OBE Trumping Lucidity

[Hotkafka]

After a reasonable degree of success with LDing, I decided to open up my personal process and begin experimenting with AP/OBE. For those who don't know, there tends to be a considerable amount of energy body work in the early going. Anyway, almost immediately I had success, however the type of success I was having certainly wasn't expected. First, there's a number of similarities between LD and OBE/AP preparation and induction techniques -not to mention the similaries between various aspects of the two phenomenon in the first place. Probably the most notable similarity with regard to the prep work revolves around cultivating an ideal state of relaxation, which of course is very useful when trying to maintain one's awareness while the body falls asleep -or shifts into paralysis -as is typically the case with WILD. Anyway, after a while I realized that the AP relaxation techniques were so effective I was no longer entering dreamstates, but bypassing dreaming altogether and triggering conscious projections, even when I was trying to dream! Matter of fact, it became almost automatic. The significant downside is I seem to no longer have as much control over my lucidity when I do manage to enter a dreamstate -as all the work I've put in to trigger consistent reality checks seems to have taken a considerable nose dive. I'm not sure why this is, and can only guess that this may be a reflection of my brain's increased need for REM sleep due to the increased activity in OBE time. I could very well be wrong here, however. Also, I noticed early on in training for lucidity that I was often having OBE or projections as opposed to LD's. Perhaps this is simply a biological predisposition, who knows. For awhile making the distinction between an LD and a OBE was pretty difficult, as many aspects of the experiences are similar. Even now, I've noticed when I'm losing energy or clarity in an OBE I'll drift into a 'tween state that seems to resemble lucidity more than anything else. I wonder if any of you have similar experiences, and what you have done to avoid one practice becoming more dominant than the other? Any feedback is welcome and will be appreciated.

[Matte87]

*Moved to a more fitting place.