Have an Out-Of-Body Experience

I have been studying and exploring altered states for many years and find this wonderful little book to be the best on the subject of out of body experiences. The deceptively simple exercises are presented in a sensible and easy to follow format and really work. In my experience using these exercises and sharing them with friends and family, different exercises appeal to different people more than others (everyone has their favorite) but there are enough techniques presented that everyone finds their way and the results are great. I like the fact that the authors do what they say in presenting a sensible handbook of practical exercises rather than a lot of bogus mumbo jumbo. Anyone looking for phony promises or easy answers about the meaning of life should look elsewhere. The book is also clear in suggesting additional references for people who want to learn more about the lab research, including the groundbreaking experiments done by one of the authors. Anyone looking for an honest handbook presenting serious exercises for those willing to make the effort to have an out of body experience should look no further. This one is definitely the best.

I have been having out of body experiences for a long time and have read lots of books, but this is still my favorite. The authors are careful not to color your experiences with their suggestions. Instead, they give you great tools that really work to explore and discover the fascinating world inside yourself. Also, the authors obviously know their stuff. Other books borrow from their discoveries and methods, but then go overboard in making extreme claims that can't be proven. The techniques in this book are tried and true, and based on scientific research. The authors still manage to keep a refreshing sense of humor and provide good, practical advice without talking down to the reader. This is the one to buy for the intelligent novice and also for those looking to learn more about OBEs. I would not recommend some of the other well known books on the subject, because they take their ideas from this solid, pioneering little book, and then add wild claims.

What is immediately striking about Harary's and Weintraub's technique is its utter simplicity combined with a no-pressure, no-nonsense style. Whether you complete the course in 30 days or 30 months, the authors allow for a great deal of experimental latitude and, in taking note of individual styles and personal limitations, suggest ways for readers to adapt the program accordingly. The book, unlike some others on the subject, makes no extravagant claims or promises. It does not guarantee its readers subsequent enlightenment or increased "mind powers". In fact, it is refreshingly devoid of all such occultist, New Age and sensationalistic overtones. In not espousing any sort of dogma or unwarranted conclusions, it has the integrity of allowing us our own interpretations. Many points of interest are covered throughout the book, but especially intriguing is a short piece at the end, describing how OBE's may be enhanced via the use of "extended perception". (Also known as "remote viewing", this ability is best known for it's use as an intelligence gathering tool during the Cold War.) It can also be explored as a method to help determine if your OBE's are objectively verifiable and toward this end, the authors suggest a number of easy and informal experiments. The book has the benefit and credibility of having been co-written by a researcher, Harary, who has studied the area for decades and was a researcher/participant in the groundbreaking Duke University studies. A bibliography for further reading is included. All in all, terrific -- extremely satisfying and worthwhile.

Finally I've found a book that gives a clear, concise description about how to have an out-of-the-body experience. I have read many books in parapsychology that drone on with endless proofs that are supposed to make me "believe" in psychic perceptions, but this book helps you to have your own experience. To me, the ultimate test is my own experience. For anyone who wants to do it themselves and not just read about it this book is far superior to anything else out there. I got the book after I saw Dr. Harary on the Larry King Show talking about his involvement with the Stargate project, research conducted by the CIA at Stanford Research Institute to study remote perception. It shows that the authors know what they're talking about. Five stars for this book.

I have read all of the books in the Harary-Weintraub series and it has been a fascinating journey. Once the basic technique of "alert relaxation" is mastered, they show you how to use it to go into many different states of mind, from out of body experiences to lucid dreams to more focused states of enhanced memory and learning. It is a simple method, with special variations for each situation, and it is effective. This book is my favorite on out of body experiences. There are a lot of exercises but you can take as long as you want to do them. I worked with this book for months and also did many of the exercises more than once. I had several different kinds of out of body experiences, and continue to have them. I think this is the best how-to book on the subject because of the way it is organized, and especially because the authors do not try to impose a religious philosophy on the exercises or the experience, but instead bring the subject down to earth. And because the methods work.