Thread: Oneirin's Dream Yoga Temple

BS#1 & BS#2
I am continuing with sets of practices from just these two levels currently; I want to really hone in a lot on the awarenss aspect before moving on to visualization too strongly. As I'm practicing All Day Awarenss and meditating a lot using the 'Be Here Now' recall system, I am beginning to see a spike in my awareness within dreams. Everything is beginning to 'click'. I've been doing research on awareness, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the brain, and how this system goes on-line when becoming aware within a dream. I'm seeing why mindfulness and self-awareness/situational awareness is critical to having consistent lucid dreams.

Continuing to experience increases in lucid dreams, with two additional LDs last night. I'm continuing with ADA throughout the day, Be here now meditation at night, mantras, and the Tibetan A visualization at WBTBs. I will start doing short visual practices with Intermediate #1 soon to hone in on color/shape visualization.
I'm learning to navigate the void as well since I need to find ways to make it through/encourage dream formation. I feel like visualization may really aid at this point. I attempted to visualize a scene as well as create a sense of 'motion' by imagining walking, and managed to end up in a dream scene for a short period of time coming out of the void.

Continuing with a great increase in lucid dreaming frequency and length, with another 3 last night. I feel that consistent practice of awareness throughout the day coupled with strong open awareness/be here now meditation at night has been a huge factor. Having the right mantra to use for my wandering mind recall as well will remain a staple in my practice
Within these lucids, the purpose of many of the techniques really hit at a deeper level. I really understood the purpose of the BS#1 skills as I realized it was critical to flood my awareness with sensory information in order to stabilize the dream and make it more vivid. I feel that my ability to do this was WAY better after the BS practices. As far as focus within the dream and pulling memory through, all of the memory components of BS#2 became very clear. I was amazing how this realization of the importance of the practices really hit once I was in the dreams themselves actively using them based out of intuition. It was as if I had 'extra tools in the toolbox' and knew exactly how to use them! I was able to stabilize these dreams for way longer, leading the third to me the longest LD I've ever had. I managed to successfully navigate through the void state as well which was a barrier for a while for me.

Continuing to experience a large increase in lucid dream frequency as well as duration with three more lucid dreams last night. I feel that a strong awareness practice throughout the day combined with a open awareness/'be here now' meditation is a huge factor. Additionally, a mantra paired /w wandering mind recall will remain a staple practice as its leading to a lot of progress.
What I noticed within the dreams was the influence that the Basic Skills really have on dream performance. I realized intuitively that it was critical that I ground into as many senses in order to stabilize and intensify the dream at certain points. It was almost as though I was tapping into these abilities I developed within BS#1. This led to what I would say was the longest LD I've ever had (LD3 of the night). The importance of the memory aspects of BS#2 became very apparent upon awaking as I was able to focus within the dream, yet engage memory once awake.

LD last night in which I had the chance to use 'Resistance to Shock' for the first time as well as some of the other intermediate skills. I'm not practicing these routinely atm, but I've been working with them, so I thought it would be great to update as they helped! I dealt with an LD in which I became really excited at the onset for the first time. Usually I'm very calm, but this time I realized I actually need to reduce the excitement and immediate thought "I need to use sivason's Resistance to Shock" I went into a very clear mind state right away, and it wasn't even necessary to 'watch emotions/thoughts go by like clouds' as the zen monks say. This was awesome for stabilization. It's just amazing to see how often material from this course comes into my head in a completely clear and rational exactly when I need it in an LD.
(More details related to imaginary body/limb movement practices during SP, but I'll update when there's a breakthrough).

I had the chance to practice a meditation during the void states in a LD the other day, and noticed that my ability to hold awareness through these states is getting stronger. When I wake up, I realize I have some recollection of awareness during non-dream states, but I'm not positive if this is just another period in the void - I still need more experience wtih this.
I upped my meditation time for weekdays recently, and have begun doing some of the visualization trainings, but will hold off on posting as I continue to practice. I will update with the final version of Diffuse Vision very soon as well.

Basic Skills #2
Diffuse Vision: L4
I noticed that relaxation was the key with this one, in order to simply allow all of the visuals to flood into my visual field without focus on one particular area. It was a bit difficult to maintain this approach throughout the full 10 minutes, yet when I did, I noticed that the movie started to take on a full vision, almost 2 dimensional type of appearance within my awareness/visual field. It was as though I was aware of everything that was going on without actually actively focusing on it. The scenes just encompassed my whole awareness. I would need more practice to sustain this lack of single focus with vision. I'm assuming that by reducing focus on one particular item, and allowing all stimuli to flood into awareness, this may be a tool for stabilizing LDs. This could help keep our awareness of the entire dream scene heightened without getting caught up with one item.

Intermediate Skills Lesson #1
Visual
Continuing to build my ability to expand the 'tiny flecks of color' throughout my visual field. I've never trained in visuals, so I feel like I'm going to need a bit of practice to really be able to get through step 6 effectively. Some colors come more naturally to me - such as green, blue, and white - but red is a bit difficult.
Fortunately, I found that I was naturally way better at the geometric shape practice than color practice; I am able to generate quite a few different shapes and manipulate them within my mind's eye.
I'm going to continue working on this for a while as well as strengthen at lot of the Basic Skills before working onto tactile.

Continuing practice of Be Here Now Meditation every day along with Wandering Mind Recall on Intentions every night. Continuing with holding awareness as much as possible throughout the day while performing Reverse Reality Checks as well.
With Intermediate Skills, I'm getting a little bit better and changing between colors in my visual field with eyes closed yet colors remain dull at this point. I will continue working on Basic Skills for another month or so before devoting a lot of time to visual work. I really want to get a solid & consistent awareness going, and carry it over to sleep, ingraining this in my subconscious.

Got the chance to meditate in my first lucid of the night last night . The room in the dream was nearly pitch black and I was having a tough time gaining lighting, so I decided to sit and meditate rather than interact with the environment. I had an amazing experience , and was wondering if there were any lessons to be learned from dream yoga practices.
Within a few seconds of starting the meditation, my awareness shot through my head and into dim glowing golden light. This raising of my awareness out of my dream head was accompanied by a mild euphoric state. It lasted for a few seconds before the dream faded and I woke.
I don't really know what this experience was, or if it's common in dream yoga practices, but I wanted to include it in case anyone has some insight or is interested. Either way - it was something that's never happened in waking life meditation! It's like many dream yoga books say: spiritual practice in dream is 9x more powerful.

Continuing to put my time into Basic Skills #1 & #2, focusing on 'be here now' meditation and 'wandering mind recall'. I'm getting better at sustaining my mantras/attention before bed which I feel is really helping out with lucidity. I big advantage I'm noticing with this combination is my ability to hold awareness through void states when lucids begin to fade. I seem to 'catch on' to FAs pretty quickly coming out of the void as if a memory of my intent to stay lucid pulls through this period.
A bit of work on visuals, but still holding off until I increase practice.

Intermediate Skills #2
Tactile
Beginning some of the tactile practices following 'Be here now' meditations. I noticed I'm way more natural at tactile exercises that visual. In the first portion, simulating my hand opening felt fairly realistic in my mind after a short period of practice. I'm starting to get a bit better at the full arm, and other parts of the body, but it'll take a bit of work. Either way, I can perceive what it would feel like to move a 'phantom limb' at this point, yet I hope for it to become more realistic.

Over the next few months, I plan on continuing most of my practice (probaly 90%) with Basic Skills as my foundation, and add some of the Intermediate #1 on top.

Used Intermediate Skill: Tactile in order to initiate a lucid from a FA last night. I found myself in a bed in a room which my mind didn't register as another one at the time. I felt that it was simply the right time to try leaving my body as I still had the intention for lucidity on my mind. I began thinking about the practice as well as my post from the previous day, and imagined these 'phantom limbs' moving from my body. I thought back to the arm exercise and tried to re-create my practice from the day. Boom! Lucid next to the bed in a really interesting dark mansion setting.
Just wanted to update as it was a small breakthrough with this technique. I knew even in the dream that it still needs work, but hey, its functional.

I shortened my practice of the tactile and sound meditations from Basic Skills #1 for a while, but am seeing how are important they after spending some time in the void state following a shorter LD last night.
In the void, I distinctly heard the realistic sound of water running from a shower which was in the dream. I could really hold my awareness on this for a very long time, and the void persistent for probably a minute or so while holding the awareness. I was able to focus simultaneously on rubbing my dream hands. Being able to multi-task with this awareness was really helpful, and I feel that if I didn't wake up, I could have held strong enough awareness to enter the next dream scene with lucidity.

I've put less time into the visualization training so far than the other techniques, but after a few days of spending a bit more time on these exercises, I began seeing how useful they are for lucid entry into forming dreams (WILDS or DEILDS).
When trying to re-enter a previous LD scene, I noticed imagery begin to form, and my mind intuitively created a visual sense of a dream body as well as the tactile sense of the dream limbs moving/circling into the dream space (sky of the LD). This seemed to happen spontaneously as if knowledge of how to do it was prepped from practice of the day.

Intermediate Skill #1
I decided to practice the tactile exercise a bit more often as I've been able to focus on my dream bodymuch more easily during LD entries and stabilization the past couple weeks. I've actually noticed that the tactile feel of the body/limbs comes up spontaneously; it's almost as though my mind is building the ability to 'slide out' during some DEILDS, and focus more on the tactile feel of dream body rub downs for stabilization.
I've been combining the movement of 'imaginary/dream limbs' with certain energy work during the day. Since this visualization came way more easily to me, I started incorporating colors into the limbs. I noticed doing visuals (shapes as well as colors) is way easier for me when I incorporate it into a tactile exercise (rather than in empty space).

Continuing to place a slightly stronger focus on the 'recall' portions of 'be here now' and 'wandering mind recall'. I've noticed that my ability to recall dreams during micro-awakenings is increasing a lot, and I have many dream periods recorded throughout the night due to this. I've noticed that at this point, my mind goes through a similar 'scanning' process after a dream period, in a similar way that it grabs for memories during the recall portion of the two meditations. I'm going to continue to work on this recall ability, present moment meditations, single thought mantras, and some tactile field exercises from beginner and intermediate skills.

Updating with progress as I work with Beginner and Intermediate Sills

Continuing to have an increased number of lucids, mostly DILD. I feel that the 'be here now' meditation is really helping with developing the mindfulness in conjunction with awareness practice during the day. Many times, I'll simply be talking to a DC, or walking and thinking about awarness, and it'll hit me. While this happens toward the end of REM many times, I'm continuing to work on extending the dreams, or continuing through the void. I'm going to continue to work on 'coming in at the right time' with dreams, as opposed to the last few minutes of a REM cycle

Having a bit of success with WILD, although I maybe have one every 7-10 days or so. Tactile sense is helping me a lot with this as I felt it was a natural strength, and decided to work with it There's usually a period I can't account for, but soon 'find myself popping up' in a dream shortly after the WILD attempt using body feel as the anchor. Focusing on point int he body (Beginner skill) has helped with this as well as occasional body scans during 'be here now'. I do the microcosmic orbit meditation, and the beginner tactile meditation helped a lot with focusing on the points in the body throughout the orbit.

Although visualization exercises with colors was a bit more difficult, I noticed the other day that once I am on the verge of sleep when attempting WILD that I'm able to create vivid colors very easily. I can then work these into the shapes which I was naturally better at. It seems like if I practice more during waking hours, it'll be much easier when in the transition stage, or even in the void

Intermediate Skills #1
Visualization Training
I've been increasing the time I'm putting into visual meditation exercises. The difficult aspect is transferring three dimensional objects as well as colors from the minds eye into the visual field itself. Things I'm still working on improving with this exercise.
-Creating my visual field into a wide variety of single colors and rotating between colors. I'm getting better at this, yet trying to increase how vivid the colors are.
-Creating a variety of three dimensional objects in my visual field with clarity, creating multiples, putting them into color, and putting a single colored background (in that order)
I'm giving myself a lot more time to focus on this exercise to really hone it in. I've seen how useful it's been for helping me transition out of the void (a sticking point for me the past couple months). When doing into the void during LDs now, I can create the visual field into a color, and allow visuals begin to begin naturally. As I get better, I imagine I can start creating my own dream scenes from this stage.
I see the value for this visualization training for control as well as LD entry and want to improve it. It's also interesting seeing research showing how natural LDers tend to be great at rotating 3-dimensional objects within their mind accurately.

Intermediate Skills #1
Visualization
Continuing practice of picturing multiple 3D objects in my visual field. I'm working on improving putting color in the background with a bit more clarity while holding at least two 3D objects. From here, it's a matter of increasing vividness of of both color and shape before I complicate anything.

Tactile
Still remains easier than visualization, so I'm not focusing as much in this area. I'm re-create the feeling of arms moving & hands opening etc, although I could definitely improve on making it more realistic with time.

Intermediate Skills#2
I tracing energy movement through the points became a bit easier after practicing microcosmic orbit for a period of time. The 'simulated' swaying came fairly naturally, but I need to improve on actually feeling energy move under the skin and through the points etc.

Intermediate Skills #1 are becoming very useful in kick starting lucids as well as helping with conjuring.
Now when I find myself lucid in a dreamscape, yet my dream body seems to be 'locked' (probably due to brain sensing REM atonia) I can begin to move 'phantom limbs' and feel them moving outward. I then am able to see my arms and hands appear in the LD, and slip into the dreamscape.
I'm noticing that having items appear with intent is becoming easier, and I'm assuming it has to do with meditation exercises engaging the visual cortex. Since I'm getting better at rotating 3D objects during the meditations, working my way through 2 at a time and increasing vividness, I'm seeing that this is probably assisting me with visualizing new objects appearing in the dream.

Pretty excited about my first seamless WILD transition last night using some dream yoga techniques! Although I've had quite a few WILDS since I started practicing LDing, there's always been a period of time which I couldn't account for; I'd either suddenly find myself fully awake in a dream scene following an attempt, find myslef having an OBE type transition after a short lapse in awareness, or go through my own 'sinking' technique and experience a short lapse in a awareness before lucidity.
In this attempt, I was aware of hypnagogia setting in, and focused solely on the image. My mind entered an absorption similar to that of the 'be here now', locking into the moment. I was thrown out of the experience, but regained focus. It becomes clear how techniques like be here now, thought suppression, and even immunity to shock can greatly aid in these types of transitions if developed.
I was able to stay aware as the item formed, bring out a phantom limb into the scene and begin engaging tactile sense of the couch. I simply immersed myself more until my dream body drifted into the scene!
Awesome experience, although definitely a much shorter lucid. Definitely increases motivation for practice!

Advanced Skill #2
Immunity to Shock
I've been working on this skill for quite a few weeks now, and noticed a bit of an improvement in regard to adrenaline suppression. For my routine, I typically wake up at 6:30 and immediately walk into a cold shower. The approach is more of an awareness of the sensation of 'cold' sweeping throughout my body, and nervous system responding a bit, all without becoming mentally over involved. I simply remain aware in a non-attached meditative state of experiencing 'cold'; no elaborations. Repeatedly approaching like this has definitely increased my ability to regulate excessive responses. In this period, I haven't had any quick awakenings due to excitement or other emotions, so it's working for now! (although it's typically not too much of an issue for me)

Basic & Intermediate Skills
I've been spending more time lately on night vipassana meditation, which shares many commonalities with the 'be here now' meditation. I've been putting more focus on 'wandering mind recall' afterward, and have noticed that the more time/focus I place on this, the more my recall improves. Right after, I move into a combination of the tactile and visual Intermediate #1 exercises combined with a mantra I use for LD induction right before bed. I've noticed that with this combination, I get spikes in lucidity, and have fortunately been having multiple LDs on most of the past several night. In this combination, I imagine 'phantom arms' coming in front of my field of vision while levitating in a lucid dream. I feel and visualize hands and arms raising in an ethereal blue shade, while repeating "Tonight I'm lucid in the dreamworld": a mantra that 'holds weight' for me. The trend seems to be that following a very brief WBTB - along with with doing my own version of SSILD combined with body sensation as I drift into dreams - I have many lucid dreams in which my awareness simply raises as my arms come in front of me, and I say "I'm lucid" as I reach lucidity.
As far as 'mudra awareness', I've found a particular mudra with my thumb and index finger connecting in a circular shape and fingers extending which tends to center/calm me and ground my awareness automatically. I plan to use this mudra for stabilization in an LD, but haven't done this yet. The approach of simply staring at my hands for stabilization when I feel that I need to has been helping with dream extension however.
I got the random idea last night to try casting a fireball in a lucid after being inspired by one of sivason's summer 2016 dream competition journals. I remembered back to his use of the 'energy flow simulation' for his lucid, and tried hurling a huge fireball at a tree...but absolutely nothing happened hahaha. Need to work a bit more on 'energy flow simulation' as I've only been practicing this one sporadically.

Congratulations Oneirin! Your dedication and focus is paying off. Must be amazing to consciously transition from being awake to a dream. Keep it up!