Out of body experiences, referred to by many as OBEs, may occur in near death experiences where the patient’s ‘soul’ seemingly leaves the body and observes the events in the room from outside his body. However, OBE is not limited to near death experiences.
Many occurrences can be attributed to the sensation of leaving the physical body just before sleep. When the OBE includes traveling to another location it is referred to as astral projection – but that the focus of another article.
Although OBE is not scientifically proven, many new agers across Maine stand strong in their belief in out of body experiences. Take Dr. Alex Tanous for example.
In 1987, the then parapsychology professor at the University of Southern Maine, revealed that he had his first out of body experience when he was just 11 years old. According to his report ( Sun Journal, March 5, 1981) his appendix erupted and he was rushed to the hospital where he was declared clinically dead. He then left his body and viewed the room from above.
According to his post on ActiveX, he had two separate experiences, one where he observed his grandmother standing at the foot of his bed in spiritual form, while sound asleep in her bed. The second experience occurred while he was sleeping on the couch in his home. Suddenly the image of his mother appeared looking out the window – yet she too was sound asleep in her bed.
Exactly what accounts for these seemingly bizarre experiences, is unknown, but new agers believe it is just further proof of the power of the subconcious mind to interact with reality yet unproven ways.
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