Thread: Re-exploring the world of non-lucid dreaming

Interesting thread idea, Sivason! I'm looking forward to seeing what direction it takes.

As a matter of fact, I spent some time attempting to release or avoid semi-lucidity a while back, but didn't make any headway. It seems that this subtle awareness that I am dreaming is simply too ingrained to do much about. Overall I see that as a good thing, because it implies that I've formed a sort of bond with my unconscious, one in which we're always connected -- or at least the lines of communication are always slightly open. This sense has also helped during higher-level lucids too, because it seems to make it a little easier to view the dream from a much-desired non-dual perspective. Indeed, that perspective carries over nicely into waking life, too, so I guess I'm not complaining.

However, this self-inflicted "condition" has been annoying at times, like when I'm in a particularly vivid or adventurous dream that would be so much better if, say, I could know, just for a moment, that the magical car I'm flying through the Grand Canyon is real, and that my high-speed maneuvers are truly dangerous. That the built-in novelty of NLD's is generally missing (more in a sec) is troubling, I think on balance I'm content with the constant semi-lucidity.

Did I say constant, and always? Not quite: I must mention that I do have three (very) rarely recurring exceptions to this rule: when my NLD's include family, my former workplace or the commute to it, or "going back to school." I have no idea why, but whenever I dream about this stuff I haven't a trace of lucidity (I also cannot form dreams in any of these three subjects when lucid, BTW). I've wondered if, because I rarely see my family these days, left work a decade ago, and school three decades ago, if there's not some part of my brain that clings to the past, and takes me there occasionally, in the context of my state of mind then rather than now. Or it's just some mental condition, I suppose...

Regardless of my experience, though, I do find NLD's quite valuable, and many of my most interesting times in The Dreaming were non-lucid (or at least close to it). Sometimes the reality of a dreamscape is just more real when your disbelief can be fully suspended by non-lucidity. Sometimes, even, I will choose to abandon self-awareness just to enjoy the stuff my dreaming mind has to offer all by itself.

Though I'm very bad at convincing my brain ahead of time to do anything (I'm a "here & now" sort of soul, and things like autosuggestion have never worked for me), you've inspired me to have another look at this; thanks!