A Memory Of Me Rubbing My Hands Together To Stabilize A Lucid Dream? But Not Quite A Nightmare, which I hoped would help us both have a lucid dream again and test whether any of the dream stabilization techniques work or not among other things that we/I wanted to test and do in our next lucid dream(s).
But the truth is that lucid dreamer beginners are troubled with figuring out how to stay lucid.It is great when you finally realize that you are in a dream.But then, in the next few seconds, you either wake up because of excitement, or you felt a little scared, or everything just seems super blurred, with no details and kind of plain.This all makes it very easy to quickly lose lucidity and wake yourself up.However, if you start immediately using the lucid dream prolonging techniques, you are going to increase your lucidity and make your dream stay stable for longer. At the end of this article, you will know exactly how to stabilize your lucid dreams and how to extend them, for up to 30 minutes or more!The methods will prevent unanticipated awakenings from lucid dreams.Furthermore, the stabilization techniques will ground you in the dream, which is extremely fundamental if you don’t want to wake up in seconds.Once you get to the point that your dream is vivid and detailed, almost like the waking world, then you can start to experiment with controlling your dreams.
Now, we are going to see 15 of the best ways, which are going to help you to prolong your lucid dream, or to simply make them more clear and realistic!Some of these methods were scientifically observed! So let’s take a closer look at:. How to recognize If your lucid dream starts to end. HOW LONG A LUCID (OR NON-LUCID) DREAM CAN LAST?. Prolonging lucid dream techniques1. Spinning around2. Looking at the ground3. Looking at your hand4. Rubbing your hands5. Stay relaxed6. Do a reality check7. Demand clarity8. Try a herbal tea or a supplement9. Shake your head10.
Engage your senses11. Just slow things down a bit12. Go with the flow13.
Interact with the environment15. Fall backward.
A few important notes. Final words. How to recognize If your lucid dream starts to end 1) The first sign is usually a loss of color and realism in visual imagery.Usually, then the lucid dream starts to end and you feel that you are losing control, the color will start to fade.Furthermore is the realism, where you will feel that the visual imagery starts to disappear. 2) Another sign is the details.The dream will become much more plain and blurry, it may even look washed out. 3) Regularly, all of this happens very fast, within a few seconds.The dream can wash out so much that nothing will be left there. HOW LONG DO LUCID AND NON-LUCID DREAMS LAST?Whereas in the morning hours, before waking up, the dreams can last up to 20-30 minutes to an hour long!Furthermore, a lucid dream is still a DREAM, right?In truth, It is hard to detect the exact time of a dream.
After all, normal dreams feel much longer than they actually are.The same goes for lucid dreams.Yet, by learning how to aware that you are dreaming, you will be able to prolong your lucid dreams to 15-20 minutes, on average.Plus, don’t forget that this 15 minutes in a dream will definitely differ from 15 minutes in real life.You will often feel like you have been dreaming for a few hours. The second possible reason is that if the brain is fully engaged in producing the vivid, conscious experience of spinning, it will be harder to form an opposite sensation, such as lying motionless in bed.Furthermore, Stephen LaBerge, a psychophysiologist specialized in the scientific study of lucid dreaming declares that the technique works as:– as a way to bring more awareness to your dream body– to prolong your lucid dreamAnother plus of the technique is that if you want to change the dream scene, spinning around will do the work! WHAT SHOULD YOU DO:1) So if you are in a lucid dream and it starts to fade, start to spin around.2) Do it as fast as possible, like a top.It is highly probable to feel a strong sensation of a change (of the dream scene).3) The dream will begin to fade even more, but you will still be in the dream world.The fading is indicating that you are creating a new dream scene.
It is in a way a method that teleports you to a new dream location. There is also a possibility TO DREAM that you are awake (false-awakening).4) Be sure that you repeat to yourself “The next scene will be a dream.
“Furthermore, you may DREAM that you are awake in your bedroom. If you dream that you are awake, do a reality check.This will ensure if it is a false-awakening, or if you really wake up. Rubbing your handsRubbing hands together when you feel that the dream is fading is another great and effective technique. As long as you are feeling the sensation of rubbing your hands, you cannot experience the contradictory lack of sensation that you would need to feel to wake up.An experiment in NightLight 7.1 was held to test this idea and to collect additional proof on the effectiveness of BOTH the spinning and rubbing technique.Participants were instructed to rub their hands till they found themselves in a vivid dream, or awaken completely. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO:1) While you are in your lucid dream and you feel that the dream begins to fade, vigorously rub your (dream) hands together.2) It is important to do it, while you still feel your dream body.3) Furthermore, it is important to experience a vivid sense of movement and friction.4) You should continue to rub your hands until you find yourself in a vivid dream scene or awaken completely.5) Again, you need to repeat to yourself over and over while rubbing their hands, “The next scene will be a dream.”. You can notice how close REM sleep is to the awake state. Also, more REM sleep occurs in the morning (when it is the easiest to wake up).With all of this excitement going on in your lucid dream, you cannot expect, especially as a beginner to have a long and exciting dream.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO:1) It is simple – when you realize that you are lucid, don’t rush.Like a lucid dream beginner, try to observe things such as how does it feel to be in a lucid dream, what is the environment, etc2) Don’t try immediately to do crazy stuff, such as flying.Just be curious and explore the dream scene, without doing too much crazy things. This is at least for the beginning.3) With time, when you will be able to stabilize your lucid dream.Practicing the skill will allow you to control better your emotions, as well as to have the lucid dream for longer, so you can do anything you want, without waking up immediately.
Do a reality checkIf you are reading this article, you should know what is a reality check but just as a reminder:They are EXTREMELY important for lucid dreaming.Luckily, they can help you prolong the lucid dream and stay there for a longer period. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO:1) Every time you realize you are in a dream, do immediately a reality check!2) Even if you don’t feel the dream ”shaking”, just do it!It is just as a ”safety” that will ensure that you will direct your attention to this action, which will focus you on something. Demand clarity You can literally ” ask” the dream for clarity. Yeah, I know it may sound a bit weird.But this action is successful for one simple reason.Basically, you demand from YOURSELF and your ask subconscious to focus on YOUR dream world.You can think about it in a demanding manner, or even ask out loud.Be sure you think of say positive things.A simple line can either wake you up or let you dream lucidly. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO:1) When you start to lose clarity, focus on the chosen ”mantra”.
A few examples: – “Clarity now!”-“Make this dream more vivid!”– “Give me higher sharpness!”– “Improve focus!”– “Increase lucidity!”2) You need to believe and WANT what you are saying.Words can be ineffective in dreams, too. So, be sure that you really feel the need for clarity.3) And most importantly, it needs to be with a positive attitude.For instance, if you say ” STOP this blurriness” or “DON’T wake up”, you are using a negative construction, followed by ” wake up ”, which might wake you up.4) So, think about only one of the suggestions above.Don’t overwhelm your mind.
If you do it right, almost always, your dream will clasp into a higher focus. Try a herbal tea or a supplement Supplements and herbs are a great tool for giving a boost to your body. They can really make a difference, after a period of usage.Furthermore, some people do not believe that they can help.Well, I won’t say that they are wrong since everyone has the right to decide whether to believe in something or not.Moreover, using supplements for lucid dreaming supplements irregularly is not harmful in any manner ( except you are INTOLERANT or allergic to some ingredient so be sure to CHECK WELL!).However, IF you plan to use only supplements to achieve lucidity, this is also not the greatest option. They are a good ADDITIONAL help!And what is more, they are the perfect demonstration the extraordinary of lucid dreaming, for beginners.So the bottom line, if you experiment with supplements, be sure to closely observe them, before trying. Shake your head Shaking your head is a kinetic technique.Many lucid dreaming experts believe that actions like shaking your head, also spinning around, makes you more grounded IN your dream.So, the moment you feel that you are able to feel your physical body lying on the bed, a fast movement can help you to keep you in the dream.Shaking your head can be a helpful technique so it’s a good decision to consider learning it.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO:1) Start gradually.When you begin to shake your head, go slowly and intentionally, as this will make the movement intended and more efficient. Just slow things down a bitTry to slow things down. If you find yourself all excited, remember that this feeling will wake you up faster.Your brain should keep up with what are you doing, but it may need a second or two.
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WHAT SHOULD YOU DO:1) Try to slow down your breath, and just take a moment.Simply focus on your breathing for a few seconds.2) Similar to number 5, which was to stay relaxed, focus on the dream environment itself.3) Stay calm until you don’t feel that the dream is stabilized.Handle your feelings and keep being relaxed at the beginning of your lucid dream. It is that simple! Go with the flow.
In fact, this technique -” going with the flow” – is intended more like a controlling technique.So, every time the dream began to fade, the subjects of the study were instructed to continue to do what they were already doing while remaining aware that they are dreaming. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO:1) When you feel that the dream starts to fade, persist in doing whatever you were doing before it started to feel blurry and fading2) Simply ignore the fact that the dream is ”disappearing”.Fully concentrate on the action that you were doing (for instance if it was walking, just keep walking).3) While carrying on with your dream activity, it is important to repeat to yourself something like ” The next scene will be a dream”. Interact with the environmentThis one is another, very effective technique!Interacting with the environment will increase your lucidity and is going to make you more aware of your dream environment. Interacting with your dream setting will clearly depend on what is your dreamlike.But you can start with the basic examples that are below since they can be done in almost any dream. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO:1) The easier way to interact is with dream characters.Find a character and try to talk to them.
This one is pretty enjoyable, too. Fall backwardWhen your dream starts to destabilize or become blurry, you can also try to fall back!It is a good technique that changes the dreamscape into a new one.Be aware that with falling backward, you are going to have a very vivid physical sensation.Also, it should be your last attempt to stabilize your lucid dream. You may ask why? The technique may cause you to bounce you back to your bed, creating a false awakening (a dream of waking up) or even a real awakening.Which is kind of the thing we were trying to avoid in the first place, right?Therefore, it should be your last option.Try it only when you feel your lucidity is slipping away too fast and you have only a second to respond. But it is a good way to ”form” and create the new dream environment, too.So here, you should experiment a bit and see which option is the best for you – closed or open eyes.3) Have an intention!Don’t just randomly trow yourself.
This sensation may frighten your physical body, which can wake you up.Prepare and plan the falling in advance.For example, cross your arms over your chest, as you would do if you were falling back in real life.4) Falling backward can be a bit discomforting at first.But it is a good option not only for dream stabilization but also if you want to ”teleport” to a new dream location.
When I was 17 and driving to my junior prom, a late season blizzard set in. Snow was accumulating and the roads were wet. The temperature dropped quickly which created a layer of ice. I suddenly lost control of my car and began spinning in circles down the center of the highway. Finally, the car slid into the ditch but only a moment before an oncoming tractor trailer would have made contact. It was a pretty soft landing in the snow albeit more or less on the car’s side.
I climbed out through the passenger side window and crawled up the snowy embankment on hands and feet. With no cell phone to reach for, there I stood, collecting snow on my tuxedo and watching an occasional car go by until one eventually stopped. No one was hurt and the car wasn’t even damaged but the gravity of the situation haunted me. With each revolution of the spinning car, the truck drew closer as I watched through the windshield. I thought to myself that life is fragile and things can change dramatically and without notice. Reality check. In the pursuit and practice of lucid dreaming, the term “reality check” takes on a different kind of meaning.
Instead of a realization or grounding perspective that results from something that happens to you, it is an exercise or test that you perform proactively to bring you to a realization. The realization of, “Am I awake or am I dreaming?” In waking life, bizarre scenarios will occasionally happen that may cause you to ask yourself, “Am I dreaming this?” For some, this is especially true when something happens that resembles a theme that they commonly experience when dreaming (recurring dreamsign).
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Let’s say you often dream that you are not wearing shoes and are looking around for them. Then, one day in waking life, you are late for work and cannot find your shoes. As you search your house, the fleeting thought enters your mind, “Could this be a dream?” The waking mind tends to ground itself very quickly and easily. “Of course not. I’m awake!” There is an atmosphere of stability and focus combined with self-reflection that evaporates any notion that you may be asleep and dreaming. Furthermore, if you have the presence of mind while dreaming to critically evaluate your circumstances and question whether or not you are dreaming congratulations, chances are you are off to an amazing lucid dream adventure! Why, then, are reality checks so important if we don’t really need them to confirm our waking or dreaming state? Let’s explore that further right after we review some of the more popular reality checks that have been put to use: Popular Reality Checks 1.
Read a sentence or paragraph then read it a second time. If you find that upon your second read through, the content has changed, you are dreaming. Also, if you find it to be tremendously challenging to read at all (perhaps the words are moving around on the page/screen), this is also a good indicator that you may be dreaming.
Turn off the lights or, turn them on. A commonly reported dream characteristic is the dreamer’s inability to modulate room lighting through the use of light switches.
Close your mouth, plug your nose and try to breath. If you are able to breath or find that you do not even need to breath, good news, you are dreaming! Put your hand through a wall or any other solid surface. If it moves through, you are dreaming. And, no, punching through walls does not count!
Attempt to gently push the index finger of one hand through the palm of the other. If your finger slides through, you are dreaming. Simply look at your hand, look away, then look at it again. If you see something unusual like too many fingers, underdeveloped fingers, or distortion of the palm and fingers yep, dreaming. There are many more reality checks out there but these are some of the more popular ones.
Of them, I tend to lean toward numbers three through six since they don’t involve “props” of any kind. For example, you may not have anything to read while in a dream and find yourself wasting valuable time in search of a book or magazine.
I don’t like the light switch test mainly because I happen to live in an older house where there are light switches that don’t do anything even when I’m awake. Conversely, whether dreaming or awake, my hands are always available to me and ready to go.
Of the hand-based tests, simply looking at them (#6) is my go-to. For me, it’s a sure thing and very fast to perform just look and look again. When awake, it’s five fingers and the same hand every time (thank you very much). When in a dream, it seems to be something different each time but consistently unusual. Typically, for me, there will be too many fingers or some fingers will be oddly (and obviously) too short. When I see that, it’s off to the races without even a moment of concern about my deformed hand.
So, back to the original question. What is the real value of reality checks if it’s not to confirm what we already know (that we are awake) or confirm what we strongly suspect (that we are dreaming)? The practice of conducting reality checks has two primary benefits for lucid dream practitioners. First, they can be a means to achieve lucidity in a dream. Second, once lucid, they provide the dreamer with a mechanism to stabilize the dream environment in order to make the most out of their experience.
Reality Checks for Lucid Dream InductionThere are variations on this method but the idea goes something like the following. About ten times each day, pause briefly and conduct your favorite reality check. It’s best if you are prompted to do this by seeing, feeling, or generally experiencing something unusual or something that relates to one of your recurring dremsigns. For example, you see a car nearly run another car off of the road.
Depending on where you live, this may not be uncommon at all but, still, do a reality check. Since it’s unlikely that there will be more than one or maybe two of these opportunities each day, you will have to create other cues. At one point, I set an alarm on my phone that went off once every hour to prompt a reality check.
If you try this one, let me know when you have your first dream about tossing your phone out of a window. Whatever method you choose, do it and do it often throughout the day. Also, when you reality check, don’t just go through the motions. A mindless attempt to push your finger through your palm followed by a mental, “nope” will not be effective. You must consciously engage in the process, sincerely evaluate your surroundings, and ask yourself if you are dreaming even if you already know the answer. The reason being, after the consistent practice of critical reality checks, the “habit” becomes prevalent within your waking thought process which will eventually cross into the thought process of your dreaming mind. An absentminded reality check practice when awake will lead to an absentminded evaluation when you are dreaming and is not likely to lead to lucidity.
When it becomes second nature for you to reality check frequently and sincerely (especially when encountering something unusual) you are on your way to successfully inducing a lucid dream. Perhaps the next time you find yourself “shoe-less” and sitting in your 6th grade classroom, you will pause to conduct a reality check success. Reality Checks for Lucid Dream StabilizationUsing reality checks as an induction technique is tried and true but, let’s face it, it takes a great deal of waking life discipline to put it into practice. There are a number of other techniques that may be more favorable especially for beginners. That said, using reality checks for lucid dream stabilization is both easy and highly effective. Whatever it is that happens to trigger you or clue you in to the fact that you may be dreaming, there are some techniques that will allow you to prolong the experience.
One technique involves shifting your focus between different people and/or objects. It is commonly reported by lucid dreamers that focusing on one thing (singularly) for too long will cause the dream to collapse causing the dreamer to wake up and, therefore, shifting focus is an important strategy.
Another technique involves the acuteness of your thought as you periodically remind yourself that you are dreaming. This is important as it is common for the lucid dreamer to become caught up in the experience and slide back into autopilot thus losing the conscious connection.
Practicing reality checks at the onset and throughout a lucid dream will accomplish both of these objectives. Looking at your hands, for example, will simultaneously shift your focus from one object to another and register a conscious reminder that you are, in fact, still dreaming. In the event that the dream begins to degrade or “collapse”, an applied reality check can, again, serve as a stabilizing mechanism. One final note pertaining to reality checks as with all other things to do with lucid dreaming it is important to have fun! As is the case with all things of the Universe, success is not attracted to frustration, impatience, and, most of all, desperation. Remember that everyone has the ability to become aware in their dreams and achieve life-altering goals.
However, it’s important to view your pursuit as a journey and not a race. Each step in the process holds a lesson and some significance for you to discover so proceed with love, good intentions, and a light heart.