One night as I was about to drift off to sleep I was suddenly hovering close to the ceiling, looking down upon a bed with a person lying in it.  It was dark and I could not distinguish any features of the person.  I thought about wanting to get closer so I could see who it was and as soon as I had the thought I was hovering only 4 or 5 feet above the bed.  At first I still didn't know the person and then it suddenly occurred to me that it was MY body.  I had no emotional attachment to it whatsoever, only a curiosity.  I realized with great clarity that the body that slept on the bed was not me and that my "home" was not that house.  I knew my home was the universe and that "I" did not need that body, that house, or the bed or pillow.  I knew that I was perfectly safe wherever I was and that the entire universe was my home and my bed.  It was the most liberating feeling.

The experience was very suddenly over and I drifted on to sleep.  The next day and to this very day, the experience affected me deeply and had a profound affect on the way I think of the body and spirit, on security and our false sense of it, and ultimately how safe I really am.  I know that there is no security in anything outside myself, including jobs, people, money or anything else in the physical world.

Any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience?     No

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? No

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?          No

What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?           Very conscious and alert.  Very much in the moment.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   No.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     Yes

I knew that I, the real me, had nothing to do with my body...it was truly just a vehicle to enable my spirit to function on this planet.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            Curiosity, understanding, awareness, comfort and security.

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?           No

LOCATION DESCRIPTION:  Did you recognize any familiar locations or any locations from familiar religious teachings or encounter any locations inhabited by incredible or amazing creatures?    No

Did you see a light?           No

Did you meet or see any other beings?           No

Did you experiment while out of the body or in another, altered state? No

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later? No

Did you notice how your 5 senses were working, and if so, how were they different?          Uncertain

I definitely had eyes of some kind in order to see the room and the figure on the bed, but other senses I am unsure of.

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   No

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?    Yes

I realized I was given an opportunity to deeply understand the difference between the spirit and body.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?             No

Did you become aware of future events?       No

Were you involved in or aware of a decision regarding your return to the body?       No

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?         No

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes

My beliefs in the reality of spirit was enhanced and my attitudes toward what security means changed dramatically.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?       I no longer look outside myself for security...not with relationships, jobs, or religion.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?         Yes

It's more of an internal change...a knowing that I didn't have before and that comforts me.

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes

I think they believed me, but I doubt that they have been influenced.  I planted a seed.

What emotions did you experience following your experience?  I was comforted and felt privileged.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      The best part was the absolute freedom from limitation.  Worst part was perhaps a bit of disorientation when I first looked at the figure on the bed and didn't know who it was.

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?        I'd like to do it again, at will.

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?         No

Did the questions asked and information you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?               Yes

Please offer any suggestions you may have to improve this questionnaire.    This seems thorough.