Awareness

9 Most Effective Tips On How To Lucid Dream Easily

Published

2 years ago

June 21, 2019

When you fall asleep tonight, you most likely will have a dream. But what if you could “Wake up” in this dream and realize that you are still asleep? Lucid dreaming is a strange and exciting phenomenon that allows you to be fully conscious while you sleep and to control all events, people and yourself within the dream. In this article, I will share with you 9 of the most effective tips on how to lucid dream easily. Also, I’ll explain to you how you can easily recognize that you’re dreaming. Are you excited? Me too! Let’s get it started!

What Are Lucid Dreams?

Lucid dreaming is an altered state of consciousness in which you are aware that you are dreaming and can control the content of the dream in one way or another. This is a kind of borderline state between REM sleep and wakefulness.

Lucid dreaming can begin either during normal sleep when you eventually realize that you are sleeping, or directly from a state of wakefulness without temporary loss of awareness.

Some people reach the state where they experience sleep paralysis. For some people, it happens spontaneously and usually when their sleep is very sensitive.

In the process of lucid dreaming, it is possible to simulate any situations that are impossible in everyday life. From this point of view, a lucid dream can be seen as a virtual reality, where there are no restrictions. In this dream, you can meet famous people, easily cook dinner for 5000 people, ride a giant tarantula or participate in the Hunger Games. You have your dream under control, and you can do whatever you want in there.

In addition, those people who have learned the practice of lucid dreaming, are able to get a psychotherapeutic effect from this practice. Thus, having learned the confident management of actions and events in a lucid dream, you have the opportunity to transfer a sense of confidence in your daily life (for example, to get rid of some fears or phobias).

How To Lucid Dream?

Lucid dreaming is not a natural gift, but a trained ability. Of course, some people are naturally more prone to this ability than others. Usually, children can practice lucid dreaming easily. But then as time goes by they forget about this ability and stop practicing it. But the good news is that every person can train this ability and start practicing lucid dreaming regularly. Some people gain this ability fast, others need more time. It all depends on the individual. No matter what category you belong to you need to be persistent and keep trying until you succeed! Trust me, it worth your effort!

First, it wasn’t easy for me to lucid dream at all! Though I had pretty bright dreams that I could easily memorize I still wasn’t able to stay lucid in my dreams. But I had a very strong desire to succeed in my practice and I knew all about the benefits that lucid dreaming can give to me. I’ve been studying this subject a lot and religiously was trying all the methods I could find. Now I’m happy to share with you 9 tips that helped me to start lucid dreaming and stay 100% conscious in my dreams. You can try all of them or maybe pick a couple of these tips that resonate with you the most. But what really helped me was the combining of different methods.

9 Tips On How To Lucid Dream

1 – Dream Diary

This is what I’ve started with! I created a dream journal and started writing down all my dreams in details in it. I placed it next to the bed, along with a pen, so I could write down all my dreams right after waking up or sometimes even in the middle of the night.

According to scientific research, the habit of writing down your dreams will increase your chances of having lucid dreams. Moreover, the mere thought that you are going to write down your dreams can help raise your awareness in your dream.

Write down all the dreams that you remember, whether they are interesting or not, clear or foggy.

If you can’t remember the whole dream, write down only what you remember, even if it’s just a face, a place, a phrase, or something else.

Write down everything you remember from your dream right after you wake up (even if you wake up in the middle of the night!). The longer you wait, the more you forget.

Stay in bed when you’re writing down your dreams to increase the likelihood of remembering them.

2 – ‘Wake-Back-to-Bed’ Technique

This is the easiest way to quickly get into a lucid dream!

Its essence: set the alarm two hours earlier than your usual wake up time. For example, you usually wake up at 7 a.m., then set the alarm to 5 a.m. Wake up at 5 a.m. be sure to get up and stay up for 15 minutes (get up and use the bathroom, or brush your teeth, for example). Then go to sleep for those two hours that you have not slept.

In fact, this method has scientific justification. In the morning we usually have most of our dreams, so we have a bigger chance to get into a lucid dream.

3 – Fix Your Attention On Your Hands

This is another effective method on how to lucid dream easily! During the day fix your attention on your hands, peering into them. Try to look at your hands as often as you can remember while you’re awake. Eventually, you will see your hands in your dream, but in your dream, they will change their appearance. This is how you’ll know you’re asleep. From that moment on, the control of the dream will begin!

4 – Ask Yourself The Question “Am I Asleep Or Awake?”

Constantly ask yourself the question: “Am I asleep or awake?” and make checking actions. For example, pinch yourself or look at yourself in the mirror. If you won’t be able to recognize yourself in the mirror, you’re asleep.

When I started using this method I put reminding notes with this question all around my house, my purse, on my computer and my phone. So every time I saw these notes I could remember to ask myself this question. And, you know, it really helped! Eventually, I looked at myself in the mirror and couldn’t recognize myself. I looked so much different than I usually look that I immediately realized that I was dreaming.

5 – Set The Intention

On a piece of paper write down the following intention: “Tonight I’m lucid in my dreams” and put this note under your pillow.

6 – Observation Of The Images

When you’re falling asleep try to see the emerging images in front of your closed eyes and focus your attention on them. Imagine how you’re zooming in on them and try to see more and more details of these images.

7 – Attentive Listening

When you’re falling asleep try to hear the noise in your head and make it louder and louder.

8: Visualization And Meditation

Use visualization or meditation before going to bed. Many experts on lucid dreaming recommend visualizing what you dream about before you go to sleep. Vividly visualize your dreams right before bedtime, and you will have a big chance to have a dream about it. Meditation will help you to relax and get into the “blank slate” at the moment of falling asleep.

9: Vitamin B

Increase your intake of vitamin B6. According to preliminary studies, vitamin B6 can increase the brightness of your dreams and help you to memorize them better.

12 Ways To Recognize That You’re Lucid Dreaming

Lucid dreams feel so real that usually, it’s hard to understand if you’re dreaming or awake. Therefore the main question that arises in a person who wants to be lucid in a dream is: “How do I recognize that this is a dream?”.

Here are 12 ways to recognize that you’re lucid dreaming:

Try to close your mouth and nose. If you’re still able to breathe, then you are in a dream.
Look 2-3 times at the clock with a dial. If the time changes unnaturally fast, then you are in a dream.
Try to read anything twice – if the text changes, then you are in a dream.
Look 2-3 times at anything that contains certain information. If the information changes then you’re in a dream.
Try to remember the previous minute of your life. If you are unable to do so, you are most likely asleep.
Take a long look at your hands. If you’re dreaming then your hands will start changing their appearance.
Try to turn on or turn off the light in the room with a switch. In a dream, the switch may not work or produce a strange effect when, for example, the light is on, but it is still dark.
Take a long look at yourself in the mirror. Usually, the reflection in the mirror is modified in a dream.
Look at any text. If the text is very blurred, then you are most likely in a dream.
Try to change something with your will power. If you can change, let’s say the day to night with just your will power, then you’re dreaming.
Look closely at the appearance of a person from your constant environment (for example, a colleague, family member or friend). In the dream, his/her appearance may be unnaturally distorted or even have the appearance of another person from the same environment.
In a dream, distant movements are instantaneous. If you notice it, you can understand that it is a dream. For example, if you are driving the car somewhere, the monotonous road will be skipped if you’re dreaming.

How To Stay Conscious?

There are certain techniques of staying conscious in a dream, allowing to extend the period of lucid dreaming. For example, at the first signs of weakening attention, begin to closely examine the details of the dream, not concentrating on just one object. Or periodically remind yourself aloud that you are dreaming.

The Bottom Line

The phenomenon of lucid dreaming has not yet been studied enough by modern medicine and psychology but is already used for psychotherapeutic purposes as an extension of the tools of psychoanalysis, along with the usual interpretation of dreams. By staying lucid in your dreams you will discover limitless possibilities of using this state for self-development, letting go of your fears and manifesting your desired reality!

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Katya Ki

Katya Ki is the Founder of SOLANCHA Magazine, a Metaphysical Expert, a Reiki Master, and Human Rights Attorney. She has been studying Eastern metaphysics, cosmology, and esotericism for almost 20 years now. And she's still discovering new knowledge, which is hidden in ancient teachings. During her pilgrimage to the monastery of Saint Catherine in Egypt, she discovered the SOLANCHA System. This is how the SOLANCHA journey started!

Inspirational quotes

Charles Bukowski Quotes That Will Blow Your Mind

Published

4 days ago

May 7, 2021

SOLANCHA STAFF

If you haven’t heard about Charles Bukowski, you missed a lot! He is one of America’s best-known contemporary writers of poetry and prose. In this article, we have collected 36 most mind bending Charles Bukowski quotes that will make you rethink the way you see life and the society you live in.

Here they are 36 mind-blowing Charles Bukowski quotes!

36 Charles Bukowski Quotes

#1

“If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery–isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you’ll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you’re going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It’s the only good fight there is.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#2

“You begin saving the world by saving one man at a time; all else is grandiose romanticism or politics.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#3

“There is nothing that teaches you more than regrouping
after failure and moving on. Yet most people are stricken with
fear. They fear failure so much that they fail. They are too
conditioned, too used to being told what to do. It begins with
the family, runs through school and goes into the business
world.”
~ Charles Bukowski

#4

“The difference between a democracy and a dictatorship is that in a democracy you vote first and take orders later; in a dictatorship, you don’t have to waste your time voting.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#5

“You’ve to die a few times before you actually live.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#6

“The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts. While the stupid ones are full of confidence.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#7

“Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must live.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#8

“Those who escape hell however never talk about it and nothing much bothers them after that.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#9

“The less I needed, the better I felt.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#10

“How in the hell could a man enjoy being awakened at 8:30 a.m. by an alarm clock, leap out of bed, dress, force-feed, shit, piss, brush teeth and hair, and fight traffic to get to a place where essentially you made lots of money for somebody else and were asked to be grateful for the opportunity to do so?” ~ Charles Bukowski

#11

“What matters most is how well you walk through the fire.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#12

“The free soul is rare, but you know it when you see it – basically because you feel good, very good when you are near or with them.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#13

“The nine-to-five is one of the greatest atrocities sprung upon mankind. You give your life away to a function that doesn’t interest you.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#14

“We must.. We must bring our own light to the darkness.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#15

“Oh, I don’t mean you’re handsome, not the way people think of handsome. Your face seems kind. But your eyes – they’re beautiful. They’re wild, crazy, like some animal peering out of a forest on fire.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#16

“An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way. An artist says a hard thing in a simple way.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#17

“People are strange: they are constantly angered by trivial things, but on a major matter like totally wasting their lives, they hardly seem to notice.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#18

“Dogs and angels are not very far apart.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#19

“Beware of those who seek constant crowds; they are nothing alone.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#20

“Do you hate people?”
“I don’t hate them…I just feel better when they’re not around.”
~ Charles Bukowski

#21

“I often carry things to read so that I will not have to look at the people.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#22

“The problem was you had to keep choosing between one evil or another, and no matter what you chose, they sliced a little bit more off you, until there was nothing left. At the age of 25, most people were finished. A whole god-damned nation of assholes driving automobiles, eating, having babies, doing everything in the worst way possible, like voting for the presidential candidates who reminded them most of themselves. I had no interests. I had no interest in anything. I had no idea how I was going to escape. At least the others had some taste for life. They seemed to understand something that I didn’t understand. Maybe I was lacking. It was possible. I often felt inferior. I just wanted to get away from them. But there was no place to go.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#23

“I wanted the whole world or nothing.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#24

“I was a man who thrived on solitude; without it, I was like another man without food or water. Each day without solitude weakened me. I took no pride in my solitude, but I was dependent on it. The darkness of the
room was like sunlight to me.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#25

“People run from rain but sit in bathtubs full of water.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#26

“Life’s as kind as you let it be.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#27

“I guess the only time most people think about injustice is when it happens to them.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#28

“People empty me. I have to get away to refill.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#29

“Nobody can save you but yourself and you’re worth saving. It’s a war not easily won but if anything is worth winning then this is it.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#30

“Beauty is nothing, beauty won’t stay. You don’t know how lucky you are to be ugly, because if people like you, you know it’s for something else.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#31

“If you have the ability to love, love yourself first.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#32

“So it’s always a process of letting go, one way or another.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#33

your life is your life Bukowski poem image

“The Laughing Heart

your life is your life
don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission.
be on the watch.
there are ways out.
there is a light somewhere.
it may not be much light but
it beats the darkness.
be on the watch.
the gods will offer you chances.
know them.
take them.
you can’t beat death but
you can beat death in life, sometimes.
and the more often you learn to do it,
the more light there will be.
your life is your life.
know it while you have it.
you are marvelous
the gods wait to delight
in you.”
~ Charles Bukowski

#34

“Goodness can be found sometimes in the middle of hell.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#35

“It was better for me when I could imagine greatness in others, even if it wasn’t always there.” ~ Charles Bukowski

#36

“Understand me. I’m not like an ordinary world. I have my madness, I live in another dimension and I do not have time for things that have no soul.” ~ Charles Bukowski

We hope you are inspired by these Charles Bukowski quotes as much as we are!

Please feel free to share our collection of thought-provoking Charles Bukowski quotes on your Social media to inspire others!

Personal Development

8 Signs You Are a Free Spirit Who Can Never Be Tamed

Published

5 days ago

May 6, 2021

Katya Ki

If you are a free spirit, chances are you struggle to fit in your family or friend’s circles. That is normal. See, as a true spirit, you value your freedom over complacency. You would rather dictate the terms of your life than conform to societal norms.

Well, this nonconformist attitude to life is never free of cost. You may have to get out of your comfort zone, let go of your societal security, look different, and even suffer harm. But, how do you know if you are a free spirit and not just a rebellious person?

This article will discuss the 8 common signs to guide you.

But first:

Understanding the Free Spirit

A free spirit starts from the mind. You live free of domination from any oppressive thoughts, ideas, or notions imposed on you by others. Unlike rebellion, true freedom is about respectfully liberating your mind and body, to coexist with others at peace.

Likewise, a free spirit will not replace one oppressive thought with another. Instead, this person seeks the truth and lives by it. For example, many celebrities that claim to be free spirits are doing so superficially. They may still ascribe to certain notions that are oppressive to their audience. Like the idea of going organic but allowing the use of plastics from a certain brand.

The Signs

If you are a true free spirit, then you can relate to most of the signs below: –

#1: Strong Desire for Freedom

Did you ever quit a well-paying job to pursue a digital nomad lifestyle that pays less than half of your salary? Your strong desire to be free and set your lifestyle standards indicates a truly free-spirited person. See, free-spirited people make lifestyle decisions that prioritize their freedoms.

#2: Abhor Restrictions

In line with a desire for freedom, free spirits despise any restrictions imposed by others in their lives. If you are one, you could be struggling with committing to a deadline, target, or relationship.

And for the career persons, free spirits hop from one organization to another, dreading to be confined at one company for too long. Here, the free spirit struggles to commit to another person or purpose but looks forward to waking up to new challenges or surprises.

#3: Welcome Challenges

A free spirit encounters problems like any other person. However, they see the problems as new challenges, not threats. Consequently, a free spirit gets excited, not worried when facing challenges.

#4: Spontaneous

A free spirit comes up with rushed decisions that change the course of their lifestyles forever. For example, they may wake up and decide to shift to a new neighborhood, enroll in the gym, or make a swift financial investment. Or, they may change their minds about getting married, having kids, or setting up their businesses.

These persons hold no attachment to anyone or anything, hence appearing as unserious. As a result, others find it hard to understand why this person can’t stay consistent.

#5: Unconventionality

Free spirits do things their way. They question any societal expectations and are the last persons to adopt them. Likewise, they are never intimidated by those around them. Instead, they stick to their decisions regardless of how foreign they sound to the masses.

#6: Insatiable

A free spirit is insatiable. Your goals are different, settling for a better or unique lifestyle from the one your peers are content with. For example, your dream when clearing college was never a well-paying job, the latest car, and a home with kids. Instead, you think of opportunities that will allow you to try new things.

For example, you could be a die-hard globetrotter even though you may not have the means to travel at the moment. You are the kind of person who is content with living from a suitcase for years as you travel around the world.

#7: Great Achievers, Innovators, Dreamers

Now, a free spirit may appear spontaneous and unserious with life, but they have a clear perspective of what they want to achieve. This person comes up with fresh ideas that promise to solve world challenges. And it is the excitement of this new challenge that fuels their desire to achieve the set goals.

#8: Relentless

Free spirits always seek ways of how to make the impossibilities in their lives possible. For example, they will question why it takes three days and not a day for an online shopping order to arrive at their doorstep. And, they will use the latest facts to question current theories.

In turn, these persons never quit. They appear stubborn, holding on to their ideas until they get the solution they were hoping for.

Living a Fulfilling Life as a Free Spirit

Note that, a free spirit is the best candidate for achieving spiritual awakening. This person is intent on soul searching and questions their existence. Still, the life of a free-spirited person can be a lonely one. If you suspect that you are a free spirit, here are a few tips to live a fulfilling lifestyle:

Spend more time outdoors. For example, taking part in dance competitions in the open gives you a chance to free your mind and release any stress buildup.
Reconnect with your inner child by working with children. They have great imaginations and love exploring and testing their boundaries. Plus, they enjoy doing role plays.
Explore a creative career path like preparing exotic dishes and painting on a canvas.
Most free-spirited persons are empathetic, considerate, kind, and loving. In turn, they can be victims of emotional abuse. Protect your emotional wellbeing by setting boundaries on who you interact with or what you explore beyond your comfort zone.

Conclusion

Anyone with a free spirit has the untamable spirit of a wolf. You always want to run free beyond the confines of family or society. You also have a tendency to oppose the normal social rule, being overly independent, and never subscribing to others’ rules. That’s why most free spirits are seen as rebellious.

Awareness

8 Signs You Are a Victim of a Hovering Narcissist

Published

6 days ago

May 5, 2021

SOLANCHA STAFF

In this quick guide, we focus on the hovering narcissist. The kind that will do all they can to pull you back into the abusive relationship, as you try to run away from the hurt and pain. Often, we fall into the hands of a narcissistic leader, parent, spouse, or friend without knowing it. You know, this person could be taking advantage of your relationship to manipulate or control you using verbal or emotional abuse. Deep down, you go through unpleasant emotions that are quite confusing. And, you may end up trying to justify the narcissistic behavior as a way to cope. More so, you lose your self-esteem and even fall into depression.

Which Narcissist Are You Dealing with?

Now, if you sense that the person you trust is a narcissist, plan to guard yourself against any potential abuse from them. But how can you tell if the person is a narcissist in the first place? More so, which type of narcissist are they?

The Hovering Narcissist: Who? Why?

A narcissist finds fulfillment in creating drama and victimizing others. Hence, they need their victims around them to fulfill this desire. Moreover, there is a thin line between a genuine partner trying to reconcile a broken relationship and a hovering narcissist luring you back to their control. Can you tell the difference?

The Signs

Below are the 8 signs you could be a victim of a hovering narcissist: –

#1: Random “Love Bombs”

A hovering narcissist is usually in a panic mode, trying to mend a relationship before you exit their lives for good. For this, they may resort to “love bombing” you with lots of random messages or phone calls.

For example:

Seeking your opinion about what they are doing at the moment
Asking you to send greetings or best wish messages to someone you both know
Reminding you how nice you look in the dress or bracelet they bought you
Apologizing for sending you “love notes”

These random acts are well calculated; to get you to remember the soft side of the narcissist.

#2: Ignores the Abusive Past

In line with sending random love messages, a hovering narcissist will try as much as possible to make you forget the abusive past. Like you could be nursing a physical or emotional wound, but they treat you like nothing happened. Or, they change the subject of your conversations whenever you bring up their history of abuse.

#3: Holds on to a Dead Relationship

You know the relationship is over. And, you’ve clearly expressed your views to your partner. Yet, regardless of them agreeing with your sentiments, they try all they can to continue relating with you. Like, they will pick up the kids, take you to dinner, or ask you about your favorite movie, pretending that all is okay. In addition, think of the times a fiancé shows up to take your pet for a walk like before, barely a week after you break up.

#4: Entices You with Gifts

Do you love being pampered with gifts? If so, a hovering narcissist will use this chance to shower you with unexpected gifts. For example, this person may never remember your birthday or wedding anniversary. But, when they sense you are about to leave them, they bring you an anniversary gift out of the blues.

#5: Feigns Apologies

A hovering narcissist is always “remorseful”. However, it is a mere show to convince you to stay. Once you are back, the abuse continues. For example, a hovering narcissistic leader will own up to being too harsh the last time they gave out punishment for your mistakes. Yet, the next time you are in the wrong, the punishment may be worse.

Then, one easy way to identify a fake apology is by observing the narcissist’s reaction when you shift the conversation or turn down their apology. The narcissist will get upset, make dramatic declarations, or even get violent.

#6: Manipulates You through Others

Now, when a hovering narcissist fails to get to you with all their manipulative tactics, they do it indirectly through the people you cherish. For example, a spouse may send a child to intimidate their partner. Here, they may tell the child that the mom or dad is leaving; asking the child to beg the parent not to go. In turn, you feel sorry for the child and opt to stay.

#7: Overpromising and Failing to Deliver

Does your partner complain that you nag them about that exotic trip to the Maldives, moving to a new house, or getting the latest iPhone? Well, a hovering narcissist will suddenly want to fulfill all these requests, “unconditionally”. However, they will not deliver any of these promises.

#8: Threats of Self-Harm

Some hovering narcissists will threaten to commit suicide, quit their jobs, run away, or harm themselves. Never let these threats get to you. Certainly, the narcissist is just hoping that you will respond by being sympathetic to them. Hence, the best approach is to refer or take them to professional help.

How to Respond to Hovering Narcissistic Tactics

When your narcissistic friend, spouse, or leader won’t let go of you, here are some things you can do to cope:

Ignore the hovering. Zero to minimal contact with the hovering narcissist will protect your emotional wellbeing, and give you time to heal from the narcissistic abuse.
If you have to communicate (for example, you need to talk about your children), make it brief and impersonal.
Stop being a people pleaser. Instead, start by never idealizing your current relationship. This approach will protect you from becoming an easy victim of a hovering narcissist in the future.
Embrace the abusive past; never sugar-coat it. Consequently, you will have a clear perception of what the hovering narcissist is trying to do.
Journal your feelings.
Seek professional help.

Conclusion

A hovering narcissist is an overbearing person. This person fulfills a need to harm you by having you around. Hence, the narcissist will put up an indirect fight to win your heart and force you to stay. And, despite the show of kindness and remorsefulness, narcissism is a personality disorder. The abuser will never change their behavior overnight to please you. It takes a lot of focused therapy to do that. Finally, always guard your self-esteem against narcissists because once you lose that, it’s difficult to continue fighting.