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Astral Projection, commonly known as an out-of-body experience
(OBE), is a phenomenon that has rapidly gained popularity and
study over recent decades. While only a small percentage of the
world's population know about OBE, many are being educated and
enlightened about the subject every day. A fraction of these
enthusiasts is actually doing it. What exactly is astral
projection? You may have heard about it from friends, the Internet
or maybe you have had experiences of your own. Astral projection
is the temporary separation of an individual's waking
consciousness during a self-induced trance state or regular sleep.
A theory suggests that all people and animals project when they
sleep. People experience OBEs all the time and they have no waking
memory of the experience. The culprits of this are known by most
as shadow memories. Shadow memories are often recorded to an
inaccessible portion of the brain, which makes it seem as though
no dreams or OBEs ever occurred. Individuals wake up knowing they
had a dream or an astral projection, yet they can not remember it
even after sincere effort to do so. The point of this is the idea
that most people astrally project and they just don't know it.
Projection has been perceived by the "astrally challenged", those
who were not born with a natural ability to consciously project,
to be an extremely difficult feat, if not an impossible one.
Induced projection is not as difficult to achieve as most people
think. It is simply a matter of preparing the mind as well as the
spiritual and physical bodies for the exit. There are three keys
to success at projection. The three include deep physical
relaxation, a quieted mind and a level of trance.
Robert Bruce states in Astral Dynamics that the number one cause
of failure at conscious-exit projection is the lack of good deep
relaxation skills:
"Deep physical relaxation is the foundation on which everything
else rests. Without it, conscious-exit projection becomes
extremely difficult, if not impossible. More time and effort must
be spent learning deep physical relaxation than with any other
skill-it is that important!" -Robert Bruce
Taming or quieting the mind is a skill that must be worked at
close to perfection. Many thoughts run through our heads at every
minute, each acting as a part of a giant message and reminder pad.
This is known as internal dialogue or monkey mind. People
generally don't notice these thoughts and images as they
constantly enter and exit our minds, though they serve a very
useful purpose in our daily lives. When one wants to relax and
quiet his mind, say for an astral projection attempt, these
thoughts and images become annoyances and will hinder the mind
taming process. Regular practice with various techniques will help
one to easily achieve a sound state of mind for concentration
during a projection attempt.
Various levels of trance are experienced every night when we go to
sleep. Whenever we lay down for a nap or a night of slumber, our
bodies will begin to relax as our minds get lost in half- thoughts
and images, or hypnagogic imagery-leading to a trip through the
Trance State. Normal nightly projections have elements of the
sleep cycle, as most induced projections. Henceforth the need for
a level of trance. Trance induction techniques trick the body into
going to sleep while the mind stays awake. To induce a level of
trance, one must have some practice and success at deeply relaxing
the physical body and clearing the mind. The next step after
deeply relaxing the physical body and clearing the mind of all
thoughts, is to produce a mental "falling" technique. This
technique acts as a catalyst for the trance induction process.
After a good level of trance has been achieved, an exit technique
is often necessary to trigger the exit of the astral body.
Techniques in this category are extremely numerous and can even be
customized by projectors to better enhance their experiences. An
exit technique simply places one's awareness outside of the
physical body, stimulating the generation of the astral body. A
clear mind must accompany this or the attempt will most likely
fail. Complete concentration is necessary for success.
Many individuals experience a type of astral "body" after
separation from their physical selves that is very similar to
their physical body in appearance. There is controversy over
whether we need a body in the astral. At first, most projectors
will have a "body" that looks like their physical body and will
learn to use it as a tool. Some have experienced the astral body
disappear after numerous projections only to be replaced by a
point of consciousness as the "new" body.
Sight is another part of astral projection that is not fully
understood. Many say that they see with their minds during a
projection in the same sense that bats use their radar to
navigate. Other people report that it is very similar to everyday
sight except with some very small modifications. In reality, it is
just something you have to experience for yourself.
Many individuals ask the question, "What do I do when I get out?"
The answer is up to you. Many people visit earthly locations and
people in the real-time zone (closest astral zone to the
physical), others explore higher realms of existence and some even
experience the Akashik Records-a vast library containing perpetual
echoes generated by every act of consciousness. What you do
depends greatly upon personal beliefs and a growing ability to
maneuver and perceive in the astral. The possibilities are
endless.
The knowledge that exists about the subject of astral projection
is the result of lifetimes of experience professed from advanced
projectors and novices alike. A handful of notable individuals
have put forth a lifetime of painstaking experimentation and
thought to bring enlightenment to the community of projection
enthusiasts. The techniques discussed in this and other sections
of the Astral Society forums include ideas and theories from
celebrated authors such as Robert Bruce and Robert Peterson, who
are two excellent modern day philosophers of the out of body
experience. In the same sense that much of the physical world
remains quite a mystery to humans, astral projection remains a
mystery. We gain new understanding with every experience endured
by a vast number of individuals, yet a plethora of knowledge is
still out there waiting for the right person to find it. Perhaps
you will be the next to reveal something new and exciting.
It is recommended that Astral Dynamics, by Robert Bruce, as well
as Robert Peterson's book Out of Body Experiences: how to have
them and what to expect, be read in order to enhance the astral
projection learning process. Query the Astral Society "Links &
Tools" page for links to these and other authors' websites. The
astral projection forum will help to assist you in your astral
journeys with professed experiences and tips by both advanced
projectors and "armchair travelers" alike. Don't be discouraged if
early attempts at achieving projection fails. Patience and
persistence are an absolute must. Seek guidance from fellow
projectors here at the Astral Society. We will do our best to help
each other to learn and improve our skills at this art.
~Dreamspeak
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