Astral Projection refers to the supposed experience of one's consciousness or “astral body” leaving the physical body to travel in the astral plane. This concept is often associated with various esoteric, mystical, and spiritual traditions around the world. It is viewed by practitioners as a form of out-of-body experience (OBE) that allows for travel beyond physical constraints.

The idea of astral projection has been present in numerous cultures and religious philosophies since ancient times, including:

Egyptian Religion: Ancient Egyptians believed in the concept of the “Ka” or spirit double, which could leave the physical body.

Classical Antiquity: The Greeks had notions of the soul's ability to leave the body and travel in other realms.

Eastern Religions: In Hinduism and certain Buddhist traditions, spiritual texts describe advanced meditative techniques that can lead to the liberation of the soul from the physical form.

Western Esotericism: The term “astral projection” was popularized in the 19th and 20th centuries by theosophists and later by practitioners of various New Age and esoteric philosophies.

Astral projection is described as happening voluntarily or involuntarily, such as:

Voluntary Astral Projection: Often achieved through meditation, guided imagery, or self-hypnosis techniques aiming to induce a state where the astral body separates from the physical.

Involuntary Astral Projection: Sometimes reported in near-death experiences (NDEs) or trauma where individuals report spontaneously finding themselves observing their physical body from outside.

The “astral plane” is believed to be a level of existence subtler than the physical world and populated with both entities and other disembodied spirits. Reports of astral projection often include:

Interactions with Other Beings: Encounters with spiritual entities or other projectors.

Time and Space Distortion: Experiences of timelessness or rapid travel across large distances.

Vivid Sensory Experiences: Enhanced senses or perceptions unbounded by physical limitations.

Some practitioners believe astral projection can be used for:

Spiritual Growth: As a tool for personal and spiritual development, enhancing understanding of oneself and the nature of reality.

Healing: Offering psychological healing or insights into health issues.

Remote Viewing: The ability to observe distant locations or events.

Astral projection is viewed with skepticism by the scientific community because it lacks empirical support and is often relegated to the realms of pseudoscience. Critics argue that experiences described as astral projection can be attributed to lucid dreaming, brain anomalies, or psychological phenomena.

While many report positive experiences, the practice is not without its risks and ethical concerns, including:

Psychological Distress: Unpleasant or frightening experiences.

Spiritual Misguidance: Potential for deception by malevolent entities, according to some spiritual traditions.

Dependency: Over-reliance on astral experiences can lead to neglect of worldly responsibilities.