How to Experience Out of Body

Experiencing out-of-body means you experience a realm somewhere outside of your body. Some people even say that they once looked down at their own bodies while floating above! ^{[1] X Sources of Research} Many out-of-body experiences happen by chance during altered states of consciousness – for example, you can exit your body while you’re asleep, in a near-death state, or under impact of certain drugs or stimulants. ^{[2] X Research Source} However, if you are curious about out of body experiences, there are some simple and safe techniques you can try to have this experience. Keep an open mind and focus on discovery instead of results!

Table of Contents

Try the “Early Morning Method”

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Set positive and assertive goals. Before attempting to enter an out-of-body experience, you need to consciously decide that you will have it! Remind yourself of your purpose often, and repeat it more and more as the time for your intended exit draws near. This is especially important in the last few hours before the scheduled time. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

You could try repeating a phrase or mantra over and over, such as “Today I will consciously leave my body and then return to it.”

Do you know? Many consider the experience of leaving the body to be a mystical or spiritual phenomenon; others believe that this is a physical phenomenon. ^{[4] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

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Set the time and place of exit. Pick a specific time and find a comfortable and familiar “practice area” outside of your usual bed, where the out-of-body experience will take place. This area should be quiet and comfortable where you can concentrate without distractions. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

For example, you might decide, “I’m going to have an out-of-body experience tomorrow night after I go to sleep,” and then designate the sofa as where you plan to exit.
It is important to choose a location that is not your usual bed. If not, you’re likely just falling asleep instead of entering an out-of-body state!
Think of this area as a space for self-discovery. You can even decorate it to make it even more special. For example, you can hang crystal balls to create an otherworldly vibe. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

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Set the alarm to ring 4 hours after bedtime. Sleep in your usual bed and on time as usual. When you’re getting ready for bed, set an alarm on your watch or phone to wake you up after 4 hours of sleep. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Depending on how fast or slow you go to sleep, you may have to adjust your alarm accordingly. The alarm should go off after you’ve had plenty of time to go into deep REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.

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Fall asleep in a familiar bed and think about your purpose. When you start to doze off, try to focus completely on the purpose of creating an out-of-body experience. This will be the last thing you consciously think about before you fall asleep. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

If you notice your thoughts wandering, gently direct your thoughts back to your purpose.
You can repeat your chosen phrase or mantra to affirm the purpose.

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Switch to the “practice zone” after the alarm rings. When you wake up after your alarm goes off, get out of bed. Sit quietly for about 15 minutes, then move on to the sofa or your chosen spot for an out-of-body experience. Try to clear all thoughts in your head and only think about the purpose of getting out of the body. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Mute your phone and make sure you are not interrupted by a pet or family member during the practice session. ^{[10] X Research Source}

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Lie down and remain focused on the purpose of creating an out-of-body experience. Once you’ve moved to your chosen location, lie down in a comfortable supine position. You can keep your arms by your sides or clasp your hands on your chest for the most comfort. Repeat your purpose over and over again. ^{[11] X Research Source}

For example, you could say to yourself, “I’m leaving my body now,” or “I’m going to have an out-of-body experience now.”

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Imagine you are leaving your body and exploring your home. When you feel comfortable, close your eyes and imagine yourself leaving where you are. Walk through other rooms in the house, looking at familiar objects and exploring specific objects. Stay calm and open to this experience. ^{[12] X Research Source}

For example, you might find yourself walking over to look at a picture hanging on the wall or picking up a favorite piece of decor on a shelf.
Avoid thinking or focusing on your body. ^{[13] X Research Source}
As you become more familiar with this type of visualization, you can try exploring the outside of your home. For example, try walking down the street outside your house, even imagining yourself hovering above the block.

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Continue to focus on the out-of-body experience as you fall back to sleep. As you visualize yourself exploring the house, reiterate the purpose of the out-of-body experience. Continue to consciously focus on these thoughts as you drift off to sleep. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Ideally, you’ll enter an out-of-body state during the transition back to sleep. The out-of-body state that occurs while you are falling asleep can be a form of lucid dreaming. ^{[15] X Research Source} The goal here is to maintain awareness and control over the experience as you enter REM sleep.

Use visualization techniques

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Lie on your back in a comfortable position. Find a quiet, comfortable place where you can lie quietly and without distractions. ^{[17] X Research Source} You can lie in bed, on a sofa, on a yoga mat, or even on the grass if you can find a warm, outdoor spot where you won’t be disturbed. Try to keep your mind clear.

You can rest your hands on your chest or by your side – as long as you feel comfortable.

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Imagine you are floating above the bed or the floor. When you feel comfortable, close your eyes. Try to visualize your body gently levitating above the surface you are lying on. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

Try to focus entirely on the image and feeling of yourself floating. If your focus gets lost, gently bring it back.

Tip: This technique is a type of visualization meditation. Look for guided visualization techniques to build the skills needed for this type of outpouring.

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Hold the position until you can no longer feel the bed or the floor. While visualizing yourself floating, try to feel and imagine at the same time. Imagine that below you is an empty space. Continue focusing on these sensations until you can no longer feel the hard surface underneath. ^{[19] X Research Source}

You may have to continue visualizing yourself “floating” for a while to reach this state of loss of sensation. If you find yourself losing focus, take a few deep breaths and try again.

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Visualize yourself moving around to explore the room. Once you feel yourself truly detached from the surface below, imagine yourself slowly moving into an upright position. Visualize yourself walking or hovering around the room, observing the various objects and details around. Try not to analyze what you see and do – let the experience unfold on its own. ^{[20] X Research Source}

It may be tempting to go back and look at your own body, but don’t try to do this until you’re familiar with the other stages of the process! Otherwise, you could disrupt the out-of-body experience – thoughts about the body are likely to bring you back to it.

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Practice this technique daily until you can do each step comfortably. This is a visualization technique that can take a long time to master, so don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t work out the first time. Practice each stage and repeat until you can do it easily and comfortably. ^{[21] X Research Source}

It may take you several months of practice to learn each stage of this technique. For example, you should first focus on visualizing yourself hovering above your body, gradually getting to the point where you can’t feel the surface beneath your body, and so on.

Advice

You may find that the easiest way to start is to explore your immediate environment, such as the house or room you’re in. As you become more adept at entering the out-of-body state and controlling it, you can begin to explore larger areas. Some people believe that they can transcend the realm of the physical body and explore other realms in an out-of-body experience.
Please be patient. Achieving a conscious out-of-body state requires practice.
There’s no way of knowing if you’re “really” going through the out-of-body state – it depends on how you feel and feel about the event. Ideally, you will have a very strong sense of separation from your body. You may or may not see your body during the out-of-body experience. ^{[22] X Trusted Source New England Journal of Medicine Go to Source}
To put an end to the out-of-body experience, simply focus on the thought of returning to your body. ^{[23] X Research Source} You can also return to your physical body when interrupted by physical needs (such as hunger or need to go to the bathroom) or by external stimuli, such as loud noises.
There are many techniques for creating out-of-body experiences. If one method doesn’t work for you, look online for information on other methods you can try.

Steps

Try the “Early Morning Method”

Use visualization techniques

Advice

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