5. TYPES OF PROJECTION
“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration” – Nikola Tesla
There are so many theories out there that try to give different distinctions between the different types of projections experienced by people in ancient religions and civilizations as well as modern OBEs. For this reason, you can easily find different terminologies intertwined or merged. However, I will do my best in this chapter to help you understand the different types of astral projection.
If you have been studying the topic for a while and this is not the first book you picked on astral projection, I hope this section makes things clearer. If this is your first time to have some interest in these matters, then hopefully, you will have the right basis when you are seeking to induce your own projection.
It is important to note that people do experience different types of projection concurrently. This shows how everything is somehow intertwined and how different realities exist in concurrence. This is to say that just because at one point you cannot see one plane does not mean that it stops existing, rather, it is not consciously in your reality at the moment. All these experiences are projections of your consciousness or your awareness thus bringing specific truths to your reality in selected times.
The most common projection experiences include:
Lucid dreaming
Clairvoyance
Remote viewing experiences
Astral plane projection
Bilocation
Each of these projections have different techniques and different experiences. You can easily confuse one with another if you do not know what is really happening. Actually, many people have had either without consciously interpreting them as such. This is due to limited knowledge and beliefs. Just because you do not know when something is occurring or what to call the experience does not mean that the experience has not occurred. This is normally the case with most people. You dream that you are falling from a dark, deep hole and wake up right after but never know you were actually experiencing a type of projection. However, once you have an understanding on what goes on between different realms, you will slowly start noticing such experiences especially when they occur unintentionally.
Another thing to note is that there is a huge difference between dreaming that you have had an astral projection or etheric projection and actually experiencing it. After deeply researching the possibilities of these concepts, your brain can easily take what you have been feeding it and give you some images of something occurring. While this is a beautiful thing and a sign that you are already taking in the idea that projection is possible, it is not an actual projection. It would be the same thing as seeing someone continually during the day or being in constant communication with a loved one, so much so that you dream about them. When this happens, one can easily confuse it for a spiritual message whereas it is only the subconscious bringing up familiar activities that have been going on in the day to your dreamland.
If this is possible then how can we be sure that a projection has occurred?
Once you begin experiencing different types of projections, you will vividly be able to tell the difference. Firstly, your awareness will pick what you are seeing as reality and not merely a dream. Also, as earlier mentioned, you will need to work on your memory so that you can physically evaluate the experience after waking up to differentiate it from a dream. This is where I mention the importance of journaling in line with your spiritual practices and even dreams. Inasmuch as you can assume that you have a super brain enough to capture everything in these realms, it would be more useful to have them written down on paper so you can have a tangible reference point. You will also find it easier to sit with two different concepts and cross them out physically when analyzing to ascertain something.
Having laid out that foundation concept of different types of projection, let us go deeper into each so you can have a better understanding as you journey on.
Lucid Dreaming
This is quite an experience and somehow the starter induction to actual astral projection. A few people have reported that once they got more comfortable around lucid dreaming, then astral projection became a doable exercise. This, however, does not mean that you have to start here before trying to project in different astral planes. There is no base to use that says you have to. It depends on which of the two you are most comfortable with and which one appears to be easier for your body to trigger.
Lucid dreaming, in simple terms, is when you are conscious during your sleep. Unlike the normal type of dreaming, here, you will be able to dictate where you go, how you talk and take intentional steps or explorations. Sometimes, you find yourself in familiar places, making it quite easy to navigate. On other occasions, you will appear to be in semi-familiar places. This means that you somehow feel as if you know the location but there is a part of you that feels that this is a new place. Such semi-knowledge happens because the inner person knows it but the physical body has never been to the place.
Though rarely experienced, lucid dreams can also take you to totally new places. In some sense, this might not be quite new but for the sake of your current human judgement and experience, you consider it a place you have never travelled to or thought of travelling to. This can make you be quite cautious especially if it is the first or among the first times you have experienced a lucid dream.
Lucid dreaming will give you power over your dream environment. It is almost considered a mental projection, since in this case, no other part of your many bodies is detached from the physical one. You will therefore not feel any kind of vibrations or awkward sensations in your body. However, your emotions and sometimes your thoughts will be as active as if you are typically awake. This allows you to feel fear, joy, excitement, or even sadness depending on what you see or the circumstances you encounter in the process. With time, you will be able to take such feelings and take control of yourself since you will understand that this is only a dream although it feels so real.
You can either have a dream-induced lucid dream (DILD) or a wake-induced lucid dream (WILD). A DILD happens when an occurrence in a normal dream activates your lucid abilities. It could be a traumatic or a positive experience. In such cases, you will somehow have control of the next step without really awakening your body. It is almost like the body asleep/mind awake technique in astral projection that we will discuss later in the book. Once the trigger happens, you instantaneously transit from a normal dream to a lucid one. For WILD, you are constantly moving in between waking up and being asleep while still having control over both situations. This is more common and people often don’t count it as a lucid dream. However, since you have control over what is happening in your dream world, you are probably experiencing one.
Lucid dreaming first became a viable term in 1913, when Fredrick Van Eeden, the Dutch author, wrote an article on different types of dreams. From the article, dreams can be classified into initial, pathological, ordinary, vivid, demoniacal, general dream sensations and lucid dreams. He noted that lucid dreams were the most interesting and worth careful observation. Lucid dreaming was still a common practice before, especially among different spiritual circles such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and yoga. The Greeks also have their tales about the subject and therapists such as Galen of Pergamon used lucid dreaming to treat their patients. According to Celia Green, lucid dreaming is an extraordinary phenomenon that happens because of the rapid eye movement that causes the illusion of an awakened state. Other scientists such as Dr. Keith Heame later on explored more about the technique and even worked with an experienced lucid dreamer to send messages into the dream world.
According to Paul Tholey, the epistemological basis to tell that one had a lucid dream is as listed below. They had to be:
Aware of the dream state
Aware of their capacity to make decisions
Aware of themselves
Are of their memory functioning
Aware of different concepts in the dream environment
Aware of what the dream meant
Aware of their clarity ability or focus
Ever since these types of research have been on the surface, more scientists are evaluating ways to treat different psychological issues using lucid dreaming. There have been success stories in treating nightmares. Creativity is, however, the most accounted for reason as to why people seek to lucid dream. The excitement around it is undeniable and this is why more people look for ways to explore their dream world in lucid forms.
There are several myths about lucid dreams that can scare you into not trying it out. For example, some skeptics claim that lucid dreams can be used to channel messages from ‘evil entities.’ Others claim that you will find different monsters on the other side and so not have as much control as you would want over your environment. Well, all these are stories from people who haven’t tried it and are too afraid to take on new practices. When it comes to religions such as Christianity, lucid dreaming is a common practice and there are several people in the bible who received significant messages from lucid dreams.
While lucid dreaming does happen often and naturally, there are many techniques you could use to self-induce. Now more than ever, you have access to years of collective knowledge collected from every corner of the world. Testimonies, experiences, techniques and guides are readily available on the internet as well as on our website. You only need to be open to the possibility and then find the courage to try it out personally.
Clairvoyance
Clairvoyance is another form of projection that does not involve the spirit or soul of a human being leaving the physical body. It is simply the ability of one to perceive an object from afar without really going to where it is. In itself, it is a form of projection, since you can view it as an awareness projection. Scientifically, it is linked to the likes of parapsychology.
Early research by the likes of Marquis de Puysegur after Franz Mesmer are some of the works that played a significant part in helping people understand the concept. Marquis used the knowledge to help Victor Race, a dull-witted peasant in his area, to diagnose his symptoms. Other recorded research is linked to the likes of Rudolf Tischner, William Gregory, Gustav Pagenstecher and Charles Richet. Mr. Richet used playing cards in an experiment with a patient under hypnosis to determine if the patient could read the cards. Although the results of such experiments would eventually drop to chance, there is a lot of proven evidence that the state is possible. This is a concept still under research, especially in the scientific world.
Religiously speaking, clairvoyance is more received in Christian and Jainism circles. In the Jain concepts, beings directly linked to heaven or hell are said to have this capability from birth. According to the text, Sarvarthasiddhi, the concept is called avadhi since it makes known matters from a distance and not limited by objects. In Christian circles, many saints are said to have such capabilities either from birth or after an encounter with God or one of the dead prophets. If, from birth, the child is said to have been born with a special purpose, which is often to direct or rescue the people. If the gift is obtained after a spiritual encounter, the person is said to have been sent for with a special task or message.
The next big question is: can someone induce clairvoyance? If yes, what do they need to do?
Scientifically, when one goes into a hypnosis state, they are able to relate to different matters even from a distance. This makes it easy for one to reach a clairvoyance state. You will need a specialized expert in the subject to take you through the process. This is what many researchers do when trying to understand how the human brain works during a clairvoyance. Once the right state is achieved, the patient is asked to tell what they see, and then the scientist confirms if this is true or false. There is no previous documentation of one being able to achieve this state from taking any specific drug.
In religious circles, Christianity to be precise, clairvoyance can happen willfully or unexpectedly. Sometimes a higher spiritual authority has the capability of leading another person into such a state and then uses them to channel messages for the congregation. For an expert, or someone who has been practicing this for a while, it gets easier with time. They slowly start learning how to tap into that state often for either their own or congregational use. Other times, during prayers, a gifted individual will find themselves in such a state and then use the information to give a group or a community the way forward in certain matters. The bible has so many examples of people considered as prophets or seers who were able to continually lead people through having clairvoyance abilities.
Unlike lucid dreaming and astral projection, there is not much evidence to prove that clairvoyance is for everyone. The majority of people who have been able to do so are said to be somehow gifted or have been different from the rest since their birth or acquired the gift at some point in their lives. Even in hypnosis experiments, not many people are relaxed enough to successfully reach this state. For such reasons, you will have to find out how much spiritually in tune you are or the level of consciousness you might be in to tell if this is possible for you. Since everything is a matter of what you believe, if you find the courage and the patience to explore this concept, you might well surprise yourself.
Remote Viewing Experiences
Very close to clairvoyance, we have remote viewing experiences. This is a more recent phenomenon and the US government had funded a Stanford University research to explore its capabilities in the 1970s and 1990s. The concept is known by different terminologies including remote perception, remote sensing, travelling clairvoyance and telaesthesia. All are used to refer to the ability to view a remote or hidden target without sensory inclusions.
Russell Targ and Harold Puthoff had a detailed research where they used human subjects to tell if the participants could reliably describe different features remotely. During the research the participants had to follow through three steps. The first one included randomly picking different target conditions that the senders could experience. Secondly, the participants were asked to describe or sketch what they perceived of the locations in the remote viewing state. The third step included bringing in different unbiased judges to tell if the process was successful. In their published report in 1974, it was noted that the experiments had a significant record of success. David Marks and Charles Tart tried to replicate the experiments without much success. However, Robert Jahn is said to have found other conclusive evidence of the same using his engineering skills to try remote viewing.
Ever since the research on clairvoyance and remote viewing began, scientists have not been really conclusive on their findings and so a lot has been left to the spiritual sides to determine if either are reliable or inducible by everyone. The thing is, when you look at different topics spiritually, you will always be empowered to believe that all things are possible and so only you can mentally limit yourself from trying out different experiences. A good example is when one can move objects using their mind. This might look quite skeptical, at first, until a spiritual guru is able to do it. When this happens, then everyone starts getting all excited about the concept as well. However, what they do not understand is the time taken and the studies the spiritual guru had to take to transform into such an energy expert. Unfortunately, not everyone has the patience or courage to take on certain beliefs or even test their capabilities to certain extents.
Generally, clairvoyance and remote viewing can be said to go hand in hand and also not as quite related to astral projection as other forms of projection. This is because the concept is highly centered around the physical realm unlike many other practices. This, however, does not render them insignificant or not worth trying. In fact, since they are somehow the closest to our physical world and almost related to many physical laws, you can try them out and see if they work for you. As long as you do not cast any judgement before the experiment, you will find it easier to explore new concepts as openly as possible. At the end of the day, only your own experience can be used as a base line of your capabilities.
Bilocation
Going deeper into the many forms that human beings have been said to have a supernatural power, we have bilocation. While in clairvoyance and remote viewing one is only projecting their consciousness to another part of the physical world, in bilocation, one has the ability of being in two or more places at the same time. From the definition, this can be viewed as projecting both the body and the mind. For some reason, science has nothing to say about this. Maybe it is because there is still no tangible evidence that a human being can rightly be in two places at the same time. Maybe with the rising study of quantum physics and quantum mechanics, something about this methodology will align scientifically.
The spiritual side of our world seems to have a lot to say and various beliefs concerning the concept. The most audible group is early Greek philosophy. Paganism, shamanism, magic, occultism and folklore followed on with the concept. You will also see evidence of the same in the new age, mysticism, spiritualism and Hinduism circles.
In Christian circles, the Catholics are more vocal when it comes to bilocation. A few of their saints have been said to be seen in two different locations at the same time. A good example is Isidore the farmer who was said to have the capabilities of being in the fields and at the same time appear to be praying or attending mass in church. St. Padre Pio was said to be a priest who could be in two countries at once: a woman claimed to have seen him in the United States, while he was actually in Italy at the same time. In fact, every time you research something to do with bilocation, Padre Pio will be on the search results list. St. Martin de Porres was another saint known to have had bilocation abilities. Many knew him as the poor lay brother from Peru until he gained his fame for travelling to China, France and Manilla through bilocation. St. John Bosco, St. Anthony Padua, and Saint Francis Xavier are other three saints known to have had the power to be in multiple countries at the same time, either to evangelize or perform other missionary duties.
In the modern world, a common name you will hear in regards to bilocation is that of Aleister Crowley. The occultist was reported by friends to have been in two places at the same time. He, however, claimed that that was not intentional since he wasn’t conscious at the time of the happening. In the film Lost Highway in 1997, David Lynch was a figure having bilocation abilities. Novels such as Against the Day in 2006, by Thomas Pynchon, and The Prestige by Christopher Priest also had characters who could bilocate. Aside from these areas, you will find more mystic stories in the same vein among Judaism and Christianity.
Again, there is not much evidence about this other than the hard belief of people from various religious groups and other spiritual circles. Is it possible? Well, when the human mind puts itself to explore a task, it will, with no doubt accomplish that which it seeks. If another human being has been said to have the ability to do it, then there are chances that others can induce the state, too.
Astral Plane Projection
This brings us back to the main topic of this book, astral projection. At the time of the writing of this book, it is possibly the most popular type of projection. More and more people are having these experiences and just because you haven’t yet does not mean you can’t. In fact, I find this to be one of the easiest to induce amongst the types I’ve mentioned here. This is because we have the numbers and even scientific evidence to back its validation. If you do not believe that a human being can easily project, then this concept can and might prove you wrong.
From its history, too many communities believe in its probability to make it false. The funny thing is that these communities could not have interacted to teach each other. From the beliefs of Judaism, to ancient Egyptian, Hinduism, Japanese and Ancient Greek there is evidence of people who did it, either for good or evil. The why in this matter is not as important as the fact that it can be done. Some sought it for their own spiritual growth while others wanted to explore something beyond. Even in African traditions, there are stories that draw attention to the topic. I believe the universe has a reason to explain why this is the case.
To shed a different light on the topic, it is important to mention the astral body here as well. This is one of the many bodies that a human being has. Some people link the astral body to the soul but describe it as lower than then the spiritual body in ranking. This is because the spiritual body is considered to be more in power and linked to the highest consciousness compared to other bodies.
During an astral projection session, the astral body leaves other bodies and more precisely the physical body to explore different astral planes. As already mentioned, these planes are already linked to the universe and exist in parallel forms to other realities. Where you land on an astral plane is formerly determined by your state of consciousness, that is, something it can relate to. Some people directly snap from the physical universe to a universe in another reality, while others consciously take the journey from one plane to another. At first, they can see their physical body asleep and then slowly move from the room to another. There are those who teleport from place to place as they increase their experiences. One can even have other abilities such as an all- knowing of everyone. There are times where gifted individuals have been able to better use their gifts in other planes or activated them during an astral projection.
Every astral plane is a bit different from another. Some spiritual masters say that there are four while others say there are seven astral planes. This is somehow linked to energy centers and the chakras taught in eastern religions and practices such as yoga. For one starting out, you might not be able to dictate where to go, but as you get better with the practice you start realizing that you can even call out a form of existence and make it happen. This will come once you start mastering the power of your words and intentions. You will work with affirmations and get used to ordering your astral body where to go and what to do using your words or intention.
Later, you will be so accustomed to this place that you will not need to verbally articulate an intention for your astral body to make a move. We will go deeper into how to use words and different concepts to manipulate and utilize different astral planes for your highest experience.
There are so many benefits linked to astral projection that it would not help for you to ignore the concept. For example, therapists are now using hypnosis to treat and cure different types of traumas. I have already mentioned two books by Dr. Brian Weiss, who uses reincarnation memories to cure people’s emotional wounds. In some way, reincarnation travelling could be a significant part of astral projection. This is not to say that during astral projection you will automatically start remembering your past lives. While this could be a possible trigger, it is not a given that it will happen, at least not all the time.
Other benefits of astral plane projection include a sudden peace that comes with the knowledge that death is not the end of life. Skeptics might say that this is just dreaming and anyone can create a type of reality while in their dream state. While I do not denounce the immense creative powers that come with dreaming, how do you describe all the realities that one somehow experiences? Why is it that the human mind is able to dream the way it does, whether you remember the dream or not? For me, this shows immense evidence that there is a reality yet to be explored in the physical human or 3D world. Our 3D world might be limited but this does not mean that we should limit ourselves to other possibilities, especially when this knowledge serves to give one a sense of peace.
Another benefit of astral projection is the mind expansion that comes with it. The truth is, once you have your first exploration, you will never be the same again. You will start seeing things differently and even yearn for more reality beyond the body. This is why astral projection cannot be used to discredit spiritualism but rather to uphold it. It actually makes it clear and creates a bond between different religions if participants are willing to see it that way. A good question would be: what is it in a human being that allows them to visit different realities while still retaining their life force, regardless of their religious beliefs? Once you start asking such questions, you are already on your way to accepting realities in the astral planes.
A good thing to remember in this case is that, even if the body has a creative ability that is significantly great, there are certain things that are beyond the knowing of the mind. Once you start projecting to different astral planes and start realizing that some of them are quite familiar to your inner being, you will realize that there is a part of you that is eternal. As your mind wakes up to this knowledge, you are on your way to what many people now refer to as the awakened being.
Etheric Projection
Very close to astral plane projection is etheric projection. Contrary to many people’s opinion, etheric projection is not the same as astral plane projection. It is one of the many OBEs that a human being can experience. The etheric body is also not the same as the astral body. This body has been called the ether body or the aether body by different explorers of the same concept. Others ascribe it to the aura while others term it as the vital or subtle body. Walter John Kilner made this concept quite popular between 1914-18 when he laid out the claim that this body can be seen by the naked eye. It is why many saints are depicted or painted with their auras around their heads and others all over the body.
While you can exist for long without your astral body, you might not be able to do the same without your etheric body. At least not until you are very conscious of the experience. Funny enough, people do feel their etheric body move more often than not but do not know that this is happening. A good example is when you are on a merry go round and the wheel is moving so fast that you start feeling a bit disoriented. This could be a sign that your etheric body has just moved. Another common experience could be a sudden nausea after a forceful impact, dizziness or sudden fear. While these symptoms could also mean something else, like a physical illness, they are also common symptoms that your etheric body could be a bit out of function.
The etheric body is known as the life or the electrica. This is to mean that it is the life-giving force of the body. Some Christians and Jews believe that this is the breath of life that God breathed into the nostrils of man when he molded him out of mud. This is also said to be the reason why one cannot have their etheric body stay out of their physical body for too long.
When you study the different realities as per different Judaic teachings, the etheric realm is the one directly in contact with the physical realm. One can see it as the link between the physical reality and the spiritual world. It is the god part in a human being that allows the human being to think better than animals do. During enlightenment, this is the part of you that is said to remember or learn through life. Your highest self is all knowing so it guides your etheric being into different realities, to bring it to different awareness as well. This is why it is the body that links the higher spiritual realms to the physical ones.
To tell the difference between the astral and the etheric body you need to notice a few variations. One, your etheric body does not stay out of the physical body for too long. When it does, you will likely experience some physical symptoms or even death. On the other hand, your astral body does not mind being out of the body. It is even more free in such states compared to when it is in the body or linked to your physical body.
Secondly, etheric planes are not as flexible as astral planes. They will be a bit dim at the beginning and then you will start realizing their significance to the physical environment. When this happens for the first time, you will probably have a surge of fear overwhelm you, so much so that you immediately return to your physical body. Astral planes can however change from one plane to another quite easily. This can be under your command or intention. You will also feel more relaxed in the environment since it doesn’t have so much to do with your physical state at the time.
Another way to quickly differentiate between an etheric and an astral body is by watching how you relate with the objects around. Etheric reality is a bit constant and you might not be able to move as much. In fact, many people barely move. They just watch and go back to the physical body almost immediately. On the other hand, astral plane projection involves a lot of interaction with your environment. You will be aware of who you are and what you are doing. You might be able to run, fly, jump from a cliff, all without hurting yourself. You will be in control of everything that happens around you. This is why you can easily use mantras and commands to get where you want and manipulate different things as you go along.
Although these planes may not be the same, in some instances they appear to be a bit similar. For instance, in both cases, one can see the galaxy and also their physical rooms. They are also somehow intertwined and so it is quite fine if they look the same. Realities do correlate since they all come from the same creator or ultimate reality. Having said that, it would be important to mention that one can switch from an etheric to an astral body especially when that surge of fear from the former happens. Therefore, you might have started your exploration in your etheric body, but continue in your astral body. This is often safer and it is possible to tell the difference.
According to several teachings, beings such as angels only possess the etheric body and that is why they seem to be a bit superior than a human being in a physical body. Fairies and even the solar systems are often said to have etheric bodies alone. This is why you will hear or come across terms such as sun or planetary angels.
You can induce an etheric body shift easily and might not need astral projection techniques for this. As already mentioned, an etheric body moves out of its positioning often without the physical body realizing it. You should, however, be more careful when working with the etheric body, though you are in total control of it as well.
Different Ways of Interpreting Astral Projection
Since astral projection has crossed different religions, spiritual dimensions and cultures, people view it differently. When you look at its foundations, you will find that the concepts are somehow linked or even the same, although one group might hold on tighter to their views compared to having the will to accept another’s. This is not entirely wrong as long as one is still able to enjoy the experience. If you want to have a universal view of it, it would be better to have a general approach when exploring astral projection. In the same breath, it is also important to remind us that people are different and what works for a friend might not entirely work for you. This is why we have several techniques to either induce or come back from a projection. When you look keenly, even if you are new at this, you will find that one or two techniques will automatically relate, maybe give you that aha! moment that Oprah Winfrey loves mentioning. Therefore, let us explore the different ways that one can use to interpret astral projection.
As an Experiment
This is where many people land, especially those who do not consider themselves to be spiritual. If you only want to see what the body can do, and haven’t tested a few theories before trying out astral projection, then this is where you will likely land. It is a safe place to be since you do not have so many concepts that will make you over-judge the experience. One of the many mistakes that people make is to think that there is some type of way that astral projection should happen or look like. Although there are general checks to make sure it is actually an astral plane exploration using your astral body, beyond that, it is totally up to you. This is why the people in this category have a higher chance of getting more fulfillment from the experience. It is like teaching a child how to do something. You will attest to the fact that this is often easier compared to trying to teach a full-grown person, especially one who is not exactly open to learning something new.
The child will jump as high as they can when you ask them to but the adult will have all these limiting factors that will keep them from reaching their potential. This is why Jesus said that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven one has to be like a child. They are innocent and have an expansive mind that accepts all things to be possible.
However, there are also people who experiment with astral projection for the sake of criticizing the concept. If you approach this with such a notion in mind, you will be right because your mind will give you what you ask for, or to phrase it better, the universe will always bring you to places that vibrate with your aura or as per your energy level. This is why it is harder for many skeptics to actually reach the place of finally astral projecting. They will have to change their beliefs before that happens.
As an Astrologer
Astrology is an interesting concept and many people believe that it offers foundational life insights of a human being. This is the astrology explored by well-studied astro- teachers and students and not the one you read in the newspaper or magazine by someone who claims to be an expert. Astrology is respected mostly in Hinduism and many parents take their children for life astrological teachings before they are even ready to talk. These people believe that if they know what their children’s life is supposed to be from the word go, then it will be easier to raise them in the right way and to some extent they might be right. There are other teachers who also believe that astrology is not the only mirror you should use to tell how far your life will go.
According to Florence Scovell, a Christian mystic teacher, astrology can be crossed or conquered once the owner of a specific natal chart grows to a certain spiritual level. Many have lived beyond what their charts claimed and so it is good to note that even if astrology can tell some concepts about your life correctly, it is only a foundation that you should use to grow into a higher spiritual being.
To link with astral projection, astrology says that there are people who are more open to the concept compared to others based on how their planets align at the time of their birth. Others will be skeptical of the concept and so take longer to try it or not try it at all during this lifetime. Astrology also shows why this is the case, and if you are lucky, your stars might have given you a solution to the problem. While this has been said to work for some people especially in the eastern world, we have already adopted the idea that anyone can astral project as long as they build the right beliefs.
The other way that astrologers relate with astral projection is in the planes that they land and how they interpret different realities. When you are already accustomed to interpreting different concepts through a certain angle, you are likely to carry the same technique in many other aspects. This is what happens to people who are so into astrology. Again, it is not entirely a bad thing but one has to remain open so they do not limit themselves to what is possible on the other side. On another bright side, astrology can still be used as a guiding factor into astral projection when one has the right teacher and when their stars resonate. But if you do not find yourself in any of the two advantages, no need to worry: there are many other ways to experience the same and still love it.
As a Mystic
When it comes to mysticism, many people use it to describe a somehow uncommon way of viewing a concept. The term mysticism originated from Judaism after the excavation of the Dead Sea Scrolls. According to the religion, mystics viewed spirituality in a way that was the common or the traditional way of doing so. While Judaism was all about Yahweh as the God of all things and that human beings had to worship and sacrifice to him to appease him, mysticism spoke about something totally different.
According to Jewish mystics, spirituality was about the human soul and its union with God. It was viewed in three different categories: the speculative kabbalah that helped people describe the spiritual realm; the meditative kabbalah where mystics saw themselves to having a union with God; the practical kabbalah where mystics sought to alter the world and other divine realms. They were somehow considered different - they had an inner relation through both the pre- and post-kabbalistic stages of the Jewish development around mysticism. Later on, the Christians adopted the mystic name for people who believed in something more or a different understanding to the Bible. The likes of Neville Goddard and Florence Scovell have been in the limelight as great mystic teachers.
In general, mysticism seeks to prove to human beings that they have power as much as God does. In other terms, human beings as Christ called them as an echo from the bible’s book of psalms, are Elohim meaning gods. Mystic teachers seek to empower human beings so they can come to the realization of how much power they have over their circumstances and not the other way round. They aim at liberating the human mind from separation so they can have an understanding of their unity with the divine.
From this perspective, astral projection becomes another way that the divine seeks to communicate with human beings to remind them of their origin and eternity. A common belief is that, since one has the power to create and demolish whatever experience they want in their world, then one can teach their inner beings to astral project. By sending out the intention and remaining open to life, then they can make it faster to manifest different experiences and even manipulate different astral planes. For these reasons, mystic Judaism and mystic Christianity are more open to the idea of astral projection and interpret it as a spiritual practice anyone can have at will.
As a Scientist
Scientists have mixed ideas when it comes to astral projection. One group claims that the experience is a mind game, achieved by willfully altering a certain part of the brain. For this reason, it is not really true but rather a brain state that you enter once this part is changed to act in an idealistic way. This is the same part responsible for making you aware of yourself, so there is no doubt that it will bring the same awareness to your dreams. The other group uses astral projection for different psychological practices, meaning they have embraced the idea that the practice is real and valid.
From the latter’s standing point, astral projection is part of metaphysics or parapsychology that can be beneficial to a human being especially when it comes to dealing with trauma and unwanted memories. There is also evidence of people using the concept to heal bad dreams and nightmares. Lucid dreaming is another concept also bought by this group and they encourage human beings to be aware of their meditative states to better their lives. The likes of Dr. Joe Dispenza have been on the forefront for using meditation as a healing technique. This shows that science and spirituality do interlock, whether people are receptive to the idea or not.
As a Universalist
People who believe in universalism have the notion that everything is intertwined. According to their beliefs, we cannot be apart from nature. We are interdependent in the same way that ecology is. Mother nature is in charge of the physical world and the higher consciousness or the universe is in charge of other spiritual matters. Viewing astrology from this point, you will be more accepting of the idea that your spirit can leave the body and go back without altering its normal functioning. In fact, since everything is intertwined, different astral planes are all a part of the universe so you cannot get lost or miss to come back.
The same concept brings back the idea of using intentions to manifest what you want. You send your intentions out to the universe and it responds. From this standing point, you can send your intentions to want to project and then the universe will reply by bringing your way teachers or books through which you can learn how to do so. It is a pretty clear and useful concept and if you are a believer, you might speed up your chances of mastering astral projection.
As a New Ager
Finally, we have the new age movement, people who believe that the earth has moved into the Age of Aquarius. They are also the people that believe in different consciousness levels and the fact that every being or creation, plant and animals alike are included as part of the highest consciousness. According to New Agers, astral projection happens when you elevate your consciousness to a level that it accepts the possibility of the same. If you want something to happen, you need to grow into the capacity that allows that thing to occur. Also, New Agers are somehow linked to mysticism and universalism and it can somehow be viewed as the group that unites the concepts that were not quite acceptable in traditional religions.
At the end of the day, it does not matter if you are a New Ager, a Universalist, a Mystic or an Astrologer. As long as you have the guts and an inner conviction that you can pull off an astral projection, you will be able to do it and do it well. It is not about the circle you come from but what you ultimately deem possible. In fact, the fact that there are researchers who say that everyone has projected at one point or several in their lives, even unknowingly, should give you the courage to try something more intentionally. As mystics say, all power is in your head and how you interpret things. Universalists will remind you that you can never be apart from all that is and New Agers will dare to believe in the phenomenon and the fact that you are waking up to the realization of who you truly are.
Chapter Summary
There are six main types of astral projection: lucid dreaming, clairvoyance, remote viewing experience, astral plane projection, etheric projection, and bilocation.
Once you understand and start experiencing the different types of astral projection, you will be in a position to differentiate their experiences.
There are four ways of interpreting and experiencing astral projection: experimental, astrological, mysticism, and scientific.
In the next chapter you will learn how to prepare for astral projection.