Astral Projection.... what the HELL?, *coughharrypottercough* Options

[Retrogressive]

My friend just got into astral projection. I'm not sure what your religious stand point may be, but as I was raised a Christian I was also taught that even though there are other worlds and spirits that I shouldn't open myself up to them. My friend (who is Christian) has gotten my interest piqued in astral projection. Personally it scares the hell out of me.


Things you probably should know if you have no idea what I'm talking about:

Astral projection is a type of out-of-body experience (OBE) in which the astral body leaves its other six bodies and journeys far and wide to anywhere in the universe. The notion that we have seven bodies (one for each of the seven planes of reality) is a teaching of theosophist Madame Blavatsky. On its trips, the astral body perceives other astral bodies rather than their physical, etheric, emotional, spiritual, etc. bodies. In an ordinary OBE, such as remote viewing or the out-of-body near-death experience, there is a separation of a person's consciousness from his or her body. In the near-death out-of-body experience, there may be the experience of hovering above and perceiving one's body and environs,and hearing conversations of surgeons or rescue workers tinkering with one's body. In astral projection, it is the astral body, not the soul or consciousness, that leaves the body. The astral body, according to Madame Blavatsky, is the one that has an aura. It is also the seat of feeling and desire, and is generally described as being connected to the physical body during astral projection by an infinitely elastic and very fine silver cord, a kind of cosmic umbilical cord or Ariadne's thread.

There is scant evidence to support the claim that anyone can project their mind, soul, psyche, spirit, astral body, etheric body, or any other entity to somewhere else on this or any other planet. The main evidence is in the form of testimonials.

Other links:

http://skepdic.com/astralpr.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astral_projection

What are your thoughts?

[Retrogressive]

Well apparently nothing really can go wrong. Here is what I'm hearing:

Okay you have this silver cord that connections your "astral" body (which is the one the dreams and moves on different planes) and your "physical" body (yeah duh). So you never really cut this cord until death at which point your astral (or your subconscious) moves elsewhere.

From what I've read you supposedly have had encounters with your astral self beforehand. When you wake up with a sudden jolt it's because your astral self (which detaches from your body when you dream) is suddenly rushed into your body. Which would explain the sudden rush or falling sensation you feel (supposedly your astral floats above you while sleeping.) As someone who is interested in dreams I've heard this sensation explained as a matter of your body reacting to a particularly stressful day.)

I have actually tried this (only last night) because I didn't believe my friend's results at all. I'm sure there is an explanation for my own personal results (if I had none I wouldn't be posting). You see I had REAL results, which is very very scary. When I heard her describing them I thought she was probably dreaming because you're supposed to relax as much as possible. But my experience (and yes it sounds like bullshit) is my heart started pacing very fast and hard as I concentrated on moving out of my body. I also began to tingle all over my body, not in a "my leg fell asleep" tingle, but in a way where I could feel energy. I was also aware of something floating out of me. I'm sure it's just a meditative state, because besides sounding completely bonkers I was NOT asleep.

So, based on my experience I'm willing to believe it. Until I get on these freaky message boards where they're talking about ghosts and demons et cetera. And then they begin talking about guides. Guides who appear when you need them and help you on your journey. Yes, the idea would be pretty cool... if not altogether scare the HELL out of me. Not to mention the fact that a lot of them practically worship this Dr. Jane of some sorts who has channeled a dead man named Seth (SETH as in CULT) who writes books about projection through her.

So on one hand there are normal people who believe in this stuff and on the other hand there is this huge collective of really scary freaky people/beliefs.