Many people report being able to achieve lucidity in their dreams without even trying, even though for the vast majority of people, this skill must be learned with practice. The good news is that studies show that most people have the propensity to learn to have lucid dreams.
Lucid Dreaming
Lucid dreaming is when the dreamer becomes aware that he or she is dreaming while remaining physically asleep. Lucid dreaming can be achieved at varying levels. At the lowest level, the dreamer may be aware that they are dreaming but may not be fully aware that they can control the events and characters in the dream. With higher levels of lucidity, however, dreamers become fully cognizant that the dreamscape can be altered and controlled. People who are lucid while dreaming often report purposely having exhilarating experiences, like flying, that are only to be had in dreams.
Why Develop Lucid Dreaming Skills?
As people first learn that there is such a thing as becoming lucid in dreams, they often wonder why learning to have this type of dream would be desirable. The answer for most people is that when you become aware that you are dreaming, your dreams can take on an added dimension that is only limited by the imagination. Lucid dreamers can concoct their own adventure and excitement by traveling to other planets or conversing with loved ones that have passed.
Lucid Dreams as Therapy
Also documented is the therapeutic value that lucid dreams can have.
• People who regularly suffer with bad dreams or nightmares can use lucidity in dreams as a means of confronting the scary elements of the dreams that haunt them.
• Many people use lucid dreaming to rehearse awkward or fearful situation. For example, motivational speakers use dreams to rehearse their public speaking engagements. Sports enthusiasts, also, have been known to use lucid dreaming to enhance their competitive edge.
• People in creative arts professions like artists, writers, photographers and musicians, also regularly use lucid dreams to inspire creativity. The dreamscape can provide these artists a custom studio where they are free to create in ways impossible in the real world.
Steps to Having Lucid Dreams
The three basic steps to lucidity are dream recall, questioning your conscious state, and learning to identify personal dream signs.
• The first step is to develop the ability to recall your dreams. The reason is obvious. If you cannot remember your dreams, you will not know if you have achieved lucidity. Training yourself to remember dreams is simple although it may take some time. Simply intend to remember your dreams as you fall asleep. Record whatever you remember in the morning, even if it just a feeling or a sensation. Eventually, you will retain more and more content from your dreams.
• Learn to question your conscious state while awake. Much of what constitutes dream material is the residue of habits formed in waking life. As silly as it sounds, developing the habit of asking yourself if you are dreaming while you are awake will increase the likelihood of you asking the same question while you are actually dreaming.
• As you examine your dream journal, you will notice common themes. These are called dream signs. These signs will signal the dreamer that they are dreaming and will act as signals which make it easier to reach the lucid state.
Defining lucidity involves simply realizing that you are having a dream. Lucid dreamers report wonderful experiences and most people desire to achieve lucidity. Besides adding excitement and adventure, lucidity can be a therapeutic way to stop nightmares, inspire greater levels of creativity and otherwise help people with everyday challenges.
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