I will be watching the responces to this post myself for answers. I have had flying dreams most of my life. Most non lucid until recently. I thought this would be a Lucid Dream and a real AP would start as a OBE. However alot believe a Lucid Dream is a AP. The belief of noted dream researcher Stephen LaBerge(The art of lucid dreaming) is its just a dream. I have to do more personnel research. Either way they are fantastic. I thing a Regular, Vivid, Lucid, AP and OBE experience depends on the level of lucidity.
OBE does not feel like a dream. It feels like a super-reality, very intense, not 'dreamlike' at all, except it is not ordinary reality at all.
That is how I tell the difference - qualitatively.
Hello all ~ my first posting here ~ a great site ~ I've been reading all week!.
I've been 'flying ' in my dreams for years ~ it used to be quite a crude method ~ and occasionally I'd feel the need to flap my arms (like a big duck!)[:)]to get height/stabilize or turn but never at any great height ~ above trees /houses etc.
A few weeks ago I found myself doing something new in a dream. I was standing outside looking up at the stars and suddenly wanted to be up there ~ instead of doing a running launch ( my usual method of takeoff) I just said "UP" and I did just that ~ but at a terrific speed! ~ it was a bit unnerving and quite soon I was higher than I'd ever been. In a panic I shouted "STOP" and I did ~ quite smoothly and gently ~ I was very high above the earth ~ it felt very different up there ~ not completely black at all.
I hovered up there awhile and then got scared and wondered for a moment how to get down ~ then remembered my upward flight and said "DOWN" ~ I hurtled earthwards ~ this was amazing ~ and at the last minute yelled "STOP" ~ my nose just inches away from the ground.
It was exhilarating and I look forward to my next flight .
But my question is : was it an OBE?, a lucid dream? ~ whatever the answer I enjoyed the experience and its made quite an impact on me.[:)]