Just out of curiosity...

I only really started considering the concept of Lucid dreaming when I read about it in Scientific American. However, even despite reading about in SA and hearing multiple personal accounts, both online and off, I can't help but wonder if everyone's bulls*itting me. Lucid dreaming is one of those things that sounds way to good to be true. Like it's somehow more plausible that there's some elaborate scheme to make me look like a fool (apparently it's working :D). (I'm sure it's obvious I haven't had one yet)

Has anyone else been so skeptical about it? Just for the sake of discussion starting.

(I'm not sure this is in the right thread but I don't really care :\)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GenericUser777

Has anyone else been so skeptical about it?

---

Yes, my friends, and basically everyone I know in real life :|

And no, we are not BSing you :D I was a bit skeptical when I first started too, but when I had my first lucid, it was mind-blowing. It truly is one of those things where you can tell what happened, but there isn't quite a perfect way to describe it really. It's like, an experience you just have to go through to really understand. And don't worry about not having one yet, of course it requires patience like any other skill. But I tell you (and I think many would agree), it's really worth the wait!

Good luck and happy dreaming :banana:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GenericUser777

I only really started considering the concept of Lucid dreaming when I read about it in Scientific American. However, even despite reading about in SA and hearing multiple personal accounts, both online and off, I can't help but wonder if everyone's bulls*itting me. Lucid dreaming is one of those things that sounds way to good to be true. Like it's somehow more plausible that there's some elaborate scheme to make me look like a fool (apparently it's working :D). (I'm sure it's obvious I haven't had one yet)

Has anyone else been so skeptical about it? Just for the sake of discussion starting.

(I'm not sure this is in the right thread but I don't really care :\)

---

Haha, it does sound like it, but I can promise you it really is as good as it sounds! The only thing that I did not realise is how much work, and effort you have to put into it.

What I find is that people will have no problem with Lucid Dreaming becuase its been studied quite alot. But then people start talking about chakras, third eyes, new dimension, astral planes, dream sharing and it makes the whole thing look like a hoax.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dutchraptor

What I find is that people will have no problem with Lucid Dreaming becuase its been studied quite alot. But then people start talking about chakras, third eyes, new dimension, astral planes, dream sharing and it makes the whole thing look like a hoax.

---

What I find even MORE bizarre, is that people believe in gods, and heaven and hell, yet still think of chakras, third eyes, new dimentions and the like as crazy made up stuff.

I am not knocking religion, I am just saying why is that more believable?

Just for the record, I don't know weather I believe in it either. Religion or what you mentioned above.

Also, dutchraptor, do these things have a collective name? Spiritual experiences? Or something?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by isthisit

Also, dutchraptor, do these things have a collective name? Spiritual experiences? Or something?

---

Esotery, esoteric stuff.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littlezoe

Esotery, esoteric stuff.

---

Oh! I thought 'esoteric' just meant secret? Like an esoteric cult, or esoteric agenda?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by isthisit

What I find even MORE bizarre, is that people believe in gods, and heaven and hell, yet still think of chakras, third eyes, new dimentions and the like as crazy made up stuff.

I am not knocking religion, I am just saying why is that more believable?

Just for the record, I don't know weather I believe in it either. Religion or what you mentioned above.

Also, dutchraptor, do these things have a collective name? Spiritual experiences? Or something?

---

Yes I agree, I am athiest so I'm always open to new ideas. Its funny to watch from an outside perspective how all these beliefs clash. I would have no problem if it wasn't for all these people that state that the know their belief is true. I suppose thats what has always pulled me towards science, even when things are proven they are considered to have a high probability of being true and there is always room for improvement.
What's also crazy is that no where in any religious book does it state that chakras etc are not real, currently 90% of catholicism has been made up due to it being used for power for the past 1500 years.

Think of it as just teaching yourself to become conscious during a time when the brain is trying to suppress waking consciousness. That's all it is. It's as real as deciding to take a nap (and then going unconscious). It's just learning how to recognize when you are asleep and dreaming during the dream. Hope that helps to demystify it for you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by isthisit

Oh! I thought 'esoteric' just meant secret? Like an esoteric cult, or esoteric agenda?

---

Well.. in hungarian the word Ezotéria covers all these "mystic" and "godly" things... Ezotéria = Esotery... but maybe they don't even use that in english? I'm not sure...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littlezoe

Well.. in hungarian the word Ezotéria covers all these "mystic" and "godly" things... Ezotéria = Esotery... but maybe they don't even use that in english? I'm not sure...

---

Wiki proves you right, I didn't even know the word before you told us :P

Here's an extract from a user here on DV to back up my previous statement

Quote:

---

Jinns are beings made from smokeless fire the word "jinn" means hidden. We can not see them without them allowing it. They have powers such as body morphing shape shifting the have no particles or molecules so the can move faster then the speed of light. The also can affect our mind the slowly can put a message in our heads without us knowing. The slowly indoctrinate us into worshipping them basically idol worship the have no real power unless you allow them. Now onto the matter at hand, I believe the also give us lucid dreams what do the gain from this ? Well first of all if you practice ADA,wild or what have you your always questioning your surroundings true? This is what the want get you distracted by small things like magicians would do kind of a slight of hand you are distracted by something over here the do something over there. When you are lucid the create the dream scape. The can put in whatever the like. You get the lucid dream they get your body for the amount of time u are lucid. I also believe the are the "Aliens" people have been seen. The want to seem benevolent but their not. They have their diminsion we have ours we should not come into contact but the have abused their power. Well anyway your opinion is what I want to read

---

Difficult to be skeptical of it considering that there is completely nothing magical or paranormal about it. The state of lucidity = just knowing that you are dreaming which is just another type of knowledge. I can dream I know I'm in a school and that's not unbelievable, but when my realized envirnment somehow becomes a dream, suddenly that's strange? People who don't believe in lucid dreams often lead me to believe that they have no idea what it means to be lucid.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dutchraptor

Wiki proves you right, I didn't even know the word before you told us :P

---

Hah yes, i just found this: Esotericism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

So they seem to call it Esotericism which covers all these things... but it's the same as Esotery :P

Hmm, I was pretty sure esoteric meant, basically, something that is only used/done etc. in seclusion too. Kind of like actually saying the word esoteric, very uncommon. x'D

It's very real... so to speak. The ability to lucid dream has been a life changing experience for me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littlezoe

Well.. in hungarian the word Ezotéria covers all these "mystic" and "godly" things... Ezotéria = Esotery... but maybe they don't even use that in english? I'm not sure...

---

Interesting! You just taught me a new word ;)

Lucid Dreaming isn’t a theistic issue where claims any divineness or deity figure to accomplish. In other words it’s not a religious issue or theme. It's simply just manipulating your conscious to be aware in your dreams. It is very real, and many people have and can Lucid Dream. It's an art...maybe a science of its own...I don’t know. But it can be done. Granted though it takes hard work, techniques, and practices. A great deal of study too. Lucid Dreaming isn't something that one can say "I want to Lucid Dream" and be LDing every night a week later. Some are natural born at it...but many it takes weeks, months, or years to get that first LD. Ive had plenty of LDs where I was in full control of my LDs. I had one the other night where I created a 1919 Model T car and was driving down the road...but I hit an electrical poll and woke up lol. I was fully aware and in creative control of my dream. Most LDs can last anywhere from one minute to an hour. It just depends. Research the topic more and you'll find a lot of information on the topic. There is also no fear in LDing. No reason to try to learn it if you want too...but like any learning art or science it takes a great deal of time and practice. And your results are only aided by how serious you take the topic to begin with.

Alright so, sort of related: does anyone (besides myself) think that if lucid dreaming were common school curriculum, kids would stay away from drugs at a higher rate? The only other reason one does drugs, aside from strange experiences, is to numb pain. So I reckon you would be able to provide the experimental needs at least without any of the risks involved, like say, taking Lsd without a sitter.

The world would be a better place if so. :)

I never doubted it. I wondered why. Probably because I read some works from Jung so it didn't seemed unbelievable. Besides there are tons of members explaining about the techniques and their experiences here which make lucid dreaming more real for people who have not attempted it yet.

Your idea of lucid dreaming may sound too good to be true, that we are in total control of our dreams. But as a newbie lucid dreamer, there are many aspects of my dreams I can't control. The term lucid basically just means being conscious in your dreams, being aware you're dreaming while you're dreaming. Naturally most people will try to take control of their dreams and try to do something different from the norm because you can easily slipped back into a non-lucid if you lose control. Not to mention all the excitement one gets from being lucid makes you want to do something different.

Oh I'm well aware that lucidity and control are different things. x'D But it still seems awesome just to have lucidity, without it dreams are very vague and blurry, and it's kind of like being in third person (if that makes sense). It would be cool to experience it 'first hand'.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GenericUser777

Lucid dreaming is one of those things that sounds way to good to be true.

Has anyone else been so skeptical about it?

---

I've never really thought about it until a few months ago, but I'm quite the believer in the power of the mind, and the fact that there is a Great deal about the human brain that we have yet to discover.
I recalled having many lucid dreams as a kid, thought they were nightmares and I would use my lucidity to end the dream. I found this site about two months ago and found it to be Very helpful, I've had 5 lucid events so far, and will have Many more in the future! It sounds too good to be true, but you'd better start believing, because believing that you can have lucid dreams helps you Greatly.
I've read quite a bit, and although I may not have had very many, I can still give advice that I have picked up from other people. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GenericUser777

Oh I'm well aware that lucidity and control are different things. x'D But it still seems awesome just to have lucidity, without it dreams are very vague and blurry, and it's kind of like being in third person (if that makes sense). It would be cool to experience it 'first hand'.

---

I get what you mean by 3rd person perspective. But what I feel you're saying is more of a vividness problem than a lucid problem. Ever since my vividness for my non-lucid increased because of dream recall and dream journalling, I don't feel I am not in control when I am dreaming. Of course my consciousness isn't aware but something else is making me me instead of a cast in a bigger movie.

I was thinking today, what if prisoners learned to lucid dream. They might actually have a good time :cheeky: