Comprehensive approach vs patient/gradual build up

So I was listening to the Lucid Sage podcast which touched on the overwhelming nature of the sheer amount of information and lucid dreaming techniques out there. The host said he wanted everyone to stop with all the MILD/WILD/DILD/DIELD etc for now and just stick to writing dreams down for a while. I have definitely felt the effects of this in my attempts to attain lucidity. I have been practicing for 6-7 weeks now and managed to achieve 1 lucid dream and general dream recall via journaling.

Should this be a patient approach and built up slowly before trying the formal techniques or should we be trying different techniques straight away untill we achieve lucidity?

The best way to learn anything is to immerse yourself in it as deeply as you can for as long as you can. Don't be patient, dive in. Sooner or later you'll learn which techniques are real and which are just some nonsense made up by someone on a forum.

I agree with cmind in theory, however also consider the risks of burning out. I did exactly that when I first started and after about 2-3 months I was exhausted. I had devoted so much free time to lucid dreaming (visualization training, dream journalling, reading dreamviews, maintaining a constant sleep schedule) that I had absolutely no free time to hang out with my friends, enjoy other hobbies, and do other things that just help me unwind. I ended up ditching everything for about a month just to ground myself again (big mistake also).

Long story short do as much as you can without burning out. And if you do start burning out, cut back and ride out the trough. Don't ditch it all, even if it's not for very long.

Thanks guys. I would much rather try the formal techniques to feel like I am working at something. I will attempt WILD over the next few weeks even though it is very difficult for me atm.

I really want to experience this amazing phenomena that you guys experience!

Hi,

If I remember correctly I was more suggestion this approach as an alternative to those who feel overwhelmed by all the techniques or by trying sort of everything at once. Although I would still encourage building up your dream recall before trying induction techniques, but again, it depends on the person.

Hope this makes sense.

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Originally Posted by LucidSage

Hi,

If I remember correctly I was more suggestion this approach as an alternative to those who feel overwhelmed by all the techniques or by trying sort of everything at once. Although I would still encourage building up your dream recall before trying induction techniques, but again, it depends on the person.

Hope this makes sense.

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Thanks you man, I enjoy the pod!

Yeah I think I did overwhelm myself with over research into the vast amounts of induction techniques out there; Consequently losing motivation an hope.

I'm still a newbie and have been trying on and off for about 2 months now. I just came to the conclusion in the past couple of days that it seems as if the best approach in order to become a regular lucid dreamer is to think of it as if it is easy and anybody can do it - which is true. (If you believe it's hard you're definitely setting up some mental blocks - this could perhaps translate over in the dream world, too) So I guess you have to keep telling yourself in different ways how easy it is and be excited about lucid dreaming and what you can do with it, but, never push it too hard or you will find it overwhelming in the beginning. In addition never let it frustrate or have any negative impact on you. You also have to know that results will come, but patience is key.

I hope this is all correct and would really appreciate any feedback.

^ this is true. Everyone has natural lucid dreams of various levels of vividness on occasion. And everyone is familiar with the states of near-sleep that are associated with lucid dreaming (and especially WILD) if they've ever slept in on the weekend. It's more a question of wanting to do it and paying attention to what's going on.