Lucid Dreaming Techniques

Lucid dreaming is the ability to be aware that your are dreaming and sometimes have control over the dream. This ability comes natural for some and has to be learned by others. There have been several techniques used throughout the years to induce a lucid dream. Lucid Dreams are in some cases similar to the phenomena of out-of-body (OBE) and near death (NDE) experiences.

The first step toward lucid dreaming is being able to recall or remember your dreams. This is can be easily done by keeping a dream journal near your bed. Write in it as soon as you wake up while your mind has not had time to absorb in anything else. The longer you wait the more you forget about your dream. The first 5 to 10 minutes after wakening is ideal.

This technique is called WBTB (wake back to bed) and involves laying perfectly still when you wake up. This will give your brain the chance to remember your dream, let you think about it and possibly fall back asleep into a lucid dream. To test this method you might need to experiment with different sleep positions.

Another method to make yourself lucid dream involves a little sleep deprivation and a strong will to lucid dream. You simply need to be very tired or sleepy and then allow yourself 3 to 4 hours to sleep. Wake yourself with your alarm clock and think only of lucid dream, while staying awake. You must do this for an hour and then you can fall back to sleep. This is supposed to work 60% of the time.

The most effective Lucid Dream method was developed by Daniel Love. In his technique you have to adjust your sleep pattern. You need to start waking up 90 minutes earlier than what your used to until your body starts to recognize the sleep pattern. Once it does you can start to set your alarm clock back to the original time, now 90 minutes ahead. Your mind will remember to wake up but your body will still be asleep and this will trigger lucid dreaming.

One signal that your mind gives you that its trying to lucid dream is called Sleep Paralysis. When this happens you will lose control of your body (not be able to move) and possibly experiences noises and sounds around you, bright lights, the sensation of falling or dropping, the sensation of rising or floating and vibrations anywhere on the body.

Meditation and hypnotism can be effective techniques as well. Meditate about lucid dreaming just before you go to sleep. This will help within a couple of weeks if done nightly. The meditation needs to be at least 10 to 15 minutes long. Practicing meditation over a long period of time will also help heighten ones senses and this is an valuable tool in lucid dreaming.