Re-engaging with Lucid Dreaming - Looking for support

**Well now what?** · 11-12-2023 11:31 AM

Hi again dreamscaper22. Meditation and mindfulness could help to slow down racing thoughts, and based on my understanding, there could well be significant overlaps with practising to become more aware in lucidity pursuits.
As for the gaming, you might be interested in the work of Jayne Gackenbach (who I have met), who has published a number of academic papers on lucidity and gamers, e.g., https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/1053-0797.16.2.96. It seems that gamers might stand a greater chance of achieving lucid dreams, for a range of possible cognitive reasons. But of course, it wouldn't be healthy to play games too much, so exercising some self-control would be highly encouraged here (might also be helpful for lucidity purposes).

**dreamscaper22** · 11-13-2023 07:03 PM

what would be cool if there was a game that implemented reality checks and other subliminal awareness routines into it!!

**Well now what?** · 11-14-2023 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by dreamscaper22

what would be cool if there was a game that implemented reality checks and other subliminal awareness routines into it!!

Aha, well that's been done too! Check out this open-access paper: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/d...rstb.2019.0697

**dreamscaper22** · 11-17-2023 06:14 PM

i wonder where i can get the program...im not sure if there is a link to it in the article. it could be useful as i have an oculus rift

**Well now what?** · 11-18-2023 10:21 AM

They probably haven't commercialised it, but you could always try contacting the authors to enquire. Otherwise, if you have a Rift, perhaps you could form your own lucid objectives around some other game you have?

**Well now what?** · 11-26-2023 11:03 AM

Hi again everyone. I had another idea. During the Christmas break when there is less work for me to focus on, I am to make a dedicated, focused attempt at achieving some lucid dreams again. I tried this last year and it led to some success; I had three bouts of lucidity (although only two of those were anything to speak of). Anyone else want to join me in this challenge? We could all attempt this individually and report back on our results and progress later on.

**Box77** · 12-02-2023 10:20 PM

Hi and Geez! I feel like a whale taking a breath into the ocean of senseless routines of life. I also want my lucids back but spend too few time of sleeping along the week. Most of the days I’m immersed into work activities and house holding. Taking naps after work. Usually wake up in the urge to set stuff for the following day. Until it’s weekend and have more chance to get longer sleep. I’m trying to incubate themes to trigger lucidity but get distracted with something else. Thought also it could be a good idea to stay tuned to the site in order to increase my awareness as well. Don’t know if it’d work this time but at a least giving it one more try

**Well now what?** · 12-04-2023 10:30 AM

Hi Box77. Welcome! I can relate to some of what you say. I often feel I have a lot of focus on with work, and get easily distracted by thoughts. I advise getting yourself into a regular sleep pattern as much as you can, it helps loads. One thing we can try and do here is set each other goals. Interested?

**Box77** · 12-05-2023 10:33 PM

Yeah, Thanks!

At the moment I’m working on a routine for going to bed. Yes, I’m also working on getting a regular sleep pattern which is very difficult some times. Dream journaling is a bit stressing, that’s why I’m paying attention on memorable dreams only to take them with a voice recorder.

The goals could be set to collect data along the week. We could set the goals for all who want to participate or something like that.

**dreamscaper22** · 12-06-2023 01:01 AM

i need to get one of those digital voice recorders. i think it would benefit me greatly!!

**Box77** · 12-06-2023 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by dreamscaper22

i need to get one of those digital voice recorders. i think it would benefit me greatly!!

Mine is an oldie, still using classic LCD with no background light. I have some entries there and I used it for the Autumn Competition. No USB only via audio line-in (if I wanted to do something with those audios). I preferred that to any phone-App because of the display light is too aggressive in the middle of the night, even through brightness is turned at lower level. I still trying to use the voice to text feature of the phone to direct put those entries in my DJ here to share, maybe I’ll be doing soon with some help

**Well now what?** · 12-07-2023 10:21 AM

Hi again.

When adjusting your sleep pattern, I don't know what yours is like at the moment, but it's generally easier to shift it forwards than backwards (i.e., going to bed later then going to bed sooner). When waking up in the morning, I think you just need to set yourself the commitment to wake up at a certain time every day with an alarm without fail. For the first few days you may feel more tired in the mornings if you've woken up earlier than you usually would, but by the end of the day you should be ready to fall asleep quicker. Maintaining this I think will help. Maybe you could make this a goal.

Some people do prefer voice recorders over written journals. Personally I prefer the written variety as they are easier to analyse for dream signs and other patterns.

**Box77** · 12-08-2023 06:35 PM

Well, because of my work I have to wake up very early in the morning everyday at the same time. The only option I have is to try go early to bed although I’m kind of owl, it’s a bit problematic to get more than 3 full sleep cycles every night. I got to fix my schedule in a way that I’m waking up some minutes before the alarm goes off. I’m not using snooze anymore btw. My next step is to catch the last wire of the dream before it fades with my daily routine, then start voice journaling while preparing for work.
Weekends I have the chance to get longer REM periods, but it’s tricky cause I get headaches if I sleep too much. It’s just I don’t get much dream content out of the stress of work, that’s bit disappointing and that’s why I’m looking forward to incubate themes to dream about. Not sure how I can reach that, long ago made some experiments to induce stuff into the dreams but cannot say it’s a reliable way otherwise I could have been doing that since then.

**Well now what?** · 01-14-2024 06:04 PM

Happy New Year everyone. Sorry I was gone for a while. How are we all getting on?
Unfortunately my lucid dreaming excursion during the Christmas break was unproductive. Only one short moment of lucidity which didn't really feel like it was anything related to my efforts; just a spontaneous realisation based on a recognised incongruity, which is something I wish I could achieve more often. I've stopped counting pigeons, because it wasn't working for me. At least for the time being. Maybe I'll start again in the future. Dream recall remains pretty good though.

**Well now what?** · 05-20-2024 04:46 PM

Hello everyone.

How are we doing? I'm afraid I haven't been keeping up the effort. This term was a very busy one at work, and other things took up my attention. On the plus side, my dream recall remains as good as it ever was, and I've had a few interesting or inspirational non-lucid dreams. And I have started one of my research projects, which involves using AI to create images of dream reports and then evaluating the result. If anyone has the time and interest to submit one, please consider my online survey. https://ntupsychology.eu.qualtrics.c...lRG8Eu48GsWQ7A

Thank you.