I've practiced Theravada Buddhism for years and I've also been having out of body experiences since I was a teenager. I'm curious on your opinions of astral projection and how it can influence one's practice of Buddhism. In my experience, meditation while in the out of body state in on a completely different level than normal meditation in the body. It's like an instant connection with the source of your being, amplified exponentially compared to what I've experienced meditating in the body. I'd also like to share a video series I'm currently making to share my methods and experiences with astral projection in case anyone is interested.
https://youtu.be/3mcqgWijNHM
Astral Projection/Out of Body Experiences
- VinceField
- Posts: 207
- Joined: Wed May 07, 2014 2:03 am
Re: Astral Projection/Out of Body Experiences
Welcome back, Vince. I remember you from a few years ago.
Not much to add here accept that such experiences are all well and good, but what do they have to do with uprooting the defilements and the destruction of suffering? If the goal is to wear away craving and purify the experience of greed, hate and delusion, how do these out-of-body experiences contribute to that end?
Not much to add here accept that such experiences are all well and good, but what do they have to do with uprooting the defilements and the destruction of suffering? If the goal is to wear away craving and purify the experience of greed, hate and delusion, how do these out-of-body experiences contribute to that end?
“Life is swept along, short is the life span; no shelters exist for one who has reached old age. Seeing clearly this danger in death, a seeker of peace should drop the world’s bait.” SN 1.3
Re: Astral Projection/Out of Body Experiences
Can you explain this in terms of the Theravada terminology?
Ie: First Jhana etc.
Ie: First Jhana etc.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
Re: Astral Projection/Out of Body Experiences
Being out of body involves being in a different, more subtle body. The five aggregates are still involved. As long as the projection remains within the desire realm it is lower than first jhana. It is still very interesting and you can have intense experiences with it.
- VinceField
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Re: Astral Projection/Out of Body Experiences
I'm not exactly sure how to compare the states involved with astral projection to the jhanas. The process essentially involves keeping your mind awake as your body falls asleep and separating from the body. In terms of meditating while out of body, I believe some and sometimes even all of the jhanas are easily reached almost instantly at times. The practice does seem to serve to provide helpful insights into the nature of the self and reality if you are able to progress to the level that you gain access to deeper levels of nonphysical reality, as opposed to the more superficial dimensions commonly experienced as a beginner.
Re: Astral Projection/Out of Body Experiences
That is what I’m curious about. Do these insights lead to dispassion? Relinquishment? How does it differ from mindfulness of the body or mindfulness of death?VinceField wrote: ↑Thu Mar 17, 2022 12:39 am The practice does seem to serve to provide helpful insights into the nature of the self and reality if you are able to progress to the level that you gain access to deeper levels of nonphysical reality, as opposed to the more superficial dimensions commonly experienced as a beginner.
“Life is swept along, short is the life span; no shelters exist for one who has reached old age. Seeing clearly this danger in death, a seeker of peace should drop the world’s bait.” SN 1.3
Re: Astral Projection/Out of Body Experiences
I have so-called "out of body" experiences every now and then. Problem is, they happen when I'm sleeping, and are thus indistinguishable from dreams.
All of my dreams are lucid, which is very irregular as I've been told.
All of my dreams are lucid, which is very irregular as I've been told.
What is the Uncreated?
Sublime & free, what is that obscured Eternity?
It is the Undying, the Bright, the Isle.
It is an Ocean, a Secret: Reality.
Both life and oblivion, it is Nirvāṇa.
Sublime & free, what is that obscured Eternity?
It is the Undying, the Bright, the Isle.
It is an Ocean, a Secret: Reality.
Both life and oblivion, it is Nirvāṇa.
Re: Astral Projection/Out of Body Experiences
The same for me too.
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
- Goofaholix
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- Location: New Zealand
Re: Astral Projection/Out of Body Experiences
I was listening to a podcast by Leigh Brasington recently and he was talking abut the Siddhis, I'm not sure if Astral Projection is a Siddhi but it's Siddhi-like.
Anyway he made two points that I agree with; firstly there is nothing about the Dhamma that suggests we should be able to defy the law of physics, and secondly some of them make more sense if you interpret them as lucid dreaming.
Pronouns (no self / not self)
“Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hilltop, nor is it given by a teacher. Where you experience suffering, you can also find freedom from suffering. Trying to run away from suffering is actually to run toward it.”
― Ajahn Chah
“Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hilltop, nor is it given by a teacher. Where you experience suffering, you can also find freedom from suffering. Trying to run away from suffering is actually to run toward it.”
― Ajahn Chah
- confusedlayman
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- Location: Human Realm (as of now)
Re: Astral Projection/Out of Body Experiences
OBE is just lucid dream where external exnorvonment is your own room instead of some other environment like mars or moon. its all brain made stuff
I may be slow learner but im at least learning...
Re: Astral Projection/Out of Body Experiences
Hi Vince,VinceField wrote: ↑Thu Mar 17, 2022 12:39 am The practice does seem to serve to provide helpful insights into the nature of the self and reality if you are able to progress to the level that you gain access to deeper levels of nonphysical reality, as opposed to the more superficial dimensions commonly experienced as a beginner.
Do these experiences tell you something usful about the physical reality apart from it being "superficial "? Or does it alter your understanding of what the body is?
And the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus, saying: "Behold now, bhikkhus, I exhort you: All compounded things are subject to vanish. Strive with earnestness!"
This was the last word of the Tathagata.
This was the last word of the Tathagata.
Re: Astral Projection/Out of Body Experiences
The brain has nearly unlimited capacities in terms of creating experiences.VinceField wrote: ↑Wed Mar 16, 2022 8:32 pm I've practiced Theravada Buddhism for years and I've also been having out of body experiences since I was a teenager. I'm curious on your opinions of astral projection and how it can influence one's practice of Buddhism.
Cleared. αδόξαστος.
Re: Astral Projection/Out of Body Experiences
When that happens, the one involved will be in fourth jhana mode. The breath will be so slow that there is like no breathing.
- VinceField
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- Joined: Wed May 07, 2014 2:03 am
Re: Astral Projection/Out of Body Experiences
That's actually not true. An out of body experience is more of a general term, but when you project your consciousness from the body, it doesn't go to the physical dimension. Consciousness usually shifts into the astral dimension, and these experiences are called astral projections. The astral is a dimension of reality "higher" in frequency than the physical dimension. Lucid dreaming, on the other hand, takes place in a mental dimension of reality in which your subconscious mind constructs the reality and environment. This is not the case for typical OBEs and astral projections. Over 20 years of experiments in these various states makes the differences quite clear.confusedlayman wrote: ↑Thu Mar 17, 2022 3:39 am OBE is just lucid dream where external exnorvonment is your own room instead of some other environment like mars or moon. its all brain made stuff
- VinceField
- Posts: 207
- Joined: Wed May 07, 2014 2:03 am
Re: Astral Projection/Out of Body Experiences
The insights I've gained on my journeys have had a huge impact on my beliefs, my perception of myself and reality, and a lot more. This change in perspective has been quite useful in my physical life.Bundokji wrote: ↑Thu Mar 17, 2022 6:09 amHi Vince,VinceField wrote: ↑Thu Mar 17, 2022 12:39 am The practice does seem to serve to provide helpful insights into the nature of the self and reality if you are able to progress to the level that you gain access to deeper levels of nonphysical reality, as opposed to the more superficial dimensions commonly experienced as a beginner.
Do these experiences tell you something usful about the physical reality apart from it being "superficial "? Or does it alter your understanding of what the body is?