What has contributed most to improving your results?
The daily practice of concentration on my breathing and relaxation with the Monroe Institute CDs, in particular “Relaxation Reinforcement” from the “Journeys Out of the Body” album. The latter enabled me to quickly reach the ideal state of consciousness by counting from 1 to 10 (Focus 10).
Do you have out-of-body experiences on a daily basis?
That’s a good question. We often wonder whether those who write on the subject frequently have such experiences. As far as I’m concerned, the answer is no. I’m one of those people who need to practice regularly to induce a release. While initial enthusiasm and the discovery of this unexplored universe multiplied my experiences, over time I’ve adopted a wiser approach, practicing according to periods and needs. Nonetheless, I do sometimes go on spontaneous outings.
What do you usually do during an OBE?
My first action is to get away from my physical body, then I venture out to explore. Most of the time, I like to let myself go wherever the wind takes me. But sometimes I have a specific goal for my outing.
What’s the most common feature of your outings?
As far as I’m concerned, there’s one phenomenon that accompanies most of my out-of-body experiences, and it’s also what confirms that I’m on an astral journey, and that’s the presence of a cool breeze on my face. To my knowledge, only Robert Bruce mentions this in his book Astral Dynamics.
Are you afraid you won’t be able to return to your physical body, or that an entity will take over?
As explained in this book, what we call out-of-body experience is actually a displacement of consciousness into other realities via different energy bodies. In no case is there an exit from the soul, and we don’t leave an empty shell behind. The connection with the physical body remains unbroken for as long as the latter is alive, making the phenomenon of possession impossible. The real challenge lies in remaining out-of-body for as long as possible.
What’s the difference between a lucid dream and an out-of-body experience?
The ideal way to savor the difference is to transform a lucid dream into an out-of-body experience. This is not a simple question to answer. In general, a lucid dream is characterized by the fact that we become aware of the phenomenon during the scenario, whereas in an OBE we experience the separation on reintegration into the physical body. Vision is also incomparable. In a lucid dream, the environment is extremely realistic and clear, even very colorful. During astral projection, on the other hand, vision is often blurred or even dark when you’re close to the physical body, and you have to readjust your consciousness. I’ve noticed a difference when interacting with protagonists. When you wake up in a dream world, the characters around you, with whom you were interacting, freeze like lifeless dolls, staring into space. During an OBE, encounters are completely different. They are entities in their own right, evolving with their own consciousness.
How have you benefited from out-of-body experiences?
The first thing, and this is common to all experiencers, is the confirmation of the existence of consciousness independent of the physical body. This offers a new perspective on life after death. As a result, daily life takes on a new flavor, and we naturally adopt a certain detachment from the events of life. Knowing that we are much more than a body of flesh and bones contributes to a striking and transformative awareness. Beyond that, we remain the same people, we don’t become great wisemen or great masters.
When is the best time to practice?
Personally, after waking up at night, between 4 and 5 am. In fact, this is the most common response when you ask people about their experience. Others will tell you at naptime, which is also true. However, the end of the night remains the ideal moment, as we’ve already had a good night’s rest and are ready to go back to sleep.
What’s the best position to induce dissociation?
Based on a large number of testimonials and my own personal experience, I don’t know of any one position that’s better than another. I’ve been able to project myself on my back, as well as lying on my side. Nor have I noticed any influence on geographical orientation.
How long does it take to complete an out-of-body experience?
The answer varies from person to person. Depending on age, gender, psychological conditioning, family, or professional life and so on. So many factors that we are all unequal when it comes to results. You may well experience an astral exit tonight, or it may take you a year. However, as a general rule, a person who practices seriously and on a daily basis will begin to witness changes within a week, particularly in their dreams and energetic sensations (such as small vibrations, for example). And, quite often, will experience an out-of-body experience after twenty to thirty days of practice. Note here that perseverance is one of the keys to success, and that the journey is as enriching as the destination.
What’s the most common mistake?
A mistake frequently made by practitioners is not allowing enough time for deep relaxation. It’s not simply a question of relaxing the body, but of reaching a trance-like state where the body is asleep but consciousness is awake. Superficial relaxation is insufficient for this kind of experience; it’s crucial to no longer be aware of your physical body. This is why I strongly recommend that you first master the ideal state of consciousness (ISC), which will make the following steps much easier.
Why do you do this type of experiment?
My interest in out-of-body experiences began at the age of 10, following an involuntary experience. It awakened in me the need to understand this phenomenon. My main motive, however, is a deep desire to discover who I am and where I come from, to explore the meaning of this life so that I can embrace it fully. Religious and spiritual texts are enriching but experiencing it for myself offers me a deeper understanding than just “knowing”; I prefer to “see” for myself.
What is your practice?
I usually get ready in the evening before going to bed. I relax and program myself for an out-of-body experience around 5 a.m. while reminding myself of my goal. Then I practice the “Wake Back To Bed” method, getting up 5 to 10 minutes before going back to bed. I lie on my back, using this position not only because I’m practicing in bed, but also to signal to my subconscious that the goal is not to sleep, but to achieve an astral exit. I count from 1 to 10 according to Robert Monroe’s relaxation method. This position makes it easier for me to stay awake. Then I practice a chakra-stimulation technique to focus my attention and improve my energy. Once I feel drowsy and energized, I repeat my affirmation “I’m out of the body now!” or “I’m leaving my body now!” until I fall asleep or reach vibrational state.
I’ve been trying for years and I still haven’t succeeded. Why?
Ask yourself several questions: are you reaching the ideal state of consciousness, where the body is asleep and the mind is awake? Do you practice regularly? Is your desire for an out-of-body experience a priority, or do you have other major concerns? It may be worth examining your fears, or changing your technique if you’ve been using the same one for a long time. Success depends on many factors, and it’s not always easy to create the optimum conditions. If you’re going through a period of fatigue or demotivation, consider starting with lucid dreaming, which represents a more accessible approach to inducing an out-of-body experience.
Can anyone have an out-of-body experience?
Theoretically, yes. However, some people seem more willing than others to succeed in these experiments. Interest in out-of-body experiences is already a good indicator. If only superficial or ephemeral attention is paid to this phenomenon, it is unlikely that significant results will be achieved. Personally, I believe that some people are specifically “called” to explore these states of consciousness, rather like a religious vocation. We are all destined to achieve different things during our lives on Earth, and for some, out-of-body experiences are an integral part of that.
I have aphantasia, but can I still have out-of-body experiences? And if so, do you think I’ll be able to distinguish the astral environment?
Aphantasia, for those who don’t know, is the inability to represent a mental image. That’s why I advise you to use techniques that don’t involve visualization, such as affirmations and internal movement. Once you’re out of the body, you’ll perceive the environment in the same way you perceive that of physical reality.
From The book : The Odyssey of the Soul