• Sleep and Dreams Megathread V3
    2,788 replies, posted
I can't seem to get LDing down. I usually lie in bed and relax, but it never gets far enough. I can't try any methods either because I don't have the time(always busy in the morning and stuff). What can I do?
I had a long talk with (or at, depending how you look at it) my sub before sleeping last night, going over the various pros and cons of him giving me vivid, lucid, burned into my memory dreams every night. Due to a number of events, it took an hour after this for me to fall asleep. I'll keep trying. Maybe hypnosis will work.
[QUOTE=ZenX2;30380388]I had a long talk with (or at, depending how you look at it) my sub before sleeping last night, going over the various pros and cons of him giving me vivid, lucid, burned into my memory dreams every night. Due to a number of events, it took an hour after this for me to fall asleep. I'll keep trying. Maybe hypnosis will work.[/QUOTE] Uh, don't you only really get the opportunity to "talk" to your subconscious when you [i]are[/i] dreaming?
I dislike how the whole dreaming and sleeping things of the first thread, where there was actually quite a bit on sleeping and dreaming in general went to a big orgy about subconsciouses and anti subs and all that Especially the first op was just rrrreaaaaally good
[QUOTE=Jack-Shepherd;30381400]I dislike how the whole dreaming and sleeping things of the first thread, where there was actually quite a bit on sleeping and dreaming in general went to a big orgy about subconsciouses and anti subs and all that Especially the first op was just rrrreaaaaally good[/QUOTE] It always seems like people who get into lucid dreaming professionally always have this calm set mind like a monk- The second and this thread seem to portray this element
A dream I had last night. Red-Water Cabin 6/10/2011 The dream begins in what looks like a cabin in the middle of the woods. Me and several other people (seems like two others: both are rather indescribable but one had large black glasses on with short brown hair. ) are looking at this reddish-black liquid that is seeping out from under our beds. As we look at it we see what looks to be a person swimming in it (as if looking at someone swimming underwater). We continue to look and see two eyes look up at us. One of the guys, the one to my left, lies down on his belly to get a closer look. The guy to my right and I both crouch down as well. As the man lies down looking at the liquid, this pale, nude, Milla Jovovich looking person jumps out and grabs his head. It quick pulls the man into the puddle, under the bed, where he disappears into the dark liquid. The guy with glasses and I don’t seem to phased by this, but stand in the room’s doorway in shock. The man to my right creeps closer to the bed to ‘investigate’ only for the she-creature to leap out again and grab him by the leg. As he gets pulled under the bed, his head and arm both get pinned in the space between the bed and floor. The force of the creature pulling on his body causes his skull to crack. Blood seems down his face and behind his glasses. Soon after, his head slips under the bed leaving nothing but a small trail of blood dripping into the pooling reddish-black liquid. Rather than end up like my two comrades, I escape the house and head into the woods. After running for some time I stop dead in my tracks. Standing some ten feet away from me is what looks like Bigfoot or a Wookie. The furry beast looks at me stoically. Then, it waves one hand beckoning me to come closer. For whatever reason, I comply. The creature stood on the top of what appeared to be a large crater. Although, over time, the crater had become overgrown with the surrounding forest. Now, a band of what looked to be mercenaries, camped in the crater. The dream jumps to later that night, where I have joined these mercenaries who are on a mission to slay a vampire-like creature. We are now mounted on horses and carry swords and axes with us. The mercenaries and I approach a large castle on a mountain top, said to be the creature’s home (of course). In the distance, however, deeper into the forest, a large explosion occurs alarming everyone. We are all looking in the direction of the explosion. From its direction we see a horde of some kind of monsters heading for us. We all draw our weapons and charge the monsters downhill. I manage to impale on of the creatures ink the chest as it gallops towards me. Unfortunately, this is all I remember. I know there was more to the dream (I believe there is a part where I am in the castle) but I cannot, for the life of me, remember it.
[QUOTE=Jo The Shmo;30381087]Uh, don't you only really get the opportunity to "talk" to your subconscious when you [i]are[/i] dreaming?[/QUOTE] Maybe he talks to voices in his head like thinking it's their sub, like I do sometimes.
[QUOTE=Psychopath12;30274736]The past few nights, I had this series of dreams shift course towards something else. This time, once again, I am following this redhead through the crowd. She eventually stops yet again and I close the distance between me and her. She doesn't turn around at all when I get close, though. I reach out to grab her arm and she vanished, as if turned into vapor. I look around me, the crowd I was chasing her through was nowhere to be found. Just dead silence...and me. Without any destination to travel to, I curled up into the fetal position and stayed that way, unmoving for what seemed like days. I woke up eventually and started my daily routine. The next night, I found myself back in the fetal position in that silence. The scenery reminds me of a bleak industrial landscape: a dark, dingy grey for both the ground and sky. The only way to tell the difference between them was the sky being slightly lighter, but it didn't appear any more welcoming. Time passed, and I roll over onto my other side and see a figure in the distance, I couldn't tell if it was friendly or malevolent, but I did not care. I picked myself up and started towards this unknown, distant figure. After what felt like hours of walking, I didn't seem to be getting any closer to this figure, was he/she keeping his/her distance from me or was I imagining it? Eventually I got tired and fell asleep. I then woke up and went about my day like I normally would. The following night, I was where I left off, lying on the road(?). I picked myself back up, the figure was still in the same direction as I remembered. I started towards this figure and increased my pace, moving faster and faster. I could see the figure getting closer as I broke into a full-sprint. I could clearly see a silhouette, it was that of a young woman. She didn't appear to be facing my direction, so I kept sprinting with all my energy such that I could approach her. I'm within 100 meters of her and my heart is pounding and I feel as if my legs are going to give way underneath me. I'm hardly even paying attention to what I see because the sweat is dripping into my eyes, just keep running forward. 50, 40, 30, 20 meters away. 10 meters more, I see that she was with a male figure, whom she was hugging warmly. I trip suddenly. I outstretch my arms to try to latch onto something such that I won't fall but instead plummet into a pitfall (don't ask where the pitfall came from, I just started falling a long ways). I eventually land at the bottom (miraculously unharmed), I look up and see a small spec where the entrance to the pitfall was, the rest is complete darkness. I hear conversations echoing down the chasm, not a single one of them keeping my attention for longer than a few seconds because none of them had any relevance to me. I wanted to get out of that hole, but no one seemed to care that I had fallen in in the first place. Feeling exhausted, I laid down on my back facing the spec of dim light above and drifted to sleep. I woke up in a hot sweat at around 4am. My bedroom was uncomfortably hot and I scrambled to get a source of light on before I did anything else. I took an ice-cold shower (still 4am) and could not get back to sleep afterwards. I tried drawing to pass the time, I was displeased with each work. Eventually, sunrise came and I started my day, just without a shower since I had already taken one earlier.[/QUOTE] After a few nights of not really dreaming at all, I continued this series of dreams again... Trapped at the bottom of that pitfall, I did nothing but lay on my back and stare upward at the small spec of light that was the hole I fell down. I didn't care if I ever got out of the hole, at least it'd have been more bearable with some company. I dozed off again. I was in a daze when I came to, but almost immediately I am lurched forward. Since I was on my back, forward was straight up. I was falling up as if gravity had reversed itself. I flailed around trying to stop by ascent/descent(?) towards the hole I fell through but to no avail, I just kept falling up. Eventually I shot out of the pitfall and I just kept going and going. The landscape above/below(?) me shrinking rapidly as I got farther and farther away. Eventually I'm just drifting aimlessly through space. While isolated and alone, I felt content for some reason. I smiled as I fell asleep still drifting onward in a physically impossible scenario. I woke up this morning wondering what the hell was going on in that dream. Upon retrospect, I think I have been playing a bit too much VVVVVV lately, the falling upward into space bit is a lot like the ending cinematic from the game :v:
[QUOTE=DJswitch;30381433]It always seems like people who get into lucid dreaming professionally always have this calm set mind like a monk- The second and this thread seem to portray this element[/QUOTE] Yeah. If only I did not have ADHD, I would probably stand a better chance at this.
[QUOTE=PotsYouPaint;30382402]Maybe he talks to voices in his head like thinking it's their sub, like I do sometimes.[/QUOTE] I do talk to the voices. I'm probably just crazy; it runs in the family. [editline]10th June 2011[/editline] Mentally Ill'in [editline]10th June 2011[/editline] Talking to voices in your is probably just as effective
[QUOTE=DJswitch;30381433]It always seems like people who get into lucid dreaming professionally always have this calm set mind like a monk- The second and this thread seem to portray this element[/QUOTE] indeed. [editline]11th June 2011[/editline] Damn nice dream last night. It was about me protecting a lake spirit from evil time travellers from another dimension that wanted to kill it. Or her, actually, because the lake spirit was a hot chick. And then towards the end of the dream we ended up being a couple and it ended when I found a second lake near our house where she settled in to, as she couldn't survive without being in a body of water. I also befriended a giant sea serpent, we dove down to 2,500 metres underwater and shopped in some underwater mall. Also saw a lucid, completed my lucid goals. Now to find new goals. [editline]11th June 2011[/editline] sure has been a lucid week so far, had one almost every day.
Last night I had a dream where I was a tank driving through buildings in a city pretty awesome
I had a dream where I was preparing bagels and I put one into a bowl and poured milk on it. I felt pretty sad about that, because I ruined a bagel.
Welp, while I was gone I had many great dreams, such as getting involved with a gang in futuristic chicago only to have them try to steal my truck, joining the crew of a space battleship (extremely vivid), and getting the best blowjob of my life.
Every time I have a sexy dream it seems to end right as I start to get some.
Anyone else do this? Whenever I go down in staircases in dreams I always do it in some strange way like jumping down in huge leaps or sliding down the handle and so on. Always happens in non-lucid dreams. [editline]12th June 2011[/editline] Found this excellent stabilization tutorial on dreamviews. [QUOTE=Mzzkc][B]Foreword:[/B] Greetings fellow oneironauts. I'd like to thank you for taking the time to read through this guide to dream stabilization; it's been a work in progress for a few months now, but I think it's finally done. Before we begin, however, I would like to add a disclaimer that the conclusions and premises of the guide (namely concerning the formation of dreams) assume that the dreamer incurs no outside interference and are based primarily on my personal experiences and observations. Thanks again. . . [B]Introduction[/B] Stabilization remains a big topic in dream control, for, without stabilization, it'd be difficult to get anything done whilst lucid. This being the case, the field is, admittedly, well-traversed; the numerous methods, developed over the years, to help achieve this feat are proof of that. Still, what's been sorely missing is a plunge into the theory dwelling beneath the turbulent waters of these seemingly random techniques. That's not to say this guide won't have practical applications (I assure you, it will), but to master stabilization it helps to have a strong grasp on how it works, and why. [B] The Underlying Mechanic[/B] To understand stabilization, you must first understand how dreams are formed. Associations are the key to unlocking this mystery. Specifically, dreams form around the schematic associations we attribute to whatever has our attention. Or, put simply, your dream is like a tree. Rooted by the events that occur throughout your waking life, it grows, takes shape, continuously branching out at new junctures. In the context of a dream, those junctures, branches from the trunk, symbolize the paths your dream could follow based on where you're focused. The focus is what lets the branches and offshoots come about, but it's what you're focused on that determines the shape each of them will take. Put really simply: What you focus on will determine the path your dream takes. The crucial thing is that you recognize the importance your attention has when it comes to forming dreams. Which brings us to our next section. [B] What is Dream Stabilization?[/B] Seems pretty straightforward, right? Well, then it shouldn't be too hard for you to come up with a solid definition (that doesn't use the word “stabilize”) right here, right now, yeah? Go ahead. I'll wait. . . Not as easy as it sound, is it? The only DV tutorial on the subject defines Dream Stabilization as “attempting to stabilize the lucid dream.” But what use is that, to define something with its inherent meaning? The definition above is exactly the same as saying Internet Trolling is “attempting to troll on the Internet.” It tells us nothing we didn't already know, and, so, we cannot learn from it. [I] We need to go deeper.[/I] Dream: “a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep” Stabilization: “the act of stabilizing something or making it more stable” Stabilize: “become stable or more stable” Stable: “maintaining equilibrium” Equilibrium: “balance: equality of distribution” I think we've got something workable here. Stabilization then, I propose, is the act of becoming balanced or maintaining balance. But how does this relate to dreams? What could possibly require balancing in “a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep”? The easy answer is: “Everything.” The conventional way of thinking about dreams leads most to believe that Dream Stabilization means facilitating those mental images and keeping those pesky emotions in check. But the true answer is more subtle than that. Focus and attention, foundations on which dreams, those “mental images and emotions,” are formed, constantly shifting, constantly deciding the flow, the stability, of a dream. So, what is Dream Stabilization, really? My proposition: Dream Stabilization is the act of balancing attention within a dream. The astute among you will ask, “Balancing attention? Between what? You've only given me one side: the dream, images and emotions.” And you're right, there is another side. But it's one that appears almost exclusively during lucid dreams. [B]The Other Side[/B] On one side we have the dream, that's a given, but what's on the other end that's shifting our attention away from the dream? First, let me ask you another related question: why is it that normal dreams rarely, if ever, require stabilization? To answer this, think about the differences between a lucid dream and a non-lucid one. Realize, in a lucid dream, one is aware the environment around them is a dream, that one is in bed, fast asleep, while in a non-lucid one is not aware of these things. The difference between the two, then, is this profound realization and everything that comes with it. And what accompanies it, you ask? The ability to reason, to think logically, internal processes that require a fair bit of attention. And there's your answer. Thoughts, rational ideas outside the scope of your current surroundings, all shift the balance of your focus. [B]Bringing it all Together[/B] To stabilize a lucid dream, you must create a proper balance between the dream and your conscious, thinking, self. If you pour too much of yourself into the dream, you'll lose your consciousness, your lucidity. Not enough, and the dream will fade entirely, leaving you with nothing but your thoughts as everything fades to black. Luckily, striking that balance is a path well-worn by the onieronauts before us. [B]Common Stabilization Methods[/B] All Stabilization methods have one thing in common: they work to place attention on the dream world. Obviously, like all things concerning LDing, you'll be keen to experiment to see what well works for you, as some methods achieve this balancing feat better than others A brief list of the very basics: Hand Rubbing – Good for a quick burst of tactile sensation, puts focus on the dream body. Spinning – Brings your attention not only to the spinning world around you as it blurs about, but to your dream body as well. Shouting for Clarity – Works on multiple levels, from hearing the sound of your own voice, to looking toward your surroundings for a change in vividness. And that's just start of it. From there comes sensory stimulation, proven time and again to be a reliable, powerful tool in redirecting attention toward the dreamworld. Sight – Studying the detail in an ornate archway, the colorful shops and stalls in the marketplace, or each distinct grain of sand. Sound – Noticing the wind as it blows past your ears mid-flight, the chattering of nearby DCs, or even your own voice. Touch – Focusing on the texture of a nearby wall, the cool grass beneath your bare feet, or the wet water pouring from a fountain. Smell – Taking in the scent of fresh baked bread or cookies, the fresh morning air, or even burning rubber. Taste – Fill your mouth with amazing sensations from anything you can find, be it tasty desserts or a cheap sandal. All of these are sure to help placate your thoughts and turn your attentions to the dreamworld. The more of them you can engage, the better. Personally, I like taking big bites out of trees, as eating a tree evokes so many different senses at once. From the rough, intricate, crunchy bark, to the wet, leafy taste, and fresh smell, it all assaults the senses, making it impossible to ignore the dreamworld. [B]Uncommon Stabilization Methods[/B] Beyond the conventional lies the unconventional, or methods that don't follow the standard sensory formula. Most prominent among these are raw shifts of awareness to your surroundings. *There are many ways to go about doing this, but it's something that simply needs to be experienced to be understood at all. Those who practice lucid living and all day awareness are more likely to be familiar with pouring attention into their surroundings. In fact, it's likely these people do this automatically whilst lucid, making traditional stabilization almost unnecessary for them. Still, there are ways to actively force focus on your surroundings. Everyone's method will be different depending on their experience with attention shifting, but I'll explain my method below so you'll have something to work with, at the very least. I came up with this method in particular after reading a bit of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. The idea comes from the battle/meditation technique the main character is taught early on: to create a flame in his mind's eye and focus on it completely, deflecting all outside thoughts. I start by taking in the world around me, but not just what I can see; I use everything I can sense, making it my proverbial flame, making it all important, pouring my focus into it so that everything around me is complete and free from my conscious thoughts. And just like that, the dream becomes stable, whilst I retain my lucidity. What's amazing is that this process doesn't take more than a moment and can be used at almost any time; I've lost count of the number of lucids this little trick has kept me from losing. [B]Conclusion[/B] I hope this guide to stabilization fundamentals proved at the very least, interesting to you. If it was helpful, that's even better. =) If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or flames, I'll be more than happy to address them. Cheers! -(T)zzkc [/QUOTE]
If anyone can tell me the best lucid dreaming method for me, that would be great. -I can't do mornings, I'm busy a lot -nighttime is okay -I have a dream journal(it's really a drawbook but that's okay) -I can't take naps/whatever.
[QUOTE=Orkel;30396877]Anyone else do this? Whenever I go down in staircases in dreams I always do it in some strange way like jumping down in huge leaps or sliding down the handle and so on. Always happens in non-lucid dreams. [editline]12th June 2011[/editline] Found this excellent stabilization tutorial on dreamviews.[/QUOTE] I've noticed that happening a lot recently. My brain's getting tired of walking, it wants to shake things up a bit, even if it's just a small little amount. Also, I'm back. Sorry about that, guys. My computer was like NO.
I'm in that mental state where everything's slowing down, my brain absolutely wants to sleep. Perfect time to WILD, I'll report back with results. [editline]12th June 2011[/editline] good job automerge
[QUOTE=DJswitch;30401693]If anyone can tell me the best lucid dreaming method for me, that would be great. -I can't do mornings, I'm busy a lot -nighttime is okay -I have a dream journal(it's really a drawbook but that's okay) -I can't take naps/whatever.[/QUOTE] Reality checks
Had a lucid dream last night (or a small chance it was the night before), sadly my mind being a dick, I only remembered it now (6 hours after I woke up) and I can only remember it was long, and that I had fun. Oh god how do I spark my memory. Help. [editline]12th June 2011[/editline] This is the first one in a year.
[QUOTE=Orkel;30407755]Reality checks[/QUOTE] I've been doing them somewhat. The only thing I can't get down is the sleep paralysis part of LDing :saddowns:
I had the strangest dream last night. I was continuously getting up and getting water, and drinking it like shots. At least, I was trying to. I'm guessing my brain doesn't know anatomy very well, drinking the water was fucking difficult. I don't even understand why I had so trouble drinking water. I woke up immediately after this, with a surprisingly dry mouth.
I always get scared when I wake up from a dream that involved water because I wonder if I wet my bed or something. Luckily that hasn't happened since I was like 5.
[QUOTE=DJswitch;30412514]I've been doing them somewhat. The only thing I can't get down is the sleep paralysis part of LDing :saddowns:[/QUOTE] That doesn't happen with the reality check method, or atleast happens much much more rarely. Reality checks cause you to realize it's a dream in the middle of a normal dream, skipping the paralysis. Aka. the MILD technique. WILD is the one where you have to go through SP, which is also way harder.
I should start doing this again. My dreams are too boring, i dont even want to go sleep. Lucid dreaming was amazing,and a lucid nightmare was like a horror film though i didnt really enjoy myself in the dream, but when i woke up i thought it was pretty cool experience. I managed to have about 7 lucid dreams ONLY by reading this thread. doing nothing else at all. RILD was super-easy to do. It doesnt work anymore though, i should start trying more.
Whenever i see, hear or read "Reality Check" I do one, it's like a conditioning i don't mean to do it, i just do it.
It never occurred to me that cats dream too. My little kitty just hit REM sleep on my lap. I wonder what hes dreaming about.
[QUOTE=Sabrina;30367723]Wow, that's one of the more helpful posts I've seen, you actually took time to read all that stuff. Thanks for your theory, really. I'll have a talk with me and see what goes on. Also, I'm away from computers for 6 days and I see a dream where I kill Borderlands Psychos with TF2's Engineer's shotgun, the Frontier Justice. Mang, I think I got an addiciton in my hands. I also started hearing Windows 7 startup sound all the time while inside the dream.[/QUOTE] Oh hi Good to know someone actually took time to read my post too Also, I was going to say something positive about your recent contributions too, but I forget what because I've been so all over the place with everything I don't even know, man, it might be the sleep deprivation or something but I don't even know how to explain what exactly it is that has been keeping me from reliably posting and furthermore I don't have the energy to speak sanely so I'm just gonna go to bed. Btw everyone, 20 minutes is not enough sleep to get you through a day, so don't bother unless you enjoy being tired as hell
[QUOTE=Birdman101;30419389]It never occurred to me that cats dream too. My little kitty just hit REM sleep on my lap. I wonder what hes dreaming about.[/QUOTE] [url=http://nyan.cat/]I have a theory...[/url]
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