Dream Induction Techniques

A Lucid Dream is a dream in which you are aware you are dreaming during the actual dream. Many people have experienced lucid dreaming but not everyone knows how to achieve one with any regularity. Below is an outline of techniques you can use to help induce a lucid dream. Each subheading will link you to a full tutorial in the DreamViews WIKI.

DILD technique (Dream Induced Lucid Dream)

A DILD is probably the most common form of lucid dream. The majority of people will experience a DILD as their first lucid dream. Usually an individual will recognize something odd or out-of-place in their dream and this will induce lucidity. Awareness is triggered by these unusual sights or experiences and no extra effort is required. Maintaining awareness, however, usually requires a dreamer to perform a Reality Check or Stabilization Technique.




A mnemonic is a technique for improving memory, and in the case of MILD, a way to help you become lucid by using a verbal phrase or visual aid to encourage performing a Reality Check.

• For example, before going to sleep a person might recite something like, “I perform a Reality Check, “over and over until it becomes a constant thought.

A dreamer susceptible to the power of suggestion or with good memory skills will find this technique useful.




- WBTB (Wake Back to Bed) is a gateway, a method for achieving a lucid dream technique such as DILD or WILD. It involves waking up in the middle of a long sleep period around the 4 to 5 hour mark, then going back to bed 20 to 60 minutes later, increasing chances for lucidity.

- CAT (Cycle Adjustment Technique) is a method for altering your body-clock cycle. An individual uses this method on alternate days to adjust the time they wake following a sleep period, fooling the mind into a period of awareness during the last REM cycles. People with regular sleep schedules can do well with this technique.

WILD Technique (Wake Initiated Lucid Dream)

WILD is a technique to bring you directly into a dream state from a waking state. As the body slips into a restful state the dreamer maintains awareness of the real world. The body must remain motionless while the dreamer stays conscious, keeping the eyes closed. When the mind begins to dream the awareness carries over, spurring lucidity.

DEILD (Dream Exit Induced Lucid Dream)

DEILD is a technique for achieving lucidity by staying in a REM cycle upon waking. As the body awakens from a dream the individual remains motionless and is able to slip back into a dreaming state. As long as the dreamer does not move or open their eyes they should be able to reenter the previous dream or start a new dream. This technique is similar to WILD but takes advantage of the mind never becoming fully awake and staying in the current REM cycle.

EILD (Externally Induced Lucid Dream)

EILD (Externally Induced Lucid Dream) is unique from the other techniques in that it relies on a device to produce a signal that a dreamer can recognize inside the dream. Devices may consist of masks with blinking lights, sound recordings, or apps for a cellphone or computer. This technique only requires the individual to recognize the signal, though success is not guaranteed.