Thread: Special effects in LDs

I think it depends. I find it hilariously unfortunate that your "energy ball" is a giant muddy snowball

Try to do it another way, you might get a completely different effect. It all depends on A) what you're expecting and B) what you believe in. Of course you might not be aware of A and B because they're mostly subconscious. Personally my LDs tend to be full of incredible special effects and scenes, so I know there's hope for yours as well! Just experiment, and try not to visualize what something's going to look like too much.

It's all about clarity and level of control. One of the classic methods of clearing up your dreams is to spin and shout "CLARITY NOW!" with the intent of sharpening the dream environment. At that point, its just a matter of focus.

Senses. I use these to increase the quality of my Lucid Dream. Touch everything, look around, smell things, eat things.

Also, slow down and try to take everything in first. In my lucids I always find I'm in somewhat of a hurry to get everything clear and stabilized- this rarely works. You need to stop, plant your feet, take everything in, one at a time, and then focus.

Counting works too. You can count from 1 to infinity in your head. It will keep you focused.

Originally Posted by Purebred

Counting works too. You can count from 1 to infinity in your head. It will keep you focused.

hmmm actually no, counting is dull and irritating and will only serve to work your brain up and make it tired of counting. Your mind will naturally drift off onto any subject other than the number line, losing focus. Believe me, I've tried, and many people would agree.

Counting sheep doesn't even help you fall asleep, for the same reasons.

Counting sheeps before going to sleep doesn't work, because for you to fall asleep your mind must drift away, and while you are concentrating on something - it is impossible. For example, you won't fall asleep if you concentrate on your breathing. The same will happen with counting. it's logical and proved. Now, if you find yourself in LD, counting will focus your mind.
Besides, how can counting make your brain dull and irritating? It is so natural and doesn't require any efforts.

It doesn't make your brain dull and irritating, the counting is dull and irritating. I tried it last night, just to be sure actually. I got to 300 and was so bored I just stopped there. I could not be bothered to count any higher. An hour later I fell asleep (and actually had a nightmare). Counting doesn't help you fall asleep, and personally I don't think it helps you focus while you try to WILD.

I guess we were misunderstanding each other. I talked about counting, when you are already in LD.

Oh when you're already in an LD? Oh right, yeah that's different. I might try that next time. I was talking about when you are trying to nod off.

Originally Posted by Avalanche

Oh when you're already in an LD? Oh right, yeah that's different. I might try that next time. I was talking about when you are trying to nod off.

Yeah, counting while trying to WILD is too boring

In my first LD I was flying over an ocean. At first it looked sparkly and beautiful, and as I got lower over it, big waves splashed up all around me -- very detailed. However, as I continued, it looked to be tiled, like a bitmap texture in a video game. It was the same square of blue water repeated over and over again, into infinity. I found that to be somewhat disturbing and boring. I'm not sure why sometimes there is more detail and sometimes less. I normally hear sounds and music in dreams very clearly -- never any lack of depth or clarity there.