A Mystery Of Our Collective Reality: The Astral Projection Experiments

Astral projection—the ability to separate from the physical body and explore different realms and planes of existence—has intrigued and mystified humanity for centuries. Also known as out-of-body experiences, these events have roots in ancient cultures, such as those of the Egyptians and Greeks, who viewed them as a means of spiritual development, physical and mental healing, and gaining hidden knowledge and wisdom. In modern times, scientists continue to examine claims of astral projection, navigating the tension between conventional understanding and the extraordinary nature of the phenomena, along with the potential discoveries this research might unlock.

The fact is there are many more documented accounts of astral projection than we might think, and science, at least some arms of it, take the subject very seriously, as well it might. If we can gain a collective understanding of just what astral projection is and how it works, it would not only shine a light on this fascinating subject, but would open up our understanding of the world around us, our collective reality, and our place in the universe.

Indeed, astral projection could open more doors to us than we can currently imagine, and forces us to contemplate just what we know about ourselves and our potential capabilities.

Just What Is Astral Projection?

Is it truly possible for people to leave their physical bodies, witnessing locations far away—or even entering other realms and dimensions? Numerous accounts of such experiences exist, many of which have been rigorously studied and investigated.

The causes of astral projection are still debated, with theories suggesting it can be triggered by deep meditation, lucid dreaming, sleep paralysis, near-death experiences, or spontaneously during moments of profound relaxation. Interestingly, many report astral projection during heightened emotional or mental states, which are often linked to poltergeist cases or other paranormal experiences—hinting that the subconscious mind might play a crucial role in these occurrences.

Over the years, researchers have conducted captivating experiments to unlock the mysteries of astral projection and its implications for humanity. Among the most intriguing are the experiments of Dr. Alex Tanous, a respected scholar and psychic, who claimed not only to leave his body at will but to control his astral movements with precision.

The Research Of Dr. Tanous

Dr. Tanous used techniques such as meditation, visualization, and self-hypnosis to enter a trance-like state, facilitating out-of-body experiences. This allowed his mind to separate from his physical body and explore dimensions of consciousness beyond the physical realm. He kept detailed records of these experiences, documenting instances where he claimed to have visited distant locations and interacted with others in this non-physical state.

These encounters, according to Tanous, included not only the deceased but also higher beings or guides who offered insights and knowledge beyond ordinary human understanding. To validate astral projection, he also conducted various experiments with others, aiming to induce and document their out-of-body experiences.

In the 1970s, Dr. Karlis Osis tested Tanous’s abilities through a series of experiments. Tanous was isolated in a secure room while an optical illusion device displaying images was set up several rooms away. He was tasked with leaving his body, locating the room, and identifying the images on the device. Remarkably, Tanous accurately described the images more often than not.

Further Experiments

In 1980, Dr. Osis conducted additional tests with Dr. Tanous, this time involving a sealed chamber equipped with a strain gauge to detect any movement or disturbances. When Tanous claimed to have entered the room in his astral form, the gauge recorded significant activity. As expected, some remained skeptical of these findings, noting that the success rate was not much higher than chance. Nonetheless, Tanous’s contributions not only advanced understanding of astral projection but also broadened the field of parapsychology as a whole.

Tanous is highly regarded by those who believe in astral projection, though others, both before and after him, have also made significant contributions. In his 1929 book, Projection of the Astral Body, Sylvan Muldoon recounted his own out-of-body experiences, including a particularly striking encounter.

During one such experience, his astral form entered an unfamiliar house where he saw a woman sewing. Remarkably, he later encountered this same woman on the street and, compelled to share his experiences, introduced himself and described her home’s interior and the details of her sewing. Rather than feeling unsettled, the woman was intrigued and soon became involved in assisting Muldoon with his astral projection experiments in the years that followed.

Many More Accounts Of Astral Projection

Modern-day mystic Robert Bruce has spent nearly three decades researching cases of astral projection. His findings have led him to wonder if sleep paralysis might actually be an “in-between moment” when the astral body is reuniting with the physical form.

One of his subjects, referred to as Ms. E, reported that while in her astral state, she could see her physical body but couldn’t control it or return to it voluntarily. Similarly, another subject, Ms. P, described waking up after unintentional astral projections, often feeling the need to pull herself back into her physical body, which remained paralyzed until the two forms realigned.

A particularly intriguing case is that of Miss Z, who experienced spontaneous astral projections from a young age. Most episodes involved her briefly finding herself floating above her sleeping body before quickly rejoining it. However, one of these experiences stood out as especially intense and unnerving.

The Miss Z Incident

A report in a 1968 edition of the Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research documented an unusual astral experience involving Miss Z, in which she traveled far beyond her bedroom. She found herself walking down a deserted street in her hometown, where the overwhelming silence enveloped her senses.

She felt entirely alone on the empty road but soon sensed a dark presence following her, more an impression than a sight. Anxiety began to build as she quickened her pace, a tightening fear gripping her with every step.

Suddenly, she looked down and realized she was dressed in clothes she didn’t recognize—a checked skirt she had never seen before. A chilling realization washed over her: she was seeing this experience through someone else’s eyes. As these thoughts flooded her mind, the dark figure closed in behind her. Just as it reached out to touch her, she awoke with a start back in her bed, deeply unsettled by the experience.

She wondered if the experience had merely been an exceptionally vivid dream. However, this idea vanished the next day, when a chilling revelation came to light.

Witness To Murder

The front page of the local newspaper carried a story about a young woman who had been found murdered. The victim had not only been discovered on the very street where Miss Z had been walking the night before, but she was also dressed in a checked skirt. Miss Z could no longer dismiss her experience as just a dream; she was convinced she had left her body and witnessed the final, tragic moments of the young woman’s life.

While little is known about further astral experiences or other instances where Miss Z might have seen through another’s perspective, her story highlights the profound mysteries within human consciousness and the extraordinary connections that remain beyond our full understanding.

In contrast, a 2010 case involved a psychology graduate student from the University of Ottawa who claimed she could control her out-of-body experiences. The 24-year-old, who chose to remain anonymous, explained that she hadn’t come forward sooner because she’d believed everyone could experience astral journeys, having done so naturally since childhood. Only during a university class specifically on out-of-body experiences did she realize her ability was unique. She shared that she discovered this remarkable skill during her preschool “nap time,” where, instead of sleeping, she intentionally left her body and floated freely, traveling wherever she wished.

Scientists were eager to study her ability and conducted a series of tests. Using advanced methods, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), they observed her brain activity while she claimed to be astrally projecting. The findings were surprising and offered new insights.

People Who Control Their Ability

The scientists observed a notable deactivation in her visual cortex, suggesting that visual perception was reduced during her out-of-body experience. Interestingly, the left side of her brain, especially the regions tied to kinesthetic imagery, showed increased activity, hinting at a possible neurological basis for her unusual ability.

Erin Pavlina is another individual who could control her astral projections—at least initially—though it required years of determined effort. She spent three years focused on consciously separating her awareness from her physical body, but when she finally succeeded, she felt an immediate sense of discomfort. On the night she achieved it, she woke up to a strange, intense tingling sensation throughout her body, reminiscent of a mild electric current. Although the feeling was unsettling, it wasn’t painful.

What struck her most was that, despite her eyes being closed, she could see her surroundings clearly. She later described this experience as a form of “dual consciousness,” where both her physical and astral selves coexisted in the same space.

A Suggestion Of The Supernatural

Her initial excitement quickly shifted to fear as her astral form separated from her physical body, and she became aware of other entities nearby. She struggled desperately to wake herself and return, yet found herself trapped in this strange, astral state. Worse, it felt as though an invisible force was pulling her astral self further from her physical body, as if these “others” were actively preventing her from reentering it.

In an instant, she was back, jolting upright in bed and quickly turning on the light, suddenly fearful of falling asleep again in case it happened once more. These experiences soon became recurring episodes, leading Erin to a disturbing conclusion: she believed these entities were malevolent beings with a dark purpose—to capture her soul and take possession of her body. Erin’s encounters raise intriguing questions about the potential presence of otherworldly entities within the astral realm.

Notably, Erin Pavlina is far from the only person to report encountering such beings during astral experiences.

The renowned mystic Edgar Cayce frequently described his own out-of-body experiences and offered detailed insights into the astral realm. Of particular interest are his accounts of encountering “other beings” that actively tried to get his attention. Fascinatingly, Cayce claimed he would never speak to or even acknowledge these mysterious entities, fearing that doing so might trap him in the astral plane, making it impossible to return to his body.

We might wonder if these beings are the same ominous entities that Erin Pavlina described. Is there perhaps a connection between the caution required in ignoring these dark entities in the astral realm and folklore about refusing to invite vampires into one’s home or denying entry to the unsettling “black-eyed children” in modern urban legends? It’s an intriguing thought—one worth keeping in mind as we consider the mysteries of the astral world.

More Mysteries To Be Studied

The reality of astral projection is a multifaceted and contentious subject. Skeptics maintain that these experiences are simply vivid dreams, hallucinations, or products of an overactive imagination. In contrast, advocates for out-of-body experiences assert that they represent a genuine state of consciousness that allows individuals to explore realms beyond our physical existence.

Ultimately, astral projection remains a fascinating and enigmatic phenomenon that connects science, spirituality, and personal experience. While skeptics and believers debate its validity, scientific research provides a promising avenue for understanding this thought-provoking phenomenon. Neuroimaging studies, for instance, have identified changes in brain activity during out-of-body experiences, shedding light on the neural mechanisms at play. Additionally, ongoing research investigates the potential benefits of astral projection, including improved self-awareness, spiritual growth, and therapeutic uses for mental health issues.

As research progresses, further exploration of this mysterious realm could not only enhance our understanding of consciousness but also provide profound insights into the complexities of the human mind and its connection to the broader cosmos.

The short video below explores astral projection a little further.