Do non-lucid dreams disturb you a little?

[Phosphoros]

Just wondering if I'm the only one that finds the nature of non-lucid dreams just a little disturbing. I mean the fact that you experience and do all these different things everynight while not being in control and only half-aware. Imagine if in real life your body would suddenly start speaking, going places and doing stuff without your consent. All you could do is (figuratively) sit back and watch, like being host to an alien parasite that controls your every actions. That's pretty much what dreams are, being a spectator to your own self, and I find that a little disturbing.

[Barbizzle]

I dont find ti distrubing. Do find it disurbing to have memories and you can not chnage them when you remebr them in your mind?? Its the same thing.

[Tron]

At least its a construct of your mind + your body goes into paralysis. It will only affect you.

[Lucky27]

It's not too bad. I don't think I do anything in non-lucid dreams that I wouldn't do in my waking life.

[Kaniaz]

I do not find it disturbing at all. I don't see why I would.

[Seeker]

I don't find it disturbing either. In fact, it is most like travelling to alternate realities for me. I often find myself with life long friends that I have never met before, a whole set of memories, However, I have done thing in my dreams that disturb me deeply and make me wonder how in the world my subconcioius could have ever cooked up such a thing.

[LucidDreamGod]

disturbing, I control my self in my dreams just like in real life, I just don't make conscious choses, but I do find some of my dreams kind of odd, sometimes I can't even wright them in a dream journal because people might think I'm crazy, like last nights dream.

[nerve]

it is kind of strange now that I think about it. I don't know about disturbing exactly, but definitely strange.

[Amethyst Star]

Originally posted by Seeker However, I have done thing in my dreams that disturb me deeply and make me wonder how in the world my subconcioius could have ever cooked up such a thing. I agree. Until this week in my non-LDs, my subconscious was giving me dreams of a sort that go against my morals and so I would be very frusterated when I woke up. They're not really a problem now, but time will tell. To me, it's also interesting the different emotions once experiences in a dream. In the one hand you can (for example) feel really bad about killing a little bird, but not give a care when it comes to kicking the crap out of a person. I've got a firm enough grip on reality so that the actions that take place in my dreams don't manifest themselves IRL without my first examining them and deciding whether or not they're appropriate. -Amé

[Phosphoros]

Originally posted by barbizzle I dont find ti distrubing. Do find it disurbing to have memories and you can not chnage them when you remebr them in your mind?? Its the same thing. I don't really see how it's the same thing. Memories are simply play-backs of conscious experiences and you can recall making conscious decisions at the time. Dreams aren't play-backs, they happen to you in real time yet you don't (usually) have any conscious input. You can remember them but you wont recall making any conscious decisions at the time, because you weren't making any. That's the part that disturbs me a little (not a whole lot, mind you, I can still sleep at night), that when it comes down to it we can be no better than a computer program, evolving mindlessly in an enviroment based solely on preprogrammed responses.

[alucinor]

Originally posted by Phosphoros that when it comes down to it we can be no better than a computer program, evolving mindlessly in an enviroment based solely on preprogrammed responses. Yeah, it's an interesting idea there. I do find non-lucid dreams disturbing on some fronts, but not so much on the one you're covering. That one, is the age old epistemological problem of free will. Just as NL dreams show, it's a conceptual possibility that none of us exercise free will, in that we're existing in a world in which all external to ourselves are products of our mind. It also brings up that problem you speak of that we're as simple as complex computer constructs, responding with automation - the zombie theorie, i think it's called. It's interesting, but frustrating because it seems to be impossible to argue against. Solipsism (the uncertainty of anyone/thing existing beyond our own mind) is logically undisprovable, which i spose makes it worth exploring. Though most people don't worry about this, as it's commonly dismissed as sophomoric - so unanswerable we're healthier to ignore it for now. And at least you must all admit nightmares disturb you a little - the fear and panick elicited by imagination. Such an irrational product of a serious emotion is somewhat disturbing. I was surprised to see so many of you dismissing this question.

[the thinker]

I think it is helpful to "go with the flow" in a dream. Its good for the concious to be out of control for a while. Non-lucid dreaming helps you be more accepting of craziness during waking life. Of course im saying this because im having extreme trouble becoming lucid during dreams.