What you get is not always what you see...

[benjhenry]

Images in dreams are often generated by expectation. As soon as I think, 'There's a wolf nearby', I'll see a wolf (or perhaps something less terrifying...). But in lucid dreaming I have enjoyed moments when my subconscious surprises me. I've recently been generating ideas for a book cover in my lucid dreams, and it's fascinating to look at a canvas and try to work out why you have been presented with that collection of images? Where do they come from? Are they all memory fragments, or a synthesis? Will we ever know?

[How to be wise]

5 hours ago, benjhenry said:

Images in dreams are often generated by expectation. As soon as I think, 'There's a wolf nearby', I'll see a wolf (or perhaps something less terrifying...). But in lucid dreaming I have enjoyed moments when my subconscious surprises me. I've recently been generating ideas for a book cover in my lucid dreams, and it's fascinating to look at a canvas and try to work out why you have been presented with that collection of images? Where do they come from? Are they all memory fragments, or a synthesis? Will we ever know?

You’re playing with form. Wouldn’t it be better to realise the formless.

[seeking_brilliance]

@benjhenry anything I'd say would be wrong, but this is something that lucid dreamers do discuss. I call it "the man behind the curtain", but only for fun.  Your question is posed from the perspective of the dream-self,  so of course there can be a god of the dream as well. Which one are you, if either? 

[seeking_brilliance]

have you read Robert Waggoner's book? Lucid Dreaming: Gateway to the Inner Self

https://www.amazon.com/Lucid-Dreaming-Gateway-Inner-Self-ebook/dp/B0070YFQBC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1610146030&sr=8-1 

 

[benjhenry]

@seeking_brilliance 'Which one are you, if either?' is such a good question, and one I often ask. Sometimes it feels like you are in control, but generally that there is something more powerful (if only your subconscious) calling the shots, and the part of you trying to alter the dreamscape is not so effective.

I have a copy of that book! I read it about 10 years ago and remember enjoying it - I'll give it another look, and see if it sheds any light on what I'm wondering now.

[benjhenry]

@How to be wise Much of life is a play with form, and 'better' is subjective, but I'm interested in what you mean?

[seeking_brilliance]

How is a dream not the perfect example of formless form? 

[How to be wise]

5 hours ago, benjhenry said:

@How to be wise Much of life is a play with form, and 'better' is subjective, but I'm interested in what you mean?

Pursuing enlightenment rather than dabbling with lucid dreaming.

[seeking_brilliance]

1 hour ago, How to be wise said:

Pursuing enlightenment rather than dabbling with lucid dreaming.

Why should he listen to you on what to pursue? Have you pursued and found enlightenment? 

[How to be wise]

58 minutes ago, seeking_brilliance said:

Why should he listen to you on what to pursue? Have you pursued and found enlightenment? 

Of course. It was the first thing I did, even before life purpose.

[seeking_brilliance]

@How to be wise So what is enlightenment and where did you find it? 

Edited January 14, 2021 by seeking_brilliance

[seeking_brilliance]

@How to be wise

 

From the Gospel of Thomas 

2. And Jesus said,

Let the one who seeks

continue seeking

until what is sought is found.

 

When that which is sought is found

the seeker will be wise.

 

Once wise, the seeker

will transcend all

and will attain rest

and will Be at Peace

concerning everything.

 

 

[How to be wise]

On 14/01/2021 at 6:02 PM, seeking_brilliance said:

@How to be wise So what is enlightenment and where did you find it? 

Enlightenment is just a very high level of consciousness. Or a great reduction of your ego and it’s habits. I found it through meditation and self inquiry. More specifically The Work of Byron Katie.

[seeking_brilliance]

1 minute ago, How to be wise said:

Enlightenment is just a very high level of consciousness. Or a great reduction of your ego and it’s habits. I found it through meditation and self inquiry. More specifically The Work of Byron Katie.

So the poster should.... Reach a "very high level of consciousness. Or a great reduction of your ego and it’s habits" before dabbling with lucid dreaming? What would be good reasons for that? 

[benjhenry]

I should have signed up to email alerts - I've only just stumbled on this again! I'm currently reading 'Being Aware of Being Aware' by Rupert Spira, in which it says 'Enlightenment or awakening is not a particular experience or state of mind that may be achieved by practising hard enough or meditating long enough. It is the recognition of the very nature of the mind.' I can't say I agree with (or perhaps understand) everything he says in the book, but I do agree with this - that enlightenment is not something to be pursued. As such, I don't think one should choose to seek enlightenment over other activities, be it lucid dreaming or watching a good film! You could always say, 'Why do that when you could be pursuing enlightenment', but I think it's important to enjoy the world, question ourselves and explore the mind - and lucid dreaming is a great way of doing that.

[Vibroverse]

Your subconscious is infinite creativity.