Thread: Need some lucid/parent help.

Woohoo! I'm a freak!

Seriously, I'm not sure what to tell you to do about your parents. I can't decide if they're overprotective or just terribly afraid of the unknown. I mean, how the heck do you get in a fight about dreams?

Originally Posted by Truffles

They think that with LDing, I'm not getting enough rest during the night

The body cycles through 4 stages of sleep each night. During those stages the majority of restorative work is carried out in REM sleep. Amusingly, you do not actually manipulate your sleep cycles during a LD, you merely take advantage of them. Nothing about lucidity implies that you can alter your sleep cycles or change your REM periods to a possible harmful effect, you just use those periods to become lucid.

In any case, there's no basis for that claim on any real level. Hell, the only real harmful thing about attaining lucidity is "old hag," and that's merely illusory, it doesn't actually harm your body.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/REM_sleep

I need to know how to explain LDing to her in a way that kinda doesn't well, "scare" you.

I can't see why they'd think LDs are scary in the first place. It's nothing more or less than being aware that you are in a dream. Some people have that naturally, (my brother) it comes to them as pure talent. Others (like us) need to develop that ability into a working skill. Ask your parents if they've ever realized they were dreaming, bravo, they've experienced low-level lucidity.

P.S. It might be kinda funny to point out that one definition of lucidity means "sanity."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucidity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucid_dreaming

It's also a good idea to try and show them that lucidity, although being a relatively new field, is not "out there" with the likes of telekinesis, Ouji boards, Bigfoot, or whatever. Point out to your parents that lucidity actually surfaces in modern culture (careful with that one) and that actual reseach has been done.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_LaBerge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lucidity_Institute
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucid_d...opular_culture

they don't want me to be on Dreamviews because it's full of "freaks."

Firstly, that sucks. Secondly, your parents said that?!?

I think they need to experience it for themselves.

Good luck with that one.

owch... hmmm. My parents found my dream journal and lucid to do list. Lets just say that it took a while to explain. They dont care because i have a psycology teacher whos into lucid dreaming. Realy just try and see if theyll forget or convince them (the truth) your just dreaming. As for freaks... do you know a place with more ppl who can explain the sleep cycles of the top of their heads. Plus i've yet to meet any nasty people. (but i have witnessed many heated arguments) Just remeber that its your own mind... and mabey have your parents read the tutorials
Happy dreaming.

Originally Posted by Silvanus350

Woohoo! I'm a freak!
The body cycles through 4 stages of sleep each night. During those stages the majority of restorative work is carried out in REM sleep. Amusingly, you do not actually manipulate your sleep cycles during a LD, you merely take advantage of them. Nothing about lucidity implies that you can alter your sleep cycles or change your REM periods to a possible harmful effect, you just use those periods to become lucid.

That's great, I tried to say that but that's really well put.

Originally Posted by Silvanus350

In any case, there's no basis for that claim on any real level. Hell, the only real harmful thing about attaining lucidity is "old hag," and that's merely illusory, it doesn't actually harm your body.

I've been practicing for months, was natural as a child, and haven't woken to the Hag (though I did go through sleep paralysis when I WILD'd). SP happens to people who don't have lucid dreams. I'm not saying it might'nt make it more likely, but I actually think False Awakenings are more disturbing.

Originally Posted by Silvanus350

I can't see why they'd think LDs are scary in the first place.

Easy. They're not sure what it is, or if they've had one, so its new, uncertain, and could have a bad effect. And it's to do with sleep, which is *very* important. And as you imply, lucid dreaming is a fringe subject and it looks, at a first glance, like one of many New Age fads which have no intrinsic value and endorse suspension of critical thinking. So they don't see any reason to take the risk.

Originally Posted by Silvanus350

P.S. It might be kinda funny to point out that one definition of lucidity means "sanity."

ROFLMAO. It wouldn't be very productive though!