What is Astral Projection and How Can I do it?
There are many aspects of spirituality that are open to interpretation. The idea behind an out-of-body experience (OBE) is exactly what you might imagine from the name: an experience where you leave your physical body behind in some form.
But what is astral projection and how is it connected to OBEs? In simple terms, it is just one of many types of OBE. We’re going to explore this bizarre and fascinating concept, discuss the astral plane, and consider some techniques for attempting your first projection. Let’s start with a seemingly simple question: what is astral projection?
Astral Projection
Astral projection can happen in a variety of ways, and while it can take place unintentionally, most experiences are purposeful and are brought on by active thought.
But what is astral projection? If we were to simplify the experience, we might describe it as being similar to a lucid dream. But unlike a dream state, you don’t explore a fictitious world and you don’t have control over your surroundings.
Instead, you explore the real world via the astral plane. Imagine, for a moment, that you’re able to leave your physical body behind. You float up towards the ceiling, look down at yourself lying on the sofa, and then you just go. You head out into the world.
You visit a friend’s house, explore a nearby park, or go somewhere new. Everything looks the same, but also slightly different as if you’re wearing tinted glasses or seeing everything through a filter.
Astral projection isn’t quite as simplistic as that, but now you have a basic understanding of what the experience could be like. In essence, you leave your body and travel via an astral or spiritual version of yourself.
We don’t have a full understanding of the practice, but we do know that it’s only possible because of the astral plane, but that in itself often creates more questions than it answers!
The Astral Plane
What is astral projection and the astral plane? Well, we find examples of both throughout history and across many different cultures. In Buddhism, it’s known as the ‘light body’, while in Hinduism it’s the ‘body of bliss’.
We even find examples of this state in ancient Egypt where it was known as ‘ka’. In the Bible, we even find references to this state.
For example, Corinthians 12:2 states:
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven.
Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.
Astral World Explanations
If you ask different people, “what is astral projection?”, you’ll likely get similar answers. But if you ask about the spiritual plane, you’ll discover a wide range of theories and explanations.
Some people believe that the astral plane is the unification of each person’s consciousness into a single mind.
It’s the idea that we’re one consciousness simply experiencing itself through subjective, physical bodies, and through spiritual projection we access all the sensory input from around the world, creating an astral world identical to our own.
Other ideas about the nature of the astral realm suggest that it’s actually the spiritual realm, and we’re seeing the world from the same perspective as a ghost or spirit.
When in astral form, we’re usually unable to interact with physical objects, but there have been cases of people sensing the presence of an astral form.
It’s also possible that the plane is a space between worlds. It’s the spiritual equivalent of a waiting room. Before you’re born, your spirit would wait here. After you die, your spirit would wait here.
But through astral projection, we can walk through this realm. The simple answer is that the astral realm is one of the universe’s greatest mysteries.
Learning to Astral Project
Everybody is capable of learning to astral project, but it’s not something that can be achieved easily. It requires:
- a lot of practice.
- Learning.
- and the right set and setting.
You need to prepare yourself for the possibility that you could try daily and not succeed for months or years. That’s not to say that it isn’t possible to do it the first time or after a matter of days, but the time it takes will vary drastically from person to person.
There are many ways to astral project, so we’re going to focus on two of the simplest, yet most effective methods: the rope technique and the Monroe steps technique.
The Rope Technique
- Find a quiet and comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed. Many people will attempt astral projection as they go to bed at night. Begin to relax your mind and body and focus on your breathing in the same way you would with meditation.
- As you focus on your breath, begin to pay attention to the sensations within your body. Pick up on the subtle vibrations within and allow these sensations to grow stronger the more you focus on them.
- Visualize a rope hanging just above your body. Keep your body perfectly still and use the internal, but non-physical vibrations to nudge at the boundaries of your body.
- Remembering to remain perfectly still, reach out with your astral form or energy self, and grab the rope. This will likely be a slow moment, so take your time.
- Once you have the rope in both hands, begin to climb up. Pull the rest of your astral self from its physical body until you’re completely free of it.
- Once you can wiggle your astral toes, you know that you’re free to explore the astral plane.
The Monroe Steps Technique
- Relax your body. Stay perfectly still, ignoring any itches or strange sensations. You need to trick your brain into thinking your body is asleep.
- Allow your mind to relax until you reach a semi-conscious state. You’ll feel like you’re awake and asleep at the same time, caught between reality and dreaming.
- Focus more on the mental sensations and begin to ignore anything that your body feels. Allow physical sensations to feel further and further away from you.
- Focus on the spiritual vibrations within your body. Allow them to grow in power while keeping your physical body perfectly still.
- Try to wiggle your astral fingers free, then your arms, and then your legs. Just remember that your body should stay still. Try freeing one at a time.
- Wriggle your head and torso free.
- Allow your entire body to simply float upwards as you enter the astral plane.
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