Using Prayer to induce Lucid Dreaming?
Ok It's time to confuse everyone who knows I'm an Atheist, by starting this thread. However before I start, let me be clear that I am quite sincere In starting this thread.
Firstly, let me put things into context, I am essentially an open minded Atheist, I am a man of scientific thinking, and am not in any way "Religious" in the traditional sense of the world. If I were to be specific in finding a label for myself I would choose "Scientific Pantheist", as I am not always comfortable with the focus of Atheism on arguing against the existence of God (even though I do not myself adopt a belief in any particular God)
I prefer to focus on the wonders of nature and the universe as revealed by direct experience and science, as it is. With no requirement for a Divinity or supernatural forces... personaly I think the Universe is amazing as it is. But let's not get into that discussion.
So that's my disclaimer over with.
Now whilst I am not a man of religion, I feel it is impossible to ignore the prevelance of Prayer in almost all religions (in one form or another.) To me this says that perhaps there is an underlying use or need for the act of Prayer in the human psyche, that need not be linked to any one religion, or even religious thinking.
Regardless of personal belief, and avoiding the subject of "prayer influencing the outside world beyond our own minds", There is little doubt that many people find a use in the meditative focused state that many call prayer.
Now is Prayer something that need only be reserved for the "religious" or can Atheists like myself use this form of focused-meditation ourselves?
Whilst I do not believe that prayer is a way of talking to "God"
I do believe that it is an ancient human behavour, and because of that, may be deeply rooted in human psychology. In fact many "irrational" religious and superstitious behaviours could be seen this way - and could indeed be rethought and used in new modern applications.
So the question is, to both atheists, agnostics, and the religious alike out there... Have you attempted to use prayer, or if you prefer the term "focused affirmations" to induce lucid dreaming?
Also those of us who do not adopt a particular world religion, or even a supernatural-spiritual-philosophy... How would you consider best the formation of such behaviour? Who or what should we Pray to? The Universe? Our Deeper wiser(perhaps) selves? our Subconscious?
Please, this is not a place to enter into pro or anti religious debate. So please avoid stating your beliefs as FACT (whatever they are)
Prayer could be considered by some as an ancient form of self hypnosis. So if you prefer seeing it that way, then please do (that's how I see it)
I feel there is perhaps a human need to belive in something greater than ourselves, and that belief lends power to this form of self hypnosis.
As an Atheist, it is hard to reword the concept of Prayer to fit my own world view. I do consider myself to be a tiny part of a unimaginably large, mysterious universe... So i personaly would choose either the Universe (although that is hard to relate to in a personal way) or try to "pray to" my Higher self.
So what experiences have people had?
And what do fellow atheists and non-belivers think to adopting this type of self-hypnosis to attempt to increase lucid dreaming?
EDIT:
Having thought about this a little more, I've realised that for those of us who see the brain/mind as a kind-of Biological Computer.
Prayer, or Focused-Thought-Hypnosis, could be seen as a way of setting of the "search" or "run" capacity of the mind. You ask the Mind to find an answer, or to perform a task, whilst in deep focused "prayer", and that action sets off a process that, should if all the required information and power is there, yield a result, once the brain/mind has processed the request.
