During the last six years he has conducted an international out-of-body experience survey that includes over 16,000 participants from 32 countries. The provocative results of this survey are presented in his new book, The Secret of the Soul. This cutting edge book explores the unique opportunities for personal growth and profound spiritual awakenings that are experienced during out-of-body travel.

Over the past two decades William has developed a proven, effective system to experience safe, self initiated out-of-body adventures. He conducts an in-depth three-day workshop titled, Out-of-Body Exploration: Stepping Beyond Time and Space. As a certified hypnotherapist, William incorporates various methods, including hypnosis, visualization and meditation techniques in his workshops to explore the profound nature of out-of-body experiences and the benefits of accelerated personal development. Through lectures, workshops and his books the author teaches the preparation and techniques of authentic spiritual exploration.

The author brings a refreshing look to how we can use astral travel and out-of-body experiences to explore our spiritual identity and enhance our intellectual and physical lives. William is best known for his ability to teach people how to have profound spiritual adventures through the use of out-of-body experiences. In addition, he has developed an extensive series of audio programs that are designed to expand awareness and assist in the exploration of consciousness. William has appeared on numerous television and radio shows nationwide.

Review of  "The Secret to the Soul"                                 back to top

William Buhlman’s latest book The Secret of the Soul is a fresh and exciting approach to spiritual development and personal exploration. Buhlman bases this fascinating information on an international out-of-body survey that he has been conducting for the past five years. With over 16,000 responses from 32 nations there is a universal appeal to this text that no other book of this type can claim. These adventures graphically display the potential of out-of-body travel as a powerful tool for self-empowerment and personal growth. There are also at least thirty simple techniques that will assist the reader in having a spiritual experience of their own.  

In the first chapter, “Meetings and Messages Beyond the Body” readers will be immediately drawn in by the variety of out-of-body encounters described by the survey participants. Buhlman explains the hidden meanings of these meetings and of the messages obtained from over two dozen experiences. Some of the compelling examples are meeting deceased loved ones, receiving messages from guides or angels and sensual experiences with non-physical beings.

Buhlman’s research has shown that the first OBE that many people have occurs in early childhood and in The Secret to the Soul, he documents at least 45 childhood out-of-body experiences ranging in age from a 4-year-old to those of teenagers. It instructs parents how to react to a child's journey, provides a children's protection technique for fear reduction, and explores the developing spirituality of children who experience the vibrational state.
Some of the most unique examples of spontaneous out-of-body experiences are those that occur due to intense pain, trauma, physical and mental stress, illness and other traumatic incidents as explains in “Combat and Trauma Related Experiences.” The most gripping is that of a rape victim, that although blindfolded, was able to later identify her attacker.

Perhaps the most meaningful chapter of the book is, “A New Vision of Death and Dying” where Buhlman provides specific spiritual guidance. This chapter clearly demonstrates that death is not the end, but a transition of consciousness that can be guided and enhanced by yourself and your loved ones. In “Extraterrestrial Contact and Abduction” the correlation between alien contact and out-of-body travel is clearly made. Results from the author’s out-of-body survey and the abduction phenomenon from John Mack's research are compared with astounding similarities. 

The chapter,” Transformational Experiences” describes numerous life changing out-of-body adventures. This is where Buhlman has documented past life recollections, higher self-experiences, God Awareness, and the overwhelming message that we absolutely exist beyond our physical body. One of the more intriguing testimonies is that of an incarcerated survey participant that describes his spiritual adventure. 

According to Buhlman, there is a remarkable process to obtain a spiritual experience and the chapter titled “The Direct Path to the Soul” details the common elements of a true spiritual journey, the transition of consciousness, and responding to the trance state. With these tools, the out-of-body traveler will be prepared to make the most of the experience. 

The author presents detailed advice, preparation and over thirty practical techniques. With these tools the reader will have a variety of methods to seek and obtain spiritual development through out-of-body travels. These methods are illustrated with an absorbing account of an adventure that occurred as a result of the technique.

Buhlman demonstrates through fear reduction techniques and spiritual protection methods how to face and overcome the potential obstacles to a successful journey. In  “Challenges that Confront the Out-of-Body Explorer”  there are over two dozen experiences that detail the issues that people face, and how to resolve them. One of the most significant is that of an adult male who had experienced night terrors for most of his life until he learned about OBEs.  He recognized that what had been frightening him was actually a prelude to an out-of-body experience and now he embraces the very feelings that terrified him.  

Although most of the survey results are sprinkled throughout the earlier parts of the book, the appendix summarizes the results. There is also a follow up survey that allows the reader to participate and share their experiences. 

 With The Secret to the Soul, William Buhlman has established himself as the definitive expert on out-of-body travel. A truly enlightening account of the out-of-body journey, along with straightforward instruction this book will not only appeal to Buhlman’s  Adventures Beyond the Body audience, but will captivate many new readers as well. 

Elizabeth Lambert is a freelance writer living in Bethany, Delaware. She serves on the Board of Directors for several organizations. Ms. Lambert conducts interviews with authors and writes book reviews. 

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