Editing Astral projection (section)

{{short description|Interpretation of out-of-body experiences}}
{{about|the paranormal concept|the psychedelic trance musical band|Astral Projection (band)|the culture-specific disorder|soul wandering}}
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[[File:GoldFlwr3.gif|thumb|"The Separation of the Spirit Body" from ''[[The Secret of the Golden Flower]]'', a Chinese handbook on alchemy and meditation]]

{{paranormal|main}}

In [[Western esotericism|esotericism]], '''astral projection''' (also known as '''astral travel''', '''soul journey''', '''soul wandering''', '''spiritual journey''', '''spiritual travel''') is an intentional [[out-of-body experience]] (OBE)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/extrasensory-perceptions/astral-projection.htm | title=Astral Projection: An Intentional Out-of-body Experience }}</ref>{{sfn|Myers|2014|p=52}} in which a [[subtle body]], known as the [[astral body]] or [[body of light]] through which [[Mind|consciousness]] functions separately from the [[physical body]], travels throughout the [[astral plane]].{{sfnm|1a1=Park|1y=2008|1pp=90–91|2a1=Crow|2y=2012}}

The idea of astral travel is ancient and occurs in multiple cultures. The term "astral projection" was coined and promoted by 19th-century [[Theosophist]]s.{{sfn|Crow|2012}} It is sometimes associated with dreams and forms of meditation.{{sfn|Zusne|Jones|1989|p={{page needed|date=January 2024}}}} Some individuals have reported perceptions similar to descriptions of astral projection that were induced through various [[hallucination|hallucinogenic]] and [[hypnosis|hypnotic]] means (including [[self-hypnosis]]). There is no [[scientific evidence]] that there is a consciousness whose embodied functions are separate from normal [[Neurotransmission|neural activity]] or that one can consciously leave the body and make observations of the physical universe.<ref name="Regal 2009">{{harvnb|Regal|2009|p=29}}: "Other than anecdotal eyewitness accounts, there is no known evidence of the ability to astral project, the existence of other planes, or of the Akashic Record."</ref> As a result, astral projection has been characterized as [[pseudoscience]].<ref name="Hines 2003">{{harvnb|Hines|2003|pp=103–106}}.</ref>