Balance: For those having trouble with Lucid Dreaming and related stuff.

**Draemer90** · 11-27-2014 02:43 AM

I think that a lot of people view Lucid Dreaming as a magical way to alter reality and do whatever they want. They initially get very excited and start practicing reality checking and dream journaling. They may even have a couple Lucid Dreams that get them thinking they can do this with no problems. They become cocky. These same people will eventually run into problems attaining lucidity. This is normal. When this happens we can do one of a few things.

Take a closer look at your waking life Do you view Lucid Dreaming as an alternative way to live? You have to be careful. You don't want your brain to view Lucid Dreaming as a threat. Do your meditate? Do you drink too much? Do you take mind altering drugs regularly? Do you live a healthy life style? Do you have healthy relationships? I found that being balanced in waking life yielded positive results in dreams.

Get rid of problems Fight to get rid of those taxing and nagging issues you're dealing with.

"I don't know what to do with my life"
"I want to move out"
"I don't have a girlfriend / boyfriend"
"I'm not good enough"
Etc.

Don't think lucid dreaming can help you with these issues, there are simple ways of solving them, and I recommend you do it right away!

Lucid Dreaming is taxing in your body and if you have unresolved issues, then your brains may be trying to solve or deal or cope with them in your sleep. This is a problem. Try to be a better person everyday, in any way. Maybe be less selfish, make new friends (Even E friends count), go out and treat your self to a movie or a massage, do something for a loved one, etc.

Who knows maybe if you listen to this advice you'll start to manifest someone in your dream that will aware you that you're dreaming!

**JoannaB** · 11-27-2014 03:08 AM

I would disagree on the get rid of problems before approaching lucid dreaming practice. I returned to the lucid dream hobby after years of not practicing because I saw the potential to overcome depression through lucid dream practice. While it is true that I had not had a lot of lucid dreams while depressed but the very effort of perusing lucid dreaming taught me some valuable skills which did help me make huge strides in overcoming depression. So I would recommend lucid dreaming as a hobby to anyone struggling with depression. Lucids dream practice encourages increased self awareness / mindfulness which in my experience is crucial to both lucid dreaming and to overcoming depression. And for me at least while I love lucid dreams, but the process of getting to lucid dreaming success is almost more important than the end goal - the goal is like a reward but it is the work that I put into changing myself that is the real benefit, and lucid dreaming practice is a good approach to that.

**Hunterkiss** · 12-02-2014 09:37 PM

Draemer90, I actually find lucid dreaming easiest when I convince myself that it is easy. I see you've only had 10 lucid dreams so I would say really find what works for you before preaching what you think works for you and others. That's like reading the first paragraph of a textbook and saying you understand the whole thing or all the concepts (I've had about 60 and still figuring out what works for me). Stress is also going to affect people differently. It may hinder certain people's ability to lucid dream, but, for example, doesn't affect mine as long as I'm consistent with all the techniques.

Oh, and on the "I'm not good enough" issue, you can totally boost your confidence through lucid dreaming!

You could also explore options with what you want to do with your life as you mentioned. Remember, your imagination is your limitation.

**mimihigurashi** · 12-02-2014 10:54 PM

I respectfully disagree my friend, fact of the matter is that lucid dreaming can help you solve many problems and find many answers.

**Seltiez** · 12-03-2014 02:36 AM

You just said if i understood correctly that people should make their life balanced by solving their problem in order to have great success in lucid dreaming? Its not that serious.
Just do the techniques and methods if you want lucid dreams and if you have problems in life solve them if you want.
Lucid dreaming can be used anyway you want and they arent even that hard to get to. Maybe some people can find solution to fix their problems trough lucid dream.

Edit: I see your point about getting too obsessed about lucid dreaming and using lucid dreaming as a tool to escape problems rather than focusing on solving them. The thread was little confusing but i cant say that my posts or threads are any clearer.

I just felt that lucid dreaming shouldnt be taken too seriously.

**Sageous** · 12-03-2014 02:53 AM

^^ Good point.

I think the OP's main point was one of suggesting that moderation is a good idea for LD'ing, which arguably is an excellent idea. Also, perhaps, Draemer90, if you had rephrased that single line to read something like "Don't worry about what you're going to do with your LD'ing skills (like solve problems) until after you have those skills," you might have gotten less of a backlash.

Moderation, I think, is always a good thing, in that it tends to keep your kind flexible, relaxed, and open to new things; all of which is most helpful to successful LD'ing.

Though much more still needs to be done, I think the OP lays a nice foundation for the basic mental discipline needed, despite that hapless line that implied LD'ing might not be good for problem-solving.

So maybe cut the guy some slack, and discuss the value of moderation?