Experience description:

My First Out-of-Body Experience

This is a recount of my first out-of-body experience (OBE). It occurred in the summer of 1994, when I was a teenager living with my parents.

Background:

For many years, I had held an interest in esoteric knowledge. While browsing books at the local library, one caught my eye: 'Journeys Out of the Body' by Robert Monroe. I borrowed it, read it thoroughly, and decided to attempt an out-of-body (astral projection) experience. It took three months of dedicated effort before I achieved my breakthrough. I kept a journal of my attempts, but unfortunately, it has been lost for years, so this account is a reconstruction from memory.

OBE Induction:

It was mid-summer 1994. I went to bed around 10 PM and proceeded to induce deep, progressive relaxation. I quickly reached the 'vibratory state.' In this state, one feels mechanical and electric-like vibrations throughout the body, a tingling sensation from head to toe. These vibrations respond to attention and can be moved by concentrating on different parts of the body. I had reached this stage in previous attempts, but this time, it felt significantly deeper.

I proceeded to try a series of exit techniques. The first was to visualize a rope hanging from the ceiling above my bed and then to imagine climbing the rope with my non-physical hands. After a minute of this, I felt completely disconnected from my body and light. However, I wasn't fully out. I decided to imagine my body swinging side to side, and I began to feel a moving sensation, but still without complete disconnection from my physical body.

Next, I attempted to 'roll' out of bed with my non-physical body. As soon as I conceived this action, I heard a very loud sound next to my head, precisely like someone ripping apart a large cardboard box. The sound was so sudden and intense that it startled me, and I immediately felt reconnected to my physical body. I relaxed and restarted the induction, repeating the exact sequence: climbing the rope and swinging my body. When I reached the 'roll out' attempt, I was met with sounds again, but this time, I was prepared. The first sound was a tinnitus-like high-frequency tone that steadily increased in frequency and volume. The next sound was a distinct ripping and popping, like a plastic wrap (cellophane) barrier being broken. I had the sensation of beginning to roll out of bed, so real that I thought my physical body was moving.

Then, I realized I was on my hands and knees on the floor next to my bed. I examined the carpet and felt strangely light. The room, which had been pitch black, was now illuminated with a strange, slightly blue light. The light was diffuse, casting no shadows, and I could see clearly in all directions. I stood up and turned to look at my bed. I saw my physical body lying there, and at that moment, I fully understood that I had achieved an out-of-body state.

OBE Experience:

I decided to leave my bedroom and explore. Upon reaching the door, I tried to open it, but I couldn't manipulate the handle. So, I decided to try passing through it. As soon as I intended to do so, I began moving through the door, seeing the layers of wood as I passed. Strangely, I could also smell and taste the wood. In retrospect, the experience should have been shocking, but I didn't think much of it while out of my body. I proceeded down the hallway and passed through the sliding glass door to the backyard. I stood on the grass and looked around, feeling no cold or other sensations of the outside world.

I had the thought to ask if I could see my 'guide(s),' if I had any. I voiced this aloud: 'Show me my guide.' Immediately, a clear voice whispered behind my left ear, 'Open your eyes.' Startled, I turned and saw what could only be described as a portal opening.

Entity Interaction:

It began as an oval-shaped, two-dimensional, purple and white spiraling vortex, approximately seven feet tall and four feet wide, about twenty feet away from me. A humanoid figure made of white mist began emerging from the vortex. It stepped out and stood in front of the portal. The entity was male/masculine; I don't know how I knew, but I am fully convinced of it. He resembled the Michelin Tire Man, but made of white mist. He was about six to seven feet tall, and I couldn't see his face or eyes, only mist where his head should have been. He didn't speak.

I moved towards him until I was about an arm's length away. Then, I sensed that it was alright to embrace him. I extended my arms in a hug, and he reciprocated. The instant I embraced him, I was overcome with the most intense feelings I have ever experienced.

It's difficult to describe; words cannot capture the emotions, but I will do my best. It was as if I knew everything was going to be okay, that I was safe, and a huge weight was lifted from me. I felt at home and cried in relief, a cry unlike any other, a cry of total surrender in the safety of a caring Father/Angel/Guide/God-like figure. An emotional release so profound that it exceeded what is possible in the human body.  It was a cry of all the worries of every entity in the universe being released.  It was total, complete, flooring and grounding.  This description is not capable of capturing one trillionth of the intensity and completeness involved.

My consciousness flickered, alternating between embracing the entity and having visions of other worlds.

The worlds I visited were hyper-modern, with floating sky cities, yet they evoked a strange nostalgia for the past, particularly for 1800s technology. I have a clear vision of being on a floating catwalk/bridge high in the clouds, leading to a hut/house. I opened the door and found a single room with a simple wooden chair, a simple wooden desk, and an old 1890s-style telephone on the wall. The phone buzzed/rang, and I answered it, holding the earpiece to my head and speaking into the wall-mounted microphone. I had the feeling I was connected to a busy, modern call center. A female voice asked if I would like a guide assigned to me. I said yes. The voice paused, as if she were busy, like looking through a list, then said, 'Ahh… yes, we can put you with Lisa.' I had the feeling the call was over, so I hung up.

My consciousness flickered back to the mist entity. I was no longer hugging him. I was standing about six feet away, and he was slowly backing into the spiraling purple and white portal behind him. I had the distinct feeling that I could not follow him. I then had a falling sensation and was immediately slammed back into my physical body. I instantly sat up in bed, completely excited, shocked, and bewildered. I spent the next 30 minutes journaling the experience.

Afterward:

In my estimation, the out-of-body experience lasted about 10-15 minutes, but there were moments of non-linear time (timelessness), particularly when embracing the entity and visiting the strange worlds induced by that.

This was my first experience of many more to come over the next 30 years. I still have experiences today and understand much more about the process and the places one can go. The more you explore, the bigger it becomes, and the less it seems that you really know. I will likely write up more of my experiences in the future.

Any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience?      No     

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words?          Yes    There was a part of the experience (when interacting with an entity) that I attempted to describe.  It's difficult because the intensity and completeness of the feelings are not possible to describe with words or symbols.  It's more of an inner knowing that is not translatable or possible to relate to normal human experience.  So we don't have words to describe it.

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event? No     

What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?    High - Nearly the same as normal waking for most of the experience.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?  Mostly very real

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?   Yes    I saw myself lying in bed.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?          Mostly normal until an interaction with an entity which resulted in intense indescribable feelings of emotional release.

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?         the sound of plastic and cardboard ripping upon separation from my body, voices and communication with entities.

LOCATION DESCRIPTION:  Did you recognize any familiar locations or any locations from familiar religious teachings or encounter any locations inhabited by incredible or amazing creatures?         Yes    no famous locations, I observed the inside and outside of my house, interacted with an entity that plunged me into another world.

Did you see a light?        No     

Did you meet or see any other beings?         Yes    A humanoid figure made of white mist began emerging from the vortex. It stepped out and stood in front of the portal. The entity was male/masculine.  He resembled the Michelin Tire Man, but made of white mist. He was about six to seven feet tall, and I couldn't see his face or eyes, only mist where his head should have been.  I did not have a distinct idea that I knew this entity.  There was no direct communication, but there was a interaction involving emotional release (see my write-up on it)

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?          No     

Did you notice how your 5 senses were working, and if so, how were they different? Yes    I could see and feel, when passing thought physical objects (a door) I could see, feel, smell and taste the composition of the door.

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?  Yes          moments of timelessness when interacting with an entity (see write-up)

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?         Yes    A sense of indescribable knowledge when embracing an entity (see write-up)

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?           Yes    I witnessed a portal opening: oval-shaped, two-dimensional, purple and white spiraling vortex, approximately seven feet tall and four feet wide.  An entity came out of it, I did not pass through the portal.

Did you become aware of future events?      No     

Were you involved in or aware of a decision regarding your return to the body?          No      Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?            Uncertain     possible ease in inducing the OBE state consciously.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?     Yes    a full belief in reality beyond the physical.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?   I have kept the experience for myself.  Not many other changes.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience? Uncertain     Not externally, but internally, it has provided me comfort to know that this physical life is not the end.

Have you shared this experience with others?       No          What emotions did you experience following your experience? amazement, excitement

What was the best and worst part of your experience?          Best: The interaction with the entity, complete emotional release, a feeling of safety, being home.