One night while I was in bed, bored and just looking around the room hoping I would just doze off soon, I found myself at the base of the shrine. It happened instantaneously with no sound or transition of any kind and definitely no pain. I was only 6 years old so I couldn't reach the shrine as it was wall mounted and yet I was able to see from a height greater than my own. I calmly looked around the room as if this state of being was normal. There was no panic. I made a passing glance at my bed and some of my toys and the strangest thing of them all- the sight of my own body lying in bed as if it was a teddy bear didn't frighten me at all. It was just as interesting as a teddy bear, meaning I didn't linger. I looked out the doorway and felt my mother's approach. I didn't hear her but I could 'feel' her approach and even the colour of her nightgown. That's when I returned to my body.

I immediately got up in bed, afraid and looked around the room for the 'ghost'. I was afraid of ghosts at the time and this experience didn't help at all for a while. Sure enough, a moment later my mother entered the room and she was dressed in the same nightgown I had sensed.

I had not taken any medicine and I was not sick at the time, nor was I practicing any meditation or trance or anything at all that could possibly induce this. It just happened while I couldn't sleep. I didn't move the entire time while I was out of my body. I was disembodied thought - no limbs or anything I was aware of. It didn't even occur to me to check. My vision was much wider and I still have trouble comprehending that bit. I didn't notice any actual sounds as it was late and the city used to be quiet at that time.

It was the most bizarre experience of my life because of which there was always a doubt about what comes next after this mundane life and that it is possible to exist outside of this body. I don't claim to know a certain answer but until the very end, there will always be this doubt. I'm glad it happened as I don't have to make leaps of faith but have my own experience to fall back to, to simply think about and ask questions. I find it much better than blindly accepting what anyone else says.

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 alert. It was like I had woken up from a good night's sleep but better.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?           No, very real.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?         Uncertain     I was disembodied thought. I didn't feel any connection to my body but I didn't stray too far from it either. I didn't feel anything physical either.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?           None. While I was out, it may as well have been me standing at the same area doing the exact same thing - observing. I didn't feel any surge in any kind of emotion.

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?        Yes    I sensed my mother was wearing a light blue nightgown and she was coming to my room to check if I had fallen asleep. She was wearing what I sensed and she was quite annoyed with me for being up.

Did you notice how your 5 senses were working, and if so, how were they different?  Yes    Vision was a wider field, I didn't notice any sounds or smells. I didn't attempt to touch anything. Except for my vision, it all felt like a 'radar'?

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?           Uncertain     May be it is simply because of going back in time and reflecting on it but it's like a lot compressed in a few moments. You could almost say time was slower than usual. I just can't say.

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?           No     

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?     Uncertain     I was afraid of my mother finding me awake and spontaneously returned. It was like running away but without physical exertion. I'm not sure if that counts as a decision.

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    I don't dismiss the possibility of existing outside of this body or life after death as I would've otherwise done had I not experienced these strange few seconds of my life.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?    A bit, yes. It's part of my experiences but it didn't on its own cause any life changes because of my age. If it happened today, it still wouldn't be enough to rock the boat.

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

Have you shared this experience with others?           No      What emotions did you experience following your experience?       Fear, confusion. I thought there was a ghost in my room.

What was the best and worst part of your experience? Best- it happened. It's a strange experience that allows one to question things.