When in search of new sensations and adding color to life, a practitioner can fully counter any inclination to take narcotic substances. lucid dreaming is essentially an independent and safe way to have far more powerful experiences than could be had using any narcotic. The same may also partially apply to alcohol, as interest in it might be dislodged by self-development through lucid dreaming.

The opportunity to use narcotics while in lucid dreaming and have the same sensations and experiences might also serve as a way get out of a drug habit in real life.

Even more pressing is the need for lucid dreaming to make inroads into mystical schools whose practices are often much based on various herbal or chemical substances. People often do not scorn controlled substances in the pursuit of "personal development", "spirits", or "getting in touch with their higher selves". However, this is nearly always due to the simple reason that such people are simply unaware of the existence of other methods for experiencing a profoundly altered state of consciousness. Talk with any mystic burned-out by the use of various powders, tablets, grasses, cacti, or mushrooms, and they’ll freely admit that they would never have undertaken such experimentation if they had known that there are simple and easily-accessible lucid dreaming entrance techniques.

People have grown accustomed to the belief that ancient shamans and Magi knew something special and that their techniques were quite advanced. However, in nearly every culture they manifested their abilities nearly exclusively thanks to the use of various stimulants. They were essentially always taking the easy route of degradation, interpreting narcotic-fueled hallucinations instead of the pursuing the kind of personal development that modern people strive for.

Unfortunately, lack of widespread knowledge regarding indirect techniques for entering lucid dreaming states has led to a situation where a market has formed in the West for chemical substances for the practicing lucid dreaming. Even though success is guaranteed 90% of the time when correctly performing indirect techniques, people are indoctrinated to believe that experiences are not a matter of technique or method, but rather of the presence or absence of some substance or another in the body. As a result, purely psychological dependence on the use of such substances develops, and progress using techniques to enter lucid dreaming is stunted. There can’t be any talk of a real practice at an advanced level when any auxiliary substances are being used. The most important characteristic of lucid dreaming is the fact that it can be achieved independently.

Taking flight in lucid dreaming is a simple matter of remembering past dreams of flight. Nothing needs to be tensed, no word needs to be said. Attempting flight with closed eyes produces a high rate of success, but presents an increased probability of inadvertent translocation.

If a flight attempt is unsuccessful, a practitioner may try jumping from a high elevation or from a window. The natural instinct of dream flight takes over and the fall becomes a controlled flight. However, jumping from windows or other elevations is advisable only to practitioners with experience, since novices may not always be able to determine whether they are in lucid dreaming or in reality.

In case of difficulties with take-off, you can also try to jump up and stay airborne for as long as you can. It’s better to do it in incremental bounds, as that keeps you more active – which is safer in terms of maintaining lucid dreaming.

When flying in a deep lucid dreaming, another problem besides taking-off may arise: maintaining lucid dreaming state. In order to avoid a return to the body or sleep, flying has to be as energetic and sensation-infused as possible. To that end you can also keep up vibrations, as well as periodically rub together and scrutinize your hands. In certain conditions, flying in lucid dreaming can not only keep the state stable, but also even deepen it. This happens during aggressive flight with sharp turns and constantly flying close-by various objects in order to visually inspect them.

The most important thing is to try not to fly in a relaxed, laid-back manner or take in the scenery, as this will quickly lead to the end of lucid dreaming.

Technique of listening-in

lucid dreamingr listens inside his head, trying to hear if there is any noise or background static. If sound is heard, one must try to amplify it as much as possible through the same passive listening in.

Technique of forced listening-in

lucid dreamingr tries actively, and even strainingly, to hear sounds inside his head or background static with all his might. If this works, he tries to amplify those sounds as much as possible using the same active listening in.

Technique of imagining sounds

lucid dreamingr tries to hear some specific sound inside his head. Someone’s voice, familiar music, and the sound of one’s own name being called work best of all. If such sound arises, then the practitioner tries to make it as loud as possible.

This technique may be used as an alternative to any other deepening technique since it can be used at any moment. Practicing this technique only requires aggressive action of the perceived body. A practitioner may run, roll on the floor, perform gymnastics, or move the arms and legs. Maximum activity and aggression are paramount to the successful use of this technique.

If the practitioner is stuck in a dark space, waving the arms and legs from side to side is appropriate. If the practitioner is in water, swimming with determined, powerful strokes would be suitable recourse. The type of action very much depends on the specific situation along with an aggressive desire on the part of the practitioner.

As a rule, the effect of such movements and relocations comes quite quickly, especially if attention is focused on all the accompanying sensations.

Since the cessation of lucid dreaming experience may be simulated and no different in terms of perception from a real exit, differences between the physical world and lucid dreaming world must be actively discerned. In other words, a practitioner must know how to determine whether a genuine lucid dreaming exit has occurred.

At present, only one experiment is known almost to guarantee an accurate result. lucid dreaming space cannot withstand prolonged close visual attention to the minute details of objects. Within several seconds of acute examination, shapes begin to distort, objects change color, produce smoke, melt, or morph in other ways.

After exiting lucid dreaming, look at a small object from a distance of four to six inches, and remain focused on it for 10 seconds. If the object does not change, a practitioner can be assured that the surroundings are reality. If an object is somehow distorted or askew, a practitioner knows that lucid dreaming is intact. The simplest option is to look at the tip of the finger since it is always close at hand. It is also possible to take a book and examine its text. Text in lucid dreaming will either blur or appear as alphabetical gibberish, or be full of incomprehensible symbols.