Sandie Gustus

Life-Changing Effects and Other Benefits of
the Out-Of-Body Experience

Today, 30 years on, large-scale scientific research into the NDE phenomenon is taking place worldwide, largely putting an end to the view that the NDE is but a figment of the New Age imagination. In Britain, for example, following the lead of neuropsychiatrist Dr Peter Fenwick, a second generation of researchers is conducting experiments, interviewing patients and collating significant data from intensive care units in hospitals around the country.

Of all the aspects common to the NDE however, perhaps the most intriguing is that the experience is for so many, a life-changing event, and not surprisingly. For to be fully aware, awake, and mentally alert yet not inside the physical body is to experience a state of being that bypasses all dogmas and belief systems, and dismantles deep-seated reference points that include only that which can be perceived with the human sensory organs as reality. For example:

People are able to verify that their consciousness (awareness, soul, spirit, self etc.) doesn’t die along with the physical body

This enables them to view their existence in a broader context that extends beyond the physical body and beyond this physical life, to logically include past lives, future lives and periods between lives spent in non-physical dimensions

Many are often inspired therefore to reprioritize their life after surviving clinical death and seek ways to inject it with greater meaning. They might, for example, decide to dedicate more time to productive, positive activities or other important life tasks that had previously been neglected, such as helping others, being more loving, overcoming some weak traits of their character, developing new skills and acquiring more knowledge

Some have interactions with more advanced, evolved Helpers (popularly known as spirit guides or guardian angels) during the NDE and return to physical life understanding that these ‘people’ are always around, interacting with and assisting us on a daily basis

Others gain insights into the law of karma, (i.e. action and reaction or cause and effect), seeing that their actions in this life are not isolated, arbitrary events without consequences

Most are humbled by the experience of having tapped into a whole new world inhabited by those who have already died, and return to physical life no longer fearing death and wanting to know more

The good news for anyone who hasn’t had a NDE but who would like to experience these life changing benefits first-hand is that the NDE is a type of out-of-body experience (OBE), a phenomenon that is as natural to humans as breathing and sleeping.

	Life-Changing Effects and Other Benefits of the Out-Of-Body Experience © Sandie Gustus
	30 years ago, Raymond Moody’s groundbreaking work on the near-death experience (NDE) entitled Life After Life was published. It was roundly criticized by the mainstream scientific community who dismissed the NDE as a type of hallucination resulting either from lack of oxygen to the brain at the moment of clinical death or as an effect of medication. Despite such formal skepticism however, an astonishing 13 million copies of the book have since sold, suggesting that people all around the world have been interested to learn of the consensus among large numbers of NDE ‘victims’ with regards to the sensations they experienced at the moment of death, where they went when they left their physical body, who they encountered, and what perceptions, capacities and level of awareness they had whilst in this non-physical state.
	© Lance Sissing The tunnel effect is an oft-cited phenomenon of the near-death experience
	Today, 30 years on, large-scale scientific research into the NDE phenomenon is taking place worldwide, largely putting an end to the view that the NDE is but a figment of the New Age imagination. In Britain, for example, following the lead of neuropsychiatrist Dr Peter Fenwick, a second generation of researchers is conducting experiments, interviewing patients and collating significant data from intensive care units in hospitals around the country. Of all the aspects common to the NDE however, perhaps the most intriguing is that the experience is for so many, a life-changing event, and not surprisingly. For to be fully aware, awake, and mentally alert yet not inside the physical body is to experience a state of being that bypasses all dogmas and belief systems, and dismantles deep-seated reference points that include only that which can be perceived with the human sensory organs as reality. For example: People are able to verify that their consciousness (awareness, soul, spirit, self etc.) doesn’t die along with the physical body This enables them to view their existence in a broader context that extends beyond the physical body and beyond this physical life, to logically include past lives, future lives and periods between lives spent in non-physical dimensions Many are often inspired therefore to reprioritize their life after surviving clinical death and seek ways to inject it with greater meaning. They might, for example, decide to dedicate more time to productive, positive activities or other important life tasks that had previously been neglected, such as helping others, being more loving, overcoming some weak traits of their character, developing new skills and acquiring more knowledge Some have interactions with more advanced, evolved Helpers (popularly known as spirit guides or guardian angels) during the NDE and return to physical life understanding that these ‘people’ are always around, interacting with and assisting us on a daily basis Others gain insights into the law of karma, (i.e. action and reaction or cause and effect), seeing that their actions in this life are not isolated, arbitrary events without consequences Most are humbled by the experience of having tapped into a whole new world inhabited by those who have already died, and return to physical life no longer fearing death and wanting to know more The good news for anyone who hasn’t had a NDE but who would like to experience these life changing benefits first-hand is that the NDE is a type of out-of-body experience (OBE), a phenomenon that is as natural to humans as breathing and sleeping.
	© Lance Sissing The strong connection of the silver cord ensures that ‘astral’ body returns to the physical body after an out-of-body experience
	The results of an online survey launched by researchers Wagner Alegretti and Nanci Trivellato of the International Academy of Consciousness (IAC), to which over 9,000 Internet users have so far responded, show that many different characteristics of the OBE phenomenon are shared by people around the world, irrespective of their age, gender, nationality, ethnicity, cultural background, religion, level of education or socio-economic status. Evidence shows, in fact, that the vast majority of humanity experiences some degree of separation between their physical body and astral body (sometimes called etheric double) several times during the natural course of nightly sleep. The reason so few of us are aware of this fact is because we experience poor levels of awareness or lucidity whilst out of the body and partially because of this, either don’t remember what happened or confuse the OBE with a dream. These hindrances can be overcome however by anyone who has the will to do it. No particular psychic ability is required. Additional benefits of having regular OBEs and lucidly exploring non-physical dimensions include being able to: prepare for what will happen after death by visiting non-physical dimensions frequently and familiarizing ourselves with these environments. This way, when we do die, the territory will already be known and we will easily adjust to life there give assistance to those who are isolated, confused and in despair after death precisely because they weren’t prepared. Some, in such a condition, don’t even realize they are dead. When out of the body however, we can access the energies generated by our physical body (via the silver cord) and can use these dense energies to help others in need access details of our past lives and periods between lives, as these memories are stored in the ‘astral’ brain in which we manifest during an OBE. Among other things, having access to such information helps us to identify the weak traits of our personalities that we take with us from one life to the next, repeating them over and over again, because we never do anything about overcoming them and changing. E.g. a weak trait such as laziness may prevent us from realizing our true potential For those who are interested to explore the out-of-body experience further, Alegretti and Trivellato, the President and Director of Scientific Research of the International Academy of Consciousness respectively, will be presenting a lecture and two workshops at the Limassol Mind, Body & Spirit exhibition 2006, and will deliver the IAC’s Consciousness Development Program (CDP) (modules 1 and 2) in Nicosia later in March. The CDP, which consists of four 10-hour modules, blends theoretical classes with practical activities included guided attempts to provoke lucid out-of-body experiences, in a context that is free of any mystical or religious affiliations. The IAC’s teaching methodology encourages students to have their own experiences and gather evidence of the multi-dimensional nature of their existence for themselves. Students who have already completed the CDP had this to say about the course: “I entered the IAC courses out of curiosity, not knowing they would have such an impact on me. Despite the mind-blowing information, everything I was told made complete sense. I had a profound feeling that this was the truth about life that I had been looking for. Two weeks after I took the first CDP module, I had my first OBE: it shook my world! Since then my life has changed in almost every aspect. I feel inspired and spiritually guided on this new journey through life.” Anne-Marie Wegh Delft, the Netherlands “The CDP is highly recommended for anyone who desires to have more than just a glimpse behind the veil of mundane reality.” Heinrich Manuel Weihrauch Frankfurt, Germany “I am still applying a lot of what I have learned in the CDP. I have become more conscious of how I use my time. I feel my life has a purpose - I am here to learn and evolve. My relationship with myself has improved greatly and my psychic abilities are improving too. The dedication, commitment and professionalism of the IAC staff are inspiring.” Grace Kamala Stockholm, Sweden “I discovered ‘bioenergies’ attending the CDP. I learned to identify, control and use those energies. This helped me to manage situations in ways that I was not able to before as I used to be very impulsive and explosive. The positive repercussions of working with energies are not limited to me, but are extended to the places and people with whom I interact. I have been able to help people feel better (sometimes they notice and sometimes they don’t, but I never say anything to them).” Marisela Aparicio Miami, U.S.A. _________________________________ More information: Sandie Gustus is an instructor and the Director of Marketing and Communications at the International Academy of Consciousness (IAC) (U.K.). The IAC’s global online survey mentioned in the article is ongoing. Readers are welcome to participate at: http://www.iacworld.org/OBESurvey For details of IAC courses in Cyprus, please contact IAC’s representative in Cyprus: Monica Papadopoulou Email: cyprus@iacworld.org Tel: 96 357 299
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