Coaches & Athletes

LET'S TALK.

Use the conversation starters below to talk about life, faith, and everything in between. New topics every Monday.

What Is Astral Projection?

Posted: February 5, 2026

The Bible does not use the specific term “astral projection,” but it does address the spiritual practices and heart motivations behind it. Astral projection is often defined as an intentional out-of-body experience where a person’s spirit travels through a “spiritual plane.” From a biblical perspective, seeking spiritual experiences apart from the Holy Spirit and the Word of God is dangerous and falls under the category of occultism or sorcery, which Scripture explicitly forbids.

Understanding the Roots of Astral Projection

Astral projection is rooted in ancient mysticism and modern New Age philosophies. It suggests that humans possess an “astral body” that can detach from the physical body during sleep or a meditative trance. People who practice this often seek higher knowledge, spiritual enlightenment, or a sense of freedom from the physical world. While it might sound like a harmless adventure of the mind, it is built on a foundation of self-deification and a desire to bypass the boundaries God has established for our existence.

The Bible teaches that we are a complex unity of body, soul, and spirit. While there are rare instances in Scripture where individuals had out-of-body visions, these were always initiated by God for his specific purposes, not by humans through occult techniques. Astral projection focuses on human effort to access a realm that is inhabited by spiritual forces. Without the protection and guidance of God, seeking entry into these realms opens a person up to spiritual deception and influence from demonic entities.

The Biblical View of the Spirit Realm

God has not left us in the dark about the spiritual world. We know it is real and that a great spiritual battle is happening all around us. However, the Bible is very clear about how we are to interact with that world. We are told to put on the armor of God and to resist the devil, but we are never told to leave our bodies to go exploring or to seek hidden “knowledge” through meditative travel.

In the Old Testament, God warned the Israelites against any form of spiritism or seeking out mediums (Deuteronomy 18:10-11). These practices were viewed as a rejection of God’s sovereignty. In the New Covenant, the focus remains on being filled with the Holy Spirit and focusing our minds on Christ. Seeking a spiritual experience through astral projection is essentially trying to climb over the wall rather than entering through the door, which is Jesus.

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” (John 10:9-10)

Out-of-Body Experiences in the Bible

When people argue for astral projection, they sometimes point to the Apostle Paul or the Apostle John. Paul mentions a man—likely himself—who was “caught up to the third heaven” and didn’t know if he was in his body or out of it. Similarly, John was “in the Spirit” when he received the visions recorded in the book of Revelation. However, there is a massive difference between what happened to them and what occurs in astral projection.

Paul and John were passive recipients of a divine revelation. They didn’t use breathing techniques, crystals, or mantras to “launch” themselves into the spirit world. God chose to show them these things for the benefit of the Church. Their experiences were centered on the glory of God, not the empowerment of the self. Astral projection, by contrast, is a self-initiated practice where the individual tries to take control of spiritual travel, which is a hallmark of occultism.

“I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows.” (2 Corinthians 12:2)

The Danger of Spiritual Deception

The most significant concern with astral projection is the vulnerability of the person involved. When you intentionally try to leave your body or enter a trance state to explore the spirit realm, you are stepping onto a battlefield without a map or a shield. The Bible warns that Satan disguises himself as an “angel of light.” A “spiritual travel” experience might feel peaceful, enlightening, or exciting, but feelings are not a reliable guide for spiritual truth.

If an experience leads you away from the sufficiency of Scripture or makes you feel like you are becoming your own god, it is not from the Holy Spirit. Spiritual growth for the Christian comes through the renewing of the mind, the study of the Bible, and fellowship with other believers. We do not need to “project” ourselves anywhere to find God; He has already come to us through Jesus and lives within us through his Spirit.

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

The Takeaway

Astral projection is a practice that seeks spiritual experiences outside of the boundaries of God’s Word. While the desire for spiritual connection is natural, the Bible directs us to find that connection through a relationship with Jesus Christ. We are called to be sober-minded and to avoid any practice that flirts with the occult or relies on self-directed spiritual travel. Our focus should not be on leaving our bodies to find “truth,” but on inviting the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth through the finished work of Christ.

Discuss and Dive Deeper
Talk about it:

  1. Read “The Takeaway” above as a group. What are your initial thoughts about the article?
  2. Why do you think people are so drawn to experiences like astral projection or other New Age practices today?
  3. What is the main difference between a God-given vision in the Bible and the human-initiated practice of astral projection?
  4. How can we distinguish between a healthy spiritual curiosity and a dangerous pursuit of “hidden” knowledge?
  5. Discuss the idea of being “sober-minded.” How does this apply to our prayer lives and our search for spiritual growth?
  6. If someone you know is experimenting with these things, how can you use the Gospel to point them toward the true peace found in Christ?

See also:

Sources for this article:

Spiritual Warfare (Series)

Cultish (Series)

 

 

CLICK FOR SERIES
  • Posts not found
CLICK FOR SERIES
  • Posts not found
CLICK FOR SERIES
  • Posts not found
CLICK FOR SERIES
  • Posts not found

THE PURSUIT

Complete our 12-week discipleship track to go "full circle" in a pursuit of God. Click the icon above.

FLEXTALK

Find topics to talk about with coaches and athletes – without the Bible references! Click the icon above.

PursueGOD Kids!

When kids and parents talk, the whole family wins! Click the icon above to talk about this week’s topic from pursueGODkids.org.