The 5 Layers of a Lucid Dream
Layer Zero
Hi, everyone. Okay, so before you watch my next five videos, it’s probably best if you were familiar with my previous lucid dreaming videos— specifically, the original “Five Layers of the Lucid Dream” video, and also the “Layer Zero” video. Once you’ve watched them, come back to this one, and it should make a lot more sense. Also be warned: these next five videos won’t be as easy to take in as my previous videos—this is definitely not for beginners, is what I’m trying to say—and, therefore, I’ll be talking as if you’re an experienced onieronaut.
Layer Zero
Layer Zero is a layer of lucidity that’s always fascinated me, and I found it to be just as poignant and thought-provoking as the higher layers. Also, I believe this to be a layer that everyone in the whole world has experienced at least once in their lifetime, and therefore, it’s something that everyone can relate to. There’s two different variations to this layer, and what I’m going to do now is just quickly explain what exactly these different variations entail.
Layer Zero Minor
Okay, so, first off we have Layer Zero minor. This is when you engage in lucid dream discussion, with dream characters, without actually becoming lucid. For example, I once dreamt that I was in a beautifully exquisite classroom, being taught about lucid dreaming by some sort of angelic-looking character. But, not at any point, even though the main topic was about lucid dreaming, did I realize that I was dreaming right there and then. It could also be as simple as just seeing something that’s related to lucid dreaming, without actually becoming lucid. For example, I once dreamt that I was walking down the street, and, across the road from me, I saw a guy carrying the book Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming by Stephen LaBerge, in their hands. I then proceeded to confront the person, and say, you know, “Hi! I’m into the same kind of stuff as you—really interested in this subject matter…” What then proceeded was a full-fledged discussion, on lucid dreaming, in my dream state, with this dream character, without actually becoming lucid! It’s almost ironic a way, isn’t it?
So, what that example shows, is both elements of layer zero minor in action within the same scenario. Me seeing the book, and then me talking about the book. Either one or both of these factors can be present for it to classify as a zero minor experience, and another thing I’d also like to add is you don’t even have to speak out loud with another dream character for it to classify as a zero minor. What I mean by that is, for example, often in dreams I think to myself “Oh! You know I hope I become lucid tonight” without ever realizing I was already in a dream whilst thinking it. So, as you can see, even within one variation of one particular layer, there can be lots of nuances. So, keep an eye out for them, and, who knows, I’m sure you’ll find even more along the way.
Layer Zero Major
Okay, then, secondly, we have Layer Zero Major. This is when we get the sense that, something doesn’t feel quite right whilst in the dream, but yet you never go as far as truly understanding why things don’t feel right. So, you may have the sense that there are no consequences to your actions, no repercussions of any sort. For example, I once dreamt that I was throwing myself into the way of oncoming traffic, without any sort of fear of being injured or killed. In waking life, I’d obviously be aware of the consequences and would never do such a thing in the first place. But, during a zero major dream, there’s this strange sort of awareness that what you’re doing is lodged directly into that experience, right there and then, and you know that it wont’ affect the future in any sort of way. But, you won’t truly grasp why it won’t affect the future. Another feeling that’s often sensed during a zero major dream, is the understanding that you can stop the experience at any time you want. For example, in my dreams, I’ll often get the sense that I can reset what I’m doing and start over again. Some dreams even go as far as me having a reset button where my belly button should be. Also, as a child, I used to have a technique where I could wake myself up if I was having a nightmare. And again, this would also fall into the region of zero major, because not at any point did I truly realize that what I was experiencing was just a nightmare, just a dream. Instead, all I felt was the vague lingering sense that I had some sort of heightened control over what I was currently experiencing. All I’d have to do was blink down very hard, and I’d leave the dream state, and return to waking life, almost instantly.
These kind of experiences are literally on the brink of lucidity and non-lucidity. So, once you start having dreams of this nature, you know you’re on the right track. To advance through to the higher layers of lucidity, you have to learn how to do something I’ve termed as “breaking through”. This is something I’ll go into more detail about in the next video.
So, there we have it. That’s the basics of what layer zero’s all about, and hopefully now you’ll be able to recognize when you’ve had an experience of this nature, and also be able to discern between the nuances of the layer. As I mentioned earlier, I’m on a constant search for more intricacies and subtle differences between each layer. So, you know, please don’t hesitate to send me a message or a comment if you discover more yourself.
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