Thread: Luring dreams to capture them seems more efficient than chasing them

Hey there,

With that exact idea in mind, I recently changed my 'intention' exercises. I use to go to bed setting my intention to have great dream experiences, dream incubation, and lucidity. I did so as usual, by telling myself I'd have great dreams, dream about a particular subject, and have lucid dreams. I'd repeat those intentions after each WBTB.

Sometimes it'd work. Sometimes it didn't. However, more then once, it felt to me like I was chasing phantoms. Like I'm constantly trying to catch something out of reach. Even if I had a success, I'd increase the goal and tell myself 'one more, one better, one longer, etc'. The problem though, was that I was directing my attention too much on 'what I wasn't dreaming about yet'. Like looking at the horizon, rather then at the road under my feet.

So I changed tack and decided before bed, I'd work from what I already had, which was my previous dreams. I'd analyze last night dreams for the elements I wanted (or previous dreams if last night's had no such elements). Were there great experiences there? Were there indications that my dream incubation was successful, like elements that I wanted or references to the incubation idea? Were there signs of increased awareness, of dream control, of dream signs?

For example:

Before, I'd set my intention 'I'll have great dreams, I'll dream of a loved one (dream incubation), and I'll be more aware of dreaming and make lucid choices'.

Now, however, I go look at my previous dreams for the elements I want. I had a dream last night where an old pet of mine, my beloved cat long since passed way, was lying on my lap purring happily. So I'd recall this in detail, as it was a clearly linked to my wish for dream incubation (it wasn't the loved one I was trying to incubate, but it was a clear reference to the idea). It was also a great and emotional dream, so it linked to the desire to have great dreams as well. Later in the night, I had an almost WILD, where I was in a candy shop. I was no longer aware of my waking body, but the dream hypnagogia were still too vague and flimsy to be called a real dream. Still, I link this to my desire to have more lucidity and so recalled that episode in detail as well.

The idea is to work constructively from what I had, then let it expand naturally as I focus my attention on improving what I have. Sort of when you're training to run ten miles if you've never ran a mile in your life. You wouldn't start each session saying 'today I will run ten miles'. You'd start by running what you can, remember what you ran last time, try for a little bit more, and trust that your physical condition is improving and that eventually you'll get there.

Its too early for me to draw any real conclusions, but at least preliminary results have been very positive. I get far more success with this approach, and it feels far more relaxed and natural at the same time (which as stated here above may well be the reason for the increased success).

Just my 2 cents,

-Redrivertears-