Oneirology: The Study of Lucid Consciousness "A Review of Sleep Research ": September 2009

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Lucid Nightmare Podcast

Ryan over at dreamstudies.org gives a great pod cast about his talk last June into lucid nightmares. Check out the pod cast over at his website dreamstudies.org

Lucid Nightmare Podcast

Ryan over at dreamstudies.org gives a great pod cast about his talk last June into lucid nightmares. Check out the pod cast over at his website dreamstudies.org

Lucid Nightmare Podcast

Ryan over at dreamstudies.org gives a great pod cast about his talk last June into lucid nightmares. Check out the pod cast over at his website dreamstudies.org

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The Snooze Method for Remembering More Dreams

Ryan over at dreamstudies.org posted another great article about improving your dream recall. Here is a little of what he has to say:

If you want to get on the fast track to remember more dreams, it’s important to start keeping a dream diary. Still, it can take a while before the dreams make it from slumberland to the waking world. The reason for this lag between intention and dream recall is that our memory system is not geared for automatic dream recall, and also because we live in a culture that does not value dreams.

The Snooze Method for Remembering More Dreams

Ryan over at dreamstudies.org posted another great article about improving your dream recall. Here is a little of what he has to say:

If you want to get on the fast track to remember more dreams, it’s important to start keeping a dream diary. Still, it can take a while before the dreams make it from slumberland to the waking world. The reason for this lag between intention and dream recall is that our memory system is not geared for automatic dream recall, and also because we live in a culture that does not value dreams.

The Snooze Method for Remembering More Dreams

Ryan over at dreamstudies.org posted another great article about improving your dream recall. Here is a little of what he has to say:

If you want to get on the fast track to remember more dreams, it’s important to start keeping a dream diary. Still, it can take a while before the dreams make it from slumberland to the waking world. The reason for this lag between intention and dream recall is that our memory system is not geared for automatic dream recall, and also because we live in a culture that does not value dreams.

Monday, September 21, 2009

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Pods Blogs and You

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Lucid Dreaming: a Hybrid of REM and Waking Cognition

Ryan over at Dream studies.org seems to be busy as he posted another great post on the altered state of consciousness of lucid dreaming. In the post he talks about how a few new studies have been conducted regarding the possibility that lucid dreaming as not dreaming at all, but really a new type of consciousness. Here is a little of what the post has to say:

A study accepted in the journal Sleep last month (but not yet published) claims that lucid dreaming should be not be considered a REM dreaming phenomenon but rather a unique state of consciousness (Voss, et al., 2009). Poetically, the assertion that lucid dreaming has elements of waking consciousness and dreaming has been made for years. But this study, conducted at the Neurological Laboratory in Frankfurt, Germany, backs the assertion with physiological data taken with an EEG.

Lucid Dreaming: a Hybrid of REM and Waking Cognition

A study accepted in the journal Sleep last month (but not yet published) claims that lucid dreaming should be not be considered a REM dreaming phenomenon but rather a unique state of consciousness (Voss, et al., 2009). Poetically, the assertion that lucid dreaming has elements of waking consciousness and dreaming has been made for years. But this study, conducted at the Neurological Laboratory in Frankfurt, Germany, backs the assertion with physiological data taken with an EEG.

Lucid Dreaming: a Hybrid of REM and Waking Cognition

A study accepted in the journal Sleep last month (but not yet published) claims that lucid dreaming should be not be considered a REM dreaming phenomenon but rather a unique state of consciousness (Voss, et al., 2009). Poetically, the assertion that lucid dreaming has elements of waking consciousness and dreaming has been made for years. But this study, conducted at the Neurological Laboratory in Frankfurt, Germany, backs the assertion with physiological data taken with an EEG.

Friday, September 18, 2009

A night of sleep as a microcosm of samsara

Liza Solomonova over at Oneiricum has posted a great post on "A night of sleep as a microcosm of samsara." Her blog Oneiricum has shown great information into understanding the sleep in a Buddhist mindset as well as a medical mindset as she has been interested in the Buddhist teachings as well as a a research assistant at a Dream and Nightmare Laboratory.

Here is a little about what her post says:

Among many wonderful podcast series from Upaya, there is a 7-part series of talks by Alan Wallace, a Buddhist teacher, translator and practicioner who works on drawing Wester and Eastern thought on understanding the mind closer together. There are many wonderful things about his talks, and I am not going to get into them, it is much more interesting and exciting to listen to the podcasts firsthand. However, one of the things that he said I found so interesting, I just have to share it.

Check out her blog at : http://oneiricum.wordpress.com to read more about her and her wonderful blog.

A night of sleep as a microcosm of samsara

Among many wonderful podcast series from Upaya, there is a 7-part series of talks by Alan Wallace, a Buddhist teacher, translator and practicioner who works on drawing Wester and Eastern thought on understanding the mind closer together. There are many wonderful things about his talks, and I am not going to get into them, it is much more interesting and exciting to listen to the podcasts firsthand. However, one of the things that he said I found so interesting, I just have to share it.

Check out her blog at : http://oneiricum.wordpress.com to read more about her and her wonderful blog.

A night of sleep as a microcosm of samsara

Among many wonderful podcast series from Upaya, there is a 7-part series of talks by Alan Wallace, a Buddhist teacher, translator and practicioner who works on drawing Wester and Eastern thought on understanding the mind closer together. There are many wonderful things about his talks, and I am not going to get into them, it is much more interesting and exciting to listen to the podcasts firsthand. However, one of the things that he said I found so interesting, I just have to share it.

Check out her blog at : http://oneiricum.wordpress.com to read more about her and her wonderful blog.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

More Super Lucid

I am not one to normally post my personal experiences with dreams, but I figured that it was worthwhile to post my most recent events on here as it might help or inspire others to try the same techniques in order to super lucid dream.

In my last post about lucid dreaming and super lucid dreaming, I posted about the WILD events that have caused me to super lucid dream. I also defined what I believe super lucid dreaming is, and how in relation to out of the body experiences, they are one the same and truly are a lucid dream. At any rate I once again have had the effects of super lucid dreaming due to a WILD event.

Recently I have been paying much more attention to things, not just during the day but also during the time frame before sleep. I have been practicing some meditation techniques which is really just breathing and paying attention to the moment of breathing. Yes, Buddhist class has been paying off. Anyways in the past I have tried numerous techniques to increase my WILD events but nothing has helped. I have even tried the supplement technique which has caused me to somehow cure my depression in my life but also caused me to ironically remember less of my dreams. Nothing seemed to work until now.

Paying attention seems to be a common trend to any websites that have groups who have techniques to help someone lucid dream. Many of these techniques you have to read in a book, or pay money for, but when all is said and done, its paying attention that is the key element. I have been training my mind to pay attention during the day and before I go to sleep and strange as it may sound, we practice how we play. Our brains being as smart as they are also can pay attention when we are falling into REM sleep and feel these WILD events take place causing us to have a super lucid dream. I know this may not work for you, but it sure does work with me and I will continue to use it and improve on it. I have also seemed to cause my dreams to be even more lucid which has caused me to question if I am truly asleep or sleep walking throughout my house. Keep trying and pay attention and you will get the WILD you search for.

Happy dreaming!

More Super Lucid

The Link Between Depression and Dreams

Ryan over at DreamStudies.org provides us with a great read about the link between dreams and depression. I really enjoyed the read as it goes into the aspect of chemical relationships between the sleep phases and depression in relation to serotonin. I highly suggest you go over to dreamstudies.org and check out one of the best articles I have read to date.

Here is a little about what the post has to say:

In the 1970s, psychologists noted that people suffering from depression also report more dreams than average. In fact, people who are clinically depressed may dream three or four times as much. The quality of REM dreams (also called “paradoxical sleep”) is different too: more intense emotions, more negative themes, more nightmares, and more unpleasant dreams, in general.

The Link Between Depression and Dreams

In the 1970s, psychologists noted that people suffering from depression also report more dreams than average. In fact, people who are clinically depressed may dream three or four times as much. The quality of REM dreams (also called “paradoxical sleep”) is different too: more intense emotions, more negative themes, more nightmares, and more unpleasant dreams, in general.

The Link Between Depression and Dreams

In the 1970s, psychologists noted that people suffering from depression also report more dreams than average. In fact, people who are clinically depressed may dream three or four times as much. The quality of REM dreams (also called “paradoxical sleep”) is different too: more intense emotions, more negative themes, more nightmares, and more unpleasant dreams, in general.

Fractal Anatomy

Martin over at the Entheogenic Evolution gives us an update on his podcast about some thoughts over at burning man. What a lucky guy for having the chance to explore such an interesting area. Anyways here is what he has to say as well as a link to his newest podcast:

Checking in with y'all post-Burning Man and sharing the idea of God's Signature in Fractal Anatomy =)

Check out the Podcast here

Fractal Anatomy

Checking in with y'all post-Burning Man and sharing the idea of God's Signature in Fractal Anatomy =)

Check out the Podcast here

Fractal Anatomy

Checking in with y'all post-Burning Man and sharing the idea of God's Signature in Fractal Anatomy =)

Check out the Podcast here

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Chocolate to Morphine

From Chocolate to Morphine is a great book about drugs. Its not just about a specific drug but entails just about every common drug that you could think of. It not only tells you about the drugs and what they can do, but talks about the proper use of the drugs as well as education for those who would want to use them or currently use them and want to continue using. The book doesn't promote drug use nor does it take any side at all, only giving the facts and letting the reader decide how they want to conduct themselves.

I personally love this book because it does exactly what our education system should be doing with our education about the drug use, giving the truth rather than producing lies that help no one. I highly recommend this book to anyone that has used drugs, wants to use drugs, or has family that have drug problems. This book helps us to remember that coffee and chocolate are also strong stimulants and have potential for abuse.

Chocolate to Morphine

Dr. Laberge Interview

R sent me an e-mail a few days ago with a 10 part interview on YouTube.com that has Dr. Laberge talking about what lucid dreaming is and what capabilities you have while lucid dreaming.

You can start the interview by clicking (here)

Here is a little bit about Dr. LaBerge taking from Wikipedia.com:

Stephen LaBerge is a psychophysiologist and a leader in the scientific study of lucid dreaming. He was born in 1947. In 1967 he received his Bachelor's Degree in mathematics. He began researching lucid dreaming for his Ph.D. in Psychophysiology at Stanford University, which he received in 1980.[1] He developed techniques to enable himself and other researchers to enter a lucid dream state at will, most notably the MILD technique (mnemonic induction of lucid dreams), which was necessary for many forms of dream experimentation.[2] In 1987, he founded The Lucidity Institute, an organization that promotes research into lucid dreaming, as well as running courses for the general public on how to achieve a lucid dream.[3]

His technique of signalling to a collaborator monitoring his EEG with agreed-upon eye movements during REM became the first published, scientifically-verified signal from a dreamer's mind to the outside world. The first confirmed signal came from Alan Worsley under study in England; however his group did not publish their results until later. [4] Though the technique is simple, it opens broad new avenues of dream research and pushed the field of dream research, or oneirology, beyond its protoscientific and largely discredited psychoanalytic roots, establishing it as a fruitful and respectable discipline.

Dr. Laberge Interview

Stephen LaBerge is a psychophysiologist and a leader in the scientific study of lucid dreaming. He was born in 1947. In 1967 he received his Bachelor's Degree in mathematics. He began researching lucid dreaming for his Ph.D. in Psychophysiology at Stanford University, which he received in 1980.[1] He developed techniques to enable himself and other researchers to enter a lucid dream state at will, most notably the MILD technique (mnemonic induction of lucid dreams), which was necessary for many forms of dream experimentation.[2] In 1987, he founded The Lucidity Institute, an organization that promotes research into lucid dreaming, as well as running courses for the general public on how to achieve a lucid dream.[3]

His technique of signalling to a collaborator monitoring his EEG with agreed-upon eye movements during REM became the first published, scientifically-verified signal from a dreamer's mind to the outside world. The first confirmed signal came from Alan Worsley under study in England; however his group did not publish their results until later. [4] Though the technique is simple, it opens broad new avenues of dream research and pushed the field of dream research, or oneirology, beyond its protoscientific and largely discredited psychoanalytic roots, establishing it as a fruitful and respectable discipline.

Dr. Laberge Interview

Stephen LaBerge is a psychophysiologist and a leader in the scientific study of lucid dreaming. He was born in 1947. In 1967 he received his Bachelor's Degree in mathematics. He began researching lucid dreaming for his Ph.D. in Psychophysiology at Stanford University, which he received in 1980.[1] He developed techniques to enable himself and other researchers to enter a lucid dream state at will, most notably the MILD technique (mnemonic induction of lucid dreams), which was necessary for many forms of dream experimentation.[2] In 1987, he founded The Lucidity Institute, an organization that promotes research into lucid dreaming, as well as running courses for the general public on how to achieve a lucid dream.[3]

His technique of signalling to a collaborator monitoring his EEG with agreed-upon eye movements during REM became the first published, scientifically-verified signal from a dreamer's mind to the outside world. The first confirmed signal came from Alan Worsley under study in England; however his group did not publish their results until later. [4] Though the technique is simple, it opens broad new avenues of dream research and pushed the field of dream research, or oneirology, beyond its protoscientific and largely discredited psychoanalytic roots, establishing it as a fruitful and respectable discipline.

Lucid and Super Lucid

Well its been a little bit since I last posted anything. I have been sick for about a week now and have also been reading a lot on the topic of Buddhism which seems to be a good combination as one seemed to help the other. Feeling sick really brings things into the basic light, just wanting to survive the sickness and not needing a lot extra stuff (like fast cars and big house) to do so. The teachings that are contributed from the philosophy of Buddhism seems to also help with surviving the sickness. At any rate it has been a interesting experience.

Since I have started to read about Buddhism I have also tried to take into account some of the concepts of relaxation which really has made my mood more positive in result allowing me to sleep better. I have also noticed a more positive outcome is my ability to become super lucid has increased as well.

Some may ask what is being super lucid? Well I don't think that there is really a scientific answer to that question, but for me there seems to be two types of lucid dreams, lucid and super lucid.

Lucid Dreaming:
I know that I am dreaming and am able to change things in my dream or to have complete control over my dreams. I am normally already in a dream when it occurs to me that I must be dreaming.

Super Lucid Dreaming:
Achieved by a Wake Initiated Lucid Dream (WILD) which seems to also have the sense of strong vibrations and sometimes the old hag syndrome. In these types of lucid dreams I know that I am awake while dreaming but it seems so real (almost more than real) that I am scared to walk around the room or house because I am scared of sleep walking. I feel groggy at first as though half awake and half awake and eventually am fully inside the dream world which I can control. Some people have called these dreams out of body experiences but I strongly disagree and believe the are just super lucid dreams.

Recently in my super lucid dreams I have had the opportunity to talk with some dream characters about the world in which I am dreaming. They seem to be very insightful and full of life. Its really a fun time to talk to yourself and find out things you normally wouldn't know about yourself. I have also had the opportunity to meditate while in my dream and what a great experience that was.

I can honestly say that the WILD type of lucid dreaming has its price from its super lucidity. The vibrations are often frighting because they are often so intense it may feel like your body is going to break in half, the feeling of being half awake and half asleep is also scary as it makes you feel like you are paralyzed (good old sleep paralysis), and an occasional dream hallucination while your awake may scare the hee bee jeebies out of you. I am not sure why but my last scary WILD hallucination was a fat panda stilling in the corner of my room and he still scared the living hell out of me. If you can get past that, you can have some really insightful experiences and wake up well rested and glad that you had the adventure.

In the next week I will be working on some short book reviews for the Buddhist books I have been reading as well as what I have been learning on the brain and lucid dreaming.

Lucid and Super Lucid

Psiber Dreaming Conference Coming up

Ryan over at dreamstudies.org gives us some good information about an upcoming online conference.

There’s less than 2 weeks until the premiere Dreaming event on the web. I’m talking about the 2009 PsiberDreaming conference: a two week online conference that features over two dozen presentations from leaders in the fields of dream research and consciousness studies.

Keep in mind, this is not a boring academic conference, but an open forum for everyone who is interested in the strange and amazing possibilities of dreaming.

Psiber Dreaming Conference Coming up

Ryan over at dreamstudies.org gives us some good information about an upcoming online conference.

There’s less than 2 weeks until the premiere Dreaming event on the web. I’m talking about the 2009 PsiberDreaming conference: a two week online conference that features over two dozen presentations from leaders in the fields of dream research and consciousness studies.

Keep in mind, this is not a boring academic conference, but an open forum for everyone who is interested in the strange and amazing possibilities of dreaming.

Psiber Dreaming Conference Coming up

Ryan over at dreamstudies.org gives us some good information about an upcoming online conference.

There’s less than 2 weeks until the premiere Dreaming event on the web. I’m talking about the 2009 PsiberDreaming conference: a two week online conference that features over two dozen presentations from leaders in the fields of dream research and consciousness studies.

Keep in mind, this is not a boring academic conference, but an open forum for everyone who is interested in the strange and amazing possibilities of dreaming.