Out-of-Body Experiences and the Silver Cord: Scientific Evidence and Ancient Wisdom on the Soul’s Connection to Life

Extensive studies conducted across the United States, the former Soviet Union, England, and other countries by leading psychologists and parapsychologists — including Prof. Kenneth Ring and Dr. Karlis Osis — have revealed phenomena suggesting that, under certain conditions, the human soul can separate from the body and later return at will.

This differs from clinical death experiences, where individuals report hovering above their bodies during surgery or accidents before being revived. These conscious “soul journeys” are intentional and controlled.

Experiments on Conscious Soul Travel

One famous case was documented in the Israeli Journal of Parapsychology in an article titled “Mysteries of the Soul’s Journey.”
The world-renowned medium Eileen Garrett, founder of the Parapsychology Foundation in New York, participated in a controlled experiment under Dr. Mahel’s supervision.

Her task was to separate her consciousness from her body in New York and “travel” to the home of Icelandic parapsychologist Dr. Swenson, who would perform specific actions at a prearranged time known only to him.

During the experiment, Garrett entered a self-induced trance, projected her consciousness across the Atlantic, and reported — live and in detail, everything she “saw” in Iceland.

She described the cold Arctic air, the scent of flowers in Swenson’s seaside garden, and even a bandage wrapped around his head. When Swenson greeted her telepathically and apologized for being unable to conduct the full experiment due to an injury, she relayed his exact words to New York in real-time.

A stenographer recorded every detail. Later verification letters and telegrams from Dr. Swenson confirmed the accuracy of her descriptions — including his injury, surroundings, and even the specific book he read (Einstein’s Theory of Relativity).

The Universal Consciousness Experience

Similar experiences have been described by spiritual figures such as Paramahansa Yogananda, who wrote: “Suddenly my body became motionless… my soul and mind detached themselves from the physical form and expanded outward, perceiving all of creation — cities, continents, the Earth, suns, galaxies — all at once. When I returned to breathing normally, I felt imprisoned again within the confines of flesh.”

Such accounts suggest that, when separated from the body, the soul can perceive reality beyond the limits of time, space, and the five senses.

The “Silver Cord” Connection

Another powerful testimony is from Mr. Urquhart of Toronto, Canada (1961): “While resting on my couch, I suddenly felt myself inflate like a balloon and rise out of my body. I was fully conscious and calm, aware that my soul floated above my physical form. As I looked down, I saw a long silver cord connecting me to my body. I instinctively knew that as long as this cord remained unbroken, I was safe — but if it ever snapped, my life on Earth would end.”

Researchers have since proposed that this “silver cord” functions like an umbilical link between the body and the soul — a conduit for life energy. Just as cutting the umbilical cord at birth transitions a baby into a new stage of life, so too does the breaking of the silver cord mark the soul’s passage to the next world.

Scientists note that the cord appears elastic — thinning as the soul moves farther away and thickening as it returns. If stretched too far, it risks breaking to the point of no return.

Science Meets Scripture

Modern researchers may claim to have discovered something new, yet this idea is ancient. The Book of Ecclesiastes (Kohelet 12:1–7) described it thousands of years ago: “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth… before the silver cord is snapped, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”

This poetic verse perfectly encapsulates the spiritual truth modern experiments only begin to glimpse: the silver cord — the unseen bond between body and soul, defines the boundary between life and eternity.

Whether viewed through science or scripture, it is clear that life is more than physical existence. Within each of us flows a divine current — a luminous thread connecting us to the Infinite.

As long as the “silver cord” endures, so too does the miracle of life itself.