Actions. The effectiveness auto-training, self-programming and self-hypnosis have been long established. They have been proven to bring results even when performed while awake. The deeper the trance state that they are implemented in, the more effective they are. From this perspective, the idea cannot but occur of also using similar techniques to heal through lucid dreaming, as lucid dreaming state is the deepest hypnotic trance state that can be achieved consciously and independently. Moreover, the usual trance state in which self-hypnosis is performed does not even begin to compare with lucid dreaming in terms of substance or effectiveness. Therefore, self-programming is many times more effective in lucid dreaming than in any other state. This is, for all effective purposes, a new era of development for these kinds of technologies.

Programming in lucid dreaming consists of creating self-fulfilling subconscious resolutions. Since a person in lucid dreaming is in the deepest of all possible altered states of consciousness, this is the most effective place for such programming. Given the fact that much human illness is psychosomatic in nature, and yet still causes real suffering, programming techniques employed in lucid dreaming can destroy such "diseases" at the root.

In practice, one gets into lucid dreaming and introduces a resolution directly at the subconscious level to remedy a specific health problem. There are several variations of this action in lucid dreaming. First, one simply can firmly state one’s resolution aloud regarding remedying a problem or regarding one’s well-being. Second, programming can also be effected wordlessly, at the level of speechless understanding and intention. This second variation is much more difficult than verbal suggestion, so it is better for the novice to shy away from it.

The duration of one attempt should not take up an entire lucid dreaming, as what matters here is not the length of an attempt, but it’s quality. What’s important is that the programming occurs in the subcortex at the deepest and most meaningful level, even if it lasts for only 10 to 15 seconds. Don’t assume that several words pronounced half-heartedly will do all of the work on their own, as if this were the same thing as casting a spell. These words need to be experienced and felt at all levels of perception and consciousness awareness.

When programming your subconscious, it is very important to note that verbal formulas should not contain negations. For example, one should not say, "I do not have insomnia." Instead, it is much better to affirm, "I sleep deeply and soundly, I fall asleep quickly." As with other techniques for self-healing in lucid dreaming, acting on a problem just once is often not enough when programming. It is better to introduce resolutions several times on different days. Sometimes it’s advisable to implement an entire treatment regime.

Therapeutic indications. Programming for self-healing in lucid dreaming can be applied to almost any disease or ailment, but it works best of all for problems of personal psychology or general well-being. For example, one may use it to improve overall working capacity, alleviate fatigue and anxiety, increase stamina, improve overall health, bolster the immune system, and much more.

Example. A practitioner has an illness that is at a serious stage and accompanied by fatigue as well as irritated mood, but has no possibility of taking sick-leave to get better, as he needs go to work every day. And so, he enters a deep lucid dreaming and begins to say aloud the following words: "Once I exit lucid dreaming, within a day I will feel buoyant, healthy, and active. I will be in a good mood and have ideal overall well-being. I am healthy. I am active. I am happy. I have boundless energy, and I am full of vitality." Meanwhile, he does not merely utter these words, but also tries to feel them, to experience them. Of course, it’s better for him to initiate further procedures to treat the disease itself before exiting lucid dreaming. In any case, repeating such an affirmation almost immediately after returning to reality may also bring solid results.

Effectiveness. The effectiveness of programming for self-healing through lucid dreaming is not very high, as most people are unable to feel the self-programmed resolutions fully and deeply. Effectiveness for beginners is somewhere within the bounds of 30 and 50 percent. Effectiveness increases with practice. Interestingly, a single session is very often enough for experienced practitioners – unlike the case with other methods for self-healing through lucid dreaming.

Difficulties. The main difficulty arising when using programming techniques occurs with being able to sincerely feel the resolution being made. This can be an insurmountable obstacle for many due to their psychological makeup or difficulties in understanding what is going on. It is also necessary to make separate note of the fact that the process of programming may eject a practitioner from lucid dreaming, as it tends to be relaxing. Thus, it is important not to forget to employ some of the techniques for maintaining lucid dreaming while programming. For example, one might constantly rub the hands together, scrutinize something up-close, or keep vibrations going the whole time.

Accessibility. Considering likelihood of effectiveness and technical difficulties, self-healing in lucid dreaming through programming is often not very accessible for beginners. Therefore, unless there is some specific goal that can only be solved only in this way, it is better to use other techniques.

Since the beginning, the history of advances in lucid dreaming entrance methodologies has included a direct link to the use of consumable supplements, starting with plants and mushrooms in ancient times. The use of specialized herbs, mushrooms, and cacti is still practiced in isolated cultures: Siberian shamans and North American Indians, for example. Amid the hunger for altered states of awareness, these chemical supplements have reached every corner of the developed world. However, the proliferation of these substances has caused a marked degradation in the progress of modern lucid dreaming practice.

The names and descriptions of these various chemical concoctions, herbs and plants included, are not worthy of inclusion in this text. They are officially considered illegal in some countries while still available in the pharmacies of others; nevertheless, they are all dangerous.

There are two primary problems with using such supplements. First, practicing lucid dreaming through the consumption of chemical substances and various herbal supplements is not a path to development, but to ruin. Drug abuse and personal development are polar opposites, in no way compatible. Cheap thrills are consistently followed by chemical dependencies and health problems.

Second, although a user may experience lucid dreaming sensations under the influence of such substances, the quality of experience is completely different. It is not only the stability or depth of lucid dreaming that are affected by these supplements, but also a user’s consciousness and awareness. The use of substances and the resultant alteration of mental processes negatively impact self-awareness. lucid dreaming must be accompanied by two things: out-of-body sensations and a complete, conscious awareness. If one of these is missing, then the state experienced, by definition, is not lucid dreaming. When descriptions of these chemically “enhanced” experiences are studied, the hallmark of every one is a complete lack of control.

Using any type of chemical or herbal substance to reach lucid dreaming must be ruled out. Summarily, these make it impossible to experience lucid dreaming and ultimately destroy physical and mental health.

This technique is identical to passing through walls with the only difference being that instead of a wall – which may not always be available – the practitioner will use the floor or the ground. The practitioner must dive headfirst with the eyes shut and have complete confidence that the required location is underneath the solid surface. The ability to pass through solid objects is, naturally, also required.

A practitioner may dive through the floor or the ground, and also into any flat horizontal surface: a table, a chair, a bed, and so forth.

Forgetting to try to re-enter lucid dreaming after it is over, although doing so greatly helps to increase the number of experiences.

Staying focused on techniques for “maintaining” instead of performing them as background tasks.

Getting distracted by events and dropping lucid dreaming maintenance techniques instead of continually performing what’s needed to maintain lucid dreaming.

Succumbing to the idea that maintaining is not necessary when lucid dreaming appears very deep and stable, even though these could be false sensations.

Using the necessary techniques too late.

Stopping due to uncertainty about further actions, while there must always be a plan.

Forgetting that it is possible to fall asleep in lucid dreaming without realizing it. Recognizing the risk of falling asleep must be a primary focus.

Getting pulled into events occurring in lucid dreaming instead of observing and controlling them from the outside.

Forgetting that techniques for “maintaining” must always be used to remain in as deep a lucid dream as possible, and not just for maintaining any odd state.

Stopping the use of techniques for “maintaining” during contact with living objects, when the techniques must be used constantly.

Counting without the desire to count as high as possible.

Performing imagined rotation instead of real rotation.

Passiveness and calmness instead of constant activity.

Excessive thinking and internal dialogue when these should be kept to an absolute minimum.

Many wonder about the nature of lucid dreaming state in relation to the brain, i.e. whether or not lucid dreaming is all in one’s head. But in the context of applying lucid dreaming, this is not a valid concern. Perception of the entire physical environment is performed through sensory organs. In lucid dreaming, perception is the same, sometimes even more realistic. Whether everything described in this chapter occurs in reality or is merely simulated makes no difference in terms of the encountered sensations.