The next thing I knew was I was looking down on the Alps and I was doing somersaults in the air.  It was a beautiful feeling of serenity and freedom.

I then felt myself descend and I was then stood in a garden, on old wooden cottage with some people in the garden looking at me.  They seemed to know me but the dress was really old so I knew I had gone back in time.

I looked up at the house and I ran upstairs.  I was furious and panicking at the same time.  As I burst into one of the bedrooms there was a young girl in there and an older man.  I started shouting at him in French.  I don't speak French but it was natural to be speaking it there.  The girls ran out and the man was apologizing and agreeing with me.  One of the feelings was that I said she is too young!  With that, I started flying again back up in the night sky.  I felt my guide was still with me.  I started to descend again and this time I was stood on the grass, a cottage to my left and countryside and a hill to my right.  As I stared ahead, I saw a woman walking towards me in Victorian dress.  I panicked and wanted to run but I didn't.  I tried not to look at her face as she turned off up the hill.  I felt I was being encouraged to walk past the cottage but I was frozen in fear.  I don't know what it was but I knew I didn't want to see what was around the corner.  I heard a soft reassuring voice behind me, my guide, telling me it was ok and that it would be alright.  I knew that past the cottage on the left was a large lake surrounded by trees.  I said "No, I'm not ready" and with that I felt a bump and woke up lying in the same position but I was wide eyed and confused.  I know I had an OBE and felt there were messages attached but I have not gone back to see what was behind the cottage.

 What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?          I felt like I was fully conscious but things happened very quickly.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   No, my dreams are usually complete fantasy, not like reality at all and jump from one thing to the other.  This experience had a feel of total reality like the breeze on my face, seeing the town exactly how it was with moving cars and hearing laughter, car horns.  My dreams are never like that.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     Yes     I felt the separation as it happened, like I was being sucked upwards, my arms falling behind me and my hair falling back.  I then had no fear (I'm very scared of heights) and floated like air.  I felt like someone was holding my hand while I was experiencing the freedom of total effortlessness.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            Serenity, freedom, complete love and protection.

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?           Yes, I could hear things going on around me as though I was actually awake and standing there in my physical body.

 Did you see a light?          Yes     When I started going into the OBE, I always see a warm reddish orange glow coming from behind me on the right.  If I turn to look it just moves when I move.  When I was younger the light used to be bright electric blue and I was petrified.

Did you meet or see any other beings?           Yes     I felt a presence with me all the time, talking to me but not using words, more like telepathy, although I did not see it as a physical being.
 
Did you notice how your 5 senses were working, and if so, how were they different?          Yes     I was acutely aware of the telepathy communication which is the first time I have experienced it.

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   Yes     On both occasions I actually went back in time, even to another country.  Speaking fluent French when I can't speak the language was very interesting.

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?    Yes     I felt I was going to do some good.  I was taken for a reason to perhaps stop bad things that were about to happen, although I chickened out on the second one.

 Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?         Yes     I know it sounds strange but I am interested in healing more now.  I have a certain sixth sense that has come in handy a couple of times and I have made people aware of things that could have been potentially life threatening.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes     Total belief in spiritual presence.  I now feel someone with me constantly.  I have had experiences since where I feel I have been very protected.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?       Other people are more aware of my feelings about what has happened and I have become more aware of feelings, ailments, moods and esp with my family.  For example, phoning someone at the point they are phoning me, saying something that has popped into my head that someone is thinking and being able to be supportive and help my family and friends on a spiritual level.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?         Yes     I decided to take the path of Counseling as I feel the events I have experienced made me want to help people.  Working with bereavement etc also seems right (an are I never wanted to Counsel in) as I have a much better understanding of my spiritual beliefs, allowing me to be stronger for others and not doubting the existence of another plane.

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes     Most people think I am weird which is ok because unless you experience it, it just sounds like a strange dream.  Some of my friends and family are intrigued and want to know more, others dismiss it completely.

What emotions did you experience following your experience?  I was very confused and still a little scared about the second incident.  I still remember it like it happened yesterday.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      The best part was feeling spiritually connected and knowing we are hear for the bigger picture, the worst is not trusting.  I wish I could try it again.

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?        I have had many other experiences, some more scary and more paranormal.  Some experiences are normal journey's but people always seem to know me wherever I go.

 Did the questions asked and information you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?               Uncertain      It is hard to paint a picture of an experience that touches your life so much.  I was able to explain the events but I am still uncertain what people will make of it.