What is MILD?
MILD stands for Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreaming. This method of lucid dream induction was popularized by Dr. Stephen LaBerge and is a form of mental rehearsal while in a sleepy, somewhat hypnotic state. Goes like this:
When you are falling asleep or after you have awoken from sleep and intend to go back to sleep, think of the dream you just had (or had recently) and re-live it in your mind. But tweak it. In the imaginary version, see yourself realizing that you are in a dream. Notice a dream-sign, for instance. Realize that this is your own dream-world and in here you can control (to some extent) the direction of events. Here, you are the master. Even better, in your mnemonic rehearsal, take it a few steps further. See yourself realize you are likely in a dream, and then perform a reality-test, and see yourself use a stabilization technique, and then imagine yourself carrying-out your lucid dream goals(s). This can be a part of your total lucid induction regimen. Part of the idea with MILD is that by rehearsing this stuff when you are falling asleep or recently asleep, your mind may be more receptive to the practice/imprinting. But I would warn you that being sleepy is NOT that close to being in a dream. Dreaming is its own thing, as is non-dream sleep, as is waking (and of course, each of these distinct mind-states exists on their own continuum, as in - there are various degrees of wakefulness). The reason for this caveat is that MILD is pre-supposed on the idea of "contextual memory." Contextual memory means that we remember things best when we are in a similar situation as to when we first memorized the information. Example: If you have a conversation with someone in a train station, you will probably remember that conversation better when in the same train station than if you are later in a different location. Still, MILD may be a useful tool to keep in your lucid induction bag of tricks. |