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    表面上看，双重身体的想法可以很好的解释出体（OBE）这个概念。但是如果继续探索此想法，问题就会显现出来，为了研究这些问题，研究理论也变得更为复杂。其中最复杂也是最有影响力的就是基于神智学的星光体投射理论。1875年波拉瓦茨基夫人（Madame Blavatsky）在纽约成立了神智学协会，研究东方宗教和科学。我们能从她的教义中看到她去印度和其他地方的旅行使得她的理论升华。神智学家认为人类并不仅仅是物理身体（肉体）的产物，而应该是一个复杂的机体，由多层躯体组成，每一个上层的躯体都比其下的更美好细腻。这些躯体应被视作可以抛弃的外衣，因为只有这样才能反映出真实的人类内在。

    虽然说细节有很多出入，但通常而言机体由七层组成，也有随之对应的七层躯体或载体。最表层是物质身体，也就是我们熟悉的肉体。另一个也被描述为物质层面的是“以太体的复制”或“活力（气）的载体”。“以太体的复制”反映了肉体活动的生命力。以太体恒久，不随生死变化，但它并不永恒，因为最终它被重新吸收回组成它的元素中。以太体如同能量转换器，连通低层次的肉体与更高层次的身体。以太物质也被视作物质体的延伸。

    更上一层就是星光体世界以及星光体或意识载体。人们认为这些机体比以太体高级，同时也更难看到。星光体被称作是肉体的复制品，但由更细腻和稀薄的物质组成，从神经、纤维到细胞，遍及全身，时常处于对震动和脉动极度敏感的状态。

    星光体世界由星光体物质组成。它的世界里所有物质都有对应的复制物。因此星光体世界拥有物质世界的所有复制物，

除此还有物质世界所没有的对应物。例如，来自于人类思想创造的形态，元素和已死亡的低层存在（由于已离开物质世界，它已没有更高层）。所有以太体以及其他的层级都被用于仪式魔法，另外，思想能执行特殊的任务，如治愈、传递和获取信息。

                                                     ——感谢门罗中国志愿者Iris对本文做出的贡献

 Superficially, the idea of having a double may seem to explain the OBE. However, as soon as this idea is pursued, problems become obvious and the system has to get more complicated to deal with those problems. One of the most complex, and certainly the most influential, of such systems is the theory of astral projection, based on the teachings of theosophy. In 1875 Madame Blavatsky founded the Theosophical Society in New York, to study Eastern religions and science. From her teachings, brought back from her travels in India and elsewhere, a complex scheme evolved. According to the Theosophists, man is not just the product of his physical body, but is instead thought to be a complex creature consisting of many bodies, each finer and more subtle than the one 'below' it. These bodies should be thought of as an outer garment which can be thrown off to reveal the true man within.

 Although there are variations in the details, it is commonly claimed that there are seven great planes and seven corresponding bodies or vehicles. The grossest of all is the physical body, of flesh, with which we are all familiar. There is supposed to be another body also described as physical known as the 'etheric double,' or 'vehicle of vitality.' Etheric double is the manifestation of physical vitality. It is constant and does not change throughout the cycles of life and death, but it is not eternal, for it is eventually re-absorbed into the elements of which it is composed. This 'double' acts as a kind of transmitter of energy, keeping the lower physical body in contact with the higher bodies. Etheric substance is seen as an extension of the physical.

 Next up the scale is supposed to be the 'astral world' and its associated 'astral body', or the 'vehicle of consciousness'. These entities are thought to be finer than their etheric counterparts and correspondingly harder to see. Astral body is thought to be 'a replica of the physical body (the gross body), but of a more subtle and tenous substance, penetrating every nerve, fibre and cell of the physical organism, and constantly in a supersensitive state of vibration and pulsation' [Gay74].

 The astral world consists of astral matter, and all physical objects have a replica in the astral. There is therefore a complete physical copy of everything in the astral world, but in addition there are things in the astral which have no counterpart in the physical. There are thought forms created by human thought, elementals and the lowest of the dead, who have gone no further since they left the physical world. All these entities and many others are used in ritual magic, and thought forms can be specially created to carry out tasks such as healing, carrying messages, or gaining information.