Newbie: My experience and a question

[TorosDead]

That's a very good experience... fluke or not it's a success.  Many people would like just a fluke, at least that would be something.  As for trance state, that's difficult to get into.  Full body relaxation and mind awake/body asleep are the key.  While beginning most of the time you just fall asleep.  I myself had lucid dreams before ever having an OBE, but even then you know you are doing something right.  How do you know the difference you ask?  Well, in a lucid dream you know that you are dreaming, but when you wake up you know it was simply a dream that you had control over.  However, an OBE feels as real as waking life, and when you return you know it wasn't a dream but reality.  It's something you must feel to understand, but from that sound of it you already have.  Good luck!

[PeacefulWarrior]

Welcome!  Thanks for sharing your expereince too.

[shaman]

Congradulation, welcome to the club! for a first experience it was a nice one! Keep on doing well.

Basically there is no difference between lucid dream and OBE, just a question of definition. However, a lucid dream begins from a dream and therefore the level of consciousness, clarity, etc.. is lower than during an OBE. One can easily increase that level during a lucid dream by asking loudly "I want to be more couscious, to have more controle, to see more clearly, etc..". From lucid dreams I only succeed to wake up, not to go anywhere else! So you have a good start.

Yes the body attracts you, and once you go to explore the astral world during an OBE, it can easily turn into a dream - so that you are back to the lucid dream state... just the other side of the same coin.

SO lucid dreams is fine, you just need to auto suggest to get to the higher level of OBE from there.

[beavis]

Sub_Euph "Some of you say you project from lucid dreams. How can you tell that you're out of body and not just still lucid dreaming?"

They are both out of body, and that includes some dreams (the kind not generated exclusively by your brain). An OBE is the same place but you are more aware of it.

[Greytraveller]

Sub Euph
Next time that you manage to go OOB try to get at least a few feet away from your physical body. Walk or float around your house or apartment to get used to the unique sensation of being OOB. If you feel adventurous then try to get outside and make an attempt at flight. [:O]
Yes it is possible to project from a lucid dream. One way to do this is to fly into your room while in the lucid dream. Then try to shift your consciousness from the dream to a point floating somewhere inside your room. If you can do this then you should be able to see from this point of view (and should also be able to see your physical body lying asleep). Then you will know that it is a projection and not a dream.

[Sub_Euph]

Hi everyone, as you can tell I'm new

I've been interested in AP and OBE's for a long time and recently started practicing relaxation and focus exercises. I figured I was a long way from an OBE. But then a few nights ago a dream I had faded to black. Normally when that happens, I wake up or enter another dream. Well, not this time, I just lay there in darkness. I recognized this as the state required for AP so I tried to leave my body. It took me a few tries, but I finally rolled out. I was beside my bed, looking at the ceiling. I rolled over and looked at my body and thought this was just the coolest thing I'd ever experienced. I was about to go explore the house when I felt compelled to touch my body. Big mistake. I touched my head and the big astral vaccuum sucked me back into my body and I woke up. This time was just a fluke, but I'd like to get to the point where I can eventually enter the trance-like state required to AP. Any free-form advice would be appreciated. Anyways, on to my question. Some of you say you project from lucid dreams. How can you tell that you're out of body and not just still lucid dreaming? Do things feel/look different? Anyways, I'm sure I'll be lurking around the board and I'll be sure to let you know next time I journey outside myself.