Synthesis states, dream yoga, brain science.

[Valis1]

There are two ways meditation may help or effect lucid dreaming. 1. A result of long term structural changes in the of the brain. The brain regions responsible for upholding the meditative state strengthen and complexify in response to the presence of the meditative state. These regions are responsible for awareness, memory, focus, and so on. All those faculties important in lucid dreaming. To sum up, ones background awareness becomes stronger, and those cognitive or meta-cognitive faculties so important to lucid dreaming are more easily accessible when required. Here are some examples of the brain systems involved. "• Anterior Cingulate Cortex: Increased grey matter changes were noted in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which is a structure located behind the brain’s frontal lobe. It has been associated with such functions as self-regulatory processes, including the ability to monitor attention conflicts, and allow for more cognitive flexibility. • Prefrontal Cortex: Increased grey matter density was also found in areas of the prefrontal lobe, which are primarily responsible for executive functioning such as planning, problem solving, and emotion regulation. • Hippocampus: Increased cortical thickness in the hippocampus has also been noted. The hippocampus is the part of the limbic system that governs learning and memory, and is extraordinarily susceptible to stress and stress-related disorders like depression or PTSD." Meditation also causes increased gyrification in the insula which "has been suggested to function as a hub for autonomic, affective and cognitive integration" 2. A result of the more Immediate effects of meditation, i.e. the chemical and electrical patterns present in the midst of meditation or in its after glow. There are important long term structural changes that occur as a result of meditation as I stated, but there are also the more immediate effects, such as the increased production of Endorphins (natural painkillers that also serve many other important functions in the brain), GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid), DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), Melatonin, Serotonin, human growth hormone, and then there is reduced cortisol levels. Then there is the higher presence of theta waves in the "front and middle parts of the brain". These chemical and electric changes also happen in the long term, but they are highest and most obvious during or immediately after meditation. If one has reached a certain level of adequacy in meditation, one can bring at least some level of the meditational state with you into a WILD as it is 'peaking' or just starting to wane. This acts as a lucid dream potentiator, one moves into the lucid dream state with a unique and highly beneficial physiological pattern already highly active. This is hard to achieve, and developing the ability to generate a meditative state strong and stable enough to endure a WILD attempt takes practice. The greatest obstacle to this is moving from the proper posture and dropping ones typical point of focus for exit techniques, but if one is relatively advanced the state will naturally remain present but with increasingly less energy (post meditation state), the higher you go the longer it takes to come down. This is why I say practice is necessary to achieve this 'synthesis state'. One of the highest ideals of dream yoga to reach a point of full synthesis between these two states, to have the meditative state 'peaking' at the exact same time the lucid dream state is fully present. To achieve this would surely be sublime, but would also probably take years of practice. Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of dream yoga type WILD methods is their similarity to meditational techniques. This is not a coincidence, they are meant to allow one to keep the meditative state stable while also inducing a WILD. In peoples excitement to apply those methods which seem easiest, I mean focusing on the chakras while going to sleep, they have overlooked their purpose and the other piece of the puzzle it is supposed to be connected to, I mean the meditative state. To be most effective dream yoga WILD methods must work in conjunction with the meditative state in both the immediate and long term sense, they are inherently synergistic. I felt it necessary to write this in response to a general confusion between how these states actually effect each other. Some are reluctant to make any connection. Admittedly there are many short comings in this post, but I think it touches many key ideas, even if they are not all carried out to their conclusion here. Does meditation effect lucid dreaming? Yes. It can in both the short and long term. Can you be in a full meditative state while lucid dreaming? Yes. If ones method is adequate and if ones neural systems responsible for meditation are strong enough, have been sufficiently developed. Will meditation before attempting a WILD have any marked effect? Maybe. It depends how long it takes for the Chemical and electrical patterns to fade. Can you maintain a meditative state while going into a WILD? Sometimes. If your method is correct and if your level of neurological adequacy is sufficient. How does meditation effect lucid dreaming in the immediate sense or short term? By virtue of the chemical and electrical patterns associated with it. How does meditation effect Lucid dreaming in the long term? By virtue of the structural changes in the Cingulate Cortex, prefrontal cortex, insula, etc. I hope you have found this interesting. Forgive the slight over lap with my last post dealing with meditation and lucid dreaming.