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Techniques To Become A Lucid Dreamer
Do you want to dream lucidly? Knowing what you want to do is a good start, but it's not
all you'll need to do. There are several different methods you can use.
It can be helpful to know why you would like to be a lucid dreamer. What do you have to
gain from the process? In order to find the profit in lucid dreaming we should begin with
the normal dream process.
Sleep itself is not so interesting; you get ready for bed, lie down and close your eyes.
Then you may have uncontrolled dreams or not and several hours later you awaken.
We need normal sleep to refresh our minds and bodies, keeping us healthy mentally and
physically. What would happen if you could control the time when you are dreaming?
What if you could be an active instead of passive participant in your dreams? What if you
could take control of your dream instead of being controlled by it? Someone who has
managed to become a lucid dreamer can do all of this – they are not bound by anything
except for their imagination.
This sounds great the only thing left is the how. You can accomplish lucid dream state in
one of two ways. One, you can have a dream initiated lucid dream (DILD); this is where
while dreaming you become aware of the fact that you are dreaming. In this way, you
bring a level of consciousness into the 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.
What are the steps to begin having these lucid dream experiences?
Remember your dreams.
If you're interested in lucid dreaming, dream recall is one of the most effective ways of
learning to do it. Dream recall is the ability to remember your dreams. If you remember
them, you're more likely to be able to recognize them while you're asleep. That's because
most of us have the same dreams or dream elements more than once.
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 (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 technique is fairly simple. You set your alarm for just a few hours after you go to
bed. When you wake, don't just go back to sleep. Instead, stay awake for about an hour,
then return 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
This invention of Daniel Love is another way to have lucid dreams. This involves getting
up earlier. Get up an hour and a half earlier until you get used to it. After that switch back
to your regular time to get up. Keep switching back and forth. This way when you sleep
the later time period, you will be likely to lucid dream as your brain is used to awakening
earlier.
Wake-initiation of Lucid Dreams (WILD)
Let's get back to this method which is described above. To achieve lucid dreaming, the
technique is to try to keep mentally aware even as your body relaxes into a sleep state.
Think of it this way – you are getting ready to watch a movie; your closed eyelids are like
the black screen before the movie begins and you are waiting for the trailers to roll.
Some of the methods which can keep you mentally alert are chanting, being aware of
your breathing, counting, and picturing yourself climbing up or down stairs and focusing
on relaxing your body from head to toe. All of these techniques fall under the umbrella of
self hypnosis. The best time to use this technique is when you are not physically tired,
especially in the afternoon.
Technologies like strobe lights and dreaming masks can also help you to become a lucid
dreamer.
Listen to binaural beats with headphones; this is a very effective way to achieve a lucid
dream.
This type of sound can alter your brain and bring you to the REM stage of sleep very
quickly. This is where your lucid dreaming will occur.
With self affirmations and self hypnosis combined with binaural sound, being a lucid
dreamer is a goal which anyone can reach.
New Beginnings For A Lucid Dreamer |
