Thread: What is Your Motivation to Lucid Dream?

As cliché as it may sound, I get a certain kick out of the fact that I'm pretty much the only one among the people that I come in contact with on a daily basis who's able to lucid dream. A citizen of two worlds, one shared with others, the other one of my own. A place where I can accomplish extraordinary feats: Fly freely, shape shift into amazing creatures, explore awe-inspiring worlds, talk to my subconscious so as to get to know myself better growing spiritually along the way, and enjoy freedom like no other.

My original intent was to learn how to deal with nightmares. I'd had nightmares all my life but it honestly never occurred to me that I could learn how to manage them in any real way.

An element of escapism was present too, because at the time I was at a low-point in my life both emotionally and otherwise.

From there my motivation evolved more into a desire to learn more about it in general, so that I could perhaps one day master it somehow. Still not there yet obviously but the work-in-progress thing appeals to me.

And of course the creative aspect of dreaming is always appealing.

Originally Posted by acatalephobic

My original intent was to learn how to deal with nightmares. I'd had nightmares all my life but it honestly never occurred to me that I could learn how to manage them in any real way.

An element of escapism was present too, because at the time I was at a low-point in my life both emotionally and otherwise.

From there my motivation evolved more into a desire to learn more about it in general, so that I could perhaps one day master it somehow. Still not there yet obviously but the work-in-progress thing appeals to me.

And of course the creative aspect of dreaming is always appealing.

Very practical stand point for your first reason, and very noble for your second

I'm not really sure why I started. I knew someone who did it and "pooh pooh"'d it as silly/crazy for quite a while, then I had a weird experience one night and all of a sudden I was fascinated with the idea and have been hooked ever since.

Why do I continue?

Dream recall, even non-lucid (most of it is) makes life so much more enjoyable. I got recall on the very first night I set intention for it and have had recall almost every single night since. Dreams are funny, weird, sexy, ... awesome! Recall almost always puts a smile on my face during the day.

Lucidity, being aware inside your dreams, is freaking awesome, there is nothing nothing anywhere like it.

To lucidly fly and visit various fantasy book scenarios (Zelazny's Amber being at the top of the list) is one major motivation.

And those shining beautiful dream girls, ah...... that can be magical.

Originally Posted by FryingMan

I'm not really sure why I started. I knew someone who did it and "pooh pooh"'d it as silly/crazy for quite a while, then I had a weird experience one night and all of a sudden I was fascinated with the idea and have been hooked ever since.

Why do I continue?

Dream recall, even non-lucid (most of it is) makes life so much more enjoyable. I got recall on the very first night I set intention for it and have had recall almost every single night since. Dreams are funny, weird, sexy, ... awesome! Recall almost always puts a smile on my face during the day.

Lucidity, being aware inside your dreams, is freaking awesome, there is nothing nothing anywhere like it.

To lucidly fly and visit various fantasy book scenarios (Zelazny's Amber being at the top of the list) is one major motivation.

And those shining beautiful dream girls, ah...... that can be magical.

Y-y-y-y--you were one of th-them?!
The ones who trash LDing as silly and nonsense?!
Shame on you!!



Lol JK

Anyways you're absolutely right, there is nothing like LDing!
Really what catches my eye about it is that one can live fantasies and stories, build them up and destroy them, bond with DCs and have various relationships with them, all with full control and power!! AND NO CONSIQUENCES!!!

I was wondering. Is flying a big motive for you?

Personally I don't put flying on the top of my list, cuz I'm persuing more complex meaningful (for me) goals.

Have you tried flying before in a LD?

I do love flying, and I have sort of flew in some LDs, but not very satisfyingly. I mean I want to experience flying like it would be in waking life if I was superman, or something like that. Very high detail, complete speed/direction/altitude control, etc. So far I have not. It's not a major motivator of LDing but it's definitely on the list.

What motivates me to LD?

Knowing that LD'ing is by far the most effective tool I've found for the exploration and expansion of consciousness, and may possibly be the bridge to whatever "More" there is out there (if any), and being aware of the limitless adventures and sheer fun stored in every dream, I would have to reply by asking:

"What wouldn't motivate me to LD?"

Originally Posted by Sageous

What motivates me to LD?

Knowing that LD'ing is by far the most effective tool I've found for the exploration and expansion of consciousness, and may possibly be the bridge to whatever "More" there is out there (if any), and being aware of the limitless adventures and sheer fun stored in every dream, I would have to reply by asking:

"What wouldn't motivate me to LD?"

This.

I mainly just do it for entertainment, I think pretty much EVERYONE lucid dreams partly for this reason... I mean WHO doesnt like an all access pass to your own brain and doing whatever you want? Another small reason I do it is I learn alot from it, i've learnt alot about dream science by taking up lucid dreaming

Originally Posted by Kman43759

I mainly just do it for entertainment, I think pretty much EVERYONE lucid dreams partly for this reason... I mean WHO doesnt like an all access pass to your own brain and doing whatever you want? Another small reason I do it is I learn alot from it, i've learnt alot about dream science by taking up lucid dreaming

I can agree with you on that. I have learned a lot about the brain and quite a bit of science because of my love of dreaming.

Well unfortunately i'm kinda low on motivation nowdays but when I have it, I generally like to LD to explore myself(my subconsious self)
and to do whatever I feel like doing, cuz why not?

What motivates me? Fantasy movies as a kid, Primarily "Little Nemo" strengthened my curiosity. From Limitless exploration, Seeing fantastic creatures and places, to understanding my own mind. It's all about discovery and adventure for me.

i like the freedom. i also like the exploration! spikes my curiosity

I have two main motivations:

For self improvement, as part of my battle with depression: a lot of the lucid dreaming preparatory work of being mindful and making positive lifestyle changes work for both reducing depression and for lucid dreaming preparation. I am not depressed now, but if I become self aware enough to lucid dream regularly, hopefully I will also notice the depression sneaking back in next time it does, and will nip it in the bud.

My second motivation is pure fun: I want to fly, soar, become a dragon or ride on a dragon, eat dream chocolate, visit the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall, and much more.

Oh I love this thread!

I have multiple motivations for LDing.

I always had a certain love for dream, or just escaping reality in general. I have quite some trouble abiding any rules anyone lays on me, including the laws of nature I guess. So to be able to escape into a world where I can truly do whatever I want, was my initial motivation.

Then When I learned more and more about LDing, I found it also fits other goals I already had in my life. I have been on a quest for wisdom for about 6 years now. I want to learn more about myself. I want to truly explore all my weaknesses and strengths. I want to know who I am, what I want, why I am here and most importantly: Why I want to stay here. I also want to be able to overcome anything. So I guess this all falls under self improvement. Though I do feel there is a higher truth to be found here as well, that doesn't necessarily apply to just me. I don't think it's spirituality, though I am open to change my mind on that one later

Lastly there is the obvious one. Fun! It just seems a lot of fun to explore the mind. To do anything. Anything you can dream of

At this moment, I would say that self improvement is my main goal though.

Loved reading all of these.

My motivation at first was adventure and the exploration of my own imagination. Growing up my friend and I crafted our own dimension through our play and imagination, and the biggest motivator to me was to revisit this dimension in my dreams. To visit the castles we had created, see the battles we had fought in... To relive the innocence and magic of childhood dreams.

It has largely remained the same, as I haven't yet been able to make it back... But I am also motivated simply by fun and the sheer amazement of becoming lucid.

EDIT: I don't actually think we created a separate dimension, I mean we created a persistent world that we always played in.

For me, definitely escapism. I was injured in the Army and it has hindered my enjoyment of even simple things. I had to give up most of the things I enjoy, and when I dream there's no pain. But not truly recognizing it while dreaming has lead me to LD so I can truly enjoy some time doing the things I love. I took a long break from LD and am getting back into again, hopefully with better results. Last time I had about 3 LD's in a few months and this time I'm going into it more educated and better prepared.

This thread got more response than I thought it would.

Thanks for sharing everyone. You guys all have different forms of motivation.

Sleeping issues like insomnia night after night or interminable nightmares for over 10 years, that what is motivating me.

I guess for me it's getting the most out of live, as short as it may be I will not waste any second of it.

My main motive is to understand... ehm... reality?

Originally Posted by Nfri

My main motive is to understand... ehm... reality?

This is my motive as well, though more in the lines of questioning reality. But I must admit, a lot of time is spent having fun, having sex, and just enjoying being lucid. It seems a shame to sleep off so many years of my life without even attempting to be awake for it.

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<== The experience of shapeshifting into that.

To get the most intricate interaction possible out of the fictitious stories I create in my head. Great fun to participate in a universe that you yourself created.

Definatly persistent realms. The idea of going on adventures with my DG and other dream friends in persistent fantasy worlds sounds amazing.