The idea that humans can leave their bodies during dream states is ancient. Countless people, from New Agers to Shamans around the world, believe that it is possible to commune with cosmic intelligence through visions and vivid dreams experienced during astral projection, also known as an out-of-body experience.
Surveys do suggest that between 8 to 20 percent of people claim to have had something like an out-of-body experience at some point in their lives — a sensation of the consciousness, spirit, or even called as an “astral body” leaving the physical body. While most experiences occur during sleep or under hypnosis, some people claim to do it while even merely relaxing.
It may seem like a profound experience, but the fundamental problem is that there’s really no way to scientifically measure whether or not a person’s spirit “leaves” or “enters” the body. The simplest and best explanation for out-of-body experiences is that the person is merely fantasizing and in turn dreaming. Because there is no scientific evidence which supports that consciousness can exist outside of the brain hence, astral projection is rejected by scientists.
Why hasn’t astral projection been proven scientifically? Some claim it’s because mainstream scientists are often closed-minded and refuse to even look at evidence that does not fit their narrow worldview. However, in science those who tend to disprove dominant theories are rewarded and not punished.
Scientifically testing the validity of astral travel should be actually quite simple; for example, you might hide 10 unknown objects at different locations and then ask a person to project their consciousness to each place and describe exactly what’s there. Either the descriptions match or they don’t!
We need not resort to such artificial tests, since the real world provides countless opportunities for astral projection to be demonstrated beyond any doubt. If proven, astral travel would be an incredibly useful tool to the world. There would be no need to send humans into severely dangerous conditions such as nuclear disasters to determine what the situation is there.
People whose consciousness’s can fly and move through the walls would save lives during natural disasters such as earthquakes, easily moving through the rubble and collapsed buildings to locate survivors and direct rescue workers to them. Astral projectors, like psychics, would be invaluable to police during mass shooting and hostage situations, describing exactly how many suspects there are, where in the building they can be found, and other such crucial details. The absence of these individuals during life-or-death situations is by far revealing.
Practitioners of astral travel insist that the experience must be real because it seems so vivid, and because some of the experiences tend to be similar, even for people from different cultures. But it’s not surprising that many people who try astral projection have similar experiences — after all, that’s what the term “guided imagery” is: when an authority (such as a psychologist or astral travel teacher) tells a person what they should expect from the experience!
In Astral Projection, the goal is to take the body into deeper and deeper states of relaxation without drifting into unconsciousness. ‘Yoga Nidra’ is one such method. Once the body enters the sleep state, practitioners simply “roll” out of their physical form.
Astral projection is definitely a natural occurrence. If you have experienced a jolt, and been startled from a half asleep state, this is your Astral Body returning too rapidly to your physical form. It can also be consciously practiced in order to become aware of other levels of consciousness. There are an infinite number of realities, planes and realms in the astral dimension.
Since Astral Projection is a naturally occurring phenomenon while asleep, remember to work on losing your fear of the unknown. Never attempt Astral Projection while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Start the experience with positive and wholesome thoughts about yourself, your kith and kin and your imminent experience.
Before astral travel, always visualise a protective circle around yourself. Imagine a white light around you. Visualise two large white hands come down and gently clean your aura from head to toe, removing all the negativity, embrace and enjoy the all over clean feeling this gives.
Then, embrace a comfortable position in a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted, preferably upright in an armchair as you may fall asleep if you are lying down. Do remember to use meditation music without any drum beats.
Clear your head of random thoughts. Focus on your breathing—in through your nose, out through your mouth. Visualise yourself breathing in tranquillity and breathing out disharmony. Focus on each and every part of your body starting with your feet and finishing up at your head. As you breathe out, think ‘My body is relaxing’. When you feel very relaxed, choose a phrase or mantra to repeat over and over to yourself such as, ‘I fly, I float, I rise’; or count down from 10 to one. If your mind starts drifting, simply remember to return to your mantra.
You will definitely enter a heightened state of simultaneous awareness and relaxation: your inner self and senses will become super aware but your body becomes extremely heavy and relaxed. Now, you are ready for astral projection! Continue to repeat the phrase or mantra that you have just used. Clear your head of everything and repeat it over and over again. Do not be impatient; sooner or later you will leave your physical form. Initially, the realisation that you have projected may force you back to your body. It tends to get easier as you practice.
As you begin to leave your body, you will get the sensation of movement, as if you are in a moving vehicle. This is the sign of your astral body beginning to separate from your physical one. Myriad lights and infinite colours appear in front of your eyes. Use your thoughts to move around on the astral plane.
When it is time to return to your physical environment, simply make the decision to come back to your body; visualise yourself back in your body. Count from one to 10, focus on each part of your body and begin to move them all slowly. Do not hurry, since you may have been physically static for hours.
It is not advisable to try astral projection on your own initially. The presence of an experienced guide is always recommended for such a unique practice.
