Hi Robert,
I’m very interested in lucid dreaming (and dream yoga) and having had lucid dreams since decades but only sporadically and always spontaneously. All my efforts according to lucid dream more regularely and planning in ahead have been without success so far. After listening to all the interviews on the lucid dream summit recently I’m a bit more confused about inducing lucid dreams. As you well know there were proposals for pre-sleep practices like body scan, awareness resting at the heart, a third eye moon visualization, visualization of syllables in special body-parts and beyond, emphasis on intentionality and visualization of already being lucid, concentration on one’s own feet and so on.
If I understood you right, your tip was to watch a (red?) candle light, blow it out and visualize it at the base of one’s throat while falling asleep.
Did I get that right?
I tried a lot of also otherwise recommended visualizations and the WILD method as well for weeks each – it didn’t help.
My questions: is it so because I’m just not a “natural” lucid dreamer? Is it irrelevant which kind of induction you choose – is it mere coincidence what work (best) for anybody?
Looking forward for an answer
Best wishes Heidi
Hi Heidi,
Thanks for your question! It sounds like you have a good understanding of lucid dreaming — but just need better techniques.
If so, may I suggest my book Lucid Dreaming Plain and Simple (with co-author Caroline McCready). It has been translated into German, French, Chinese and it is on Audible — and has my favorite lucid dream techniques and lots of advice (based on 40 years of lucid dreaming experience).
To your question, the candlelight technique is an ancient one. It is very simple:
During the day, light a candle. Quietly observe it closely. Visualize it in your mind. See the flame flicker. See the light. Observe it, so that you can easily visualize it later.
Then, when you go to bed, relax and in your mind’s eye — see the candle as if it was at the base of your throat, and see the flame flicker. In your mind, quietly tell yourself, “I am seeing the light of awareness. Tonight in my dream, I will become lucidly aware.”
Focus on the lit candle at the base of your throat. Quietly repeat your intent, “I am seeing the light of awareness. Tonight in my dream, I will become lucidly aware.”
Fall asleep with that image and intent.
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In the middle of the night, you may notice ‘candle-light’ (and sometimes may see it at the base of your throat!). At that moment, realize, ‘I am dreaming this!’
Lucid wishes!