By this point, you
probably have a good grasp of what lucid dreaming is, unusually
strong dream recall, and more than a little experience in dreams of
varying lucidity. However, a brief word about maintaining lucidity
once you've reached it. With nightly practice, your lucidity will
grow sharper and sharper. However, there are a few techniques for
ensuring you do not slip back into sleep unconsciousness after
initially realizing you are in a dream.
Focusing: Focusing
on objects that would have intricate detail and texture in reality is
one way to push yourself into the dream and keep from fading out of
consciousness. Manipulate your environment and pay attention to a
small aspect of your dream rather than the big picture. After a short
time, you can return to dreaming.
Turning: To
restate, turning sharply in one's dreams often forces a change of
scenery, and this can re-engage your attention if you are slipping in
and out of focus or, conversely, if your dream has led to a situation
that you simply don't want to be in. Notably, in a lucid dream, it is
even easier to jolt yourself awake than under normal circumstances.