Ever had a moment when you’re floating outside your body, watching yourself from above? That’s an out-of-body experience (OBE).
People have reported OBEs for centuries, often experiencing them during meditation, near-death experiences (NDEs), or at the precipice of sleep. Spiritual tribes would call it “the soul leaving the body,” while many scientific communities tend to call it “a trick of the brain.”
So, which is it? And more importantly, can you have one on purpose?
Yes, according to astral projection expert Jade Shaw, who has experienced it herself.
“When I saw myself separate from my physical body, I realized I’m not limited to it,” she describes her first OBE. “And if I’m not limited to my physical body, maybe there are other areas of my life that I’m not limited to either.”
OBEs, as she points out, will change how you think about reality.
What is an out-of-body experience?
The “out-of-body experience” meaning is exactly what it sounds like: the feeling of floating outside your physical body, often with heightened awareness.
Some people report watching themselves from above, moving through walls, or even traveling to other locations.
So, what’s really happening during an experience?
In her exclusive Mindvalley program, The Art of Astral Projection, Jade explains that OBEs don’t just happen—they emerge from altered states of consciousness. And, she adds, “You can springboard from a dream, a shamanic journey, or any kind of meditation into an out-of-body experience.”
The science and spirituality of OBE
Science classifies OBEs as neurological events, while spiritual traditions see them as the doorway to spiritual transcendence and higher consciousness.
Either way, they’ve been happening for centuries, to skeptics and believers alike.
The scientific perspective
Neuroscience tends to chalk OBEs up to how the brain processes sensory input. Instead of the body “glitching,” many would describe it as more about the brain interpreting sensory information in unusual ways.
In one study, researchers zapped the right temporoparietal junction (TPJ) of a patient’s brain and—boom—instant out-of-body sensation was detected. The person later reported floating and watching themselves from above during the experience, proving the role that the TPJ plays during an OBE.
Meanwhile, another study recorded a surge of brain activity right before a person’s death, similar to what happens in dreams and memory recall. That might paint a closer picture of why so many NDEs come with full-blown OBEs.
So, there’s no way of knowing what the experience looks like to the people undergoing it. But one thing’s for sure: the experience of stepping out of your body leaves a measurable footprint in the brain.
Spiritual approach
If you ask most pursuers of spirituality, an OBE isn’t just some weird brain blip. It’s a doorway to something bigger and quite often the bedrock of spiritual growth.
Tibetan Buddhists and shamans have practiced techniques for intentionally leaving the body to access higher wisdom for centuries. And the ancient Egyptians? “They would carve instructions of out-of-body experiences into the rock faces of temple walls,” says Jade.
And these traditions aren’t the only ones to believe that OBEs are real and normal. Ninety percent of 60 cultures worldwide recognize them as real, with nearly half actually practicing them.
Whether a brain phenomenon or a portal to another dimension, one thing’s for certain: OBEs are a shared human experience across cultures and history.
Perhaps there’s solace in Professor Dumbledore’s words to Harry Potter during the latter’s own OBE: “Just because it’s in your head doesn’t mean it’s not real.”
OBE vs. astral projection: Key differences
OBEs and astral projection get lumped together all the time, but they’re not exactly the same thing. Think of them as cousins instead of twins.
An OBE is typically spontaneous. When it happens, you’re suddenly hovering above yourself. It’s often unexpected, and the person experiencing it usually has little control over what happens next.
[An OBE] is not a dreamy experience at all. It feels so real that even seasoned practitioners can get startled when it happens.
— Jade Shaw, trainer of Mindvalley’s The Art of Astral Projection program
Astral projection, on the other hand, is intentional. It’s the practice of consciously leaving the body to explore other realms, dimensions, or even different points in time. It’s been used in spiritual initiations for centuries. And today, plenty of people learn how to do it on their own.
The biggest difference between the two? OBEs happen to you, while astral projection is something you train yourself to do. One is like an accidental road trip—you wake up, and you’re already there. While the other is a planned adventure with a map and a destination.
Here’s a fuller view of the two experiences, side by side:
| Feature | Out-of-body experience (OBE) | Astral projection |
| Control | Usually spontaneous, with little control of the experience | Intentional, requires practice |
| Trigger | Near-death experiences, sleep paralysis, meditation | Visualization, an astral projection meditation session, deep focus |
| Destination | Often local (hovering above the body, around the home, and other familiar places) | Can be new places beyond the physical world, in different eras in time |
| Awareness | Occasional confusion and disorientation | Fully conscious and aware |
| Cultural roots | Reported across many experiences | Practiced in spiritual traditions |
So, whether you accidentally slip into an OBE or intentionally navigate one through conscious projection, both experiences peel back the curtain on something bigger than the physical world.
How to have an out-of-body experience in 7 expert steps
OBEs aren’t some mystical, once-in-a-lifetime fluke. And you don’t need to be a monk, a psychic, or on the brink of death to experience one.
According to Jade, any human being can learn to tap into it. “If you’re sitting there thinking, ‘this is only for shamans,’ it’s not,” she reassures. “It’s a natural human experience.”
Whether you want to tap into an OBE while awake or let it happen naturally in your sleep, here’s the Jade-approved playbook on stepping beyond the physical plane on purpose.
Out-of-body experience while awake
Most spontaneous OBEs happen when you’re in a relaxed, altered state—that is, halfway between wakefulness and sleep. But if you want to induce one while fully conscious, you’ll need to train your mind to shift into that state on demand.
Here’s how:
1. Get into the zone
You need to be physically relaxed but mentally alert. This can be done through deep meditation, mindful breathing techniques, or the body scan method—where you slowly relax every part of your body while keeping your mind focused.
Not sure where to start? Follow these steps:
- Find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed.
- Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
- Close your eyes and take deep, controlled breaths.
- Mentally scan your body from head to toe, releasing tension as you go.
- Keep your mind awake—focus on a mantra or a visualization.
2. Trick your senses with disorientation techniques
According to Jade, OBEs often happen when the brain gets “confused” about where the body is. Remarkably, you can encourage this sensation by disrupting your usual sensory input with:
- Binaural beats. These sound frequencies help shift brainwaves into a more OBE-friendly state.
- Spinning in circles. Indigenous shamans leverage this bodily motion to alter consciousness—try twirling a few times and then sitting still.
- Light hypnosis. Have someone you trust by your side for this. They should guide you into a deep relaxation state using verbal cues.
Done right, these techniques will eventually nudge your mind into a liminal state that’s somewhere between “here” and “out there.”
3. Set a strong intention
Before you attempt an OBE, know why you’re doing it. “Creating a projection plan helps direct the experience,” Jade explains. Otherwise, many beginners find themselves just floating around their room with no idea what to do next.
So, here’s the game plan:
- Write down your intention. For example, “I want to experience an OBE to explore higher consciousness.”
- Repeat this intention mentally. It helps to have a focal point as you descend into relaxation.
- When in doubt, go back to this “anchor” statement. This keeps your awareness sharp. So when your OBE finally happens, you don’t just drift aimlessly.
4. Trigger mind-body separation
At this point, your body should be relaxed, and your mind should be highly focused—all ripe for what Jade calls the “separation” phase. It’s when your consciousness detaches from the physical body, allowing you to experience reality from a whole new vantage point.
To trigger the experience, use the following “exit” techniques:
- The rope method. Imagine reaching for a rope above you and pulling yourself up.
- The roll-out. Visualize rolling sideways out of your body.
- The float-up. Feel yourself gently rising toward the ceiling.
If any method doesn’t work, just do it again or try another one. Just don’t give up.
Eventually, you’ll feel a shift, like a sudden vibration, a buzzing sensation, or even a feeling of being pulled upward. It tells you that you’re finally stepping out of your shell—literally.
Out-of-body experience while sleeping
An OBE on the cusp of slumber and awakeness is where things get extra interesting. And for a good reason: so many people have reported spontaneous OBEs in the hypnagogic and hypnopompic states—that is, when you’re falling asleep or waking up.
According to Jade, this is prime time for a conscious exit because your body is already in deep relaxation while your mind drifts between worlds. It’s all thanks to theta waves, the brain frequency linked to deep relaxation, dream-like states, and altered consciousness, all of which are prime conditions for OBEs.
You can see why sleep is the ultimate launchpad for an OBE. So, whenever you’re ready to proceed, just follow these steps:
1. Keep a projection diary
Your subconscious mind needs training, and the best way to do that is by tracking your experiences. “A projection diary is like a dream journal, but instead, you write down what happens in those in-between states,” Jade explains.
Start by logging:
- Unusual sensations before falling asleep. Think tingles, the feeling of floating around, or sudden, energetic jolts.
- Dreams where you were fully aware or felt a shift in consciousness.
- Any sleep paralysis episodes, which can be your doorway to OBEs.
Over time, this habit trains your mind to recognize the subtle cues of an approaching OBE. So when the moment strikes, you won’t just sleep through it.
2. Use the wake-back-to-bed (WBTB) method
This classic technique increases the chances of slipping into an OBE by hacking your sleep cycle. Here’s how to use it:
- Set an alarm to wake up 4-6 hours after you first fall asleep.
- Stay awake for 20-30 minutes, engaging in something OBE-related (like reading your projection diary or meditating).
- Go back to bed with a clear intention. Try “I will remain aware as I fall asleep.”
This method works because it primes your brain to stay conscious as your body falls back into deep sleep—exactly the state needed for an OBE.
3. Harness sleep paralysis (instead of fearing it)
If you wake up but can’t move, don’t panic. It’s just sleep paralysis, and it’s actually a shortcut to an OBE. Rather than fighting it, Jade advises using it as a springboard in three ways:
- Stay calm. Fear fuels scary hallucinations, so take deep breaths.
- Shift your focus. Ignore the paralysis and imagine floating upward or rolling out of your body.
- Give it a command. Say something like “Out of body now!” Yes, it sounds simple, but Jade reports that it works for many people.
The thing is, mastering OBEs through sleep is all about awareness. The more you train your mind to recognize these “in-between” states, the easier it becomes to step out and stay out.
Returning to your body when you’re ready
OBEs are wild, but at some point, you’ll want to come back. And knowing how to do it smoothly makes all the difference.
Jade recommends three simple ways to return:
- Think of your body. The moment you focus on your physical self, you’ll feel a magnetic pull back in.
- Blink or wiggle a finger. A small movement triggers re-entry.
- Set an exit timer. Before projecting, mentally decide how long you’ll stay out. Your subconscious will pull you back when time’s up.
For most people, re-entry is instant, like snapping out of a dream.
Others, though, might feel a lingering sensation of floating or slight disorientation. If this sounds like you, just ground yourself in three steps:
- Rub your hands together. The heat and friction help bring your awareness back to your physical body.
- Move your body. Shake it off, stretch, or even dance… anything to anchor yourself in the present.
- Eat something. Because nothing brings you back to Earth like a good snack.
And if fear ever creeps in, remember this golden rule: No matter how far you go in your astral journey, you always have a way home.
Out-of-body experience stories
Some experiences are so surreal, so out there, that they shift everything you thought you knew about reality. And OBEs fall into that category.
Below are some of the most fascinating stories from history, along with firsthand accounts from those who’ve leaped into the experience themselves.
Famous OBEs that made headlines
From renowned neurosurgeons to covert government research, some OBEs have made history and rewritten the rules on consciousness.
And the following stories? They’ve all forced even the skeptics to reconsider what’s possible.
Dr. Eben Alexander’s near-death revelation
This Harvard neurosurgeon was a hardcore skeptic of OBEs until 2008, when a sudden illness put him in a week-long coma. During that time, he claims to have left his body, traveled through a “hyper-real” dimension, and met celestial beings.
The experience shattered everything Dr. Eben thought he knew about consciousness and led him to write his groundbreaking book, Proof of Heaven. There, he makes his case that awareness “exists beyond the brain,” leaving no stones unturned.
Robert Monroe’s accidental OBE turned research empire
Robert, a radio broadcast executive, was never one to look for enlightenment. But in the 1950s, he started experiencing involuntary OBEs that had him floating out of his body and slipping into other dimensions like a cosmic tourist.
Spooked but intrigued, he has since spent decades documenting his experiences. The journey eventually led him to found The Monroe Institute, now the world’s leading research center on OBEs and consciousness studies.
The CIA’s secret astral projection program
Believe it or not, the CIA spent years studying OBEs as a tool for intelligence gathering.
Case in point: The Gateway Experience, a program declassified in the 1980s, detailed experiments into altered states of consciousness, suggesting that awareness isn’t bound by time or space. Documents reveal that participants practiced “remote viewing” to gather intel beyond physical limits, often with shockingly accurate results.
As it turns out, even the government wanted in on astral projection. So, how can naysayers today deny this phenomenon?
Carl Jung’s near-death experience
In 1944, legendary psychologist Carl Jung had a heart attack, which prompted an OBE that rocked his world. He described floating high above the Earth, gazing into an ancient temple, and telepathically chatting with his doctor (who was, at the time, still very much alive).
When he woke up, he was a changed man. It was years before he recounted how the experience dismantled his old views on life in Memories, Dreams, Reflections. The book formalized his realization that death is more of a transition rather than an end.
Marilynn Hughes’ dalliance with the higher realms
Spiritual author and mystic Marilynn Hughes has recorded thousands of OBEs over decades, claiming to have explored celestial realms, met enlightened beings, and received knowledge beyond the physical world.
She’s dedicated her life to teaching astral projection, with most of her experiences documented in her book, The Mysteries of the Redemption. According to her, astral projection and lucid dreaming are ultimately the doorways to self-discovery, healing, and limitless exploration.
William Buhlman’s decades of OBE exploration
For over four decades, William Buhlman has been on a mission: to map the out-of-body experience like an explorer charting unknown territory. But he didn’t start as a believer. His first spontaneous OBE in his 20s sent him down a rabbit hole of experimentation, leading him to refine techniques for self-induced OBEs.
His book Adventures Beyond the Body became a go-to guide for seekers wanting to experience it for themselves, offering practical steps instead of vague mysticism. Through his workshops and research with The Monroe Institute, he’s helped thousands tap into OBEs, powered by his motto of “less philosophy, more practice.”
OBE stories from Mindvalley members
Many civilians from all over the world have reported profound shifts in their awareness after experiencing OBEs, with many for the first time under Jade’s guidance.
From unlocking hidden senses to redefining their purpose, these experiences have reshaped how they see themselves and reality itself.
Novita Estiti’s multi-sensorial experience beyond the five senses
After following Jade’s classes on the Mindvalley app, Indonesia-based Novita Estiti found herself in an OBE, soaring over a glowing, pyramid-shaped hill bathed in golden sunlight.
What struck her most wasn’t just the unknown location she zapped to; it was how she experienced the whole thing. “I saw different things simultaneously, without confusion, as if my awareness had expanded beyond my five senses,” she recalls.
That moment changed everything. “I was in awe,” she expresses. But more than that, she realized that an OBE was a glimpse into the idea that reality extends far beyond what humans can currently perceive. As she concludes, “It’s proof that the world is so much more than what we think we can see, hear, or touch.”
Vanda Pereira’s creative breakthrough that changed everything
For Vanda Pereira, an author and facilitator in Portugal, OBEs weren’t uncharted territory. Before diving into Jade’s program. she had already been exploring lucid dreaming on her own. But she quickly realized astral projection was a whole different ball game.
The biggest shift she experienced since exploring Jade’s teachings? “My creative work. I was able to upgrade my ideas and deliver even better services to my clients,” she shares.
What’s more, the realization didn’t just shift how she saw herself at work; it also changed the way she navigated her professional and personal relationships.
Abigail’s mind-expanding journey beyond the body
For Abigail, a corporate executive from the United States, OBEs became lived experiences after hearing Jade speak twice on Mindvalley.
“That experience, and the three other OBEs I’ve had during her quest, have been among the most profound moments in my life,” she shares. “I have flown to other realms and seen the cosmos—with a visceral sense of still being me, and not being in a dream.”
Before, she believed she was more than just her body, but in subtle, intangible ways. And now, her perception of what’s possible has expanded beyond this world—literally.
“Astral projection,” she says, “brings that knowing to a whole new level.”
Frequently asked questions
What does an out-of-body experience feel like?
Like stepping out of a dream, except you’re wide awake.
People describe OBEs as floating above their bodies, moving effortlessly through walls, or even zipping across space and time. There’s often a buzzing sensation, a feeling of expansion, or a moment of “Wait, am I actually doing this?”
And unlike dreams, OBEs feel hyper-real, often more vivid than waking life.
Jade describes it best: “It is not a dreamy experience at all. It feels so real that even seasoned practitioners can get startled when it happens.”
For some, it’s pure awe. For others, it’s disorienting at first. Either way, one thing’s for sure: once you’ve had one, you’ll never look at reality the same way again.
What causes an out-of-body experience?
It depends on whom you ask.
Turn to a scientist, and they’ll say OBEs happen when your brain’s ability to map your body’s position in space—a quality called proprioception—gets disrupted.
But check in with a spiritual seeker, and they’ll say it’s proof that your body isn’t the origin point of your consciousness. That the body’s racing heartbeats, energy surges, or the unmistakable sensation of lifting away are responses to an experience that originates beyond the physical.
Both can be true without canceling each other. Think of science as the explainer of what physically happens when you experience a spiritual phenomenon like an OBE.
What matters more, Jade says, is the experientiality of it all. “Once you self-initiate an out-of-body experience, you have the keys to the universe. You can go anywhere. The possibilities are limitless.”
The real answer? Maybe it’s both.
Are out-of-body experiences dangerous?
In short, no.
First of all, forget what you’ve seen in movies like Get Out or Insidious. You can’t get trapped outside your body; that’s pure Hollywood talking.
“It’s not something external, like a demon or a spirit,” says Jade. “It’s simply a mechanism of the brain.” OBEs, she adds, are temporary, and your awareness always snaps back when needed—due to a sudden noise, a shift in focus, or just the natural rhythm of the experience coming to an end.
But while they’re not dangerous, OBEs can be intense, especially for first-timers.
If your OBE, essentially a thought-responsive environment, is shaped by fear, then guess what? That fear mirrors right back at you. That’s why seasoned travelers like Jade would always remind you to stay calm, keep an open mind, and trust the process.
The bottom line: OBEs are nothing to worry about… once you know the drill.
Find your spiritual superpower
An OBE’s “show, don’t tell” policy gets you closer to your untapped potential. Once activated and regulated, you can shift your entire life in your desired direction.
Even the sky’s no longer the limit, not when there’s a whole universe waiting out there for you.
And by signing up for Jade’s free Mindvalley masterclass, Getting Started with Astral Projection, you’ll get the support you deserve along the journey.
In this session, she will show you how to initiate OBEs on demand, move past fear into empowerment, and open the doors to a multiversal reality that’s been waiting for you to step in.
The next level of awareness is within reach. How close? Well, find out when you take a chance on life and its many mysteries with Mindvalley.
Welcome in.
