Astral Journey: What It Is, How to Do It, and What You Can Discover
An astral journey is a fascinating practice in which consciousness detaches from the physical body to explore the astral plane, a dimension of existence beyond the tangible world. In this article, we will delve into how an astral journey can be consciously induced, explore the transformative benefits it offers, and demystify the risks commonly associated with this ancient experience.
Table of Contents
- What Is an Astral Journey and What Is It For?
- Differences Between an Astral Journey and a Lucid Dream
- Step-by-Step Guide for a Safe Astral Journey
- How to Return from an Astral Journey
- Benefits of Astral Travel
- Dangers of Astral Travel
- Advancing in Astral Travel Practice
- Integrating Astral Travel into Daily Life
What Is an Astral Journey and What Is It For?
An astral journey is an experience in which consciousness separates from the physical body and moves through the astral plane, a non-material dimension that coexists with the physical world. Although many people experience it unconsciously while sleeping, it is possible to learn how to consciously and voluntarily induce these journeys through specific techniques of relaxation, meditation, and visualization.
This practice allows individuals to explore realities beyond the physical senses. Those who have had conscious astral journey experiences often describe an expansion of perception, encounters with other forms of consciousness, and access to information that is not available in the usual waking state.
The astral journey can be a tool for spiritual development and self-knowledge. By transcending the limits of the physical body, the practitioner can gain a deeper understanding of the nature of being, overcome the fear of death, and strengthen the connection with their spiritual essence.
In the third season of Mystery Teachings, available on Gaia, an entire episode is dedicated to astral journeys. There, Theresa Bullard shares effective techniques for initiating in the astral plane, addressing what should and should not be done, and demystifying several myths associated with the journey through the astral realms.
Differences Between an Astral Journey and a Lucid Dream
Although they may seem similar, an astral journey and a lucid dream are distinct experiences. In a lucid dream, the person becomes aware that they are dreaming and can control certain elements of the dream, but remains within the dream plane generated by the mind. In contrast, an astral journey involves the separation of consciousness from the physical body to explore a real and external plane, different from the internal world of dreams.
Additionally, the purpose and experience also differ. While lucid dreaming often has a recreational or symbolic component, the astral journey has a more experiential and spiritual nature. The level of clarity, intensity, and perception of reality in the astral plane is notably higher than in dreams, and the experiences obtained can have a profound impact on the practitioner’s daily life.
Step-by-Step Guide for a Safe Astral Journey
To have a safe astral journey, it is essential to follow a structured practice that combines mental preparation, physical relaxation, and visualization techniques. In Mystery Teachings, Theresa Bullard presents a progressive method that can be integrated into the daily routine as training. This step-by-step guide helps to induce astral projection gradually, consciously, and safely, allowing the practitioner to explore the astral plane with greater clarity and confidence.
- Preparatory meditation: Dedicate 15 minutes a day to meditate with your back straight. This posture favors the energy flow through the chakras and allows you to reach a receptive mental state.
- Initial visualization: Observe a white dot on a black background or vice versa. Then close your eyes and try to keep a clear mental image of the dot.
- Daily visual training: Practice this visualization every day for a week. This strengthens concentration and trains the mind to sustain images in deep relaxation states.
- Expansion of the dot: In the second week, mentally expand the visualized dot until it transforms into a large space. This space represents the threshold between the physical and the astral plane.
- Tunnel formation: Imagine that this space turns into a tunnel connecting both planes. Visualize yourself entering this transitional tunnel with your consciousness.
- Visualized destination: At the end of the tunnel, mentally create a specific place you want to reach. Keep your intention clear and use that goal as an anchor for the astral experience.
- Conscious movement: Move through the astral plane using the speed of thought. This form of movement allows you to explore the environment fluidly and without physical effort.
How to Return from an Astral Journey
The return to the physical body after an astral journey usually occurs naturally, as consciousness is permanently connected to the body through what many practitioners describe as the “silver cord.” In most cases, it is enough to direct attention toward the physical body or internally express the intention to return for the process to occur immediately. This reconnection is usually smooth, although some people may experience sensations of vibration or a slight jolt upon returning.
However, there are simple techniques that can facilitate a more conscious and gradual return. Slightly moving the fingers of the hands or feet, taking a deep breath, or visualizing the physical body as an anchoring point are effective methods to reintegrate without abruptness. With practice, the return to the body becomes increasingly natural, allowing the experience to be concluded in a balanced way and wakefulness to be resumed with clarity and stability.
Benefits of Astral Travel
Astral travel offers a wide range of spiritual and personal benefits, allowing practitioners to explore beyond physical limitations and gain new perspectives on life and existence. Reaching these states of consciousness can result in a profound sense of liberation and knowledge, alleviating fears such as the fear of death and strengthening the connection with the higher self and spiritual dimensions.
- Expansion of consciousness: Astral travel allows one to experience a broader reality beyond daily life, promoting greater mental openness and flexibility in thinking.
- Understanding life after death: Practicing astral projection can provide comfort and insight into what might exist beyond physical life, reducing the fear of death.
- Development of psychic abilities: Through astral travel, some people report an increase in their intuitive and psychic abilities, such as clairvoyance or extrasensory perception.
- Emotional healing: Consciously revisiting past experiences from an astral perspective can provide new understanding that helps in the emotional healing process.
- Increased creativity: Astral travel can inspire individuals by giving them access to visions and ideas beyond the reach of conventional thought.
Dangers of Astral Travel
Although astral travel is safe, there are certain myths that may cause concern among practitioners. It is important to clarify these myths to ensure that participants feel comfortable and secure during their astral experiences. Understanding that these “dangers” are largely unfounded can help practitioners approach astral travel with confidence and peace of mind.
- Fear of not returning to the physical body: A common myth is the fear of getting stuck in the astral plane and not being able to return to the physical body. However, the so-called “silver cord,” which connects the astral body to the physical body, is not something that can be broken. Instead, it is a metaphorical connection that always ensures the return to the body.
- Encounters with negative entities: Some practitioners express concern about encountering malicious entities during their travels. Protecting oneself with light visualizations and setting clear and firm intentions for safety before the journey can help avoid these experiences and ensure a positive astral environment.
- Disorientation and fear: For beginners, it is common to feel some disorientation or fear when exploring astral experiences for the first time. These feelings are usually mild and can be easily managed with practice and preparation. Learning control techniques and cultivating a positive mental environment before starting the journey can help overcome these moments and improve the overall experience.
Advancing in Astral Travel Practice
For those interested in deepening their astral travel practice, it is essential to develop a consistent routine and employ advanced meditation and visualization techniques. As practitioners gain more experience, they can begin to explore various aspects of the astral plane with greater control and purpose. This includes learning to navigate to specific locations, interact with different spiritual entities, and receive teachings or guidance.
Additionally, sharing experiences with a community of practitioners can be invaluable. Joining groups or workshops where techniques and personal experiences are discussed helps validate and enrich one’s journey in astral travel. The guidance of an experienced mentor can also be a great advantage, offering the opportunity to learn through direct teaching and receive feedback that is crucial for personal and spiritual growth in this practice.
Integrating Astral Travel into Daily Life
Integrating astral travel into daily life means more than just having out-of-body experiences; it involves applying the perceptions and teachings obtained during these journeys to everyday physical existence. For example, insights gained about personal challenges or behavioral patterns can be used to improve relationships, make more informed decisions, and cultivate greater inner peace.
On the other hand, regularly practicing astral travel can foster a sense of spiritual connection and purpose that transcends mundane activities. This may manifest as greater empathy toward others, a commitment to service or community, and an interest in additional spiritual practices that complement personal growth. For those who deeply integrate these practices, astral travel becomes a way of life that fully embraces the multidimensional nature of human existence.
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What Is Automatic Writing and How to Use It for Channeling
Automatic writing is a technique used to access information from the unconscious or the spiritual plane through spontaneous writing. This practice allows for receiving messages that do not come from conscious thought, but instead manifest through the free flow of words onto paper. In this article, we explore what automatic writing is, its connection with spiritual channeling, and how you can begin practicing it step by step.
Table of Contents
- What Is Automatic Writing?
- Automatic Writing and Spiritual Channeling
- How to Practice Automatic Writing Step by Step
- Where Do Channeled Messages Come From?
- Spiritual Benefits of Automatic Writing
What Is Automatic Writing?
Automatic writing is a method of expression that allows the hand to write without the conscious intervention of rational thought. In this state, words emerge spontaneously, as if guided by an external source or an inner wisdom that manifests without mental filters. This technique has been used for centuries as a way to access content from the deep unconscious or as a tool for spiritual connection.
Many people who practice automatic writing report feeling that the messages do not come from themselves, but from other entities, energies, or planes of consciousness. The experience can vary: some people receive short phrases, others write entire pages, but in all cases, it’s about letting the body express itself without rational control. For this reason, the practice requires a state of relaxation and openness, without expectations or judgment about what appears on the page.
Automatic Writing and Spiritual Channeling
Automatic writing can also become a direct channel of communication with spiritual guides, interdimensional beings, or the higher self. In these cases, the person acts as a bridge between realms, allowing the message to be captured in words without the ego interfering in the process. This practice is considered a form of channeling when the message comes from a clear and coherent spiritual source.
In the series Channeling: A Bridge to the Beyond, available on Gaia, the various ways in which channelers access non-physical information are explored, including automatic writing as a tool to transmit messages from beyond. The series presents real experiences and testimonials from experts who explain how these practices help open consciousness and access transformative information.
How to Practice Automatic Writing Step by Step
Practicing automatic writing requires creating an adequate space, relaxing the mind, and allowing the words to flow without conscious control. It is not about writing from logical thought, but rather about opening up to a receptive state where information arrives effortlessly. With regular practice, this process becomes more fluid and clear.
Energetic Preparation and Inner Disposition
Before starting, it is essential to prepare the space and personal energy. Find a quiet place, turn off distractions, and create a harmonious atmosphere with soft lighting, incense, or gentle music if you prefer. Breathe deeply for a few minutes and set your intention to open yourself to receiving information with clarity and respect.
It is also important to check your internal state. Automatic writing is not just a technique—it is an act of receptivity. That is why it is necessary to be calm and with a neutral attitude. If you are anxious, rushed, or have rigid expectations about what “should” appear, you are likely to interfere with the process. The key is to release mental control and trust whatever arises.
Techniques to Facilitate the Writing Flow
One very useful technique is to start by writing repetitive phrases, such as “I am ready to receive” or “I open myself to whatever comes.” This initial writing acts as a bridge between the conscious and receptive states, helping calm the mind and activate the flow. Often, after a few lines, the tone of the message shifts and begins to flow on its own.
Another technique is to write without lifting the pen from the paper for several minutes, without worrying about the meaning of the words. This helps overcome initial blockages and gives way to a more natural rhythm. It doesn’t matter if at first only random words or meaningless sentences appear. What matters is to keep the movement going and observe whether the content starts to become coherent without rational intervention.
Practical Exercises to Start Channeling
One initial exercise consists of formulating a clear question before writing. Then, take a deep breath, relax your body, and begin to write anything that comes up, without correcting or thinking about structure. When finished, read what you wrote without judgment. Over time, you’ll notice the answers start to show more coherence and depth.
Another useful exercise is to write after a brief guided meditation. Spend a few minutes calming your mind, focusing on your breath, and visualizing a soft light enveloping your hands. Then, begin writing without a defined topic and allow the words to emerge freely. This practice helps you enter a deeper receptive state and facilitates connection with subtle realms.
Where Do Channeled Messages Come From?
The messages received during automatic writing can have different origins, depending on the level of connection and the intention of the channeler. These sources usually belong to higher planes of consciousness and act as guides for personal and spiritual growth. Identifying their origin helps better understand the type of information received and its purpose.
- Spiritual Guides: These are beings of elevated consciousness who accompany the soul’s path. Messages from them often offer clear guidance, protection, and support in important decisions.
- Akashic Records: They contain the energetic memory of the soul and its journey through time. Through automatic writing, it is possible to access fragments of this information to gain guidance on life processes and spiritual evolution.
- Ascended Masters: These are beings who have reached a high level of consciousness and wisdom. Their messages provide deep teachings and tools for personal and spiritual transformation.
- Higher Self: This represents the highest and wisest aspect of one’s own being. This connection allows for receiving messages aligned with life purpose and a deeper understanding of one’s path.
- Angels or Archangels: These are light energies that transmit peace, guidance, and assistance during times of change or difficulty. Often, channeled messages from these planes carry a loving, protective, and compassionate tone.
- Deceased Loved Ones: In some cases, the messages come from family members or close individuals who have passed on. These communications usually hold significant emotional value and can bring comfort or closure to unresolved matters.
Spiritual Benefits of Automatic Writing
Automatic writing is not only a tool for channeling information—it also supports spiritual growth by deepening inner connection, expanding perception, and cultivating greater emotional and energetic clarity. Its regular practice transforms the relationship with oneself and with what lies beyond the visible.
- Inner clarity: Helps identify thoughts and emotions that were hidden. This allows for more conscious and aligned decision-making.
- Connection with subtle planes: Facilitates access to higher levels of consciousness. This openness strengthens intuition and spiritual confidence.
- Emotional healing: Writing without filters allows the release of blockages and retained emotions. The process acts as a form of energetic cleansing and self-exploration.
- Development of intuition: Enhances the ability to perceive internal and external signals. This strengthens spiritual discernment in everyday life.
- Deep self-knowledge: When channeling messages, unconscious aspects of the self often emerge. This supports processes of personal transformation and expansion of consciousness.
