(I remember feeling a little light-headed, but chalked it up to fatigue and elevation.)

As I began to drift off, a strong, "upward" feeling hit me. It was sudden and powerful and felt like a high-speed, express elevator. I actually, physically felt this. I was so startled by this, I tried to grab onto the bed, but, to my horror, my hands went right through the mattress. The upward feeling lasted only a few seconds, and I remember keeping my eyes tightly closed and wondering if I were about to die. I thought of OBE's I had read about, and remember hoping that was what was happening. When the motion stopped, I tried to open my "eyes", and at first, thought I couldn't open them. I then realized that I was in a black void. There was nothing there. No sight or sound or feeling! I tried to call out, but had no voice, so I thought, very loudly and passionately, "GET ME OUT OF HERE"! I was more afraid than I had ever been.

At that point, I realized that panic would not help. I tried to get a grip and  take stock of the situation. OBE or death experience, I did not want to be in that place. I could not use physical senses, so I tried reaching out to mentally sense or feel. (I remember probing into that darkness and being so afraid of what I would find. Mentally, emotionally, I was crying and moaning.) When I reached out, a line of, what I can only describe as, cloud-like formations appeared all around me, but at a great distance. They gave off a faint light and each had a slightly different, pastel color. (They were actually nothing like clouds, that is the only way I can think to describe them.)

The moment I saw them I was there, with them, passing through them. It felt wonderful to have something to see and feel. It felt like air, and that was a great deal "more" than the void. I felt the colors, too, and that, I cannot describe. In the brief moment I was in the clouds, I was aware of a very simple truth. THE ANSWER to all the mysteries. I remember marveling at how simple IT was. Wondering how we never found this TRUTH before. Thinking "Oh yes, oh yes, now I understand, how simple".

The clouds brought me back to earth, so to speak. I heard my husband, outside the window, walking our dog and calling to him. I was sluggish and tingling all over and had a great deal of trouble coming all the way awake.   I shared the experience with my husband, he said I was dreaming. I know I wasn't.

On reflection, I know I went somewhere outside the physical plane, to a place where I had to learn to use my spiritual senses. It was frightening to be there and I never want to go back, but I did KNOW something wonderful while I was there. I wish I could remember. I also realized that if I had not been so frightened, I could have "seen" much more than the clouds.

I have tried to project since then, with only minimal success. A few experiences of the roar and humming vibration, then a lifting, starting at the feet. But I always jerk back. Hopefully, one day I will be able to overcome the fear and go again.

Any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience?     No, Had consumed large amount of coffee

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? No

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?           It felt as though I was fully awake.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   Only the very beginning.

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

I never saw what my appearance was outside my body.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            fear, panic, then exhilaration and peace.

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?           very loud, wind like roaring. I was startled and fearful.

Did you see a light?           Yes

cloud-like formations emitting light. I was relieved to see them.

Did you notice how your 5 senses were working, and if so, how were they different?          Yes

My senses did not work at all in the void until I probed and found the cloud-like formations. I saw and felt the clouds, and most unusual of all, I felt the colors of the clouds.

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, A simple truth I cannot remember now.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?             Yes

The cloud-like formations brought me back to my body.

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?         Yes

I have dreamt of my deceased father several times. He has given me specific guidance. I have heard him call my name. I have become more empathetic.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   No

I am no longer afraid of death. Although I can't remember the specific truth I became aware of out there, I do feel the nature of that truth, and I KNOW everything is good in the end. We're here for a reason, and we go on...

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?       I am in the process of doing an in-depth, eclectic study of spiritual things. I lead a meditation group, an eastern belief-system study group, and I have been attuned to Reiki. I have taken intuitive awareness classes from Mary Jo McCabe.

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

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes

Varied. Some believe I was dreaming, some want to try to do it.

What emotions did you experience following your experience?  Afterward, I was peaceful and reflective.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      Worst was the black void. Best was passing through the clouds and having that phenomenal awareness.

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?         Yes

I have tried to go out of body several times, but am too fearful to go all the way through with it.

Did the questions asked and information you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?               Yes