Thread: Why does the uncomfortable technique induced lucidity?

I usually have to use a very unusual technique to gain either WILD and/ or DilD

I put both my arms behind my back whilst lying down and take two medium sized rubber bands, so they're around both my wrists, then i hold a medium sized book and have my fingers grabbing around it so most of my fingers are underneath the book. I have long arms so my hands are sort of cushioned by my butt.

I use this as a WBTB technique.

I first take a really long walk until i'm exhausted, the minute i get home i'm tired enough to fall asleep. Then set my alarm for approx 2 hours after i fall asleep, then use the rubber band and book method the moment i switch off the alarm and still tired and this always either ends up being a WILD or if i'm in a dream i'll feel my arms behind my back and it will become a DILD.

I always read on this forum an endless number of people saying "you need to be as comfortable as possible" but that has never worked for me, i've tried multiple "comfortable" positions and they always fail, it's only since using this rediculosuly uncomfortable technique that i've started having LDs often,can anyone explain why this works and being comfortable (like normal people do it) doesn't? thx

Being in an unusual position or situation can lead to a lucid dream because it increases your awareness. In an uncomfortable or unfamiliar position (like sleeping on a couch or in a hotel) your instinct is to be more aware for danger or pain. In my experience, this is usually a DILD technique more so than WILD. The usual advice to be comfortable during WILD is because you need to let yourself fall asleep. In your case, the long walk to make you exhausted might be enough to overcome the discomfort and get you to sleep regardless. So you've succeeded in combining several less common factors into a successful technique.

Why hasn't a more typical approach worked for you? Hard to say. And it's nothing to worry about. With WILD, I think it's hard to measure progress compared to DILD. With WILD it seems like you can try a million times with no progress and then suddenly something clicks and it starts working out of nowhere. Meanwhile, with DILD, there's usually some gradual development: better recall, more vivid dreams, some semi-lucid experiences, and so on. So with WILD, when you find what works for you, cool, stick with it. You can still benefit by experimenting and testing what other people suggest. In the end though, your own experience is the best teacher.

What I would do is use this technique to help you gain lucid dreams more often until your certain that you can have them on your own without the need of help. Once then you can slowly wean yourself off