Commonly in the astral projection experience, the experiencer describes themselves as being in a domain which often has no parallel to any physical setting, although they say they can visit different times and/or physical settings. The astral environment is divided into differing levels or planes of existence.
The First level is known as the Etheric Level, this is often described as the ability to move about in the material world in an etheric body which is usually, though not always, invisible.
The next level is known as the Temporal Etheric level, where you are still in the material world, only displaced in time, either the future or the past.
The next level is known as the Ethereal level, this can be said to take place in the immaterial world, or rather the world of dreams. Although it is similar to the material world, it doesn't necessarily adhere to the physical laws that govern the material world. Most people have experienced this plane, it is the one you go to when you dream. The falling dreams happen as you return to your material body, that is why you always seem to wake up from a dream just as you land.
The final level is known as the Astral plane. In this level of existence, both time and space are not constants, they can in fact be interchangeable. Things you experience here may or may not relate to the material world we live in. Even the senses can be switched, some have reported being able to hear colors, feel odors or even see sounds.
During astral projection a silver cord links the astral form to the physical body. This cord mainly appears to a beginning projector as an assurance they will not become lost. However, even experienced projectors find it useful, as a fast way to return to the body.
Astral projection is something alot of people have difficulty doing. Many can achieve an altered state of sorts but then seem to get stuck close to the point of achieving astral projection. Usually this is because you either consciously or subconsciously try to force the mind to astrally project, when you should just allow it to happen.
There are two keys to the process, learning to relax the body completely and learning to focus the mind without trying to force it. This is one of those things where the worst thing that you can do is to simply try too hard.
Another barrier people learning to project face is fear. Many are afraid that they may die, or be harmed in some way as a result of their projection. Nothing could be farther from the truth. You've probably heard that if the silve cord breaks, you will die, but it doesn't break or tear loose.
To reach the physical and mental relaxation that is required to achieve projection, you must learn Progressive Muscle relaxation where you start with the muscles of the fingers and/or toes, then progress through the rest of your body one muscle at a time, this is coupled with deep breathing exercises where you fill your lungs to their full capacity very slowly then empty them completely, just as slowly, making sure that you get every last bit of breath out before starting the process over again.
As you relax you'll enter the state bordering sleep. The first few times you'll have to do this with your eyes shut so don't be surprised if you do go to sleep. It takes quite a bit of practice to manage to stay on that border line without crossing over it.
After you learn to remain in this state without falling asleep, you'll need to clear your mind and let your awareness drift even deeper, into a state of such relaxation that you lose all awareness of the body and sensory stimulation. You are almost in a void in which your only source of stimulation will be your own thoughts.
The final state is one many projectors call the vibratory state. It is experienced as a mild tingling sensation that feels similar to the sensations one gets from an electric shock. Let this effect grow until it surges throughout your entire body, producing vibrational waves from head to foot, at this point you are ready to leave the body.
After you have achieved the vibrational state, try to dissociate yourself from the body. Begin to think about getting lighter and lighter, about how nice it would be to just float upward. Keep this thought in your mind at all costs and let no extraneous thoughts interrupt it until you find yourself floating above your material body.
Most, but not all projectors experience a mild popping sound or feeling the first time they leave the body. If you're one of these, you should notice the effect decreasing each time you project until it disappears completely.
Most first time projectors remain in the material world in an "etheric body" for several projections before beginning to move on to the higher levels. Don't push it, let yourself progress naturally from level to level until you reach the Astral plane. Don't fret, even the first level of projection is going to be a wonderful experience and once you have achieved it, you'll be in an elite group of people that numbers only a fraction of one percent of the population of the planet. So give yourself a mental pat on the back and Welcome to the world of true flight.
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