The Oneironic-IThe Oneironic-I

A theory of how one’s sense of self A theory of how one’s sense of self continues and changes during continues and changes during

lucid dreams.lucid dreams.

Origins of OneirosOrigins of Oneiros

The ancient Greek work for dream was The ancient Greek work for dream was “Oneiros”.“Oneiros”.

In Prometheus Bound, the ancient Greek In Prometheus Bound, the ancient Greek philosopher Aeschylus called the art of philosopher Aeschylus called the art of dream interpretation “Oneiromancy”.dream interpretation “Oneiromancy”.

LaBerge a modern day lucid dream LaBerge a modern day lucid dream researcher calls explorers of the dream state researcher calls explorers of the dream state “Oneironauts”.“Oneironauts”.

What is Self?What is Self?

Most writers focus on Most writers focus on the “self-concept”, the “self-concept”, “self-esteem”, “self-esteem”, personality traits or personality traits or the self in a reflective, the self in a reflective, subjective manner.subjective manner.

Sense of self as Sense of self as overlapping memories.overlapping memories.

Sense of self as a Sense of self as a bundle of perceptions.bundle of perceptions.

Sense of self as a Sense of self as a narrative structure and narrative structure and story.story.

Sense of self as a Sense of self as a collage of socially collage of socially conditioned conditioned intepretations.intepretations.

.

Dan’s working definition of Dan’s working definition of an Oneironic-I or selfan Oneironic-I or self

Derived “duplex notion of the self” from Derived “duplex notion of the self” from William James and George Herbert Mead.William James and George Herbert Mead.

with the “I”, the self as observer, ANDwith the “I”, the self as observer, AND with the “me”, the self as the observations with the “me”, the self as the observations

of that observer.of that observer.

What’s lucid dreaming all about?What’s lucid dreaming all about?

Lucid dreaming is…Lucid dreaming is…

Being able to consciously recognize that you Being able to consciously recognize that you are dreaming while you are dreamingare dreaming while you are dreaming

Once aware you are dreaming, acting to Once aware you are dreaming, acting to consciously control and change the context consciously control and change the context & characters of the dream in real time& characters of the dream in real time

And why? Its an exhilarating experience, And why? Its an exhilarating experience, travel to exotic locations, meet interesting travel to exotic locations, meet interesting people, do things you couldn’t when awake people, do things you couldn’t when awake

What’s a lucid dream like?What’s a lucid dream like?

Yes, you are asleep when Yes, you are asleep when you are lucid dreaming!you are lucid dreaming!

LaBerge’s PhD dissertation (1977) at LaBerge’s PhD dissertation (1977) at Stanford empirically verifies a dreamer can Stanford empirically verifies a dreamer can be lucid while asleep.be lucid while asleep.

How so?How so?

Your 90 minute sleep cycleYour 90 minute sleep cycle

The researchers say….The researchers say….

Green (1968) - lucid dreams are accurate Green (1968) - lucid dreams are accurate imitations of waking life.imitations of waking life.

LaBerge (1988) - dreaming of doing LaBerge (1988) - dreaming of doing something is equivalent to actually doing it.something is equivalent to actually doing it.

Moffitt (1988) - we dream to find out who we Moffitt (1988) - we dream to find out who we are.are.

Wolf (1994) - we dream so that a sense of “I” Wolf (1994) - we dream so that a sense of “I” manifests.manifests.

Dan’s theory of the Oneironic-IDan’s theory of the Oneironic-I

Your lucid dreaming self is an Your lucid dreaming self is an extension of your waking self.extension of your waking self.

Lucid dream research suggests that Lucid dream research suggests that one’s sense of self extends across a one’s sense of self extends across a

continuum of conscious states.continuum of conscious states.In lucid dreams you have: a self-In lucid dreams you have: a self-

concept, reflexivity, memories, concept, reflexivity, memories, perceptions, narratives structures and perceptions, narratives structures and

socially constructed realitiessocially constructed realities

And so The Oneironic-I is….And so The Oneironic-I is….

a self-perceived continuity in the sameness a self-perceived continuity in the sameness of the person, The “I”, the lucid dream of the person, The “I”, the lucid dream OBSERVER.OBSERVER.

a self-perceived continuity in the person’s a self-perceived continuity in the person’s self attributes, The “Me”, the lucid dream self attributes, The “Me”, the lucid dream OBSERVATIONS.OBSERVATIONS.

As an Oneronic-IAs an Oneronic-IYour Dreams Become You Your Dreams Become You