Hello HOG Rider and congratulations on your milestone. As far as your feeling of not accomplishing things on L1, remember this is just the first step into the program, you (and I on L2) are still pretty much in the kiddie pool. I am sorry to hear your problems with insomnia are returning, but the lack of dreams I would not consider a problem. I have always found that dreams are primarily for problem solving without the 'reality' restrictions our mind imposes when we are awake. You may be going into that problem solving stage during your BWE session, and thus there is no need to remember the dreams. Of course I could be way off.
As far as dealing with ongoing issues, while mine are most likely very different than yours, do you feel yourself approaching the problem a bit differently now than before you began Brain Ev? That was the thing I had noticed in myself, not that the problems had changed and certainly not gone away, but my approach to them was altered.
Another thought, if you have time to read. On not allowing issues to bother you, I would suggest reading "Loving What Is" by Byron Katie. I think her approach to life is wonderful, and doing worksheets to accept what is, is very helpful.
You have my support, for what it is worth.

Hi HOG Rider, thanks for the update!

I think most people don't think (or realize) that they have accomplished anything with level 1.  This is why a lot of people just stop and don't peruse the program.  What they don't realize is that a foundation is being laid for what is to come.

For me, level 2 was worse than level 3 because of the bells.  They make me hate them and the dripping water makes the top of my head itch (it's itching right now as I think about it).

The bells do serve a purpose in forcing you to focus on them and away from your train of thought.  They are supposed to be an irritant and they do a good job!  After level 2 though I found that I was much less likely to be snappy when irritated and could deal with stressful situations with a cool and calm detachment.  So, we have a love the bells. 

-Tiffany

Hallo HogRider,
I have only just read your post properly, and I hope that I can add something to the wonderful, supportive comments by other Brain Ev users. Such a terrific bunch of people.

Now let me see if I can remember how to add in a quote from you....

The only thing I have seemed to accomplish with L1 is an intense increase in visualization with eyes closed and during my 1/2 hour session.

Re intense increase in visualisation while eyes are closed. As I see it, here is evidence that Brain Ev is doing its job and you are entraining beautifully into alpha. Alpha frequencies are visual and intense. The reason you are visualising during the session is self-explanatory: you are entrained into alpha, just as is intended. If you haven't looked at the intro video, be sure you do.  You will see that there is plenty of alpha in level 1. So all is very, very well with you and you are responding just as you should. Congratulations  .

Next point.

I've also noticed a big decrease in dreams, to the point of non existence. Just wondering if this is normal? In the beginning I had a couple of lucid dreams, but now I don't seem to have any at all, or least none that I can recall.  Could it be that when I'm asleep that I'm in Delta so much that dreams or non-exsistant or I just don't recall the dreams I'm having. I still struggle with some insomnia issues...

Decrease/lack of dreams/non-recall of dreams. Deep sleep (i.e. unconscious state) is associated with delta frequencies. Insomniacs, like you and I, tend to have a delta deficit. My interpretation of your experience is, yes, you are dreaming and probably sleeping much more deeply since starting Brain Ev, so spending more quality-sleep time in delta. As delta is deep sleep, these dreams tend to be forgotten as we surface slowly to wakefulness via theta and into alpha.

So the point you raise is a valuable one. You know those sessions that either drag by interminably and the ones that zoom by? My guess is this happens when we are in deep theta or delta. The subconscious (theta) and unconscious (delta) don't process time in a linear manner, so when we entrain deeply, we lose track of linear time.

Also, the further you progress into levels 4, 5 and 6, the deeper you will entrain into theta and delta. According to my luminary, Anna Wise, [The Awakened Mind], an essential skill for us to learn if we want to extract the inner genius (who resides beyond the conscious in delta regions), or to shed the skeletons in our mental closet (painful stuff or out-dated belief systems which reside in sub + unconscious, thus pulling our strings whether we want them to or not), is to keep an alpha (i.e dozy but conscious) bridge open while we are in theta and delta. In this way, when matters (be that genius or detritus) arise deep inside, we will forget them - as you currently forget your deep dreams - unless we have an alpha bridge in place. So each brainwave frequency has its purpose. Delta and theta have treasures and troubles beyond our knowing. Alpha is the visual messenger to transport this non-verbal material up to beta (waking state), so that when we act, we act wisely and whole-brainedly.

In conclusion, HotRider (oops, just noticed the typo, but I have no doubt it suits you just as well!), I think you have extracted all you should from level 1. You entrain well, you are using your alpha fequencies to visualise intensely, you are sleeping soundly which is such a bonus for us insomniacs, and you are learning to enter deeper frequencies such as theta and delta (evidence being your inability to recall!). Bravo!

Apropos, alpha and theta, Bill Harris of Centerpointe/Holosync fame (expensive competitor to Brain Ev), has just released his 2.0 system. The classic Holosync is 20 mins of alpha/theta and 40 mins in delta levels. Lo and behold, he had recognised that alpha and theta are important too, so his 2.0 system keeps users in alpha and theta for longer. This sends an important message to entrainment fans like us. ALL frequencies are important. Alpha and theta are the realms where we visualise (A) and sensorise (T), they release neurotransmitters and endorphins that make us feel great: super relaxed and unflappable, and theta frequencies release Human Growth Factor - for youthful brain and body. So relax and enjoy levels 1 and 2. They deliver wonderful sessions too, and don't be tempted to move on to the 'meaty' higher levels too quickly. Savour it all.

Enjoy level 2 HogRider. May your journey be sweet!
All the best, Pure Bliss