Stephen himself speaks of the "pre" lucid state in his book. I believe Particia Garfield as well mentions the difference between certain states of lucidity.

I did not pull this out of nowhere. I've been studying LD for over a decade. In my research, and actual practice, this has always been the case.

I can clearily, in my own dreams, tell the difference between lucidity and pre-lucid. In a truely lucid dream (I beg to differ) I always have full control. Here are the differences between the two:

1. In a prelucid dream there is fear of bodily harm. In a fully lucid dream there is NEVER a fear...becuase you know without a doubt you are in bed sleeping.

2. There is never a "dream quake" or "shake" as some call it when the realization of "pre" lucidity occurs. But when I become lucid, there is ALWAYS a major disturbace in the force so to speak. The "melding" (yes I called it that ;0) ) of the egos causes a huge feeling that can't be missed. A dream shake or quake is the brains natural response to lucidity. It's as if you have walked into the Being John Malkovic door and are being kicked back out.

3. EVERY time I become lucid, my entire world breaks down and is rebuilt into an amazingly vivid beautiful detailed world. When I simply casualy say, "Wow, I'm dreaming.." (pre-lucid), nothing ever occurs mentally or visually. No disturbance what so ever.

I experiment personally with these things, along with hearing about the different states in study. I know immediately when I am lucid, but when I'm pre-lucid, I am still only *dream ego*. In questioning many of the people I've met in life as well, I've determined they mostly all only "pre" lucid dream. (i.e. fear death, can't control their dream, don't think about their resting body, no disturbance upon realization...etc)

I hope I don't come across as being defensive...but I was however attacked by you, you understand this. I wouldn't call myself an authority (look at where I placed myself on the self-ranking chart), but I would call my self a scholor.

Thanks for the responce though. I love debates.