"Out of body or all in the mind"

[Leilah]

Here is a link to a news article I happened to come across today about out of body experiences. Apparently, doctors in both the US and UK are going to be studying about 1,500 ("near" death) survivors to test and see whether or not the out of body experience actually exists.

http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7684684.stm

[Zino]

Hopefully they realize its true. Although i have never had one, but i get the feeling it is.

[ancient_one]

Hopefully they realize its true. Although i have never had one, but i get the feeling it is.

If you do have one, you will realize questions like this in the study do not really matter. The experience seems to be true to the person having it, and there will be little anyone else can say that will change your mind. 

[Zino]

very valid point, I have been awaiting that feeling for months, although I haven't really persevered enough, imo.

[SkepticBoy]

Why don't they just induce these experiences for scientists?!?

[Genie]

As far as I have experienced, it all happens within consciousness.  Phasing into different reality constructs of the mind are just as real as this reality we are in, but the whole idea of space and time is one that I have found to be nonexistent until it's created from consciousness.  I have seen going's on in this earth time reality while seemingly having an OBE, but space and time are not what I thought they were.  Time and space can seem just as real when phasing into another reality and may be for all I know.  I just share my experience which is not necessarily true for everyone.   

[Zino]

To be honest, if there was a way to astral instantly, Im not sure I would chose it, because attaining it yourself is more of an achievement and MUST mean you have a better understanding of the sensations then just inducing it. But thats just me

[iNNERvOYAGER]

Why don't they just induce these experiences for scientists?!?

The absence of empirical evidence vs memory of an experience that is usually interpreted as being subjective by others.

What about teaching the scientists to have the experience for themselves?

IMHO, the idea that projection skills should be exploited as some kind of  means to obtain valuable information about the physical universe for the purpose of material benefit should be actively discouraged.

On the other hand, meditation practice, and the resulting realizations to act in a healthy way could be said to be physical benefits, so I don't know.

I think that the scientific research should continue studying the physical and mental benefits of meditation and get a good handle on that first. Then I'd like to see the results go into text books, and taught in the schools.

Then people having these experiences will be common place and not such a big emotional hysterical deal for the religious challenged among us.

[Stookie]

I'll take a chance in saying that those who progress to the point of understanding the true nature of reality and the physical world are more than OK in letting the rest of us realize it when we're ready.

Plus, there are many people out there who probably shouldn't be able to do it at will. If all you do is use it to manifest base desires, there'll be no progression. Our society isn't responsible enough for "whatever one desires". Learning over time fosters a number a qualities that seem absent in modern society.

But this is looking at it from today's point of view, where it's not instant. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.