I never put too much in all that.
I always thought that in order to experience a lucid dream you had to just tell yourself that you would. But like I said. I've only had this experience three times, which would make it very rare.
My own personal experience is that mastering ones own mind, and thought, is way easier said than done. Although I find it easy to "clear my mind", I don't know if that's good or bad.
It seems in these days of the "economic recovery', I have less time for meditation, and more time for confusion. And I refer to "economic recovery" with alot of sarcasm, so far it seems to mean "work harder, and longer hours, for less."
No matter, I'll soon have more time for meditation.