Introduction: An Overview of the OBE Survey Results

“Out-of-body experiences are the most common paranormal experience known.”
— Dr. Melvin Morse, TRANSFORMED BY THE LIGHT

Since the publication of my first book ADVENTURES BEYOND THE BODY in 1996, I have conducted an enormous international survey gathering information on the sensations, sounds and events associated with out-of-body experiences. Through letters, e-mails and private testimonies, I have received over 16,000 responses from over thirty countries, making this the largest survey of its kind ever conducted. The sheer number of the participants alone makes this an important record, and some of the most enlightening aspects of the survey were the thousands of compelling testimonies from people all over the world—people just like you and me. The stories they tell will astound and amaze you.

One of the primary goals of the survey was to gather information about the commonly reported phenomena associated with out-of-body experiences. My intention was to examine the reported vibrations, sounds, and sensations that occur immediately before, during and after an out-of-body experience. Today this phenomena is widely referred to as the vibrational state. The fascinating information collected from this survey is presented throughout this book.

One of the most surprising results of the survey was the large number of letters I received from parents who are struggling to understand the panic attacks and paralysis that occur to their children during sleep. Children by their very nature are less conditioned by their physical surroundings and are more open to spontaneous out-of-body experiences than adults. Children also report a high incidence of the vibrations, sounds and sleep paralysis of the vibrational state. Many experience this on a recurring basis.

I was also surprised by the young age of the children reporting their first out-of-body experience. The average age of the first journey was as early as four and up to twelve years old. I also found that the number of out-of-body experiences appear to decline dramatically during the early teen years. This may be due to the intense physical indoctrination and conditioning so inherent in our society. Often children are educated in our modern culture to identify completely with their physical bodies, instead of being taught that they are unlimited spiritual beings free to explore beyond their dense surroundings. Clearly, there is much more to be learned regarding the link between children and out-of-body experiences, and research in this area may one day yield exciting answers to the true nature of OBEs.

Another fascinating result of the survey was the evidence of a connection between OBEs and near-death and after-death experiences, as well as extraterrestrial contact and abduction experiences. Further research into the OBE phenomenon may shed light on these mysterious events as well. Are they connected, and if so, how? Hopefully this book will begin to answer these compelling questions.

The key to all of this may be what is known as the ”vibrational state.” The vibrational state is the universal prelude to out-of-body states of consciousness and spiritual experiences. In a sense, this is nature’s way of preparing us for the ultimate adventure beyond the confines of the physical body. Throughout human history yogis, saints and mystics have referred to sounds and vibrations as an important element of their spiritual experiences. It is now clear that they were describing the various vibrational state phenomena.

We now know that the vibrational state is a normal occurrence that can be self-initiated and expanded into a fully conscious out-of-body experience. When we become experienced and effective at responding to the vibrational state we are one step closer to personal and spiritual empowerment. This experience is an important ally to our spiritual exploration. The more knowledge we obtain about this subject the more prepared we will be to explore beyond our physical limits and experience our true spiritual essence.

There is so much to learn, so much to discover. The answer lies somewhere beyond the boundaries of what most of us have come to think of as everyday reality. This book is for those of us who want to take that brave first step into the unknown, beyond the boundaries of ”everyday reality”. This book is for those of us who are ready to unlock the secret of the soul.