Dreams

A post I made on this subject earlier.

http://www.zeldauniverse.net/forums/2662835-post12.html

This is simply a "theory" I formulated on my own. It might not be scientifically credible.

I've thought at length about dreams throughout my life. Still not completely sure what to make of them.

While I don't see a need to endow them with a "mythical" quality, I do have trouble writing off their contents as purely random. I do think the images represent subconscious feelings, attitudes, desires, fears etc. that are typically suppressed by rational thought.

I should start keeping a dream journal again. It takes a little effort at first, but it is worth it. Even if your dreams do not provide valuable insight (which is debatable), keeping a journal can improve recall, and recall is a prerequisite for lucidity. Aside from being among the most fun and surreal experiences available to us, lucid dreams can be used to "practice" real world events since our minds cannot distinguish between the real and the imagined.

@Tonchiki: Maybe you should add those links to the first post, so they're easy to find.

@Fire Bird: You can learn about how to lucid dream at these sites: LD4All, Dream Views, Lucidipedia

Dreams. Ah, that's a great Van Halen song.

I used to have ****ed up dreams back in high school. Now, not so much. However, my last dream I had was I forgotten how to play the violin, or so I thought. But for some ****in' reason (and maybe I've been replaying a GBA Fire Emblem game), when I picked up the violin, I could play the first two bars of "Maiden in the Dark" from Fire Emblem. A few guys and myself made a jazz arrangement outta it (actually, IRL, I just did an jazzy-like arrangement on the piano of the song) and I could like ****in' play the two bars, but forget but the lead singer could sing it for some reason. I woke up thinking I totally forgotten how to the play the violin. I think it's a warning not to give it up.

Originally Posted by Tonchiki

^ You might be on to something there... Would you imagine that at will, or would it just happen on its own (like in a normal dream)?

I cant remember too well. I just know that wen I was having a nightmare I was able to do this. The first step to lucid dreaming is supposed to be to reliaze that your dreaming, and for me to want to make myself wake up would have to mean that I knew I was.

Originally Posted by Ron_Mexico

A post I made on this subject earlier.

http://www.zeldauniverse.net/forums/2662835-post12.html

This is simply a "theory" I formulated on my own. It might not be scientifically credible.

I've thought at length about dreams throughout my life. Still not completely sure what to make of them.

While I don't see a need to endow them with a "mythical" quality, I do have trouble writing off their contents as purely random. I do think the images represent subconscious feelings, attitudes, desires, fears etc. that are typically suppressed by rational thought.

I should start keeping a dream journal again. It takes a little effort at first, but it is worth it. Even if your dreams do not provide valuable insight (which is debatable), keeping a journal can improve recall, and recall is a prerequisite for lucidity. Aside from being among the most fun and surreal experiences available to us, lucid dreams can be used to "practice" real world events since our minds cannot distinguish between the real and the imagined.

Very, very interesting. This is why I love talking about dreams so much. Who knows why they happen and what they can do, but it's so much fun trying to find out.

Originally Posted by nintend06

@Tonchiki: Maybe you should add those links to the first post, so they're easy to find.

Good idea.

Originally Posted by Snow_Storm

Dreams. Ah, that's a great Van Halen song.

I used to have ****ed up dreams back in high school. Now, not so much. However, my last dream I had was I forgotten how to play the violin, or so I thought. But for some ****in' reason (and maybe I've been replaying a GBA Fire Emblem game), when I picked up the violin, I could play the first two bars of "Maiden in the Dark" from Fire Emblem. A few guys and myself made a jazz arrangement outta it (actually, IRL, I just did an jazzy-like arrangement on the piano of the song) and I could like ****in' play the two bars, but forget but the lead singer could sing it for some reason. I woke up thinking I totally forgotten how to the play the violin. I think it's a warning not to give it up.

Could be, could be... Or perhaps you might want to be sure not to give it up, because you know what could happen. I had a dream once where I could play Flash Man on (acoustic) guitar. Which is weird, since I can't play guitar at all.

Originally Posted by Fire Bird

I cant remember too well. I just know that wen I was having a nightmare I was able to do this. The first step to lucid dreaming is supposed to be to reliaze that your dreaming, and for me to want to make myself wake up would have to mean that I knew I was.

Yeah, I'd imagine so. So it looks like you're already onto something. I imagine it could be a little easier for you to get into lucid dreams...

Reposting this in the RIGHT thread, cause I am wayy to slow.

Can someone tell me what it means when you have dreams of killing people? I've always wondered if it had some hidden meaning behind it.

But anyways..

I love dreaming. My dreams are normally awesome and very vivid. I think I dream almost every single night.

Originally Posted by brokenjoker

Reposting this in the RIGHT thread, cause I am wayy to slow.

Can someone tell me what it means when you have dreams of killing people? I've always wondered if it had some hidden meaning behind it.

Um, no idea. But I suppose it's not all that different than doing it in a video game.

But anyways..

I love dreaming. My dreams are normally awesome and very vivid. I think I dream almost every single night.

You do dream every single night. You just don't always remember it.

I like how lately my dream self has developed a sense of humor, almost like my subconscious knows I'm dreaming but doesn't quite pass it on to me completely. For instance, when I'm in a (normal) dream, I'll sometimes think "this seems like a good time for a witty remark or action", almost making fun of the ridiculous situation I'm in. Yet it's not enough to make me lucid. My own mind is screwing with me.

Originally Posted by Tonchiki

Yeah, I'd imagine so. So it looks like you're already onto something. I imagine it could be a little easier for you to get into lucid dreams...

Im going to try some of the techniques I read about. I know my friends can do it but they dont even have to try. it just randomly happens.

^ Interestingly enough, many people say that they have lucid dreams when they're not particularly trying to. My own brief lucid dream also happened when I wasn't trying.

Originally Posted by Tonchiki

^ Interestingly enough, many people say that they have lucid dreams when they're not particularly trying to. My own brief lucid dream also happened when I wasn't trying.

Most of my lucid dreams happen about a week after I take a break from trying. If you're constantly trying it may be difficult to actually succeed, when it comes to lucid dreaming.

Indeed. That's why I usually don't try to attempt it, and just kinda see if it happens. My dream recall seems to have increased over time, and so's my rationality in dreams a bit, so I figure it might happen sooner or later.

I'll give some technique the odd try every once in a while, too, especially if I learn of a new one (anyone heard the idea of reverse-blinking before?).

Originally Posted by Tonchiki

Indeed. That's why I usually don't try to attempt it, and just kinda see if it happens. My dream recall seems to have increased over time, and so's my rationality in dreams a bit, so I figure it might happen sooner or later.

I'll give some technique the odd try every once in a while, too, especially if I learn of a new one (anyone heard the idea of reverse-blinking before?).

I haven't heard of reverse blinking, but I think I'm going to try it now.

I usually use WILD, but it's freakin' scary when you go paralyzed. Also regular reality checks are always helpful. I need to order some vitamin B12. It's supposed to make dreams more vivid, and help with lucid dreaming.

I can never seem to make it very far into a WILD. I can usually get to the point where I'd feel weird (sometimes "light") sensations, but I dunno, I just can't keep it up. I usually get too bored or fidgety if I don't think. XD
Also, it takes me forever to fall asleep, so WILD isn't really that great of a choice for me anyway.

I tried WBTB on several occasions, and had no success with any of them. It's supposed to be the easiest one for newcomers, too...

So I already failed two of the most common techniques. Oh well. But it's fun to try new ones.

I've also tried binaural beats, but never in combination with another technique. A combination of WILD(or some other technique, this one's supposed to be most reliable), binaural beats, and vitamin B12 would probably be my best bet. No doubt I'd screw it up, somehow.

^ I haven't tried binaural beats or B12 yet... But I've also heard people trying various food before bed. Chocolate and bananas are ones I see a lot.

I did once or twice try leaving my mp3 player on while falling asleep, with a looped recording telling myself I'm dreaming. It had a pause before it started playing (so I'd fall asleep first). Nothing happened-- I either fell asleep as normal and never noticed it, or I woke up because of it. But I'm willing to try it again, I think it's an idea with some potential... It'd be cool to manipulate dream moods with music.

Good luck with your attempts!

Though I don't have much to add to your conversation, this is all very interesting to me, as I'm someone quite interested (though not educated) in dreams. I'm probably going to put a few of these ideas to use, maybe even tonight, or when my mind's at rest. Good show, guys. :D

^ Dreams (and psychology) are endlessly interesting. I'm not really educated in dreams, either; I just try out what I gather from reading about it.
Speaking of which, I should probably be sleeping now anyway.

Good night. I'll have more to say about this tomorrow, hopefully. *tries the reverse blinking technique*

Eh, nothing happened with me last night.
Had a boring dream I didn't bother writing down. Oh well.

Originally Posted by Tonchiki

Eh, nothing happened with me last night.
Had a boring dream I didn't bother writing down. Oh well.

Same here. The only thing I remember is something about a skateboard factory.