At what point does a lucid dream become an OBE?

[Dan4487]

Last night I realized I was dreaming, and it was amazing. Usually the dream fades within 5 seconds, but this time I was able to actually maintain the dream. This was a massive step forward to me, and I've felt exhilarated ever since. I started to fly, and went around exploring. Eventually I found a bedroom in a house somewhere, and I looked in the mirror. I looked back at my self, and I looked normal, except that my eyes were bloodshot. All this time I kept reminding myself every 2 minutes that I was dreaming.

Then I remembered to try and focus on an object to increase my awareness. So I looked at a bar of soap next to me, and stared at it intensely. Suddenly my vision went foggy, and it became shaky. Then my vision returned and to me amazement everything around became extremely vivid. Even the color was more powerful. Then out of nowhere I felt all tingling throughout my body. The dream didn't end, though. I was still lucid and then i picked up the bar of soap and was stunned at how it felt so solid. It felt like 10 minutes had passed, so I thought to end the dream to make sure I won't forget it all when i wake up.

So my question is at point does a normal lucid dream cease to be just a dream, and actually become an OBE/astral projection? I don't know if last night falls under the lucid dream or OBE category. I just remember that the tingling and vividness of the scenery was powerful after I concentrated.

[Lionheart]

Many people report their OBEs last 15-20 seconds. Many people report that their LDs last the same time.

During a OBE/AP you are experiencing a NP (Non Physical Reality/Realm). During a LD you are also experiencing a NPR. Once again the same.

You can control your actions and reactions in a OBE/AP. You can control your actions and reactions in a LD as well.

Once again the same. Conclusions!   

You just need to work on heightening your awareness. Grounding and Anchoring yourself there will help.

[Fusions]

Many people report their OBEs last 15-20 seconds. Many people report that their LDs last the same time.

During a OBE/AP you are experiencing a NP (Non Physical Reality/Realm). During a LD you are also experiencing a NPR. Once again the same.

You can control your actions and reactions in a OBE/AP. You can control your actions and reactions in a LD as well.

Once again the same. Conclusions!   

You just need to work on heightening your awareness. Grounding and Anchoring yourself there will help.

Really? so short? My thought would be 5min to 15/20min?

[Lionheart]

Really? so short? My thought would be 5min to 15/20min?

Mine are much longer too. But the majority of people report very short trips. This could be simply because many of those people are new to AP in general.

[Xanth]

I find that it's usually a lack of understanding on what they're doing when they're projecting.

[deepspace]

Many people report their OBEs last 15-20 seconds. Many people report that their LDs last the same time.

I think there are a number of reasons why OBEs only last a short time for many people, the main one being newness to the experience and mainly over-excitement. But another is discomfort and in more extreme cases, fear. When you have the full experience it can be very dissociative. 

Dissociation is separation from or interruption of a person's fundamental aspects of waking consciousness (such as one's personal identity, one's personal history, etc.).

This is not to scare anyone, but when you experience a completely separate reality where every aspect is identical to the one you are used to, you can get very disoriented and it can cause dissociation at some level. This is also what makes it such an incredible experience, one that has ability to really redefine you concept of "what is real".

For me, the dissociation is the main reason my OBEs are shorter than they could be. I can only stay OBE for a certain a the amount of time before I need to go back. I'm slowly increasing that, but almost always choose to come back early. You can prepare yourself mentally before you "go out" and I would recommend that.  Switching from one reality to another at light speed can really snap your head back in the seat if you know what I mean.

[Lionheart]

This is not to scare anyone, but when you experience a completely separate reality where every aspect is identical to the one you are used to, you can get very disoriented and it can cause dissociation at some level. This is also what makes it such an incredible experience, one that has ability to really redefine you concept of "what is real".

For me, the dissociation is the main reason my OBEs are shorter than they could be. I can only stay OBE for a certain a the amount of time before I need to go back. I'm slowly increasing that, but almost always choose to come back early. You can prepare yourself mentally before you "go out" and I would recommend that.  Switching from one reality to another at light speed can really snap your head back in the seat if you know what I mean.

That top point Deepspace needed to be repeated again! 

The problem is you really can't "mentally prepare" yourself the first time for that you have never experienced before. The second, third and fourth time etc. yes. But not the first. The first time you have to go into it with total "blind trust".  After that it becomes easier. But still there are many things that will throw you for a loop. Especially when you start asking questions and hear that the answers you are getting are going against everything that you currently believe in.

[deepspace]

That top point Deepspace needed to be repeated again!  

The problem is you really can't "mentally prepare" yourself the first time for that you have never experienced before. The second, third and fourth time etc. yes. But not the first. The first time you have to go into it with total "blind trust".  After that it becomes easier. But still there are many things that will throw you for a loop. Especially when you start asking questions and hear that the answers you are getting are going against everything that you currently believe in.

No you're right, you can't fully prepare for it, but you have to be prepared to rewrite what I call your "map of reality". You must be prepared to have what you think and believe about "reality" challenged. It really can be mind expanding, providing of course, you have a certain flexibility so to say. There has to be a certain flexibility in your mind set and an attitude of adapting what you think and believe the nature of reality to be. This is the mental preparation I was referring to. AP really forces you to do that anyway, so it's better to be adaptable and have the right attitude going in, rather than hold to a rigid way of thinking. That way you are more able to bend and not break if you know what I mean. I've tried it both ways. But the right mind set can be developed, at least in between AP experiences (there's plenty of in-between time for most of us).

Most of my experiences in the NPR have been so profound and mind-blowing, it's really taken an adjustment for me. I am still working on being able to stay for longer periods of time. But from the things I've read, it looks like not everyone has that full-on experience. It truly is mind blowing experience so if your mind hasn't been blown yet, there's still more to go.   

[Lionheart]

Most of my experiences in the NPR have been so profound and mind-blowing, it's really taken an adjustment for me. I am still working on being able to stay for longer periods of time. But from the things I've read, it looks like not everyone has that full-on experience. It truly is mind blowing experience so if your mind hasn't been blown yet, there's still more to go.   

I don't think a lot of people are getting that "full on experience" because their goal is to "climb out of the body" By this, they normally find themselves in the RTZ staring at their resting body.

By Phasing and creating portals, you open the door to such much more. Create tunnels, portals, stairways, doorways. Anything that has an element of surprise or at least intrigue behind it. This is where the real adventures and awe moments begin!