Astral projection is an ability which each and every person in the world is born with. Astral projecting is real; the difference between people who are able to astral project any time that they want and those who have difficulty with the technique is practice. Just like yoga and meditation, astral projection has a very long history. People have called astral projection by many different names over the centuries and there are also many different techniques which can help you to astral project.

Lucid dreaming is one type of astral projecting. Lucid dreaming is of course when we are conscious of our dreaming ? this is actually astral projecting. In order to lucid dream, all you need to do is to tell yourself 'I am dreaming' while in the dream.

Doing this lets you take the reins in your dreams ? but it takes a while to master this, making it not the best way for beginners to astral project.

You have astral projected before, perhaps many times. You may not have been aware that this is what you were doing, but one example is the dreams which you may wake up from remembering each and every detail. These were actually experiences of astral projection.

Being able to astral project all begins with knowing that this is something that you have the ability to do. Astral projecting is an inborn ability in all of us. You need to eliminate doubt from your mind; this can be keeping you from being able to astral project when you want.

Meditation and other relaxation techniques can help you start getting ready to astral project. Meditation is probably the best way to begin; look for a meditation technique which allows you to achieve the total relaxation needed to astral project.

Choose a room where you will not be distracted, have a comfortable place to sit and where you will be able to have peace and quiet. Free your mind of worrying thoughts ? you need to clear your mind of all thoughts in order to be able to astral project.

Now is the point where you need to reach an altered state of consciousness. You need to focus not only on your breathing but the way you are breathing. The breaths you take should come from deep down inside. As your breathing slows down, focus more and more on relaxing your body.

Starting from your toes, work upwards, relaxing every part of your body as you proceed. You can do this by either tensing then relaxing each part of your body or by moving up, visualizing each part of you relaxing as you go.

With each exhalation, you should feel the tension leaving your body. Once your body is completely and totally relaxed you will be ready to move onto the next stage necessary for you to successfully astral project.

By now, you?ll be so relaxed that you might be ready to doze off. However, you must not do this. Stay focused by repeating a phrase to yourself. You can repeat anything you want as your mantra. You could even use 'Dubuque, Iowa'. All that matters is that it works for you.

When are minds are unoccupied, they tend to wander ? this can spoil your concentration, making it impossible to astral project. Stay on track by repeating your phrase.

Repeating this phrase can help you to attain the altered state of consciousness which you need to astral project. Another way to reach this state is to use the 'body of light' technique, which involves visualizing yourself transforming into a body of light.

There are three things which you should look out for which will let you know that you have managed to astral project. First, you?ll feel as if you are moving - this is your astral body starting to depart on your journey. Next, you?ll see light and colors even though you?ll have your eyes closed. Finally, you will hear voices which will either tell you to stop or encourage you to continue. Once you hear these voices, you?ll know that you have begun to astral project.