Thread: WILD According to Sageous Q & A

Originally Posted by ThAtaInTmE

I can't help but be distracted by the mantra while i WILD. It is just too much the main focus of my mind, and if I focus on it too much, then after a while I forget to keep repeating it. How do I keep it going without focusing on it?

also, on scale of 1-10, how symbolic does it need to be?

Distraction is definitely a bad thing, but your mantra must have some presence, or else it just won't work. A balance is certainly needed!

I think your question about how symbolic the mantra needs to be indicates that you might be taking the mantra itself too seriously. Your mantra can score a "1" on that scale and still work just fine. For WILD, your mantra is not about symbolism, or the stand-alone significance of the mantra itself (that's why I suggested staying away from guru-provided or off-the-shelf mantras, because they often represent something other than your interests, and that something is often important -- and potentially distracting). If you can keep focused simply by repeating a common word, then do so. For instance, you could repeat "string" as a mantra if you also happen to be wearing a string around your finger to remind you to RRC. The word on its own doesn't mean much, but it carries enough meaning to you to keep you focused.

So don't worry about the symbolism or significance of the word or words that comprise your mantra; be concerned instead about whether your mantra means something to you, and your dreams.

I chose "Be Here, Be Aware" as my mantra. I find my biggest obstacle with WILDs is that I fall asleep too quickly. Within a few minuets of lying down, I am asleep. I loose lucidity and am in a dream before I know what happened. My mantra reminds me to be present in the moment and retain awareness as I enter the dreamworld, but is also reflective of my waking life goals.

I have used mantras much in the past, but all were either "off the shelf" mantras or geared toward a future intention. I had never thought of using a present tense mantra. I will definitely be using this mantra both when falling asleep, in RRCs and meditation.

Last night I tried out my mantra and had a DILD!

Excellent choice, Hermine, for all the right reasons.

Nice to see (but not a surprise) that it's already begun to work for you!

The only thing that's come to mind for a mantra so far has been "Remain Constant." -- I tend to have issues with constantly keeping enough focus to repeat a mantra while still allowing myself to fall asleep, I usually tip on one end of the scale too much. Would this be a good mantra?

Originally Posted by RareCola

The only thing that's come to mind for a mantra so far has been "Remain Constant." -- I tend to have issues with constantly keeping enough focus to repeat a mantra while still allowing myself to fall asleep, I usually tip on one end of the scale too much. Would this be a good mantra?

It's a good start, because it carries a remedy that certainly means something to you.

I would hesitate though on the phrase itself -- this may sound odd, but is "remain constant" something you want to be repeating to yourself, over and over, for an hour or more? If it is, that's great, but it seems a bit clinical to me; coldly commanding...I also fear it might start making me thinking of taking a potty break, but that's just me!

So if you're comfortable with the phrase, you've made a good choice. If not, then keep thinking about other words that offer similar meaning, like "stay here," or "keep to the path," or perhaps just "I am here."

Originally Posted by Sageous

It's a good start, because it carries a remedy that certainly means something to you.

I would hesitate though on the phrase itself -- this may sound odd, but is "remain constant" something you want to be repeating to yourself, over and over, for an hour or more? If it is, that's great, but it seems a bit clinical to me; coldly commanding...I also fear it might start making me thinking of taking a potty break, but that's just me!

So if you're comfortable with the phrase, you've made a good choice. If not, then keep thinking about other words that offer similar meaning, like "stay here," or "keep to the path," or perhaps just "I am here."

I see your point, I think I'll give "remain constant" a go and see how it feels in practice when we actually get to WILDing. Otherwise I'll use something like "stay on track".

I think I found a mantra I may be wanting to be using. It is "flow with the wind." I chose it because I feel like sometimes I am focusing too hard on something to happen such as a ld, but instead I should be flowing with the wind letting it take me where ever it wants to. Hows that mantra sound?

Having a hard time coming up with one myself. :/

Originally Posted by TheGrimRose

I think I found a mantra I may be wanting to be using. It is "flow with the wind." I chose it because I feel like sometimes I am focusing too hard on something to happen such as a ld, but instead I should be flowing with the wind letting it take me where ever it wants to. Hows that mantra sound?

Sounds good! You might consider simplifying it to something like "flowing wind," or "With the wind," or maybe just "Wind." That might make it easier to repeat without losing any meaning. And of course that meaning shouldn't be lost with the consolidation because you've picked a mantra that you'll understand at the slightest mention -- and that's the part that matters.

Nice work!

Originally Posted by Taffy

Having a hard time coming up with one myself. :/

Uh Oh!

What you might do then is think about some aspect of LD'ing that is important to you, like "freedom," or "adventure," or "exploration," or something else altogether; but just ask yourself why LD'ing matters, and then whittle your answer down to an easily repeated word or phrase.

Remember that the mantra itself doesn't need to be "deep and meaningful" on its face; it only needs to carry some meaning to you and be easy to repeat. If you still can't come up with one within a day or two let me know and we'll try something else.

Originally Posted by Sageous

Distraction is definitely a bad thing, but your mantra must have some presence, or else it just won't work. A balance is certainly needed!

I think your question about how symbolic the mantra needs to be indicates that you might be taking the mantra itself too seriously. Your mantra can score a "1" on that scale and still work just fine. For WILD, your mantra is not about symbolism, or the stand-alone significance of the mantra itself (that's why I suggested staying away from guru-provided or off-the-shelf mantras, because they often represent something other than your interests, and that something is often important -- and potentially distracting). If you can keep focused simply by repeating a common word, then do so. For instance, you could repeat "string" as a mantra if you also happen to be wearing a string around your finger to remind you to RRC. The word on its own doesn't mean much, but it carries enough meaning to you to keep you focused.

So don't worry about the symbolism or significance of the word or words that comprise your mantra; be concerned instead about whether your mantra means something to you, and your dreams.

Thankyou for ther advice. I understand more about the purpose of mantras now and i will come up with a good one. Ill post it ASAP

You know, Sageous... I really like your way of doing these courses.

I feel like this is a much better way than creating a personal "workbook" It brings people together more and if something is not clear, that can be answered here in this thread, where the others who might have the same problem can read it too... unlike a workbook where mostly just the tutors and the owner of it check in.

I'm gonna try and think out a mantra soon

Originally Posted by Sageous

Uh Oh!

What you might do then is think about some aspect of LD'ing that is important to you, like "freedom," or "adventure," or "exploration," or something else altogether; but just ask yourself why LD'ing matters, and then whittle your answer down to an easily repeated word or phrase.

Remember that the mantra itself doesn't need to be "deep and meaningful" on its face; it only needs to carry some meaning to you and be easy to repeat. If you still can't come up with one within a day or two let me know and we'll try something else.

How about something like "I am unlocking lucidity?" Or is that not good?

Originally Posted by Taffy

How about something like "I am unlocking lucidity?" Or is that not good?

That's a pretty good one -- you could even shorten it to "Unlock lucidity," just for repetition's sake.

You should be careful, though, because this still might be too general; make sure you don't let "lucidity" just become another word...also, be sure to leave yourself open to anther mantra, should it wander your way!

I've chosen "Jeg er på vej" which is Danish and in normal conversations would translate to "I'm on my way", but it could also mean something more like "I'm on the right path" or "I'm going in the right direction". I chose it because I consider my dive into lucid dreaming to be a lifelong travel that I'm embarking on and I feel like I need to assure my self of this choice. But I also chose it because I fall asleep very quickly and have problems keeping aware. So when I'm doing WILD it would tell me that I'm on my way into a dream.

Good/no good?

Today in the morning i didn't really mean to WILD, but i kept thinking of what words might mean something to me, and use those as a mantra. My most important goal in life right now is to get on the right track, to find that happiness i'm looking for... to succeed...

So as the mantra i wanted something simple, short, but meaningful... i choosen "Sikerülni fog", which translates to "It'll succeed". I'm not sure yet if this is the right mantra... maybe i should be more specific... but i'm not sure

Originally Posted by Strit

I've chosen "Jeg er på vej" which is Danish and in normal conversations would translate to "I'm on my way", but it could also mean something more like "I'm on the right path" or "I'm going in the right direction". I chose it because I consider my dive into lucid dreaming to be a lifelong travel that I'm embarking on and I feel like I need to assure my self of this choice. But I also chose it because I fall asleep very quickly and have problems keeping aware. So when I'm doing WILD it would tell me that I'm on my way into a dream.

Good/no good?

Excellent choice, Strit! Your mantra means something to you, is lyrical, and practical.

Nice work!

Originally Posted by littlezoe

Today in the morning i didn't really mean to WILD, but i kept thinking of what words might mean something to me, and use those as a mantra. My most important goal in life right now is to get on the right track, to find that happiness i'm looking for... to succeed...

So as the mantra i wanted something simple, short, but meaningful... i choosen "Sikerülni fog", which translates to "It'll succeed". I'm not sure yet if this is the right mantra... maybe i should be more specific... but i'm not sure

That might not be too terribly specific, but I really like the way it came to you. Later, after you've gleaned your "right track," something more specific might come along, and be sure to welcome it should it arrive. But for now I think this should work for you.

I just got around to reading the Mantras thread today, and it really changed my view about mantras! I was just repeating them and not really focusing on the meaning behind them, just saying the word over and over and not really thinking about what I was saying. So thanks, Sageous!

But now I'm freaking out because I only have a day to think of a mantra..
Well, not really, but I would like to get it done before you post your next lesson.

What about, "I will be dreaming soon" ? It kind of came to me as I was thinking about it. I would think it would give me enough "motivation" to keep going.
Or what about just "Soon."?

Or should I think up something else?

Originally Posted by Sydney

What about, "I will be dreaming soon" ? It kind of came to me as I was thinking about it. I would think it would give me enough "motivation" to keep going.

Or what about just "Soon."?

Or should I think up something else?

This may sound odd, but I kind of like "Soon." It has a subtle meaning to it, is easy to repeat and "soon" is one of those words that carries with it a very positive, even archetypical, message of hope that your unconscious might soak up in a very good way.

That said, it wouldn't hurt to keep thinking about a mantra, because another, even better one might come along -- and you don't want to let it slip past you!

I'm actually considering changing my mantra to "Still here". I think that one has a little more meaning in the context of WILD. What do you think?

Originally Posted by Frobthebuilder

I'm actually considering changing my mantra to "Still here". I think that one has a little more meaning in the context of WILD. What do you think?

I think that might be a better choice for two reasons:

First, because it carries a bit less metaphysical (and possibly distracting) import than "light," and second, because you seem to find more contextual meaning to it -- and that's the bit that really matters here. Plus you have opportunity to say "Still" on you in-breaths, and "Here" on your out-breaths, which might help you stay focused.

This might be a good one for you!

Not related to last lesson really, I'm working on that over the next few days but I've been attempting WILD's over the last few nights and keep falling asleep after I wake up

Any tips to wake myself up a bit after WBTB?

Originally Posted by enak101

Not related to last lesson really, I'm working on that over the next few days but I've been attempting WILD's over the last few nights and keep falling asleep after I wake up

Any tips to wake myself up a bit after WBTB?

Just one that I can think of: get up and walk around. That sounds stupid simple, I know, but it could be all you need to do. Your body is extremely interested in going back to sleep during those groggy initial arousals (and it usually does), so you need to take some (mild) physical action to stave off that grogginess. If you lie in bed "planning" to get up for too long a stretch, you'll likely just drift off again.

So get right up, stroll around a bit, and think about what you were dreaming and what you will be dreaming shortly.

I hope that helped; if I misunderstood your question please ask again!