Esoteric Buddhism – Astral Projection and the Meditative Mind

Many people often find it interesting how much of the ancient religious text speak of mysterious, magical ethereal realms that can be explored in incredible detail by the discerning, meditative mind. Much of mystical Judaism and the writings of the Zohar (the foundational basis for what we now understand to be Kabbalah) teaches that the true secrets of the universe are only revealed to those willing to enter the various elements of the astral planes of which the allegorical “Tree of Life” is supposed to symbolize.

But no set of religious or meditative texts are more complete than the Lotus Sutras and the many oral traditions passed down through the Buddhist teachings and lineages. Much of these early teachings are directly from the Buddha himself, after attaining enlightenment through lengthy meditation and self realization. While Buddha spoke often times in many metaphors, and much of his teachings have been subsequently split off into different sects with their own interpretations, most of the meditative aspects of Buddhism speak of the higher realms available through meditation. Some speak to these as metaphorical “locations” within the vast empty space of pure consciousness, while other teachings specifically reference these ethereal, astral planes as real spots that can be realized through meditation.

Through my own practice of Vipassana, the Buddhist meditation for achieving concentration, wisdom and insight, I have had numerous experiences in the astral realms dating back over a decade, and can speak of personal experience in higher realms that resonated in my heart and soul as just about as real as it gets. I have spoken to other more cynical Buddhist meditators who insist that these are simply profound “inner states” rather than exterior locations, but to each his (or her!) own.

If you are a practicing Buddhist, or simply who would like to deepen your own realization of the infinite mystery, I encourage you to actively seek out the out of body experience as a mechanism to test your own beliefs. No amount of experiences, related second or third hand will ever let you see what I have seen, feel what I have felt, or go where I have gone. Simply stated, close your eyes, put on some meditative music and let yourself go and explore – you will NEVER be the same once you do, I guarantee that for sure…

By: Amos Amsterdam