Different form of auto-suggestion, how could this work for us?

Hello, I have lightly messed with an alternate form of auto-suggestion that has proved to be quite effective. As normal auto-suggestion had little to no effect on me at any point, I was spurred to try a new method.

The method I use is less of a confirmation, and more of a forceful proclamation to your subconscious. Let me explain what I mean.

My first test (when I was decently younger, and was merely curious if it would work) involved bananas. Oh yes, bananas. I honestly hated the taste of that fruit, it was my least favored fruit of the bunch, but I wanted to see if I could force my body to enjoy the flavor. My idea was quite simple, I forced myself to eat bananas as my choice fruit, I explained to my parents my love for bananas, and when I thought of the fruit I forced myself to think of them in a positive light. It took about a week for it to actually start working, and around a month later they had formed to be my favorite fruit (to this day) and I love the taste of bananas, and anything containing a similar flavor. Though this is not much different than normal auto-suggestion, the main difference for me was I had to experience what I was trying to change, as well as changing my thought process about the subject.

I have tried normal auto-suggestion many times on multiple things (including Lucid Dreaming) while honestly believing 100% that I would succeed, but with no success.

Another "test" (less so of a test, more of a determination) was to make myself laugh genuinely at simpler comical occurrences, as it was near impossible to make me laugh, and I wanted that changed. When something happened that was somewhat amusing to others, I would force myself to laugh, not caring if I sounded like a nincompoop. In just a few days, I would laugh over the smallest things, and now I quite often chuckle (and sometimes laugh) out loud (on a daily basis) when amusing memories pop into my head. To some this may not seem like much, but for me it is a huge change brought about in a little under a week because of some forced idea.

Now this is all fine and dandy, but the reason I am bringing these ideas up is for help on how this could be applied to Lucid Dreaming. This seems to be the only effect method of auto-suggestion for me, and I am sure it would work well for others. However as it involves repetition and consistent reactions to entrain, it is harder to apply to something as unpredictable as dreams. (Given you don't already have control over them, which then this idea is pointless)

So are there any ideas on how to apply this to Lucid Dreaming, without resorting to classical auto-suggestion techniques? (Though I am not honestly sure if this technique is all that different)

If we find a way for this to work, it would guarantee a large increase in average lucidity without further effort beyond the initial entrainment.

P.S. For clarification, I am not referring to controlling dreams themselves, but rather on how to induce lucidity as they occur.

(I see why your signature stands)

Anyways, it sounds as if your "extended-MILD" attempt did not work, so I will describe another
method which you probably are familiar with (but might have not tried in the same manner as
you listed?).

I see your situation and why it would be difficult to translate your auto-suggestion style to the
dream world as many people aren't aware in the dream world (which is your goal). You could
train yourself to make specific symbols or items evoke yourself to check your reality (or dream);
symbols that you see in your dreams (and preferably waking life) on a regular basis. This
probably sounds familiar and is the use of common items in your dreams (and waking life) to
remind yourself to RC.

Your goal is to realize that you are dreaming. Direct auto-suggestion for such has not worked,
so maybe this indirect technique will be of assistance.

All the best,
P

Well, it seems allot of techniques (including the RC's) don't work for me, which is why I am looking for a way to get this current technique to work. I have tried RC's for months before, made sure not to make it an unconscious habit and rather spend half a minute (at least) to a few minutes checking my surroundings etc. but they never carry into my dreams, they work as a confirmation in dreams, but the habit itself never carries over. (The only thing that seemed to work was the use of dream signs to spur on RC's, rather than, say, walking through a door or something. But once it works once, it seems my mind blocks it and I will never have that dream sign again, even if it had been recurring every day before that)

I have thought about creating my own "RC item" to carry into a dream, perhaps a marble or something I can focus on (I know that at least one technique listed here uses something like that, but I haven't actually read it) with a chance the auto-suggestion will carry over to that, but I haven't gotten around to purchasing an item that doesn't have a previous memory attached to it. (As that will merely distract from the goal when thinking of it, less effective)

Thank you for the help, and I will continue trying things out, but items, patterns, recurring situations (unless it is solely dream-related) don't seem to spur me to an RC in the dream state for whatever reason. Almost like my brain is at war against Lucid Dreams.

Believe me, I have been an avid follower of Lucid Dreaming since around early 2006. I didn't have my first LD until a little over a year of trying. I know allot about Lucid Dreams, I have tried many methods for varying amounts of time multiple times, but the Lucids never come. The few LD's I have had were all by chance, and spread weeks, and often months apart (with a few exceptions). I have given up Lucid Dreaming altogether for weeks at a time with the hope of coming back refreshed with no luck. To put it short, "Been there, done that" and I am looking for something different that will boost my enthusiasm, hopefully playing off something I already know works very well. And hopefully in the end, others can use the same technique to achieve lucidity easily.

P.S. What was that about my sig? I didn't realize I had one, as it doesn't show on my PC. Anyway, again thanks for the help.

Oh, I meant to say your custom title, not your signature: "»Lord of Bananas«".

I feel as if I'm in a similar situation to yours as in I've long been intrigued by the concept but have yet to make lucidity a usual.

Well, thought I would give this topic a bump as it has been a while.

An idea I have had about this method introduced in my first post has come to mind, though I have not tried it. I was thinking about the method, and noticed somewhat of a theme that might be what is making it so effective. Part of the concept is not only proving to myself a change in behavior, but also convincing others by making it a truth to them as well, better confirming my own goal. It starts out as a lie, really, but with the idea and belief it will turn into a truth after some work. Though however it also greatly hinges on personal experience, where I have to experience what I am trying to change for it to be effective. So for the banana story, I had to taste the banana, for the laughing I had to create an artificial laugh to form it into a genuine one. However, the first part of this concept is still possible for lucid dreams, even though the second is not. So to finally throw out my question. Would it be possible to convince yourself and others that you are currently a master of lucid dreams, having success on a daily basis, while attaching the experience to a different, yet similar and related event which will transfer over to the idea of lucidity? If so, this would bring about lucidity, which would confirm your "lie" into a truth making you really a lucid master that needs to put little effort into succeeding.

This is just an idea that came to mind, and though I haven't tried it, I would like to hear what other people think about this concept.

EDIT: A further thought that just dawned on me.
When training myself to like bananas, I did not actually enjoy the taste of the banana, even though I proclaimed that I did, and forced myself to eat them with the false impression that it was pleasurable. So with this in mind, perhaps I have been coming at this idea the wrong way. Perhaps the trick is to create the false impression that your natural dreams are in fact lucid, and you had full awareness in them, and to force this idea as truth into your head. In turn perhaps this would in fact effect your actual awareness in the dream state.

Again, just an idea, have not tested it. Though if someone wishes to test this, please let me know!

Maybe you should try what Man of Shred did. Even if he didn't get a lucid dream, he pretended he did and wrote it down in his dream journal exactly as if it were lucid or he made one up. I think in the post (can't remember the thread, sorry) he said it broke his dry spell. Maybe this is the technique that would work for you? :)

And the banana thing is awesome! I done this with green tea. I decided to try it because it's really healthy for you. The first time I drank it I only managed half a mug of it, but was determined to drink one cup every morning because it's healthy. After about a week I managed a whole mug, and now I drink several mugs a day because I find it very refreshing :D

Food's a different matter though. I'm a very fussy eater. If something even smells or looks unappetisizing, I'll start gagging :lol:

I look forward to see what you come up with and how it works! Good luck.