The Lucid Spectrum

Lucidity is not a single state, but rather exists on a spectrum with different levels of lucidity. While conscious awareness is the basis of a lucid dream, your lucid dreaming experience depends on what level of lucidity you manage to achieve. The level of lucidity you experience in a lucid dream impacts on intensity and vividness of the lucid dream; clarity and stability of the lucid dream; the amount of dream control and manipulation you can exert on the lucid dream; and the length of the lucid dream.

Level 0 - Normal Non-Lucid Dream

This is the default dream state, where the dreamer is not consciously aware that they are dreaming and is unable to control any aspect of the dream. Even if your normal, non-lucid dream is very intense and vivid, you accept the dream as reality and do not question it. Normal, non-lucid dreams are created entirely by the subconscious, and are based on real life waking memories, thoughts, feelings and sensations. 

Level 1 - Pre-Lucid Dream

A pre-lucid dream is the very beginning of the lucid dream process. During a pre-lucid dream, the dreamer will question whether they might be in a dream, but may not come to the correct conclusion. The term 'pre-lucid' was coined by Celia Green in Lucid Dreams (1968). Earl Vickers developed a checklist of situations which are common in pre-lucid dreams:

• Misinterpreted dreamsigns - the dreamer notices incongruous or uncanny events, objects or thoughts which suggest they are in a dream, but instead of becoming fully lucid, draw an alternative explanation of the dreamsign
• Failed reality checks - while something (i.e. recognition of a dreamsign) leads to a reality check, failure of the reality check (i.e. the outcome is either the same as the real life waking outcome, or the dreamer fails to successfully use the reality check to become lucid) confirm the mistaken belief that the dreamer is awake and experiencing reality
• Pseudo-lucid dreams - the dreamer is aware they are dreaming, but fails to become consciously aware they are actually asleep and dreaming in reality
• The dreamer tries to convince a dream character they are dreaming while failing to recognise they are themselves in a dream
• Normal, non-lucid dreams about dreaming, without the dreamer being consciously aware they are in a dream
• False awakenings where the dreamer is unaware they are actually dreaming, and believes they have actual woken up and are experiencing real life

Level 2 - Semi-Lucid Dream

Beginner lucid dreamers often experience semi-lucid dreams, typically as a result of a DILD (Dream-Initiated Lucid Dream). The dreamer may experience conscious awareness that they are in a dream, but will be unable to exert any form of dream control over the lucid dream. Semi-lucid dreams are characterised by lack of clarity and stability - this is a very precarious and hazy lucid state. It is very easy to lapse from a semi-lucid dream back into a normal, non-lucid dream. 

Level 3 - Fully-Lucid Dream

In a fully-lucid dream, the dreamer is absolutely certain they are experiencing a dream and therefore have complete conscious awareness. This is the level of lucidity in which it becomes possible to control and manipulate the dream.

Level 4 - Dissolved Dream

Within Tibetan Buddhism, there is a state of lucidity which surpasses and goes beyond the fully-lucid state. Dissolving the dream refers to the ability to move beyond the physical sensations of the dream and any sensory data in order to reach a higher plane of consciousness of the purest form.

Dream 810 (PRECOGNITIVE DREAM?!)

'Nuclear Disaster in the Ocean'

Date: 16 April 2017

Time: 05:30 - 11:00 (I woke up from this dream due to an alarm)

Type of dream: Vivid dream/Pre-Lucid Dream/Precognitive Dream
Dream recall: Strong recall (some aspects forgotten due to length of dream)

Firstly, I want to state that I am not a believer in extra-sensory perception - at least I would describe myself as a sceptic. I have written various articles 'debunking' or critiquing some of the less-scientific aspects of lucid dream culture and plan to do more in the future. My aim is not to impose my worldview or perspective on anyone (atheist, humanist, liberal), but to provide my own study on a topic and present it in a way which considers both angles and then draws a conclusion reached using my skills as a researcher and lawyer. If readers do not agree with my opinion, that is fine - I have friends of all faiths and beliefs, we just interpret our existence differently. 

So, when I say this was a precognitive dream, I am not actually suggesting that this dream is predicting the future. I have written very briefly on precognitive dreams in relation to another theme. I do believe that sometimes dreams foreshadow real world events, because I believe that humans pick up so many more subconscious cues about their waking reality. These subconscious cues may be projected in our dreams, mixed up with other dream content. Therefore, when events happen - in the dreamer's personal life, or the world at large - it seems like we might have predicted them in our dream. I will write more about this subject at a later date. 

In this dream - which was a Pre-Lucid dream - I was telling myself that this was a precognitive dream. That does not necessarily mean that it is. It was my subconscious self telling me this. This was a Pre-Lucid dream in that I did not become fully aware that I was in a dream, but I was questioning reality as implied by me saying 'this is a precognitive dream'. I should have used this as a dreamsign to trigger full lucidity. 

I have forgotten some elements of this very vivid dream, due to the fact it was such a long dream and I simply could not process all of my recall effectively upon waking.

Scene 1: Exterior - Day
I was watching a scene unfold. I cannot quite recall how I was watching - it seemed as if I was there at the scene. At first I felt like I was my younger self. I saw myself in third-person perspective, and thought: 'this is a school photograph', but I was only looking at my chin up close. I had some conversation with DL and I realised I was actually an adult. 

I was aware - through watching and listening - that a massive disaster was happening on a global scale. The reports of the incident were not clear at first, and then seemed to come from a variety of sources, so it was as if I was watching various news channels, or trying to piece together the story. The disaster was a nuclear event - some kind of spillage. I saw this via a video of the ocean, which was on a stormy day - from the perspective of someone standing on the beach. The report of this incident told me that a man had gone into the sea and been contaminated by the nuclear spillage, and he washed up on shore looking like a block of pink jelly. I saw an image of this - it was like a block of large wobbly pink jelly on the beach. I said to DL: 'He is like a real life version of that character from X-Men'. DL said: 'You can't say that about an accident' but I just laughed and said that I could say what I wanted. Th character from the X-Men I was referring to Senator Robert Kelly (I just looked this up, I did not know this in the dream). 

I then saw a new report, which looked like it was filmed from space - some distance away from Earth, so that it could be seen as a sphere - but still close enough to be able to identify all the countries very easily. I saw a pink slime start to descend across the globe - like someone was pouring this substance on top of the planet. This was the nuclear spillage and the report was saying that this disaster was going to wipe out all life on Earth - it would soon be affecting the UK. Everyone was going into panic mode. I felt calm, but confused as why this was happening. DL said: 'It's because of the war' and I thought: 'This is a precognitive dream' - by this I meant, World War III is coming and this nuclear disaster in the ocean will be part of the conflict. I thought to myself: 'I need to warn people'.

Scene 2: A Beach - Day
I was then standing on a beach - I knew I was really there, not simply watching it because it was cold and I was aware that dusk was approaching. This was in the UK I think, because I was aware that I was watching the local volunteers who had signed up to help solve the nuclear disaster before it affected the UK. These people were all going to sail out to sea and try and clean up the nuclear spill. I only recall one person who was there - Anakin Skywalker as a 9 year old (as he is in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) - played by Jake Lloyd). He was the best chance of success - all the other dream characters (there were less than 20) were adults and I think they may have all been male. These men got into a rowing boat - this was what they were going to sail out into the middle of the ocean in. I thought: 'This better work'.

Scene 3: A Bedroom - Night
I was aware that I was supposed to contact R3A and tell him about the nuclear disaster because the way the slime was dripping down the Earth it would affect Scotland before England and I knew he had not heard about it yet. I was laying in a bed in a bedroom, which was mine in the dream, but not a room I know from real life. I decided that I should try and make myself look beautiful, so I started rubbing cream on my face and then started to apply makeup in a dressing table mirror. I was listening to some music which I was enjoying - but I cannot recall what music it was. 

I wandered into another part of the room, where there was a wardrobe with mirrored doors, showing my entire reflection. I could see that the carpet was beige. I was wearing a black dress with many lace sections, which showed my skin through it. I decided that I would go out to a nightclub, but I wanted to dance to the music first. I started bellydancing and admired my body, which seemed to be in good shape. I remembered I needed to tell R3A about the nuclear disaster, and got my mobile phone out to call/text him and warn him he needed to find a nuclear shelter. However, I became distracted by the idea of taking some photographs of myself. I started to adopt some sexy poses and took some photographs. I then realised that I shared the room with an ex-housemate from the days of my first undergraduate degree in the University of York. This girl - SFC was a nightmare to live with and displayed numerous unusual personality traits. I have not seen her since I graduated from York. SFC was sitting at a desk just to my right side. The desk was an old-fashioned writing desk. She was working on something. She said: 'Turn this music off and put on Arbage Garbage [this was not the name of the band she said, but it is the best approximation based on my memory]'.

I said: 'This is the first song on the album and it's the first time I've heard it'. I wanted to keep my music on. SFC insisted that we listen to Arbage Garbage, because they were better. I was not convinced. I made her promise that we would listen to my music as soon as we had listened to the Arbage Garbage album, which SFC agreed to. I then realised that the nuclear disaster might reach the UK and kill us before this could happen, so I was not happy. 

Scene 4: Outside a Building - Night
EB was involved in the dream, but I cannot recall what happened regarding him.

I found myself outside a building. I saw a number of dream characters, 3 of which were 'protesting' by the entrance to the building, which looked like a commercial premises. The protest involved 2 male dream characters (unrecalled) and a female who I recognised from real life, but cannot recall. They were standing behind something which looked like an ironing board. The 'protest' was about the name 'Honor'. They were chanting the name, and I was aware they were trying to say that it was not a 'real name'. I approached the female and said: 'I used to work in a hotel where there were 2 females named Honor' (this is true, when I worked with my Mum in a hotel in Sheringham, there were 2 colleagues, one named Honor (and older woman) and another named Oner (a young girl at the time).

I cannot recall anything else about this dream at present.

Extra Information: 
None of note

Recurrent Dream Themes: 

• DL as a dream character

Dreamsigns: 

• The nuclear incident - everything about it
• I was with SFC, who I have not seen in years

Day Residue: 

• On the day of this dream I had been involved in a debate on a Hip Hop Debates page on Facebook. One man was criticising Kendrick Lamar and another said he needed to give him another listen and let him 'resonate'. I agreed, saying if you love something on the first listen/watch/read - i.e. you have an immediate response - it's not challenging you or changing/transforming you in any way and art should be challenging and transformative

Waking Reactions: 
This dream was so fascinating as it was pre-lucid and was described by my subconscious self as being 'precognitive'. A nuclear disaster is one of my greatest fears, and it was very surprising to note my incredibly self-absorbed and nonchalant response to my waking fear within the dream. I very much enjoyed having this dream.

If I recall anything else about this dream, I will record it below.

Dream 791

'Unrecorded Dreams'

Date: 9 March 2017

Time: 21:30 - 05:45 (I woke up from this dream naturally)

Type of dream: Normal dream/Pre-lucid dream
Dream recall: Normal recall

Scene 1: A Public Toilet - Time Unknown
I was in a public toilet which was familiar - it reminded me of both public toilets at my University and also those in The Forum, Norwich - although in the dream, the toilets were different from both of these real life locations. I was feeling the back of my front lower teeth with my tongue and realised there was a rough patch which should not be there. I wondered if I would be able to get it removed by the dentist (of which I have a huge phobia, not having attended since I was a young child). 

Scene 2: A Shop, Location Unknown - Time Unknown
I was then in a shop - the shop mainly sold books, although there were other items on display. It was a large shop - more like a department store and I had a strong sense of deja-vu, despite not being able to recognise this shop from real life. I was wondering (within the dream itself) if I had ever been in this shop before as it felt so familiar. I then wondered if I had 'dreamed' of the shop before and that was why it seemed recognisable. Despite this wondering, this was not a lucid dream as I was not consciously aware that I was dreaming - it felt like real life with me thinking about dreaming. I assumed I was awake. I still cannot recall why this shop felt so familiar.

Scene 3: My Bedroom, Norwich - Time Unknown
I was then standing in my own bedroom in Norwich, looking at my desk, on which there are a number of notebooks, both for my academic and creative writing. I thought: 'I have 2 dreams to record' - in the dream I knew that these dreams were jotted down in my notebook and needed to be recorded onto this Blog. In real life, there were not 2 dreams in that notebook which needed to be written up. 

Extra Information: 
None of note

Recurrent Dream Themes: 

• None of note

Dreamsigns: 

• None of note

Day Residue: 

• None of note - I cannot recognise any specific Day Residue

Waking Reactions: 
This was a very interesting dream as it seemed to be a Pre-Lucid dream - I was not yet lucid/consciously aware, but I was thinking about dreaming within the dream. 

Dream 779

'Cancer & Makeup Molestation'

Date: 14 February 2017

Time: 02:30 - 05:40 (I woke up from this dream naturally)

Type of dream: Vivid dream; Pre-Lucid Dream
Dream recall: Strong  recall

This dream is part of my Dream Incubation Experiment - where I ask my subconscious mind: WHAT DOES MY HEART DESIRE? You can read the introductory post (and watch the accompanying Youtube video by clicking HERE - opens in new window)

Scene 1: An Exterior - Day
I was outside with my Mum - it was not a bright sunny day, it seemed grey and dreary. My Mum told me that she had cancer and that it was terminal. I was so shocked and upset and kept asking if she had 'had a biopsy yet?' even though it was clear she had been fully diagnosed. I was asking when she would start treatment and she was telling me that there was no point. The thing which was bothering me was how cheerful and happy she seemed, as if nothing was wrong at all. We were walking on a path and it took a while for me to realise that I had not even asked her what type of cancer it was. She told me the a medical term, which I understood (in the dream - I cannot recall the words, but I think the medical term included the word 'trapezium') as 'cancer of the shoulder blade'. I was experiencing a muted or less 'strong' version of the same emotions I would feel if I had been told this news in real life - shock, fear, sadness, desperation, unfairness...etc. I asked my Mum if I may have 'predicted she had cancer in one of my dreams' - remembering (within this dream) an actual previous dream I had - see Dream 739 - 'Gifts & Chemotherapy Wigs'. This was quite a relief to me, because I think I may have been pre-lucid and aware that I was actually asking: 'is this dream a prediction of reality?'

At some point, I was in my Nan's house. I cannot recall what happened during this scene.

Scene 2: An Interior - Time Unknown
I was then sitting on a blanket on the floor, surrounded by makeup and cosmetics. In front of me, also sitting on the floor was a female dream character. She was small and had a very round face, very pale skin, straight black shoulder-length hair with a fringe and light blue eyes. I was applying her makeup and aware that I was working as a makeup artist. I was putting pale blue eyeshadow on the female, the same colour as her eyes. I accidentally dropped the glass jar of blue eyeshadow I was holding and thought it had gone down my shirt, as I could feel something touching my chest. When I went to look, I saw that the female dream character was sexually assaulting me, touching my boobs under my top. I was angry and shouted at her to stop.

I cannot recall what else happened in this dream.

Extra Information: None of note

Recurrent Dream Themes: 

• My Mum as a dream scene character
• Reference to cancer in relation to my Mum

Dreamsigns: 

• The situation with my Mum
• I was a makeup artist

Day Residue

• I have recently experienced temporary shoulder pain (right shoulder) after sleeping
• It is likely I saw references to cancer at some point prior to this dream
• I had been reading through all the dreams uploaded on my Dream Incubation Experiment Index Page (click on title link to go to Index Page) - and saw the entry for Dream 739 - 'Gifts & Chemotherapy Wigs'
• A couple of days before this dream I had been talking about my Dad's side of the family with SC and ML and how I first met my paternal aunt when she came over from Iran for his funeral - my Dad died of lung cancer a number of years ago
• A couple of days ago I had been discussing how I used to be obsessed with my aunt's (medical training) anatomy books when I was a small child
• On the day of this dream I had been watching makeup videos on Youtube and had also been applying my own makeup
• On the day of this dream I had been watching Jenna Marbles videos on Youtube and not only watched some of her makeup-themed videos, but also one in which she discussed unwanted touching by strangers, so perhaps the themes of makeup application and physical molestation were connected in my subconscious due to this - I also watched a video where she introduced her mum, Debbie, and another where she applied makeup to her Mum. This may have resulted in my Mum being linked to these themes as well. During the video where Jenna introduces her mum, she continually pokes and prods her which her mum jokingly says she wishes Jenna would stop doing because the constant touching is annoying her

Waking Reactions: 

This dream may be related to my Dream Incubation Experiment in that it reveals a subconscious (or actually, conscious) fear - as nightmares or bad dreams often do. I see this as a Pre-Lucid Dream as it appears that I was asking my Mum whether my dreams were predicting the future, not only because I was aware that I had a previous dream about her having cancer - and seemed to be on the brink of being aware that this dream was actually a dream - about cancer. This was one of my most troublesome and negative dreams in a long time.

I have found out (now, while recording this dream) that there is a trapezium bone in the hand and a trapezius muscle in the area of the neck/spine/shoulder - so in my dream I subconsciously used an almost correct anatomical term for the relevant area of the body (shoulder blade). I have probably seen reference to the trapezius muscle and where it is located on the body while using weights machines at the gym.

Here is my Youtube video where I describe my current Dream Incubation Experiment:

Dream 476

'Guess Who I Had Sex With?'

Dream date: 17 August 2015 (Dream #1 of this date)

Scene 1: A Dark Bedroom - Time Unknown
I was in a dark bedroom with CM - a male from my hometown, Sheringham, who was in my year in school. I have never - and do not - find CM attractive, but in the dream, he and I were having sex, in the 'doggy style' position on a double bed. I wondered why I never see my sexual partner face-to-face when having sex in a dream (this was a thought in the dream, indicating pre-lucidity - as I was questioning my actions within a dream, even though I did not become fully lucid). I did not have an orgasm from the sexual encounter nor feel sexually aroused during or after the dream.

Scene 2: A Brick Wall, Sheringham High School - Day
I then found myself back in my old high school. I am not sure if I was school-aged or my actual real-life age, but I was standing in front of a brick wall and some girls (CM's female friends, too numerous to list separately) from my high school (looking as they did back when I was at school with them) were sitting/leaning on the wall. I think it was outside, but I am not sure. I also think it might have been sunny. I felt proud that I had sex with CM, as he was quite popular, even though he isn't physically attractive (he has a good sense of humour). I said: 'Guess who I had sex with?' and they were naming males from our year at school. I said: 'It's one of your close friends', but they couldn't guess the right person (CM) and I would not tell them.

TIME: 03:30 - 07:00 hours (I woke up from this dream)

LUCIDITY: Pre-lucid (I had inner awareness that this dream scenario - which I accepted as reality - was similar to previous sexual dreams)

SPECIAL NOTES: None of note

Dream Information:
None of note

Dreamsigns:

• I would never have sex with CM in real-life (IA -Inner Awareness/C - Context)

Recurrent Dream Themes:
None of note

Potential Day/Dream Residue:

None of note

Waking Thoughts & Emotions:
I woke up wondering why CM was the dream character I had sex with in this dream and why I felt proud about it within the dream. However, I soon fell back asleep and into a new dream.

The Lucid Spectrum - Levels of Lucid Dreaming

When I discuss lucid dreaming with other lucid dreamers, I am often asked 'was this a lucid dream?' Sometimes it isn't entirely clear if the dreamer was in fact lucid or not. This is because lucidity isn't an 'all or nothing' state - lucidity exists on a spectrum, with different levels of conscious awareness. 

Some lucid dreamers refer to 'layers' of lucidity and use percentages of 'lucidity' to delineate the various levels. Others may refer to 'minor' and 'major' sub-categories within each level of lucidity. I feel that this approach overcomplicates the topic and prefer to use 5 basic levels to describe the layers of lucidity which exist on the lucid spectrum. 

The different levels of lucidity which can be experienced in a dream affect many aspects of the dream, such as: 

• The clarity/intensity of perception within the dream
• The stability of the dream
• The clarity of thought within the dream
• The length of the lucid dream
• How much control is possible within the lucid dream

Level 0 - The Non-Lucid Dream

This is the default dream state, which I also refer to as a 'normal dream'. 

In a non-lucid dream, the dreamer is completely unaware that they are dreaming and all events within the dream are accepted as reality, even the most irrational or bizarre aspects. 

The dreamer is unable to control aspects of the dream action or their dream thoughts. 

These dreams are the product of the subconscious and tend to be shaped from memories, emotions, wishes, desires and fears. Non-lucid dreams are not based on waking logic, but rather primitive feelings and urges. 

Often strange connections or associations are made within the dream and some aspects may be symbolic or transformed. The non-lucid dream is a reflection of the dreamer's conceptual understanding of reality. 

A beginner lucid dreamer may dream about lucid dreaming, but they do not become lucid.

Level 1: Pre-Lucid

When pre-lucid the dreamer starts to critically question the reality of the dream and become suspicious that they are in fact dreaming. This may be as a result of recognising a dreamsign or noticing that something is so bizarre that this must be a dream although for the most part, the pre-lucid dream is experienced as a Level 0 non-lucid dream. Events and dream characters within the dream are perceived as reality.

However, the dreamer does not become fully conscious that they are dreaming, although lucid dreaming may arise within the pre-lucid dream as a subject of the dream narrative/plot. The dreamer may dream that they are lucid or trying to lucid dream or even perform a reality check without actually achieving the lucid state. At this level of lucidity, reality checks often yield the same results that the dreamer expects in waking reality.

This scenario seems paradoxical and illogical, but this is because the pre-lucid stage is determined entirely by the faulty logic and cause/effects of the dream world over which the dreamer has no control and very limited insight and understanding.

Dreaming of lucid dreaming without becoming lucid often happens to beginner lucid dreamers, whose waking minds are focused on the topic of lucid dreaming (or reality checking), and the desire to become lucid in the dream state, to such an extent that 'lucid dreaming' enters their dream as a form of 'day residue' before they have quite developed the ability to actually achieve lucidity.

When the dreamer questions whether they are dreaming, they probably won't arrive at the correct conclusion. The dreamer may have access to limited waking memories, thoughts and inner awareness which allow him to notice bizarre elements or faulty logic within the pre-lucid dream state, although the dreamer's questioning will fall flat and not amount to anything more than a niggling feeling that something isn't quite right. 

Level 2: Semi-Lucid

This level tends to over-lap slightly with the pre-lucid dream layer, and it may be difficult to distinguish between a pre-lucid dream and a semi-lucid dream.

When semi-lucid, the dreamer may attain lucidity, which is then easily lost - the dream may fade to black as the dreamer wakes up, or the dreamer may just enter a non-lucid dream (Level 0). 

Semi-lucid dreams are characterised by a very basic level of lucidity. It is most often experienced by way of a DILD (Dream Initiated/Induced Lucid Dream).

The semi-lucid dream does not feel quite like reality and it is hard to stabilise. There is low focus and clarity, which is why the dreamer may slip in and out of lucidity/conscious awareness. 

The dreamer still accepts the dream, largely as a form of altered reality and most of their actions are bound by the physical laws and inconsistent nature of dream. 

The dreamer may not have access to all of their waking cognitions or abilities, although at the higher end of this layer, they may be able to use limited waking logic and inner awareness within the dream state to shape their own actions and decisions (i.e. 'If I do X then Y will happen') or question the bizarre events within the dream. The dreamer may 'think' with faulty dream logic and will typically treat almost all aspects of the dream or dream characters as if they are real.

However, there is no conscious control (i.e. no conscious awareness that this is a dream) or full understanding of consequences, as the dream narrative maintains its own bizarre sense of logic and cause and effect which binds the dreamer. 

The dreamer cannot change the fabric of the dream itself, but may be able to explore it at will, although they will be easily distracted, causing them to lapse back into a non-lucid dream state. 

The dreamer may be overpowered by the laws of the dream and their conscious decisions/actions - such as trying to move or say something - may be frustrated or even rendered impossible. This is a limbo state between non-lucidity and full lucidity. 

The dreamer may also experience the effects of sleep paralysis while in the dream state which can be either a hindrance to their movement in the dream or act as a trigger for full lucidity.

This is the layer of lucidity which is often experienced in a false awakening which has not been transformed into a fully-lucid dream.

Events within the dream often have a similar effect on the dreamer as they would in real-life - i.e. physical or emotional responses are similar to those experienced in the waking state.

Level 3: Fully-Lucid

The dreamer has full conscious awareness that they are  dreaming and has access to their waking thoughts and memories. There is no doubt as to whether the dreamer is dreaming - they are certain and are able to test this by a reality check or using their waking logic. The dreamer is aware that everything they experience is the product or projection of their subconscious mind.

The dreamer is able to exert volition over their interaction with the dreamscape and dream characters and has complete control over their own body and mind unless they are experiencing the effects of sleep paralysis (which can sometimes penetrate the dream). However, the dreamer will be aware that their movement is being restricted by sleep paralysis and can use techniques, such as moving their dream body, to break free from it.

However, the dreamer may not always be able to control the fabric of the dream, the laws of the dream or the actions of dream characters. Being fully lucid does not mean having full control. You can be fully lucid and have very low levels of control over what happens in the dream.

Control may be limited to self and the immediate dream environment. If fully lucid and bound by the laws of the dreamscape, the dreamer may have to abide by pre-set 'rules' such as physically travelling from one location to another, or using a door to enter a room. They may not be able to change the physical and sensory aspects of the dream in any way, although they will be fully aware that they are operating within a dreamscape so will not mistake it for reality.

The fully-lucid dream may result from a WILD (Wake Initiated/Induced Lucid Dream) where there is no lapse in waking consciousness as the dreamer seamlessly transitions from wakefulness into the lucid dream state. In these circumstances, the dreamer does not require a trigger for lucidity - they are lucid from the outset.

The dreamer experiences higher levels of clarity and focus.

It is possible to simply observe the lucid dream as a passive witness - i.e. to watch the complexities of the dream unfold without actively participating or controlling the dream. The dreamer is aware they are watching their dream - it is akin to watching a movie.

Level 4: Super-Lucid

In a super-lucid dream, the consciousness of the dreamer surpasses full lucidity and find themselves in the role of 'dream architect' where they can change the fabric and laws of the dream in any way they wish - there are no boundaries to what the dreamer can do within the dream or their level of control. The super-lucid dreamer has absolute control over both themselves and the dreamscape. The only limit is the dreamer's imagination.

The dreamscape can be transformed simply by thought/will-power and the dreamer is able to control other dream characters freely and manipulate them in any way they can conceive. 

This layer of lucid dream is characterised by perfect clarity, focus, stability and control.

The super-lucid dream may result from a WILD dream, where there is no lapse in waking consciousness as the dreamer seamlessly transitions from wakefulness into the lucid dream state.

A dreamer experiencing a super-lucid dream may have a strong sense of enlightenment. 

This is the state which Tibetan Buddhist Dream Yoga practitioners seek to reach. Through meditation in the dream state, the dreamer may be able to dissolve the dream and access their 'higher self' and aspects of their subconscious which are not available in other lucid dream states. Lucidity is uninterrupted and the dreamer is able to surpass the visual/sensory information, conceptual elements and fabric of the dream. This is the purest form of conscious awareness.

Dream 473

'The Smell of Vomit'

Dream date: 13 August 2015

Scene 1: A Canteen/Dining Hall - Time Unknown
I was in a canteen which had rows of long tables filled with dream characters eating. I was sitting at one of the tables closest to the wall and opposite me were HF and SW (ex-colleagues from the law firm I formerly worked at). We were eating and I was worried whether HF and SW judged me for leaving work. My mum came and joined us and I felt relieved as she would back me up if HF and SW said anything negative to me. However, we all seemed to be getting on well and chatting. Suddenly a large group of male dream characters dressed in business suits entered the canteen. They were all very drunk. They were falling into tables and disrupting the dream characters who were eating. I saw that the tables were also piled with lots of dirty plates and cups/glasses and looked a complete mess. The drunk businessmen were knocking the dirty plates to the ground and causing them to smash. My mum said: 'Let's go, it smells of vomit in here!' I was aware one of the males had vomited, but I could not see/smell it myself. I was pleased to leave the chaotic environment.

Scene 2: A Road - Day
I was standing outside, on a pavement alongside a long, straight road. On the other side of the pavement were hedgerows. It looked like a typical suburban residential street. At one end of the road - about 100 yards away was my friend, LMD. N the Dog was by my side and ran towards LMD, excitedly. LMD looked afraid of the dog. I said: 'N is going to help LMD get over his fear of dogs!'

Scene 3: My Nan's House in Sheringham/An Outside Wall - Time Unknown
I was then sitting at the dining table in my nan's house in Sheringham. I was looking at a laptop screen and I was aware that I was waiting for my mum so that we could watch a movie together. The movie was a weird re-make of Alice in Wonderland/Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, although the storyline was completely changed and most of the characters were monsters. I was getting impatient and called out for my mum to hurry up. I then saw her - but without leaving the lounge in my nan's, I was able to see an outside scene, as if there were no walls in the house. In this outside scene - which is not a location I know from real-life). This outside scene was located where the airing cupboard/boiler would be. There was a huge grey wall with a navy door to the right. My mum appeared from 'around the corner' of the wall (I did not see the corner of the wall at first). She said: 'I can't come yet, I'm working!' She was wearing a navy apron. She ran along the wall and walked through the navy door, which was the entrance to her 'workplace'. I felt disappointed that we could not watch the movie together. 

Scene 4: Outside/Near Beach - Day
I was then in an outside location, close to a beach. It was a sunny day. It may have been that this location was in fact Sheringham. There were some wooden benches and I was sitting on one, opposite another, on which NN was seated. She was reclining on the bench and there were other dream characters present. We were all in conversation (I cannot recall what we talked about). Some male dream characters (known to me in the dream, but unrecalled) were present and I felt they were giving NN more attention than me. It seemed as though we were our younger selves. 

I then had some photographs in my hand and I was looking at them. These photographs had been taken from an old non-digital camera, and it seemed to me that they were several years old. The photographs showed NN and I sitting together on a wooden bench, similar to the ones we were now sitting on. I was wearing blue skinny jeans and a white low-cut camisole top with pink and green birds/flowers on it (which I actually own in real-life). I looked much slimmer than I actually am - my legs were very long and slim rather than short/thick as they are in real-life. While looking at these photographs, I thought: 'I could use these photographs to illustrate this dream scene when I record it on my Blog'. These photographs do not exist in real-life.

TIME: 04:45 - 12:30 hours (I am note sure when this dream took place)

LUCIDITY: PRE-LUCID - In the dream I was aware that I would be recording the dream scene on this Blog, which assumes that I was aware I was dreaming - however, I did not become lucid as I accepted the scene/photographs as being reality at the same time I was thinking about illustrating the dream. This is a strange, paradoxical situation, hence I would describe it as a pre-lucid state. It was definitely not a lucid dream.

SPECIAL NOTES: None of note

Dream Information:

• I left work due to a prolonged episode of impaired mental health due to my bipolar disorder. I had been suffering from severe anxiety, stress, panic attacks and general anxiety which made working impossible - especially since my boss was unsupportive/discriminatory

Dreamsigns:

• I could see an outside scene while still in my nan's house (C - Context/F - Form)
• NN and I were our younger selves - possibly late teenage years (IA - Inner Awareness)

Recurrent Dream Themes:

• NN as a dream character

Potential Day/Dream Residue:

None of note

Waking Thoughts & Emotions:
The weird situation of me referring to the recording of a dream while in the dream, but not becoming fully lucid was interesting!