My First LD, but...

Ok, I guess I'll begin with the experience and then finish with the questions...

I woke up early in the morning and was feeling worried and upset because I hadn't been able to remember any dreams for the past two or three days, which is really unusual for me. I forced myself to go back to sleep, hoping I would remember something when I woke up. So this is what happened. I was sitting in the audience of the Walking with Dinosaurs performance with my mom (I haven't actually been, but I've heard and seen a lot about it.) Before the performance, they were awarding this painter for some painting he had done, and for some reason my dad randomly leapt up on stage and began tagging along with the guy as if it was his award. I was incredibly embarrassed, and it was at this point that I realized I was probably dreaming. I was sure of it, but I did some RCs anyway. I don't remember which one I did first, all I remember is that it didn't work, so I began counting the fingers on each of my hands. One of my fingers was a disgusting, shriveled stump, so I finally thought, "AHA! I am dreaming!" I began getting really excited at first, but was able to calm myself down. I closed my eyes and teleported myself outside of the building and into a city like San Francisco. The rest of the dream wasn't very important or exciting, though, and as much as I hate to say it, I woke up an hour or so later feeling a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I was really proud I was able to do it and use all the tricks I've learned on DV to prolong my lucidity, but what really bothered me was my state of mind. I wasn't thinking rationally at all. I knew what I had been planning to do in my LD if I had one, and I kept on trying to think of ways to accomplish that, like flying there, but I would always get distracted and prolong what I wanted to do. The things I was doing instead though were ridiculous things I would have no interest in doing whatsoever in my right mind. (Frenching my best friend? Having sex with George Clooney? WTF!?)

Is this how LDs are for everyone else? How can I control my mind so I can think rationally and actually do what I want to do? o_O;;


*EDIT*
Ah crap, I meant to post this in the "Dream Control" section, but it won't let me delete the thread now. :/

I have this same problem. I believe it comes down to how lucid you are. The higher your level of lucidity, the more rationally you are able to think, and the greater control you have over your actions. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong there.

So don't worry; you can accomplish the things you want, you just have to practice becoming more aware.

Also, that's an awesome sig.

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Originally Posted by Oneirity Rising

I have this same problem. I believe it comes down to how lucid you are. The higher your level of lucidity, the more rationally you are able to think, and the greater control you have over your actions. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong there.

So don't worry; you can accomplish the things you want, you just have to practice becoming more aware.

Also, that's an awesome sig.

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Yeah, that sounds right. I just wasn't sure what to make of it since it was my first LD, and I wasn't sure how things compare in everyone elses' LDs. I'll keep practicing and hopefully things will improve. ;D

As for the sig, thanks! I'm a really big Ender's Game fan, so when I found the picture/website, I was super psyched. :D

Aghhh! The same thing happened again with another LD last night! :(
Any more advice for me out there?

It's not always easy to control the dream once you go lucid (For instance flying, can be difficult for people to do). In some of the LDs I've had, I'll be able to control what I'm doing, but I can't control where I am or what's going on around me, and some of the crazy things that are happening don't exactly seem out of place. However, as you improve your level of awareness in your dreams, you should be able to think more rationally and not encounter as many distractions.

As for that random stuff that happened in your dream. It sounds like you lost lucidity for a while, then got it back, and your dream took over inbetween. I think if next time you're lucid you concentrate on getting the dream clearer and keeping it that way, that will keep you from losing lucidity and also increase your awareness.

Basically, don't get discouraged. I hope that helps!

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Originally Posted by Excessaccess

It's not always easy to control the dream once you go lucid (For instance flying, can be difficult for people to do). In some of the LDs I've had, I'll be able to control what I'm doing, but I can't control where I am or what's going on around me, and some of the crazy things that are happening don't exactly seem out of place. However, as you improve your level of awareness in your dreams, you should be able to think more rationally and not encounter as many distractions.

As for that random stuff that happened in your dream. It sounds like you lost lucidity for a while, then got it back, and your dream took over in between. I think if next time you're lucid you concentrate on getting the dream clearer and keeping it that way, that will keep you from losing lucidity and also increase your awareness.

Basically, don't get discouraged. I hope that helps!

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Thanks for the advice. I'll try working on that. :)

The more you do it obviously helps; practice won't hurt. But maybe try writing down what you really want to do. I find I remember stuff better by writing it down and reading it. Repeat a few times before bed, maybe?

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Originally Posted by batman

The more you do it obviously helps; practice won't hurt. But maybe try writing down what you really want to do. I find I remember stuff better by writing it down and reading it. Repeat a few times before bed, maybe?

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Hmm, yeah. I think my problem's more that I know what I want to do, but I just don't get around to doing it in the dream for lame reasons. I'll try what you're saying though, because it still could help. Thanks! ;D

Victorybear, I had an LD last night that was so lame..

I dropped a fork on the ground. When I picked it up, for whatever reason I realized I was dreaming. All I could see was this stupid box with the number 12 on it. I tried everything I could think of to change the scene, but I just couldn't. It was the box or nothing. Eventually I got tired of looking at the box and I let the lucidity go..

What I'm trying to say is some dreams you'll have more control than others. Some dreams you might not have any control at all!

That makes me really sad you woke up dissapointed.

I could NEVER wake up from a LD dissapointed. I do know what you're talking about though. My first "real" long LD was weird. The reason I realized it was a dream instantly was because the dream started with me awake, doing my home work in a different room.

Well actually I woke up in a different room than I fell asleep in, and I had my books around me.

It was really weird, I never actually did think about it that it was a dream, I just kinda... knew. I don't know how to explain it any better than that in relation to yours.

Lol, this is exactly what seems to always happen to me. Any time I discuss my LD's with my friends, I inevitably end up having to make some comment about how stupid I am in my lucid dreams. I used to reflexively fly any time I realized I was dreaming, which was fine, but for some reason I don't do that anymore...and I usually just pace around a room rubbing my hands together.:roll: I think the best thing you can do when these sorts of problems occur is to have a definite plan for what you'll do any time you realize you're dreaming, which is something I have to work on too. And you're right, even when you're intending to do something, distractions can be pretty tough...I think the most important thing is to consciously commit yourself before going to sleep to doing something in particular if+when you get lucid. Personally, I don't think I'm ever really smart enough during my lucid dreams to think of these things, so I definitely always need a plan from beforehand.

Victorybear, try taking 100 - 200 mg of B6 before bed. It makes your dreams more vivid and brings your levels of lucidity up (it can help make you lucid too) so you can have better dream control and recall. Just don't take it too often as it can cause nerve damage (but only with high doses and constant use). Good luck!

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Originally Posted by Excessaccess

What I'm trying to say is some dreams you'll have more control than others. Some dreams you might not have any control at all!

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Yeah, I understand what you're saying, I just wish I could control it. :disconcerted:

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Originally Posted by baseballmk92

Lol, this is exactly what seems to always happen to me. Any time I discuss my LD's with my friends, I inevitably end up having to make some comment about how stupid I am in my lucid dreams. I used to reflexively fly any time I realized I was dreaming, which was fine, but for some reason I don't do that anymore...and I usually just pace around a room rubbing my hands together.:roll: I think the best thing you can do when these sorts of problems occur is to have a definite plan for what you'll do any time you realize you're dreaming, which is something I have to work on too. And you're right, even when you're intending to do something, distractions can be pretty tough...I think the most important thing is to consciously commit yourself before going to sleep to doing something in particular if+when you get lucid. Personally, I don't think I'm ever really smart enough during my lucid dreams to think of these things, so I definitely always need a plan from beforehand.

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That's so funny, because in the two out of three lucid dreams I've had, I've always ended up flying too for no real reason also!

And yes, I'll try and work on consciously telling myself to be more intentional in dreams before going to bed. That might help.

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Originally Posted by Tweek

That makes me really sad you woke up dissapointed.

I could NEVER wake up from a LD dissapointed. I do know what you're talking about though. My first "real" long LD was weird. The reason I realized it was a dream instantly was because the dream started with me awake, doing my home work in a different room.

Well actually I woke up in a different room than I fell asleep in, and I had my books around me.

It was really weird, I never actually did think about it that it was a dream, I just kinda... knew. I don't know how to explain it any better than that in relation to yours.

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Yeah, actually I was kind of sad that I was disappointed too. I'm sure as I get more practice with LDing, I'll start feeling the opposite. :)

Yeah, that's happened to me once too! The whole "just knowing that you're dreaming" thing... It's interesting!

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Originally Posted by lostinmydreams

Victorybear, try taking 100 - 200 mg of B6 before bed. It makes your dreams more vivid and brings your levels of lucidity up (it can help make you lucid too) so you can have better dream control and recall. Just don't take it too often as it can cause nerve damage (but only with high doses and constant use). Good luck!

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Thanks for the advice, lostinmydreams! Actually, I feel a little iffy in general about taking supplements and the like, but if I have a change of heart later on down the road, I'll follow your advice!