An Introduction to Astral Projection

What is astral projection?

In many spiritual traditions, the astral body is a subtle energy body that carries your consciousness. Practitioners describe astral projection as leaving the physical body with conscious intent and staying aware throughout. This is how it differs from a spontaneous out of body experience, which tends to happen on its own and often does not last.

Those who practice it say the physical body stays behind and keeps functioning as usual, connected to the astral body by a silver cord. They also describe it as different from dreaming, with the sense of being in your actual room, fully awake and present.

Science has not confirmed these experiences, and people understand them in different ways. Some see them as a journey of the spirit. Others see them as vivid states of consciousness. You can explore the practice with an open mind and still keep both feet on the ground.

What people explore

Practitioners describe a wide range of experiences, including:

• Meeting loved ones who have passed
• Visiting friends who are also exploring
• Traveling and seeing places of the world
• Offering comfort or prayer to souls in need
• Gaining a sense of peace and expanded awareness

Treat these as personal accounts, not guarantees. Your own experience is the best teacher.

Two ways of understanding it

People generally describe astral projection through two models.

The mystical model

This view holds that a subtle energy body, sometimes called the etheric body, carries your consciousness outside the physical body and travels into the astral planes.

The phasing model

This view holds that what you perceive is an inner state of consciousness. When you project, you are said to "phase" into another area of awareness, like tuning a radio to another station.

You do not need to choose one. Many people hold both ideas lightly and let their experience guide them.

Before you begin

Every technique below depends on one thing: deep relaxation, sometimes called a trance state. A few simple foundations help:

• Choose a quiet time when you will not be disturbed.
• Rest well, since good sleep supports a calm mind.
• Release tension with slow breathing and a gentle body scan.
• If anything ever feels frightening, stop, open your eyes and return your attention to your body and the room. You are always in control.
• Practice on days when you feel steady. If you struggle with anxiety or other mental health concerns, talk with a qualified professional before trying deep trance work.

For help settling into stillness, try Meditation in 5 Easy Steps.

Three beginner techniques

The rope technique

1. Hang a ribbon, string or rope from the ceiling so it is within arm's reach. Touch it often so you know where it is.
2. Complete a relaxation exercise until you feel settled. A few minutes is enough.
3. Imagine reaching up with your hands and climbing the rope, hand over hand. Picture the feel of its rough, thick texture.
4. Keep your focus on climbing and let other sensations pass, since they can break your concentration.
5. Many people describe a heavy, vibrating or buzzing feeling. Continue to imagine climbing until you sense yourself rising free of your body.

The lift technique

Once deeply relaxed, imagine yourself floating gently upward out of your body. Tell yourself how pleasant and natural it feels. You may picture hundreds of small birds lifting thin strings attached to your energy body. Stay with the feeling of floating until you sense a separation.

The anchor technique

1. In a relaxed state, choose a fixed point outside your body, such as the end of the bed or an object in the room.
2. Feel how solid it is and hold it steady in your mind.
3. Imagine reaching out and gently pulling that point toward you, a little harder each time. As you pull, notice that you are the one moving toward it.
4. Allow yourself to arrive at the point outside your body.

Patience and practice

Most people do not succeed on the first try. Think of this as learning a skill, like meditation, that grows with steady, gentle practice. Many keep a journal of their experiences so they can notice patterns over time. If you enjoy exploring inner worlds, our Free Light Library has many more guides for the curious.

A gentle closing

Go at your own pace, keep what helps and leave the rest. Whatever you discover, return to your day with kindness and gratitude for the body that carries you.

From our shop

Many people keep a calming stone nearby during evening meditation and dream work. Amethyst and labradorite are traditional favorites for this kind of inner exploration.

Amethyst Tumbled Pocket StoneView in the shopLabradorite Large Palm StoneView in the shopSelenite Charging Plate, 10cmView in the shop

Browse all Crystals and Stones. Crystals are offered for spiritual practice and decor, not as medical care.

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