Have you ever had a lucid dream during a daytime nap?
If so, you'll know that naps can offer the perfect opportunity to carry out an induction technique. In fact the clearest, most memorable and tangible lucid dream I ever had came during a day time nap :-)
A quick look into the science will suggest some reasons why.
First, know that the cognitive benefits of a mid-day nap have become more apparent in recent years. Naps facilitate extended executive functioning, memory formation, subsequent learning and emotional processing.
In fact Ben & Jerry's, Zappos, Uber and Google have all installed dedicated nap spaces in their headquarters... in hopes that some midday shuteye will boost employee productivity and creativity!
But this aside, let's look at how you can use a nap to get lucid.
This works best if you are not a regular day time napper, i.e., you're not a polyphasic sleep practitioner, a shift worker, or someone else that routines manages broken sleep.
What you should do is wait until your body is telling you to take a nap. In other words, those moments during the day when you are physically tired and your body is crying out for sleep.
This isn't a technique to force, but one to pull out of your back pocket when the moment arises. In other words, don't force the nap, but wait until you feel as if you are naturally being pulled into one.
When you're achingly tired and the idea of sleep sounds like the most delicious thing you could possibly think of.
That's when the time is ripe for a lucid nap.
This is because your body is demanding that sleep for a reason. You are likely REM deprived and craving REM sleep to facility the 'queued up' learning, memory processing and consolidation that is needed.
Under these circumstances, you're much more likely to descend rapidly into REM sleep within 5-10 minutes of your head hitting the pillow (or cushion, or carpet, or whatever), just like an infant.
I suggest trying the WILD technique at this time. Lay flat on a comfortable floor area in the Shavasana or Corpse Pose and close your eyes. Allow the physical sensations of tiredness to wash over your body, but keep your mind half alert.
Allow your body to sink into the floor and simply watch yourself fall asleep.
While you slowly visualize your intended dream scene.
Momentarily, your consciousness will "pop" into lucidity.
Now you're dreaming!
Enjoy.
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