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Senoi, Kilton Stewart, and the The Mystique of Dreams: Further Thoughts on an Allegory About an Allegory
No full textSenoi dream theory, the idea that we should share and control our dreams for spiritual development, is an attractive theory said to derive from an appealing, non-violent people living simply in the highlands of Malaysia. But the real story of Senoi dream theory can be a painful one for at least two reasons that go beyond the usual academic conflicts over the validity and usefulness of ideas. First, some people in the United States make their living off of it by leading dream groups; they therefore have more at stake than do professors who are secure in their jobs whether their ideas pan out or not. Second, the theory resonates with deeply held cultural and spiritual values that almost compel people to believe it; they therefore become very upset when it is questioned
Lucid Dreams And OBES
No full textLucid dream research will be of interest to other scientists only if we can develop better theories, better integration with the rest of psychology and better experiments to test those theories
From Ordinary to Lucid Dreaming: Research and Politics of Dreaming in North America
No full textIn recent years the people of North American have witnessed an increase in the value we place on dreams as evidenced by the formation of the Association for the Study of Dreams; the number of dream books being written; grass roots interest as expressed in workshops and classes being offered in everything from churches to community mental health centers; an increase in the number and variety of articles on dreams in the popular press; and stories in literature, film, and television about the potential of dreams. Although virtually everyone has had an interest in dreams, serious investigation into them is still a relatively rare phenomenon
‘The Nature of Physical Reality’ by Subhash Kak, New York: Peter Lang, 1986; pp. 153. Book Review by Stanley Krippner
No full textThis engaging book is part of the American University Studies series. As such, it attempts to present a summary of sciences current understanding of the physical world, and to point out that humankind’s questioning across the ages has had a continuity, especially concerning the problem of paradox and reality. The author, a professor of information theory at Louisiana State University, finds these same questions articulated in the Rig Veda, the Upanishads, and in Greek literature. He also observes at least two types of answers: the atomists’ belief that all knowledge can be reduced to a set of concepts and particles, and the intuitionists’ belief that reduction is impossible. The intuitionists hold that our understanding of the universe reflects the nature of our minds; hence the best approach is one that seeks ways to describe complex systems behavior
A Conceptual and Phenomenological Analysis of Pure Consciousness During Sleep
No full textWhile most accounts of “awareness” during sleep have focused on the phenomenon of “dream lucidity”, in this presentation I will discuss a qualitatively distinct state of consciousness beyond ordinary lucidity that can be experienced along with dreaming and deep sleep. This state is referred to in the ancient Vedic tradition as “samadhi” or pure consciousness”. When this state is maintained during dreaming or sleep, it is said to serve as a silent “witness” or observer to these changing relative states
Induction of Lucid Dreams Including the Use of the Dreamlight
No full textI would like to talk in a somewhat broader context today than just on the use of the DreamLight. I will give you a sense of why I have been working on developing this device and my view of the induction of lucid dreams in general. In case there is anyone present who doesn’t know what a lucid dream is —it is a dream in which you know you are dreaming while it is happening
Overview of the German Research in the Field of Lucid Dreaming
No full textWith the aim of examining a number of claims about dreaming, I looked for a technique that would allow the scientist to make systematic observations during dreaming with a clear consciousness. This was in 1959, a time when the phenomenon of lucid dreaming was completely unknown both to myself and the majority of psychologists. The main thought underlying my first technique for the induction of lucid dreaming went as follows: If one develops a critical frame of mind towards the state of consciousness during the waking state, by asking oneself whether one is dreaming or awake, this attitude will be transferred to the dreaming state. It is then possible through the occurrence of unusual experiences to recognize that one is dreaming. One month after beginning with this method, I had my first lucid dream
From the Beginning Thru Feast or Famine
No full textKrisanne Gray is a housewife and mother of two who runs a day care center in Spokane, Washington. Her story, as well as the work of Deborah Armstrong-Hickey [see her talk in the symposium proceedings in this issue], is of theoretical interest to the field of lucid dreaming. Not because of the process she went through in figuring out what is real, this is a familiar one to anyone who has worked on becoming lucid in sleep, but rather because she went through it at such a young age. Due to her youth other mechanisms came into play which adults don’t normally deal with. Mrs. Gray may to be a consciousness savant in the same manner as a very young child who shows early mathematical aptitude.
Before I comment on the potential theoretical significance of this case let me say that 1 have spoken to Mrs. Gray at some length and believe that she is in fact honestly communicating her experiences as accurately as she can. As is often the cast when I stumble upon an individual who evidences unique sleep consciousness (if genuine and uninformed about the area of lucid dreaming); they are amazed to discover that everyone doesn’t dream lucidly all the time. In 13 years of working on lucid dreaming I have only found four individuals (outside of long term meditators) like this. In all cases they were ignorant of lucid dreaming work, amazed that their style wasn’t the norm, and with intensive interviewing I was convinced that they fully understood what I meant and that they were honest, sincere and perhaps humbler. In fact, in a recent chance encounter with an Alberta businessman, who is virtually always conscious in sleep and has never meditated, he became quite uncomfortable with my interest in his sleep experiences. I hope yet to be able to convince him to come into the sleep laboratory
Notes on Conscious Cessation of Lucid Dream Activity
No full textIt has been noted that both lucid and non-lucid dreams have developed an untrustworthy or illusory reputation among some cultures. Elements of superstition and/or fear have been woven throughout even our own culture’s attitudes. A more traditional example of this might be found in Chinese Taoism and alchemy. Chinese Taoist MasterChuangTzu (300 B.C.) was one of the first to express personal apprehensions or confusions regarding personal lucid dreams and fantasy.
Lucid Dreaming and Ethical Reflection
No full textWith the veritable explosion of interest in lucid dreaming in the past few years, important new questions have arisen to challenge those of us who are exploring the valuesof lucid dreaming.Foremost among these questions is that of the ethical significance of lucid dreaming.Some writers have expressed concern that lucid dreaming may actually inhibit true healing (1), while others have asked whether the pleasures of lucid dreaming may not become a harmfully addictive "drug" (2).Still others have denied any cause for alarm (3)