Lucid dreaming

[Markus74]

I tend to dream a lot and I'm quite fascinated by it. I'm reading something about lucid dreaming right now but I'm wondering why I would wish to be able to do that? What's really the benefit of lucid dreaming? Ok, you can potentially do anything you want and that could be cool but it still remains virtual. You don't really share the experience with anyone. It's like watching a fascinating movie alone or starring in a play of one? And isn't it also mainly a way to escape (a boring?) reality?

So I'm really curious as to what the benefit of lucid dreaming would be.

[impaul99]

For me it has mainly been a learning experience. For example, once you become lucid in your dream, you may want to have conversations with the other characters in your dream to find out what it's all about. It's like talking to your subconscious mind. ie. if someone is chasing you all the time in your dreams, you can stop, turn around and ask them why they are chasing you etc.

Also, there are the obvious benefits of being able to play out your fantasies in a dream world which is much more real than daydreaming for example.

Mostly, in one way or another I would say that lucid dreaming helps you learn about yourself and your innermost subconsious feelings, fears etc.

The first time you are capable of having a lucid dream and the first time you learn how to fly in a dream are all awesome experiences of intense freedom.

The most annoying is waking up before you're ready.

[Michael Chui]

I would argue that if your reality is boring, then your dreams will be, too.

[Erin Pavlina]

Listen to my podcast on lucid dreaming because I discuss some of the benefits. I've studied for a test in a lucid dream. And I've done things I could never do while awake. All consciously. And besides, it's your time. YOu're not doing much at that time anyway, why not do what you want to do or have always wanted to do but couldn't?

[Frans]

If I never would have had any lucid dreams, I think I never would have considered the subjective reality concept.

[impaul99]

Originally Posted by Frans

If I never would have had any lucid dreams, I think I never would have considered the subjective reality concept.

Yes I agree. For me it was a tree that did it. I saw a beautiful tree with thousands of leaves swaying in the wind. I was lucid and watched it wondering how the heck my mind is capable of calculating and imagining this tree in total perfection. I lookeda round and there was a whole world right in front of me, with smells, sounds etc. that looked just as real and felt just as real as the waking world. It was then that I realized that the subconsious mind that is creating THAT world can EASILY create this world I am in right now if it wanted to without any effort on my consious part.

Also, when you have dreams in which you wake up and think you're awake and then you realize you're still in a dream so you wake up again, that's kinda trippy. I've had one before where I kept waking up but it was still a dream. I think if I remember correctly I had to wake up like 5 times before I was actually really awake, if there is such a thing.

[Erin Pavlina]

Yes false awakenings are a sure sign that your mind is battling to stay conscious. What happens to me, often, is if I have a really great dream, I'll dream that I wake up and tell someone the dream, then dream I wake up again to realize that was a false awakening, and tell someone in my dream about that, and so on. It's actually a helpful tool in remembering your dreams.

Stay conscious all day AND all night. Why not I say?

[Markus74]

Originally Posted by impaul99

Also, when you have dreams in which you wake up and think you're awake and then you realize you're still in a dream so you wake up again, that's kinda trippy.

That's trippy indeed! I had that a few times as well. To dream in a dream is way cool. Especially when you realize that the first awakening was still while you were dreaming.

Anyone know what those kind of dreams mean?

[Markus74]

And speaking of dreams, I once had a dream where I was falling into a black hole and I knew that if I wouldn't fight to wake up immediately I would literally physically die ... Now THAT was a scary one

[Blueskied]

False awakenings suck. Annoying struggle between waking up or sleeping deeply.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by impaul99

Yes I agree. For me it was a tree that did it. I saw a beautiful tree with thousands of leaves swaying in the wind. I was lucid and watched it wondering how the heck my mind is capable of calculating and imagining this tree in total perfection. I lookeda round and there was a whole world right in front of me, with smells, sounds etc. that looked just as real and felt just as real as the waking world. It was then that I realized that the subconsious mind that is creating THAT world can EASILY create this world I am in right now if it wanted to without any effort on my consious part.

Trippy. Really makes you wonder how much of what we experience is real compared to the electric impulses we perceive filtered through the mind.

Originally Posted by impaul99

Also, there are the obvious benefits of being able to play out your fantasies in a dream world which is much more real than daydreaming for example.

Heh heh I can think of obvious uses for this one

But I've heard that in your dream state you don't think in the same way, someone I know who does lucid dreaming told me that in his dream state his physical wants fall away. Is that true in your own experience too?

This is definitely very interesting, I just started writing out my dreams in a dream journal to help me take the first step towards becoming a lucid dreamer.

[Erin Pavlina]

Originally Posted by Alvin

But I've heard that in your dream state you don't think in the same way, someone I know who does lucid dreaming told me that in his dream state his physical wants fall away. Is that true in your own experience too?

As a woman I can tell you that my engagements with Johnny Depp, David Boreanaz, and Keanu Reeves reveal that my physical wants are very much intact in a lucid dream; heightened even. However, I have heard tell that men don't get to experience the same result, shall we say, as women do. Bummer for them.

[JJH]

I always used to have lucid dreams before I really knew what they were. I'd wake up in the morning and be in a real rush, get ready for school, (which I was usually late for). Real mundane stuff, shower, dress, brush teeth, etc etc (all real time, all just like life) -- only to wake up for real, and discover I had to do it all over again!!!

So I think from that point, I trained myself not to dream lucidly!

Since taking up Holosync, my dreams have gotten vivid again (or at least my recall has gotten better), so I'm going to try to go lucid!!

[Markus74]

This dream thing is getting interesting ...

Last night I had several dreams again and I woke up in the middle of one. I fell asleep again, the 'story' continued but this time I said to somebody in the dream: This is not as bad as it looks, because it's only a dream.

Or at least I think I've said that. Hm, anyway. Looking forward to dream again

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

As a woman I can tell you that my engagements with Johnny Depp, David Boreanaz, and Keanu Reeves reveal that my physical wants are very much intact in a lucid dream; heightened even. However, I have heard tell that men don't get to experience the same result, shall we say, as women do. Bummer for them.

Hmm Erin I remember you saying you've been an animal before in your lucid dreams...ever been a man? I'd love to hear that perspective

And how about the male lucid dreamers? Ever been a woman?

[Erin Pavlina]

I've definitely been a man in my dreams before. Not sure if I was lucid though. I'll have to think about that and see if I can recall one.

[Lychee]

When I dream it just seems like a movie playing out. It seems like I am not conscious of what is occurring but that I am merely seeing things happen.

[cloud]

Originally Posted by Alvin

But I've heard that in your dream state you don't think in the same way, someone I know who does lucid dreaming told me that in his dream state his physical wants fall away. Is that true in your own experience too?

In my experience, I definitely do not think the same way, though that doesn't necessarily mean I still don't fulfill physical desires. I pride myself in my self-control while I'm awake, but in dreams, that self-control is almost non-existant. So when I'm lucid, I tend run around on impulse, doing whatever I feel like in the moment instead of trying to experience a particular thing. Totally different from my waking life.

However, I have heard tell that men don't get to experience the same result, shall we say, as women do. Bummer for them.

I'm a man and I've had plenty of dream experiences (lucid and not) that required a bit of cleanup aftewards .