Thread: Lucid dreaming in mainstream society

I don't understand how people can't be interested. it seriously perplexes me. I've only really got into this phenomenon in the past few weeks but i think it's such an amazingly edifying one. Nobody seems to relate though when I try & explain it. I guess it's quite nice like that, like being in an exclusive night time coterie I just wish people wouldn't look at me like i'm mad when I try & tell them.. anyone else find this?

Originally Posted by raindroplets

I don't understand how people can't be interested. it seriously perplexes me. I've only really got into this phenomenon in the past few weeks but i think it's such an amazingly edifying one. Nobody seems to relate though when I try & explain it. I guess it's quite nice like that, like being in an exclusive night time coterie I just wish people wouldn't look at me like i'm mad when I try & tell them.. anyone else find this?

I've run across one or two of these kinds of people but most are either somewhat interested (but don't pursue it) or are indifferent. One girl actually didn't believe me when I told her that not everyone is aware they're dreaming all the time. That was weird.

I usually don't press the subject unless people seem interested, and only introduce it when I have a good segue in the conversation. It doesn't always sound very interesting if you just mention it out of the blue.

I have a few friends who know I'm interested in dreaming, and I told them about a dream I had where I married one of them and they found that rather weird, more so than I did. So every now and then I'll say, "So, I had this dream last night that..." just to annoy them. It's fun.

Originally Posted by raindroplets

I don't understand how people can't be interested. it seriously perplexes me. I've only really got into this phenomenon in the past few weeks but i think it's such an amazingly edifying one. Nobody seems to relate though when I try & explain it. I guess it's quite nice like that, like being in an exclusive night time coterie I just wish people wouldn't look at me like i'm mad when I try & tell them.. anyone else find this?

I think the majority of them remember one dream a year, so they can't even comprehend what you are talking about and assume you must be spouting BS. Even the people who are interested in dreams, if they've never had a LD, can't really buy into it easily and understandably so. Some people will have a lucid dream or two during their life naturally. These people you might be able to bring around easily. If it hadn't happened to me first hand I probably would have called us paranormal nutjobs But 99% of that is the way it gets presented.

It helps to say, "Wow, have you ever had one of those dreams where you know you're dreaming? I had one the other day, I looked it up online I guess they're called lucid dreams." or "Have you ever woken up and been paralyzed? Or had any of those weird hallucinations while falling asleep? That's supposed to mean you're on the brink of falling asleep, and you can trick your body into starting to dream while you're still awake."
Really just have to personalize it- make them realize they've experienced or almost experienced the very thing you're talking about.

Yeah. well it's never happened to me before (before last night anyway ) well maybe when I was six i could have sworn I had one, but maybe that's just my brain creating a schema.. It's not as though i'll push my views onto anyone. I've been learining about dreams in psychology and have heard about LD's in the past, so I thought i'd look into it. anyway I told 2 friends & they were seriously freaked out.. i felt rather ostrasized tbh! So today because I was excited so i was like 'I had my first LD last night!' and the looks I recieved were positively bewildered oh dearie.

I believe that giving the relatively unknowing public some general knowledge of the practice would do nothing but good for society. It's only the fact that most people on this board are pessimists and cynics that is the reason why everyone here thinks lucid dreaming will somehow be abused. Is there a way to abuse something that goes on solely inside your head? I'd submit a frim "No". Thus, I believe the "let lucid dreaming remain pure" rhetoric is kind of silly. Even the belief that everyone religious will deride it as "demonic" is silly; I told my Mormon friend about it and he seems genuinely intrigued...and remember, Mormons are one of the more uptight varieties of Christians.

Now, not only would lucid dreaming help out the countless people suffering from chronic nightmares, help people prepare for social situations in the real world, and give people a chance to practice what they love in a non-discriminatory environment...but it would broadly expand people's imaginations. It would pretty much snuff out the severely outdated "black and white" way of thinking, as well as provide countless new inspirations for books, visual art, movies, video games, music, etc., etc., etc....

But what do I know. I'm just someone who tends to focus on the good in people more than the bad. What do my views matter in a world ruled by cynics?

Well Vulpix seems to have disappeared from this thread but I couldn't agree more with his post! I can't believe what incredible fun and adventure the rest of the world is missing out on. Lucid dreaming is one of the most amazing things I've ever discovered. I have loved dancing as a hobby for over thirty years but I think I've finally found something more fun!

I'm so annoyed nobody ever told me about it as a kid.

Thats a really interesting topic... I dont think I would enjoy lucid dreaming being part of everyday life, on the other hand, i think its something everyone should know about. I mean, being able to do whatever you want is awesome! Just would be pretty cool if my friends were a bit more open so they can see what they were missing. ;P

Originally Posted by Lëzen

I believe that giving the relatively unknowing public some general knowledge of the practice would do nothing but good for society. It's only the fact that most people on this board are pessimists and cynics that is the reason why everyone here thinks lucid dreaming will somehow be abused. Is there a way to abuse something that goes on solely inside your head? I'd submit a frim "No". Thus, I believe the "let lucid dreaming remain pure" rhetoric is kind of silly. Even the belief that everyone religious will deride it as "demonic" is silly; I told my Mormon friend about it and he seems genuinely intrigued...and remember, Mormons are one of the more uptight varieties of Christians.

Now, not only would lucid dreaming help out the countless people suffering from chronic nightmares, help people prepare for social situations in the real world, and give people a chance to practice what they love in a non-discriminatory environment...but it would broadly expand people's imaginations. It would pretty much snuff out the severely outdated "black and white" way of thinking, as well as provide countless new inspirations for books, visual art, movies, video games, music, etc., etc., etc....

But what do I know. I'm just someone who tends to focus on the good in people more than the bad. What do my views matter in a world ruled by cynics?

Thing is, your friend is most likely a good guy, as are most people.

Only problem is, for every thousand good people there's one really loud not so good one.

Originally Posted by Lëzen

It's only the fact that most people on this board are pessimists and cynics that is the reason why everyone here thinks lucid dreaming will somehow be abused.

Sure, there are a number of cynics on the board, but not all of us are I see a difference between informing people about lucid dreaming and making LDing "Mainstream." I'm all for informing people about the potential benefits of LDing, especially those who could really benefit from it: chronic nightmares, confidence building, etc. Psychologists and counselors should consider suggesting LDing to people who come to them for help. It could be addressed in science and/or psychology classes where students could at least be given access to more information. I just don't want businesses to take a hold of the idea and start advertising pills and devices all over the place, saying they have a "guaranteed technique to control your dreams" in order to get people to spend more money on things they don't need.

When something becomes popularized and mainstream, people are more likely to become bored or jaded with the idea. Not everyone will feel that way, of course, and a number will be likely to express interest in the idea, but at the same time those people who are not interested will become even less inclined to listen to someone talk about it or watch a commercial on TV. As far as religous groups, I don't forsee much outcry except from certain pockets here and there, so I agree with you in that respect. I'm a Christian and I'd be happy to address any concerns someone might have about whether or not LDing is evil or demonic.

As far as inspiring books, movies, etc. I'm a little jealous of our little "secret" getting out. I have a few ideas of my own that I'm working on and I don't want dreaming to go be overdone by the time I get there

Originally Posted by Amethyst Star

It could be addressed in science and/or psychology classes where students could at least be given access to more information. I just don't want businesses to take a hold of the idea and start advertising pills and devices all over the place, saying they have a "guaranteed technique to control your dreams" in order to get people to spend more money on things they don't need.

That's about how I feel. I wish more people were educated about it and knew that it was a possibility. It would be nice if we taught our children stuff like this so they knew what they were capable of. A class on how to be a human. An education that covered how to take care of your body and mind and use it to it's full potential. The basics that make us human.

I don't want it to become overly commercialized. One of the best things about lucid dreaming is it is totally free and available to everyone. Nobody can ever take it away from you. Even just as far as entertainment goes, it is so much better than any movie or video game they charge $$ for. I like seeing people interested in the free and available things that really make life fun. You don't need to buy a bunch of crap to enjoy life.

Originally Posted by dreamingofdreaming

Its interesting how some people are very open and interested in these kinds of thoughts and possibilities while others are completely closed minded. It makes you wonder if some people are by nature more in tune with the "unknown" like dreams and the power of the mind.......

Originally Posted by raindroplets

I don't understand how people can't be interested. it seriously perplexes me. I've only really got into this phenomenon in the past few weeks but i think it's such an amazingly edifying one. Nobody seems to relate though when I try & explain it. I guess it's quite nice like that, like being in an exclusive night time coterie I just wish people wouldn't look at me like i'm mad when I try & tell them.. anyone else find this?

I work with a large number of various types of people and socialise in a very large dance community. I have probably mentioned LDing to about 100 people over the past months. I found that only a very small percentage of people were genuinely and actively interested, the majority gave the impression of listening to be polite, and about 2% were completely sceptical and/or disbelieving and I would describe those peoples' personalities as arrogant know-it-alls. I just feel sorry for them to be honest because they are missing out on something wonderful due to their closed-mindedness.

Originally Posted by WolfeDreamer531

I was very disappointed after opening my Psychology book (titled Psychology: Themes and Variations, Briefer Version, Seventh Edition, by Wayne Weiten, and was published in 2008 mind you) and reading the entire sleep/dream section just to realize that they didn't say a thing about lucid dreaming. Not a thing. I thought that by 2008 there was enough information on lucid dreaming for it to be worthy of mentioning in the dream section of a Psychology book. Who the hell is charge of what does and doesn't go into the dreaming section of psychology books? Who do I have to write a letter to in order to convince them of mentioning lucid dreams in the next edition of this book?

I guess I'm going to have to be the one to spread the word to my psych class maybe in the form of a project or research paper.

I did a psychology degree fifteen years ago and there certainly was no mention of LD. I agree, Wolfe, it's ridiculous.

Originally Posted by Robot_Butler

That's about how I feel. I wish more people were educated about it and knew that it was a possibility. It would be nice if we taught our children stuff like this so they knew what they were capable of. A class on how to be a human. An education that covered how to take care of your body and mind and use it to it's full potential. The basics that make us human.

I don't want it to become overly commercialized. One of the best things about lucid dreaming is it is totally free and available to everyone. Nobody can ever take it away from you. Even just as far as entertainment goes, it is so much better than any movie or video game they charge $$ for. I like seeing people interested in the free and available things that really make life fun. You don't need to buy a bunch of crap to enjoy life.

^ I couldn't agree more even if I tried.

This is such a good thread. I feel the same as most of you. I can't believe people (especially certain cultures) have been LDing for centuries yet it is still an obscure topic with only a small percentage of the population practising it. It truly astounds me that LD isn't just something that almost all humans do like the way almost all humans like drinking alcohol, having sex, eating chocolate, watching movies, swimming, riding roller coasters etc! To me, LD is as much fun as all of those things put together. Geez, how can such a fun, free form of entertainment be so overlooked???

But then there are a lot of things about mainstream society that are misunderstood and foolhardy. I could list quite a few but that would open up a big fat juicy can...

Originally Posted by SleepyCookieDough

I'm planning to teach my kids.... But that's in a long time. I'm only 15...

haha i loled there

It's unfortunate lucid dreaming is not widely popular in the media. Despite there being a handful movies about the subject, I'm not sure many people understand exactly the implications of being able to remember, control, and actually be aware of your dreams while you're in them. It would be interesting to see a society with lucid dreaming quite popular in the mainstream, but then again, the negative aspects might come into play rather quickly. Some lucid dreamers could be seen as fantasy-lovers, perverts, or violent people. This could be akin to people who are obsessed with gaming, considering it's a fantasy, sex, and violence run industry. Or at least in the western world.

Still, you don't have to pay $50 to do it. Unless you're buying books, apple juice, or those CDs!

every one knows it's so true that those damn religious nuts will get on TV and give normal (by normal I mean not crazy) Christians a bad name and make lucidity a taboo

religious nut----

normal Christian in the eye of the world-------

Originally Posted by DreamQueen

Geez, how can such a fun, free form of entertainment be so overlooked???

The problem is that it is not easy as, say, movies or drugs. You do not really need any skill to use this both, but to get decent number of LDs most people need to approach this lik acquiring new skill, and for this one usually need substantial motivation and/or strong interest. Most people do not have it.

I feel the same as most of you. I can't believe people (especially certain cultures) have been LDing for centuries yet it is still an obscure topic with only a small percentage of the population practising it.

Actually, major religions such as Christianity and Islam were actively suppressing it, so there is no wonder that LD were not known/used widely.

Originally Posted by Phantasos

The problem is that it is not easy as, say, movies or drugs. You do not really need any skill to use this both, but to get decent number of LDs most people need to approach this lik acquiring new skill, and for this one usually need substantial motivation and/or strong interest. Most people do not have it.
True indeed

Actually, major religions such as Christianity and Islam were actively suppressing it, so there is no wonder that LD were not known/used widely.

Never heard of this before, so, I can't say I agree

Originally Posted by BigFan

Never heard of this before, so, I can't say I agree

Lucid dreaming for a long time was and still is a base of many mystic and occult practices. When Christianity was in fundamental mode (and it was untile relatively recent times) those practices were prohibited. At the other side, the meaning of dreams were suppressed by a lot of, err, church officials who used to say that it is hard to say who is talking with you in dreams - God or Devil, so it is better not to pay any attention at all to dreams, and listen to the Church(es) instead.

Islam is also not too supportive to dreams. You can do a lot of things in dreams which are clearly prohibited by Qu'Ran, for example to see God in human form!! Or to see naked women ! Abomination! And, of course, mystic and occult practices are not welcome, especially now when even Sufism is not considered as part of Islam by many Muslims.

And I would like to add that most of Christianl would not be considered as such in the Middle Ages .

Originally Posted by Phantasos

Lucid dreaming for a long time was and still is a base of many mystic and occult practices. When Christianity was in fundamental mode (and it was untile relatively recent times) those practices were prohibited. At the other side, the meaning of dreams were suppressed by a lot of, err, church officials who used to say that it is hard to say who is talking with you in dreams - God or Devil, so it is better not to pay any attention at all to dreams, and listen to the Church(es) instead.

I don't have much knowledge here, but, I see your point

Originally Posted by Phantasos

Islam is also not too supportive to dreams. You can do a lot of things in dreams which are clearly prohibited by Qu'Ran, for example to see God in human form!! Or to see naked women ! Abomination! And, of course, mystic and occult practices are not welcome, especially now when even Sufism is not considered as part of Islam by many Muslims.

That first sentence is not true. Let's say someone had a dream, we try to interpret it to see if it has a meaning. In some cases, they do and in other cases, its obvious that they don't and its just a creation of your mind. Different objects in a dream mean different things (ex. gold means a loss in dreams). As for the rest, while I do see your point, whatever happens in a LD is controlled by the person performing it, so, you can prevent yourself from doing any tasks that are in violation with your religions beliefs. I am interested in lucid dreams mostly for the flying part and maybe some of the fun powers, but, nothing else, so, I wouldn't be trying to do anything against my religion such as you listed above