“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

The basic consciousness is never physical. Yet within your system it must collect experience within the physical system, hence the physical body. But experience itself is not physical, and cannot be contained within physical matter. Therefore this experience, collected within the physical field, is held in codified form by this inner self or astral identity. It is only by understanding the connection between the physical and nonphysical self, and the communication systems that operate here, that the true nature of human personality can be studied

The inner senses collect information of which the conscious self may not be aware. The astral identity of course is aware of communications from both the inner and outer environment. The astral identity is therefore actually a more complete representation of the whole personality, and its abilities are far-reaching. The inner ego of which we have spoken is the director of this astral identity. You should see now how this fits in with some of our older material.

When the physical self sleeps the astral image may indeed wander. It always returns to the physical body during physical life. Its telepathic and clairvoyant abilities are not hampered in any way by the ego when that self sleeps. In waking hours the communications system is more or less closed on the ego’s side, but in sleep the barriers are lifted and knowledge from the inner self has a freer flow.

Obviously then so-called astral projection occurs frequently in the sleeping state. It also occurs however in the waking state, although the ego is not aware of such projection as a rule. When through training there is greater communication between the inner and outer selves, then it is possible for the ego to realize what has happened.

Suggestion, well used, with training and knowledge, will therefore allow you to alter the very cells of your body. The inner senses can be requested to operate in such a way that the ego will accept their communications. For the astral body is not some distant and alien other self, but it is even now that portion of yourself that you know but cannot see, that you feel but cannot touch.