Lucid Dreaming

Lucid dream is a dream in which you are aware you are dreaming.

This typically happens during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the dream-stage of sleep.

You can think logically, you have access to your memory, you can act on your thoughts and you have self awareness.

Term “lucid dream” was coined by a Dutch psychiatrist Frederik van Eeden in 1913.

First record of a lucid dream is by Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle.

It is estimated that more than 50% of people experienced at least one lucid dream in their life.

Lucid dreams usually happen spontaneously, but let's see what are some techniques to help induce them.

On average, people have 4-5 dreams every night!

How many of them do you remember?

Keeping a daily dream journal is a great way to initiate lucid dreaming!

Writing down your dreams forces you to remember what happens during each dream.

It enhances your awareness of your dreams.

For best results, write down your dreams as soon as you wake up.

It is also helpful to read your dream journal often.

In the app, there is a journal, which you can use to write down all your dreams, access them at any time and analyze the patterns!

Also, there are Dream Reminders in Tools, which you can use to set a reminder for writing down dreams as soon as you wake up.

Reality check or reality testing is verifying whether you are dreaming or not, both in real life and during a dream.

The idea is to form a habit of checking whether you are dreaming or not. Several times throughout the day do reality checks until it becomes a habit. This habit will be present while dreaming as well, as it’s subconscious!

Ask yourself: “Am I dreaming?”. Check your environment. Notice if there’s anything unusual. Notice your consciousness and how you interact with the surroundings.

Solid Objects

Try to push your arm or leg through a solid object with the intention of it going through. You can also try to push your finger through the other palm.

Time

In dreams, time on the clock constantly changes. If you’re awake, it barely moves.

Breathing

Pinch your nose and see if you can still breathe. In dreams you can!

Reading

Try reading text. In dreams, text is constantly changing.

Count Your Fingers

Count your fingers. While dreaming, number of fingers can be different than in reality!

In the app you can turn on Reality Check reminders! Go to Tools, select Dream Reminders and turn on Reality Check.

Waking back to bed method tries to enter the REM sleep while you’re still conscious.

The idea is to get enough rest, so that you can stay conscious during the dream. The goal is: body asleep, mind awake.

Set an alarm for 5 hours after your bedtime. That way you will get enough rest, but not too much, so you can return to sleep again.

When the alarm goes off, try to stay awake for 5-30 minutes. Go to the toilet, drink water and do some reading. You can write down WBTB steps and read through them multiple times.

After this period, go back to bed and fall asleep.

It is possible to achieve lucid dreams even on the first try. But if it doesn’t work try repeating the process for a month.

Mnemonic induction of lucid dreams is a technique that uses intention to induce a behavior in the future.

Few minutes before falling asleep, repeat a phrase in your mind:

“I realize I’m dreaming” or “I’m having a lucid dream”.

While doing this, you can also think of a recent dream or a frequent activity while dreaming, such as flying.

It’s important not to get too focused, as you can delay your falling asleep and just tire yourself.

You can combine MILD with WBTB method. While falling asleep after waking up, repeat the phrases in your mind.

You can combine these 2 methods with reality checks and dream journals for maximum chance of having a lucid dream!

Wake-initiated lucid dreaming tries to make your mind stay conscious while falling asleep.

It is a very simple technique, but hard to pull off.

What you need to do is just relax and stay aware, while your body is falling asleep.

As you become more relaxed and lower your brain wave frequency a hypnagogic state occurs.

Hypnagogic State

This is a state of consciousness right before you fall asleep. During this state, it is common to perceive illusions: hearing strange sounds, hearing someone calling your name, feeling the presence of someone else nearby. Relax and remain calm.

Remaining calm during hypnagogic state is the key for WILD technique.

First few tries will probably be strange and maybe even scary. But just remember that it is just an illusion of the mind and remain calm through the process.

Finger induced lucid dream is a type of WILD.

It allows you to enter a dream, while being aware.

FILD has best results if you are really tired.

If you can exhaust yourself during the day, that’s great!

If not, you can set an alarm to wake you up after just 3 hours of sleep.

Upon waking up during the night, get into the technique right away.

Start moving your index and middle finger, as if you are playing a piano.

Index finger press, index finger lift. Middle finger press, middle finger lift.

Your palm should be resting on your bed. Movement should be very subtle.

Do not try to count while doing the technique, or it will keep you awake.

After about 30 seconds, do a reality check.

Are you dreaming? Great! If not - fall back to sleep, as the technique will most likely no longer work.

FILD can produce very convincing false awakening, so keep that in mind. Do reality checks on every awakening!

Meditation is also a path to achieving lucid dreaming.

The idea is simple.

If you’re more aware of yourself during the day, you’re also more likely to notice that while you’re dreaming.

Practice mindfulness meditation and see how it impacts your dreams.

While lucid dreams can be very interesting, there are some common concerns.

Sleep Schedule

Some techniques require waking up early and falling asleep again. This can mess up your sleep schedule. If you have problems having normal sleep, avoid these methods.

Stuck in a Dream

While in a lucid dream, some people have a fear of being stuck and not being able to wake up. It is not possible to stay stuck in a dream, but if you really want to wake up, try yelling out for help, blinking repeatedly, falling asleep in a dream or reading text.

Not Getting Enough Rest

Some people fear that lucid dreams might tire people more and lead to not resting enough during sleep. This never proved to be the case.

Mental Illness

People with mental illness should be very cautious and probably avoid lucid dreams. For example, people with schizophrenia might get even worse if they try to pursue lucid dreaming.

Sleep Paralysis

Although very rare, some lucid dreamers report having sleep paralysis. This lasts only a few seconds and it is not dangerous. Just remain calm through the process.

Out-of-Body Experience

OBE and lucid dreams are very similar and even have similar techniques. It is possible to go from LD to OBE spontaneously. There are also techniques. If your lucid dream is “too real” - you might be having an OBE!

There are many benefits of lucid dreaming.

Fun

Lucid dreams are fun! Explore your inner world with full awareness. Do whatever you want!

Overcome Nightmares

While lucid dreaming, you realize that nightmares aren’t real. You can also talk to your nightmares. Try asking: “What do you want from me?” or “Who are you?”.

Overcome Phobias

If you’re having phobias, you can use lucid dreams as a practice ground to overcome them. Face your phobias gradually. Create scenarios in the dream and overcome them!

Creativity

You can be very creative in lucid dreams and you can find great inspiration in your inner world!

Door to Subconscious Mind

Dreams are full of creations of your subconscious mind. In lucid dreams you can learn more about it. There you have access to all the information, such as what is the last name of that guy from the elementary school.

You are in Control

Lucid dreams are your creation. If you want something, just demand it. If a dream is too vague, ask for clarity - in your mind and out loud as well: Clarity Now! Awareness Now!