Redefining Astral Travel

(Current) Definition of astral projection (Merriam-Webster)

: the ability of a person’s spirit to travel to distant places

Although not scientifically proven as having basis in truth, personal experience in the phenomenon of astral travel, astral projection, remote viewing or out of body experience OBE is proof enough for me. Nonetheless, I would like to challenge the idea of travel per se and open your imagining to the possibility the soul does not so much leave the body as live the truth––in spirit there is no such thing as separation.

Last night I was celebrating my friendship with a woman I know who lives in Texas. “Close your eyes,” she said, “I’m giving you a hug.” Accepting her invitation I follow her direction and close my eyes. A state of higher vibration drifts in. My friend stands before me. I watch her reach toward me, place her hands on my upper arms and feel her gather me close.

In her arms now, I experience a very long, warm, loving hug. I feel uplifted! I see her long wavy hair, feel her head where it rests on my left shoulder, and sense her profound presence. A wave of warmth, bright light and love washes in, over and around me followed by a sense of deep knowing––this is an extraordinary friendship.

Stepping away now she releases me: the image of her fades leaving only the warmth and love of her embrace: her hug palpable yet unusual. In my mind I thought she would wrap her arms around me at shoulder height and hold me close. How unusual to find she hadn’t! Indulging in the memory a moment longer I message to inquire about the way in which she hugged me. She laughed and said, “Stop typing while I’m hugging you!” On the physical plane seconds had passed––in spirit a prolonged period of time had elapsed.

Comparing my idea of how she may hug me with hers I receive this explanation: “I clasped your bi-ceps gently and pulled you to me, hugged you, felt you receive it with love, and then I was back here.” Further, she described how her head was on my left shoulder just as I experienced in spirit, while on the physical plane she remained 3200 km away. Did my friend travel across the continent in spirit to embrace me in my living room? Did we meet somewhere between here and there? Or did we travel at all?

In the past, I have visited others in many faraway places interacting with them in similar fashion. Ontario––2700 km, Oklahoma––3500 km, Denmark––7600 km, and for many months to India––11,500 km. Those I spent time with, in this way, afforded me similar experiences in sight, sound, and physical sensation.

India was a lot of fun. I would often walk with my friend as he moved across town to wait for the train to college. I am sure my vision of the crowding at the platform and on the train was nowhere near his reality. However, I was able to see what he could see in the moment and could describe people near him, what they wore, their size, gender, colour of clothing or shape and design of handbag. At one point I describe his every step across campus, up three stone steps, across a courtyard, through a doorway, up wooden stairs inside a building, turning left down a hallway, a bulletin board with papers blowing in a breeze on his right, rows of long desktops with benches in a classroom––so different than those in Canada, the windows, the arrangement of furniture, the canvas bag of a gentleman sitting behind him in class, with a letter M on the fold over flap, and long over the shoulder strap. Did I ‘travel’ there? No, I was wide awake sitting in my room at home. But the fact I could see and walk where he walked, was undeniable, if not a little unnerving for my friend.

Recalling these experiences, I consider them less about ‘travel’ and more letting go of space and time to acknowledge, in spirit we are everywhere at once. Tuning into someone else’s current reality and sharing through their eyes seems far more plausible than having one’s soul move across the world to stand at a new location.

Some may argue when engaged in astral travel they feel themself move out of their body to hover above, or perhaps they have the sensation of snapping back into their body at the conclusion of their visit away from their physical body. I would argue their soul didn’t so much leave as remember the truth of oneness.

What about redefining Astral travel altogether as:

The ability to remember there is no such thing as separation.

Or maybe

The soul’s choice to remember there is no such thing as separation and to live this truth either consciously or unconsciously, without regard to the physical boundaries imposed in our earth-bound journey.

Or perhaps:

The soul’s choice to remember there is no such thing as separation and to live this truth, either consciously or unconsciously, without regard to the physical boundaries of time, space or place imposed upon us in our conscious view of ourselves as earth bound beings.
To allow one’s soul to be present outside the confines of the physical plane.
To consciously choose to live on the spiritual plane for brief periods of ‘time’.
To dissolve the time/space continuum in order to experience oneness.

I have come to know it is possible to be anywhere in the world in one’s spirit-self while simultaneously remaining physically present in another. Humans can see, hear, and engage on a physical, mental and spiritual level while living time, place and space on another plane including engaging with those who no longer exist in the physical in Mediumship. (i.e., with the spirits of those who have passed away.)

If you couldn’t think outside the box, how would one explain the quantum physics of being in two places at once? Please feel free to share, ask questions of me and/or engage in the idea of oneness in this way. Tell your story.

I look forward to connecting with any who wish to join in the conversation.

With love,

Catherine (McMillan-Sihoe)

Spiritual Medium Catherine ~ On Spirits’ Wings

Catherine’s work as a conduit for spirits through Mediumship is deeply spiritual in nature. When you ‘Ask Spirit’ questions from your heart, Catherine will channel inspirational messages from the spirit realm via automatic writing to address your inquiry. Animal spirit medicine, as well as descriptions of love, light, colour and energy underline her desire to work, always, toward the Highest Good of All.

Catherine shares her work with Spirit via social media, and has received praise from around the world. Join Catherine at http://onspiritswings.com, www.facebook.com/onspiritswings, and https://www.pinterest.com/onspiritswings/ for Spirit channeled inspiration, soulful stories, animal spirit medicine and more!

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