Hey veteren lucid dreamers out there, read/help!

What is your set up?
Like what kind of LD techniques do you guys do most, and what you guys find most effective?

I'm wondering what you guys do when you first go to bed, like what is your ritual every night. What kind of mind set are you in while falling asleep at the beginning of the night?

Do you guys meditate before bed?

Do you guys set your alarms during the night or do you just wake up automatically?

When you do wake up in the night what induction techniques do you attempt? ( MILD, WILD, DEILD...). Which do you find most effective?

Do you guys attempt them all at the same time? Like try doing the MILD, but if you find yourself still conscious do you move over to the WILD technique?
Or if you awake in the middle of the night and you notice that you still haven't moved, would you start to DEILD, or would you write in your DJ then attempt a WILD or MILD?

Well I'm just curious what you veteran LDers do every night and what you find the most effective routine to be. To hopefully have the longest or most LDs possible.

Anything you guys want to say? Please and Thanks. :)

I have few routines that I follow often, though I do acknowledge that a standard routine is extremely helpful. I'm luckily a natural LDer, but I do do the following:

Given that oxygen is a help in falling asleep, I often take a deep deep breathe right before attempting to fall asleep. Often this is enough, but otherwise (if I'm particularly keen to LD) I'll focus on my breathing quite strongly, very much like most meditation techniques.

What I've found to be most effective is just to relax (not easy, to be fair, but the breathing helps) and let my mind go where it will. I essentially just sit back and observe, using my own imagination to help what my mind is coming up with when I can. This lets the images become stronger and stronger, and I generally find that I fall into sleep/dreaming whilst still being fairly attentive.

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Originally Posted by Viat

I have few routines that I follow often, though I do acknowledge that a standard routine is extremely helpful. I'm luckily a natural LDer, but I do do the following:

Given that oxygen is a help in falling asleep, I often take a deep deep breathe right before attempting to fall asleep. Often this is enough, but otherwise (if I'm particularly keen to LD) I'll focus on my breathing quite strongly, very much like most meditation techniques.

What I've found to be most effective is just to relax (not easy, to be fair, but the breathing helps) and let my mind go where it will. I essentially just sit back and observe, using my own imagination to help what my mind is coming up with when I can. This lets the images become stronger and stronger, and I generally find that I fall into sleep/dreaming whilst still being fairly attentive.

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Hey thanks for the reply,
So being relaxed aids you in sleep, that makes sense.
Does being fairly attentive mean you are aware your dreaming, thus a LD?

Do you do in any induction techniques, or do you just naturally realize that your dreaming during the dream?

So is it possible for you to have a LD without waking up in the night and doing induction techniques ( even though everyone wakes up in the night but usually forgets )

Yeah man.

Here's how it worked for me. I started off with my dream journal, and after remembering my dreams for a while. I found it easier to recognise that I was dreaming when I was dreaming, it just started happening.

Then I read about reality checks, and started doing those. Even when I thought I was probably awake, this is what really kicked it off for me.

I'd say the most important bit is the dream journal.

No expert though x

So dream journal, reality checks, remember to rub yourself/spin in your dream to keep yourself from waking/ make you more lucid, and having an idea of the stuff you want to do helps too.

Another question :D, When you say relax you obviously keep your body very relaxed, but how much do you relax your mind? When WILDing are you ever wary of just relaxing your mind TOO much and falling asleep completely?

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Originally Posted by Lucid fanatic

Another question :D, When you say relax you obviously keep your body very relaxed, but how much do you relax your mind? When WILDind are you every wary of just relaxing your mind TOO much and falling asleep?

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I personally just gently observe the images in my mind. You'll feel a shift when your body falls asleep, it's actually quite obvious. Worst comes to worst, you fall asleep and get to try again the next day. Not worrying is best :P

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Originally Posted by EnjoyJoey

Do you do in any induction techniques, or do you just naturally realize that your dreaming during the dream?

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Are you talking about a dild/mild. When you relize your dreaming whilst in the dream.

Oh, dude, if you want some easy lucid dreaming, sleep in one morning after a long sleep. You'll start dreaming pretty much straight away, WILD is a lot easier in the morning, it's just easy to remember you've just gone to sleep. Also your dreams are pretty vivid in the morning.

It ultimately will come down to your waking-life commitment I think. Right now I'm not very committed to dreaming, I just have a voice recorder I use everytime I wake up in the middle of the night. That really makes it easy to record.

If I were to get serious and had a quiet place to do it, I would set the alarm clock or cell phone alarm for WBTBs, take evening naps a few times a week with the intention of WILDing, and be committed to a hand-written journal that I would take my time with and really do a good job on. Something about hand-writing it that can really get you into it, maybe because you have to take longer and gives you time to think descriptively and recall more and more. I would still use a voice recorder at night for the reminders.

But I just try to let happen what will. If I don't have a lucid it's not the end of the world. If I haven't had a lucid in a while I know I'm due for one. There is something about letting things happen that appeals to me. So I don't try to pump myself up or get all confident that I will have a lucid, it's just not my style.

But if you are serious about dream recall and lucid dreaming, I wouldn't expect anything amazing to happen without some serious waking-life commitment to your dreaming. This is done by reading books about dreaming, whether scientific, fiction, or sketchy lol. And journalling, and being introspective about what seems to work for you and what doesn't. And of course reading other's journals and discussing dreams with other's at places like dreamviews. I would also add, awareness in waking-life, reality checks in waking-life, be contemplative always asking yourself questions about what is going on around you. Notice things.

edit: It would also mean lifestyle decisions that help you to relax, lower your stress, and make you feel better.

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Originally Posted by bradysdreaming

Are you talking about a dild/mild. When you relize your dreaming whilst in the dream.

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I was just asking Viat that question, because he says LDs come naturally to him, and yea, i was talking about mild/dilds as one of the induction techniques.

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Originally Posted by Novise

It ultimately will come down to your waking-life commitment I think. Right now I'm not very committed to dreaming, I just have a voice recorder I use everytime I wake up in the middle of the night. That really makes it easy to record.

If I were to get serious and had a quiet place to do it, I would set the alarm clock or cell phone alarm for WBTBs, take evening naps a few times a week with the intention of WILDing, and be committed to a hand-written journal that I would take my time with and really do a good job on. Something about hand-writing it that can really get you into it, maybe because you have to take longer and gives you time to think descriptively and recall more and more. I would still use a voice recorder at night for the reminders.

But I just try to let happen what will. If I don't have a lucid it's not the end of the world. If I haven't had a lucid in a while I know I'm due for one. There is something about letting things happen that appeals to me. So I don't try to pump myself up or get all confident that I will have a lucid, it's just not my style.

But if you are serious about dream recall and lucid dreaming, I wouldn't expect anything amazing to happen without some serious waking-life commitment to your dreaming. This is done by reading books about dreaming, whether scientific, fiction, or sketchy lol. And journalling, and being introspective about what seems to work for you and what doesn't. And of course reading other's journals and discussing dreams with other's at places like dreamviews. I would also add, awareness in waking-life, reality checks in waking-life, be contemplative always asking yourself questions about what is going on around you. Notice things.

edit: It would also mean lifestyle decisions that help you to relax, lower your stress, and make you feel better.

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Wow, i see what you mean, so being dedicated is what it takes haha. And being more aware of the life around you.
I get it, I do think that I need to be more introspective, cause right now I've just been doing WILD/MILD and DEILDs.
But sometimes we just gotta let things flow. :)

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Originally Posted by Jonny the Nameless

sleep in one morning after a long sleep.

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I'm not quite sure what you mean..
but do you find it hard to return to sleep?
Cause you know, lets face it, you have just slept in.

MILD every night. WBTB naturally and MILD during every WBTB. When I'm not feeling lazy, WILD. MILD takes a while to really start working but IMO it's worth it because once mastered it becomes extremely easy.

Check the link in my sig for a the longer version. :)

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Originally Posted by Naiya

MILD every night. WBTB naturally and MILD during every WBTB. When I'm not feeling lazy, WILD. MILD takes a while to really start working but IMO it's worth it because once mastered it becomes extremely easy.

Check the link in my sig for a the longer version. :)

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Hey, thanks for the info on your way of LDing. This is the kinda answer I was looking for.
So do you attempt the MILD the first time you step in bed? Or do you just fall asleep and let the non REM sleep pass, then awake in the night? i hope that question made sense..

Ya, I'm guna check out your guide now, haha. :)

Lately, I've just been using the power of intent every night I want a lucid. Intent is one of the most powerful tools I've come across and its applications range everywhere from induction to control.

In this case, simply going to sleep with the intention of getting lucid has proven to increase my chances dramatically over doing nothing at all. That said, a full MILD works better, and actually taking advantage of natural awakenings (which gets annoying when you're aware of each one and have an 8AM class) would probably up the numbers a bit.

Other than that, WILDs are nice to attempt when starting a nap.

Oh, and and try to follow up all your lucids with a DEILD if you can remember. Not only are DEILDs made of win, they're also a great and easy way to experience what the transition between states feels like. That makes some WILD techniques easier since you'll better know exactly what you're shooting for. Just my one and a half cents.

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Originally Posted by EnjoyJoey

Hey, thanks for the info on your way of LDing. This is the kinda answer I was looking for.
So do you attempt the MILD the first time you step in bed? Or do you just fall asleep and let the non REM sleep pass, then awake in the night? i hope that question made sense..

Ya, I'm guna check out your guide now, haha. :)

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I MILD even the first time I go to sleep. If anything it's good practice. :)

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Originally Posted by Naiya

I MILD even the first time I go to sleep. If anything it's good practice. :)

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Does it work often?

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Originally Posted by Naiya

I MILD even the first time I go to sleep. If anything it's good practice. :)

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Originally Posted by Mzzkc

Lately, I've just been using the power of intent every night I want a lucid. Intent is one of the most powerful tools I've come across and its applications range everywhere from induction to control.

In this case, simply going to sleep with the intention of getting lucid has proven to increase my chances dramatically over doing nothing at all. That said, a full MILD works better, and actually taking advantage of natural awakenings (which gets annoying when you're aware of each one and have an 8AM class) would probably up the numbers a bit.

Other than that, WILDs are nice to attempt when starting a nap.

Oh, and and try to follow up all your lucids with a DEILD if you can remember to. Not only are DEILDs just made of win, they're also a great and easy way to experience what the transition between states feels like. That makes some WILD techniques easier since you'll better know exactly what you're shooting for. Just my one and a half cents.

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Alright I like this. Thanks ha. So with this in mind, you go to bed doing the MILD or with the intention of a LD that night. ( does this mean you might get lucky and get a LD the first time you goto bed?) Then as you awake through the night naturally you attempt a DEILD awakening from any dream.
But if you happen to move you continue your attempt of the MILD?
And if you have a LD then you attempt a DEILD upon awakening.

am I missing anything? other than naps haha

:)

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Originally Posted by EnjoyJoey

Does it work often?

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I almost never get lucid in my first few dreams (the first 3-4 hours of the night). But I have at least 1-2 lucids directly due to MILD every night in general.

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Originally Posted by Naiya

I almost never get lucid in my first few dreams (the first 3-4 hours of the night). But I have at least 1-2 lucids directly due to MILD every night in general.

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I see, deng, I hope that if I keep on practicing I can get LDs every night like you!
lol

Hey, how long do your LDs last usually?

I've only had a few and they were all like really short :/

Lets see.

Like what kind of LD techniques do you guys do most, and what you guys find most effective?
I try DILD the most and find it to be the most effective.

I'm wondering what you guys do when you first go to bed, like what is your ritual every night. What kind of mind set are you in while falling asleep at the beginning of the night?
Generally, when I get in bed, start to think of things that I want to do in my dreams and things that I didn't finish yet, also start to RC for as long as I can and think back about the day.

Do you guys meditate before bed?
Don't think so.

Do you guys set your alarms during the night or do you just wake up automatically?
Wake up automatically.

When you do wake up in the night what induction techniques do you attempt? ( MILD, WILD, DEILD...). Which do you find most effective?
Just go back to sleep and wait for my next dream to start, then to RC.

Do you guys attempt them all at the same time? Like try doing the MILD, but if you find yourself still conscious do you move over to the WILD technique?
I just try one, though that is after I found how to use it properly for myself.

Or if you awake in the middle of the night and you notice that you still haven't moved, would you start to DEILD, or would you write in your DJ then attempt a WILD or MILD?
I would go for a DEILD, never write in my DJ before 5pm or so <.<

I think thats about it, also, don't try too hard, just be consistent and work on a technique that works for you, it will end personalized and it will be much easier then.

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Originally Posted by EnjoyJoey

I see, deng, I hope that if I keep on practicing I can get LDs every night like you!
lol

Hey, how long do your LDs last usually?

I've only had a few and they were all like really short :/

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If you keep practicing and don't give up I guarantee you will be able to every night eventually. :)

My LDs average pretty short these days because I've gotten so lazy. Usually about ten minutes. Used to average more like 25 minutes. Some are an hour or more (but with these longer ones it's much harder to estimate the time). Even now I still get some that are only a few minutes long. :cheeky:

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Originally Posted by Walms

Lets see.

Like what kind of LD techniques do you guys do most, and what you guys find most effective?
I try DILD the most and find it to be the most effective.

I'm wondering what you guys do when you first go to bed, like what is your ritual every night. What kind of mind set are you in while falling asleep at the beginning of the night?
Generally, when I get in bed, start to think of things that I want to do in my dreams and things that I didn't finish yet, also start to RC for as long as I can and think back about the day.

Do you guys meditate before bed?
Don't think so.

Do you guys set your alarms during the night or do you just wake up automatically?
Wake up automatically.

When you do wake up in the night what induction techniques do you attempt? ( MILD, WILD, DEILD...). Which do you find most effective?
Just go back to sleep and wait for my next dream to start, then to RC.

Do you guys attempt them all at the same time? Like try doing the MILD, but if you find yourself still conscious do you move over to the WILD technique?
I just try one, though that is after I found how to use it properly for myself.

Or if you awake in the middle of the night and you notice that you still haven't moved, would you start to DEILD, or would you write in your DJ then attempt a WILD or MILD?
I would go for a DEILD, never write in my DJ before 5pm or so <.<

I think thats about it, also, don't try too hard, just be consistent and work on a technique that works for you, it will end personalized and it will be much easier then.

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Alright thanks buddy.
I'm guna do similar techniques as you, I'm guna find out what works for me fitst.
now i know not to use an alarm, and to always attempt DEILDs. Also not to start writing till after 5:00 haha.



and when you say: RC for as long as I can and think back about the day.
does that mean you imagine yourself doing a RC while your watching Hypnotic Imagery?

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Originally Posted by Naiya

If you keep practicing and don't give up I guarantee you will be able to every night eventually. :)

My LDs average pretty short these days because I've gotten so lazy. Usually about ten minutes. Used to average more like 25 minutes. Some are an hour or more (but with these longer ones it's much harder to estimate the time). Even now I still get some that are only a few minutes long. :cheeky:

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Alright, I hope, haha. :)

well that make's sense, your priorities probably aren't on LDing at the moment, probably more on college haha

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Originally Posted by EnjoyJoey

Alright thanks buddy.
I'm guna do similar techniques as you, I'm guna find out what works for me fitst.
now i know not to use an alarm, and to always attempt DEILDs. Also not to start writing till after 5:00 haha.

and when you say: RC for as long as I can and think back about the day.
does that mean you imagine yourself doing a RC while your watching Hypnotic Imagery?

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lol I don't recomend starting to journal until 5, I do that because I have natural recall, generally the way to go is write notes, then journal whenever you have time.

Also, I mean: While remembering what I did during the day, I will also start to RC and keep at it until I fall asleep. Like, watching a clock and then you start to think back, while you think back, continue doing the clock RC until you fall asleep.

I have a two point plan that works very reliably:

1. Keep up with my dreams, think about what the landscapes of my dreams look like, and be ready to recognize the dream realm when I am there.

2. Try often to float straight up. Obsess over it. When I can finally float up, I know that I am definitely dreaming.

When you become lucid, stay calm. Getting too excited will wake you up. If you want to control your surroundings or your actions, visualize what you want. A dream is just what you are thinking about while in R.E.M. sleep.

If you want to keep a dream journal, I recommend a tape recorder for reporting your dreams after you wake up. You can say stuff a lot faster and record a lot more before the memory fades significantly. You can play the recordings later and write them down or type them.

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Originally Posted by Walms

lol I don't recomend starting to journal until 5, I do that because I have natural recall, generally the way to go is write notes, then journal whenever you have time.

Also, I mean: While remembering what I did during the day, I will also start to RC and keep at it until I fall asleep. Like, watching a clock and then you start to think back, while you think back, continue doing the clock RC until you fall asleep.

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Ight, cool.

I've been writing brief notes from the time I awaken.
Then writing more in detail later when I have time, thanks for the advice.

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Originally Posted by Universal Mind

I have a two point plan that works very reliably:

1. Keep up with my dreams, think about what the landscapes of my dreams look like, and be ready to recognize the dream realm when I am there.

2. Try often to float straight up. Obsess over it. When I can finally float up, I know that I am definitely dreaming.

When you become lucid, stay calm. Getting too excited will wake you up. If you want to control your surroundings or your actions, visualize what you want. A dream is just what you are thinking about while in R.E.M. sleep.

If you want to keep a dream journal, I recommend a tape recorder for reporting your dreams after you wake up. You can say stuff a lot faster and record a lot more before the memory fades significantly. You can play the recordings later and write them down or type them.

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Okay,thanks, I think I'm going to try that floating technique. Because for me I remember a bunch of dreams, but to often I don't realize that what I'm experiencing is a dream. I even am sometimes repeating a mantra threw the dream, but I never realize its a dream ahah. I do find success in the WILD technique, but I want to see how good I can get at the MILD before I just stick with the WILD, because from others advice they say that once mastered the MILD it can be very useful.
It's seems to be always about school, and I never remember to do a reality check even though I do them constantly through out the day, I think ima switch to try to float idea. haha. (: