Thread: My Mind Wanders Too Much

Hello, and welcome to DV!

It's quite an accomplishment to have successful WILDs and DILDs already! Don't be discouraged. Negative thinking will only decrease your likelikhood of having more lucid dreams.

I can sympathize about the mind wandering - I'm horrible for it. I think I'd never have lucid dreams if it they didn't occur all by themselves. I've never been able to do any of the WILDs, DILDs, etc. I guess I'm just damn lucky that I'm a natural or I'd be screwed.

I have much the same problem and the fact of the matter is that such mind wandering is a result of low ability for concentration. Concentration can be trained in a number of ways but it is always tough considering that concentration training implies forcing concentration.

Thus, training concentration, actually taking time to do it, is the way to solve this problem, as I see it.

So... what can I do to improve my concentration?

Originally posted by Manifold_Time
So... what can I do to improve my concentration?

I should think, affirming what you're doing.

You say you keep reapting things to yourself, which is one good way. I also downloaded a timer off this site, which can be set to beep at intervals.
If you set it to every 5 mintues, everytime you heard the beep you would think "I was supossed to be remembering ..." and instantly think about that again.

have you ever tried meditation?

try going for a walk, with slow paces. with each step think only 'left, right, left, right..." if any other thoughts come into your head, imagine they are helium filled balloons, let them go, to float away.
see if you can eventually concentrate just on walking, without even thinking "left, right'.

or, sit comfortably with your eyes closed. note every thought that comes up, and let go of it without analyzing it. if you find you have been drawn into an internal dialogue, release it.

its quite difficult at first, but eventually you will improve. unfortunately the only way to improve concentration is to concentrate if you truly attempt this ten minutes a day, you should make progress...

Meditation is a good thing to try. And Asher's recommendations are the best to start with. There are a lot of "schools" of meditation and some get kind of involved (complicated). Keep it simple, no chanting, mantras, focusing on the third eye, etc. I find sitting in a comfortable chair and looking at a candle an easy way to do it.

If meditation isn’t your thing, you might think about starting a hobby. Something that requires concentration, like juggling, or Origami. Or...?


edit: dang type-o

Meditation is usually the most effective of ways but even in it there are different concentration training methods.

There are 40 techniques of concentration training and this teaching will deal with one of these namely, the mindfulness of breathing.
The development of concentration through mindfulness of breathing (watching the in- and out- breaths) is a very convenient practise because by nature everybody has to breath in and out. It can be used all the time and anywhere when it is needed as long as one is constantly aware of the process.

Basic Exercise in brief:

1. Setting
- Try to find a quiet place which is conducive to peace. It is helpful to have the right atmosphere but if this is not possible, it can still be performed.

2. Posture
- Find any posture which enables the body to relax and which is the most comfortable for a long periode of sitting. It should enable us to breath comfortably. The best posture is cross legged or sitting upright with the right leg on top of the left one and hands on the lap, right one on top of the left with thumbs touching, or the right fore finger touching the left thumb. If this is not possible one can sit upright on a chair or take any other comfortable posture. However if the sitting brings any tension, it will not be the right practice and it should be corrected before continuation. Eyes can be closed or opened as long as one is not distracted. One should look downwards with opened eyes.

3. Breathing Exercise
- After sitting comfortably one should take deep long breaths to fill the lungs then breath out slowly several times. At the same time try to develop the feeling that the body is not solid and the head is light until the mind is reasonably peaceful, then breath normally but with awareness of the in and out breathing. When breathing in and out deeply, be aware that one breathes in and out deeply, when breathing in and out shallowly know that one breathes in and out shallowly. Do not control the breaths, but be mindful of them.
For a beginner counting the breath will help to control the mind and stop wandering thoughts.

If the mind is very restless, start to count the breathing in pairs. In- out-1, in-out-2,.. ., up to 10, then reverse the process in-out-9, in-out-8, . . ., down to 1. Or try to fix attention at the tip of the nose where the breath touches without following the movement of the breath through the body but be aware of the in and out breathing.[/b]

As seen from this given exercise, which I find useful but still tough, concentration training requires just about forcing concentration, which is exactly why it's tough. However, if enough dedication is put into training then it will help surely just like anything when enough will power is applied and then allow for easier concentration during other tasks that require it like WILDing and what not.

I've been wanting to do meditation, but I also have problems with my mind wandering. I also tend to fall asleep when trying to meditate - I guess I get TOO relaxed (even in the sitting position).

Originally posted by Asher
have you ever tried meditation?

try going for a walk, with slow paces. with each step think only 'left, right, left, right..." if any other thoughts come into your head, imagine they are helium filled balloons, let them go, to float away.
see if you can eventually concentrate just on walking, without even thinking "left, right'.

or, sit comfortably with your eyes closed. note every thought that comes up, and let go of it without analyzing it. if you find you have been drawn into an internal dialogue, release it.

its quite difficult at first, but eventually you will improve. unfortunately the only way to improve concentration is to concentrate if you truly attempt this ten minutes a day, you should make progress...

Thanks, I tried the helium balloon thing. It worked perfectly, but as I got more into sleep, I found that my thoughts got littered easier and it became a fleet of hot air balloons that quickly filled my mind.

Originally posted by Manifold_Time


Thanks, I tried the helium balloon thing. It worked perfectly, but as I got more into sleep, I found that my thoughts got littered easier and it became a fleet of hot air balloons that quickly filled my mind.

yeah, i know what you mean...this should lessen as you become able to release thoughts with greater ease. keep on truckin..