| Robert Allan Monroe (October 30, 1915March 17, 1995) was an advertising executive from Virginia who became known for his research into altered consciousness. His 1971 book Journeys Out of the Body is credited with popularizing the term "out-of-body experience". In 1978 Monroe founded The Monroe Institute, which carried on his work after his death. He is also notable as one of the founders of the Jefferson Cable Corporation, the first cable company to cover central Virginia. According to his own account, while experimenting with sleep-learning in 1958 Monroe experienced an unusual phenomenon, which he described as sensations of paralysis and vibration accompanied by a bright light that appeared to be shining on him from a shallow angle. Monroe goes on to say that this occurred another nine times over the next six weeks, culminating in his first out-of-body experience. Monroe recorded his account in his 1971 book Journeys Out Of The Body and went on to become a prominent researcher in the field of human consciousness. Monroe later authored two more books, Far Journeys (1985) and Ultimate Journey (1994). In 1978 he founded The Monroe Institute, a non-profit education and research foundation describing itself as being "devoted to the exploration of human consciousness". In his last book Ultimate Journey there is a chapter "About the Author". In this chapter it is said that Robert Monroe is directing Monroe Institute - from There, meaning that he is able to take part in his ... |
