For those lacking dream control..

[LabRat]

Now, Im not exactly a professional at this, but came to the realisation recently that I had been trying to do things that were far too advanced in my dreams (changing the scene spontaneously, constructing places etc.) but neglecting the fact that my level of lucidity and control was low. Next time you go to sleep (or WBTB, which I do) and plan to dream lucidly, tell yourself that tonight, you will take it easy, and just walk through your dream, whilst lucid, and observe the world your mind creates. Its a huge step towards having clearer lucid dreams and more levels of control. It also gives you a sense of what your mind is capable of, and that to have full-control, you still have to work with your mind, rather than against it. Comments welcome, ofcourse

[Anorak]

This makes a lot of sense. In my most recent lucid dream, I tried very hard to change a major aspect of the dream - I tried to change a dream character into my girlfriend right after becoming lucid. No matter how hard I "willed" for this DC to morph, it didn't happen. The first LD I ever had was the most vivid, and all I did was walk around and observe for about 30 seconds. I guess the old adage that one must walk before running applies to LDing as well.

[Eonnn]

It also gives you a sense of what your mind is capable of, and that to have full-control, you still have to work with your mind, rather than against it. Now that is a very important point, and very good advice! I hope its not just me but I find the more I work with my mind, the more I can achieve... when you work against it and force things to much or go in a direction the mind didn't want to go it can lead to waking up. Exploring is great fun, and the first thing a newbie should be trying to get a feel for things. I believe it also helps in prolonging dreams.

[LabRat]

Thanks for agreeing! I know it probably common knowledge, but thought Id post it up for the newbies - much like myself, when I came to the conclusion the other night. Its more "Learning to drive, with your mind in the passenger seat" opposed to "Breaking into your minds house, stealing his car and not knowing quite how to drive".. Haha. Good analogy? Hmm.

[Bizarre Jester]

Thanks for agreeing! I agree also. I guess when people hear about lucid dreaming, they are turned on by all of the insane things that can be done in them (by advanced dreamers). The first thing to focous on should always be increasing clarity and simply staying lucid.

[Lynn]

I have floan in both of my lucid dreams, no problem. But, they weren't vivid. I will try to just walk and look around, but it might turn into a nightmare, for me. Everytime I walk around and observe in a dream, something weird or scary happens. I will try it, though.

[chess92]

I find that I tend to rush in my lucid dream too much....I always feel I will run out of time, so if I slow down it helps for more vividness and control, basically same as the other points mentioned here.

[Spyguy]

I find that I tend to rush in my lucid dream too much....I always feel I will run out of time, so if I slow down it helps for more vividness and control, basically same as the other points mentioned here. I can't speak out of experience (yet), but i read that your LDs are actually longer if you calm down and take your time. Stabilizing your LD seems to be the trick

[LabRat]

I can't speak out of experience (yet), but i read that your LDs are actually longer if you calm down and take your time. Stabilizing your LD seems to be the trick Right you are. Honestly, if its longer lucid dreams you want, you HAVE to be able to get them stable. Otherwise its a waste of time - and a waste of REM!

[gl431]

Next time you go to sleep (or WBTB, which I do) and plan to dream lucidly, tell yourself that tonight, you will take it easy, and just walk through your dream, whilst lucid, and observe the world your mind creates. Its a huge step towards having clearer lucid dreams and more levels of control. Good advice. I gave this a try, and had pretty much full control of my dreams (although I wasn't lucid for the whole time, so I think its strange how I had control over everything even while I wasn't lucid). I'm assuming that its easier to control a dream when you're lucid, so I'm going to just focus on controlling lucidity and not controlling the dream.

[BloodyHell]

It also gives you a sense of what your mind is capable of, and that to have full-control, you still have to work with your mind, rather than against it. It actually makes a lot of sense to me. I think its obvious now to first learn the basics, stay lucid and be in kinda harmony with your mind, before attempting to just fly or do some crazy fighting right of the bat. Thanks for reminding me

[LabRat]

Yep - Im only speaking from personal experience. Personally, I know my mind thinks on a higher level than most people - not intelligence, just things people dont normally think about - so when I had my first decent lucid, where I jsut walked and let my mind show me things, it was genuinley amazing. Opposing this is a weak lucid dream I had earler to this dream, where I was on a street, trying to control far too many aspects. For interest, the dream where I just walked showed me walking out of my bedroom into a beautiful, colourful valley, filled with so much flourishing life. Much more fascinating things happened - but probably too boring for other people

[thomulf]

this has been discussed over and over- its always good to bring it up every now and then, remembering that stability/clarity is more important than control is always important as people often forget.

[mazillion]

I was thinking that too, i see too many people trying crazy hard things right off the bat. I haven't had the chance but i have a lucid ritual i will preform when i really get my first good lucid. Rub hands, feel ground, increase clarity, etc.