Aloha, Dreaming & Awakening 2002 Retreat Participants!

We are very much looking forward to meeting each and everyone of you at the upcoming retreat. This topic has been set up especially for you (our registered participants) as a place to describe where you are with your lucid dreaming abilities, any particular difficulties you may be experiencing, and specific areas you'd like to have addressed during the presentations, so that we'll be able to offer the most individual assistance possible.

Wishing you all sweet, tropical dreams! Keelin

Oh! I didn't think I'd be first. I figured by now there would be a party going on in here as we all get to know one another a little.

I'm Andrea and I'm from Vancouver, Canada (just north of Seattle, as a reference). I've always had an interest the processes of sleep and dreams and began looking into it in 1987. I read Stephen's book as well as others back then and started recording my dreams and doing various exercises with them. I also started trying to lucid dream.

After several months I finally achieved success and had my first lucid dream. I also learned to fly that night so it was a terrific experience.

I can't say that my efforts in this area have been continuous. I stopped recording my dreams and making efforts to become lucid when work and a busy schedule took over. Now, however, I'm finding my interest renewed and Im' hoping to be able to achieve lucidity more easily, predictably and deliberately.

I'm really looking forward to going to Hawaii. It will be my first visit. I'm also looking forward to meeting other participants and making new friends. Last year's bunch looks like a really fun group from the photo.

Andrea

I am Bryan from Kennesaw, Georgia (just north of Atlanta); I have been keeping a dream journal for 3 years now and trying to have lucid dreams during that time; I only average about 1 lucid dream every 5 weeks and I almost always immediately awaken upon becoming lucid; the ability to remain lucid in the dream state for an extended period of time is something that I would like to acquire; I am very much looking forward to meeting experienced and adept oneironauts and others like myself who are not so experienced or adept but who have a genuine interest in lucid dreaming; I am also very much looking forward to visiting Hawaii for my first time Bryan

Okay, here's a problem I have when dreaming. I will get a dream sign, note that it is a dream sign but somehow never quite get that that means I'm dreaming. For example, the other night I was in a dream and having a really good time reading the same thing over and over, precisely to watch it change, because I thought it was such a good game. I know that this is a dream sign, it is one I test myself on in reality checks and yet despite all this, as I'm sitting there going "so cool, I'm dreaming..." I never actually GOT IT. This has happened before. Any ideas?

Andrea

Keelin: How many people are coming to Hawaii this year?

Andrea

Aloha, Andrea!

At this point, it looks like we'll have about 20 or so oneironauts at the Dreaming & Awakening retreat in Hawaii -- but we're still more than a month away, so that number may morph right before our very eyes!

;-> Keelin

Dear Group

My name is Myles, and I live in San Jose, California. It is a town close to Santa Cruz for a geographic reference. I was introduced to Lucid Dreaming through a business acquaintance, and thought it sounded super cool. He was nice enough to email a list of books, which I have had the pleasure of reading, and they are; Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming, The Lucid Dreaming Book, Lucid Dreaming, Stop Sleeping through Your Dreams, and The Art of Dreaming. During this time I have tried diligently to keep copious dream notes, but not always succeeded, and purchased a Nova Dreamer, but haven't done the work necessary to succeed as of yet.

During the last year I have had the luxury of having one "true" lucid dream, all be it for about 5 nanoseconds, and some seemingly passive lucid states. "Was that consciousness I just felt?' Hmmm. The Lucid dream I did have truly left me wanting more.

To the point of my specific areas of interest during the retreat, I am interested in learning the fundamentals, and to build a group of skills that will stay with me for the rest of my life. It's the 80/20 rule; what are twenty percent skills I can work on that will give me eighty percent payoff. I also have a fascination of the history; more specifically pertaining to Dream Yoga.

When first learning of Lucid Dreaming, it seemed like the ultimate unvirtual reality game, but in reading further, my desires have drifted into creating a dialogue between my conscious, and my super-conscious.

Ever Further

myles

Hi everyone,

Looking forward to meeting all of you in person. I attended the '00 Stanford Dream Camp and resolved at the time to return in 2 years. Didn't know it would be in Hawaii, but I'm not complaining .

If I remember correctly I only had 1 1/2 LDs while at that camp (one from which I woke as soon as I realized it was a dream and one that continued for a while) but what I learned there (and from other LDers on this forum since then) has been invaluable. I'm pretty much averaging 5/month with varying degrees of lucidity, but I'd like to increase that since there are so many things I want to do! Reinforcement on the techniques for achieving more frequent LDs would be great, as would a refresher course on the Nova Dreamer (which I'm embarassed to admit I've only used about 4x since the last camp). I'm rereading Stephen's book in preparation and I'm amazed at how much I'd forgotten and how much I missed the first time around. I definitely recommend a reread after attending the camp, if I'd done this a year ago I'd probably be much further along. If nothing else, being in an environment where LDing is being discussed and talked about will be wonderful. I was meeting another camp graduate and a few other interested parties for dinner for a while (if you're reading this, hi Bill) but that has tapered off dramatically due to various time constraints.

See you soon!

My name is Peter. I am in the middle of a lifelong interest in dreams and the opportunities for the exploration of reality, my own nature, and good times that they present.

During my teen years back in the 70's, I was heavily involved in lucid dreaming, though I wasn't yet aware of the term. I simply called it waking up in my dreams and changing them. It was fun, deep by definition, and a thing that no one could tell me that I was doing wrong. Lucid dreaming was a very cool hobby for a kid.

Then I grew older, and sought to convert that hobby into something more real. Thanks to much reading and independent philosophizing, my understanding of lucid dreaming has improved but, sadly, my skills have slipped. In attempts to revive those skills, I bought a Dreamlight in 1992, followed over the years by a DreamSpeaker, and even a PEST. The machines worked great, but I could never find the time to truly relax, get a good sleep rhythm going, and get back into lucid dreaming. I'm hoping dream camp will be the kick I need.

Here are a few topics that I would enjoy discussing: 1)Aside from the joy of flying and meeting famous people, is there anything significant that proficient lucid dreaming can lend to life? 2)The best sleep patterns. 3)Does diet, including specific vitamins, effect lucid dreaming? 4)Meditations that work for people with three-second attention spans. 5)Is there a way to confidently know that you are truly awake in your dream, and not just dreaming that you're awake in your dream?

Aloha, my name is Thea Ramsay, from beautiful Maui. I'm looking forward to coming to the big island for the first time and learning about lucid dreaming. I'm so excited. It seems an eternity away, darn it. I wish the time would fly so I can get to dream camp. I was born in Canada, am totally blind, and have had a few lucid dreams. A couple before I learned about the Lucidity Institute, and a couple after I bought the 3 tapes on lucid dreaming. I didn't buy the book with it, because it's not in accessible format: Braille, talking book, or diskette. I guess I'll have to see if the Honolulu Library for the Blind can get me a book about lucid dreaming so I'll have something to focus my excited energy on. Darn it all, why is it over a month away? I want it to be tomorrow. See you there. Aloha. Oh by the way, is there an email list for me to join? Thea

Anyone ever notice that milk and cookies before bed gives you sweet rich and vivid dreams that you can't stand to awaken from? At least, I've noticed that. Any thoughts as to why this happens?

Aloha, Thea and Hawaii-bound Oneironauts,

We, too, are excitedly looking forward to the upcoming retreat and to meeting all of you who will be attending! Thank you to those who have already posted to this topic. We are collecting all of your messages for incorporation into the sessions.

Thea: I think your suggestion of cookies and milk prior to sleep sounds delicious, but speaking for myself, I'm better off indulging in lucid dream sweets where there's not an ounce of caloric concern! ;p

You're name has already been added to our email list. Is this what you meant?

Sweet coconut dreams, Keelin

Hi Thea,

I'm wondering... although the DreamSpeaker isn't presently available for sale through the Institute, I still have one and maybe you'd like to borrow it during the retreat? A small cable plugs into the NovaDreamer mask and the speaker lays under your pillow. When the sensor in the mask detects REM, it signals the speaker to play whatever message you've recorded. We could have a whole chorus of tropical dreamers singing a prompting message for you!

I can also bring my PEST -- which likewise plugs into the NovaDreamer mask. It will give a vibration (length and intensity are programmable) and you'd still be able to use the standard NovaDreamer beeping cue with it.

Like you, I'm ready to pack and fly! Keelin

Greetings Dreamers: I am June, from the beautiful northern California coastal village of Mendocino, a perfect setting for dreams. Like Jay, I'm rereading Stephen's book and enjoying the exercises and experiences of lucid dreaming. I've been a dreamer all my life and have pretty much reached the point where I can achieve lucidity by just thinking about wanting to, right before going to sleep. I remember the first lucid dream I ever had like it was yesterday, and what a wonderful shock it was to realize I was dreaming and see the intense clarity of all sensory abilities. I can appreciate Andrea's comment about a busy schedule interfering with the good intention to record all your dreams. I, too, have renewed my efforts to have and record lucid dreams in recent months, and the journey seems to be taking me to Hawaii next month to meet all you fine people. Yipppee! I'd enjoy talking about all five of your topics, Peter, as well as Andrea's dream sign problem. (One thing I did recently, Andrea, was to put an actual sign in a dream...it looked just like one of those diamond-shaped yellow road-side signs, and it said, "I am draeming" with dreaming misspelled, so I KNEW I had to be dreaming. My lucid dream-self laughed my head off at how clever I was. hehee!) I don't seem to have problems staying lucid, and if the dream does start to fade, the spinning technique works really well for me. So I'm sure going to enjoy meeting everyone and getting to know you in the real and in the dream world. June PS: I am also a Reikimaster and will be delighted to give anyone at the retreat a Reiki treatment if you feel the need for a healing or just want to relax and "smooth out" for a good night's sleep.

Hi Thea and all!

No, I've never noticed that milk and cookies make for good dreaming but it sure is a good excuse! LOL ;-) Melatonin really gets me going though!

I'm really looking forward to trying the Nova Dreamer and other dreaming tools.

I think Peter hit the nail on the head about with "dreaming that you're awake in your dream". It's a really good description of what I think is happening to me. Maybe I just need to get myself a yellow sign like June did! That made me laugh so hard, June!

As for recording my dreams (too sleepy to write) has anyone else tried speaking the details into a digital recorder or something? I generally have good dream recall even when I'm not trying (remembered 3 the other night while I was on vacation) and I sometimes just make point form notes and find that later on when I wake up, the point form brings it all back to me and I can write it out in full detail. So does anyone record rather than write? I'm thinking of getting a digital recorder.

Andrea

Hi, everyone! My name is Joy and I'm a dreamer. I guess I'm really going to Hawaii - an envelope from Travelocity arrived the other day that presumably has airline tickets in it....

I've been participating in this forum for a few months now and have probably said too much about myself already. This is new, though: I finally have put together a web site, mainly for the purpose of displaying samples of my illustration work. It's housed at least temporarily at fatooh.org/art with the server sitting on the floor of my son's college room, so please think of him sympathetically if you find the connection refused at any time.

I don't know about milk and cookies because I'm lactose-intolerant and so a night of vivid dreams would be a less likely result than a night of vivid flatulence for me. My organic chemistry prof told us that the effectiveness of warm milk as a home remedy for insomnia is due to its serotonin content. Me, I eat a lot of chocolate and do a lot of dreaming but would have to go without chocolate for a few days to see if there's any correlation! Could be, though: A friend of mine has always refused to eat chocolate in the evening because, he says, "It gives me weird dreams." So Thea, are they chocolate cookies? LI people, has anyone scientifically tested serotonin, theobromine, etc. for dream-inducing effects? Hmmm... How about papain? I've been to Hawaii once before - the Big Island, and big trip of a lifetime - I saved up extra money from an art job and took my son (who had a big interest in geology) to see active volcanoes (I hope lava is still flowing into the ocean and we get to go see it). I've been daydreaming about ripe papayas ever since.

I just started reading one of Stephen's books, "Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming." I'm glad I got to explore that world on my own for a while before reading it - it's fun to see what I discovered on my own that he's verified by testing many people, and also to see what assumptions he's made that are counter to my experience! I'm looking forward to asking if he still believes some of the things he wrote 12 years ago.

There will be more people at dream camp than the entire population of the town I live in. What a rare and wonderful opportunity to spend time with people who share an interest in this fascinating field of consciousness. Looking forward to meeting you all,

Joy

I'm not sure about milk and cookies, but I've tried a dream pillow with mugwort in it and it worked pretty well. That's been a long time ago, though, so maybe I should try it again. Joy, it's nice to know there will be another small-town girl at the retreat! Boy, I thought MY town was small at 1000 people...

I've never tried the tape recorder method, Andrea, but I have sometimes written down dreams and not remembered that I wrote them down until I tried to read the hand-writing the next day. Yikes! Sometimes I wasn't sure I was actually the one writing it. And sometimes it is in shorthand and really messy! But I can go a lot faster in shorthand than longhand, so I'm sure my sleepy mind is just doing the most economical thing...

It will be so fun to compare methods when we all get together next month.

Until then, take good care!

June

I keep a small hand-held tape recorder by my bed at night; I record my dreams into it as I awaken during the night; I highly recommend it as an easy way to keep track of dreams; you can buy one at Radio Shack and rechargeable batteries (which must be bought separately) for it for not too much money; Bryan

Yes, Joy, they were chocolate cookies. However, I have decided to make healthier choices. So I stay away from chocolate 98 percent of the time. LOL Yesterday, after a long walk into Paia town and back home, I was extremely tired, not being very fit. I collapsed on my bed and had a nap. I had a semi-lucid dream that I was at dream camp and had forgotten to bring anything to record my dreams on. It was raining and thundering outside, and I was thinking, "Too bad it's raining. I could have walked home, gotten my tape recorder, and come back to dream camp." I often have place and distance oddities in my dreams. As in, getting on a Toronto subway to come out to Hawaii. Perhaps I had this dream because although I don't live on the big island, I do live in Hawaii. Anyway, continuing with the dream, I was given a dream speaker to try. I recorded the message, "Thea, you're dreaming. Now you can be a fluffy wuffy feather." In the dream, I dreamed that I subconsciously heard the message and said to myself, "Now I can become lucid and turn myself into a feather." Which I did. Then my feather-self got sucked down a hole the size and shape of a bank machine. It felt like a head first kind of thing. I woke up out of the dream and told my fellow campers all about the life of a feather. When I really did wake up, I thought, Hey, maybe exercise induces dreams just as effectively as chocolate, with the added benefit of slimming. Aloha for now. Thea

Aloha Thea,

Funny you should dream of using a DreamSpeaker while attending the retreat... Although the DreamSpeaker isn't presently available for sale through the Institute, I still have one and had been wondering if you'd like to borrow it. A small cable plugs into the NovaDreamer mask and the speaker lays under your pillow. When the sensor in the mask detects REM, it signals the speaker to play whatever message you've recorded. We could have a whole chorus of tropical dreamers singing a prompting message for you!

I can also bring my PEST (also currently unavailable for sale) which likewise plugs into the NovaDreamer mask. It will give a vibration (length and intensity are programmable) and you'd still be able to use the standard NovaDreamer beeping cue with it.

Like you, I'm ready to pack and fly! Keelin

Keelin,

Should we be interested, will we be able to purchase a Nova Dreamer or other tools at the retreat? Being Canadian, it would save me a great deal of money if I was able to buy it while in the US and take advantage of the allowable deduction for a ten day stay rather than have to order it at home and pay import tax, our goods and services tax as well as the current rediculous exchange rate! I'm so glad I paid for my course before the dollar dropped through the floor!!! :-)

Thanks.

Andrea

Hi Andrea,

Absolutely! During the Dreaming and Awakening retreats, all participants have a chance to try out a SuperNovaDreamer and are offered the opportunity to purchase the full line of Lucidity Institute products at membership prices.

Also, if any dreamers registered for the retreat would like to get acquainted with the NovaDreamer ahead of time, LI will extend the money back guarantee until the end of March 2002. The links below will take you to the information/ordering page on the LI website.

http://www.lucidity.com/novadreamer.html http://www.lucidity.com/supernovadreamer.html

Bright, flashing papaya dreams to all, Keelin

Keelin

Have you heard of a device that changes your body mechanics, so that you are induced into dreaming? I remember reading that it changes something like your brain waves; slowing them down in such a way that your body enters sleep, and the dream state.

Fact or Fiction?

Myles

Keelin, do I need to bring formal wear (suit, tie, jacket, dress shoes, etc.) or only casual wear (nice-looking but comfortable clothing) to the Hawaii retreat? Bryan

Aloha Myles,

Without knowing your source of reference, it's difficult to respond. Can you tell me where you read what you've read or offer more details? If you can't recall, don't worry, the topic of induction will be well covered at the retreat.

Sweet dreams, Keelin

Dear Bryan and retreat participants,

What to wear at DreamCamp? An assortment of pajamas would be fine! ;> Teasing aside, please come prepared for variable weather (temperature range: 65-85 degrees F) with casual clothing for sun, moonbathing (our evening seance in a hot spring under a full moon), and occasional rain. In essence, pack Light and leave room for all the lucid dreams you'll be taking home.

More details about what else to bring to come soon, Keelin

Keelin

Whoops, sorry I guess that was a little vague.

The book is Stop Sleeping through your dreams by Charles McPhee, Chapter 8; Techniques for Awaking Consciousness in the dreamscape, sub header Using advanced technology. it refers to the slowing of neurons firing in a desynchronized rhythm.

It's cool if you want to defer the question until the retreat if that is a better time to discuss.

Hang loose

Smyles

Hi Myles,

Thanks for the reference and the good question. Neurons firing in a desynchronized rhythm is definitely a subject beyond me, so let's wait for the retreat and you can ask Stephen directly. I'm sure others will be interested in the discussion as well. I'll have to take notes!

;) Keelin

Hi Keelin,

Any word on coordinating shuttle bus rides from Hilo yet? I'll probably make my Honolulu-Hilo plane reservations in the next week or so and would just as soon pay $30 rather than the $50 minimum. Haven't looked into the schedules yet but I'm pretty flexible since I'll be staying with friends in Honolulu for the 2 days prior.

I was considering renting a car but didn't think there would be much use for it during the week?

Does anyone else have their arrival/departure times yet?

Jay

Aloha Jay!

In the next week or so, we'll be sending out personal emails to all register retreat participants with more information and a questionnaire regarding flight arrangements so that we can coordinate group shuttles to Kalani. In this case, we'd prefer that your reply to us directly rather than post these details on the Forum.

Regarding car rental: Although it's not necessary, we do recommend it, as most of the afternoons are scheduled as free-time and there is much to see on the Big Island. We'll be arranging group rides for our planned outings, so don't worry about being left behind if you choose not to rent. ;)

See you soon under tropical skies! Keelin

Aloha fellow dreamers, My name's Naomi, and I've run into a couple of you on the forums before. I have a job doing molecular biology, but I've always been a dreamer and dabbler in various arts, especially movement arts, and practice yoga. I've had some wonderful ld experiences, and have also been exploring Tibetan Buddhism, so this retreat seemed like it was made for me. I'm very curious to see what this total immersion in lucidity experience will be like. Three weeks to go, Naomi

I just about jumped out of my skin this morning. While making breakfast with the radio on I heard the announcer say: "And now it's time for another reality check!" I immediately put down the glass I was holding and reached for a package of something so I could read a lable! I was awake. Whew. Weird.

It turns out that the station is now doing a special segment every day called "Reality Check". Looks like I'll be getting a special prompt every day. :-)

Andrea

Is anyone else dreaming about dream camp? (I posted the first part of this in another thread.)

10/11 February 02

0500 Having gotten e-mail about what to bring to the Kalani retreat just before going to bed, now I found myself milling about on the first day with various other participants trying to figure out where we were supposed to go. This went on for quite a while and eventually I needed a bathroom; found a toilet out in a hall; rejected this (missing the odd-toilets dream sign) for one with more privacy in an adjoining restroom; and there, in a mirror, I saw behind me a hand-painted poster of a long Hawaiian word, with the mirror-reversed letters changing from yellow to red to yellow again. I'd written yesterday in the forum a complaint about LaBerge's book insisting that writing always changes in dreams and never in waking life; now I thought, "Okay, letters don't change on a hand-painted poster'. Oh, ha-ha, I'm dreaming!' ' and took off into the air to verify it for myself, enjoying being lucid and amused at the joke on me ' that my first effective dream sign after lodging my complaint was changing writing!

I really needed to pee but I thought that besides being a waste of lucid time, it was not a good idea to really pee in my sleep. So I turned and flew toward the door, intending to go back out and demonstrate for my fellow participants that I was flying in a dream ' although I thought this was kind of lame, since they weren't really there and wouldn't really see me; but it seemed okay for a start. Unfortunately, before I was even through the door my cat jumped up and landed right on my full bladder and I woke up.

0700 Well, this time I told myself to go back to sleep and dream about dream camp again (easy enough; all my hypnagogic images were about it, including one informing me that they do a state test every 15 minutes there) and this time be lucid throughout, and I did and was at least subliminally lucid throughout; but I kept getting caught up in wanting to interact nicely with people and not get lost or miss anything, and had to keep either catching a dream sign or just reminding myself from time to time that it was a dream and I could just have fun and be silly ' which I did a lot of, too, especially in the fully lucid moments.

I'm calling it dream-induced because in the first scene I remember well, I wasn't lucid at the start: I found everyone in a dimly-lit movie theater. "Oh, yeah, the e-mail said there would be films,' I thought. While a black-and-white image flickered on the screen, someone in the seats was reading aloud from a black leather-bound book, which he passed back to me when I came in - evidently it was my turn. But the page it was open to had no writing that I could read; just Roman numerals and strange Gothic-looking symbols embossed into the dark leather. I turned to the next page and explained why before I began to read; but someone said, "No, you're supposed to describe what's on the page anyway!'

"Oh, sorry, I missed the instructions,' I said and tried to turn back to that page but couldn't find it. Finally someone handed me another book: I'd switched books somehow; here was the right one; I recognized it by its size. I found the original page and began describing it: "There are big Roman numeral X's and V's embossed without any color added, so that they are as dark as the page and faintly visible. There is an ornate symbol that looks like two intertwined Gothic E's'.' My voice sounded a little hoarse. I looked back at the page and saw a part on the left in which the symbols were sideways. Wasn't like that before, I thought. Oh, yeah, that's right: I'm dreaming.

Sorry that recall is sketchy from here; there was lots of nearly bounding out of the dream and rebounding into it by intent (I'd just think "I should rub my hands or something" and the dream would come back, often changed) and there was fun, flying, general enjoyment, and the only annoyance was that it always seemed to be mealtime when I didn't feel like eating.

Best-recalled is when we were all sitting in a sunny room listening to Keelin and then I found that the woman on my left was passing me a sheet of paper with a mound of iridescent, glittery, colored powder on it. I deduced that I was supposed to take some and pass it on, and I found a blank page for my samples and took a pinch of whatever came by in proportion to how much I liked the color ' maroon, bright green, turquoise blue, and ooh, a nice metallic copper. The man on my right admonished me that I wasn't doing it right, but I was fairly confident that there was no right or wrong to this, just oddness and fun; indeed, the woman to my left then handed me two colors at once and as she did so, swirled them together with her fingertip. "It's supposed to be dream-like," I thought; "oh, yeah, in fact I am dreaming!' I went off flying again, through the ubiquitous dining-hall, bumping into a seated young woman because I was flying too low ' "Oh, I'm sorry; I don't seem to be able to fly very well in this dream!' and I went back and tried again, with no greater success if I remember right, just greater amusement....

Joy

Hi Joy, I haven't dreamt about camp, but I think I've got your dream colors, particularly that nice metallic copper, in my irridescent oil pastel set. I'd been thinking of suggesting that anyone so inclined bring their crayons or favorite art materials and maybe we could do some dream art at camp, or dream theater, songs, dance, etc. Hi Thea, I'm wondering what your dreams are like. Is there a visual element to them, or are they based on other senses? Can't wait to meet you all, Naomi

Hi, Joy. I think I shouldn't post here, because I have nothing to do with Maui (yet.) But I posted a NLD I had about the camp on the Comments and Conversation site. Expansive dreams, Kate

I am Bryan Bennett (posting here for the second time) from Kennesaw, Georgia (about 20 miles north of Atlanta). I am very much looking forward to visiting Hawaii for the first time and meeting so many other people who share my interest in lucid dreaming. I have been keeping a dream journal for a little over 3 years now and I usually recall about 2 dreams per night. The last few weeks,I have averaged about 1 lucid dream every 3 weeks but I usually awaken within a minute after becoming lucid. I am hoping to develop the ability to have lucid dreams more frequently and remain in them longer. Bryan

Aloha, Tropical Dreamers!

Naomi: Considering that art, theater, music, song, dance and poetry all encourage enhanced awareness of dreaming and waking, I think your suggestion of bringing to the retreat whatever creative materials you can gather is a natural -- and an excellent -- idea!

Bryan: Regarding your comment, "I am hoping to develop the ability to have lucid dreams more frequently and remain in them longer."

You will soon be in the right place, at the right time, and with just the right companions for developing and nurturing these specific skills. We will be presenting and working with various techniques throughout the days and nights that will not only help you to have lucid dreams at will, but also to stabilize them, or return to dreaming with awareness, should waking occur.

On the final day, we will experiment with a GGS (Great Group Spin) to see if we can extend our mutual dream in Hawaii!

;) Keelin

Okay Keelin, I put my picture on my profile. Is that how it's done? I'm feeling rather self conscious because nobody else posted theirs that I noticed.

As for my lucidity frequency, it averages about once every 2 weeks. Sometimes I have several in one morning, though then they tend to fade quickly since waking reality intrudes. I'm looking forward to strengthening my "lucidity muscles" at camp.

I noted that you posted somewhere that people into lucid dreaming often tend to be introverts. I'm wondering if any other introverts going to camp are a bit nervous about sharing a room for 10 days.

Kate, I hope you join us in camp in dream reality, (I'll save a place for you there), but make sure it's the right island. If you find yourself in Maui, just fly over to the big island.

a good lucid workout to all tonight, Naomi

That was courageous Naomi. Thanks for the picture. Just tested my reality. I'm not dreaming. Quick question, do you feel that a laptop is a viable medium for creating art? And if so, would it's mere fan remember us all too much about computers? ;) I'm not much with a pencil ;)

Unlike Naomi, I've not yet made a custom digital portrayal of myself. I'm working on a few ideas for a video aimed only at the people that are reading this page. I do, however, introduce myself and talk about my trip to Hawaii on www.lucid.tv

Joy. The person, the state of mind. Thank you. I've purchased "The tibetan Yogas of Dream And Sleep" and have greatly enjoyed it. It's made a sort of bridge between "the tibetan book of living and dying" and Lucid Dreaming in general. I'm only half done. Will try to get the rest done (and felt, digested) in time for arrival in Hawaii. Oh, and about your dreaming about a vacuum cleaner? That would be my absolute best dream to ever wish for as a "target dream". Since as long as I can remember I've found great comfort in the sound of a vacuum cleaner. I remember humming in tune with the white noise, achieving goose bumps almost instantly and for a prolonged period of time.

Keelin, I'm not sure if I've read correctly, but is there a participant with impaired vision? If so, can she read (hear) these lines? I find myself thinking of how incredible it will be to listen to hear speak 4 or 5 times a day... I've even started to listing text to voice software!

Aloha Dreamers,

Naomi: Thanks for posting your photo and leading the way for others to do the same. What I forgot to mention is that there are instructions for posting images under "Edit Profile" on the Forum's home page.

And don't worry about the room sharing. Lucid dreamers also tend to be very nice people! ;)

Michel: Yes, Thea (yet another Forum contributor!) will be joining us for the retreat and has already offered good suggestions for the next incarnation of the SuperNovaDreamer for those who cannot rely on sight assistance.

FYI: Group airport shuttle info to come soon!

Island dreams to all, Keelin

Greetings & Felicitations Fellow Dreamsters:

I followed Naomi's lead and posted my photo as well. Regarding dream recall and frequency, I've been upping my frequency of lucid dreams lately in preparation for a Good Time in Hawaii, and had a truly Great One last night! I think reading about some of Joy's dream colors must have inspired me, because I was wearing the most gorgeous shade of cerulean blue I've ever seen! I seem to be blessed with great powers of recall, because I remember almost all of my dreams and indeed, can remember dreams I had a year ago, five years ago, even when I was a kid! I wonder if it's tied into general memory capabilities, because I have a good mind for dates, numbers, names, etc., that really comes in handy at the law office, especially during trial prep.

I am really looking forward to meeting all of you good people. Until then,

Dream on! June

Naomi, I empathize. Keelin is an extrovert and maybe doesn't understand! I've heard a "definition": An extrovert is a person who, at the end of a long day, wants to go to a party to unwind. An introvert needs to be alone to unwind. Hey, I can't even imagine wanting to go to a party to unwind! Doesn't matter how nice the people are: we "I" sorts need unpopulated time.

Joy

p.s. I just added a photo to my profile but if you want to use it to recognize me by, you will need to open it in Adobe Photoshop and add a little gray hair.

Dear Joy & Naomi,

The definition I've heard (and agree with) is: "an extrovert is one who is energized by being with people" not necessarily one who seeks stimulation. On any given day, I would judge myself to be truly more "I" than "E", but will admit that being in the company of lucid dreamers is delightfully energizing.

I before E, Keelin

Hi Naomi and Joy

I join you in being a bit of an introvert, although I don't appear as such to most people. I can wholly identify, however, with the definition you posted, Joy. I too need to be alone to unwind.

I've also given more than a passing thought at sleeping in a room with a stranger. I have enough trouble sleeping in strange places as it is! :-)

I'm hoping I can join you in some yoga, Naomi. Upon my return to Vancouver I will be starting a year long yoga teacher certification course and it will be nice to have someone to practice with while in Hawaii.

Andrea

Okay, I've added my picture now too. I figure since we're going to Hawaii to dream that a "sleeping on the beach" picture would be appropriate.

Andrea

Hmm, have I started an insurrection here, a "Revolt of the Introverts"? Am I going to be remembered as the one who planted the seed of dissatisfaction with shared rooms, stirring up trouble in paradise before any of us even got there? Well, I'm willing to keep an open mind and see what develops. Maybe I'll like this new experience of sharing a room.

Andrea, I'll be happy to practice yoga with you and anyone else who's interested. Maybe there will be a yoga aspect incorporated into the program. Again, we'll see what develops.

Michel, of course computer art is art. That reminds me, will those without laptops be able to access our email there?

Joy and June, those are beautiful photos.

One week to go, Naomi

'The definition I've heard (and agree with) is: "an extrovert is one who is energized by being with people" not necessarily one who seeks stimulation. '

This was one of the best things I got out of reading Kiersey's Please Understand Me (after taking the test at the Stanford Dream Camp I became interested enough to read up on it, as he'd predict an NF would :-).

For most of my life I assumed most other people had much more energy than I did because they could go to a crowded noisy party and be able to stay all night while I'd be exhausted after a half hour or so. I never even suspected that they were getting more energy from the experience.

Now that I know where the instructions are I'll try to remember to post a picture tonight.

Excellent, wonderful posts, this is my first and am thrilled to be attending. Loved hearing about the flying and the colors. If there's a lack in my dreaming, it would be in the nonflying, the closest I've come is stretching out my arms and running down a hill, and the lack of colors. Though thats not consistant and they've been more colorful and vibrant associated with this gathering.

Food definately affects my dreaming. Someone once suggested eating a specific Jewish pastry laden with poppy seed for colorful dreams, it worked!

The particulars of the sleeping arraingement escape me. All of us in the same room? I'm a funny mix of "I" and "E". Are we setting an intention to dream together? To raise the consciousness of one another, like the little flames of a stove burner joining together to accomplish the task of cooking?

Definately hope to do yoga while there and am looking forward to all, expectantly, Joe

I loved the flames of a stove burner image, Joe. I'll be interested in whether my roommate(s) perceive me as an I or an E. I think I'm something comfortably in-between. But I do happen to do an awful lot of flying in dreams and sometimes have to remind myself to try other things, like running underwater or cartwheeling in space instead of flying. It's just so much FUN though!

I would also love to do yoga, although I haven't done much of it. Are newcomers welcome? I'm a white sash in tai chi and we do some standing meditations and "silk reeling" which are maybe similar? Anyhow, it sounds fun and I'd love to try it out with the rest of you yoga practitioners.

That's a beautiful photo Andrea! Really dreamy. I liked Naomi's Reality Test, too. It's been great seeing the rest of the group who have posted pictures. What a lovely group we are, hey? I know I'm getting excited ...