What kind of experiments did you formulate to test these new beliefs out?

First, I started to experiment with the dream body and senses and seeing them as mentally mediated constructs (as they can be infinitely influenced by the mind) through a myriad of ways. For example, I used intent and applied multiple senses to my dream body. I added an extra set of ears, eyes, arms or even gave myself 360 degree vision. In other cases, I would multiply the dream body into two or more dream bodies and my mind would perceive multiple experiences feeding into my one subjective consciousness.

The weirdest one by far was when I shifted my mental perspective or awareness outside of the dream body but could still direct the movement of the dream body from a ‘bird’s eye view.’ I could ‘feel’ my awareness moving my dream body unlike just controlling the dream body like a puppet.

Photo by kellepics via Pixabay

Altogether, I could clearly see the dream body and dream senses were mental constructs that I could manipulate through manipulating my own mind in infinite ways. The most interesting effect was when I intended to relinquish the dream body altogether and experienced being a ‘point’ of awareness that could contract or expand to focus in on small objects or expand to ‘envelop’ an entire space.

After you discovered that you could contract and expand your awareness, what other lucid dream experiments came to mind?

The initial experiences taught me how fundamental the mind is over the dream body, how the mind normally enlivens and mobilizes a mentally constructed ‘vehicle’ of consciousness, and also the infinite mobility of awareness in the dream. These insights progressed into thinking about manipulating dream space.

If I could let go of the need to use a dream body, then I wondered if I could let go of the need to ‘move’ around in the dream and just mentally manipulate space. I got a clear idea of how to do it after reading your article in the June 2014 edition of the LDE on the nature of dream space.

Before further experimentation, I wondered, “If the dream body isn’t fundamental to the mobility of my mind then is the dream space also not essential to our experience of movement? Do I need to move ‘through’ space or does the seemingly projected dream space change in relation to my changing mental perspective (through the use of will, focus, and intent)?”