The Complete Manual of Out-of-Body Experiences and Astral Projection
by Marilynn Hughes
Today I'm reviewing The Complete Manual of Out-of-Body Experiences and Astral Projection by Marilynn Hughes. The copyright is 2025.
Marilynn Hughes has written dozens, or maybe hundreds, of books on out-of-body travel and astral projection based on her own experiences. I currently own three, but before now I've only reviewed one: Odysseys of Light. With dozens to choose from, where do you even start? Well, this book, The Complete Manual of Out-of-Body Experiences and Astral Projection, is a good place to start. You can also start by visiting the website where she promotes her work: The Out of Body Travel Foundation.
Most of Hughes' books have religious themes, with photos of Biblical Angels, Saints, and even Jesus depicted on the covers. For many years that misled me to believe the author was some kind of religious zealot pushing a Christian agenda, but that's entirely untrue. In fact, Hughes talks about many new-age topics like reincarnation. So don't judge her books by their covers.
This book doesn't contain any credentials and very few out-of-body narratives, so there's really no way to judge her level of experience. However, I assure you, Marilynn Hughes is the real deal. She writes from decades of experience and knows exactly what she's talking about, and you can tell that from her many other books. I didn't disagree with anything she wrote here, which is remarkable. She comes across as wise, spiritual, and humble.
So let's dive into the contents.
I liked how Hughes describes the different entities she's encountered in her numerous OBEs, and I'm sure she's had many more interactions with them than I ever have in my 35 years of OBEs. She describes the role of Guides, Angels, and Divine Beings. For example, she writes:
"In my astral travels, I was never alone. From the very first moment I left my body, I began to meet spiritual guides--beings of light and wisdom who accompanied me through the astral realms...
"I learned that these guides are not just separate beings, but reflections of the divine presence that is within all of us." (pg. 34)
The book has solid advice on dealing with fear, which is the biggest roadblock to OBEs. In short, she recommends:
- Educate yourself [on OBEs]
- Create a Ritual of Protection
- Start Small
- Document Your Experiences
- Seek Support
The book also has good foundational practices, such as:
- Cultivating the right environment
- Preparing your mind
- Visualization exercises
- Intention setting
- Preparing your body (relaxation, etc.)
- Preparing your mind
Hughes recommends, not just daily meditation, but "lengthy" meditation sessions during the day of up to three hours duration or more. She says:
"This allows your spirit to get to to [sic] the depths required to achieve the vibrational state which is required for out of body travel to take place." (pg. 57)
Woah, if I only had that kind of free time! That might be a noble "life goal" but for me, definitely not a "relationship goal" because it would be grounds for divorce for sure!
Here's a quote I really liked:
"When I first began my journey into out-of-body travel, I discovered quickly that the act of projection wasn't just about physical detachment from the body; it was about awakening the soul to its natural, expansive state. It wasn't enough to merely attempt to leave my body; I had to align my energy, focus my intention, and cultivate a deep spiritual awareness." (pg. 62)
A lot of OBE books focus on breath work, and Hughes has several very good specific recommendations. One of them is "Conscious Breathing" in which you inhale slowly (through your nose) for a count of four, hold your breath for a count of four, then exhale for a count of six. (Page 65)
Hughes recommends only two specific books from other OBE authors: Robert Monroe and Robert Bruce, and the book contains some techniques from those books. She claims that Robert Bruce's "Rope" technique became her "go-to method" to initiating her early out-of-body experiences. At other times she used Robert Monroe's "Roll-Out" technique.
Where this book really shines is in the specifics of every chapter. In almost every section of the book, Hughes says something like "Here's how I did this or that." It's pervasive throughout the book and, for me, it's much appreciated. Here are some examples:
- "Here's how I navigated these higher realms:" (pg. 86)
- "Here's how I used astral projection for healing:" (pg. 87)
- "Here's how I've learned to access these higher realms:" (pg. 92)
- "Here's what I've discovered about the middle realms:" (pg. 104)
- "Here's how I've learned to deepen my communication with divine beings:" (pg. 118)
- "Here's how I overcame fear in my journeys:" (pg. 122)
- "Here's how I continue to explore the higher realms:" (pg. 156)
I love love love specifics like that, even if the sub-bullets are sometimes a bit "ethereal" or hard to grasp. For example, "Letting go" or "Opening to divine light" might sound a bit vague, but at least they give the reader a good idea of the proper mindset. After all, when it comes to OBEs, sometimes the best action is inaction, and learning to "let go" and "trust the process" go with the territory.
Here's another quote I loved:
"One of the most awe-inspiring and transformative aspects of my out-of-body experiences has been the encounters I've had with guides, angels, and divine beings...over time, I've learned that these encounters are not only a central part of astral travel--they are an essential part of our spiritual journey." (pg. 111)
I also liked this quote:
"As I continued to apply the insights from my astral journeys, I realized that the key to living a spiritually fulfilled life is maintaining a heightened state of awareness throughout the day." (pg. 140)
There's a spiritual side to this book, and I wouldn't expect anything less from Marilynn Hughes. The good news is that it's humble and honest, not pushy or preachy. For example:
"The more I traveled, the more I came to understand that every journey is a stepping stone on the path to deeper awareness, healing, and union with the divine." (pg. 153)
See? Well said but not preachy. Perhaps my favorite quote is near the end of the book:
"But perhaps the greatest lesson I have learned is that the true purpose of astral travel is not simply to explore the unseen realms. It is to bring the wisdom, healing, and transformation that we experience during our journeys back into our daily lives. As we travel beyond the veil, we awaken to our true essence, our infinite potential, and our connection to the divine." (pg. 163)
This isn't a big book. It's 185 pages, but the format is petite (not "small"), the margins are wide and there's a lot of white space. That means there isn't a ton of content, but just enough to satisfy. It also makes for a quick read: You can read the book easily in one evening. It's very well organized and well written.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars, but it's almost 4 and a half. It's "perfect for some people." It's a good mixture of practical advice and spiritual insights. Still, there's plenty the author didn't say. Still, after writing so many books on the subject, she probably covered it all elsewhere.
Bob Peterson
11 March 2025
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If you want me to review
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if I've already reviewed it. Also, I've got a huge pile of books I'm
planning to review, so don't expect a quick turnaround.
If you like my work, visit my website, robertpeterson.org, where you'll find lots of other free OBE advice and links.
