The process of astral projection is a natural ability with which everyone is born. In fact, many people actually do it without even being aware of it. Our aim however should be to astral project while we?re physically conscious, thus allowing ourselves to control what your astral body is doing.

It should be mentioned that this article will attempt to present different techniques for those wanting to learn astral projection, based on the assumption that you already know what astral projection is. Also, as every person is different and astral projection is a personal experience, you?ll need to opt for a technique which you find works best for yourself.

The primary method is a straightforward process consisting of five basic steps which can be done while lying down on your 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.

*Next, focus your attention on your breathing; just observe your breathing as a cat watches a mouse, without 'judging ' your breathing. Inhale deeply and slowly and observe the process of the air going into your lungs, your diaphragm. Exhale deeply and slowly, again just observing. You should feel yourself becoming extremely relaxed, but do not allow yourself to drift off into sleep. If you feel that happening, shift your attention to your forehead (your 'second sight ' seat). Do this several times.

*This third step focuses on the weightlessness of one?s astral body together with the weight of the physical body. Now that your physical body feels heavy, try to imagine it as being a large piece of lead, heavy and difficult to move in any way. Likewise, focus on just how light your astral body feels, comparable to a large bubble which wants to float away one the slightest hint of a breeze, or some feathers blowing away in the wind. With eyes closed, see your astral self starting to drift away, feeling the complete weightlessness of space. Yes, while your physical body may be heavy and difficult to move, your astral body has no weight at all, free to drift on the wind.

*At this stage is when you may be able to 'see in infrared ', able to make out everything in the dark room in exquisite detail. The room may seem bathed in violet light. If you reach this stage, look up and focus your attention on a light upon or covering the ceiling.

*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.

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.

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.

Once you?re comfortable on your bed, begin focusing on the object of your choice. You need to continue focusing, without becoming distracted and looking away, until your eyes start feeling heavy. In reality, no matter how hard you try, your eyes will eventually close and when this happens, you need to continue focusing on the object. Before long you?ll experience a powerful urge to either stand up or to sit up. If this is your first successful projection, standing up and turning around can be a frightening experience for some, given that you?ll see your own body lying on the bed.

These methods, like anything else, will probably require you to practice them over and over for a little while until you get results. So don't give up and don't let yourself become frustrated or discouraged as these feelings will just inhibit you from doing astral projection.

It should also be said now that one?s subconscious mind is perhaps the single biggest hurdle in your road to successful astral projection, irrespective what techniques or tools you decide to employ. In order for you to be able to successfully astral project, your subconscious mind has to be convinced that it?s perfectly acceptable and natural for your astral body to leave your physical body. A highly effective tool available for doing this is by means of affirmations. Once your subconscious has adjusted and learnt to accept the concept, astral projection is very easy.

For those who are impatient and are concerned they may grow frustrated too easily with these practices, there are some shortcuts to use to get you astral projecting on one of your very first attempts.

One of the shortcuts is hypnosis. A good hypnotist can tell you what you are experiencing as you enter into the right state of mind, so you don't have to worry about what you 'should ' be experiencing.

Audio technology has now developed 'binaural beats ' which you can use to deeply relax and open up your subconscious mind to new spiritual experiences.

Remember, everyone is born with the ability to astral project. All the various techniques and tools such as hypnosis simply offer a little help for those who are experiencing difficulty.