Lucid Dreaming As A New and Developing Evolutionary Trait

**Therome** · 03-24-2015 02:35 AM

So, I'm not sure if this is the right place to post a question like this, but when considering that consciousness has developed as an evolutionary trait (I may be terribly wrong about evolution during this post, so just bear with me) could lucid dreaming be the beginning of the next step of higher consciousness? As in, the first step is that we just gain awareness, then language, society, ect, our consciousness and minds keep getting better and better it seems. So, the next step could possibly be more control over our minds, or even total control, as seen in lucid dreaming. Could, possibly, in 200, 300, 1000 years, humans are able to "lucid dream" on demand, along with who knows what, due to our brains having developed more and more? Could lucid dreaming be a precursor of things to come?

**dolphin** · 03-24-2015 06:18 AM

With technology expanding, I actually believe humans are generally becoming less aware and more distracted.

**robertcox88** · 03-24-2015 06:42 AM

i don't think so. Google just released a teaser of an AR game (Magic Leap is the developer) and that is the future.. Technology is the future. Will dreaming play a part? most definitely... it already does. Our imaginations are what give life to these amazing AR's... but eventually it will become so lifelike that dreaming will no longer be necessary. We will all just be able to plug into some kind of "Matrix" and experience sensations like we do while lucid dreaming and the AR will be connected to our brains so whatever our minds can conceive of will become our new AR.

**Ctharlhie** · 03-24-2015 07:29 AM

Is lucid dreaming a genetic trait? Is there an evolutionary pressure to be lucid in dreams? Does it contribute anything to our evolutionary fitness? Does it have any influence on sexual selection?

If the answer to those questions is no, then lucid dreaming is not evolutionary.

**Eonnn** · 03-24-2015 08:37 AM

According to Stephen Laberge, "The consciousness of lucid dreaming is a cultural evolution. It's something that we are talking about and learning about, not biological evolution."

Although your question makes me wonder how long human's have been able to do this for? since the very first homosapien or did it develop later on?

I know buddhists encourage lucid dreaming and use it in their practices, and buddhism has been around for 2500 years. So it has been around for at least that long.

Will it evolve further? only if we evolve further would be my answer. Or if technology can enhance it.

**LukeSid** · 03-24-2015 01:28 PM

Isn't our struggle for dream awareness the Buddhists struggle for the awareness of Ground Luminosity (albeit the awareness requirement for that is probably at a much higher level?) IMO LD may just be the first step on the ladder (so I may not get beyond the first few rungs...and I regularly fall off the ladder)

I'm also pretty convinced that certain levels of game play can encourage lucidity...based on experiences I've had after playing the later levels of Halo Reach on Legendary. I still try that approach. Halo Reach - Long Night Of Solace - And The Horse You Flew In On - Assault On The Control Room seems to have done it for me in the past (although I always run through the section at 1.44 then attack it from the other direction...from that direction an elite can suddenly enter your area and come at you and that scares the dickens out of me and maybe impacts on my subconsciousness) P.S This can't be legendary because it's far too easy and in Legendary you're on your own Buddy! Well. I was anyway....

Video Gamers Can Control Dreams, Study Suggests A link supporting the idea of games affecting brain responses.

**Sageous** · 03-24-2015 06:10 PM

This:

Originally Posted by Ctharlhie

Is lucid dreaming a genetic trait? Is there an evolutionary pressure to be lucid in dreams? Does it contribute anything to our evolutionary fitness? Does it have any influence on sexual selection?

If the answer to those questions is no, then lucid dreaming is not evolutionary.

Not only is LD'ing not evolutionary -- not in physical sense, anyway, though it could be a factor in a spiritual evolution that may or may not be in our future -- but LD'ing by no means gives us "total control" of our minds; not by a longshot.

In a thousand years humans (hopefully) will be much different mentally and spiritually than we are today, but I have a feeling that LD'ing is neither a driver or much of an influence on that change.

But all is not lost! Your idea does have some merit, Therome, in this way: As we do evolve, either physically, culturally, or electronically (i.e., the coming singularity), an accomplished LD'er will have a much better chance of assimilating all the inevitable, powerful, changes than a person who the lacks self-awareness or ability to imagine that defines a LD'er.

**Therome** · 03-24-2015 11:59 PM

I wasn't as clear as I wish I had been. Do you guys think that lucid dreaming is a stepping stone of our evolving consciousness to something greater than what we have today?

**Sageous** · 03-25-2015 02:44 AM

Not really.

But it might be fair to suggest that the people who choose to learn to LD, and to weild their skill as a tool for spiritual (and perhaps intellectual) growth, might represent the sort of consciousness that is open to "something greater," and perhaps their skills and openness might facilitate their participation in any "evolutionary" change that might possibly occur. This could be closer to the potential you are suggesting.

Hmm... I think I just paid us all quite the compliment!

**Ctharlhie** · 03-25-2015 03:07 AM

Originally Posted by Therome

I wasn't as clear as I wish I had been. Do you guys think that lucid dreaming is a stepping stone of our evolving consciousness to something greater than what we have today?

I think this is a different question to that stated in the title and op, yes.

**Leol** · 03-30-2015 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by LukeSid

I'm also pretty convinced that certain levels of game play can encourage lucidity...based on experiences I've had after playing the later levels of Halo Reach on Legendary. I still try that approach. Halo Reach - Long Night Of Solace - And The Horse You Flew In On - Assault On The Control Room seems to have done it for me in the past (although I always run through the section at 1.44 then attack it from the other direction...from that direction an elite can suddenly enter your area and come at you and that scares the dickens out of me and maybe impacts on my subconsciousness) P.S This can't be legendary because it's far too easy and in Legendary you're on your own Buddy! Well. I was anyway....

I am that kind of person that used to play games ever since I was young ( ever since my father bought me an Atari :p ). I think it helps on varying the dream scenario, you know playing games.

**robertcox88** · 03-31-2015 07:04 AM

Originally Posted by Leol

I am that kind of person that used to play games ever since I was young ( ever since my father bought me an Atari :p ). I think it helps on varying the dream scenario, you know playing games.

Could be... but I'm willing to bet that most people who like video games are very visual oriented people to begin with... and people who like to get caught up in different worlds and realities. I don't think somebody locked into physical reality would be interested in LDing.