HyperNaut Training (Phase II)

[Koliedrus]

If you're reading this before you've become accustomed to practicing the topics discussed in "Fun With Sleep", save yourself! This thread will deal primarily with some of the more advanced methods of inducing lucid dreams.

Now that you know the "alphabet", it's time to write some "poetry" http://www.thehypertribe.net/ubb/smile.gif

It's also time to get you acquainted with some terminology (aka jargon) used by professional sleep researchers. I'll try to keep the jargon to a minimum but sometimes it's easier to convey a complete thought with a made-up word.


Let's start with some acronyms.

King Bastard, since you're at the top of the class I hope you won't mind if I pick on you. Based on your reports, you're about to become a DILDo.

DILD - dream-initiated lucid dream

DILDs come about as you're sleeping. Some event in your dream makes you realize that you're asleep. I've described one of my first DILD events in the dream-log thread. When the dream began, it was simply a dream. As I began to scrutinize my environment and situation, I realized what was happening. Once I was sure that I was dreaming and had a semblance of my waking consciousness intact, I began to experiment with impossibilities. Seemingly impossible events became "reality" for all intents and purposes.

I was a DILDo for a long time before I learned to get WILD.

WILD - wake-initiated lucid dream

Before you can get WILD, I'll have to warn you that it doesn't happen often. It takes mental effort and your dream-recall training comes into play.

The least frequent type of WILD (yes, there's more than one) comes about when you prep yourself for sleep and pay attention to the flashes of light that happen "behind your eyes". As you relax and float closer to the area just between "awake" and "asleep", the "lights" begin to form themselves into images. I suggest that you allow the images to their own seemingly unstructured nature during your first experiences with this phenomenon. You'll either watch an event unfold or slip into regular sleep to find a DILD. Don't try to force something to happen. You'll just lose sleep. You can focus on your heartbeat or breathing to keep your mind aware as the images take shape.

The second type of WILD is a helluva lot more common. They occur when you snap awake for a few moments and go right back to sleep. These are the ones we're going to look for. They usually come about when your mind is already primed for dreaming and you're completely relaxed. All that's required is intent. You'll need to have practiced the dream-recall techniques described in "Fun With Sleep" so the effort will be minimal.

I'll save MILD for another time since the name doesn't reflect the method.

Questions or comments thus far?

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[Koliedrus]

No questions? GOOD! They've been difficult to answer.

MILD is a real bitch to initiate.

Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams

First of all, I'll save you the effort required to learn the meaning of the first word in this acronym.

Mnemonics are methods designed to aid your memory.

"... now I've sung my ABC's..."
"Fifty nifty United States..."
"...they had Three in the Family..."

Get the idea? I didn't want to post something from a dictionary since you can do that on your own. The sooner you understand, the quicker this will pay off.

Mnemonics work! They take effort at first but once they're stuck in your brain, they're difficult to forget. The downside is that they take practice.

I'm going to post a list of targets that I want to look for during specific days of the week. The targets in the list were compiled by Stephen LaBerge, Ph.D.

WARNING - If you can't remember to carry out a task tomorrow while you're awake, you probably won't be able to use this method while asleep.

As always, questions are welcomed and will be answered as quickly as I'm able.

Stand by while I transcribe the list.

[Koliedrus]

Ah! A silent class is an attentive class. Either that or they're sleeping http://www.thehypertribe.net/ubb/wink.gif In this case, either circumstance is worth extra credit.

Let's get MILD.

Your goal here is to keep a lookout for particular events during particular days of the week. The first time you encounter one of these events, you've hit a target.

When you hit a target, you should then perform a critical state test by asking yourself, "Am I dreaming?"

Each day has four targets. Once one is reached and you've performed a short test on your awareness, call it "done" and go about your business until another one crops up.


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Daily Targets

SUNDAY

The next time I see a pet or animal
The next time I look at my face in a mirror
The next time I turn on a light
The next time I see a flower


MONDAY

The next time I write something down
The next time I feel pain
The next time I hear someone say my name
The next time I drink something


TUESDAY

The next time I see a traffic light
The next time I hear music
The next time I throw something in the garbage
The next time I hear laughter


WEDNESDAY

The next time I turn on a TV, stereo or radio
The next time I see a vegetable
The next time I see a red car
The next time I handle money


THURSDAY

The next time I read something other than this list
The next time I check the time
The next time I notice myself daydreaming
The next time I hear the telephone ringing


FRIDAY

The next time I open a door
The next time I see a bird
The next time I use the toilet after noon
The next time I see the stars


SATURDAY

The next time I put a key in a lock
The next time I see an advertisement
The next time I eat anything after breakfast
The next time I see a bicycle

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Now that you have the list, print it out. You'll need it.
Pfft! Did you think I expected you to memorize that shit? Naw!

1. Figure out what day of the week it is and read the list for that day. I know that may be asking to much for some of you but indulge me http://www.thehypertribe.net/ubb/wink.gif

2. Look for your targets. You have four different events to keep in mind for the day. FOUR! Keep them in the back of your mind. When one pops up, test your critical state.

3. Keep track of "hits" on your targets. Hits only count if you recognize a target immediately and perform a critical test. If you remember a target later in the day, you missed. That ain't bad! Coming close counts in this game. Note your hits and misses in your Dream Journal. Use part of the blank page between each dream.

4. DO THIS FOR AT LEAST A WEEK!!
Make the targets part of your schedule. Hell, for that matter, make up your own targets! They're easier to remember if they come from your own mind!


Follow this and you'll condition your awareness. If a phone rings in your dream, you'll wonder if you're asleep.

Try it http://www.thehypertribe.net/ubb/biggrin.gif It does wonders for your waking capacity as well!


Enjoy and report.


Edit: format

[This message has been edited by Koliedrus (edited 01-25-2001).]

[King Bastard]

Lemme see if I understand this. Those targets are for us to look at while awake, in an effort to condition us to know whether or not we are'nt? Right?

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[Koliedrus]

Yeah! In fact you just helped me hit one of today's targets.

It's Thursday, I read something besides the list, did a test to see if I was awake and here I am the typing fool http://www.thehypertribe.net/ubb/biggrin.gif

Get it?

Persist! I said "a week". I meant ONE GODDAMNED WEEK! You can keep doing it for as long as you like but if you have the proper training (already provided), your first intentionally controlled dream is just a few days away!


Ok, here's a term you can use to impress your friends:

Hypnagogic Imagery

You know those patterns of "light" that shape themselves into faces and places just as you begin to drift in the realm between being awake and asleep?

That's what they're called. Thank me later http://www.thehypertribe.net/ubb/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by Koliedrus (edited 01-25-2001).]

[Koliedrus]

I hope you guys don't mind if I continue to respond to my own posts. EA asked a question in email that put me in research-mode.

Following is a series of steps that may help you induce lucidity. You may or may not actually experience a WILD (they're statistically rare) but you increase your chances of having a DILD. This method was conceived by LaBerge.
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MILD TECHNIQUE

1. Set up dream recall
Before going to bed resolve to wake up and recall dreams during each dream period throughout the night (or the first dream period after dawn, or after 6 AM or whenever you find convenient).

2. Recall your dream
When you awaken from a dream period, no matter what time it is, try to recall as many details as possible from your dream. If you find yourself so drowsy that you are drifting back to sleep, do something to arouse yourself. (note from Kol: That's what it says. However, masturbation generally encourages preconceived fantasies so it may not be the best choice in this instance. Pull a hair out of your nose. Sit up in bed. Write your details in your journal. Whatever it takes to get you partially back in the waking state. You get the idea)

3. Focus your intent
While returning to sleep, concentrate singlemindedly on your intention to remember to recognize that you're dreaming. Tell yourself: "Next time I'm dreaming, I want to remember I'm dreaming." Really try to feel that you mean it. Narrow your thoughts to this idea alone. If you find yourself thinking about anything else, just let go of these thoughts and bring your mind back to your intention to remember.

4. See yourself becoming lucid
At the same time, imagine that you are back in the dream from which you have just awakened, but this time you recognize that it is a dream. Find a dreamsign in the experience; when you see it, say to yourself: "I'm dreaming!" and continue your fantasy. For example, you might decide that when you are lucid you want to fly. In that case, imagine yourself taking off and flying as soon as you come to the point in your fantasy that you "realize" you are dreaming.

5. Repeat
Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until your intention is set, then let yourself fall asleep. If, while falling asleep, you find yourself thinking of anything else, repeat the procedure so that the last thing in your mind before falling asleep is your intention to remember to recognize the next time you are dreaming.

Commentary

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If all goes well, you'll fall asleep and find yourself in a dream, at which poin you'll remember to notice that you are dreaming.

If it takes you a long time to fall asleep while practicing this method, don't worry: The longer you're awake, the more likely you are to have a lucid dream when you eventually return to sleep. This is because the longer you are awake, the more times you will repeat the MILD procedure, reinforcing your intention to have a lucid dream. Furthermore, the wakefulness may activate your brain, making lucidity easier to attain.

In fact, if you are a very deep sleeper, you should get up after memorizing your dream and engage in ten to fifteen minutes of any activity requiring full wakefulness. Turn on the light and read a book. Get out of bed and go into another room. One of the best things to do is to write out your dream and read it over, noting all dreamsigns, in preparation for the MILD visualization.

Many people meet with success after only one or two nights of MILD; others take longer. Continued practice of MILD can lead to greater proficiency at lucid dreaming.

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He goes on to describe success rates and I can vouche for them. Your task is to discipline youself enough to make the method work.

Get cracking.

(Edit: format again.)

[This message has been edited by Koliedrus (edited 01-31-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Koliedrus (edited 01-31-2001).]

[Escape Artist]

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