Confused about astral projections and lucid dreams

[InDepther]

I was searching yesterday the web for many hours to understand if the experiences I had where lucid dreams or astral projections. I failed to get a definite answer.

On the one hand:

• I was using so called astral projection methods (didn't know about them at that point though)
• The experience couldn't be more real. Perfect HD resolution, felt totally real and couldn't distinguish from reality.
• I could manipulate the world.
• I was always starting from my room and from the place I was lying.
• I was hearing sometimes noise before entering.
• Always forced, while awake and not at night time.

On the other hand though:

• I don't remember seeing my body from above.
• I never feared. I never fear anyways and some times I try to create nightmares in my dreams for entertainment.
• I don't see spirits, but only what I want to see.
• I had hard time keep them going, while in astral is harder to return back?

I thought that if I had read about astral before, then probably my experiences would had been more astral, because of my subconscious. I might had even feared or see spirits. If I expect in an astral projection to see my body in bed, I am sure that my mind will easily recreate this, without even asking for it.

I think that I will try to astral project with some "pure astral projection methods" and see if I get a significantly different result.

What are your thoughts? How do you differentiate astral from lucid dreams? What you think about my experiences? If you do both (astral & lucid) does them both feel completely real? Are them both completely clear, in max resolution? Personally, the lucid dreams that I have in dreams are nothing like it. I have control over them, but they are not high res and clear and they don't feel very real.

[InDepther]

From what I read from other threads here, most of the ppl talk about normal dreams. That probably explains why nobody has an opinion here yet. Also, I don't see much action going on, very few posts per day. Is anybody aware of any other forums, which are more alive?

much appreciated

ps: tried yesterday after many years, without any success.

[astraladdict]

Well it's not that this forum isn't really active, it's just, there's few people who actually HAVE an answer to real questions, and those people like Xanth, Noy, personalreality, ME and other people are busy. But i will answer your questions the best i can.
My thoughts: You did project, congratz. In the realm your mind is a VERY powerful tool. That's why in everything you read, in a book or here on the forum or even over the internet, they always talk about control of the mind. So everything you saw etc, you made. I think some people would argue about being in a specific F(1234 etc) Zone.
Telling the difference: The main way, atleast for me, to tell the difference between an LD and being in the realm is, How does it feel? How aware and conc. am i? Are things out of wack like even an LD is? Look for things like that, even try pinching yourself ;P
Experience: your experience is unique to you..
Both: now are you asking if you project whilst LD?

[Astral316]

From what I read from other threads here, most of the ppl talk about normal dreams.

I would hold off on assuming what other people are or aren't experiencing, especially if you have limited experience.

Lucid dreaming vs. Astral Projection. First off, we're trying to compare a term coined by psychology with an eastern philosophical concept. It's like trying to fit a square block in a round hole by allowing these terms to co-exist. For example, wake initiated lucid dreams are no different than projections via phasing. Around here, we use a lucid dream to signify a conventional dream where we "know" we're dreaming. This usually occurs in the middle of said dream, and lucidity is triggered. Any further distinction is just personal intrepretation. With AP/OBEs, you have waking awareness complete with cognitive function. You obviously had waking awareness, so you had an OBE.

[Lucidmage]

I used to Lucid dream a lot using a the WILD technique. This bascially underpins the whole, "get into the SP mode" since the WILD relies on that to enter a Lucid dream with 100% awareness.  I understand the whole "vibration thing" since I've felt it all doing this. But there have been some odd accounts which I'm not sure to stamp as Lucid dreams.

I remember doing the WILD technique and the affects of sleep paralysis consuming my body. I remember all of the tactile sensations including vibrations, body feeling heavy and numb. But ALSO, there was another sensation that is rather hard to explain, but I will try. Whenever, the vibrations begin to cease I feel like a lasp in consciousness has been "switched" between this world and the dream world. However, I now have reason to doubt that this was the dream world  huh

Upon opening my eyes, SOMETIMES my room looked the exact same and dark (I attempt to WILD at 3am). If not, there were a few minor changes like a desk not in the right place, or different coloured walls. Also, (this is the thing I most wish to query), upon trying to get out of bed when the tactile sensations ceased, I felt like I weighted A TON!!! - Literally I had to crawl out of bed and struggled to stand up. This never used to happen the first or second time I did this tecnique. Was this AP or not? I never really looked to my bed to check if my body was actually there  tongue

Also, on a rather unsatisfactory note, (again sometimes) used to be "something" in my room whenever I did this. Some shawdory like entity. I felt no fear and such and used to mentally force it away. This bit makes me wonder if it was more a Lucid dream or not?

Another thing, if you are attacked, what do you feel? I only used to feel vibration where ever I was hit. Too much would cause me to wake up. Anyway, this post was longer than expected. I have some more questions, but first I would like these sorted out. Thanks!

[astraladdict]

It depends on the person, when i get hit sometimes i feel it, other times i don't

[SikWilly]

My impression... The physical is the furthest extension of your conscious focus.  Not the final extension of consciousness itself, but of your specific personal evolution.  When we do things like dream, OBE's, projections, I think we are pulling our focus of awareness in some, but the direction isn't consistent.  Sometimes we pull way back, sometimes just a little, sometimes sideways.  The pulling of your awareness to the more subtle realms have certain "sensations" associated with it when moving through this physical veil while aware.  That's why certain symptoms are consistent throughout.  Although certain techniques may lend preference to different areas of focused awareness. 

So, to answer your question... my response would be that astral projection, OBE's and lucid dreaming are the same thing but different.  It is a retreating of awareness to a more subtle place on your soul's "evolution ladder".  Whether that specific place is one area of focus or another, here or there, down there or up there, tells you whether you experience it as a lucid dream or an OBE.

Just sayin'.

Peace.

[InDepther]

Thanks for the replies.

Astraladdict I somewhat agree with everything you said. I lean more towards to all these experiences being creations of our minds. Our minds in a way even creates the "real world," since it is the place where everything is processed and projected.

Atsral316, yes LDs in the middle of a dream seem completely different, than in a waking awareness state.

SikWilly, I like ur description and thoughts. So far, everybody that posted here has some good thoughts and perspective. I am positively suprised.

On a side note, I managed to lets say AP/OBE today, after many years. Once again, when I was out of my bed wasn't sure if I had succeeded to AP or just stood up, even though I hadn't 100% perfect vision and feeling of being. I tried to levitate for few secs, but not very successfully and then went to the balcony with the thought to jump and flight. I thought that if I jump and wasn't in an AP/OBE state, I would die and then decided to just fly upwards instead of jumping and so I did. That was in the 2nd projection, since in the 1st I was again confused and opened my eyes to check if I was in bed projecting (ruined it). It was nice, but didn't had perfect sense of lets say being outside of my body. I guess it was because I kind of cheated. I woke up earlier than normal and stayed out of the bed for only 5-10 mins max. Then when I returned, I was still sleepy and that made it very easy to project. I guess the easier the conditions, the less the awareness and in turn you get less from the experience. I think that if I manage to project at noon without feeling sleepy and in daylight, then the projection will mind blow me like it used to be, but that would be extremely hard.