| Astral projection is an occult art that was | | | | is the choice to reincarnate--though within |
| commonly practiced by ancient mystics. | | | | the bounds of karma. These chosen partners |
| Apollonius of Tyana, Yeheshuah (Jesus Christ) | | | | may or may not come from the same group; |
| and many other mystics often used the ability | | | | however, as it all depends on the lessons |
| in their ministry and work. In centuries past | | | | that the soul wishes to learn. Before |
| and up to this very day, Wicca, or the | | | | incarnating, these married-couples-to-be |
| tradition of witchcraft, teaches its | | | | formulate certain signs that they would have |
| adherents the secrets of astral projection. | | | | to look for or to be aware of in the |
| The superstition that witches rode on | | | | circumstances of their physical plane meeting |
| broomsticks to their covens actually stems | | | | and in each other to realize the |
| upon the fact that witches were adepts in the | | | | soul-agreement existing between them and that |
| art of astral projection and astral | | | | they are, in fact, "soul-mates." |
| travelling. The art of astral projection was | | | | |
| kept secret throughout the centuries until | | | | These signs are not usually known or |
| the inception and commencement of | | | | remembered on the conscious level. It is |
| parapsychological research in the previous | | | | triggered into conscious knowing and feeling |
| century by reputable and eminent scientists. | | | | from the subconscious mind level through the |
| What was once shrouded in mystery and | | | | actual manifestation of those signs on the |
| transmitted secretly to initiates, are now | | | | physical plane. Although gender manifests |
| being rediscovered or taught openly to the | | | | universally in the physical plane, souls are |
| public through the mass media. | | | | described by Newton's subjects to be |
| | | | androgynous and manifests in the male or |
| This occurred because early parapsychological | | | | female form in the astral worlds out of |
| findings paved a way for the revelation of | | | | preference. Lacking any permanent sexual |
| such arcane knowledge. People were made ready | | | | form, it is thus possible for a soul-entity |
| for the knowledge and power that occultism | | | | to embody in the physical world as a male or |
| had to confer. In contemporary times, Carl | | | | a female human being. |
| Jung, the great psychoanalyst, experienced | | | | |
| many OBEs and commented on the "absolute | | | | In contradistinction to "placement," some |
| objectivity" of his experiences. Other famous | | | | soul-entities are "displaced." Newton |
| persons who had OBEs were among others, St. | | | | describes them in the following: |
| Augustine, Goethe, Plato, Aristotle, | | | | |
| Wordsworth, Alfred Tennyson, and Ernest | | | | "There are two types of displaced souls: |
| Hemingway. | | | | those who do not accept the fact their |
| | | | physical body is dead and fight returning to |
| Astral projection, like NDEs, is one of the | | | | the spirit world for reasons of personal |
| ways that an individual may prove to him or | | | | anguish, and those souls who have been |
| herself of the truth of the survival of | | | | subverted by, or had complicity with, |
| consciousness at the time of transition--that | | | | criminal abnormalities in a human body." |
| the self, the personal consciousness may | | | | (1995:45) |
| function independently of the physical brain | | | | |
| and organism. Death is no longer feared, and | | | | Indeed, this is an interesting subject, we |
| in a sense, may be said to be "eradicated" | | | | will therefore discuss this briefly. |
| once a single astral projection is | | | | Paranormal researchers have found that some |
| experienced and apprehended. | | | | souls are not aware of their transition. This |
| | | | is usually the result of violent deaths where |
| Hypnotic-Regression of the Soul | | | | the permanent atoms are expelled from the |
| | | | physical form simultaneously causing |
| Hypnotism has come a long way since the days | | | | consciousness, or self-awareness to be |
| of Anton Mesmer and his concept of "animal | | | | retained throughout the experience. One of |
| magnetism." It has passed through many | | | | the reasons that makes it so difficult for |
| changes of techniques and used for various | | | | such souls to accept their condition is that |
| purposes such as entertainment, | | | | they feel their astral form to be no |
| self-improvement and healing. Certain | | | | different from the physical--that, in fact, |
| principles or tools of psycho-transformation | | | | it feels solid and very much alive. Another |
| such as affirmation, or "subtle suggestion" | | | | reason is that they are unattended and |
| are linked to the Mesmeric tradition. In | | | | ungreeted by those on the Otherside to give |
| recent years hypnotherapy, or hypnotism used | | | | comfort, solace and appropriate information. |
| as a therapeutical tool, commenced a new line | | | | As a result, these souls become confused, |
| of probing into the depths of the human | | | | frustrated and "lost." These souls are |
| psyche. This occurred when certain | | | | trapped in time and space and sustain their |
| individuals had spontaneous recollection of | | | | entrapment in the physical plane because of |
| their past-lives. If hypnotism could be used | | | | their ignorance. In spiritualism, these are |
| to stir and dig up the memory of the present | | | | called "earthbound spirits." The |
| life, could it not also be used to probe | | | | motion-picture "Ghost" and many others |
| deeper into the memory of the psyche to | | | | illustrate this earthbound condition. Only |
| acquire information of a life lived in a past | | | | after certain discoveries--at times with the |
| identity or incarnation? This question asked | | | | aid of spiritual guides--do these earthbound |
| by experts in hypnosis was based on the | | | | spirits discover their position and |
| concept of reincarnation. The underlying | | | | condition. At times the help of guides are |
| premise was that if reincarnation were true, | | | | rejected thus prolonging the soul's |
| the results of deeper probings into the | | | | earthbound condition. Such souls usually bind |
| psyche would offer clues as to its reality. | | | | themselves to a certain geographical |
| In this section we will not discuss the | | | | location. They often seek contact with |
| results of such findings, suffice to say that | | | | three-dimensional physical beings, thus |
| many case studies of soul-regression into | | | | commencing and producing a "haunting" |
| past lives were found to be plausible and | | | | condition. |
| later discovered through research to actually | | | | |
| be historically-based. What we will consider | | | | They usually live in darkness--their field of |
| briefly here are the findings of | | | | vision being murky--they are, therefore, |
| soul-regression through hypnosis--in the | | | | attracted to any coloured illuminations that |
| theta-state-pertaining to soul-memory of the | | | | might appear in their vicinity. Not |
| transition state and the life beyond the | | | | understanding the nature of these |
| Great Change. This field of study and | | | | illuminations or lights--which are actually |
| investigation is just another logical step | | | | the aura of living beings--they tend to merge |
| from the previous probings into past life | | | | or attach themselves with it. They often find |
| experiences. | | | | themselves trapped in people's auras. |
| | | | Unknowingly they may reach into such depths |
| Our main (and only) source of information | | | | as to consider the physical body of their |
| concerning this subject is derived from | | | | victim as their own and the original tenant |
| Michael Newton. After investigating the | | | | as the victimizing spirit. This is |
| matter for several years along the lines that | | | | technically called "possession," and causes |
| we have delineated above, he published his | | | | much needless suffering to both parties |
| findings in the Journey of Souls. One of his | | | | involved. Possessions of this |
| main discoveries is that not all souls are of | | | | non-intentional, non-demonic variety may be |
| the same spiritual age; that souls may be | | | | exorcised effectively and morally only |
| classified as to their soul-age or | | | | through helping both possessor and the |
| evolutionary status. This spiritual principle | | | | possessed. In this method, the earthbound |
| is actually the origin of the caste system | | | | soul is given information and advice as to |
| formed in ancient India. Broadly speaking, | | | | the nature of its plight and the way out to |
| souls of the same class or spiritual age | | | | freedom. In this manner both sides involved |
| usually conform to a certain set of | | | | in the possession are liberated. In this |
| experiences during transition and in their | | | | psychological counseling, the earthbound soul |
| "placement" which souls of a higher class | | | | is made to realize that it belongs to another |
| usually bypass or do not normally undergo. | | | | dimension; the simple awareness of this truth |
| This corresponds to the general idea of Bardo | | | | on the part of the invading spirit is |
| experiences where one may liberate oneself at | | | | sufficient enough to release it from its |
| any stage, relinquishing the need to | | | | bondage and entrapment between worlds. |
| experience the following phases--and this | | | | Generally speaking, calls for help--and |
| usually conforms with soul age and | | | | acceptance of such help, together with a |
| experience. Newton discovered that there was | | | | release of desires and attachment to familiar |
| a "homogeneity of experience" among his | | | | surroundings of the earth plane on the part |
| subjects in the transitional experience, | | | | of the earthbound soul, gradually and |
| especially when it progressed through further | | | | automatically raises its vibration and moves |
| stages. | | | | it on into the astral world where it may find |
| | | | its placement and once again interact and |
| Subjects of soul-regression declare that | | | | relate with others of its kind. |
| after the initial surprise of being alive | | | | |
| during and after transition with its | | | | The methods for exorcising demonic |
| concomitant deathbed visions, a certain white | | | | possessions are a little different from the |
| light emerges and attracts their attention. | | | | above method where the principles of |
| This stage is often accompanied by divine | | | | psychology are used to advise the victimizer. |
| music. From the point of view of Tibetan | | | | The so-called "demons" in such possessions |
| metaphysics, this white light is none other | | | | are most often human souls with very negative |
| than the Clear Light of the Void manifesting | | | | and violent propensities. Such earthbound |
| in the secondary stage of Chikai. Ignorant of | | | | spirits are usually attracted to others of |
| what is to be accomplished at this stage, | | | | similar temperament, idiosyncrasies, habits |
| some of the subjects of Newton simply passed | | | | and desires. They often seek to satiate their |
| on to another stage of the bardo where the | | | | own earthly desires through a human channel. |
| judgment or the "tunnel effect" was | | | | These souls are often stubborn, arrogant, and |
| experienced. Some report of having hovered | | | | malevolent. Spiritual advise given to them in |
| over the dead body for several days because | | | | any way is often ridiculed and rejected. It |
| of confusion, anger or bewilderment. This | | | | such cases, assuming a wrathful and |
| usually occurs to those who were killed or | | | | authoritative attitude with a definite |
| murdered unexpectedly. We may equate this | | | | command directed to them often helps to |
| experience with the latter part of the | | | | extirpate these entities. There is a |
| Chonyid or Sidpa bardo. | | | | principle that assists in this rite of |
| | | | exorcism--in expelling demonic beings from |
| Almost all subjects of deathbed visions | | | | their human victims that psychic researchers |
| describe the "tunnel-effect" where one feels | | | | have discovered: these negative beings are |
| oneself travelling through a long dark tunnel | | | | intensely afraid of pure radiant light, |
| to an uncertain destination represented by a | | | | especially the pure light within the aura of |
| point of light at the distance. This light | | | | pure and holy persons. Aside from the natural |
| gets closer and closer as one approaches its | | | | light-radiance of holy beings, in experiments |
| source. In occultism, this light is actually | | | | it was discovered that visualized white light |
| the light of the astral realms and should not | | | | was equally effective. This light is |
| be confused with the Clear White Light of the | | | | visualized by the exorcist surrounding |
| Bardo, which is essentially a state of | | | | everyone present involved in the exorcism, |
| illumination. The tunnel-effect is an | | | | especially the victim. Evidently, radiant |
| experience of the crossing of the veil that | | | | white light causes some pain to these beings |
| separates the physical from the astral | | | | with demonic natures. Such luminescence is |
| regions. It is a "movement" into a different | | | | therefore avoided by them and causes their |
| dimension, a birthing into a higher world. | | | | hasty retreat. When circumstances permit, |
| After the tunnel effect, and while still | | | | these negative souls are brought to special |
| being a little disoriented, subjects report | | | | places in the astral realm by their spiritual |
| on experiencing vibrations of love, comfort | | | | guides for rehabilitation. These places may |
| and companionship emanating from what they | | | | be thought of as "hell" by its inhabitants. |
| later discovered to be a reception committee | | | | They are not there for eternity, though. They |
| comprising of close friends, relatives and | | | | either progress from there to purgatory or |
| their personal, spiritual guide. This | | | | incarnate once again in the three-dimensional |
| "reception committee" Newton found, is always | | | | world. In the end, all earthbound souls must |
| planned well in advance of the soul's | | | | submit to their rightful placement. In should |
| transition by the soul's personal and | | | | be understood that in most cases of |
| spiritual guide to assist it in adjusting to | | | | possessions the underlying cause is not by |
| new conditions. Advance souls; however, | | | | invading entities or malicious thoughtforms |
| according to certain case studies, go through | | | | but by the assertion or projection of a |
| the white light experience and the | | | | personality (perhaps from a past life) from |
| tunnel-effect very quickly. Most of these | | | | the subconscious. In psychiatry this is |
| souls often go straight to their destined | | | | called schizophrenia. |
| realm without undergoing the preliminary | | | | |
| stages of meeting with loved ones. Newton | | | | Souls are sometimes earthbound because of |
| believes that these souls do not require the | | | | their attachment to their relatives or |
| comfort and solace from other beings that | | | | friends. There are times when these |
| young souls usually crave for. After | | | | earthbound souls contact earthlings through a |
| adjusting to the vibratory condition of the | | | | medium. Usually they bring an important |
| astral realm, Newton's subjects marvel at the | | | | message which they feel themselves obliged to |
| remarkable sight awaiting them, and they are | | | | pass on to relatives or to certain |
| usually at a loss for words. Newton comments | | | | individuals. This then may be a cause of |
| on this: | | | | their earthbound condition, or in other |
| | | | cases, they seek to enlighten humanity |
| "I enjoy hearing from subjects about the | | | | concerning life after death. It should be |
| first images of the spirit world. People may | | | | noted here that not all communications |
| see fields of wildflowers, castle towers | | | | through mediums are from disembodied human |
| rising in the distance, or rainbows under an | | | | souls. Some of the communicating beings are |
| open sky . . ." (1995:24) | | | | in fact elemental spirits, elementary beings, |
| | | | astral shells or even the medium's own |
| And he continues: | | | | subconscious mind--all mischievously |
| | | | deceiving ignorant humans. But nevertheless, |
| "Regardless of their state of mind right | | | | sifting the information derived from |
| after death, my subjects are full of | | | | communicating spirits through mediums, from |
| exclamations about discovering marvels of the | | | | the reliable to the questionable, psychic |
| spirit world. Usually, this feeling is | | | | researcher Ernesto Bozzano states the |
| combined with euphoria that all their worldly | | | | following principles as affirmed by |
| cares have been left behind, especially | | | | spiritualistic communicators (cf "Life, Death |
| physical pain." (1995:25) | | | | & Consciousness"): |
| | | | |
| After meeting beloved ones, most souls are | | | | "1) That all of them found themselves in |
| brought to special places designed to heal | | | | human form in the spiritual world. |
| past traumatic experiences. In these healing | | | | |
| centers subjects describe themselves as being | | | | "2) That for some time, or even for a long |
| bathed in swirling light. Those who are | | | | period of time, they did not realize they |
| seriously damaged in a psychological way, and | | | | were dead. |
| who possess negative, or evil tendencies, are | | | | |
| brought to rehabilitation centers by their | | | | "3) That during the pre-death crisis, or even |
| guides and secluded for a period of time. | | | | a little after, they passed through the trial |
| | | | of summarily recalling all the events of |
| After the required healing, souls are sent to | | | | their existence (`panoramic vision' or |
| the realm corresponding to their spiritual | | | | `epilogue of death'). |
| attainment. This is described in the Journey | | | | |
| of Souls as "placement." Subjects describe | | | | "4) That in the spiritual world they were |
| riding on a beam of light, a current of | | | | welcomed by the spirits of their relatives |
| energy, to their destination whether it be in | | | | and friends. |
| the upper astral or the lower mental. In | | | | |
| placements, souls are brought to their | | | | "5) That nearly all of them passed through a |
| spiritual group comprising of individuals of | | | | more or less lengthy phase of reparatory |
| a similar evolutionary status, and they | | | | sleep. |
| normally do not wander form their group to | | | | |
| join other associations. According to | | | | "6) That they nearly eventually found |
| Newton's subjects, in the subtle spheres, the | | | | themselves in a radiant and marvelous |
| age of the soul manifests in a certain colour | | | | spiritual environment (in the case of morally |
| or hue in their aura; these souls of a | | | | normal deceased), or in a shadowy and |
| certain evolutionary status (colour) | | | | oppressive environment (in the case of |
| congregate together to form their spiritual | | | | morally depraved deceased). |
| group, which is presided or directed by a | | | | |
| higher soul functioning as guide and teacher. | | | | "7) That they had found the spiritual |
| In these groups discussions take place | | | | environment to be a new world that was |
| concerning experiences in the | | | | objective, substantial and real, a |
| newly-terminated life. The discussions that | | | | spiritualized version of the earthly |
| take place are not unlike the group | | | | environment. During the separation of the |
| discussions that occur in a | | | | astral from the physical body, it first |
| psychotherapeutical meeting where one's | | | | assumes a cloudy nature which slowly assumes |
| attitudes, motives and feelings for a certain | | | | the shape of a physical body. |
| action are analyzed and where one's | | | | |
| behavioral pattern or habit is rationalized | | | | "8) That they had learnt that this was due to |
| by the psychotherapist, or others within the | | | | the fact that thought was a creative force in |
| group. The spirit world, as we can see from | | | | the spiritual world and thus enabled a spirit |
| this, is a time for evaluation, assimilation, | | | | living in the astral plane to reproduce |
| and analysis. According to subjects, some of | | | | around himself the environment of his |
| the activities that souls engage in are | | | | memories. |
| research and study in libraries or spiritual | | | | |
| work undertaken at the direction of their | | | | "9) That it had not taken them long to learn |
| spiritual guides. Similar to the teachings of | | | | that thought transmission was the language of |
| the Occult Tradition, the case studies of | | | | spirits, even though newly arrived spirits |
| Newton indicates an active life in the higher | | | | delude themselves that they converse by means |
| planes where one may study the various fine | | | | of words. |
| arts and sciences or express one's creativity | | | | |
| in the art of mental creation, or alchemical | | | | "10) That they had found that the faculty of |
| precipitation. In the heavenly worlds a soul | | | | spiritual vision enabled them to perceive |
| must learn how to utilize the mental and | | | | objects simultaneously on all sides, just as |
| psychic faculties effectively in order to | | | | they could see inside them and through them. |
| accomplish creative works. | | | | |
| | | | "11) That they had discovered that spirits |
| In these fraternal groups of the astral | | | | could instantaneously take themselves from |
| regions, plans are also made for new | | | | one place to another--even when they were |
| challenges in the physical world through | | | | very far apart--by virtue of an act of will; |
| incarnation. Sometimes agreements are formed | | | | nevertheless, they could walk in the |
| between members of these group-minds to | | | | spiritual environment or float a short |
| incarnate together to carry-out certain tasks | | | | distance above the ground. |
| or for certain experiences beneficial to | | | | |
| soul-growth. For instance, the | | | | "12) That they had learned that the spirits |
| marriage-made-in-heaven concept is actually | | | | of the deceased will fatally and |
| formed by souls in the higher worlds who are | | | | automatically gravitate to the spiritual |
| karmically connected or spiritually related. | | | | sphere to which they belong, this by virtue |
| Choosing a soul-entity to be one's earth | | | | of the 'law of affinity. |
| marriage partner is done out of free-will as | | | | |