Thread: High and Low-Level LDs?

Thanks for the replies.

Originally Posted by ThreeCat

I think this means different things for different people. For myself, a "high-level" LD would be one that:

• lasts longer than normal (at least 30-40 minutes)
• has a high-level of vividness and clarity
• provides me the opportunity for better dream control than I am used to
• and is, overall, an amazing, mind-blowing experience

As for your question of visual quality, I don't think so. I think some dreams (especially those in the earlier parts of the night) can lack a certain visual clarity that we get used to on our WBTBs I think that you can be very lucid in a vague, hazy dream (as you mentioned), and very not-lucid in a vivid, crisply-defined dream. I also find that dreams tend to clarify as you continue the dream; a dream might be initially hazy, but then "set" as you engage in dream activities, and become very vivid.

I think you might be right 3C. They are very vague definitions, and mostly subjective. So many people talk about how LD’s are as real or even realer than waking life -- they certainly can be, but I don’t think this is always the case. I think then, being highly self-aware in a vivid dream would be more of a coincidence than something that is guaranteed upon lucidity. But, like you said, I have known for self-awareness to give you the ability to build on the vividness of the dream, perhaps because it makes you more ‘present’ in the moment with greater attention.

Originally Posted by sivason

People will always want to name things and place them on a chart, but often it does not fit well.

LDs have at least two factors, as you have mentioned. Self awareness and the quality of our senses. You can be truely self aware and have no visuals at all, and you can be confused, knowing you are dreaming, but not even remembering who you are, while the dream is very vivid.

Just rate each thing seperately if you wish to rate them. Dream control is another factor.

You can learn to have an effect on each of these factors with training. However, if your sleep cycle changes, you may find that the vividness will change no matter what you do. You can learn to steer the sleep cycles into more dream friendly states, but it is hit or miss and often beyond your control.

This does make sense, Sivason. After having so many low-quality LD’s lately (contrary to the view that LD's are as real as waking life), it’s good to know that this is most likely an issue with the dream itself/ timing etc. than anything to do with lucidity, and that they are indeed separate factors.