LUCID DREAMING – Here is the definition, techniques, and cautions of controlling dreams while still asleep.
Dreams have fascinated humans for centuries, offering a mysterious realm where the boundaries of reality blur and imagination takes flight. Among these dreams, there exists a unique phenomenon known as lucid dreaming.
Lucid dreaming is a type of dream where the dreamer becomes aware that they are, in fact, dreaming. In a lucid dream, the dreamer may have a sense of control over their dream environment, characters, and narrative.
This awareness and control can vary in intensity, ranging from simply realizing that one is in a dream to actively shaping and manipulating the dream’s content.
According to experts, lucid dreamers are conscious of the fact that they are dreaming while the dream is ongoing. Some of them have the ability to control elements within the dream, such as the dream’s setting, characters, or even the dream’s outcome.
It often have a heightened sense of clarity and vividness, making the dream world seem exceptionally real. Dreamers usually remember their dreams more clearly than regular dreams, even after waking up.
This phenomena can occur spontaneously for some individuals, while others actively cultivate this skill.
Here are some techniques on how to practice lucid dreaming:
- Individuals do reality checks throughout the day, such as staring at their hands, trying to breathe through a closed nose, or asking themselves ‘Am i dreaming’. This behavior can be carried over into dreams, causing clarity.
- Dream Journaling: Keeping a dream journal allows dreamers to become more in tune with their dreams, making it simpler to identify dream patterns and triggers.
- Wake-Back-to-Bed (WBTB): This approach involves temporarily waking up during the night, remaining up for a short length of time, and then returning to sleep. This interruption can improve the chances of having a lucid dream.
- MILD approach: The MILD approach involves setting the intention to experience a lucid dream before falling asleep, which is often accompanied by visualization exercises.