by Alix Reeves

Created on: December 01, 2010   Last Updated: December 03, 2010

Lucid Dreaming: A Forgotten Frontier

Have you ever been dreaming when you think to yourself, “Hey, I’m in a dream and I can do anything?” If you have, then you know what lucid dreaming is. The ability to think consciously, that is, be awake while in a dream state is called lucid dreaming. Lucid dreaming is something that many of us experienced when we were children and have either long forgotten or can no longer achieve.

Dutch psychiatrist Frederik van Eeden, first used the term in a paper entitled, A Study of Dreams, published in 1913. Dr. van Eeden appeals to the scientific community in his paper hoping to prompt interest in his own experiences with lucid dreaming. Most interestingly is his description of his own lucid dream:

In these lucid dreams the reintegration of the psychic functions is so complete that the sleeper remembers day-life and his own condition, reaches a state of perfect awareness, and is able to direct his attention, and to attempt different acts of free volition. Yet the sleep, as I am able confidently to state, is undisturbed, deep and refreshing. I obtained my first glimpse of this lucidity during sleep in June 1897, in the following way. I dreamt that I was floating through a landscape with bare trees, knowing that it was April, and I remarked that the perspective of the branches and twigs changed quite naturally. Then I made the reflection, during sleep that my fancy would never be able to invent or to make an image as intricate as the perspective movement of little twigs seen in floating by.

What Are The Advantages To Lucid Dreaming?

Having the ability to be conscious while in a dream has its advantages. Consider that the dream world offers no repercussions for your actions and has no physical limits; do whatever you want without suffering consequences. Fly without falling, see your long deceased grandmother and tell her you miss her, drive a racecar and crash without a scratch, or meet a celebrity you desire.

Train Yourself To Lucid Dream!

There are many books, tapes and even groups that offer training to those who seek to train themselves to lucidly dream. After reading through and watching many of these I’ve found the follow key tips to be the most widely used and accepted.

 Begin by Jotting Down All Your Dreams

Jotting down dreams increase dream recall. This means that having a pen and paper near your bed or a recording device. As soon as you wake from a dream write it down. Believe it or not

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