Another Dreamer, or simply a DC?

[Tyler]

I've heard several claims of great lucid dreams suddenly being interrupted by the appearance of another person in your dream, supposedly another Dreamer. Unless you actually met up with that person in waking life and arranged a Shared Dream, how do you know that that person isn't simply just another Dream Character?

[Man of Shred]

well normal DCs usually don't exercise dream control, the ability to speak coherently, or have a presence that you can feel. That's just my experience anyway.

[nina]

It's all about the "presence", "aura", or "energy". It's the difference between seeing a holographic projection of someone and actually being with that person. I have been startled a few times by people with such a presence that I simply just woke up. I once compared it to taking a shower alone and then someone suddenly pops into your shower. That is how I often feel...very...shocked and naked, heh. I assume you get used to it though the more it happens.

[Tyler]

Interesting. Thanks for the input, both of you.

[Rainman]

I don't recall ever having an experience like this, but from what I've read from shared dreaming practicers from DV, you just "know" when you are in a dream with another individual. There are still facets of your subconscious mind that are recognizable as your own, even if it's only recognizable on a subtly subconscious level. My suspicion would be that if you were to encounter a separate individual who made their way into your dream, it would feel different. Very interesting.

[Larther]

Fable Flame - One way you might try to distinguish your dream characters from "real" people, is to pick a DC and force it to speak using the power of your mind. If it is your own personal DC, it will have no choice but to express the thoughts that you feed it. For instance you might force a DC to say something out of the blue like, "The Grand Canyon is very deep." An actual person that you encounter in "your" dream would not be compelled to speak or manifest your thoughts because they have their own volition.

[nina]

Larther, that is quite tricky and I don't know if it would work. Controlling DCs can be rather difficult, I don't think it would be safe to assume that if you willed a DC to say something, and they did not, that it was a dreamer and not a DC. I forget who, but someone suggested that if you ignore a DC and they do not go away, then it is likely another dreamer or something other than a DC of your own creation. However I stand by the notion that you will just know when it happens.

[Larther]

Controlling DCs can be rather difficult You are not controlling the Dream Character; You are controlling yourself! You should try it sometime!

[Rainman]

You are not controlling the Dream Character; You are controlling yourself! You should try it sometime! This is a very, VERY wise point. DC's are still just a fabrication of your own mind. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you can alter their actions. I feel like it's easier to control dreams when you stop actively "willing" things to happen. If you simply passively let them happen, or expect them to happen without forcing it, they happen

[nina]

I feel like it's easier to control dreams when you stop actively "willing" things to happen. If you simply passively let them happen, or expect them to happen without forcing it, they happen Exactly. I have discovered the same thing. I call it just "letting go". Sort of like surrendering to your subconscious instead of trying to fight it. I have found this works for just about every problem I am having trouble with inside a lucid dream (flying, summoning, telekinesis, changing dreamscape, etc). (which is why I'm not sure about the forcing DCs to speak method)

[jarrhead]

Exactly. I have discovered the same thing. I call it just "letting go". Sort of like surrendering to your subconscious instead of trying to fight it. I have found this works for just about every problem I am having trouble with inside a lucid dream (flying, summoning, telekinesis, changing dreamscape, etc). (which is why I'm not sure about the forcing DCs to speak method) I'm semi-active I guess. I only had one LD, and one Unconfirmed Suspicion, so really 2 LDs but one controllable. I just said "im gong to pandora" I didn't say where, nor did I even think about where. I just let my subconscious do it. I created my own landscape on there.

[Skicanoe]

I don't recall ever having an experience like this, but from what I've read from shared dreaming practicers from DV, you just "know" when you are in a dream with another individual. There are still facets of your subconscious mind that are recognizable as your own, even if it's only recognizable on a subtly subconscious level. My suspicion would be that if you were to encounter a separate individual who made their way into your dream, it would feel different. Very interesting. I agree with the above. I had a dream that started out not especially lucid. I was walking down a hallway in a dorm or apartment building and was approached by a pleasant dude who started talking enthusiastically about an album he was holding (music). I don't think he realized he was dreaming but he made me lucid at that point. He had a friendly coherent quality my DCs just don't have. I wanted to shock him in a positive way so I did probably the gayest thing I've ever done in a dream (and never IRL) and kissed him right on the lips! There was a happy feeling of shock back from him and I, of course, woke. I've also had a few (three I can think of) dreams where someone approached me to stop me from doing something. There is one dreamscape I had visited several times before but this time there was a fence and a locked gate. It starts in a parking lot area that ia odd because the lot is on a slope with a sort of steeper part through the middle. From the lot there is a trail through a hilly meadow that then ends up being a more difficult to pass area like you might find through a neighborhood alley that has been abandoned and blocked by some of the lot owners here and there. Anyway this time there was a fence at the lot and I loitered around for a bit till an older gentleman approached me to explain. I'm trying to think if he was the same man that appeared in another dream where I was in an apartment building type place and was sort of determined to have it out with a malicious entity that lived there who had apparently hassled me before and I had it in mind to avenge him in a severe way. When I came to that door, the older gentleman opened the door and explained that Richy couldn't see me now...

[Hijo de la Luna]

It has been my experience that it is a gut feel first & foremost. Secondly pay attention to recurring dream characters. Any one that is dream walking to you has a connection of some kind to you. Why do people dream walk? They are attracted to you for some reason. Why would that be? What is the agenda of the suspected dream walkers? If you are lucid these are questions you can ask yourself in a lucid dream to help. Here's the deal. They may be trying to influence you through taking advantage of repressed desires. If they think you are not lucid then you are likely to give in. After all your just dreaming right? he he he On the other hand if they are real & friendly then they won't try to coerce you intoYou will anything. they will likely say, "Hey, John Smith ....!" or whatever. Thirdly, there is just something weird about dreamwalking. When it happens you tend to remember them & they tend to be vivid, colorful & clear. Lastly, if you believe in totems, guardian angels, gods, god or your higher self or whatever ask them to assist you in whatever you choose. I have called in other people, guardian spirits &, other aspects of myself. We are never alone. This has been a huge help for me. I've been caught dreamwalking before. For the pure of heart a Dream Stalker has no place to enter. As for dream stalkers they can't out run the monster they become. I learned self love this way. It wasn't easy either. As for dream walkers they knock on the door. P.S. If you ever encounter your dead relatives or friends that had a message for you or someone else then you have been dreamwalked and it feels very much the same.

[LRT]

A simple rule for me: Real people know things you don't. For example, there used to be a certain part of general relativity that I just couldn't understand. I had a non-lucid dream where it was being taught in school, and when I woke up, lo and behold, the "teacher" explained something I couldn't understand, and now I understand it.

[Tyler]

A simple rule for me: Real people know things you don't. For example, there used to be a certain part of general relativity that I just couldn't understand. I had a non-lucid dream where it was being taught in school, and when I woke up, lo and behold, the "teacher" explained something I couldn't understand, and now I understand it. Doesn't necessarily mean it was another Dreamer. Some people view DC's as parts of our Self, they express our subconscious. Subconsciously you may have understood that bit of general relativity, but it took a dream for you to completely comprehend it consciously.

[LRT]

So my subconscious knew how to explain something using terms I had never heard before? Right.

[Aledrea]

I'm kinda worried here. I felt that prescence and that person tried killing me! That person appeared in my dream a couple more times...Maybe they thought I was a DC?lol

[LRT]

Talk to them. I've had numerous conversations with real people, and if he's smart he'll realize you're not a DC. Otherwise, teleport away. And remember, it's your dream! Whether he's real or not, you can always just wake up!

[Baron Samedi]

A DC is just a manifestation of your subconscious, and they need your attention to exist. Ignore them, and they will disappear, like turning off the TV. A real person does not disappear. Another way you can find out is by asking them questions that you do not know the answer to. I'm kinda worried here. I felt that prescence and that person tried killing me! That person appeared in my dream a couple more times...Maybe they thought I was a DC?lol It could be they thought you were a DC. You should write it in your DJ.