If I am an even remotely recognizable character on this message board, then I am probably most notorious for being a touch off the wall. Believe it or not... I don't care which you do... There is usually some sort of method behind my madness, and now I'd like to pass a little of the madness to all of you.

When I was in my teen years I had a dream where I met a bespectacled rabbit who approached me in a wooded winter scene (although the temperature can be described as very comfortable). The rabbit spoke to me with an eloquence most humans envy and few possess. I asked him how he became so intelligent, despite the fact he was born a rabbit. He said that he had learned to avoid even the simplest states of altered consciousness, including sleep, and to induce them on his own. I was impressed with this until he started humping my leg. This is where I will end the narrative.

For years I have ignored this rabbit and engaged in various states of altered consciousness: drugs, alcohol, nicotine, Simpsons, orgasm, holding my breath till I pass out... etc.

The following experiment is a three part, three level, three month process (I've always liked things in threes). It will begin on January 1st, 2005, and I'm hoping we can set up a blog/thread/forum or some sort of support center for this. This will be very trying, yet I hypothesize it will be very beneficial.

Before I explain the three steps, I will explain the theory behind it:

One of the things we stress over and over again in the pursuit of lucidity is the individual's sense of self control IRL and how it may carry over to their dream life. With intent and high levels of self actualization, it is incredible what the human brain can create and visualize. So my theory is, what if we learned to take the wheel, and to control as many aspects of our daily life as we can? It is true that we can't control everything, but it is often surprising how much we can control... but alas, we don't.

Although there doesn't appear to be a strong segue into the following topic, if you have been following closely, you will understand where I'm going with this. Nietzsche's concept of sublimation is the theory that when certain energies aren't released in their usual fashion, they are channeled elsewhere. His theory circled around sex and if one were to deter their sexual energies somewhere else... say, writing literature, they would find an extra "oomph" in their writing. Sort of the ideas surrounding gnosticism, but that's a whole different ball of wax.

My theory is thus... our everyday lives (mine included, so don't feel I'm judging or pointing the finger) is surrounded by a series of weak release valves and hinderences to our energies. Our physical energy dwindles with every inactive day and every sugar snack. Our sexual energy is carelessly expended with partners who make love mechanically, or during impromptu masturbation sessions in the shower/at the computer/in front of the television. Our goal oriented energies are qualmed by a fast food meal, a blunt, or several servings of alcohol. Our energies for individual self-actualization are hampered by the desire to just kick back with a few "pals" and let them entertain us and direct our thoughts/opinions.

Granted there are hundreds of different "energies", this is just a term I use to describe a fire, or a drive, that all of us have... but sadly, some of us are kicking its coals, looking for some sort of warmth.

On January 5th, 2005 I will begin the following process, and if anyone wants to join, they are more than welcome.

PHASE I (1/1/05 - 1/31/05)

DIET MODIFICATION

Everyone's bodies are different, and there are too many factors involved to have a general and specific diet for everyone to follow. Suggestions and articles surrounding diet and how certain foods effect the brain would be greatly appreciated.

Thus far, I have made the following plans, and I am currently in the process of eliminating (or drastically reducing) the following from my diet:

1) Refined Sugars (Fructose, Sucrose, and maybe Sacchrine)
2) Dairy Products
3) Alcohol
4) Caffeine
5) Preservatives (hoping to start an organic food diet)
6) Sodium
7) Salts
8) Saturated Fats (Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated are somewhat good for you I understand)

I intend to increase the intake of the following:

1) Fish and shellfish
2) Chammomile Tea
3) Water
4) Blueberries, grapes, and other foods rich in antioxidants (suggestions welcome)
5) Rice
6) Water

Drug and nicotine use has been eliminated as well.

PHASE II (2/1/05 - 2/28/05)

BODY AND MIND EXERCISE

Once again, I have already begun work in this area, but by February I hope to be consistant in my practices.

Physical -
I have concluded that exercise is an important element because physical energy is a peculiar instance in which be expending it one not only observes increases in mental accuity, but also experiences an influx in energy. I have noticed that when I am on a regular exercise program, I actually have more energy than when I am spending my days in front of a computer/television. I also think of a proverb that "All great ideas come from walking." Physical exercise is integral also because it is one of the hardest things to motivate oneself to do. Why would I want to run or lift heavy shit if I don't have to? By choosing to exercise it is the mind asserting its control over the body. My goal is to do aerobic exercise everyday, and to do applied exercise (weightlifting, martial arts, sports, yoga...etc.) at least four times a week.
The next part in this phase is what will make or break most people. No orgasm. That means no sex and no masturbation. This is perhaps the hardest, but I have found to be the most beneficial. I have on several occasions tried to see how long I could go without an orgasm. My longest thus far is twenty-eight days. However, after day fourteen I noticed a remarkable increase in my physical energy, dream recall, creative abilities, and emotional stability. Granted, for the first week I was a wreck, I noticed a fluidity in my mind and body I have never had before after that. For those of you with significant others I don't really know what to say. Its a personal sacrifice for your individual growth, and I hope that you and your partner both see it that way. Maybe it would be a test of what type of relationship you really have. For others, this won't be nearly as hard as I make it out to be.

Mental -
Turn off the damn tv. Try to use the computer only for reasons you feel as cognitively beneficial.
I am going to try to learn another language (most likely French, and I'm going to try to learn how to read Latin) because I have learned that language comprehension is directly related to the growth of gray matter in the brain. Expanding your language is vital, but not just in the spoken sense. This can be done by learning another computer language, learning new maths, studying and understanding physics, designing your own language, writing literature, reading hard books...
Whatever will maintain your attention, but at the same time, challenge your brain to comprehend its surroundings in a new manner.
For those of you who have succesfully quit drinking in the first phase will be surprised at how easy it is to pick up some of these things. Scientists have shown that when alcoholics quit drinking they report a drastic leap in cognitive response. They have found that this is because the brain has started repairing the brain cells and growing new ones (they are just as capable as older children to grasp new concepts. they have yet to do a comparison between drinkers who repent and those who never drank).
Another reason why this phase includes the learning of a new language or concept is because it teaches us to conciously recognize how certain ideas are encoded into our memory. Some consider dreaming as a consolidation process. If we understand what codes and formulations are necessary to help the mind function, than we can recognize these as they are occuring in our dream state.

PHASE III (3/1/05 - 3/31/05)

EXPANSION AND ASCENTION

This may or may not be the most trying phase. I don't know because I have never gotten this far. The idea is to introduce a higher plane of existence and mental functioning into our lives. Perhaps the first two months could be considered preparation for what awaits us in this phase.

The focus this month is to create. Take what we are learning, what we have seen, what we are feeling, what we have done... and make it what we want it to be. It is my expectation that during this period we should be dreaming lucidly fairly consistantly, and that our dreams have shown us a little more about ourselves than we had previously encountered. Now is where we try to either make sense of it, or accept it at a personal or spiritual level.

There are two things we will be doing during this phase.
1) Conditioning ourselves for polyphasic sleep. I will be setting up a series of links to show what polyphasic (or uberman) sleep cycles are. Their benefits include more vivid dreaming with an increase in lucidness, increases in mental functioning and awareness, and the opportunity to take control of the most primitive of our habits. This will be difficult for all of us not just because of the nature of the process, but also because it is something that is hard to explain to those who are watching your attempts to evolve.

2) Whatever we feel. Some will choose artistic endeavors, some will make changes to their "careers", some will ameliorate the internal struggles they once had, some will do nothing "out of the ordinary". The purpose of this phase is to affirm to oneself "I am in control. I am truly doing what I want. This is life as I know it, and as I want it to be."

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As I had said before, this is something I will be doing and have already taken the preliminary steps for. I am extending it as an opportunity for any of you to either join me, or laugh at such a preposterous suggestion. I am also looking for suggestions from many of you because the purpose is one of personal growth and improvement of mental abilities... something I know many of you have spent a great deal of time researching. Please, I would love nothing more than to hear your thoughts on this no matter what they may be.