An Introduction to Lucid Dreams

Nelson Guerreiro
Jul 24, 2017 · 3 min read

Lucid Dreaming is a dream in which you know that you’re dreaming. This is different than a mere vivid dream. In a lucid dream, you can control all the action.

A lucid dream usually starts as a regular dream, but at a certain point, you realize that you’re actually not in the real world but inside a dream. Just imagine your conscious self-walking around in your unconscious mind.

There are many limitations though. Sometimes the dream only lasts for a couple of minutes. Also, just because you’re “awake” inside a dream doesn’t mean you can do absolutely everything you want. Nevertheless, lucid dreams are almost always wonderful experiences.

Here’s a list of techniques to help get started:

MILD

MILD means “Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams.” Just before you fall asleep repeat to yourself something like “next time I have a dream, I will realize that I’m dreaming.” Try to remember a dream you had recently. Now imagine you’re inside that dream, and realize you’re inside a dream.

Repeat this several times until you fall asleep.

Reality Check

Several times during the day, think to yourself “Am I awake or asleep?” and try to push a finger through the other hand.
If you do this about 20 or 30 times a day, there’s a great chance you also end up doing this in a dream.

When you do a reality check inside a dream, you’ll probably trigger a lucid dream.

There are other triggers you can use:

  • Check yourself in a mirror. Do you look normal?
  • Jump! Of you start to float, you’re probably in a dream.
  • Close one eye, and try to see your nose with the other eye.
  • How did you get here? What time is it?

Dream Journal

Every time you awake after having a dream, write down everything you remember about it. Try to pinpoint things that often occur — these are called dream signs.
Do this every day, and don’t be afraid to write down even the most awkward or weird dreams.

This is just a brief introduction. Many books have been written on the subject. So many, in fact, that you can feel overwhelmed by all the information.

Try to do at least “Dream Journal” and “Reality Check” every day. It may take you a couple of weeks to trigger a lucid dream, but once it happens, you’ll see it’s really worth it!

Happy Dreaming!

Further reading:
https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Lucid_Dreaming

Images from pixabay


Originally published at steemit.com on July 24, 2017.

Nelson Guerreiro

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