So I have the bestest friend in the world..

[Jessica_Lynn]

I have been doing aura reading exercises and attempting to astral project and lucid dream for a few weeks now and two nights ago my best friend found herself floating above me in my room, trying to get me out of my body.
She said that she got me three quarters out of my body and she was encouraging me to come out, but I couldn't because my feet were stuck, so she ushered me back inside my body. I also remember rolling over or thinking at some point that I can't astral project because I was too tired. I really do suspect that I felt that way after it all happened, although I don't remember it.
She also mentioned that she could see my aura and gaps in it, and was attempting to leave my room but couldn't, and was under the impression she had to see my aura and remember it in full detail so she could tell me about it and I could meditate on it and heal myself, which is also a journey I'm on. She apparently had to watch me sleep for longer than she intended to so she would remember it (she did, yay!), until she was finally able to go back to her body.

Is it possible you're unaware you're projecting until you're fully out? Does anyone have friends they met on the astral plane? Does anyone know what gaps in the aura mean, specifically above both shoulders and at the top of the head? My aura is purple apparently.

[Xanth]

Is it possible you're unaware you're projecting until you're fully out?

Yes.  You do it each and every night of your life.  Up until now, you've been calling it "dreaming". 

[Jessica_Lynn]

How does that work though? You don't usually gather "real" data in dreams, and the peopel you dream about don't know you've dreamed about them, as far as I'm aware they can sense you in some way if you visit them astrally?

[Xanth]

The problem your above post has is your definition of "dream".
Do you know why that is?

[Jessica_Lynn]

I wasn't aware I provided a definition of dream...please elaborate!

[Xanth]

I wasn't aware I provided a definition of dream...please elaborate!

You used the term "dream" as a comparison/reflection upon another concept.  Of course you have a definition. 

Everyone has one. 

[Jessica_Lynn]

Okay, that doesn't help me at all though.

[Xanth]

Okay, that doesn't help me at all though.

HA!  I actually read the part of your original post which I quoted wrong. 

Is it possible you're unaware you're projecting until you're fully out?

No.

There does that help?

[Jessica_Lynn]

Yes, better

[Xanth]

[powessy]

Yes.  You do it each and every night of your life.  Up until now, you've been calling it "dreaming". 

hello Xanth

I have heard this ridiculous comment several times from many people. I have had thousands of obes and astral projections and would not put them in the same category as dreaming. I think people get a little confused as to the many layers that make us up. The reason these events are labeled differently is because through millions of people and millions of experiences groups came together and have drawn clear lines between them. I wish I knew were this theory has originated from for it is definitely not someone who has had these type experiences their whole life.   

[Xanth]

hello Xanth

Hi!  Welcome to the forums! 

I have heard this ridiculous comment several times from many people.

First, you only believe it's ridiculous because you don't agree with it.  <-- I'll be addressing this at the end of this post.

I have had thousands of obes and astral projections and would not put them in the same category as dreaming. I think people get a little confused as to the many layers that make us up.

And I think people create too much confusion with too many layers.  Humans love to over complicate things.  My experiences have shown me that they're much more simple than most even "want" to "allow" themselves to realize.

The reason these events are labeled differently is because through millions of people and millions of experiences groups came together and have drawn clear lines between them.

There are only clear lines when you agree with those lines being stated.  Things about the non-physical are about as clear as mud when it comes to the community as a whole.

I wish I knew were this theory has originated from for it is definitely not someone who has had these type experiences their whole life.

Actually, what you'll find here are people who have broken away from the "classical" concepts and ideas... because we have found them extremely limiting.
The people here (myself included) have actually had their own experiences and begun questioning those old concepts and ideas with resounding successes.
Myself, I've been doing this my entire life (I'm 34 now).  We simply don't accept that "these are the rules (the classical concepts) and this is how it shall always be", mostly because our own direct experiences have shown us otherwise.

If you're so inclined to stick around (and I hope you do) and perhaps open your mind beyond what you think you know... you might learn something new. 
It doesn't mean that what we teach is correct, but what we teach is supported 100% by our own direct non-physical experiences.  At least those of the moderators.

Likewise, you can also continue ridiculing ideas (and by extension, people) here... in which case, I can guarantee you won't last long on this forum.
We all don't need to agree with each other, but respect needs to be given for a large group like this to survive civilly.  Name calling and calling ideas you don't agree with "ridiculous" don't work here.

Also, I believe a quick refresher on the AUP is warranted:  http://www.astralpulse.com/aup.html

[floriferous]

I think the general consensus now is that it can be considered more of a spectrum of consciousness with C1 waking consciousness at one end and death at the other and in the middle are all the other variations depending upon your phase shift/relationship with the C1 including, daydreaming, dreaming, meditation, lucid dreams, OBEs, coma, NDEs etc...

I don;t think Xanth is saying they are exactly the same thing. Obviously your conscious awareness in the state plays a big part. With OBEs you are very conscious compared with dreaming when you have little to zero awareness.

[Xanth]

I think the general consensus now is that it can be considered more of a spectrum of consciousness with C1 waking consciousness at one end and death at the other and in the middle are all the other variations depending upon your phase shift/relationship with the C1 including, daydreaming, dreaming, meditation, lucid dreams, OBEs, coma, NDEs etc...

I'm curious by what you mean in your spectrum when you say that death is at the other end?

I don;t think Xanth is saying they are exactly the same thing. Obviously your conscious awareness in the state plays a big part. With OBEs you are very conscious compared with dreaming when you have little to zero awareness.

The link below is what I'm saying about awareness and projection:
http://www.unlimitedboundaries.ca/2012/07/22/labeling-experiences-of-the-non-physical/

[floriferous]

I'm curious by what you mean in your spectrum when you say that death is at the other end?
The link below is what I'm saying about awareness and projection:
http://www.unlimitedboundaries.ca/2012/07/22/labeling-experiences-of-the-non-physical/

Well at TMI the spectrum of phasing taught goes up to death because this is the point you are fully phased out of your physical body (and in this instance without return).

It really comes down to where you focus your awareness and at death you are simply focusing it elsewhere so that's why it is on the list for humans

[Xanth]

Well at TMI the spectrum of phasing taught goes up to death because this is the point you are fully phased out of your physical body (and in this instance without return).

It really comes down to where you focus your awareness and at death you are simply focusing it elsewhere so that's why it is on the list for humans

Oooh, ok I get ya.

Yeah, "my" focus is on consciousness as a whole, not just this tiny "human" focus.  So when I talk and discuss, it's on a slightly wider scale.
TMI and I don't entirely agree on a lot of things anymore.  I used to... but then things changed drastically as I began to expand my own perspective.

[floriferous]

TMI and I don't entirely agree on a lot of things anymore.  I used to... but then things changed drastically as I began to expand my own perspective.

Fair enough. Interested to know where you differ

[Xanth]

I'm a firm believer that in order to progress further in this field, one must forget everything they once thought they knew.  What I mean is that you have to forage on ahead on your own.
This has the distinction of creating your own path, but is ultimately a more correct path... since this journey is a completely personal and individual one to begin with. 

Using someone else's knowledge as a guide to start is most effective.  What people begin to do is start using the guide as a rule... that's when you'll quickly find yourself running up against walls in your progression.  You'll only ever be able to go as far as the guide.  Going further requires your own perspective.