Thread: Heard this on another site.

mcwillis...please explain specifically how lucid dreaming can be dangerous and provide specific examples, otherwise, stop spreading rumors that lucid dreaming is dangerous without backing up your claim.

Originally Posted by Aquanina

mcwillis...please explain specifically how lucid dreaming can be dangerous and provide specific examples, otherwise, stop spreading rumors that lucid dreaming is dangerous without backing up your claim.

It is not rumour. Now there are many different opinions on the dangers, one only has to read The Art of Dreaming by Carlos Casteneda. I then came across a book written by an occultist, an adept, and veteran lucid dreamer. I have used some of the techniques from this book in lucid dreams and I have proven that the dream state is not merely a conjuration of biochemical processes within the brain...It is far more than that and there are dangers. I have given a specific example above.

Originally Posted by mcwillis

It is not rumour. Now there are many different opinions on the dangers, one only has to read The Art of Dreaming by Carlos Casteneda. I then came across a book written by an occultist, an adept, and veteran lucid dreamer. I have used some of the techniques from this book in lucid dreams and I have proven that the dream state is not merely a conjuration of biochemical processes within the brain...It is far more than that and there are dangers. I have given a specific example above.

I do believe there might be some truth to this. I've read similar things in conscious dreaming by Robert Moss. Then again, it all depends on what you choose to do with lucid dreaming.

as someone who has experienced the unhealthy side of this while on medication, practising awareness is the only way to make sure that if something like this happens to you again, you are able to recognise it for the dreamstate/hallucination it realy is

Someone who has abandoned the trivial pursuit of an hallucination might disagree, whiterain. If you know what you're experiencing is not real, yet can not figure out how your mind could still create [something] that elaborate, then you might be tempted to explore that particular aspect of it.

If you let go of it all to pursue this delusion then you will suffer, it's that simple. Some people just know how to bring it into their waking life, though they usually end up in a state hospital.

Originally Posted by greenhavoc

Someone who has abandoned the trivial pursuit of an hallucination might disagree, whiterain. If you know what you're experiencing is not real, yet can not figure out how your mind could still create [something] that elaborate, then you might be tempted to explore that particular aspect of it.

If you let go of it all to pursue this delusion then you will suffer, it's that simple. Some people just know how to bring it into their waking life, though they usually end up in a state hospital.

agreed although as i see it, these are not problems with lucid dreaming, but lucid living which is a whole step further that most people will probably never reach yet

Originally Posted by mcwillis

I have used some of the techniques from this book in lucid dreams and I have proven that the dream state is not merely a conjuration of biochemical processes within the brain...It is far more than that and there are dangers.

I'm curious how you proved this?

Originally Posted by Aquanina

I'm curious how you proved this?

Same here.

"
lu·cid
   /ˈlusɪd/ Show Spelled[loo-sid] Show IPA
–adjective
1.
easily understood; completely intelligible or comprehensible: a lucid explanation.
2.
characterized by clear perception or understanding; rational or sane: a lucid moment in his madness.
3.
shining or bright.
4.
clear; pellucid; transparent."

"Lucid living"?

Originally Posted by mcwillis

I have used some of the techniques from this book in lucid dreams and I have proven that the dream state is not merely a conjuration of biochemical processes within the brain...It is far more than that and there are dangers. I have given a specific example above.

And now I'll be reading this book only to verify this claim, since I'm such a helpless skeptic.
I'd better sharpen my Lucid Dreaming skills first though...

I wiki'd the book and am not impressed, something to do with "the gates of dreaming" having a physical location in the body (first one is the foot, second is the calf...?), seems very much like nonsense to me, also he says something about an "energy body"? Ill assume this is pretty much a soul or something alike, and there is no proof for the existence of the soul (Someone correct me with evidence if they can)... mcwillis, having read the book maybe you can explain in more detail about these things, and show that they have any validity in reality (don't just list me another book to read, you're making the claims, you have to provide the evidence.)

mcwillis, if lucid dreaming were dangerous, we would all be dead, because we have multiple dreams in one night.

Trust me. It's 100% safe.

It really is a good movie. It was inaccurate enough, from what I know (very little) about controlling dreams and such, that I don't think it would be very impressionable on anyone who DOES know about lucid dreaming. If you know absolutely nothing though, and then someone tried to tell you about lucid dreaming, you'd probably never want to even go there.

it is JUST A MOVIE so do not take it seriously but it is very good!

Simply enough, the guy is ignorant about WILDing. He's wrong because it's definitely something you can control. Although we as humans go into SP sometimes without our wanting to it's not something that happens on a regular basis, especially without the drive for it to occur. And as for mixing up dreams with reality?

Give me a break.

No no, you got it wrong, he/she said that LDing is dangerous if you start playing with stuff that people shouldn't work with, whatever that is. I will try it of course, reading that book now lol

this is a good argument and I am on the fence, I do not really credit knowledge gathered from a book talking about "energy bodies?" Sounds like Astral projection BS? please correct me.

Originally Posted by moongrass

this is a good argument and I am on the fence, I do not really credit knowledge gathered from a book talking about "energy bodies?" Sounds like Astral projection BS? please correct me.

your energy body is essentially just your thought body or the body you are in while dreaming. it is annoying when they use these terms that put people off though

If that is all that is meant than people should specify. Most people that say 'energy body' believe it to be a physical thing.

Originally Posted by moongrass

If that is all that is meant than people should specify. Most people that say 'energy body' believe it to be a physical thing.

now were getting into tricky territory. the physical is essentially just compressed energy. e=mc2 and all that jazz

but i agree people shouldnt use such vague terms

yes but that is not what I am saying.

Originally Posted by moongrass

yes but that is not what I am saying.

sorry what are you getting at then?

Funny how your arguing something not really related to the topic, but I still enjoy the conversation

I am sorry, not trying to argue or go off topic, I am just trying to figure out whiterains basis...

Ok every1, back to the TS question:
Is LDing dangerous, if so.. when specificly?
and: Is WILDing dangerous, if so.. when specificly?

I just started with the whole LD thing.. Kinda never had i LD (i guess). So i am curious if i should start with it or just leave it..
Cuz i think i would love it when i could do WILD/WBTB just in the middle of the week or so... (how many times is max for a WILD/WBTB within 1 week?)
Even though i don't feel comfortable with the SP stuff (how many times would u get a SP, and can you avoid them?)
Sorry if the 2nd part is sorta off-topic

SP is unavoidable. It happens every time you fall asleep and is perfectly harmless. But if you're really that worried about it, I suggest becoming an insomniac.