Sunday, August 31, 2014

Dream Control Essentials


The following is a lesson from the upcoming 2014 edition of The Lucid Dreaming Fast Track  For more lessons like this, check out my course at the website.

The best way to actively control your lucid dreams is to exploit unconscious dream principles. Today I'll show you how they work with some of the most common dream desires: flying, changing the scenery and making music.


Flying Dreams 

Most lucid dreamers love to fly...


However, flying dreams are not always that easy to control... and that's not surprising - we have no experience of flying unaided in real life!

Where does the energy go in take-off?

How do we guide our air speed, direction or altitude?

What is the driving force of this fanciful flight?

But these are physical concerns, and the lucid dream is a mental construct. Which is why your new ability to fly in your dreams is founded mentally, not physically.

Remember in The Matrix when Morpheus asks Neo how he beat him in a virtual reality fight? He asks, was it because he was stronger, faster, or fitter in the simulated world?

No. It was because he truly believed he was better.

​It’s the same concept in lucid dreams.

(It's not surprising, perhaps, that the Wachowskis themselves are lucid dreamers. Without ever alluding to it, The Matrix is a veritable instruction manual for lucid dream control.)


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For most people, successful flight boils down to the level of confidence you have in defying imaginary gravity. Overcoming that mental hurdle requires the absolute certainty that you are dreaming.

So, start with the clarifying statement: "I'm dreaming."

Elaborate if you feel those words alone aren't hitting the mark: "I'm inside a dream. This is all in my head. I can do anything here." Perform a reality check and boost your lucidity.

The next step is to practice your new anti-gravity mindset. Demonstrate to yourself and to the dream that you can hop and bounce along the dreamscape perfectly well.

Remember that it’s all a dream and you are safe.

Now start to hover... and fly. All within your comfort zone at first.

The more you succeed, the more confidence you will build. For a lot of people, this small bit of practice is all it takes before they go soaring off above the clouds, Superman style.

Repeat: "I'm dreaming. I can fly!" if you feel like you're faltering at any time.

For an alternative boost, use a flying aid like a jet pack, giant wings, Iron Man suit, or a dragon. This can give the ultimate confidence in your flying abilities. Some dreamers swear by it.


Creating Dream Scenes

You're standing alongside Gandalf, fighting off The Black Uruks of Barad-dur (only the most feared orcs in Middle Earth) when you realize it's all getting a bit much and you'd prefer to be gazing at a turquoise lagoon in the Caribbean. In 1720.

No problem - just change the dream scene.




There's just one minor drawback. Simply thinking of a beach location isn't usually enough to get you there.

Of course, we're still in the mental construct of a lucid dream and the same rule applies as before. The hurdle you must overcome is defying the waking logic that "scenes" do not just "appear".

I like to get a bit creative with scene changes and you will likely find completely different methods that work for you. Here are some of my favorites to start off with:

  • It's behind you. I wanted to eat lucidly in my dream but I was in the middle of an empty field. So imagined there was a restaurant behind me, and when I turned around a second later, there it was. I went in and ordered a delicious meal of roast chicken.

  • Mirror portals. Did you know that mirrors are portals to other realities? Of course you did. The crucial element is understanding that the glass is actually a viscous liquid and you may plunge your face right in there, only to emerge in a brand new scene.

  • Dream doors. These are well known for their illogical nature. A dream door stands inexplicably in the middle of a dreamscape, or is any door leading to the unknown. Closing a dream door and opening it again can reveal a completely different time or place.

  • Spin around. Cited as a dream stabilizer, spinning can also transform your dreamscene. Your calm expectation of the desired location will create it for you. Spinning also causes the dream to fade to black. Some dreamers call this "the void" - a place for quiet meditation - while others see it as simply a lack of visual scenery. I recommend exploring this curious state. 

  • Movie reel. From the blackness, you can initiate a new scene by watching it appear on a distant movie reel in the darkness. Allow the reel to approach you in space before becoming fully immersed in the frame.


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In all of these scenarios, the most important thing is to have a calm expectation of what you seek.

When semi-lucid, you may find yourself in a battle of logic with your unconscious dreaming mind. Nothing about the dream is changing how you'd like. If so, remind yourself clearly: "I am dreaming" and perform your lucidity stabilization techniques. Then try again.

One of the most powerful ways to have your expectation fulfilled is to say the words out loud:

  • "I'm in Jurassic Park."
  • "I can shoot fireballs from my hands."
  • "Through this portal, it's one million years B.C."
  • "I'm a giant man in a land of tiny apes."
  • "I have telekinetic powers."
  • "I'm Batman."
  • "I'm Guybrush Threepwood."


Saying it out loud just makes it more real.

Soundtracks


I love to hear music in my lucid dreams. It's like the experience of listening to music in real life - but often more potent. The sound surrounds you. You dance on the inside. You can even see it.

Sometimes music arises spontaneously in lucid dreams but if not, summon it using the same principle as before. Audializing sound in your head may not come naturally to everyone so just say out loud:

"I can hear violins playing."

Then await the music.

You can also seek out your favorite composer or instrument and allow the dream to progress naturally. If you can recreate your lucid dream music on waking - you've struck gold:


"Being lucid, I wiped out everything and stood in the clouds. I constructed a huge piano out of light and started conducting it. I say conducting rather than playing, because I didn't have to touch the piano to make it play. I was waving my fingers at it like a wizard. Every time I played a key, that note would send light up into the sky.

I played the four chords with my left hand and the music became louder and warmer. Then I started playing the other parts of the song. My mood lifted with the pace of the music. Drums joined in out of nowhere. A soft bass hummed underneath us and buzzed in elation at the end of each bar. I made fills and solos and flourishes. It was awesome."

- Peter Casale 
[Listen to the song, Lucid, on YouTube.]


Remember that you don't need an instrument, nor any technical knowledge of creating music, in order to conjure beautiful sounds in a lucid dream. It's all in your memory and your imagination.

I'm not an accomplished musician. I play piano by ear, because I'm too lazy to read sheet music. I don't play any other instruments. And yet, I have wonderfully musical lucid dreams.

I once dreamed of composing a song with many instruments while leaping across lily pads. Each time I landed, another part of the soundtrack grew in complexity.

Other musical dreams have been fueled by emotions and movement; so that flying creates light, string-filled pieces... and bursts of happiness create twinkling noises, the intensity of which I can see.

Turns out there aren't enough words in my vocabulary to describe the awesomeness of lucid dream music.


For more lessons like this -- including step-by-step advice on becoming lucid, sustaining your lucidity, exploring your dreams, and applying the benefits to your waking life -- see the Lucid Dreaming Fast Track  course.

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Lucid Dreaming Lessons

17 Things Learned from Lucid Dreaming

17 Things I've Learned in 17 Years of Lucid Dreaming
By Rebecca Turner 


I've been lucid dreaming for almost 17 years now. That sounds like a long time. And yet, I've still got a lot to learn.

To the newcomer to lucid dreaming - who has the whole exciting journey ahead of them - I want to share some of the most profound, useful and surprising lessons from my experience. 

I hope this sees you well on your dream travels.


1. Mindfulness is key. The easiest way to produce ongoing lucid dreams is to make it a mental habit to observe and question your reality. Look out for clues that you might be dreaming and always have that in the back of your mind. Critical thinking is a severely under-appreciated trait. For lucid dreamers it is essential.

2. The senses are illusory. Your brain is capable of simulating a solid replica of waking physical reality in a lucid dream. It's mind-blowing. The idea that physical reality is necessary for us to perceive at all... is simply an illusion.

"Whatever I have accepted until now as most true has come to me through my senses. But occasionally I have found that they have deceived me, and it is unwise to trust completely those who have deceived us even once."

~ Rene Descartes


3. Nightmares are healthy. Nightmares release difficult feelings and rehearse fears and possible outcomes. They form a therapeutic and protective mechanism which help preserve your mental health. Embrace them always - especially lucid nightmares which you will remember most intensely.

4. Dream figures are unpredictable. People in lucid dreams resist being classified. Sometimes they can represent parts of your psyche, sometimes reflections of their real life counterparts, and sometimes simply empty shells. They rarely tell explicit truths; like dreams themselves, their insights are usually encoded.

Dream Figures are Unpredictable

5. Expectations rule. In a lucid dream, your conscious expectations play a significant role. Have bold confidence that you can fly, and you'll enjoy boundless flights of fancy. Expect to meet your soul mate behind a door, and he or she will be waiting with a smile. Narrate your expectations for best effect - for example, "I'm going to leap into space now!"

6. Always intensify your lucidity. There's always potential to further intensify your lucidity, making the experience longer, richer and more easily directed. Rub your hands together, perform a reality check, say "I'm dreaming" and study your palms. All provide more consciousness at the start of a lucid dream and should be done any time you feel your awareness is fading.

7. Lucidity is slippery. If you don't maximize your lucidity, it's highly likely that your awareness will slip away sooner than you'd like. This is due to the reduced functionality of your sleeping brain - it is simply harder to focus for long periods of time. Regularly remind yourself that you're dreaming to bring your full attention back to the reality of the dream.

8. False awakenings rock. Dreaming of simply waking up can be frustrating. But false awakenings can also be an enlightening reminder that there is a weird and wonderful world in there yet to be explored. They are so vivid, and so powerfully convincing, it is surely an invitation to play. A false awakening is like my brain challenging me to go deeper down the rabbit hole.

Down The Rabbit Hole

9. Sleep paralysis can be awesome. No, not always. Many people suffer needlessly with this paralyzing condition. But harnessing it in a positive way can produce a snap gateway to a lucid dream. If sleep paralysis is a factor in your life (and it may be, whether you lucid dream or not) you may as well put it to great use. Instead of fighting it - use it to become lucid.

10. Lucid dreaming is a sleeping meditation. Studies have found that lucidity creates intense focus, self awareness and dissociation from the outside world - just like meditation. Furthermore, the stimulus of a lucid dream can be dissolved to nothing, allowing you to experience pure consciousness in a void. What better kind of meditation could there be?

11. Lucid memories are golden. Waking memories are a patchwork of subjective emotions and sensory interpretations. Your brain does little to differentiate lucid dream memories - it's all "real". So, whether you've just lucid dreamed of surfing the greatest wave, or meeting your hero in the flesh, those memories will feel real and vivid and wonderful years from now.

Lucid Dream Memory

12. Lucid dreaming is a lifestyle. You can lose the ability to lucid dream if you disregard it long enough. Stress, drugs, sleep deprivation, a hectic lifestyle... myriad factors can get in the way of lucid dreaming, even for long term practitioners. To keep lucid dreams coming, make it a lifestyle choice to respect your sleep and dreams.

13. Lucidity is a by-product. Lucid dreaming is the accidental love child of dreams and consciousness. Perhaps the evolution of lucid dreaming will prove a highly useful adaptation; by reducing stress, enhancing our problem solving skills, and in a host of other ways that impact on our success as a species.

14. No two lucid dreams are the same. Even if you adore lucid dreaming of the same thing (hello... flying!) each dream will be totally unique. It's unlike replaying the same level of your favorite video game. In each dream, you'll feel different emotions, explores different locales, and improve your abilities.

15. Conscious dreams are a conduit to creativity. Without the critical left brain vetoing creative ideas on the trot, lucid dreaming allows unrestricted artistic expression. This opens you up to thoughts, feelings, solutions and imagery you might not explore in waking life.

Surreal Dreams

16. Lucid dreams are therapeutic. Helpful insights are often encoded in your regular dreams - and lucid dreaming allows you to seek specific wisdom straight from the horse's mouth. Sometimes known as "the dreamer of the dream", "the silent observer" or "the inner self", you can access this source by shouting any question out loud and waiting for the dream's candid response.

17. The learning curve is steep. In the beginning, lucid dreaming might feel like all work and no play. Induction is usually the greatest challenge. But it's a sharp learning curve; well worth investing the initial intensive practice to reap the rewards of a lifetime of exhilarating lucid dreams.

Sound awesome? It truly is... and everyone is capable of it. Learn how to start lucid dreaming with my Lucid Dreaming Fast Track.

Friday, August 29, 2014

Whiten teeth naturally



remedies_home_yellow_teeth


 We live in an age that is almost ruled by coffee, which happens to be one of the biggest contributors to staining teeth and making them yellow. While step number one for whiter teeth would be to limit coffee intake, for some of us that may not be what we are ready for. So we’ve compiled a list of natural ways you can whiten your teeth at home.

Dental hygiene is important. It can be a contributing factor to many diseases in other areas of the body if not properly taken care of. One of the biggest ways we can damage our teeth is through acidic foods and drinks. In fact, a lot of times, the reason for yellow teeth is due to the consumption of an acidic diet that causes the enamel to wear away on teeth if they are not properly taken care of.

Disadvantages of Whitestrips & Bleaching


There are a number of whitening options one can explore via dentists, whitening professionals or the drugstore. These include bleaching trays, professional bleaching treatments and products like Whitestrips. There is no doubt that these products do work, but there are reported disadvantages to these options that don’t exist with doing the methods below correctly.


Often times the treatments above utilize harsh ingredients that can have quite powerful effect of gums and teeth. This can create sensitivity for both even after first use. For example, studies suggest that between 1/3 and 1/2 of all people who use Whitestrips will notice some degree of gum tissue irritation. If you’ve tried these products in the past, you may have seen great results and had no irritation, but if you did experience irritation, try the options below for a more natural approach that is more in-line with a sustainable option as well.

Home Remedies For Yellow Teeth


1. Baking Soda


Baking soda is known as being one of the most effective options for whitening teeth. It’s why you see it added to a number of toothpaste brands. Simply add some to your toothbrush while it is fairly wet and then brush your teeth. Make sure the baking soda is wet enough and not dry as in a very dry state it can scratch your enamel. But once wet, it becomes soft and dissolves.  *I’ve personally used this method and found that it worked very well. Make sure you don’t use it dry! Also consider trying it as a mouthwash. Add more water to it and swish it around)

2. Strawberries


Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, which helps to make your teeth whiter. You can do this by crushing a few berries and then applying them to your teeth. Let it sit for about 3 -5 minutes and then rinse out your mouth well.

3. Lemon


Lemon has a solid bleaching power, many have used it for their hair but it can be used for the teeth as well. Squeeze lemon juice into a small bowl and add some sea salt to it. Grind it down to a pit so you produce a soft paste. Apply that to your teeth and let sit for 3 – 5 minutes. Rinse well. It’s important to rinse this well as you don’t want to let it sit over long periods of time and break away enamel.

4. Hydrogen Peroxide


Hydrogen Peroxide can be used quite effectively to whiten teeth. Due to its very mild bleaching properties, it can be put on the teeth topically to help remove stains. Create a 30/60 mix of hydrogen peroxide to water. Use it as a rinse for about 60 seconds and then spit it out. *I have also tried putting it directly on my teeth with a q-tip and letting it sit for 60 seconds. This worked well also.

5. Banana Peel


This one is controversial and I personally wouldn’t say this should be your go to option. Some health professionals say it works, while other say it doesn’t. In the end, the gritty surface, which is rich in magnesium and potassium, may polish teeth and helped remove some stains on the enamel. Results vary greatly and given the other options available, it’s probably best to stick with them, but this could work according to some. To do it, simply rub your teeth with the inside of a ripe banana peel for 2 – 5 minutes. Rinse when finished. Do this twice a day.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

August Conscious Box - Gluten-Free

August Conscious Box 2014 - Gluten-Free

How Does Conscious Box work?

Conscious Box is the best way to discover the most ethical and sustainable products on the planet! Focusing on strict tenets of organic, fair trade, and pure and natural products, each month Conscious Box will introduce you to healthy and honest alternatives for every aspect of your life and for every member of your family. Discover the best natural products, earn points for leaving feedback and reviews, and buy your favorites at incredible discounts!

  • Get a variety of unique pure & natural products every month!
  • From organic food to vegan beauty products, you’re sure to find new favorites!
  • Discover ethical and purpose-driven businesses of all sizes!
  • Get content on daily living tips, exciting monthly themes, and creative ways to use your box!
  • Easily earn points you can apply to full size products for unbeatable discounts!




Orgain Healthy Kids Organic Nutritional Shake


BioDerived Picnic Kits Utensils Set
BioDerived Picnic Kits Utensils Set




Own Beauty Anti-Aging Trio
Own Beauty Anti-Aging Trio








Nordic Naturals Vitamin C Gummies

 


Glee Gum Peppermint Gum
Glee Gum Peppermint Gum




Dr. Schar Chocolate Chip Cookies

Dr. Schar Chocolate Chip Cookies





Glee Gum Bubble Gum
Glee Gum Bubble Gum




        
Zarbee's Naturals Cough & Throat Relief Daytime Drink




Explore Asian Organic Black Bean Spaghetti
Explore Asian Organic Black Bean Spaghetti




Bookshout! E-Cookbook Cards
Bookshout! E-Cookbook Cards