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.

While we will try to help people learn how to astral project using various methods, one should remember, astral projection is a personal experience so you really need to choose a method that works best for yourself. Also, this article is based on the assumption that you are already familiar with what astral projection is.

First we?ll look at a simple five step process which is a simple technique people can use when they go to bed.

*Your first goal is to initiate a state of adequate relaxation by relaxing your entire body. In order to reach this state of relaxation you need to be lying down and then, starting at the lowest point which is your toes, tense each muscle and then relax it again. Once you?ve finished doing this with your toes, you do it with you feet, then your lower legs, then your thighs and so you continue upwards until you eventually finish with the muscles in your face. If at this point you feel your body is becoming heavy, do be alarmed at all as this is exactly what should be happening.

*Now that you?ve managed to achieve a state of deep relaxation, you need to bring your breathing under control and the best way to do this, is by following a technique often taught in meditation. Take deep breath and allow yourself to actually feel the movement of air as it makes its way into your lungs. Now exhale slowly, once again paying attention to the feeling of the air leaving your body. Many people find this difficult as they become so relaxed, they simply fall asleep which of course, is something you need to avoid. Mentally trying to focus on the centre of your forehead will however help you remain conscious.

*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.

*A large percentage of people attempting to astral project claim that in this stage, they see the whole room they?re lying in, in spite of the fact that their eyes are closed. Additionally, in most cases it seems, people claim that there appears to be purple light, or at least, a purple glow filling the room. If you?ve reached this point then the next thing you need to focus on the light fitting in the centre of the ceiling.

*Envision yourself pulling the drawing imagine that you are pulling the ceiling light into you. As you're doing this you might well get the sensation that you're floating. If you feel this, you can likely look 'down ' at your own physical body lying still on the bed.

This means you're now able to astral project and are prepared to move on to astral travel. But, if that one doesn't work for you, try the next technique, which is also to be used when you're going to bed for the night.

This second tactic is known as the gazing technique and as with the technique discussed above it should also be done when you go to your bed. As the name implies, all you need with this method is an object to gaze at, be it a picture hanging up, the moon if it?s visible through the window or even some form of pendant such as a crystal.

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.

If these two techniques don?t work the first time you try them, then try again. If after the third time you fail to astral project, perhaps you need to try one of the other techniques. What?s important is that you don?t give up. Becoming despondent increases anxiety and this will only hamper your efforts rather than increase your chances.

Astral projection is often hindered or even prevented simply because your subconscious mind refuses to allow it and until such time that your subconscious accepts the fact that its okay for your astral body to leave your physical body you may not be successful. An effective tool for getting past this obstacle is through affirmations which will enable your subconscious to come to terms with the aspect of astral projection.

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.

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.

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, 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.