Astral projection is in fact a natural ability which everyone possesses, with many people actually doing it without being aware of it. However, the aim should be to do it while you?re conscious thereby being able to control what your astral body is doing.

While this article is an attempt to help people learn about astral projection using different techniques, you should keep in mind that astral projection is a personal experience so ideally, you need to apply a technique that works best for yourself. Furthermore, we?re taking the liberty of assuming that you are already familiar with the meaning of astral projection.

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 priority is to achieve a state of deep relaxation by relaxing your body thoroughly. In order to achieve this state of relaxation you need to be lying down. Your goal here is, starting at the lowest point which is your toes, to tense each muscle and then relax it again. Once you?ve worked through your toes, you do the same with you feet, and so you move upwards until you eventually finish with the muscles in your face. Don?t be alarmed if you sense a feeling that your body is heavy as this is perfectly normal.

*Okay, hopefully you will have achieved a state of deep relaxation, so now you need to control your breathing with slow deep breaths by following a method which has proven to be very popular in meditation. Breathe in deep but slowly and allow yourself to actually feel the air moving into you as it makes its way into your lungs. Now breath out slowly, once again paying attention to the air leaving your body. This is the bit many people find hard due to the extreme relaxation which results. Instead, they simply fall asleep which is of course, the last thing you want to be doing. Focusing on the centre of your forehead will in most cases, help you to remain conscious.

*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.

*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 is a simple, intense technique called the Gazing Method. All you'll need is an object of your choice to focus on. It must be a physical object that you can look at with your eyes, but otherwise it can be just about anything you choose. A favorite picture, a crystal or gemstone, a scented oil burner…just something of interest to you.

Lying on your bed, simply begin focusing all your attention on the object you?ve chosen for the occasion. After a while your eyes will begin getting heavy and no matter how hard you try, they are going to close but what?s important is that you continue staring at the object even though your eyes are closed. Following soon after will be a strong urge to sit up or to stand up and it?s when you do this that you will see your physical body left behind on the bed. This is what you?ve been aiming for so try not to be alarmed.

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.

The truth is that your biggest obstacle to success with astral projection is your very own subconscious, which at first will likely try to guard you against the 'danger ' of your astral body splitting off from your physical body. You can overcome this block with daily affirmations. Just keep them positive and present tense, and acknowledge that you possess the natural ability of astral projection.

For some, conditioning one?s mind to an extent where astral projection becomes easy can take considerable time but the good news is, there are some powerful short cuts which can make it possible even after one attempt.

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.

A form of sound technology known as ?binaural beats? has recently become a topic of great excitement thanks to its ability of being highly effective at helping one achieve a state of relaxation which is essential for astral projection.

Astral project is certainly not difficult, at least not as difficult as many would like you to believe. Don?t forget, its natural ability and something with which we?re all gifted. The methods which have been mentioned in this article are only guides as are any other methods you may come across. Their sole purpose is merely to offer beginners some assistance.