Astral Projection - Is it wrong?

[Cerebrus]

First off, I'm a believer, and I've been experimenting with lucid dreaming (where you're conscious during your dreams and can make yourself fly and all kinds of cool stuff). Anyways I find this kind of thing utterly fascinating--the subconscious mind and how it works especially-- (and quite frankly an awesome way to spend my nights sleeping--like having your own personal holodeck!) and I was looking into astral projection out of curiosity, as it's loosely connected to those who practice lucid dreaming.

I've heard some very negative things about it from the Christian community so I didn't want to try it out without a bit more research... why does it have such negative feedback from Christians? First of all, not that I've tried it yet (I haven't) but I'm not at all convinced that you're actually "leaving your body" as much as having the impression that you're leaving the body. I actually get a little bit of this "out of body" feeling when I work out really hard in the gym for example, those of you who also work out may know what I'm talking about. Basically you "think" a lot less and just FEEL instead, and have a more global perspective... it's really hard to explain.

So if astral projection is merely the impression that you're leaving your body (and is in fact just a subconscious trip) is it wrong? Even if your spirit IS actually leaving your body is this wrong? I can't really recall anything in the bible ever saying "don't leave your body" but maybe I'm overlooking something.

From my limited research it seems that this "out of body" feeling comes from the left brain being given precedence over the (logical) right brain, doctors have caused patients to experience this feeling due to various medical procedures.

So my thought is, it's just a hallucination.

Thoughts?

Edited April 18, 2008 by Cerebrus

[sweetycakes]

Leave well alone

[EricH]

Moved from Worthy Welcome to Looking for Advise

[Guest LadyC]

it's got a negative connotation for a very good reason.... those who practice witchcraft, sorcery, whatever you want to call it, often practice astral projection.

i think you'd be wise to avoid all of that sort of stuff. i'm not even sure you should be playing around with lucid dreaming, although i will withhold judgement on that one.

IMO, the only time astral projection should ever occur for a christian is when GOD supernaturally transports you to another location, and this has been known to happen. i've known two people in my life personally, both very good christians, who have been supernaturally transported when they were in a dangerous spot.... both were vehicular incidents. my friend's entire van was moved back up onto a road as it was sliding down a ravine. the other time, my brother and some friends were on a road trip in the mountains and had a flat tire. as one of my brother's friends was attempting to fix the flat, another car came around the curve. the other vehicle couldn't have avoided hitting him without going off the side of the mountain. my brother and the others watched in horror, and then amazement when the other vehicle passed by and their friend was no longer there... he'd been transported to a rocky ledge on the cliff above them.

the important thing about both of those situations is this... it was an act of God, not an act of their own consciousness.

[OneLight]

It is completely engulfed with the New Age Movement. Silva Mind Control Method is one method used. Another is the The Monroe Technique. I would stay away from it as much as I would the plague. In fact, the plague is preferable. It won't lead you down the path that leads to the occult world.

[OneLight]

In Transcendental Meditation, I use to practice this. This was a big thing in the early 70's. It is a practiced "art" of leaving your body.

[mizzdy]

Astral projection is leaving the body. One is supposed to be connected by some sort of otherwordly ambilical cord. I messed with this stuff many years ago and actually 'projected' myself from one state to another and described my cousins work environment down to the color and print on the carpet they were making. NEVER did that again just plain scared me to death. I would say this is satanic in every way. Like the one poster said if God moves ya then its ok!! Astral projection is self willed and not from God. Just my thoughts.

[Cerebrus]

Hmm... a lot of good feedback

What I don't understand is WHY it's considered demonic/satanic. I mean, it's not like you're "calling on a foreign power" to experience this. Again, I can't recall ANYWHERE in the bible that speaks on this topic, but I could be wrong.

Isn't it just taking advantage of a capability you already have but haven't "excercised"? (like say, parcour for example, the art of being able to perform all kinds of Matrix-like unbeliavble jumps, leaps, vaults etc...

I'll talk to my parents and see what they have to say, since they were teens during the 60/70s they probably know something about it.

As for lucid dreaming, well I'd had that happen "naturally" several times and enjoyed it so much I started training myself to do it whenever I wanted. Can't see what's wrong with that.

Edited April 19, 2008 by Ovedya
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[OneLight]

New Age is not worshiping Satan. It is worshiping the "god" within you.

[Ovedya]

New Age is not worshiping Satan. It is worshiping the "god" within you.

...Which is Satanic (of Satan).