we are to consider OBE we could do worse than debate ASC as at least complimentary.

[Feathers in Hair]

True, though debating it is better left to the other section, I think.

Since Astral Travel is an OBE that the 'user' causes, I'm not sure if my experiences count in this area. But if we are couting AT as OBE...

Have any of you experienced this phenomenon?

Yes.

Would any of you be inclined to share your adventures?

Sure! I'd have to write it down, though. I'm making another trip tonight, so I'll share my thoughts after that.

[YmirGF]

Originally Posted by Nehustan

...maybe delving into the realm of more wholesome meditative activity for attaining ASC also. There is a term coined by Mircea Eliade i think which is quite interesting; 'magical flight'. I think if we are to consider OBE we could do worse than debate ASC as at least complimentary.

More wholesome? LOL. What exactly is there to debate? One either experiences "ASC" or they do not.

As a seasoned vet, to me at least, the thoughts of those who have not experienced "ASC" are of little interest or value. If you are suggesting a discussion between experienced people, not a debate, about various methods of achieving "ASC", I would be quite willing to enter those discussions. A debate? Sorry, not interested.

Likewise, for those who have not experienced the phenomena of OBE's, their input is also of little consequence. One may as well ask a blind person directions to a part of their city that they are unfamiliar.

Originally Posted by FeathersinHair

Since Astral Travel is an OBE that the 'user' causes, I'm not sure if my experiences count in this area. But if we are couting AT as OBE... Yes.

Sure! I'd have to write it down, though. I'm making another trip tonight, so I'll share my thoughts after that.

I would be thrilled to see what you come up with Feathers? Rock on, Ma'am.

[Nehustan]

Originally Posted by YmirGF

More wholesome? LOL. What exactly is there to debate? One either experiences "ASC" or they do not.

As a seasoned vet, to me at least, the thoughts of those who have not experienced "ASC" are of little interest or value. If you are suggesting a discussion between experienced people, not a debate, about various methods of achieving "ASC", I would be quite willing to enter those discussions. A debate? Sorry, not interested.

Likewise, for those who have not experienced the phenomena of OBE's, their input is also of little consequence. One may as well ask a blind person directions to a part of their city that they are unfamiliar.

I would be thrilled to see what you come up with Feathers? Rock on, Ma'am.

Debate and discussion are synonymous for me. Just because people are prepared to turn debates into arguments with little knowledge shouldn't debase the word. Myself I have oft 'projected' and had at least one very memorable OBE after a weekend of solid ASC

[Feathers in Hair]

Ooops, I do apologize, then. *blushes* We have a few people that try to use the discussion area to question others' beliefs (as opposed to the debate area), so I'm sorry that I had that knee-jerk reaction. I should've been reading for context. (Again, I'm sorry!)

[Nehustan]

The OBE I recall most distinctly, and not actually as intended 'magical flight' was in a girlfriends house. She is from old families, and her dead father had been an Archaeologist. I lay down on a sofabed in their 'library' and as I sat up I appeared to still be in the room, but my 'clay' was still lying on the bed. I perceived my 'self' as a separate entity to my clay, and as I looked around the room which appeared 'grey' I noted that the books had light coming from them, as did other objects. Stood at the end of the bed were two 'people' who beckoned me to lie back into my clay, I did as I was told then sat bolt up into my normal reality. During the whole event I had managed to give a running commentary to my girlfriend who looked a little perturbed. Thats the most vivid OBE I can recount.

[YmirGF]

That is quite valid Nehustan. We can get into altered states another day LOL. Although this is definitely an "ASC", I wanted to explore this a bit, alas... no one else bit. Thanks for replying Feathers and Nehustan.

My point in bringing this up, OBE's, is I feel they are more common than most people believe.