About CALD

[Dizko]

CALD - Character Assisted Lucid Dreaming I read about this on LD4ALL. You know the way sometimes as you are falling asleep, you can hear little voice, noises, sentences and random phrases sometimes? Well, as far as i can tell, this technique involves making up some sort of imaginary friend who can respond on their on without any concious input from you. Sound crazy? Yea it probably is. But after you have this solid relationship with your sub-concious through this character, you may then find it easier to have lucid dreams. Ask the character for lucid dreams, help with control, etc. I suppose there are weird risks and stuff, but it might be an interesting one to try. For more information on 'creating' a 'talk on their own' character, see the text below. Let me know your thoughts before i try this one =p Step-by-step to character creation. Character creation should never be too stressful, if it does become so, always take a break and resume when you feel you have the right mind set to do it. You don’t need materials to make characters if you don’t feel the need to, just a good dedication to the process if fine, and being involved is key. One step can be spanned over a few days or just a few minutes, what ever pace you like is good. This should be fun and rewarding in the end so take your time! Step 1: Catch an “essence” Get an essence of the character, the core of which will be your base, to start building the character up. Find some inspiration, if this is your first, basing your character off of yourself gives a good place to start. If you don’t like that idea, you can find it really anywhere, music, in your own emotions, stories, anything that moves you. If you are basing the character off of yourself try to express yourself INTO your character. What I mean by this is, put what makes you feel like yourself into another body, a representation of you. They do not need to have your history, or even have to look like you, just express you in their being. This gives a feeling of familiarity between you and the character, as you both have a deep understanding already, before he/she even starts to speak! If you find the essence in anything else, make sure that at the time, you try and capture it, e.g.: In music, a line of lyrics can evoke strong emotions in you, and you may want that feeling in your character, so jot it down and look at it when you settle down to create your character. In emotions, thoughts or events that have happened to you, can move you (good or bad) so you can try to express that in words, or in a drawing, in a song, whatever. Catch it somehow, and remember it for later. If it was a bad experience you had, you can even express foul feelings like ‘revenge’ into them, though you’ll have to control your character tightly once they have life. A visual essence can be different, you may listen to music and see someone/ something. While it moves you, try to catch it in words, or if possible, a drawing. E.g: If you only catch eyes, draw eyes, if you’re not confident in your artistic skills, write about it, or even just catch it in your mind and don’t forget. If it’s in a song, try to listen to it later on when you are developing the character. You get the point, get the core of the character to start, and even if it feel very abstract, that’s ok! It will be something interesting soon. The more work you put into getting a strong core now, the better the blueprint for later! Step 2: Visualize Give that ‘essence’ a face! Find somewhere to sit for a bit and let your cares go away. Grab a piece of paper to make notes if you want, as it’ll help you remember better. Grab whatever you caught the essence of your character in and get started. You may have already imagined the character’s looks, if not, then do it! It doesn’t have to be solid now, but just go with what you think he/she will look like. If you already have a body to go with the character, good! Move on to step 3. If you’re having trouble with this, try to imagine the essence you’ve found in step one as the core of your character, their soul. Build around it step by step, remembering the whole time you’re trying to convey that feeling visually in your mind. This body of your character you see in your mind’s eye doesn’t have to vivid, or even completely sure, just a vague one will work fine. Ask yourself questions, as you remember the feeling and try to convey it: What is it...? A girl or a boy? Neither one? A person? An Animal? A plant? A bug? Something else entirely? What do it’s eyes look like? Blue, black, green? Round eyes, thin eyes, big, small? What’s its hair look like? Is it tall? Is it short? How old is it? There are a lot of questions you can ask yourself to try and get a good idea of what the character looks like. If you find yourself unsure of something, ask yourself and try to see, if not, that’s ok. It’ll come to you in time if you feel like it. Lots of things that are very basic, can help you later to solidify a look. Step 3 : Give it life. Now that you have a look for your character, (a vague one at the very least) give it some life! Now that you have the basics down, life gets a bit easier. Try to give a personality to your character, if he/she doesn’t already have one. A history works well too. They are your creations, so don’t be afraid to be extreme if you’d like. Make sure all of the basic things are covered, a history, some interests, a personality. It can be very plain to start, you can always change things later. But a nice base is always good to have. Questions to help you think of these include: Did they have a sad past? A happy one? What happened to them up till now to make them how they are today? Do they have any live relatives? If so, were they raised by them? Do they have any friends? Do they fight? If so, with what? Why? How is their personality? After you have a good idea of who your character is you can move on. This is a good time to name your character is you haven’t already. Step 4: Communicate! Time to start getting personal with that puppet you’ve made. For some, at this point your character may randomly throw out a word or two, you may even see them in a ‘mini-scene’ in your head. Like when you listen to music–all of a sudden your character is there in it while you listen, playing out the scenes the music shows. That’s cool, it means you’re really involved with your character and you are more likely to remember little details. If not that’s cool too it may come in time. Anyways, now that you have your puppet-character down, try to talk with them. You may get the feeling of a response somewhere in your head, seek it out and try to find out what it is. If the talking between you and your character seems silly, and irrational, it’s ok, it’s your head, so no need to be embarrassed! It may be non-sense, but it’s something. If you don’t feel a reply, then give your character one. Don’t worry about them feeling very puppet-like in the beginning, that’s completely normal, just try to honestly talk to them, and don’t start thinking “this is stupid” keep an open mind and you’ll get somewhere. It really helps to try and write conversations down between you an your characters, as it’s more automatic and not-personal then being in your head entirely alone with them. I’ll give an example between be and my most developed character Talon: Talon, what do you think about this thread, and this tutorial? Talon: ...Honestly, I think it’s embarrassing and sad of you to pull me into this. I don’t deserve to be stuck in some weird little tutorial... I have better things to– no.. no I don’t, but still! You’re using me in an example of how to TALK. Do you think I am STUPID? Oh come on, it’s not that bad! Talon: STRANGERS are going to see this! WHY would you show them this? ...Ehhhhck– She’s a bit cynical right now, don’t worry. She and her brother got in a spat and now she’s moody... :3 But anyways, you get the drift, after a bit, responses become a bit more immediate, even if they don’t, you can still move on to step 5, and some back to step 4 until it feels more automatic. Step 5: Using your character to communicate You just need an idea of your character to do this step! Speak with others to do this! Once you’ve become more familiar with your characters (at least know their basics) you can have them speak with other people’s characters, or roleplay with them. This is especially helpful to make their responses much more real to you, as they are speaking to others instead of just you. Roleplay chat rooms are easy to find, DeviantART for example has many chatroom roleplays. Chatrooms are preferable because they require more immediate responses from your character. If it is troublesome trying to find a roleplay chatroom, you can just let your character talk directly to the person. The other person on the other end of the computer doesn’t need to know they’re talking to a character, just make sure that your character avoids talking about their history or background... Having your character talk with other people’s characters and be fun and interesting, talking with people who roleplay can be good for this, because you can just ask them if they want to have your character and their’s to talk. If you cannot find someone like this, you may send me a note on LD4ALL, I would be happy to let your character talk with mine... Make sure your character has at least a slightly automatic response when spoken to, and they you are not FORCING yourself to answer for them, it should flow naturally after some time. Step 6: Solifidy Now that you’ve gotten a good idea of how you character responds to things, you can try to solidify them in your mind. Keep an understanding they live in your mind, and treat them like people. They will not, however much you’d like them to, however, exist on the same level as you. They will always be in a level of creation different then yours, they exist, but not here, so make sure you have that kept in mind. Anyways, after you’ve found out all this about them (or even in the process of making them) make a character sheet to help solidify the idea of them, (not nessicary but it helps) so that you don’t keep switching them around. The main thing is, just get a solid idea of them, and don’t tweak them too much after, you can still change things about them, of course, of you see the need to, but if it’s dramatic, you can even just make another character! Talk a lot with your character while you’re awake, have them talk to others, whatever the means, just get to know them. If you treat them as real people their responses become as such, and no need to be shy in your own mind, no one else will ever know unless you tell them. Characters can be useful when the issue is something personal, or something only you can do. You can confide in them, and use them as ways of expressing yourself, whether it be in drawings or stories, or just someone to rant to when no one else is there. They can help you go lucid, or keep your stress down, even encourage you to do that one thing you’ve always been too embarrassed to do, but that’s an entirely different tutorial. That’s it, if you have any questions or misunderstandings, please ask and I will make the appropriate changes, or evaluate on what I mean... Also, if there are errors please point them out, just be kind! *phew* That’s pretty much it, as much as I could think of it... yeah! Forgive the length... it's not actually as hard as it may look! ~Talon

[Snowy Egypt]

I think I see what it means. Basically, it's just giving your subconscious a personality....I think. It seem kind of hard to do, especially when you're a person that doesn't have LDs on a regular basis. But I think it can be done. It seems like something that can be combined with WILDing...

[Dizko]

I think I see what it means. Basically, it's just giving your subconscious a personality....I think. It seem kind of hard to do, especially when you're a person that doesn't have LDs on a regular basis. But I think it can be done. It seems like something that can be combined with WILDing... You can do this without having any lucid dreams, as far as i understand, you create the character during waking life. And then when you relax and clear your mind, they are able to speak for themselves, so to speak.

[Snowy Egypt]

You can do this without having any lucid dreams, as far as i understand, you create the character during waking life. And then when you relax and clear your mind, they are able to speak for themselves, so to speak. Now it just sounds awesome. And a lot easier to do. It also seems like you could do more with the character. Like, instead of just giving it a random personality, you could kind of make it into the person you've always wanted to be. A kind of special someone to remind you to become lucid, like an inner-self... Does this make sense?

[Vegan]

Brilliant, and all this time I thought I was crazy. I accidently have done that but all I've got so far was just a voice, partially from my crippling lonliness, but mostly because I thought that it would improve my autosuggestion, which even thought don't have a full personality, it's helped a lot though. I'm excited to fully develop it.

[Dizko]

If you go on LD4ALL there are quite a few threads and tuutorials about it - But not much different is said than that already included in my post. It does sound like a great idea. I mean, it would be nice to be able to get your subconcious fully on your side. Dream control would have zero resistance and nightmares would be no more. I think i'll try it... *eek, they might think im crazy* How come? *Because CALD is basically talking to yourself* Hmm...your right, maybe ill just tell them i'm not going to do it, but then i will anyway *Yea good idea hehe* Yea we rock *yea...* ------------------- Crap I've lost it and i havn't even started yet..

[Dizko]

*bump* What are peoples thoughts then? Anyone going to try it?

[lagunagirl]

i've tried something kind of like this, but it didn't really work for me because now i'm starting to think of my subconcious as a slightly evil little thing that doesn't want me to have LDs. I mean, our concious minds are the ones that wants to be part of the dream, and our subconcious' just make it difficult

[Dizko]

Your subconcious will only make it difficult if thats the sort of attitude yourself =] All the scenery, and dream characters in your dreams are created by your subconcious. If you could establish a good relationship with your subconcious, you could figure out how to use it better - after all it is just another part of you.

[Sean999]

This is similar to the NST (Named Subconscious Technique), but this seems more in depth. I'm going to try this out, as I know the perfect candidate for my character.

[ccrinbama]

Sophmore year, I found myself having trouble coming to terms with the fact that I had to write ridiculous papers for my English class. I couldn't find the willpower to start writing in the lab, and the teacher would always watch us while we were in there. So, I created a character in my mind that I spoke with about my paper, and we would have pages and pages of conversation, to make it appear that I was working. This is amazing, and a cool way to bring him back to life. Thanks for the idea, Dizko.

[Sean999]

Hey Dizko, what do you think about holding daily roleplaying sessions in DV Chat? I'd be glad to help organize and hold them. Contact me and tell me what you think.

[psychology student]

CALD - Character Assisted Lucid Dreaming I read about this on LD4ALL. You know the way sometimes as you are falling asleep, you can hear little voice, noises, sentences and random phrases sometimes? Well, as far as i can tell, this technique involves making up some sort of imaginary friend who can respond on their on without any concious input from you. Sound crazy? Yea it probably is. But after you have this solid relationship with your sub-concious through this character, you may then find it easier to have lucid dreams. Ask the character for lucid dreams, help with control, etc. I suppose there are weird risks and stuff, but it might be an interesting one to try. For more information on 'creating' a 'talk on their own' character, see the text below. Let me know your thoughts before i try this one =p I don't know? Making yourself hear voices!

[Sean999]

I actually really like this technique. To help contribute, I will post a conversation I had with my buddy just now. Just a quick explanation. A while ago, I had an idea to create a dream friend, and I decided a Digimon would be awesome. So, I hatched Botamon. Here is the convo in spoiler tags. What I say is in bold. Spoiler for The Conversation: Hey, Botamon. Oh, hey Sean! What have you been up to? Um, just exploring the dream world. Without me? Well, we don’t really have a choice do we? You’re awake Yeah, I guess so. By the way, when I come back, we will do some exploring. What do you think of that? That sounds like fun! Oh hold on. Okay I’m back. Welcome back! Thanks. Also, I wanted to try and complete the lucid tasks. You can come with me! Cool! I can’t wait until you come back here! Neither can I, Botamon. I have a question, are you all right with staying in baby form for a bit longer? I don’t mind at all! Okay, because I may or may not get a Digivice in my next lucid. Are you hungry? Maybe just a little. I’ll get you some food later. Oh boy! Food! Are all Digimon big eaters? We do have to Digivolve after all. True. What are the lucid tasks about? Well, for the basic task, all we need to do is watch TV and see what’s on. Sounds easy. What’s a TV? It’s something that we humans watch things on. Like other humans. I’ll show you later. I know it sounds easy, but the advanced task is much more interesting. For that one, we have to find a rabbit and follow it down its hole. What’s a rabbit? You know Terriermon right? Of course I do, he’s one of my best friends! Well, a rabbit looks very much like him. And they’re just as playful too. Oh boy! We’re going to have lots of fun! We sure are, Bo’. I forgot to ask, where are you right now in the dream world? In the kitchen, right where you left me. You said you were exploring. I was. You were exploring my house? For a bit, but there’s not much to do in here. Can’t argue with that. Well, I think I better get going. Got lots of homework and studying to do. Okay, bye Sean! See you later! See you later Botamon! I took a bit of a different approach to the technique, but I like it a lot.