Author Topic: Sensory Induction of Lucid Dreams  (Read 5906 times)

Offline pj

  • Learning.
  • Technical Guild
  • Evaluator
  • *****
  • Posts: 14179
  • We are made of such stuff as dreams are made of.
Sensory Induction of Lucid Dreams
« on: April 22, 2008, 05:27:39 PM »
I had described this discovery earlier at DV, and want to continue the discussion of it here.

I was falling asleep after WBTB and had an attempt at MILD on my mind.  As I lay there, the thought occurred to me to imagine myself flying in a dream.  I just immersed myself in that idea - pushing into the air, soaring low through a neighborhood... the sights, sounds, smells, and, most important, the feeling of flying - right down to that sensation in my stomach when quickly changing altitude.

By the time I got to the last bit, I was fully in a lucid dream, flying through a subdivision.  The dream went on from there.

So the whole idea of a Sensory Induced Lucid Dream is to use it as a sort of WILD technique, but rather than trying to count or use repetition to try hanging on to a thread of consciousness as you allow your body to fall asleep, you immerse yourself in a tactile fantasy.  I believe anything that engages most or all of the senses would work great for this.  This weekend I am going to try imagining swimming in the ocean.  (I originally called this Tactile Induction of Lucid Dreams, but realize on writing this that there is much more to engage than just touch.)

In summary: Tactile Induction of Lucid Dreams is an alternative WILDing method in which you immerse yourself in imagining in as much detail as possible a situation that engages as many senses as possible until you find yourself in a dream, doing what you were imagining.
What truly matters is not built of right and wrong; but of grace, and of love.

--pj

Offline SKA

  • Comprehender
  • *
  • Posts: 25
Re: Sensory Induction of Lucid Dreams
« Reply #1 on: April 23, 2008, 03:41:41 AM »
I tried this once, on my ow account. Trying to "fly" through the field of blackness behind my closed eyelids, but my problem, as with all WILD-like attempts, is keeping focussed on the imagination and not drifting off into thoughts.

I could and should draw a map of "the road from awake to sleep" with different zones as being different stages: WakefullSlumber Zone; a Dark longstretched scenery, Hypnagogic Zone; A busy semi-dark, semi lighted slightly colored and very dynamic long stretched enviroment, The Dream Zone; The Clear, fully lit, seemingly "materialised" Enviroment of eternal space, endless possibilities and infinite time. 

Studying this map before heading off to sleep and dreams might help me in having a stronger, more solid and continuous visualisation of and concentration on the flighttrip into a Dream.
Funny how Lightlevels of your Closed Eye vision shifting up seems to indicate getting closer to the Dream. Maybe I could incorporate a Bright LightOrb (DreamGate) and the Landscape leading to it being lit so that the Hypnagogic Zone, being closer to the DreamGate, is most illuminated and the Dark WakefullSlumber Zone before it, being furthest away from the DreamGate is innitially Pitchblack and, closer to the Hypnagogic Zone gets gradually more illuminated ( The pre-hypnagogia of Occasinal short flashes of colored dots and stripes in your otherwise pitchblack Closed Eye vision. )

Only the most vivid visualisation can attract and hold my attention. Otherwise I so easily drift off into subconscious thoughts.

Offline three and four

  • Ambassador Guild
  • Analyzer
  • *****
  • Posts: 231
  • Greetings, earthlings!
Re: Sensory Induction of Lucid Dreams
« Reply #2 on: April 23, 2008, 05:05:10 AM »
Hello SKA! Looks like this was post no.1 for you, so a warm welcome to MM!

The idea of a map of the “path” from the waking state to the (lucid) dream world is really interesting and good.

I have trouble recalling these initial stages with as much clarity as you. However, what you describe as “dark longstretched scenery” is certainly familiar. Thing is, it's not always dark! (but often it is).

In fact, a few nights ago, the very first moments of a WILD dragged me through a huge dark space which was however... full of stars. So beautiful... Then things started to take shape, bit by bit...

I'm not sure that I'd put the Hypnagogic stage where you would. For me this tends to come when I first go to bed, or when I'm failing a WILD! (like last night :-(

What you don't mention in your map is the sensations: we sometimes get really shaken about when doing a WILD, and there are sometimes strange “tearing” sounds, or static radio sounds... you know?

One of my hopes is that one day an expert neurobiologist will tell us step by step, EXACTLY what our brains are doing when all this happens...

This brings me to PJs initial comments. Really interesting PJ, and I think you're on to something there – definitely. I sometimes practice a variation of what you're doing. It goes like this: when trying to WILD, I'll be lying ultra still, counting, emptying my mind, but then from time to time I'll try to imagine myself spinning into that very first phase of WILD – where we sometimes feel sucked into a whirlpool.

It's a funny feeling: being completely relaxed, in the middle of the night, and actively imagining yourself falling and spinning backwards (or forwards). I find it sometimes helps bring on the WILD...

So there most probably is a connection between the sensations we feed our mind and the dreams we then enter. To be further explored!
"And if in our sleep and dreams we perceive, more distinctly than in the day-life, signs of the highest beauty and the purest bliss, - should we not then give them our closest attention?"

Frederick van Eeden

Offline Oneironaught

  • with a "gh"
  • Ambassador Guild
  • Synthesizer
  • *****
  • Posts: 487
  • twitterpated +10
Re: Sensory Induction of Lucid Dreams
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2008, 12:38:47 AM »
Quote from: pj
most important, the feeling of flying - right down to that sensation in my stomach when quickly changing altitude.

Those are the feelings of acceleration and sensations I was talking about in my relaxation topic. I actually discovered it about a month or two before learning about LDing ('91) and it turned into a really cool, very 'G-force' feeling experience, complete with visuals of looking down into the Earth as I flew in the sky.

The experience kicked off with my trying to see just how relaxed I could get because I had such a great day and was going to sleep with my girlfriend (at the time) after a wonderful night together (I was a drummer at the time and had worked until pretty late, drank some brews, etc...) and I wanted to relish it all. That's where my relaxation thing originated from because it lead me to the most unique experience I'd ever had up to that point. It's also the experience that came to mind when I first heard of LDing. I was instantly intrigued and inspired.

Anyway, the first signs of extreme 'involvement' was very vivid, full-volume hypnagogic audio of some band members laughing and talking for about 10 seconds followed by the kinds of sensations and visions you talk about above.

I've never been able to reproduce quite that level of that particular experience since. But I like the way you explain it. You purposely set up the situation - sights, sounds, feelings, smells. That's something I've never tried. I think I'll give this some effort this weekend.

I've been trying to figure out a better way to incorporate my relaxation with a similar, compatible method for better LD induction possibilities. This just might be the trick I've been looking for. Thank you.

Hi, SKA  :hi:
Life is wonderful

Offline pj

  • Learning.
  • Technical Guild
  • Evaluator
  • *****
  • Posts: 14179
  • We are made of such stuff as dreams are made of.
Re: Sensory Induction of Lucid Dreams
« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2008, 08:04:30 AM »
I would love to see that map, SKA.  By the way - did you ever get any further on your bell experiments?

This discussion has an interesting branch here.
« Last Edit: April 26, 2008, 08:24:22 AM by pj »
What truly matters is not built of right and wrong; but of grace, and of love.

--pj

Offline The Cusp

  • Ambassador Guild
  • Evaluator
  • *****
  • Posts: 919
Re: Sensory Induction of Lucid Dreams
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2008, 05:32:28 PM »
I was trying this out last night, and I think it's a good approach.  I can consistently get to the the very beginning of a dream where everything is foggy and insubstantial, but I can't sustain it after that point just yet.  I think with a bit more practice, I should be able to get it.
Some people are like a Slinky - Not really much good for anything, but they do bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.

Offline Oneironaught

  • with a "gh"
  • Ambassador Guild
  • Synthesizer
  • *****
  • Posts: 487
  • twitterpated +10
Re: Sensory Induction of Lucid Dreams
« Reply #6 on: May 04, 2008, 11:34:48 AM »
I've tried a few times now but have not been able to really get into the sensations quite yet. More practice is in order.
Life is wonderful

Offline pj

  • Learning.
  • Technical Guild
  • Evaluator
  • *****
  • Posts: 14179
  • We are made of such stuff as dreams are made of.
Re: Sensory Induction of Lucid Dreams
« Reply #7 on: May 06, 2008, 08:13:25 PM »
I've had very little success with this since my first discovery of it.

I'm wondering again whether I might not have already been asleep, making the "transition" very easy.  I'm not giving up though!  The idea makes sense on analysis - replacing sensory input with internal information, memories and experiences.
What truly matters is not built of right and wrong; but of grace, and of love.

--pj

Offline Gen

  • The Clumsy Ethernaut
  • Applier
  • **
  • Posts: 70
  • "Upward, and yet not Northward,"
    • Emerging Paradigms
Re: Sensory Induction of Lucid Dreams
« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2012, 01:50:52 AM »
Sorry to resurrect an oldie.. but I reckon this is a goodie worth remembering..

I also recently came across this technique by accident and wanted to offer a couple of ideas for anyone who might stumble across the topic.. I'm still playing with these still but they seem to have alot of potential for me so far..
These are some ideas if you have trouble visualising flying..

  • Visualise yourself riding a bike (or motorbike/scooter) around empty streets randomly turning corners without any particular thought as to where you are going, but just riding and noticing, and seeing where you end up.. This got me right to the cusp of dreaming really quickly.
  • Visualise being on a rollercoaster or one of those freefall tower funpark rides.. (the later worked well for me, nearly dropped right out of body several times)
  • Visualise jumping on a trampoline.. This one, i still gotta test out, but I got lucid from a dream a few weeks back after dreaming I was jumping on a trampoline
  • Also I reckon a waterslide visualisation would be a really good one too

Also, according to brain/behaviour scientist, Todd Murphy, imagining the sensation of movement activates the hippocampal area of the brain, which has been implicated in out of body experiences. He recommends the rollercoaster imagery..

Offline pj

  • Learning.
  • Technical Guild
  • Evaluator
  • *****
  • Posts: 14179
  • We are made of such stuff as dreams are made of.
Re: Sensory Induction of Lucid Dreams
« Reply #9 on: January 28, 2012, 08:28:35 AM »
Excellent addition to this!

Never worry about resurrecting old threads here.  The only rule we have is that you do an RC when you bump a really old thread - and the system should issue you an appropriate reminder.
What truly matters is not built of right and wrong; but of grace, and of love.

--pj

Offline Tom

  • Evaluator
  • *****
  • Posts: 763
Re: Sensory Induction of Lucid Dreams
« Reply #10 on: January 28, 2012, 11:52:03 PM »
At WBTB and after repeating intent before and sometimes during.. I always visulize a red or green lined square or circle somtimes with a dot in the middle much like the veiwfinder in a camera..
I simply look into this mental veiw finder and soon visuals  apear and very soon Im in a dream of high quality although not always lucid ..but  dream quality is equal to many Lucid Dreams..
Some of what drives this method  for me ..is my own faith and self knowlege of  knowing when I  usualy dream ...
Not shure if this is anything like what you are talking about in above posts..
But This is what works for me ...
Tom..

Offline Sunshine

  • Research Guild
  • Evaluator
  • *****
  • Posts: 16143
Re: Sensory Induction of Lucid Dreams
« Reply #11 on: January 29, 2012, 01:09:56 AM »
(content removed by user request)
« Last Edit: February 10, 2014, 07:04:01 PM by pj »

Offline Gen

  • The Clumsy Ethernaut
  • Applier
  • **
  • Posts: 70
  • "Upward, and yet not Northward,"
    • Emerging Paradigms
Re: Sensory Induction of Lucid Dreams
« Reply #12 on: January 31, 2012, 08:01:13 PM »
I've been reading some stuff about biofeedback and different brain states by Anna Wise and C Maxwell Cade.. This sensory method is making a lot of sense to me as far as inducing WILDs goes.. Wise says that alpha brainwaves are needed to bridge the conscious with the unconscious mind during any meditative state, with out that bridge, whatever happens during the altered state will be very hard to recall. She says that the most effective way to create alpha waves is by using creative imagery that involves a lot of sensory input, she then says the best way to bring theta waves into the mix is to use imagery that takes you on a journey, i.e. through doorways, over bridges, down paths, up stairways, etc.. anything where the end point is a mystery, that allows the subconscious mind to come in and create something to fill the void.. (what is: over that bridge, behind that door, beyond that path, etc..)   So using a highly sensory visualisation, with the right twists and turns, done during WBTB seems to fit the ticket here, in terms of finding that edge between waking and sleeping.   

(If anyone is interested, the book I'm referencing is called "The High Performance Mind: Mastering Brainwaves for Insight, Healing, and Creativity")


Offline Sunshine

  • Research Guild
  • Evaluator
  • *****
  • Posts: 16143
Re: Sensory Induction of Lucid Dreams
« Reply #13 on: January 31, 2012, 11:43:46 PM »
(content removed by user request)
« Last Edit: February 10, 2014, 07:04:01 PM by pj »

Offline iadr

  • Evaluator
  • *****
  • Posts: 9160
  • Peace Be With You!
Re: Sensory Induction of Lucid Dreams
« Reply #14 on: February 01, 2012, 10:25:06 PM »
Iadr's been using this sort of visualization for over two years now, as it is his primary method for entering WILDs. Here's a tutorial he wrote about it over two years ago. The nice thing about using visualization like this to enter WILDs with is that with practice the scenes becoming more vivid and easier to enter WILDs with, as the scenes just come alive and turn into dreams.
http://mortalmist.com/forum/index.php?topic=1743.0
Beg and Bas: HA GG TR LM CL SO LC RS FL LW TD
Int: EF BI JR DC WH CT CW IA WA TA WT JT RA WW WF RA MF WF BO TK
Advanced: TT AN OB CS BH ST
Sea:
All tasks completed. Going through a second time.