Usually the skeptic...

Hi there! I'm new to the forum, thought I'd just share some initial views about this whole thing.

I'm usually a pretty big skeptic when it comes to things like this... or I guess what the guide called "new-age." The only reason this REALLY caught my attention was because I have experienced some of the things the guide talks about (in fact I've lucid dreamed before, but unfortunatly in a nightmare I could not control). Are many people skeptics before they enter this, and if you are- does it affect your ability, even if you sincerely want to try?

Another question I have relates to sleep paralysis. Occasionally I get the sensation that my body is totally asleep but I'm awake and I can't move a single muscle in my body. In fact, breathing becomes difficult as I can't voluntarily control my breathing. The first few times this happened I was terrified, but after the 3rd time or so I was able to supress the fear and try to explore the sensation. It usually involved trying to wake myself up due to the unpleasant nature of it. If I let it persist, it would just keep getting stronger till it forced me awake. I've had this in conjunction with a nightmare AND lucid dream before (which really amounted to the most terrifying "super-natural" experience of my life). I wonder if this may have any bearing on attempting to practice lucid dreaming?

Thanks and I hope to become proficient at this someday :D

Welcome, NitePhlight! :D

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Originally posted by NitePhlight
Are many people skeptics before they enter this, and if you are- does it affect your ability, even if you sincerely want to try?

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I suppose some people are skeptical, but perhaps not as many as with truly \"new age\" stuff -- after all, there' s nothing paranormal about dreaming.

But in answer to the second part of the question, I would say that it undoubtedly could have an effect on the ability to lucid dream. One thing about dreams, lucid or not, is that if you expect something to happen, it likely will. And likewise if you expect something not to happen.

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Originally posted by NitePhlight
Another question I have relates to sleep paralysis. Occasionally I get the sensation that my body is totally asleep but I'm awake and I can't move a single muscle in my body.

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I'm not sure from reading this how much you already understand about lucid dreaming and sleep paralysis, but I suggest you read the Tutorials section, particularly the WILD tutorials.

Hope you enjoy your stay here, and hope to see more of you. :mrgreen:

After reading all the posts here i would expect that you become 'unsceptical' rather quick. There's just too many people explaining their experiences for it to be all made up, I have had 2 LD's in the past few months and I see people on this site who have had many many more. As tyger says, believe that you can and will have a LD and you will :wink:

Welcome and good luck LDing. It's as easy as falling asleep (sometimes),

Glor

Welcome to Dreamviews. 8)

Check out some of the posts under "Lucid Experiences" and even some of the Journal entries if you like. I'm sure they will offer the most insight as to how real lucid dreaming is.

Make yourself comfortable. If dreams interest you in any way, you'll probably be here for quite a while. Hehe.