Out of Body Experiences and Psychic Development
Out of Body Experience
An out of body experience (OBE) is the experience of leaving the body and floating above it, in a state of lucid dreaming. It may occur right before a person falls asleep or during a near-death experience. OBE’s create a sensation of consciousness leaving the body and can be brought on by traumatic and near-death experiences. Typically people describe the feeling of their awareness being inside their body. However, in an OBE, it would appear that they are outside of their body.
Some people describe the experience as a feeling of floating out of the body, an altered state of perception of the world, and a feeling of looking back at the body from above. The experience can be very real and sometimes frightening. They can happen spontaneously and usually do not last very long.
Near-Death Experience
OBE’s can be the result of a near-death experience that occurs. It can be seen as the body’s way of coping with a traumatic event or physical stress, in an effort to protect the body. However, there are many who recounts waking up with a new sense of awareness and even an awakening of psychic abilities.
Astral Projection
Astral projection differs from an OBE in that it usually involves the intention to project consciousness outside of the body. It usually involves the desire to go to some spiritual plane or alternate dimension. It has not been acknowledged in any scientific way but many in spiritual circles speak of this ability to project consciousness beyond physical place and time.
Scientific View
In the scientific and medical communities, an OBE may be associated with a form of disassociation that is sometimes called a depersonalization-derealization disorder. It may also be linked to stress, traumatic events, epilepsy, cardiac arrest, brain injuries, and migraines.
It has also been hypothesized that OBE’s are a form of hallucination that may be brought upon by events, or even medication or drug usage. Some people recount having an OBE as the result of being under anesthesia, as well as substances such as marijuana, ketamine, and LSD.
Other possible scientific explanations have ranged from a side effect of sleep paralysis to the results of hypnosis, dehydration, brain stimulation, electric shock, and sensory deprivation.
Research on Out of Body Experiences
Many studies have been conducted over the years to prove and further understand OBE. These studies do not speak of astral projection or associate it with any spiritual practice.
A 2014 study involved a woman who claimed that she could leave the body at will. Researchers at the University of Ottawa observed the brain activity of the 24-year-old woman. She claimed that she was able to do this in childhood when she was bored during nap time at daycare. A brain scan was conducted during one such self-induced OBE and it was shown that the regions of the brain usually associated with imagining or hallucinating were not engaged, which left the researchers with many questions.
Many cardiac arrest survivors claim to be able to recount things that occurred during the time of the arrest. One study involved several hospitals placing shelves with photos or objects that could only be viewed from above in areas where resuscitation may occur. The patients were interviewed and claimed to have awareness during the resuscitation, and several could identify the photos and objects that were planted for viewing from the ceiling only.
Out of Body Experience Research Foundation is devoted solely to researching and recording experiences of OBE and suggest possible reasons for this phenomenon.
A Psychic Perspective
Out of body experiences, such as astral projection may be viewed as a spiritual experience where an individual may connect with other realms, whether in dream states or while fully conscious. It may feel like a real lived experience where consciousness may travel to places, people, and events, whether past or present and even allow for you to connect with the god of your heart or god consciousness.
In Trance mediumship, an individual will learn to willingly leave the body, with a certain level of control. This is for many reasons, such as for the healing of the self and others.
While developing psychic awareness through practices such as meditation, the use of psychic tools, reading, and healing practice, it is common to reach points where you feel as if you are going out of the body, or fall unconscious. Going unconscious is different from falling asleep in that there are parts of your awareness that are still taking in information, even if it may appear that everything is cloudy.
Although it can feel frustrating or invalidating to not be able to see or seemingly stay awake during classes, meditations, and readings, it may be viewed as a sign that you are taking a step up in your growth. A “growth period” may involve pockets of unconscious energy moving through your space, that create a disconnect between you and your clairvoyance.
One way to manage these dense energies is by attending reading and healing spaces, where you may run your energy, use your tools, and blow pictures. You may also ask for an energy check from a peer or teacher within the school.
If you want to explore psychic tools, meditation, and psychic development, sign up for our Clairvoyant Meditation Free Open House to learn about course offerings or book a psychic reading or spiritual healing through The Psychic School.
