Thread: An experienced LDer's tips and tricks, and some newbie advice

Hey, it's been a while since I've been on here, but I recently had a bout of many LDs in succession and it gave me the idea to share some of the tools I use when I'm dreaming to control my dreams. These should be useful to newbies and experienced dreamers alike. If I think of anything else to add, I will!

Reality Checks:
Keep the type of reality checks you use varied. If you always use the same method, it will lose effectiveness. I use a variety and I alternate. 2 that I am using right now are: hold your nose shut with your fingers and try to breath, and: trace a line on your arm with your fingernail. It'll leave a groove in a dream. Another technique to try is setting a very quiet, short alarm with your phone. When it goes off, it won't be enough to wake you, but it'll show you that you're dreaming. Some people can try using electronics to see if they're dreaming, but stuff like cell phones always works for me anyway. Still, everyone's different. Give it a try!

Stabilizing:
To maintain control, find some cold water, dunk your hands in it, and yell "stabilize my lucidity now!" I forget where I picked this tip up, it came from someplace. I find this to be more effective than any other method, especially spinning. It's sometimes useful to hold up your hands and study them. If you use the hand-rubbing method, be sure you're looking at them while you do it.

Making things:
I used to have a lot of trouble making dreamworld objects before I learned to be assertive. Don't ask your dream to make something, tell it to. If necessary, find a box or cabinet and open it, or take the item out of your pocket.

Going Places: One option is to run and jump so you fly and fly above the clouds, then come back down in the location you want to reach. When you can't fly or don't feel like it, take a pen out of your pocket (it'll be there.) Draw a door outline and open the door. Step inside to the location of your desire. A final option is to step inside a phone booth with no windows and shut the door, and then exit the phone booth where you want to be. Never try to travel somewhere by walking or driving. There's a chance your brain won't figure things out and you'll wake up.

Giving yourself powers:
If you're having trouble giving yourself telekinesis, flight, or any number of dreamworld powers, create a pill in your pocket and swallow it. It's handy to give yourself invincibility so you don't accidentally kill yourself and wake up.


Dream Characters:
If the people in your dreams are giving you trouble, use logic to get rid of them. Often times, use of weapons can have negative ramifications on you, unless you are very in control of your dream. It's easier just to run across a bridge and knock it down behind you, or run through a door and lock it. Typically, I just act assertive and tell them to go away. Never panic, or you'll lose control. Creation of people is similar to creation of objects-open a door and let them in.

Remembering things in a dream:
There are a couple things to try.
Write what you want to do on your arm with marker (in real life) and look at it often. When you're dreaming, check your arm. Alternatively, carry a pad with you at all times, and write what you want to remember. Only have one thing in the pad at a time (tear out the page when you're done.)

Other problems:
If you're having trouble moving, take the weights off your feet. If you can't see well, put on glasses or remove the mask from your eyes. Always think logically when solving a problem in a dream. If you ever really mess stuff up somehow, close your eyes and open them (just make sure you don't open your real eyes.

Remember, stay calm, stay stable, and be assertive. And oh yeah, enjoy lucid dreaming!