How useful are dreams?

First of all, bear in mind that this is my first post, so if this has been answered, sorry. Also bear in mind that I posted this on yahoo answers first, so if anything sounds out of place, that might be why. That said, on to the question.

I've heard a variety of opinions on how useful dreams are. If they are, in fact, as useful as I've heard, it would be worthwhile getting a book on getting dreams under control. If you could recommend a good book, that would be helpful.

So, how useful are dreams? For instance, I'm interested in working on a fighting technique, but I rarely have time to practice (I've got a backlog of other things I practice when I find time). Could a dream potentially be used for similar purposes to the dojo scene in the first Matrix (for those of you who didn't watch that, I just mean, could I practice my technique in a dream against some enemy)? If not, what are the applications of dreaming, and what could I accomplish if I got them under control (my degree of control is limited to superpowers, immortality, omniscience, etc.)

For instance, could I give myself post-hypnotic suggestions and communicate with my subconscious? Could I use it as a way to bring out the knowledge I have (for instance, if I study for a test and then go to sleep, could I go over what I studied in my dream?). What else could I do?

Thanks!

If you are in a lucid dream, it is quite useful to practice something in the dream, that you are meaning to practice in waking life. Of course, since you are in a dream, you won't actually become stronger/faster/etc. (ex. training with running, swimming, karate, etc.) But you could remember useful tips your mind may give you. Happy lucids!

:welcome:

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Originally Posted by reality<LDs

If you are in a lucid dream, it is quite useful to practice something in the dream, that you are meaning to practice in waking life. Of course, since you are in a dream, you won't actually become stronger/faster/etc. (ex. training with running, swimming, karate, etc.) But you could remember useful tips your mind may give you.
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Well, first of all, let me congratulate you on all your Calvin & Hobbes material. It's awesome. I love it. Best comic series ever. :boogie:

Anyway, I wasn't thinking like becoming "better, stronger, faster", but in cases of martial arts or similar things, mental experience is important, the "muscle memory" you get from practicing over and over again, as well as simply getting your brain to understand coordination between movements. Would this be a feasible thing to develop during sleep? Also, I'd probably try to develop habits in dreams too, so I could practice in reality too.

Oh, and I think I will steal your idea for the "things to do in a dream" checklist :lol:

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Originally Posted by RobotGymnast

Anyway, I wasn't thinking like becoming "better, stronger, faster", but in cases of martial arts or similar things, mental experience is important, the "muscle memory" you get from practicing over and over again, as well as simply getting your brain to understand coordination between movements. Would this be a feasible thing to develop during sleep? Also, I'd probably try to develop habits in dreams too, so I could practice in reality too.

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Well, I haven't experienced this firsthand, but with a fully lucid dream with perfect control, I don't see why not. As long as you remember the dream to the fullest extent. Sorry I couldn't have been of more help, sir.

Useful enough to have been evolved to what we know as lucid dreaming.

http://www.lucidity.com/LD8DFM.html

I think lucid dreaming is the next evolutionary step in the REM sleep evolution process, since conscious controlled learning is better than unconscious learning. I think our culture just sucks that it dismisses dreams as unreal or something not to concentrate on.

Also, you must remember, Lucid Dreaming is literally LIMITLESS. No laws of physics, no social laws, no laws at all. So you have to take that into account.

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Originally Posted by reality<LDs

Also, you must remember, Lucid Dreaming is literally LIMITLESS. No laws of physics, no social laws, no laws at all. So you have to take that into account.

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True, but I'd include general laws of physics, for.. well, applicable learning purposes.

Thanks for your help, everybody!

Social laws *wink*

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Originally Posted by Kamilii

Social laws *wink*

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Score.