Realizing It's a Dream and Doing Nothing About It

**dragongirl253** · 06-29-2014 06:43 PM

Alright, so, I've been trying to become lucid on and off for about 2 years now, and recently, I guess something just kinda clicked and I was finally sort of able to. Here's the problem, though: I realize it's a dream and then just don't do anything about it. I'm not even entirely sure it counts as lucidity since I'm still not really conscious, just aware. I realized I was making this realization because I just started waking up every morning being all like "Wow, I am so close to lucid dreaming, it'll for SURE happen tonight," and it took me a week or so to realize it felt so close and my dream recall was so good because I was actually sort of becoming conscious/realizing I was dreaming. But it's a weird sort of being conscious of it, because I'll be living the dream and then never really tell myself that I'm dreaming, but just kind of have that information in the back of my mind, and I'll also wake up, and it'll take me a good hour or so before I realize that that memory was of a dream. Also, I wouldn't realize via recurring things or reality checks or anything of the like; no matter how normal the dream was, I'd at some point just suddenly have the knowledge that it was a dream.

Anyways, for maybe a week, week and a half, before I realized this was happening, this would happen EVERY night, (becoming aware and remembering the dream) (and also most of the time I'd wake up in the middle of the dream (like the normal waking up between sleep cycles) then go back to sleep and be able to continue the dream, but I'm not sure if these were false awakenings) but once I realized what was going on, I changed my mantra from something along the lines of "I'm for sure gonna become lucid tonight, and no matter what I'm at least gonna remember my dreams" to "Once I realize I'm dreaming, I'm going to take control," and now I just haven't remembered any of my dreams since then. I'm thinking that the trouble with taking control might've been because I just like dreams? Like, it's 100% possible that in my state of asleepness I just went "Hang on I wanna see how this plays out on its own first" or "Nah its time for rest I don't wanna have to deal with this" or something.
Sorry for the wall of text... Has anyone had any similar problems? Does anyone know how to get past this?

**LCS** · 06-29-2014 10:16 PM

You have to build your confidence and mental strength.....I have been able to LD since I was a kid and I notice that when I am REALLY EXHAUSTED in real life and somewhat stressed I do this and I am just so tired that I do not even care to take control. I guess you can call it LD because you are aware you are dreaming as oppose to dream control that's where you take over it and start shifting things. Then when I am REALLY EXHAUSTED and not stressed I become lucid but I am more inclined to want to take over. Its also all about confidence...all the techniques and reality checks can only do so much you have to WANT IT and have unshakable confidence. Hope this helps!

**Yumnش** · 07-01-2014 02:33 AM

I sometimes get this as well however I do not count them as LD's when it happens to me. I count the ones that I am fully aware that it is a dream, I think the problem is cause by 1 part of you is beginning to realize it is a dream and the next part of you isn't fully convince that it is a dream. It's like being stuck in the transition of realizing what is right and wrong since becoming lucid in these cases are a decision. In dreams mentally thinking is altered greatly . I understand the part about being barely conscious in a situation like this as it's difficult to think but you must make your first reaction a reality check in order to break this transition and to cause the full blown lucidity so you'll know that there's no doub't it's a dream. Even when obtaining lucidity you must constanly be aware it's a dream or you'll lose the awareness due to the environment.

**sisyphus** · 07-01-2014 04:29 AM

Your intention needs to be more specific. "Once I realize I'm dreaming, I'm going to take control" is too vague for you mind to take action on.

I suggest going back to your original technique that results in frequent semi-lucid states. Then add to that a very specific goal that you can entrain in your prospective memory. Maybe the best thing to do when becoming lucid is to do a stabilization routine or at least a reality check, but for your first few experiences you might want to chose a more exciting goal. A good goal is one for which you have strong desire. Flying is a great example. Many people want to trying flying and they have a lot of desire and expectation about it. You can harness your desire to help transition from the semi-lucid state to a fully lucid state with intention and control.

The goal doesn't have to part of a mantra. Just choose a goal every night before going to bed and remind yourself of it. Write it down in your journal to reinforce the habit. When you wake in the middle of the night, recall the goal and repeat it a few times for emphasis. Then go into your normal technique. Remember, the goal should be specific and with strong desire. It might take a few tries but eventually, the moment of lucidity will trigger the memory of your goal.

**toloupe** · 07-02-2014 08:31 AM

I don't think I am anywhere near lucid dreaming but when you mention flying I do have some sense of drive or control. I also feel like Dragongirl; vaguely checking in and out of something lucid but its more like a foggy intuition. Memory does little to help clarify either. I do find myself desiring to fly, and to varying degree managing it. Im aware of the freedom if gives me over the dream scenario. Last night it was something I wanted to get away from. But yes i think mental discipline is key. Im a total day dreamer, maybe thats a factor!

In the absence of any register to check my experience against, I simply dont know what lucid mean. Dreams are so difficult to rationalise in a waking state!