The term “lucid dream” was originally coined by the Dutch Psychiatrist and writer Frederik van Eeden to mean mental clarity, although in modern times it has taken on another meaning. The term lucid dream is quite common in modern day lexicon but what exactly is a lucid dream?
A lucid dream is defined as any dream in which the dreamer realizes he or she is dreaming. Once the dreamer becomes lucid, it is possible to control and manipulate virtually every aspect of the dream world. Dreamers often report lucid dreams as being highly vivid and realistic. Lucid dreaming, however, is not synonymous with dream control.
There are three ways a lucid can can commence. A dream-initiated lucid dream (DILD) begins as a regular dream but while asleep the dreamer concludes that he or she is dreaming, while a wake-initiated lucid dream (WILD) occurs when the dreamer goes from a normal waking state directly into a dream state with no apparent lapse in consciousness. A mnemonic-initiated lucid dream (MILD) can happen when the dreamer intentionally affirms to himself or herself that he or she will become lucid during the upcoming sleep. Reaching lucidity can sometimes occur due to dream-signs or spontaneously upon remembrance.
Despite lucid dreaming being a very complex phenomenon, much research has been done to progress its understanding and application. Scientists such as Allan Hobson, with his neurophysiological approach to dream research, and researcher Stephen LaBerge, with his in-depth studies and guides regarding the topic, have helped to push lucid dreaming away from just speculation and more towards science.
Learn how to lucid dream, how to control your dreams, how to attain an OBE, how to manipulate sleep paralysis, as well as improving your dream recall and mental clarity with a few straightforward techniques. I am an avid lucid dreamer with a passion for dream research.