Sageous: Self-awareness is the most important tool for lucidity, and being self-aware in WL means being self-aware in dreams(LD and NLDs), of course when you have honed it to a certain level, and I assume that Self-awareness isn't shut off during NLD(like, for example, memory that shuts off during NLD), but self-awareness isn't from a particular part of the brain, but from logic? or anything similar? It is a product of actions produced by the brain? Not directly produced? Anyways, if self-awareness is honed in WL, and thus it is increased automatically during NLD, then it is indeed the most powerful aspect of LDing.

Note: Don't ever retire! That would cause a big emptiness in DV!