Lucid Dreaming: An Overlook

While records of lucid dream discussion date back to the days of Aristotle, it was Frederick Van Eeden who first coined the term “lucid dream”. Van Eeden used the word “lucid” simply to mean “clarity”. In Webster’s sense of the word, lucidity means "clearness of thought or style," and "a presumed capacity to perceive the truth directly and instantaneously.” Lucid dreaming simply means awareness of the fact that one is dreaming, while in the dream state (LeBarge and Levitan par. 1). In his essay “A Study of Dreams,” Van Eeden classifies nine different types of

LaBerge developed a way of studying lucid dreaming called biofeedback. This is when stimulants, such as light or sound, are used on a person who is in REM (rapid-eye movement) sleep. If these stimulations are evident in their dreams, one can then use these to realize they are dreaming. Without the use of Biofeedback, one will usually realize they are dreaming when something bizarre or impossible happens, and find no other explanation than that it is a dream (“Lucid Dreaming” 338). On occasion people realize they are dreaming without recognizing a particular clue within their dream; they simply all of a sudden realize they are dreaming. A small amount of lucid dreams result from returning to REM sleep directly from an awakening with “unbroken reflective consciousness” (LaBerge and Levitan par. 2). One who experiences a lucid dream will claim to be in touch with all of their “cognitive faculties.” These include being able to reason normally, recall conditions of their waking life, and act/speak freely based on decisions and thoughts created before going to sleep (LaBerge “Lucid Dreaming” 338). Dreams tend to have the same effects on the mind, and partially the body as waking life instances do. If our muscles were not paralyzed during REM sleep, we would literally do the things we do in our dreams (“Lucid Dreaming” 341).

Whichever way works for you to achieve lucidity is well worth the effort. Not only does lucid dreaming carry great benefits, it also just plain entertaining. It may take a great conscious effort and a long period of time to master this concept, but I think most will agree the benefits most definitely out weigh the struggle. Lucid Dreaming creates a whole entire new world and life for you, in which no obstacle is impossible to overcome and no goal is out of reach.

A major benefit of Lucid Dreaming arises in the instance of nightmares. If a lucid dreamer is experiencing a nightmare, they can use the knowledge of it being a dream to conquer their fears and obstacles. This can be a very effective way of overcoming waking life fears as well (LaBerge “Lucid Dreaming” 338). If one has a fear of the pain they may feel when going to visit a loved ones grave, if they visit it in their dreams, they may find that it gives them peace or resolution, thus forth conquering that fear in waking life as well.

While lucid dreams cannot have much effect on the body during REM sleep

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