[1] What is lucid dreaming?
[2] How exactly do I lucid dream? (techniques)
[3] Quick tips
[4] FAQs


As with all archive threads that have various answers to “how do I do that” type questions, you are encouraged to find what works best for you. These are almost all based on personal experience from users passed and present.


[1] What is lucid dreaming?

For the sake of a literal documented definition...
From wikipedia: A lucid dream is a dream in which the sleeper is aware that she or he is dreaming. When the dreamer is lucid, she or he can actively participate in and often manipulate the imaginary experiences in the dream environment.

**I find it necessary to make a note here. Wikipedia is rarely a good source for information like this beyond a light grasp of a subject like this. Careful screening of information from multiple sources is HIGHLY suggested.

In other words, it's a dream where you are totally (or at least partially) aware of the fact that you're dreaming. You may just be able to recognize it's odd and watch or you can, theoretically, control what happens in this dream.


[2] How do I lucid dream?

Now, for the general aspects of lucid dreaming, it's all about becoming aware while remaining in the dream state. Ie; remaining asleep. It's a wild concept isn't it?

So, to answer this question, there will be a lot of how to's from other users as ways to help you achieve the right state. Covered here will be: repetition (to be explained), meditation, sleeping patterns (briefly), miscellaneous indicators.

Repetition - Repetition is a way that we all know to work. Whether it's memorizing terms or drawing an ever more perfect circle without the use of a compass or round object nearby. This can actually pattern into your dreams. (Come on, you know it's true. Just think of that movie that you had nightmares about. It might not have been you, but you know it happens to people.)

“It's best to know you're dreaming so you can get the upper-hand. So what worked for me was as you fall asleep repeat in your head 'This is a dream, and I am free to do what I want.' Or something to that effect. As you repeat it, it gets drilled into your sub-conscience. (which, of course, produces your dreams.) So that night when you're dreaming that phrase will probably pop up whether you meant for it to not and you'll most likely realize your dreaming.” ~ -xXrowan_of_wonderlessXx-

Meditation - This can also be a good way to start learning to dream lucidly. One theory to is this that it frees up the mind in a sense, calming it and allowing you slip into the dreams more willingly. It is also thought that this simply gives you more control over your own mind. Regular meditation in general helps because it provides a way to exercise more control over your mind, which is what lucid dreaming is, in a sense. You exercise that control to create in a dream. So, if not just for the lucid dreaming state before true deep sleep, it's still a good practice. ~ Some information from Moonlit Jade

Sleeping patterns – Why would this have anything to do with your ability to have a lucid dream? Well, as you might be aware, there are different levels of sleep. We have the “nap” variety of sleep where you don't enter REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and then there's the “deep” sleep where you do enter REM sleep.

Humans, like many creatures in the world, have sleep cycles that are seemingly ingrained. We are essentially programmed to sleep at night and be awake during the day.

“The best way for me to lucid dream is just sleeping in late or taking a nap. Up during the day you stay in light-sleep mode, and it's easier for you conscience and sub-conscience to blend. Then your dreams are more vivid, and even if you don't realize you're dreaming they're still easier to control. (yes, you can control your dreams without realizing your asleep. Trust me, it can be done.” ~ -xXrowan_of_wonderlessXx-

Miscellaneous Indicators - “Sometimes there's a certain thing you see in your dreams, that should jolt you would the realization that you ARE dreaming; an indicator. Usually it's something odd, like...a pink elephant? Something you know that doesn't fit in reality. Mine was this..teddy bear thing, with claws, spines..a cross between teddy and a chupacabra I guess >_>. Every time I saw it in my dreams, I would realize I was dreaming again, and that would help me become aware of the dreams. Then onto controlling it and having fun with it.” ~ Razra Ove Viel

These fall much along the lines of repetition, as you can most likely make this indicator just about anything that you could recognize as a signal. You could repeat a cat or a sound that you would hear that would signal you that you were dreaming.


[3] Tips

Other things that might help you are the asking of a spirit guides or self-created “dream helpers” that can signal you to let you know you're dreaming or something to that nature.

Try to find the right balance between alertness and relaxed. Too alert and you won't fall asleep. Too relaxed and you won't realize the dream started/is starting/is a dream. It's a fine line.


[4] FAQ

-'User X' can do this anytime they want, why can't I?-
As with many things in life, some things come easier to certain people than to others. It's the reason that math is hard for me but easy for a lot of my other friends. Just because it's easier doesn't mean it's impossible for you.

-I tried it all and it didn't work! What do I do?-
Well, if you've only tried each method once, maybe go back and try spending a little more time on each technique to see if you get some different results. If that doesn't work, try to contact someone in the guild that might be able to help you or try your own research.

-I can't dream like this at all/It doesn't come easy to me. Could it have something to do with the WAY I dream?-
It shouldn't. Maybe you dream from a first or third person perspective. Maybe in dreams you are omnipotent in the sense that you are everywhere and hear everyone's thoughts. It still shouldn't matter and with practice you may be able to. You could try regular meditation to give you a little more control over your mind so that the dream controlling aspect of lucid dreaming comes a little easier to you.