Types of out-of-body experiences

There are innumerable types of OOBEs. These vary according to the way in which they occur, in their nature and in their purpose. For example, the most common type of out-of-body experience is the "spontaneous" (or accidental) experience, in which the projector did not intend to leave the body (and often does not even know about the phenomenon). By contrast, an intentional OOBE is one that has been purposefully provoked by the application of a projective technique.

Among the many other types of OOBEs, we can also cite the "confirmed" experience, which is when the individual attains enough lucidity outside the body to perform a practical task that enables him to confirm his extraphysical state; for example, seeing something in the physical dimension that can be confirmed later. It is this type of experience that allows scientists to conduct experimental research on the OOBE phenomenon.

Another very common type of experience is the "leisure" OOBE that is typified by feelings of liberty and well-being and often includes extraphysical flights.

Some also claim to have had experiences in which they encountered a friend, family member or other acquaintance who has passed away. Others have had encounters with friends who were also conscious outside their bodies and were able to communicate with them during the experience.

One of the most interesting types of OOBEs, however, is the continuously conscious OOBE, during which the individual maintains awareness through all stages of the experience; in other words, during the period of their normal waking state, their relaxation, the separation of the nonphysical body, the period spent outside the body, the return of the extraphysical body to the physical body and, finally, the return to normal waking state (waking up upon returning).