10 Questions For Getting Back Into Ld

[lvlindless]

I became disinterested with LDing throughout the summer since I didn't have one for a long time, and now I'm back into it but I can't seem to have them as frequently as I could. I know when I do have an LD, it's the most amazing thing in the world, but when you don't have one for a while you forget how amazing it just is and you lose motivation. I Had one about 2 months ago, that's about it. I've been writing in my dream journal, but my dream recall is pretty bad now. For all of you that actually achieve results, I'd love it if you could answer some questions. 1). What's some good affirmations to say out loud before going to bed? 2.) What should you think about as you're going to sleep? Visuals, Auditory, etc. 3.) How many reality checks are sufficient throughout the day? 4.) Self confidence, how big of a role does it play in having one? 5.) What's the best reality check? I do the digital watch one (Look at time twice) and counting your fingers with your hands out in front of you. Are there any better ones? 6) Concerning REM cycles, Say I go to bed at 10 pm, What times should I wake up at the end of my REM cycles to record in my DJ. I'm not quite sure concerning the graphs I looked at. Also, do I wake up DURING rem or right after? 7) Does listening to Ambient music help induce LDs? I can put on some Aphex Twin Selected Works II in the background at a low volume? 8 ) Do Those black night masks help? 9) Does physical exercise help in some way? 10.) My friend, who's been trying to have an LD for quite some time with no luck, needs a bit of advice on how to have one. The advice I gave him seems to not work, so shoot. He's remembering his dreams more clearly, interacting with them, but he just can't seem to get Lucid. What should he do? Thx in advance. You don't have to answer all of them.

[Borshkevski]

I have been having the same problem. Last school year I finally taught myself WILD and then after the summer school got really busy and I have not had much time to practice LD'ing. Personally I don't do much with affirmations. If I decide to attempt an LD one night I will usually tell myself that I will have one and repeat some type of related phrase as a go to sleep. I have had mixed results with that. Since I have never cultivated any other LD induction methods other than WILD I usually do not have good luck with affirmations or reality checks. I would say that at least 5 reality checks every day should put somthing into your subconcious. Just don't plan out when you are going to do a reality check or the whole thing becomes a thoughtless excercise and you will not pick up on a failed reality check in a dream. Self confidence is always a good thing and if you actually have had 7 LD's then you should realize that LD'ing is learnable skill and all it takes is practice. When I had several LD's for the first time I realized that it was something I could teach myself and this greatly encouraged me. Personally ambient music/noise just distracts me from WILD but everyone is different. If you are trying other induction techniques then it might help, but I'm probably not the best person to ask when it comes to that. The black exercise masks help if you are bothered by light when you sleep. I have worn them before but now I just wrap a soft pillow around my head and that seems to do the trick and help keep out noise. I excercise on a weekly basis (jogging, martial arts, etc.) but I have not found much correlation between physical activity and lucid dreaming. Once again, however, that is just me. There is one aspect of excercising and LD'ing that has given me trouble though. Sometimes if I tire myself out during the day I will find it difficult to get up early in the morning and attempt a WILD. Anyways, I hope I was of some help. Good luck!

[Howie]

_[/b] 1). What's some good affirmations to say out loud before going to bed?[/b] I find what works well is, I am going to remember to recognize that I am dreaming. (with conviction&#33 2.) What should you think about as you're going to sleep? Visuals, Auditory, etc.[/b] Try to concentrate on the above sentence as you repeat it. 3.) How many reality checks are sufficient throughout the day?[/b] It is hard to put a 3 on this. Every time you think about it is good. If you are not thinking about it, make an effort to do so. Try to be aware of your surroundings. This raises your awareness in itself. 4.) Self confidence, how big of a role does it play in having one?[/b] A lot. Confidence is a sign of belief. If you don't believe then it is useless. 5.) What's the best reality check? I do the digital watch one (Look at time twice) and counting your fingers with your hands out in front of you. Are there any better ones?[/b] Again, this is somewhat an individual thing. What works best for one may not work as good for another. Try to pick a recurring dream sign and when that sign shows up in your waking life....reality check time. 6) Concerning REM cycles, Say I go to bed at 10 pm, What times should I wake up at the end of my REM cycles to record in my DJ. I'm not quite sure concerning the graphs I looked at. Also, do I wake up DURING rem or right after?[/b] We almost always, if not always wake up after a dream. Often we do not remember it. Give you mind a good three to four hours of sleep. This may vary per individual. The more rested your conscious mind is the easier it is to enter into a dream. This is one reason naps are so efficient. 7) Does listening to Ambient music help induce LDs? I can put on some Aphex Twin Selected Works II in the background at a low volume?[/b] This can work as a good source to help you relax your conscious mind. As a result it can make some techniques more beneficial. I don't believe the ambient music in itself induces anything regarding lucidity. Just the state of mind to better induce it. 8 ) Do Those black night masks help?[/b] Only if your sleeping condition is bright and it is hindering your sleep habits. 9) Does physical exercise help in some way?[/b] Yes. Physical exercise seems to help everything. You can trace it all the way back to better brain functioning. There are many of other details but yes. When the mind/Body requires rest, it works in concert with itself. (if that makes sense?) Good luck!

[JaphyR]

4.) Self confidence, how big of a role does it play in having one?[/b] I think a long-term confidence will do more than daily confidence. If you are confident that you will develop an LDing ability in the long term, you will be relaxed in doing reality checks throughout the day, and you will enjoy dream journaling because you know it's all leading somewhere. If your confidence is tied to having an LD tonight, or during this nap, your confidence is going to be constantly shot down and you'll have to rebuild it all the time. That is tiring and not very motivating.