Thread: All Day Awareness, A DILD Tutorial by KingYoshi

Ah, this is a very good question indeed. When you are playing something more slow paced, like an RPG or an adventure game, its real easy to keep the awareness of your controller, your environment, etc. That never seems to be an issue. The problem lies with the fast paced games and action games. Particularly competitive shooters or sports titles (for me anyway). Now, when I am playing a shooter or a sports title, I am playing to win. I've always been the competitive type and hate losing more than I like winning. In order to play your best on a shooter/sports game, you have to be "in the zone"...so to speak. You aren't going to perform nearly as well if you are listening to your house noises, feeling your controller, your clothes, etc. Here is what I do...

I completely shift my ADA training to the game environment itself. I turn the volume up/put on headphones and really immerse myself in that game world. As if "I" am actually the character being controlled. I notice everything in the game environment as I am searching out the enemy. Listen for every single footstep, background explosion, gun shot, etc. Act as if you are within the game itself. Your smell and taste won't change, but instead of seeing images on a screen, see the game environment as if you are there. The controller/mouse is just the feeling of the gun/steering wheel/etc that you are holding. The button presses will be muscle memory, instantaneous reactions, etc.

Now, whenever you have some down time, like a loading screen, boring area, stop to take a piss, etc....shift your ADA to your actual environment for a quick session. Take everything in around you before shifting it back to the game world. I'm not trying to flatter myself here, I am just going to be honest. I have always been a baller (really good) when it comes to shooters and sports games. I really think the in-game ADA helps with that. It also seems to give me a lot of video game related dreams, which I don't mind in the least !

Even though you are immersed within the game, you are still awake. ADA practice through a video game will still help you develop the ability to feel the difference in reality and the dream state.

That's very cool, I totally understand the "in the zone" thinking, and awareness does help to be a bit unpredictable for more competitive edge! I'll try to immerse myself in the game and be aware of the game, while using downtime to become more aware of the real world.

I think you answered this question before, just to clarify: the ADA is not the meta awareness of what's going around you, its more of an awareness of the surrounding, right?

There's another thing that bothers me about these intense engagements: sometimes I lose awareness of the game's situation while executing a tactic. Up until now, this just seemed like a mistake, but now the reason for these mistakes became more obvious. It is an awareness issue, where I keep executing my technique regardless of the situation arond me.

This got me thinking of the Sun Tzu and his "the art of war", where he mentions that

knowing oneself and the enemy one should not fear a thousand battles.

I think that by knowing he really means awareness.

So thoughts like:
This is a bunch of people playing a game together over the internet
Thoughts of what's really going on in other people's heads
Thoughts of morale of your team as you are winning/losing

Do you try to consciously maintain awareness of similar meta information about the game? I'm trying to understand if I should pursue this kind of thinking or not.


PS. Lol, if you are a baller in RL games, you must be scary good in dream games

I've seen this technique mentioned around the board and finally got around to reading the tutorial. It sounds like an extended and more immersive version of something I've already been trying out: When I "reality check" I usually also pause and just observe everything in my environment and take note of anything that seems odd or different than usual. The few LDs I have had were pretty much spontaneous, I just suddenly realize I'm dreaming for no specific reason, so I think this will probably be the best method for me. Thanks for the info! I'll find my way back here later on and let you know if it helped (I'm sure it will).

Hmm...

Originally Posted by Ev

That's very cool, I totally understand the "in the zone" thinking, and awareness does help to be a bit unpredictable for more competitive edge! I'll try to immerse myself in the game and be aware of the game, while using downtime to become more aware of the real world.

I think you answered this question before, just to clarify: the ADA is not the meta awareness of what's going around you, its more of an awareness of the surrounding, right?

Yeah, your surroundings with relation to the five senses.

There's another thing that bothers me about these intense engagements: sometimes I lose awareness of the game's situation while executing a tactic. Up until now, this just seemed like a mistake, but now the reason for these mistakes became more obvious. It is an awareness issue, where I keep executing my technique regardless of the situation arond me.

Precisely

This got me thinking of the Sun Tzu and his "the art of war", where he mentions that

I think that by knowing he really means awareness.

Yeah, I agree.

So thoughts like:
This is a bunch of people playing a game together over the internet
Thoughts of what's really going on in other people's heads
Thoughts of morale of your team as you are winning/losing

Do you try to consciously maintain awareness of similar meta information about the game? I'm trying to understand if I should pursue this kind of thinking or not.

Ah, now this is the problem with competitive gaming. If you want to be the best at the game itself, you definitely want to be "in the head" of your opponent. You want to know see how the game is flowing, what the enemies are doing, and apply all of this to your style and technique. Having game skills is only half of being good at the game. Unfortunately, this really doesn't apply as much to ADA with relation to lucid dreaming. You don't need to understand the DCs around you or have a sense of moral for them and yourself. Its really just about distinguishing the difference between the dream world and waking life. The meta awareness is great for competitive gaming, but it will increase the difficulty in keeping your ADA type of awareness flowing. This is one of the areas where ADA is a struggle for me as well. I know it is just a game and the outcome doesn't matter much when it comes to life, but I hate to lose. I am super competitive and if I am doing something, I want to be the best in the world at it. Regardless if I ever get there, I will keep pushing. So, my meta awareness distracts when I am gaming, but it is a sacrifice I will make.

PS. Lol, if you are a baller in RL games, you must be scary good in dream games

!

Originally Posted by duke396

I've seen this technique mentioned around the board and finally got around to reading the tutorial. It sounds like an extended and more immersive version of something I've already been trying out: When I "reality check" I usually also pause and just observe everything in my environment and take note of anything that seems odd or different than usual. The few LDs I have had were pretty much spontaneous, I just suddenly realize I'm dreaming for no specific reason, so I think this will probably be the best method for me. Thanks for the info! I'll find my way back here later on and let you know if it helped (I'm sure it will).

Very nice! That is definitely the way everyone should perform RCs. Good luck to you and I look forward to hearing from you again !

I've tried the technique today, for me there's a subtle feeling associated with being aware and in the present moment. It has something to do with the depth/sharpness of the visual field. Everything becomes slightly more realistic. This is the opposite of "wallpaper awareness" - when i start to think thoughts and focus on them, the world around me still exists, but it is unfocused, and exists just as wallpaper may exist in a room. It is there, but not seen.


Today I discovered another related term - mindfulness. This may be the kind of meta cognition that I was thinking of. The reason that I keep bringing this up is that I've experienced that kind of feeling, but it is different from the sensory awareness required for ADA

Mindfulness is a good word for it.

had my first LD in a couple of months after only one day of decent ADA practice. Thanks Yoshi! banging tutorial!

DJ link: Magical Kitten Tour of Ultimate Cuteness!! - Dream Journals - Dreamviews Lucid Dreaming Community & Resource

This is harder to practice than I thought. My mind drifts pretty easily... but maybe it will help with my focus in general. I'm not gonna say for sure this caused it yet, but I just had the craziest two lucid dreams back to back after a false awakening, and its the first time I've been lucid in almost two weeks. I put it in my dream journal if anyone wants to read it. (here)

I'm excited to see what happens in a week or two if I can get better at ADA.

Originally Posted by Flying Spaghetti Monster

had my first LD in a couple of months after only one day of decent ADA practice. Thanks Yoshi! banging tutorial!

DJ link: Magical Kitten Tour of Ultimate Cuteness!! - Dream Journals - Dreamviews Lucid Dreaming Community & Resource

Aweome job! Congrats on your lucid success! Oh my, a $600 kitten tour ! I would have thrown a fit too .

Originally Posted by duke396

This is harder to practice than I thought. My mind drifts pretty easily... but maybe it will help with my focus in general. I'm not gonna say for sure this caused it yet, but I just had the craziest two lucid dreams back to back after a false awakening, and its the first time I've been lucid in almost two weeks. I put it in my dream journal if anyone wants to read it. (here)

I'm excited to see what happens in a week or two if I can get better at ADA.

Awesome, man! I read them and laughed when you shot at the mail man. I don't know why, but that was funny to me .

Thanks for your comment Yoshi. Yeah, I was still kinda wired from the non-lucid dreams before that, one of them was kind of like an old (think 90s) first person shooter lol. I was most amused by the second part where I froze the guy, I've never been able to do something like that before so I was happy to be moving forward.

This thread rocks! I think I wanna practice ADA more then I wanna practice lucid dreaming (as by itself)

The other day I was home alone and I got spooked out when I walked into my sisters bedroom. Then I suddenly I thought, how weird this all is! It reminds me of a ton of scary home alone dreams ive had.

I was positive that I was awake, but I went ahead and pretended that I was dreaming. No, I convinced myself I was dreaming. Until I got that ever familiar feeling of lucidity. And then I looked about me as if all was a dream, observing everything and realizing how weird it all is. It didn't last long. Moments later I went back to being positive I was awake.

Im still pretty positive I was awake. But when I look back at that waking-lucid moment, it feels just like a dream. And not only did it feel like a dream, I could remember clearly so many dreams, real dreams, that were just like that moment. Its was surreal! Wakes you up.

Originally Posted by duke396

Thanks for your comment Yoshi. Yeah, I was still kinda wired from the non-lucid dreams before that, one of them was kind of like an old (think 90s) first person shooter lol. I was most amused by the second part where I froze the guy, I've never been able to do something like that before so I was happy to be moving forward.

Yeah, I forgot to mention how impressive your dream control was. I felt like I was reading a seasoned vets DJ. Nice work, indeed !

Originally Posted by juroara

This thread rocks! I think I wanna practice ADA more then I wanna practice lucid dreaming (as by itself)

The other day I was home alone and I got spooked out when I walked into my sisters bedroom. Then I suddenly I thought, how weird this all is! It reminds me of a ton of scary home alone dreams ive had.

I was positive that I was awake, but I went ahead and pretended that I was dreaming. No, I convinced myself I was dreaming. Until I got that ever familiar feeling of lucidity. And then I looked about me as if all was a dream, observing everything and realizing how weird it all is. It didn't last long. Moments later I went back to being positive I was awake.

Im still pretty positive I was awake. But when I look back at that waking-lucid moment, it feels just like a dream. And not only did it feel like a dream, I could remember clearly so many dreams, real dreams, that were just like that moment. Its was surreal! Wakes you up.

Thanks ! Indeed, it does wake you up. When I first started practicing ADA, I would think, "Wow, I have been sleepwalking for years!" It really helped me feel alive again, if that makes sense .

Originally Posted by KingYoshi

Yeah, I forgot to mention how impressive your dream control was. I felt like I was reading a seasoned vets DJ. Nice work, indeed !

Thank you It means a lot, really. I was starting to get kinda discouraged before I had those dreams. My only regret is that both of them got cut short, I have so many things I want to try out.

Ah, that is quite alright. There are many more nights of sleep ahead of you. Just keep practicing and there will be many, many opportunities to explore your dreams !

I've been practicing this for a little while now.
I've been taking sessions out every day, and even though I have been a bit busy with life I've managed to spend at least ten minutes per day in two- or three-minute sessions where I just became aware of everything. This has gone on for 11 days now, and today I finally got a lucid from it. It didn't last all that long, though, but I'll manage that later on with more practice.
I'm pretty sure the reason why I'm getting success is because I'm consistent, and I will definitely keep going. 10 minutes per day is nothing, and if I can increase that time as well as get myself used to the whole concept, I know I can achieve a lot of persistent lucids with this. This technique just makes a lot of sense, since it's basically performing consistent RCs throughout the day. Stuff like noticing yourself blinking isn't really a reality check, but then again, it would make you aware that you're dreaming if you were, and thus it is a sort of RC.. And the great thing about this is that it can be used throughout long periods of time. You can't pinch your nose or try to put your finger through your palm for an hour per day. You can, however, notice whether you're blinking or not for an hour per day, which is what makes this method so awesome.
Thanks, Yoshi! Anything else I should make sure to do?

Just to add some stuff to my other post, my dreams have definitely become more lifelike even when not becoming lucid, I've actually noticed that the element of touch has been added to my dreams where before they were pure vision. This is pretty interesting.
To go into greater details on the lucid I got from this last night, I was simply walking around in my dream when I just noticed it out of nowhere. I could just feel that something wasn't right - I suppose I must have gotten the urge to check my blinking or my breathing or.. Something. Either way, I noticed that something wasn't right, and just to confirm things I did the nose RC and of course it failed.. Or succeeded, depending on how you look at it. I was in a dream. I stopped, focused on my hands, got my breathing normal, and by doing these things I tried to stabilize my dream, because I knew that I usually wake up after ten seconds whenever I become lucid, simply because of the excitement. Unfortunately, I did not stabilize correctly. I was supposed to focus on all of my five senses, but only looked at the details of my hands. Soon enough, I was running into my dream hoping to do something, but then I lost focus and went into my dreaming state again. There goes that LD.. But tomorrow there's another day!

My problem, I've noticed, is that I struggle to focus on being aware while still doing other tasks. I just get distracted. So, more recently I've started treating everything as if it's part of an advert for Sky HD (for non UK people, they advertise for a HD TV subscription service, and overuse the word 'glorious').

It helps me to stay focused, although the word 'glorious' starts going around my head every time I start practising this way

David Attenborough documentaries with Sigur Ross playing in the background also comes to mind

<off topic>
Sigur Ros! WOO!
</off topic>

They have the perfect sound for ADA

Nice progress indeed Kaolc. Congrats on achieving lucidity and it sounds to me like you are well on your way with ADA. Just make sure you are applying all five senses during your ADA practice. It seems to me like you are doing everything correctly. Just keep practicing and I'm sure there will be many more lucids to come. Once you get comfortable you can start to extend those sessions a bit longer and maybe try to mix them in while you are performing a simple task.

@TeaSea - lol, I looked up videos of youtube (on Sky HD). Maybe they will help make your lucids more glorious .

Just a tip for anyone that gets high. For the past few days I've been doing ADA while high, it's both easier and more enjoyable.

Damn. And here I thought these people were just lucky. I had my 1st lucid dream after 1 day of ADA practice as well! I'm impressed by the sheer immensity of people that it affects. 10/10 for KingYoshi!

i'm starting to give up on lucid dreaming. when i first read this thread, i had my second lucid, and i haven't gotten close AT ALL since then. i do reality checks every day and i try to be aware as much as possible, but none of it is helping. i don't have any idea what else to even do. my dream recall is a joke. i'll go days with no dream memories and i've been writing in my dream journal every single day. if i remember anything, it's very short. i don't understand what extra steps i can even take. i've even tried WILDing and have made no progress with that. it's been 5 months and i've gotten nowhere. does anyone have any advice? what do i do to be more "aware"? how can i improve my dream recall? it doesn't make sense to me at this point, and it's very frustrating

Originally Posted by zombiemushrooms

i'm starting to give up on lucid dreaming. when i first read this thread, i had my second lucid, and i haven't gotten close AT ALL since then. i do reality checks every day and i try to be aware as much as possible, but none of it is helping. i don't have any idea what else to even do. my dream recall is a joke. i'll go days with no dream memories and i've been writing in my dream journal every single day. if i remember anything, it's very short. i don't understand what extra steps i can even take. i've even tried WILDing and have made no progress with that. it's been 5 months and i've gotten nowhere. does anyone have any advice? what do i do to be more "aware"? how can i improve my dream recall? it doesn't make sense to me at this point, and it's very frustrating

Don't quit. Please. It took me 18 months before I started having proper lucid dreams. You've already had more than I had in the first year and a half of trying.

Having said that, try having a couple of 'weeks off'. Just put it to the back of your mind for a bit. It will give you a chance to relax and approach it with a fresh perspective.

Also, maybe this isn't the best place to have written that post, because now you'll get lots of people persuading you not to quit, and Yoshi's thread will have been completely hijacked

But please, don't quit completely. Your hard work will pay off