Memories of Future Dreams

[gurdonark]

Last night I was so tired I fell into a deep sleep quite early in the evening. Lately I notice that I remember my dreams. It really doesn't matter outside my own thoughts what is contained in my dreams, other than perhaps to say that I do not get to fly, do not have to fail an examination for which I had failed to study, and do not get to spend amorous moments with complete strangers I've seen on the movie screen. I used to read materials on lucid dreaming sometimes--the notion that one can interact with one's dreams directly. The theory, if my grocery store checkout booklet was any guide, is that one can record one's dreams, and ultimately become a participant in one's dreams, through some sleeping/conscious effort to realize that one is having a dream, and then re-direct it. This idea of "let's take Manhattan--in our dreams!" is appealing. Perhaps dreams could be some really exotic nightly cable television show, which, unlike the Sopranos, one does not have to pay the HBO premium channel fee to obtain. If I controlled my dreams, things might be different--in my dreams. I might be able to use the preternatural powers of the dreaming world to explore my inner workings. My own feeling is that this whole idea is a bit like X-Ray Spex. They look cool in back of the comic book, but you really don't see the bones. On the the other hand, maybe it's more like another back of the comic standby, the 224 piece Revolutionary War soldiers. When we finally, after years of longing, paid our meager fortune to acquire this, we did indeed receive 224 British and American revolutionary war soldiers. They were all, however, a fraction of the "normal" cowboy/Indian/WW II size. They were a bit like that 18 inch high model of Stonehenge in "This is Spinal Tap", except they were more like 18 microns high. We had a lot of fun with those soldiers, though, and maybe controlling one's dream would be a lot of fun, too, even if it was only 18 inch Stonehenge fun. I tend to think, though, that dreams should run wild and free, unchecked and indecipherable.

But if you could take control of your dreams, and send them in the directions you wish to go, where would you go? What would you do? After the newness of flying and Charlize Theron (or Toby McGuire) and telling off that football player from 10th grade wore off, what would you like to learn from your inner psyche then?

Comments

recipe :)

[amatrixangel.livejournal.com]

ahhhhhh. I know a good *twick*. Start writing down your dreams as soon as you wake (if you haven't done this before?) Continue this for some days. You will find that you begin to remember many dreams and if you keep doing it every day and then into a couple of weeks or so, you find that you probably virtually remember them all. No kidding. The problem with this is you remember so much it can end up taking an hour or more writing all the detail down. That's the downside (if you can call it that).

The upside is very interesting. What happens is the brain begins to program itself to remember the dreams more and more in the conscious state (when you wake up). Then, woo.... X-files (or Twilight Zone) territory begins. Your dream state changes to becoming more and more lucid. You begin to 'drag in' (for want of a better term which I can't find at the moment) your conscious mind and you can say, "Hey, look at me, I'm dreaming :)" The more and more lucid dreams you begin to have. That's a good thing. But it's not the Twilight Zone part.

You can not 'direct' your dream (like a movie director) but you can notice what's really going on. This is hard to explain sorta. Okies. I have to go off on a tangent for a moment (forgive me) and it's 'said' by some people that when we see people in our dreams they are not really 'those people'. ie when you see your mother in the dream it is not really 'her' or interacting with her but the motherly aspect of yourself that's being represented ...and so on and so forth. Even with strangers, 'dark' person = subconcious etc.

I used to believe that it was perhaps a bit of both ...that I am dreaming of the real 'other' person as they are and it's to do with them as well as the Jungian/Freudian archetypes coming into it at other times.

However, maybe not the 'real' people after all. Okay, now I get to it. When you become lucid you do have control in that you can become fully conscious and aware (but not with 'directing' as said). As this happens, look at the people you are with, talking with whatever in the dream. [*scary music please*] Something very strange happens. The people in the dream (or 'other' person) stops moving and talking when *you look into their face - or better - their 'eyes'* Then, they disappear - they seem to slowly evaporate. Even stranger; you are left standing on your own - in the field, room or whatever setting the dream is in.

100% of the time.

*roll Twilight Zone credits*

PS: Yes, truly(!) try it and see...

Re: recipe :)

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I've read before techniques like you suggest, but never tried them. It does sound interesting.

[amatrixangel.livejournal.com]

...time to try then ;)

[ex-sinnie785.livejournal.com]

If I could lori-handle my dreams, I think I would be less inclined to steer them towards shallow waters but would, instead, head them out to the deepest seas of my subconscious. Although, I think I might just kill the ex person (in the dreams, of course) just to get the bile out of my system once and for all. Having closure like that would serve to mellow my psyche out on that front, I do believe.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

Killing the ex's hold on you, yes, that makes sense.
Perhaps killing the part of you that lets him still make an impression, plus or minus, maybe, instead or as well? Interesting. I can think of at least one old war wound that might be better loved and lost.

Re:

[ex-sinnie785.livejournal.com]

I don't know if I could kill off that particular part of me in a dream without having my waking world thrown off balance. Then again, perhaps the reason for the repeated dreams of whatshisface (it's been over 10 years and I still have dreams of him at least twice a month) is that for some reason he's supposed to have a leech-hold on this life.

Perhaps in the next one I'll be free of him.

And for the most part, I do believe it is better to have loved and lost than to never have lurveded at all -- but this particular man stole my song & never gave it back. So him, I would honestly gladly forget.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I think it's better to have loved and lost, too, but I much prefer to love and win.

[marstokyo.livejournal.com]

I would go to the top of the respect heap, where I rightfully belong. I would see wonderful opportunities come my way--simply because my work merited it. There would be justice for all..and peace for the world. (this is why it's just a dream)

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

Those are good dreams. But here on LJ, your work is always on the top of the respect heap.

[nancyjane.livejournal.com]

lately my conversations with my shrink have revolved around a series of distubing dreams i've been having. nothing too gory but disturbing nonetheless. he was trying to get to process the content i think but i just wanted to know how to put them to a stop.

finally he asked me, why is it that you think we dream? must be some sorting going on?

all i could think to answer was, because we can't help it?