Lucid Dreaming: How Can You Do It? [Definition & Steps]

What is the meaning of lucid dreaming? And what are ways and tips to do this? There are many people who have experienced lucid dreaming. What is the best method? Read along…

What is a lucid dream, or a clear dream?

A clear dream is a dream in which you are aware that you are dreaming! This simple realization triggers your awake consciousness during the dream so you can do some cool things like:

• Exploring the dream world with total clarity. Everything you see, hear, touch, taste and smell will be as authentic as reality. It can be really mind blowing to discover this virtual world.
• Fulfill every fantasy. Fly over mountains, time travel, spot dinosaurs, engage in ninja battles, meet your hero or visit other planets.
• Overcome personal problems. In the safety of the clear dream environment, you can face your past fears, phobias, nightmares and trauma.
• Tap into your inner creativity. You can compose music, create original artistic creations and solve technical problems in surreal and unexpected ways.

What can I do in a lucid dream?

A completely lucid dream can be perfectly tangible, rich and visually detailed. Since all of this takes place in your mind, the dream world is infinite.

No laws. No limits. No limits. Everything you can imagine becomes reality. You can literally take control of your dream like Neo did in the Matrix. The most important reason for dreaming clearly is that you can find solutions to certain problems.

Has lucid dreaming been scientifically proven?

Yes, there are many examples of scientific research that prove the existence of lucid dreams. These studies have not been contradicted by the skepsis foundation, which is quite unique around these types of topics that are close to spirituality.

The first scientific evidence of lucid dreaming came in 1975 from British parapsychologist Dr. Keith Hearne. For the first time he could allow communication to take place between someone who was sleeping (and dreaming) and the outside world through commands to move the body.

2009 research at the Neurological Laboratory in Frankfurt has shown that brain activity during lucid dreams increases significantly. The researchers concluded that this justifies classifying lucid dreams as a new and separate state of consciousness.

What’s more intriguing, the study also showed increased activity in the frontal areas of the dreaming brain. This also happens to be the location of linguistic thinking and other higher mental functions associated with the self- consciousness – the mind.

In 2014 there was a remarkable follow-up to this research. The University of Frankfurt revealed that lucid dreams can be induced with “zaps” of harmless electrical stimulation of the brain. When non-lucid dreamers received 30-second shocks of electrical current to the frontal cortex during sleep, they spontaneously reported experiencing vivid dreams in which they were fully aware of what they were dreaming.

So there is an abundance of science on the subject of lucid dreaming and more studies are published every year.

How can you get a lucid dream yourself? Step-by-step

To be able to dream clearly, you only need the basics. The most important thing you can do to take the path to lucid dreaming is to start keeping a dream book.

1. Place a notebook with a pen next to your bed.
2. The intention to start lucid dreaming is very important. Before going to sleep, ask yourself, “What is the brightest dream in the universe for me?”
3. Fall asleep and dream.
4. Wake up the next day and write down your dream directly in your notebook! Preferably without opening your eyes, so that you remember more.
5. Do this every day for several weeks and notice that your dream is getting clearer.

Have you started lucid dreaming? Then do some reality checks: do you count your fingers and are there not ten? Is your electronics not working? Keep your mouth and nose closed. Can you still breathe through? You dream!

Why does this method work?

The special thing about dreams is that we can still remember them fairly well when we just wake up, but as soon as we think about something else for a while, we have completely lost the dream and we can hardly get it back.

By directly writing down your dreams, you collect a nice bundle that contains all your dreams and your awareness around your dreams is immediately increased. This method was also mentioned in a 2018 NRC article.

In the coming days, weeks and months you will notice that you will experience your dreams more clearly and more consciously.

Anyone can dream lucidly

Experts agree that everyone has the potential to make a lucid dream come true. But only a small proportion of people have taught themselves to do this regularly.

The biggest step you can take is to put a writing next to your bed and write every morning.

On your luck!