http://s8/mw690/be5e7f6ctdc2e89cbe047&690

    正如上文所提到，有这种能力的人能根据星光体颜色和形状的变化，看到人思想的本质。人的身体周围有一圈明亮闪烁的光环形成的星光体，而星光体又形成了辉光。辉光可以多彩而明亮，也可能是暗淡无光的，这取决于人的性格和身体状况。因此，对于那些“先知”，他们可以通过人的辉光看到一个人隐蔽的习性。

    这些概念都是环环相扣的。星光体可以与身体分离，并脱离身体外壳游走。也正因为星光体才是意识的载体，所以星光体具有认知能力，而不是身体。在睡眠的时候，星光体可以离开沉睡的物质身体。对于一个没有经过训练的人来说，星光体的记忆模糊而短暂，游走也受到空间的限制，且毫无方向感。而一旦经过训练，星光体便是可控的，可以在睡眠的时候旅行很远的距离，甚至可以通过物理身体的意识来产生投射。这就是我们所说的，星光体投射。

    星光体投射时，意识的游走几乎不受到任何限制，但只能游走在星光体的世界里，因此看不到任何物理意义上的物体，但却能看到自己的星光体，以及生活在星光体世界里的其他生物。星光体世界也被称为“幻境”或思想的世界。不谨慎的游客很可能会对自己强大的想象能力（所产生的世界）产生困惑。在这个状态下，人可能以幽灵的形式出现在另一个“开天眼”的人眼中。事实上，也可能以另一个人的形象出现，但这一过程需要低级物质的参与，比如组成星光体外质的灵气。星光体外质被认为是星光体物质化的一种表现，它“在一开始的时候是看不见，摸不着的。但在不同的凝结阶段，也可能以气态、液态或固态的形式出现。”

    在后面星光体旅行中，我们会提到一个重要的概念-银绳（译注：又作银带），一个在早期神智学中也有被提及的概念。人的身体和星光体是由一条有弹性的、韧性强的绳子连在一起的，这条绳子带着精美的银光。一般情况下，绳子紧连着身体和星光体，一旦松开，也就意味着死亡的降临。当人体接近死亡的时候，星光体会慢慢离开身体，升到空中，然后银绳会慢慢断裂，让星光体可以自由离开。因此，死亡也被看成是一种永恒的星光体出体。

    除了星光体神智学所提到的空间外，还有五层其他的空间。它们包括了精神层或叫思想的世界、布迪克层（译注：觉悟层面）、涅槃层以及两个超越人类认知的空间。而每个人的任务就是去经历这些过程。

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

 In the scheme just described, those who have the ability are supposed to be able to see the nature of a person's thoughts by changes in the color and form of the astral body. All around the physical can be seen the bright and shining colors of the larger astral body, making up the astral aura. The aura is multi-colored and brilliant, or dull, according to the character or quality of the person and therefore 'to the seer, the aura of a person is an index to his hidden propensities' [Gay74].

 All these conceptions are of special relevance because of the fact that the astral body is supposed to be able to separate from the physical and travel without it. Since the astral is the vehicle of consciousness, it is this body which is aware, not the physical. It is said that in sleep the astral body leaves the sleeping body. In the undeveloped person, little memory is retained and the astral body is vague and its travels are limited and directionless, but in the trained person the astral can be controlled, can travel great distances in sleep, and can even be projected from the physical body at will. It is this which is called astral projection.

 In astral projection the consciousness can travel almost without limitation, but it travels in the astral world. It therefore sees not the physical objects, but their astral counterparts, and in addition the beings that live in the astral realms. The astral world has been known as the 'world of illusion' or world of thoughts. The unwary traveler can become confused by the power of his own imaginings. In this state one can appear, as an apparition to anyone who has 'astral sight.' Indeed one can appear to other too, but to do so requires some involvement of lower matter, for example of enteric matter, as in ectoplasm. Ectoplasm is considered to be the materialization of the astral body and is described as 'matter which is invisible and impalpable in its primary state, but assuming the state of a vapor, liquid or solid, according to its stage of condensation' [Gay74].

 An aspect of astral traveling which has become important in later writings, though it appears little in early theosophy, is the silver cord. It is held that in life the astral body is connected to its physical body by an infinitely elastic but strong cord, of a flowing and delicate silver color. Traditionally the cord must remain connected or death will ensue. As one approaches death, the astral gradually loosens itself, lifts up above the physical, and then the cord breaks to allow the higher bodies to leave. Death is thus seen as a form of permanent astral projection.

 Beyond the astral Theosophy distinguishes a further five levels. These include the mental or devachnic world, the buddhic, the nirvanic, and two others so far beyond our understanding that they are rarely described. The task of every person is to progress through all of these.