MILD help

[Snakeboy]

Hello! I have been trying the MILD induction technique, and was curious about one aspect of it. Most directions state to repeat the last two steps: 1-the mantra/affirmation of realizing that one is dreaming and remembering the dream, and 2- re-writing the recent dream to include being lucid in the dream, how that feels, and what one then does when lucid. How many times should I cycle though these last two steps? Repeatedly until I drift off? Just a few cycles?

[Tiktaalik]

I believe the idea is to repeat the steps until you’re satisfied the intention is firmly set. If you can do this whilst falling asleep, then great! I’ve found my chances are higher if this happens and sometimes leads to a WILD. However, if you struggle to fall back asleep (as I do!) Then it’s best not to do this as you’ll keep yourself awake and it could lead to insomnia. It’s always better to fall asleep, than to keep yourself awake, so do what feels right for you. If the steps are keeping me awake, then I find it helps instead to try fall asleep with a feeling of vigilance, a calm but alert readiness to notice the dream upon falling back asleep.

[Snakeboy]

Thanks for the input! I was indeed wondering if cycling the two over and over was just keeping me awake, as I have troubles getting back to sleep when I try to keep going. I'll try just 2-3 cycles next time and let go.

[Tiktaalik]

Yeah, I’m the same. It makes me too alert and unable to fall back asleep if I repeat the steps over and over. In fact, sometimes it’s counterproductive for me to even follow the steps as they’re laid out. I sometimes find it better to just bring my focus back to my intention and try go straight back to sleep, as it can take me 10 minutes or longer to do so. Every persons different and so is every night. Learn what works best for you and adapt it as you go.

[Snakeboy]

That's encouraging to hear, thanks for that. Maybe this varies from person to person as well... but how important do you find going back to sleep in the same position as you were when you had the first dream? I can get a bit uncomfortable in one position for a while and have to switch between my left side and my back.

[Tiktaalik]

Honestly, I don’t give it much thought. I change into whatever position I find more comfortable for sleeping. Sometimes I have found that laying on my back looking up at the ceiling helps me fall asleep quicker in the early morning and is better for getting lucid, but this may not work for everyone, and it doesn’t for me everytime. I have heard that laying in a less comfortable position can help with lucidity though, as it keeps you in a more alert, less relaxed state, which can keep you more consciously aware when dropping off. There’s definitely positives for staying still and in the same position when it comes to recall and going straight back into a dream WILD/ DEILD style, but when it comes to falling asleep normally, I don’t worry too much about position.