Hence the astral plane is the realm of illusion. While the Divine can be reached through the higher astral plane, we can also find the Divine in the physical without ever opening up to the astral, or we can open up to the causal plane directly (which has a special link to the physical) so as to avoid the dangers of the astral. 

Yoga, Shamanism and Channeling 

Yoga is one means of exploring the occult realms of nature. This, however, is not the main focus of Yoga, which is to go beyond nature, but a sidelight. There are other means of exploring these subtle realms as in magic, occultism and shamanism. These things can be part of a subtler form of science wherein we discover the hidden forces behind the world. There is nothing wrong with exploring them but they are still only phenomenal. The higher forms of Shamanism are much like Yoga. They aim at a greater development of awareness and self-knowledge towards the liberation of the Spirit from all bondage to the external. The lower forms of Shamanism may, however, get us caught in the illusions of the astral plane.

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