Dream Mask

[Noske]

Does anyone here think this would be a good investment? I've heard some of you using this Nova Dreamer mask thing, but the only sites I've found on it say that they aren't selling it, and are waiting on a new version to come out. Should I wait for that, or go with this version that I found on another site? The main problem is that it's going to be a lot more expensive to get it, given that I have to account for both the postage and handling, and the extra money involved in changing the American dollars into my tiny (but colourful) Australian ones. http://www.biof.com/onlinestore/drea...p?redirect=yes

[Astrius]

I purchased the Dream Maker mask last year, but was not impressed. In my opinion it's poorly designed and not ready for market. For example: 1) The strap is not adjustable (merely elasticated), and I personally found it uncomfortably tight. What were they thinking? Incorporating an adjustable velcro strap seems obvious to me. 2) The mask is too flimsy to contain the heavy circuit board and batteries. It's just a piece of fabric stuck onto sponge with glue! The sharp corners of the circuit board broke through this flimsy design within hours of using it (meaning that light can enter, thus rendering the mask useless in anything other than a pitch black environment). 3) The poor design of the mask makes it impossible to wear unless laying on one's back (the strap loops dig into the side of the head). Personally, I find it very difficult to sleep on my back and most people toss and turn throughout the night anyway. 4) The sensors have to be in a very precise position in front of one's eyeballs. This shouldn't be an issue in a well designed and sturdy mask, but with the Dream Maker the circuit board drifts around within its flimsy environment. My advice: Save your money and wait for a better version to come along. Here's an example of a sturdy, comfortable and adjustable mask: It's called GlotoSleep. It's not a lucid dreaming mask, but the design is perfect (I have one) and would be more suitable for housing a circuit board than the pathetic, glued-together piece of junk known as the Dream Maker.

[Noske]

Thanks for your input. If anyone else has any suggestions for good quality lucid dreaming masks, then feel free to post some links.

[tyrantt23]

Wow Astrius, that is a great review on the dream mask. Based on the manufacturer's description, as well as the very high price, I always figured the dream mask would be of great quality and give certain results. I guess I was wrong. I did read the entire page and description for that Glo to Sleep mask, and it intrigued me. I don't think I'll be buying it anytime soon, but I have a few questions for you. This quote was taken from their website: For centuries, meditation has been widely used, in many cultures, to achieve a state in which no thoughts come in to mind. The technique used to achieve this, is to focus the attention, looking upwards to a point between the eyebrows - commonly know as the third eye or spiritual eye. Scientists now understand that this act of looking up influences brain wave patterns. Research has proven that by raising the eyes - with meditative training, practise and concentration - the relaxed alpha wave state can be reached. Does looking up to the glow in the mask really help like they say? Also, have you tried the WILD technique with this mask, and if so, has it helped you in the drift from waking to dreaming? And lastly, purely your opinion. Do you believe that by gluing some "glow in the dark" tape inside a regular sleeping mask like this one I might be able to get the same effect as the blue glows in the Glo to Sleep masks? All in all, great review of the Dream Maker, but at the same time, I'm sorry to hear that you wasted your money on it.

[Astrius]

Thanks tyrantt23. I suppose I should explain why I bought the GlotoSleep mask in the first place... There were two reasons, really: Firstly, I'd recently had an OBE which was preceeded by three flashing white lights (in the form of a pyramid). They appeared as I was dozing off and, by focusing on them, I was able to remain conscious as my body fell asleep. A few moments later everything became strangely still and silent, and I was able to get up out of my own sleeping body. So when I saw the GTS mask, I thought that maybe I could use the illumination to focus on as my body drifted off to sleep. Secondly, I suspected that I was sometimes able to see through my eyelids (usually in the morning). So to eliminate the possibility that I was mistaken (and somehow my eyes were, in fact, slightly open), I decided to use a sleeping mask. By so doing, I was able to confirm that I could indeed see through my eyelids! (Of course, I wasn't literally seeing through my physical eyelids with my physical eyes... But this is what it feels like when one's astral sight, or dream sight, is still engaged as the body awakens). Anyway, I was able to read my digital clock through closed eyes AND the mask (though I was actually one digit out). I was also able to move my hand in front of my face and observe individual fingers (albeit dimly). I've never really had a problem clearing my mind, so didn't buy the mask to help me get to sleep (quite the opposite - I bought it to help me stay awake as my BODY fell asleep). However, looking up at the lights felt somewhat unnatural and the urge to simply close my eyes became irresistible. That said, I suspect it may be useful for some and I should probably have persevered with it myself a little more (I still may). You could probably make one yourself, but I don't think it's advisable. You couldn't be certain that the brightness wasn't interfering with melatonin production. Exposure to light in the middle of your sleep time can suppress melatonin production - your protection against disease. Melatonin levels can be suppressed by as little as 1.3 lux of light (a book light emits 4-10 lux, a candle emits about 1 lux). The Glo to Sleep was designed to emit only a fraction of this amount, so it will not interfere with melatonin production. The Glo to Sleep emits only 0.16 lux* at its maximum brightness and less than 0.01 lux* of pale white light in the dimmer middle-of-the-night mode - less than the light from a quarter moon. Anyway, I think it's probably more effective to focus on the third eye with one's eyes firmly closed. Osho has a fair bit to say about it, if you're interested...

[DrTechnical]

There are numerous posts on this topic. I have written in some detail before. Bottom line, I own the DreamMaker and RemDreamer. I like the RemDreamer better as it's sensitivity is adjustable (for REM detection). I personally found my mind getting used to each though. Over time it got to the point where when the lights went off, I would simply wake. I'm a very light sleeperr though, so your results may differ.

[tyrantt23]

Thanks for the further input Astrius. That's really interesting about your OBE abilities. I've experience that "seeing through" the eyelids once or twice before, a long time ago, but I didn't test it like you did. Either way, it hasn't happened in a long time for me. You could probably make one yourself, but I don't think it's advisable. You couldn't be certain that the brightness wasn't interfering with melatonin production. Yeah, I thought about this shortly after posting my question. I agree, it might turn out to be counter-productive if I make one myself. Last night I tried to look up with my closed eyes as I fell asleep and I think it did have a positive effect in helping me relax and free my mind of thoughts. I'll keep trying that technique and see where it gets me. I'll keep that book in mind, but right now I'm trying to read up on 2 or 3 other books as well... and I'm a really slow reader.

[Noske]

Yeah, I think the one lucid dream that I had where I'd actually managed to get up and start walking around, I was seeing through my eyelids. It was so strange, because it was almost like Robocop vision. I was only seeing this long strip like a wide screen movie, but I could still see everything anyway. And when I tried to close my eyes, I could feel that they were already shut. Then I stumbled around in a circle, stepped on a weight that was normally on the floor holding my door open, and then practically fell on my spirit/dream guide. He caught me, though. =] He's sweet like that.