My formal introduction!

Well, greetings to all! I'm a noob poster, obviously. I have been reading quite a bit here and figured I should introduce myself. I'm a 26 y/o male who at this point is just curious, but you all seem like very cool people, so I signed!

That was the short version, here is the long for those of you interested-

I stumbled onto LD info while doing research on astral projection. I used to be very much interested in astral projection, some years ago, and was quite proficient at seperating. I could never go beyond that, however. My vision was very blurred and my movement was very limited, though I could project at will. I recall the feeling of seperation very clearly, and after my "religious" views changed significantly, I no longer wished to experience astral projection. However, occassionally (sp?) there would be times at night, while mostly asleep, that I would experience the sensation of seperation without actually doing it, and of course I wondered why. I read a thesis explaining the similarities between OOBE's and LD's, which of course led me to further research LDing, and eventually brought me here. Right now, I am very curious in learning all that I can about LDing, and while I'm not ready to keep dream journals yet, I certainly dont think I would mind having an LD.

Anyway, I thought I would introduce myself, as I will more than likely be reading all the posts here, and maybe even doing a bit of my own.

Good to meet you all!!

(By the way, before you get nervous about my "religious" statement, I DO NOT force my views on anyone. They are mine, I live by them, and will defend them when attacked or slandered, but that's it. You dont have to worry about me being some Jesus Freak telling you all to repent or anything, I dont think that's the way to go about it. Just so we're all cool about it :D )

Hey Welcome to Dreamviews -Ace-

And yup I've read your entire post. I think that its great to understand the concept of OOB and LD's everyone has different oppinions in regards to Astral Proj. I understand where you're coming from in regards to that matter on a religious level. But looking at a more deeper issue, your ability to experience OOB's without your desire to do so is fascinating. I bet you get Sleep Paralysis pretty often huh? LD are great and they serve unique purposes in life to help better ones self, but experiencing them are totally fun at best. That sense of freedom cannot have a price tag on it thats for sure. You will find that everyone here has a great deal of respect for a diverse amount of beliefs. We have people of all creeds, backgrounds, cultures, and tounges. But what really makes it a cool experience is that if Religion ever comes into a topic of disscussion it's usually controllable. I think you should embrace your Gift to experience OOB's because I think deeply it really gives the ultimate answers to ones self exsistant that you cannot always get in the waking world. Well enough of me rambling welcome again. See ya around! :goodjob2:

Shadow-

Thanks for the welcome! I want to clarify something...at this point, I dont actually have an OBE. Seperation does not take place, simply the sensation of doing so, which, from what I have read, is almost identical to the sensation of slipping into a WILD. Of course, when I have this sensation, I consiously stop it, I jar myself back to the "real" world. Now, I know from past experience that the sensations progress enough that I technically "should" experience seperation. I have come to believe that an OBE must be a willful act on the person's part, but of course, why risk it?

I am still questioning exactly what I think an OBE is, whether I think it is different from an LD or not. I'm not sure yet.

I do indeed experience sleep paralysis during this sensation, but that is also something that I became accustomed while practicing AP and am able to quickly will myself out of it and be fully awake. It's just a matter of mental control, for lack of a better term. As I said, this normally happens in the middle of the night when something wakes me up for some reason, so it IS coming from a deep sleep. I would estimate that it occurs 2-3 times per month.

I am beginning to feel that we all experience the "WILD" or "OOBE" sensation in our sleep, but that its only a matter of whether or not we are aware of it or remember it. I could be wrong, as I said, I am still not sure what I believe about any of it yet.

In any case, I appreciate the warm welcome, and I look forward to many fascinating discussions with you all!

Hey, welcome Ace! :sunflower:

Around here, we feel religious beliefs are a personal matter, however, if you want, there are plenty of people ready to discuss and debate in the Philosophy forum =)

Seeker-

I've read a few discussions on this board pertaining to everyone's views, and I do see that everyone is pretty laid back about it. My purpouse in being here isnt really to discuss/debate who or what God is or if He exists, simply to gain a better understanding of LDing. I will draw my own conclusions from there.

I think at this point, I would like to experience one. I dont want to be TOO intentional about it, as I'm not big on manipulating things that I dont have a full understanding of, so my attitude is pretty easy going on it.

I also of course wish to gain a better understanding of myself and my experiences.

SO no worries, I wont bait anyone into debates or arguments! ;)

Hi Ace Welcome to the forum.

I see that you are interested in learing about LDing. As far as I see from reading your post, its pretty hard for me to understand why you never experienced one. You have all the abilities right in front of you. Oh wait. You did happen to mention this "when I have this sensation, I consiously stop it, I jar myself back to the "real" world. Now, I know from past experience that the sensations progress enough that I technically "should" experience seperation" What I would suggest is that you relax during this process without willfully pulling yourself out of it. I understand people do that alot because of fear. Not saying that you are afraid or anything but unaware of whats next. Anyway If you just relax during one of your paralysis states then you will experinece WILD this is the best way for YOU to become lucid. In my opinion the only different in OB's and Lucid Dreaming is the fact that it hasn't been totally proven rather or not that OB's occur real-time. We do understand that the brain can mimic any particular enviorment to the smallest detail. Lucidity is just being aware that you are dreaming, and having complete control over the dreams content depending on the level you are upon lucidity. Thats about it, since you already have the tools why not use them one night? The best part about the WILD experinece is that a person in some cases can see the dream world form right before his/her eyes. And you are fully conscious from the time you lay down to sleep until the moment you slip into the dream world and throughout the entire dream sequence.

Well, the only problem with allowing the process to continue is that I'm not completely confident that it it wont still result in an OBE, which I dont wish to engage in.

Any thoughts on this? If I felt that I was "Safe" (meaning, having an LD as opposed to an OBE) I would very probably allow it to continue, and retain my awareness.


I am indeed fascinated by the possibility!

Well induction of LD's in the pattern that I've explained to you by way of WILD's is really a thin line inbetween the two, but it's controllable. How you handle it and what you decide to do determines wether or not you would venture into OB or LD's. When I mentioned for you to just relax I mean just let it happen. To be honest with you OB's to me are basically the exact same as Astral. I mean in both cases you would be projecting yourself. When you are initiating a WILD you are not projecting yourself, meaning don't think of doing it. Since you are familiar with Astral, then you should be well aware of what I mean and the methods of projecting yourself. But if you are still unsure then, there are several other methods that you can do. Focusing on more dream recall and dream signs to get yourself underway. This will increase your chances of obtaining Lucidity from the dream and not through WILDs.

I would also suggest reading some pretty well-informed threads under the Attaining Lucidity heading. You should get exactly what you're looking for there. Good Luck Ace.

Late! Late! Late!

Hello! Welcome to the forum Ace! :aphiusisonecrazySOB:

I missed welcoming you! :shock:

*embarrassment* :oops:

LOL hey no problem. I posted at an odd time. Thanks for the welcome!!!!! :D

Ace

Hey, welcome man, i'm a christian also so that's cool :D

I'm just wondering what you found out about AP and OBE's that might be against christianity, because i didn't think it was bad like the occult or something... :oops: hope i didn't do anything bad :(


Welcome though, and g/l achieving any LDs possible :)

Welcome -Ace-! You'll be quite happy here. ;)

Quote:

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Originally posted by Ace-
By the way, before you get nervous about my \"religious\" statement, I DO NOT force my views on anyone. They are mine, I live by them, and will defend them when attacked or slandered, but that's it. You dont have to worry about me being some Jesus Freak telling you all to repent or anything, I dont think that's the way to go about it. Just so we're all cool about it :D

---

That's Ok, we don't like to talk about religion much here anyway. It causes too many fights. :)

Hey, another welcome! Thanks!

Yeah, trust me, Ive been on quite enough boards that have seen PUSHY people who claim to have my beliefs, and they automatically get defensive. I like everybody! And I came to learn, and make friends...not to argue, debate, put down, judge or any other B.S.

I feel all loved and stuff :lol:

Seriously, thanks for the warm welcome(s), guys!

EDIT: ManNowDead-

Hmm..thats kind of a "hairy" subject. I'm not sure I should respond with my PERSONAL views on it, as they could be mis-taken. My views are my own, and really, yours are your own. Im ALWAYS open to conversation about pretty much anything, so feel free to PM me if you REALLY want my opinion. I'll always give it, but I have had too many experiences with such topis that inevitably lead to me or others taking things out of context, so I generally wont post such things on boards not dedicated to that topic. I will NOT judge anyone, ever, Lord knows I am just as screwed in the head, if not MORE so, than anybody else, Christian or not. Anyway, hey, Im always cool about PMs from anyone but thats up to you. Also, I have noticed from some other posts here that you and I arent the only ones here that would classify ourselves as "Christian"...so, ya know, everyone has their opinions :D

Ace

Ace

Hey Welcome to Dream Views!!! Great to have you around... hope you have great success at lucid dreaming!!! :lol:

Welcome, ACE...now your avatar is interesting... :P

Alrighty, thanks Ace :)

I'll send you a PM when i get the chance.

Welcome Ace!!!!

That is you dressed as Vader in your avatar right?

Sorry, I have been offline for a while. Yes, that is me in my avatar. I am a star wars freak!