I will put this out there for I have voluntarily been in the astral, but don't have much control here. It is not the panacea of experience for we truly don't ascend to our higher self, stupid here stupid there axiom. This final wakening comes after death from what I have gleaned.

On three occasions I have had my ego/self separated from both my body and my soul and been shown my soul. The first time I was taken out by others, looked at is and was told it was "a sacred thing". The is all that was said.

The second time was from a waking mediation and I was in my astral and I was told by a beautiful guide, "I have shown you the way and I am free to go on, think ascend higher, and if you show another you will be free as well".

The last time was when in great pain, I was taken out, again during a waking time. I saw myself on this uncreated forever plain huddled in pain and exhaustion, it was what I was experiencing. This was followed by this immense presence that had removed me from my body. It felt like I was a small child and I was with my parent, loved. I watched as a large shimmering fabric went forward and enwrapped my soul three times, finally pulling tight around it. I expected a reaction, but instead the light body conformed to the cloth and the last remanent of cloth folded over the head like a mother does with a baby.

Then the soul was pulled up and into the energy or being which I could not see, but knew and such love and comfort came into me it was beyond my ability to comprehend. I came back into my body in tears and I am a strong man, not subject to tears very often.

Life is more than this, much more and yes we are learning and changing and growing. Much more than this, and I have few answers. I am of no religion and don't believe we need to be, just be open and seek.