There are many people who astral project without being aware that they doing so and this is because astral projection is a natural ability which all people have. What we need to learn is how to do it while we?re conscious so that we have control over it.

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 engaging in astral projection. If you know which methods work best for you, you can know the powerful experience that is astral projection.

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

*Starting down at your toes, tense each muscle and then relax it again. Once you repeated this with all your toes, repeat the same exercise with your feet by first tensing them and then relaxing them. You need to continue doing as you continue working your way up your body until you finally finish with your facial muscles. Obviously, this is best done while laying down on your bed and the purpose of doing it is to induce a deep state of relaxation.

*Now you will slow down and deepen your breathing as they do in meditation practices. Consciously breathe in deeply and slowly and focus your attention upon the way the air feels as it comes into your lungs and descends into your diaphragm. Now exhale slowly and deeply, focusing your complete attention upon the air leaving your lungs, your nostrils, your mouth. But if you feel yourself drifting off to sleep, focus your attention on the middle of your forehead instead as you breathe.

*This is the stage where you?ll need to be aware of two things in particular, the first being the way your physical body feels and the second being your astral body. Your physical body should feel heavy, comparative to a mass of wet sand which is heavy and difficult to move. Now focus on your astral body, imagining it?s similar to feathers or soapy bubbles drifting on a delicate breeze. Concentrate on the sheer weightlessness of your astral body and its ability to float away. Unlike your physical body which is heavy, your astral body is completely weightless.

*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.

*As a beginner, it?s this fifth phase that?s been your number one goal. You need to continue now because after all, you have made it this far. Whatever you do, don?t allow yourself to drift off to sleep. Now, focus all your attention on the ceiling light fitting and mentally try to pull it towards yourself the bed. As you do this, you?ll start to experience a feeling as though you are floating. Remain conscious and continue pulling the light closer until you actually feel yourself starting to float. Now, it is time for you to experience the rewards of your efforts so turn around and look down. You?ll be able to see your physical body lying peacefully on the bed below.

Well done! You?ve achieved the state of astral projection and are now able to begin with your astral travels. If in the unlikely event that this technique does not work, then go ahead and try this next technique.

This second method is commonly known as the gazing technique, which just as with the first method, is also best done when going to bed. The main difference is, with the gazing method, all you require is an object on which you can focus such as a picture hanging on the wall, the moon outside if it?s within view, or in fact anything you choose.

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?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.

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).

Being able to astral project after the on the first attempt is simply not possible for some people as their mind needs to be conditioned. Fortunately there are some very powerful tools which can do this for you in a very short space of time.

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.

In recent times it has come to light that a form of sound technology known as ?binaural beats? is also highly effective at inducing a state of relaxation which is suitable for astral projection.

Remember, astral projection is not mystical or just something for a select few. It's one of your innate abilities–all you need to do is use the right techniques to master it!