Is your dream environment stable? Or does it morph and transform as the
dream progresses? If you change your viewing perspective, does what you see
follow physical rules, or do you see something else altogether? How do your
dream environments compare to waking reality?
This month we continue with part 3 in the series "Exploring the Bizarre
Physics of Dreamspace" of Ed Kellogg's Quarterly Lucid Dreaming Challenges.
LDE Quarterly Lucid Dreaming Challenge
June, 2006
by Ed Kellogg
((c)2006 E. W. Kellogg III, Ph.D.)
(This feature provides an unusual lucid dreaming task for LDE readers with
each new issue. Participants agree to accept personal responsibility for any
risks should they choose to undertake these tasks, which may possibly bring
about mental, emotional, and even physical changes. We invite those of you
who accomplish these tasks to send your dream reports either to Ed Kellogg,
at alef1@msn.com, or to LDE.)
Exploring the Bizarre Physics of Dreamspace Part 3: "Dreamspace"
"All matter originates and exists only by virtue of a force which brings the
particles of an atom to vibration and holds this most minute solar system of
the atom together. We must assume behind this force the existence of a
conscious and intelligent mind. This mind is the matrix of all matter".
Max Planck, Nobel prize winner.
"M stands for "Magic", "Mystery", or "Matrix" - according to taste"
Definition of the "M" in M-theory by its originator, physicist Ed Witten. (1)
In order to come up with a consistent model of our universe, reconciling
quantum mechanics, Einstein's theory of relativity, the Standard Model,
etc., including everything from gravity to subatomic particles, physicists
found that the standard 3 + 1 dimensions (space-time) just won't do - that a
workable model requires 10 or more dimensions to explain how the universe
behaves. When they did this, they came up with not just one, but many
"Superstring Theory" solutions that can elegantly and accurately model how
our Universe works. (Dr. Ed Witten found a way of uniting these variations
with his much acclaimed M-theory, but had to add another dimension to do
so.)
Some interesting consequences also fall out of such models, including time
travel, parallel universes, etc. Unfortunately, to put superstring theory to
the test in (3 +1) space-time requires such enormous amounts of energy that
scientists may not have the resources to do confirming experiments for
thousands of years. Yet, humans have routinely experienced phenomena such as
those described above in their dreams (2), which opens the possibility that
dreams may take place "outside" of (3 +1) space-time.
Also, if this model holds, this would mean that each of us exists as ten or
more dimensional beings, to which our (3+1) physical reality selves would be
only an infinitesimal aspect of our Higher-Dimensional Selves, of less
significance than a two dimensional square in a three dimensional cube,
which contains an infinite number of such squares ... Similarly, even our
"brains" would consist of far more than the (3 +1) space-time component
focused on by most scientists, but could also bring into play an additional
6 or more dimensional component, a possibility that mechanistic models of
consciousness promoted by most neurophysiologists ignores entirely. Perhaps
dreams do occur "all in our brains" as some scientists like to believe, but
not in our (3+1) space-time brains, but in 10 or more dimensional brains.
If we do experience these other dimensional components of self, it makes
sense that we would do so in our dreams, visions, and OBEs. We would usually
'translate'/remember these dreams in terms of the (3+1) space-time templates
that we have built from our experiences in waking physical reality, but I've
noticed that IF people pay mindful attention to their dreams, they report
dream experiences that do not fit in a (3+1) template, any more than a
square peg fits in a round hole.
In his book Hyperspace, Michio Kaku wrote that according to superstring
theory, before the "big bang", our cosmos actually existed as a perfect
ten-dimensional universe. (3) However, because of an instability of this
ten-dimensional world, it broke down into "two" universes: an inflated
four-dimensional (3+1) universe and a collapsed six-dimensional universe.
If waking reality space-time corresponds to the physical reality universe,
to what reality might this coupled 6 dimensional universe correspond? I
suggest that we entertain the hypothesis that we experience this higher
dimensional universe in our dreams. If so, dream reality space-time might
extend through 6 dimensions, just as physical reality space-time extends
through 4, three spatial, and one temporal dimension. Based on my own
experiences, it appears that dream reality space-time has 4 + 2 dimensions,
four spatial, and two time dimensions. Three of the spatial dimensions would
correspond to the length, height, and depth of physical reality space-time,
but dream space-time would also have a fourth spatial dimension, a
hyperspace dimension, in which dreamers could also move. In this fourth
spatial dimension movement might take the dreamer into parallel dream
universes, most of them differing only slightly from the ones adjoining them
(like moving up in a cube would move us through a series of squares). Also,
having a fourth spatial dimension would also allow our dream bodies to go
through things, through a wall for example, to teleport, or even to "flip"
ourselves so that our right side becomes our left side, and visa versa. (4)
However, even if we have the capacity for movement in this 4th spatial
dimension in dream reality, dreamers don't bring any learned navigational
skills for moving in 4d from physical reality space-time. As a consequence,
one might expect dreamers to tend to drift, and to move through, parallel
universes, as well as to teleport, and even to occasionally reverse
orientation without much control. Perhaps this explains the apparent
mutability of many dreamscapes.
Why two time dimensions? Well, for one thing, having a second time dimension
makes time travel easy, and many dreamers report precognitive and time
travel experiences in their dreams. In dream reality we would have the
capacity for movement in this 2nd temporal dimension, but as we would not
have learned navigational skills for moving in it from physical reality
space-time experiences, we might tend to drift and to move through dreamtime
without much control. This would result in a two-dimensional time, where we
would experience two times, a personal timeline (what we sequentially
experience), and a world timeline. Instead of likening time to a straight
line, in DR it corresponds more to a two dimensional plane with the forward
edge corresponding to the future, and the backward edge to the past. (For
more on this, see 5.)
If we do experience a higher dimensional universe, how might "superstrings"
show up in our dreams? How might we perceive them? Perhaps a lucid dreamer
might notice anomalous structural elements, subtle signs of a higher
dimensional dream matrix below surface appearances. Although computer game
graphics may look realistic at first glance, careful viewing reveals
distortions due to an underlying hexagonal or tile matrix structure. If such
a matrix underlies dream reality, perhaps lucid dreamers can perceive
underlying distortions due to that matrix, when mindfully looking at their
surroundings. How might lucid dreamers perceive superstrings? Perhaps they
have some relation to "power lines", which many people report encountering
in dreams, often unexpectedly.
The Challenge: Exploring the Properties of "Dreamspace"
When you next become lucid in a dream (where you know that you dream while
you dream) pay attention to the structural level of your dream environment.
Does the dream environment appear stable, or does it change? If so how does
it change? As you move around in that environment, how do changes in your
perspective change what you see? Does your perspective sometimes shift
unexpectedly, or even reverse itself? Look for anomalies, distortions, or
unexpected regularities in the fabric of dreamspace such as "powerlines" or
geometric patterns. Pay less attention to the foreground, and more
attention to the background, of experienced dreamscapes. Record your
experiences and interactions with dreamspace in your dream journal in as
much detail as possible - include drawings and diagrams if appropriate.
REFERENCES
- Quoted from the The Elegant Universe, a three part NOVA series on Superstring theory first aired in 2003. Amazing graphics, illustrating mind-bending concepts. Available on DVD.)
- "Psi-Perception in Dreams: Next Stop - the Twilight Zone." (a 2003 PsiberDreaming Conference Presentation) by E. W. Kellogg III, Ph.D.
http://www.asdreams.org/telepathy/kellogg_pdc2003_001.htm
- Kaku, M., (1994) Hyperspace: A Scientific Odyssey through Parallel Universes, Time Warps, and the 10th Dimension, Doubleday, New York.
- Kellogg III, E. W. (1989). "Mapping Territories: A Phenomenology of Lucid Dream Reality". Lucidity Letter, 8(2), pp. 81-97. Available online at:
http://www.spiritwatch.ca/LL%208(2)%20dec%2089/
KELOG082.W50.htm
- To read an example of a literally mind-bending higher-dimensional dream of this kind, and its consequences on the dreamer, see pp. 49-50 in The Fourth Dimension: A Guided Tour of the Higher Universes, by Rudy Rucker (1994), Houghton Mifflin, Boston.
Appendix 1. Just for fun: a lucid dream in which I attempted to manifest a
superstring with interesting consequences . . .
5/26/2000
" . . . In a 'Maxfield Parrish' type setting, in order to
demonstrate that we dream to two doubtful, but beautiful (and naked) women
bathing in a small, white marble pool, I fly across a very large, elegantly
furnished, wood paneled room. As I fly I remember my 'Superstring' task, and
chant aloud the incantation 'By the power of Alkahest / Let a Superstring
manifest!'
Nothing much happens - I expected a delay - but in a moment a 'radio' comes
on, and I hear a voice that tells me that 'it does not seem a good idea to
do an experiment of this type, at this time, as you still seem too unfocused
and distracted.' The voice tells me further that 'to do an experiment of
this kind requires careful consideration beforehand as to what to do, and
clear mindful intentionality while doing it'.
What the voice says makes sense to me - the naked young women definitely
distracted me, and still somewhat cloud my intent. However, this remarkably
stable dream environment seems perfect for an experiment of this kind, and
at this point I can now work undisturbed.
Rather than miss an opportunity, I decide to wait and see what happens. I go
outside, and see another pristine dreamscape view in a sort of rectangular
plane like space - unlimited in two directions, but of only limited height
and breadth - perhaps a mile for those dimensions. The whole dreamscape
changes as I watch - it becomes gray and desert like. In the sky, dark,
almost black, clouds materialize, roiling and moving, as if about to give
birth to something awesome and terrible. From a Maxfield Parrish scene it
has become El Greco!
Reluctantly, realizing that I do not have clear intent, and have not
carefully considered the implications, I decide to abort the experiment.
Looking up at the sky I intend/shout 'Cancel!' The clouds lighten and begin
to disappear. I intend/shout 'Cancel!' again, and the dreamscape returns to
normal.
I think of what else I might do, and decide to try manifesting a hypercube.
As I think this, three entities show up, two 'men' and one 'woman'. One of
the 'men' says 'Go ahead - if you don't mind having six or seven more of
you!' I think further, and tell the three excitedly 'I have it!" and compose
a simple chant: 'By the power of Alkahest / Let understanding of a hypercube
manifest!'
However, just after I've completed the first line of this chant one of the
'male' entities grabs my left hand, keeping me from completing a gesture. As
soon as he touches me I immediately return to waking physical reality, my
experiment incomplete, even though I'd felt solidly embedded in the lucid
dream reality right up to that moment."
The Lucid Dream Exchange is a quarterly newsletter featuring lucid dreams and lucid dream related articles and interviews.
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