Decisions Decisions Decisions?

[DJB]

If LDing is used to help life in the waking world (as in making choices and decisions) & if you dont understand the dream - What then?

[Abra]

Doesn't matter if you understand the dream or not. I base this on the fact that it doesn't even matter if you remember the dream or not. Problem solving processes occur regardless (they tested this. People who took a nap between solving puzzles did better than those who were told to "just think about it" during the break interval.) So don't fret! =) Unless you are talking about social situations. If you are planning to talk to your girlfriend before a break up, you may practice in a lucid dream. Just adjust to whatever the dream-girlfriend responds with (if she seems sad, plan how to cheer her. If she seems angry, you have to figure out how to come off as less jerkish.).This will give you confidence, and neither of you will be hurt as much. Even if you get a cryptic response that you don't understand, the practice will help! So, really. Don't fret! =D

[Robot_Butler]

Abra, do you think it makes a difference whether we are aware of the problem solving, or not? Like the Observer Effect? I wonder if our very awareness of the problem solving makes it less effective. That would be a riot.

[Licity]

(they tested this. People who took a nap between solving puzzles did better than those who were told to "just think about it" during the break interval.) I wonder if this is unconscious problem solving, or is the break from it entirely just refreshing concentration?

[Ralael]

Even if your conscious mind cannot reach a clear understanding, the message and information is processed by your sub/unconscious. You're learning while you're dreaming, even if you don't know it. Robot_butler- I bet you're right in thinking that awareness of the problems being solved would impact exactly what outcomes we experience from said problem-solving, but I bet it still has a lot to do with the sub-conscious' attitudes towards the nature of the problem. One might react differently to a dream where the dreamer's mind already anticipated or wanted the solution presented, but if we're opposed or shutting out certain outcomes from deep within, I can see how that would somewhat backfire/malfunction in terms of implementing the solutions in waking life... Licity- Maybe both? A break would definitely be good, like a proverbial breath of fresh air for the neurons... but I imagine that what we experience while dreaming would be a different kind of problem solving altogether, when the brain isn't overloaded with all the crap we force into it while we're awake. A good meditation practice can have very similar effects. Wasn't it proven somewhere that people who were deprived of REM sleep for days at a time quickly started to show signs of madness? Interesting stuff...

[OrionStyles]

Theta state is the best state to be in for problem solving, not delta. If you want something fun to play with, and day dream easily.... do what Einstein did. Hold 2 rocks in your hands and enter theta. If you drop the rocks you went too close to delta, if you are aware of the rocks you aren't deep enough in theta. Do this for awhile and you'll see that problem solving is easy... implementing is the actual hard part.

[Robot_Butler]

I bet it still has a lot to do with the sub-conscious' attitudes towards the nature of the problem. I guess you're right. Being aware of your dream is still not the same as being aware of your sub conscious workings. It might get you closer- experiencing it more directly. Considering that you still can be surprised in your lucid dreams and have unwanted content, it is still not a direct connection. Do this for awhile and you'll see that problem solving is easy... implementing is the actual hard part. Problem generation is the real hard part. Once you've pinpointed the problem, the solution is often obvious. At least this is how it is in design, where you need to invent your own problems to create guidelines for your creation.