Experience and advice needed!

[Paradox-db3]

I seem to remember no more than about three dreams a nights (max). And when I do remember more than one dream, one is almost always an 'epic' dream while the other(s) are very short or very simple and not impressionable. The 'epic' dream is always the last dream of the night (in the morning). I usually wake up after each dream during the night and record it immediately via a voice recorder. Why is the last dream the big one? Is it possible that it's because it's in the longest REM cycle? Or is it because I am awake for the day now, and have more time to think about the dreams than I did earlier in the night? Does anyone else notice this for themselves? And lastly, why oh why am I not attaining lucidity after such long and vivid dreams, often filled with signs!!! My latest dream jornal entry is a great example of what I'm talking about in this post. If anyone can help me become lucid, I would appreciate advice. Thank you!

[eppy]

It is a longer REM period. Do more reality checks and be more aware of your surroundings and you will be more likely to pick up on odd things.

[Robot_Butler]

I think your own explanation nailed it. You have a longer REM period, longer to record the dream, and more logical thought towards the morning. Do you do a Wake Back To Bed before your last dream of the night? That might help wake up your logical mind a little to help you remember-to-remember to become lucid. Try doing a few math problems at 4am or something.

[Paradox-db3]

Yeah, I think I'll try the WBTB method and get my brain thinking, but I'm not sure if I can stay awake for an hour! Tonight, I'm playing music lightly in the background. I do that often and find that some of my most vivid dreams arise from that. If I get a vivid dream, and long enough, I may be able to do a WBTB and logically think before going into the next dream. Well....here's to trying! I'll report back!

[Ajna]

I guess the reason people don't become lucid even when they are having their long periods of REM is the same reason some people sleep walk their way through their entire existence on the planet. So its not a question of exposure its a question of awareness. So as the other guys were saying WBTB could be good but I'd use the time recording your dreams in your dream journal, reaffirming your dream signs and intention, some auto-suggestive affirmations, get motivated, and then try and maintain unbroken concsiousness and you drift back towards sleep. WBTB is best in the morning immediately preceeding your last longest REM cycle which is what you have noticed in your own dreaming. Being able to recall 3 seperate dreams a night is great work! try setting your alarm an hour early and do WBTB... Try Jeffs staying awake while the body falls alsleep method explained in one of the other forums could be good for you just before your last REM cycle. So even if you don't get a WILD you may get a DILD from all the awareness you created in your WBTB stuff...

[Paradox-db3]

I did try a WBTB last night, but with my two girls calling out (well, one crying out) I wasn't very focused and nothing happened...that I can remember!

[kx20]

Keep trying the reality checks and dreamsigns. I suggest that you wake up in the middle of the night and tell yourself "When I am dreaming I will realize that I am dreaming" over and over again in your head until you fall asleep. This helped me last night after the first time I tried it but it really depends on the person.