"Avatars of The Astral Worlds":
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The documentary "Avatars of The Astral Worlds" explores the concept of the **astral plane**, a mystical, non-physical realm that coexists with the material world. It begins by explaining the **astral body**, a subtle form of existence between the soul and the physical body, referenced in various spiritual traditions, including **Plato's philosophy** and **19th-century Theosophy**. The astral body is linked to the **planetary heavens of astrology** and is visible as an **aura** with swirling colors. It's frequently associated with **out-of-body experiences** and **astral projection**, where the soul is believed to travel beyond the physical body.
Historically, many philosophers and religious traditions described the soul's journey through the astral plane, often equating it to the afterlife. **Theosophists and Neo-Rosicrucians** adopted the concept in the 19th century, integrating it into their cosmology. The astral plane consists of **seven layers of astral matter**, influencing psychic phenomena. This concept shaped medieval thought and influenced notable figures like **Paracelsus** and **Servetus**.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the notion of **Mesmerism** (by Franz Anton Mesmer), which was a precursor to modern hypnotism, involved ideas about **animal magnetism** and magnetic fluids, which were linked to astral energy. **Francis Barrett**, an English occultist, wrote about the **astral powers of herbs** and their correspondence with planetary influences. Eliphas Levi, a key figure in 19th-century occultism, introduced the concept of the **astral light**, a medium for all energy and movement, later adopted by Theosophists like **Helena Blavatsky**.
**Helena Blavatsky**, in her work, spoke about the **Linga Sharira**, a Sanskrit term for the astral body, which she linked to karma and willpower. Other Theosophists, such as **William Q. Judge**, referred to the astral body with various names: **phantom, wraith, doppelganger**, and **perispirit**, among others. Max Heindel, a 20th-century Rosicrucian, described the **desire body**, a form made of emotions and feelings that influences one's energy field and appearance to spiritual sight.
The astral body has a rich history in **alchemy**, where it was often regarded as the **Philosopher’s Stone**—a vital tool in spiritual evolution. Barbara Brennan's "Hands of Light" further distinguished between the emotional body and astral body, with the former linked to the physical world and the latter to the astral realms. **Osho** and **Samael Aun Weor** connected the astral body to the **Kabbalistic Tree of Life**, describing both the **lunar astral body**, associated with animalistic desires, and the **solar astral body**, a more evolved spiritual state.
Modern scientists generally dismiss the astral body as a pseudoscience, viewing experiences like **astral projection** as hallucinations or delusions caused by **anesthesia or hysteria**. However, esoteric traditions across cultures see astral projection as a powerful spiritual practice that transcends ordinary consciousness. The practice of **astral travel** dates back millennia, with evidence in **multiple cultures**, and is often related to **dreams, meditation**, or experiences induced by **hallucinogens**.
Robert Monroe, a significant figure in **modern research on out-of-body experiences (OBEs)**, popularized the term and established the **Monroe Institute** to study altered states of consciousness. His work, beginning in the 1950s, suggested that certain **sound frequencies** could enhance the human ability to project the astral body. His 1971 book "Journeys Out of the Body" brought widespread attention to the phenomenon of astral travel, and his subsequent books "Far Journeys" and "Ultimate Journey" expanded on his research. Monroe’s **Hemi-Sync** technology became a practical application for inducing altered states of consciousness.
The Monroe Institute continues today under the leadership of Monroe's family, with research showing the potential for Hemi-Sync to aid in **pain relief, sleep induction, and enhancing consciousness**. Their studies include scientific papers on the **biological effects of altered consciousness**, such as changes in **skin temperature, galvanic skin response**, and other measurable phenomena. Monroe’s work has contributed significantly to the understanding and exploration of astral projection, OBEs, and the broader field of human consciousness.
