Hi, I've been wondering for a while over what lucidity is. Do you become aware while lucid; is your mind awake? If so then why do you need to practice dream recall? Doesn't it become part of your normal memory because what you just experienced was something really vivid and realistic while you were aware?

The reason I ask is because I just woke up and I vaguely remember controlling my dream (I know it happened but I barely remember it). For some reason I don't remember, I became aware that I was dreaming so I walked outside my house into a sunny day and started rubbing my hands.. that's the last thing I remember.

I haven't written in my dream journal for a while so is that why?

I guess my real question is do you have to remember lucid dreams or do you wake up and they're part of your memory like anything you do in real life?