Week 4: Why You Don't Lucid Well

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Topics: Lucid dream quality, dream control, potential problems, the ideal practice for lucid dreaming

Hosts: Crystal, Skyfall

Listen to the full course as it was presented live on the 4th of November 2023: https://youtu.be/i3sAplhFP5k

A written overview of the session is given below.

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Segment 1: The ideal practice for lucid dreaming

Sleep schedule

It's important to have a consistent sleep schedule without significant deviation on a night-to-night basis, sleeping 7-9 hours for adults, 8-10 for teenagers. There are more details on this [pinned in the lucid dreaming channel](#lucid-dreaming message).

it's also important to maintain good sleep hygiene by not looking at screens right before bed, turning down lights, performing relaxation techniques, not eating too soon before sleeping, and more.

Using good techniques

There are certain techniques which are more universally reliable than others. To give an example, MILD is one of the most reliable, while WILD is slightly more subjective. It's important for each dreamer to find a technique which works best for them, experimenting with different options - everyone is unique.

After gaining experience and understanding of the way their dreams personally work, it's possible for a dreamer to develop a variation of a technique personalised to fit their dreams.

Consistency

Problems with consistency and burnout are incredibly frequent amongst dreamers. It's important to find a steady rhythm of practice in which one doesn't exert themselves too much, and can be modified when needed. Schedules can be adjusted to take out time for lucid dreaming, and as long as we sleep we have the opportunity to dream - consistent practice pairs well with a consistent and healthy schedule and mind.

Honourable mention of mindset

Returning to the topic of mindset, one of the main reasons why dreamers quit is from not seeing the results desired. Again, this can dissolve into an all too abstract question of focus, environment, and much more, but essentially it's important to see the means of lucid dreaming as the ends. If you don't enjoy journaling and only do it for the goal of lucid dreaming, your essential dreamwork is left behind, and you're more likely to quit upon not seeing these indefinite results. Dream for dreams.

Segment 2: Lucid dream quality

Short lucid dreams

Short lucid dreams can have multiple explanations subjective to the case, some of which are as follows:

• Many new dreamers and experienced dreamers alike will encounter the inconvenience of getting lucid at the end of dreams right before waking up. While this doesn't have to happen to everyone, for some unexplained reason, beginners often encounter this problem in their first lucid dreams and the issue resolves itself with time and experience.
• The association between lucidity and waking is a deeper problem which can arise after multiple instances of this happening. As previously explained, stabilisation is a potential option here, although not inherently necessary.

Low vividness

Low vividness is defined as a low level of brightness, saturation, sensory interaction, etc within the dream.

• Poor dream recall is the most common reason for dreams seeming to have a low level of vividness, when in reality they are simply remembered incorrectly. Recall techniques have been previously explained and are available in the resources channel.

• The association between dreams and low vividness can arise over time however is less common. After many instances of having low vividness in dreams, the dreamer may come to falsely believe that the two are connected. From outside of the dream, one can practice visualising the dream becoming more vivid upon lucidity, paying attention to the details and taking in the scenery, in a MILD-like practice replacing the real events that happened in the dream. Vividness can also be influenced significantly from inside the dream as a recommended practice; turn up the dials of the sensory input of your dream, eat some grass, feel the wind, lick tree bark, whatever you can imagine to associate with the increase in vividness can cause impactful and memorable experiences.

Low presence

Low presence is defined as a low level of critical thinking, memory, and other cognitive functions within the dream. The dreamer may forget their dream goals and simply follow along with the plot of the dream, or lose lucidity entirely.

Generating intent in the waking state to complete dream goals, aided by visualisation exercises, can help overcome this issue. Stabilisation and grounding yourself better in the dream world also helps, heightening awareness.

Segment 3: Potential Problems

General issues

Other problems can also arise during lucid dreams and lucid dreaming practice. If the problem is recurring and not already addressed, our team of Dream Guides on this server and the AI chatbot are both equipped to answer any questions (although the former is somewhat more reliable, the latter responds instantly when online).