How to practice lucid dreaming? Lucid dreaming techniques. [Lucid Dreaming series (2/6 - part 2)]

Part 1:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-practice-36021366

There are no "impeccable techniques" with 99% success rate. The world of lucid dreaming is the world of individuals. Any methods should be tested and matched individually, followed by your own modifications to evaluate if they are useful or not. Also, I do not recommend going through the methods one by one. Each and every method should be based on multiple attempts, free improvisation, and reinforced by having fun. Forget the fuck it phrase. It'll pay off.

1. Meditation

Starting up by learning how to meditate is a great introduction to every lucid dreaming method. It enables to move your mind into the relaxed state, on the borderline between awakening/sleeping state. It also teach you to recognize both of the states. A meditative state is a state in which your subconscious mind is highly suggestible, so it may also be used to implement self-made affirmations, which will greatly increase the chance for the occurrence of a lucid dream.

Meditation is easy:

- Just sit down or lie back, preferably in a place you don't associate with sleep, such as a chair, a mattress outside your bedroom, or a sofa that has been moved to a different place than usual. This will help you avoid falling asleep, especially during the first few attempts.

- Close your eyes or stare at a single point in front of you

- Relax, and slow down your breathing (e.g., inhale for 5 seconds, hold for 5 seconds, then exhale for 5 seconds).

- When you feel comfortable and relaxed, stop controlling your breathing and just "float."

- In this state, observe your thoughts or a "dark spot" behind your eyes. Don't control them, just be aware of their existence.

-  Maintain focus. It may be tiring at first. Work out. Continue observing.

...and that's it.

An alternative method - "Cookie monster," especially good for people having intrusive thoughts. Imagine that you're a hungry "cookie monster" and each of your thoughts is a cookie. Whenever a thought enters your mind, think that you are consuming it. Visualize some details. How the cookie tastes and smells. Finally, swallow it and go on with your meal.

2. WBTB (Wake - Back To Bed) 

• Wake up after 4-6 hours of sleep

• Engage your frontal cortex for 5-10 minutes (e.g., solve a math task in your mind)

• Lay back, try not to move. Use an anchor.

• Relax/fall asleep

All techniques performed before the first 3 stages of sleep (before 4.5h of sleep, except for those based on affirmations) have a shallow success rate. Therefore, the best time to perform any LD technique is when you have spontaneously awakened after sleeping for 4-6 hours (except for a nap during the day... that may also be a good time for some people).

Here comes the WBTB method - staying up during the night, waking the brain up a bit, going back to sleep (after 5 - 20 minutes).

After waking your brain by solving a simple math problem in your mind, go back to bed and use an "anchor" before sleeping. An anchor is a sleeping position that helps keep a part of your brain awake. It will greatly improve the chances of LD occurring. For example, you can lie in a slightly uncomfortable position, turn on white noise/binaural beats designed to induce LD, lower the temperature of your room, try to listen to your surroundings, such as a ticking clock, etc.

My favorite anchor is sleeping at the other end of the bed, 180 degree.

Experiment with what works best for you. However, I don't recommend doing a task that requires a lot of concentration. It can greatly increase the time it takes to fall back asleep. Lucid dreaming is supposed to be fun, not some crazy overnight gymnastics.

It is all about engaging your frontal cortex then convincing your brain that you are already sleeping.

3. Affirmation

It is a beginner-friendly method and highly effective for anyone prone to suggestions/affirmations.

How do you do this method? However you like.

You may affirmate yourself in a meditative state or when using the WBTB method, every time you complete a reality check, or just randomly during the day. It is all about convincing your conscious/subconscious mind that you will know you are dreaming every time you dream, stay fully aware, and be in full control of your dream.

In a lucid dream - if you know that it will happen, it will.

4. SSILD  (Senses Initiated Lucid Dream)

SSILD is a technique that relies on observing your senses right before falling asleep (best after WBTB).

1. Lie down

2. Clear your mind (enter a meditative state)

3. Close your eyes

4. "Watch" the darkness behind your eyes for 2 minutes then begin to listen to your surroundings, subsequently focus on the sense of smell, next on the things you sense with your touch. Repeat the whole process (4.) 3-4 times.

5. Simply go back to sleep

Do this lazily. After falling asleep again, the chance of (spontaneous) LD increases tenfold.

There are many methods to choose from. However, choosing one of the ones I have described is more than enough to begin experiencing regular lucid dreams. Remember, you're in control of your journey. If you feel overwhelmed by the training, take a break for a few days, as you would with any training, and return when you feel refreshed and ready to continue.

Most importantly - experiment and create your own methods. Basing any on the WBTB system is the best starting point.