Navigating the Out-of-Body Experience, by Graham Nicholls, Llewellen Publications, 2012, 266 pages.
In 2016, I was fortunate enough to take an online class that Graham Nicholls was teaching through the Rhine Research Center on out-of-body experiences. I have a strong interest in astral projection, out of body experiences, and remote viewing so after taking the class, his book intrigued me. His book was subtitled “radical new techniques,” and it seemed like every book that has been published on OBEs followed the same format. After reading this refreshing book the information I learned from his online class took my interest to another level.
The book contains 13 chapters and an appendix section that includes new techniques and approaches. Nicholls goes extensively into the scientific research and its relation to near-death experiences and remote viewing. Nicholls also brings to light the skeptical arguments against out-of-body experiences, and addresses them head on.
Nicholls has been able to succeed in condensing the many facets of the out-of-body experience into this book. Nicholls’s book is not just a presentation of theories and hands-on techniques, but it also dis- cusses actual research in which interesting results have occurred. His writing is easily understood and he presents the out-of-body experience in a logical manner. He sufficiently explains the different types or methodologies of inducing an out-of-body experience as well as the protocols involved in a preparing for one.
Nicholls has interesting and unique theories of how exactly the out-of-body experience and the mind work. His extended mind theory is the idea that instead of consciousness leaving the body through an astral or etheric body, an expansion of awareness takes place. It’s a new approach to the methodology of the phenomena and he closely relates it to remote viewing. His correlation between out-of-body and remote viewing is explained through his personal experiences and techniques. Nicholls states, “Most books on OBEs assume the existence of an astral, etheric or other subtle body. In this book I want to avoid such assumptions as much as possible because we have the possibility of learning something new when we look with fresh eyes.”
I was glad that the book was not written in a step-by-step format or in the typical astral projection book outline. Nicholls does a good job of inter- changing historical research, with experiences and techniques. Each chapter tackles a different aspect of the out-of-body experience, from future expectations to traveling through time. The appendix section of the book has over 30 pages dedicated to techniques and approaches that readers can use. It views the human being as a controlled system, and explains the different factors that influence OBEs. This includes advice on sleeping environments, diet, meditation, visualization, breathing, etc. Nicholls lets the reader determine which approach and factors to focus on. He also gives an example of a weekly and daily schedule to enhance your chances of having an experience.
Overall, despite what methodology one chooses to use to practice, Nicholls offers the tools, protocols and structure on how to successfully achieve an out-of-body experience. His book teaches us that given time, effort, and focus, anyone can induce an out-of-body experience. Nicholls’s best attribute is the ability to explain the effect OBEs have on his everyday life and using those experiences to inspire and teach others. It’s in this area that the book achieves its greatest success and would be a valuable resource for any reader interested in out- of-body experiences.
– Tyler Stevens