Thread: I checked the Wiki but it didn't help enough

First off, WBTB is a very very good technique aid. My first lucid came from a WBTB, and now 2/3 of my lucids are WBTB's. The way I do a WBTB is to set my alarm for about 6-7 hours after falling asleep. When I get up I use the restroom if needed, then I find a way to get lucid dreaming on my mind, doesn't matter how you do it, but just get it on the front of your mind. I usually just read around on this site, or read in Exploring the world of lucid dreaming. Get yourself really motivated, visualize yourself becoming lucid in a dream and completing one of your goals. I usually stay awake 10-15 minutes.

When returning to sleep try to keep lucid dreaming on the top of your head, with a mantra, visualization ect. For me, I can't fall asleep while doing anything, my mind has to be blank so I just do a mantra until I feel like it has sunk in. "The next time I'm dreaming, I will realize I'm dreaming" or something like that for a few minutes is what I do.

I also highly recommend the MILD method, which is like a WBTB enhanced. If you don't have a copy of Exploring the world of lucid dreaming, then message me and I can give the technique in full detail. The inventor of the MILD, Dr. Stephen Laberge claims that if used properly, his MILD can produce a lucid dream on any night a person wants.

Hmm, I've forgotten exactly what EWLD prescribed. I can tell you what I've found from my own experiences, though.

How long is too long to stay up?

Longer than an hour is probably overkill. I stay up from thirty minutes to an hour. If you find that an hour WBTB will keep you up the rest of the night, tone it back and experiment. In the past I've successfully done WILDS with only being up a couple minutes, though. Nowadays, I'm up for thirty minutes.

What should I be doing? As in standing around, sitting, light exercise?

First try to remember your previous dreams and log them. I recommend buying a few lucid dreaming books so you have something to read during the WBTB. I've also been doing dual n-back during mine. I've been known to shave for the day ahead, too.

At what time should I wake up? I know it has to be before or after a REM, which I can do fine, I usually fall asleep around 12:30-1:00 and wake up at 3-4, but is there a graph or something that shows me when REM cycles occur?

Your last two REM cycles are the "sweet spot" of lucid dreaming, and each cycle supposedly lasts about 90 minutes. Mine tend to be a little shorter (I use the "Sleep Cycle app on my phone). So, you'll want to wake up "X + 3 hours" before you wake up for good, where X is the duration of your WBTB (3 hours = two 90 minute cycles). Side note: try to sleep as much as possible in order to get as much REM as you can each night.

Hope this helps.

Ok, I think I have it now. I need to fall asleep as usual then wake up approx- 5-6 hours later, or 3 hours before I would normally wake up. I should then get up and do something engaging and lucid dreaming related. I think reading through my dream journal would be enough, as well as a bathroom break.

Originally Posted by Origami

Ok, I think I have it now. I need to fall asleep as usual then wake up approx- 5-6 hours later, or 3 hours before I would normally wake up. I should then get up and do something engaging and lucid dreaming related. I think reading through my dream journal would be enough, as well as a bathroom break.

Yep thats perfect. Reading through your DJ is great to do during a WBTB.

Ok, I'm set for the next week or so. If it goes well I'll keep on it. If nothing happens at all, I'll message you.

Originally Posted by Origami

Ok, I'm set for the next week or so. If it goes well I'll keep on it. If nothing happens at all, I'll message you.

Not a week. I once learned that if you try a technique for a MONTH and it doesn't work, then it's not for you.

A week is not near enough time to test a technique.

Ok then, until I get tired of it. I will complain to you, and you can tell me if I have done enough.

Originally Posted by Origami

Ok then, until I get tired of it. I will complain to you, and you can tell me if I have done enough.

Lol alright