Non-lucid VS Lucid VS Astral
What makes a lucid dream is the simple fact of knowing you are in a dream. The word "knowing" is a bit presumptuous, since we rarely ever really know anything for sure. If not knowing, then it's the way you conceptualize it. Either you think of it as real, or you think of it as a dream, and THAT makes ALL the difference.
The Astral realm is then just a third popular way of conceptualizing the very same dream space. Much like the difference between lucid and non-lucid dreams, each having their own rules of how we think they should operate according to how we conceptualize them, the astral works in the same way. Which makes for a lot of variation when you begin comparing different accounts of what the astral is supposed to be.
This astral conceptualization is inferior to the lucid one by far. Reason being: Freedom. If you think you are in an astral realm, that implies it is a "real" place on some level, and your actions have consequences. You have to be careful. In a lucid dream, you know nothing is real, and that is incredibly freeing. It's that sense of unhindered freedom that makes lucid dreaming so great.
That's not to say all the alleged paranormal aspects of the astral realm aren't possible, they are possible within any dream space, the only thing holding you back is yourself. Cursed are the list makers, for their work is never done. Like those poor schmucks who describe endless detail of the various astral levels.
For the Castanedians:
I propose that regular dream, lucid, and astral, are three complete and distinct worlds, each with their own distinct rules, much like DJ described. Access to each is as simple as a shift of attention.
