What's the difference between an OBE and Astral Projection?

[bondgirl3007]

Are they just two terms for the same thing, or is there a difference??

[Synergy]

A quote from an article I wrote on my own website:

"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.

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 separate experiences.

It has been suggested that the highly influential writings of occultist Mdme Blavatsky were a major contributing factor to this merger. 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.....


Most Out-Of-Body Experiences, especially those that are spontaneous, occur on the etheric plane. 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.

The astral plane resides just above the etheric plane, and OBEs that occur on this plane may be more mistaken for dreams due to their obscure and mystical nature. 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 a type of astral projection without awareness."

[Vitruvian]

Hey,
Great question, great answer - thanks both!
Vitruvian

[fURIX]

I also think that an AP differs to an OBE.... OBE is very close vibrationaly to the real world. Then again an OBE itself might evolve to move further... somehow I think our good brains might have a say as to where we end up, and also the energy distribution of a body and diet again might affect the aboves....    Like string theories and Einstein.. both are on to something and are right, but we need to get this straight....  wich I doubt we'll do too soon... I think we might be dealing with dimentions here... without sounding too sarcastic, but to be honest I dont entirely know if I am   we are not all scientists now, are we?