For millennia, people have been using the wisdom of older civilizations and peoples in order to find ways of balancing and harmonizing different aspects of the human body and soul. In ancient India and elsewhere in the East, this has mainly involved meditative practices that slowly but surely confirm the reality that we are ultimately so much more than simply bodies roaming the material world, and that we are in fact everlasting spirit-souls, trapped inside tangible bodies. The ancient Greeks were perhaps the first people to recognize the existence of the astral body and astral plane, the subtle, ethereal body which we are all born with and the limitless, perfect world from where they came. In today’s modern world, we are seeing people strive to reconnect with lost knowledge and awareness, and explore the possibilities that the astral realm can provide, the questions it can answer and the peace and tranquility it can give to us. Through astral projection, we can do nothing short of explore a new realm of consciousness, an unlimited plane where time, space and our material senses can be overcome through directing the will, and allowing the spirit to take the driver’s seat.
What Are Astral Projections And Out Of Body Experiences?
Artist's depiction of the separation stage of an out-of-body experience, which often precedes free movement. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
When we astral project, we leave our physical body behind in the physical world where we spend most of our time. In many ways, there is little difference between an astral projection and an out of body experience (OBE). However, OBEs are most commonly documented as occurring naturally to normal people during traumatic experiences, and are associated with somebody leaving their physical body under extreme distress, pain or shock. Car accidents, heart attacks, surgery, strong emotional events such as bereavement or childbirth have all had out of body experiences associated with them as moments when the physical body cannot take any more distress and the ethereal body decides to escape for a while. In these moments – particularly near death experiences – the individual retreats to a realm where the body cannot experience any sort of pain or suffering, and floats freely in a comfortable, tranquil and quiet space where they are given as much time as they need to reflect, learn and begin the recovery process. However, rarely are these sort of out of body experiences the result of any consciously willful effort or practice, they are a naturally occurring phenomenon, which, despite often having a profound effect on the individual, generally come as a surprise. As such, we can differentiate between OBEs and astral projection by claiming that when one astral projects, they are making a conscious effort to do so; they are willing their ethereal body to exit their material one through utilizing certain techniques or methods, and as such have a carefully controlled experience in which they can receive the pleasures and cosmic wisdom which they have prepared themselves for. The astral realm is a plane of existence which is as real as the one we spend most of our time living in, except it differs greatly in regards to what is possible there, and what one can gain and learn from it. By willfully entering the astral realm, you are making a positive step towards bringing a powerful sense of calm and understanding to your life, an opportunity to grow and learn unlike any other. It comes as no surprise to learn that many novices to the world of astral travel have deep and significant reservations regarding leaving their physical body behind in the material world, and rightly so. However, spend some time speaking to other astral travellers and reading true-life testimonies from experienced travellers, and it will soon become apparent that no matter how many times you visit the astral world (and you are free to visit it as often as you want), you will always return to your body after some period of time. The reasons for this are many, and may have something to do with the fact that whilst we live in the physical plane, our astral bodies require our physical ones to remain healthy, and rely on them being harmonious in order to continue. Also, throughout our lives we build up a very strong attachment to the tangible world. We have loved ones, emotional ties and even possessions that we are deeply attached to. Such attachment is both a positive and negative thing; whilst it eases our return to this world after astral travelling, it can also make it difficult to leave in the first place. Of course, it is perfectly natural to be concerned about leaving your physical body behind, and it is also natural to be a little concerned or even fearful about the sensations your physical body will encounter as your astral body emerges and once it leaves. 
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Your Physical Body Versus Your Astral Body: What’s The Difference?
Dr. Ehrsson conducting an out-of-body experiment
Your physical self is made up of tangible matter. Although it houses a vast amount of energy, and is capable of many wonderful things, the human body as it is within the material world is completely subject to the limitations of physics. In our normal waking lives, we are unable to defy the laws of gravity and motion. We are unable to move through physical objects, or bend the laws of space and time. We perceive time as a linear thing, subject to the balance of cause and effect, with one event occurring after another, and effected by that which precedes it. We are unable to fly, or float weightlessly at will. We are impossibly limited in what we can do within the material world, and furthermore, our physical bodies are weak, open to the sensations of pain and suffering, accidents, diseases and all sorts of corrupting influences. As a result of these various factors, astral travel can be one of the most rewarding and liberating experiences, with limitless possibilities and an entire new set of rules in place to explore and enjoy. Unlike your physical self, the astral body is not tangible. As such, the astral body is unattached to the normal bodily sensations which we experience every day. For the astral body, pain does not exist. Suffering is not possible, and the rules of the material plane quickly fade into insignificance, with everything you previously believed about gravity, time and so much more being proven irrelevant on the astral plane. The astral body is an expression of your essence, your higher self. It is composed of potent cosmic energy, the material which binds the universe in harmony, and this energy can be directed using the power of will and spiritual concentration alone. The astral body is a projection, a vessel in which you can travel freely within the astral realm of the universe. For those seeking to learn how to astral project, it is extremely important to educate yourself prior to initiating an out-of-body experience. In order to ensure that your first experience is comfortable and successful, you should be aware of all of the potential physical sensations that you may experience as you leave your body, as these strange sensations can cause a slight fear or nervousness which will block your astral form, increase attachment to the material world, and cause frustration and failure to release.
Listen to Steve Jones talking about his fist astral projection experience
What Happens To Your Body When You Astral Project?
First and foremost, you have absolutely nothing to fear when your astral body leaves your material form behind, and begins its exploration of the astral plane. However, as a new experience and a new set of sensations and physical reactions, astral projection can occasionally bring you out of your comfort zone and cause some people to tense, panic and thus fail to release their astral form. When you have experienced the removal of the astral body from the physical self several times, and have had time to reflect upon the process, you will begin to feel totally at ease when it comes to undertaking astral projection. Indeed, after some time enjoying the full liberation of soul and mind that astral projection brings, you’ll wonder what it was you were uncomfortable with in the first place!
For the vast majority of newcomers to astral projection, the process and experience of leaving your physical body behind as your astral form enters the metaphysical plane can be uncomfortable when first attempted or encountered. Even the thought is slightly frightening, and conjures up all sorts of uncomfortable questions regarding losing oneself in the astral plane, or even thoughts about something else entering your physical body whilst you are travelling. However, these thoughts and sensations do not – by any means – equate to astral projection being unsafe. Many people experience some discomfort and panic at the vibrations which are passing through the body, and at the sensation of rising away from the physical form, but the only real reason for this fear is the fact that you have probably never knowingly come across these sensations before. Astral projection can be an entirely new experience, which comes with an entirely new set of feelings, and motions, sensations and visions, and the body sometimes reacts in shock to this.If we think back over our life, and in particular to our childhood, there have been several moments in which we are undergoing a learning curve, and have to face brand new sensations, which sometimes overwhelm us, sometimes frighten us. The first time we ride a bicycle is a perfect and fitting example; initially, we may be frightened by the sensation of wind rushing into our face, or feeling unstable being carried on two wobbly wheels. However, after a couple of tries, the feeling becomes natural, enjoyable, liberating.
Important Points To Bear In Mind
It is vitally important to bear in mind and tell yourself over and over again that you have nothing to worry about in the astral world. Your physical body can come to no harm in the material world even as you leave it behind, and if a situation arises in which your physical body could come to some harm while you travel, your survival instinct will immediately snap you back into the waking world. While you are about to leave your body for the first time, you will be in a state of deep relaxation and the beginning stages of complete detachment. This almost always comes along with certain physical sensations, as your astral body is leaving your physical one. Speak to any seasoned astral traveller, and they will probably recount the same types of sensations; a tingling in their limbs and extremities, an awareness of blood rushing into and around certain parts of the body, and pressure in the forehead and temples are all commonly spoken of. Alongside this, there are slighter stranger sensations, including the feeling of falling from a great height, or the sensation that your body is growing extremely stiff and rigid. All of these things are perfectly normal physical reactions which come about just prior to your astral body leaving your physical one, and should you encounter them, use them not as a source of discomfort, but as a signifier that things are going along as they should, that your preparations have been successful and you are about to achieve your goal. The important thing is to remain focused on continuing with the astral projection, and not to feel startled by any unusual physical sensations that you might have – these are totally normal. Furthermore, directing your attention towards these feelings will inhibit you from entering the astral plane, as you will be knowingly maintaining some attachment to the material world and your physical body. Laying the groundwork for astral projection is an intensive process, which requires a lot of practice and patience. However, the experience of astral projection is guaranteed to be unlike anything you’ve ever encountered in the physical realm, and extremely rewarding. Imagine yourself soaring over vast valleys, floating through outer space, or plunging to the depths of the ocean – all of these marvels are possible via astral travel. All you need to do is take some time to prepare yourself for your astral journey, and not allow frustration and discomfort to get in the way of your goal. Ready for your first out of body experience? Find out by signing up for Steve G. Jones’ Free Astral Projection Introductory Lessons today!
