Astral travel, AKA astral projection, is founded on the principle that the human body is divided into two: the physical body that breathes, requires sustenance to survive, and then finally withers away, and the astral body which is the actual human consciousness.
Each person has complete control over their actions while astral traveling and the ability to explore their surroundings during the altered state and witness real-life events going on around this world as well as other realms.
What You Need To Know About Astral Projection
Like many others, you’ve probably asked yourself, is astral projection real?
It would interest you to know that astral projection isn’t just a popular phenomenon, it’s an enlightening spiritual practice with a long history in many cultures which has helped countless people around the world to see things from an entirely different perspective. During astral travel, everything appears much brighter than it usually is and there is also a heightened sense of self that comes along with it.
Most importantly, it feels exhilarating to know that your consciousness can exist apart from your physical body and to know that regardless of what happens to your earthly body, you have an astral body and a soul that will live on. Below are the basics of astral travel and every other thing it entails.
What Is Astral Projection?
You’ve probably had dreams in the past where you saw yourself floating through the air or visiting places you’ve never actually been to in your waking life, then all of a sudden you wake up almost as if you were pulled back to your physical body.
In reality, this is exactly how it feels to transition into the astral planes, except for the fact that the things that are seen when astral projecting aren’t conjured up by the brain. You’ve probably read about famous Yogis and spiritualists portraying the events of how they visited their followers and devotees who were leagues away from them, without having to leave their places of residence.
Astral projection can, at times, occur spontaneously. A lot of people claim to have inadvertently astral projected when they were deeply relaxed at some point in time, only to be pulled back to their bodies and doubt or shrug off the incident as nothing but a mere dream.
What Is The Astral Body?
The astral body is regarded as the spiritual equivalent of the physical body and is also believed to exist on a separate sphere known as the astral plane. Unlike the physical body, the astral body is much more perspective yet subtle. It is composed of infinite lifeforce, also known as prana.
The astral body is typically correlated with the core human senses which have to do with desire, emotions, and imagination. When the body is completely relaxed and void of all forms of concern, which is usually during the dream state or death for most people, the astral body detaches itself from the physical body and roams freely in the astral realm.
At this stage, mundane sensations like the pain will no longer be experienced, that is of course until it is pulled back to the unconscious body whether voluntarily or automatically.
In terms of appearance, the astral body can only be described as a bright aura comprised of different colors surging around the physical body. It is connected to the body – the navel precisely, by means of a silver cord that acts as a tether to the physical realm.
Definition Of The Astral Realm
The astral realm is one of the seven planes of existence. All humans exist and go about their lives in all seven dimensions at once without any knowledge of doing so, simply because our consciousness is mostly limited to the physical plane.
The astral plane is comprised of different densities and vibrations which are classified into lower planes, middle planes, and higher planes. Each one of these planes is identified by its unique colors and vibrations.
During voluntary astral projection, the astral body takes leave of the physical body and is free to roam the astral plane and can return to the physical body whenever the person desires.
The difference between astral travel and death is that once a person’s life has run its course, the silver cord which links the astral form to the physical body is severed, leaving it no other alternative than to transcend to a higher plane of existence commonly referred to by most religions as heaven or hell.
A Beginners’ Guide To Astral Projection
The following astral projection techniques should help guide you to achieving your own astral travel experience.
1. Getting Started
Before beginning any of the other astral travel techniques, your first task is to eliminate fear from your mind since this is a major stumbling block on the road to astral projection. The next step is to look for a quiet and comfortable position to sit. Ensure that there are no distracting items that might cause your mind to wander off during the process.
Now, you can either choose to lay on your bed or sit on a chair for the exercise. As a beginner who wants to astral project, it’s best to sit upright since it’s unlikely that you’ll fall asleep this way. Next, begin to clear your mind of all distracting sounds and random thoughts and ideas.
2. Establish A Link To The Astral Plane
Once you’re able to get into a deep meditative state you can start your transition into your astral form. Keep your eyes closed and begin visualizing your astral form as a more translucent version of your actual body.
Imagine your astral self lifting out of your physical body with your mind’s eye, repeat this technique until you’re able to master it.
3. Breathe Gently And Relax
As we’ve mentioned earlier, it’s possible to experience astral travel in the sleep state. This is only possible since breathing is most likely to be calmed at such times.
This exact principle applies to voluntary astral projection because it’s only possible to let go of the physical body when you’re in a trance-like state, which of course, can only be induced by complete relaxation and controlled breathing.
There are several techniques and self-improvement methods that have helped a lot of people separate their conscious selves from their physical bodies such as Lucid dreaming and meditation.
Once you’ve achieved mastery of your breathing and thoughts, you’ll then be able to astral travel at will.
Conclusion
The key to successfully astral projection is to not put any pressure on yourself. Follow each of the steps above, be consistent with your practice, and be patient.