What are Dreams?

[Kobbot 401]

Are our dreams past lives being manifested, or are they our disiers that we could not act out through our waking moments? What is the meaning of dreams? Why can meany people not remember their dreams after they have them?

[Zingu]

I remember getting deja vu dreams first when I was five, it was simple scenes, the first one I remember was a road at night with cars with their headlights coming down the hill.

I completely forgot about it until I saw that exact scene in real life, with the cars coming down exactly as I had seen in the dream.


Spooky


Its happened to me quite a few other times, the other one I remember is a freind of mine spinning his red baseball cap on a table, exact same instance happened in real life, the memory of the dream came spinning right back into my memory when it did.



When will this be explained?

[Pawn Power]

Are our dreams past lives
count em, one life

[ComradeChris]

I was reading an article in Time magazine that says when we sleep it's to refresh our minds. During this process information (repetitive actions, skills, facts) are sorted during the two different phases of sleep, REM, and non-REM sleep. I think it's facts (ie. dates, names, etc) are sorted out during REM phase, while skills (motor skills primarily) are sorted out during non-REM sleep (there may have been a possibility I mixed those up; I don't have the magazine on me, but will check it ASAP and correct if necessary). When we dream in non-REM sleep it may only be a single vision, like a picture, or a couple pictures. REM sleep is when more vivid dreams, and also the phase that "recycling" of knowledge is done. Dreams are believed to be pieces of knowledge learned during the day, or the past in general. And it's when people are awoken during REM sleep that they often awake from dream states.

[pandora]

Originally posted by [email protected] 18 2004, 08:31 AM

Are our dreams past lives
count em, one life
Matter of opinion really, Buddhists believe our consciousness has existed since beginless time because what exists could not ever not exist, energy does not work that way, so sometimes by this philosophy we relive past live experiences.

Most importantly, we go to our subtle minds, as our minds become more and more subtle with the light of sleep we go deep inside to the level of our minds at our heart, if we are able to control our minds and thereby habits in the dream world we have greater concentration and focus in the waking world.

One thing you can do is look for your hands, sometimes our dreams give us a beautiful break from the waking world. One thing to remember here, we are our experiences, so whether you experience something waking or dreaming has really almost as much relavance, except to due to karma we awake to this, the same world everyday. But that can change with imagination, if we imagine a better world we can create it through the power of mind.

The trained mind is a very powerful thing, trained through mental discipline and concentration, but we also need to relax more and give ourselves a break. The modern world often does not give us enough down time for our reflective practice, often our dreams can help us to remedy this by offering a reflection

But dreams like all things are "like a reflection in a clear lake for although they appear they do not truly exist." Trijong Rinpoche.

[Xvall]

I've always considered it possible tha Deja Vu and Dreams were manifestations of ancestrial memories inherited from the genetic structure of our predecessors. Or maybe they're just random thoughts and situtations; maybe they mean that I am taking too much drugs. No one really knows, and know one can find out. All we know for sure is that it is necessary to dream to prevent us from going insane and having vivid delusions while we are awake.

I believe that it is also possible that when we experience Deja Vu, we are remembering dreams that we were previously unaware we experienced.

[Free Spirit]

Are our dreams past lives

I think more that they are reflections of the day’s thoughts or situations. But it's just a thought of mine.

[Zingu]

Originally posted by Drake [email protected] 18 2004, 06:03 AM
I've always considered it possible tha Deja Vu and Dreams were manifestations of ancestrial memories inherited from the genetic structure of our predecessors.
Stop reading "God Emperor of Dune" by Frank Herbert! :D


(By the way, the Dunes books are very good!)

[Kobbot 401]

Is it possible to controll our dreams?
Is it true that if you die in your dreams you die for real?

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

In answer to the first, yes. In answer to the second, no.

[Kobbot 401]

why then??

[Anti-Prophet]

I recently had a psychology exam with a few questions on the three major theories on dreams. Here are some very brief notes from my note book:

1.Unconscious-wish-fulfillment (Freud's theory): Dreams fulfill unconscious wishes. However, because these wishes are threatening to the dreamer's conscious awarness, the wish is disguised.

2.Dreams-for-survival theory: Dreams permit us to process and consolidate important information taken in during the day.

3.Activation-synthesis theory: During REM sleep the brain produces random electrical energy that randomly stimulate memories lodged in various portions of the brain. Because we have a need to make sense of our world the brain takes these chaotic memories and weaves them into a logical story line.

[Free Spirit]

Is it true that if you die in your dreams you die for real?

Well how can that be when a lot of people have died in dreams and woken up and continuing their day, as if it was nothing more then a dream? But then I agree at some ways because the question is how may have actually dreamt the part after death. It's usually so that you wake up every time you die in a dream and never get to see what comes next. And because of that I have a stronger belief of that dreams are the experiences and thoughts that we have experienced and if we dream about death then it could be so that we died in a past life if there is such thing as reincarnation.

[Xvall]

Originally posted by Zingu+Dec 18 2004, 06:02 PM--> (Zingu @ Dec 18 2004, 06:02 PM)
Drake [email protected] 18 2004, 06:03 AM
I've always considered it possible tha Deja Vu and Dreams were manifestations of ancestrial memories inherited from the genetic structure of our predecessors.
Stop reading "God Emperor of Dune" by Frank Herbert! :D


(By the way, the Dunes books are very good!) [/b]
Never even heard of it.

[Hiero]

When will this be explained?

Deja vu has been explained. See in fact you probally never had a dream about the cars. Deja Vu is like a miniature epilitic fit and the signals in the brain get mixed up causing you to believe what you are viewing now is something you have already done. The signals mix or something with the part of the brain that stores memory so you believe it confuses you. With you it seems instead of think you have actually experinced the same event before but you dreamt it.


You can look up deja vu on wipekedia.

[Ian]

Originally posted by Kobbot [email protected] 18 2004, 11:35 AM
Are our dreams past lives being manifested, or are they our disiers that we could not act out through our waking moments? What is the meaning of dreams? Why can meany people not remember their dreams after they have them?
http://www.icn.ch/fig1_mental.gif

[Zingu]

Ever had this happen to you?


I have this recurring dream keep happening to me,


I'm speeding towards a brick wall at high speeds, basically flying towards it, I can't stop, then, the split second before I hit it, I wake up with a jolt, usaully I wack my head against the back of the bed since I get the involuntary reaction.....ow.


Anyone else ever dreamt in third person? I have.

[Free Spirit]

I hope this doesn't sound stupid but if dreams are reflections of the day's thoughts or situations then what does a blind man dream about, does he have dreams at all?
Does he dream about his fantasy or is it possible at some way that he has pictures in dreams even though he's never seen anything; never seen the world except what can be created in his mind while awake?

[Free Spirit]

Ever had this happen to you?
Yes, quite the same. Here I am dreaming that I'm hitting the ground while I fell of the bed or you're frizzing and it's winter in your mind. The great thing is that you can thing about something, a place or anything, which can then later be connected to the dream. You dream that you are at that place you just thought of before falling asleep.

[ComradeChris]

Originally posted by Zingu+Dec 18 2004, 02:02 PM--> (Zingu @ Dec 18 2004, 02:02 PM)
Drake [email protected] 18 2004, 06:03 AM
I've always considered it possible tha Deja Vu and Dreams were manifestations of ancestrial memories inherited from the genetic structure of our predecessors.
Stop reading "God Emperor of Dune" by Frank Herbert! :D


(By the way, the Dunes books are very good!) [/b]
Here here! My favourite series of books! :D

[canikickit]

Originally posted by Free [email protected] 21 2004, 11:14 PM
I hope this doesn't sound stupid but if dreams are reflections of the day's thoughts or situations then what does a blind man dream about, does he have dreams at all?
I hope this doesn't sound offensive, but yes, it does sound stupid.
Okay, only joking, but think about it...blind people dream about the days thoughts and situations just like anyone else. the concept of sight means nothing to people who haven't been able to see since birth, so it is unlikey that they will dream about it. they may wish they could see and would imagine being able to see.

Dreams are just thoughts in our heads. If we die in our dreams we don't die in real life. Why would we?

[ComradeChris]

Actually an article in Reader's Digest addressed this in one of those "ask the specialists" type section. They said many people blind from birth dream in images too. One theory is that it's inherited memory (back to the concept in Dune). Another is that they could have heard enough of a vague description to draw them. When asked to draw their dreams they are often at the artistic skills of a "child". For instance they draw 'm's for birds, stick people, etc.

[Palmares]

Originally posted by Kobbot 401+--> (Kobbot 401)Are our dreams past lives being manifested, or are they our disiers that we could not act out through our waking moments? [/b]

To the first part, I think you would have to prove we even have past lives first. To the second part:


Originally posted by Anti-Prophet+--> (Anti-Prophet)Unconscious-wish-fulfillment (Freud's theory): Dreams fulfill unconscious wishes. However, because these wishes are threatening to the dreamer's conscious awarness, the wish is disguised.[/b]

I must admit, I find the wishes are disguised pretty badly.


Kobbot [email protected]
Why can meany people not remember their dreams after they have them?

During REM sleep, people experience many dreams, so it is not easy to remember so many things. I find that the ones I remember are the later ones, the ones with which a similar experience during the day causes me to remember (deja vu-like), but I find I easily forget them. For a while I kept a dream book my ex-girlfriend made for me. I remembered them pretty well then.


Kobbot 401
Is it possible to controll our dreams?

I believe controlled dreams care referred to as lucid dreams. It is not where you suddenly create a dream out of nothing, but rather you have a dream and you are then able to manipulate it according to your wishes. Think of the film Being John Malkovich. :lol:

But this point proves that surrealism does not equate to dreams as many foolish artists I know (like my ex) think it does. Surrealism is about freedom of expression, but a controlled environment like a lucid dream contradicts this.

Well, that's me going on a tagent anyway. :)

[Don't Change Your Name]

Some experts believe that dreams are related with instincts. I saw somewhere on the internet something about this, saying that if a baby smiles when he's sleeping, then he/she's "practicing" how to attract those from the opposite sex.

I once, not so long ago, and a while after I saw that, was about to wake up when in my dream a girl smiled at me, and when I woke up, I was already smiling at her. :o

If anyone has links or information about dreams, please post it.

[CommieBastard]

Actually an article in Reader's Digest addressed this in one of those "ask the specialists" type section. They said many people blind from birth dream in images too. One theory is that it's inherited memory (back to the concept in Dune). Another is that they could have heard enough of a vague description to draw them. When asked to draw their dreams they are often at the artistic skills of a "child". For instance they draw 'm's for birds, stick people, etc.

This is a tricky issue to explain, i think.
Take visual memory. If you try and remember what a tree or door you saw recently looks like you will get an IDEA or CONCEPT of what it looks like, but you will not experience the actual QUALIA* of the tree or door. No matter how hard you try, it simply isn't possible. The reason is that when we observe the object our mind is creating a concept of what particular colours there are, and the boundaries between these colours. These boundaries make geometric shapes. If we close our eyes we might begin to imagine that we can create a qualia of a vision (especially if we're on some kind of hefty drug). However, this is just us superimposing our geometric concepts over the 'fuzz' that we see when our eyes are closed. It's easy to imagine that that dot connects to this one and so on.
When it comes to dreams i am 99.9% certain you are not experiencing qualia, but rather a mish mash of concepts, some of them geometric, some of them collections of geometric. Others much more conceptual, such as the idea of an emotion, or the idea of an idea. You will not actually feel the emotion though, or the pain, or see the sight, or have the idea. It is just your brain organising itself. Think of a computer that is constantly having data entered onto it and wiped from it, given time it will start gettings it's registry entries (i checked this with my father who is quite into computers and he said it actually has to do with the FAT, or File Allocation Table) in a knot, it's information will not relate to itself properly. It needs a good defragging. Our minds are computers (they compute data), but biological ones, they too need this to happen, but the means we have evolved to do it requires a certain amount of re-experience of concepts, in the same way a computer might have to re-experience some of the binary code it is dealing with in order to get it in the right place, referring to the correct other bits of binary codes.

Do computers dream in zeros and ones? in a sense, yes.

Do blind people SEE in their dreams? no, but they do experience the geometric concepts attached to their concept of what vision is as it has been explained to them

*Qualia means what it is to actually experience something, e.g. pain, seperate to anything else associated with it. Thus, seperate to the c-fibres in nerves firing and seperate from the gaping wound in our arm. It is the actual experience of the thing in and of itself. For more info check out a Dictionary of the Philosophy of Mind, which I think there is a link for in the sticky at the top of this board. Some classic arguments in the area can be found in 'Quining Qualia' by Daniel C. Dennett, 'What Is It Like to Be a Bat?' by Thomas Nagel, 'Epiphenomenal Qualia' by Frank Jackson and 'What Experience Teaches' by David Lewis. Not all directly related, but those that arent a very worthy of a read anyway.

[bunk]

hey people this is weird but 5 years ago i got knocked over by a car. Since then i haven't had dreams but now i think i have started having them. But it doesn't seem normal, i don't remember it in the morning just during the day if i'm thinking about something and then consider something that happened to me, but then i realise that i must of dreamed it and it's not real. These 'scenes' i think of during the night are all things that could happen in life, none of it is unreal.
Is that the same sort of dreams as most people.

[CommieBastard]

i have all kinds of crazy dreams.
There is no 'normal' way as such to experience our dreams.
Some people say they can control their dreams entirely, and have vivid ones all, literally, the time.
Some people say they never remember their dreams, or rarely do.
It's just a funny thing, probably caused by random genetic differences in the structure of our brain.

[Vallegrande]

I heard Mugwort has a strong connection with dreams. It has been said to even contribute to vivid and prophetic dreams. I tried it out but not long enough to understand what it could do to my dreams. It has to be a moderate usage in tea or even smoked, but it has been known for its dream enhancements.

[Fidelbrand]

Dreams are
forecasts ,
reminscence of past experiences,
or your brain wants you to release the feeling you culminate in your daily life (Some people say "bad/horror" dreams are to relax you from the stress you had during the daytime.)

[I've Defected]

Originally posted by [email protected] 20 2004, 02:41 PM
Ever had this happen to you?


I have this recurring dream keep happening to me,


I'm speeding towards a brick wall at high speeds, basically flying towards it, I can't stop, then, the split second before I hit it, I wake up with a jolt, usaully I wack my head against the back of the bed since I get the involuntary reaction.....ow.


Anyone else ever dreamt in third person? I have.
maybe... before you go to bed every night, like a mantra, repeat
"i will go through the wall, i will go through the wall."

Your subconcious is very susceptable to suggestion.

it would be a cool experiment, and i bet would be a very interesting experience to see what it would be like on the other side of that wall

[ComradeChris]

Originally posted by I've Defected+Jan 5 2005, 08:53 PM--> (I've Defected @ Jan 5 2005, 08:53 PM)
[email protected] 20 2004, 02:41 PM
Ever had this happen to you?


I have this recurring dream keep happening to me,


I'm speeding towards a brick wall at high speeds, basically flying towards it, I can't stop, then, the split second before I hit it, I wake up with a jolt, usaully I wack my head against the back of the bed since I get the involuntary reaction.....ow.


Anyone else ever dreamt in third person? I have.
maybe... before you go to bed every night, like a mantra, repeat
"i will go through the wall, i will go through the wall."

Your subconcious is very susceptable to suggestion.

it would be a cool experiment, and i bet would be a very interesting experience to see what it would be like on the other side of that wall [/b]
Try writing down your dream and everything that's not right about it as well. You can fly, so maybe you're walking. Maybe it's a stage wall and not hard at all. Things like that. That's if the lucid dreaming technique I've Defected gave you doesn't work.

[ComradeChris]

Originally posted by [email protected] 1 2005, 04:44 AM
Dreams are
forecasts ,
reminscence of past experiences,
or your brain wants you to release the feeling you culminate in your daily life (Some people say "bad/horror" dreams are to relax you from the stress you had during the daytime.)
70 - 80 % of a dreams content apparently comes from the previous day according to professor Joseph De Koninck. That only further makes me want to believe the theory that dreams are pieces of information being recycled and stored according to their usage.

[guerillablack]

I remember hearing interesting theory. Something about the big bang and how the universe expands, then eventually collapsese and the cycle continues. So deja vu is stuff we experienced in previous life or something to that effect.