when meditating: Is an outer body experience …?
464499
Meditation is not just relaxing, rather it is trying to develop a highly concentrated and clear state of mind which one can use for clear analysis, and which can be blissful to be in. \nOnce we have reached this very advanced state of mind, we can learn what we want very quickly, including transforming our mind and developing deep wisdom and insight. Not only our conscious thoughts can be brought under control, also our emotions and unconsciousness, as they are all based on concepts which can be changed.\nIn meditation, we try to develop wisdom, learn to observe our own mind, decrease negative mind states and develop positive mind states. To develop wisdom and insight, we need a calm, clear and concentrated mind. To observe our own mind, we need to develop a kind of inner "spy" - a part of our attention that checks our state of mind. To decrease negative mind states we need to understand where they come from and transform them into positive energy with the wisdom developed from observing our own mind. To develop positive mind states, we need to focus away from selfishness and again develop wisdom by observing our own mind. \nIn order to find the right state of mind for meditation, we need concentration instead of being scattered, and clarity of mind instead of dullness. We need to observe our own thoughts and mind states instead of getting lost in emotions or becoming prejudiced. We need to be honest towards ourselves instead of fooling ourselves and walk away from unpleasant problems. Furthermore, we need to be patient (one does not become a meditation master over night), generate self-acceptance, confidence and enthusiasm to make the mind peaceful. \nAll these factors need to be in balance: we need to be somewhat relaxed as well as concentrated, we need to avoid both sleepiness and excitement.
386639
during meditation, there might be some little problems such as you said, muscular spasms, altered sensation, changes in your body image all can cause a problem like you have had.\nanyway, to be at the safe side , you'd better to check your heart too.\nmeditation is a very good tool for a nice life, but you must do it under the supervision of your teacher,because sometimes you may experience some problems that can not be solved by scientific knowledge , only a meditation expert can solve these problems.\ngood luck!
157592
well your definetly not weird because i meditate too, just not that often. and it is just a calm relaxing thing to do. i do it after a really long day at school and it does not make you a buddhist. its a very relaxing thing i do and you should enjoy it as i do. so remember this, it doesnt make you Buddhist, weird, or stupid, it makes you relaxed healthy and happy, so when you meditate, enjoy it as much as you can because it gives you an advantage of well-being that not everyone has. i enjoy it and every one smart enough to do it does too, so enjoy meditating.
234169
there are many many kinds of meditation. i'm doing pure concentration meditation, designed to quieten and clear the mind so that i can use it to look deeply, to see what's going on in my mind, and develop mindfulness & insgight. its a difficult form of meditation @ the beginning, but it's well worth becoming competent in. it forms an ideal foundation for further practice in the future, and it's also very conducive to a happy, stable life in the present.\nchoose a suitable place in your home where you can practice meditation uninterrupted. it needs to be quiet, not too bright, and out of sight of other people.\nonce you found the spot, find a good firm cushion, so that you can sit cross-legged, having something to cushion your ankle.\nto start, sit down on your cushion, sitting towards the front of it so that your body is sloped very slightly forward. experience will show you the optimum position. fold your legs so that your knees & ankles are touching the floor. the important thing is to have a good straight back & reasonably comfortable legs, so that your pgysicaly energy isn't blocked. place your 2 hands in your lap, palms up, one on top of the other.\nonce sitting there, wriggle a little bit to find an effortlessly comfortable position for your back & arms. you don't want to feel tension anywhere. then you can begin.\ntake a breath, hold it for a moment, then let it out gently. pause for a moment, then take the next breath. again hold it for a moment, and let it out again. do this for 10 breaths. once you've got the rhythmn, start to count your breaths. a breath is a complete cycle-- in, hold, out, hold- and most meditators find it better to count towards the end of a cycle rather than @ the beginning. in other words, you are counting complete breaths. simply count 1 to 10 in this way. when you've reached 10, start again. if your mind wanders and you lost the count, start again from one.\ndo this for 10mins @ a time for a week or so. when you are ready, increase your sitting time to 20mins. you can do it anytime, but most people do it regularly @ the beginning of the day & @ the end of the day.\nthis is all there is to it, and @ first you'll wonder why on earth you are doing it. your mind will wander, you'll probably feel twitchy, and you'll be bored. but persevere. ther's absolutely nothing better than this for calming the mins & opening mental doors that you never knew were there.\nwhat comes after this? once you've got to a stage where you can follow your breaths effortlessly, so that you can say, 10-20mins, and not lose count even once, you'll be ready for the next stage. in this, you start to observe the contents of your mind. you'll still be using the method of following your nreaths, but now, beacause of the concentration you've already developed, you'll be able to add in a new activity. it's not possible to do this until you've gained control of your mind. \n\n2nd stage:\nThis is called "Vipassana" meditation, which means "insight" meditation.  It's a practice where you develop mindfulness of your own mind.  This is the most popular form of meditation among Westerners because it's very practical and really, really helpful.  The main way in which it helps you is to show you what's arising in your mind almost before it arises.  That way you become master of mental states like anger and attachment and so on instead of them becoming master of you, because you never saw them creeping up until they were right there, completely occupying your mind.  Mental states can occupying your mind in the same way an occupying army of soldiers becomes firmly entrenched in the country they've been sent to occupy.  By the time the local people realize what's happened they can't do anything about the occupying force -- they just have to live with the misery.  When a meditator becomes adept at Vipassana meditation, menta
606028
I have been involved with Reiki for well over 10 years. I actively participate in Reiki healing circles and exchanges. I also offer Reiki treatments to others. \n\nDifferent people experience different things. Some people feel the practitioners hands get hot. Others feel the practitioners hands get cold. others feel vibration or movement where there is none. Some people are in-tune enough (for lack of a better word) to feel 'energy'. Others feel nothing at all.\n\nDifferent people come away from a Reiki session with different experiences. Some people come away feeling refreshed and relaxed, others come away feeling improvement over their ills (colds, aches, pains). Others fall asleep, some have visions or out of body experiences. Some people go through a type of mini-detox, where they get alittle sick while their body flushes out waste that the Reiki moves. \n\nI have worked with many that have had significant emotional release during a Reiki session. This happens when repressed emotions, thoughts, and feelings are brought to the surface to be faced again. This type of things isnt always pleasent but is part of the healing process. \n\nSome feel nothing at all.\n\nMost of the time, just like in meditation, the desire for results can cloud the results themselves - as can skepticism. Also, wanting to prove that Reiki does or does not work will also greatly effect the outcome. The client has to open themselves up to the potential for Reiki and just let it do its thing.
371308
Yes, and what a trip. There was this guy in my house. I sensed it. I flew up out of bed and this male silhouette is in my living room. Only he's just black like the absence of matter. But he was there. I yelled at him to GET OUT. He went through, literally, the door, without opening it. Then I looked down at my hands and they were that weird black. I flew back into my body and sat up. It just happened.\n\nAnother time I was meditating. I saw this incredibly white light. But it didn't hurt my eyes. And I felt totally safe,satisfied, contented and euphoric all at once. It lasted an instant and was gone. This I induced.
741353
what does it feel like to you?----- Inner and outer love\nWhat does it make you think about?-----Nothingness\nWhat consists a spiritual/religious experience to you?---- Meditation
1068979
I had a spontaneous one in the mid 90's, and as a result started meditating in 2000.  After 2 months of deep meditation, they began.  The best OBE's are when there is no lapse in you "awakeness". \n\nLike laying there face up in bed for minutes or hours so deeply relaxed when you start hearing strange noise followed by strong vibrations, and then loud buzzing or other strange noises, and then it eases up, and you can step out or float out of your body and go off exploring :)\n\nMy key was having really nice pretty music playing, so I wouldn't fall asleep (while laying face up in bed), and pushing myself deeper using the music as sort of a tight rope to walk on to keep from falling (into sleep).\n\nThere is no death!\n(Only ChRisTiAN DeaTh) http://www.onlytheatreofpain.com
287954
The safest way without drugs is an isolation chamber. Floating in complete darkness, in a liquid with the same temperature and specific gravity as the body for an extended period can often induce an out of body experience, along with auditory and visual hallucinations. It may feel like you're leaving your body, but the fact is it's simply an illusion caused by not enough bio-feedback stimulating the part of your brain responsible for situating your body in space. There have been numerous University studies that have used isolation chambers, in part seeking a rational explanation for near-death and out of body experiences. Interesting stuff.
191013
I have my suspicions about him, just because he was also behind a blanket at night and no one was allowed to get near him at night.  So I think he probably ate and drank then.  However, even so, his meditating all the daylight hours is impressive.  But I believe it takes more than just meditation to be truly enlightened.  I mean, if he is deceiving people about meditating at night and he's not, then I don't see how he could get far in his meditating.  But who really knows the truth.
202227
It was a very relaxing experience. I went through a session of hypnotherapy in an attempt to quit smoking. The doctor had me under for about 30 minutes. I was concious during the whole session, but was aware I had been hypnotyzed; he mentioned my hands and arms were so relaxed and light that they began to float, and I could tell they were in the air. I felt rested and relaxed afterwards and had no recolection of smoking for almost a week. Unfortunately, I did not repeat the treatment, but later decided to quit cold-turkey and haven't smoked in almost a year.
1145877
I meditate.  To me it is a way of nourishing my spirit and cleaning house inside.  The mind gets so filled up with so much trash and clutter that it's near impossible to see and think clearly, or to spiritually hear anything. Meditation is spiritual and many religions use it.  It is a tool.  I sit quietly and let all my thoughts, anxieties, plans etc. go.  I relax into the Moment and stay there enjoying what IS.  I embrace the Peace and realize that most of everything that is going on inside me I have created myself and do it to myself.  I let the purity of the Moment cleanse me and release me from my dreaming thought life, freeing me to return to Life a freer spirit.
588759
There is a difference between meditating ad talking to God our creator and Heanvenly  Father.\nHumans who meditate are really in their mind talking to themselves. If you do it long enough you can hypnotize into a trance.Well if you talk to you self , you better know what you are talking about.\nIf can be very dangerous if you spiral in your thoughts  without limits.
455857
This is something I've never heard of before...but, the human body is amazing in that everything is connected. Could be. If it is true, then I would recommend acupuncture to deal with it.
439862
Asian traditions recognize a number of pitfalls associated with intensive meditation practice, such as altered perceptions that can be frightening, and "false enlightenment," associated with delightful or terrifying visions (Epstein, 1990). Epstein (1990) describes a "specific mental disorder that the Tibetans call 'sokrlung' (a disorder of the 'life-bearing wind that supports the mind' that can arise as a consequence...of strain[ing] too tightly in an obsessive way to achieve moment-to-moment awareness" (p. 27). When meditative practices are transplanted into Western contexts, the same problems can occur. Anxiety, dissociation, depersonalization, altered perceptions, agitation, and muscular tension have been observed in western meditation practitioners (Bogart, 1991; Walsh & Roche, 1979). Yet Walsh and Roche (1979) point out that "such changes are not necessarily pathologic and may reflect in part a heightened sensitivity" (p. 1086).
218839
In my case everything went really good:D of course at the beginning you may feel emabarrassed but I think that if you focus on things that are happening, on the fact that you're going to experience something incredible with your beloved you forget about everything else. It's just You and the person. Just close your eyes and let it flow... this is how it went for me:) undescribable experience when you forget about everything that surrounds you but The Person and what's happening with your body:)
1088617
I have had out of body experiences.  I'm not sure if Astral projection is the same.  When I had these experiences, I was either lying on my back or half way (slightly on my side).  It always happened when I would lay down and relax to try and fall asleep.  It happens right before I would have feel asleep.  Except I don't actually fall asleep.  If you are aware of how you fall asleep then I think you could induce the out of baody experience.  Lie down to fall asleep and let yourself, but right before you go into a sleep mode, don't.  Stay aware, but in that state.  Don't move or think.  You may hear a buzzing in your head.  Vibrations usually follow that.  Then you will feel paralized.  Don't fight it.  Don't panic either.  Relax as all this is occuring.  You will then feel as if you are lifting up and out.  This is your soul.  Everything may be foggy at first until you have completely emerged.  I never got far from the side of my bed looking at myself laying there.  I was too afraid to go further, so I always went back in.  If you can't get back in right away, don't panic, you will.  I always panic, so I don't try to do this.  Everytime it has happened I didn't mean it to.  I would pray right before to have a quick exit and quick entrance.  If they aren't quick going out and in, you may panic or feel uncomfortable.  This is just my experience.  Let me know if it works for you.  E-mail me if you want.  Click on my name and hit contact Maky.