I have had many questions over the years about astral travel, something I experienced. Initially, it was spontaneous, but later it also happened during meditations if I focused a certain way. I had these experiences both where I lived and as “trips” to unknown places, during which I sometimes saw entities and/or interacted with them (which I know now were fallen angels).
This article does not address the delusion of being out of the body during a traumatic event, such as a car accident, which is physiologically caused (and perhaps should be called an out of body experience instead of astral travel). This article is about astral travel as done in the New Age and the occult, and offers responses to some arguments that attempt to defend it by using the Bible.
Astral Travel: What Is It?
This is an excerpt from an entry in the CANA Occult Terms article:
“Astral Projection, Astral Travel, Astral Plane – Also known as out-of-body experience (OBE) or Soul Travel, this is a practice in which a person believes their astral [or non-material] self separates from the body and travels to other physical locations, to heaven, or possibly to an astral realm….<Snip>
Astral travel is referred to in ancient practices from Egypt and Tibet, and is also written about by some ancient writers such as Plato, Plotinus and others. The astral self is a major belief of Theosophy (an esoteric cult based on Hinduism founded in the late 19th century by Madame Blavatsky) and of other religions that divide a person into various essences and parts. The astral self is thought to be part of the etheric body and separates from the body at death. However, many occult teachings hold that the astral self can leave the body during life. It is claimed that the astral self is non-material but can be visible to those in material form, though not always. In many New Age and occult belief systems, such as the cult of Eckankar, it is thought to be good, although potentially dangerous, to practice astral travel, and techniques to do this are taught.
<Snip>…Teachings somewhat similar to this are in Tibetan Buddhism, as espoused in The Tibetan Book of the Dead, which gives advice on preparing for what will happen after death. Some believe the Akashic Records are part of the astral plane…<Snip> There is no clear evidence that astral projection is real, though there are stories from those who claim to practice it that make it seem as though it is real (including this writer, who experienced astral projection). However, proponents of astral projection do not account for spiritual deception and would dismiss this as a possible explanation…<Snip>
The advocates of astral travel teach that one can learn to initiate the experience and that it can be of spiritual benefit, but the benefits are measured according to the teachings and standards of those advocating it, and these teachings are rooted in occult philosophies.”
To believe in astral travel, one must believe in the “astral self,” which is an occult and New Age concept. The astral self is not the soul; it is a disembodied self that can cavort in the astral realm. There are many teachings surrounding the astral self which are not edifying or worthwhile going into. For those who say the soul travels, how is that possible except at death when the body and spirit separate?
I had many experiences with astral travel in the New Age. In fact, I had my first experience in college before I ever had heard of astral travel and I thought I had died. (I can’t remember how I found out about astral travel). Most of these experiences happened spontaneously, without any effort. The “trips” were murky and confusing and later some became quite frightening (these were not dreams).
What is Happening?
My view is that this is an illusion. I do not think Satan has the power to cause the spirit to separate from the body, and there is no reason or biblical basis for God allowing it or doing it. In some cases, it can be physiological (as in accidents or during operations). In other cases, I believe it is demonic. I do not think it is ever from God because there would be no point to it and it is confusing.
Experience must be measured by God’s word, and God’s word does not support doing this nor even mentions it. This is from an article about a woman, Cindy Acab, who teaches astral travel:
“’The heart of astral travel is about shifting our consciousness beyond the physical,’ she said.
Acab believes the practice can help people expand their awareness, gain new insights about themselves, interpret the world around them in different ways, maybe even make better decisions moving forward.
…..The center also offers meditation, energy work like activations and healings, workshops on Modern Mystery School teachings and more from the realm of metaphysics.
Shiny silver hematite is particularly useful during astral travel because it’s very ‘grounding,’ according to Acab.
…..Acab did not grow up religious, but she became fascinated with different traditions while a student at the University of Toronto. She studied world religions, then Reiki, yoga and shamanism, she said. She worked at a Buddhist center, studying Zen Buddhist meditation.
For her, spirituality is about ‘these kinds of fundamental questions we ask ourselves about who we really are, like what’s our true nature? Where do we come from? Why are we here? What’s the nature of the universe?’” she said.”
Astral travel is always connected to the occult and the New Age, as can be seen in the article.
What About Paul?
So what about Paul’s account in 1 Corinthians 12? Many use this to support learning how to astral travel.
“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.
Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself.” Verses 2-7
What can be learned from reading the above passage:
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- Paul says that he does not know if he was in his body or not, so the value of this as an astral or out-of-body experience is totally diminished at the very beginning of the account.
- Secondly, this is a revelation and experience that God initiated and gave to Paul; Paul did not seek this out or initiate it.
- Thirdly, Paul did not reveal what he saw because he was not permitted.
- This experience or visionary revelation is not the point of the passage, but is used to make another point, that Paul cannot boast of anything because he is a weak man and God keeps Paul humble through his weakness (see verses 6-10).
- There is no endorsement of astral travel in this passage and using it as such is a gross misuse and twisting of the passage (this is adapted from CANA article Occult Terms)
The Silver Cord
Another passage often offered to support astral travel is in Ecclesiastes 12. Supposedly, the silver cord represents the cord between the body and soul.
“Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed.” – Verse 6
Many say our astral self is bound to the body by a silver cord (this so-called cord is often depicted in illustrations) so this verse is often cited to support astral travel. In fact, the “silver cord” is a phrase commonly used by those involved in astral projection/travel.
But what does this verse say to do? It says to “Remember Him,” that is, God. The silver cord and golden bowl are seen differently by various Bible commentators. Some believe it refers to brain and spinal cord; some believe it refers to the soul leaving the body at death; and others see the silver cord as referring to a cord from which lamps were hung, and the golden bowl is the skull or possibly a pitcher. But all agree the meaning is death.
“The termination of life is signified generally by the snapping of the silver cord by which the lamp hangs from the ceiling; by the dashing in pieces of the cup or reservoir of oil; by the shattering of the pitcher used to bring water from the spring; and by the breaking of the wheel by which a bucket is let down into the well. Others discern in the silver cord, the soul which holds the body in life; in the bowl, the body; and in the golden oil (compare Zechariah 4:12) within it, the spirit.”– from Barnes at Bible Hub.
The very next verse makes it clear that this is about physical death:
“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return to God who gave it.”
Returning to God does not mean one is necessarily with God forever. As Benson at Bible Hub puts it:
“shall return unto God — Into his presence, and before his tribunal, that it may there be sentenced to its everlasting habitation, either to abide with God forever, if approved by him, or otherwise, to be eternally shut out from his presence and favour.”
The verse certainly indicates that death is not the end; there is something after death and that something is eventually standing before God for judgment. Hebrews 9:27 states:
“It is appointed to man to die once, and after this the judgment.”
The Book of Ecclesiastes is about the brevity of life and tries to impress on the reader that one cannot store up treasures in this life while neglecting eternity, that is, life after death. The verse about the silver cord is near the end of the last chapter which ends this way:
“The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”
Misuse of Bible
All verses used to support an idea must be read in context of the passage where it is found, in context of the whole book, and in context of other passages that address the same issue. So we see that the Ecclesiastes passage used to describe astral travel is really an admonishment to think about God because life on earth does not go on forever.
Instead of focusing on the message, two phrases are taken out of context and misused to support an occult practice. Christians who try to support this view — and some do because of supposed Near Death Experiences — are diving into an area that has been part of the New Age for many years, and goes back even further to ancient pagan teachings.
If one dies, one does not “come back” because death is final. If anything is taught clearly in the Bible, it is the finality of physical death. The miracles of raising the dead were done by God’s prophets, by Jesus, and by apostles as signs to authenticate who they were, and that they served God.
Getting interested in this area can only lead to false beliefs and darkness.
Out of Body and Near Death Experiences As An Apologetic
I do not support using NDEs (Near Death Experiences) or OBEs as supposed evidence for the afterlife for several reasons:
First, these experiences are not valid evidence of anything except a subjective experience.
Secondly, using what is arguably an occult or esoteric experience is not conducive for presenting the truth of Christ nor honoring to the Lord.
Thirdly, accounts of NDEs conflict with each other, and often clash with information from the Bible.
Finally, belief in life after death is common among most people except for atheists and a few agnostics and others.
For example, Dr. Eben Alexander’s alleged NDE and supposed trip to heaven led him from disbelief to New Age views about the afterlife (Dr. Alexander authored the bestselling Proof of Life about his alleged trip to heaven). In fact, when I was in the New Age, all the material and books I came across on NDEs and OBEs were from New Age and occult sources.
Why To Not Trust These Experiences
It has been suggested that these experiences can be trusted because people accurately report back on conversations they heard or people they saw while out of the body. However, there are other explanations for this:
- The person was able to hear in the cases of conversations
- The person was aided demonically
- Coincidence or guessing could account for some stories
I think when something specific happens in a place at a distance from the person’s physical body and the person is able to recount this when “coming back” from the unconscious state, that it cannot be automatically attributed to God or used as a positive experience to use for dialogue.
This is an unnatural and abnormal experience and there is no evidence the information would lead to a belief in God. Even though God could use such an experience if he chose to do so, that does not make NDEs or OBEs automatic evidence for life after death, heaven, or for God. God has used dubious people and sources, but that is his prerogative, not ours.
There are too many faulty and unreliable side roads that branch off from supposed out-of-body or afterlife accounts. These roads usually lead to very dark places. All we have to do is examine the occult, the New Age, and many religions for such stories.
Anyone who attempts to have these experiences is opening him/herself to self-deception and/or mind games from fallen angels. These experiences can also be very addictive, like a drug. One will never be enough.
This is tricky territory. The invisible and the unknown are realms governed by God alone, and these accounts are those on which the occult, the New Age, and false teachings thrive. There is no clear evidence for any out-of-body state and certainly none for having visited heaven (the books on visiting heaven have anti-Christian theology, conflict with God’s word, and/or present inconsistent accounts).
Creating interest in these areas can stir or feed an unhealthy appetite for the esoteric and, in my view, will lead to confusion and/or not end in honoring truth.
Recommended book on physiological causes as a possibility for many claimed supernatural experiences in the New Age and the occult:
Testing the Spirits, by Elizabeth Hillstrom
Short link: https://tinyurl.com/526k75k9