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Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming
"[A] solid how-to book...For amateur dream researchers, this is a must"
WHOLE EARTH REVIEW
This book goes far beyond the confines of pop dream psychology, establishing a scientifically researched framework for using lucid dreaming--that is, consciously influencing the outcome of your dreams. Based on Dr. Stephen LaBerge's extensive laboratory work at Stanford University mapping mind/body relationships during the dream state, as well as the teachings of Tibetan dream yogis and the work of other scientists, including German psycholgist Paul Tholey, this practical workbook will show you how to use your dreams to: Solve problems; Gain greater confidence; improve creativity, and more.
WHOLE EARTH REVIEW
This book goes far beyond the confines of pop dream psychology, establishing a scientifically researched framework for using lucid dreaming--that is, consciously influencing the outcome of your dreams. Based on Dr. Stephen LaBerge's extensive laboratory work at Stanford University mapping mind/body relationships during the dream state, as well as the teachings of Tibetan dream yogis and the work of other scientists, including German psycholgist Paul Tholey, this practical workbook will show you how to use your dreams to: Solve problems; Gain greater confidence; improve creativity, and more.
335 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 19, 1989
About the author
Stephen LaBerge
19 books130 followersStephen LaBerge (1947–) is a psychophysiologist and a leader in the scientific study of lucid dreaming. He began researching lucid dreaming for his Ph.D. in Psychophysiology at Stanford University, which he received in 1980. In 1987, he founded The Lucidity Institute, an organization that promotes research into lucid dreaming, as well as running courses for the general public on how to achieve a lucid dream.
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February 11, 2019Hey, those of us who don’t do drugs have to get our trippy rocks off somehow.
January 25, 2016
Full of practical, evidence-based advice on the practice of lucid dreaming from Stephen LaBerge of Stanford University.
With the aid of the information presented in 'Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming', I became a proficient lucid dreamer, easily realizing more than 30 successful attempts following a couple weeks of practice. As I became better at lucid dreaming, I was able to slip directly from a hypnogogic state into a lucid dream, all the while maintaining awareness. I realize I may be unusual in this respect... I'm a light sleeper and have experienced sleep paralysis more than a few times in my life, and these things apparently have a bit to do with it. Your mileage may vary.
A few key points that have stuck with me since I read this book:
1) Behaviors that cause you you to question reality are very useful for lucid dreaming. You need to routinely ask yourself during the day whether or not things you perceive are real - this behavior will carry through to your dreams.
2) Use a few tests to see if you're dreaming. For example, I try and push my right index finger through my left palm: if I can do it, I'm dreaming. Also, scrutinize written words, signage, your watch, etc... usually, upon close inspection, what you read will not make much sense in a dream, or will not be the same when you look away and back again. Practice these tests during the day, and you will be more likely do them in your dreams.
3) It's easiest to lucid dream by waking up in the very early morning, staying up for a half hour, and then going back to sleep with the intent to enter the lucid state. Lucid dreaming occurs during REM sleep, and REM cycles are most frequent during these hours. Again, intent is key.
4) Keep a dream journal by your bedside to write down what you've been dreaming about (dream memories are quickly lost and superimposed upon by awakened perception). By doing so, you will soon learn to recognize things that you tend to dream about - these frequently dreamt about things can become clues to the possibility that you are dreaming, which should initiate a test (see 2)).
Lots of other really interesting info and practical advice can be found in "Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming". I've since given away my copy to a friend, but might pick another up at some point should I get back into the practice of lucid dreaming.
March 17, 2013
This has to be one of my favorite books. Everyone needs to buy and read this book. If you are not familiar with the concept of lucid dreams, this will answer all your questions. This is based on scientific research and not a lot of the hokey new age concepts you find in other lucid dreaming books. This is also NOT about dream interpretation but rather a simple, easy, and clear strategy to control your dreams. The "MILD" and "WILD" techniques can get you started the first day. This influenced me in ways that I never imagined, and I have since influenced others based on its concepts. It's also a good strategy to tap into some of the creative aspects for people who are artists, writers, and engineers. This is a must read and a must try.
March 28, 2024
5/5 ★'s 💘Audiobook💘
This book is a terrific introduction to lucid dreaming! It includes scientific studies, real-life accounts from other lucid dreamers, exercises to help you learn to lucid dream, and beliefs through the ages of what dreams/lucid dreams can mean.
I have only ever had two lucid dreams (though very short) and they were both while reading this book! I highly, highly recommend to anyone interested in learning about or trying to lucid dream.
I had such a fun time listening through, that I was sad when it was over! It can be hard to thoroughly enjoy an educational book sometimes, so this one was absolutely a winner.
This book is a terrific introduction to lucid dreaming! It includes scientific studies, real-life accounts from other lucid dreamers, exercises to help you learn to lucid dream, and beliefs through the ages of what dreams/lucid dreams can mean.
I have only ever had two lucid dreams (though very short) and they were both while reading this book! I highly, highly recommend to anyone interested in learning about or trying to lucid dream.
I had such a fun time listening through, that I was sad when it was over! It can be hard to thoroughly enjoy an educational book sometimes, so this one was absolutely a winner.
September 5, 2011
This book put me on a pretty open-minded path some years ago and I'm glad I read it, as it's made me a more creative and confident person. However, it did only a little for me as far as lucid dreaming goes. It turns out lucid dreaming is a serious commitment that requires a LOT of sleep (8-10 hrs a night at first). It's ironic that this book promises to enrich your life but demands you spend that much of it asleep!
May 10, 2012
Very good book! Not enough people know about the tremendous benefits that can come with lucid dreaming. This book effectivley taught me how to control my dreams and act out any scenario I like. Its the natural form of virtual reality and its only limited to your imagination.
July 25, 2016
This book has a step-by-step method for learning how to have and use lucid dreams. One component is targeting dreamsign categories. These include: inner awareness, action, form, or context. You can practice looking for dreamsigns while you are awake, too, by making a habit of examining your day for events that fit under your dreamsign category. For example, if your target category is action, study how you, other people, animals, objects and machines act and move. Once you are familiar with how things usually are in waking life, you're prepared to notice when something unusual happens in a dream.
The Afghan Sufi master Hakim Sansi observed 800 years ago:
To the extent that your thinking is distorted by fear, greed, anger, pride, prejudice, or faulty assumptions, you cannot tell what is really reflected in your consciousness. Therefore, assume the best. When you meet a monster in your lucid dream, sincerely greet them like a long-lost friend, and that is what it will be.
This seems to be a recurring theme:
- Who we really are is not necessarily the same as who we believe ourselves to be.
The less we identify with who we think we are, the more likely we are to discover who we really are.
Idries Shah describes our situation in the following story:
The Men and the Butterfly
Once upon a time on a hot summer's day, two tired men who were on a very long journey came to a riverside where they stopped to rest. Moments later, the younger man had fallen asleep and -- as the other watched -- his mouth fell open. Can you believe it when I tell you that a little creature, to all appearances a beautiful miniature butterfly, then flew out from between his lips?
The insect swooped onto a small island in the river, where it alighted upon a flower and sucked nectar from its cup. Then it flew around the tiny domain (which must have seemed huge to an insect of that size) a number of times, as though enjoying the sunshine and the soft breeze. Soon it found another of its own kind and the two danced in the air, as if flirting with one another.
The first butterfly settled again on a gently swaying twig: and, after a moment or two, it joined a mass of large and small insects of several kinds which swarmed around the carcass of an animal lying in the lush green grass... Several minutes passed.
Idly, the wakeful traveler threw a small stone into the water near the little island; and the waves which this created splashed the butterfly. At first it was almost knocked over, but then, with difficulty, it shook the droplets from its wings and rose into the air.
It flew, with wings beating at top speed, back towards the sleeper's mouth. But the other man now picked up a large leaf, and held it in front of his companion's face, to see what the little creature would do.
The butterfly dashed itself against this obstruction again and again, as if in panic: while the sleeping man started to writhe and groan.
The butterfly's tormentor dropped the leaf, and the creature darted, quick as a flash, into the open mouth. No sooner was it inside than the sleeper shuddered and sat up, wide awake.
He told his friend:
"I have just had a most unpleasant experience, a dreadful nightmare. I dreamt that I was living in a pleasant and secure castle, but became restless and decided to explore the outside world.
"In my dream, I traveled by some magical means to a far country where all was joy and pleasure. I drank deep, from a cup of ambrosia as much as I wanted. I met and danced with a woman of matchless beauty, and I disported myself in endless summer. I played and feasted with many good
companions, people of all kinds and conditions, natures, ages and complexions. There were some sorrows but these only served to emphasize the pleasures of this existence.
"This life went by for many years. Suddenly and without warning, there was a catastrophe: hug tidal waves swept over the land. I was drenched and I very nearly drowned. I found myself hurtling back towards my castle, as if on wings; but when I reached the entrance gate I could not get in. A huge green door had been put up by a giant evil spirit. I threw myself against it again and again, but it did not yield.
"Suddenly, as I felt that I was about to die, I remembered a magic word which was reputed to dissolve enchantments. No sooner had I spoken it than the great green portal fell away, like a leaf in the wind, and I was able to enter my home again and to live thenceforth in safety. But I was so frightened I woke up."
Shah comments: Now it is said that you, as you may have guessed, are the butterfly. The island is this world. The things which you like -- and dislike -- are therefore seldom what you think they are. Even when your time arrives to go (or when you think about it) you only find distortions of the facts, which is why this question cannot ordinarily be understood. But beyond "the butterfly" is "the sleeping man." Behind both of these is the true Reality. Given the right opportunity, "the butterfly" can learn about these things. About where it comes form, about the nature of the "sleeping man." And about what lies beyond these two.
There is more to life than people are ordinarily aware of. This is an inspiration to seek a guide who knows the way.
The Afghan Sufi master Hakim Sansi observed 800 years ago:
If you want the mirror to reflect the face,
hold it straight and keep it polished bright.
To the extent that your thinking is distorted by fear, greed, anger, pride, prejudice, or faulty assumptions, you cannot tell what is really reflected in your consciousness. Therefore, assume the best. When you meet a monster in your lucid dream, sincerely greet them like a long-lost friend, and that is what it will be.
This seems to be a recurring theme:
- Who we really are is not necessarily the same as who we believe ourselves to be.
The less we identify with who we think we are, the more likely we are to discover who we really are.
Idries Shah describes our situation in the following story:
The Men and the Butterfly
Once upon a time on a hot summer's day, two tired men who were on a very long journey came to a riverside where they stopped to rest. Moments later, the younger man had fallen asleep and -- as the other watched -- his mouth fell open. Can you believe it when I tell you that a little creature, to all appearances a beautiful miniature butterfly, then flew out from between his lips?
The insect swooped onto a small island in the river, where it alighted upon a flower and sucked nectar from its cup. Then it flew around the tiny domain (which must have seemed huge to an insect of that size) a number of times, as though enjoying the sunshine and the soft breeze. Soon it found another of its own kind and the two danced in the air, as if flirting with one another.
The first butterfly settled again on a gently swaying twig: and, after a moment or two, it joined a mass of large and small insects of several kinds which swarmed around the carcass of an animal lying in the lush green grass... Several minutes passed.
Idly, the wakeful traveler threw a small stone into the water near the little island; and the waves which this created splashed the butterfly. At first it was almost knocked over, but then, with difficulty, it shook the droplets from its wings and rose into the air.
It flew, with wings beating at top speed, back towards the sleeper's mouth. But the other man now picked up a large leaf, and held it in front of his companion's face, to see what the little creature would do.
The butterfly dashed itself against this obstruction again and again, as if in panic: while the sleeping man started to writhe and groan.
The butterfly's tormentor dropped the leaf, and the creature darted, quick as a flash, into the open mouth. No sooner was it inside than the sleeper shuddered and sat up, wide awake.
He told his friend:
"I have just had a most unpleasant experience, a dreadful nightmare. I dreamt that I was living in a pleasant and secure castle, but became restless and decided to explore the outside world.
"In my dream, I traveled by some magical means to a far country where all was joy and pleasure. I drank deep, from a cup of ambrosia as much as I wanted. I met and danced with a woman of matchless beauty, and I disported myself in endless summer. I played and feasted with many good
companions, people of all kinds and conditions, natures, ages and complexions. There were some sorrows but these only served to emphasize the pleasures of this existence.
"This life went by for many years. Suddenly and without warning, there was a catastrophe: hug tidal waves swept over the land. I was drenched and I very nearly drowned. I found myself hurtling back towards my castle, as if on wings; but when I reached the entrance gate I could not get in. A huge green door had been put up by a giant evil spirit. I threw myself against it again and again, but it did not yield.
"Suddenly, as I felt that I was about to die, I remembered a magic word which was reputed to dissolve enchantments. No sooner had I spoken it than the great green portal fell away, like a leaf in the wind, and I was able to enter my home again and to live thenceforth in safety. But I was so frightened I woke up."
Shah comments: Now it is said that you, as you may have guessed, are the butterfly. The island is this world. The things which you like -- and dislike -- are therefore seldom what you think they are. Even when your time arrives to go (or when you think about it) you only find distortions of the facts, which is why this question cannot ordinarily be understood. But beyond "the butterfly" is "the sleeping man." Behind both of these is the true Reality. Given the right opportunity, "the butterfly" can learn about these things. About where it comes form, about the nature of the "sleeping man." And about what lies beyond these two.
There is more to life than people are ordinarily aware of. This is an inspiration to seek a guide who knows the way.
February 9, 2021
Dreams in general have always been something I've been fascinated by. I want to learn more about it, so I decided to delve into the world of lucid dreaming.
I found this book very interesting in the beginning, but it became very repetitive which made me lose interest throughout. However, I did enjoy a lot of aspects of the book regardless of the repetitiveness.
I liked that they included dream sequences from strangers and themselves. It works as a nice break from the dense facts. The exercises were also a nice break but I found that these became quite similar to one another and felt kinda useless at some points, but I can see how they can be useful for someone who's actually trying to induce lucid dreaming. I find it a little scary so I have no interest in actually doing at in the near future, but it is a fascinating topic and I have no regrets about trying to learn more about it.
The book also gives multiple examples and methods to achieve lucid dreaming which makes it so everyone can try it. If one method didn't work then there are a plethora of other ones you can try, and they all have proof supporting them, whether that is clinical testing or people's experience.
Nightmares, which is something I want to read more about, is also a topic in this book, more specifically how you can deal with repeated nightmares while awake or in a lucid dream.
If you are interested in Lucid dreaming or want to try it out, then this book is perfect for that, it shows you how to do it in a safe way and guides you every step of the way.
I found this book very interesting in the beginning, but it became very repetitive which made me lose interest throughout. However, I did enjoy a lot of aspects of the book regardless of the repetitiveness.
I liked that they included dream sequences from strangers and themselves. It works as a nice break from the dense facts. The exercises were also a nice break but I found that these became quite similar to one another and felt kinda useless at some points, but I can see how they can be useful for someone who's actually trying to induce lucid dreaming. I find it a little scary so I have no interest in actually doing at in the near future, but it is a fascinating topic and I have no regrets about trying to learn more about it.
The book also gives multiple examples and methods to achieve lucid dreaming which makes it so everyone can try it. If one method didn't work then there are a plethora of other ones you can try, and they all have proof supporting them, whether that is clinical testing or people's experience.
Nightmares, which is something I want to read more about, is also a topic in this book, more specifically how you can deal with repeated nightmares while awake or in a lucid dream.
If you are interested in Lucid dreaming or want to try it out, then this book is perfect for that, it shows you how to do it in a safe way and guides you every step of the way.
July 22, 2015
A great introduction to the world of lucid dreaming and how to go about obtaining the skills to lucid dream yourself. Personally, I have not been able to really lucid dream yet, but I have made progress and look forward to being more successful. The book provides a lot of different exercises for the reader to practice in order to become an oneironaut and I found a lot of them to be really well explained and clear. There were also a bunch of different examples of how lucid dreaming can influence one's real life. Though it is an older book and the research may be slightly out of date, I still think that this is probably the best first stop for someone who wants to learn about lucid dreaming!
February 16, 2021
If you are self-disciplined enough to follow the very specific steps to lucid dreaming in LaBerge's book, you will experience the transcendent and life-changing states of lucidity. It's worth the effort. The research on the subjective is extensive, and Eastern spiritual traditions are presented alongside the very Western scientific approach. For someone obsessed with dreams and the dream state, this is a must-read.
January 9, 2022
Quite a good, inspiring book on lucid dreaming, that is, being consciously aware while dreaming as if awake.
1) Lucid dreaming is easier when you're getting enough sleep every night (say, 7.5-10 hours)
Questioning whether one is dreaming or not during one's waking life helps one do this in a dream. Checking if one can read text and it remains the same over time is apparently more reliable than pinching myself -- trying to fly, however, should work 😋
Seems that having control over the nature of one's world can be a lot of fun for adventuring, creative problem solving, overcoming fears (and nightmares), rehearsing life skills, as well as healing.
Most of the techniques seem to involve patience, diligence, and intention.
If you're curious about or desire to lucid dream more, I suppose I'd recommend this book with its many techniques and anecdotes.
1) Lucid dreaming is easier when you're getting enough sleep every night (say, 7.5-10 hours)
Questioning whether one is dreaming or not during one's waking life helps one do this in a dream. Checking if one can read text and it remains the same over time is apparently more reliable than pinching myself -- trying to fly, however, should work 😋
Seems that having control over the nature of one's world can be a lot of fun for adventuring, creative problem solving, overcoming fears (and nightmares), rehearsing life skills, as well as healing.
Most of the techniques seem to involve patience, diligence, and intention.
If you're curious about or desire to lucid dream more, I suppose I'd recommend this book with its many techniques and anecdotes.
September 28, 2023
In spite of my rating, I would still recommend this book to people who are attempting to dream lucidly. It just didn't work for me, but did push me to realize there are barriers and safety locks on my subconscious. When I told one of my friends about this she was like, "So basically you're having Inception-level dreams about how you suck at dreaming?" I thought about it for a while then replied, "Yeah. Exactly."
I did the exercises for months and undertook the changes to make things happen, but instead I had results that were absolutely bizarre. I had lucid dreams within dreams about failing at lucid dreaming or becoming aware I was dreaming then being paralyzed and pulled away from whatever my intention might be. Another interesting development was when I had to track my dreams and come up with "dreamsigns" in order to help me become lucid. Once I started becoming aware of them they stopped showing up in my dreams altogether, including a troubling recurring scenario that has been bothering me for several years. This left me with little to nothing to hold on to or identify as "dream-like." Unlocking my subconscious turned out to be a guarded and constantly moving target.
Aside from the recommendations in this book I also tried meditations, several sleep apps and even a heavy dose of exposure therapy in order to push me into being more conscious when I slept. Nothing came of it, no matter how closely I followed the exercises or willed myself to let it happen. It might be because this point in my life is not the best time. Regardless, I'll keep trying.
I think gaining this ability can give you insight and help you resolve issues. If this book has the potential to help you, why not try it? Even though it's almost 30 years old it still has a lot of relevant information if you're starting out.
I did the exercises for months and undertook the changes to make things happen, but instead I had results that were absolutely bizarre. I had lucid dreams within dreams about failing at lucid dreaming or becoming aware I was dreaming then being paralyzed and pulled away from whatever my intention might be. Another interesting development was when I had to track my dreams and come up with "dreamsigns" in order to help me become lucid. Once I started becoming aware of them they stopped showing up in my dreams altogether, including a troubling recurring scenario that has been bothering me for several years. This left me with little to nothing to hold on to or identify as "dream-like." Unlocking my subconscious turned out to be a guarded and constantly moving target.
Aside from the recommendations in this book I also tried meditations, several sleep apps and even a heavy dose of exposure therapy in order to push me into being more conscious when I slept. Nothing came of it, no matter how closely I followed the exercises or willed myself to let it happen. It might be because this point in my life is not the best time. Regardless, I'll keep trying.
I think gaining this ability can give you insight and help you resolve issues. If this book has the potential to help you, why not try it? Even though it's almost 30 years old it still has a lot of relevant information if you're starting out.
September 13, 2021
I have been practicing keeping a dream journal for several years, but haven’t made very much progress in understanding my dreams. I’ve wanted to approach dreaming with more awareness and this book has some excellent ideas on letting our nighttime sleep hours enhance our health and happiness, as well as how to guide our dreams. I struggle with recurrent nightmares, and am hoping these new skills will also help alleviate them.
I really liked the chapters on rehearsing new skills or personality traits we want to change in dreams that we can take into real life.
“We tend to try only what we think we can do, which is generally less than we are capable of. Lucid dreaming provides us with one way of expanding our belief in our own potentials: we can safely test new behaviors while dreaming, and the increased self-confidence will make it easier to carry out the same behaviors in waking life.”
Also, developing lucid dreaming skills could help us live more intentionally, more focused on happiness and finding pleasure.
“The healthiest people seem to be those who enjoy pleasure, seek it out, and make it for themselves…By learning to have lucid dreams, you open for yourself a limitless amusement park full of all the delights you can imagine. Admission is free, and there are no lines.”
Not the easiest book to read, but taken in small bites, I can digest the information. I want to use the exercises for practice in the dreamscape…it will be an interesting project!
I really liked the chapters on rehearsing new skills or personality traits we want to change in dreams that we can take into real life.
“We tend to try only what we think we can do, which is generally less than we are capable of. Lucid dreaming provides us with one way of expanding our belief in our own potentials: we can safely test new behaviors while dreaming, and the increased self-confidence will make it easier to carry out the same behaviors in waking life.”
Also, developing lucid dreaming skills could help us live more intentionally, more focused on happiness and finding pleasure.
“The healthiest people seem to be those who enjoy pleasure, seek it out, and make it for themselves…By learning to have lucid dreams, you open for yourself a limitless amusement park full of all the delights you can imagine. Admission is free, and there are no lines.”
Not the easiest book to read, but taken in small bites, I can digest the information. I want to use the exercises for practice in the dreamscape…it will be an interesting project!
September 21, 2013
Those who are ready don't have to read this book or do the overcomplicated exercises, and the ones who fear themselves will never allow a lucid dream to happen, whatever the degree of effort applied.
Lucid dreaming changes your outlook regarding existence, and the effects are irreversible, in my experience.
Lucid dreaming changes your outlook regarding existence, and the effects are irreversible, in my experience.
October 6, 2019
I changed my rating from 3/5 to 5/5 because the night after reading the book, I actually had lucid dreams. So...it works.
June 8, 2023
A great book on the topic and rather thorough.
Diamonds discovered:
- Keep a dream journal and use it to identify your dream signs. Dream signs are things in your dream that signal that you’re actually dreaming. For instance, did you realize that you were dreaming at the point when elephants started flying? Or was it when you started to walk through fire? Dream signs are important, as most dreamers become lucid when they notice an unusual occurrence in their dream.
- Ask yourself, “Am I dreaming?” when awake, and you’ll ask the same question when you’re asleep. Research has shown that it helps to develop a critical-reflective attitude, which in turn prepares you to become lucid in your dreams. When your dreams seem too real, use critical state testing. See if you can notice whether the content of a book is the same, the first and second time you open it.
- There are two different types of lucid dreams: dream-initiated lucid dreams (DILDs) and wake-initiated lucid dreams (WILDs). In DILDs, lucidity is achieved after losing consciousness when you fall asleep. In WILDs, lucidity is achieved when you keep your mind active while you are falling asleep – that is, you fall asleep without losing consciousness.
- There are a number of ways you can induce WILDs, such as through hypnagogic imagery and focusing on your breath, your heartbeat or yourself. The most popular way is through hypnagogic imagery. Hypnagogic imagery are what you see in your mind’s eye during this transition. They typically manifest in light flashes or patterns which gradually develop into faces and shapes, and then come together to form the scene of a dream. Focus your attention on the images that surface in your mind’s eye. Observe in a neutral way how the images unfold; don’t force them to take shape into anything or anyone specific.
- To keep from waking up too early, you need to engage in some kind of dream activity as soon as you feel the dream starting to disintegrate. You can perhaps touch an object, look at your hands or even just turn around in the dream, for example. If you stay active in your dream, you are less likely to wake up. You might also start to lose lucidity and enter an inactive, unconscious sleep. To prevent this, try talking to yourself in your lucid dream. For example, you might repeat, “This is a dream,” out loud if necessary. When you want to wake up, you should do the opposite of what you need to do to stay asleep. That is, you must withdraw as much focus and participation from your lucid dream as you can.
- Lucid dreaming can be used to improve psychological health by integrating imbalanced personalities. In dreams these can manifest as fears or monsters. Rather than resisting these symbols or running away from them, try instead to embrace their presence. You’ll find that they’ll become less threatening, and as a result, your waking life will achieve better balance too. Nightmares are created by fear. When you face your fears while dreaming, they’ll disappear.
- You can improve skills from your waking life while you are lucid dreaming. The way you can do this is by practicing mental imagery. Studies have shown that mental imagery and mental rehearsal are techniques that can help enhance performance at work and with leisure activities, such as playing football. The more time you give to these techniques in your dream life, the more likely you are to improve your performance overall in your waking life.
Diamonds discovered:
- Keep a dream journal and use it to identify your dream signs. Dream signs are things in your dream that signal that you’re actually dreaming. For instance, did you realize that you were dreaming at the point when elephants started flying? Or was it when you started to walk through fire? Dream signs are important, as most dreamers become lucid when they notice an unusual occurrence in their dream.
- Ask yourself, “Am I dreaming?” when awake, and you’ll ask the same question when you’re asleep. Research has shown that it helps to develop a critical-reflective attitude, which in turn prepares you to become lucid in your dreams. When your dreams seem too real, use critical state testing. See if you can notice whether the content of a book is the same, the first and second time you open it.
- There are two different types of lucid dreams: dream-initiated lucid dreams (DILDs) and wake-initiated lucid dreams (WILDs). In DILDs, lucidity is achieved after losing consciousness when you fall asleep. In WILDs, lucidity is achieved when you keep your mind active while you are falling asleep – that is, you fall asleep without losing consciousness.
- There are a number of ways you can induce WILDs, such as through hypnagogic imagery and focusing on your breath, your heartbeat or yourself. The most popular way is through hypnagogic imagery. Hypnagogic imagery are what you see in your mind’s eye during this transition. They typically manifest in light flashes or patterns which gradually develop into faces and shapes, and then come together to form the scene of a dream. Focus your attention on the images that surface in your mind’s eye. Observe in a neutral way how the images unfold; don’t force them to take shape into anything or anyone specific.
- To keep from waking up too early, you need to engage in some kind of dream activity as soon as you feel the dream starting to disintegrate. You can perhaps touch an object, look at your hands or even just turn around in the dream, for example. If you stay active in your dream, you are less likely to wake up. You might also start to lose lucidity and enter an inactive, unconscious sleep. To prevent this, try talking to yourself in your lucid dream. For example, you might repeat, “This is a dream,” out loud if necessary. When you want to wake up, you should do the opposite of what you need to do to stay asleep. That is, you must withdraw as much focus and participation from your lucid dream as you can.
- Lucid dreaming can be used to improve psychological health by integrating imbalanced personalities. In dreams these can manifest as fears or monsters. Rather than resisting these symbols or running away from them, try instead to embrace their presence. You’ll find that they’ll become less threatening, and as a result, your waking life will achieve better balance too. Nightmares are created by fear. When you face your fears while dreaming, they’ll disappear.
- You can improve skills from your waking life while you are lucid dreaming. The way you can do this is by practicing mental imagery. Studies have shown that mental imagery and mental rehearsal are techniques that can help enhance performance at work and with leisure activities, such as playing football. The more time you give to these techniques in your dream life, the more likely you are to improve your performance overall in your waking life.
March 15, 2022
I never reviewed a book here because of my fear of being pretentious or whatsoever.
But today the moment has finally come.
This is probably the most life changing (in the literal sense of the expression) book I've ever read and I will argue that if this was the global bestseller the world would be a better place, inhabited by happier, healthier and more satisfied people.
I'm not saying, of course, that just reading this book will be enough and that your life will then change for the better with a simple snap of your fingers, but if you're ready for it or willing to put time and effort on some personal mind work, this book can be your guide and supporter. And my modest experience is that this journey can be a whole new quantitative and qualitative addition to your life, that can happen in whichever moment of it, no matter how young or old.
Even without considering the whole lucid dreaming aspect (which is pretty predominant as the title suggests), the book also gives you a deep overview on the new frontiers of psychology that are joining the psychoanalytic knowledge with the latest neuroscientific discoveries. This is also one of the greatest features of the book: how it can always mantain a scientific method and approach while giving space to people's personal experience and wisdom coming from different cultures.
If you are here, it probably means that you know what lucid dreaming are and that I don't need to convince you about how beautiful it would be to learn mastering dream; if you don't and have no idea about what lucid dreams are or why you should even care I can just redirect you directly to the book, which will explain everything while being its most sincere and convincing sponsor.
P.S. took me almost a year to finish the book because I wanted it to be a companion for a long time, while in this period I've read many others and lived so many mind opening experiences. Every time I came back to the book I had so many more thoughts and experiences that resonated in me and I honestly think that this book and what it represented gave an input in my life that is indescribable in words.
So thank you Dr. LaBerge and thank you if you stayed here until the end. Have a nice life!
But today the moment has finally come.
This is probably the most life changing (in the literal sense of the expression) book I've ever read and I will argue that if this was the global bestseller the world would be a better place, inhabited by happier, healthier and more satisfied people.
I'm not saying, of course, that just reading this book will be enough and that your life will then change for the better with a simple snap of your fingers, but if you're ready for it or willing to put time and effort on some personal mind work, this book can be your guide and supporter. And my modest experience is that this journey can be a whole new quantitative and qualitative addition to your life, that can happen in whichever moment of it, no matter how young or old.
Even without considering the whole lucid dreaming aspect (which is pretty predominant as the title suggests), the book also gives you a deep overview on the new frontiers of psychology that are joining the psychoanalytic knowledge with the latest neuroscientific discoveries. This is also one of the greatest features of the book: how it can always mantain a scientific method and approach while giving space to people's personal experience and wisdom coming from different cultures.
If you are here, it probably means that you know what lucid dreaming are and that I don't need to convince you about how beautiful it would be to learn mastering dream; if you don't and have no idea about what lucid dreams are or why you should even care I can just redirect you directly to the book, which will explain everything while being its most sincere and convincing sponsor.
P.S. took me almost a year to finish the book because I wanted it to be a companion for a long time, while in this period I've read many others and lived so many mind opening experiences. Every time I came back to the book I had so many more thoughts and experiences that resonated in me and I honestly think that this book and what it represented gave an input in my life that is indescribable in words.
So thank you Dr. LaBerge and thank you if you stayed here until the end. Have a nice life!
August 2, 2008
Professor Stephen Laberge (lucidity.com), the pioneer in this field, who has his own 'Dream Laboratory' @ Stanford University writes about proving (why doesn't "proving" have 2 "O"'s in it?) that Lucid Dreams Occur, that we can become conscious in our dreams, along with techniques on how to master this art.
Beyond words....
We have them when we're kids until our teachers and peers tell us that all those things we believed in are fairy tales. Hardly a wonder why the average pinnacle for intuition during the human life cycle is 5-6 years of age. When I have kids, I'll realize that i have as much to learn from them (maybe more) than they do from me.
If you believe in Heaven then you must believe in other realms of existence. If you believe humans will have access to heaven then you must believe we have access to other realms of existence. Lucid Dreaming and Out of Body Experiences are the gateway. No need to wait til death. ;-)
Beyond words....
We have them when we're kids until our teachers and peers tell us that all those things we believed in are fairy tales. Hardly a wonder why the average pinnacle for intuition during the human life cycle is 5-6 years of age. When I have kids, I'll realize that i have as much to learn from them (maybe more) than they do from me.
If you believe in Heaven then you must believe in other realms of existence. If you believe humans will have access to heaven then you must believe we have access to other realms of existence. Lucid Dreaming and Out of Body Experiences are the gateway. No need to wait til death. ;-)
March 13, 2018
This book is a good introduction to lucid dreaming, explaining the possibilities of what you can do when you are lucid. However getting there is something that is not what I managed with the help of this book, encountering problems with all the techniques I from the book I have tried which all mostly summerize to: "how the hell do you concentrate on a technique while falling asleep and not stay awake for hours on end?" I believe that this book manages to explain how wonderful lucid dreaming is and what you can do, but I am missing the technical explanations a bit. While dreaming was discussed in length, as far as I can remember there was no such in depth mention of the mechanics of sleep itself (something that would have helped me a lot). I realise that that was not the focus of the book, but this missing information has lowered the value I got out of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2012
This is a very interesting book and a great reference for anyone interested in dreaming and lucid dreaming. I consider it a combination of a how to and a why to. The major skills I think someone could takeaway from this are:
1. How to relax and/or clear your mind
2. How to recall your dreams
3. How to lucid dream
4. How to potentially resolve problems in your dreams
In terms of 'why to's of this book I think Laberge makes some interesting arguments about the benefit of lucid dreaming and I think it's definitely worth trying. I mean otherwise you're just wasting all of that time sleeping, right?
Even if the only thing you get out of this book are ways to relax or recall your dreams I think this is worth reading and definitely a topic you don't come across every day.
1. How to relax and/or clear your mind
2. How to recall your dreams
3. How to lucid dream
4. How to potentially resolve problems in your dreams
In terms of 'why to's of this book I think Laberge makes some interesting arguments about the benefit of lucid dreaming and I think it's definitely worth trying. I mean otherwise you're just wasting all of that time sleeping, right?
Even if the only thing you get out of this book are ways to relax or recall your dreams I think this is worth reading and definitely a topic you don't come across every day.
June 30, 2021
I've got a few books on the topic now, after taking an interest in the concept as a way to treat nightmares that become increasingly horrible at times of stress.
This book was the only one that gripped me as I read it.
Plenty of examples and techniques. I've had limited success, but it has made me more focused. And more comfortable with the idea of sleeping. Which is a win-win, far as I'm concerned.
If you have an interest, grab this book first. Then add to it, if you need to. I'll be exploring more and will review further titles.
After reading this, I picked up the audiobook and I'd highly recommend that combination. It helps a lot with doing the techniques.
This book was the only one that gripped me as I read it.
Plenty of examples and techniques. I've had limited success, but it has made me more focused. And more comfortable with the idea of sleeping. Which is a win-win, far as I'm concerned.
If you have an interest, grab this book first. Then add to it, if you need to. I'll be exploring more and will review further titles.
After reading this, I picked up the audiobook and I'd highly recommend that combination. It helps a lot with doing the techniques.
August 14, 2020
Ahhh, lucid dreaming. One of my true loves. This book is mainly research, exercises and anecdotal dream stories. I think it was well written and painted a beautiful picture of this hobby and how it can better your life. I’m hooked. I want to be an expert; who wouldn’t want to spend time in a universe where you can create, be, talk to anyone or anything?! Without leaving your bed?! I don’t have many people to talk about this with, so if you’ve lucid dreamed shoot me DM!
June 1, 2019
Essendo appassionata di onironautica da anni (oserei dire decenni) avevo ovviamente sentito già parlare di LaBerge e letto stralci di quest'opera, considerata da tutti un po' la Bibbia del settore. Ora ho capito perché. Questo saggio tratta OGNI aspetto del campo, in maniera meticolosa, e, a volte, perfino estenuante (per questo ho tolto una stellina, non per il valore dell'opera in sé ma perché personalmente l'ho trovata una lettura un po' pesante a tratti). Ogni tema trattato è seguito da uno o più esercizi pratici per fissare le nozioni teoriche.
Sicuramente nel corso del tempo tornerò a rileggerne stralci all'occorrenza.
Se siete appassionati di sogni lucidi dovete assolutamente avere questo volume nella libreria di casa vostra.
Sicuramente nel corso del tempo tornerò a rileggerne stralci all'occorrenza.
Se siete appassionati di sogni lucidi dovete assolutamente avere questo volume nella libreria di casa vostra.
December 9, 2019
Хубава, по-научна от останалите, но прекалено дълга. Аь си ги слушам всичките основни книги за осъзнатото сънуване преди лягане за да се радикализирам и да не забравя че тва ми е цел.
Имаше интересни инсайди в психологията.
Става.
Изслушах я в сторител.
Имаше интересни инсайди в психологията.
Става.
Изслушах я в сторител.
March 26, 2018
Excellent beginner's guide for the curious. I read this in the 1990's when I was fresh out of high school and enjoying exploration of the world of dreaming. I also have a fond recollection of the book as it represents a time in my life when I slept long and deeply and had time to journal about such things as one's dreams.
Read
January 14, 2023Is sleeping through your dreams the best use of your limited lifespan? Not only are you wasting part of your finite store of time to be alive, but you are missing adventures and lessons that could enrich the rest of your life.
If fully lucid, you would realize that the entire dream world was your own creation, and with this awareness might come an exhilarating feeling of freedom. Nothing external, no laws of society or physics, would constrain your experience; you could do anything your mind could conceive. Thus inspired, you might fly to the heavens. You might dare to face someone or something that you have been avoiding; you might choose an erotic encounter with the most desirable partner you can imagine; you might visit a deceased loved one to whom you have been wanting to speak; you might seek self-knowledge and wisdom.
Changes in brain waves (electrical activity measured at the scalp), eye movements, and muscle tone are used to define the two states.
I had no doubt that lucid dreaming was a reality, but how could I prove it to anyone else? During the night I had a lucid dream in which I moved my eyes leftright-left- right. The next morning, when we looked through the polygraph record, we found the eye movement signals in the middle of a REM period.
Don’t allow others to impose their personal fears on you.
You should get into the habit of asking yourself this question the moment you awaken: “What was I dreaming?” Do this first or you’ll forget some or all of your dream, due to interference from other thoughts. Don’t move from the position in which you awaken, as any body movement may make your dream harder to remember. Also, don’t think of the day’s concerns, because this too can erase your dream recall.
the probability of your having a lucid dream during these last two hours of sleep is more than twice as great as the probability of your having a lucid dream in the previous six hours.
1. Set your alarm Before going to bed, set your alarm to awaken you two to three hours earlier than usual, and go to sleep at your normal time.
2. Get out of bed promptly in the morning When your alarm goes off, get out of bed immediately. You are going to stay awake for two or three hours. Go about your business until about a half hour before returning to bed.
3. Focus on your intentions for your lucid dreams For the half hour before you return to sleep think about what you want to accomplish in your lucid dream: where you want to go, who you want to see, or what you want to do. You can use this time to incubate a dream about a particular topic (see Chapter 6). If you are working on any of the applications in later chapters of this book, this is a good time to practice the exercises for the applications.
4. Return to bed and practice an induction technique After two or three hours have passed since you awakened, make sure your sleeping place will be quiet and undisturbed for the next couple of hours. Go to bed, and practice the induction technique that works best for you. Techniques are provided in the next two chapters.
5. Give yourself at least two hours to sleep
Set your alarm or have someone awaken you if you like, but be sure to give yourself two hours to dream. You are likely to have at least one long REM period in this time, perhaps two. The morning hours are ideal for lucid dreaming for another reason. Although it takes us an hour to an hour and a half to get to REM sleep at the start of the night, after several hours of sleep we often can enter into REM only a few minutes after having been awake. Sometimes we can awaken from a dream and reenter it moments later. These facts make possible another type of lucid dream – the wakeinitiated lucid dream, which is discussed in Chapter 4.
If fully lucid, you would realize that the entire dream world was your own creation, and with this awareness might come an exhilarating feeling of freedom. Nothing external, no laws of society or physics, would constrain your experience; you could do anything your mind could conceive. Thus inspired, you might fly to the heavens. You might dare to face someone or something that you have been avoiding; you might choose an erotic encounter with the most desirable partner you can imagine; you might visit a deceased loved one to whom you have been wanting to speak; you might seek self-knowledge and wisdom.
Changes in brain waves (electrical activity measured at the scalp), eye movements, and muscle tone are used to define the two states.
I had no doubt that lucid dreaming was a reality, but how could I prove it to anyone else? During the night I had a lucid dream in which I moved my eyes leftright-left- right. The next morning, when we looked through the polygraph record, we found the eye movement signals in the middle of a REM period.
Don’t allow others to impose their personal fears on you.
You should get into the habit of asking yourself this question the moment you awaken: “What was I dreaming?” Do this first or you’ll forget some or all of your dream, due to interference from other thoughts. Don’t move from the position in which you awaken, as any body movement may make your dream harder to remember. Also, don’t think of the day’s concerns, because this too can erase your dream recall.
the probability of your having a lucid dream during these last two hours of sleep is more than twice as great as the probability of your having a lucid dream in the previous six hours.
1. Set your alarm Before going to bed, set your alarm to awaken you two to three hours earlier than usual, and go to sleep at your normal time.
2. Get out of bed promptly in the morning When your alarm goes off, get out of bed immediately. You are going to stay awake for two or three hours. Go about your business until about a half hour before returning to bed.
3. Focus on your intentions for your lucid dreams For the half hour before you return to sleep think about what you want to accomplish in your lucid dream: where you want to go, who you want to see, or what you want to do. You can use this time to incubate a dream about a particular topic (see Chapter 6). If you are working on any of the applications in later chapters of this book, this is a good time to practice the exercises for the applications.
4. Return to bed and practice an induction technique After two or three hours have passed since you awakened, make sure your sleeping place will be quiet and undisturbed for the next couple of hours. Go to bed, and practice the induction technique that works best for you. Techniques are provided in the next two chapters.
5. Give yourself at least two hours to sleep
Set your alarm or have someone awaken you if you like, but be sure to give yourself two hours to dream. You are likely to have at least one long REM period in this time, perhaps two. The morning hours are ideal for lucid dreaming for another reason. Although it takes us an hour to an hour and a half to get to REM sleep at the start of the night, after several hours of sleep we often can enter into REM only a few minutes after having been awake. Sometimes we can awaken from a dream and reenter it moments later. These facts make possible another type of lucid dream – the wakeinitiated lucid dream, which is discussed in Chapter 4.
February 22, 2021
I wanted a scientifically backed book on lucid dreaming and this book delivered. If you want entertainment and research-based methods on lucid dreaming this is the best book there is.
I was even able to successfully lucid dream from the techniques in the book. It works.
I was even able to successfully lucid dream from the techniques in the book. It works.
December 17, 2023
Amazing information about accessing your world of dreams and really beginning to understand them.
The anecdotes from others are just as valuable as the scientific research. This book is a gold mine!
I used this book, and lots of the tricks and methods, and had my first lucid dream 3 weeks into my experiment. My overall dreaming is more vivid, and my recall improvement was worth the read in itself.
One thing I've learned: have fun with it! Don't take things too seriously, and you'll be surprised how easy it actually is.
The anecdotes from others are just as valuable as the scientific research. This book is a gold mine!
I used this book, and lots of the tricks and methods, and had my first lucid dream 3 weeks into my experiment. My overall dreaming is more vivid, and my recall improvement was worth the read in itself.
One thing I've learned: have fun with it! Don't take things too seriously, and you'll be surprised how easy it actually is.
October 8, 2020
Un libro favoloso. LaBerge è estremamente chiaro, conciso e rigoroso. Non c'è una parola fuori posto, non manca alcun riferimento scientifico a supporto delle sue argomentazioni. Un livello di gran lunga superiore a quello dei vari libri da me letti sull'argomento. Fare un paragone con gli altri significherebbe sminuirlo. Una mente brillante come poche.
March 23, 2022
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