Thread: This is hard for me

How am I supposed to keep my mind from wandering when trying to concentrate on having a lucid dream. I always thinkin about stuff. What I did in school today, what I did outside of school today. What I'll do tommorow, what i'll have for supper tommorow. Maybe i'll go fishing sometime. I don't know why I can't blank that stuff out.

It's natural for your mind to start to wander when trying to concentrate. It takes practice to keep focused. Everytime you realize you've gotten off track, stop, and concentrate again on the dream thought.

What actual thought are you concentrating on?

Hey Pop,

sounds like you first need to practice concentrating (or meditating). What you should try first is try to get your mind still, quiet, and free of thought. Basically you need to "think" of "nothing"! I know, sounds crazy!

Here's a suggestion on something you can try:
Pick out an image of some sort that you'd like to focus on - keep it simple. Don't pick something with too many features, like a face or some piece of machinery. The point is to pick something that won't get you to "think" of anything. Once you pick out this object stare at it for a long time - doesn't have to be right before bed - could be at anytime during the day. Just try to burn that image into your mind. For example, I always stare at the moon when it's full on clear nights. I like it because it's a good focus image - it's bright, simple, and sticks out from the dark sky behind it (the way it would from the inside of your eyelids).

When you go to bed, close your eyes and try to materialize that image. Imagine it as if you were standing right in front of it. Try to get all the corners or angles in focus at once. Sounds easy but it's not, or won't be at first. Try to hold the image without it fading out or changing into something else.

That's pretty much it. This should keep your mind from wandering into other thoughts while at the same time keep your mind quiet. Try not to have internal dialogue like "oh... it's fading in... DARN! Lost it... ok, gotta try again" - because those are thoughts. If you have trouble with dialogue, think of a sound, like a consistant, deep, non-stopping horn off in the distance. Keep your mind listening and watching - not thinking.

Hope this helps.

ok so maybe I can see the moon and hear the crickets cherping