Lucid Dreaming (1 Viewer)

[Ike]

Has anyone had any experience with this?

I've been looking at books and CD's on this, and can't find one that looks helpful. This interests me, but I don't want to waste my time thumbing through a bunch of new age bullshit. Anyone recommend a good source on how to induce this?

Is this an actual practice, or is this just muddy science used to lure in gullibles like me?

 

[Rob Longmore]

Lucid dreaming is a conscious dream! 99% of dreams go unremebered, you have approx 4 or 5 seperate dreams in anights sleep, A lucid dream is a dream you are conscious of, and once you are conscious (know you are dreaming) you can controll it to whatever your imagination desires!

 

[Ike]

Yeah, I know what it is. Have you actually experienced this yourself? What's the science behind this?

 

[Ike]

Drat, double post.

 

[Jon_B]

believe it or not I have at least one a night. The only time it's fun is when I have dreams where I can fly. I don't "induce" it, I just "know" when I'm dreaming.

Jon

 

[Brad_V]

I only have time for a quick response at the moment, but I will say IMO it's more of a muddy practice. Not really a science to it, but it is a practice. My brother has been working on it, and he's told me a couple "strange" things that have come to him, but I personally have yet to find much use for it.

I know a good bit about hypnosis and things like that, but I have yet to find much use (or even the true existence of) lucid dreaming. Doesn't look to be something I'd put much time into.

 

[Kirk Gunn]

My lucid dreams revolve around how much I enjoy aggravating myself. As soon as I'm ready to bed a super-model, I think to myself "Gee - I wish the alarm would ring..."

Works every time.

I believe there are various B-Vitamin supplements that increase dream activity. An old roomate had this liquid B-Vitamin stuff I took - every night the dreams were so "real". I just can't remember the product name.

 

[JasenP]

When I was in High School I was able to coax myself into lucid dreaming. Basically I said to myself (in my head) Am I dreaming? and then I answered myself "no" do this whenever you think about it during the day and after a couple of days you may be able to accomplish a lucid dream state.

 

[Ted Lee]

i've got a book on this somewhere. i didn't really get all the way through it.

for me, this works best when you're in that semi-conscious state. almost like you're asleep but you know it. typically in the mornings for me.

at that point, i don't try to do anything too crazy - like flying or anything. that's too tough for me to consciously control. but i usually seem to be able to direct whatever situation is currently going on. so if i'm in a room with people, i'll direct myself to talk to someone or something like that.

again, i'm not really fluent in this practice...i tend to get headaches (or a sense of not being rested) if i do this. i think that's why i kind of gave it up...

 

[Patrick Sun]

The 2 or 3 lucid dreams that I was aware I was having were very interesting and pleasurable dreams, to say the least.

 

[Joseph DeMartino]

I find it hard enough to be lucid when I'm awake.
Joe

 

[Matt Stryker]

Before you buy those books, check out these links:
http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2002/2/6/19922/36571
http://www.lucidity.com/
It works, and its not too hard to master. The spinning technique is key when you start losing focus, as are the "reality checks" during the day. I've gotten to the point where I have a lucid dream about 1 or 2 times a week. Flying is fun, so are *ahem* other things. Its not really "muddy science" as much as something that may or may not work depending on the person.

 

[TomF]

You might want to check out Gayle Delaney's site. She runs a Dream Center and is a frequent guest on Oprah and other shows. I read a couple of her books, and she talks a lot about lucid dreaming, how to have them and how to control them.
http://www.gdelaney.com/

 

[Chet_F]

2 things:
1, try reading things thoughout the day. Then quickly look away and then back at the exact same text. During your waking state the text will be legible. If you do this type of repetitive behavior while you are awake it will eventually become second nature. You will do it so often that when you are sleeping you will do the same. The fun part is that when you are dreaming the text may be legible the first time but when you look away and then back the text will either become jibberish or it will change.
2, try looking at your hands thoughout the day for approximately 5 seconds. While you are awake your hands look fine. But during a dreaming state your hands will either not exist or they will start to look wavy or not solid. It's hard to explain.
The first technique worked the best for me. The second technique only worked once for me but I really didn't invest too much time in it.
There is also a device you can purchase that shines a red light in your eye at a predetermined time. They are glasses that you wear to bed. You eventually associate the red light that you will see incorporated into your dream as representing a dream at which point you will become lucid. I've never used them and do not know first hand if they work.
The first lucid dream is always the best. Everything was vivid, clear and bright. Very surreal. Almost as if the colors are 10 times brighter or more vivid than real life.
Unfortunatley I never kept up with it and rarely have them anymore. :frowning:
Good Luck

 

[Patrick Sun]

Lucid dreaming is sort of like being about to see things among a bunch of dots (like in Mallrats where everyone but the one slobbish guy who couldn't see the sailboat within the dots on a poster).

 

[Kevin P]

I'm most prone to lucid dreaming if I'm having trouble sleeping, or have slept through the night and am sleeping in in the morning (having awakened and then drifting back to sleep). You need to drift into a light sleep, right on the threshold of dreaming.
Lucid dreams are rare during "normal" sleep since you tend to fall into a deep dreamless sleep first, then switch to dreaming mode. But if you wake up during dreaming and then immediately fall back asleep, you might be aware enough to know you're dreaming.
Some things I notice in my lucid dreams is vivid colors (everything looks surreal), especially the sky. During day scenes the sky is blue and the clouds are vivid; night scenes have the most amazing view of the stars (and usually other things like planets or UFOs). It's like cranking the color up on the TV. Sometimes I'll fly during my lucid dreams, or I'll find a fast car and drive it FAST. Hey, I can't get speeding tickets in my dreams, right?
KJP

 

[James D S]

Even chronic lucid dreamers only experience lucidity 1-2 times a month, that being on the frequent side.

I used to have lucid dreams often when I was younger, but I haven't had one in several months.

From what I've read, it can't be induced. Some are prone to lucid dreaming and some are not. There are no benefits, psychologically, to lucid dreaming.

Some have suggested hypnosis, but the data are inconclusive as to how successful hypnosis is, in this regard.

To sum it up, cherish a lucid dream when you are lucky enough to have one - And live it up!

 

[Julie K]

I'm a bit confused. It seems a lucid dream is one where you are aware you are dreaming, however I see others refer to those dreams being very vivid. I have vivid dreams, full of bright colors, sounds, smells, tastes, and sensations, but am never aware that I'm actually dreaming. My only wish is that I could remember more of them.

 

[Ike]

Julie,

I am under the impression that a lucid dream is a dream in which you know you are dreaming, and in some cases, can actually control the way the dream goes.

So far, no one has really told me how to do this (and if James is correct, it can't be induced).

I've had a dream where I knew I was dreaming, and it was quite unique. I don't remember being able to control it, and this was years ago, so I'd like to recreate this experience.

 

[Kevin P]

I have vivid dreams, full of bright colors, sounds, smells, tastes, and sensations, but am never aware that I'm actually dreaming.

Well there you go Julie. Next time you look around, and notice that everything is vivid, just say to yourself, "Hey, I must be dreaming!" Then you'll be lucid dreaming.
Then the fun begins, as you can try different things, or do things you know you'd never get away with in real life.
KJP