Re: Lucid Dreaming?

[Edward Grefenstette <egrefen@gmail.com>]

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> I am very puzzled by your scepticism Ed. Why should we be any less  
> sceptical
> about dreams than lucid dreams (since in both cases we confront the  
> same
> problems with verification)?

Just to be clear. I'm just talking for a prudent standpoint. I am not  
making a statement about the existence or non-existence of lucid  
dreams. But I do believe that if we are to say anything about what is  
essentially a psychosomatic phenomenon (unless one were to claim  
dreams justify and/or only exist within a dualist notion of the  
mind), and if we are to make any claims on or from experiences of  
lucid dreaming (or indeed dreaming as a whole, which is a rather  
vague area of psychology, from my understanding), I believe we need  
scientific backing, otherwise any claim, even veritable claims based  
on personal experience of lucid dreaming, could be written off as  
outlandish and unverifiable (unless I'm mistaken).

> As for lucid dreaming, I managed to achieve it twice a few years  
> ago but gave up
> trying after a while. It is possible to train yourself to become  
> conscious while
> dreaming by incessantly checking that your not dreaming while your  
> awake and
> hoping the habit will transfer while you are dreaming (if you have  
> a digital
> watch you can check by seeing if the numbers on your watch make  
> sense). A friend
> of mine who was doing this at the same time as me could lucid dream  
> on a regular
> basis.
>
> It's a very interesting phenomenon, if you're interested I  
> recommend listening
> to Aphex Twin's 'Selected Ambient Works 2', which was composed  
> entirely whilst
> lucid dreaming (or so he claims).

Will look into these things. Although I'm more interested in the  
background research and what people are saying on the topic than  
trying to do it myself. This isn't due to lack of curiosity, but more  
do to the fact that I'm such a lazy bugger than if I simply try  
meditating, I generally fall asleep within minutes. I think any  
attempt of lucid dreaming myself might well result in me falling  
asleep in my dream as well! (Now THAT would be quite interesting from  
a psychological/philosophical point of view).

Best,
Ed.


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