The more I read the Christian bible as literature and history and not as a religious book, the more I am convinced that it contains most of the psychic, paranormal and supernatural phenomena studied by modern psychic researchers.

I have found, for example, ample evidence of telepathy, precognition, psychic healing, materialization, spirit communication and even teleportation and telekinesis reported in the Old and New Testaments.

Of course, I don’t expect the Catholic clergy and the Vatican to agree with such interpretations of biblical stories. But then, no two people can really agree completely on which interpretation of the biblical stories is correct. Each must use a critical or analytical mind and decide independently. No one can force one’s interpretation on another.

Having said this, let’s see if we can find proof or evidence that astral projection can be found in the bible.

Outside the physical body

Astral projection or out-of-body experience (OOBE) is the process or phenomenon in which a person’s astral body detaches itself from the physical body and travels outside of it. Often this occurs while asleep, during an accident, or medical surgical procedures. It can also happen when one is in a trance or in deep meditation.

Astral projection happens to almost everybody, but since not everybody wakes up at the time the astral body goes out of the physical body, people usually are not aware that it happens to them. It is only when one wakes up in the astral plane—while the physical body is asleep—that people become aware of the phenomenon of OOBE.

Almost everybody has experienced flying dreams. If you dream you are flying, it is because your astral body is actually flying, while your physical body lies asleep on the bed.

Now, can the phenomenon of OOBE or astral projection be found in the bible? I really think so, though we cannot find the words astral projection, astral travel or out-of-body experience anywhere in the bible.

Instead, you will find the person going out of his body saying he is “in spirit.” Let us look at two verses in the bible where we can find references to OOBE.

2 Corinthians (12: 1-4): “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know, God knows and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.”

Colossians (2:5): “For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.”

Natural process

Christian priests, writers and defenders of the faith are, unfortunately, too quick to condemn things that are strange or that they cannot understand. I read, for example, one writer who said that there’s nothing to be gained out of the practice of astral projection and that if it happens involuntarily, it should be treated like a dream, “interesting but not a reliable source of truth.”

He also said, “A person practicing astral projection in order to meet with the spirit world is practicing the occult” and then he goes on to say, “the Bible explicitly warns against occult practice or sorcery, and that warning can be applied to voluntary out-of-body experiences.”

I beg to disagree. Astral projection is a natural process that happens to almost everybody. It is neither supernatural nor paranormal. It’s not true that if one goes out of his body, he is prone to “demonic influences.”
Why couldn’t he also be prone to divine influences? Why give too much importance or power to the devil?

There is much that one can learn when out of the body. For example, it gives one better and more direct knowledge of the spiritual world. He can see what will happen before it takes place in the physical realm, and therefore, help prevent it if it’s harmful (for example, avoiding accident or sickness). He can meet other higher spirits in the astral plane that can give helpful guidance about the spirit world, etc.

There are many benefits one can gain by going out of one’s body, but one should not try it without proper guidance.

The next Soulmates, Karma and Reincarnation Seminar will be held June 22, 1-7 p.m. in Makati. E-mail [email protected], tel. 8107245 or 0998-9886242.