Exploring Out-of-Body Experiences & Lucid Dreaming

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In summary, lucid dreaming is the ability to stay conscious when you are dreaming. Experiences can vary, but for some people it is a fun and powerful way to explore their dreams. There is a lot of information out there on the subject, so if you're interested you should check out The Lucidity Institute.

Had you experienced before lucid dreaming?

  • Yeap, I had it before!

    Votes: 9 75.0%
  • Nope.

    Votes: 3 25.0%

  • Total voters
    12
  • #1
physicskid
75
0
You might have heard of Lucid dreaming.
It means to stay conscious
when you are dreaming and you can
possess whatever abilities you want in it
or do whatever you desired.

I find it very cool but I'm still
figuring out how to be conscious in my dreams.

Does anyone here have any experience of the
Out-of-Body experience or Lucid Dreaming?
 
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  • #2
I voted yes, but that's a pseudo-yes. I've never had a sustained, truly immersive lucid dream; the few times I have become lucid, the dream faded out in short order.

I spent a good part of the summer a couple of years back working on inducing lucid dreams, and I got the mixed positive results as described above, along with some other very weird and interesting sensations-- one notable time, I managed to remain conscious as I fell asleep, and I had an incredibly powerful buzzing feeling throughout my whole body, as if I were a live wire. I suspect that this was the physical sensation of my body going into sleep paralysis; it felt kind of like pins and needles, although much more intense and with an explosive onset.

Unfortunately, one of the key tactics for inducing lucid dreams involves sleeping normally for 4 or 5 hours, waking yourself up for a brief period of time, and then going back to sleep. Needless to say, this can be pretty disruptive to any attempts at a regular and orderly daily schedule (which I didn't have to worry about that summer, since I was on break from school and had no responsibilities... ah, memories).

For anyone interested in lucid dreaming, an excellent resource is The Lucidity Institute. [zz)]
 
  • #3
My experience has been similar to that of Hynagogue. I tend to experience lucid dreaming only for a short sustained time, and it usually occurs when my mind is shifting from the uncoscious to the conscious state. So, I usually find myself lucid dreaming right before I'm about to wake up. It happens in this type of order: I am asleep and dreaming, something in my dream doesn't seem right, I realize I'm dreaming and for a short time I am able to make conscious decisions, then I wake up.

My girlfriend on the other hand has and seems to enjoy the lucid dream and OBE sensations which she can sustain for a prolonged time.

I have heard of the technique hynagogue has suggested. One variation is disrupting one's sleep, walking around for a half an hour or so and then rather than going back to sleep, try meditating while lying on your back (don't ask why cause I don't have an explanation, but apparently lying on one's back is necessary to induce lucid dreaming or OBE's). The idea is to try to stay in a relaxed conscious state, but since your body will want to fall asleep, you will end up entering a lucid dream state (conscious mind yet physically unconscious). WARNING this may also induce sleep paralysis, which I for one do not enjoy.
 

1. What is an out-of-body experience?

An out-of-body experience (OBE) is a phenomenon in which a person feels as though they have left their physical body and are able to perceive their surroundings from a different vantage point. It can occur spontaneously or through intentional techniques, and is often associated with a sense of detachment from the physical world.

2. How is an OBE different from a lucid dream?

While both OBEs and lucid dreams involve altered states of consciousness, they are distinct experiences. In an OBE, the individual feels as though they are fully awake and aware while separated from their body. In a lucid dream, the individual is aware that they are dreaming and can often control the dream narrative. OBEs are also typically shorter and more difficult to achieve than lucid dreams.

3. What causes out-of-body experiences?

The exact cause of OBEs is still unknown, but some scientists believe they may be a result of a dissociative state in the brain. This can occur due to various factors such as stress, trauma, or certain sleep disorders. Additionally, OBEs can be induced through techniques such as meditation or sensory deprivation.

4. Are out-of-body experiences real?

The concept of reality is subjective, so it is difficult to determine whether OBEs are objectively real. However, many individuals who have experienced OBEs report a sense of vividness and clarity during the experience, leading them to believe it was a real, tangible event. Some researchers also point to the similarities between OBEs and near-death experiences as evidence of their potential reality.

5. Can anyone have an out-of-body experience?

While OBEs are not a common occurrence and may require practice or specific techniques to achieve, research suggests that anyone is capable of having an OBE. Some individuals may be more naturally prone to OBEs, but with dedication and guidance, many people can learn to induce and control these experiences.

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