Would you consider LD new area of research?

[westonci]

Although LD have been around for thousands of years, its only been known at a global scale for the past 10-20 years. So would you consider it being a new field of studies, or a new age hobby? Something I really want to know is how will LD become a part of society by the year 2030 for example? Do you think in the next 20 years will have some kind of device that allows every human to have a high lucidity LD every night for a good 3 hours? That would be COOL!

[Tornado Joe]

I think lucid dreaming has the potential to be the gateway that will lead many people towards enlightenment of some kind. Even the 'layman' or 'common folk'. Why? Well, where auras, chakras, OBE's and other new age ideas are a bit too "out there" for the majority of the people to want to embrace, lucid dreaming is definitely something everyone can do and at least relate to. Everyone dreams. Lucid dreaming doesn't require any religeous or philosophical pre-requisite - it's simply becoming aware you are dreaming. I believe becoming lucid in a dream does open up your awareness with regards to conciousness in waking life. This will then lead to an expanded mind and openess to new ideas. Ideas not restricted by science or religion.

[pj]

I do not view Lucid Dreaming as a "New Age" hobby, and am very wary of that label because it is so very limiting. It is a general hobby for me, even though I perceive many spiritual implications with it. For centuries and more, Lucid Dreaming has been approached as an esoteric discipline available to those who put forth the effort. I do believe that technologies and drugs will be developed that will make Lucid Dreaming easy for just about anybody, and that these developments will be coming quite soon. I believe that Lucid Dreaming has MORE potential interest than drugs and meditation combined, as it allows "tripping" and so very much more without any of the risks or costs of drug use. (Some of the research and exploration to make these things happen is going on right here!) The Holodeck of Star Trek fame is a vague shadow of what our minds can already do. Lucid Dreaming is the discipline that unlocks it all. If that doesn't have universal appeal and unlimited potential, I don't know what does.

[Iamerik]

^Well said.^