First post: Awareness and OBE questions

[Hexeengel]

I'm new here, and I just have a few questions... I read through the "attaining lucidity" section of the site, but it was nothing new; I'm almost always *aware* that I'm dreaming, especially if reading or recalling song lyrics comes into play. Control is something else all together, but I can't remember consciously trying to change something. But, does this natural awareness say anything about my lucid dreaming abilities? Also, about OBEs, I've been able to astral project since I was a child, with no effort and even without intending to. I'm also a natural medium (as is my mother). How can that effect my dreaming and lucidity? And, considering this knowledge you all now have about me, is the "Lucid Student" level an appropriate choice? Thanks...

[Leo Volont]

About your "Lucid Student" question. Hmmmmm. When you think about what Lucidity actually is and what it actually does, it is sort of a mental 'crutch' used to adjust behaviors and awareness to where and what they would eventually be, given enough practice and experience. For instance, after some 30 years of Lucid Dreaming, habits that I acquired in Lucid Dreaming have become quite my dreaming 'lifestyle'. One then needs to wonder of what use is Lucid Dreaming if one's behavior and awareness is already fully conscious? So, if Lucidity is only an exercise that is prelimary to Real Dreaming, then it is perhaps a contradiction to suppose that anybody is an 'Expert' Lucid Dreamer, since the nature of Lucidity is in itself a preliminary exercise. It would be like calling oneself an "Expert Beginner" -- a sort of contradiction in terms. Likewise, as many people will tell you, the Dreaming Mind is often irritated and even a bit hostile to the insistance of the Dreamer upon attaining Lucidity. Why? I suppose the Dreaming Mind sees Dream Control as an interference. Perfectly good dreams are created only so the Dreamer can tear them up and throw them away with a hamfisted Lucidity. Or, as I mentioned above, the Dreaming Mind may see Lucidity as a bulky crutch. Some Dreams, to be truly appreciated, must be taken on their own terms. In our youth we can use Lucidity to practice certain Dream Virtues -- Deathless Bravery and Fearlessness, Flying -- but once those Dream Qualities have become natural, then they should be applied to our dreams naturally and seamlessly, and not awkwardly with the imposition of Lucidity, which, while it affirms our Consciousness, also dismisses the Reality of the Dream and makes us grow skeptical of its ultimate importance. When we Realize we are Dreaming, then doesn't our Dream then just become a Dream, but when we are simply dreaming, without the obstruction of Lucidity, THEN THE DREAM IS REAL IN ITS OWN TERMS. So while Lucidity is a good preliminary exercise for beginners, the End Purpose of it all should be to get back to Pure Dreaming where the dreams are accepted as Real.

[nesgirl119]

Originally posted by Hexeengel I'm new here, and I just have a few questions... I read through the \"attaining lucidity\" section of the site, but it was nothing new; I'm almost always *aware* that I'm dreaming, especially if reading or recalling song lyrics comes into play. Control is something else all together, but I can't remember consciously trying to change something. But, does this natural awareness say anything about my lucid dreaming abilities? Also, about OBEs, I've been able to astral project since I was a child, with no effort and even without intending to. I'm also a natural medium (as is my mother). How can that effect my dreaming and lucidity? And, considering this knowledge you all now have about me, is the \"Lucid Student\" level an appropriate choice? Thanks... It can take time to learn how to control a LD, & it sounds like you are a natural LDer to me! I cannot answer the 2nd question..b/c I am a thanatophobic chicken I believe the level depends on either how good you are, or what you wish to be. Like if you wish to learn more, a student is the right category, & if you want to teach us, tutor is a better choice, & the rest I believe is on a matter of LD skill! BTW, welcome to the forum!! I hope you can learn alot from us!