Thread: Are some people just more in tune with the supernatural?

The way you worded your initial statement, it sounds as if you believe that lucid dreaming is somehow intrinsically connected to supernatural phenomena, is that the case? If so, why? Also, I don't mean to just shoot all of your experiences down (even though if you wind up sharing some, it might sound like I do just that), but can you share a few of your experiences and why exactly you are 100% convinced they are supernatural in nature, and couldn't have a more rational (and verifiable) explanation?

To answer your actual question, I don't think it's not that uncommon. This board is seems like a hotbed for people that believe in the supernatural/paranormal. I can't really tell if people are simply more comfortable talking about it here, the site itself is more geared toward discussion of these phenomena, that people who lucid dream seemingly believe in the supernatural/paranormal more, or what. It's difficult to gauge just how representative it is of people who have access to the internet--naturally I'm inclined to believe that it is misrepresents the occurrence of these kinds of beliefs... the again I know plenty of people in real life that believe in ghosts and things of that nature.

If you look at human history, it seems almost natural to believe in supernatural and paranormal phenomena. As we've both become more civilized, encouraged to critically analyze information and experiences, have the tools that allow us greater insight into natural phenomena, and we can more easily and rapidly share information with one another, it's a trend that is slowly fading out. Not necessarily because those who publicly believe in these things are ostracized or made fun of, but because it's more and more apparent that we have a propensity to misinterpret reality, we have great imaginations, and as we become more educated and understand more about our reality, it's clear that we are making faulty assumptions when we simply attribute something to the supernatural or paranormal.

As for Lucid Dreaming and supernatural, perhaps it could be true but, you have to look at both sides of the spectrum, I guess?

Well Snoop, I did already share my most significant experience on another thread, which you've seen already. For me it was very real but that will not be convincing to someone wlse who has not ever experienced it. I do believe in the supernatural and that was the convincing moment for me. I just wanted to know of others who feel they've had convincing experiences. Maybe I should ask what you believe happens to us when we die, do we just dissapear in a void of nothingness or do you believe that our energy somehow continues to exist in some way.. If you believe there is still existance after death then you believe in the supernatural, no? Everything is made of energy so why can't there be layers of it all existing in the same space but not always perceived? Science can't disprove the supernatural but then there was a time when they couldn't prove the earth was round and anyone who thought so was nuts right? So just because there is no way right now to prove there is soul of different realities etc. doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
If there is nothing after this life then what's the point of it all?

Everyone has had unexplained things happen to them. Things that seem so strange that our minds jump to wild conclusions. Every time in the history of mankind we investigated these unexplained things they were caused by boring natural causes. All of the times we didn't investigate thoroughly enough are still UNEXPLAINED. What you are saying is that when we can't explain something we should make up an explanation instead. What ever seems cool or makes us feel good will work. The supernatural is just what people say when they admit they have no good explanation for what they are talking about. If they had an explanation it would be part of the natural, not the supernatural.

Personal experience really doesn't mean anything. It doesn't matter if you are lying or actually believe it. The only thing that matters is if you can support your claims with evidence. If what you experienced is possible it is repeatable, testible and should only be believed once we understand WHY it is possible.

Originally Posted by Dreamwalkwr

So just because there is no way right now to prove there is soul of different realities etc. doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

If someone believed the earth was round before they had evidence they WOULD be crazy if they thought it was round. As you admit, we currently have no way of testing if souls exist, and although that doesn't mean they don't exist it means we shouldn't believe they exist.

Originally Posted by Dreamwalkwr

Maybe I should ask what you believe happens to us when we die, do we just dissapear in a void of nothingness or do you believe that our energy somehow continues to exist in some way..

When we are dead, we are dead. Our brains stop working, our bodies stop working, and we decay into smelly mush. We don't just disappear into a void we just stop being very good at thinking. Asking where our personalities go when we die is like what happens to the flame when you put out the candle. The flame doesn't go somewhere else it just stops being a flame.

Originally Posted by snoop

This board is seems like a hotbed for people that believe in the supernatural/paranormal

You would think this would be the opposite. Lucid dreaming is all about learning to question reality. We learn that we are being fooled by our brains into believing crazy things every night while we dream. Shouldn't that be a humbling experience? One that promotes skepticism? For me, this forum has made me much more skeptical than when I first came here and I am thankful for that.

Ok well guys. I'll believe what I believe and you beloeve what you believe.

Originally Posted by Dreamwalkwr

Well Snoop, I did already share my most significant experience on another thread, which you've seen already. For me it was very real but that will not be convincing to someone wlse who has not ever experienced it. I do believe in the supernatural and that was the convincing moment for me. I just wanted to know of others who feel they've had convincing experiences. Maybe I should ask what you believe happens to us when we die, do we just dissapear in a void of nothingness or do you believe that our energy somehow continues to exist in some way.. If you believe there is still existance after death then you believe in the supernatural, no? Everything is made of energy so why can't there be layers of it all existing in the same space but not always perceived? Science can't disprove the supernatural but then there was a time when they couldn't prove the earth was round and anyone who thought so was nuts right? So just because there is no way right now to prove there is soul of different realities etc. doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
If there is nothing after this life then what's the point of it all?

I didn't realize it was you in the other thread because you changed your avatar, sorry. To answer your question about what I think happens when you die... personally I think nothing happens. That is to say, the "you" that previously existed no longer exists because the physical phenomena responsible for maintaining the existence of the self, your identity, your consciousness, and awareness is no longer taking place. In a way you could say that your energy continues to exist in some way, but from what I can gather, the way you use the word energy is distinct from the way I use the word energy. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but the definition of energy you are using relates more to spirituality, i.e. your energy as a spirit or some kind of non-corporeal entity, the energies people refer to when talking about chakras, and the kind of energies people are referring to when they say someone or something has good or bad energy emanating from it, auras, etc. Maybe you don't mean it the same way as all of those, but you aren't meaning it in the strictly scientific sense. That is the definition I am using. Matter, and by that same token, energy can neither be created nor destroyed. The energy that once was a part of "you" indeed continues to exist in some form or another after you die, but more in the Circle-of-Life kind of way, as opposed to existing as a spirit/soul/non-corporeal entity.

It's entirely possible that you could wind up existing as a spirit or non-corporeal entity, but there isn't any evidence supporting the idea at all. Anecdotal evidence isn't effective proof on its own anyway, but it's only made worse by how easily many people are fooled into believing ghosts are contacting and communicating with them, and by the number of people who simply fake interaction with them (which also winds up going on to fool others, which as I just mentioned already makes the whole idea look that much more foolish). If a very large majority of people reported what they believe to be legitimate contact with spirits and ghosts, it would at least seem somewhat plausible, but that simply isn't the case. What's more is that I've never experienced any kind of contact with a spirit myself. You simply can't help the fact that it's much more likely to be something much more mundane rather than supernatural. The mind is far from a perfect tool when it comes to interpreting reality, and once you realize just how fragile your sense of reality really can be (and is), it doesn't make sense to assume that something must have a supernatural cause based on the fact that it's "possible". It's possible I could wind up being the richest man in the world in 2 years, but merely stating the fact that it's possible doesn't reflect the extremely low probability of its occurrence.

I'm not trying to talk you out of your beliefs, don't take my post that way. You asked me my beliefs and opinions on the subject, so I responded to your question... with a very long answer, lol. I don't find anything wrong with you believing what you do, it doesn't have any bearing on me or negatively affect anybody other than possibly yourself (not saying it does, I just mean that I am all for freedom unless some third party person's safety or well-being is jeopardized).

edit: I forgot to address your last question, about what the point of life is. I see this asked a lot, and to answer I would have to say the point is whatever you make it. The significance of your life or of living in general is something that only you can decide. I don't believe there is an objective point to living, and I don't think there needs to be. I would have to ask why you think that there has to be some objective reason for living in response, just out of curiosity. I can understand why people would want to believe there is, but if it turned out there isn't a point, would it really make that big of a difference to you? Would you suddenly chose to forego the opportunity of living?

No, it's not about foregoing the option of living, though there were times I may have if I didnt believe in some purpose.

I 100% believe in the supernatural, my past experiences are enough proof for me. To have a supernatural experience you have to first open your mind to the possibilities, do some research on the subject and then actively seek it. Only by actively seeking a supernatural experience with an open mind will you have one in my opinion. If you're closed minded you will probably not encounter such an experience and even if you do you might just rationalise it away or not think much of it. It usually takes several supernatural occurrences before you start to truly believe in it. For me I don't just believe there is a god, a soul and and afterlife... I know it. I've just had too many experiences that have proven the existence of this stuff as a real thing.