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Is there any difference between astral projection and lucid dreaming? Many people, even astral travelers, say that there is no difference between the two; while others are of the opinion that they are two different experiences.
In truth, lucid dreaming and astral projection are only two ways of gaining access to the realms of the astral. Lucid dreamers simply miss the conscious out-of-the-body (OOBE) experience. In both cases, you are totally aware. In case of lucid dreams, your control over your dreams depends on your expertise in lucid dreaming. In case of astral projection, one is totally aware and can fully control what one does.
In case of astral projection, you might enter the astral realms bearing restrictive thoughts and beliefs that have no value in the astral realms and do not function there. You will need some time to learn the ways of the new world you have stepped into. In case of lucid dreaming, you are not restricted by any boundaries and you know it. The sheer freedom and expansiveness of a lucid dream might make you lose focus and thereby lose lucidity. Just as you have to practice to get used to the astral world, you have to practice to maintain the lucidity of a lucid dream.
In lucid dreaming, you are at your creative best, which is why you can create any experience and any scenario with ease. In case of an astral projection, your focus is more on exploring unknown realms than on creating scenarios for wish fulfillment.
As regards the clarity and vividness of the experience, your lucid dream can be just as vivid, clear, and life-like as your astral travels. However, the clarity of your experience depends on how developed your skills are at both astral projection and lucid dreaming.
When you are having a lucid dream, try this experiment. In your lucid dream, go back to bed and imagine that you are slipping out of the body. Once you have floated out of your body, observe your surroundings. Are you really in the astral realm? Or are you dreaming that you are in the astral realm? Since you have tried this experiment, only you can answer the above questions.
Lucid dreaming has innumerable benefits; one of its greatest benefits is that it makes astral projection easier in your waking moments. By having an OOBE in your lucid dream, you can get a taste of shifting your consciousness out of your body. So, if you are finding it difficult to project, try doing so while lucid dreaming, and you will find it easier when you try it in your waking moments.
Article by: Abhishek in ezine articles :)
