Astral projection is not really the mysterious or mystic thing it's usually made out to be–it's a natural human capability. Numerous people have astral projection or astral travel experiences but don't realize it because they aren't in control of where they go or what they do.

While this article is an attempt to help people learn about astral projection using different techniques, you should keep in mind that astral projection is a personal experience so ideally, you need to apply a technique that works best for yourself. Furthermore, we?re taking the liberty of assuming that you are already familiar with the meaning of astral projection.

Firstly, we?ll look at a simple 5 point method which is a technique people can use when they go to bed.

*Commencing with your toes, tense up and then relax each muscle. Once you?ve completed doing this with your toes, do the same tense and relax exercise with your feet, followed by the muscles in your lower legs and so on. You need to repeat this exercise on every muscle and part of your body as you work your way up, finally finishing with your facial muscles. It goes without saying that this is best done while lying down on your bed. The fundamental purpose of doing these exercises is to bring about a state of deep and absolute relaxation.

*Okay, hopefully you will have achieved a state of deep relaxation, so now you need to control your breathing with slow deep breaths by following a method which has proven to be very popular in meditation. Breathe in deep but slowly and allow yourself to actually feel the air moving into you as it makes its way into your lungs. Now breath out slowly, once again paying attention to the air leaving your body. This is the bit many people find hard due to the extreme relaxation which results. Instead, they simply fall asleep which is of course, the last thing you want to be doing. Focusing on the centre of your forehead will in most cases, help you to remain conscious.

*Next, shift your attention to how your body is feeling–it should seem to you like some heavy slab of wet clay. If you feel this way, close your eyes and visualize your astral self, the weightless self, floating like a butterfly in a breeze, a bird just drifting on a thermal.

*It?s now in this fourth stage that many people tend to see the room they?re in filled with a soft purple light. Likewise, they tens to see the entire room even though their physical body is lying on the bed with eyes closed. It?s hardly surprising then that so many people report that this is where the thrill of astral projection starts.

*Concentrating on the ceiling light you should mentally start trying to pull it towards you and before long, in all likelihood, you?ll more than likely start feeling as if you?re floating. Whatever you do, do not allow yourself to fall asleep at this point because by now you should be fully aware that you?re floating and in many cases, you may also be able to see your physical body lying on the bed below.

As I mentioned earlier in this article, different techniques work for different people. If this first method has failed you, don?t give up. Simply move on and try the next method mentioned below. Likewise, if this method has worked then you?re on your way to start experimenting astral travelling.

Known as the gazing technique, this second method is also best done when going to bed. However, with the gazing method, all you require is something on which you can focus such as a picture or even the moon outside if it?s within view.

Lying on your bed, simply begin focusing all your attention on the object you?ve chosen for the occasion. After a while your eyes will begin getting heavy and no matter how hard you try, they are going to close but what?s important is that you continue staring at the object even though your eyes are closed. Following soon after will be a strong urge to sit up or to stand up and it?s when you do this that you will see your physical body left behind on the bed. This is what you?ve been aiming for so try not to be alarmed.

If you?re really serious about learning to astral project, you need to understand that these methods aren?t always successful on your first attempt. In all likelihood you may not even be successful with your second or third attempt either but if after that they still don?t work, don?t give up because there are still other techniques so simply try again using a new method.

Astral projection is often obstructed or even prevented because your subconscious mind won?t allow. Until your subconscious acknowledges the fact that it?s a natural process for your astral body to leave your physical body, astral projection may not be possible. For beginners who are experiencing this mental block, affirmations can be highly effective at enabling your subconscious to accept the concept of astral projection.

Many people still find that conditioning their mind to an extent where astral projection becomes easy can take considerable time but the truth is, there are some incredibly efficient short cuts which can make it possible even after one attempt.

For those who experience difficulty astral projecting, hypnosis may well prove to be an invaluable tool. Not only does it get you into an ideal state of relaxation, but a quality session will also prepare you for your first astral projection experience.

Recent developments in sound technology known as ?binaural beats? are also proving to be very effective in getting people into a state of relaxation suitable for successful astral projection.

Everybody is born with the natural ability to astral project. Techniques and tools such as affirmations and hypnosis simply offer a little assistance to those who struggling to learn.