The Light And Dark Sides Of Control.

[Ev]

I wanted to bring this to the attention of the board. I've discovered that there are 2 forms of control with distinctly different results present in LDs (particularly my LDs ) The first way may be referred to as "the Light side" using star wars terminology. This is the most common form of control I use. To do so I work together with a dream. Harmony and soft use of energy is prevalent. Results take a few seconds to manifest. For example if I want to use conventional flying I gently gather energy and lift off first hovering at about 30 ft then choosing a direction. Second way is "the Dark side" once again using the star wars terminology. For me this is a rare yet spectacular form of control. I've done a handful experiments with this method. For example when I used dark side flying instead of usual soft gathering of energy I assembled a lot of energy incredibly fast and took off really fast ignoring the dream. This one burst of energy propelled me to over 300 feet in one push. I knew that I went against the flow of the dream. This attempt was fueled by my previous failed attempt at soft flying. Since then I used dark side a few more times when the normal control failed. Powerful emotions like anger and frustration make this work. Choose the way you control your LDs wisely

[John Updike]

I know what you mean by all of this, especially the part about going against or with the flow of the dream. In the past, I've found it's easier to sort of manipulate the dream's flow instead of physically attempting to complete tasks or exert control, which would fit with your idea of light side control. I don't think I'm good enough to do the dark side control very well yet, as for me (and for many others I'd imagine) this tends to destabilize the dream or plain old not work.

[Warlock]

Yesss, join the Dark Side, Lu... i mean Ev. Seriously though, i know what you're talking about, i've had my share of Dark Side Control. Breaking the sound barrier in less than a second is amazing.

[Seeker]

Interesting. When I saw the topic, I immediatey thought you were talking about making dream characters do things against their will. I will generally go with the flow of the dream, luckily for me, flying is natural to me now and doesn't usually affect the texture of the dream. I've noticed however that when I try to exercise The Dark Side, my LDs are usually shorter and more fragmented than if I go along with it. It would be interesting if we could get the folks over at TLI to take an interest in this topic and hook up several hundred dreamers to EEG's to see if there is a fundamental shift in brainwave patterns when using the dark side force.

[ilovefrootloopz]

I've never had much control, but when I do it's probably dark. I would go with the flow of my dreams, if my dreams weren't so random, pointless, and crappy. Sorry dream, maybe you need to work a bit.

[Ne-yo]

This is a pretty cool topic. It never occurred to me of a Dark and Light side of Lucid Dreaming. I think I fall into the Dark side more than anything. I just don't like the fact of going along in harmony with the dream at all because I tend to loose Lucid stability. I need to have as much Control as possible over the dream world the more control and energy gather the more stable the content becomes for me thus lasting longer.

[FreeOne]

i havent had many LDs but i think i would be more on the neutruel side. i dont like going with the flow of things but if u go against the flow to much then i might destroy the dream.

[xcrissxcrossx]

i have a mixture of both in my dreams. i can fly around at whatever speed but feel as if it was as easy as breathing. it is a great feeling. I definately go with the flow of things but not as a pace they would want to keep up at.

[Neo Neo]

Second way is "the Dark side" once again using the star wars terminology. For me this is a rare yet spectacular form of control. I've done a handful experiments with this method. For example when I used dark side flying instead of usual soft gathering of energy I assembled a lot of energy incredibly fast and took off really fast ignoring the dream. This one burst of energy propelled me to over 300 feet in one push. I knew that I went against the flow of the dream. This attempt was fueled by my previous failed attempt at soft flying. Since then I used dark side a few more times when the normal control failed. Powerful emotions like anger and frustration make this work.[/b] That is an interesting way to look at it. My prespective on that is two things: Whatever works for someone (that isnt harmful to their waking health/emotions) is fine. My other thought, is that the intention of your actions makes it "dark" or "light" per say. There are intense ways of doing ways, and there are suttle ways of doing things. Flying in dreams for example, has unlimited approaches and results to it. With my method, i always am propelled way into the air, one time i lifted off from the ground into space in like 5 seconds, then again its all relative because everyone's dream planet is different . But im not thinking negative though... So then dark side stuff translates to unnatural actions in dreams? But maybe dark emotions give instant intense energy to do things in dreams, and then light emotions require more practice or something. but i'll have to try that, this weekend i'm going to try dark/light side dream work. Very interesting! i dont like going with the flow of things but if u go against the flow to much then i might destroy the dream.[/b] lol that actually happens to me, every lucid i either lose control and forget im dreaming, or i do something like flying and either the dream sequence changes and i lose lucidity, or i wake up . yeah, but i like the flow of my normal dreams sometimes. but i'd rather not risk constant waking up during the night for attempting lucid dreams.

[Vex Kitten]

I never looked at it like that but I know what you're talking about by the light and dark thing. An easily flowing LD feels light itself and things happen easily. But when I decide to do something completely out of joint with the dream it does feel different. I definately prefer the dark side. If I go with the flow of a lucid dream ot usually feels pointless and boring. If I have the ability to, I love to exert God like control in the dream. Feels great to rearrange the stars themselves to spell out your name in the sky or force time to halt and then swallow you backward into it to travel to the past... etc.. Darkside Rules!