Astral Projection

Introduction
Astral projection is the power to project one's consciousness to the physical world and astral world as well. We all have this ability, and we do use it when we are relaxed, and asleep. One with this can go to astral worlds, fly, contact friends, and even hear what people are saying.

A Beginner's Guide to Astral Projection
First, we should have a clear understanding about what Astral Projection is, so now its 'definition time'.

Astral Projection- an out of body experience (OBE), involving an 'astral body', which is separate from the 'physical body', and is able to travel great distances, and sometimes, different realms in the Astral Plane.

Astral Projections can occur, because of a multitude of situations. Some of these are subconscious, and even fewer are completely conscious.

Subconscious projections will happen if an individual is having personal conflict, such as a question that disrupts moral judgement, or any other important question that pertains to how the individual interprets life and its situations. This is the most common form of projection, as it takes no effort from the subconscious mind to exercise this ability. These will happen during sleep, in the 'dream state' (stage 4 of sleep, known as "REM" sleep). These dreams are generally 'lucid', can sometimes be 'precognition's', and the individual commonly wakes up feeling restless, as if they were busy all night. It is best that you write these dreams in a journal (label it "dream journal" or "experience journal"), as the symbolism within the dream more than likely holds the answer to the question your subconscious sought to solve.

So, now that we've covered "subconscious projection", if you want, take a few notes in a journal. Now, lets move onto the type of projection that requires practice- Conscious Projection.

Conscious Projection is like Subconscious Projection, but the difference is that you are completely aware of your surroundings and actions in the Astral Plane, and it takes effort to "pull out of your physical body".

Now, here is the disclaimer... Do not let this discourage you at all, either... With Conscious Projection, there are three important concepts to remember BEFORE you are able to easily travel consciously around the Astral Plane.<

Concept 1- PRACTICE!
Conscious Projection may come easier to different people, or harder for others, but anyone who has exercised this ability with precision knows that before you can actually accomplish it, you must first practice.

Concept 2- FOCUS!
This is another extremely important aspect of conscious projection. In order to go "out of body", a lot of concentration is required, for whatever method you choose to "come out" with. The easiest way to build focus is to have "counting exercises". Take a large amount of objects (I chose a jar of pennies), and start counting them. If you lose count and mess up, start over. Do this until you have a perfect count of 1000 or more. This means that you are able to focus extensively, and will be more likely to hold your out of body  form, for longer periods of time.

Concept 3- RELAX!
Before you begin your practice with conscious projection, think of things that make it easier for you to focus and meditate. I suggest laying in a comfortable position and place (preferably on your back, in a bed), having the lights dimmed or off, and if it helps, play relaxing music, or any music that makes you feel comfortable. When you have done this, meditate for about 10 minutes or so (you can meditate for however long you want), and begin to practice your methods of pulling your astral body out. If you experience vibrations while you are being pulled out, relax as best you can, and remember that it is part of the process of conscious projection.

Now, we will move to the methods used after these concepts are applied, that focus on pulling out of the body to move about in the Astral Body.

Before we move on, we need to understand what the "Astral Body" is, as well as the "Astral Plane" so its 'definition time'.

Astral Body- A subtle body, intermediate between the "intelligent soul" and the "physical body". The astral body is associated with "out of body experiences (OBE's)", or "astral projection". The astral body travels through the "Astral Plane".

Astral Plane- Also called the "Astral World", the Astral Plane is a plane of existence, between other planetary forms, as well as realms, in which the 'astral body' travels. Generally, this plane is populated by beings that are not incarnated. Some pose threats, while others may provide answers to troubling questions and experiences.

Alright, now that we have our definitions, we can move on to the methods to get out of the physical body and travel through the Astral Plane

''Everyone's Astral Plane is a little different. ''

by Optikinesis

Category- Methods
Method 1- Rope Technique

If you are able, take a piece of string, rope, or any material that dangles and tape it to your ceiling. If you are not able to do this, imagine the dangling material hanging down. After this is established, try and lift your astral body up to grab the string or whatever material you have used. With enough concentration and practice, your astral body will grasp on to the string (if a physical material is provided).

Method 2- Bed Border

For this exercise, you will either need to have your mind concentrate on the edge of your bed, or a border of a bed frame. Once you have meditated for a while, try to have your astral body grip onto the edge of the bed or border, and pull on it until you feel yourself come out of your body. Once again, this will take concentration and practice.

Method 3- Ladder

In this exercise, you will need to concentrate on your breathing, as well as a mental image. A few minutes into meditation, concentrate primarily on your breathing. To give your body an illusion of a "sinking feeling", imagine each breath is a ladder rung. You may have the urge to move your body, or do something like scratch an itch, but do your best to ignore these urges, as you will have to start over. Eventually, you will have a feeling of "emptiness", which is pretty much the final step before going out of body. You may find it odd that this method is about "sinking", rather than "ascending", but it just means your Astral Body will come out below your physical body.

Category- Other Methods
Method 1- Binaural Beats

This method can be used in a combination with the three methods mentioned above, but some people can use this method with just the meditation. For a quick review of what "binaural beats" are, I think its time for "definition time".

Binaural Beats- Binaural Tones are auditory processing artifacts, or apparent sounds, and can cause the brain to perceive specific physical stimuli. These are used to induce relaxation, meditation, creativity, and other desirable mental states. There are different frequencies of these tones, and each have a different effect on brainwaves.

To hear these tones, you can go to YouTube and type in "binaural beats" in the search bar. Several videos will come up with different frequencies. I will have to do more research to see if there is a specific order, but if you have any information that you would like to add, regarding 'binaural beats', please feel free to add them in the comment section.

Now we'll move on to a practice you can use while you are beginning Astral Projection

For this exercise, you will need colored marbles, rocks, or any objects that are colored differently, but have the same consistency in shape. Before you go to bed and want to practice conscious astral projection, take a handful of the colored objects, scramble them up, and place one in a different room. It is very important that you do not know the color of the object you leave!! Blindly select one at random, place it, and walk away. While you are practicing projection, try to go into the other room and see what color the marble is. If you are able to, write down the color in a journal, and see if you were correct. If so, then you have successfully traveled through conscious astral projection.

I also feel the need to provide a bit of extra information, as I've been asked a few other questions pertaining to Astral Projection.

Astral Projection FAQ
A commonly asked question is, "Am I safe while I Astral Travel", or, "Can I go back to my body". The answer is simple: Yes. Although the projection may be 'conscious', the 'subconscious' still has a sort of "master control", and if it is alarmed or senses danger (or if your concentration runs out), you will automatically be sent back to your physical body, through the help of your 'subconscious'. Think of it as an invisible fishing rod that allows you to go anywhere, but can also 'reel you in'.

Also, a bit of a 'disclaimer'... Conscious astral projection WILL take time, patience, and practice. Many people have different affinities for it, so it can take days, weeks, months, and even years to learn. Don't let that discourage you, though. Hard work can go a long way.

I hope this article is helpful for you all, whether you're just starting or have been at it a while. At this moment, I can't really think or remember anything to add, so if you have any more tips you would like to add, regarding methods of coming out of the physical body, please leave them in the comment section, and I will do the same.

ALL OF THE CREDITS BELONGS TO UMADBRO FROM MYTK

Peace and Quiet
The first step is to find an area that is quiet and peaceful. The key is to be able to meditate without being interrupted. This is not always possible, and as you practice you will see that comes more easily and won’t be as critical. Nevertheless, at the start, it’s best to find a place and time you know you will be alone for a while. Perhaps shut off the ringer on the phone, and put it all behind you for a few minutes.

Relax
The next step is to focus on something that will allow you to relax. As a beginner, the easiest thing to focus on is your breathing. Some people suggest lying down, or sitting with legs crossed and your back straight. Do what is most comfortable for you. Sometimes even a comfortable chair is the best way to take the pressure off your body and allow your mind to relax.

Music
In order to provide a consistent environment, I often suggest the people play music. The type of music I’m referring to might be spa music, or a favorite pan flute CD, anything that allows you to unwind and that soothes your spirit. Nothing with words, we don’t want any music with lyrics that can distract your mind. We are attempting essentially to empty our mind of all external thoughts.

Vibration
As your meditation and relaxation continues I want you to begin to sense the energy in your body. You may notice an electrical sensation around your head or at your fingertips. Wherever that sensation begins that's what you want to focus on. Some find it helpful to hold their hands in front of them and gently rub forefinger and thumb together. As you do this, you may notice within your entire body a sense of vibration. It is similar to the feeling that you may get as you are going to sleep, or waking from sleep. It’s a deep sense of relaxation and it is the edge of the Astral travel. Focus on this, and for the first few times that you begin astral travel, stay in the state and become proficient at entering and holding on to that sense.

Separation
This is undoubtedly the most challenging step to take. It can be somewhat frightening, and intimidating, but have no fear there is nothing to worry about. You want to focus on and visualize some portion of separation. This can be fingers and arm and a leg or your entire body, whatever works for you. Simply imagine yourself floating up and out of your body and into the immediate space. Practice this several times. Again, this is going to be the most difficult step to achieve. Don’t be concerned if it takes several sessions of practice. If you find yourself apprehensive, or stressed, then take a break. It’s best not to try it anymore than about once a day anyway.

Travel and Projection
Once you can leave your physical body without fear, allow yourself to float around the room, and interact with that space. With more and more practice, you’ll be able to enter new realms, potentially even travel to the past and the future. But for the time being, getting to know the experience means taking a step at a time.

Practice, Practice, Practice
Continue to practice these steps, until you’re comfortable and free. You will find that your mind holds a great deal of information that you never knew was there. You’ll find that your inner self, in your inner consciousness, has an entire world to explore that you can enjoy. You can learn a lot about yourself, and the world around you, through meditation and Astral Travel.

Understanding
Astral projection is commonly known as ones soul leaving the physical body for an out-of body- experience. However, this definition may change slightly depending on your belief as an individual; however, the basic concept remains the same. It is not high on the scale of enlightenment so to speak, and belongs to groups of techniques called projection or visualization. Projection is designed to separate your soul from your physical body by taking hold of one of the seven subtle bodies, in this case the astral body. Visualization is slightly different from astral projection in that the visualization relies on mental energy and imagery. To imagine yourself as an animal or in the presence of a divine being. Astral projection allows you to explore the world in the astral body, almost completely detached from your physical body except for a thin silver umbilical cord better known as a tread. The concept has been around for a long time, but seldom used, however, nowadays it has become an important area that is being discovered having new levels of knowledge and power, enabling you to discover the answers to mans eternal questions about life and the physical body.

Death can take on a new meaning as you begin to realize that it is only a transition to another dimension or place of existence. When you learn how to astral project you can learn many things about yourself and unlearn many things that you thought was previously true. This leads you to the realization that your physical body is only a part of your entire self and there is more to your existence than meets the eye. Therefore, the earth plane you live on is only one of many dimensions. Other dimensions are not above or below you, but rather all around you. Astral projection allows you to discover that people and objects exist on these other realms and can be just as solid and real as any object on earth. When you are born into your physical world, you are provided with a physical body to carry out your duties.

Astral projection allows you to project out of your body and into the next dimension, which is the astral plane. When you do this, you are in another body called the astral body. The astral body has some amazing properties, unlike the physical body that is held-down by gravity. The astral body can overcome this limitation by the effort of thought alone. While out of your body, you can not only walk around as if in the physical, but also soar above the trees or go out into space. One of the greatest fears while on earth is pain or injury. While out of your body, absolutely nothing can cause damage to the astral body, in the next dimension, fire, knives, guns, falling from great heights, electrical shocks, disease, and wild animals cannot do you any harm. You might have received lessons in your dreams, watch for them, because you will discover that you always survive When you are out of your body communication is accomplished by thought, this is known as telepathy. In other words, it is not necessary to move your lips in order to speak, although you can do this if you wish. Sometimes, when you hear what you think is just a thought, could actually be someone communicating with you from the astral plane. When you start to explore astral projection, you must first overcome the obstacles of fear that will present itself in many ways. The fear of death, pain, injury and the unknown may loom up on you. You must conquer your own fear head on, and it will rapidly disappear. For example, if you convince yourself, a devil is out there to trick or deceive you, and if you have already pictured in your mind, what this devil looks like and what he plans on doing, you should not be surprised when your fears come true.

The devil you create can become real and solid in the next dimension because you created him. On the astral plane, you can meet those you love or that which you fear. If do not fear, you will not meet fear. It is as simple as that. Therefore, you can save yourself trouble by putting nonsense like that out of your mind. Remember, there is nothing that can harm you while you are out of your body. You must release yourself from the grip of fear and set yourself free. On the astral plane, you can also visit your loved ones who have passed on before you. You can ask them face-to-face how they like their new surroundings. The astral plane is a vast dimension of existence, and contains life in abundance. It does not operate by the same laws as the earth plane. Colors you see will be beautiful and you will experience new and exciting things that are there for you to discover. The astral plane contains many things that are not on earth at this time. Some of them may appear in the future on earth, and some are from the past.

The important thing to remember is there is no death. Astral projection enables you to use the part of your mind that has been dormant or sleeping. You can wake up this part and put it to work. It is known as your sub-conscious, and it can give you the knowledge you need to find out more about yourself, your purpose on earth, and your relationship with friends and family. Most people think of their mind as only that portion they recognize as their conscious mind or waking mind. It is said, that the mind is ten percent conscious and ninety percent sub-conscious. Did you know that you go to the astral plane at night when you sleep? Think of this! Astral projection takes place without you even being aware of it! As strange and hard it sounds to believe, it is true. To begin exploring astral projection, pay attention to your dreams each night. Eventually, you will come to the realization that you were in the astral plane, but you have never realized it. When you take the first step of allowing for the possibility of multiple dimensions and astral projection as realities, you can then focus on ways to understand, explore, and actually experience these things. In doing so, you can open the door to amazing and expansive existence that is beyond your wildest imagination.

Variations
There are many types of "projections" going by different names the ones I use are:

MENTAL PROJECTION - Where the practitioner projects just his Consciousness to some other place, beyond the physical body. It's similar to a day dream only much stronger. You see a mental picture, like watching a movie, but there are no senses per say, taste, feel, hearing, smell etc.

ASTRAL PROJECTION - This is where the Consciousness & the Astral body separate together from the physical body. The practitioner has use of all fives senses plus those used by the Astral body. You may have a sense of flying or floating. Vivid dreams are often natural AP during sleep. It's perfectly safe. Nothing can enter the physical body while on an Astral projection as only you have the exact key. At any sign of danger the Astral body is "reeled in" rather quickly.

ETHERIC PROJECTION - This is where the Consciousness, the Astral body & the etheric body separate together from the physical body. The ectoplasm of the Etheric body can been seen other. The physical body is reduced to a state of near catalepsy during the projection and must be protected from sudden shock or disturbance as there is a rare occurrence of physical death.

BILOCATION - This is where the Consciousness, the Astral body, the Etheric body & the Physical body are in two different places at the same time. This is only to be used by advanced Magi and then rarely. It involves time & place distortion with a host of other things. Mental projection is by far the easiest. Just focus the consciousness anywhere the will directs.