I have lucid dreams infrequently, particularly recently. I usually have 2-3 lucid moments per month, in that I have what are technically lucid dreams, but they don’t last even one minute and my senses (especially sight) are bad. I’m very interested in lucid dreaming as it sounds like the perfect outlet for me, but I become disheartened with every failed attempt.
I have, however, a strong desire to achieve frequent lucid dreams, so I’m thinking of designating one week of Summer as my “Lucid Dream Week”: For 7 days, the majority of my time will be devoted to the achievement and cultivation of lucid dreams.
Currently I do little to attain or improvement of my lucid dreams. I perform reality checks when something odd happens, and I try the plan from EWLD in which I pick something that will occur during the day and remember to perform a reality check when it happens. At night I make perfunctory efforts to induce lucid dreams using MILD or similar techniques.
I figure that the effort I exert during the “Lucid Dream Week” will be well worth the benefits of long, clear, and frequent lucid dreams. I’m hesitant, however, because I don’t know if this will actually work. My mentality is (or was) that the more effort I put into lucid dreaming, the more proficient at lucid dreaming I will become, although this is probably flawed thinking.
What do you guys think? Would this “Lucid Dream Week” greatly enhance my ability to lucid dream, will it have a temporary benefits, or will it do nothing? Has anyone tried something like this? I want to know if this will be worth it before I do it.
I did something a bit similar, I devoted 1 month to doing as much WBTB + MILD as possible (a few years ago, when I really got started with LD-ing). In the end, it was extremely helpful since it boosted my abilities to perform quick WBTB’s + MILD almost on any night I have enough hours of sleep, with an above 50% succes rate. So my advice is, if you take 1 week, pick one technique and try it to the best of your abilities. And even then, 1 week might be too short to draw definite conclusions. Good luck!
Nice to hear someone tried something similar with good results. I’m going to try more than just induction techniques, though; I’m going to try several suggestions in EWLD, such as strengthening my will, exercising visualization, goal setting, diligence in remembering and recording my dreams, all kinds of induction techniques, and anything else I can find that will be helpful with lucid dreaming and consume my time.
I’ve never done anything this intense before. I’m sure I’ll dislike doing it quite a bit, but the rewards will be worth the effort, I hope. I’m sure now that I want to try this week of lucid dreaming, but I’m wondering if I should be more modest in my efforts (that is, not spending almost every waking moment on something lucid dreaming related).
Your idea is definitely a good one Tride, for several reasons. First of all, even if you dislike the routine, you will greatly increase your skill in whatever methods you choose to practice.
In addition, you’ll have more motivation to practice the methods and others in the future. I know for me motivation is the hardest part of Lucid Dreaming. After a week of LD-related activities, you should have achieved enough to motivate you afterwards.
Tride the problem with your idea (doing/trying many techniques etc) might be that in 1 week, you could not be able to get results from any of those, where if you tried only 1 method, perhaps it would work. I see many people on this forum getting frustrated because they demand fast results from themselves. This is just mostly not possible. But the choice is yours of course…
You should extend your time. You want LD-s? Then do everything you plan constantly, then take short breaks, some days or a week before you re-start. (Again, if i’m wrong, Sureal, sry )
when I started LD’ing I was confident that I will succeed, and I did. It sounds a bit a cliche but you really need to believe in yourself its the only thing you need to do and you will succeed eventually.
I am not a big fan of setting time frames for success. Sometime setting a goal based on time can be a recipe for failure by putting too much pressure on yourself.
Since you have already said that you have achieved some lucid moments on a regular basis then; in my opinion, you are already there. Perhaps you should focus on learning how to turn your lucid moments into lucid dreams. What you are experiencing is normal for people just starting out. This will correct its self in time. You just need to learn to stay calm once you do become lucid then use a prolonging technique to help anchor yourself to the dream.
A better goal might be to practice more diligently and seriously. When you first start out doing reality checks it may seem like a chore but, in time you will find this easier to accomplish. Find ways to make your RC’s fun so you do them as much as possible.
Maybe I should moderate my planned effort and span my lucid dreaming practice time. Although, the reason I originally planned to make just a week of vigorous lucid dream practice is that I have a hard time maintaining my motivation to attain lucid dreams. I sometimes go through a lucid dream-high in which I’m willing to put in a good amount of effort to have a lucid dream, but when I wake up in the morning and realize I didn’t have a lucid dream, I feel despondent and uninterested.
I originally figured, “It’s just one week out of my whole life to achieve something important to me.” But I don’t think I’ll be able to make equal efforts over a long period of time (or for the rest of my life). I’m willing to make an effort every day, but it’s a question of how much effort.
I feel like need to get lucid dreams quickly to boost my morale, then I’ll feel motivated to practice diligently all the time. The complete lack of lucid dreams for weeks can definitely get me down.
So should I still try something similar to my original idea, or will steadfast, modest effort every day indeed be enough? (Honestly, I do little aside from reality checks) And milod, I’ve actually been practicing lucid dreaming for about three years. I’ve made little progress from my first lucid dream; if anything, my lucid dreaming has been getting worse.
Motivation is the most important thing in LD’ing. Thus if you’re highly motivated and if you really dedicate a whole week to LD’s, it could work, why not?
It’s very difficult to maintain the work required until you have experienced a full lucid dream. Lucid moments help to keep your interest and the fact you are experiencing these means you are very close to having a full lucid dream.
If I was in your position I would devote every other week to lucid dreaming. One week on and one week off will give you the break neccessary to maintain your interest,and when you experience your first fully lucid dream motivation becomes much less of a problem believe me.
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