I Can't Clear My Mind

[Chympara]

Hello, I am new to the lucid dreaming phenomenon, and I would very much like to experience it. I was trying to clear my mind and concentrate on realizing that I was dreaming, but, I have a problem. In real life, I have a habit of contantly playing music in my mind at high fidelity. It is very clear and sounds real. Sometime I can't stop it though. I am actually listening to music right now. Well, last night, some Half Life 2 music popped into my head, and I couldn't stop it, and I got frustrated and couldn't concentrate. Does anybody have any tips on how to clear one's mind? Feel free to email me or catch me on my instant messaging programs.

[TygrHawk]

Hi Chympara, and welcome! I have a problem clearing my mind sometimes, although with me it's actual thinking rather than music going through my head. It sometimes helps to concentrate on a simple phrase over and over, such as "I will dream, and I will realize that I'm dreaming" over and over. Also, concentrating on body relaxation might help, like flexing then relaxing all the muscles in your body in sequence. Since your problem is music in your head, maybe it would help to have some soft music playing while you try to go to sleep? I do get songs stuck in my head from time to time, and usually the only way to make it stop is to listen to something else. Personally, I don't like any kind of noise when I'm trying to sleep, but you may find it helpful.

[Chympara]

My parents do have a white noice generator in their room. I suppose if the problem happens again tonight I will open my door. That should help.

[Replicon]

I have the same problem. It's more of an addiction than anything... like, I don't have the willpower to stop the music sometimes (not always though hehe... just when I'm bored). It made it a pain in the ass to pay attention in class. Anyway, my advice is simple. Let the music play. You have the biggest playlist in the world. Pick something soothing (and EASY to play in your head, so no solos or whatever silly), and let it play in the background, while you do whatever exercise you would normally do. It might help you relax, and it sure is more interesting than just focusing on your breathing. If you play guitar, it helps to pick something you really know, so it's more natural.

[voidofform]

don't clear your mind then. the important thing is just to lose your sense of awareness of yourself. i listen to the voices in my head (no i'm not schizophrenic, and as far as i can tell pretty much everyone has them), they distract me, and i tend to drift off either straight to sleep or through HI.

[Träumer]

i often hear music in my head but the more i try to stop it less it goes away! dont think about it! i just try to accept it and then i normally fastly forget about it. for my part that's what helps