Fingers!

Through the MILD technique, I've been counting my fingers every hour on the hour and checking my watch to make sure it hasn't changed instantly to prove that I'm awake (as you probably know by now), but I did this in my dream and I kept counting 12 fingers but I didn't quite realize that I was dreaming. It's another improvement and I'm pretty excited for more finger counting and realizing that I'm dreaming.

Weird Dreams?

So after keeping a dream journal for some time now, my dreams have been really entertaining but at the same time really odd. Some of them are just really out there. I'm not sure if it's only because I didn't used to remember the random odd ones and now I do because I'm trying to remember them, or because now I'm just dreaming weirder dreams...

WISE Update

How has your project concept changed?
It hasn't really changed, I'm still planning on different techniques over 1.5/2 week periods. However, I plan on changing the use of supplements to binaural beats because a) supplements can be harmful and probably ineffective and b) because binaural beats are tight.

What has your process been like?
I recognized a dream sign and came closer to experiencing a lucid dream. I'm really exited because as soon as I woke up, I realized it was a dream sign and therefore I'm moving closer. I'm hoping to get at least one lucid dream through the MILD technique. I'm really enjoying researching sleep and lucid dreaming as it is really interesting and entertaining.

Keeping a log - is it consistent? informative? reflective?
I am keeping a log, especially one of my dreams. My blog has been pretty consistent as well. I try to keep the readers (if there are any.. which I doubt) informed about how I am feeling and different research I stumble upon. I have to say, there haven't been too many reflective entried, however, the ones I have had were really good and deep. I really liked them and was amazing that I even thought of something like that.

Binaural Beats

"Sine wave generators were used to create two separate frequency waves which were introduced to each ear independently. The brain reacted by creating a third tone which was the difference between the two. The brain instantly reacts to these frequencies causing a Shift In Consciousness.

Deep Sleep, Dreams, and Relaxation all depend on what frequency your brain is receiving and operating on. When you are relaxed and creative, you are in Alpha, When you are Dreaming, you are in Theta, and when you are in a deep sleep, you are in Delta.

Lets say that you start in the Deep Sleep Delta State. Once Delta is reached, your brain frequencies rise to the Theta Frequencies where Dreaming begins. If your brain frequencies continue to rise, you will progress to Alpha. When you reach Alpha, you will be awake, and that's not where you want to be for Lucid Dreaming.

The key to Lucid Dreaming is going through the Delta and Theta states like usual, but instead of reaching the full Alpha state, dip back into Theta before you awake. Your subconscious will awake, but your conscious mind will stay asleep as you go back into the dreaming state. Your subconscious will think you are awake, but then realize you are still dreaming.

This recording promotes lucid dreaming by guiding you into deep sleep frequencies, followed by dreaming Theta frequencies. The frequencies will rise, bordering on Alpha, than dip back down to Theta.

From our experience, the Lucid Dreaming Binaural Beat Recording works extremely well when a person wakes from a deep sleep early, then listens to the recording while returning back to sleep. The user should attempt to fall back to sleep with the intentions of of being aware when you start dreaming again."

Taken from http://www.store.unexplainable.net/products/lucid.php

I'm thinking of investing in a binaural beats CD to add on as another way of achieving lucidity, in addition to my other techniques. I've used a sample recording and it had an amazing effect.

Dream Sign / Lucid Dreaming CD

So, while writing my dreams down this morning, I came to a point where I recognized a dream signal (while I was awake, unfortunately). The signal was me trying to read a text message from a friend and I couldn't read the message because it was all jumbled up and incoherent. This is a positive sign that I am moving towards recognizing dream signals. I went to sleep telling myself that I was going to recognize that I was dreaming, however, that didn't work out. I'm rather exited and can't wait to try to recognize the signal tonight! Hooray for progress!

Also, before I went to bed last night, I listened to a sample of a Lucid Dreaming CD that helps put your mind in the correct state by altering brain wave frequencies. Let me tell you, as soon as I started listening, I could feel myself melt away in the sounds and my spine felt like jello for a bit. I was amazed at how relaxing and worthwhile this 10 minute sample was. Also, after listening to that CD, I remembered four different dreams from last night (I only got to write three down as the fourth slipped away by the time I got to writing it down). It could just be a coincidence, but I am going to try again tonight and we'll see the results. Also, I felt as if I woke up between each dream, almost like going into a conscious state and then sleeping again. This waking up process between each dream is recommended and can help induce lucid dreams and this is another reason I am strongly considering buying the CD (which can be found here).

Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams (MILD)

Today I am starting on the Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams (MILD) technique. It entails doing reality checks throughout the day so as to increase the chance of doing those in a dream, helping you realize that you are dreaming. A common one is counting your fingers, which I've started to do (however, not as frequently as I would like to). I've also pushed my fingers into my palm as this is another reality check that is recommended. Hopefully, I'll be able to induce a lucid dream through the MILD technique as it is used in other techniques such as the WBTB technique. Count those fingers... 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10!

Thoughts on Lucid Dreaming

So, I've been thinking about what lucid dreaming will actually feel like. I've heard and read about these "out-of-body experiences" and I've been starting to think about it. It seems like an odd and eerie sensation that I'm not too exited to experience. It reminds me almost of a dead feeling, when one is about to pass away, and they can see themselves separated from their body. Every time I think of this, I think of Tim O'Brien's experience in Vietnam which he wrote about in his book The Things They Carried. He says he experienced it after being shot, in the butt, and was going into shock, about to die. That thought really won't get out of my head and its making me more and more anxious about it. I'm nervous about it, yet I can't wait to experience a lucid dream. It's kind of odd in a way. Basically, I'm confused.

Dream Journal

I haven't really been remembering my dreams, but thats probably because I've been slacking on writing them down. I need to start keeping the journal next to my bed so I can record it as soon as I wake up.

Dream Recollection So Far

So I've started writing down my dreams, the ones that I can remember at least, and it's been really interesting. They say that it's easier to remember your dream if you lay still as soon as you wake up and close your eyes to think about it and record it (found here under Dream recall), however, that isn't the case for me. I wake up having no recollection of any of my dreams and I slowly start to remember them as the day goes on. A lot of the times (from previous experiences, before the WISE project started) I remember the dream in the shower when I'm still half asleep. Other times (probably the other 50%), I generally remember the dream after something reminds me of what happened in the dream. For example, I remembered my dream this morning in the shower, but I ended up forgetting it before I got to write it down. Later today, someone pulled out and old Stats test of mine and I saw it and immediately remembered what my dream was about last night. It's pretty interesting how I can't remember dreams right after I wake up.

Week One Down

My focus has been a dream journal. I've slowly started to remember dreams and I've been writing htem down as well. I've remembered two dreams in the last week, they were really random and I don't remember every detail, just some facts.

Mentor Meeting (IC)

Well, our first meeting was fantastic. I asked Mr. Bowen to be my mentor and he accepted. We talked about what exactly lucid dreaming is and he seemed interested.

I think the relationship will be great because we're friends from before and we get along really well. I don't think there will be any concerns (except, maybe, discussing basketball a few too many times during our meetings) as he's a good guy and very knowledgeable.

Dear Reader

For my WISE project I plan on learning how to lucid dream. A lucid dream is where a person is conscious while they are dreaming and can actively change their dreams to do whatever the person likes. This caught my attention because I've had some sweet dreams before and I'd like to be able to manipulate my dreams to replicate those past dreams as well as create new, enjoyable dreams.

I have already started keeping a dream journal (as of 2/7/09) and I plan on just working on dream recollection for the first week and a half / two weeks.

I'm pretty unsure of whether or not I'll actually be able to have a lucid dream. I really want to have a lucid dream, and I hope everything works out. I was told by Professor Helene Porte, from Cornell University, that it isn't too difficult to teach yourself how to lucid dream, but I'm still a little bit anxious.

I am going to meet with Professor Helene Porte to learn about dreams and different brain functions and I plan on reading books by leading lucid dream researcher Stephen LeBarge. In addition, I'll keep a dream journal every day from now until the end of the project.