Astral Projection

The Boundaries of Consciousness

Out of Body Experiences — Real or Hallucinations?

What would it be like to leave your body behind and roam the world as a disembodied spirit?

In astral projection, you separate your consciousness from your physical body and travel to other places, both on Earth and beyond. It’s like having a spiritual body that can float around freely while your physical body stays put.

Some claim they can do this at will. For others. it happens spontaneously, during sleep or meditation. The experience feels real, not like a dream.

Astral projection isn’t new. Ancient cultures have mentioned similar ideas for thousands of years. In Egypt, they believed in the “ka,” a spirit that could leave the body. Tibetan Buddhists have practices aimed at achieving something similar.

In the West, the idea gained popularity in the late 19th century. Groups like the Theosophical Society helped spread these concepts. They’ve been a part of New Age spirituality since.

People who practice astral projection describe a specific process:

Relaxation: They start by getting relaxed, often through meditation.

Vibration: Many feel intense vibrations or hear buzzing sounds.

Separation: They feel like they’re separating from their physical body.

Travel: Once “out,” they move around freely, passing through walls and flying.

Return: Eventually, they come back to their body, often with a jolt.

There’s no scientific evidence that astral projection is real in the way believers describe it.

That doesn’t mean people aren’t having these experiences. It means we don’t have proof that consciousness can actually leave the body.

Some researchers think these experiences can be explained by how our brains work.

Sleep paralysis: This condition, where you’re awake but can’t move, comes with feelings of floating or seeing your body from outside.

Vestibular disorders: Problems with the inner ear can cause out-of-body sensations.

Neurological issues: Certain brain conditions cause similar experiences.

Astral projection remains a controversial topic in scientific circles. Researchers have studied similar phenomena for years.

Some studies use brain imaging techniques to examine what’s happening in the brain during reported out-of-body experiences. Here’s what they’ve found:

Temporal-parietal junction: This area of the brain, which is involved in how we perceive our body in space, shows increased activity during OBEs.

Vestibular cortex: This region, responsible for balance and spatial orientation, also lights up during these experiences.

Default mode network: This network, active when we’re daydreaming or thinking about ourselves, shows changes during OBEs.

These findings suggest that OBEs might be related to how our brains process information about our bodies and our environment.

Many report these experiences in connection with sleep paralysis. You’re mentally awake but can’t move your body. It’s a normal part of the sleep cycle, but sometimes people become aware during it.

During sleep paralysis, people report:

Feeling like they’re floating

Seeing their body from outside

Sensing a presence in the room

Scientists have induced OBE-like experiences in the lab. Here are a few methods they’ve used:

Virtual reality: By manipulating visual and tactile input, researchers have created the illusion of being outside one’s body.

Electrical stimulation: Stimulating certain areas of the brain can cause out-of-body sensations.

Sensory deprivation: Floating tanks and other forms of sensory deprivation can lead to OBE-like states.

Our sense of where we are in space is more flexible than we think.

Astral projection isn’t just a modern New Age idea. Cultures around the world have traditions that sound like what we call astral projection.

Shamanic Journeying

In many indigenous cultures, shamans claim to leave their bodies to travel to spiritual realms. They use this ability to:

Communicate with spirits

Heal the sick

Gain knowledge

The spirit leaving the body is similar to astral projection.

Ancient Egypt

The ancient Egyptians believed in the “ka,” a spiritual double that could leave the body during sleep or after death. They even created “ka statues” as homes for this spiritual essence.

Inuit Culture

Inuit groups have a tradition of “soul flight,” where a person’s spirit leaves the body to hunt or explore. They believe this ability is especially strong in their angakkuit (shamans).

Hinduism and Buddhism

Both of these Eastern traditions have concepts similar to astral projection:

In Hinduism, the “subtle body” is thought to be able to leave the physical body.

Some Buddhist practices aim to achieve a state where consciousness can be separated from the body.

People who practice astral projection often report positive effects:

Reduced fear of death

Increased sense of connectedness to the universe

Enhanced creativity

Spiritual growth

It’s important to note potential risks:

Sleep disruption if practiced too often

Anxiety or fear, especially during early experiences

Difficulty distinguishing between astral experiences and reality

As with any practice that alters consciousness, it’s wise to approach astral projection with caution and respect.

Astral projection has found its way into areas of modern life.

Online communities: There are forums and social media groups dedicated to sharing astral projection experiences.

Apps: Some developers have created apps to help induce astral projection through guided meditations or binaural beats.

Workshops and retreats: In-person and online workshops teach astral projection.

Scientific research: Researchers explore OBEs and related phenomena using modern scientific methods.

It can be viewed as a spiritual practice, a quirk of neurology, or something in between

Astral projection has shown up in movies, TV shows, and books.

“Doctor Strange”: The Marvel superhero uses astral projection as one of his powers.

“Insidious”: This horror movie features astral projection as a major plot point.

“The Wheel of Time” book series: Characters use “Dreaming” to enter a world between worlds.

Some celebrities have even claimed to have astral projected. Actress Shirley MacLaine wrote about her experiences in her books.

If you’re curious about astral projection, here’s what practitioners suggest:

Lie down in a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed.

Relax your body, starting from your toes and working up.

Keep your mind alert as your body relaxes.

Visualize yourself floating or rising out of your body.

If you feel vibrations or hear buzzing, don’t panic. This is normal.

“Will” yourself to move away from your body.

Even if you don’t leave your body, the visualization can be good for stress relief.

Astral projection is harmless, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Don’t try it if you have a history of mental health issues without talking to a doctor.

Some people find the experience scary, especially the vibration stage.

It might mess with your sleep if you do it too often.

Be careful about believing everything you “see” during an astral projection. It’s easy to mix up imagination with reality.

Astral projection remains a hot topic of debate. Believers swear by it, while skeptics point to the lack of scientific evidence.

Some researchers study it more seriously. They’re looking at things like:

Can astral projectors accurately describe distant locations?

Are there measurable changes in brain activity during claimed projections?

How do cultural beliefs affect the experience?

Many share their experiences. Here’s a typical example.

“I was lying in bed, totally relaxed but awake. Suddenly, I felt this intense vibration all over my body. It was scary at first, but I remembered reading about this. I tried to stay calm. Then, it felt like I was floating up. I looked down and saw my body on the bed! I could move around my room just by thinking about it. I even went through the wall into the street. It was amazing, but a bit overwhelming. After a while, I felt a pull back to my body and woke up with a start.”

Whether it’s real or just a dream, many find the experience meaningful. The world of consciousness is full of mysteries, and astral projection is just one of many ideas trying to explain the unexplained.