A question | Text

[sageprincess]

Can anyone tell me about "astral projection"?

[Short, sweet, to the point. Debates of morality aren't really of interest to her at the moment.]

Comments

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[puppy_lancer]

what
you mean like soul stuff?

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[sageprincess]

Perhaps. The specifics of it are beyond me, which would be why I am asking.

Re: text

[puppy_lancer]

souls naturally decay when not weighed down by a brain
but astral projection is like a soul being tied to the brain with a leash
might be possible if you used familiars
but i'm a specialist in that field

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[firstofthefallen]

The basics of astral projection are this.

It is assumed a person has two bodies: a physical body, which is rooted in the world, and an astral body, sometimes analogous to the soul, sometimes to the mind. Usually these two bodies are kept together in one shell, the physical body. Astral projection is an act of a force of will where the astral body separates from the physical body to traverse other areas of existence, sometimes other worlds but most often the astral plane, or the heavens to some if you will.

The means for accomplishing this can vary: meditation, magic, psychic acts of will. There's hundreds of methods for achieving what amounts more or less to the same thing.

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[sageprincess]

[She reads this over once, twice, three times before responding.]

I see. And how powerful do you think a subject would have to be in any of those methods in order to accomplish such a feat?

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[firstofthefallen]

That's very dependent.

The most important factor, I suppose, is how spiritually "apt" someone is. That could mean how at peace they are with themselves and the world, or devotion to a religion, ect. Anything that could, in a way, be a focus for spiritual power and energy. The act of astral projection is never an easy one, so there is no one specific way that is easier than the other.

However, the most common way to project on a personal level tends to be deep meditation. Upon reaching a specific state of meditation the person can feel their astral body leave the physical one and ascend to the astral plane. Of course this method, as it is with most methods, leaves the person projecting physically vulnerable.

Spiritually vulnerable, as well, if they aren't prepared for their sojourn on the astral plane.

[Text]

[lightofhumanity]

If I remember correctly, it's supposed to be a practice where you could separate your soul from your body for various periods of time and travel through it. This was popular in many fictional books in my universe, but it wasn't possible there.

I hoped that helped you out.

[Text]

[sageprincess]

It does, thank you.

You mentioned it was a merely fictional practice in your world, but may I ask how long, on average, it was thought that a person's soul could be separated from their body? Or perhaps, how far their soul could travel from their body?

[Text]

[lightofhumanity]

Sure. I am happy to answer any questions you have about this.

How long you could separate your soul from your body depended on a great many things. Most factors depended on the story or book you were reading, but you mainly had to deal with how you long you meditated, if you believed it would work, and how pure your soul was to begin with. The more you believed, meditated, and were pure, the longer you could be separated from your body. However, experience did play a big role in most of those stories.

As for how far, that also depended upon how long you meditated, how pure you were, experience, and belief. The more of those you had, the farther you could travel.

However..such things were only fictional in my world.

[There was no way one could become a spirit and then go back to being human, in chaos's world. Such things were impossible, even for him.]

[bleh_heh_heh_bleck]

Count Bleck is familiar with the concept though he has never put it into practice.

[sageprincess]

[That odd being from the whale attack... well, better to get information from a variety of sources.]

Would you tell me about what you know?

[crouching_sin]

That depends on what you wish to know about it.

[It's really not his specialty, but he's familiar with the concept...]

[sageprincess]

The idea is foreign to me, and the research library is missing sections on the subject. Anything you would be willing to talk about would be appreciated.

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[friendlyfiend]

I've never done it myself, but I'm familiar with the mechanics. What do you want to know?

text

[sageprincess]

Anything you would be willing to offer. We do not have such a thing in my world as far as I am aware, so my knowledge is limited.

[temptestament]

It's when a person's consciousness or soul moves independently of their body. Think of it kind of like becoming a ghost, only your body isn't actually dead and you're still somewhat connected to it.

[sageprincess]

I see. And how long can one typically maintain this ghost-like state, do you know?

[Text]

[littlelifeforms]

I believe many have answered your question.

However if you desire to study the topic more in depth, I can send you a copy of the encyclopedic entries relating to Astral Projection contained in my databanks.

[Text]

[sageprincess]

[... what.]

That would be quite helpful, yes. Though, I am afraid I do not know what a "databank" is.

Text

[rewindingly]

This is Homura Akemi.

If possible, I would appreciate a copy of whatever information you may find.

Text

[sageprincess]

Of course, Homura. I should be able to have this all written down in a few days time - if you do not mind waiting, that is.

Text - laaaaaaaaaaaaaate

[scorchedchivalry]

Has something or someone been troubling you, Princess?

Text - s'okay I'm slow as molasses

[sageprincess]

Hm? No, not beyond the mundane annoyances that come with residing here, and I am capable of taking care of myself.

[She swears!]

I ask this out of my own curiosity. If you have not yet noticed, the research library is missing sections on the subject.

[cullscuttlefish]

Princess, I'd like a copy of w)(atever information you come across, too, if t)(at's all rig)(t. I )(adn't )(eard t)(e term before, eit)(er.

[sageprincess]

Certainly; I would be happy to. Just give me a few days time and I will have this all written up for you.