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The silver cord in metaphysical studies and 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.

In other research, it is described as a strong, silver-colored, elastic cord which joins a person's physical body to its astral body (a manifestation of the physical body that is less distinct).

Alfred Ballabene, an astral projector whose works are mostly published and accessed online, observed that during his out-of-body experiences glue-like strings appear as the astral body tries to separate itself from the physical body. As the astral body moves further away from the tangible body, some of the strings break apart and clump into a specific and smaller region - preferably the head, breast, back, stomach, and the abdomen area - thus forming the silver cord.

Some prophets and soothsayers in ancient times also claimed to have seen the silver cord during their out-of-body experiences

Astral projection
During astral projection and out-of-body experiences, 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.

Ballabene, on the other hand, stated that the cord not only serves as a link between the two bodies, but it also limits the astral body to wander in great distance. His experiment showed that as the astral body moves farther away from the physical body and reaches a distance of 50 to 70 meters, the silver cord pulls the astral form right back in the physical body.

Others asserted though, that the cases of silver cord observations during out-of-body experiences and astral projections are rare ; rather, no astral body is observed and the person only feels as though they are only a "disembodied awareness or a point of view" in most cases.

Passing through a tunnel is compared to the birth canal, and the silver cord resembling the umbilical cord - these are a few observations during out-of-body experiences that are sometimes likened to childbirth. Birth theories hypothesized that people who had Caesarean section during childbirth do not have tunnel experiences during astral projections. On the contrary, one study showed that there is no discreapancy between the experiences observed by Caesareans and people who are born normally during their OBE or astral projection.

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. It is said that the cord must remain connected to the astral and the physical bodies because if it breaks, death awaits the projector. If a person gets older or if their death is near, the astral body slowly separates itself from the physical body and the silver cord breaks, making a complete and irreversible separation of the two bodies. In this situation, the idea of death and dying is interpreted as a permanent astral projection that cannot be undone.

Origin of the term
The term is derived from Ecclesiastes 12:6-7 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."

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.