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The Art of Lucid Dreaming: Over 60 Powerful Practices to Help You Wake Up in Your Dreams

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Learn how to wake up in your dreams for creative insights and beautiful spiritual adventures The Art of Lucid Dreaming is a quick and easy guide to help you get lucid fast. Dr. Clare Johnson, world-leading expert on lucid dreaming, shares her best practical tips and a unique Lucidity Quiz that identifies your personal sleeper-dreamer type so you can fast-track to the techniques that work best for you. When you are lucid in a dream, you can choose to ask your unconscious mind for guidance, perform healing magic, seek creative solutions to problems, and explore the dream realm more profoundly than ever before. With over sixty practices and fifteen tailor-made lucidity programs to get you started, this hands-on guide helps you set up your own custom program for achieving lucidity as quickly as possible. Focusing on how to get lucid, stay lucid, and guide your dreams, this book shows how to transform your nightly slumber into an exciting spiritual adventure that fills your life with meaning.

240 pages, Paperback

Published March 8, 2020

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237 people want to read

About the author

Clare R. Johnson

13 books14 followers
Clare R. Johnson, PhD, is a leading expert on lucid dreaming. She has a PhD from the University of Leeds on using lucid dreams as a creative tool (the first doctoral work in the world to explore this topic), is a lifelong lucid dreamer herself, and is President of the International Association for the Study of Dreams. Her books include Mindful Dreaming (European title: Dream Therapy) and Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Lucid Dreaming.

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5 stars
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41 (32%)
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21 (16%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Krista.
420 reviews16 followers
January 6, 2020
I am really wanting to buy this title when released. I am intrigued that the author included quizzes and explored the different sleep types rather than a one size fits all to approach lucid dreaming. Her writing style was approachable and not dry textbook type. I am going to definitely try the different methods outlined in this book. Copy provided by Llewellyn and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Lora Milton.
620 reviews
November 14, 2020
I've been aware of lucid dreaming for years and even done it spontaneously a few times, but could never stay asleep for long once I realised I was dreaming. I immediately tried some of the first techniques explained in this book and got instant results on the first night for checking I was in a dream! Then several nights followed when I didn't have a lucid experience to test.

As the book points out, it takes practice. I started practicing with the techniques for 'programming' your mind to become lucid while falling back to sleep in the early morning hours, but not the full bladder one as that wakes me up quickly. I've had luck so far at the time of writing with trying to induce lucid dreams while falling back into a morning doze, but this is one of the things that takes practice. I fall into deep sleep too easily.

I took this one slowly, reading a few exercises and stopping to assimilate and experiment. I expect I'll be giving it a second reading as well. One of the unique things about the book is a 'quiz' to give you self-analysis about what sort of sleeper and dreamer you are in order to guide you towards the exercises that will be most effective for you. This gave me a lot of insight and some great suggestions to work with.

I have had multiple lucid experiences while reading the book and have been able to try the techniques for taking control of the experience and for trying to stay asleep for a while at least to enjoy it. I suspect this will get easier over time, but I'm definitely having some results.

The one thing I would take issue with is in a meditation, the author suggests staring into a candle flame. NEVER DO THIS!!! It can cause retinal damage! In any candle ritual or meditation, you look just above the flame, not into it. The rest of the advice on that one, to look around the periphery of the flame and see different perspectives, is fine. Just don't stare directly into it.

In the later chapters, the author gives advice for working any meditation or Yoga practice you might be using into the exercises, but she acknowledges that it isn't required if that's not your thing. The last chapter was about healing through lucid dreams, both psychological and physical. Despite being a natural sceptic, I know the mind can have tremendous effects on the body and I think it would be interesting to experiment with this. There were some apocryphal stories about people identifying and even eliminating tumours through lucid experiences, which I keep an open mind about.

In any case, the exercises to develop control of lucidity in your dreams are good and make perfect sense. My own early successes are enough to convince me that it's worth the practice and the author knows her stuff.
Profile Image for Shadow the Hedgehog.
118 reviews
April 27, 2021
Filled with useful and interesting tips, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in lucid dreaming.

What I liked

writing style
The writing style is clear and precise with a warm, somewhat conversational tone. It makes the book easy to read. Plus, the book is short and to the point.

layout
Another reviewer mentioned the layout in the eARC not being very good. But in this version, the layout is very clear: paragraph spacings, bullet points, and chapters divided into sections all made the book comfortable to read.

content
The best part of the book was the content itself. It opens with an introduction to help put fears about lucid dreaming to rest, then continues with chapters dedicated to:

- dreaming basics: improving dream recall, tips for dream journaling, dream incubation, and more
- training your mind to recognize that you are dreaming and how to have longer lucid dreams
-techniques for guiding and controlling dreams, how to stay calm during nightmares, and using lucid dreaming for enhanced creativity.

The author goes over well-known techniques to induce lucid dreams, such as the Wake Back To Bed method, but also covers techniques such as creating "lucidity triggers," using music, and several others.

Of particular interest is chapter 4: "Create Your Own Lucidity Program." This chapter consists of a quiz to help you determine what kind of dreamer you are, then provides example "menus" for the kinds of techniques that would help. For example, the program for the Low Recall Dreamer [who has a hard time remembering dreams] includes techniques such as: sleeping in a different room, keeping a dream journal, and meditating with pre-sleep imagery.

The section on nightmares was also very interesting.

The final chapter is devoted to "advanced" techniques. One mentioned is using lucid awareness techniques to get in touch with your mind/body which can possibly lead to mental or, in some cases, physical healing. The author touches on some scientific studies which demonstrate that lucid dreams can influence our bodies in certain ways. People have realized that they have a tumor in their physical body, for example, and others have used lucid dreaming to overcome emotional trauma. Other uses for lucid dreaming are briefly discussed in this final chapter as well, such as practicing a sport or overcoming fears.

Conclusion
The techniques in this book have helped me increase my dream recall. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in exploring their dreams.
Profile Image for Bertie.
112 reviews3 followers
Read
January 17, 2023
Well written and interesting. But it is very hard to master. Will try hard at the exercises for a few months then rate the book according to my success.
Profile Image for Meg Hendry.
Author 35 books5 followers
November 24, 2019
The Art of Lucid Dreaming by Clare R Johnson is a very thorough book on lucid dreaming. The book covers its subject well and has a lot of helpful things to try for getting lucid in a dream and staying lucid. The exercises are also helpful for relaxing. This book covers everything, from what lucid dreaming is to some of things you can do in lucid dreams.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Andras Fuchs.
29 reviews8 followers
December 10, 2020
The title of the book is very accurate: lucid dreaming is a form of art. You need to be inspired, you need to know the techniques, you need to practice as much as you can, and then you will be able to express your creativity in magical ways while you are asleep.

This is the 17th book that I read on the subject of lucid dreaming, and this is one of my very favorites.

One big plus for me is that the author focuses on practical exercises that we all can do day and night. I read the book, then re-read my highlights, and then I started to do the practices. I selected a few based on my profile that I defined with the help of the "lucidity quiz" in the book. I got lucid the next night, after having a break for more than two months.

I highly recommend this relatively short book to anyone, but don't forget: it's not enough to read the book, do the practices regularly and you won't be disappointed! I will definitely keep this book next to my bed, and re-read my highlights from time to time, and keep practicing.
Profile Image for Eric.
693 reviews10 followers
September 13, 2020
I had already read several books on the subject, but this is the first book to give me chills. It has many examples, mainly her own which I enjoyed. I'm glad I picked this up.
Profile Image for Kate.
470 reviews148 followers
April 22, 2020
I've had a few lucid dreams in the past few years, so I've been looking into different books to learn more about it and figure out how to refine my technique, so to speak, so I can dream more frequently and with more control. When this popped up in my approvals on Netgalley for an eARC, I jumped at the chance.

I like that this, unlike a lot of the lucid dreaming books I've come across (but admittedly haven't read) is written by a PhD who has extensively studied the topic, rather than a random person who finds it interesting and thinks they have the best advice. Not that personal experience isn't valid, but personal experience + actual science will always be far more superior and credible in my view. This book isn't overloaded with scientific studies or jargon, but it has enough sprinkled throughout that it helps provide evidence for the rest of the statements made (as any well-researched book should).

The organization of this book is great and goes through a very logical progression, divided into 3 parts with some background info about lucid dreaming and exercises/practices to improve lucid dreaming (being trying to get started with lucidity or learning to control it and maintain it once you're lucid). I also like that it's not a one size fits all approach, and instead there are 15 different "types" of dreamers that have different techniques associated with them, so you can see which one(s) you fall into and can be a little more custom in making your practice plan.

The only thing I didn't like (hence the one star deduction) is that it's a little corny/try-hard in places. Mainly, the author randomly throws in mentions of sex. I'm sure lots of people want to lucid dream for sexual purposes, and more power to them if they do, but it felt like it was an afterthought or a gimmick to appeal to the masses, rather than being approached in the same organic way that the rest of the exercises and topics in the book were. I think it's absolutely worthwhile to include because it makes sense, but it could have been handled a bit better. It felt like a different person wrote those sections, or like the editor was like "hey, talk about sex dreams here".

I read through this pretty quickly since it was an ARC about to expire, but I'd definitely consider purchasing this book for a reference to come back to and be a little more methodical.

Thanks Netgalley for the eARC!
642 reviews4 followers
February 11, 2020
First, what is lucid dreaming? For those who don't know, a lucid dream is a dream during which the dreamer is aware that they are dreaming. Sometimes being awake, being aware that you are in the dream and that you can control things in it. This book is a way to learn how to do this more quickly and it is a great learning tool. Clearly written and easy to understand. There are many practices and made for you programs included to help you stay focused. This is an exciting way to guide your dreams where you want them to go. It is a perfect book to read and to keep on your shelf as I'm sure others will be excited to learn as well. I received this book from Net Galley and Llewellyn Publishing for a honest review.
Profile Image for Sara Casalino.
Author 11 books20 followers
April 18, 2022
I found this book very fascinating! I read it because I'd like to learn how to lucid dream. I've only had a lucid dream once, many years ago. The author also mentioned sleep paralysis, which is something I've experienced many times. I loved that she explains the stages of sleep and what happens with the brain and body during sleep. She has a positive view throughout the whole book and talks of many techniques for lucid dreaming and also the many benefits of it. Much of what she said set my mind at ease about nightmares or sleep paralysis, because she talked of the scientific explanation for this, and also how each dream has a message for us.
Profile Image for Anna-Karin Björklund.
Author 4 books1 follower
March 9, 2020
In this eloquent and luminous guide to lucid dreaming, Clare Johnson, PhD warmly shares her profound wisdom and research in the field as she guides readers along the majestic path of soul awakening within their dreams. With a panoramic collection of lucid dream techniques, The Art of Lucid Dreaming helps dreamers enter, enhance, and prolong their lucid dream states, and inspires those who wish to develop an even deeper practice of blissful dreaming. A highly recommended read for anyone seeking to explore the magnificent world of dreams.

Profile Image for Shá.
166 reviews20 followers
November 29, 2021
My only feedback is there were several places that had assumptions about the reader, like "everyone has a singing voice," and "take an afternoon nap." This seemed to be aimed at a specific audience and not "all" people from different backgrounds.

The book is very thorough and detailed with the exception of out-of-body experience. This part was rushed and thrown in there, almost like it was forgotten and there needed to be a blurb after being reminded.

Other than that, great practices. While you don't need to do them all you have several options to choose from and try out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for CR.
4,193 reviews41 followers
March 26, 2020
This book was wonderful and so much more than I expected. It had quizzes and more and I can not wait to get my hands on a finished copy. If you think 200+ pages isn't big enough to get you anywhere, you would be so so wrong. It was so in-depth that I am surprised that this book isn't longer. If you are new to dreams then check this one out. You will not need another title!
Profile Image for Matt.
36 reviews
July 12, 2021
The audiobook of this was pretty good. I found the subject engaging and definitely learned a thing or two I could implement into my world of Lucid Dreaming. A lot of small actionable things with a website available for some of the material.

Only improvement piece, some points she repeats herself. Sometimes repetition helps but in this case there were moments it was a little too much.
Profile Image for Anthony O'Connor.
Author 5 books34 followers
July 2, 2022
good coverage

Solid descriptions of all the basic aspects and practises, without any of the nonsense. Though the detailed lucidity programs/tables broken down by types left me a bit cold. Might work for you. Whatever. All this reading about it and I still can’t do it much. Maybe I should take another look at the detailed programs.
Profile Image for Valerie.
19 reviews
February 16, 2023
This may be the most useful and comprehensive book on lucid dreaming I have ever seen. So many options and ideas to address such a wide range of circumstances! I think every dreamer can find tips to help them in nearly any situation, from deep sleeper to insomniac. I can't wait to work my way to a regular lucid dream habit.
Profile Image for Annarella.
14.2k reviews166 followers
February 25, 2020
An excellent book that helped to learn a lot about lucid dreaming and I will surely use as reference in the future.
I liked the style of writing and the clarity of the explenations.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Profile Image for Starz.
112 reviews
May 5, 2021
4.5 stars. This is genuinely one of the best guides I've read to help me lucid dream. The way the author approaches the subject is very genuine and understanding to all kinds of people. She acknowledges that everyone is different and offers advice both broad and unique enough to help you.
13 reviews2 followers
October 21, 2021
This book helped me revisit my sleep habits and they needed work. It's complex enough to require another reading after some time has passed. Sleep is so important to our health and sanity in general, but the lucid dreaming is a whole new concept for me.
15 reviews
November 8, 2021
Loved it!

Absolutely loved it 1 of the best books for lucid dreaming I will probably read this book several times it's very very good
Profile Image for Kari Olfert.
408 reviews5 followers
December 11, 2022
Really great book if you're trying to get lucid and maybe haven't been successful and if you're looking to have specific lucid experiences
30 reviews
February 24, 2025
Great book of different lucid dreaming practice ideas to try out to take your lucid dreaming further.
Profile Image for Ahmed.
42 reviews
May 3, 2025
A goldmine of essential Lucid Dreaming knowledge and practical techniques...
899 reviews18 followers
December 29, 2019
Different approaches to lucid dreaming. A help for those who want to make it easier of try to do lucid dreaming. Helpful information and exercises to get you to where lucid dreaming is easier for you.
Profile Image for Dawn Thomas.
1,094 reviews6 followers
February 26, 2023
The Art of Lucid Dreaming by Clare R Johnson PhD

264 Pages
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications, Llewellyn Worldwide
Release Date: March 8, 2020

Nonfiction (Adult), Religion, Spirituality

The book is divided into the following parts and chapters.

Part One: Getting Lucid: How to Wake Up in Your Dreams
Chapter 1: What is Lucid Dreaming
Chapter 2: Powerful Practices to Help You Wake Up in Your Dreams
Chapter 3: Relax Your Way to Lucid Dreaming
Chapter 4: Create Your Unique Lucidity Programme

Part Two: Staying Lucid: How to Have Longer, More Satisfying Lucid Dreams
Chapter 5: Powerful Practices for Longer Lucid Dreams
Chapter 6: Train Your Mind to Keep on Lucid Dreaming

Part Three: Best Techniques for Guiding Lucid Dreams
Chapter 7: How to Guide Lucid Dreams with the Power of Thoughts and Intentions
Chapter 8: Facing and Embracing Nightmares
Chapter 9: Going Deeper: Creativity, Healing and Spiritual Lucid Experiences

Conclusion
Appendix I: Unique Lucidity Programme Template
Appendix II: Examples of Unique Lucidity Programmes

The author has a descriptive writing style. She makes the instructions process of waking during dreaming easy to follow. Most nights I do dream and remember in great detail. I am looking forward to using her directions to wake during a dream. There are sixty different practices for readers to try. The idea of lucid dreaming reminds me of the movie Inception with Leonardo DiCaprio. He was awake during dreams within dreams. If you are interested in the concept of lucid dreaming, you will enjoy reading this book.
Profile Image for Simona.
376 reviews1 follower
December 18, 2025
This book offers a practical and accessible introduction to lucid dreaming, combining science, psychology, and hands-on exercises designed to help readers become more aware within their dreams. Through short practices and reflections, it explores how dreaming can be used for creativity, self-knowledge, and emotional insight.

I enjoyed how grounded and encouraging this book felt. It didn’t promise instant results or mystical shortcuts, which made the guidance feel more trustworthy. Some practices resonated with me more than others, but I appreciated the variety and the gentle, non-pressuring tone throughout. It felt less like a rigid manual and more like an invitation to explore my inner world—earning it a solid four stars.
Profile Image for Medusa.
623 reviews16 followers
August 4, 2025
It’s a bit breezy and tries maybe a bit too much to be be funny, but there’s genuine warmth and real practical information here. You can use it to learn more about lucid dreaming and get a sense of some of the challenges and opportunities it offers. I am sure I’ll be returning to this. It’s really a workbook of sorts, and that’s why I’ve given it a good solid workmanlike rating. As with any workbook, it’s not a page turner or read at one sitting kind of book. You read it and process the info and make note of the exercises and return to them as needed.

My local library system has it, and Audible at this writing includes it with membership.

This is a topic into which I’ll be inquiring further for sure.
Profile Image for Paige Ovanisian.
191 reviews14 followers
June 10, 2020
While there is some helpful advice, I didn't connect with most of the practices included in this book. Also, I'm unsure whether this is only an issue with the copy I was provided or not, but the layout is really horrid and difficult to read comfortably.

eARC provided by Llewellyn Publications via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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