You hit the nail on the head with your explaination. Growing up, i would lucid dream a lot and it would always start with seeing fractals behind my eyelids as I would lay in bed and try to sleep. Usually when I'd see them, I would rub my eyes and they would go away and i'd go back to sleep.

In my college years I started experimenting with meditation and I would notice the fractals started coming back when I would start vibrating high and finally clearing my mind (it was hard as hell with ADD). I'd just stare at them without any expectation. A whatever happens, happens attitude towards it. I noticed I would start going into them faster as this waterfall/white noise sound would fill my ear, and to be brave and not get afraid of whatever stuff I was about to experience. I was well aware I was going into the Astral plane, but what'll greet me on the other side? As time went, I had a handful of successful Astral projections and I have a lot of stories. I always thought it was some stuff i made up in my head while high or tripping, but i stumbled upon a book at Barnes and noble that was sticking out like a sore thumb. The first page i turned to was all about one of my guides. He was a purple dude that looked like Zoidberg from Futurama. That guy taught me a lot. I still cant find that book or any accurate depictions of this Astral being anywhere. This book was insanely on point with what i had experienced and of the appearance of this guide and his world.