For most people, dreams are mysterious ‘mini movies’ that play in their minds while they’re sound asleep, seemingly without their control, with some being rather pleasant, and others, not so much. However, we now know that it is actually possible to make dream control a complete reality, bringing about what is known as lucid dreaming.

But, what does the term truly mean and how does it work, and what, if any, are the benefits, and is it really possible for anyone to achieve this means of making our nightly journeys into the world of dreaming our own continual series of fascinating adventures? Read on for the answers to these common questions about the art of dream control or lucid dreaming.

Exactly What is Dream Control?

Dream control, using lucid dreaming, means that not only are you fully aware that you are dreaming, but that you’re also able to control what happens during the dream. While totally asleep, you realize that what seems to be going on is actually a dream and you are solely in control of the events that play out as well as the final outcome.

There are people who do suffer from nightmares and frequently. This method is powerful and simple, and just the method they may need to relieve themselves of these disturbingly bad and distressing dreams.

Common Ways of Inducing Lucid Dreaming

A rather effective method known for achieving lucid dreaming involves the use of binaural audio, which entails listening to two different frequencies at the same time in order to synchronize the brain waves, bringing about a deep sense of relaxation, as well as a state in which lucid dreaming is possible known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

Before this use of modern technology was discovered and available on CDs or DVDs for the purpose of dream control, self hypnosis and meditation were the most widely used techniques for lucid dreaming, although many people report finding it too difficult to achieve this state using these two particular means of dream control.

Many additional techniques, since then, have been developed as methods for inducing lucid dreaming by those experts in both fields of psychology and science. And regardless of any of the earlier methods used the basic purpose still remains the same. To train the mind while in the state of sleep to be aware of being in a dream. The state needed to begin lucid dreaming.

To do this, we must, of course, begin while we are wide awake, with the key being to remember to do or say something in a dream, which will trigger the recognition necessary within the mind and allow us to then control what happens next.

It’s often a simple matter of telling yourself, just before going to sleep, that you will be dreaming soon and in that dream you will remember to do or say something specific, and when that happens, you will instantly realize that it is a dream.

This particular method to dream control is referred to as MILD, or mnemonic induction of lucid dreams, which was discovered by scientist Dr. Stephen LaBerge. With this approach, your brain is then in complete control as to what occurs in the dream, meaning that nothing could or would come of harm to you as it’s simply all in the mind and you are only limited by your own imagination.

There are other means of accomplishing lucid dreaming and one would be to keep a journal or a dream diary, in which to record your dreams. By keeping this notebook (and a pen or pencil) nearby on the table by your bed you will be able to write down what you remember about the dream right after you wake up, when it is fresh in your mind. Do this for several nights and soon you will remember what you wrote and you will have a similar dream and then you will be able to control your dream and the activities in that dream.

Chase away the bad guys in nightmares, travel to whatever location you desire, go to your imagined hideaways, talk to famous people if you want, and basically be unshackled by worldly concerns. Through controlling your dreams, you can accomplish this, it gives you the ability to be in control of your nightly dream world and all that happens there.

There is one potential drawback to lucid dreaming, say the experts. As with life in general, it holds true that an opposite effect is, an actuality, when you get too much of a good thing. The natural dream state is when we find out things about ourselves, things which would normally have been hidden from us and may never have surfaced. This is the main reason for you to enjoy your lucid dreaming, but you should also take some time off from lucid dreaming to dream in a natural state. Just remember to take a break and enjoy.

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.

It’s my goal in this article to give you a basic understanding of binaural beats and the technology behind it. If you would like to adopt and use this new technology then you must figure out how it works and what some of the extra benefits may be.

You can use the progressive binaural beats technology to free your mind and your emotions from all the past traumas and liberate you both physically and psychologically. The one question everybody asks is does binaural beats really work? First we must learn more about this relatively new technology.

Binaural beats use very specific frequency ranges that will bring about deep meditative states of mind. The way this is done is by using various frequencies that are designed to alter the brain wave activity of the listener. Using a set of headphones is important in achieving the specific Alpha, Beta and Theta brainwave states.

Research has proven that when we make significant changes in our brain waves a significant change will take place in our emotional and physical health. There is a similar effect between using binaural beats and using varied meditation techniques to bring about profound physical and emotional changes. These advanced states of mind, for many will take years of meditation practice. It should be obvious by now that the benefits of using binaural technology can’t be argued when discussing deeper experiences and deeper insights.

One important extra benefit of using binaural beats is that it allows you to access your subconscious mind, that part of our consciousness, which remains just below our conscious threshold. Using binaural beats along with other self improvement technologies will help you to reach very deep states of relaxation and help you to reach the important Alpha and Theta states where most of the deep experiences can be found. This technology will help you to change the deep seated beliefs you have about yourself and help you to heal yourself emotionally.

Another of the many benefits is that it can give you a quick energy boost, which would be the equivalent of getting a few hours of sleep. Used daily, binaural beats will bring about the following results

1. Experience deeper states of meditation.

2. Raise your intelligence levels and increase you creativity.

3. Help to dramatically slow the aging process.

4. Bring about profound emotional changes by removing old traumas and emotional blocks.

5. Reduce anxiety and stress.

The real beauty of using binaural beats is that they can bring about these changes with little or no effort on your part. Basically all you have to do is put on some headphones, relax and let the binaural beats work their magic.

Discover new ways of programming your subconscious for effortless personal growth by learning how to use binaural beats and also taking your meditations to a new level with the aid of binaural beats

Visit How To Meditate for more tips and techniques.

Creating a binaural beats meditation is really pretty simple. All you do is play one tone in one ear, and another tone with a slightly different frequency in another ear. So what’s all the fuss? And why are they supposed to enhance your mental state and improve your meditation?

It turns out that according to physics, sounds at two slightly different frequencies produce “beats”. These beats have a frequency that is the difference between the two frequencies of the original tones. Suppose for instance, if a pure tone of 500 cycles per second is played in the left ear, and a pure tone of 520 cycles per second is played in the right ear. Then a binaural beat is produced with a frequency of 520 minus 500 equals 20 beats per second.

There’s been a lot of research done on this phenomenon. Scientists have shown that brain waves respond to binaural beats, in a process known as “brain wave entrainment”. You can see a similar phenomenon when one guitar string starts vibrating when the one next to it is plucked. Physicists call this “resonance”. In the same way, binaural beats can stimulate brain waves with different frequencies. These different brain waves correspond to different mental states. Slower brain waves are associated with meditating, relaxing, and being creative. Faster brain waves produce mental stimulation, kind of like a mental cup of coffee. It’s possible that faster brain waves also improve memory.

Take note that it takes more than just listening to binaural beats to put you into a higher state of consciousness. There are lots of other factors which have been studied by lots of researchers, including both scientists and gurus. Breathing exercises, humming, background music and other techniques have all been used in various ways.

Is your interest piqued by now? It’s not hard to find sites on the web where you can buy binaural beat generating equipment. You may want to experiment for yourself. Or, there are plenty of “experts” that sell books and tapes to instruct you on how to enhance your meditation experience with binaural beats meditation. Just be careful to distinguish the real experts from the crackpots!