Those who have had a positive consciousness experience as a child often tell me that it has had a significant influence on their spiritual outlook as an adult. They usually appear to be more inquisitive and open to alternative methods of seeking the truth about their spiritual natures.

Can children have out-of-body experiences?

Yes. Children between the ages of 4-12 report a high incidence of spontaneous experiences. Evidence strongly suggests that children are more open to the encounters because they are less indoctrinated by their society and culture to accept matter as their physical self-concept. As they age, children are programmed by society to increasingly connect their self-identity with their dense physical bodies, and that is when conscious OBEs may diminish in frequency.

“One night, as an 8-year-old child, I went bed after a long, tiring day. I remembered some school work that I had forgotten to do. I tried to get up from my bed but I was too tired and heavy to move. So, I visualized myself walking over to my little desk. After counting to ten, I got up and walked over very easily. I sat down on my chair and looked over to my bed. I was surprised to see a lump there. Upon a closer look, I saw my own face! After a big bump, I was instantly back in my bed looking out of my own eyes.

Why would a child benefit from out-of-body travel?

One of the benefits of out-of-body travel for children is that it provides them with the opportunity to enter a unique learning environment—one that teaches them to confront their personal fears, develop relationships with their spiritual guides and resolve karmic situations. To hear children describe this process in such a natural and honest way reinforces this fact.

Some young explorers tell us that they have been able to say goodbye to recently deceased loved ones or hello to those they have never met. Meetings with family members can be very comforting and these are generally very positive experiences.

Many provide examples of flying, playing with imaginary friends, or rising above their own physical bodies. A varied range of nonphysical movement can indicate a spiritually developed individual. This is true for all ages because as we conquer our internal fears, our spiritual freedom becomes more evident.

How can I support children that I know without scaring them or setting unrealistic expectations?

This depends on the age and maturity level of the child. Each child is an individual and perceives the experience from a unique viewpoint.

In general, let them take the lead when it comes to describing their experiences. Ask questions without being too detailed and allow them to direct the conversation. Also consider the influencers around them so confusion and distrust are minimized. The following is a short sample conversation that might be appropriate for your child:

Parent – Do you remember any dreams you had last night?
Child – Yes, I was flying over some trees.
Parent – Wow, that sounds like fun. What did it feel like?
Child – I think I was a bird because I could swoop around and see everything beneath me.
Parent – Do you have any thoughts about it?
Child – I just felt light and free. It wasn’t scary at all.
Parent – That sounds like you had a great experience. Let’s write that down so you can remember it for later.

My child becomes frightened during an experience, especially during the vibrational state. Do you have any techniques that can help?

Adults that experience the energy sensations that accompany the vibrational state can use logic, research, or life experience to explain what is happening. For the young traveler it can be more unsettling. Educating your child (in terms they can understand) can provide support. If needed, together you could visualize a protector or companion that is age appropriate, a being that will always be there to accompany the explorer.

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The support of a trusted loved one may be the most critical part of a child’s spiritual development. When a child talks to the parent about an out-of-body experience or the vibrational state, it is always helpful when the adult is familiar with the phenomena associated with these events. In this book there is a chapter titled, “The Vibrational State, Recognizing the Precursor to an Out-Of-Body Experience.” If there is a child in your circle of influence, it would be helpful if you could be knowledgeable about this natural process.

“On a dozen different occasions, my son told me about waking with a powerful noise vibrating within him. It would scare him because he didn’t know what was happening. He said it sometime felt like an earthquake or electrical current flowing through his entire body. Sometimes he couldn’t move for several minutes. This all started when he was twelve. It’s good to finally know what this is. Now he’s no longer scared of it.”

As with any issues related to young children, be sure to involve the parents/caregivers to avoid conflict and confusion within a family unit.

Note: In my fictional book, Beyond the Astral, there is a short story “The Boy Who Could Fly” where a young boy tries to explain to his mother about his out-of-body adventures.