Silver cord
Encyclopedia
In metaphysical
literature, the silver cord, also known as the sutratma or life thread of the antahkarana, refers to a life-giving linkage from the Higher self
(atma) down to the physical body. It also refers to an extended synthesis of this thread and a second (the consciousness thread, passing from the soul
to the physical body) that connects the physical body to the etheric body
, onwards to the astral body
and finally to the mental body
.
During astral projection
, some claim they can (at will or otherwise) see a silver cord linking their astral form to their physical body. This cord mainly appears to a beginning projector as an assurance they will not become lost. However, even experienced projectors find it useful, claiming it is a fast way to return to the body. The term is derived from Ecclesiastes
12:6-12:7 in the Old Testament
, from the KJV:
Or from the NIV:
This verse (Ecclesiastes 12:6) is variously translated, and there is a lack of consensus among Bible commentators as to its meaning. Matthew Henry
's commentary, for example, states that the silver cord refers simply to the "spinal marrow."
The silver cord is mentioned by mystics
, especially in contexts of dying and of near-death experiences.
The attachment point of the cord to the astral body differs, not only between projectors but also from projection to projection. These points correspond to major chakra
positions. According to the observations of Robert Bruce
, there is not a single point of connection to the denser body, but rather a locally converging collection of strands leading out of all of the major chakras, and some of the minor ones (Astral Dynamics, p398).
sings of the silver cord in his solo album Among The Stars with the lyric "All aboard, the silver cord, the tour's about to start. See the famous asteroids and a thousand million stars."
Gojira
, the French Metal band used the phrase 'The Silver Cord' as an instrumental song title on their 2009 album The Way of All Flesh (album)
. An album stating the band's views on death and possible life after such. Using phrases such as "On a wounded astral body" and other references all over the album
In Jethro Tull
's A Passion Play
, the lyrics "the silver cord lies on the ground" are used to indicate the death of someone observing his own funeral.
Metaphysics
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world, although the term is not easily defined. Traditionally, metaphysics attempts to answer two basic questions in the broadest possible terms:...
literature, the silver cord, also known as the sutratma or life thread of the antahkarana, refers to a life-giving linkage from the Higher self
Higher self
Higher self is a new age term associated with multiple belief systems, but its basic premise describes an eternal, omnipotent, conscious, and intelligent being, who is one's real self. Blavatsky formally defined the higher self as "Atma the inseparable ray of the Universal and ONE SELF. It is the...
(atma) down to the physical body. It also refers to an extended synthesis of this thread and a second (the consciousness thread, passing from the soul
Soul
A soul in certain spiritual, philosophical, and psychological traditions is the incorporeal essence of a person or living thing or object. Many philosophical and spiritual systems teach that humans have souls, and others teach that all living things and even inanimate objects have souls. The...
to the physical body) that connects the physical body to the etheric body
Etheric body
The etheric body, ether-body, æther body, a name given by neo-Theosophy to a supposed vital body or subtle body propounded in esoteric philosophies as the first or lowest layer in the "human energy field" or aura...
, onwards to the astral body
Astral body
The astral body is a subtle body posited by many religious philosophers, intermediate between the intelligent soul and the physical body, composed of a subtle material. The concept ultimately derives from the philosophy of Plato: it is related to an astral plane, which consists of the planetary...
and finally to the mental body
Mental body
The mental body is one of the subtle bodies in esoteric philosophies, in some religious teachings and in New Age thought. It is understood as a sort of body made up of thoughts, just as the emotional body consists of emotions and the physical body is made up of matter...
.
During astral projection
Astral projection
Astral projection is an interpretation of out-of-body experience that assumes the existence of an "astral body" separate from the physical body and capable of traveling outside it...
, some claim they can (at will or otherwise) see a silver cord linking their astral form to their physical body. This cord mainly appears to a beginning projector as an assurance they will not become lost. However, even experienced projectors find it useful, claiming it is a fast way to return to the body. The term is derived from Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes
The Book of Ecclesiastes, called , is a book of the Hebrew Bible. The English name derives from the Greek translation of the Hebrew title.The main speaker in the book, identified by the name or title Qoheleth , introduces himself as "son of David, king in Jerusalem." The work consists of personal...
12:6-12:7 in the Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
, 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."
Or from the NIV:
- "Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it."
This verse (Ecclesiastes 12:6) is variously translated, and there is a lack of consensus among Bible commentators as to its meaning. Matthew Henry
Matthew Henry
Matthew Henry was an English commentator on the Bible and Presbyterian minister.-Life:He was born at Broad Oak, a farmhouse on the borders of Flintshire and Shropshire. His father, Philip Henry, had just been ejected under the Act of Uniformity 1662...
's commentary, for example, states that the silver cord refers simply to the "spinal marrow."
The silver cord is mentioned by mystics
Mysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
, especially in contexts of dying and of near-death experiences.
The attachment point of the cord to the astral body differs, not only between projectors but also from projection to projection. These points correspond to major chakra
Chakra
Chakra is a concept originating in Hindu texts, featured in tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Its name derives from the Sanskrit word for "wheel" or "turning" .Chakra is a concept referring to wheel-like vortices...
positions. According to the observations of Robert Bruce
Robert Bruce (author)
Robert Bruce is an English-born mystic author living in Australia. Bruce is best known for his studies of Out Of Body Experience, which first became public in the early 1990s through his activity in the alt.out-of-body Internet news group...
, there is not a single point of connection to the denser body, but rather a locally converging collection of strands leading out of all of the major chakras, and some of the minor ones (Astral Dynamics, p398).
In popular culture
Former Moody Blues singer Mike PinderMike Pinder
Michael Thomas "Mike" Pinder is an English rock musician, and is a founding member or the British rock group, the Moody Blues. He left the group following the recording of the band's album, Octave, in 1978...
sings of the silver cord in his solo album Among The Stars with the lyric "All aboard, the silver cord, the tour's about to start. See the famous asteroids and a thousand million stars."
Gojira
Gojira
Gojira is a heavy metal band formed in 1996 in Bayonne, France. The band was known as Godzilla until 2001. Gojira is composed of Joe Duplantier on vocals and guitar, his brother Mario Duplantier on drums, Christian Andreu on guitar and Jean-Michel Labadie on bass...
, the French Metal band used the phrase 'The Silver Cord' as an instrumental song title on their 2009 album The Way of All Flesh (album)
The Way of All Flesh (album)
Hidden TrackThe final song and title track of the album, "The Way of All Flesh," contains a hidden instrumental song. The main piece of the track ends at 6:51 and the hidden songs starts in at 12:33 giving the song a period of silence lasting 5:42. The song contains complex layers of ambient guitar...
. An album stating the band's views on death and possible life after such. Using phrases such as "On a wounded astral body" and other references all over the album
In Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
's A Passion Play
A Passion Play
A Passion Play is a concept album, and the sixth studio album, released by Jethro Tull. Apparently concerning the spiritual journey of one man in the afterlife, it is similar to Thick as a Brick in that it is one long track split across both sides of the LP vinyl record, save for the interruption...
, the lyrics "the silver cord lies on the ground" are used to indicate the death of someone observing his own funeral.
See also
- Astral projectionAstral projectionAstral projection is an interpretation of out-of-body experience that assumes the existence of an "astral body" separate from the physical body and capable of traveling outside it...
- ClairvoyanceClairvoyanceThe term clairvoyance is used to refer to the ability to gain information about an object, person, location or physical event through means other than the known human senses, a form of extra-sensory perception...
- Life reviewLife reviewA life review is a phenomenon widely reported as occurring during near-death experiences, in which a person rapidly sees much or the totality of his or her life history in chronological sequence and in extreme detail. It is often referred to by people having experienced this phenomenon as having...
- Out-of-body experiences