Healing and Hypnotherapy Volume - 4, issue 9 1 March 2020 | Page 33

Apparently, counting does work as an effective method for falling asleep
consciously. What’s important, however, is to constantly repeat the phrase
“I’m dreaming.” This helps to reinforce your intention of becoming lucid while
you consciously fall asleep. To do this you must firstly:
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Relax completely, head to toe. Let go of all thoughts. (Try the
Progressive Muscle Relaxation technique if you struggle to unwind.)
Start counting once you begin drifting off, e.g., “1, I’m dreaming, 2 I’m
dreaming, 3 I’m dreaming…” etc.
Keep a gentle and relaxed degree of vigilance.
iii) Focusing on a Flame
This technique requires constant  visualization. Adapted from a Tibetan
technique with a lotus flower, this trick is the most useful for  vivid  minds. It
requires that you:
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Completely relax your body and mind. Let every thought, feeling, and
worry go.
Once  relaxed, visualize in your throat a flame of fire. See it’s
incandescence and focus on it entirely.
Observe  how  the flame you visualize interacts with the other images
that arise in your mind.
Gently maintain your visualization at all times.
Gently contemplate the flame until you simply see it. This means you no
longer have any conscious effort over maintaining the image, though
you continue to have the same awareness in the waking world as in the
sleeping world.
Tips:   It may help to concentrate on an actual candle flame first, before
attempting this exercise. This will help to burn the image into your mind.
How to Stay in the Dream World