Astral Projection

To define Astral Projection, perhaps it would be best to give a brief description of the astral body. The astral body has been described as the ethereal counterpart or double of the physical body and is thought by Theosophists to survive the death of the human body. Astral projection has been recorded in many ancient civilizations. Ancient Egyptians drew pictures of people sleeping with their double body counterpart hovering above them. The Ancient Greeks also believed in a double body which housed the soul, and wrote that when the soul left the body, it perceived our physical realm as “dimly lit.” 

Astral Projection itself is a conscious attempt to have an experience that is outside of the physical body while still alive and lucid. One does not need to belong to any religious faith or sect to achieve this state, only an interest and curiosity in the world unseen. There are many different techniques that are used to induce Astral Projection. The most commonly used are methods of deep relaxation or meditating, or perhaps using an audio tape which can guide one into a lucid dreaming state. Other techniques were developed by Robert Monroe founder of the Monroe Institute, a psychic researcher, whose book “Journeys Out of the Body”, gave us the commonly used expression “out of body experience” (also called astral projection). 

Once out of the body the descriptions given are that the second or astral body is light, with an almost gossamer feeling to it, or it can be as dense as our own bodies. Often it is noted that one remains attached to the physical body by means of a silver cord, somewhat like that of an umbilical cord. The astral plane by all accounts is a truly amazing place, one that consists of many levels. These levels seem to be separated by different vibrational frequencies. Our own existence on planet earth seems to be a low, dense frequency and each plane above this level operates on a much higher finer vibrational frequency. Perhaps this is where the concept of heaven and hell came from with hell being the lowest level and heaven the highest.

The astral plane does not seem to have an absolute description as people have different experiences and maybe different expectations of what it is going to look like. But one common theme is that it is very “elastic” in the sense that you can change your form or other forms just by thinking about them. Thoughts seem to be manifested there and perhaps to some degree what is thought and how much it is thought about i.e. mass religion, may construct a “heaven” which in turn becomes a permanent place in the astral realm. There is often mention of people being able to access the Akashic Records or Book of Life, where all information is stored, right down to the most minute detail or thought about the life of everyone. 

To be a “traveller” in these other planes it would appear one has to adhere to the rules, just as if one was visiting a foreign country. Our world is physical and dense, other worlds may transcend all that we know and to enter them may require some spiritual transcendence on our own parts. People who have astral travelled say that all they need to have is the intent to go somewhere or see someone and their higher self that knows all and sees all will direct them to the correct place or person. In other words, there can be no mistake. Language in the astral realm is thought to be telepathic and therefore there is no problem with communication.

One astral traveller describes her childhood as one continuous adventure, during the day doing normal kid activities but at night she spent her time flying around the neighbourhood and often going to other countries. She would board buses and go into buildings but could never communicate or be seen. When she grew up she continued to astral travel and even tested her accuracy with the help of a hypnotherapist on members of her family. She astral travelled from her home in Ohio to her parents home in Florida, was present and aware of everyone and everything, remembered seeing that her aunt and uncle had stopped by unexpectedly. She also saw a cane propped up against a wall and was able to describe its exact position. Upon return from her “travels” she called her mother for verification and all that she had seen was accurate, right down to the cane, which belonged to her uncle who had just sprained his ankle that day. 

Most of us have heard stories of people who, while facing a near death experience through an accident or perhaps on the operating table during surgery, appear to leave their bodies. They can often describe everything that has happened to them because from their vantage point, which is usually above the body they have a clear unobstructed view. Their detailed accounts describe the surgery, surgeons conversations or in the case of an accident, what the rescue crew were doing or saying. All this happening while they float or stand unseen and unable to communicate over their unconscious physical body. Their return into the body is described as a jolt, and many who have had these out of body experiences claim that the feelings of peace and tranquility were such that they did not really want to return. These kind of experiences seem to require the “traveller” to remain fairly close to the physical body. 

Through astral travel one theme that often comes up is that people are often comforted to know that their consciousness can exist outside of their body. The fear of death being the end of everything is removed and the knowledge that we go on, perhaps to these other planes fills them with the desire to accomplish the task here on earth, which appears to be to learn to love one another and reach enlightenment.

Listening To The Silence

Most of us live in a noisy, fast paced, chaotic world whether by choice or the environment around us. We are all so busy “doing” life that at times, if we are not intentionally mindful of the sacredness of the moment and the blessings it offers, it slips right on past us, becoming one monotonous noise. It seems that everyone is plugged into something, listening to an iPod, talking on the phone, always needing a constant stimulus to feed our hungry minds. But silence is always there beneath sound and is the space where sound can exist.

There are few places left now where we can truly experience silence - where we can truly feel our own “aliveness.” Churches are a wonderful example of such sanctuaries. Sometimes on a busy day, to take time out and walk into a church, one can literally feel the silence, the stillness - it is almost tangible. To be alone with one's thoughts and prayers, can be a wonderful break. By taking the time to experience silence, one will notice that the mind calms. Lighting a candle for a loved one, watching the flickering flame, the smell of the candle wax - all observed with a quiet mind can bring you to that internal place where sometimes answers come - and because of the silence - you can hear them. 

Another silent sanctuary is a library where, upon entering, there is a hushed reverence observed. This dates back to the time when libraries were indeed attached to the church and regarded as high places of learning. Although today libraries have entered the 21st century with Internet facilities, movies and music, it is still another place to quiet the mind - and one of the few places where children are taught to observe silence.

When we sit outside and study nature, we notice that everything alternates between activity and inactivity, stillness and motion according to the movements of life. Being in a garden or open space and really observing leads you to notice that although there is silence - it is far from still. Something is always going on but to notice it yourself, you have to be very present and alert, the mind has to calm down. You then become aware of the tiniest movements or sounds, from the faint buzzing of a bee, the rustling and creaking of a tree or the busy work of an ant. To the attentive eye, each moment of the day has its own beauty, and in the same garden or park, every hour, one can witness a picture, which was never before been seen and which shall never be seen again. You may also notice the intensity of colours and begin to feel the living presence of the plants and trees around you. You can then feel the spiritual connection between us all, which without the gift of silence with its intense depth and power, you may have easily overlooked. 

The spiritual truth is; the calmer our mind is, the more efficient we will be in whatever we are doing and our emotional body as well as our physical body will reap the benefits. 

Anne-Marie Kenny

I thought I saw an angel.

An angel in disguise?

There was just something about her,

Something in her eyes.

The way she almost glided,

As she moved across the place.

A look of innocence and kindness

Was imprinted on her face.

Going about her business.

Breathing light into the air.

I wonder if she saw me,

Or sensed that I was there?

This being didn’t have wings,

At least I couldn’t see them.

Perhaps to blend in quietly

She could use them as and when.

I thought I saw an angel.

It’s difficult to explain.

If you had been there in the room,

Maybe you’d feel the same.

Sometimes between wake and sleep,

When lying in my bed,

I dream she visits me; a

Gentle kiss on my forehead.

I’ll never forget that angel.

The way she made me feel.

There’s no question about it –

I’m certain she was real! 

Copyright 2014 Marc Harris