Key Difference – Lucid Dreaming vs Astral Projection
Lucid dreaming and astral projection are sometimes argued as the same thing and sometimes as two different things. Both of these are ways of entering in to a non-physical dimension. Lucid dreaming and astral projection require practice and calm state of mind to achieve greater results. Through this article let us examine the differences between the two words.
What is Lucid Dreaming?
Lucid dreaming is a type of dreaming. The difference of lucid dreaming in comparison with normal dreaming or nightmares is that this process is more conscious. The awareness allows one to dream and to manipulate the content of the dream. Lucid dreaming, therefore, allows one to enjoy and experience things that are impossible in real life. E.g. fly like a bird or jump off a cliff without having to worry about getting hurt. Depending on the person’s ability and creativity lucid dreaming can reach new levels. Some studies have shown that lucid dreaming can be helpful to do astral projection. According to studies, by lucid dreaming about astral projection, it is achieved easily. Although lucid dreaming feels vivid since there is a cognitive involvement, it is considered as conscious dreaming. While lucid dreaming increased activity in the parietal lobes of the brain, beta-1 frequency in the brain signals also have been observed; these are signs to show that a person is fully aware of the dream.
What is Astral Projection?
Astral projection is also a conscious process. Frequently mentioned in eastern religions and philosophies, astral projection is assumed to be a way of escaping from the physical body to an outside world. To do so, there should be an “astral body” a non-physical entity in our bodies. It is believed that once the astral body comes out (Out of body experience), it can travel in different dimensions with complete awareness. To obtain such state heavy meditation and lucid dreaming is used. Many people witness that it is possible and most of them have experienced astral projection or astral traveling in near death experiences, highly sedated states, and with the use of some drugs. People like Buddhist monks or Hindus who meditate in depth achieves this ability very easily. For them, this is a sign of spiritual advancement. The key is, to be completely aware of mind and deeds. Astral traveling can be non-physical traveling in the physical world and also visiting other dimensions, and different eras. For a first timer astral projection may hold certain restrictions because of the mindset but as a person explores it is assumed to have no restrictions nor ends.
What is the difference between Lucid Dreaming and Astral Projection?
Definitions of Lucid dreaming and Astral Projection:
Lucid dreaming: Lucid dreaming is a type of dreaming.
Astral Projection: Astral projection is a conscious process.
Characteristics of Lucid dreaming and Astral Projection:
Nature of Experience:
Lucid dreaming: Lucid dreaming is is not an out of body experience.
Astral Projection: Astral projection is an out of body experience.
Function:
Lucid dreaming: Lucid dreaming allows a person to create a world within the limits of consciousness and be extremely creative.
Astral Projection: Astral projection is more like exploring an unknown world which is already there.
Awareness:
Lucid dreaming: In lucid dreaming, a person is totally aware and controls what he/she dreams.
Astral Projection: In astral projection, a person is aware and at the same time controls what he/she does.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Antonio de Pereda y Salgado – The Knight’s Dream – WGA17164” by Antonio de Pereda – Web Gallery of Art: Image Info about artwork. [Public Domain] via Commons
2. “Inicio projecao“. [Public Domain] via Commons
