Was this the astral plane?

[DaneClark]

The other night I took some gotu kola before going to bed.  That's all I did, I just wanted to see if it would make me dream more lucidly.  I had what seemed to be just another normal dream about their being an "ocean" in the sky with another layer of sky above it.  Research after the fact showed that what I dreamt about shows at least a passing resemblance to the concept of celestial spheres, so did I actually go there?  Would going there again be as simple as just taking the gotu mola again?  What can I do to ensure that I can be more lucid the next time I go there?

[Bob_the_floater]

If I want to have lucid dreams, all I do is look at my hands (or left hand to be precise) a lot throughout the day. Just look at your hand 3-4 times an hour and check it's there and looks normal, this will then carry over to the dream. When I look at my hand and see this (link below) except the fingers are more pointy and nails are more like claws, and yeah I got a bit freaked out the first time LOL

https://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6956/659/1600/alienhands001.jpg

Then I know I'm dreaming, and the fun can begin  

Edit:
As to whether it was the astral plane or not, I'm drawing a blank. But for me there is a big difference between AP and LD, if it's AP I know instantly and I can't change the surroundings like I'm able to in an LD.  

Edit:
And sorry if this is considered as thread necromancy.

[Xanth]

If I want to have lucid dreams, all I do is look at my hands (or left hand to be precise) a lot throughout the day. Just look at your hand 3-4 times an hour and check it's there and looks normal, this will then carry over to the dream. When I look at my hand and see this (link below) except the fingers are more pointy and nails are more like claws, and yeah I got a bit freaked out the first time LOL

https://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6956/659/1600/alienhands001.jpg

Then I know I'm dreaming, and the fun can begin  

My hands usually start stretching out and go all crazy!  It's one of my favourite and most useful ways to realize I'm projecting. 

Edit:
As to whether it was the astral plane or not, I'm drawing a blank. But for me there is a big difference between AP and LD, if it's AP I know instantly and I can't change the surroundings like I'm able to in an LD.  

For me, there's no difference.  The only thing that changes between all those labels is *YOU*.  Call it what you want... your awareness, your consciousness...
But whatever, I digress. 

Edit:
And sorry if this is considered as thread necromancy.

This wasn't too bad. 
I've seen decades go by and people try to rez those.  >_<  haha
There is a limit, but I think this is a good thread to continue... you or the OP. 

[Bob_the_floater]

For me, there's no difference.  The only thing that changes between all those labels is *YOU*.  Call it what you want... your awareness, your consciousness...
But whatever, I digress. 

I think the reason I distinguish between the two so hard, is because of my limited experience. So far all AP/OBE(or is the correct term OOBE ?) I've had has always originated from my physical body, whereas what I would call an LD starts in a "dream world". And also the fact that in LD I can sometimes change the environment, but to be honest newer tried to do it while projecting because I always thought of it as me/my consciousness traveling in the real world or parallel world/universe, and surely you can't change that , plus all my attention/focus is on staying as long as possible. But now having read a little of the Astral Pulse Island thread I don't know what to think LOL, newer thought something like that was possible.