Need Some Serious Help...

[Greg]

I know there's got to be more people out there like me, so maybe, if any of you have somehow got passed this issue, you could respond... hell, even if you don't have this problem, I'd love to hear any and all suggestions. I've known about lucid dreaming for over a year now and have been trying off and on since the day I learned about it. I usually did it for a couple days, you know, the dream journal, the reality checks, but I would eventually get frustrated and give up. Two weeks ago I told myself that I would not stop with the induction techniques until I had a lucid dream... and so far nothing has happened. My dream recall is pretty good. I'm up to a guaranteed three dreams per night that I write in my dream journal, I've tried WBTB (can't get back to sleep again), WILD, MILD, I've experimented with B6, Hemi-Sync lucid dream induction music--everything! I know that if you put too much pressure on yourself it is counterproductive, which is why I always try to stay in a positive, fun-loving frame of mind when it comes to LDing, but... man... I can't for the life of me figure out why I can't have one. I mean, I know that it takes a long time for some people, but I don't understand it--I'm going full out! Surely most of you were once in my position (I'm not talking about those of you who were somehow lucky enough that LDing comes naturally... or the newbies who happen to have an LD thanks to "beginner's luck") and I was wondering if you could tell me anything that you think might be helpful. Thank you so much.

[Pandragon]

Wish I had some advice for you, but I'm in the same position myself. I'm not frustrated, but I feel like I've been putting in a good effort and would like at least one LD to keep me inspired. I was just reading today how it's best to maintain a slightly detatched desire about achieving lucidity. Like you should want it, but not too much. The guy also mentioned how sometimes the LD's come to you when you finally stop trying and take a break. The other thing he said was you have to really believe and expect you will have LD's not just try to convince yourself. I'm tryin to get my head around that... To me the hard part is wanting it but not wanting it "too much." So I decided to try and appreciate the idea that we are capable as human beings of something as amazing as lucid dreaming, rather than how bad I want one right now. Like just knowing it exists and is possible, is a good thing in itself, ya know? I wonder if any LD'er's here think that might help?

[Kastro187420]

Ive had the beginning stages of lucid dreaming, i wont relize im dreaming, but i can control certain aspects already, like where my dream takes place, and so far, I have managed to be able to make 1 certain person appear in all my dreams.Thats about as far as im at, I can't quite figure out that im dreaming though. What I do, Is just before i fall asleep, i tell myself, "I want to see (insert persons name here)" or "I want to go to (Insert place here)" and about 80% of the time, it works.And Sometimes while dreaming, try and convince yourself that some one is in the same area as you, then just let your dream go on, and see if the person appears, i know thats worked for me alot. I think I might try the dream log, even though my Dream Recall is good already (i can recall in good detail my dream, but only 1 dream, and remember it for a week or so), i want to try and remember all my dreams i have.

[Number 6]

Greg, it sounds like you are still trying too hard. I've been LDing since November and had the same sleeping problems as you for the first two months. Relax and don't give up. Rather than becoming frustrated, tell yourself that you know it will happen eventually and really mean it! About not getting back to sleep, most of the info that you will read says that you should stay up for 30-60 minutes when doing WBTB. I have no doubt that research proves that works the best, however in my case, if I stayed awake for more than 10 minutes, I usually couldn't get back to sleep....and you're supposed to wake up completely before going back to bed! You can experiment with the amount of time that you stay up. Right now, I usually go to bed at 11:30-12am and wake up at 5am. I get up and use the bathroom, get a drink of water, and then turn on the TV for 10-15 minutes. I then go back to bed and do the MILD or WILD techniques. Don't make the same mistake that I did...I used to chant the mantras like there was no tomorrow. It works better and lets you fall asleep more easily if you quietly and slowly repeat your mantras or affirmations and think of nothing else. My body must have gotten accustomed to this because I can almost always get back to sleep now. I average about 3 LD's per month using this technique and had 7 in February when I started having WILD's. Being a light sleeper, I've found that WILD's are easier for me than DILD's(Dream Induced Lucid Dream). I've gone from being wide awake in bed doing the WILD techniques...to realizing that I'm dreaming and lucid in bed... literally in a heartbeat. If I were you, though, I would try to have a DILD first using WBTB and MILD. It's easier than a WILD...methods for inducing a WILD can be vague. WILD's can also be unsettling for someone not used to LDing....sleep paralysis, strange sounds, vibrations, and Out of Body Experiences. OBE's are great but unnerving if you're not ready for them. Hope this helps! 6

[Greg]

You guys rock. Thanks for the info. I'm taking everything everyone said and trying to make it work for me... so, thanks a lot! And if anyone else has anything to add, I'd love to hear it... as I'm sure others would too.

[Doc Holliday]

being in quite the similar position, but having sparatic LDs induced through my AILD technique (see Reserch Forum) and DILD, Id just have to say, find the method thats the most comfortable for you. I mean, if ones an Auditory Learner, it makes no sense for that person to take a bunch of notes! The same applies, decide whick is most convenient. This is what took me a while to figure out. From then, stick with it, but dont put pressure on it, it will happen in time, mate! And most importantly, since you are dealing with your mind, Never be negative about this sort of thing, or youll start believing it. Other than that, just have fun with it