The song I was singing had 5 verses.  I had practiced the song only once with the piano accompanist.  I knew the accompanist was going to change the key of the song during at the beginning of the 4th verse and then return to the key as written for the 5th and final verse.  The song was rather difficult and I was anxious about getting through all 5 verses without error.

The 1st verse started rather well after a short prelude.  I did even better on the 2nd verse and better yet on the 3rd verse.  I had an anxious feeling about the 4th verse.

After completing the 3rd verse, the accompanist played a short interlude where the key of the song was changed.  Just as I was taking a breath to begin the 4th verse, I found myself stepping backward from the microphone one step.  I was then amazed to watch and hear myself, from the back, sing the entire 4th verse.  I had no conscious feeling of singing at all.  I was amazed at what was happening.  I was standing directly behind my body looking at the back of my physical head. It was such a unique experience that I did not find it threatening or frightful.  I heard me sing the 4th verse without even a hint of problem and I was right on key.  I did not look at anything else or anywhere else.  I just looked at my physical body.

After the 4th verse was completed, the accompanist again played a short interlude that enabled her to switch keys back to the original key of the song.  It was during this interlude that I somewhat casually took a step forward and re-entered my body.  This was completed in time for me to gather my wits and sing the 5th verse of the song.  I did not do as well on the 5th verse as I did on the previous 4 because I was so excited about what had just happened.

After the 5th verse, the congregation did applaud and the accompanist gave me a smile and a wink with a thumbs up sign.

I was really amazed at what had just happened, but the most amazing thing was yet to come.  After a short bow and a 'thank you' to the accompanist, I turned around and started to walk the 10 feet to my seat next to my friend. 

Just as I sat down, he leaned over to me and said, "That was a most interesting step backward you took at the beginning of the 4th verse."  He immediately saw and sensed my surprise at his comment.  I asked, "Do you mean you saw my step back from myself?"  He answered, "Yes".

Later that night, over a cup of coffee and a piece of pie at a nearby restaurant, my friend told me he has been having Out of Body Experiences for all his adult life.

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?           Normal but then heightened during the experience.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   No.  It seemed very physical.

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

I felt complete and whole, but I did not see my conscious self separate from my physical self.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            Excitement and amazement

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?           No.  I was conscious only of the piano and myself singing the 4th verse.

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?            Uncertain

I did not leave the physical location where the experience occurred.  The distance of my experience from my physical self was only about 24 inches.

Did you meet or see any other beings?           No

Only those physically present.

Did you experiment while out of the body or in another, altered state? NoDid you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later? Yes

Only my singing which the accompanist and my friend verified as good.

Did you notice how your 5 senses were working, and if so, how were they different?          No

Only my sense of sight.

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?    No

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?             Uncertain

No sense of boundary.  The distance traversed was only about 24 inches.

Did you become aware of future events?       No

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

No, the return to the body was just as spontaneous and the departure.

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?   No

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?       No affect.  Except now I know there is more to me than just the physical body.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?         No

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes

I have only told a few people.  No influence that was apparent.

What emotions did you experience following your experience?  Joy,  Excitement,  Wonder

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      It was all positive.  The immediate affirmations from my friend following the experience helped me to realize I was not hallucinating.

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?        Nothing like it before nor since.  I would like to do it again.

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