We tend to operate under the assumption that our dreams are something entirely out of our hands. We think of them as a mysterious happening which we do not fully understand, much less have the ability to control. However, these nightly journeys made by our subconscious are something which we can indeed take control of. Thanks to a technique known as lucid dreaming, dream control is an ability which is well within our reach.
But what is lucid dreaming and how does one do it? What are the benefits of being in the driver�s seat for these nocturnal journeys? Keep reading to find out more about the practice of dream control or lucid dreaming.
What Is Dream Control?
Dream control, (through the use of lucid dreaming), is your becoming aware of the fact you are in a dream state, and that you can actually control the happenings in your dream. As you are sound asleep, you recognize that the events you think are going on are actually dreams, and that you can control how the events transpire to even the ending.
Dream control can be a great help to people who suffer from recurring nightmares. The simple, yet powerful technique of lucid dreaming can enable these people to get a full night�s sleep.
Common Techniques For Inducing Lucid Dreaming
Using binaural audio is a great way for reaching the lucid dream stage, through this you listen separate frequencies (in unison) for the purpose of getting the brain waves synchronized, which allows you to relax, and the stage where lucid dreaming is able to occur known as REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.
Prior to this technology being available for use through DVDs or CDs to help with dream control, meditation and self hypnosis were the popular methods to induce lucid dreaming, in spite of the fact, that numerous individuals complained about not being able to achieve the state of dream control through the use of these methods.
Other than self hypnosis and meditation, there are many other methods which have been developed over the years to help people have lucid dreaming experiences and begin using dream control. In every methods, the idea is to enable the dreamer to realize that they are dreaming, so they can then begin dictating the events of their dreams.
You need to begin this mental training, however while you are still awake. The goal is to set a cue which you will be able to perform in your dream which signals to you that you are in fact dreaming and that it is time to start taking the reins of your dream and directing it towards the outcomes you want.
This can be as simple as telling yourself that you will be dreaming and that you will do or say a certain thing in the dream; which will tell you that you are dreaming, setting off a state of lucid dreaming.
This form of dream control is called mnemonic induction of lucid dreams (or MILD for short), a technique developed by researcher Dr. Stephen LaBerge. Once reminded, you are then in control of your dream. You can then decide what happens in your dream, with your imagination being the only limiting factor.
Starting a dream journal can also help prepare you for lucid dreaming. Keep this by your bedside and as soon as you wake from a dream, write down everything you can remember from it. Once you have been doing this for a while, you�ll begin to start lucid dreaming � remembering is the first step to dream control.
Chase away the bad guys in nightmares, travel to whatever location you desire, go to your imagined hideaways, talk to famous people if you want, and basically be unshackled by worldly concerns. Through controlling your dreams, you can accomplish this, it gives you the ability to be in control of your nightly dream world and all that happens there.
However, there can be too much of the good thing which is lucid dreaming. Dreams can tell us important things, according to psychologists. So while you should unlock your full potential to have lucid dreaming experiences, make sure to give yourself some time off now and then to have natural dreams.
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