Revista da Abordagem Gestáltica
Print version ISSN 1809-6867
Abstract
MEDEIROS, Gabriel Teixeira de and SILVEIRA, Fernando de Almeida. Phenomenology of extracorporeal perception: analysis of out-of-body experiences. Rev. abordagem gestalt. [online]. 2015, vol.21, n.2, pp.225-234. ISSN 1809-6867.
Several authors point out concepts and causes for the phenomenon of Out of Body Experiences (OBE). This article aimed to describe and analyze the OBE from the experience of the lived, listing different experiences called EFC, comparing them with each other and with the scientific concept of OBE, and investigating the meanings given to them, and their role in everyday life of those who claim to practice them in order to explore the variety of experiences named as OBE. Thirteen people were interviewed about their experiences, beliefs and consequence of OBE in their lives. We used content analysis, adopting Merleau-Ponty as the main theoretical framework for the interpretation of data. Reports of OBE were divided into two groups: those who have belief in the spiritual nature of such experiences - and thus reported experiences with the presence of spiritual beings who helped them - and those distrustful of their perceptions - who were skeptical and when in OBE, remained in the rooms where they were physically. However, in both cases, the experience had an important role in the understanding and being in the world of the experient, and is used as coping for questions from chronic diseases; life-threatening; to the lack of interest in life.
Keywords : Phenomenology; Body; Parapsychology; Religion and psychology.