Lucid dreaming can be a very powerful and enlightening experience. It can provide you with a shift in perspective, and help you become aware of yourself and the world around you at a deeper, more meaningful level.
What Is Lucid Dreaming?
Strictly speaking, lucid dreaming is a state in which you are halfway between sleep and consciousness. In this state, you are able to take charge and explore your dreamscape at will. You can control the scenarios that unfold, and add, or remove elements as you please.
You’ve probably experienced this at some point or another. Everyone is capable of having lucid dreams, though few can actually trigger them at will. Doing this requires a lot of training, and mental preparation.
However, this process of learning how to control your dreams can be just as rewarding as the actual practice of lucid dreaming. It helps you become more aware of the inner workings of your mind.
How You Can Benefit
Harnessing the power of lucid dreaming can help you reach new levels of self-awareness. Dreams are the subconscious’ way of trying to work through problems, and frustrations. They are an indication of your deepest desires, and your most burning needs. It can help you achieve higher consciousness.
When you are not in control of your dreams, the scenarios tend to unfold much like a movie. You can’t interact at will with the elements of your dream, you can’t experiment, and you can’t really change the story. Your subconscious mind dominates you.
Lucid dreaming allows you to explore, interact, and shape a whole world of boundless possibilities. Your imagination is truly the limit when it comes to what you can do in this universe. As long as you learn how to induce this state, and recover those experiences after waking up, you’ll have a boundless supply of creative energy all throughout the day.
Scientists have only just begun to look into the subject of lucid dreaming, and it may take a while before we are truly going to understand how they work, and what their effects are. But whatever the findings will be, know that this is a very personal experience, and no two people are going to perceive in the same way.
Techniques For Taking Control of Your Dreams
Lucid dreaming can sometimes happen naturally. If you truly want to harness their powers, there are number of things you can do to induce this state. Some of these techniques are more advanced than others, so don’t be disheartened if it takes a while before you can activate your consciousness during sleep.
Use a Personal Mantra
This is a very good technique for beginners, since it does not require a lot of preparation. Simply close your eyes, and repeat a phrase that will help you visualize entering the lucid dreaming state. It can be something like “I will take charge of this dream”, or “I am in control”. For this technique to work, no matter phrase you decide to use, it is essential that you say it with conviction. Avoid using words like want, or hope to. You need to convince your subconscious that you will be in control, no matter what.
Visualizing Your Chakras
This method relies on the spiritual power of your chakras, more specifically your Third Eye and the Crown Chakra, to help you attain consciousness during your dreams. The Third Eye governs vision, insight and intuition. It is associated with the verb to see. The Crown Chakra helps you attain inner knowledge, self-awareness and tranquility.
While you are lying down, focus your inner vision on one of these points. Clear your mind of thoughts and emotions, and let yourself slowly fall asleep. These two chakras will help your mind stay anchored in consciousness, as your dreams slowly begin to unfold. These two energy points will act as a beacon, as you start exploring the dream world before you.
Preparing a Symbol
If you find that your dreams contain recurrent symbols, such as specific objects, or people or even words, try to focus on them before falling asleep. Visualize them as you are about to slip out of reality. When you spot them in your dream, your mind will remember that these are key elements of the dream world, and thus you’ll become aware of the fact that you are in a dream.
Keep a Dream Diary to Record Your Experiences
In order to reap the benefits of the insights you’ve gained once you are awake, it’s a good idea to keep a dream diary. Dream diaries can help you spot recurrent patterns, and symbols you can use to enhance your techniques. They will also help you record the experiences that might otherwise be lost upon waking up.
Dreams hold a great power, and insights. Don’t let these powerful learning tools go to waste, and take charge of your subconscious mind with the power of lucid dreaming.
by Amanda Wilks
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