What is Autosuggestion?
Sometimes, all you need is a strong enough intention to induce a lucid dream! That sounds simple, but most lucid dreamers who claim to induce lucid dreams at will do so by just….deciding to have a lucid dream. So how do you perform Autosuggestion technique? Let’s dive into it.
Defined: Autosuggestion is defined as;
- the hypnotic or subconscious adoption of an idea that one has originated oneself, e.g. through repetition of verbal statements to oneself in order to change behavior. – Oxford dictionary
Autosuggestion is essentially a form of self-hypnosis to bring about a certain behavioral change. Have you ever heard of people using positive affirmations? That is autosuggestion. But in our case, we will use affirmations to set our intention to induce lucid dreams.
If this sounds a little too ‘woo woo’ for you, don’t fret. There are quite a lot of scientific studies to back up the power of autosuggestion. In one study, the participants were able to greatly decrease the perception of pain by visualizing protective clothing over the affected body parts. Our brains are incredibly powerful machines, perhaps in ways we have yet to understand.
But I digress, let’s use the power of our minds to induce lucid dreams!
Performing the Autosuggestion Technique
Step 1: Wake after 4.5 to 6 hours (Optional)
Lucid dream induction techniques are always more successful the closer they are performed to a REM (dream) period. The second half of you night is packed full of REM sleep, so choose a time after at least 4.5 hours of sleep to perform a lucid dream attempt.
Variables: experiment with when you perform this technique. In time, you will find a time-frame that works great for you. The goal is to perform this technique right before or in the middle of a REM period.
Step 2: Deeply Relax
Any hypnotist will tell you that the mind is more susceptible to suggestion when you are relaxed. So lay in a comfortable position and take a few deep mindful breaths. Allow your mind to settle as you prepare to induce a lucid dream. Feel for any tension in your body and release it. Do whatever works for you to enter a relaxed physical and mental state
Variables: experiment with how much time you spend in the relaxation phase. Try different methods, like counting backwards, a body scan, meditation, etc if you are having trouble calming your mind.
Step 3: Set Your Intention
Mentally repeat your intention to realize you are dreaming. You can use the same affirmation, or multiple. Here are a few good examples;
- I WILL realize I am dreaming
- I am dreaming
- I will EASILY recognize that I am dreaming
Notice that I did not use the phrase ‘lucid dream’. If you have never had a lucid dream, or only had a few lucid dreams, your subconscious mind may not have anything to associate with this term. Also recognize that I stuck to positive phrases. Avoid negatives like “I will not miss my next dream sign”.
Variables: experiment with the affirmations that you use. You will feel it when you find one that really resonates with you.
Step 4: Combine with Visualization
Combine these intention-setting affirmations with visualization to further maximize your Autosuggestion session. Visualize yourself in a dream scene. Engage as many senses as possible to really set the scene. Feel the sun on your skin, hear the birds whistling. While repeating your affirmation, see yourself suddenly realize you are dreaming. Look around the dream world with awe and amazement. Really try to generate these feelings. See yourself take to the sky in flight, or whatever lucid dream activity you plan to do, while mentally saying “I AM dreaming”.
Step 5: Repeat Until You Fall Asleep
Ideally, your Autosuggestion session will be the last thing on your mind as you fall asleep and this intention will follow right along into the dream. If you are a light sleeper, this process may keep you awake, so perform this technique until you feel your intention is set, then allow yourself to fall to sleep normally.
Variables: experiment with how long you perform the autosuggestion technique before drifting to sleep. Everyone is different and may need to spend longer to set their intention. For some people, less is more, and they only need to repeat their intention for a minute or so. I think 5 minutes is a good starting point.
Wrapping Up
The Autosuggestion technique is a simple, straight-forward method to inducing lucid dreams, and for some, can be extremely effective. For this method to be successful, the dreamer needs a strong motivation and positive attitude. This technique may not be for everyone. If you have trouble believing your self affirmations, or have pre-conceived doubts about the efficacy of autosuggestion, it may not work for you. But for many dreamers, setting a strong intention to induce lucidity is all they need to be successful.
Want to Master Lucid Dreaming?
Does this sound amazing to you? The good news is, you too can learn to lucid dream! Lucid dreaming is a learnable skill that is accessible to everybody…and it is relatively easy. Enroll in our Lucid Dreaming Mastery Course to learn more amazing techniques like this and build a lucid dreaming practice that leads to mastery!
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