Abandoning belief that it's a dream

**Coglapse** · 08-21-2011 03:42 AM

I was just thinking how sometimes the knowledge that you're in a lucid dream could negatively affect the quality of it. And that there are certain instances where forgetting that you're in a dream (after you had first become lucid) is beneficial. Say for instance if you are trying to live some type of fantasy out, or confront a bully, etc - having the knowledge that it's all just a dream could possibly affect the catharsis of the dream. Maybe we need to actually feel the fear that would take place if we thought it was real.

Perhaps that after you set the dream in motion by creating circumstances by becoming lucid, it would be wise to train yourself to forget that it's just a dream.

Has anyone every thought about this?

**Solarflare** · 08-21-2011 04:04 AM

By trying to forget that its a dream, you remember that its a dream.

**Oneironaut Zero** · 08-21-2011 04:24 AM

Originally Posted by Solarflare

By trying to forget that its a dream, you remember that its a dream.

That depends on how you go about it. If you develop the technique of forgetting that you're dreaming by simply focusing more on the elements of the dream as if they are real, you will will (usually) become more aware of the elements as how they are projected to be, and not as 'dream elements.' For instance, if you are dreaming that you are in a museum, don't try to think 'ok, I have to forget that this is a dream. Don't think it's a dream. Don't think it's a dream..." Instead, you start to look at the paintings as if you are are awake, and in an actual art gallery. Start taking in the details of the pictures. Marvel at the artistry. Touch the frames and admire the craftwork, etc.

To the OP. I largely agree with this. It is for this reason that I have never wanted all of my dreams to be lucid. I do believe that there is some level importance of living out our dreams without realize them to be dreams. Though, while lucid, I never really try to forget it's a dream. However, there are many dreams that I wake up from, glad that I got to experience them as they played out, and that the story/situation didn't get interrupted by the knowledge that it was just a dream.