Dolphin's Guide to Attaining Lucidity

[dolphin]

To become lucid, you have to identify a dream as such while it's happening. In order to do this, first you have to be aware of whatever you're trying to identify, then you have to remember what you're being aware is what you're trying to identify. Let's take a look at Schroeder trying to identify a dog, which is just like identifying a dream. The last panel illustrates a non-lucid dream. Like Schroder, we're often present and aware of the dream, but we make the mistake of identifying it as whatever we think it's representing rather than identifying it as a dream. So, how would Patty teach Schroeder to identify Snoopy as a dog? Any ideas? Well, I think she would tell him, "No, Snoopy's a dog!". I call that "corrective reinforcement" which I think would be a good way to learn to become lucid. Here's how I would do it: Step 1:Set Your Intention Plan what you want to do when you're dreaming. An example of an intention would be to identify the dream and say out loud "I'm dreaming" before completing any dream goals you wish to accomplish. It's good to have a consistent thing you say or do every time upon becoming lucid, as this helps with access to memory which in turn helps you grasp and stabilize lucidity. Step 2:Fall Asleep Fall asleep, trying to keep your attention on something you associate with dreaming. This can be anything. We're just trying to keep our minds on dreams in some way so we don't forget to be aware of them. Step 3:Carry Out Your Intention Once you start dreaming, attempt to carry out your intention as you planned. Step 4:Reality Check, Recall, and Reinforce When you wake up, do a reality check to see if you're dreaming. If not, then at this point you may recall the dream you had and write it down. Then, go back as far as in the dream as you can remember, and reimagine the dream at that point, only with yourself carrying out your intention as you imagined. Doing this, you're thinking about what should have happened, that way when a similar situation occurs in the future, you're more likely to succeed. Think of this as teaching yourself to identify dreams through corrective reinforcement, just as Patty was teaching Schroder how to identify dogs. When done with this, complete steps 1-4 again until it's time to start your day. We dream several times a night, so you should be able to complete the steps multiple times. Day work If you want to do something during the day to help with this, read DJ entries. Except, when reading, as much as you can, replace all the nouns with dream, all verbs with dreaming and all adjectives with dreamlike. So, rather than reading, "I woke up in my bed and saw this scary monster," you would read "Dream dreamed up in my dream and dreamed this dreamlike dream" This will train you to see dreams as dreams, rather than what they're representing. Conclusion Of course, this learning process is probably going to take longer than it would in waking life, because we tend to have less access to memory in dreams. We still do have some access to memory in dreams, though, so I think the technique of corrective reinforcement is a valid way for anybody to learn to lucid dream.

[Patience108]

Thanks dolphin for sharing your experience - it's funny coz I have recently been catching up on forgotten fundamentals and so to develop natural RC that feels good to me ...it feels clear I need to " remember " more and more ...to ask about my state and be present and ofcourse set expectation and intention during WL - but I need to find effortless ways so that I don't over do it .... realising I really need to strengthen my memory to allow for a good LD practice...So am working on remembering during WL ... For this reason - when I saw your post it brought a smile to my face The basic's you point towards here above really do seem tobe the basics! And we all know how necessary and important the basic are so - thanks again

[Patience108]

Can you help to give some more practical WL ways that you bring about the ' corrective reinforcement' or work with memory for LDing ... It will help in bringing some strength to my little grey cells

[dolphin]

Read DJ entries. Except, when reading, as much as you can, replace all the nouns with dream, all verbs with dreaming and all adjectives with dreamlike. So, rather than reading, "I woke up in my bed and saw this scary monster," you would read "Dream dreamed up in my dream and dreamed this dreamlike dream" This will train you to see dreams as dreams, rather than what they're representing.

[Patience108]

I do like your thinking - dreaming this post of us dreaming this chat the dreamlike quality of my dream appreciation dreaming on I just " know I am dreaming" as always a natural dreamer

[FryingMan]

In the Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep, the author recommends reviewing dream memories and asserting to yourself while you do so, that "that was a dream!" Of course, they're perspective is a bit different, and includes recognizing that all experience is a dream, including waking up ("I've woken into a dream", "I'm in my dream kitchen pouring dream milk into dream coffee"), but still, I think it's a worthwhile practice.

[RelaxAndDream]

i also noticed that when i fall asleep very conscious with my mantra in my head and noticing how i fall asleep i often have this "FA". But i always resisted to call them like that because i dont dream before. the dream starts in my (or a) bed. therefore i always found it more difficult to catch these. tonight in my last sleepcycle i had one of those... i "woke up" because my boss came in with a massage set and a girl who wanted to massage him. he asked if its okay if they do it in my room... i was so confused that i allowed it and leaved the room continuing a very present and vivid dream but didnt became lucid xD is it in your opinion the same to catch this kind of "FA" with typical FA after a dream? because even if you do a RC everytime after waking up...you kind of dont wake up in this "FA"? when would be the timing trigger? everytime i stand up or just prime your brain for waking/sitting up in your bed? i dont know but i have the feeling this kind of dreamstart is a preWILD when you like to call it like that? because you dont get the transition but you actually are there at the beginning of the dream? or how do you see this? or is your recall maybe even better and you say that you actually dream before something like this?

[dolphin]

RelaxAndDream, this is a special kind of FA you're referring to called a continuum. Catching these dreams is more like catching a regular dream as you don't know exactly when it's coming. You just have to be ready for it and RC when you identify a potential dream. If you miss it, you just take note of the dream and say to yourself, "Okay, the next time some people walk in to my room, I'll be sure to RC." Learning from experience is how you get better at catching these kind of dreams. If you don't lose consciousness and catch the dream immediately as it comes, it's a WILD. This type of learning is what I'm trying to encourage. Now the next time RelaxAndDream notices a DC in a continuum, he'll be more likely become lucid because he's learned from last time. Try to learn from each dream, both lucid and non-lucid. Analyze why you didn't become lucid. What were you thinking? What should have you been thinking? Resolve to make the change and use this new experience to make yourself stronger.

[Crabface]

Thank you Dolphin. I will start using your method and see what happens. It sounds logical and i believe it might just work.

[dolphin]

I think this concept of learning and making adjustments is really important. It's what I forgot to put in my 3rd guide. The intention to learn and make the adjustment and get it right the next time is what allows you to actually make the adjustment you need to make. Think about what you need to learn and what adjustment you need to make. You start a foundation and you build on this foundation: 1st you gain awareness of the dream itself 2nd you reflect on this awareness 3rd you specifically reflect on the whether this awareness is of a dream and from this, come to the conclusion you're dreaming If you're not gaining awareness of the dream, you need to be more aware while you're sleeping because dreams occur while you're sleeping. If you're not reflecting on what you're aware of, it's because what you're being aware of has all of your attention, leaving none for thought. You need to make more room for thought or otherwise increase your self-awareness. If your self-awareness is good, this reflection becomes subconscious. If you're not specifically reflecting on the whether this awareness is of a dream, it's because you haven't learned to think this way. Imagine what it would be like if you did think this way. Think to yourself-"I'm going to think this way next time. I'm going to make this happen." This intention will help improve your prospective memory of it in the future, allowing it to come to you easier in a similar situation. Learning a new way of thinking can take time, as we can be pretty set in our ways, but it can be done. It's all in the mind.

[oneian]

Thank you so much for the practical assistance, Dolphin. I will apply these techniques of Balancing awareness and reflection... I had a great LD this morning after a 6 day dry spell. From 10 second lucidities to a personal record of a few minutes this morning. Felt great. Must stabilise more and also I found myself rushing. I wrote " TAKE YOUR TIME" in my DJ

[Ctharlhie]

It seems to me this is the essence of MILD and could be really effective for beginners or anyone trying to simplify lucid dreaming.