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"Astral Projection" and "Out of Body" are two terms referring to the conscious separation of a part of our vital energy system from the physical mass we call body. We know that we are made of energy and of mass. Moving from this premise, I will present my thoughts on astral projection.
As we have become familiar with the anatomy of our physical body, we must become familiar with the anatomy of our energy body(s). This is necessary in learning about astral projection because the astral realm is divided into layers of frequency and vibration. When we "project" we are projecting into, or becoming aware on one or more of these layers (or planes). Frequencies of these different planes resonate within the centers of the energy body(s) within us. These centers are called Chakras. Chakras are the vortexes (or the organs) of our energy system, their function is to take in and release vital energy. Each chakra is connected to a plane of the astral realm and each chakra is equally connected to a vehicle of awareness (or energy body) within the consciousness of an individual. The chakras are the doorways through which the consciousness may travel on the astral realm.
Each chakra releases and takes in a certain kind of energy and each recognizes a specific vibration and frequency. Chakras map the anatomy of our energy body(s). So, we are equipped with way and means of experiencing the potential of our full awareness. Like climbing Jacob's Ladder, we may ascend to the pinnacle of our highest awareness or sink to the depths of our lowest... it is our choice. We are all on a spiritual journey and we are all still in the process of evolving. Astral awareness is a part of our evolution. We are evolving into "Citizens of the Universe" and in learning who we are, we learn the secrets and are given the keys to the universe. So, when I say that Astral Projection is more about someone we are becoming than about something we are doing, I mean this literally.
If, in examining ourselves, we can change our focus for a moment and using our imagination, imagine our physical bodies as energy fields and not really physically dense... if we can begin to see all things as energy fields and shift our focus from what is physical to the core (or matrix) of what actually is... Let's talk about Physics. We know we are made up of tiny particles called atoms. Atoms align themselves to a specific matrix and are charged (illumined and magnetized) by even smaller particles, some called electrons which are spinning so rapidly that they form a kind of shell. A shell that creates the illusion of solidity. Between the nucleus and the electrons of atoms there is space. Imagine then, you are this energy field of charged particles floating and spinning on space, you know this is true on some level and so with your mind's eye just allow yourself to see it. You, are charged particles which by virtue of their very movement create aura and sound. Aura and sound are equal to vibration and frequency. Vibration and frequency are the very things which divide our consciousness at our chakras. Now we are getting to the root of what it means to be astrally aware. We are moving to a mental level, we are deciding how we will see and what we intend to perceive. Imagination is a good tool and can help to bridge the gaps between what is physical, what is mental and what is spiritual. Use you imagination to look deeper into The Creation and The Self. See it in your mind first and eventually your "vision" will clear and you will really begin to See It.
Most often astral projections are spontaneous occurrences sweeping over one first with the perception of a seemingly uncontrollable feeling of "vibrations" that shake a person to their very core. Vibrations are generally followed by the feeling of total paralysis or the sensation of falling... Roaring sounds such as wind or sea fill up the ears, often accompanied by the ebb and flow of whispering or shouting voices. Sometimes we will "rise" out of our physical body and float up to the ceiling or sit up half way in and out of ourselves. We could "roll" out or in some cases be pulled out by helper entities who exist on the astral planes (more about these being in another article). Once "out" our experiences can vary from terribly frightening to celestially inspiring. But out of body experiences can create more questions than they seem to answer... Where are we during these occurrences? Are they "real"? What is actually happening to us during an out of body experience? Why are we perceiving this and what does it mean? Many people share the same concerns and conversely, similar experiences while in this altered state of being.
About these questions, First I will say that we are existing on all of the planes of the astral realm simultaneously but are only experiencing those of which we are conscious. Out of body experiences are one result of becoming conscious on one or more of the astral planes. They are real (the planes and the experiences). The truth is, the denser the body with which we are experiencing, the farther away from "reality" we have come. Trips into the astral are journeys closer to the self and to the truth of the creation. We are perceiving this because we are growing, coming to know our potential, who we are in the universe. What it means is that we are evolving into a more awake and aware humanity and that you personally are ready for that evolution.
Often our consciousness may become centered on one or more of the astral realms and sometimes our very "gifts" or the talents we exhibit in the physical world are originating on another realm. Such as genius, great singing or musical abilities, the inclination towards literary and visual arts, scientific discoveries, leadership abilities etc... When we manifest these inclinations by bringing them into the physical world, we give back to The Creation... like the tree gives back its fruit and its seed to the creation. That is why it is said that these things are the gifts of the Gods, because when manifested, they will further the creation.
I would like to say that I had studied long and hard to learn to astral travel, but in this life, I did not. I was gifted at an early age with this ability. But I will say that I did have the option as an adult, to accept and receive this gift consciously. Once I had, it went from a child's play of flight and visits from winged faeries to a much more intricate ability, visionary inclination and responsibility to the creation and to others. I had to learn the correct response. What to do with the information. How to utilize the gift. I had to learn how trust in the universe and how to diminish the natural fears associated with astral projecting. The major fear is that of death.
There is program deep within us that tells us that when we are leaving our body, we are dying. And while this is true a lot of the time, in the case of astral traveling, it is not. But before we can actually take the leap and rise out of our physical bodies, we must accept death. The gift for the courage of rising out in spite of the fear of dying is the elimination of this very fear. People who find this courage learn not to fear death. This experience is called "confirmation" because it is confirmed to the individual that there is consciousness beyond the physical body. It is incredibly comforting as a realization and actually sets one free.
We were created to know ourselves. All searches begin with the self. We were created to transverse the realms of the creation, which is an intricately woven web of ebbing and flowing vibrations and manifestations of the God/Goddess.
We know that physical light alone can be broken into a spectrum of seven colors, let us go from there... If we are attempting to astrally travel it is important that we know to which plane we intend to project. Or, if this is happening to us spontaneously, on which plane we may find ourselves. This is why learning about the chakras, their functions and implications is important. We cannot be so focused on leaving our bodies that we forget that when we leave, we are actually going somewhere. If we are going somewhere, or if we find ourselves somewhere, it is better that we have some idea of where we are. If you were planning to take a trip in the physical world, you would have to decide whether you were going to take a bus or a train or a plane. You would have to know if you needed a coat or a bathing suit once you reached your destination and you would be involved in the community along your way etc... I am not in favor of random slamming out of body techniques because one can easily get lost and have frightening or otherwise terrible experiences which could ultimately create set backs. The astral realm is full of real places that function with different rules such as being "thought responsive" or that you have the ability to fly, can visit the recent or distant past or travel into the future etc... I am not going to lead you out of your body, but I am going to attempt to give you a breakdown from my experience of what is "out there". If you have been finding yourself "out", or have just plain been finding yourself... or if you are planning an astral journey, there is necessary preparation and valuable information you may need.
Part Two;
The Planes
There is a specific energy that passes through the chakras, the Serpent Fire, the vital energy of our soul. There is a thread that connects all the chakras on which this fire travels illuminating consciousness in its wake.
The first plane of the astral realm is the physical. In the physical, we all exist at same time but in different places. We exist at the center of our own physical body. All is as we see it, plain as day and night, right before our eyes. We call it 'Nature', the natural world and we are part of it. Can you feel your connection to nature? If you cannot connect (or appreciate) the first plane, you will not see the second, but continually "miss" the point in your "out of body experience" (and dreams). At this level we are concerned with survival of the self in the world. Here we have the opportunity to learn to care for our physical body. Chakra centered at generative organs, desires of the flesh. When awakened, the energy will rise up to the second plane.
The second plane, just outside of the physical, is the ethereal. The ethereal correlates with real time, one may travel out of body into the ethereal and move through space but not through time. Most often the beginning ethereal experiences consist of moving about inside one's own home or in other familiar surroundings. Conscious projections unto this plane can take one anywhere on the planet, but it will be at the same time as the physical reality. If we are projecting unto the second plane of the astral realm, it means we have become aware of the Self as a conscious and separate entity, a self- contained energy within the creation. We are still contained by time but not by space. This is the first step in learning to transverse the astral realm. This is also the second chakra level where we become concerned with the survival of the species. We learn to care for and take care of others as we have ourselves. Chakra of the Spleen/Pancreas. Digestion/Processing. When fully aroused the energy will rise up to the third plane.
It is important that we realize that we are not always conscious of our travels and often experience astrally traveling in dream states. Dreams are very important messages from and for the self. If you want to leave your body, or if you just want to become more aware, study the symbolism in your dreams.
The third plane transcends time and space and is called the Astral. One may travel on this plane to the distant places of their past, into passed memories of this life or into actual past lives but not into the future. Also being connected to the third chakra level, one moves beyond survival and into a place of compassion and empathy. These realizations are not only about the self and the others but the entire community and the planet. Chakra of the Solar Plexus, the adrenals. The seat of emotion, the center of the soul. Sensitivity. The first three levels are connected and are the earth planes. Coming "out" at, or connecting with any of these three levels, our experience(s) also remain and take place in the earth planes, past or present.
When our awareness arises to the fourth plane, the Mental Plane, we inherit the ability to travel not only into the past but into the future. We may project into our own future or possible futures but not into that of others. At the fourth level questions of divinity begin to arise in us. What do we think or believe about God? And Death? Where are we in the universe? Why are we? What is our purpose? This is why the subject of philosophy arises often in connection to Astral Traveling. With awareness at the fourth level, we begin to define our beliefs. Our Spiritual searches are inspired here. We aspire to love. Love connects the physical to the mental and so, the fourth level is the bridge between the physical and the mental worlds. Chakra of the heart, the Thymus gland. Alignment of the body with the mind.
We are consciously or unconsciously connected to all levels at all times and we can know where we are by analyzing the experience we had or are having.
At the fifth level, The Spiritual, one realizes connection to Divinity. Here we learn honor, patience, gratitude... here we find peace, music, divine love. Here our history merges and we see in retrospect the whole of ourselves taking form. At the fifth level we begin to understand the continuum of the soul. The soul is no longer a concept, it is the knowledge of one's Self. Here is the center of the celestial music, the voices of angels, hearing into the spirit world, automatic writing, poetry, art. A clearer sense of purpose and call to action. Inspiration. From here we can realize heaven from anywhere we are. When projecting onto or becoming aware at the fifth plane, one is interested in the expression of divinity. The chakra of the throat, the thyroid. Alignment of the mind with the spirit.
On the sixth plane of the astral realm, The Cosmic, one is not bound by form and his energy may take on whatever form he chooses. Here one connects with and becomes part of the cosmic mind. At the sixth level one realizes the power to create from thoughts and intentions. That thoughts count, create, have weight and affect the Collective Conscious and Unconscious. Seeing the truth, astral sight, seeing into the unseen places of the physical plane... Seeing auras and experiencing visitations from light beings. Visionary experiences happen at this level. Coming "out" or becoming aware on this plane means one has transcended the self and is moving, acting and existing consciously within the cosmic mind. Seeing God everywhere. Chakra of the eyes, pituitary gland. The gift of Seeing. One does not have to "believe" any longer, but knows and has communed with the cosmic mind. Communion/Alignment of the spirit with the soul.
It is important to remember that a person does not have to leave their body to experience these levels of awareness, often the experience can come to the person. And instead of people stepping out of themselves to find the truth, they are stepping in.
There is yet another level, the seventh or The Nirvanic. Here we become one with God. There are no words. We are the silence. We are the stillness. We are the light and the darkness. We have completed the circle and found God. Chakra of the brain, the pineal gland. Alignment of the Soul to the Creation. Completion.
Recommended Reading: "The Chakras, A Monograph" By: C. W. Leadbeater (this book is old, first published in 1927 and, to my knowledge, last in 1967 by The Theosophical Society).
NOTE: Next article; "Astral Entities" |
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