Over the years I've come to recognise certain triggers that usually (but not always) make me lucid. One of my favourites is swinging. Not only does it happen in deeply relaxed states (MABA), but also during ordinary non-lucid dreams.
Normally I experiment - or play - with the feeling. If I'm in MABA I'll mentally swing higher & higher, sometimes just enjoying the sheer sensation, from tummy wobbles to a breeze on my face. If I want to take it further I used to swing so high and then jump out of my swinging body. That normally shifted the environment and I'd go on my merry way on an adventure...sometimes RTZ OBE or sometimes within a dream/astral. (I use these terms loosely as they mix/match.) Alternatively, I'd be aware enough to realise that I didn't need to escape my swinging body - as my swinging body wasn't the physical so all I needed to do was stop swinging, get up and walk away.
When it occurs during a dream, any of the above happens depending on the level of awareness. Most often I'll swing right out of my dreaming swinging body, thereby creating a third (or second dreaming) body.
Anyway, last night I was doing a bit of mental ping-pong. Just moving focus from the front of my head to the back until I naturally fell asleep. At some point during the night I realised I was swinging in a non-lucid dream. These days I become lucid differently from how it was when I first started lucid dreaming. There is rarely the 'bonk on the head' "I'M DREAMING" moment whereupon I rush around telling everyone in sight that I'm in their dream, or they're in mine. These days, it's a subtle realisation and I've learned to keep quiet.
Last night I didn't quite reach full awareness, but knew something was going on. I remembered that the swinging was a potential effect of the ping-pong technique...and also recalled that I wasn't supposed to be in a 'screen' just yet. So like a numpty, I closed my eyes and waited for a shape to appear. The trouble is I opened my eyes back into the dream and got totally confused. Obviously lucidity was low and within a few seconds I'd lost it completely.
Another very small, but encouraging, experience. It's taught me that I must practise lucidity - that is the key to all these experiences.
The 'dream narrative' has lots of gravity from my experience. There is an immediate grounding into its story.
I had one last night which was preceded by a presence throughout my sleep period. I did something different during the day, as I used a different meditation technique (Tasoist Celestial Gate) throughout the day yesterday which seemed to engender these experiences. So I may need to start practicing a dream technique during those days that I use this meditation. Time for me to skim Robert Waggoner's book for a lucidity technique.
In the dream narrative last night, I was instantly 'doing' all the tasks that I am somehow responsible for in the non-lucid dream. This is usually what keeps me in the dream narrative (and detached from being). And upon awakening and getting the normal brain download after the dream, I immediately realized two of the dream figures were guides or parts of my inner being. My primary guide's appearance was altered though.
A good technique, which consistently happens automatically, is a useful tool toward lucidity. I mention this because I seem to remember you also jumping on a trampoline years ago (I may be wrong about that). Are you oriented more towards 'motion-based techniques'?
Congratulations Selski! :-)
Quote from: Selski on June 30, 2017, 04:28:14
Last night I didn't quite reach full awareness, but knew something was going on. I remembered that the swinging was a potential effect of the ping-pong technique...and also recalled that I wasn't supposed to be in a 'screen' just yet. So like a numpty, I closed my eyes and waited for a shape to appear. The trouble is I opened my eyes back into the dream and got totally confused. Obviously lucidity was low and within a few seconds I'd lost it completely.
Another very small, but encouraging, experience. It's taught me that I must practise lucidity - that is the key to all these experiences.
Not only that, but I think it is teaching you not to "overthink" things to.
I used the ping ponging upon awakening this morning to great success this morning as well. 8-)
I did find that if you try it tomorrow, you should switch up the directions. One thing I have found personally in this practice is that you do need to switch things up almost daily. I have many techniques that I find work. But the same one won't work for me repeatedly on a daily basis. Hence the need to switch things up.
It's almost like the consciousness gets acclimated to whatever your normal technique is and for that reason, it bypasses the consciously aware part of the experience. :| :?
I saw the topic and immediately thought the wrong thing... :-o :evil:
For a second I thought you were into something kinky. ;)
Thanks peeps. :-)
Xanth - :-o :-D
Quote from: Selski on July 03, 2017, 09:06:50
Thanks peeps. :-)
Xanth - :-o :-D
I guess you missed my question or decided to ignore it.
Sorry Subtle, my statements have that effect on people. :)
Quote from: Subtle Traveler on July 03, 2017, 12:30:35
I guess you missed my question or decided to ignore it.
Neither. I forgot. Brain like a sieve. As soon as I hit submit, I remembered it. Sorry! :-)
Yes, I was the trampoliner. That exercise was fun but only worked probably 5% of the time. And yes, I tend to prefer motion. I recall someone years ago (possibly Frank) advising that to enhance lucidity it was a good idea to stop what you were doing and focus on something close up, such as a rock nearby. That never worked for me. I seem to need to keep moving and I'm better when there is a lot of 'noise' around. Not necessary auditory, but people, colour, activity, hustle & bustle. Which is interesting because in waking life, I'm rather anti-social.
Robert Waggoner is ringing bells with me - time to peruse my bookshelves... :-)
Quote from: Xanth on July 03, 2017, 14:44:24
Sorry Subtle, my statements have that effect on people. :)
Damn! :|
Quote from: Selski on July 04, 2017, 07:28:53
Neither. I forgot.
Double damn! :|