|
|
Becoming a Lucid Dreamer
You've heard about lucid dreaming and you're sure that it is something you want to try.
However, you are at a loss as to how one becomes a lucid dreamer.
So, what is so good about being a lucid dreamer? What would you gain from it? In order
to understand the advantages of being aware when you are dreaming, we need to examine
what regular sleep actually is.
Normally, you lay down and you're out for six to eight hours. Maybe you remember your
dreams, maybe not. The usual – not all that interesting, really.
This kind of sleep allows us to get the rest we need to go about our activities the
following day. Have you ever wondered, though, what it would be like if you could
actually take control of your dreams and dictate their events?
Instead of being helplessly caught up in whatever dreams your subconscious mind
decides to hand you, how about you controlling the action? A lucid dreamer can do this.
It is a new and fun world, a lot like being inside your own video game where you can fly
or wish for something and have it.
This sounds great, but how can you become a lucid dreamer? There are two ways to
reach this state – one is by having a DLID, or dream initiated lucid dream. These are
instances where the dreamer has taught themselves to recognize that they are having a
dream and start to assert control over the direction of their dream.
The other method is by having a wake initiated lucid dream (or WILD) this is where the
dreamer transitions from a state of wakefulness to lucid dreaming without a sensation of
falling asleep. The dreamer simply goes straight from being awake to lucid dreaming.
So how are these types of lucid dreaming induced?
Remember your dreams.
One of the best ways to begin learning to become a lucid dreamer is by practicing dream
recall. This is simply the ability to remember your dreams. When you remember your
dreams and learn more about the commonalities which can be observed in your dreams, it
is easier to recognize a dream and start to take control over the direction of it.
The best way to practice dream recall is through keeping a dream journal. This is a tool
in which you write down whatever you can remember about your dream so you can recall
it in the future. Do this right after you wake up - dreams are harder to remember the
longer you wait.
Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams or MILD
This is a technique based on entering your dreams with the intention of realizing you are
dreaming or looking for a dream sign. For instance when you awaken in the nigh from a
dream and recall a blue dog you mark that blue dog in your mind as your dream sign.
Then when you encounter this again you will know you are dreaming.
Wake-Back-to-Bed (WBTB)
This simple process has you taking no action except to set an alarm that will waken you
in less time than you normally sleep. For most of us about five or six hours will do it.
After the alarm awakens you do not try to fall back to sleep. For about an hour you
should read, watch TV or concentrate on lucid dreaming then go back to sleep.
According to research, this technique has about a 60% success rate. What has happened is
you were awakened during an intense time of REM sleep. Your brain will not be
completely aware that you are awake. Many times since REM stages tend to be longer,
the episodes of lucid dreaming will be as well.
Cycle Adjustment Technique
Daniel Love came up with this way to accomplish lucid dreaming. Start getting up an
hour and a half earlier. After you get used to this, go back to getting up at your usual
time. Since you are used to getting up earlier but don’t have to now, your mind is still
thinking you are awake, therefore you will be more likely to be aware in your dream.
Wake-initiation of Lucid Dreams (WILD)
The trick is to keep your conscious mind aware and let your physical body sleep. This
can prove to be very interesting. Lay back, close your eyes and wait for your dream to
begin. Imagine you have put a movie in the DVD player and you are waiting for it to
begin. Focus on the black screen until your dream begins to play out.
You need to stay aware; it is a lot like self hypnosis. This is not a good exercise to try
when you are tired as your mind may not stay as aware. Try to focus on things that
require brain activity such as doing math puzzles, jogging or anything to keep your mind
active. Breathe evenly and focus on relaxing every part of your body.
Technologies like strobe lights and dreaming masks can also help you to become a lucid
dreamer.
Listening to binaural beat frequencies through a head set is the simplest and most
consistent way to create a lucid dream.
The purpose is to synchronize both sides of the brain to create the REM frequency that is
required for lucid dreaming.
Put all or many of these techniques together and you are ready to begin your journey into
the wonderful world of lucid dreaming. It is a simple process that anyone can do.
Are you Interested in Learning how to Lucid Dream? |
