Conscious dreaming (often called lucid dreaming) is the ability to know that you are dreaming even in the midst of one � and along with this comes the power to control the dream! When you know you�re dreaming, the possibilities are endless.
It may sound like something out of science fiction; but conscious dreaming is very real and is something that you can do with a little practice. Lucid dreaming is not hard to do � and being able to control; your dreams can help you to find out more about yourself and serve as a valuable place to express yourself. There are some techniques which are tried and tested for bringing about lucid dreams.
Before you get started, take a step back and think about what you want to accomplish by means of conscious dreaming � do you just want to have more enjoyable dreams, or are there goals in your life which lucid dreaming can help you to reach?
With your goal in mind, the next thing to do is to start learning and practicing the methods which can help you to begin conscious dreaming. A lot of people find the best way to begin to be dream recall. Dream recall is just the process of practicing recalling the details of your dreams.
This ability is the best way to condition your mind for lucid dreaming. You can start by keeping a dream diary, which you keep at your bedside. Right away after awakening, write down each and every detail you can remember of your dreams of the night.
This technique will help you to start remembering your dreams very quickly. One you have learned to remember your dreams, it will become easier and easier to become conscious that they are happening. Many people find themselves not long after starting to keep a dream diary �awakening� in the middle of a dream and starting to take control of it.
You may accidentally wake up from a conscious dream, but do not despair, this is normal, especially at first. Picture the dream in your mind and follow it as you go back to sleep. You will more than likely fall right back into the same dream and be able to control whatever is going on there as you wish.
A common problem people have when they get started in conscious dreaming is suddenly awakening from their conscious dreams; to return to your dream, go back to sleep while concentrating on the events of the dream in as much detail as possible.
Another method which many find useful for inducing conscious dreaming is to wake up a few hours earlier than normal. Simply set your alarm about two hours early and then go back to bed after awakening. In these last few hours before you are accustomed to waking up, it is much more common to have lucid dreams. These dreams can be hard to tell from simply laying awake and daydreaming! This is a good way to begin conscious dreaming.
It may surprise you to know that lucid dreaming is good for curing insomnia and many other sleeping disorders. The process of learning to dream consciously also teaches you to banish unruly thoughts that are keeping you from falling asleep.
It does not take long to learn the art of consciously controlling your dreams. It will not take years of study and practice as some may think. Just take some time to practice and work at it and you will be a conscious dreamer in no time.
Conscious dreaming can be learned much easier than you think � it doesn�t take years of practice to do.
If you are asleep and aware you are dreaming, this means you are having a lucid or conscious dream. This means you can control what happens while you are in this state. You will know you are dreaming so you can decide what happens next.
Tags: conscious dreaming, dream control, lucid dream, lucid dreamer, lucid dreaming, lucid dreams