What is consciousness?

@Luna I found interesting that you at least took the time to be able to illuminate most of these people lives XD. Yes, I agree. Same experience. People can't get many things out of it. Best fact you used is the so ever present memory, nice.

I'd just like to know one thing... How can we prove that we have a photogenic memory, when science definitely indicates otherwise? Consciousness as we understand it, is a thing of opinion. There are no true facts, just schools of thought. Interesting opinions with real hope, but opinions. We can not test consciousness like we can most physical things.

kinda off topic but everything is in your mind. california isnt down south, outside my brain it could be any place. i guess nothing exists too.

Nah, California is a real physical location. We can verify that. As for how you see the world, that's your personal experience. The great thing is, we are not special snow flakes. In other words, most people, no matter who or where, have a lot of the same experiences, but personal interpretation varies A LOT. That's why many who don't have clinical depression, can only interpret depression from what they have experienced and even that is based on personal opinion(In otherwords, it's hard to understand what you yourself can not feel or see.). Now, I'm not saying opinions are bad, but they should not be said as verifiable and empirical fact without being able to physically test and show opinion as fact. This subject is in short, to complex and varied to have one universal definition. You can spend a lifetime on it and still barely scratch the surface.

@yaasshat Well I did say it was just my theory at the beginning. Though I wouldn't entirely agree that we cannot test it. I wasn't associating lucid dreams and the subconscious mind just for funzies. I do have the ability to induce them on my own, and even made a thread about them one time. Anyway...the point being, that you can directly and freely communicate with your subconscious mind in the lucid state. Usually in a form of dream characters, or specific events happening in the said dream. As for myself, I managed to pull out a lot of long forgotten and lost memories that way. Or some that I didn't even know I had. For example certain stuff I did when I was like 8 months old. Then I asked my family out of curiosity. Much to my surprise they said I was right, but they were even more surprised just how the heck do I remember something from that time. So yeah....my idea wasn't just something I randomly pulled out while picking my nose. There are quite a few reasons, that made me think the way I do about this kind of stuff. But of course....I am not certain whether what I say is entirely true or not. Because after all, is it just a theory....

Luna, Exactly. Unfortunately, the only lucid dreams I've had, I decided since I had control, I'd make everything edible. No life altering or monumental things for me.XD Also, how did you lucid dream? Mine comes about because I know when I'm flying, I'm dreaming, but it's incredibly hard to maintain focus and not lose control. It's almost a god like feeling and yet a lonely feeling when you realize you have all control and yet you are the only one able to see or feel it.

Haha great now I really want to know how neon lights taste like. Guess I'll have to give it a shot one day. Well I usually do it by simply letting my body fall asleep, while maintaining my awareness. However that can be quite difficult to do frequently without screwing up, unless you already have tons of experience. There is one cheat on it though. But I really do not recommend doing that if you have work or something important next day, and actually want to get some sleep. xD Basically....you go to sleep as you normally would, and set the alarm. Once you wake up, just try to fall asleep again (it should be much easier, and you'll do it almost immediately since you just woke up). But this time you have to try and make sure you don't zone out in the process. Focus on your mind being awake, but at the same time stay relaxed and calm, and most importantly do not move. If you manage to pull that off, you should be able to get into a lucid dream no sweat. Oh and also....if you can, I suggest setting the alarm to 1,5/3/4,5/6 hours etc. after you fall asleep. Because as far as I know, all our dreams happen every 90 minutes of the sleeping time. So this time is your best chance to have the most vivid longest lucid dream possible. Alright that would be all. Good luck and have fun. ^^

If you are the natural supplement / herbalist type, there's things to help support lucid dreaming. http://dreamstudies.org/the-truth-about-lucid-dreaming-supplements/

Those are nice things Veru. But if you can't get your hands on those, I'd recommend a mint tea. Or shot of a strong liquor....only 1 though....and don't do it every day. O_O