Thread: (N)REM barriers - the reason of not achieving lucidity

Interesting and potentially valuable stuff, Nfri; thanks for sharing! I hope you'll let us know more as you solidify your NREM barrier theory!

As long as I'm here:

Originally Posted by FryingMan

What what about those talented long-time LDers who get lucid in their early sleep cycles? Do they have shorter NREM or do they just have such a developed sense of awareness that the NREM barrier is no barrier for them?

I think that becoming lucid early in the sleep cycle (for folks not affected by narcolepsy) tends to be more a matter of patience, or perhaps comfort, for advanced LD'ers; especially for those who WILD into the first REM period (difficult, yes, but by no means impossible, BTW). Yes, your self-awareness and focus must be particularly sharp during lucid dives into the early sleep cycles, but an added layer of calm patience must be included as well in order to navigate long stretches of NREM. By comfort I mean facing the long drift through the emptiness of NREM with a sense of peaceful acceptance, or perhaps quiet curiosity or wonder, rather than things like overzealous focus, fear, disinterest, or despair. Those early NREM/Delta periods can be difficult, but they only become insurmountable barriers if a dreamer considers them as such, and cannot find a place in their minds or their lucid plans for the quiet emptiness of NREM. Uh-oh, I'm rambling...

In short: NREM barrier really only exists if a dreamer chooses to consider it a barrier. Choosing to see NREM as just another place to be during sleep is not only a good way to clear the barriers, but also adds another dimension to LD'ing.

I guess I drifted a bit off topic, and may be running a bit contrary to the OP's important theme. I do understand that NREM can make LD'ing difficult, and mapping it as Nfri did (and will?) seems to illustrate the best ways to avoid it in general, but FryingMan asked an important question, one whose answer indicates that there are indeed times when barriers are not barriers at all, but simply undiscovered country.