In simple terms, if one has a dream and they're actually aware of the fact that they're dreaming, then that is known as a lucid dream. In the context of dreaming, 'lucid' means being aware or conscious. The lucidity of a dream however can vary dramatically depending on the dream itself and how much influence you have in controlling the dream.

This last point which has been mentioned is without a doubt the most amazing thing of all. Actually being able to realize that one is dreaming is something which words simply cannot explain. It is by all accounts almost unbelievable that one can actually control the direction of a dream and be free of limitations.

Can you even for one minute imagine what it feels like, bearing in mind that it not only looks and sounds like reality, but it even feels like reality. Of course the big difference is, when you have a lucid dream you know that it's only a dream. Furthermore, you know that you cannot get injured and you know that you cannot die, so personal safety is not an issue. Of course, because there are no rules or regulations, you're basically free to do exactly as you choose. The bottom line is; lucid dreaming is like having your own personal world of 'virtual reality' with a quality far beyond anything else known to man.

It simply cannot be denied that lucid dreaming is a fantastic skill and it's hardly surprising that more and more people are becoming interested in learning how to master the art. Even though some people may not realize it, lucid dreaming is something which most people experience on occasions, but just for a minute try to imagine how it would feel if you could have a lucid dream whenever you chose.

Many people tend to describe a lucid dream as being a doorway or gateway to the most wonderful experiences imaginable. In fact when you have a lucid dream and you're able to control it, you can then head off to any place you wish, whether you choose to go and meet your favorite celebrities, or whether you choose to go and visit loved ones which are no longer here with you. The amazing thing is you are only limited by your own imagination.

Unfortunately, experiencing regular lucid dreams where you have the ability to control them has until recently been a fairly complicated process. In fact, many people had no option but to spend months undergoing instruction and learning how to condition themselves. Even then, while many people did manage to experience lucid dreams, even if only for brief moments, others never succeeded at all.

Can one find simple ways which make it possible to experience a lucid dream?

Interestingly enough, there are a great many people who believe that certain foods help to induce a lucid dream. It is said that one should eat these foods immediately before going to sleep. Amongst the foods which are reported for encouraging lucid dreaming are mustard, cheese, milk, and orange juice.

Fish, pickles, popcorn, and ice cream have also been mentioned. Even though these foods don't seem to compare with those mentioned above, many people do claim that these help to improve dream recall. Unfortunately for many people who may be on a diet, all the foods just mentioned contain a lot of sugar, salt, and fat, none of which are known to promote a good night's sleep.

Is technology able to help?

In the not too distant past this would have been virtually impossible, although modern technology is now able to assist one with regards to lucidity. Interestingly enough, there are now certain devices which have the ability to recognize REM (rapid eye movement) and when they do, they respond with a blinking red diode in order to stimulate and induce a lucid dream. By integrating the red beam of light with the dream, a person is reminded of the fact that they're having a dream and as such, they can then try to control it.

In addition to these new the innovative devices, recent developments in some technology have also done much in the line of opening the doors to the world of lucid dreams. Just recently scientists have gone ahead and developed a process known as binaural beats; a process which involves playing sound at different frequencies into each ear.

Essentially, this intriguing new process aims to synchronize the two hemispheres in the brain and the amazing thing is; results are almost instantaneous in that rapid eye movement occurs almost immediately when one starts listening to these binaural beats. The state of sleep where REM takes place is of course the state of sleep required for lucid dreaming.

While everyone has their own preferences, this new process which uses binaural beats is by far the easiest and most reliable way for anyone to get started.