(word processor parameters LM=8, RM=75, TM=2, BM=2)
Taken from KeelyNet BBS (214) 324-3501
Sponsored by Vangard Sciences
PO BOX 1031
Mesquite, TX 75150
June 23, 1991
LUCID1.ASC
--------------------------------------------------------------------
This information was taken from OMNI magazine, April or June 87,
so I'm sure that it is copywrited.
Do not reprint as your own work or charge!
Most people don't realize they've been dreaming until after
they've awakened and the dream has come to an end. Some people,
however, are conscious that they're dreaming. These lucid dreamers,
scientists have discovered, can literally direct their actions and
change the content of a dream, deciding perhaps to talk physics with
Einstein, woo and marry a movie star, or assume the powers of
Superman.
After nearly a decade of piloting these daring nocturnal flights,
two psychologists - Stephen LaBerge of Stanford University, author
of LUCID DREAMING (Ballentine), and Jayne Gackenbach of the
University of Northern Iowa - have begun to develop a series of
techniques aimed at helping ordinary dreamers "turn" lucid, and
lucid dreamers gain greater control over the wooly behemoth of the
night. These special techniques, still under development, have never
before been presented in a public forum.
For those who have aquired the knack of lucidity, the benefits
can be enormous. Lucid dreaming gives one the chance to experience
adventures rarely surpassed elsewhere in life. These experiences can
enhance self-confidence and promote personal growth and self-
development. By facing fears and learning to make the best of the
worst situation imaginable, lucid dreamers can overcome nightmares.
Because recent scientific studies have demonstrated a strong
connection between dreams and the biological functioning of the
body, lucid dreams might facilitate physical as well as mental
health. And finally, because lucid dreaming allows us to tap the
power of the unconscious, it may also be useful for creative problem
solving.
To direct your own nightly dream-time show, attempt exercises
one, two, three and four as outlined below. LaBerge and Gackenbach
suggest that you do the tasks as often as possible. Some people may
succeed in having a lucid dream the very first night they use the
techniques; others, the researchers note may need to practice for
several weeks before getting results.
EXERCISE ONE
A number of techniques facilitate lucid dreaming. One of the
simplest is asking yourself many times during the day whether you
are dreaming. Each time you ask the question, you should look for
evidence proving you are not dreaming. The most reliable test: Read
Page 1
something, look away for a moment, and then read it again. If it
reads the same way twice, it is unlikely that you're dreaming. After
you have proved to yourself that you are not presently dreaming,
visualize yourself doing whatever it is you'd like.
Also, tell yourself that you want to recognize a nighttime dream
the next time it occurs. The mechanism at work here is simple; it's
much the same as picking up milk at the grocery store after
reminding yourself to do so an hour before.
At night people usually realize they are dreaming when they
experience unusual or bizarre occurrences. For instance, if you find
yourself flying with no visible means of support, you should realize
that this only happens in dreams and that you must therefore be
dreaming.
If you awaken from a dream in the middle of the night, it's very
helpful to return to the dream immediately, in your imagination. Now
envision yourself recognizing the dream as such. Tell yourself, "The
next time I am dreaming, I want to remember to recognize that I am
dreaming." If your intention is strong and clear enough, you may
find yourself in a lucid dream when you return to sleep.
EXERCISE TWO
Many lucid dreamers report dreams in which they fly unaided, much
like Superman. Some lucid dreamers say that flying is a thrilling
means of travel; others, that it has helped them return from one of
the more harrowing dream experiences --- the endless fall.
Why is dream flying so important ? It's a form of dream control
that's fairly easy to master. It gives the dreamer an exhilarating
sense of freedom. And it's a basic means of travel in the dream
world.
How do you make a dream flight happen at all? We suggest that
before you retire for bed, you simply repeat these words: "Tonight I
fly!" Then while still awake, imagine that journey.
If you find yourself flying, it will be a clear sign that you are
in a dream. In any case, when you realize you're dreaming, remember
that you want to fly. When you actually feel yourself flying, say,
"This is a dream." Make sure that you start modestly, by simply
floating above the surface of your dream ground.
As you gain confidence, both in the notion that you're dreaming
and in your ability to control that experience, you might experiment
with flying a bit more. Run, taking big leaps, and stay aloft for a
few seconds so that you resemble an astronaut walking on the moon.
Try sustained floating, and then flying at low altitudes.
As your confidence increases, so will your flying skills. While
asleep, work on increasing altitude, maneuverability, and speed. As
with speed sports, you should perfect height and maneuverability
before speed. Of course, you couldn't really hurt yourself --- it's
only a dream. But you could get scared.
After you get proficient in dream flying, remember to ask
yourself these questions : "How high can I fly ? Can I view the
Page 2
earth from outer space ? Can I travel so fast that I lose awareness
of my surroundings and experience the sensation of pure speed ?"
Throughout your efforts in dream flight, please remember that
you're in a dream. With this in mind, your fears will be held at
bay, and your control over your dream will be greatly enhanced.
EXERCISE THREE
Even if you're a frequent lucid dreamer, you may not be able to
stop your-self from waking up in mid-dream. And even if your dreams
reach a satisfying end, you may not be able to focus them exactly as
you please.
During our years of research, however, we have found that
spinning your dream body can sustain the period of sleep and give
you greater dream control. In fact, many subjects at Stanford
University have used the spinning technique as an effective means of
staying in a lucid dream. The task outlines below will help you use
spinning as a means of staying asleep and, more exciting, as a means
of traveling to whatever dream world you desire.
As with dream flying, the dream spinning task starts before you
go to bed. Before retiring, decide on a person, time, and place you
would like to visit in your lucid dream. The target person and place
can be either real or imaginary, past, present or future.
For instance, Sigmund Freud, Vienna, 1900; Stephen LaBerge,
Stanford, the present; or the president of the solar system, Galaxy
Base, 2900. Write down and memorize your target person and place,
then visualize yourself visiting your target and firmly resolve to
do so in a dream that night.
When following this procedure, it is possible that you might find
yourself visiting your target in a non-lucid dream; you will be
aware that this happened only after you awaken. Nevertheless, you
should strive for lucidity by following the techniques in exercise
one. Then proceed to your goal.
To do so, repeat the phrase describing your target in your dream,
and spin your whole dream body in a standing position with your arms
outstretched. You can pirouette or spin like a top, as long as you
vividly feel your body in motion.
The same spinning technique will help when, in the middle of a
lucid dream, you feel the dream imagery beginning to fade. To avoid
waking up, spin as you repeat your target phrase again and again.
With practice, you'll return to your target person, time, and place.
EXERCISE FOUR
Up until now we have had little control over the occurrence of
creative dreams. But with lucid dreaming it may be possible to
intentionally access the creativity of the dream state. You can help
determine the feasibility of this idea by attempting to solve a
problem in a lucid dream. Before bed, decide on a problem you would
like to solve. Frame your problem in the form of a question. For
example : "What is the topic of my next book ?" "How can I become
less shy ?" If you have an illness, you might consider the problem
"How can I regain my health ?"
Page 3
Once you have selected a problem question, write it down and
memorize it. When doing the lucid-dream-induction exercises,
remember your question and see yourself looking for the answer in
your next lucid dream. Then, when in a lucid dream, ask the
question, and seek the solution.
You might be most successful at problem solving if you take the
direct approach. For instance if your problem is shyness, be less
shy in your dream. If your problem is health, try to heal yourself
in the dream. Then reflect on how your dream solution relates to the
waking problem.
It may help to question other dream characters, especially if
they represent people who you think might know the answer. For
example, if you were trying to solve a physics problem, Albert
Einstein might be a good dream character to query. You can even
combine this task with the dream spinning and flying tasks, visiting
an expert on your problem. You can also just explore your dream
world with your question in mind, looking for any clues that might
suggest an answer.
---Stephen LaBerge and Jayne Gackenbach
For those of you who have made it this far, I have just a couple of
comments. Lucid dreaming is the absolute MOST fun I've ever had,
and that's saying a lot, since I've had some terrific times while
awake.
I can't dream lucidly every night, and if I stop the exercises, it
takes a couple of days to get things lucid again. If you do try
lucid dreaming, don't expect results the first night. Give it a few
days, and keep up the exercises. They really work.
I've found that it helps me to write down every detail I can recall
from a dream as soon as I get up in the morning. Then before bed the
next night, I read those details, making them fresh in my mind. It
seems to help bring on dreams that night.
If you have questions or comments about this article, you can leave
a message on MENHIR BBS at (609)-263-2861. Just leave a comment to
the sysop.
PLEASANT DREAMS!
DAVID
--------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have comments or other information relating to such topics
as this paper covers, please upload to KeelyNet or send to the
Vangard Sciences address as listed on the first page.
Thank you for your consideration, interest and support.
Jerry W. Decker.........Ron Barker...........Chuck Henderson
Vangard Sciences/KeelyNet
--------------------------------------------------------------------
If we can be of service, you may contact
Jerry at (214) 324-8741 or Ron at (214) 242-9346
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 4
|
|
Disclaimer: The file contained in the
box above or displayed in a separate window from a link in the
box above is NOT owned nor implied to
be owned by BeYoND THe iLLuSioN. Most files at BeYoND THe
iLLuSioN are originally from public Bulletin Board Systems
(BBS) which were popular in the days before the Internet or
from gopher, web, and FTP sites from the early days of the
Internet which no longer exist today. Essentially, all files
were acquired from the public domain in one for or another.
However, there have been occasions when copyright protected
material has appeared on BeYoND THe iLLuSIoN without permission
of the copyright holder. In these instances, we have and will
continue to remove the copyright protected file as soon as it
is brought to our attention. This can now be done using our Report Copyright Material form. Fill
out the form, and the webmaster will be notified of the
situation.
There are also times when files found on BeYoND THe iLLuSioN
have a real home somewhere else on the Internet. In these
instances, we will gladly replace the file with a link to its
true home whenever it is brought to our attention. If you know
of the true home of any of these files, you can use our Report Original URL form to bring it yo our
attention.
|
