Silver cord?

[3toedsloth]

Okay, so this has bugged me for a while. Some books I've read say EVERYONE that projects has one. Some say that some do, some dont. Some go as far as to say if the cord is ever severed, you die in the physical.

I've projected a good dozen or so times now, and NEVER seen a silver cord. Yet I have proven that I am in fact projecting- there's no doubt in my mind about that.

Do any of you have a silver cord? Are there any of you who dont?

Just wondering.

[Lionheart]

 I have never seen a "silver cord" either, but I very rarely see any kind of physical body as well. Most of the time I am point consciousness.

[Xanth]

I have never seen a "silver cord" either, but I very rarely see any kind of physical body as well. Most of the time I am point consciousness.

Yeah I've certainly never seen a cord... silver or otherwise.
As for a "body" while projecting... sometimes I do, sometimes I don't, sometimes I just don't notice.

[3toedsloth]

sometimes I do, sometimes I don't, sometimes I just don't notice.

This is how it usually is for me. Generally i'm 'invisible' i guess. no white light, no body, no 'ghost figure'. but on occasion i have felt that i have a body. like when i met my guide and she 'touched' me. i felt it in a very weird way even without having a 'body' to speak of.

[catmeow]

OK I confess, I have seen the silver cord, but only once out of all my experiences. I was in the RTZ, standing in my bedroom looking over towards my body in the bed, in the dark. It was dark, not much light and I became aware of something wafting around and brushing against my body on the left hand side. It was kind of annoying. So I looked down and saw a ribbon, wafting and curling around on my left hand side. It kind of wafted over towards my bed where my physical body was. It wasn't silver either, more a kind of grey. I thought then "Wow, that must be the silver cord". Anyway, I gave it no further thought. But that was it, the only time I have seen the so called silver cord.

[the8reader]

i would like to know who came up with  if the cord is severed you die, hahahah ok so 1. how do you find out unless u do it to someone or yourslef. if this is the case then you are a killer or suicidal and prob not the second cuz you lived to tell the tale of it. i mean were do people get this stuff. there is no way you can logicly say that if you sever this cord you die. there no way to prove or diss prove this. and waht do you cut it with... just a thought. and for all new people"NO ONE CAN DO THIS IF IT IS BOSSIBLE" the boggie man will not get you when you are out.

[Xanth]

i would like to know who came up with  if the cord is severed you die

Well I don't think anyone "came up" with that belief... it's more of a common sense belief.
What happened to a deep sea diver who had their "hose" cut?  They died...
People probably just took that belief and ran with it in regards to a "silver cord".

Anyone who has no such fear of dying in the non-physical has no need (or very little) for a silver cord.

[Rudolph]

Well I don't think anyone "came up" with that belief... it's more of a common sense belief.

I think it is biblical in origin and was added to the early AP writings for its obvious relevance to the subject at hand. The common distortions we see now look like the game of 'whisper'... the original meaning is entirely lost at this point.

The term is derived from Ecclesiastes 12:6-12:7 in the Old Testament, from the KJV:
"Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_cord

[Xanth]

I think it is biblical in origin and was added to the early AP writings for its obvious relevance to the subject at hand. The common distortions we see now look like the game of 'whisper'... the original meaning is entirely lost at this point.

The term is derived from Ecclesiastes 12:6-12:7 in the Old Testament, from the KJV:
"Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_cord

Yeah, I remember now reading about this as well.
Definitely another good possible source for it. 

[Boom]

Silver Cord like most stuff in the Astral is Subjective.   You'll see it if you want to. Your subconscious will put it there during an OBE to help ease your fears that you are still connected to your body.

I've never seen a silver cord either.  Probably because I know its not necessary.. But if you believe you must have it.. then you'll probably see it.

[todd421757]

You may never see the silver cord for yourself. But you can feel the silver cord tugging on the back of your head and neck simply by doing a roll out exit technique into the Real-time zone. The first few times doing the roll out, you can feel yourself collapse to the floor next to your bed. Eventually, the cord allows you to travel a little more freely, but you can still feel it's resistance to movement.

I did the roll out exit technique for 11 years. I have since stopped doing it due to the annoyance of the cord. I have switched to separating through the top of my head in the last year. I still feel the cord resistance, but it is much less.

I only do etheric projections, so I cannot speak of other types of projections. But, from I have read, there isn't this cord resistance in phasing or other consciousness projections. So, I assume there are only a few select types of projections that have this active cord resistance.

[Everlasting]

Doesent exist, the silver cord is a biblical myth.

[todd421757]

Doesent exist, the silver cord is a biblical myth.

It isn't fair to make a direct statement like that just because you never experienced it. It is best to state how you perform your projections, so we know what model you use to project.

[Xanth]

You may never see the silver cord for yourself. But you can feel the silver cord tugging on the back of your head and neck simply by doing a roll out exit technique into the Real-time zone. The first few times doing the roll out, you can feel yourself collapse to the floor next to your bed. Eventually, the cord allows you to travel a little more freely, but you can still feel it's resistance to movement.

I did the roll out exit technique for 11 years. I have since stopped doing it due to the annoyance of the cord. I have switched to separating through the top of my head in the last year. I still feel the cord resistance, but it is much less.

I only do etheric projections, so I cannot speak of other types of projections. But, from I have read, there isn't this cord resistance in phasing or other consciousness projections. So, I assume there are only a few select types of projections that have this active cord resistance.

I've been projecting for pretty much my entire life through Lucid Experiences and now with direct Astral Experiences... I've never had any occurrence, even kind of like that.
You sound like you really believe in its existence... so it becomes reality in your experiences.  Likewise, I don't believe it, so it doesn't exist for me.

[Rudolph]

I felt something that fits the description of this "silver cord" back around 1974, as a young man just starting to explore Buddhist meditation techniques.

.... Wayyyyy before I read anything about the "silver cord" specifically, that I can recall. Certainly nothing about how it tugs you at the back of the head/neck to call you back to the body after an extended and very deep inner exploration.

Those who claim it does not exist because they never saw it, sound to me, like someone who claims that there is no such thing as a pancreas because in their entire lives, they never saw one.

[Xanth]

I felt something that fits the description of this "silver cord" back around 1974, as a young man just starting to explore Buddhist meditation techniques.

.... Wayyyyy before I read anything about the "silver cord" specifically, that I can recall. Certainly nothing about how it tugs you at the back of the head/neck to call you back to the body after an extended and very deep inner exploration.

It's kind of a what came first situation... the chicken or the egg. 
Would you have given the experience a second thought had you never heard of the "silver cord" phenomenon?
At the time of your experience in 1974, did you wonder what was up about it?  And have you ever experienced it again?

Suffice to say that if the Silver Cord was something everyone had... I'd assume there be more detailed experiences recanting it.
It's very plausible that everyone attempts to fit their experience per a definition that someone else is giving of the mystical "silver cord".

In my opinion, that's my explanation for a phenomenon that nobody can actually verify (given that this isn't a verifiable subject to begin with LoL). 
I think people are attempting to see a connection where one doesn't exist.

Just my two cents. 

As for a pancreas... I can easily prove the physical existence of a pancreas by cutting someone open and showing you. 
Suffice to say, proof of a silver cord isn't as easy to come by.  LoL 

[catmeow]

The silver cord originates from the bible as Rudolph said. I suspect there are a number of earlier references too.

Traditionally, there have been two types of projection, etheric and astral. Etheric projection is supposed to be the projection of subtle almost gaseous, semi physical subtle body. This subtle body is thought of as animating or giving life to the physical body and involves a silver cord for this purpose. Astral projection is non physical and there is no need for a cord.   If you accept the idea of etheric projection then there may be an actual cord. The vast majority of people on this board are astral projectors and have no need to see a cord.

I know this idea of etheric projection is unpopular these days, but if there is a real objective physical universe, there is no reason why the physical body wouldn't have this semi physical "vitalising" component. It would correspond to the energy field we call the aura and would contain all of the chakras. But basically, the silver cord is associated with etheric projections, not astral projections.

[catmeow]

todd, are your etheric projections confined to the RTZ?

[todd421757]

todd, are your etheric projections confined to the RTZ?

Yes, every etheric projection I have had has been confined to the RTZ.

[Xanth]

Yes, every etheric projection I have had has been confined to the RTZ.

Are they always in areas that are completely recognizable by you?
Or do you find yourself in places where you don't know?

[Rudolph]

The vast majority of people on this board are astral projectors and have no need to see a cord.

This is something I am not so sure about. About 6 months ago I mentioned how I was beginning to suspect that most APers these days are not really Astral Projecting. They are maybe successfully getting out but then immediately slipping into a Lucid Dream. I think this is why so many people say that astral projection=Lucid dreaming=phasing. This might be that because, for them, they really *are* all the same, i.e. a type of Lucid Dream.

This is why I was intrigued by Todd's earlier suggestion about the Etheric projection.

In both occult traditions and in more modern and cynical E.J. Gold writings there is a second body that must be morphed into something more than it is in the default condition. Then it becomes useful for all manner of extraordinary Work.

The 'silver cord' is not just an ancient idea but it is pervasive across various cultures. Depending on the projection method it connects at different points to the body and it is seen as different colors. The Egyptians wrote of it as black in appearance. Others blue or gold.

From Tales of a Dalai Lama, (the Lama had just projected into the sky 'like a kite'), "But now he saw in the distance another huge kite moving toward him, its enormous silver cord lashing dangerously through the air with sounds like a gale...."
hmmmm....

[catmeow]

This is something I am not so sure about. About 6 months ago I mentioned how I was beginning to suspect that most APers these days are not really Astral Projecting. They are maybe successfully getting out but then immediately slipping into a Lucid Dream. I think this is why so many people say that astral projection=Lucid dreaming=phasing. This might be that because, for them, they really *are* all the same, i.e. a type of Lucid Dream

I agree entirely. For me LD and AP are different, LD is a dream and AP is a true consensus reality, and feels real.  However, the fashion is to think of them as the same thing. They may be the same, maybe LDs occur in a private astral reality and AP takes place in a consensus astral reality. Personally I think LDs use "physical consciousness" whilst AP uses a separate "astral consciousness". Why do I think this? Because of the numerous cases of OOBEs I have read, in which the physical body is AWAKE and doing something complicated (like taking a driving test) whilst the astral body is floating around watching the physical.  There must be separate consciousnesses. This is what Robert Bruce said too.

But the fashion these days is to think that LD=AP so I often use the terms interchangeably, avoids endless arguments!

todd, I too would be fascinated to hear a little more of your etheric projections, especially whether you find yourself in your home surroundings and how veridical your observations tend to be?

[Rudolph]

There must be separate consciousnesses. This is what Robert Bruce said too.

But the fashion these days is to think that LD=AP so I often use the terms interchangeably, avoids endless arguments!

Yes, it seems like something along those lines is possible...

I know that I have been OBE and seemed to either have a different 'consciousness' or maybe an ability to tap in to knowledge and skill that I had no knowledge of in my normal waking physical form.

I mean like words I had never heard before coming out of my mouth, going to places that I had no prior knowledge of even existing, utilizing power and skills I never imagined...

I am Seeking answers to the questions I have about many things of this nature.

[Xanth]

I agree entirely. For me LD and AP are different, LD is a dream and AP is a true consensus reality, and feels real.  However, the fashion is to think of them as the same thing. They may be the same, maybe LDs occur in a private astral reality and AP takes place in a consensus astral reality. Personally I think LDs use "physical consciousness" whilst AP uses a separate "astral consciousness". Why do I think this? Because of the numerous cases of OOBEs I have read, in which the physical body is AWAKE and doing something complicated (like taking a driving test) whilst the astral body is floating around watching the physical.  There must be separate consciousnesses. This is what Robert Bruce said too.

But the fashion these days is to think that LD=AP so I often use the terms interchangeably, avoids endless arguments!

While I think/believe one way, and someone else believes another way... in the end, if you really think about it... what label we give the experience doesn't matter. 
I think that what matters most is the experience itself.  Was it helpful?  Was it fun?  Did you learn anything neat/new? 
While I do enjoy spouting my preferred opinion to people about this subject on this forum, in the end, I think we can agree that it doesn't really matter. 

I can usually read the metaphors someone is using and fit their experience into my terminology rather well in an effort to try and understand their experience from my perspective.
For example, I read "etheric projection" and fit that into my paradigm whereby I know what the poster is trying to say... an experience where they were in a reality which was seemingly like this physical reality.  Obviously, because I can't TRULY know their experience 100% so from time to time, my interpretation will be off. 

And I firmly believe in avoiding arguments as much as possible.  Nasty things.

todd,
But yes I'm in full agreement here!  Please do share. 

[Ilza]

I did see it more than once.  Not every time, but I know it is there.