AP vs EP vs OBE - Description of the terms... There IS a difference!

[Synergy]

Many authors on the subject of Out-Of-Body Experiences, seem to incorrectly lump all OBEs into the definition of Astral Projection. This leads beginners astray, as the experiences are very unique compared to each other and deserve to be treated as such.

Astral Projection is NOT a synomym for ALL out-of-body terms!  Out-Of-Body Experience is the correct blanket term to describe all of the types of projections.  How did this mix up terms happen?

A Bit Of History

The description of Etheric Projection as a separate entity from astral projection seems to have been lost in literature and teachings somewhere around the late 1800's to early 1900's, and has continued until today where most authors still want to combine the two into one experience. Prior to this, Etheric and Astral projection were clearly explained as two separate and unique experiences, similar only in the fact that they both involve separation from the physical perspective.

It has been suggested that the highly influential writings of occultist Mdme Blavatsky were a major contributing factor to this merger.  One of the first incidences of the use of the term 'Astral Projection' as a blanket term occurred when she combined the two principles in her written work 'The Secret Doctrine', published in 1888.

Very few current authors make the distinction anymore. The exception to this would be the author Robert Bruce who explains OBEs taking place in the Real Time Zone (RTZ) which is for all intents and purposes, synonymous with Etheric Projection.....

I'm Floating Over My Body... I'm in Astral Projection?

NO! Most Out-Of-Body Experiences, especially those that are spontaneous, occur on the etheric plane, very close to the physical. These experiences are also sometimes called Etheric Projection or Real-Time projections because the etheric plane resides so close to the physical plane that physical surroundings are perceived in real time. These experiences would be the typical descriptions of floating over and seeing the physical body.

Self induced OBEs can also take place on the etheric plane - And it's actually the target that most people shoot for when trying to OBE. They want to explore true physical places that they might never get to see in normal everyday life.  Stonehenge seems to be a big target, as well as the pyramids etc.  Some might want to try to explore the moon or other parts of outer space. Others might want to visit a loved one who is far away. All of these experiences would be accomplished while in Etheric Projection, not Astral Projection.

You have a subtle body called the Etheric Body, or Vital Body that you project to, during an Etheric Projection.  It's actually part and parcel to your physical body... it's vitality if you will.  Though the two can separate for periods of time.


So What is Astral Projection then?

There are seven major planes in all in occult literature. The astral plane resides just above the etheric plane.  You can project to there during an OBE, and OBEs that occur on this plane may be more mistaken for dreams due to their obscure and mystical nature, though it is possible to be very lucid there.  It is believed that these OBEs called Astral Projection, can help us access multitudes of information about our existence and the underlying workings of our own physical world. Thought can also induce imagery here, adding to the mystical qualities of astral projections. Dreams are believed to be astral projections where we are unconscious of that fact.  Lucid dreams would be a step in between dreaming and OBE - and is why MANY people report that they can AP through a lucid dream easily.

The Astral Plane is very vivid... colors seem to dance about everything, and it seems like vibration is inherent in everything there and is visible... an example is the close relationship between color, light, and sound - In my AP's (and if you can imagine this) I could hear color, and see sound.

In occult literature, the Astral Plane is also called the Emotional Plane, and you have a subtle body that corresponds to it. The astral body, also called the Astral Body or Emotional Body, is the vehicle through which you experience the astral plane.  It is distinctly different from the vital body.

Conclusion

All OBE's are NOT Astral Projection.  Etheric Projection is the most common OBEs (floating over ones body, seeing the physical surroundings etc)  Astral Projection is one step higher, in a plane which is very mystical and dreamlike in quality (vivid colors, sounds, thought creating imagery, independant of the physical plane, but contains copies of physical things), Out-Of-Body Experience or OBE is the true blanket term.