Should mantras be in present or future tense?

I've been putting some work into writing some personalised mantras, and one of the guides in the wiki says that mantra's should always be in present tense, however most other examples i've seen in other guides in and out of this site are in future tense. Does anybody know which works better? Thanks :)

I find that immediate future positive works best, i.e. "I will have a lucid dream tonight."

The downfall of future tense is that (apparently) your brain says, "Okay, you WILL have a lucid dream--eventually! You didn't put a time frame on it, so neither will I!" So if you say "I will have a lucid dream" your brain might not recognize that you want to have one in the near future.

Like Burke, I see nothing wrong with saying "I will have a lucid dream tonight" because that sets a specific time that you should have the LD. I've been using present tense mantras myself, and they work just fine.

I'd say present tense, as if it's already happening. Future tense refers to a time that may or may not ever come. Present leaves only option - now. And as the zen masters assert, now is all we have. Blessings!

I always say: I will have a lucid dream tonight and when I wake up I will remember that dream.
So far no luck :L

present

Mantras should be short, they should sound good a rhythmic
You want it so simple that it can be a singsongy way.
Dont make the words a long sentence trying to cover everything.
I would not say you will dream tonight. Go with extra simple, like "I Am Dreaming" or "This is a dream".

Thanks for the advice guys, i'm seeing the general concensus as present. Does anyone know the optimum length of time they should be repeated?

I think the length of time is up to the individual. Some might feel their subconscious has the message by repeating their mantra 2 or 3 times. Some might want to repeat it until they actually fall asleep. I don't think it makes a big difference as long as you are comfortable and feel you have accomplished your goal.

I think it works best when you dont say things like "I will have a lucid dream tonight but instead say "I am great at lucid dreaming" or "I always lucid dream at night". Atleast thats in my experience.

I haven't had luck with future tense mantras. I'm going to try some of the tips on this thread and see if they work a little better for me. Mantras and ADHD is a difficult combo to deal with though. "I will have a lucid dream. I will have a lucid dream. I will... oh a butterfly!"

I believe, it should be present. Our brain interprets "I will" as anytime in the future, just not now, because for our mind, there is no between state. It recognizes only now, and not now. And you do want it now. As if it was already happenig, eventhough you talking about upcomming night. And this is valid not only for lucid dreaming, but also for power of intention in waking life (as described in book The Secret).

And you can repeat your mantras during day. But best time is at the moment of actually falling asleep. That's when you are most likely to carry your thought to your dream. So when you lay down to go to sleep, if you not very sleepy, just let your mind wander and when you about to fall asleep, repeat your mantra for a few minutes. Obviously, the more you say it the better (I think), but not to the point of keeping you awake.

If you can make it in rhythm with your breathing, even better. And it could also be rhyming. Make sure, it's something short, so you don't have to really think about what you say next, something meaningful to you. Happy dreams:)

Present tense is said to be best.

I don't think it matters, as long as you are understanding what you are saying. The wording is secondary to the intent. Present tense is best, since we tend to associate it with ourselves, instead of our imaginary (nonexistent) future selves.