Out-of-body Experience

The out-of-body experience can be a dramatic one. Clinically, this falls into a phenomenon called "dissociative experience or disorder."

Often the experiences that create this feeling are powerfully ecstatic or traumatic. In either case, the feeling is similar to watching oneself in a film. Basically, whatever is going on in the dream is so powerful that the dreamer is separating herself from experiencing it directly. The result is a self watching the self in a moment of life. Dreams of this nature can be very revealing about the self at work in the world (see Medard Boss). Lucid dreaming can also create this feeling. In lucid dreaming, the dreamer is conscious of dreaming and may be watching herself in the dream.

Dreams of this nature may create a feeling that the dreamer has projected herself into another sphere of reality, creating a sense of astral projection. This idea has been popularised by certain paranormal studies on perceptions of reality.

Native American cultures view the out-of-body experience as a fuller unity of the soul with nature. As such, it is not surprising that they hold such experiences in high regard. It is in this sense that you can consider the out-of-body experience a brush with great power-in a world of physical limitations you suddenly have the ability to go wherever you wish to go. You have complete control regarding your place in the universe.

Conversely, another possible out-of-body experience involves a complete loss of power: seeing yourself lying on an operating table in a hospital.

Does your out-of-body experience empower or frighten you?

Do you choose your travel destination or do you simply appear somewhere through no choice of your own?

Source: iVillage, http://www.ivillage.co.uk

(See also: Dream Archives, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Dream Dictionary - Out-of-body Experience , Meaning of Dreams about Out-of-body Experience , Dream Interpretation Out-of-body Experience )

Out of Body Experience, OBE, OOBE:

A fully conscious experience in which the person's centre of awareness appears to be outside of the physical body.

(See also: Out of Body Experience, OBE, OOBE , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Out-of-Body Experience: Experience which occurs when the astral body or etheric body leaving the physical body while the individual is at rest, asleep, near death, or temporarily dead.

(See also: Out-of-Body Experience (OBE) , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Out-of-Body Experience

Leaving the physical body while at rest, asleep, near death, or temporarily dead.

(See also: Out-of-Body Experience , New Age, Body mind and Soul)

Dream FAQ Dictionary: What are out-of-body experiences?

What are out-of-body experiences?

A. [This is a section of Jouni Smed' alt.out-of-body FAQ]

Out-of-the-body experiences (OBEs) are those curious, and usuallybrief, experiences in which person seems to himself to leave his bodyand to observe the world from a point of view other than that which hewould have were he still 'in' his body. In some cases the experientsclaim that they 'saw' and 'heard' things (objects which were reallythere, events and conversations which really took place) which couldnot have seen or heard from the actual positions of their bodies.

Out-of-the-body experiences are surprisingly common; different surveys have yielded some whatdifferent results, but all in all one would not be too far wrong ifone said that somewhere between one person in ten and one person intwenty is likely to have had such an experience at least once.Furthermore it seems that Out-of-the-body experiences can occur to anyone in almost anycircumstances. They are most frequent during sleep, duringunconsciousness following anesthesia or a bang on the head, and duringstress. Not all Out-of-the-body experiences occur spontaneously. Some people have, by varioustechniques, cultivated the faculty of inducing them more or less asdesired, and number have written detailed accounts of theirexperiences. These accounts do not always in all respects square withaccounts given by persons who have undergone spontaneous Out-of-the-body experiences.

Out-of-the-body experiences, especially spontaneous ones, are often very vivid, and resembleeveryday, waking experiences rather than dreams, and they may make aconsiderable impression on those who undergo them. Such persons mayfind it hard to believe that they did not in fact leave their bodies,and may draw the conclusion that we possess a separable soul, perhapslinked to a second body, which will survive in a state of fullconsciousness, perhaps even of enhanced consciousness, afterdeath. Death would be, as it were, an Out-of-the-body experience in which one did not succeedin getting back into one's body.

Such conclusions present themselves even more forcefully to the mindsof those who have undergone the variety of Out-of-the-body experience known as a 'near-deathexperience' or NDE. It is not uncommon for persons who have been tothe brink of death and returned -- following, say, a heart stoppage orserious injuries from an accident -- to report an experience (commonlyof a great vividness and impressiveness) as of leaving their bodies,and traveling (often in a duplicate body) to the border of a new andwonderful realm. Reports suggest that the conscious self's awarenessoutside the body is not only unimpaired but enhanced: events whichoccurred during the period of unconsciousness are described inaccurate detail and confirmed by those present.

Source: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/dreams-faq

(See also: Out-of-body experiences , Dream Interpretation FAQ, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Meaning of Dreams)

OBE (Out-of-Body-Experience)

Awareness of the astral body detaching from the physical body, either voluntarily or involuntarily, awake or dreaming

(See also: OBE (Out-of-Body-Experience) , Body Mind and Soul)

Dream FAQ Dictionary: How do I find out more about out-of-body experiences?

How do I find out more about out-of-body experiences?

A. There is a newsgroup dedicated to out-of-body experiences,alt.out-of-body. jounsmed@polaris.utu.fi (Jouni Smed) maintains anextensive FAQ file.

Source: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/dreams-faq

(See also: Out-of-the-body experiences , Dream Interpretation FAQ, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Meaning of Dreams)

Dream FAQ Dictionary: Do we go out-of-body when we dream?

Do we go out-of-body when we dream?

No one knows where consciousness “goes” during sleep and dreaming -- or where it “goes” when we’re awake, either. We understand very little about the nature and functions of consciousness and where it “is.” However, since ancient times dreams have been regarded as a place where human awareness can meet spiritual beings and the dead, as well as have real experiences. Barriers and limitations imposed by the rational mind fall away during sleep, and we are free to travel through time and space. Some dreams can be intensely spiritual in nature – we feel we are in the presence of spiritual beings or the Divine, and in otherworldly places. These can be symbolic images – or, according to ancient wisdom – real events.

Source:Rosemary Ellen Guiley, Dreamspeak: How To Understand the Messages in Your Dreams

(See also: Out-of-body Experiences , Dream Interpretation FAQ, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Meaning of Dreams)

reincarnation: "Re-entering the flesh." Punarjanma; metempsychosis. The process wherein souls take on a physical body through the birth process.

Reincarnation is one of the fundamental principles of Hindu spiritual insight, shared by the mystical schools of nearly all religions, including Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism (and even by Christianity until it was cast out by the Nicene Council in 787). It is against the backdrop of this principle of the soul's enjoying many lives that other aspects of Hinduism can be understood. It is a repetitive cycle, known as punarjanma, which originates in the subtle plane (Antarloka), the realm in which souls live between births and return to after death. Here they are assisted in readjusting to the "in-between" world and eventually prepared for yet another birth.

The quality and nature of the birth depends on the merit or demerit of their past actions (karma) and on the needs of their unique pattern of development and experience (dharma). The mother, the father and the soul together create a new body for the soul. At the moment of conception, the soul connects with and is irrevocably bound to the embryo. As soon as the egg is fertilized, the process of human life begins. It is during the mid-term of pregnancy that the full humanness of the fetus is achieved and the soul fully inhabits the new body, a stage which is acknowledged when the child begins to move and kick within the mother's womb. (Tirumantiram, 460: "There in the pregnant womb, the soul lay in primordial quiescence [turiya] state. From that state, Maya [or Prakriti] and Her tribe aroused it and conferred consciousness and maya's evolutes eight- desires and the rest. Thus say scriptures holy and true.")

Finally, at birth the soul emerges into earth consciousness, veiled of all memory of past lives and the inner worlds. The cycle of reincarnation ends when karma has been resolved and the Self God (Parasiva) has been realized. This condition of release is called moksha. Then the soul continues to evolve and mature, but without the need to return to physical existence. How many earthly births must one have to attain the unattainable? Many thousands to be sure, hastened by righteous living, tapas, austerities on all levels, penance and good deeds in abundance.

See: reincarnation, evolution of the soul, karma, moksha, nonhuman birth, samsara, soul.

(See also: Reincarnation , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

A dictionary of Parapsycology. Please note that words in grey are hyperlinked to a corresponding archive with articles related to that particular topic.

Out of the Body Experience:

A perception of one’s consciousness as being outside of one’s physical body and usually as movable. See Astral Projection and Mental Projection.

(See also: Out of the Body Experience , Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

A dictionary of parapsychology. Please note that words in grey are hyperlinked to a corresponding archive with articles related to that particular topic.

A dictionary of Parapsycology. Please note that words in grey are hyperlinked to a corresponding archive with articles related to that particular topic.

Flying

Without assistance

Flying in a dream is a fairly common, but very powerful event. Flying events seem to be divided among those who fly spontaneously in their dreams and those who have a lucid dreaming event and choose to fly. In either case, the dreamers report powerful feelings of freedom during the flight.

Flying as a spontaneous event often includes some special effort, like flapping one's arms, to get going. However, many people experience flight as soaring by a mysterious, jet-like power. These events are precipitated by a strong desire to travel or an imminent danger that requires escape.

Flying as a lucid dreaming choice is often of the levitation variety. These dreamers simply choose to fly because, in the reality of their dream, they know they may. This may be related to astral projection or an out-of-body experience that some people undergo.

These flights allow dreamers to transcend circumstances and acquire a more favourable or safer perspective. What prompted the will to fly ? was it danger or euphoria - and where did the flight lead?

Nonsensical means

In addition to flying independently, dreamers may fly on bikes, cars, boats, or other non-airborne equipment. These flights are generally brought about by circumstances where the current means of travel suddenly became inadequate or endangers the dreamer. A good example of this type of flight would be a bicycle that becomes airborne rather than be struck by a car. This dream may reveal a dreamer that sees dangers as inconsequential. It may also be a hero dream.

Source: iVillage, http://www.ivillage.co.uk

(See also: Dream Archives, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Dream Dictionary - Flying , Meaning of Dreams about Flying , Dream Interpretation Flying )

Near-death experience (NDE)

Any paranormal or supernatural experience had when a person is near death, including experiences when a person thinks he or she has died and returned from death.

Reports of NDEs have become numerous in recent decades due to advances in medical technology that make it possible to revive people from comas and other critical conditions. Many patients report having out-of-body experiences (OBEs) while they were unconscious or comatose.

(See also: Near-death experience (NDE) , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Death

Death can appear in dreams in many forms, ranging from the near-death experience to wish-fulfilment projected on others. It may seem to be terrifying, or almost joyful in its sense of power.

The near-death experience can be either a psychological phenomenon or a physical one. The physical phenomenon comes from lucid dreaming in a nightmare condition. You may become aware of the body paralysis of the REM state and feel powerless to defend yourself in the dream. This can create an overwhelming sense of vulnerability to the threatening circumstances of the dream and a near-death experience. The psychological facet is part and parcel of feeling endangered by your circumstances. This danger may be tangible or merely sensed in the dream. If it is tangible, the source of the danger is the area for interpretive work (whom, why, how, and what has endangered your life?). If the danger is merely sensed, it may symbolise ambivalence over a soul?s transition into facets of self-awareness you may not want to completely embrace.

There is also a spiritual near-death experience. People who seek out-of-body experiences in their dreams may feel themselves prevented from returning to the body. These dreams are powerful images of how we sense the cosmos or spiritual realities impacting upon our lives. Was the death a sudden deprivation of life or a release from the struggles of it? Moreover, as you became aware of dying, was it threatening or peaceable?

Dying in a dream is not too unusual, though if it happened with regularity our waking lives would probably begin to feel a little unstable. To die yourself is very troubling. Most people have not invested much emotional energy in preparation for death and feel that death is a strong enemy to be avoided. By the way, how did you die in your dream and do you assign responsibility to anyone for your death? These are important questions.

The death of a loved one may be the result of numerous factors. You may feel genuine anxiety for that person?s well-being. The death may be more symbolic than that as you struggle with the reality of your love for that person as weighed against repressed anger towards them. Finally, it may herald the passing of the relationship if the loved one is romantic and not familial in connection.

The death of a stranger can be the development or transition of different aspects of the self. Consequently, it is often useful to decide how you knew the stranger and whether you seemed deeply moved or only casually concerned with the death. It may be that the randomness of life is the central concern. In this case, look at who else in the dream is concerned with the stranger?s death ? your connection to the fellow mourners is important. The death of a stranger may symbolise stereotypes that need to be explored as a means to a greater self-understanding. Are you being confronted with situations where your attitudes about others are being challenged?

Source: iVillage, http://www.ivillage.co.uk

(See also: Dream Archives, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Dream Dictionary - Death , Meaning of Dreams about Death , Dream Interpretation Death )

Flying

Dreams of flying are common and most people can recall having flown in a dream or two. There are many ideas as to what this means. Some people believe that flying in our dreams can be an actual out of body experience, that we go to places on this physical plane as well as into the inner planes (mostly the Astral). Edgar Cayce thought that Astral travel or "soul travel" might be a precursor to becoming lucid in a dream. Carl Jung's idea was that in a flying dream we are expressing our desire to break free of restrictions and limitations. We have a desire to be free and above all difficulties! Alfred Adler thought that this dream was a type of a superiority dream in which we reveal the desire to dominate and be above others. Focusing on the libido, Freud thought that flying was another way to express sexual desires. The details of your dream will give you clues as to what it symbolizes, if your dream was a spiritual experience or ego based. Enjoy it, flying is fun!

Source: Dream Lover Incorporated, http://www.dreamloverinc.com

(See also: Dream Archives, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Dream Dictionary - Flying , Meaning of Dreams about Flying , Dream Interpretation Flying )

IIP Consciousness Development Program: System developed by author Waldo Vierra, M.D., who founded the International Institute of Projectiology (IIP) in 1988 in Brazil. IIP defines projectiology as the science that studies the out-of-body experience as a tool for achieving self-awareness.

The program involves training in the management of bioenergy. potential benefits include: access to other planes of reality, amplification of the intellect, elimination of the fear of death, increase of psychic abilities, recall of past life experiences, and self-healing.

(See also: Consciousness Development Program , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Trapped : Dream Interpretation Dictionary - Being lost or trapped

Being lost or trapped

In these highly common dreams, you're lost and feeling desperate. You may be buried alive or locked in a cage. Or you dream of not being able to move; you're powerless to scream or breathe.

These dreams may occur when you feel confusion or conflict about how to act in waking life.

The images are influenced by biological roots and experience. Feeling trapped or paralyzed also mirrors what occurs to the large muscles of the body during normal REM sleep, when they're paralyzed to prevent the body from acting out the dreams.

Such dreams could reflect frustrations in waking life, such as feeling trapped in a relationship or a dead-end job.

You may open a door in your home to find a new room or find something new in the neighborhood. These dreams occur usually when you feel an aspect of your life if opening up.

(See also: Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation Trapped , Dream Dictionary Trapped )

Teeth

Dreams about teeth and losing teeth are common. Often the dream is troubling, although it does not contain the same fear or anxiety as a nightmare. In the dream, the teeth often are a concern only to the dreamer. Other characters in the dream either do not notice, or do not care, about the loose teeth.

A 19-year-old woman reports: I am in the bedroom combing my hair. A man comes in and asks me if I am in a relationship. I say no. Then, he asks me out on a date. I say yes. He is about to kiss me and I ask him to hold that thought for a second. I go to freshen up a bit. When I wipe my mouth, my teeth begin falling out! Each tooth I touch falls out. No bleeding, just empty spaces in my mouth. I go back out of the bathroom, concerned, but the man doesn't notice. Meanwhile, I'm a wreck.

In waking life, the woman reports feeling conflicted about ending a relationship with a man. She would like to renew it. Potential embarrassment is preventing her from doing so.

Dreams of losing teeth are often dreams of embarrassment or potentially embarrassing situations. The parallel waking experience could be summed up in the phrase "losing face" publicly. Other possible teeth-loss dreams may come from physical sensations such as grinding your teeth or having particularly sensitive teeth.

Do your teeth get knocked out or do they fall out for no apparent reason?

Source: iVillage, http://www.ivillage.co.uk

(See also: Dream Archives, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Dream Dictionary - Teeth , Meaning of Dreams about Teeth , Dream Interpretation Teeth )