4. THE BASICS

“Our subconscious minds have no sense of humour, play no jokes and cannot tell the difference between reality and an imagined thought or image. What we continually think about eventually will manifest in our lives” – Robert Collier

Now that we have the historical insights on astral projection out of the way, we need to get it right with the basics. You can view this as the foundation of every astral projection lesson you are ever going to take or the general aspects of what you are in for.

Astral Projection Myths and Misconceptions

Only a few people can successfully astral-project

This can only be so far from the truth. Ultimately, every human being has the ability to do whatsoever they wish with their bodies. The only problem is that we have been taught that to be in the body and follow societal beliefs and conditions is the safest way to live. However, this is just a safe mindset that only limits you from exploring the power within you as a different entity other than the physical body you see daily.

Just to give you a dose of courage, many people have actually visited the astral planes knowingly or otherwise. What do you think happens when the body falls asleep? Better yet, have you ever slipped and fallen in your dream and woke up right after? Or have you ever dreamt of falling and landing on your bed, then woken up anxious? These are some examples of common evidence that your existence is more than what your body feels like. They are sometimes so common that we can easily brush them off as nothing, yet it is the universe’s way of telling you what life is all about in totality.

Aside from the little things, there are several researches that state that at least 5 to 10 percent of the world’s population has experienced an OBE. Others record at least 30 million in the US and 6 million in the UK with such testimonies. You only need to look keenly to see that you are not the only one thinking a lot about this topic or wanting to try it out. Furthermore, parapsychology and metaphysics have enough evidence and ongoing projects to test the transcendence of the human consciousness.

The experience is spontaneous, no one can learn it

This is another common lie that easily follows Myth 1. Its intention is to keep you from trying in the first place. I cannot deny that there are people who have had their first OBE without prior preparation. They didn’t do anything to induce it (or so they think) and somehow surprised themselves into that reality. However, there is also a significant number of people who have practiced and finally made it. It is high time people accepted that there are many roads to one destination. This means that it is different for everyone and therefore, if your path requires practice for days before total mastery, so be it. The fruit of your labor will finally pay off if you only have the patience and the right mindset while doing it.

Astral experiences are only for the chosen few

Again, there is nothing like special people in the world. We have been taught for too long that some people have special psychic abilities that make them stand out. It can look like it from our limited mindsets, but with time, once you start opening yourself to greater possibilities, you start realizing that all things are possible for those who believe.

You will probably wonder, why then is it that some people can do things that others can’t? Well, for starters, they are open to it. They give their body and spirit the power to be all that they can be and so, they go for it. Secondly, if you are open about the idea of reincarnation and many lives, you will learn that souls have different growth rates or remembrance rates. This means, a soul can be so advanced that it is able to quickly ignite its astral body and have an OBE experience often, because it has done it before.

The main point is that anyone can do it as long as you are open to the idea that it can happen. That is all you need to get started.

Adults are more successful than children and teenagers

Just because a human being is advanced in age does not mean they know it all or have some special powers that make them do things better. This is another social belief we have been made to buy into for the sake of survival - some call it respect. Funny enough, kids are more open to endless possibilities compared to adults. This makes them more open to magical experiences. You might even have had a few OBEs while a toddler but you do not remember. In short, do not despise your chances of having a successful astral projection just because you are a bit young. Age is not a factor, unless you make it one. All your limitations are in your mind.

It takes years before one can grasp this concept

How long it takes to astral project is different for most people. For some it will take days, for some it will take weeks, others months and years. What makes the duration a variable factor is the techniques you are exposed to. There are some that are quite straightforward and easy to try while others will take you through different rounds before you can finally get it. Also, just because a technique works so fast for your friend does not mean it will for you. Understanding this will save you a lot of time. You will need to experiment a few times before you find what best resonates with your soul because of different consciousness levels and your state of mind.

You can get lost in the astral planes

No one can get lost in an astral plane. Your astral body has a silver cord that links your back to your physical body. Therefore, no matter how far you go, you will always find your way back, almost instantly. We will look at different coming back experiences later, but to get you an idea of what to expect, just know you are always in control. Plus, the silver cord attached to your body can never disentangle and no one can cut it. You will be safe and you can always come back.

You are opening up your body for alien and other spirit’s possession

This is a common misconception among tough religious circles and skeptics who woo people into never trying to astral project in the first place. There is no doubt that the universe is big and there are all kinds of spirits or entities out here. However, there is no way that any of them can possess your body, without you having a link that allows them or you allowing them to do so. This link is a soul contract aspect with ideas such as walk ins. It is important for you to note that, even if a walk-in inhibits your body, it only does so with your consent.

What about demon possession, does it really happen? I think there is enough evidence that it does, but that does not mean it will automatically happen to you just because you chose to visit different astral planes. If you study such theories keenly, you will come to understand that there is more to it than what you might have heard from your friends. I will not go into the details since this is not a book about exorcism and the likes. However, I will encourage you to do your personal research on the subject and look at it from different points of view before you can pick what sounds as a truth to you. Do not let biased opinions dictate what experiences you want to have in this lifetime.

It will alter your state of being

The only thing that astral projection will change is how you generally see the universe. You will be forced to understand that there is more to life than what you have been told. You will also come into your utter power as a soul with free will. You will not alter your state of being, at least not negatively.

Your body cannot survive without your spirit for long

There are many stories of people who astral project for hours and still came back to their bodies feeling fine and okay. An OBE is not death but death is one of the OBE experiences that every human has to go through. There are tales of eastern gurus that have spent days out of their bodies and survived. Of course, it needs practice and a certain level of mastery before you can get to that level, but it is quite possible. You only need to be willing to put in the time and knowledge and you too can become an astral guru for this generation especially in the modern world.

You will meet dangerous and ugly creatures

Monsters are creepy, no doubt, and this could be the story you keep telling yourself so you do not have to astral project. However, it is just that - another story. Once you get good at it, you will start dictating where exactly you want to go in your astral projection. Also, the idea about different states of consciousness will dictate which planes are open for you to explore. Therefore, there is no need to fear ugly monsters. You will not find them on your way, unless it is something you willfully chose. Again, you have the control so keep reminding yourself that in case you do not like where you find yourself during the experience you can either order yourself back to the body or move to a different plane.

Drugs can help accelerate astral projection

Drugs will help you get high and sometimes help you relax, but there is no guarantee that they will help in astral projection. Additionally, being high on weed is not astral projection, so don’t be tricked into indulging with the promise of an easy way to get to the other side. However, there are those that might help you switch but this is not the healthiest way to astral project. You need to learn how to do it naturally so your spirituality is not altered in the process. You also don’t want to be overly reliant on a tablet for such experiences. First, they can get you addicted thus causing other long-term complications. Secondly, they could be expensive thus draining your bank account for something you can do without as much monetary investment. This is a risk you do not want to take and I wouldn’t encourage it whatsoever. It might take time before you master the art, but once you do, it will be like you have been doing it all along.

It is not possible to meet people in the astral planes

As I keep on emphasizing and will probably continue to as we journey along, every experience is different. At first there are those who only have a real-time vision, which can be considered an OBE, at least for the first stages. In this case, you do not participate. You are merely the observer of other realms. Others will go directly into different astral levels that allow them to touch objects, move through walls, run at the speed of light and even fly. Yes, you might meet people you know along the way especially if they are in the same vibration as you. The possibilities are endless so do not limit yourself with one concept.

The experience is not a proof for life after death

OBE and astral projection are the safest and the most profound testimonies we have in this 3D existence that gives us the hope of more to life than the flesh and the blood. Many people are so afraid of non-existence that they hold on to life with all that they’ve got. Anything that suggests their death feels like the agony of death itself. This is brought about by the separation mindset we have that tricks us into assuming that we are far from the essence of life when in reality we are part of it. I mean, how can we even be apart from it? Where did we then come from if not from life itself?

I know there are different beliefs about the human experience from existence to death. However, there is too much evidence that proves there is something in us that never dies. Both science and religion have something to say about it, only that they do not quite agree on how it happens. If you are still in doubt of what happens past the body, I would only encourage you to test before you conclude. Try astral projecting and walking between different realities, and you will see that they all exist in a parallel kind of setting. All is connected and you are part of that connection. There can never be any other.

Now that we have the myths out of our way, I hope you feel a bit lighter and more daring to try this for yourself. I cannot convince you that this is real enough until you try it for yourself. It is part of having a free will. You are free to choose what you want to experience and you should have the courage to do just that. This brings me to the next thing when it comes to astral projection basics. This involves the frequently asked questions about OBE and astral projections.

Astral Projection Frequently Asked Questions

Sadly, there are too many skeptics when it comes to spiritual topics. This has made so many people shy away from experiencing things that would liberate their soul. However, the good thing is that people are asking questions and this shows that something within themselves is already exploring a different life approach. You only resonate with that which is in you and you can tell this by the questions you ask. Picking this book signifies that you already have a curiosity within that you seek to satisfy, and that is a good thing. This is because you can only know what you do not know by asking the right questions. They say curiosity killed the cat, but the full saying adds that satisfaction brought it back. Here are some of the questions that many ask as they explore this topic.

Is there proof of OBEs?

I think having tackled the first part of this book with the history of OBE and astral projection is a clear indicator that this is something that has a lot of proof. You can go ahead and read books like Many Lives Many Masters by Brian Weiss to get a glimpse of life beyond the physical. If you are still in doubt, then the question is not a matter of there being evidence but where you are looking and the state of your mind. At this time and age, the conversations on OBEs are too profound to bypass any or just assume them as people trying to make stories about it. There are millions of people testifying to have experienced the same. You only need to look right. Trust me, you will not miss the message or at least some evidence from life that there is an essence to life far from what the earth holds.

How does it feel to be out of your body?

For many people, the first thing they see is a beaming light followed by a sense of peace. Others feel high vibrations especially for astral projection. This can be followed by humming, roaring or a buzzing sound. It could be subtle or intense and it fades away with time. The idea of separation dissipates and you start having the exploration experience. It all depends on your level of projection. However, these are the common symptoms you will have.

There are people who report feeling some kind of overwhelming fear especially when they find themselves in a place they do not know. This is often a state of the mind during projection and it can affect the entire experience if you do not learn to take charge of your emotions. We will look at different barriers to astral projection later, and maybe tackle the topic of fear.

What does the environment on the other side look like?

This is a lovely question since it proves you are beginning to be comfortable around the idea of exploring different astral planes. Once again, this will entirely depend on the individual. A lot of time you go to familiar places, or at least places that the soul might be familiar with although the body is not. This makes the experience more comfortable, almost feeling like home. You can see cities, nature, mountains, the stars, different planets and so on. It is limitless.

Why should I try to astral project in the first place?

Well, the most basic answer here should be because you want to, especially for experiences that you are preparing for. Other times people have OBEs without the conscious mind being aware especially during accidents or near-death experiences. In such cases, maybe your soul wants you to understand something before you return to the body, which has happened to many people. However, when you are consciously stationing your being to astral project, you should do it because you want to. That’s a non-judgmental standing point and it makes it easier for you to learn a lot in a short time. There are those who astral project as an escape mechanism of what reality holds. Which is still okay, but if it is severe, you should check with a psychologist for further assistance so you are not using astral projection as a reality escape mechanism.

Skeptics try to project out of the body just to prove that they can or cannot do it. I have mentioned the idea of intentions being the one thing that the universe and your higher self reads. This means you are either setting yourself up for success or failure based on why you do it. It would be best if you only get on board when you are in a good mental place and for the sake of just having fun. You will have a higher level of fulfilment for these reasons.

Do OBEs change my religious beliefs?

The church and OBE are two concepts that interlock and also repel. It depends on what angle you look at it from. In the charismatic Pentecostal churches, you will find so many people having OBEs and visiting their versions of heaven and hell in the process. I place no judgements for such claims, since I believe one can project whatever experience they choose to have. On the other hand, there are churches that strongly speak against OBEs and astral projection in particular. A few claims have been with regard to the idea of demon possession and that it is not godly to want the experience in the first place. Again, I place no judgement on such matters since every human being has a right to choose what they believe in and how they want to live their lives.

However, if you are seeking to try this as a religious practice, it could be both beneficial and also destructive. The latter because you have no idea in your conscious human state what you will see on the other side and that could change how you see things. However, there are those who end up building their faith as a result hence upholding the former. If all your life you have been testifying about life after death, then astral projection can bring some solid basis on the same. In addition to that, for people who claim that God has this great artistry capabilities, astral projection can help them see that more clearly. In this manner, it becomes a positive contribution to your faith and religion at large.

What’s the radiant light all about in an OBE?

Many people who have had an OBE report being ushered into this new dimension by a beaming white or radiant light. This is the high-frequency light often in the inner dimension. It is that bright because the soul is not used to seeing or it has been a while before it did. However, once one goes through the light, they start seeing other creations, often something that we already know as part of nature in this world.

Why do I exist physically?

So, if astral projection is possible, why does the soul have the need to have or exist in a body? This is another good question and people will have different answers depending on their perspectives. Ultimately, being on earth is an experience that the soul seeks to have for the sake of either learning something or coming into the remembrance of its essence. The latter is a concept from the book series, Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch.

In the book, Neale has a conversation with what he calls God, which illustrates the entire reason why human beings are the way they are. According to this entity, the soul of a human being seeks to come to earth, for the sake of remembering itself and recreating itself. Other mystical teachings say that the soul seeks to incarnate on earth to learn lessons in different dimensions. Religious teachings have their own theories about the same and you can move by that which resonates with you at the very core of your being.

How do I know the dimension I’m in during an astral project?

Normally, there are no labels to tell you where you are going on an astral plane. As inconclusive as this might sound, the truth is that your soul somehow just knows all that it needs to know. This way, you can have some spell of wisdom in your astral journey that you would not have had in your normal state of consciousness. Therefore, you do not really need a guide, at least not always. OBEs have different guides especially in near-death experiences. However, astral projections seem to be a more all-knowing kind of setting. If at all you find a guide or someone you know in the process, well and good. The funny thing is that you will know even if the faces are not quite as familiar in this lifetime.

What does the church have to say about astral projection and OBE?

I have already hinted on the church’s standing on this and I believe, at the end of the day, it is not a matter of what is acceptable to your church but rather what you feel resonates with you. We have been taught to listen to religious leaders on almost everything, which is okay at first, but when done to extreme levels, we lose our free will and easily trade it with the will of another human in the name of a leader. For the sake of your peace of mind, if this is one of your burning questions, churches are having candid conversations about this and in this era, many beliefs are changing. Some still condemn it, no doubt, but there are those that are becoming more open to the idea that astral projection is in a fact another positive spiritual activity.

Why am I so afraid or astral projecting?

Well, you tell us. Ultimately, you are the only one who knows what the essence of your being is made of. This means that only you can really excavate the truth of your soul. Whenever you find yourself uncomfortable with any concept, bring your consciousness to your inner being to analyze what that fear is all about. For most people, your foundational engraving has made you have strong opposing concepts of different spiritual practices. This makes it hard for anyone to be open to ideas such as astral projection. It could be that your religion prohibits it or even something happened in the past that made you skeptical about astral concepts. The only one who can determine where and why there is fear around the subject is you.

Is astral projection the same as dreaming?

Dreaming is considered a form of OBE but it is not quite astral projection. Dreaming can happen both willfully and non-willfully depending on how you carry your days. However, astral projection is almost often a willful undertaking to explore astral planes. You have more control over your environment when astral projecting compared to when you are dreaming, unless you are having a lucid dream.

I hope I have answered these questions to your satisfaction, but if I haven’t, always feel free to do your own research concerning this and other related topics on the side. This will help you get more comfortable in different realities and also open your mind to more possibilities.

To build up on the basics of astral projection, it would help to delve a bit deeper into reality and dissect it in ways you might never have done before. Remember that the astral world is a part of life and all that is, so it is indeed part of reality.

Rethinking Reality

Astral projection will change what you think about reality. Yet still, you need to already have a few unlimiting beliefs before you seek to try out the experience. The basic point you will pick in this section is that many things are neither what you think nor what you were originally taught growing up. It is sad that such expansive realities are not taught in school. Maybe it is because people are afraid of what kids will do with the knowledge or people in leadership positions fear that they will lose their supremacy once the truth is out. It could be either or both. The good thing is that once you are of age, you need to liberate yourself by checking through different options till you find something that makes more sense. Your soul will always lead you to such paths, whether you are up for it or not. However, you are the only one who can choose whether to follow this lead or reject it. Following it always gives you a sense of peace, as if you are always right at home. Fighting against it will only cause you more suffering, questions that go unanswered and a life that is not really fulfilling. The good thing is that people are starting to see these patterns and are choosing to liberate their consciousness and their souls.

The common question that often triggers this journey is: Who am I? Am I only a body here on earth that will die and decay after a limited time? Is there more to life than what I’ve been told? Where did I come from and where will I go after my time here is done?

There are several scientific researches that are more focused on answering these questions and the good thing is they are quite open. A few years ago, there was a report that suggested that every human being has a god-encrypted DNA. The likes of Charles Darwin who first thought human beings were apes and evolved into who they are today finally dropped the argument suggesting that there is more than the physical. There are now people rising up to prove that spirituality and science go hand in hand. Caroline Leaf does a great job with this type of balance when it comes to the brain. We are lucky to be living in the age of information where more people are openly releasing research documents and documentaries to illustrate different concepts about the universe at large. This has given us the chance to explore different realities thus seeing the possibilities of being more than flesh and blood.

We will go deeper into the mind, body and soul structure later on in the book to give you a wholesome relation to what a human being is made of. At the moment, since we are talking about astral projection, we need to understand the diversity of the universe and reality as a whole. There are so many scholars and teachers now talking about energy being more than what we know and having tremendous use and links to different realities. The likes of Jacques Benveniste came up with the speculation that water has memory or has the ability to retain memory from a previously dissolved particle. Although this is yet to be proven scientifically, Madeleine Ennis, Luc Montagnier and Brian Josephson are subsequent proponents of the matter.

This should prove that the things in the universe are somehow linked to each other. In science, we learnt about interdependence among animals to create a food chain. You can call this a survival mechanism or see it as a spectacular fact that goes beyond animals in the forest.

Talking of memory, there have been many scientific studies that look at life after death. In the previously mentioned book by Dr. Brian Weiss, we see an example of such realities. His patient in the book was able to recall different life experiences that somehow influenced how she related in her current life. In his follow-up book, Miracles Happen, there are several testimonies of people who have recalled their previous lives to heal current traumas. In short, everything is linked. Different realities have a link; different astral planes have links; human beings are linked to nature; nature is linked to the spirit and everything is intertwined. No matter how you see it. You only need proper evidence to finally land on this conclusion. Even for people who spend long hours debating the either-or questions, at the core of it all, one will realize that everything serves the other. Light serves darkness and darkness serves light.

So, what has this linking concept got to do with astral projection? Well, once you start going through different realities or start exploring different astral planes, you will realize that there is a lot you will see and a lot you will learn. For you to open yourself to these endless realities, you have to let go of the idea that one plane is better than another or one experience is better than another. There is nothing comparative on that side of the universe unless you seek to make it so. However, if you do, you will only make it harder for yourself to have more than you can imagine. You will have different memories about everything you see and so you also need to know how to best work with your memory. If you cannot remember the experience, then the experience did not happen. You therefore need to learn how to remember as well so you can have solid assurance that you did make the trip when you come back.

There is so much to say about realities and memories and at times one can get wrapped up in their own experiences that they forget every individual ought to be given the chance to experience this according to their most profound experience. Remember, for you to have an ultimate peaceful and non-judgmental view about all this, you need to allow every person to have their own. There is no right or wrong on the other side, there is just reality and what your soul chooses to experience. Your highest resonance will guide you to areas and realities that you resonate with and you will always find your way back.

Chapter Summary

• It is advisable to try different astral projection variations in a bid to determine one that works best for you.

• There are different myths and misconceptions about astral projection and they can be attributed to lack of information on the subject.

• There is so much to learn about astral projection

• The next chapter discusses the different types of astral projection.