OBE vs. AP, and some other questions?

[Scyze]

Hello all! First post on this forum. I've read a bit on Steve's portions on psychic development, which lead me to read Erin's blog. I read it all over 3 days, thoroughly hooked.

I consider myself a fledgling psion. I'm not sure if any of you here are familiar with the term, though I'm sure at least a few are. A psion is a practitioner of psychic powers, or psionics, but generally takes a more scientific approach (belief in an energy called psi). Because of this kind of approach, at my home site where I first became interested in psychic phenomenon, they never discussed Astral Projection because it had 'spiritual' and 'religious' overtones (undertones? I don't know). However, now that I've read so much about it from Erin, I'm really interested in it. Unfortunately, I'm confused about quite a few things. D:

OBE and AP are generally understood as two different things back on my home site, PsiPog.net. OBE is a way of leaving the body, except it's based more on waiting or 'triggering' vibrations which let you pop out, and then you can explore. Thing is, there's not really exploration of 'planes' or 'levels', it's just like looking at your own world, but out of body. Another thing is that it's not quite the same, either--things can be percieved differently and changed around and such. Also, it's sort of uncommon to encounter another person in an OBE. And I've never heard of encountering a malevolent entity in an OBE--unless you manifest it with your own thoughts or fears. That's probably the biggest difference to me.

The way I've read it with AP is that it has a lot more 'fantasy' and unreal elements to it, and you can also manifest things there with your thoughts, fears, intentions, etc. At the same time, I've read about being able to go to different planes, or even making a little private 'world'. Also, it seems commonplace to meet astral entities (good or bad) all over the place.

So, is there -really- a difference? And if not, why would you not find what you'd find in an AP in an OBE? What I'm also confused about is how exactly you AP. There's no clear cut guide on it, aside from doing it from a lucid dream, but I think I'd be able to do it straight from consciousness. I've never actually had an OBE -or- AP, but I have a fair amount of practice with putting my body to sleep. I can get about to the stage where I no longer feel my body, and it almost feels like I'm floating (but still not seperated).

So, I don't really understand what I would have to do to AP without lucid dreaming (straight from consciousness, mind awake body asleep). Can someone give me a tip there?

[skydust]

the difference between OBE and AP is that in OBE you project into what we refer to as the real time zone, whereas in an AP you are in the astral planes, which as you say can be manipulated by intent and are also the home of many other astral beings.

for furher information please check out these forums, they are specialized on AP and OBEs. you will find experienced answers to all your questions there.

Astral Dynamics :: Index
The Astral Pulse - Index

[Erin Pavlina]

I'll add to what skydust said...

To me, an obe usually happens without conscious intent, like when trauma to your body occurs or you are on the surgical table or you are dying but come back as in a near death experience.

With astral projection you consciously leave your body with the intent to do so. It may happen spontaneously but you still intended it. Once you separate out of your body you can stay on the prime material plane, what skydust refers to as the real time zone, or you can increase or decrease your vibration to reach other planes.