Lucid dreaming and mindfulness as the result of meditation are linked with each other. For example, some meditation exercises are necessary to form the parts that will promote lucid dreams.
Others would be great in enhancing the dreamer’s visualization and level of awareness. Therefore, you need to know the best types of meditation for lucid dreaming to achieve full control of your dream.
5 Best Types of Meditation for Lucid Dreaming
Several scientific studies have supported the idea that meditation can induce lucid dreaming. Both concepts will require a higher level of awareness. Both will help you become more focused, reflective, and self-aware. Both practices can dramatically enhance your visualization skills and dream recall.
Whether you are practicing a more profound meditation technique or doing a simple breathing exercise, it will help you reach a state of relaxation and improve the likelihood of having a lucid dream. Here are some possible meditations that you may use.
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Breathing Meditation can Keep Your Mind Calm
When you are performing the breathing meditation, be sure to look for a calm and quiet place. You may sit on a chair or sit on the ground with your legs crossed.
The secret behind this technique is to keep your back straight that will prevent you from feeling sleepy. Let your eyes close naturally while focusing on your breathing.
Avoid breathing in a manner that you are purposely controlling it; allow it to progress organically. Breathe through your nostrils. Pay attention to the reaction of your body as the air passes in and out of your system.
Initially, your thoughts will be jumbled, and you will probably think that achieving a state of mindfulness will be impossible since your mind is acting busier.
However, this is a sign that your brain is reaching a higher state of awareness. You are starting to acknowledge the different thoughts that you have inside your mind.
Following your line of ideas can be quite tempting, but you need to resist it. Remain focused on the air that is passing in and out of your nose.
There are times that you will not notice that your mind will wander, but you need to take it back immediately. You need to keep this state for about 10-15 minutes.
Eventually, you will notice that you have reached the state of mindfulness. You will realize that your mind is more lucid. You can stay at this state for as long as you want.
You need to practice this breathing technique daily. You may do this before going to sleep or when waking up. Apart from helping you experience lucid dreams; this can also help you ease your anxieties. It controls the response of your body when you are feeling depressed.
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Focusing Your Mind with Guided Meditation
Look for a place where you can sit quietly and comfortably. Just like the breathing meditation, focus on your breath, and allow your eyes to close.
This process is necessary to increase your awareness and to disassociate mentally to the physical state. Imagine that you are wandering through a gorgeous garden.
The garden is wild, natural, and expansive. Concentrate on the clean air that is entering your lungs, and look at the calm and peaceful surroundings.
Your goal in doing the guided meditation is to use visualization skills that will boost your awareness of your imaginary realm and let go of your anxieties and any lingering thoughts.
Listen to the silence that will calm your nerves. You may hear the rustling sound of the leaves, the stream of water, or the chirping birds. The music and images will be better if you have a more robust mental imagery.
Eventually, you will be able to feel the texture of the stone or the grass under your feet, the smoothness of the flower petal, and the warm air that circulates through your body.
Be sure to make your action deliberate yet slow. Take the time you need to experience the tranquility and grandeur of the garden.
As you continue exploring this path, your focus will get better. Your scenery will change, so you may not find this activity redundant and boring.
Usually, it will take only 15 minutes to enter this state of trance wherein you have a little awareness of your physical body. You can stay there as long as you want it.
There is no limitation on the time when it comes to this meditation. At the end of the meditation, gently escape the state of trance by counting backward from 5 to 1 while taking deep breaths.
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Neutral Observer
In using the neutral observer meditation, you will simply observe your thoughts as you drift to sleep. However, do not let your visions take you away.
Let it flow naturally; do not interfere with it. Be the silent witness to an important event that is transpiring. If you properly do this, you will be surprised at how easy it is to experience a lucid dream.
Take a couple of minutes to settle in a comfortable position. You can sit or lie down while focusing on your breath. Once you are ready, allow the stream of thoughts to appear.
Gradually let go of your breath and let it recede in the background. Acknowledge that your thoughts are merely occurrences of mental events that are free from emotional charge.
Allow these images, thoughts, and sensations just to flow. You may want to be extra sensitive to the advice and commentary that you are giving.
Imagine that you are merely watching a tv wherein you can turn down the volume. That way, you will simply see the event, and you will not be affected by your interpretation and commentary.
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60-Second meditation
It is perhaps the most straightforward meditation technique that you can perform to achieve lucid dreaming. You may complete this anytime and anywhere.
However, since you want it to promote lucidity, it would be best to do this before you go to sleep. You will have to focus on your breathing for at least 60 seconds.
You need to be fully aware of your breathing but do not try to control it. Never try to change the rhythm of your breath.
There will be times when your mind will shift its focus, but you have to return your concentration on your breathing immediately.
You will probably think that it only takes a minute, but for those who are new to this method, the entire process will feel like forever.
This mindfulness technique is quite effective and powerful. The point of this technique is to shift your mind’s focus away from your everyday thoughts.
You will be detached from your inner dialogues and judgment related to your problems, desires, interests, random stuff, and daydreaming.
When you became more adept in this meditation technique, you can easily meditate and immediately enter a state of vivid dreaming.
You can do this while sitting on the floor. Sometimes, you will even fall asleep when you are in the middle of your meditation. Allowing yourself to fall asleep while you are in this meditative state is a practical way to have a lucid dream.
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The Imagination Meditation Technique
It is a practical method that will help you master lucid dreaming. In this method, you will need the help of an object such as a lit candle or an apple.
Place these objects at an eye level and stare at it without blinking. You will have to do this for a couple of minutes. After doing this, you will close your eyes and try to picture out the image in your mind.
There were instances when the vision would vanish. It will take some time and a great deal of practice before you can maintain the image for a more extended period.
It is a kind of technique that will require your imagination. It can also have a direct effect on your vigilance and level of awareness while you are dreaming.
Listening to music while doing this may help you achieve a more profound meditation. Consider listening to brainwave entertainment and binaural beats. It will encourage your brain to slip into a state of relaxation.
What is Meditation?
Meditation is the practice of entering a state of mindfulness that is being used for more than 5000 years. It is originally a part of a religion.
However, it does not necessarily mean that you must be religious to perform it. In science, this is categorized under psychophysiology that studies how the mind affects the human body.
When using this to enter lucidity, you will need a quiet mind and a higher level of mental concentration.
Conclusion
The best types of meditation for lucid dreaming we mentioned above are excellent for boosting your self-awareness. It will clear the distractions in your mind and allow you to be more focused.
You can even have complete control over the setting and scenery that will further promote relaxation and vivid imagery when you dream.
Through meditation, you will be aware that you are dreaming and you can influence the storyline of your dream.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article !