Almost instantly I was drawn out of my body. I can only describe this as resulting from a huge 'pull' upwards, like something was being sucked from all over my body. I found myself just above my body and at first I kept my eyes shut as I was so terrified. I felt very light-headed, almost dizzy and sick. I tried to plead to be let back to my body, though I'm not sure who exactly I was pleading with... there seemed to be people there, though I did not see anybody. However, in trying to plead I realized that I could barely open my mouth, let alone speak. It was a bit like someone who has had a bad stroke, who can only open their mouth and slur. I sat up at one point and opened my eyes, and saw my body underneath me (I was 'floating' just above).

Sitting up made me feel sick and a lot more frightened, so I lay back again. I continued my attempts to plead to go back, aware that otherwise I would be shown things I wasn't ready to see (don't know what). Then I suddenly returned to my body really fast, almost with a thud. I was fully awake and aware at this point, though I could not move my limbs or move my mouth... my whole body was temporarily paralyzed and I felt hot and heavy. As soon as I could move (possibly around 20 seconds later?), I got out of bed and looked in the mirror. My face was red as I was so hot, from all the energy I had felt. I felt rather shaky, but went downstairs and made a cup of tea. I didn't tell anybody about my experience, particularly as my family are not religious at all and I didn't think they would understand. I was also confused myself and it was the most frightening thing of my life, so I didn't want to talk about it. Later, I confided in my closest friends about my experience.

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

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? Yes

It is hard to explain things beyond normal comprehension... for example, I myself cannot understand how I could sense during the OBE that I could not speak and that I could feel my physical mouth, yet I was not in my physical body.

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?           I was awake but drowsy at first (when it began to happen). However, I quickly became fully alert as the experience was so frightening.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   No. It was all too real!!

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     Yes

I wasn't particularly aware of my appearance apart from my body... I just know that 'I' (my soul) had left my body. There was nothing physical about it.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            Fear. Panic.

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?           Not that I remember

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?    No

Did you see a light?           No

Did you meet or see any other beings?           Uncertain

I know other 'beings' were there by sensing their presence... someone was making me have this experience. However, I didn't see anyone.

Did you experiment while out of the body or in another, altered state? NoDid 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?          Uncertain

I could open my eyes and see things... (separate from the physical eyes of my body). I could also feel things, such as the energy around me. As for other senses, I don't recall using them.

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   No

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?    Yes

Well I have special knowledge in that my experience doesn't happen to everyone, and most people rely on their intellect to decide on these matters, often resulting in a cynical/ skeptical conclusion. I now KNOW that I have a separate soul from my physical body, and I KNOW there is another realm.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?             No

Did you become aware of future events?       No

Were you involved in or aware of a decision regarding your return to the body?       Yes

Even though I could not use my mouth properly to form speech, I was aware that whoever was controlling my experience let me go back because I was scared. I was also aware that if I had not resisted, my experience would have shown me things of the 'spirit world'... however, this prospect was too frightening for me to want to do it.

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?         Yes

I occasionally have premonitions... can be as simple as what is on the news the next day, or predicting the time and duration of a power cut. My granddad was a medium (though I only found out after his death) and a different medium told me when I was 21 that I had 'spiritual leanings' and that my 'gifts' for medium ship would develop as I got older.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes

I have been interested in spiritual matters since I was about 21, when I first visited a medium for a reading. However, I was never a person of blind faith or acceptance and always kept an open mind. Like most people, I always had some doubts. My experience proved things to me that I couldn't otherwise have known for definite... such a strong first-hand experience of my soul leaving my body cannot be denied.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?       I am slowly becoming more drawn towards religion and I definitely pray a lot more than I used to. Other areas of my life haven't really changed.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?         No

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes

I have told 5 people in total. Most hardly said anything as they didn't know what to say. A couple were very interested but said they couldn't imagine what it was like. I don't think anyone was influenced by my experience.

What emotions did you experience following your experience?  Relief. I also felt like I had been put in my place... in the past if I ever tried to express cynicism over this kind of thing, I would start to go light-headed and feel all this energy (i.e. beginning sensations of OBE). However, I used to just get up and walk away and do something else, and the sensations stopped. I felt like this time, I had been shown once and for all that there is no room for doubt.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      The best was the knowledge I gained about the separate existence of a soul and knowing there is life beyond the physical.