Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming by Stephen LaBerge, Howard Rheingold
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.25 You Save: $3.74 (47%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $3.99 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming
Book Review: The doorway to lucid dreaming...
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently picked this book up again after forgetting about it for ages. Back when I bought it, about two years ago, I took it VERY seriously and even took notes on it so that everything would soak into my brain. That worked, because in that time I had my first truly lucid dream. I was driving a car in this dark tunnel that had a large hole that dropped off in the middle, and somehow I knew that the hole had no bottom, it just went on forever. I was trying SO hard to avoid that hole, and my heart was racing trying to steer clear of it. Suddenly I realized that it was a dream, so I immediately decided, what the hell, I'm driving into that hole! So I did - and the feeling of falling, though normally awful, was exhilerating! It was more like flying. When I kept reading about lucid dreams often being flying dreams, it wasn't all that appealing - but there's something about being lucid in them that makes it much more than just a flying dream. I had a few more lucid dreams in that time, and a handful more in the years that have passed, but I haven't focused on it in a long time. Now I'm hoping to begin again, and this book is my tool. So I highly recommend this book as your tool, too, and highly recommend the practice of pursuing lucidity. It can be done, and it is WELL worth the effort!Book Review: A Readable Field Guide to Lucid Dreaming
Summary: 5 Stars
The world of lucid dreaming is apparently scientifically respected, and for anybody interested, immensely fascinating.
This book offers a plethora of information about the science of dreaming, techniques for inducing lucid dreams, and the history of dream culture.
While you can read it cover to cover, it is somewhat more like a "Teach Yourself X in 30 Days" book: before proceeding beyond chapters 3 or 4, you should increase your ability to recall dreams to almost one per night. All information required to perform the task is given in the book, and I did have success using these techniques, but it is not necessarily readable like any fiction book.
Let me also say this: with lucid dreaming, whether its a website, a book, whatever, you cannot simply read of techniques and stay interested in the subject to have lucid dreams, you have to work. You'll need to practice dream recall techniques, train yourself to look for dream signs even in your waking life, and generally expect to work for weeks or months before becoming an apt lucid dreamer.
If the topic interests you and you're willing to put forth the little bits of effort in your days to accomplish this task, this is a great and highly authoritative book.
Book Review: The authoritative work on developing lucid dreaming ability.
Summary: 5 Stars
Lucid dreaming, i.e. dreaming with full awareness, is one of the most ecstatic experiences open to human beings. Yet creating this state of bliss has traditionally been difficult - the naive approach of autosuggestion produces only very low success rates.In "Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming", Stephen LaBerge discusses far more efficient techniques, including one pioneered by himself - MILD, or Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams. He explains how to create conditions conducive to lucid dreaming, how to prolong a lucid dream once one has one, and how to use lucid dreams for creative problem solving, health, entertainment and spiritual growth.
I should point out, however, that there is no miracle method for having lucid dreams instantanously. The techniques that this book offers still need to be exercised, patiently and diligently over a period of weeks if not months before results will start to materialize. But if you are willing and motivated to invest the necessary work and effort, this book will be one of the best guides there is. For those readers who prefer a simple, step-by-step approach, I would also recommend "Lucid Dreams in 30 Days" by Keith Harary and Pamela Weintraub.
Book Review: Practical, sound and comprehensive
Summary: 5 Stars
This is good writing by a leading scientist who has been working on lucid dream research since the late 1970s, teamed with Howard Rheingold, whose books I always find interesting, well-researched, thought-provoking and innovative in their thinking.
It's highly practical with some great, clearly explained, step-by-step exercises. Not all of them would be simple to do but they are certainly simple to understand.
LaBerge does have a slight tendency to believe his own publicity, and I have seen questions raised about whether he actually originated all the techniques he claims to have originated in the book. He certainly gives plenty of credit to other researchers, though; the citations are very thorough, and perhaps this is what one reviewer meant by the book being "dry and scientific". I personally prefer this to the usual New Age style where nothing is footnoted and you can't track down the origin of anything (to read more about it, or to separate out the speculation, common myths and hearsay from genuinely valuable information).
Very much recommended; if you are buying only one lucid dreaming book, make it this one.
Book Review: Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming
Summary: 5 Stars
THE BEST AVAILABLE GUIDE TO LUCID DREAMING!Although this inspiring book presents a new model of dreaming and consciousness, its approach is primarily practical, covering methods for inducing lucid dreams, and a variety of applications. LaBerge also includes a brief history of his scientific research; all is presented in an engaging and comprehensible manner. Reading the book gave me an appreciation for his dedicated pioneering in the field of mind/body mapping and the ingeniousness of his lucid dream induction methods and devices.
This book offers the most extensive collection of step-by-step techniques for increasing consciousness during sleep. It also includes accounts of what a variety of lucid dreamers have done with their dream lives. For me, the most important point was how the same skills and mindfulness developed through learning to lucid dream can also deeply enhance one's waking life.
Why sleep through dreams (and sleepwalk through waking life) when lucidity is a learnable skill? This excellent, easy-to-follow guide is essential reading for dream explorers of all levels of experience.