"I haven't gone further than the moon," said OBE expert Albert Taylor (alberttaylor.com(1)), the guest on Thursday night. Describing one of his most profound out-of-body experiences, he said "the old Al died," when he viewed an incredibly brilliant light that "burned away parts of me I no longer needed."

"Going into the astral plane and expecting not to have an encounter with ghosts or something, is like going to the ocean and not seeing fish," he said. But there are a number of levels to the astral world. In a higher plane one might experience themself as a pinpoint of consciousness with a 360 degree view; in the lowest realm you might encounter unenlightened beings, Taylor explained.

There are many techniques to achieve an OBE and experience what Taylor believes is the reality of the eternal soul. "Waking up to the soul is like returning to your natural state," he said. One technique that Taylor has had success with is interrupting his dream cycle by setting his alarm to wake him up in mid-sleep. Once fully awake, he puts himself in a highly relaxed state that is conducive to astral travel. Get your body in a comfortable position as you might be gone awhile, Taylor advised. (The longest he's been away from his body is three hours!)

1. http://www.alberttaylor.com

Bumper Music

Bumper music from Thursday July 10, 2003