Thread: A Compendium of Dream Stabilization Techniques.

Hey all!

I just went through the Tutorials threads on DVF and couldn't find anything concise on dream stabilization techniques.

I think we should start posting and discussing fairly detailed instructions/descriptions on our most effective stabilization techniques here and maybe get the information in this thread moved to the Tutorials section later on after we have enough information gathered so that people may use this thread as a 'Quick Reference Guide' of sorts for dream stabilization techniques.

A possible format could be:

Technique: Detailed description of the technique.

Rationalization (couldn’t think of another word): Try to rationalize how and why the technique works.

User Comments (this section might not really be necessary): Comments and opinions by DVF users.


When finished, this compendium of dream stabilization techniques should also be a useful contribution to those members amongst us who are currently working on the DVF Lucid Dreaming Book.

DREAM SPINNING

Technique:
When you find that clarity and vividness in your dreams is low or decreasing, quickly spin around as fast as you can, focussing intently on the spinning sensation. Do not focus on the imagery passing by you when you do this; you may watch it casually if you like. When you feel that you are fully aware of the spinning sensation, slow down and watch your environment come back to a stop. Your environment should now be considerably more vivid.

While spinning, try to keep the sense of your current environment in mind… try not to get distracted by other thoughts. Letting your mind wander off to thoughts of another place usually results in your being ‘Teleported’ to another dream location. For example, if while spinning you are half expecting the technique to fail and result in you waking up in bed, you are more likely to have a false awakening.

Rationalization:
Dream spinning as with all other stabilization techniques, attempts to strengthen lucidity by actively engaging one or more of your physical senses; in this case, you are focussing on the sense of weight and mass caused by centripetal forces while spinning. This stops your consciousness from a lapse back to the sensation of you lying in bed hence preventing you from waking up.

User Comments:

Kane: Spinning usually does not work for me to increase lucidity in my dreams. But it does usually make sure I at least enter another dream. Almost every time I spin, I end up having a false awakening.

If I am losing clarity, I try some other stabilization techniques... but if that isn’t working as well, and especially when I am running out of time/options, I spin around quickly and try to bump into objects in the dream environment as I do this. I think bumping into dream objects further engages your sense of touch improving your chances of remaining in a dream when you stop spinning. It always sends me into another dream... which is always better than waking up.

This is a great idea. Other ones I've heard of a rubbing hands together and feeling dream objects, but I've never had the chance to use them in dream.

Touching objects

Technique:
One of the tricks I use to "ground" myself is to "touch" things. By touching.. I mean really "feeling" them. Get into how they feel.. are they hot, cold, smooth, rough, etc. (this also helps me remain in the dream longer).

You may try to increase your vividness by confidently declaring "increase lucidity" or "clarity now" but that would be the extent of control I would recommend for struggling dreamers.

Rationalization:
For those new to lucid dreaming, I advise that for your first few dreams you simply act like a tourist in a new place.. go sightseeing and take in all the different colors and sounds. Don't try to set the lucid world on fire your first few dreams.. don't try to do too many tricks, summon people, etc. as this may cause you to lose lucidity. Simply go with the flow and take it all in. Get used to what being lucid FEELS like so you can "ground yourself" in your dreams.. that's when the tricks/stunts can happen.

User Comments:

Clairity: I still have to remind myself the moment I become lucid to get "grounded" in my dream (i.e., make it as lucid as it could be) instead of immediately racing to do something before I lose lucidity.

Just remember that "the deeper the level of lucidity.. the better your lucid experience should be".

Just to throw out something interesting, I read this book by Carlos Castaneda where he learns that pressing against the roof of your mouth with the tip of your tongue greatly increases the vividness of your dreams... just wondering if anyone has anything interesting to say/add to this.

Originally Posted by Kane

Just to throw out something interesting, I read this book by Carlos Castaneda where he learns that pressing against the roof of your mouth with the tip of your tongue greatly increases the vividness of your dreams... just wondering if anyone has anything interesting to say/add to this.

I'd never heard this before.. but it's certainly easy and would be an interesting thing to try!