What are Catholic views on Astral Projection and Lucid Dreaming?

[thistle]

Hi i am new to this forum and an active catholic, but i am interested in astral projection and lucid dreaming. I have had several lucid dreams and I know the act of becoming aware in a lucid dream is not a sin but i wanted to hear some of your views on the topic of lucid dreaming. My next interest is in astral projection which i have been attempting to accomplish for a month now and am getting very close to leaving my body and entering the astral plane. I would also like to hear your opinions on this topic of astral projection and how it might be considered dangerous by the catholic religion. Thank you in advance for anyone who chooses to reply to this post.

There is no such thing. They do not exist.

 

[Cider]

Lucid dreaming is not witchcraft. It just happens. You can not sin without full knowledge and consent. When you are dreaming and realize it, it’s not like you can choose to not realize it anymore. That is completely ridiculous. I’ve had lucid dreams for as long as I can remember, since I was a child. It’s not something that I can control or choose to do.

 

[silver2soul]

It is dangerous to meddle with anything out of the Christian norm that could be construed as an abomination in the slightest sense. Technically if there is even a remote possibility that it warrants sin then I would avoid it, abstain from it, and treat it like a plague if at all possible; and all things are possible with GOD and his son JESUS.

“Better safe than sorry!!”

Anything remotely revolving around the concept, principle or practice of witchcraft is occultism, demonic and out of Christ like behavior. I believe currently we have a huge underlying epidemic in the world; stemming from the detestable practice of witchcraft and other pagan practices, and is only getting worse. as it was said…

**Ephesians 5:5-15

New International Version (NIV**)

5 *For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,*

Many prophets or other individuals in the scriptures were often given visions or dreams that were related to GOD appointed scenarios, but we should not dwell to deeply in these matters and instead dwell on prayer through JESUS the son of GOD unto the heavenly father for intercession, praise and discernment.

Lucid dreaming is according to Wikipedia a common Buddhism practice, and this is your answer to it’s validity as an unacceptable practice of anyone whom is walking with and in JESUS CHRIST.

Again I say…

“Better safe than sorry!!!”

Praise be to GOD the heavenly father and his son lord JESUS CHRIST forever>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[desertwolf181]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply to this thread your post have been very eye-opening, but as to those who said lucid dreaming does not exist and it is impossible are wrong. Dr. Stephen LaBerge conducted research in a lab with the lab participants hooked up to an EEG machine and he found that while the mind is in a dream state it is possible to send signals to the outside world through a pattern of eye movements that were predetermined before the subject entered the dream. So lucid dreaming is completely possible and scientifically proven. As to whether or not it is sinful well i talked to my diocese Bishop during confession and explained to him what lucid dreaming was and i asked if it was sinful to do whatever i wanted to do in the dream he said you are only in a dream you are not actually interacting or hurting other people just interacting with your own subconscious. Astral projection on the other hand has not been proven in any scientific research yet but i am sure that is only a matter of time. However i do plan to discuss astral projection with a priest or with my brother who is actually in the seminary right now studying to become a priest. But my personal opinion on the subject of astral projection is that there is nothing wrong with it, and i plan to continue my efforts in attempting to leave my body. I think it is just misunderstood by the vast majority of people and even our religion. And i had read that some people who replied to this thread thought that the soul leaves the body but it never does as research by Robert Bruce has shown that it is more of a mind split effect however this is rather difficult to explain, so i will not try to explain it here. But again thank you for all replying to this thread i really do appreciate it.

 

[JMJ_Telcontar]

desertwolf181,

Please, please speak to your priest/confessor before attempting astral projection.

St. Teresa of Avila, whose feast is today, had extraordinary mystical experiences while she prayed. She was afraid and spoke about these experiences to her confessor and spiritual director and she obeyed them when she was told to resist the effects of her form of prayer until they were sure that it was the work of the Holy Spirit. Here is a link to the website in case you are interested - it is a long article.

I will not link astral projection to the experiences of St. Teresa of Avila but I wished to highlight her obedience to her confessors in her spiritual life as a model to emulate.

 

[Evania]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply to this thread your post have been very eye-opening, but as to those who said lucid dreaming does not exist and it is impossible are wrong. Dr. Stephen LaBerge conducted research in a lab with the lab participants hooked up to an EEG machine and he found that while the mind is in a dream state it is possible to send signals to the outside world through a pattern of eye movements that were predetermined before the subject entered the dream. So lucid dreaming is completely possible and scientifically proven. As to whether or not it is sinful well i talked to my diocese Bishop during confession and explained to him what lucid dreaming was and i asked if it was sinful to do whatever i wanted to do in the dream he said you are only in a dream you are not actually interacting or hurting other people just interacting with your own subconscious. Astral projection on the other hand has not been proven in any scientific research yet but i am sure that is only a matter of time. However i do plan to discuss astral projection with a priest or with my brother who is actually in the seminary right now studying to become a priest. But my personal opinion on the subject of astral projection is that there is nothing wrong with it, and i plan to continue my efforts in attempting to leave my body. I think it is just misunderstood by the vast majority of people and even our religion. And i had read that some people who replied to this thread thought that the soul leaves the body but it never does as research by Robert Bruce has shown that it is more of a mind split effect however this is rather difficult to explain, so i will not try to explain it here. But again thank you for all replying to this thread i really do appreciate it.

I think in the end, it comes down to obedience. It really is that simple. Will you be faithful to the Church’s teachings or to the gospel according to you? You stated that although you plan on speaking to a priest or your brother, you plan on continuing your attempts to leave your body. I can guarantee you that no priest is going to give you permission to continue with astral projection. It is certainly NOT misunderstood by the church which is built on 2,000 years of teachings and is founded on Jesus Christ. God is the creator of your body and soul. He also established His Church on earth to draw us safely to Heaven. Do you think a creature knows better than it’s Creator? The Church is quite clear on it’s teachings against the occult. It even teaches that you are endangering your soul. I don’t understand why you would want to leave your body in the first place. Let’s see…If you leave your body against God’s Will, what do you think you’ll encounter? If you’re looking to get closer to God, is the Eucharist not enough?
I would rather draw close to the channels of grace that God has provided, the Sacraments, than something that is in direct opposition to the Will of God. Yes, it might not be as “cool” or produce any “oohs and ahhs” like the occult does, but in the end that’s what’s best for us. If you are mesmerized and dazzled by the power that the occult gives you then you need to be honest with yourself and realize that you are being deceived and are gravely in the wrong. The devil has no problem sharing his power, but it comes at a price and always with strings attached. He will collect his due, and if you aren’t fully armored with Christ, you are lost. You are not only opening up portals to Satan in your life, but in the case of astral projection…your own body.

Is it worth the gamble? You can take the risk and go with your personal assumption, but where is your evidence to back up your claim that the Church is mistaken, especially when it’s position is rooted firmly in the Word of God?

 

[jm317]

what if astral projection happens on its own; without me wanting it. I have had several episodes where I feel (I’m asleep) my spirit floating. I always get scared and make myself return. Just from fear of not knowing what will happen to my spirtless body. I also say things in conversation and it just happens… ex: my friend has MS and she lived on her own for many yrs. One day, just out of the blue I told her “I hope you never go into the hospital cause you won’t have a house to come too. Locks will be changed and you won’t be able to get in”. I felt bad; don’t know why it came out. 2 days after that, she was hospitalized for 1 wk cause of MS flare up. Just before she got discharged her older brother text her " I changed locks, I moved into the house and I need you to move out. Let me know when your coming home so I can open door". Needless to say she had to move in with her boyfriend the night she was released from hospital. There are other things similar to this with other fam/friends too. Out of the blue I just blurt out stuff, and then I say “why did I say that”. Im terrified of going to hell due to this, but I’m not asking for it.

 

[thistle]

There is NO SUCH THING as astral projection. It is simply your imagination.
The soul only leaves the body after you are dead. It does not jump out while you are alive to let you have a look around!

 

[Kala]

I have to back up jm317 because it has also happened to me a few times without me seeking it out. It is very real. In fact I have to say that once my spirit literally DID jump out of my body for mere seconds before I quickly wished myself back in and then it ended. There are techniques people can use who want this and who seek it out that work but I do not do this. I can only pray that if it is God’s will that I have this experience then let it happen.

I don’t know how something that is considered “evil” and “witchcraft” could be used to strengthen one’s faith in God because that is how it has affected me. I am more certain now that our actions here on earth DO matter because I am more certain than ever that we DO continue on after the death of our physical body.

 

[thistle]

Astral projection does NOT exist except in the imagination of people.

 

[Evania]

I have to back up jm317 because it has also happened to me a few times without me seeking it out. It is very real. In fact I have to say that once my spirit literally DID jump out of my body for mere seconds before I quickly wished myself back in and then it ended. There are techniques people can use who want this and who seek it out that work but I do not do this. I can only pray that if it is God’s will that I have this experience then let it happen.

I don’t know how something that is considered “evil” and “witchcraft” could be used to strengthen one’s faith in God because that is how it has affected me. I am more certain now that our actions here on earth DO matter because I am more certain than ever that we DO continue on after the death of our physical body.

If you want to know how, the Bible tells us.

2 Corinthians 11:14

No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

 

[holyrood]

But my personal opinion on the subject of astral projection is that there is nothing wrong with it, and i plan to continue my efforts in attempting to leave my body.

It sounds like your mind was already made up. I’m curious why you posted asking for opinions, since it obviously didn’t matter.

 

[silver2soul]

If there is an GOD appointed scenario by his will and his will alone then let it be his will. As I stated if a scenario is outside the sound doctrine and not appointed by the heavenly father’s will then avoid it like a plague and retain the “walk” in JESUS CHRIST by faith and love.

Praise be to GOD the heavenly father and his son lord JESUS CHRIST forever>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[lizing]

It needs better clarification of the concept “Astral body” which is involved in so-called “astral projection”. Is it of the same meaning in New Age teachings or in Theosophy as the soul in Christianity. Despite Plato’s soul has many similar sides with Catholic views on the soul, the philosopher mostly might emphasize on his notion of a soul as connected with recognition, “anamnesis of ideas”, stability in the Universe etc. In the Catholic Theology there are such things as emphasizing on soul’s meaning as source of life, subject of eternal award or retribution, leading substance in the moral perfection of a person. So, despite these two concepts of soul might be object of learning of a soul’s concept history, the concepts described not completely identical phenomena in the same time. In my opinion The same situation may be found in comparison of Christian concept of soul and Samkhia Philosophy meaning of Purusha. Some eastern schools even more use term “consciousness” than “soul”.
Really, all practices which are too far from empirical reality and doesn’t connect with Catholic teaching concerning spiritual development may be suspected as potential danger for an attack of evil spiritual entities and something reflect old Roman heathen magic despite astral projection is, probably and relatively new teaching. From the other side, the teaching something express human wishes and maybe, needs for liquidation or minimizing of physical and material limitations.