I don’t want to name anyone, but a person known at the Ashram encourages reading someone who testifies in the sense of out-of-body experiences.
Astral travel may give faith in the idea of other worlds but this too can be known in different ways. But the integral Yoga certainly does not require the capacity of astral travel. Of course some people have this as an innate ability. In some it develops as a result of the pressure of the Yoga Force spontaneously. These are exceptional instances but in general it is not only not required but generally discouraged by The Mother. It doesn’t add to the Yoga and comes with its own dangers. Here is one of many letters and conversations of the Mother on the subject.
‘Mother,
You know that for many years I have been in the habit of leaving my physical body and making exploratory tours in my subtle body. (Here several experiences are described.) I wonder whether I should keep up my practice of going out of the body. It is extremely fascinating, but is it a necessary part of Yogic development for keeping the consciousness open to inner spiritual things?
Amal
I have received your letter with the enclosed money.
As to the experiences you speak of, it is much better to stop them altogether. They seem to take you into levels which are undesirable and most unsafe; they are not at all necessary for any opening in the yoga.
Love and blessings to you and the family.’
28 March 1944
Affectiontely,
Alok Da
