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Well, since you're solving the noise issue, I was just going to suggest for other people who may be looking at this thread that it's possible to sleep with not headphones, but simple ear plugs. There are foam and wax ones and they can lower decible levels quite well and aren't so uncomfortable that you can't get used to wearing them.
-Amé
Thanks Amethyst Star.
Yeah, I've pretty much got the noise issue under control. But I'm sure someone else might find those earplugs very helpful.
I started this thread because I saw several people had posted about using a strobe light successfully, but none gave a detailed account of their experiences.
I wanted to keep a record of my experiences in case I ran into problems (which obviously I have) or had some success (which I also have had) and that way others could decide if it was worth their time and money.
So please feel free to post any ideas or suggestions that come to mind. If there's one thing I've learned around here, it's that no single method works for everyone.
:)
Pandragon,
You rock. I have been following your experiment from the day you posted it. I have not commented on this site very often. I have to tell you though that your whole attitude is the way to go. Your data and feedback have convinced me to try the strobelight. I already have one. I just need to go buy the timers and the red cloth paper. I just wanted you to know that I really appreciate your great attitude to your approach on Lucid Dreaming. :) :D :!:
Thanks Jedi! I really appreciate that you took the time to say that. :D
Of course, I just wanna say for the record that I'm not try to convince anyone to do what I do. But I figured if anyone else was thinking of trying the strobe light, I wanted them to at least have some idea of what they could expect.
I hope you'll come back and let us know how your experiment is going.
Good Luck! :goodjob2:
The strobe light sounds like a good idea because it seems to me that it would divert your attention more then a steady light. I am going to add that to my list of things to try. I was thinking. If the strobe is the best way to go, then maybe a portable unit like a small flashlight to carry in the daytime to use with Reality Checks might increase the odds of it working. Especially if you can get one that would flash at the same rate as the night devise. Just a thought.
Yeah, I can definitely say that the flashing of the strobe light works far better for me than a steady light. I briefly tried switching from the strobe to a small lamp with a 7.5 watt bulb. It didn't work at all. It would either wake me up or I wouldn't notice it in my dreams.
There's something specific about the flashing of the strobe that makes it much more noticeable in my dreams. I think it's because the flashes cause such large changes in my dreams that I'm more likely to notice my mind making an effort to "explain" it with sudden changes in the dreamscape. Such as a sudden change from night to day, then back to night and back to day, in rapid succession. That kind of alteration can be hard to overlook, even in a dream.
With the regular lamp, it seemed like it was too easy for my mind to ignore. Like a single change from night to day and then back to night once the cycle ended. Somehow it wasn't enough to catch my attention.
As for a portable device to use with a Reality Checks. I don't know if it would help or not. I actually have yet to really stick to the Reality Check method for more than a week. But I'm planning to give it another try.
I was thinking of looking at my hands for an RC, and every time I do, say to myself either silently or out loud, "When I am dreaming, I look at my hands and realize that I'm dreaming." I figure I might as well make an affirmation out of it at the same time.
One thing that might also be worth trying would be to do the RC's at about the same frequency as the on/off cycles for the strobe. I usually set the timers to go off every 15-30 minutes, so if I was doing my RC's every 15-30 minutes, they might match up while I'm dreaming...?
[quote]Yeah, I can definitely say that the flashing of the strobe light works far better for me than a steady light. quote]
What kind of strobe do you use? Do you know the wattage and is it a florescent color or just bright white? I was thinking about getting one, maybe one bright enough to us with about three mirrors so it comes from all directions. What do you think about that?
I use a "Room Moodz" strobe light, the cheapest one I could find. It's sold at Toys R Us and Amazon.com for $20. It's a 20 Watt, 60Hz, 120V AC.
The light is a bright white, and comes with 3 colored filters. However I find the light is so bright that the filters don't do much good. Instead I just tape sheets of red colored tissue paper over the light until it's the right level of brightness. For me, that's about 30 sheets at this point, but I've considered adding more.
I don't know if the mirrors are necessary. I guess it all depends on how you sleep, and where you mount the strobe. I have mine mounted on the wall over my head, facing down (obviously you want to be very careful mounting it properly and securely if you plan to do this). So the light hits my eyes no matter what position I'm sleeping in.
I think it's important to mention that I've found it was necessary to purchase additional materials to make this system work properly - 2 outlet timers ($20 each) and red tissue paper ($2), and of course the strobe ($20) for a total of $62. Not to mention you'll probably also need a couple extension cords, but I had them lying around already.
Just want folks to know that while it's certainly cheaper than a Nova Dreamer, it does require a bit of cash to get started...
Thanks Pandragon I just spent $35 for a couple of books on LDing ,$30 in gas,$3 for the bridge to the next state to find a good book store and then I spent over an hour in traffic getting there. I guess it all depends on how far you would go to get what you want (.What Would You Do For a Klondike Bar) if you don't live in the US you may not have seen that commercial :-PQuote:
Originally posted by Pandragon
I use a \"Room Moodz\" strobe light, the cheapest one I could find. It's sold at Toys R Us and Amazon.com for $20. It's a 20 Watt, 60Hz, 120V AC.
*The light is a bright white, and comes with 3 colored filters. However I find the light is so bright that the filters don't do much good. Instead I just tape sheets of red colored tissue paper over the light until it's the right level of brightness. For me, that's about 30 sheets at this point, but I've considered adding more.
*I don't know if the mirrors are necessary. I guess it all depends on how you sleep, and where you mount the strobe. I have mine mounted on the wall over my head, facing down (obviously you want to be very careful mounting it properly and securely if you plan to do this). So the light hits my eyes no matter what position I'm sleeping in.
*I think it's important to mention that I've found it was necessary to purchase additional materials to make this system work properly - 2 outlet timers ($20 each) and red tissue paper ($2), and of course the strobe ($20) for a total of $62. Not to mention you'll probably also need a couple extension cords, but I had them lying around already.
*Just want folks to know that while it's certainly cheaper than a Nova Dreamer, it does require a bit of cash to get started...
LOL. Even if you do live in the US, it probably shows your age if you remember that commercial! Guess we both know where that puts us.
;)
Hey, next time you might want to just browse amazon for books. At least you can read the reviews and it sounds like you'd save about $30 in gas and tolls.
Yea Clairity also sugest that.ThanksQuote:
Originally posted by Pandragon
LOL. Even if you do live in the US, it probably shows your age if you remember that commercial! *Guess we both know where that puts us.
* ;) *
*Hey, next time you might want to just browse amazon for books. At least you can read the reviews and it sounds like you'd save about $30 in gas and tolls.
hey there
fantastic experiment and series of posts
um a wee suggestion im a bit of a sailor and a saftey device we must have on
ocean races is a portable strobe, it is 95% quieter than a normal strobe, just as bright, half the price and easily positioned. if u can solve the timing problem for it you could make life very easy for yourself.
best o luck
ill look into timing prob myself
That sounds great Nitro.
Actually the timer issue has been solved thanks to Lucky27. He came up with an idea to plug one timer into another and set their times a few seconds apart. It works perfectly.
Can you tell us more about this safety device? Where are they sold, and how much do they cost, etc?
Hi, I'm experimenting with a normal tungsten bulb and an electronic flashing circuit. At first I tried without the flashing circuit just a dimmer to adjust the brightness, din't work so well. Too dim din't notice, too bright woke me up. So I figured that the flashing was really essential. Unfortunately that din't work either, it still woke me up. So I now wrapped a red plastic over the bulb and now it glows very red. I will try it tonight. Btw the wattage is 25w and the flashing circuit was bought from a electronics store as a hobby kit set.