S5 E10: Remote Viewing and Astral Projection

Season 5 covers the supernatural and paranormal from a Spirit-led perspective. In this episode, Glenn discusses remote viewing and astral projection. These two practices will become more common as more people come to believe in universal consciousness.  Of most importance, Glenn discusses the practice of self-induced out-of-body experiences. Glenn recognizes that, technically, remote viewing does not involve an out-of-body experience like astral projection, but the extreme cases of remote viewing often blur the lines.

The Bible will be the source of truth for this season, even though extra-biblical books and podcasts will be discussed. As discussed in Episode 1, Glenn will be kind to the authors and podcast hosts discussed throughout the season.

This episode has a transcript. If your podcast player does not support transcripts, please go to the Transcripts section of https://spiritledhope.com/  These transcripts have been edited for accuracy and are typically of higher quality than those produced automatically by many podcast apps.

Transcript

S5 E10 TRANSCRIPT 

REMOTE VIEWING AND ASTRAL PROJECTION

INTRODUCTION

Hello everyone and welcome to Spirit-Led Hope. My name is Glenn Erichsen, and in this episode, we are discussing:

     REMOTE VIEWING AND ASTRAL PROJECTION

In Episodes 8 and 9, we talked about near-death experiences where people had unplanned out-of-body experiences. In this episode, our discussion revolves around extreme remote viewing and astral projection that allows the practitioner to have a planned out-of-body experience.

Right here at the start, I want to make it clear, that these two paranormal practices are off-limits to Christians. They are considered occultic practices that we should avoid. 

Yet, it is important that we have a basic understanding of what these practices are. In Episode 7 we talked about universal consciousness. As more people accept the idea of universal consciousness, these practices will increase. And we need to understand why Christians must avoid them, even though they can sound very appealing. If you are listening and you engage in planned out-of-body experiences, I hope that by the end of this episode, you realize that God has something better for you.

DEFINITIONS

Let us define remote viewing and astral projection. In its simplest form, remote viewing is the practice of psychically seeing or sensing something hidden or distant from you. For example, a practitioner may try to mentally see what is happening in another room, or in another country. With remote viewing there is no limit on distance. Some remote viewers claim to have seen the far side of the moon or traveled to distant parts of the universe.

While remote viewing is generally practiced by receiving images or impressions, in extreme forms it can subjectively feel like an out-of-body experience. Technically, it is not astral projection, but it can have some similarities. Most of what this episode is about is astral projection, but I am mentioning remote viewing because some remote viewing sessions blur the lines and seem to approach astral projection. 

Astral projection, is a planned out-of-body experience where your consciousness leaves your physical body and you can travel in what is called the “astral plane.” Your consciousness is free to travel wherever you desire but practitioners state that their consciousness remains connected to their body by means of a thin silver cord which stretches and contracts.

There have been extensive scientific studies attempting to prove remote viewing and astral projection. In fact, the CIA spent 20 million dollars between 1975 and 1995 on the Stargate Project to see if psychics could remotely spy on foreign enemies. While there were some interesting results, the information was never clear enough to act upon, and the project was shut down. I have read of several studies that continue today with, as you might guess, mixed results.

HOW DO REMOTE VIEWING AND ASTRAL PROJECTION WORK?

For the purposes of this episode, we do not care if remote viewing and astral projection can be proven scientifically. What we care about is that large numbers of people believe in and practice remote viewing and astral projection. I am not saying you should look at these, but there is no shortage on the internet of directions for both remote viewing and astral projection. You should not do it, but you can even pay to have someone teach you. 

So how are these two practices supposed to work? And this is where the view of universal consciousness we talked about in Episode 7 comes into play. Recall that with universal consciousness, there is an all-pervasive field of consciousness. Humans are seen as manifestations of that consciousness and can tap into the entire field. So, a remote viewer may get glimpses of things in the larger field. Astral projection occurs when your personal consciousness separates from your body and travels through the larger field of universal consciousness. I find it interesting that practitioners claim the silver cord keeps them from getting “lost” from their body as they travel throughout the universal field.

WHY DO PEOPLE REMOTE VIEW AND ASTRAL PROJECT?

Now, I think it is fair to ask why so many people want to have planned out-of-body experiences. Most Christian commentaries I have read simply say not to do it. And I agree with that. But I think we should understand the appeal because otherwise we will not be able to explain what the Christian viewpoint offers counter to the view of universal consciousness.

I wanted to understand the appeal, so I spent a lot of time in front of my computer locating articles and YouTube videos where practitioners explained the benefits of astral projection from their perspective. Here are some common benefits they list:

·        It is fun and exciting to explore, especially by flying

·        It allows growth in psychic potential

·        You can observe others

·        It is a form of escape

·        You can meet other beings such as ascended masters, a higher self, deceased loved ones, spirit guides, people from other times, and guardian angels

·        You can discover your divine nature

·        You can become one with the universe

·        You can control your own reality

·        You can find answers to the big questions, like your meaning and purpose in life

·        You can find your own truth

·        You gain compassion and love

·        You can overcome pain and trauma with healing

·        The fear of death is reduced or removed (Probably the most common reason I found)

When you think about this list, the appeal is apparent. I understand why someone would believe astral projection is worth trying. It sounds adventurous and valuable.

Now, as a Christian, there are some things in this list which are absolutely prohibited. When the Israelites were entering the promised land, this is what God conveyed to the people.

“When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not imitate the detestable customs of those nations. No one among you is to sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire, practice divination, tell fortunes, interpret omens, practice sorcery, cast spells, consult a medium or a spiritist, or inquire of the dead. Everyone who does these acts is detestable to the Lord, and the Lord your God is driving out the nations before you because of these detestable acts. You must be blameless before the Lord your God. Though these nations you are about to drive out listen to fortune-tellers and diviners, the Lord your God has not permitted you to do this.”

Deuteronomy 18:9-14 CSB

Those are very strong words. Obviously, because astral projection often involves spirit guides, dead people, and forms of divination and fortune telling which are wrapped up in psychic potential and creating your own reality, Christians cannot go there.

I find it interesting that God does not say something like, “do not do these things because they are not real.” The way those verses in Deuteronomy are written makes it apparent that there is something to that list. And God wants to protect us from danger.

WHAT DOES CHRISTIANITY HAVE TO OFFER?

When we consider why God would prohibit mediums and talking to deceased loved ones, the stock answer is that those practices put us in contact with evil spirits. And scripturally, that is exactly the case.

Just like I scanned the internet to find people declaring the benefits of astral projection, you can do the same exercise to find the downsides of astral projection. Repeatedly, you will find people who were deceived and manipulated and suffered under what they thought were benevolent spirits. What started out wonderful and exciting, ultimately led to bondage and pain. The “benevolent” spirits were malevolent.

If God were only trying to protect us from evil, then those verses in Deuteronomy would be totally justified. But I believe that God has much more in mind. It is not the exposure to evil spirits alone that is bad, but it is that evil spirits will consistently move someone away from God and God’s will. And that means a movement away from relationship with God and all the good he planned for us.

All those benefits for astral projection that I listed, are counterfeits to what God has for us in a Spirit-led life. Earlier I read 14 things that were commonly listed as benefits to astral projection. What I am going to do now is take those 14 points and show what is corresponding to it from a charismatic Spirit-led life with fellow Christians. Here we go:

·        Life is an adventure as the Holy Spirit leads us

·        The Holy Spirit transforms us to become more like Jesus through the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. Our relationships with God and people thrive.

·        We learn to love others and be loved by them

·        Life is embraced and cherished through the good and the bad

·        God never leaves us and he comforts us when we lose loved ones. We have the assurance that we will be reunited with fellow believers in heaven. We have authority over evil spirits and may encounter or work in concert with angelic beings, even if we do not know it

·        We become closer to God and discover the joy of being a Spirit-filled human

·        Because the Holy Spirit lives within us, we have an intimate relationship with the Creator of the universe

·        We accept reality as it is, knowing that God’s will is good

·        All the big questions in life are answered in our relationship with Jesus. We live our lives with intention and purpose.

·        We know Jesus, the truth, personally 

·        We grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control

·        God is Present with us in sickness and health, and we go to God for healing, trusting that he works all things together for our good.

·        We do not fear death, for Jesus conquered death and nothing will separate us from his love

And I could keep on listing more benefits. A Christian life is the most genuine and fulfilling life one could ever live. The only thing that I miss in that list for astral projection is flying. That would be cool. But, then again, God can give us dreams and visions as he sees fit. And who knows, maybe a dream or two will involve flying. But I will say this…in my life with God, I have witnessed some amazing things that are as exhilarating as if I were flying. And who knows, God instantly transported Ezekial and Philip, so maybe that will happen to us.

ODDS AND ENDS

What if someone looks at the possible benefits of astral projection and decides they only want to do the things not prohibited by God in Deuteronomy? For example, what if someone only wants to experience flying around while they explore the world? Is God really making that off limits too?

I think the answer to that is yes. God is making everything having to do with astral projection off limits. I believe there are several reasons why. First, to willfully astral project, one needs to reach a certain state of mind. This is a state of mind which does not rely on the Holy Spirit but rather seeks to connect with a field of consciousness that is not God. As we saw in the list, practitioners experience a sense of their own divinity, and this is a form of idolatry.

A second reason why all actions related to astral projection are off-limits is that we are likely to abuse what it offers, especially if we believe it allows us to experience our own divinity and create our own reality. If we could eavesdrop on people or watch them without discovery, can you imagine how hard it would be not to become a voyeuristic peeping Tom or peeping Jane? Especially if we thought we were the ones making the rules.

A third reason is that even if we have good intentions, we are placing ourselves in a realm where we are subject to deception. We may just want to fly around, but how long will it be until we are approached by a being who is smarter and more powerful than us? Deception is almost guaranteed.

With just those three reasons alone, we can see that astral projection is off-limits to Christians. Astral projection may seem appealing, but the end results will always be damaging and take us further from God.

Now, in Episode 9 we talked about NDEs where people went to heaven. And when you hear some of the stories of what people saw and experienced, there can be a longing to experience heaven. But what we do not want to do is take those longings and try to generate a similar experience by going to heaven with something like astral projection.

I do not think there is anything wrong with praying and asking God for a glimpse of heaven, if we accept that God will answer that prayer in the way that he chooses. It could be through a near-death experience, it could be a vision, or it could be nothing. That is not our call.

I think the better way is to live a Romans 12:1 life. Romans 12:1 says:

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.

Romans 12:1 CSB

It is when we present our whole being to God that we experience a deeper relationship with him. We do not need a glimpse of heaven to sustain us when we know that God is with us. 

CLOSING

As we end this episode, I hope this brief primer on remote viewing and astral projection was helpful. These are new topics for many Christians. If you practice astral projection and feel trapped, please know that there is a fulfilling life waiting for you with Jesus.

In our next episode we are going to move on to the topic of ghosts.

As always, you can send me comments, suggestions, or questions, by email at glenn@spiritledhope.com, or simply use the Contact Form at spiritledhope.com. You can also send me a one-way text message by going to the episode show notes and clicking on the link with your smart phone. If you find these episodes useful, please spread the word and share them with your friends.

As you present yourself to God as a living sacrifice…

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Until the next episode, take care.

Copyright 2026 Spirit-Led Hope