Lucid Dreams: Asleep and Aware

What Is Lucid Dreaming?

Lucid dreaming is the experience of achieving conscious awareness of dreaming while still asleep.

Lucid Dreams are generally thought to arise from non-lucid dreams in REM sleep.

Recent research has suggested that lucid dreaming can be used to treat nightmares, improve emotional regulation, enhance creativity, and even increase problem-solving skills.

It can also be used to explore our subconscious mind and gain insight into our innermost thoughts and feelings.

The fact that spontaneous lucidity is uncommon makes experimental research on lucid dreams difficult.

Pre-sleep autosuggestion, on the other hand, can be used to instruct patients to become lucid.

Subjects often succeed in becoming lucid when they tell themselves, before going to sleep, to become aware that they are dreaming by noticing the bizarre events of the dream and the emotions they bring.

From the way we think to the way we interact with our environment, understanding lucid dreams can open up a whole new world of possibilities. 

By studying and gaining an understanding of this phenomenon, we can begin to uncover its potential in our own lives and use it to unlock doors that may have previously been shut.

Just like regular dreams, lucid dreaming occurs most commonly during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

REM sleep is a stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements, a loss of muscular tone throughout the body, and a proclivity to dream.

Lucid dreaming techniques train your mind to notice your own consciousness. 

They're also designed to help you regain or maintain consciousness as you enter REM sleep.

1. W.I.L.D - Wake-initiated lucid dreaming

A wake-initiated lucid dream is when you enter a lucid dream directly from the waking state and are aware of the transition from wakefulness to dreaming.

Unlike dream-initiated lucid dreams (DILDs), WILDs are more likely to involve the sense of out-of-body experiences, floating, or flying, according to research. 

WILDs take work and patience and may be simpler for those who are already adept at meditation.

How to train for WILDs:

Practice Dream Recollection

Reread your dream journal frequently.

Examine your dreams for "dream signals," or recurring themes and things.

Remember the locations, items, personalities, and circumstances that appear in your dreams.

Make a note of your vivid dreams, whether they are wake-initiated or dream-initiated.

Affirmations

As you fall asleep, softly repeat a sentence related to dream recall or lucid dreams. 

Concentrate solely on this mantra while repeating it in your brain.

2. Reality Check

Even if you're certain you're awake, put it to the test.

Ask yourself, "Am I dreaming?"

Check the clock, put your hand through a wall, or gaze in the mirror.

Pinch yourself! Take note of your own consciousness and how you interact with your environment.

Look for dream symbols.

Learning this practice will provide you with a tool for affirming your dreams.

Here are a few frequent reality checks used by people to lucid dream:

Mirrors

Study your reflection to determine whether it appears normal.

Objects

Test your hand against a wall or a table to see whether it passes through. Some people press their fingers onto the palm opposite theirs.

Hands

Look at your hands - do they look normal?

Time

When you're dreaming, the time on a clock is constantly changing. If you're awake, though, the time will slightly alter.

Breathing

This well-known reality test is squeezing your nose and testing if you can breathe.

If you can still breathe, you're dreaming.

It is advised to choose one reality check and perform it several times each day. This will teach your mind to do reality checks while dreaming, which may result in lucid dreams.

3. Mnemonic Induction Of Lucid Dreams (MILD)

MILD is based on a habit known as prospective memory, which entails planning to perform something later.

You set the aim in MILD to recall that you're dreaming.

Consider a recent dream as you drift off to sleep.

Identify a dream sign, a symbol, or anything unusual or unexpected in your dream. 

The capacity to fly is one example.

Think about returning to the dream.

Acknowledge that the symbol only happens when you dream.

"The next time I dream, I want to remember that I am dreaming," tell yourself. Recite the words out loud.

4. Dream Journal

Keeping a dream notebook, often known as a dream diary, is a common way to begin lucid dreaming.

When you write down your dreams, you push yourself to recall what happens in each one. 

It is claimed to aid in the recognition of dream signals and increase awareness of your dreams.

Log your dreams as soon as you wake up for the greatest results. 

It's also a good idea to read your dream notebook on a regular basis.

5. Dreaming Affirmation

Repeat "I shall be conscious that I'm dreaming" each time you fall asleep.

As you fall asleep each night, repeat it until you lose awareness.

If you'd like to lucid dream, try the techniques listed above.

These methods can train your mind to be conscious of your consciousness during sleep.

Wouldn't that be nice?

Thank you...