Going to do a presentation on LDs next week... A little help?

[Iamerik]

So I'm going to do a 10-12 minute presentation on Lucid Dreaming next week Wednesday, for English (I'm Dutch). (I'm in secondary school, 17 years old. Just so you know what level the presentation has to be at) My teacher had doubts as for whether LD'ing fits into one of the themes we could choose for: Mine would be Media & Culture. I discussed things with her and got this e-mail from her. Hi *name*, I am still not sure if this is appropriate - however it is the subject of scientific research, the significance of dreams varies from culture to culture, and has also historical ramifications ( biblical visions, native american Indians, trance states etc). So okay go head with this and try and tie it into culture and /or new research ( why is it the subject of research etc?). I personally think it is very interesting and its good to see some originality. Send me an outline of your plan. Good Luck! Does anyone have an idea of what sorts of things I could mention for cultures and history? I suppose different cultures have different ideas about (lucid) dreams, but I don't really know for sure, and I don't know much about the history of LD'ing either. Could anyone mention a few things, or link me to a good source? Other things I will talk about are LD techniques, dream control and some personal experiences perhaps. Any other suggestions? Oh and I can't use the computer as a visual aid, if it matters for any ideas you might have. I really hate doing presentations because I always get nervous and my English prononciation isn't very good, but I'm looking forward to presenting this subject to my class! Maybe I'll try to get lucid before Wednesday and practice my presentation in front of a DC class. Would be a fun thing to mention in the real presentation as well.

[aceboy]

well i heard monks have been LDing for centuries but it took them years to get a LD(when they started) and with the methods we have now it can take a month. For over 1,000 years, the Tibetan Buddhists have been practicing lucid dreaming as a means of approaching enlightenment. In this pursuit, they have developed elaborate techniques for inducing lucidity. Some of these are esoteric beyond the capacity of the uninitiated Western mind to conceive, let alone practice. However, others bear a striking resemblance to the techniques now employed by Western oneironauts, for example, frequent reflection throughout the day on the dreamlike nature of reality. im sure you can look this up and tie it into culture.

[Luminous]

I was going to suggest the same thing as Aceboy. And lucid dreaming, or dreams in general is not so much a part of our culture, as it could have been. Maybe that's worth mentioning? And you should practice the presentation in your lucid dreams.

[MrBeelzy]

One example I know of is the Dunneza found primarily in Alberta. I read a book about them called trail to heaven, and dreaming to them was about learning the road to follow to meet your ancestors after you die. They were able to see their loved ones who had passed in dreams. Also they believed that nothing could happen unless you had dreamed it first. They talk, for example, about hunting, and how they must first see the moment of a deer crossing their path in a dream for it to happen in real life. They don't explicitly talk about lucid dreaming, but I think it was implied. Basically the dream world was a totally separate world that they would visit at night.

[Iamerik]

I'm also looking for some arguments about the 'use' of Lucid Dreaming. It's fun, but is it actually useful in real life somehow? I'm sure it is somehow, because I can practice presentations in my dreams for example, but I'm still looking for a few good convincing reasons.

[Luminous]

I'm also looking for some arguments about the 'use' of Lucid Dreaming. It's fun, but is it actually useful in real life somehow? I'm sure it is somehow, because I can practice presentations in my dreams for example, but I'm still looking for a few good convincing reasons. Lucid dreams can be used to overcome nightmares, they can also be used to overcome phobias because you will be in a safe environment where nothing can hurt you. Some people believe that practicing sports etc. in lucid dreams can make you better at it in real life (I practice Taekwondo in my lucid dreams now and then). They can also be used to compensate for things you can't do/experience in real life, like eating food you are allergic to, and going for a walk in a beautiful forest when you are stuck in the city.

[Iamerik]

Lucid dreams can be used to overcome nightmares, they can also be used to overcome phobias because you will be in a safe environment where nothing can hurt you. Some people believe that practicing sports etc. in lucid dreams can make you better at it in real life (I practice Taekwondo in my lucid dreams now and then). They can also be used to compensate for things you can't do/experience in real life, like eating food you are allergic to, and going for a walk in a beautiful forest when you are stuck in the city. That makes sense. I suppose it could be a lot of fun for people who for example, can't walk. Or for those who have become blind because of a disease or accident or whatever. As long as they have had sight, they can have sight in their dreams. The presentation date has been moved to Thursday, yay!

[Iamerik]

This is probably going to be the outline of my presentation: Introduction – What is LD’ing? Own experience History Stephen LaBerge’s research Practical uses and benefits of LD’ing Techniques for attaining lucidity Dream control techniques Conclusion

[aceboy]

this is about disabled people ,take a look.

[Iamerik]

this is about disabled people ,take a look. I can vaguely remember that thread, thanks for refreshing my mind. That thread deserves to be resurrected, by the way.

[frostyelf]

Similar to Luminous's suggestion they can be used to help you break habits. For example if someone was on a diet they could have dreams of eating food which might help satisfy their desire. People can have dreams to help them make important decisions by having a dream about what their life would be like with a certain choice. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

[BohmaN]

I have done an English presentation about lucid dreaming in my school too (English is not my native language). Just think about what they could be interested in. Here are some good topics: Definition, you tell them what LD is about. Reasons for LDing Methods for achieving an LD And that's probably all you can fit in a 12 min speech. You could dig deeper into "historical ramifications" but I don't think that would be as interesting. Talk to them on a personal level.

[Photolysis]

If you're passionate about the subject (I guess you are), that will help a lot. The audience will see your enthusiasm, and it will hopefully come across. A suggested idea for the presentation: - Introduction - a brief outline of the theory - Perhaps a *quick* history of it - Why people are interested in it, and what you can get out of it (or do). Practice skills, play God, problem solve... - Perhaps a bit of the theory behind it (and dreams in general). For instance, you could mention why dreams feel so real; messages are sent to the muscles in the same way as when awake, the same 'software' is used when sleeping and waking, etc. - A bit on how to have lucid dreams - Further reading and links for those interested.

[Iamerik]

The thing is, I need to link this to the IB Programme (Global/Future issues, new research) at school, so I have to talk about all kinds of things that I actually don't want to talk about. If I only talk about the history, research and practical uses for 3 minutes that's not enough.

[Pontification]

Choose something else.

[Iamerik]

It's too late to change now, I'll find a way to do this.

[Iamerik]

So, I did it. And it was nice! People were interested in the subject, I scored major points for insight in the subject (), and I was a lot less nervous than I usually am for presentations because the subject interested me.