Lucid dreaming can essentially be defined as dreaming while in a conscious state.  During a Lucid Dream, you are aware that you are dreaming and can control your surroundings and the actual content of your dream.  This is a scientifically proven phenomenon studied in sleep laboratories, and may open doors to self knowledge, fulfillment, exploration and healing. Indeed, many religions utilize dreams and conscious dream practices to enhance the spirituality of their converts.

Lucid dreams typically occur during REM sleep (see Dreams), and often are not remembered - unless one is knowledgeable about them.  In theory, everyone has the capacity to dream lucidly, simply because everyone dreams. For many, Lucid dreaming is a developed skill, and people who have and remember lucid dreams have developed a frame of mind that allows them to recognize that they are dreaming.  They therefore have access to experiences and fantasies unavailable to them in waking life.

So how do you go about learning the skills for Lucid Dreaming?  Many people are born Lucid Dreamers, but for the rest of us it may take a little work.  The object is to realize that you are actually dreaming in the first place.  Starting today, consciously ask yourself several times during your daily routine if you are dreaming.  If this becomes habit, it will likely carry over into your dreams, where you will find yourself asking it too - and realizing that you indeed are in a dream state.

Keeping a dream journal is also a helpful way to become aware of when you are dreaming.  Keep the journal nearby so that if you awaken in the middle of the night, you can quickly write down any dreams you have had.  Also, set the alarm for a bit earlier in the morning so that you can write without being distracted by deadlines, etc.  Take notes on oddities or symbols you see in dreams, like talking animals, celebrities, etc,, and write them down.  Then, while awake and going about your daily business, scan the room periodically for these same things.  At bedtime, make a mental note before retiring that you will also look for these things in your dreams.  With practice, you will indeed start to notice the signs that you are dreaming, enabling you to realize it is a dream and take charge.

Lucid Dreaming skills can be used for problem solving, to enhance creativity, to talk with deceased loved ones (thereby lessening grieving periods significantly in some instances), to reach a particular goal, to go on fantasy trips, and even to shorten the time it takes to recover from illness and injury.  The only limitation is the individual's own imagination.  So whatever your goals are, put your subconscious to work NOW, and take control of your dreams and your life!

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