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.

Assuming that you already know what astral projection is and what it's basically about, the following techniques may help you assume control over your own astral projection ability so that you can harness the magnificent power of this amazing experience to deepen your awareness of your place in this vast, vast universe.

First I offer you a five step method that works for many people learning to astral project.

*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.

*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.

*After several of these breathes, begin thinking of how your body feels, which should be like a heavy slab of clay and difficult to move. Once you sense that you feel this way, shift your attention into your astral body, which is weightless and free, nothing like your physical body. Close your eyes and envision your astral Self, a feather in the wind, or a luminous bird.

*In this fourth stage that most people will be capable of seeing the room they?re in even though their physical eyes are shut and most also testify that there appears to be a purple glow filling the room. For a beginner, experiencing this for the first time can be nothing short of exhilarating and is in itself, good enough motivation to continue.

*Continue concentrating on the light fitting and then mentally, slowly start to pull it towards yourself on the bed. At this point you should start feeling as if you?re starting to float. At this point it?s tantamount that you do not allow yourself to fall asleep because by now you should be absolutely aware that you?re floating and in all likelihood, it may well be possible to turn around and see your physical body still lying on the bed.

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.

Once you?re lying on your bed, concentrate on the object you?ve chosen. Continue focusing until your eyes become heavier and heavier, until if feels as though you cannot keep them open. No matter how hard you try, they are going to close and when they do, be sure to keep staring at the object, even through your closed eyes. After doing this for some time, you?ll experience the desire to get up off the bed or at least, to sit up. Be warned, if it?s your first projection, standing up and turning around can be an alarming experience as you see your own body lying on the bed.

You may need to practice these methods several times over before you start getting results, so the important thing is to never give up. If you let yourself grow frustrated or anxious this will only interfere with your ability astral project.

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).

There do exist some shortcuts to becoming able to consciously astral project for those who might not have the patience to try over and over until they get it right. These should enable you to astral project on just your first attempt or second.

Hypnosis can be used to make your subconscious mind more welcoming of the fact of astral projection. A rightly trained hypnotist can also descriptively guide your mind through the process of the steps to astral projection so you don't have to be distracted with such worries.

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.

Once again, astral projection is actually not difficult–it's a natural capability born into you. You just need to use the right tools to get it done, and then you can astraly travel the cosmos!