“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

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.

I have told you that dreams are a continuing process, whether or not the ego wakes or sleeps, and whether or not it has, or retains, any knowledge of the dreaming. So also the astral self journeys often, whether the ego wakes or sleeps.