Thread: Is OBE a form of Lucid Dreaming or not?

Through asserting that you want no mystical stuff in this thread, you've already answered your question. And if we are not to comment on the supposed 'mystical stuff', then it's merely semantics we're arguing here.

Originally Posted by MrTransitory

Through asserting that you want no mystical stuff in this thread, you've already answered your question. And if we are not to comment on the supposed 'mystical stuff', then it's merely semantics we're arguing here.

I was unsure of my answer, and I love me some semantic arguments

Originally Posted by vmenge

I was unsure of my answer, and I love me some semantic arguments

The problem is that we're dealing with a wholly subjective experience, so there can be no objectivity. That is to say, these experiences (WILD, levels of Lucidity, OBE, AP etc) vary widely between people. So classification will naturally vary.

And effectively, it comes down to whether you tend to classify experiences by their differences - If you do, then you will obviously favour multiple classification of what, in my opinion, is the same phenomenon. Conversely, if you search for similarities between experiences, then you're likely to classify them as one and the same. Classification to that end, then, is merely a type of outlook on phenomena.

Can I ask, when you WILD, do you 'wake up in your bed' then get up and leave your body or do you go into a fully-fledged dream world? I ask this because people differ in this respect.

Originally Posted by MrTransitory

Can I ask, when you WILD, do you 'wake up in your bed' then get up and leave your body or do you go into a fully-fledged dream world? I ask this because people differ in this respect.

I'll tell you as soon as I'm able to WILD

Originally Posted by vmenge

I'll tell you as soon as I'm able to WILD

Ah, well good luck. It'll be quite the experience the first time.

To thine own self be true.

If some people can AP (mystical) as frequently as the scientific lot have OBEs, then if they're not dishonest to themselves they should be able to prove if they're literally removed from their physical body. Unfortunately, I think those that tend to believe in AP are those who, at the onset, are not critical, sceptical thinkers, and are convinced that it's a real phenomenon on emotional grounds rather than rational grounds.

If I were to suddenly AP, literally, then I would look to disprove its reality. If I could not, and had evidence supporting its reality then I would be forced to accept it. How I would convince another, however, I have no idea. But I'd certainly not be dismissive and defensively hostile when questioned.


Edit. - I could easily convince another by having them observe me during sleep whilst I tell them what's in the next room. Easy.