Dreams teach us a lot about ourselves, our lives, and help us awaken to ideas we may never otherwise understand. What is a lucid dream? A dream where the dreamer becomes fully aware that they are dreaming is considered to be lucid. How does one control this dream? Is it possible to control 100% of dreams? It is not likely, however this guide is useful for harnessing an inert power over lucid dreams.
1. First and foremost, figure out if you are dreaming.
The movie Waking Life (2001) would suggest that turning on a light switch is a helpful method of figuring out that you are dreaming. Personally, I have never seen a light switch in my dreams, and making one appear is nearly impossible, even if the dream is lucid and controlled. A method I find useful while dreaming to figure out if it feels real or not is to ask myself during the dream: “Is this something that would and could happen in real life? How unusual is the situation before my eyes?”
For example, if I am dreaming of a zombie apocalypse, then I can rationalize that it is a dream because it is not likely that would actually happen in real life. To double check I might look for something familiar and realize that the world changes from bedroom to living room to the mountainside in moments. Movement of this kind does not happen instantaneously in real life, therefore I realize I am dreaming.
2. Practice. Take cat naps.
While lazing around on the couch during an idle Saturday try to fall asleep. Have in mind that a short nap will be all that is needed for a light dream. Most lucid dreams come during the first 30 minutes of sleep, so try to wake within that time. Do not set an alarm, just focus on a short nap within the mind. Consciousness is a huge part of lucid dreaming, and with infinite levels of consciousness available to humans, it is best to stick closer to those levels closer to being awake than sleeping.
Now develop a story about anything and try to fall asleep while in deep thought about the tale. Perhaps a walk through the forest or a more tantalizing idea crosses the mind. In either case remember to maintain focus. Fall asleep to the ideas and do not expect too much. You may start controlling the dream during the first light nap taken, however most find lucid dreams happening after a month of practice or so.
3. Know boundaries.
So once a dreaming state is realized (lucid), what boundaries are there and how are these controlled or surpassed? Practice of course. Try harming someone in a dream. Not possible? Perhaps not because you are not an abusive person in your awake life. It is not uncommon to live by standard morals while dreaming, even if attempting otherwise. With enough practice one can do anything in a dream – jump off a building or simply fly a kite – the journey is in the dream of the beholder.
Feeling conservative in real life? Sometimes lucid, controlled dreams lead to unusual fantasies. Remember these are nothing more than thoughts and exciting situations – so enjoy them. Many times our lives trickle into our dreams. Happiness, anger, movies, video games, or whatever humans enjoy/dislike will present itself in a dream. Sometimes metaphors show what is hindering awake life.
4. Do not get discouraged.
Controlling lucid dreams may not happen overnight. Taking cat naps, trying to maintain focus on a story, and looking for light switches while dreaming may help. Do not expect to have lucid dreams often. Sometimes they happen in the early hours of the morning when least expected, or right when falling asleep (and we wake 20 minutes later to realize we have just had an exciting dream). Other times a controlled, lucid dream may not happen for many years. Practicing is the only way to experience them more often, so go take a nap and have fun!