A Journey Beyond: Comforting a Friend in the Astral Realm
“A life of high strangeness pt.3”
An experience from my life.
Astral travel has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It is a gift, a practice, and at times, a profound responsibility. For years, I had explored the realms beyond the physical, learning their secrets and experiencing their wonders. Yet, one particular journey stands out in my memory, not for its mystery but for its extraordinary connection with a friend in need.
A Sudden Tragedy
It was a quiet day when I received devastating news about my childhood friend, Henry. Within a single day, his world had been shattered. His parents and an aunt had tragically lost their lives in an air accident. That same night, another aunt passed away in her sleep, unaware of the calamity that had already struck her family. A whole generation of Henry’s family was gone in an instant.
When I thought of him that evening, I could feel the weight of his grief. I knew Henry was in shock, grappling with a loss so vast it defied comprehension. I resolved to visit him that night—not physically, but through the astral realm. It was something I had done many times before, but I didn’t tell him of my intention. This was not about me; it was about offering him comfort in his darkest hour.
The Journey Begins
As I settled into bed, I entered a meditative state, allowing my physical body to rest while my consciousness began to expand. Leaving my body felt as natural as taking a deep breath. I set my intention to reach Henry and traveled swiftly across the 140 kilometers that separated us.
Arriving at his home, I found him seated in a room, his body heavy with sorrow. Surrounding him were silent, ethereal beings. They didn’t speak or move, but their presence was palpable, as though they were holding space for his grief. I approached him quietly, wrapping my arms around him in a gesture of comfort.
For hours, I stayed by his side, offering him a calm, steady presence amidst the storm of his emotions. Time in the astral realm flows differently, and those hours felt timeless. When I sensed it was time to leave, I did so as quietly as I had come, retreating back to my physical body with a sense of peace.
An Unexpected Call
The next morning, the phone rang. It was Henry. His voice was hesitant, as though unsure how to begin. Then he said, “I had a dream last night. Someone was holding me, calming me. When this person left, I asked the others in the room, ‘Who was that?’ They told me, ‘That was Elizabeth.’ Was it you?”
I paused, caught between astonishment and a deep sense of humility. Rarely had anyone remembered my visits during astral travel, let alone with such clarity. “Yes, it was me,” I replied softly.
Henry shared how distraught he had been, his grief like a tidal wave that threatened to drown him. Yet, after the “dream,” he felt calmer, more grounded, as though a weight had been lifted. He thanked me for coming to him, and we spoke for some time about the emotions he was navigating.
Questions That Remain
After the call, I sat quietly, reflecting on what had transpired. It was rare for someone to see and remember me during an astral visit. Henry’s recollection, confirmed by the beings in his dream, raised questions that lingered in my mind.
What are dreams, truly? Are they merely subconscious constructs, or do they reside in a realm that overlaps with the astral world?
Was my physical departure from my body necessary, or could my intention alone have reached Henry’s consciousness?
And the beings in the room—were they projections of his subconscious, ancestral spirits, or astral entities holding space for his grief?
These questions stirred in me a sense of wonder. I had long understood the astral and dream realms as interconnected, but this experience blurred the boundaries further. It was as though the love and compassion I felt for Henry had woven our realities together, bridging the dream and astral planes in a way that transcended my understanding.
Exploring the Interplay Between the Astral Realm and the Dream State
The Astral Realm and the Dream State are two fascinating phenomena often intertwined in spiritual and metaphysical discussions. Both represent altered states of consciousness that transcend our physical, waking reality, offering insights into the mysteries of existence and the potential of human consciousness.
1. The Astral Realm: A Non-Physical Dimension
Definition and Characteristics
The Astral Realm is conceptualised as a metaphysical dimension beyond the physical plane, accessible through altered states of consciousness. Its descriptions vary across cultures and spiritual systems, yet commonalities emerge:
1. Vibrational Nature: The Astral Realm is believed to exist at a higher vibrational frequency, allowing transcendence of physical limitations.
2. Layered Structure: Often divided into planes:
o Lower Astral: Closer to physical reality, reflecting dense emotions or unresolved energies.
o Higher Astral: Associated with enlightenment, spiritual beings, and universal wisdom.
3. Instant Manifestation: Thoughts and intentions shape the environment instantaneously.
4. Inhabitants: Entities encountered include spirit guides, ascended masters, deceased souls, and non-human intelligences.
Cultural Perspectives
Theosophy: Helena Blavatsky and other Theosophists emphasised the Astral Realm as a plane for spiritual evolution.
Hinduism: The sukshma sharira (subtle body) travels through astral planes during sleep or meditation.
Shamanism: Journeying to otherworldly realms is central to healing and spiritual practices.
Purpose and Benefits
Spiritual exploration and personal growth.
Accessing guidance from higher beings.
Healing at an energetic level.
Connecting with deceased loved ones.
2. The Dream State: A Natural Phenomenon
Definition and Characteristics
Dreaming occurs during sleep, predominantly in the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phase. It serves as a bridge between the conscious and subconscious mind, revealing deep-seated emotions, desires, and memories.
1. Symbolism: Dreams are often metaphorical, reflecting psychological and spiritual states.
2. Stages of Sleep: Dreams can occur in various sleep stages, but vivid and symbolic dreams are common in REM sleep.
3. Lucid Dreaming: A hybrid state where the dreamer is aware of dreaming and can exert control over the dream narrative.
Scientific Insights
Neurological Basis: Dreams arise from the brain’s activity, particularly in areas like the amygdala (emotion) and hippocampus (memory).
Emotional Regulation: Dreams play a role in processing and integrating emotional experiences.
Purpose and Benefits
Problem-solving and creative inspiration.
Emotional healing and integration.
Subconscious communication through archetypal symbols.
3. The Astral-Dream Intersection: Where Realms Collide
The intersection of the Astral Realm and the Dream State lies in their shared qualities and transformative potential.
Similarities
1. Altered States of Consciousness: Both involve a departure from waking awareness.
2. Symbolic Landscapes: Surreal environments in dreams mirror the creative and malleable nature of the Astral Realm.
3. Spiritual Potential: Both states can provide profound insights and healing.
4. Navigational Techniques: Accessing the Realms
Entering the Astral Realm
Meditative Practices: Techniques like Yoga Nidra enhance relaxation and openness to astral projection.
Visualisations: Imagining oneself floating or moving through a tunnel.
Sleep Paralysis Awareness: Recognising and leveraging the transitional state between sleep and wakefulness.
Enhancing Dream Awareness
Dream Journals: Documenting dreams improves recall and insight into patterns.
Reality Checks: Questioning reality during waking hours fosters lucid dreaming.
Induced Lucid Dreaming: Techniques like WILD (Wake-Induced Lucid Dreaming) bridge wakefulness and dreaming.
5. Scientific and Esoteric Perspectives
Scientific Viewpoint
Dreams are well-documented in neuroscience, linked to brain processes involving memory and emotional regulation.
The Astral Realm remains unverified by empirical evidence, often classified as a subjective or hallucinatory experience.
Esoteric Perspective
Dreams may reflect subconscious activity within the astral plane.
Lucid dreaming is considered a gateway to deliberate astral exploration.
6. Applications and Interpretations
Astral Realm Experiences
Healing Journeys: Experiences of energetic realignment under astral "light" or crystals.
Encounters with Guides: Interactions with spiritual mentors or ancestral spirits.
Expansive Travel: Exploring celestial landscapes or otherworldly dimensions.
Dream Experiences
Flying Dreams: Often interpreted as unconscious astral travel.
Recurring Themes: Reflect unresolved emotional or karmic issues.
Visitations: Perceived connections with deceased loved ones.
7. Overlap: Dreams as Astral Experiences
Esoteric traditions often interpret dreams as unconscious journeys into the Astral Realm, where:
Symbolism in dreams reflects the subconscious interpretation of astral events.
Mastery of lucid dreaming enables intentional exploration of the Astral Realm.
8. Practical Applications
For Healing: Both states offer tools for emotional and spiritual healing.
For Creativity: Symbolism and inspiration from these states fuel artistic and intellectual endeavors.
For Personal Growth: Insights gained can lead to profound transformation and self-awareness.
Conclusion
The Astral Realm and the Dream State, while distinct, share common ground as profound avenues for exploring consciousness. Whether interpreted through scientific or spiritual lenses, these states offer unique opportunities for healing, growth, and understanding the mysteries of existence. By bridging the gap between these realms, we can expand our awareness and tap into the limitless potential of the human spirit.
A Reflection on Love and Connection
This experience remains one of the most profound of my life. It reminded me of the boundless potential of human consciousness and the extraordinary power of love. Whether through intention, astral travel, or dreams, we have the capacity to reach each other in ways that defy physical limitations.
Henry’s memory of my visit, though rare, felt like a divine affirmation of the connection we all share - a connection that exists beyond time, space, and even the veil of grief.
In sharing this story, I hope to inspire others to explore the mysteries of our consciousness and to trust in the unseen bonds that unite us. Whether through dreams or the astral realm, love has the power to transcend all barriers, bringing light to even the darkest moments.
“A Life of High Strangeness Pt.3”
~Written By Elizabeth S
Sources:
Blavatsky (1888), Freud (1900), Jung (1964), Monroe (1971), LaBerge (2009), Radin (1997), Krippner (2002)
