The indirect technique is one of the most effective methods for learning how to lucid dream. It was developed by Michael Raduga, one of the leading experts in the field of lucid dreaming. The name comes from Raduga’s distinction between two categories of techniques: the direct technique (which involves attempting to induce a lucid dream without prior sleep) and the indirect technique (which is practiced immediately after waking up).

Over time, I’ve personalized Raduga’s method and now present this simplified but highly effective version of the indirect technique.

How it works

When we wake up naturally—especially in the early morning hours—we're often still in REM sleep or very close to it. This creates a perfect opportunity: if we remain completely still and keep our eyes closed, we can fall back asleep very quickly and consciously enter a lucid dream.

Hypnogram by Neuromodulator, CC BY-SA 3.0

Hypnogram from a healthy adult

The Technique Step by Step

Immediately after waking up, stay completely still and keep your eyes closed. This maximizes the chance of falling asleep again quickly.
Start mentally performing a movement—as vividly and realistically as if you were doing it physically. This could be running, swimming, rubbing your hands together—anything intuitive and familiar to you.
As you begin the imagined movement, you may start to see, hear, or feel sensations. Many people stop at this point, thinking it’s real. But in most cases, the technique has already succeeded—you’re already dreaming. For example, running in a lucid dream feels just as real as running in waking life.
If you don’t notice any sensations within about 5 seconds, switch to a different movement (e.g., try cycling instead of swimming). This variation keeps your brain engaged and responsive.
Tell yourself you’re falling back asleep—but stay mentally active through the imagined movement. When you do re-enter sleep, you’ll likely feel the movement again—this is your cue that you're in the lucid dream. From there, immediately stabilize the dream and continue with your plan.

General Guidelines

Just do it. Don’t overthink whether you’ve already moved or whether it’s too late to try. Even if you did move a little, the technique can still work—so always go ahead and try.
If you tend to fall back asleep quickly without becoming lucid, try performing the first movement more intensely to keep your mind more alert.
The purpose of the movement is twofold:
1. To keep your brain conscious during the falling-asleep process.
2. To provide physical feedback that confirms you’ve entered the dream—because you’ll feel the movement inside the dream.

Intention & Practice

To remember the technique in the morning, two things can help a lot:

Set a clear intention before bed: Tell yourself that upon waking up, you’ll stay completely still, keep your eyes closed, and immediately begin the technique.
Practice during the day: For example, lie down with a sleep mask for 10–30 minutes and simulate a natural awakening. Practice the movements as if you’ve just woken up—so your brain gets used to executing them automatically when it actually matters.

The Core Idea

When you wake up naturally—without an alarm or other disturbance—you’ve almost certainly just come out of REM sleep, the phase in which our most vivid dreams occur. This timing is exactly what makes the indirect technique so powerful.

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