What Is Real?

[Aros]

One thing I can't seem to put together is what is real and what isn't real. Now, I know that opens up a whole other topic of what "real" even means, but for the sake of simplicity, I am speaking from a purely conscious/non-conscious perspective. Conscious in this context means Alpha/Beta...Waking consciousness. What we deal with every day in our waking conscious state here on planet Earth.

Non-conscious meaning that layer of existence we pass into upon the sleep state. Where Time/Space is distorted. Where virtually anything is possible. But even in this state, it's hard to interpret symbolism from "real experience".

So my question then is, how do we know when we've entered a certain state, if it's "real" or symbolism? What triggers are there that gives us clues that we are actually in another dimension, dealing with real beings on other layers of reality, and not just some random subconscious symbolism to decipher for another day?

The same question can be applies to OBE's. Some seem so convincing on some "real" level, and others seem too "dream-like" to be taken seriously. Yet, what if I have it backwards? How would I know?

Sorry for all the questions but these are the ones that keep me up at night the most.

[Awakened_Mind]

IMO

In direct experience, reality is only seen. You cannot conceptualize reality because to do so would be caging it in rigid form. Reality is dynamic and ever changing, thoughts are static. You see or experience reality with your mind.

Now I have to say that 'non-conscious' (unconscious) to me means unaware. Consciousness or awareness during out of body phenomena is reflected into another energy body, so you are still aware.

To my understanding, symbolism is a real experience. Just because it may not fit any current scientific construct does not ultimately dictate it's validity. In OBE practice, we learn to become more aware. We are aware in the 3rd dimension, and we consider that real. Symbolism or clairvoaynce is a constituent of the reality of higher dimensions.

OBE's are distinctly different than dreams. The difference is solely in the comparrison of experience between them. This you see once you've experienced both.

Conventional ideas will lead you to believe that symbolism or what occurs in dreams are less real than waking consciousness. What's important to realize is that to believe in one thing is to automatically disbelieve in the contrary. Which is surrendering your freedom of mind.

-AM

[jilola]

All experiences are equally real.
The ones that take place in the perceived normal reality (ordinary perspective) have a distinct quality apart from those that take place in the non-usual realities (different perspectives).

This reality, dreams and APs and what not are the result of a change in perspective you as the One Thing(tm) can have. There is no real-unreal distinction, only ordinary - not-ordinary distinction.
The reality often perceived as The reality aka waking life is but a perspective to the All. There are an infinite number perspectives.

2cents & L&L
Jouni

[Mydral]

You should be able to know when it was important. You will know the meaning without too much thinking.
If you take every dream you have and categorise it as important and that you have to decipher it you will probably not get very far since its not possible.

But everyone once in a while something comes along where you can internally feel that it was different.

And about knowing if we are in different dimensions or not, does it really matter? You still get the message so its not really important if it was yourself talking to you or some other beeing or where you were at the time.

The only important thing is that you know when your awake.

[Awakened_Mind]

Another point I came across recently that is important to recognise is related to our ability to percieve what is real.

The human brain operates in and around 90 - 110hz. This is where we are aware, experience, remember etc. It is in this frequency that we percieve what we call 'real'. So I suppose in 'reality' we can't really mentally handle the ultimate 'truth'. I know this leaves a door wide open for theories on what happens during projection and so forth, but even so, our awareness is limited.

-AM

[Lucky]

Hey Aros,

The way I see it, in the higher planes, depending on where you go, the environments are there whether you personally are there or not.  And those environments are created by those who perceive that particular realm.  That realm may be real to the beings who are there, if they choose to use the term "real" at all.  But because the term "real" has more than one meaning, and because different people have different definitions for it, another term one can use is "actual".

[CFTraveler]

Regarding the original question, the only way I can tell of discerning symbology from 'other' information is to keep a diary, and to look for recurring symbols and seeing what it means for you, in your life.
Introspection, self-analysis and journaling would be the way to objectify the subjective, so you can observe and judge (as you do in waking life) what's what- and when you do figure it out it'll be a bit clearer.
And then you can help me.