In March 2020, the journal Imagination, Cognition and Personality published a study by Alexandre Lemyr et al. of Laval University, Canada, which describes 5 main strategies for controlling lucid dreaming.
The study was based on an online survey of 107 respondents who had had at least one lucid dream in the past year. Based on the participants’ responses, their strategies were grouped into 5 categories: verbal; strategies based on the use of dream objects or environment; strategies based on the use of the body in the dream; strategies based on the management of emotions; and other miscellaneous strategies.
Through verbal strategies, dreamers could talk to dream characters or voice their commands. Using dream objects, participants changed the dream landscape, opened doors, or walked through walls. Body strategies included jumping, spinning, flying, and moving objects with the hands. Emotion management involved dreamers controlling nightmares and negative emotions in their dreams.
Participants also frequently used focusing techniques, intention setting, and visualization before going to sleep to control dreams. As you can see, scientists are finally paying attention to concepts that are very basic for experienced phase practitioners. However, their future findings may reveal more innovative ways of controlling the dream space. What techniques do you use to navigate your lucid dreams? Share your experiences with us.
