Astral Projection: Traveling The World Through The Mind

Astral projection, or astral travel, is a term used to describe an intentional out-of-body experience (OBE) where the astral body, or soul, leaves the physical body and travels to a new plane of consciousness. The idea of astral projection is ancient and occurs in multiple cultures, and is often associated with dreams and forms of meditation. While there is no scientific evidence to support the existence of astral projection, it has been characterised as a pseudoscience. However, some people have reported perceptions similar to descriptions of astral projection induced through hallucinogenic and hypnotic means.

Practitioners of astral projection claim that the experience is real, arguing that it is too vivid to be imaginary. They also point to the similarities in experiences reported by people from different cultures. Despite these claims, scientists argue that there is no way to scientifically measure whether a person's spirit leaves or enters the body, and that astral projection is simply a form of fantasising or dreaming.

Nevertheless, astral projection has been featured in popular culture, such as in the Doctor Strange films and Netflix's Behind Her Eyes. It has also been the subject of numerous books, seminars, and other materials that promise to teach people how to leave their physical bodies and access other dimensions.

The history of astral projection

The concept of astral projection, or the idea that a person's consciousness or soul can separate from their physical body and travel to other places, has a long and complex history. While the term "astral projection" is relatively modern, the notion of out-of-body experiences has been found in various ancient cultures and religious traditions worldwide.

Ancient Beliefs and Religious Texts

The concept of the soul or astral body travelling outside the physical body can be seen in ancient Egyptian teachings, where the "Ba" was considered the closest component to the Western conception of the soul. In the Qur'an, Muhammad's astral body is said to travel in the Isra and Mi'raj story, and similar concepts of soul travel appear in Hindu scriptures and Taoist practices. Indigenous traditions, such as the Waiwai and some Inuit groups, also believe in the ability to perform soul flights or journeys to remote, mythological places.

Western Esotericism and Theosophy

In Western esotericism, the term "astral projection" is commonly used to describe a purposeful out-of-body experience (OBE). The term was coined and promoted by 19th-century Theosophists, particularly Helena Blavatsky, who founded the Theosophical Society in New York in 1875. Blavatsky's teachings included the idea of the astral body's ability to transcend the physical body and travel to new places. Theosophy taught that there are seven bodies of man, the third of which is the astral body, capable of leaving the physical body behind and exploring astral planes. This belief system gained traction in the United States and influenced artists and scientists in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Modern Popular Culture

The idea of astral projection has also made its way into modern popular culture, with appearances in films like "Doctor Strange" and books such as Dennis Wheatley's "Strange Conflict" (1941). Additionally, there are hundreds of podcasts, books, and guides that claim to teach people how to induce astral projection or out-of-body experiences. However, the scientific community generally regards astral projection as a pseudoscience, as there is no empirical evidence to support the existence of a consciousness separate from normal neural activity.

Preparing for an astral projection

Astral projection is an intentional out-of-body experience (OBE) that can be achieved through meditation, lucidity, sleep cycles, music, and more. It is an ancient esoteric practice that is said to have roots in ancient Egypt, early Judaic and Christian texts, Hinduism, Japanese mythology, Amazonian and Inuit indigenous cultures, and Taoist practices and stories.

Understand Astral Projection

It is important to have a basic understanding of astral projection and what to expect. This can include reading about other people's experiences and the scientific and spiritual explanations behind the phenomenon.

Choose the Right Time and Place

Astral projection requires a state of deep relaxation, so it is best to choose a time and place where you are comfortable and unlikely to be disturbed. Some people find that the early morning, when they are still feeling drowsy, is a good time to attempt astral projection.

Create a Relaxing Atmosphere

Ensure the room is quiet and free from distractions. Draw the curtains, get rid of any noises that might interrupt you, and lie down on your bed or sofa. It is easier to perform astral projection alone, so if you share a bed, choose a different room.

Lie Down and Relax

Position yourself on your back, close your eyes, and try to clear your mind. Focus on your body and how it feels, starting with your toes and working your way up, flexing and loosening your muscles as you go. Breathe deeply and completely relax your body, ensuring you are not holding any tension in your chest or shoulders.

Use a Crystal for Focus (Optional)

Holding a quartz crystal on your third eye (slightly above the centre of your eyebrows) can help to raise and speed up your vibrations. Breathe deeply and feel the vibrations and your head clearing. You can also choose to visualise golden, white, purple, or any colour of light.

Reach a Hypnotic State

Let your body and mind approach sleep, but try not to lose consciousness. This state, known as the hypnagogic state, is necessary for astral projection. To reach this state, focus on a body part, such as your hand or a toe, and visualise it perfectly. Use your mind to move this body part without physically moving it. Gradually broaden your focus to the rest of your body.

Enter a State of Vibration

Many people report feeling vibrations as their soul prepares to leave the body. Do not be afraid of these vibrations and instead, allow yourself to succumb to them.

Set an Intention

Having an intention or goal for your astral projection can help guide your experience. This could be to connect with a spirit guide, visit a place in the past or future, or find spiritual answers.

Protect Yourself

Although astral projection is considered safe, it is natural to feel disoriented. You can protect yourself by calling on ancestors, spirit guides, or animal spirits, and using safeguarding crystals. Visualising a circle of white light around you can also help ward off negative energies.

Remember, astral projection may not come easily to everyone, so be patient and keep practising.

Entering a hypnotic state

To enter a hypnotic state, or trance, you need to relax and calm your mind through breath awareness. You can try imagining that you are climbing down a ladder in the dark—on the exhale, feel yourself climbing a step or two down the ladder, and on the inhale, feel yourself holding still. Alternatively, you can try the "sinking" technique, where you imagine yourself sinking into water on the exhale, and floating on the inhale.

What is needed is a "mental falling effect" inside your mind. This changes the level of brain wave activity from the awake level (Beta) to the asleep level (Alpha) or the deep sleep level (Theta). Once your level of brain wave activity reaches Alpha, you will enter a trance.

Keep doing this for as long as it takes. The time it takes to enter a trance will vary depending on your experience with deep relaxation and mental calmness.

Note: Once you get the heavy feeling, stop the mental falling exercise. If you don't like the ladder, imagine you are in a lift.

The level of trance you achieve depends on your relaxation, concentration skills, and willpower. To enter a deeper trance, you have to concentrate more and for longer on the mental falling sensation aided by breath awareness. The first level of trance—when you get a very heavy feeling—is quite deep enough for astral projection.

You can tell if you are entering a deep trance by the following four very noticeable symptoms:

• An uncomfortable feeling of cold that doesn't make you shiver, coupled with a steady loss of body heat.
• Mentally, you will feel very odd and everything will feel extremely slow. Your thought processes will slow down as if you had been given a strong pain-killing injection.
• You will feel dissociated from your body, i.e., a strong floating sensation and everything will seem far away.
• Total physical paralysis.

It is very difficult to get into a deep trance state, as you need highly developed relaxation, concentration, and trance state skills, as well as lots of willpower and mental energy. You will not accidentally fall into it. If you are worried you are going too deep, remember that you can pull yourself out of it at any time. Concentrate all your will on moving your fingers or toes. Once you can move a finger or toe, flex your hands, move your arms, shake your head, i.e., reanimate your body, and get up and walk around for a few minutes.

Exploring the astral plane

Once you have successfully managed to astral project, you can begin to explore the astral plane. The astral plane is a supernatural plane of existence, an intermediate world of light between Heaven and Earth, composed of the spheres of the planets and stars.

The astral plane is said to be populated by angels, demons, and spirits. It is also reportedly a beautiful place, full of silver-bodied entities, orbs of ethereal light larger than the sun, and a sense of feeling at home.

You can explore the astral plane in a number of ways. One method is to use lucid dreaming herbal concoctions, such as Mexican dream herb, Egyptian Blue Lotus, Mugwort, and Passionflower. Another method is to use the 'belly button' technique, which involves imagining yourself rocking back and forth in a hammock, positioned between two calming trees of your choosing. When you feel completely relaxed, gently roll yourself out of the hammock and you will land in the astral plane.

You can also use the 'rope' technique, which involves imagining an invisible rope hanging from your ceiling and climbing it. Keep climbing until you can see your physical body lying still in front of you, then unpeel yourself and begin your journey.

You can explore the astral plane alone or with a friend. It is said that you can even have astral sex with another person who has also mastered the art of astral projection.

Some people believe that the astral plane can be accessed through meditation, breathing exercises, chanting, and postures. Others believe that it is a pseudoscience, and that there is no scientific evidence to support the existence of an astral plane.

Returning to your body

To return to your body, simply make the decision to come back and visualise yourself back in your body. You can then start to move your fingers and toes physically, and let yourself regain full consciousness. It is important to take your time with this process, as you may have been physically still for a long period.

Some people believe that your soul will naturally return to your body when the time is right, and that the silver cord cannot be broken. However, it is said that your soul can be delayed from re-entering your body if you spend too much energy outside of it.

There are differing beliefs about the dangers of astral projection. Some say that it is dangerous, especially when exploring unfamiliar places. Others believe that astral projection is natural, powerful, and healing, and that no harm will come to you unless you think it will.

Before you begin an astral projection journey, it is recommended that you imagine yourself surrounded by a protective white light, which will keep you safe from negative energy forms and other negative influences.

Frequently asked questions