Astral projection, also known as an out-of-body experience (OBE), has captured the imagination of many, fueled by depictions in popular culture such as the “Doctor Strange” movies and the Netflix series “Behind Her Eyes.” These fictional portrayals often show characters separating their spiritual selves from their physical bodies. But what exactly is astral projection, and is it more than just a plot device?
Surveys suggest that a significant portion of the population, ranging from 8 to 20 percent, report having experienced something akin to an OBE at some point in their lives. This sensation involves a feeling of one’s consciousness, spirit, or “astral body” detaching from the physical form. While these experiences often occur during sleep or under hypnosis, some individuals claim to achieve it through simple relaxation.
Astral projection is a topic filled with intrigue, but is it a genuine phenomenon or simply a fascinating illusion?
The Historical Roots of Astral Projection
The concept of humans leaving their bodies during dreams is ancient. Many cultures and spiritual traditions, from New Age movements to shamanic practices, embrace the idea of connecting with cosmic intelligence through visions and vivid dreams during what is now called astral projection or out-of-body experiences. However, its modern resurgence can be traced back to the spiritual revival of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Dr. Susan Blackmore explained to HowStuffWorks that “The idea comes from a 19th-century mystical system called Theosophy which claims that we have seven bodies from the lowest physical to the highest spiritual and mental bodies.”
According to John L Crow’s paper, “Taming the Astral Body: The Theosophical Society’s Ongoing Problem of Emotion and Control,” the Theosophical Society was established in New York in 1875 by Helena Blatavsky. Blackmore noted in Psychology Today that Blatavsky “claimed to have traveled the world, studied with Tibetan gurus, contacted the dead, and learned to reach higher planes with Hindus and Buddhists”.
Theosophy posits the existence of ‘Seven Bodies of Man,’ with ‘the astral body’ being the third. Blackmore elaborates that “the astral body can leave the physical and etheric bodies behind and go traveling on the astral planes.” Engelberg Ideas suggests that Theosophy significantly influenced artists and scientists in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The influence of astral projection can be observed in popular fiction, including films like ‘Doctor Strange’. In Dennis Wheatley’s 1941 novel ‘Strange Conflict’, the hero Duc De Richleau uses it to travel the globe in his sleep.
Initially a private, quasi-religious practice, astral projection, like many New Age beliefs, has become commercialized. The promise of teaching individuals to leave their physical bodies and explore other dimensions has turned astral travel into a lucrative business, with numerous books, seminars, and other materials available. But does this commercialization equate to validity? Does astral projection truly work?
The Question of Reality: Is Astral Projection Real?
Proponents of astral travel often cite the vividness of the experience and the commonalities between experiences across different cultures as proof of its reality. However, the similarities in experiences could be attributed to “guided imagery,” where individuals are told what to expect, shaping their perceptions.
The fundamental challenge lies in the lack of scientific methods to measure the “leaving” or “entering” of the body by a person’s spirit. The simplest explanation remains that OBEs are simply fantasies and dreams. Given the absence of scientific evidence suggesting that consciousness can exist outside the brain, scientists generally reject astral projection.
Why hasn’t astral projection been scientifically validated? Some argue that mainstream scientists are biased and unwilling to examine evidence that contradicts their established views. However, in the scientific community, disproving dominant theories is often rewarded. Proving the existence of psychic abilities, astral projection, or alternative dimensions would be a groundbreaking achievement, potentially earning the scientist a Nobel Prize.
Scientifically testing astral travel seems straightforward. For instance, hiding unknown objects in different locations and asking an individual to project their consciousness to describe what’s there. The accuracy of the descriptions would serve as evidence.
According to researcher Susan Blackmore, author of “Beyond the Body: An Investigation of Out-of-the-Body Experiences,” individuals who experience astral travel “have been found to score higher on measures of hypnotizability and, in several surveys, on measures of absorption, [a] measure of a person’s ability to pay complete attention to something and to become immersed in it, even if it is not real, like a film, play, or imagined event.” These individuals tend to be more imaginative, suggestible, and prone to fantasy. However, they also exhibit low rates of drug and alcohol use, and show no clear indicators of psychopathology or mental illness.
A 2021 study published in the Medical Science journal Cureus, titled “Astral Projection: A Strange Out-of-Body Experience in Dissociative Disorder,” examined a case of reported astral projection in a 15-year-old boy. The paper explored potential causes of OBEs, citing “various neurological conditions like epileptic seizures and migraine, deficient visual, vestibular, and multisensory processing, near-death experiences, and psychedelic drug use.”
The study also mentioned that these experiences could be linked to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, personality disorders, depersonalization, anxiety, dissociative disorders, and depression. In the case examined, the patient exhibited a dissociative state, leading the authors to suggest that “astral projection can be construed as a part of the dissociative experience.”
Other potential causes of OBEs and astral projection have also been explored. A 2017 study reported by The Atlantic analyzed 210 patients with vestibular disorders, which affect the inner ear and the body’s sense of balance. The study found that 14% of these patients reported out-of-body experiences, compared to only 5% of those without vestibular issues. This suggests a possible link between inner ear function and OBEs.
The real world constantly presents opportunities to demonstrate astral projection beyond any doubt. If proven, it would be invaluable. There would be no need to risk human lives in dangerous situations, such as nuclear disasters.
Individuals capable of flying and moving through walls with their consciousness could save lives during natural disasters like earthquakes, locating survivors trapped in rubble and guiding rescue efforts. Astral projectors could be invaluable to police during hostage situations, providing crucial details about suspects and their locations. The absence of such individuals during these critical events remains telling.
While practitioners firmly believe in the reality of their experiences, the evidence remains anecdotal. Similar to the altered states induced by substances like peyote or LSD, the sense of interacting with God or other entities is subjective. Astral projection can be an engaging and seemingly profound pastime, potentially even life-altering. However, there is currently no concrete evidence to suggest that OBEs occur outside the body rather than within the brain. Until the existence of an astral plane can be proven, the adventures of fictional characters like Doctor Strange will continue to entertain.
Further Exploration
- This study from Frontiers in NeuroScience assesses an attempt at voluntary out of body experiences.
- Healthline explores some of the possible causes of out of body experiences.
- Jodi Walker attempts to project her soul across the universe in this piece for the Ringer.
