What Is an Out-of-Body Experience?

Introduction — by Andrey Shcherbakov

 

For more than two decades, I have explored the mysteries of human consciousness and the nature of reality. My book, The out-of-body consciousness phenomenon, presents years of research and personal experience with what is known as the out-of-body experience (OBE).

In this article, I’ll explain what an OBE truly is — not as a myth or esoteric belief, but as a real and observable state of expanded awareness that reveals the multidimensional nature of human existence.

 

What Is an Out-of-Body Experience?

 

An out-of-body experience (OBE) is a condition in which a person perceives themselves as existing outside their physical body. During this state, the individual remains fully conscious and aware but observes reality from a different point of perception — sometimes even seeing their own body from above.

OBEs can happen spontaneously — during sleep, meditation, or near-death experiences — but they can also be induced intentionally through specific techniques involving deep relaxation, focused awareness, and mental control during the transition to sleep.

 

The Nature of Consciousness Beyond the Body

 

Contrary to popular belief, the out-of-body state is not a dream or hallucination. In this condition, people retain full self-awareness, critical thinking, and emotional clarity.
As I describe in my book, the OBE reveals that consciousness is not confined to the brain. The brain acts more like a receiver, processing and decoding signals from subtler layers of reality.

When consciousness shifts its “frequency,” perception expands — time and space lose their usual meaning, and a person can experience nonphysical environments that feel more real than ordinary reality.

 

Evidence That Defies Skepticism

 

Skeptical explanations often fall short when confronted with verified cases.
There are numerous well-documented instances of people describing accurate details of distant locations or hidden objects while their bodies remained motionless. Some OBE subjects have correctly reported symbols placed in other rooms or provided information later confirmed by others.

Similar experiences have been described by people during clinical death, whose observations were later verified by medical staff — suggesting that consciousness can indeed function independently of the brain.

 

The Mechanism of Conscious Separation

 

From a metaphysical perspective, the physical body is like a radio receiver, while consciousness is the wave itself — capable of existing independently of the receiver.
During an OBE, awareness temporarily detaches from the physical sensory field and shifts to a subtler frequency of reality. This “separation” is not dangerous; it’s a natural shift in perception that can be trained and controlled with practice and the right mindset.

 

Why Out-of-Body Experiences Matter

 

Learning to explore consciousness beyond the body offers profound psychological and spiritual benefits.
Those who experience OBEs often describe:

• A complete loss of fear of death;

• A sense of expanded identity and freedom;

• Increased creativity, empathy, and insight;

• A deep understanding of life’s interconnected nature.

The exploration of these states can also advance our scientific understanding of consciousness — bridging spirituality, neuroscience, and quantum theory.