How To Have Lucid Dreams

Did you know that you can learn how to have lucid dreams in days or weeks? Once you learn the right techniques, opening the gateway to the conscious dreamworld can become second nature.

It's true that some people find it a lot easier than others - but don't be put off because, ultimately, everyone has the ability to wake up in dreams.

Before I explain the basic lucid dreaming methods, I'm going to share a secret with you. It is the underlying principle of lucid dreaming...

Simply put, to control your dreams you must set the intention of recognizing when you are dreaming. This can involve:

• Learning about lucid dreaming
• Imagining what you would do in a conscious dream
• Repeating "I will lucid dream tonight" in your mind
• Reality testing (see below)
• Reading this website!

The mere intention to have lucid dreams creates a pattern in your subconscious mind.

Scientific studies show that your dreams reflect many of the thoughts, memories and events you experience during the waking day. And if you really want something on a conscious level, it will filter through to the subconscious.

So having lucid dreaming on the brain will help you wake up in dreams!

Reality Testing

Reality testing is the easiest way to trigger spontaneous lucid dreams. Here's how it works. I do reality testing multiple times throughout my waking day: when I wake up, when I open doors, when I look at clocks, and when I go to sleep (and any time it pops into my mind).

When reality testing, I briefly try to do something impossible in the physical world, that would be perfectly fine inside a dream. I try to push my hand through the wall, levitate where I am, or look at the time (clocks are nearly always distorted in dreams). Sooner or later, I perform a reality test in a dream and this nearly always causes me to realize I am dreaming.

Reality testing is a great way to get started when you are learning how to have lucid dreams. Check out this article on reality checks to learn more.

Lucid Dreaming Methods

There are some lucid dreaming methods that the experts prefer. These have evolved quite recently over the last few decades, and most are very easy to perform. Here are the best lucid dreaming methods: Keep a dream journal Create a lucidity anchor The MILD method The WILD method The CAT method Meditation Self-hypnosis These are all very popular and effective techniques for beginners and experts alike. Read my step-by-step guide to these lucid dreaming methods and practice them often.

Lucid Dreaming Mask

Although I would love to say it, a lucid dreaming mask does not guarantee instant lucid dreams. But it can help! To use it effectively, you must program your brain to recognize certain dream symbols - usually flashing lights of any form. A lucid dreaming mask creates many dream symbols every night, increasing your chances of having multiple lucid dreams.

The most popular lucid dreaming mask is the NovaDreamer, created by the Lucidity Institute. The latest version is due for release later in 2008. Or you can buy the REM Dreamer (Europe's answer to the NovaDreamer) right now. Check out my independent reviews of lucid dream machines.

So there are the basics of how to have lucid dreams. I urge you to practice a few lucid dreaming methods today - whether you start reality testing, create a dream journal, or take up meditation. Leave the lucid dreaming mask until you have nailed the basics. They will all lead you down the path to lucidity, so you too can wake up in dreams.