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/

Improving Dream Recall

Your presence at this blog suggests that you are either a dream enthusiast - as am I - or you are curious about your dreams. Both groups of people will benefit from improving dream recall. Here are some tips to remembering your dreams:

1. Enthusiasm: The more committed you are to dream recall, the more successful you will be at remembering the workings of your subconscious.

2. Practice: Daily attempting to recall or share your dreams will eventually make recall more natural and accurate.

3. Stillness: When you awaken, remain still in bed, close your eyes, and begin your recall. Let your mind take you back before it becomes occupied with the concerns of the day.

4. Record: The act of writing not only creates a written record, but it helps organize our thoughts and provides us the opportunity to "relive" our dreams.

5. Prepare: Before entering your dream world each night, read over or dwell upon your previous dreams. This may help you make new connections or prepare you to continue in a particular subconscious direction.

6. Share: I began this blog to give myself and others the opportunity to learn from each other. Experiencing others' dreams allows us to explore the differences and similarities in our lives. I have been amazed at how often a dream that I have shared has been mirrored in the subconscious of a friend or family member. Please feel free to share your dreams here (check out Dream Share in the upper left corner).

Happy dreaming!