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'''Astral projection''' (or astral travel) is an [[interpretation]] of [[out-of-body experience]] (OBE) that assumes the [[existence]] of an "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astral_body astral body]" separate from the [[physical]] body and capable of traveling outside it. Astral projection or [[travel]] denotes the astral body leaving the physical body to travel in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astral_plane astral plane].

'''Astral projection''' (or astral travel) is an [[interpretation]] of [[out-of-body experience]] (OBE) that assumes the [[existence]] of an "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astral_body astral body]" separate from the [[physical]] body and capable of traveling outside it. Astral projection or [[travel]] denotes the astral body leaving the physical body to travel in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astral_plane astral plane].

The [[idea]] of astral travel is rooted in common worldwide [[religious]] accounts of the [[afterlife]] in which the [[consciousness]]' or [[soul]]'s [[journey]] or "[[ascent]]" is described in such terms as "an... [[out-of body experience]], wherein the spiritual traveler leaves the physical body and travels in his/her subtle body (or dreambody or astral body) into ‘higher’ realms." It is therefore [[associated]] with [[near death experiences]] and is also frequently reported as [[spontaneously]] experienced in association with [[sleep]] and [[dreams]], illness, surgical operations, [[drug]] experiences, sleep paralysis and forms of [[meditation]].

The [[idea]] of astral travel is rooted in common worldwide [[religious]] accounts of the [[afterlife]] in which the [[consciousness]]' or [[soul]]'s [[journey]] or "[[ascent]]" is described in such terms as "an... [[out-of body experience]], wherein the spiritual traveler leaves the physical body and travels in his/her subtle body (or dreambody or astral body) into ‘higher’ realms." It is therefore [[associated]] with [[near death experiences]] and is also frequently reported as [[spontaneously]] experienced in association with [[sleep]] and [[dreams]], illness, surgical operations, [[drug]] experiences, sleep paralysis and forms of [[meditation]].

It is sometimes attempted out of [[curiosity]], or may be believed to be [[necessary]] to, or the result of, some forms of spiritual [[practice]]. It may involve "travel to higher realms" called astral planes but is commonly used to [[describe]] any sensation of [[being]] "[[out of the body]]" in the everyday world, even seeing one's body from outside or above. It may be reported in the form of an [[apparitional]] experience, a supposed encounter with a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doppelg%C3%A4nger doppelgänger], some living person also seen somewhere else at the [[same time]].

It is sometimes attempted out of [[curiosity]], or may be believed to be [[necessary]] to, or the result of, some forms of spiritual [[practice]]. It may involve "travel to higher realms" called astral planes but is commonly used to [[describe]] any sensation of [[being]] "[[out of the body]]" in the everyday world, even seeing one's body from outside or above. It may be reported in the form of an [[apparitional]] experience, a supposed encounter with a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doppelg%C3%A4nger doppelgänger], some living person also seen somewhere else at the [[same time]].

Through the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960's 1960]s and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970's 1970]s, surveys reported percentages ranging from 8 percent to as many as 50 percent (in certain [[groups]]) of respondents who state they had such an [[experience]]. The [[subjective]] nature of the experience permits [[explanations]] that do not rely on the [[existence]] of an "astral" body and plane.

Through the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960's 1960]s and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970's 1970]s, surveys reported percentages ranging from 8 percent to as many as 50 percent (in certain [[groups]]) of respondents who state they had such an [[experience]]. The [[subjective]] nature of the experience permits [[explanations]] that do not rely on the [[existence]] of an "astral" body and plane.

The [[theme]] is treated in [[anthropological]] or ethnographic literature on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witchcraft witchcraft] and [[shamanism]], in classical philosophy and in various [[myths]] and religious [[scriptures]].

The [[theme]] is treated in [[anthropological]] or ethnographic literature on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witchcraft witchcraft] and [[shamanism]], in classical philosophy and in various [[myths]] and religious [[scriptures]].

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emanuel_Swedenborg Emanuel Swedenborg] was one of the first practitioners to write extensively about the [[out-of-body experience]], in his ''Spiritual Diary'' (1747–65). French philosopher and novelist [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honor%C3%A9_de_Balzac Honoré de Balzac]'s fictional work "''Louis Lambert''" suggests he may have had some astral or out-of-body experience.[46]

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emanuel_Swedenborg Emanuel Swedenborg] was one of the first practitioners to write extensively about the [[out-of-body experience]], in his ''Spiritual Diary'' (1747–65). French philosopher and novelist [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honor%C3%A9_de_Balzac Honoré de Balzac]'s fictional work "''Louis Lambert''" suggests he may have had some astral or out-of-body experience.[46]

There are many twentieth century publications on ''astral projection'', although only a few [[authors]] remain widely cited. These include [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Monroe Robert Monroe], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Fox Oliver Fox], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvan_Muldoon Sylvan Muldoon] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereward_Carrington Hereward Carrington].

Carrington, a psychical researcher, and Muldoon, who professed ease with ''astral projection'', jointly published ''The Projection of the Astral Body'' in 1929. [[Techniques]] they felt [[facilitated]] projection included visualizing flying or [[ascending]] in an elevator just before going to [[sleep]] and trying to regain waking [[consciousness]] while in a [[dream]] state ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucid_dreaming lucid dreaming]) by habitually recognizing apparent incongruities in one's [[dream]] such as a different pattern of wallpaper in one's [[home]]. Such recognition, they said, sometimes resulted in the [[feeling]] of being outside the physical [[body]] and able to look down on it.

 

Carrington, a psychical researcher, and Muldoon, who professed ease with ''astral projection'', jointly published ''The Projection of the Astral Body'' in 1929. [[Techniques]] they felt [[facilitated]] projection included visualizing flying or [[ascending]] in an elevator just before going to [[sleep]] and trying to regain waking [[consciousness]] while in a [[dream]] state ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucid_dreaming lucid dreaming]) by habitually recognizing apparent incongruities in one's [[dream]] such as a different pattern of wallpaper in one's [[home]]. Such recognition, they said, sometimes resulted in the [[feeling]] of being outside the physical [[body]] and able to look down on it.

Robert Monroe's accounts of [[journeys]] to other realms (1971–1994) popularized the term "OBE" and were [[translated]] into a large number of [[languages]]. Though his books themselves only placed secondary importance on [[descriptions]] of [[method]], Monroe also founded an [[institute]] dedicated to [[research]], [[exploration]] and non-profit [[dissemination]] of auditory technology for assisting others in achieving [[projection]] and related altered states of [[consciousness]].

Robert Monroe's accounts of [[journeys]] to other realms (1971–1994) popularized the term "OBE" and were [[translated]] into a large number of [[languages]]. Though his books themselves only placed secondary importance on [[descriptions]] of [[method]], Monroe also founded an [[institute]] dedicated to [[research]], [[exploration]] and non-profit [[dissemination]] of auditory technology for assisting others in achieving [[projection]] and related altered states of [[consciousness]].

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bruce_(author) Robert Bruce], William Buhlman, and Albert Taylor have [[discussed]] their [[theories]] and findings on the syndicated show [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coast_to_Coast_AM Coast to Coast AM] several times. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Crichton Michael Crichton] gives lengthy and detailed [[explanations]] and [[experience]] of astral projection in his non-fiction book [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travels_(book) Travels].

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bruce_(author) Robert Bruce], William Buhlman, and Albert Taylor have [[discussed]] their [[theories]] and findings on the syndicated show [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coast_to_Coast_AM Coast to Coast AM] several times. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Crichton Michael Crichton] gives lengthy and detailed [[explanations]] and [[experience]] of astral projection in his non-fiction book [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travels_(book) Travels].

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldo_Vieira Waldo Vieira], a physician and dentist, claims to have had his first OBE at the age of 9 and has gone on to write numerous articles and over 20 books, including ''Projectiology''. Wagner Alegretti, president of and researcher at International Academy of Consciousness, is another out-of-body experiencer, featured on the Discovery Channel en Español[56] and New York's New Realities[57] series.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldo_Vieira Waldo Vieira], a physician and dentist, claims to have had his first OBE at the age of 9 and has gone on to write numerous articles and over 20 books, including ''Projectiology''. Wagner Alegretti, president of and researcher at International Academy of Consciousness, is another out-of-body experiencer, featured on the Discovery Channel en Español[56] and New York's New Realities[57] series.

"''Soul Travel''", is [[the soul]]'s [[ability]] to leave the body at will or while [[sleeping]] and visit the various planes of [[heaven]]. Soul travel is a [[practice]] taught in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surat_Shabd_Yoga Surat Shabd Yoga] and derived paths such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eckankar Eckankar]. This experience is achieved mostly by [[meditation]] techniques and [[mantra]] repetition. All [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sant_Mat Sant Mat] Gurus widely spoke about this kind of [[out of body experience]], such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirpal_Singh Kirpal Singh].

"''Soul Travel''", is [[the soul]]'s [[ability]] to leave the body at will or while [[sleeping]] and visit the various planes of [[heaven]]. Soul travel is a [[practice]] taught in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surat_Shabd_Yoga Surat Shabd Yoga] and derived paths such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eckankar Eckankar]. This experience is achieved mostly by [[meditation]] techniques and [[mantra]] repetition. All [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sant_Mat Sant Mat] Gurus widely spoke about this kind of [[out of body experience]], such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirpal_Singh Kirpal Singh].

In [[occult]] [[traditions]], [[practices]] range from inducing [[trance]] states to the mental construction of a second body, called the ''http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_of_Light Body of Light]'' in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleister_Crowley Aleister Crowley]'s [[writings]], through [[visualization]] and controlled [[breathing]], followed by the transfer of [[consciousness]] to the secondary body by a mental act of will.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astral_Travel]

In [[occult]] [[traditions]], [[practices]] range from inducing [[trance]] states to the mental construction of a second body, called the ''https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_of_Light Body of Light]'' in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleister_Crowley Aleister Crowley]'s [[writings]], through [[visualization]] and controlled [[breathing]], followed by the transfer of [[consciousness]] to the secondary body by a mental act of will.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astral_Travel]

==See also==

==See also==

*'''''[[Out of Body Experience]]'''''

*'''''[[Out of Body Experience]]'''''