by Elizabeth Farrell

Created on: December 29, 2010

Astral projection, also known as an out of body experience, is the ability for a person to separate their consciousness from their physical body in order to explore distances in time and space. Essentially, one is sending out the astral body to obtain knowledge and possibly communicate with spirit guides or other spiritual beings. Astral projection can take place during a meditative state or during a trance state and some people have even claimed to experience astral travel during a lucid dream state while sleeping.

During astral projection, ones consciousness is said to travel on an astral plane. The astral plane is believed to be a place where the thoughts, memories and dreams of everyone in the world exists and is made up of many levels. In some ways, the astral plane can be likened with Akasha, which is one of the five elements of Hindu philosophy and is believed by some to be an atmosphere that contains a record of everything that has ever happened.

Astral projection stems from the belief that we have seven bodies that exist within seven planes of reality. This belief was a teaching of Madame Helena Patrovna Blavatsky (1831- 1891) who was one of the co-founders of the Theosophical Society in New York. According to Madame Blavatsky, the astral body leaves the body during astral projection but is attached to the physical body by a fine and infinitely long silver cord. Some people, rather than following the belief of seven bodies, believe instead that astral projection is a shift in consciousness and one in which no movement actually occurs.

What is the Purpose of Astral Projection?

The purpose of astral projection varies depending upon a persons belief system or spiritual philosophy. But for the most part astral projection is seen as a way develop spiritually and to expand the minds awareness. However it is not only limited to spiritual development and enrichment. It is also used as a way to expand creativity, heal from past traumas, find inner peace, heighten intellectual capacity, reduce stress or a myriad of other reasons. Some people even claim to have contacted departed loved ones or historical figures from the past during astral projection. Another purpose of astral projection is the reassurance many people find that consciousness exists outside the limits of the physical body and in this way is evident for them that there is life after death.

What Does it Feel Like?

The astral projection, out of body experience is different for each person, but generally

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