Copyright
(c) 1988 by Phil Hansford. This article is licenced
for free
non-commercial distribution only.
----------------------------------------------------------
** MAGICK
9 -- ASTRAL PROJECTION **
Astral projection (OOBE, out of the body experience) is a
popular
area of occult literature; for traveling to see other
worlds
and places while the physical body sleeps or is entranced
is an
exciting notion. Astral projection is not dangerous. It is
as safe
as sleeping. Most dreams are probably unconscious astral
projections,
anyway. Although there has been quite a bit written
on the
subject, astral projection is difficult for many people.
The main
difficulty is the tendency to forget dream consciousness
upon awakening.
Accordingly, the successful practice of astral
projection
requires work.
Modern psychology discounts the idea of actual OOBE (that the
spirit
temporarily vacates the physical body). However, the idea
is very
ancient. The Tibetans have an entire system of yoga (dream
yoga)
based upon astral projection. And here we have an important
assumption:
you are involved in an OOBE (at least to a degree)
whenever
you dream. What sets it apart from a full OOBE is your
hazy consciousness
during the experience and poor recall
afterwards.
Many people forget most of their dreams completely.
Learning
astral projection requires a kind of inner mental clarity
and alertness.
Dreams are a door to the subconscious which can be used for
psychological
and spiritual insight, and sometimes for
precognition.
Dream content is influenced by external sounds and
sensations.
For example, a loud external noise (such as a train)
will likely
appear in your dream (if it doesn't wake you up!).
Dreams
are also influenced by events of the previous day, by your
moods,
and by suggestion. Everyone normally dreams 4 or 5 times a
night
(about every 2 hours). The longest dreams occur in the
morning.
Everyone dreams. You are more likely to remember the
details
of your dream when you first wake up. By keeping a dream
diary
you will improve dream recall. Have writing equipment or a
tape recorder
at your bedside for this purpose; also a light which
isn't
too bright. Suggest to yourself several times before you go
to sleep,
"I will awaken with the knowledge of a dream." Then when
you do
awaken, move quietly (sometimes just turning over drives
the idea
away). Remember first, then write the dream down, and
then add
as many details as possible. The next day check for
objective
facts and expand if you can (by remembering 'what
happened
before that'). Once you start remembering your dreams in
this way,
it will become easier to do so. (If you are unsuccessful
at this,
and *really* want to remember your dreams, you could
arrange
for someone to sit by your bedside all night long with a
dim light
on. Then when he sees your eyes moving back and forth --
rapid
eye movements, a sign you are dreaming -- he can wake you
and ask
for a dream report.)
FORMS
OF ASTRAL PROJECTION
Astral projection may be subdivided into three basic types:
mental
projection, astral projection (proper) and etheric
projection.
And your OOBE may shift between them. Mental
projection
is really simple clairvoyance ('remote viewing'), and
'traveling
in your mind'. Imagination plays a key role. The
experience
of mental projection is not particularly vivid, and you
will more
likely be an observer than a participant. Nevertheless,
mental
projection is an important 'way in' to astral projection
proper.
During mental projection and astral projection you are able to
travel
through solid objects, but are not able to act directly
upon them
or to move them (if they are in the physical world).
This is
not true during etheric projection. Whether it is simply
subconscious
expectation, or whether it is a true etheric
projection
which in theory means that part of your physical body
has been
relocated with your projection (the etheric or vital
part)
may be difficult to determine. Etheric projections generally
travel
at or very near the physical world. There are even cases
reported
(very, very rare ones) in which the entire physical body
is transferred
to another location (teleportation), or cases in
which
the physical body exists and acts in two separate places at
once (bilocation)!
But our primary interest is astral projection proper, and mental
projection
to a lesser extent. Astral and mental projection are
not confined
to the physical world. Travel in the mental and
astral
realms is feasible, and often preferred. Nor are astral and
mental
projection restricted to the realm of the earth (you could
even go
to the moon and planets).
STATES
OF CONSCIOUSNESS
The electrical activity of the brain has been observed and
classified
with EEG (electroencephalograph) equipment; signals
picked
up from the scalp by electrodes, then filtered and
amplified,
drive a graph recorder. Brain activity has been found
to produce
specific ranges for certain basic states of
consciousness,
as indicated in 'hz' (hertz, or cycles/vibrations
per second):
delta -- 0.2 to 3.5 hz (deep sleep, trance state),
theta -- 3.5 to 7.5 hz (day dreaming, memory),
alpha -- 7.5 to 13 hz (tranquility, heightened
awareness, meditation),
beta -- 13 to 28 hz (tension, 'normal'
consciousness).
As you can see, some form of physical relaxation is implied in
the alpha,
theta, and delta consciousness. These states are in
fact reached
through deep breathing, hypnosis, and other
relaxation
techniques. OOBE occurs during these states, and delta
is probably
the most important for it. The problem is really, as
we have
said, one of maintaining mental awareness and alertness
while
experienceing these altered states. Experimental subjects
hooked
to an EEG do not show a discrete change from drowsy to
sleep;
it is very gradual.
At the threshold between sleep and waking consciousness is a
drowsy
condition known as the hypnogogic state. OOBE seems to
occur
during this state, or a variant of it. By careful control of
the hypnogogic
state (not going beyond it) it is possible to enter
OOBE directly.
cont'd
next page
BOOK LIST
H.P. Battersby,
Man Outside Himself.
J.H. Brennan,
Astral Doorways.
Robert
Crookall, The Techniques of Astral Projection.
Denning
and Phillips, The Llewellyn Practical Guide to Astral
Projection.
Oliver
Fox, Astral Projection.
Gavin
& Yvonne Frost, Astral Travel.
Celia
Green, Out-of-the-body Experiences.
Richard
A. Greene, The Handbook of Astral Projection.
Herbert
Greenhouse, The Astral Journey.
Jack London,
Star Rover (historical occult novel).
Janet
Mitchell, Out of Body Experiences.
Robert
Monroe, Journeys Out of the Body.
Robert
E. Moser, Mental and Astral Projection.
Muldoon
and Carrington, The Projection of the Astral Body.
Ophiel,
The Art and Practice of Astral Projection.
A.E. Powell,
The Astral Body.
D. Scott
Rogo, Leaving the Body.
J.M. Shay,
Out of the Body Consciousness.
Susy Smith,
The Enigma of Out-of-the-body Travel.
Brad Steiger,
The Mind Travelers.
Yram,
Practical Astral Projection.
========
Phil Hansford,
4/88 Mysteria (818) 353-8891 (modem)
P.O. Box
83 Tujunga, CA 91042
Pt 8 Pt 9a 
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