Anytime an individual experiences the sensation of floating outside of their body, this is called an OBE or out of body experience. This is an experience that has been scientifically proven to occur and ordinarily happens when a person is very close to death.

The concept of perceiving your own body from a realm or sphere that is outside of your body is what is known as astral projection, which is also an out of body experience. This is not an occurrence that should be ignored or scoffed at. There have been too many different accounts by a variety of people that have experienced an OBE and were able to come back and tell people what was happening in the room around them as people worked to save them.

Astral travel used to be referred to as 'spirit walking.' It was in 1943 that the term out of body experience started being used to take away from the former more belief centered term. To this day scientists are still doing research on the phenomena, as they do not consider it to be a made up event.

This is due to the fact that the statistics back up the claims that out of body experiences do take place. Consider that one out of every ten people have experienced an out of body experience at some point I their life.

A person does not have to be near death to have an out of body experience. There are times that this can happen spontaneously. There are also times that an out of the body experience can be brought on by a mental or physical trauma. As well as when a person has used drugs or slipped into a coma.

Many people have learned how to have an out of body experience any time they want one. The natural ability to astral travel was well known among the Ancients but is a talent that has been lost throughout the generations. However, you can learn astral projection from a teacher or through a book or audio course. It is a matter of learning the correct technique and does not depend upon mental powers or spiritual development.

However, you do have to possess the ability to completely focus on just one point. If the conscious mind holds you back because it fears that if you project yourself from your body, you won't be able to come back. It is this subconscious fear that will prevent you from experiencing astral travel and projection.

You must develop the belief that it is possible for your astral body to safely leave your physical body. You must also believe that both bodies will be safe during the separation and your astral body will always be able to return. If you do harbor fear that you will die if your astral body separates or that it will get stuck in limbo, then it is probably not a good idea to delve into astral projection until your fear of the out of body experience has been resolved.

If you've silenced your mind and truly believe, you will have to use some meditation in addition to self hypnosis to successfully go through an out of body experience. Think positively, telling yourself that you truly want to complete an out of body experience or astral projection. Once you allow your mind to take over, you will find that you're very receptive to the idea of astral travel.

Set aside a time when you will not be disturbed. Stretch out and make yourself comfortable. Place your arms at your side. Take slow deep breaths and work on total relaxation of your physical body. When your physical body and mind are in a state of deep relaxation, your astral body can depart and explore new dimensions of reality that exist beyond your present mental and physical awareness. As it prepares to leave for an out of body experience, you will notice that your body begins to tingle. Don't fight this sensation, but encourage it. Ignore any conscious thoughts you may have and focus only on taking gentle deep breaths.

Typically an out of the body experience begins with the feelings of vibrations and an increased heart rate. Stay calm and breathe, let the vibrations embrace you. Avoid getting excited, just let them take over your body, you are soon going to experience your astral body leaving your for an astral journey.

Many people have developed the ability to astral travel. Some of them report that the out of body experience is cut short because of their fear of getting to far away from the physical body. Others report they visit other realms where they undergo experiences that are so real they are certain they are not dreaming. You can learn how to astral travel just like humans have done throughout history, it all starts with the belief that you can.