[Olphander]

Something that I've contemplated, though indeed it does take a back seat to actual experience, in the language we use in describing and understanding OBEs, Astral Projections and the many phenomenon associated with it.
What I mean, is that though most universally minded thinkers in the field concede that these phenomena are ancient and a part of all cultures and spiritual traditions, they stay within a very modern and western vantage point. I have only seen the occasional attempt to connect them with certain Hindu or Tibetan Buddhist terms. Sometimes one gets decriptions of OBEs in holy texts and spiritual figures.
Though language shouldn't be important, it can be when one set of terms takes precedent over all others. I sometimes want to know the terms from my own tradition. It's not just about nuances, it's about words carrying means and associations that are important. For example, someone from the Cherokee tribe or a Hassidic Jew might have these experiences, but be alienated from the OBE community because they have their own way of describing and understanding it.
The history of many of these terms and concepts are modern and associated with the Theosophic, Occult and New Age movements. I think a noble task at some point both for individuals and someone with the time and resources, would be to study in depth OBEs and how terms and concepts from various traditions and cultures might overlap and differ.
Just something that has been on my mind.
Cheers,
Azeem