Lucid dreaming is being conscious while you are dreaming. This usually occurs while in the midst of a dream you realize that what is happening is not real, but in fact is a dream. Once lucid you can explore the dream world and do whatever you can imagine. Many report lucid dreams as intensely vivid and real.
The term 'Lucid Dreaming' was coined by Frederik van Eeden in 1913. Since then there have been countless studies done on lucid dreaming to prove its reality, how it works, benefits, and how to do it.
Besides being able to live your fantasy? Lucid dreams can be used as a creative outlet, for solving problems, healing from trauma, or developing real world skills.
Since lucid dreaming is a vivid form of mental imagery it can be used to rehearse for real life. Examples include preparing for a public speech or performance, improving an athletic skill, or a solving a problem. By rehearsing a skill in a dream you develop neural pathways. This works in the same way that study subjects have improved their shots from the free throw line just by visualizing.
For a select few lucid dreaming comes natural, but for the rest of us it takes effort and diligence. Lucid dreaming is a skill that can be learned and become easier over time.
The very first step is to work on remembering your dreams. If you cannot recall your dreams how will you know if you were ever lucid? When you remember your dreams you become familiar with what they are like, making it easier to recognize that you are dreaming.
The best way to improve dream recall is to keep a dream journal. Get a notebook and keep it beside your bed. Upon awakening try to recall all of the details of the dream and then write it down immediately. Do not wait until the morning or you may forget about the dream. You don't have to write every detail of the dream in the middle of the night, but can write down some key points to help you remember it in the morning.
If you do not currently ever remember dreams that is okay. Just by setting the intention to remember your dreams before you go to sleep and getting a dream journal you will find that you will start to remember dreams. Once you are remembering at least one dream a night you can move onto the next step.
This is a good beginner technique. Decide to do the following exercise several times a day. This could be a set time (e.g. hourly) or when you do something during the day. For example every time you walk through a door, look in a mirror, or look at the time. Also do it anytime you think of it.
There are other techniques but the reality check is a good start. I will talk about others in future posts.
I have been interested in lucid dreaming for years. During periods where I was actively trying to have lucid dreams I was able to realize that I was dreaming but instead of remaining in the dream I woke up. I haven't tried to achieve lucidity in a few years and I want to start again.
I currently recall a few dreams a week. I am going to start keeping a dream journal again and performing reality checks throughout the day. I will document my results here as I go.
This challenge is to go from zero lucid dreams to having my first.
Join me and have your first lucid dream. Share what works for you and your experiences. Lets do this!
