How to Have Lucid Dreams
A
lucid dream is an experience you have in your dream world where you are
aware that you are dreaming. During the dream you have the thought
process of �it�s okay, I know this is just a dream� and you continue
the dream. Lucid dreaming is an interesting phenomenon because being
aware of the dream process offers you the potential of controlling your
dreams. If you want to learn how to have lucid dreams, you need a
little bit of patience, and some practice to develop good dream
awareness.
One
method you can try if you want to learn how to have lucid dreams is
called the wake initiated dream. Using this method requires an
awareness of a state called the hypnagogic state, which is that state
you are in right between sleep and wakefulness. Here you are very
relaxed, aware of images that may or may not be happening, and though
you are aware, you are almost asleep. You need to use this hypnagogic
period to slowly move yourself into a lucid dream. Take advantage of
this �brink� of awareness and use it to create a lucid dream.
If
you know how to identify this hypnagogic state, you will learn how to
have lucid dreams. If you recall times of almost wakefulness when you
are lying in bed and your body may twitch once or twice before you go
to sleep, this is the hypnagogic period. If you pay attention, you will
notice that your mind is presenting you with images, colors,
experiences. You now need to take a metaphoric approach to transforming
these experiences into lucid dreams. Use symbols like stairs, steps,
jumping, moving, anything that generally involves physical activity to
�step� or �move� into a dream experience. Some people count, others
climb, some descend stairs. Any method that will symbolically, but
almost physically move you from one state to the next should give you a
successful lucid dream..
There
are many approaches to learning how to have lucid dreams. All of them
require patience, willingness, and awareness. But it can be done.
