Have you ever died in your dreams and lived to tell about it?

[Bundbuster]

At the ripe old age of 5, after watching too many Tarzan movies, I had the most vivid dream wherein I was slowly squeezed to death by a giant python while enjoying an evening campfire in Africa (save it - 5 year-olds don't have phallic symbolisms). I rose to a very calm place above the fire and watched the other campers trying to flee from various African beasts, but all were lost. The whole thing was quite serene to me. In the ensuing 51 years I've had at least 2 more "death dreams", which some people claim is impossible - that right before you die you always wake up. I not only die but go to heaven and incredible peace, and I'm an agnostic.

Who else has experienced death while sleeping, and what was its longterm effect on you?

On edit: Who else has been able to intentionally go back into a good dream night after night - "serial dreaming" - or change the plotline/direction of their dreams?

[Bundbuster]

1. P.S. The longterm effect on me

...was almost no fear of dying - a calm acceptance of my own mortality. I'd recommend it to everyone.

[thissideup]

2. Yes, several times

Once fell off a cliff another time I dreamed my wheelchair got stuck on railroad tracks and I've dreamed a fire started and I was in a non-handicapped house and couldn't get out. I have that last dream repeatedly.

[Bundbuster]

4. Fire sounds frightening

Did those dreams/nightmares terrify you - awake in cold sweat - or give you a strange sense of acceptance and peace?

[thissideup]

Are you f-d up?

Peaceful? You cad!

[Bundbuster]

7. No, fire's the worst

And I was truly traumatized when my fraternity house burned to the ground, almost killing me and several others. I'm just curious about the often 180-degree diametric of dreams - how something which in real life would terrify you, including dying, can sometimes leave you with a calmer feeling about it. Then again, I may well be f--ked up.

[put out]

8. It seems like you are looking for something more.

More than a description of death dreams. I didn't feel acceptance. Resignation, maybe, because I could feel myself leaving my body. Is this called discorporation? Anyway, I mostly felt cheated, and, don't snicker, it hurt my feelings. I am glad for you that you came away with that sort of outlook. Please keep going; I find this very interesting.

[put out]

3. Yes, one time.

I was in a basement room with the small, high windows and window wells. It was light in the basement but I could still see outside. I looked out through the window to see a man with a rifle aimed right at me. Then he shot me, once in the chest as I stood, and then again in the back as I lay on the floor. I only remember feeling confused and betrayed at the unfairness of it. I hope not to repeat that one, can't recommend it, either.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

5. Ive been shot,

attacked by snakes and fallen from great heights. Don't remember dying though.

[Bundbuster]

6. You sound like Indiana Jones

Not snakes! Anything but snakes.

[buddhamama]

9. yes. a few times

the last time it happened i dreamt my 'funeral' as well.

i don't fear dying. death is a new beginning.

[amazona]

10. yes but no real long term effect

I've pretty much always had lucid dreams if by that you mean that I know I'm dreaming and can sometimes change the plotline.

When I've dreamed of dying (usually by falling) and looked down on my body it really hasn't been any event of any great significance...except that in real life I can snicker at those who don't know you can die in dreams.

Supposedly if you can dream of dying and your soul separating from your body you become enlightened...alas, this bit of metaphysical lore is completely untrue. I'm as crass and unenlightened as they come though I might wish it otherwise.

[Bundbuster]

13. You sound pretty enlightened to me

The ability to change the plotline or direction of a dream is nothin' to sneeze at.

I used to be able to intentionally "serial dream" - get back into a particularly enjoyable dream thread night after night. Alas, the gift has left me.

[RebelOne]

11. Had dreams where I was going to die, but luckily woke up in time.

[AlienGirl]

12. Many times!

I've had dreams of dying, and dreams of afterlife. It's no big deal, really.

Tucker

[WoodrowFan]

14. yes, in falling dreams

My cousin once told me the old story about "if you dream that you're falling and hit the ground, you die." I asked her "how would they KNOW, after all, anybody who did it would be dead?" and told her that every time I dream that I am falling, I hit the ground (or water) ouch. And I've dreamed of being killed in an airplane, of of being shot in school by soldiers (post Kent State), etc.

[AlienGirl]

15. The lore I heard about it, according to Lenore Terr

Lenore Terr, one of the original experts on trauma and its aftereffects on children, seemed to think that only traumatized people experienced death in their dreams, because only they could imagine ego-death to that extent.

Tucker

[amazona]

21. well I don't doubt I qualified as traumatized

I was a victim of violent abuse. I don't think I ever put the two together before.

[Fixated]

16. All the time

Recall the sniper in the VA area? I live in PA but had a dream he shot me. That's the last one I remember.

[Nikia]

17. Not sure if I completely died

In my dreams, I've had things happend to me that would normally reult in death and I felt the pain and then the life being sapped from my body. This makes me more afraid of dying. If it is like in my dreams it is a horrible experience. Worst of all, sometimes I have sleep paralysis when I am waking from these dreams.
One of my coworkers had a real near death experience and has said it has made him cherish living more, but at the same time being less afraid of death.

[Alexander]

18. In most of my dreams I am superhuman.

I've been able to fly, lift large objects, outrun speeding cars, and I've even been shot in the head - and all I said was "Ow! That hurt, you asshole!"

In this dream, the gunman looked very confused. :-)

But yes, I have died in my dreams before. It doesn't happen that much any more, though.

[Bundbuster]

19. Wow!

Can I come with you on one of those Superman dreams? Sounds like great cheap entertainment.

[lillib]

20. another fall dream .. common i guess?

I dreamed i was falling and when I woke up i was actualy on the ground. weird huh?

[liberalpress]

22. But some where I heard...

"I Just Died in Your Arms Tonight"