In Explorations in Consciousness, Frederick Aardema, a clinical researcher, provides a profound account of the out-of-body experience, covering some of the most mystifying aspects of this experience. Throughout the book, the author seamlessly weaves in his own travels into different fields of consciousness, including experiences in the personal field, where he is confronted with the constructs of his own psyche, as well as visitations to collective and archetypal fields of consciousness that appear to have an independent existence beyond the eye of the beholder. Highly original and groundbreaking, Explorations in Consciousness presents a model of reality in which nothing can ever be taken for granted. It proposes that consciousness is embedded within a wider field of possibilities that become real depending on our interaction with the world around us, whether "in" or "out" of the body. Regardless of what you believe about the out-of-body state, this book will challenge and excite you to become an explorer of consciousness. It provides a powerful method to induce the OBE, as well as new tools on how to navigate the entire spectrum of consciousness yourself.
From the Inside Flap
* The Transition Process - A systematic account of the transition process leading into the out-of-body state.
* Fields of Consciousness - A comprehensive overview of the different fields of consciousness that can be accessed in the out-of-body state.
* A Model of Possibilities - A quantum view of reality with direct and practical implications.
* Navigation in the Void - Accessible tools to effectively navigate consciousness by accessing nonlocal space in the out-of-body state.
* The Vigil Method - A powerful six-step guide to moving beyond the physical body.
This is one of the best OBE books I've read in many years and I highly recommend it. It was thoroughly enjoyable. One of the reasons I liked it so much is just because of the author's approach. It really makes you think. Hard.
-- Robert Peterson, Author of Out of Body Experiences, Lessons Out of the Body and Answers Within
Explorations of Consciousness represents a new height, a new level in the serious intellectual study of altered states, and specifically the so-called "out of body experience." But it is not a dry and pedantic framework, but an exciting, living framework that has a lot to offer people of all levels of interest. If you want a book with sound methods for inducing an OBE, Fred's book has it. If you want a sophisticated critique of past workers in the area of out-of-body experiencing, lucid dreaming and astral projection, Fred's book has it. If you wish to learn cutting edge ideas about this experience, and how it ties to other areas of learning, ranging from psychology to physics, Fred's book has it. It sets a new standard of quality and intellectual sophistication. It serves as a great example. Needless to say, I recommend you read it!
-- Dr. Donald DeGracia, Associate Professor of Physiology, Wayne State University, Author of Do-OBE and Beyond the Physical
With his careful, detailed scientific consideration of the phenomena, Frederick pulls OBEs out from the smoke screen of flimflammery to present them transparently as a comprehensible human experience - in particular, an experience potentially attainable by all.
-- Dr. Kieron O'Connor, Research Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Montreal, Canada
This book has moved the OBE ball down the field farther than anything since Robert Monroe in the 70's and 80's. The greatest contribution here is the way the author looks at the OBE. While rejecting neural reductionism, he also rejects all forms of geographical or 'travel' analogies. Consciousness is nowhere and can never be anywhere. All the apparent 'travel' to this or that world or zone of experience is a phase shift of eternally stationary consciousness. Check it out, finally somebody with a brain has probed into this deeply. It's the best thing in decades on the OBE.
-- Scott Meredith, Author of Juice: Radical Taiji Energetics
I am blown away. Frederick Aardema has written the master textbook of OBEs how it should be taught in schools. To my mind it will rank as one of the future classics of OBE literature and should be required and essential reading for all OBE investigators.
-- Jurgen Ziewe, Author of Multidimensional Man
Aardema's theory and practice of the OBE deserve careful consideration--his book is bound to become one of the classic texts on the subject.
-- Mathew Fike, Professor of English at Winthrop University
