Sleep and Dreams Megathread v2 - General

I actually have a few questions about this, if anyone could answer. I've read about the whole mirror thing, and it has me kind of worried. If I'm in a dream, under normal circumstances (not lucid, just autopilot), will I still see something scary if I look into a mirror? I assume the "something scary" thing would be a manifestation of what I find frightening. I personally find fucked-up faces to be scary, lucky me considering looking into a mirror is just that; looking at a face. That's the thing, though. I'm stressed about seeing something like that tonight just because I've read it's supposed to do that. So am I fucked? I really don't want to see some disambiguated face in my dream tonight :< Another question: Is it possible to have lucid dreams randomly? I've remembered a dream all of my life where I was sitting in my old room, painted green, with Mario Paint playing on a TV in the center. I could only hear the music, and when I looked at the screen, it was just black. The music was still playing and everything. I really can't remember doing anything to make the dream lucid, but I remember it clear as day.

[QUOTE=Orkel;26234338]I'll try FILD again this night, hopefully it'll work. But my joints always don't move smoothly, they're like rusty door hinges at low speeds. My finger joints feel normal in daily use but if I move them really little as per FILD, it feels rough and uncomfortable. So I try to keep them between my legs, and move only the muscle without moving the fingers themselves. Thanks :> Not allowed to :<[/QUOTE] why not [editline]23rd November 2010[/editline] [QUOTE=blerb;26235069]I actually have a few questions about this, if anyone could answer. I've read about the whole mirror thing, and it has me kind of worried. If I'm in a dream, under normal circumstances (not lucid, just autopilot), will I still see something scary if I look into a mirror? I assume the "something scary" thing would be a manifestation of what I find frightening. I personally find fucked-up faces to be scary, lucky me considering looking into a mirror is just that; looking at a face. That's the thing, though. I'm stressed about seeing something like that tonight just because I've read it's supposed to do that. So am I fucked? I really don't want to see some disambiguated face in my dream tonight :< Another question: Is it possible to have lucid dreams randomly? I've remembered a dream all of my life where I was sitting in my old room, painted green, with Mario Paint playing on a TV in the center. I could only hear the music, and when I looked at the screen, it was just black. The music was still playing and everything. I really can't remember doing anything to make the dream lucid, but I remember it clear as day.[/QUOTE] It's hard to explain why mirrors are weird, and they don't affect everyone. It's not something to be WORRIED about, just something to keep in mind. And yeah, it's entirely possible. Most people have at least one before they even know what they ARE.

I'd assume it has to do with self-image. Aren't your hands supposed to be weird, too? I guess it just has to do with your brain not really being self-aware during a dream, so it just substitutes your image with either random shit or stuff to scare the shit out of you. Maybe self-realization is supposed to be frightening to the brain? :ponder: This is all just rambling, really. I just don't want to see scary shit in mah dreams, I'm a pussy when it comes to this stuff :'<

Mirrors, man. The image in the mirrors is me, distorted, usually in a standing position, without a face. Nothing scary, though. Also: Don't be afraid of LDing, or dreaming in general. The odds of having bad experiences are very little. Plus, the more you think about it, the more likely it will be to happen.

[QUOTE=Midtown123;26235398]Mirrors, man. The image in the mirrors is me, distorted, usually in a standing position, without a face. Nothing scary, though. Also: Don't be afraid of LDing, or dreaming in general. The odds of having bad experiences are very little. Plus, the more you think about it, the more likely it will be to happen.[/QUOTE] I'm not afraid of trying it at all. I'm considering trying it. Really, bending reality sounds pretty awesome to me. I'm just a wuss when it comes to being scared in a dream. I know that the more I think of it, the more likely it'll happen, from experience. I actually have another question... I'm sorry if this is a little offensive to anyone, but when you ask your subconscious what your biggest fear is, does it show you or tell you? Would I be surprised by what it shows or tells me? Or would I feel like it should have been obvious?

Like zin said about your sub not being a "magical being", they may not even be your real subconscious. You could just be making it up that that person talking to you is your sub, and solid_jake's story (whether he believes he's talking to his sub or not) is just a large placebo. Or, it could really be your subconscious. Who knows. We could be living inside our dreams right now, and our dreams is reality, we are all just gods of our own lives and dream of other people. Ah, disregard this whole post. I'm too tired to make much since. Off to bed for some lucid dreams. Or would that be reality?

[QUOTE=a mutant hobo;26235651]Like zin said about your sub not being a "magical being", they may not even be your real subconscious. You could just be making it up that that person talking to you is your sub, and solid_jake's story (whether he believes he's talking to his sub or not) is just a large placebo. Or, it could really be your subconscious. Who knows. We could be living inside our dreams right now, and our dreams is reality, we are all just gods of our own lives and dream of other people. Ah, disregard this whole post. I'm too tired to make much since. Off to bed for some lucid dreams. Or would that be reality?[/QUOTE] I see. So there is no concrete way of distinguishing your subconscious from your own conscious? Confusing. I'll rest easy just thinking about the mindfuck this can really be.

you need a top. spinning and spinning and spinning and spinning... derp. [editline]22nd November 2010[/editline] [QUOTE=Zinayzen;26233334]The problem is, it's hard to think of an analogy to describe the relationship because everything I can think of involves making them seem like two separate things.[/QUOTE] suggestion for analogy: spider man and the black suit? [editline]22nd November 2010[/editline] or Jeckyl and Hyde........ only not evil...

I really have to have more effort to get up early in the morning, so that I can write down what I dreamed about and stuff, otherwise I'm too busy getting ready for school. The only thing stopping me from going lucid, is my laziness.

Mirrors work fine for me. It seems anything typically works if you understand at least the premise.

[QUOTE=a mutant hobo;26235651]Like zin said about your sub not being a "magical being", they may not even be your real subconscious. You could just be making it up that that person talking to you is your sub, and solid_jake's story (whether he believes he's talking to his sub or not) is just a large placebo. Or, it could really be your subconscious. Who knows. We could be living inside our dreams right now, and our dreams is reality, we are all just gods of our own lives and dream of other people. Ah, disregard this whole post. I'm too tired to make much since. Off to bed for some lucid dreams. Or would that be reality?[/QUOTE] Sounds like something that came out of inception. I'd rather not say the sub in your dreams is a placebo. It is there, but rather, it doesn't have its own opinions and feelings, and feeds off your subconscious emotions. If I didn't know about a subconscious, it probably would've said that it was my soul, holy spirit or some other unbelievable crap. It may seem like it does, but you give its personality and appearance. This is why your sub can look like anybody in your dream and act just like them without you noticing it. As for being itself, sometimes, it appears cryptic at first, influenced by unsureness, then friendly, influenced by you being use to it. It's just a matter of subconscious emotions (which are yours and not your sub's). Thats my theory to it.

[QUOTE=Eonart;26243065]I seem to understand way to much then if that's the case. Not a single reality check has ever failed since my fourth lucid dream, that means I can't distinguish a dream from reality unless there is a big sign saying I'm dreaming, which will never happen. Screw MILD, time to start WILDing.[/QUOTE] Is it because the reality checks aren't working, or have you not had them in your dreams? If it's because you have them but they aren't working, try and change your mindset on them. When you do them in real life, make sure you're really doubting reality. If it's the other thing, I agree. I think I may have had one lucid dream from MILD, though I may have been doing it incorrectly.

That subconsciousness thing sounds quite curious, but I'm a tad too skeptic to make it work. I found mine in a jail cell and it ignored me, and when it glared at me it felt like my brains were being squished with big, cold metal spoons

[QUOTE=Pocket Rocket;26244486]That subconsciousness thing sounds quite curious, but I'm a tad too skeptic to make it work. I found mine in a jail cell and it ignored me, and when it glared at me it felt like my brains were being squished with big, cold metal spoons[/QUOTE] Cryptic on first appearance. I win round 1, now for the rest of my theory to prove itself right.

My first time meeting my sub wasnt too cryptic. It was just like..... "hey. are you my-""yeah" "cool" "yup" [editline]23rd November 2010[/editline] I personally think that having a subconscious is completely natural, but some of their extended actions are placebos created by hearing all these stories and such. ...not saying that ALL placebos are bad, though.

[QUOTE=Birdman101;26244848]My first time meeting my sub wasnt too cryptic. It was just like..... "hey. are you my-""yeah" "cool" "yup" [editline]23rd November 2010[/editline] I personally think that having a subconscious is completely natural,[b] but some of their extended actions are placebos created by hearing all these stories and such[/b]. ...not saying that ALL placebos are bad, though.[/QUOTE] Ellen Page all over my dreams! :saddowns:

My own experiences with my subconsciousness sort of support Oblivious1's theory, since I had it long before I had read anything about lucid dreaming other than how to DILD and WILD. I haven't since dappled with it/him since it wasn't nearly as entertaining as making the universe play music or having sex with a tentacle monster.

[QUOTE=Birdman101;26229868]^ :bandwagon: This thread is the biggest group placebo I have ever seen. God I love it.[/QUOTE] -snip- ehmmm sorry my english. Anyways, i ain't bandwagoning.

[QUOTE=Eonart;26243972]I have been been doing them in my dreams, and mirrors work, and tech work and list goes on and on.[/QUOTE] Have you tried sticking your finger through the palm of your other hand? (Note: it feels really cool)

[QUOTE=Eonart;26243972]I have been been doing them in my dreams, and mirrors work, and tech work and list goes on and on.[/QUOTE] Pinch your nose. I don't think you can breathe irl, but you should be able to in dream even though you know you can't. I think i had 3-4 lucid dreams in total. About my dreams: I have a slight problem when i'm trying to realize whether i'm dreaming or not. For example when in one dream i though i'm dreaming, i abused it a little, but i got scared about it feeling too real and actually being real, this stress made me wake up slowly, and while i was waking up, i cursed myself for not believing that it is a dream. I also once had a nightmare where i was lucid. I spent some time thinking if i could stay in it, but stuff began to happen and i tried everything to wake up. I opened my eyes wide and other stuff that usually wakes me up quickly, but it didn't work that time. Thing that worked was causing some pain by twisting skin on my hand. Not too long ago i had disturbing dream about my friend dolphin i had to help for some reason, but then he went too close to a water analyzer sort of thing, got sucked in and pressured in a little piece of meat, all before my eyes. I went to find someone responsible for what happened and was thinking what am i going to say or do to them. Next moment i was in our school hall and then something wierd happened. (I wasn't lucid just so you know) The me in a dream went lucid, and decided to wake up. The me in a dream though like this: "It is annoying that i always end up waking up without seeing the end of a dream, i want to wake up myself so my dream last just as long as i'm dreaming." After that i woke up and simply "saved" the dream i just saw in my memory, by going through the details. I'm doing this because i'm too lazy to write my dreams down when i wake up, but if done right this makes me remember my dreams for a long time. [editline]23rd November 2010[/editline] [QUOTE=The Geno;26233330]My dreams are of kissing my sister, or of wanting to kiss her. I don't feel this way in real life.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Zinayzen;26233334] Incorrect. [/QUOTE] For some reason i found it quite funny.

[QUOTE=Str4fe;26245151]You are stupid. like, really stupid. What part of lucid dreaming do you not believe?[/QUOTE] are you completely blind and/or stupid? I believe all of it; I have had a total of seven [b]Lucid Dreams[/b] twelve, if you count dusk dreams. [editline]23rd November 2010[/editline] and with all respect, I have been in this thread sure as hell longer than you, so dont come in here with your minecraft avatar and general idiocy, and start calling me stupid.

Hey, since your subconsciousness pretty much governs all of your body, can you ask it questions like "what can you hear?" and "how is my stomach doing?"

[QUOTE=Nikita;26246437]Hey, since your subconsciousness pretty much governs all of your body, can you ask it questions like "what can you hear?" and "how is my stomach doing?"[/QUOTE] I don't believe it works that way

My dreams are of kissing my sister, or of wanting to kiss her. I don't feel this way in real life. Zinayzen posted: Incorrect. For some reason i found it quite funny. As did I. I can't believe noone yet has said 'incest is wincest'... [QUOTE=Birdman101;26246357]are you completely blind and/or stupid? I believe all of it; I have had a total of seven [b]Lucid Dreams[/b] twelve, if you count dusk dreams. [editline]23rd November 2010[/editline] and with all respect, I have been in this thread sure as hell longer than you, so dont come in here with your minecraft avatar and general idiocy, and start calling me stupid.[/QUOTE] >:3 rawr much? More to the point, what I think Birdman was meaning by placebo, etc. was that the ability to have such an effect on our own minds is driven mainly by the belief that we can do so. That doesn't mean the effects are any less real, though, which is why I object to using the term placebo for things that by definition are subjective. Sugar pills definitely exist; the concept of the self, less so. [QUOTE=Nikita;26246437]Hey, since your subconsciousness pretty much governs all of your body, can you ask it questions like "what can you hear?" and "how is my stomach doing?"[/QUOTE] Um, why? I mean... well, if I were your subconscious I'd be kinda -_- But theoretically, you could, with the caveat that your sub can only know as much as is actually possible; you might hear someone whisper, but no amount of mind tricks will help figure out what they said if you don't catch it the first time. The problem I see is if you try this in a dream, you're telling your brain to reactivate the relevant parts, which would in all likelihood wake you up a little. Besides, wouldn't you have more important things to think about? Seriously...

After reading this thread I occasionally find myself doing reality checks. I think it was last night (not sure, was really confused and disorientated when I woke up) I had a dream that lasted around a week long in dream time. Anyway it ended up with me getting out of bed, trying to turn on a light (it didn't work) and eventually doing a reality check, realising I was dreaming and panicking and waking up. Damnit, that dream week was a good week too.

[QUOTE=Birdman101;26246357]are you completely blind and/or stupid? I believe all of it; I have had a total of seven [b]Lucid Dreams[/b] twelve, if you count dusk dreams. [editline]23rd November 2010[/editline] and with all respect, I have been in this thread sure as hell longer than you, so dont come in here with your minecraft avatar and general idiocy, and start calling me stupid.[/QUOTE] I just... I just... :gonk: I JUST UNDERSTOOD THE WORD PLACEBO WRONG SORRY AAAAAAARRRRGGGHHHHH Anyways, what did you mean? also, i have been lurking. a lot. from the start of the first megathread. :ninja: [editline]23rd November 2010[/editline] minecraft is a good game. [editline]23rd November 2010[/editline] riiiight here, page four, 1st megathread [url]http://www.facepunch.com/threads/940989-Sleep-and-Dreams-Megathread?p=22066035&viewfull=1#post22066035[/url] :neckbeard: [editline]23rd November 2010[/editline] Wait a min, doesnt posting in general discussion count in posts? its been 399 a good while.

Birdman why did you get so condescending? Nobody got the placebo joke, and we've all been posting and reading the thread for quite a while. I don't see why it's got to be a big deal to you.

Just read a hell of a lot of stuff from LaBerge's journals/books, they've got fragments and even whole PDF files floating around the internet. That stuff makes for great LD reading. I'm hoping for a RILD tonight now :D

RILD is a very very effective technique, but... its sorta only at the start when you hear about this stuff. atleast was for me.

So a few months ago I had a dream where I was in some small apartment and I was horny. I realised simply that this is a dream -> its ok to rape everyone. Then a woman came from inside an unlit fireplace. She said she had something very important to tell me; she knew what I was about to do and pleaded me to stop when I grabbed her by the neck and even then I knew she was somehow not just an ordinary npc (maybe more intelligent or even another dreamer) but I still just snapped her neck. Then for a few seconds I stood there and thought, "that was stupid and pointless... the fuck did I do that for?!" and then I woke up. ...could that have been my sub and now it's mad?... How fucked am I? (apart from the creepy rape fetish)