Astral PlaneBy: Jedi Teacher Jonathan Tapp

The following is instruction in the Astral Plane skill for the Praxeum.The astral plane is a place in the Force where the Jedi can use his or her mind just as the Jedi would use his or her body. It is a place where each Jedi's powers are magnified because of its proximity to the essence of the Force.

The astral plane exists in several religions and traditions, among them Buddhism and Yoga. With much practice, it is possible for a Jedi to "project" on the astral plane--that is, a Jedi in London could project on the astral plane and that Jedi's essence could be taken to New York, where the Jedi sees all that the people there see and can interact with them, albeit invisibly.Arriving on the astral plane is an extension and combination of the meditation and deep relaxation skills. When the Jedi is immersed in the astral plane, the body is in a state of hibernation and is defenseless. That is why it is a good idea to keep 10% of your consciousness in your body so that you can be alert to danger and call back the other 90% to act upon that danger. However, a Jedi can also lose him/herself in the plane. Their body may enter a comatose state while their essence floats on the plane. This is not to be desired for obvious reasons. That is why it is important to keep an 'anchor' in the physical world. This technique should only be practiced by those who have mastered control of themselves in their connection to the Force.

First, enter Jedi Meditation. Sit cross-legged on the floor or another surface and take deep breaths, cleansing the mind and allowing you to focus. This technique can be done in a lying-down position, but the sitting-up position prevents you from inadvertantly falling asleep. Reach out into the Force. Feel the pulsing rhythm, the waves. Relax your body using the Deep Relaxation techniques; relax your muscles from your feet to your head, but remain upright. Let go. Allow the Force to penetrate your body and mind, and to sweep your mind away, leaving the body behind. When this happens, see if you can still feel your body. If you can feel it in a dull manner, then you have achieved the proper ratio to still respond to danger. If you know you are safe, then you can immerse yourself in the plane. Now, open your mind's eye. Look around you. The astral plane may appear as in a dream. Some may not see a visual representation of a plane, but may feel a deeper connection to the Force than can be achieved through simple meditation. They are one in the same. You may feel an "attitude" on the plane--it may be sad, happy, evil, etc. Because the astral plane reflects the nature of the Force, it also reflects the attitudes of those prone to the Force and will deliver disturbances in the Force in an amplified manner.

Now, test your powers on the plane. Pick up a rock with the Force. Pick up several. Try and read everything that is happening on the plane. If you feel confident enough, then try to reach out to another person on the plane. Interact. If you feel extremely confident, then try and enter another part of the world through the astral plane. Start in the room where you are sitting. Walk outside through the walls. Walk around. Re-enter the plane. Try and go someplace else; a friend's house, the town hall, anyplace you are familiar with. After you have been doing that for a while, try going someplace you have never been. Ideally, it should be someplace where you are going soon so that you can verify whether or not the skill worked. If it did not, do not feel discouraged. Try and find anything similar to what you saw on the astral plane. If you can, then that means you are doing well and will eventually be able to go anywhere in the world via the astral plane.To leave the plane, start to "reel in" your consciousness. Start to wiggle your fingers, your toes. Stretch. Open your physical eyes and look around. You will feel yourself starting to return to your body.

This skill can take some time to master, but is mastered more readily by Jedi with an affinity in the abstract side of the Force: mind-reading, Force sense, etc.--Jedi Teacher Jonathan Tapp