The proposal that consciousness can project a subtle, non-physical body (the "astral body") into a non-physical environment (the "astral plane"), often described as a realm of thought-forms, symbols, and spiritual beings. This hypothesis suggests a form of travel or perception independent of the physical senses and brain, where the rules are psychological or symbolic. It's a map for out-of-body experiences, certain dreams, and meditative states, framing them as journeys to a real but immaterial location.
Example: "After the surgery, the nurse said many patients report 'floating near the ceiling.' I didn't just dismiss it as a hallucination; I considered the Astral Hypothesis. Maybe under extreme stress, consciousness can partially decouple, and the 'astral plane' we project into isn't a place, but a shared interface of disembodied awareness. My 'near-death experience' wasn't heaven; it was me, glitching into the debug mode of reality."
by Abzunammu February 2, 2026
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