This illuminating guide investigates the incredible phenomena of out-of-body experiences, including why they happen, how to make sense of them, as well as how to pursue or avoid these experiences.
Breaking free from the usual template of astral projection manual or personal account, this book takes an eclectic approach, weaving together anthropology, science , spirituality and fascinating accounts. It takes a neutral and holistic approach while refusing to shy away from the stranger aspects of this phenomena.
This includes fieldwork with Eckankar (a new religious movement), interviews with Korean and Siberian shamans, participation in neuroscience experiments, a year interviewing alien contactees, and attendance at various workshops, retreats and lectures that are increasingly marketed within the growing spiritual marketplace.
Based on interviews the author has conducted since 2015, the book will also explore how astral projection changes over the course of an episode or lifetime, taking into consideration generational, cultural, and biological differences. For example, utilising her background in medical anthropology, Samantha Treasure explores the links between OBEs and sleep paralysis, epilepsy and Charles Bonnet Syndrome, interviewing both experiencers and specialists.
This book will also aim to reclaim OBEs from their growing commodification within social media and the wellness industry and will challenge definitions that privilege certain types of experience or narratives. While including evidence for their potential as a healing or spiritual tool, the author will also include the voices of experiencers and researchers who think otherwise, exploring their rationale while avoiding either sugar-coating or fear-mongering. This is the definitive guide to this fascinating phenomenon.