Thread: Xanous' Workbook

Those are some very good points Xanous. Tim seems to be pretty well informed and experienced in the subject. There are two things I would add that may serve to broaden your perspective.

1.

A few days ago I was thinking about the biggest obstacle to getting lucid. It's memory and forgetting to be aware. I can spend days focusing so hard on awareness and when I sleep I miss every dream sign ever. So, I started thinking how I can fix this.

This problem relates to intention. I have found the strength of your intention is based in the present rather than the future. Then once the intention is satisfied(which is not always required because we can change our minds), that strengthens the intention even further.

2. It seems Tim has misunderstood meditation in a way. The practice he describes resembles descriptions of Zen meditation techniques. These generally focus on concentration exercises, I popular one being when one concentrates on the flame of a candle. The converse meditation form was developed by another Buddhist group which generally focuses on vast awareness exercises. Those are the kind that he describes in which the meditating person simply allows thoughts to arise, then lets them pass through and out their mind. This technique can also be combined with concentration techniques in beginning practices so people can get a good foundation for future practice.
What he says is basically true. There must be give and take when in transition stages. Its still true that meditation is a great help to passing through those stages. He seems to dislike meditation only because concentration is difficult. That doesn't diminish the benefits of meditation.

anyway, awesome post Xanous!

Originally Posted by Chimpertainment

Those are some very good points Xanous. Tim seems to be pretty well informed and experienced in the subject. There are two things I would add that may serve to broaden your perspective.

1. This problem relates to intention. I have found the strength of your intention is based in the present rather than the future. Then once the intention is satisfied(which is not always required because we can change our minds), that strengthens the intention even further.

I'm really not understanding what you mean. Are you saying it is still just as easy to forget regardless of any daytime exercise?

Originally Posted by Chimpertainment

2. It seems Tim has misunderstood meditation in a way. The practice he describes resembles descriptions of Zen meditation techniques. These generally focus on concentration exercises, I popular one being when one concentrates on the flame of a candle. The converse meditation form was developed by another Buddhist group which generally focuses on vast awareness exercises. Those are the kind that he describes in which the meditating person simply allows thoughts to arise, then lets them pass through and out their mind. This technique can also be combined with concentration techniques in beginning practices so people can get a good foundation for future practice.
What he says is basically true. There must be give and take when in transition stages. Its still true that meditation is a great help to passing through those stages. He seems to dislike meditation only because concentration is difficult. That doesn't diminish the benefits of meditation.

Yeah I get what you are saying. I am pretty ignorant with much of meditation but I have totally seen the benefit of strengthening concentration in ways that I hadn't realized where possible. So, I don't throw traditional meditation out completely. I was just looking at it something more practical helping specifically with WILDs and I thought what he said made sense. I really don't get to meditate that often nor have I tried his technique.

Originally Posted by Chimpertainment

anyway, awesome post Xanous!

Thanks. Those were some good thoughts you offered as well. I appreciate it.

Monthly Update

Well, it seems my count was cut in half (10) in June. I'm not sure what the cause was probably tiredness and stress. Think there for a while I just got really exhausted doing WBTB every night and not getting quality sleep. I took a little break to rested up and went back to the basics, re-reading some of ETWOLD and refining my techniques. Things seem to be picking back up now.

OBE's

I had a few OBE's and I did a little experimentation with the card trick. I think I mentioned this before but keep a playing card blindly placed in the house and if I get the chance to sneak a peak in the dream, I'll then go and check to see if I was right after I wake up. I've been way off but the last time I was really close. I think I saw 9 of diamonds when I was really 7 of diamonds. Maybe it was just luck I don't know.

It seems to me that my OBEs are just a form of lucid dreaming and nothing more. I do think that it's possible to pull information in the dream state but its really hard to control. I have had a few encounters with other DV members in while lucid and non lucid and have found a lot of similarities in appearance and voice with out prior knowledge. It wasn't until later that I found out and was really shocked how close I was. I'll keep an eye for these thing but I am mostly discouraged from hoping that any kind of OBE or shared dreaming is actually happening though I do believe an exchange of information is possible.

RLS

For some reason this time of the year I deal with restless leg syndrome. I've tried over the counter drugs and supplements and some seem to work for awhile but my symptoms quickly return. I don't need to explain how annoying this is for lucid dreaming. One thing I have done last week was drastically cut my caffeine intake back and keep it to early morning hours only. For now it has made all the difference in the whole and I hope it continues. (Knock on wood)

LDS Dream Enhancers

I've been experimenting with various lucid aids some of them are really effective and some only work for awhile. Caffeine and mugwort used to be super effective but only seem to be dream enhancers now. Which is the way to look at it after all. I not longer expect the LDS to give me the lucid dream but only act as a dream enhancer and significantly increase my odds. I mean I've always told myself this was the way to be but the whole point of taking them is the get lucid. But now, If the most that happens are some vivid dreams with better recall then it's a win.

The best I have found are Galantamine and Huperzine-A. Though they are super effective, they do seem to desensitize me and I appear to build tolerance even with limiting use to once 1-2 weeks. I've actually been using Galantamine since January and Huperzine since March so it stands to reason that long term use would eventually catch up to me. These supplements have been great but I think it attributed to my dry spell. I began to rely too heavily on them and my techniques got sloppy and lazy. So now that I am rebounding, I think I will cut all cholinergic aids until I have 5 LDs unaided or a month has passed which ever is first. Even then I'll probably cut back on them anyway. I love the effect these bring me but I need to know that I am not dependent on them. I may add a little B6 or menthol here and there but nothing significant. I'm not knocking LDS in anyway. If a person can take them every night and still have lucids then more power to you. This is just my personal preference for now.

MILD

I am solely focusing on MILD in July and really going to work on visualization, teleportation and dream building. I like LaBerges style of MILD. I plan to build my prospective memory during the day with RC and RRCs. WBTB will be kept to a minimum only doing it every other night versus every night. On the weekend I'll have longer 30-60min WBTB and use that time to meditate or focus on dream goals.

Darkness Issues

I was having darkness issues but thanks to the latest podcast I really have been able to change my thinking on this. Not only is it super effective to "ignore your problems" but I have also learned a lot from observing my NLDs. These dark periods do mean you are waking up or the dream is fading. It's only a transitional phase or a slight blip in the dream. If I can build my visualization skills like I want to I'll be able to use these dark periods to transport myself to whatever location I choose. Or I can even induce the void using something similar Rare Cola's phase teleport idea. I've already made excellent progress in my latest LD. Very exciting stuff!

It seems u know yourself and the way u work very well! That is a very good report and I'm happy ur no not taking any supplements for awile and taking the natural route... Glad to hear ur RLS is easing that would b tough to WILD with keep up the good work bro!!

Well look at intention this way. We form habits using intention. Once they are well established habits, the intention used is most of the time pretty normal. In order to form new habits however, one usually needs more power of intention. Intention is one of the basic building blocks of lucid dreaming. Daytime exercises will serve to strengthen that intention/memory, but effort will always be necessary. Not only can you attach intention to actions like you mentioned. You can use all aspects of experience to trigger intention. Any dream sign really would work as an intention/memory trigger.

Personally, I find it essential to produce specific feelings before I go to bed that will trigger awareness in the dream state. Everyone is different though.

Wooooop hello Xan, haven't had much time to keep up with your workbook as much as I wanted to

Anyway, just wanted to drop by :3

Originally Posted by Chimpertainment

Well look at intention this way. We form habits using intention. Once they are well established habits, the intention used is most of the time pretty normal. In order to form new habits however, one usually needs more power of intention. Intention is one of the basic building blocks of lucid dreaming. Daytime exercises will serve to strengthen that intention/memory, but effort will always be necessary. Not only can you attach intention to actions like you mentioned. You can use all aspects of experience to trigger intention. Any dream sign really would work as an intention/memory trigger.

Personally, I find it essential to produce specific feelings before I go to bed that will trigger awareness in the dream state. Everyone is different though.

That makes sense. So do you mean like a MILD technique? What feelings exactly?

Originally Posted by paigeyemps

Wooooop hello Xan, haven't had much time to keep up with your workbook as much as I wanted to

Anyway, just wanted to drop by :3

Ha! I haven't either. Thanks for dropping by.

yeah, its essentially a MILD technique with a bit of a booster. I'm still working the kinks out and it seems my intention is becoming more solid albeit still spotty.
So, the feeling thing is a bit tricky. Laberges technique mentions imagining you are lucid and feeling as if you are lucid. That is essentially what I am doing in a roundabout way. There are a couple feelings I have managed to isolate and utilize for pre-sleep MILD teks...

1. Love/Unity - While lying in bed with closed eyes, I summon a feeling of connectedness and unity with everything. This is a specific feeling I have isolated in my spiritual practice. It is the same feeling anyone would describe as love. Loving someone, something, nature, etc.. Whatever memory you have of that feeling will tremendously aid the production of the feeling while in bed since most of the time feelings arise through moment to moment experience rather than conjuring them out of thin air.
Once that feeling has been felt, just bask in the sensation. Let it linger. While the feeling lingers, begin whatever mantra you might be using. And that is basically it. Most nights, it takes me a few minutes to get to that place, and some nights it feels impossible. Other nights it happens in a moment.
My premise is that I have noticed that the unconscious responds to emotions and feelings more than memories. When I produce powerful feelings of intention, love, determination, or willpower, it always has an effect on my dreams. Utilizing this pervasive feeling of love can be a catalyst, or vessel if you will, for intention and will.

2. Eliminate ALL doubt. This is much easier after that feeling of love is created but it can be done alone as well. This has been mentioned on dream views before and its power should not be underestimated. Completely convincing yourself that you will have a lucid, and you will remember your dreams is very powerful. That is, if the feeling is produced effectively, and sustained until entering sleep. Memory of past failure will always creep in, but after a good bit of practice, the elimination of the doubt will override any negative feelings.

anyhoo...I figure dreams are basically all emotion and energy, so using the same to induce them seems logical.

Boop.. I 2nd what paigey said. But I'm off for 2 days and I have a cold so I'm playing catch up.

I'm still in awe of your Angel Falls TOTY lucid, it was really cool. I was reading it at work and I laughed pretty loud at the "making out with the dream" part, and then again at the "T is for Turkey" part. I got quizzical looks from a coworker.

Anyway, TAG you're it!

We're totally lucid wizards in a world of non-LDing muggles! Never forget this.

Anyway, I know what you mean about quality vs quantity. Ever since my work schedule went from 3 days a week to 5, it's been harder for me to get lucid. I don't have those luxurious 4 mornings a week to sleep in until I get lucid. But now I'm more focused on getting her done on those days that I do get lucid.

That said, 10 lucids a month is awesome.

Goals for the rest of March
*15 LDs - actual 21 *new record
*5 of 15 high quality - exceeded
*Create fire from hands - done
*Create the Sliders Wormhole - done
*Find the TARDIS and enter it - not yet
DJ EVERY DAY - mostly stayed on top of it.

April Goals
Hold at 20 ish LDs
TOTM
TOTY
TARDIS

Im still rotating around SSILD, MILD, WILD. It seems I have a lot of success when I start a new tech but find that if I dont change it up every so often I fail to boredom. I really dont plan to change much this month.... Maybe just need to focus on my daytime practices a little more. I seem to be in a little dry spell. I haven't have a lucid since Sunday morning. Im going to get serious tonight!

Great goals, man, and congratulations on such a successful March!

Originally Posted by Xanous

I seem to be in a little dry spell. I haven't have a lucid since Sunday morning. Im going to get serious tonight!

And we all know what happened to this "dry spell". Too bad you didn't put down as a goal "Jump into a giant bag of Frito's".

April went pretty well. I'm still holding about 20 LD/month. I'd love to have a lucid every night but I'm pretty happy holding it right here.

April Goals
Hold at 20 ish LDs
TOTM
TOTY
TARDIS

I still haven't found the TARDIS but I got close to finding the doctor.

Things I need to focus on in May

Teleporting - It seems my wormhole is failing me now but spinning has become an effective way to transition during OBEs. Perhaps I can use that to my advantage.

Darkness - My lucids (mostly OBEs) seem to have a lot of lighting issue.

Using the Void - If/when the darkness wins I can use this empty space to create a new scene.

Memory - My recall has been pretty piss poor in spite of having so many LD's. This morning was a huge struggle to recall the lucid I just woke up from but once I got it started it came easily. I do remember 1-3 dreams per night but I think I could do better. I should probably DJ more but it's hard to make time.

I plan to continue with MILD and WILD techniques. Those two seem to be the most reliable and stable.

Awesome job in April, man. Twenty LDs! Seriously, that is amazing. Gives me a great target to shoot for. It really does seem like holding it there is right for you, given that you've got a family and full-time job, and most importantly that you're having fun at this current quantity.

I'm going to have to review your famous, epic September Task of the Month from 2012. For some reason, I keep thinking that you used the TARDIS there to get to the Cretaceous oceans. But in hindsight, that was just a standard time machine, huh? (Ha, "standard" time machine! )

I don't need to tell you that I fully support your "embrace the darkness" goals. Do we fear the void? Hell no, we do not.

Have an awesome May! I'll be keeping an eye on your experiments with spinning. That's yet another technique that seems really viable once you shed your fear of the void.

Some excellent stuff Xanous! Talk about some motivating experiences, nice!

Awesome month, Xanous! I'm excited to see where your explorations take you in June. Just please don't OBE in on me when I'm on the can or whatever.

Originally Posted by CanisLucidus

Awesome month, Xanous! I'm excited to see where your explorations take you in June. Just please don't OBE in on me when I'm on the can or whatever.

Oh this will be top priority now.

Thanks, lots of good thoughts there on Monroe! His material still sounds really interesting, even if it might challenge my preferred (dream)world-view. So is his technique all about waiting for the experience of vibrations? I wonder why an experience like this lends itself to OBEs whereas the more traditional WILD causes the formulation of a new dream scene.

I've never experienced vibrations of any kind (at least that I noticed) and I've never WILD'ed into the same location OBE-style. (Well, once when I WILD'ed from an NLD, but that's so weird I can't count it. )

I really like your card experiment and I'm glad you're going to still do it every so often. Even if you reject the literal notion of an "OBE", you can still have lots of fun playing with experiments like this.

Originally Posted by CanisLucidus

So is his technique all about waiting for the experience of vibrations?

Yes, It seems so. I don't know if he changes his ideas in his other book but it seems like it's all about inducing the vibrations first. He has a lot of good ideas but that part really throws me off. Lately, I've just been finding myself thrown straight into the dream vibrations or not. I think it's ideas like Monroe's that caused Sageous to really emphasizes the noise being unimportant. It's very misleading but all this was very new to the western world back then.

Originally Posted by CanisLucidus

I've never experienced vibrations of any kind (at least that I noticed) and I've never WILD'ed into the same location OBE-style. (Well, once when I WILD'ed from an NLD, but that's so weird I can't count it. )

I just can't imagine this never happening. It's such a unique experience. I really hope it does happen to you at least once in your LDing career!

Originally Posted by CanisLucidus

I really like your card experiment and I'm glad you're going to still do it every so often. Even if you reject the literal notion of an "OBE", you can still have lots of fun playing with experiments like this.

Yeah the card experiment can also be used to prove weather or not information can be be gathered. I think it can as I have done it DC versions of DV people I have never seen IWL, but in my mind that's totally separate from OBE's. And of course, I do go back and forth with my belief of OBE's. I really want OBE's to be real, I just haven't seen anything to really wow me yet. Although, If I had experiences like Monroe did I wouldn't be so skeptical, but based on the number of OBE's and kinds of experiences I have had, I tend to think he fabricated a lot it to sell a book. Who can say for sure? It wouldn't be the first or the last time someone has done that. Yet somehow, I get the notion that lucid dreaming is connected to spirituality or at least activates that part of the brain and it will never cease to amaze me.

Originally Posted by Xanous

I just can't imagine this never happening. It's such a unique experience. I really hope it does happen to you at least once in your LDing career!

Thanks. Yeah, I'd love to have the experience. At the same time, not having vibrations proved to me beyond any doubt that they simply aren't necessary for a WILD. Some people tend to have them, others don't, and there's just a lot of variety between dreamers.

Originally Posted by Xanous

Yeah the card experiment can also be used to prove weather or not information can be be gathered. I think it can as I have done it DC versions of DV people I have never seen IWL, but in my mind that's totally separate from OBE's. And of course, I do go back and forth with my belief of OBE's. I really want OBE's to be real, I just haven't seen anything to really wow me yet. Although, If I had experiences like Monroe did I wouldn't be so skeptical, but based on the number of OBE's and kinds of experiences I have had, I tend to think he fabricated a lot it to sell a book. Who can say for sure? It wouldn't be the first or the last time someone has done that. Yet somehow, I get the notion that lucid dreaming is connected to spirituality or at least activates that part of the brain and it will never cease to amaze me.

It's sort of fun not having all the answers. (Which is good, because we never will with a subject like dreaming.) Although like you I believe that OBEs are really a specialized type of lucid dream rather than a true journey out of the mortal shell, I believe that the experience of an OBE is absolutely real and no doubt every bit as mind-blowing as its proponents describe. That makes it special IMO, no matter what it "really is".

Great update, Xanous! I think you are heading in exactly the right direction. MILD is such a foundational technique that you really can't go wrong maximizing and honing what you can get out of it.

Taking a break LDS should be a great confidence boost. Like you said, this is the difference between paying lip service to the fact that the LDS merely act as helpers and showing that you truly believe this. If and when you do reintroduce these cholinergic aids, you should be in an ideal neurochemical state and frame of mind to make the most of them!

In the final analysis, 10 lucids is still a great month! Here's to an even better July!

Dude, I'm so happy to see you here and see this workbook resurrected!

I was recently thinking about the times when we were all active and the many awesome dreams we had. Also, how much I've learned from you and that it really made a difference having you around when I joined DV.

Similarly to you, I've been distracted from lding due increased workloads and I've come to the point where I feel I really miss and need all those experiences. Maybe we can make a strong support group once again and continue the exploration journey.

Yay NyxCC! Missed talking to you. Yes. I need that support group. It makes all the difference in the world.

I understand those workloads. My job schedule plus multiple things going on in my life right now has really been a drain. I think together we can push through all that. We just have to get all gung-ho again.

BTW I recalled two dreams this morning which is slightly better than usual. Perhaps tonight will increase vividness and clarity.

Keep it up buddy!

I love that quote in your sig