[_a1_]

People who train themselves to reliably induce lucid dreams call themselves oneironauts (Oneiros = Greek god of dreams).

I was actively interested in this topic when I was younger and had much time to sleep and practice, but after I got my job and life problems kicked in, suddenly I realized that the only thing I require from a dream is to get a good night sleep so I will have strength to face problems during the day. A little bit sad but true.

But, during my lucid dreaming endeavors I realized the technique itself is incredibly powerful. Especially for people who have tendencies for daydreaming. One easy technique used during learning is to create a habit of looking at the watch and asking oneself if this is a dream or not. Doing it for a few times during a day will eventually create a habit, and will eventually increase the chances of unintentionally doing it during the actual dream. Then, the question "is this a dream?" will have a chance of recalling that we have consciousness, while still being inside the dream. It will be a lucid dream.

Maintaining lucid state of a lucid dream is another topic. Sometimes a few seconds after starting to be in a lucid dream, we forget about the state and we go right back to a normal, non-lucid dream. There are techniques for prolonging the state, but require training (like everything I guess).

[wombatmobile]

But is a lucid dream merely a dream in which the dreamer is aware of being asleep and dreaming, or is it more than that? I thought it also included taking control and doing whatever you want e.g. jumping off a building and flying wherever you want, because the laws of physics are suspended in dreaming.

How to activate superuser mode in dreams?

[madpata]

Here's some knowledge from the time I was into lucid dreaming (6+ years ago):

Some people classify the lucidity of a dream as "non-lucid", "semi-lucid" and "lucid".

"Non-Lucid" is just a normal dream. "Semi-Lucid" is a dream in which you know that you're dreaming, but you don't have real control and are just going with the flow. In real lucid dreams you're fully aware that you're dreaming and can control yourself (movement & talking). Experiencing a lucid dream is just plain awesome in my experience. You know that the experience is not real, but it feels real.

Controlling the dream itself (surroundings, other people, flying etc) is something the dreamer has to learn, as it isn't as straight-forward as just thinking/saying "I want to fly now"/"Let there be an orgy". If your brain doesn't expect something to happen, then it likely won't happen.

Flying is relatively easy because it really doesn't change your surroundings. I just imagine how I'm flying and it happens.

To change my surroundings I usually use the "spinning"/"blinking" trick: Either spin around or slowly blink with your eyes while imagining what you want to change. With some good luck it happens.

But dreams are unstable. Things can change quickly and without your control. It's a constant fight against your subconscious. A fight which often leads to waking up.

I have a recommendation for anyone still reading: Instead of flying or fucking/killing people (those were the most common themes on the forums back then), just talk with the people in your dream. You're not talking with real people, you're talking with yourself, but it doesn't feel that way. Talking with dream characters can be useful for introspection, as dreams are heavily influenced by your feelings.

Man, that all sounds so esoteric and non-scientific. Just my experience.

[vinceguidry]

My experience has been that trying to do huge things to a dream setting either just ends the dream it doesn’t really work. For me, it was easy to get to a state of , okay I’m lucid, now what? Only thing is to go with the flow, surf rather than control. I imagine with lots of practice it can be better handled.

[sethc2]

It’s pretty easy. Instead of looking at a watch a few times a day you carry around a controller and a few times a day you hit: up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A and Start, and then ask yourself if you’re dreaming. Then when you do it while dreaming: bam! Superpowers. :)

[bujak300]

Apparently while lucid dreaming the brain doesn't renegerate the same like during normal sleep, so it's like less sleep / interrupted sleep.

[steverb]

My daughter has narcolepsy and (according to her) always lucid dreams, so I hope this isn't completely true.

[gsich]

If you remember your dreams it's a sign of bad sleep, so yes it's probably true.

[_a1_]

Where did you get this from?

[gsich]

This guy: https://schlafmedizin.charite.de/metas/person/person/address...

said it in this podcast:

https://www.kuechenstud.io/medienradio/podcast/di092-ueber-g...

[koenvdb]

I literally saw this 2 days ago when watching a new series on Netflix called 'Behind her eyes'. Maybe you will like it!