Many of us think of our dreams as something which is largely beyond our control ? they happen while we are asleep, after all and whether they are pleasant dreams or nightmares, we shrug and assume there is nothing to be done to direct the course of our dreams. However, it is entirely possible to have dream control thorough the technique known as lucid dreaming.
But just what is lucid dreaming anyway? How can you learn to use dream control? Most importantly, what are the benefits of using dream control? Let?s take a closer look at lucid dreaming and what dream control can accomplish in your life.
What Is Dream Control?
Dream control, (through the use of lucid dreaming), is your becoming aware of the fact you are in a dream state, and that you can actually control the happenings in your dream. As you are sound asleep, you recognize that the events you think are going on are actually dreams, and that you can control how the events transpire to even the ending.
Dream control can be a great help to people who suffer from recurring nightmares. The simple, yet powerful technique of lucid dreaming can enable these people to get a full night?s sleep.
Common Ways of Inducing Lucid Dreaming
Binaural audio is a very effective method of inducing lucid dreaming. Binaural audio consists of two slightly different frequencies simultaneously ? this brings about the necessary state of relaxation and the synchronization of the brain waves needed for lucid dreaming to occur; namely, REM sleep.
Prior to this technology being available for use through DVDs or CDs to help with dream control, meditation and self hypnosis were the popular methods to induce lucid dreaming, in spite of the fact, that numerous individuals complained about not being able to achieve the state of dream control through the use of these methods.
Other than these methods, many others have been used by psychologists and sleep researchers. However the mind is trained to assert dream control, the object is the same ? to enable the dreamer to realize that they are dreaming and to begin taking the reins of their dreams.
You need to begin this mental training, however while you are still awake. The goal is to set a cue which you will be able to perform in your dream which signals to you that you are in fact dreaming and that it is time to start taking the reins of your dream and directing it towards the outcomes you want.
This can be as simple as telling yourself that you will be dreaming and that you will do or say a certain thing in the dream; which will tell you that you are dreaming, setting off a state of lucid dreaming.
Dr. Stephen LaBerge discovered this method of dream control, which is considered mnemonic or mild way of bringing on lucid dreams. This method allows your mind to be in total control of what is going on in the dream, this also means that nothing will harm you, because it is just in your mind, and the only limits you have is your ability to imagine.
You can also achieve lucid dreaming by means of keeping a dream diary. You?ll write down everything you can remember about your dreams immediate after awakening; this will train you to start remembering your dreams and being able to start using dream control. You?ll find that after using this technique for a while, you?ll be able to ?replay? a recent dream ? except this time, you?ll be in control.
You can beat back those nightmares, go anywhere, do anything and talk to anyone you want in these dreams. There are no limits except for your imagination to your dreams once you have mastered the techniques of dream control.
One word of caution, however. There is such a thing as too much lucid dreaming. Psychologists and other experts tell us that your dreams are sometimes your subconscious mind?s way of telling you some important things. So give yourself some time off to have naturally occurring dreams in between your incredible lucid dreaming experiences.
