TED Conversations

• Andres Aullet
• Sandpoint, ID
• United States

TEDCRED 10+

This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »

Should we teach people how to control their dreams?

First of all a clarification: by this question i do not mean we should kill or limit people's dreams or even put down dreamers. To the contrary, long live the dreamers, the creative force behind our true progress!


Now, my question is related to a particular phenomenon that i have experienced called lucid dreaming, where one can become suddenly conscious that one is dreaming and even alter the flow of dreams.

I remember this had a profound effect on me, as it dispelled some myths (for example, that of experiences out of the body). But most of all, it gave me a better understanding of the kind of stuff that buzzes through our heads and make up our unconscious dreams.

Some have said that controlling our own dreams could have positive applications, like treatment of nightmares, i would venture to think that rehabilitation from certain addictions could be a potential application too.

Do you think that people should be taught openly how to become aware of and control their own dreams?

cheers


P.D. Here is some info on lucid dreaming: http://everything2.com/title/Lucid+dream