Lucid Dreaming: Learn How to Control Your Dreams

Have you ever been able to control the outcomes of your dreams? Research and experience have proven that some individuals dream in full awareness of being in a dream state, with complete ability to control their actions, and in total cognizance of the circumstances of their lives. This state of awareness is called, "lucid dreaming."

In addition to being enjoyable, lucid dreaming can be very functional. Researchers and therapists are experimenting with using lucid dreaming to treat patients with extreme nightmares. While scientifically controlled studies have been very limited, case studies have been shown to produce positive results using this technique in the treatment of nightmares.

Lucid dreaming is not an extremely common phenomenon. In fact, Snyder and Gackenbach (1988) report that little more than half the participants surveyed had ever experienced lucid dreaming. Only 21% claimed to have lucid dreams monthly.

The question remains: How do we induce lucid dreaming? LaBerge (1980)developed techniques to induce lucid dreaming by means of autosuggestion. He reported consistent use of autosuggestion greatly increased the frequency of lucid dreaming.

Techniques for inducing lucid dreaming:

"1. During the early morning, the subject awakens spontaneously from a dream.

2. After rehearsing the dream, the subject engages in 10 to 15 min. of reading or other activity demanding full wakefulness.

3. Then, while lying in bed and returning to sleep, the subject says to himself, "Next time I'm dreaming I want to remember I'm dreaming."

4. The subject visualizes his body lying asleep in bed, with rapid eye movements indicating he is dreaming. At the same time, he sees himself being in the dream just rehearsed (or any other, in case none was recalled upon awakening) and realizing that he is dreaming.

5. The subject repeats Steps 3 and 4 until he feels his intention is clearly fixed (p.1041)." (Hospital du sacre-coeur de Montreal Dream and Nightmare Laboratory "Lucid Dreaming" www.jtkresearch.com/DreamLab/)

A less intensive technique to inducing lucid dreaming may also be as simple as asking oneself, "Am I dreaming or not?" (Tholey 1983). By repeating this question, especially before sleep, you are training your mind to ask this question while in a subconscious state.

Additional dream induction techniques include: imagining oneself dreaming, observing in one's mind completing an action that could only occur in a dream state (flying, time travel, etc.), and going to sleep believing that he/she will become aware while dreaming.

Give it a try and see what new worlds unfurl!

Credit for the previous information belongs to Hospital du sacre-coeur de Montreal Dream and Nightmare Laboratory "Lucid Dreaming" www.jtkresearch.com/DreamLab/

Disaster Averted

I awaken to discover it is already light. A sense of urgency grips me as I pull down the covers. My body is still groggy, but my mind races, seeking the origin of my panic. Like an invisible weight, it hits me: I'm late for class! I hastly throw on clothes, scramble through the dorm, and jog to my class on North Campus. Enduring the dissappointed stare of my professor and the questioning eyes of my classmates, I sneak in and quietly rummage through my backpack. My stomach drops and a bitter taste in my mouth decry my alarm as I see the packets of paper being dispersed. Before the final hits my desk, my hands are damp with perspiration. I can't look up, my face burns as I realize I haven't studied.

Whether it is the forgotten due date for my portfolio, the presentation that I neglected to prepare, or the final packet of calculus homework whose absence will surely result in failure, the dream takes me back to the pressure of being a student. Happily homework free for more than 5 years, I wonder at the recurrence of such dreams.

School tardiness, misdirection, and crucial tests are quite common. I did a little research and found some answers that seemed to fit my situation. Perhaps it will enlighten yours.

Exams and tests may represent a challenge. Feeling unprepared for the test represents a lack of confidence in dealing with the challenge. The sense of failure or panic at forgetting a test or assignment may indicate concern over meeting expectations (internal or external). School backgrounds often represent a feeling of insecurity or impotence.

What can you do? Seek to discover the challenge. Plan how you seek to meet the challenge. Is your lack of confidence rational? Consider how you can gain confidence. Are your expectations, and those of others, reasonable? If they aren't, don't be afraid to change them.

The Naked Truth

Have you ever drempt that you are walking around in public without clothes? It has happened to me many times. I have discovered my lack of clothing at school, on the street, and even at church. This is a common dream and I have heard many interpretations of this type of dream. A recent interpretation suggests that this dream means you have a "deep unconscious need for some hidden aspect of your being to be shown to others in its 'naked truth.'" Reference Raymond Lloyd Richmond, Ph.D., http://www.guidetopsychology.com/.

Out of curiousity I think I will research more common dreams and their suggested meanings. Check back later.

Dream Share

Here is your chance to share your dreams. Let the fun begin!

Where Dreams Begin

I created this blog to consider some of the following questions:

What do dreams mean?

Are some dreams universal?

How do dreams shape us?

How much can we control our dreams?

What can we learn from nightmares?

Many other questions are formulating in my mind. Perhaps you have a question, or even an answer. I invite you to join me as we ponder the worlds that unfold as our eyes close each night.