Thread: Xanous' Workbook

Originally Posted by Xanous

But I suppose this happens anyway. Our REM cycles only last so long. Still I can't help but think the caffeine shortens it. I could be wrong. It's just something to consider. I just really want an epic long LD like I had in Sept!

Yeah I've always been confused by how much control we have over the length of our LDs, or if the dream length is ultimately controlled by the natural length of our REM cycles. And that said, can we really control the length of our REM cycles, whereby increasing the length of our LDs?

I've never really tested these things because my LD length and even frequency still happen kinda random for me, even within the sleep schedule that's most conducive to inducing them. Sigh... so many question marks. Glad I have every night for the rest of my life to experiment on it

Sigh... so many question marks. Glad I have every night for the rest of my life to experiment on it

Me too!

Originally Posted by OpheliaBlue

Yeah I've always been confused by how much control we have over the length of our LDs, or if the dream length is ultimately controlled by the natural length of our REM cycles. And that said, can we really control the length of our REM cycles, whereby increasing the length of our LDs?

Yes, I have wondered this exact thing too! I know of only two methods for achieving long REM: sleeping in as late as possible, and REM rebound (either via sleep cycle monkeying, or an aid like 5-HTP/melatonin, etc.)

Cycle adjustment and lucid aids both seem like unsatisfying, rather crude answers to this question, but for now they're the best I've got. Now all I can do is wait for Xanous to perfect his non-REM lucid dreaming techniques and put together some training materials.

Things have been a little nutty around here the past week. Lots of "stuff" going on in my life. I came down with a minor case of the blues and really was lacking motivation to get lucid. I think I've about cured myself of that. We had a fun night out planned but it got cut a little short so I went on a nice, albeit short bike ride. It was long over due and always perks me up. A little cold still though.

Anyway, I noticed several houses in my neighborhood that were a part of past lucids. That house is the zombie house. That house is the September TOTM house. That house had the stupid sign. That house was a gas station. ect. It's really funny how a lot of my lucids end up with me running around my neighborhood half naked doing all sort of craziness. The great thing is it really brings that realism home to my mind. It makes me feel like some sort of transdimensional being creating mischief on the "muggles" (Those who don't know about LDing in this case) by night yet blending in with society by day. It's like having secret super powers that no one knows about. I know it sounds cheesy but I love thinking that way. Needless to say I am totally juiced up now!

Goals
I'm happy with 10/month. I'd like to see a lucid every other night. But really it's becoming less about count and more about quality.
Seeing how I am at 7 LD's of mixed quality already, I think I am going to shoot for a count 15/month and at least 5 of those being higher quality.

The biggest thing I need to work on is stability, longevity and control. I'm really going to focus on these 3 things more than my count. Of course, I have to have a high count to work on these things.

Goals for the rest of March
*15 LDs - current 7
*5 of 15 high quality - 2 maybe 3 fit the current definition of quality so far
*Create fire from hands
*Create the Sliders Wormhole
*Find the TARDIS and enter it
DJ EVERY DAY

Originally Posted by Xanous

Anyway, I noticed several houses in my neighborhood that were a part of past lucids. That house is the zombie house. That house is the September TOTM house. That house had the stupid sign. That house was a gas station. ect. It's really funny how a lot of my lucids end up with me running around my neighborhood half naked doing all sort of craziness. The great thing is it really brings that realism home to my mind. It makes me feel like some sort of transdimensional being creating mischief on the "muggles" (Those who don't know about LDing in this case) by night yet blending in with society by day. It's like having secret super powers that no one knows about. I know it sounds cheesy but I love thinking that way. Needless to say I am totally juiced up now!

Ha! I love the notion of living in a world populated by "muggles". That's very cute. I think it's a great reminder that we do look at the world differently. When you get into LD, you find yourself naturally looking for clues that tip you off that this is reality and not a dream. You look around, thinking how cool it'd be to fly over that bridge. Or lift that car. Or spew fire from your hands. Or pull Orion's Belt right out of the sky. Most importantly, I know that I pay attention in a way that I never did when I was a "muggle".

And if you ever forget that LDing sets us somewhat apart from non-LD folk, it's easy to remind yourself of your specialness. Just try regaling a muggle with tales of how you make tea out of exotic Mexican dream herbs, constantly question your reality throughout the day, and wake up in the middle of the night.

Great goals, and as always your lucid performance is outstanding, my man! Good luck with the rest of the month!