Is Lucid Dreaming permanent?

[Bikerjeff]

Let's say you got really good at lucid dreaming, and then you stopped. Would you still be able to lucid dream even thought you are not practicing any techniques during the day?

[Fuzzman]

Not an expert on this, but from what I've heard from others it seems most people need to maintain an intention to lucid dream to be able to keep doing it. I'd assume for the most part if you become really good at it and spend a long time doing it you can probably have them pretty often without a lot of effort because it's mostly a habit that is built up, but I think usually people need to keep the intention to lucid dream on their mind and practice a bit during the day to have them. I do remember reading about one user on these forums who has LDs so often that he's actually trying to work on having more non-lucids which I think is pretty funny

[Joram]

i think you have to keep practicing it or wanting a lucid dream, when you're not natural. Of course, when you're very good at LD'ing, you will still have alot of LD's the following weeks without training, but that amount will decrease until you're back to where you started.

[nina]

Lucid dreaming is a skill, and like any skill, it requires practice to develop and maintain (especially if you aren't a natural). But you might not practice it at all for a year, and then decide to try and induce a LD and it could work. So it's something that you can sort of pick up again at various times in your life when you have the time for it. This is one reason I've been a member here at Dream Views for 10 years! There are long gaps where I don't come around for a year, and then I'll randomly have a LD and get motivated to start practicing again. But if you don't practice it regularly, then you will get rusty, just like anything else.

[Rothgar]

For most of us, lucid dreaming involves a number of factors coming together. You have to want to lucid dream. You need enough sleep and not be too tired. You have to try to recall your dreams, waking up after a dream so you recall it. And journalling which has a number of benefits. I usually need a short WBTB. Now, RC'S I don't need to practise quite as much, but these other factors still come into play. That's not to say you can't LD without these, but your frequency will probably be much less. It's not like riding a bike, but more like being a professional golfer...you won't stay there without the discipline.

[Screen]

I wish I could say it was like riding a bike, however, I've yet to hear of someone who has lucid dreams without failure once they develop proficiency. The action in and of itself is surrounded in mystery. Often, some children have lucid dreams without even trying. The numbers are probably greater than we think because not everyone shares their dreams, and how many children know what a lucid dream is to recognize or remember it? Then there's the fact of not knowing why we dream in the first place, or how people have precognition in their dreams. There are many questions. But to answer yours, no, it's not. At best, it would be easier for them to pick back up the skill.

[ACaddict]

Aha, this is pretty much what happened to me. I got decent at it, at one point I was getting one nearly every night. Then I stopped trying, and I lost it all. Well, not completely. Perhaps once every few months I managed one, but that was only when I thought about it, or tried to pick it back up again. So no, it isn't permanent, and it hasn't even seemed much easier the second time around. The only difference between me now and when I was beginning is that I already know the techniques, and possibly a little more dream control.