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