Silver cord

This article is about the metaphysical term. For the album by The Classic Crime, see The Silver Cord.

The silver cord in metaphysical literature, 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.

Astral projection

During astral projection and out-of-body experiences, some^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[citation needed]} However, even experienced projectors find it useful, claiming it is a fast way to return to the body.^{[citation needed]}

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).

The silver cord is mentioned by mystics, especially in contexts of dying and of near-death experiences.^{[citation needed]}

Origin of the term

The term is derived from Ecclesiastes 12:6-12:7 in the Old Testament, 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's commentary, for example, states that the silver cord refers simply to the "spinal marrow."

In popular culture

Former Moody Blues singer Mike Pinder 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."

French Metal band Gojira used the phrase "The Silver Cord" as an instrumental song title on their 2009 album The Way of All Flesh. 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.

See also

• Astral projection
• Out-of-body experiences

Bibliography

• James Tildes & Olga Frederick : The Silver Cord or Life Here and Hereafter. Christopher Publ. Co., 1946.
• Martha Barham & James Tom Greene : The Silver Cord : Lifeline to the Unobstructed. De Vorss & Co, 1986.
• Johnson Edwards : The Silver Cord : a Novel. Fireheart, 2003.

External links

• [2]
• Near-Death Experiences and the Silver Cord
• Out-of-Body Experiences and the Silver Cord
• The Silver Cord (Observations and Traditions) - article by Alfred Ballabene