astral projection

Astral Projection & Lucid Dreaming (How They’re Related)

Astral projection and lucid dreaming seem like two very similar phenomena. Both experiences involve a sense of being in a non-physical world. However, astral projection and lucid dreaming differ in a couple different ways. Though both astral projection and lucid dreaming exist in non-physical astral consciousness, they are achieved in different ways and the level of objectivity in their experience will differ as well. Astral projection itself can be achieved through a lucid dream by becoming conscious enough to shift into the projection experience. Key Takeaways What is Astral Projection? Astral projection, also known as out-of-body experience (OBE), is a phenomenon where an individual’s consciousness separates from their physical body. During astral projection your consciousness enters into the astral plane. In astral travel you experience a sense of floating and can observe your physical body from a distance. In the astral you can go wherever you want and learn from some of the most enlightened beings in the universe. Astral Projection vs Lucid Dreaming Ancient Egyptians believed that the soul could leave the body during sleep and travel to other realms. Hinduism and Buddhism refer to astral projection as “yoga nidra” and “dream yoga”. Clearly there is some connection between dreaming and astral projection. So what’s going on when we lucid dream? Are we astral traveling when this happens? Dreams happen in the astral You are not astral projecting when you lucid dream, however your dream is happening in the astral. You can think of lucid dreaming as less conscious astral travel. Lucid dreams exist in a subjective astral domain while astral projection exists in an objective astral domain. The more conscious you become in the astral the more objective it will become. This means that the things that happen and the people you meet in during astral projection will be real entities and events. It’s not just happening in your own little dream world anymore. Think of it like this: Two people can dream of eachother but not actually encounter eachother in the astral. If both people then astral project and meet in the objective astral, then they can have a conversation, come back to the physical, and know exactly what the other has said to them. Think of a dream as your own personal non-physical world in your mind. Lucid dreaming still happens in this subjective environment as well. However lucid dreams can be used to enter into astral projection directly. Once you fully astral project from a lucid dream you will be in an objective non-physical astral reality. Astral projecting from a lucid dream One of the most well known astral projection techniques involves having a lucid dream and then becoming conscious enough to astral project. In this way you slowly move into more objective astral space. Lucid Dreaming Lucid dreaming is a phenomenon where the dreamer becomes aware that they are dreaming and can manipulate the dream environment and events. In a lucid dream, the dreamer can control their actions and the dream’s narrative. Techniques to Induce Lucid Dreams There are several techniques that one can use to induce lucid dreams. Reality testing One of the most popular techniques is reality testing. In this technique the dreamer checks their reality several times a day to determine whether they are dreaming or not. For example, during the day look at your hand and count 5 fingers. This will create a mental habit that will happen in your dream. When you look at your hand in your dream and there are more or less than 5 fingers you may then realize you are dreaming. Wake back to bed Another technique includes wake back to bed (WBTB). In wake back to bed you wake up after a few hours of sleep and go back to bed with the intention of having a lucid dream. For some reason this works like a charm for many people. Transitioning from a lucid dream to astral projection It’s possible to transition from a lucid dream into a full on astral projection. See John Dennery’s method of converting a lucid dream to an astral projection here: Comparing and Contrasting Similarities Between Astral Projection and Lucid Dreaming Astral projection and lucid dreaming share some similarities: Key Differences Despite their similarities, there are some key differences between astral projection and lucid dreaming: One of the main differences is the level of control the individual has over their experience. In astral projection you have greater control over your actions and can explore the astral plane with more freedom. In lucid dreaming you are more limited in terms of control despite being aware you are dreaming. Another difference is the level of objectivity. Astral projection happens in an objective reality. Lucid dreaming is happening in your own personal subjective reality. Interconnectivity of Experiences Despite their differences, astral projection and lucid dreaming can be interconnected experiences. Some individuals report being able to transition from one experience to the other seamlessly. Some individuals may start with a lucid dream and then transition into an astral projection experience by accident. This interconnectivity happens because both experiences are happening on the same astral level of reality. Frequently Asked Questions Is astral projection dangerous? No, astral projection is not dangerous. Though it may be a scary experience at times, your physical body cannot be harmed at any time in the astral. see my article is astral projection dangerous? How can I astral travel while awake? There are many methods to astral project from waking consciousness. I recommend you see my article the 4 stages of astral projection to learn more about how it works. Can real entities visit me in my dreams? Yes, though dreaming happens in a more subjective version of the astral it is possible to be visited by other objective beings. Many people experience visits from deceased loved ones or spiritual guides during dreams.

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The Astral Plane (Lower, Middle, & Upper Astral Explained)

Understanding what the astral plane is and how it works is crucial to understanding your spiritual development. Today we’ll be discussing what the astral plane is and the various levels that make it up. The astral plane is a non-physical level of existence that we exist in every night when we sleep and when we consciously astral project. The lower planes of the astral are where most of humanity’s low vibrational collective consciousness resides. The upper astral is associated with higher vibrational frequencies, light, and enlightened beings. Through conscious spiritual development we can raise ourselves up into the higher levels of the astral. What is the astral plane? The astral plane is fundamentally a level of non-physical existence. We as conscious beings reside on multiple planes of existence at once. We have in a sense 7 different bodies. Just as our physical body resides in a location in space and time, our astral body resides somewhere in the astral plane. When we sleep at night we enter the astral in our dreams. When we astral project we enter into this non-physical realm consciously. see also is astral projection dangerous? Even though the astral is a non-physical plane of existence it is just as real as the physical world. We also have the ability to move up and down the levels of the astral through conscious spiritual development. Astral plane map Image credit: Astral Doorway on YouTube. I highly recommend you check him out if you want to learn how to astral project! The astral doesn’t exist the same way that location does in the physical world. There are simply higher and lower consciousness areas of the astral that can be accessed in various ways. Levels of the astral realm There aren’t “fixed” levels of the astral plane designated as lower, middle, or upper. These are just relative terms to describe the levels of vibration that exist in the astral. Lower astral The lower astral is where the most unconscious and low vibration entities and beings exist. Remember this isn’t a physical location, but rather a description of vibration in the astral. The lower astral is where most of humanity’s consciousness resides in. The lower astral is full of fear, doubt, and negativity. Beings that reside in this level of frequency may be trapped in this realm due to unresolved issues, attachments, or negative karma. It’s advised to avoid the lower astral when astral traveling due to its unpleasant nature. Middle astral The middle astral is the transition vibrational location between the lower and upper astral planes. The middle astral is characterized by neutrality, and mix of lower and upper vibration. There is more clarity in the middle astral, but there isn’t enlightenment. It’s more of a low level neutral peace. Beings encountered in the middle astral plane vary widely. They may include guides, teachers, and helpers who assist individuals in their spiritual journey or entities with unresolved aspects from the lower astral plane. The middle astral offers transformation in frequency both upwards and further downwards. Upper astral The upper astral is where the highest frequencies are experienced. The upper astral is characterized by enlightened beings, widespread joy and peace, and total clarity. Beings encountered in the upper astral will be positive, full of love, and happy. There will be many enlightened and wise teachers to learn from in the upper astral. The upper astral is where you can have profound spiritual insights and transcend the limits placed on consciousness in the physical. How to move up the astral planes There are fewer and fewer human souls the further up the astral you go. Only the most enlightened and spiritually developed find themselves in the upper astral. When consciously astral projecting it isn’t too difficult to move ourselves into higher frequency planes. If you are consciously astral traveling, then simply ask be transported to a higher plane and you will find yourself there. Most of humanity is unable to consciously astral travel. In this case, to move yourself up in astral plane means raising your vibration and consciousness in general. This happens through spiritual development and growth. As you become more awake and enlightened in the physical realm your consciousness will reflect this shift in the astral.

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Is Astral Projection Dangerous? (The Risks of Astral Travel)

So you’ve just finished hearing a horror story about astral projection, and now your hopes and dreams of astral travel are down the drain. But wait! What if I were to tell you astral travel isn’t dangerous at all? Astral projection is a completely safe phenomenon. Your body and soul cannot be harmed in the astral. Though you can encounter some terrifying things and experience a lot of fear during astral projection, nothing in the astral can kill or truly harm you. What is astral projection? Astral projection is the process of moving your consciousness outside of your physical body and into the astral. Astral travel can also be described as an out of body experience. When we astral project we enter into the astral plane. The astral has different properties than the physical world. In the astral time does not move in the same way it moves in the physical. You also have the ability to go anywhere in the universe in an instant during astral travel. See the stages of astral projection to find out how to actually do this. The astral takes away all limits on when and where you can go if you know how to control it. This brings in the possibility for a lot of exciting and fun experiences. But it also brings the possibility of some scary and even demonic experiences. Physical Danger is only an illusion At no time during your astral projection will you be in any physical danger at all. No matter how scary of an entity you meet or even if you are attacked in the astral your physical body will always be safe. If you are “killed” in the astral you will simply wake up into your physical body safe and sound. It’s true you can have some scary experiences during astral travel, but you will not actually be harmed. Can the silver cord be severed? Some people worry that the silver cord that connects the astral body to their physical body can be severed, cut, or destroyed during astral travel. It is not possible for the cord that connects your astral and physical body to be severed during astral travel. No entity, force, or being in the astral has the ability to cut this cord. No matter how much negativity you encounter in the astral your connection to your physical body will always stay intact. We enter the astral every night Believe it or not we enter into the astral every night when we fall asleep and dream. Have you ever been harmed by a dream? No. But have you had very scary nightmares that feel real? Yes. The same is true with conscious astral travel. We may experience very real feeling scary experiences but nonetheless you are perfectly safe. In fact, learning how to astral project and control your experiences will lead to more positive astral travel and will make for a “safer” experience. Psychological Dangers of Astral Travel It’s possible (but unlikely) that attempting to astral travel can exacerbate already present psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia or breaks from reality. I have not really heard this to happen, but I’m writing it just as a precaution to those who may have psychotic conditions. The worst psychological damage that can really occur during astral projection is experiencing heightened levels of fear. Fear during astral projection The worst thing that can happen during astral projection is you experience a scary situation. The astral can feel sometimes even more vivid than waking physical consciousness. The things encountered in the astral can be terrifying especially if we’re in the lower astral or are operating from a fear mindset. Luckily, this is the worst thing that can happen. So the only thing to fear in the astral is fear itself. The lower astral The astral realm is a vast and broad place. You can enter into the lower, middle, or upper astral. The lower astral will appear dark and dreary. This is the part of the astral where you are more likely to encounter negative beings. More fear can be experienced in the lower astral compared to the upper astral. If you find yourself in the lower astral there are a few things you can do to get to a lighter higher part of the astral: Encountering negative entities One of the most unpleasant experiences you can have during astral travel is encountering negative entities. These beings are usually in the lower astral and will try to make you sacred. Fear is the level that some beings live at in the astral. These entities can not hurt you, they will simply try to scare you. To deal with negative entities here are some simple guide rules: Tips for safe astral travel If you want to ensure a peaceful and pleasant astral projection here are some things to keep in mind. Get astral guidance It can be helpful to get help and guidance in the process of astral projection. This guidance can be both in the physical world and astral world. When in the astral simply request help from a guide and they should appear to aid you. Perform a protective ritual As you relax at the beginning of the astral projection process before you actually leave the body you can conduct a protective ritual. Simply imagine either a sphere or pyramid of white light surrounding you in your imagination. Feel the power of this protective energy and know you are protected. Now you will be impervious to unwanted negative contact in the astral. Stay in the upper astral Try your best to stay in the upper levels of the astral. This is where the most benevolent and peaceful beings will be. Staying away from the lower astral will keep you from having negative experiences in your astral travel. Happy Traveling It’s much more likely you’ll have a positive astral travel experience if you come prepared. Worst case scenario you have a frightening encounter and wake back up in your

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How To Astral Project (In 4 Stages)

Astral projection intrigues the most curious spiritual seekers. It’s something I’ve practiced and worked with over my spiritual journey and can understand why you may want to explore it. You may be wondering what the process of astral projection and what the astral plane are actually like. You will essentially progress like this through your astral projection: First you will relax and enter into a state of deep meditation. Eventually your body will start to vibrate from head to toe. At the peak of the vibrations you’ll have a chance to exit the body and astral travel. Let’s go a little more in depth on the 4 stages. #1 The Relaxation Stage The first stage of astral projection is getting yourself into a deep state of meditation. We want out bodies to fall asleep while our minds stay awake. It’s important to stay as still as possible during this stage as we want to trick the body into thinking we are falling asleep. All the while make sure you stay conscious and aware. Some recommend listening to binaural beats to enter into a deep meditative state. You can also say the mantra “mind awake, body asleep” in your mind during this stage. The longer you stay in this state of deep relaxation while staying aware the more likely it is you will enter into stage 2. #2 The Vibrational Stage After about 20-30 minutes of deep relaxation you will start to feel your entire body starting vibrating. The vibratory stage is the gateway into astral projection. Many people get scared by this stage because it can actually be very intense. You will quite literally feel your entire body vibrate like crazy. It will feel like you’re actually moving even though you’re just laying there in reality. During this phase we want to feel deeper into the vibrations. Try and make the vibrations even stronger if you can. At the peak of the vibratory stage you will have the chance to separate from your body. The vibration is your consciousness becoming aware of your astral body and away from you physical body. You’re quite literally feeling your astral body’s energy which can be powerful and intense. VELO (Voluntary Energetic Longitudinal Oscillation) To intensify the vibrations in the vibratory phase of astral projection we can practice a technique known as VELO. The process of VELO involves feeling the vibrations in your body starting at your head and feeling it move down to your feet. Then feel that energy moving back up to your head. Continually feel into and move this vibratory energy up and down your body. Take your time with this. The goal is to make this energy move up and down the body as fast as possible to eventually fully tune into your energy body. #3 Separating From The Body At the peak of your body vibrations it’s time to exit the body. Without physically moving visualize yourself floating up from the body. There are several ways we can go about moving into the astral and out of the vibrational stage. The rope method Imagine there is a rope above you that you can grab onto. Imagine grabbing onto this rope and pulling yourself up and out of your physical body. The roll over method You can also attempt to roll out of your physical body. Attempt to will your astral self to roll over out of your body. Everyone has different results with different methods. Try each to see what works best for you. It’s important to remember not to actually move the physical body or you will wake back up into regular physical consciousness. #4 The Stabilization Stage Once you’re out of the body you’ll likely feel disoriented, scared, and possibly excited It’s important that you don’t get wrapped up in your emotions. Try to assert a goal into your astral reality. Somewhere you want to go, something you want to see. Attempt to move about the astral. You want to start cementing this astral reality. Often on your first out of body experience you will get scared or excited to the point you pull out and back into your physical body. Try your best to stay focused on your goal. Why are you in the astral? staying focused on your intention of astral projecting will help you stay in the astral for longer.

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Body Vibrations During Meditation: Causes & Explanation

Vibrations, humming, tingles, and buzzing in the body are to be expected at different times on your meditative journey. I’ve experienced all kinds of strange energy in my body while meditating and practicing other spiritual techniques. Here’s the basic reason it happens: You may simply be tapping into bodily sensations like your heartbeat. It’s also very possible that you’re awakening specific types of spiritual energy in your body. This can happen when chakras become activated, kundalini awakens, or when you begin shifting into the astral. In almost all of these scenarios you are perfectly safe. Why your body is vibrating during meditation There are so many possible causes of body vibrations during meditation. We’ll start off by discussing the most mundane and likely causes of this body buzzing. Later we’ll discuss what it means in specific locations in the body. You are feeling your heartbeat The simplest explanation for feeling vibrations in your body is that you’re becoming aware of the sensations of the heart. Your heart can create vibrations in your chest and body. The blood being pushed around your vessels can cause a subtle buzzing feeling when you sit still and quiet enough. Though this can be frightening at first, it’s totally normal and you’ll get used to the feeling with further mindful practice. Hyperventilation body tingles Another possibility is that your body tingles may be caused by your breathing. If you’re breathing deeply and intensely you may be experiencing a phenomenon known as respiratory alkalosis. Breathing too heavily while meditating can cause a reduction in the CO2 in your blood to a point that causes your blood pH to change. This change can cause tingling and buzzing in your body, often starting with your toes and fingers while working its way up into the body. This can be easily reversed by slowing down your breathing. Vibrating in your forehead If you experience vibrations specifically in your forehead during meditation you may be activating your third eye chakra. This happened to me during a spiritual practice right before I broke into vivid consciousness. Buzzing or vibration in your forehead is a sign of third eye activation. This happens when a lot of bodily and spiritual energy becomes active in this specific energy center of the body. The intensity of this buzzing can often be very uncomfortable. Vibrating in your throat Meditation can cause the awakening of all kinds of energy centers in the body. One such energy center is the throat chakra. If you feel vibrating in your throat you may be opening your throat chakra. This is a rarer symptom of throat chakra activation, but nonetheless does happen. If your throat is buzzing during meditation you can simply mindfully observe it or begin humming along with it to enhance the throat chakra opening. Vibrating in your chest The chest is a common location for vibrations to occur in during meditation. This is because the heart, one of the greatest energy centers in your spiritual system, is located here. You may simply be feeling your heart beating more intensely due to an increase in awareness. But you may also be opening your heart energy center during meditation. It’s a common experience among meditators and often catches them off guard. The opening of your heart chakra can be very intense including symptoms like: When this occurs simply surrender and relax. Allow the heart to open and enjoy the experience. Vibrating in your hips Vibrations in your lower body, base of the spine, and hips are signs of sacral chakra activation. This is also a sign of awakening Kundalini. Your Kundalini is held dormant at the base of the spine and can begin shooting up the body when activated. This can be a very intense vibratory experience. Chakra openings of any kind can cause vibrations in the body, and kundalini can forcibly open up your chakras. It’s entirely possible that your meditation practice can cause this to happen. Kundalini can also manifest itself as body convulsions, shaking, and shivering. An important note about Kundalini If you think you may have accidentally activated your kundalini it’s important to handle it correctly. Mishandled Kundalini can result in Kundalini Syndrome. See my guide to handling an unexpected Kundalini awakening. Your body is preparing for astral projection You may be getting into such a deep meditative state that your consciousness is preparing for an out of body astral experience. The state that comes before astral projection is known as “The Vibratory Stage“. In this stage of the astral projection process your body will begin to intensely vibrate from head to toe. Once in the vibratory stage you can begin visualizing yourself rising from your sleeping body to enter into an out of body experience. This is a very real phenomenon. You can induce this vibratory stage of astral projection in your meditations by practicing VELO (Voluntary Energetic Longitudinal Oscillation). How to handle body vibrations during meditation You have 3 main options when you’re experiencing body vibrations. Not all options are best for every situation. It’s best to discern which is best for yourself. 1. Stop meditating If this is too uncomfortable for you simply stop meditating and try again tomorrow. These vibrations can sometimes be scary and uncomfortable so it’s okay to just stop. Sometimes, stopping meditation won’t work. In that case follow option #2. 2. Surrender to it You have the option of observing and allowing the buzzing in your body. This is my preferred method. This will allow you to figure out what is going exactly and why. Surrendering to the vibrations will also facilitate the flow and eventual dissolution of the energy in your body. 3. Intensify it In some scenarios you may want to intensify and expand the energy and vibrations in your body. This is likely the case if you want to continue into an astral projection experience or if you want to open one of your chakras that is activating. There are specific practices you can do

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